Deerwood golf course is the 27-hole municipal complex in North Tonawanda. In the late 1990s, Scott Witter designed the third nine, the Fawn, elevating Deerwood to a new level of status in western New York public golf.
Fawn Nine
1
A fair opening par five, this hole mirrors the 1st on the Doe nine in length, albeit not in difficulty. The tee shot is much tighter, with funky stuff to the right, and OB to the left. The second shot may be ripped at the green with a fade, although woods to the right of the landing area and green can present a problem. The green has a bit of mounding in front, is not terribly deep, thereby being receptive to a run-up approach. A tremendous slope from back to front requests that approaches be played short of the hole, with downhill chips and putts being the penalty for ignoring this request.
2
As difficult a lay-up tee shot as exists in the area. OB left and water right, coupled with marsh land short, place a premium on the first shot. The approach to the green is made with a shorter iron, with a bit of unkempt turf beyond the green. Mounding around the green left makes the bail out area to the right an appealing target. The green does not break as much as it appears, so do not play putts outside the hole.
3
One of two attractive par threes on this nine-hole stretch, this portion boasts a deep green, protected left side and right front by sand, and in back by marsh land. Subtle breaks on the green make putting an experience in awareness, recognition and execution. The tee ball should be played with one less club than normal, to avoid flying the green into greater trouble.
4
A drivable green under favorable conditions, this par four is the second where an accurate iron or fairway metal is required to set up an ideal approach shot. Marsh land to the right side of the hole, coupled with more along the entire left side, frame a hole where accuracy is the rule of the day. The green sits at an angle to the fairway and, like its predecessor, brags of subtleties that require deep concentration for accurate interpretation.
5
A fun par five, this hole allows one to let out the shaft, as they say. Mounding right has the tendency to kick the ball left, back toward the fairway. Flatlands left allow the ball to run down the fairway a good bit. Having hit a premium drive, the next negotiation is a narrow brook that crosses the fairway some forty yards short of the green. A 7 iron lay-up or a fairway metal shot represent the two options. A small copse of trees awaits right of the green, while sand maintains a presence around the putting surface. A fairly deep green, this putting tract is fairly flat.
6
Parallel to the second, yet some fifty yards longer, this hole brings out the white knuckles. An optical illusion from the tee area gives the impression that not much exists left of the fairway. Indeed, there is bail-out room left, so for heaven’s sake, don’t go right off the tee. The green is set a bit above the fairway, with sand front left and right, and woody marshland back right. Putting is no easy task, although a run-up approach does allow one to negotiate the green a bit better.
7
This hole was stolen from the Carolina piedmont. A technically perfect short dogleg, the cross bunker requires golfers to hit a left-to-right tee ball, or simply blast one over it. Woodlands left and right shrink the landing area in the fairway. The green is not protected in front, allowing the bump-and-run as an approach option. A round green with subtle breaks reveals that on-in-two is not the end of the hole.
8
As good a par three as we have in WNY, this hole has everything required of a heroic hole: sand, mounding, marshland crossing, and a green perched perilously close to the water. Hit it left and break out the swim fins. Go right and search for the sand wedge. An amoeba-like putting surface baffles even the finest green-readers, offering a daunting time with the flat stick.
9
A terrific finish to the newest Deerwood nine. Danger lurks short and left, as the immense lake on number eight must again be negotiated on nine. A long drive allows for a chance to hit it close for birdie. Another deep green suggests potential for a long, downhill or uphill approach putt. Look back an recognize the pleasurable challenge you have just faced.
Doe Nine
10
A short par five starts us off. A bunker to the right in the drive zone is to be avoided; play left. Go for the green on your second shot, as not trouble awaits in front. Two tiered green with a few bunkers.
11
Straight and short par four. OB and trees right. More small trees to the left. No bunkers in drive zone. Tough recovery from behind green. Short and straight is best escape.
12
Long and demanding par five. Narrow fairway throughout hole. Water on left begins at 225 yards. Trees and OB to the right. 2nd shot is most critical, with least margin for error. Two fairway woods will get you within 150 yards for third shot. Green slopes from back to front.
13
Long par 3, with wraparound OB and trees from right to back of green. Bunkers left and right front-side. Green is often firm and unreceptive to low shot in. As usual, play short for safety and bounce it in.
14
Par four with OB right and trees for a while on left. Trees replace by watery marsh around 240 out. Keep ball to right-center of fairway. Green slopes (not terribly) from back to front, with a few bunkers to guard it.
15
Par four bisected at 190 yards out by creek, lake on left. Can be carried from right tees, not from left. Lay up with 4-6 iron, hit 5-7 iron to green protected by bunker front-side right, lake left.
16
Beastly long par four. Straight, lots of room on drive, although ob and trees lurk off to right, and some trees on left. Water on left starts at 260 yards out. Play to right-center of fairway, hit long iron or fairway metal to green. Bunkers guard green, but front run-up is an option. Play for five, accept four, and get on.
17
Short par three with lake left and cross bunker protecting entire front of green. Fairly deep and flat green. Long putts can be made here. Lots of sand on front portion of green from bunker shots.
18
Great closing par four. Dogleg left, with trees at corner of dogleg. Can be carried, leaving a short iron to green. Shots at top of hill must choose lay-up with wedge or mid to long iron to green. Pond in front negates run up approach. Two tiered green protected by bunkers makes short game portion a challenge
Buck Nine
19
Immense par five begins the challenge. Trees left and right all the way down hole, although good fortune might allow a clear shot. Two long pokes, followed by a shot to a two-tiered green with bunkers on sides and behind.
20
Medium long par three. No trouble in front. No room behind. Bunkers to front-sides. Puttable green.
21
Tough dogleg right par four. Water and trees right, trees left. A straight drive can run through the fairway into a marsh. Long hitters should cut the corner right. Approach to green should avoid guardian bunkers. Flat, puttable green.
22
Straight and short par four. Wind up and crank that driver. Back to front sloped green, with OB behind.
23
Dogleg right, medium-length par four. Safe play is left, where no trouble awaits. OB and trees all down right side. Approach carries over swale to firm green, with trees left, bunkers right and back.
24
Straight par four made narrow in drive zone by tall stand of trees left and OB/more trees right. Approach to green that sits a bit above fairway level. A ridge bisects the green, allowing for a some tricky putts.
25
Medium-long par five. Water and marsh left, trees then OB, right. Long and straight shots a must. Lay up has less margin for error than tee ball. 3rd shot over deep swale to three-tiered green protected by bunkers.
26
Medium par three, with bunkers to protect. Deep green allows for long, downhill putts.
27
Dogleg left par four, with water down left side, and trees and ditch along right side. A good drive leaves a middle to short iron approach to a small green well protected by bunkers.
