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The
opening of the new nine holes at the Black Course at
Tiburon marks the completion of the resort's golf
offerings. The new holes offer a slightly different
style, meaning the Black provides the golfer with true
variety throughout the round, and a golf experience
unlike any offered in the Naples area. The design
intends for the course to play without rough, in the
firm and fast tradition of links-style golf.
Norman’s desire to maintain this theme can be seen
throughout the course, even while the surrounding
landscape differs from the front side to the back.
The original nine
holes, made up of 1-7 and 17-18, are laid down upon
similar terrain as that of the Gold Course. Tree lined
holes with walled bunkers and ponds accent the early
holes and get the golfer off to a gentle start. The
characteristics that define the stretch from 8-17 are
markedly different, with massive waste bunkers, plenty
of water, very few trees and a general wide-open feel.
The excitement upon arriving at the eighth tee is
noticeable, but the vastness leads many to swing away
when sound shot-making is just as important on the
backstretch as it is on the early holes.
After
the generous opening hole, the Black Course bounces
back with the hardest hole on the golf course. The
436-yard second requires a strong drive to a narrow
landing area, followed by an exacting approach to a
green which is guarded on the right side by a pond
with its bank shaved to the water’s edge. The
challenging shot values on display here are a taste of
what is to come. The only consolation offered by
Norman's design is that many of the greens are open in
front, allowing players to bounce their approaches
into the green.
As
the Black heads out of the woods and onto the eighth
tee, players must heed the wind. This short 345-yard
par four provides plenty of strategic interest, and
again the demand is on the golfer to choose wisely.
The longer hitters may be tempted to reach this green
with the tee shot, however the margin is so small that
only the longest players should risk it. The green is
protected in front by an extension of the pond that
guards the left side. A lay-up of the tee will leave a
short iron in, or the more daring tee shot can find a
sliver of fairway on the right side and be bounced
onto the front edge. Either way, birdies can be had if
the golfer takes the water out of play.
After
the fun risk-reward ninth hole, the back nine begins
with a long par three, made longer by the prevailing
wind blowing into the golfer. Measuring 196 yards from
the back tees, the hole befuddles further by the
massive green, which demands the proper section be
played to, or else players will face a difficult
two-putt for par.
As
the course weaves back into treed ground, the course
surprises with yet another smart short par four. The
16th measures 414 yards, and really comes alive on the
second shot, which brings the water on the right into
play. With a large swale in front of the green, the
approach can be played along the ground, however a
high shot is preferred.
The
Black Course closes with a medium length par five,
which at only 533 yards proves reachable for those
willing to challenge the perilous inside track on this
dogleg right. Greenside bunkers are as prevalent here
as ever, perhaps guarding against those daring players
who would challenge the green with more than a short
iron, which the easy lay-up would leave. The Black
Course is a perfect apprentice to the Gold, and rounds
out a great golfing experience for travelers in
Southwest Florida. |
