The long awaited public opening of Sand Castle Cove Golf Club is nearly here. SCCGC was established in 1943 as a private club for the local elite players. Since 1948 it has been the annual host to the Sand Castle Cove Open, where winners hope to hoist the Superintendent’s Cup on 18 green. Now after a historic multi billion dollar deal, the course is opening to the public. This video will go over all 18 championship holes on the property. A brief description of each hole is written by the legendary course designer StopDropandKrol. Please note, all video is taken from the 2019 Sand Castle Cove Open, renovations to the course are still ongoing and any improvements can and will be made should the public have a majority opinion.
Hole 1 – A long but fairly open first hole. The shot into the fairway bunkers will provide a difficult look at the green. The fairway slopes down into the green so shots that run up can effectively be used. The large green slopes back towards the fairway.
Hole 2 – A very short par 3 but a difficult green guarded by 3 bunker complexes. Most shots will clear the tree near the tee box. The green is soft and will provide a great birdie opportunity should the player be on in regulation.
Hole 3 – The only drive-able green on the course. Deep bunkers and 2 humps on the green make golfers think twice about trying to cross the bay. A shot straight onto the fairway will provide a short iron into the green.
Hole 4 – One of the tightest fairways on the course, long hitters might need to club down, unless they can carry to the left fairway. The green is surrounded by a singular bunker complex and slopes away from the tee. Land it soft and short of the hole for a birdie chance.
Hole 5 – A medium length par 3, over the bay to a small green. Bunkers are a plenty around the green but unless severely offline, balls should land in the rough.
Hole 6 – The first par 5 on the course is a difficult one. If the wind is blowing, players can attempt to land on top of the hill and have a look at the green. Otherwise, a shot onto the fairway leaves a blind shot over the water to the green. Keep your ball in play and par is attainable.
Hole 7 – The shortest continuous par 4 on the course. Longer hitters can attempt to carry the tree and have a wedge into the green, others can layup right and look at a short iron. The green is elevated and is the smallest on the course. A miss left into the bunker leaves a tough bunker shot.
Hole 8 – An interesting par 4 that leaves players with a choice on the tee. Lay up into the fairway and have a long shot into the elevated green, or try to carry the bunkers. Careful of the trees straight ahead as they can block approaches. The green is large however short sends you down the hill and long is off a severe incline.
Hole 9 – A long par 5 with many different strategies. The fairway splits around the landing zone, left guarded by bunkers, right sloping away from the hole. A difficult second shot leaves players with a risk/reward opportunity. The Old Tom Morris Cove Center Grandstand surrounds the large green with a second tier on the right hand side.
Hole 10 – The back 9 kicks off with a tee shot over the bay. 3 Large bunker complexes surround the landing zone that tilts to the right. The fairway continues downhill into the green allowing players to run shots up. Long and right approach shots will land in the water.
Hole 11 – A very short par 3 into an elevated green. Pin positions can be tricky but most championship golfers will look for a birdie here. The green is relatively large and flat.
Hole 12 – This tricky par 5 is the best opportunity for eagle. Tee shots that are long down the fairway should catch the downward slope and run to the green. Short tee shots will need to utilize the 2nd landing area. The green is wide and has relief to the left.
Hole 13 – The only truly blind tee shot on the course, players must carry over the Krol Bridge onto a flat fairway guarded by natural area on the right. Long approach shots will run over the green.
Hole 14 – This par 5 is another tough one. A tee shot right provides the best look into the green but is tight. The left side offers more land. Players then must carry the water into the large green where they enter The Sand Castle Coliseum.
Hole 15 – A long island par 3, this green slopes towards the tee. Players #1 priority should be getting on the green. Pressure can build on a late Sunday tee time here.
Hole 16 – A windy, uphill, par 4 where the fairway slopes right to left. A good tee shot leaves a mid iron into the small, deep green.
Hole 17 – This par 4 asks golfers to carry the tree on the tee or lay up to the right. The green slopes severely downhill and is surrounded by Gator Cove.
Hole 18 – The longest hole on the course is this straight par 5. Carry the bunkers off the tee and you will be left with an approach into the grandstands. Get ready to hoist the Superintendents Cup as you see the Castle in the distance.
