Since the game inception, golf has been played on courses conceived from the natural lay of the land. It's only recently that man has had the ability to build golf courses in the middle of the desert or move mountains of earth to carve a course out a piece of property. It's rare in today’s "new course" openings to find a "new" course that looks like it's been there for decades and is in seamless harmony with its surroundings.
During a recent trip back to Wisp Resort in McHenry Maryland we played a front nine preview round at the new private Hale Irwin sigature course, Lodestone Golf Club. Sitting atop Marsh Mountain the course meanders through natural rocky outcroppings and wooded terrain creating a destined masterpiece.
This is Hale Irwin's first designed signature course in Maryland and each of the nine holes we played would be a signature hole on any other course. Actually, I take that back…saying any of the holes at Lodestone course could be a signature at another course is an understatement. I only hope the pictures we captured while playing the course do it justice.
On the course standing at the first tee you're greeted with a dramatic Par-4 that sets the tone for the front nine. One of the best design aspects I personally liked about the course was the wide landing areas. Unlike other mountain courses Lodestone does not intimidate the golfer with tight tee shots to narrow fairways. You have ample opportunity and room to maneuver off the tee.
The approach shot on the first hole is a downhill shot setting the second dominate tone the course exudes…elevation change. Like any mountain course the natural elevation changes will test your course management skills. The continually challenge of proper or in-proper club selection is ever present.
After rounding the green on the second hole the cart path is diverted through a large group of moss covered boulders and on the other side is the magnificent Par-5 third. The elevated tee presents a great risk reward hole. Clear the bunkers on the left corner of the dog leg and your set up perfect to go for the green in two. From the fairway you have an up-hill shot to the green or with an ample lay-up point just right and short of the green. Just a great hole…both picturesque and well designed.
The Par-4 sixth starts with a split fairway tee shot and ends with an approach to a well protected green. I really didn't see any advantage to going right or left off the tee but just visually the approach to the green sets up best from the right side. Plus given the fact the right fairway descends down hill a bit more you're likely to get more roll from your tee shot. Be sure to stay in front of the pin on this green. Hit it long and you'll likely be stranded on the beach in two hidden bunkers behind the green.
The Par-3 8th is a scenic slight downhill tee shot to an extremely well guarded green. Bunkers abound with lots of collection areas leaving testy chips if you don't hit the surface with your approach shot. Luckily like many of the greens you have a large target to work with…but also like most of the greens hitting the right side or portion of the green is crucial. The greens were recently aerated during our preview round making putting relatively easy. I can only imagine these greens in peek condition and running smooth and fast!
The front nine ends with the devilish Par-4 9th where a good tee will place you over the hill with another down-hill approach dropping far enough to affect club selection by at least two clubs. Avoid missing the left side of this green due to a group of bunkers off this side of the green. If you miss left get ready to hit an explosion shot back onto the green.
There are a couple of items worth mentioning about Lodestone Golf Club. Management hopes to open the back nine next summer with the practice facility and clubhouse to follow.
Currently the course plans to open as private club with lots and homesites for sale in and around the property. With the current economic climate, I wish the owners all the luck in the world with this lofty goal. It's my hope that Lodestone opens semi-private offering public play to Wisp Resort guests. It would be a great way to introduce people to the course and hopefully sell homesites. Plus it would make the course available to the public and give more golfers the opportunity to play what I believe has the ability to be "one of the best" if not the "best course" in the state of Maryland.