Design-a-Hole: Behind The Scenes

Design-a-Hole: Behind The Scenes

Realistic Planning and Last Minute Change Ensure Success for "The Falls"

dahDave Hollingshead is like most Golden Tee players. Right now he's trying to figure out the nooks and crannies of every hole on each of the five new courses in Golden Tee '09. The only difference however is that one of those holes is his.

Dave won the inaugural Design-a-Hole contest earlier this year, with his creative design "The Falls." The name certainly fits considering the giant waterfall blocking the green of the par-4 15th hole on Black Hills.

Chances are by now almost all of you have had the pleasure of playing Dave's creation. And there’s no question that many of you have lost a virtual ball or two in the beautifully designed cascade protecting the green.

"The first time I played it I came about six inches from a hole-in-one," Hollingshead said of his experiences with the hole. "There can be some very tough tee boxes and looks especially when you're tucked back behind the hill. If you can avoid the waterfall, there's more than a good chance to make birdie. An eagle takes an almost perfect shot.”

Originally the impenetrable waterfall on Dave's hole was a cinch to hit through. Before the final version shipped however, Dave asked course designer Jim Zielinski if he would be willing to adjust the physics of the waterfall.

"Dave called and asked us if we could make the waterfall a hazard, and therefore eliminate the option of hitting through it altogether," said Jim on Dave's request. "We agreed that it added a lot more strategy when playing the hole, and I was more than willing to make the switch. This was his design and we really wanted to keep it that way."

Now players can go around the cannon and avoid the waterfall's wrath, most likely settling for birdie. Those looking for an eagle however can try their luck bending it around the waterfall and hoping for a friendly kick off the back rocks. If your tee shot even glances the side of the waterfall however, it'll be wet resulting in a par or possibly worse.

drawing"Having risk vs. reward was always in my thought process creating this hole," Dave said. "Giving players the option to bail out for birdie, while also giving the opportunity to try and go for an eagle was a staple when I was creating the hole."

With the success and buzz generated in last year's promotion, look for another Design-a-Hole contest to make it's way into the forefront of next year's update. While the contest might be months away, Dave says he's already brainstorming potential winning designs with high hopes of a repeat. He offered up this bit of advice for those looking ahead at a run at next year's Design-a-Hole crown.

"Creativity is obviously huge, but making it playable is perhaps even more important. While you want to make a hole challenging with some twists, you have to picture yourself playing the hole, and ask yourself would this really work?"

Dave's realistic and unique hole approach paid off along with his last-minute hole suggestion. "The Falls" is now a piece of Golden Tee history, and is also one of the cooler Golden Tee Golf holes of all time.

Got a great idea you think could rival Dave's next Design-a-Hole push? Perfect your hole designs now because soon enough we’ll be asking for the next batch of contestants. You've got plenty of time to prepare and the competition this go around will be fierce!

Stay tuned to Goldentee.com more!

Golden Tee 2009

Celebrating 20 Years of Golden Tee Golf

Download the GT Toolbar