Course 151: Leo J. Martin

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It's pretty stunning to think about what Leo J. Martin could be with a little attention. The municipal course has ties to Donald Ross, and it's clear on a number of holes that they have something awesome sitting underneath a bevy of dirt and clovers.

Sadly, the course is nearly unplayable, as the greens are pocked with sandy pits, and two holes (7 and 15) have had temporary greens for years.

The front nine starts with a par 4, but that's the last one until the 6th hole. The 2nd and 4th are par 5s and the 3rd and 5th are par 3s.

The third and fifth holes might be the most brightest signs of Ross' brilliance. The green complexes are stunning, with steep slopes and interesting contours.

The 6th is another delight on the front nine. The shape of the green mimics a Biarritz, but it's turned 45 degrees from the players on the approach. Finally, the 8th hole, which climbs slowly upward, is another awesome green that offers a nice vantage point of holes 7 and 9.

The back nine is a bit more scattered, possibly due to the construction of I95. First, players walk along the road to reach the 10th tee.

Then there are three long, meandering walks between holes to get to different pockets of the property.

Holes 10 and 11 are in one area, holes 12 and 13 are in another, then 14 and 15, and finally 16-18. The walks are not short and would confuse anyone who has never played the course before.

The holes on the back are more dramatic as the land tilts and slopes. The 13th and 14th might be the best examples. 13 plays through the trees with land sloping right to left. The hole could almost be played backwards and still be awesome.

The 14th is the best hole on the course. The rumpled fairway is extraordinary, and the hole calls for two accurate shots.

All the words above mean very little if you show up expecting to have playable conditions. Trying to make putts is a fool's errand. It's the kind of place you play preferred lies, slap your putts around, and just try to find the good in a poorly conditioned Donald Ross gem.

Additional Thoughts:

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