LITTLE ROCK — Founded in 2003 and designed by Robert Trent Jones II No. 1, par 4, 444 yards
A tough opening hole that requires accuracy to avoid trees on the left and water that runs along the right side. The green is 29 yards deep with a safety area left of the greenside bunker. “It’s a challenging hole,” said John Warburton, head golf professional at Chenal Country Club. “That can really set the tone. If you make a mistake on your first swing, you can make a bogey or double bogey real easy, and that can set the pace.” HOLE HANDICAP 9 No. 2, par 4, 385 yards
Narrow dogleg left that requires good tee-shot placement and an approach that avoids a right-side bunker.
HOLE HANDICAP 5 No. 3, par 4, 455 yards
The most difficult hole on the course. Two bunkers dot the left side of the fairway, and any approach missed right is likely to land in a creek. “It’s a tough driving hole,” Warburton said.
HOLE HANDICAP 1 No. 4, par 3, 190 yards
An easier handicap shouldn’t downplay four bunkers surrounding a green that’s only 25 yards deep.
HOLE HANDICAP 15 No. 5, par 5, 590 yards
Many players will likely use a threeshot strategy on this nearly 600-yard challenge. The best approaches will likely come from between 75-120 yards out and left of the last fairway bunker. “You’ve got to take advantage of the par-5,” Warburton said. “Even though it’s 590 yards, good players are going to look to make birdie there.” HOLE HANDICAP 11No. 6, par 4, 430 yards
A well-placed tee shot needs to finish short of the creek that splits the fairway about 100 yards short of the green and finishes right of trees that could block an approach. A collection area left of the green leaves for a tough up-and-down.
HOLE HANDICAP 3 No. 7, par 5, 525 yards
A slight dogleg right that suits a tee shot on the left side of the fairway. Second-shot approaches for eagle need to avoid the bunker by the frontleft of the green.
HOLE HANDICAP 13
No. 8, par 3, 172 yards
The easiest hole on the front nine. Relatively short distance with a green that’s receptive to birdie chances.
HOLE HANDICAP 17 No. 9, par 4, 478 yards
A tee shot that misses the right-side bunker has a good chance of hitting the downslope and rolling a few extra yards. Approach shots have to avoid the collection area left of the green.
HOLE HANDICAP 7 No. 10, par 5, 535 yards
Long hitters have to notice thecreek in the middle of the fairway about 300 yards off the tee. Some may consider a layup approach because of bunkers front-right and front-left of the green. “Reachable in two,” Warburton said. “It’s certainly a birdie hole for everyone who’s thinking birdie, but you can also make a big number on there as well because of the hazards that are on it.” HOLE HANDICAP 14 No. 11, par 4, 419 yards
The most difficult hole of the back nine. The tee shot must avoid a left-side bunker for the uphill approach to have a chance at a good result. “It’s one of those holes I seeover and over again in tournaments where people can make big numbers and typically do,” Warburton said.
HOLE HANDICAP 2 No. 12, par 4, 390 yards
Continues the pattern of putting emphasis on the tee shot. Stay between the bunkers on each side of the fairway between 260-290 yards off the tee and only a short iron remains to the green.
HOLE HANDICAP 12 No. 13, par 3, 220 yards
The easiest hole on the course. It offers a green that’s 35 yards deepwith just two bunkers on the left, relegated more to shots that start left than ones that attack the pin with a draw.
HOLE HANDICAP 18 No. 14, par 4, 435 yards
Dogleg right with a creek in front of the green. Safe approaches will aim for the bunker on the right and draw slightly.
HOLE HANDICAP 6 No. 15, par 5, 566 yards
The easiest of the par 5s gives players a chance to start a rally on the last few holes. Players must avoid the bunker on the right off the tee and the lake on the left on the approach.
HOLE HANDICAP 16 No. 16, par 4, 412 yards
Short and straightaway hole. Tee is narrow and lined with trees before opening up about 200 yards down.
HOLE HANDICAP 10 No. 17, par 3, 208 yards
The green is protected by a lake in front of the green and wraps around the right side. Two bunkers are tucked in around the green as well. “Seventeen is going to be a pivotal hole for a lot of people, certainly when it comes down to Saturday,” Warburton said of the hole that was lengthened about 20 yards for the event. “That’s going to be one of those where you’re probably not going to win the tournament on that hole, but you could certainly lose it.” HOLE HANDICAP 8 No. 18, par 4, 472 yards
The finishing hole has one of the deepest greens on the course, 40 yards. However, it’s a long way to get there. A creek runs about 45 yards in front of the green, and some approaches could be coming in from as far as 170-200 yards away.
HOLE HANDICAP 4
Sports, Pages 23 on 07/18/2012