Grand National Links: Beauty and the beast

I've said this more than once in the past week, Grand National Links is among the most beautiful golf courses I have ever played. Yes, it can be treacherous. Yes, there is no club house after the ninth hole. And yes, an overload of patrons can create long waits.

But this place, all 6,574 yards of it, is a masterpiece.

Why?

First, fairways and greens remain in pristine, green condition despite the winter cold, while grass in the rough turned a light shade of tan. What you get is a neat contrast of green, tan, green, tan, etc.

Second, Lake Saugahatchee provides a natural obstacle on 11 holes. There are a number of forced carries, but much of the lake outlines either the left or right side of the fairways, so it's a good thing to keep your shots straight. The lake's north perimeter is very marshy, giving it a different look.

This is a long course that demands accuracy off the tee and in your approach shots. Few of the holes are straight, and those that are offer other challenges ... like sand traps, and large greens that can't decide to slope to the left, to the right, or both.

It's been said the course's "signature" hole is its 427-yard, par 4 18th, where players must clear the lake and a large rock embankment in order to reach the green in two and have a chance at birdie. It might be a good call to simply aim to the right of the green and not gamble losing your ball. Or you could do what I did and launch your ball down the cart path, all the way to the edge of the green. Yeah, I got lucky.

Three other holes, however, stick out.

The 509-yard, par 5 second hole, pictured above, features three fairway bunkers. You could land in one, hit yourself out of it, and find yourself in the next one. That's what I did.

Links' sixth hole, a 499-yard, par 5, gives players the choice to go for the green in two (or three depending on your power), or lay up and avoid the risky marsh, which separates the fairway from the green by about 80 yards. I layed up and used an 8-iron from there. It was a terrible shot -- a line drive that crashed hard into the swamp -- then skipped back into the air and on to the green. I couldn't do that again if I tried.

Perhaps the most attractive hole on the course is Links' par 3 11th, a 195-yard beast that lulls you to sleep with its beauty. Two fingers of the lake create hazards between the tee and green, which is surrounded by pine trees. A small bridge to the left allows carts to cross the water. It's like Rae's Creek at Augusta, minus the azaleas, dogwoods and tradition.

If you don't mind playing 18 without benefit of a club house after nine holes (the course meanders out and back in true links fashion), I strongly recommend this 18. There are three bathroom opportunities along the way, so that's no big deal. Besides, there are plenty of trees too.

COURSE INFORMATION
Location: 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, AL, 36801
Telephone: 334-749-9042
Web site: www/rtjgolf.com/grandnational
Greens fees: $40 for 18 holes on weekdays with Trail Card, $44 on weekends; Without Trail Card rates vary from $69 now to $80 in the spring, then $59 in the summer. Price includes cart.
Course architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Par: 72
Yardage: Purple 7,311; Orange 6,574; White 6,052; Teal 4,893
Slope/rating: Purple 75.1/135; Orange 72.3/129; White 69.6/119; Teal 69.6/113
Amenities: Large clubhouse with pro shop, restaurant, and bar; complete practice area with driving range, chipping ranges and putting greens; Bathrooms on the course; more than adequate beverage carts