Virginia Golfer September / October 2015 | Page 8

GREAT Holes No.2 PAR 5 YARDAGES BIG LICK: BALLYHACK GOLF CLUB ROANOKE, VA | by BRUCE H. MATSON 8 BALLYHACK: 514 yards RIDGE: STAR: 463 yards VALLEY: 399 yards 487 yards to putt for eagle, the player can drive right, which sets up an angle that avoids the green’s frontal bunker, but requires a heroic carry over rough and bunkers lining the right side of the approach to the putting surface. For the tournament player with length off the tee, like many at the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia in July, the hole offers another option to get under par. A heroic drive over the enormous cross bunker can set up a chance to reach the green in two with a long iron or rescue club, providing a possible one-putt for eagle. Playing the second as a three-shot hole still requires the golfer to think through the risks and rewards of the options presented. First, the tee shot must navigate a route between and short of the fairway hazards— eminently doable, but a lack of focus can result in the drive finding a bunker. George placed bunkers strategically at the landing areas for the second-shot layup to keep the player focused and thinking. With a severe bunker standing guard at the front of the green, to gain a better angle of approach to the flag, the player will have to bring those hazards even more into play. V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER/O CTOBER 2015 On his way to capturing the Farmington Trophy as winner of the Delta Dental State Open of Virginia, Lanto Griffin twice birdied the par-5 second hole. Challenging with significant risk-reward options for tournament players and interesting with multiple playing routes for all players, the second hole at Ballyhack Golf Club provides dramatic physical beauty as well as a strategic challenge. George commented, “From the very first time I saw the landform now embodied by the second hole at Ballyhack Golf Club, a vision of the hole that now exists was etched into my mind. I believe it is one of the greatest of my career.” A strong supporter of the Virginia State Golf Association, Ballyhack has also hosted VSGA One-Day events, VSGA Amateur Championship qualifying, and the VirginiaWest Virginia Team matches. Author Bruce H. Matson is a writer from Richmond and a member of Golfweek’s national rating panel for its “America’s Best 100 Courses.” vsga.org BALLYHACK GOLF CLUB I f it was not apparent on the first hole, after climbing the property while playing the opening par 4 at Ballyhack Golf Club, the player faces both a dramatic site and one of the best examples of the strategic architecture woven through that landscape. Standing on the tee for the second hole and the highest ground of the club’s property, the golfer must size up the options in front of him while avoiding the distraction of both the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Roanoke and the rest of the course below and across the valley. At the par-5 second hole, golf course architect Lester George created strategic options from tee to green—options that provide the interest and challenge of a great hole. Initially the player needs to consider whether the medium-length hole can be reached with two exceptional shots or is best played as a more traditional three-shot hole. Regardless, the wide fairways and creative bunkering requires careful consideration of the angles and carries. To have a chance 538 yards