I played Kettle Brook in Paxton on Saturday. It was cold and we chased the sun, finishing in the dark. It is the 31st course in my quest to play them all.
I really enjoyed the course. It has a bunch of interesting holes, the bunkering is great, and the greens were in excellent.
The course has three distinct sections. Holes 2-6 weave among tall trees with doglegs and rolling terrain. Holes 2 and 6 are stout holes. The second is a big par 5 and the sixth is a solid par 3. The seventh hole brings you into the second section of the property. It’s about the only thing the seventh hole is useful for: delivering the golfer to the 8th. The 7th is a bulldozer nominee, in need of a big change, as a tree in the middle of the hole is a huge issue (there’s a similar one on 10 that’s pictured).
Holes 1, 8-12 sit on an open piece of land. Exposed to the wind. The 9th is a beast of a par 4. The 10th is an interesting par 4 with a split fairway. However, the right fairway leaves you with an old, probably haunted tree in the way (pictured above). The 11th is a boomerang par 5 with a cool punch bowl green. The 12th is a tough 190 yard par 3 over water.
The last 6 holes bring you across the road. It’s a bit back and forth, the 13th is a short par 4 with an old barn on the left side. The 14th is the best par 5 on the course. While we finished in the dark, the 17th and 18th are a stout test. A long, uphill par 3 and a long par four 18th.
Kettle Brook is a spot I could play regularly. Some fun shots, a lot of challenge, the green complexes are interesting, you’ll hit every club in the bag, and it’s playable and scorable. I’m looking forward to returning in warmer, brighter weather to see the course a bit dried, as the rain made it very soggy in spots.
Overall, the course is really solid.