One Last View of Newport

(click to enlarge)And if you're a qualifier, how about this for your first glimpse of Newport.

I'm back in the Home of the Homeless and should have some stuff to post later Wednesday once I recover from studying the Rees-toration of Medinah.

Views of Newport, Vol. 5

(click on image to enlarge)The 185-yard par-3 8th features more wonderful bunkering and a tricky little shot, though a realistic birdie chance coming down the stretch.

Views of Newport, Vol. 4

(click to enlarge)One of the holes added to Donald Ross's original Newport layout, the 549-yard par-5 7th, err, 16th features a midway hazard area that Tilly loved, though this one offers a way around.

Here's the view into the green, with those incredibly aged and character rich bunkers (and love the sand color, fescues and flowering weeds that give such a rugged appearance). 

Views of Newport, Vol. 3.5

(click on image to enlarge)The 480-yard 10th provides a solid birdie opportunity before a difficult stretch of back nine holes, especially if the wind is up. This shot was taken from the second floor of the clubhouse.

Views of Newport, Vol. 3

(click to enlarge)Newport features back-to-back par-3's with the uphill 4th and the long, Redan-like 5th. Both are classics for different reasons.

The fourth tee (upper image) sits next to the maintenance center and features an all or nothing uphill shot played to a "skyline green," generally played into a stiff breeze. The USGA lists it at 137 for this week's event.

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The 5th (lower image) is longer with more of a run-up approach required, and is played on nearly the same line as the previous hole. A design defect to some, but way too fun and different for most to even notice.

It also appears there are plans to alternate the distance for this hole ala the 4th at Baltusrol. 

Views of Newport, Vol. 2

(click on image to enlarge)Keep in mind the nines are being reversed for this week's U.S. Women's Open, so the short par-4 11th will be playing as the 2nd.

This is just a great little two-shotter with beautifully placed bunkers that tempt a play close to the green, even though a lay-up left followed by a wedge approach, will do the job. 

And like the 10th at Riviera, it's a timeless design built on Newport's least interesting terrain.  

Views of Newport

While I'm on the road the next few days, I can offer a few photos of the wonderful Newport Country Club, host to this week's U.S. Women's Open. I happened to catch it on a nice day for photography in the fall of 2003.

The next few posts will highlight some of my favorite holes and aspects of this charming layout. For more on the course, check out the USGA official site hole-by-hole map. There is also a page devoted to the club's history.

Do note the fairway irrigation-free course is likely to be much, much more green this year due to heavy rains, not because the USGA or club wanted it cleaned up for the championship.

And also remember that the clubhouse has undergone a significant restoration since my visit, so some of the color schemes and other details may be different when you see it this week. 

(click image to enlarge)So, for starters, check out the coolest parking lot in golf. Yes, that's right, grass, with white wood railings that have the initials of members to delineate parking spaces.