Because it sometimes seems as though TPC golf courses are
popping up on a monthly basis, it would be understandable to pass off TPC
Sugarloaf course as just another link in the PGA Tour’s fast-growing network of
courses. Yet the Duluth, Georgia, development has become one
of the jewels of the TPC family, and its Greg Norman design is one of the finest
examples of golf architecture to come along in years.
The players at the AT&T Classics at Sugarloaf have had
nothing but enthusiastic comments for Norman’s creation. And the winners have
included some of the biggest names in the game: Tiger Woods, David Duval, Retief
Goosen, Phil Mickelson.
To say Norman took the work at Sugarloaf seriously is
an understatement. Sugarloaf was his chance to shine in the U.S.,
and he took full advantage of the opportunity. During the early stages of
Sugarloaf, Norman joined forces with former Pete Dye
assistant Jason McCoy, and it is the architecture and detail work by Great White
Shark Design that places Sugarloaf into the upper realm of American golf clubs.
Norman made 22
site visits, and these weren’t merely arm-waving photograph sessions. He and
McCoy clearly devoted much of their time to creating strategically sound holes
that present numerous playing options.
After the sound but difficult par-4 opener through a wide
clearing of towering pines, the second is a 144-yard par 3 to a green fronted by
a deep, flowing edged sod-wall bunker. The next three holes are routed
beautifully over hilly terrain where an attractive but annoying creek comes into
play. The 6th is a straightforward three-shot par 5, while the long two-shot 7th
presents all sorts of interesting tee shot options and a bunkerless, crowned
green.
Although the front nine is more scenic, Norman’s best design ideas
were left for the back nine, where thinking is paramount for getting into the
clubhouse with a decent score. The first of these is the 310-yard 13th. With
trees lining the left and bunkers closely guarding the right, it looks like a
fairly generic drive and pitch par 4. But on closer inspection the 13th is one
of the most interesting short holes to come along in years.
For the member, the best play is a lay-up shot barely
avoiding fairway bunkers on the right, leaving a view to a medium-sized green
that slopes gently away from the fairway. The bold player feels secure in trying
to nestle a drive up through a small opening to the green, because short and
left of the putting surface is a collection area where an overdrawn ball will
find a lie on the tight bermuda fairway. But the collection area is well below
the green and requires an awkward pitch over the deep bunker to an unreceptive
putting surface. The 13th challenges golfers to pull off their very best, and
the nature of the green and options make it a most original short par 4.
Another change in the final design stage with the tournament
in mind came on the home hole. Originally slated as a difficult par 4, with a
fun pitch-shot 19th hole planned for the current greensite, Norman opted to create a
do-or-die par 5 with a forced-carry second shot over water. The landing area is
75 feet above the green, leaving a terrifying second shot for those opting to go
for the green.
Despite the construction required to create such an exciting
finish, the 18th has a perfect balance of risk and reward, and it looks
remarkably natural. Actually, everything about TPC Sugarloaf was created to fit
the existing terrain, giving it the feel of a club that has been, and will
continue to be, an important landmark in American golf.
