Course Overview
Wooden Sticks Architect Ron Garl designed a course that blends 8 holes from the PGA tour with 10 original holes.
Wooden Sticks holes #3 & #4 are inspired by the famous “Amen Corner” holes #12 & #13 at Augusta National in Georgia. Augusta is the annual site of the Masters Golf tournament. This major is played every April and is considered the most revered golf event in the world.
Golf has a rich history originating in Great Britain. The British Open is considered to be the original championship in golf. The links style of golf architecture originated in Europe and we have captured that feeling at Wooden Sticks.
Hole # 11A
The 11th hole at Wooden Sticks has two options -11A or 11B. Wooden Sticks #11A is inspired from the famed “Postage Stamp” at Troon. This par 3 is short in distance but long on history. With a small green surrounded by deep pot bunkers, many Opens have been determined on how the eventual champion has fared on that hole. Wooden Sticks 11B is a replica of the 17th Hole at Troon – “Rabbit”. Wooden Sticks #14 is inspired from the “Hogan’s Alley” par five sixth hole from Carnoustie. This Scottish course is still in the British Open rotation and is famous for Ben Hogans’ only victory in the Open in his only appearance in 1953. Wooden Sticks holes #10, #15, and #18 are inspired from the most famous of British Open golf courses – St. Andrews.
Our #15 is inspired after the legendary 17th Road hole. The rock wall down the left side of the fairway, the pot bunker guarding the front left of the green and the road behind the green, all rival the original features.
Wooden Sticks #10 & #18 are inspired by holes #1 & #18 at St. Andrews. These holes share a common fairway and huge greens. The symbolic trademarks of the Swilcan Burn, the Palmer Bridge and the “Valley of Sin” are all embodied in our replica design.
Hole #17
Turning to North American design, our last replica hole is inspired by one of the most famous holes and shots in golf. Wooden Sticks #17 is inspired by the original island hole in golf at TPC Sawgrass. Sawgrass hosts the Tournament Players Championship each May and many consider this tournament the games fifth major. The 17th island hole undoubtedly decides who wins and who loses the tournament.
Besides our original 8 inspired by holes, Wooden Sticks also borrows some architectural design from some famous courses. Holes #9, 12, 13, & 16 feature the Waste bunker design of Pine Valley in New Jersey. Pine Valley although extremely private has been recognized annually as the premier golf course in North America.
The Church Pew Bunker design seen on Wooden Sticks #1 is copied from the famous feature at Oakmont in Pennsylvania. This course has hosted 13 major Championships, including 6 US opens.
In addition to the inspired holes, course architect, Ron Garl has designed original hole designs. Many visitors to Wooden Sticks believe that the original holes are better than the inspired ones.