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NICKLAuS NoRTH
Golf Course
PAR 3 226 yARDS
Whistler, BC
800.386.9898
www.nicklausnorth.com
The dramatic 17th hole is the climax of five superb par-3 holes
at Nicklaus North Golf Course. Unquestionably one of the most
striking and challenging par 3s anywhere in golf, the hole traces
the turquoise waters of glacier-fed Green Lake, the shoreline
buttressed by massive river rocks. With the lake shimmering in
front of the green complex, and all along the left side, the view
from all of the five tee boxes is spectacular.
It is a thrilling shot from every tee: 226 yards, 213 yards, 188
yards, 163 yards, and 135 yards. From the tips in his 1998 Shell's
Wonderful World of Golf match with Ernie Els, Fred Couples hit
a five-iron to five feet for a remarkable birdie. The long bunker
on the left side curls from the front all the way to the back of
the green. There is another bunker on the right side, almost as
a reminder that there is plenty of room on the right for a safe,
prudent shot. From there, it's a straightforward pitch shot to
salvage par.
Before any thoughts of par, or even a birdie, the stunning view
from the tee commands full attention. The lake, boulders, silica
sand, and vibrant hues of the green are framed by two towering
peaks in the distance—Wedge and Armchair Mountains—and
Blackcomb on the right. Nicklaus saved the best of his par 3s
for last.
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Photograph by John Henebry