A Shark Bite in the Desert
Greg Norman's course at PGA WEST tests your
skills
 If
this golf course was a ski slope, it would be a black diamond
run. Proceed with caution. That's not said for effect; it's
just an honest assessment. If you really want to test the
mettle of your golf game, test it against a tough opponent.
And it doesn't get much tougher than the newest course at
PGA West in La Quinta. For me, Greg Norman's triumphant design,
with golf flavors from three cultures (Scottish links, Australian
Outback and Southwestern desert) exposed more than a few weaknesses
in my game. But instead of discouraging me, it encouraged
me…to practice and get better so I can go back and take my
own bite out of the Great White Shark.
WARMING UP:  Here's
a brief rundown of PGA West in La Quinta - there are three
public and three private courses in this desert collection,
and of the public tracks, the TPC Stadium Course created by
Pete Dye holds the most allure. That is until the word spreads
about "The Norman," a desert survivor course sitting 40 feet
below sea level ("Down Under" in Aussie-speak.) If you look
at this plot of land from one of the hot air balloons that
take off nearby, you'll see far more brown than green - and
almost more blue. By the numbers, there are 125 acres of decomposed
crushed granite vs. 60 acres of grass, and 25 of those green
acres are tee boxes and greens. That means there's twice as
much desert as fairway. Add in 18 acres of lakes and ... well,
you do the math. Bottom line: If your approach to desert golf
is "Let's drive out to the Palm Springs Marriott for some
hit-and-giggle and get a tan," then the Greg Norman course
at PGA West isn't for you because this shark will take a bite
out of your game!
MY FAVORITE HOLES: 
- No. 3: 477 yard par 4 (5 handicap): Coming off the par-5
second hole, this monster feels like it should be another
5-shooter. All of a sudden the fairways start to narrow
while the steep, Augusta-white crushed marble bunkers filled
with weeds and flowers (on purpose, a Norman request) become
a reality
- No. 6, 481-yard par 4 (1 handicap): Think we're kidding?
Here's where Norman's Carnoustie influence takes over. Those
hairy bunkers really come into play as you tee off toward
the date palm farm. Three pot bunkers guard the front and
make a great landing area for your ball after the roller-coaster
fairway ride. Don't even think of getting to the green out
of any fairway bunker…anywhere on the course
- No. 7: 181 yard par 3 (15 handicap): Don't be ashamed
if you 4-putt this green. I did and I'm still trying to
figure out why.
- No. 8: 617-yard par 5 (3 handicap): Three impressive
shots may still get you nothing but a soaked soft-core spinner.
Granted, at least you're not picking thorns out of your
socks in the shrubs. This true 3-shots-to-the-green par
5 would be just as nasty and menacing without the lake next
to it. I can't imagine this one on a windy day.
- No. 11: 337 yard par 4 (18 handicap): Head pro Dave Doerr
calls this one his favorite because of the risk/reward factor.
How can there be a risk on the 18th handicap hole? Now you're
finally getting the idea. Even better, it's followed by
the 16th handicap hole, the par 5 12th that's a modest 566
yards. And this is the easiest twosome of the day. Don't
get too comfortable.
- No. 15, 431 yard par 4 (12 handicap): The yardage book
won't show it, but there are two definite landing areas
to pick from, right or left off the tee. The reason is the
fairway hooks up with No. 6 for a shared piece of land that
really gives a links flavor.
DID YOU KNOW:  If
you bothered to count, there are 65,000 plants on the course,
each with its own individual sprinkler. No wonder they grew
so big, so fast. These magnificent desert flowers, currently
in full bloom, are catching golf balls for a living now.
MORE IMPORTANT INFO: The land used for what some may
think is a run-away nightmare was formerly a 275-acre very-flat
sod farm. That means every contour has been created by Norman's
warped mind.
PRO SHOP WARNING: All the Greg Norman Collection gear
is there, including the "Play Dry" fabric stuff. If you sweat,
and here you should, buy a shirt and be part of the total
Norman Experience.
THE BONUS: When you come to the desert you gotta stay
somewhere. The nearby La Quinta Resort and Spa has got to
be experienced on one of your trips. A warm soak in your Casita's
huge tub is about as good as it gets after being challenged
by any of the six PGA West courses. The resort village has
terrific restaurants like the anything-but-typical Adobe Grill
that serves up some tasty margaritas. So they tell me.
SUMMING IT UP:  They
say Norman, who signed off on each hole before it was completed,
was trying to blend his native Australian landscape with golf's
Scottish tradition in a Southwestern setting. What he's created
may have looked on paper like an Emerald Island Foster's hangover
with a side order of nachos. But he pulled it off and fashioned
a beauty. And be prepared to do some walking. There are folks
doing that all over the place. Not for their love of nature,
they're just looking for their recently misplaced balata.
I can't stress enough that you have to come here with a purpose.
There are no gimmicks - not even any rough. Anywhere. It's
either fairway or desert. Greg Norman presents a test and
if you score 100 on it, well, you're on the wrong side of
the curve. Ace it, and you can brag, because this Scottish
Outback will not be taken by many.
Eric
Tracy
KFWB
RADIO
Photos 1, 2 and 5 by Joanne Dost.
|
