![]() There’s a ridge that runs in the middle, almost splitting it into two bowls. This is a definite birdie opportunity though! For a USGA qualifier or something for University of Washington the course would play firmer. It’s not an overly long par 5, and it does play downhill. I could imagine this hole playing as a par 4 for bigger tournaments. A lovely tee shot at Aldarra’s 12th, which bends slightly to the right with views of snowcapped mountains in the back It’s rare you see back-to-back par 5’s, but the 12th is 515 yards as a 5 following the uphill par 5, 11th. The 12th is the best view on the course, with the next hole being a serious contender. I found both holes fairly forgettable, and are likely the two weakest holes on the course (although 10 did feature a fairly interesting green complex). The 10th starts the two hole slog up the hill, but they both play pretty short, with 10 playing 357 as a 4 and 11 plays 525 as a 5. The green is pretty small and devilish, however, and a creek runs in the front and left side of the green. Speaking of the 9th, it’s the shortest hole on the course, only playing 152 from the Aldarra tees. On the picture above, you can see one of the old farm houses, and below on the par 3, 9th you can see some old Silos. The approach favors a draw, and don’t go long (it’s death).Ī fun fact about Aldarra is it’s build on an old Boeing Farm, so there’s still some structures around the course that give it a cool vibe. Don’t be fooled: the carry looks shorter than it is The inside corner is all environmentally protective hazard, so you can’t play it even if you do hit it in. It’s kind of a “bite off as much as you can chew” shot, but its probably just best if you hit it right of the big tree. The 8th is a long 4 at 471 yards, and the tee shot plays close to a cape hole. The green complex here is lovely too, perched up above a slew of bunkers, featuring some nice movement in the front portion with a ridge dividing the front and back. From the left side of hole 7, the player is forced to work a draw in instead of having an unobstructed view of the green The tee shot moves slightly to the left, but for a better angle you should keep it right side, if you can (I couldn’t!). 7, however, 7 is fully reachable at 504 yards from the back deck. Like the 2nd and 3rd, 6 and 7 are a par 3-par 5 combo. The right side pretty much bowls in, so we had an easy pin the day we played, but I could imagine how difficult a back left pin would be. Over a creek that looks natural to me, a 200 or so yard mid to long iron is needed to be dancin’. Once you turn the corner you have a nice approach to a fairly manageable green. Zoomed in from the blue/Championship tee box on the 5th The fifth is significantly longer than the fourth, playing upwards of 450 yards, but a lovely swooping dogleg right made for a beautiful tee shot. The fourth is short enough to let you lay back if driver is uncomfortable, while you could still get closer to the green if you were confident. Unlike nearby Sahalee, I felt like there was still good variety, even if they were fairly claustrophobic tee shots. Lined by huge pines, these two par 4’s feel like they’re in the Pacific Northwest. The fourth and fifth both feature very difficult tee shots. Looking up towards the green on the par 5, 3rd after a tee shot left-centre Orange sand is a trademark at the high end clubs in Vancouver, BC, and at Aldarra its slightly orange, not sticking out too much but just enough to be visually interesting. ![]() I felt the bunkering style, especially with Fazio’s clean bunkering edges, really matched the vibe and feel of a good Pacific Northwest course. The hole only plays 563 yards, but on a wet day–common in Seattle–and at sea level, 563 plays longer than you think. The third, a great tee shot, doglegs up and to the right over a natural depression area. The second, a par 3, plays ever-so-slightly uphill, playing closer to 185 or 190 than the 181 scorecard yardage says. The approach is played with wedge or 9 iron to a fairly undulated green. Longer players can take it at the three bunkers on the left, flying the water left Doglegging to the left, playing a stout 440 yards. The first tee shot feels very Fazio, like most of the course, but is still a nice opening tee ball. The course is on some pretty interesting topography, meandering through some very hilly land on the east side of Seattle. ![]() Everyone thinks of Sahalee and Chambers Bay when you think of Seattle due to their slew of major championships hosted between the two, however, Aldarra is my vote for the best course in the area (note: I’ve yet to play Tom Doak’s Tumble Creek Club in Cle Elum). Sammamish features two of the top courses in the state of Washington: Sahalee, which you can read my review of here, and Aldarra, Tom Fazio’s 2001 design.
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