Every course has its bunkers and tough shots, but the 16th hole at Port Royal Golf Course has the ultimate water hazard: the Atlantic Ocean. PGA Golf Professional Kevyn Cunningham goes out on the course with Assistant Manager Greg Maybury to show us a hole that’s weakened the knees of its share of golfers — professionals and amateurs alike.
Separated from the 15th hole by a hill and bordered on one side by a steep cliff that drops into the Atlantic, this narrow stretch is not for the faint of heart. Occasionally whales can be spotted from this vantage point, almost certainly swimming among many snap-hooked balls. At 235 yards from the tip and 150 yards from the amateur tee, this par 3 isn’t terribly long, but the oceanic winds and sprinkling of bunkers make it daunting nonetheless. Getting your drive onto the green is key in avoiding a bogie, but it’s no picnic up there either. The green tends to be fast and is surrounded by sand traps, so careful attention should be paid to the slope when lining up a putt. Cunningham and Maybury make it look easy, but it’s clear just how tricky this hole can be.