ESPN Golf Online: Sherwood is one to remember


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Sherwood is one to remember

By Jack Nicklaus
Special to ABC Sports Online
August 1 11:28am ET

On the course in general
"In the 10 years since we opened Sherwood Country Club, I'd like to think this golf course has established itself as one of the more outstanding courses in the country.
"Since the day the golf course opened, I like to think Sherwood has looked like it has been there for 100 years. One of the reasons is the property itself. This was one of the more magnificent pieces of land I've had the opportunity on which to design a golf course. It is rare to see a piece of property that is so private, with so much natural beauty. Another reason is the oak trees, which are absolutely sensational.
"The golf course was set in the low land and we were blessed with oak trees throughout the property. We did have to remove a few oak trees, but for the most part, we were able to take those trees and transplant them. It is a beautiful luxury to have so many trees and be able to take those trees and move them to another spot."
On the design philosophy
"The golf course was not designed to become the most difficult course in the world. We wanted it to be a challenge to the good player, but be a fair and fun golf course for the people playing it everyday. I think that is really an important concept, because although the course was designed to host championship events, you want the members to see a championship course one week but not have to experience the difficulty of a championship course the other 51 weeks of the year."
On a signature hole
"The sixth hole is perhaps one of the most photographed holes at the Sherwood Country Club. This beautiful natural setting with a waterfall into a lake situated in the hillside and gorgeous valley makes for one of the nicest par-3's you'll ever see.
"Although the 18th hole is one of the spectacular finishes you could imagine on a golf course, the course has so many good holes on it that it is going to be difficult to pick which one if your favorite. People always talk about a signature hole or a favorite hole. We once polled the members at Muirfield Village (in Dublin, Ohio) asking which hole was their favorite. They came back with 14 favorite holes. That's what you want to hear when you design the golf course. Then, you go back to work on the other four holes".

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