Hole #10
Par 4
345 yards – 334 yards – 281 yards
This hole may require you to club down off the tee to avoid driving the ball too far off the end of the hill where the fairway ends. The green is closely guarded by a bunker on the left and a pond short and left.
Trouble Lurks: Don’t leave your tee shot out in the right rough as you will be faced with a difficult sidehill lie in deep rough which could be further compounded by the maturing maples and pines. If you are lucky enough to have a clear shot from the right side, some members call this part of the course “Birdie Alley”.
Hole Fact: This green was originally constructed using a base of muck which was trucked in from the nearby Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.
Hole #11
Par 4
342 yards – 332 yards – 287 yards
A tricky par 4. Course knowledge is key to this hole. From the tee you will have approximately 180 yards to the old oak tree in the center of the fairway. Anything right of the tree and you’re taking chances. When standing on the tee, look at the 12th flag. That will usually give you a good line.
Trouble Lurks: Be careful not to pull your second shot left as there is out-of-bounds less than 10 yards of the left side of the green.
Hole Fact: At one time there used to be fairway running up and down the entire hill in front of the green but it was converted to rough in the early 1980’s making this hole a bit more challenging.
Hole #12
Par 3
121 yards – 115 yards – 100 yards
On the scorecard this is the easiest hole but don’t be fooled! This is a short but difficult par 3 if you miss the green. The tee points right of the green so you must adjust your aim to the left more than you think. You will be in better shape coming up short than right or left.
Trouble Lurks: If you should miss this green left, right, or long you will wonder why this is the easiest hole based on handicap on the course. This green is heavily guarded by the most difficult sand traps on the course and the terrain surrounding the green is heavily mounded which sets up some tricky lies.
Hole Fact: This hole has been aced by more members than any other hole at the SFCC, usually yielding multiple holes-in-one each season.
Hole #13
Par 4
430 yards – 422 yards – 403 yards
With out-of-bounds in the form of Cayuga Lake State Park down the entire right side of this hole it’s a must to stay left. Too far left and you will be blocked from the green by a big oak tree in the left side of the fairway and may have to contend with a pond about 140 yards out in the left rough. Looking at a 2nd shot with a mid to long iron. Par is an outstanding score here.
Trouble Lurks: Don’t hit it right. The Cayuga Lake State Park lies off the right of this hole and runs down the entire length of hole 13.
Hole Fact: This fairway used to be one of the worst conditioned on the course due to poor drainage. In 2000, drainage was installed and the fairway was re-seeded and remains in pristine condition all season long.
Hole #14
Par 5
498 yards – 493 yards – 403 yards
A reachable par 5 for the long hitter. A three shot hole for most. Water in front of this green causes trouble. Beware and take enough club. There is out of bounds along the entire right side of the hole and a second pond in the left rough factors in off the tee.
Trouble Lurks: On the lay-up shot, don’t make the mistake of hitting too much club and bringing the pond into play
Hole Fact: The 14th tee is the farthest point from the clubhouse on the entire course. Don’t get stranded here during a thunderstorm!
Hole #15
Par 4
310 yards – 305 yards – 295 yards
Accuracy off the tee is a must on this short but tricky par 4. Pines on the right are big enough to cause trouble and anything left is jail. Once in the fairway you will have a wedge or short iron to a large, but well bunkered green.
Trouble Lurks: On the tee shot you might want to consider a long or mid iron to hit the shot short of the trouble while still leaving yourself less than 150 yards into the green.
Hole Fact: The 15th tee lies adjacent to the 5th green where you can enjoy a drink of cold water or use the bathroom facilities.
Hole #16
Par 4
442 yards – 435 yards – 395 yards
“The toughest hole in Central New York”
Keep your tee shot as far left as possible without bouncing into the woods to give yourself the best angle at the green. A large pond left of the green swallows it’s share of golf balls while tall trees to the right make it difficult to play a draw on your second shot. If you make a 4 on this one, good for you!
Trouble Lurks: Everywhere. Forest on both sides of the fairway all the way down, pond on the left, more trees on the right.
Hole Fact: When area professionals played this course annually on the CNY PGA Tour, they all concur that this is the toughest (some claim it’s unfair) hole they play all summer long and the statistics back it up.
Hole #17
Par 3
205 yards – 187 yards – 165 yards
The final par 3 of your round. There’s nothing tricky about this hole. Hit it long and straight. Keep it short or short right for the best chance at the up and down. Your work is not done once you’re on the green. The large green has many difficult pin placements.
Trouble Lurks: Right in front of the golfer is a pond they must hit the ball over. This shouldn’t be much trouble but everyone has put a ball in there at one time or another.
Hole #18
Par 5
501 yards – 495 yards – 478 yards
A good par five finishing hole. Again, reachable for the long hitters but a three shot hole for most. Shorter hitters must keep the tee shot to the right side of the fairway so maple trees on the left bend do not effect the second shot. Long hitters can try to take it down the left side and around the corner of the dogleg left. The 3rd shot must be played with caution to this small and hard to hold green that mostly breaks towards Cayuga Lake.
Trouble Lurks: Don’t hook it left off the tee on this hole as there is in-course-out-of-bounds. Once the tee shot is negotiated you will want to be sure not to hit it right under the Osage Orange treeline or you will have no chance at par.
Hole Fact: Golfers and patrons enjoying the grill room and the patio can watch players complete their round on the 18th green.
