GOLF COURSE REVIEW - ATUNYOTE GOLF CLUB
Course Architect: Tom Fazio
Year Opened: 2004
Location: Verona, New York
Slope: 140. Rating: 75.6
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,315
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 398 Yds 10 - Par 4 422 Yds
2 - Par 4 447 Yds 11 - Par 3 230 Yds
3 - Par 3 198 Yds 12 - Par 5 538 Yds
4 - Par 4 414 Yds 13 - Par 4 416 Yds
5 - Par 5 520 Yds 14 - Par 4 385 Yds
6 - Par 3 185 Yds 15 - Par 4 442 Yds
7 - Par 4 433 Yds 16 - Par 3 177 Yds
8 - Par 5 576 Yds 17 - Par 4 467 Yds
9 - Par 4 469 Yds 18 - Par 5 598 Yds
Par 36 3,640 Yds Par 36 3,675 Yds
Key Events Held: PGA Professional National Championship (2016),
Turning Stone Resort Championship (2007-2010),
Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge (2008-present),
B.C. Open (2006),
PGA Professional National Championship (2006),
Turning Stone Invitational (2005-present),
Eastern PGA Club Professional Championship (2004).
Awards Won: Top 100 Courses You Can Play - Golf Magazine (2006-11),
One of world's finest new courses - Robb Report (2005),
One of 10 Best New Public/Resort Courses - Travel & Leisure Golf,
Top 10 New Courses You Can Play - Golf Magazine (2004),
Ranked #4 by Golfweek - Top-10 public-access courses NY (2006).
Website: www.turning-stone.com
HISTORY: It certainly hasn't taken long for Atunyote (uh-DUNE-yote) Golf Club
to reach the pinnacle of the golf world. In less than one year, Atunyote has
been rated as one of the top-10 new courses you can play by Golf Magazine and
one of the world's finest new courses by the Robb Report. Lofty honors and
well deserved. It comes as no surprise that Atunyote, along with Shenendoah
Golf Club, have been selected by the PGA of America to host the PGA Club
Professional Championship in 2006. The golf course is part of the Turning
Stone Resort and Casino, one of three championship venues on the property.
Before we describe the ins and outs of the course, one must first mention
what the Oneida Indian Nation has created, just 30 minutes east of Syracuse,
New York. Your stay at Turning Stone must include overnight accommodations at
The Lodge at Turning Stone. Let's start with this luxurious 98-suite hotel
that offers everything your heart desires. The rooms are exquisite with every
amenity you could want. The building itself boasts a fireplace that rises
three floors, the centerpiece of a majestic Great Room and the staff, well, to
say accommodating would be an understatement. After Shenendoah and Kaluhyat
Golf Club's were designed, the Oneida People brought in acclaimed architect
Tom Fazio to craft a traditional parkland layout. Fazio, who has designed some
beauties in his day (Shadow Creek, Wade Hampton and Hudson National are just
some of the courses that come to mind), has did just that and then some.
Atunyote, which is the Oneida word for "Eagle", features rolling terrain, wide
fairways, streams, lakes, waterfalls, not to mention wooded areas and a
magnificent clubhouse, reminiscent of the glorious facility at Shinnecock
Hills.
The 2006 PGA Professional Championship was an exciting tournament, as Ron
Philo Jr defeated Alan Schulte on the third playoff hole for the title. With
the win, Philo, along with the top-20 finishers at the National Championship,
received a spot in the 2006 PGA Championship. Philo, who's sister is LPGA Tour
player Laura Diaz, carded a final round 68, which included a hole-in-one on
the third hole, to tie Shulte at 10-under-par 278. After halving the first two
extra holes, Schulte teed off into a hazard at the third hole and made double-
bogey, thus handing Philo the win. It was a particularly disappointing ending
for Schulte, who had held at least a share of the lead after each of the first
three rounds. For the week, the Atunyote course played to a scoring average of
73.4022. The most difficult hole on the course was the par-3 11th, which
played to a scoring average of 3.3804.
Turning Stone Resort opened its doors to the PGA Tour in 2006, as the B.C.
Open, due to heavy rain, was moved to Atunyote Golf Club. The tournament was a
smashing success, as John Rollins two-putted for birdie on the 72nd hole to
defeat Bob May by one shot. Starting the day three shots off the pace, Rollins
carded a flawless eight-under 64 for a four-day total of 269 and his first
victory on the PGA Tour since the 2002 Bell Canadian Open. Third-round leader
Gabriel Hjertstedt closed with a one-under 71 and tied for sixth. Former
Masters champion Larry Mize was the lone player in the field to post all four
rounds in the 60s, as he tied for sixth. The course record of 63 set by Craig
Thomas in 2004 at the Eastern PGA Club Championship, was equaled during round
two, as Michael Allen posted a nine-under score.
REVIEW: Atunyote opens with one of the easier holes on the course, a
straightaway, 398-yard par four. The play is down the right side of the wide
fairway with a three-metal to avoid the S-shaped bunker on the left and the
20-yard trap on the right, which is 300 yards away from the tips. A tip at
Atunyote, be patient and not greedy. Just a short iron is left to a fairly
deep green, protected on the left by three bunkers. The putting surface
features a ridge on the right side, but is otherwise very receptive and should
be able to yield a few birdies. In contrast, the second, another straightaway
par four, stretches 447 yards with a tighter fairway, thick-sloping rough on
the left and a pair fairway bunkers on the right. Your approach will play
ever-so slightly uphill, to a well-guarded green, just 28 yards in depth. The
putting surface is fairly flat, however, be aware of the false front, making
your club selection key. The first par-three on the course, the third, can be
quite a bear, especially with a back-left pin placement. A deep bunker guards
the left side and the green is very undulating and could be quite difficult to
hold your mid to long iron. With a right-to-left sloping green, the best play
is center-cut, two putt for par and move on. Another chance at birdie comes at
the fourth. Bending slightly to the left and playing downhill from the
fairway, the fourth requires an exact tee ball, splitting the two fairway
bunkers protecting either side and avoiding the canyon of water and vegetation
on the left. A big drive will leave just a wedge to an undulating green that
features a two-tiered putting surface. With a back-right flag, you'll have to
contend with a deep trap, but with such a short club in hand, attack, attack,
attack. One of the signature holes at Atunyote, the fifth is the first par-
five and also the shortest at just 520 yards. Reachable in two, this dogleg
left boasts a watery grave all along the left side and gnarly rough down the
right. Three traps guard the corner of the driving area while one surly bunker
flanks the right. A high drawing tee shot can leave a second shot that will
get you home, however, lurking to the left is water, right is sand and short,
another trap. Precision is key, and that includes the putting surface, which
slopes from back to front and right to left towards the water. If you need to
get one back, this is where to start. Signature No. 2, the sixth is an
outstanding par-three, featuring a pond on the right from tee to green.
Although only 30 yards deep, the putting surface is quite wide and missing on
the wrong side could result in a three-putt. A back-right pin is quite
exciting, especially if a little wind kicks up. The bottom line, mid-iron to
the center of the green and two-putt for par. This is no time to be a hero.
One of the most difficult holes on the course, the seventh not only requires
accuracy off the tee, but a pin-point approach. The hole doglegs severely to
the right with woods guarding the entire right side, not to mention a 30-yard
bunker at the corner. A fade for the right-handed player is needed off the
tee, as draw could run through the fairway. This tree-lined hole is similar to
courses in the Carolinas. The hardest aspect of the hole however is the second
shot which must be struck with precision in an effort to hold the putting
surface, the longest on the course (46 yards deep). The green is quite slick
and slopes from front to back with a bunker, as long as the surface guarding
the right. Making par is crucial on this hole to keep the round going. Most
people think of par fives as certain holes to get home in two and make
birdie. The eighth is just the opposite. Although straightaway with a large
landing area, the hole narrows severely, forcing your second shot to split a
pair of two large trees that guard the landing zone. Favor the left side of
the fairway off the tee, despite the trap, as the right side fairway is too
close for comfort to the deep rough and trees. Following your layup, your
third is just a little wedge to a receptive green, that slopes from back to
front. A pair of bunkers guard either side of the surface, making your
approach a little tricky with a front flag. The hardest hole on the course is
the par-four ninth, stretching a mighty 468 yards from the black buttons. The
hole bends slightly to the left and plays uphill to the green. A big tee ball
must avoid the traps on either side of the fairway to set up a difficult
second. The putting surface is guarded by a deep trap on the right and the
green slopes severely from back to front and left to right. Making par is a
good number.
The back nine starts similar to the opening hole, a straightaway par four, but
this time it features the only forced carry off the tee. If the wind is up and
you're playing the back tees, then this could be an issue, but it generally
does not come into play. The fairway is very accommodating, but stay to the
right side, as a 35-yard long trap wreaks havoc down the left. From there,
just a mid to short iron awaits to the smallest green on the course, just 24
yards in depth. A large gaping bunker resides in front of the putting surface,
which is quite tricky with a back-right flag. With the right stick, this could
be a real birdie chance. In contrast, the 11th is a bear of a par three,
stretching 251 yards from the black tee. This is the start of some of the most
exciting golf on the course. To make matters worse, the wind is usually in
your face and a stream runs down the right side past the green. Did I mention
that the putting surface is a whopping 41 yards long and slopes from left to
right towards the water? Making bogey here is not that bad. The 12th is a
dandy of a par five, bending to the right with a lake bordering the entire
right side. Your tee shot must favor the left side, as not only water comes
into play, but a 40-yard trap also looms large on the right. This hole can be
reached in two, but beware, a precise second must be struck to have any
chance, as the water is quite inviting. The best play, lay up down the left
side and leave yourself a little pitch to this long, but narrow green. The
putting surface is only 19 yards deep and slopes from back to front, so play
below the hole and give yourself a real birdie opportunity. You will certainly
need some luck when playing the par-four 13th. Although not long in yardage,
the 13th features a lake down the right side of the landing area through the
green. The hole bends slightly to the right and has an ample fairway with a
trio of bunkers on the left and one on the right. Three-metal should be enough
to leave a mid to short iron to the green. The putting surface slopes to the
front, but with water right and sand left, the green looks very small. Birdie,
sure, but par is a fine score. The 14th is supposedly the easiest on the
course, but not so fast. The straightaway par four plays uphill with a stream
meandering down the left side and bending left at the green. Your tee shot
needs to be right center, as balls tend to gravitate toward the stream which
is just a few yards from the fairway. A trap 115 yards from the green guards
the right, so use a three-metal off the tee for a simple wedge approach. The
putting surface is wide, deep and quite undulating. Remember, take an extra
club to reach the uphill green to give yourself the best chance at birdie.
Another difficult hole on the back nine is the dogleg right 15th. Stretching
442 yards from the tips, the 15th requires a tee shot that favors the left
side, thus avoiding the trees that ramble along the right, but must miss the
bunker on the left of the landing area that is 30 yards long. A mid to long
iron is left to a wide green that slopes from the middle, to both the right
and left. The putting surface is narrow and missing long could make for a
difficult up and down. The final par three on the course, the 16th is a
beauty. The hardest part is deciding what club to hit, as the putting surface
is 46 yards long. The green slopes severely from back to front and five traps,
two front, two left and one right most definitely come into play. Trees run
down both sides of the hole, so swirling winds are quite common. The most
difficult hole on the inward nine is the 17th, due mainly to the length (467
yards). The straightaway par four requires a big tee ball down the left side
of the fairway, thus avoiding the two traps down the right side, some 77 yards
in length. A mid to long iron is left to a fairly deep green (42 yards) with a
huge bunker protecting the right-front. The putting surface slopes hard
towards the front, so don't be dismayed with making par, that's a good score.
The closing hole is another gem, not to mention the longest on the course at
603 yards. A big tee shot down the left side may cut the dogleg to give
yourself a glimmer of hope of getting home in two, but wipe that out of your
mind, this is a three-shotter. Your layup needs to be played down the right
side to set up a little wedge. The key here is to avoid the lake down the
right side and the bunker in the landing area on the left. Make sure you judge
the distance correctly on your third, as the putting surface is uphill and
very shallow at just 22 yards deep. The green slopes severely from left to
right and is protected by a trap in the left-front and a pair on the right-
front. Sure, birdie is a good finish, but par is a great way to end your
round.
FINAL WORD: This is a dream come true. A perfect place to get away from the
hustle and bustle of New York and beyond and enjoy the fruits of your labor. A
spectacular casino, spa, 19-story - 300-room hotel, the Lodge, featuring
beautiful suites, a 5,000-plus state-of-the-art events center, a four-story
parking garage that holds 2,400 cars and if that wasn't enough, three
championship golf courses. There is also an indoor golf facility. Atunyote is
one of a trio of outstanding courses that will test not only the novice, but
the best players in the world. With five sets of tees, the course ranges from
5,098 yards to over 7,300 and is for all levels of play. The practice facility
is second to none, featuring a short-game area, putting greens and an enormous
driving range. The conditioning of the course is phenomenal, not a blade of
grass out of place. The New England-style clubhouse is majestic and the staff,
in a word, outstanding. I'd be remiss if I forgot to mention the culinary
delights, especially Rodizio Churrascaria at Turning Stone, a Brazilian steak
house. Atunyote and the Resort at Turning Stone are a must at all costs. Hey,
maybe you'll even get to see a legend perform, like B.B. King (I did).
Exceptional accommodations, magnificent golf courses, world class
entertainment and a casino to boot. This is the ultimate destination. Even big
John Daly was impressed during an exhibition in 2005. "It's absolutely
gorgeous. The greens are perfect and every hole is a little bit different.
It's a blast, so pure, and top notch. It's a super golf course. This is
definitely a national championship-caliber course."