Field Notes: Herndon Centennial

The last time I played this course, a couple years ago, was a depressing end-of-day: Cold dark weather, end of the season so the course was beat up, and I'm pretty sure my score was dreadful.

This morning I'm positve my score was dreadful--a 112--but by the end of the round, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the course was clearly in terrific shape. That's the 12th green at left. Actual sand in many of the bunkers (yes, that can be a problem in area courses, even what I'd call upper-middle ones). Fairways and greens in good shape. Herndon is a very walkable course, except for cris-crossing a highway a few times--the pedestrian bridge is lovely but it's a long trek and this is where a foursome in carts is going to overtake you.

Herndon is a bit short from the whites at 5800, but there's good variety and narrow enough fairways often enough to give your average recreational golfer second thoughts on the tee. Gentle elevation changes add more interest. If I were to change one thing about it, it'd be the first hole. Namely I wouldn't make it the first hole, a narrow par 4 with the toughest handicap--not so great either for your score or for getting everyone quickly on their way.

Documented evidence of my disasters taken from my data at FairwayFiles.com.