Hole Profile: Mystic
Rock's Heavenly No. 17

By Shannon Gazze
GolfArizona.com Valley Editor

In the Keystone State, the lake that borders two, 16 and 17 is perhaps the keystone of the course. It's the crux of Mystic Rock, if not geographically, than at least architecturally. All the factors that make Dye's design special - the white-washed rocks, the ravines, the lakes, the leaves - they're all there.

• Review: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa • Past course reviews from Pennsylvania • Past course reviews by Shannon Gazze

If it were heaven, Gene could tell you just the club you'd need to carry the lake and safely land your ball on the Bermuda-grass green 183 yards away. You'd have no fear of the granite-crusted shoreline only a few paces from the putting surface. You'd avoid the bunker and hills guarding the right side of the green altogether and put just a little backspin on your shot to bring it to rest on the correct tier of the green (it's got three).

Mere mortals seeking the clubhouse's printed advice will read the following: "This hole has it all, length, water, difficult hole locations and a huge three-tiered green. Be sure to choose the right club and favor the right side of the green."

Not much help there. You reach into your bag, unsheathe your iron and bury your tee into the ground. You take a few practice swings and a deep breath, then fire the ball out over the water with a slight fade, praying your last Titlest doesn't roll back into the drink.

You hold your finishing pose for a long moment, leaning away from the water to give your ball some extra encouragement. Then a smile comes over your face. You bend over to collect your tee and give Gene a little wink as you walk off the tee. You have escaped. You are dry . . . this time.

That's one man's experience at the Mystic Rock's signature hole. I escaped with a par and I counted my blessings.

The par-3 also has tees at 169, 157 and 118 yards. It's the easiest hole on the course according to the scorecard's handicaps, though I'm sure the lake's murky depths have claimed their share of victims.

Anyway, there are no easy holes at Mystic Rock, only narrow escapes.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
1001 LaFayette Drive
Farmington, Pennsylvania 15437
1-800-422-2736
www.nwlr.com