August 6, 2007

PERU, IN — Ranked the 11th best golf course in America for under $50 by Golf Magazine, Rock Hollow was sculpted from a former gravel quarry mine and the rocks that remain are intended to cause trouble. Wetlands, trees and heaving terrain complement an inspired routing by Pete Dye protege Tim Liddy that's situated in Peru, IN.

The Captains Club announced today that the nationally ranked Rock Hollow, locally known as "The Rock", has joined the short 2008-2009 venue list. "One of the best values in the country," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "The course, lodging, and other vendors seem to be a good fit to host a national championship."

In addition to its current national ranking as affordable, the super golf course was ranked in the Top 100 Public American Golf Courses in January 2003 issue of Golf Digest. The Readers of Golf Digest give Rock Hollow 4 1/2 stars, which is the same ranking as Grande Golf Club, Neuse Golf Club, and Mountain Valley Golf Course.

"With the sudden increase in participation from Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, it is clearly the right direction to begin reviewing the best public courses in the state of Indiana as options," said Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club.

"Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky have the best values in America," added Long. "I continue to be amazed with the bang for your buck in the tri-state area."

Rock Hollow is very unique as it resides near downtown Peru, IN. The hotel to course commute would be the shortest ever at 5 minutes. The hotel to nightly entertainment commute would be another 5 minutes.

The practice green and range are located behind large mounding topped by tall fescue. The first hole was 200 yards north of the clubhouse using cart paths lined by some grass, dirt, and shortly cut weeds.

Tom Fowble arrived to the first tee where first impressions were quickly forgotten. "The opening hole was shocking," said Fowble of the short dogleg left over a rock quarry. "The conditions of the tee, fairway, and green were very lush. I looked back from the tee at the clubhouse and pinched myself."

The golf course continued to impress. "Rock Hollow provides 18 holes with lots of unique character and super conditions," said Greg Long. "I kept waiting for that boring hole lacking character and the fairway or green with disease or dirt spots. It never happened in a minor Indiana drought, which was simply incredible after remembering my initial thoughts from the parking lot. All 18 holes were character driven and fairways were extremely lush," said Greg Long of the Tim Liddy design.

"The greens are not rolled or compacted, however putted very smooth. There is a difference between a compacted true roll and soft smooth rolling greens that hold approach shots. Rock Hollow has the soft feel with smooth roll that makes the experience great."

The course has a unique design including three bunkers at least 100 yards long and 15 yards wide. "The most water hazards for a Spackler nomination since Thunder Hill."

Long continued, "Hole 5 plays 150 yards. The green sits on an 10-12 foot elevated table of earth similar to turtle-back greens at Pinehurst. There is 30 yards of lush fairway 360 degrees around the green. It was pretty unique. The fairways are plentiful everywhere. The excess fairway all over the place reminded me of Cook's Creek just south of Columbus, OH.

Another great hole is the par 4 seventh hole. The hole is a slight dogleg left out into the middle of a large lake. Most of the hole resides on a peninsula."

Many tee shots look a lot longer and tighter than they really are, placing a bit of a heavy burden on the minds of our very diverse tournament field.

More intimidating yet are the numerous natural hazards throughout the course-wetlands, woods, rock pits, ponds and lakes, and thick rough and underbrush. "The fairways are for the most part generous," says Long. "Many of the fairways fall off on both sides two to three feet down into tall manicured rough. This is the true greatness of Rock Hollow: Liddy gives you a fair target to aim at, but if you should miss, you are in trouble and sometimes dead."

The course features bentgrass from tee to green, and is in immaculate condition. The greens are as a rule very large (with a few exceptions) and undulating. Any putt over three feet will have at least one break in it. The outstanding greens crew has them rolling very smooth, even under soggy conditions after heavy rain.

"Hole 14 is supposed to be the signature hole, but you would never know it with great holes from start to finish," Long added. The green is elevated on another turtle back green and incredibly generous. "I would say very similar to the 6th approach shot at the Grande. The green is 130 feet from front to back with bad news down the right side."

The greens have three pin placement positions on each golf cart.

The general manager considers the closing hole to be one of the toughest in the state. At 427 yards from the tips, the par 4 would be a decent hole if it were straight and hazard-free. Add in a long carry over water, water from tee to green on the left, woods and thick rough on the right, and strategic bunkering nearer the green, and you've got yourself one mean finishing hole.

Jay Glover asked, "The course sounds pretty nice. Can you explain your 13 strokes on Hole 15?" Long replied, "It was a text book par after five lost balls off the tee."

Rock Hollow is truly one of those increasing rarities in golf: It is an outstanding, world-class course that is still affordable.

The small city of Peru is located an hour north of Indianapolis, IN. The town boasts super lodging, short drives, and broad options for entertaining the large tournament field.

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship is scheduled for June 5. There are 38 players with written commitments to the 8th major championship. A decision on venue is scheduled for October 1.