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The $2.5 million event will be played March 26-April 1, 2008
and the winner will take home $375,000. The event will take
place the week before the Masters,
and two weeks before the LPGA Ginn
Open at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando, Fla.
The only true oceanfront course to open in Florida in more
than 70 years, Ocean Hammock Golf Club opened in 2000 and
quickly earned accolades from pros and amateurs alike. Ocean
Hammock, a Jack Nicklaus signature design is a beautiful,
challenging 18-hole course with eight holes that overlook
the ocean, including a magnificent 468-yard par-4 finishing
hole.
Ocean Hammock features plenty of classic Nicklaus design
features -- visually stimulating par 4s to close each nine,
a mix of reachable yet demanding par 5s and a variety of holes
that dogleg left and right and flow uphill and downhill-and
plays to greens large and small. Lakes, dunes and forested
terrain add to the challenge. The final four holes have been
dubbed "The Bear Claw" and feature the biggest water
hazard -- the Atlantic Ocean.
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Hole #1
The opening holes provide an opportunity to start well
– a short par four followed by a reasonable par five.
Be wary of the huge sand waste area located about 110
yards out along the right side on the approach to the
second green. |
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Hole #2
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Hole #3
Number 3 requires an accurate tee shot between two fairway
bunkers, and an approach that avoids the moguled bunkers
left and grass depressions around the perched green.
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Hole #4
A pretty par three is next –to a wide putting complex
fronted by pot bunkers and a daunting lake.
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Hole #5
Be careful not to cut off too much on the par four 5th,
as the banks that border the lake will funnel balls hit
close run down to the hazard…Par here is a great
score. |
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Hole #6
The sixth features more water which comes into play off
the tee and especially on the second shot – and appears
quickly along the left side. A lay up to the right side
will find plenty of fairway, leaving a short iron or wedge
shot to the beautiful peninsula green. |
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Hole #7
Again water comes into play along the left on seven,
but the true challenge rests in the green-side bunkers
and grass hollows that protect the putting surface.
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Hole #8
Wind may play an important role on the par three 8th,
as it leads to an elevated green that sits directly in
front of the ocean.) |
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Hole #9
Same for number nine, which also plays uphill and runs
parallel to the Atlantic. |
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Hole #10
The back side begins with a reachable par five along a
narrow tree lined fairway. Avoid the bunker left and those
fronting the green and birdie/par is a good possibility. |
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Hole #11
Cut off as much as you can on 11, which bends left beside
another lake. Just left of the middle fairway bunker is
a good spot to be in – as it will leave a short iron
or wedge approach. |
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Hole #12
Number 12 is the longest of the par threes, and provides
some bail out room on the right. |
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Hole #13
Right of the fairway bunker leaves a good angle for a
clear approach on 13, which is protected by a deep bunker
short right and a grass hollow left and deep. |
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Hole #14
The left side is the safe play all the way to the green
on the par five 14th. Take the water out of play and birdie/par
is possible. Adventure seekers can aim towards the peninsula
type fairway along the right, and go for the green in
two. |
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Hole #15
Fifteen demands a short carry over water off the tee,
with an uphill approach towards the blue Atlantic. Missing
the green in the grass hollow short right creates a difficult
up and down. Take enough club on the second shot! |
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Hole #16
The par four 16th is not long, but demands an accurate
tee shot over or just to the right of the fairway trap
that hugs the lake. Trouble awaits shots hit through the
fairway. Water awaits shots missed left, and there is
not much room right either on one of the most demanding
approaches of the day. |
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Hole #17
17 is a beautiful par three over water set against the
dune and the Atlantic Ocean. Wind may be a big factor
here. |
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Hole #18
The finishing hole begins innocently enough, to a wide
fairway which runs parallel to the ocean. The approach
is uphill with deep bunkers protecting the left side and
grass swales behind.
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Florida Golf's City of the Month
