点评:During a recent visit to Cider Ridge, I was told by several golfers that over the past few years, the previous management company had let the conditioning of the golf course decline dramatically. The club was recently sold to Zotan, LLC, a company led by PGA member Cory Etter that also owns Pine Hill Golf Course in nearby Anniston, AL.
Etter and his staff have stepped up to the plate and are in the process of making Cider Ridge better than it has ever been. Many golfers I spoke with commented on the improved conditioning of the course and how it has become much more playable than in recent years. The greens have been recently renovated with new TifEagle Bermuda grass and several tee boxes have been redone.
Cider Ridge Golf Club was designed by Alabama-based Bill Bergin. The course borders the Talladega National Forest and the Talladega Mountains and is situated at the base of Alabama’s tallest mountain – Mt. Cheaha (elevation 2,410’). In building the golf course, Bergin was able to incorporate much of the central Alabama terrain into the design.
Cider Ridge is best described as a “tale of two courses.” The front nine is similar to a traditional parkland-style course, with fairways lined with century-old oak trees and streams running through several holes. You don’t see much in the way of changing elevation until you hit the 6th hole and from then on, it becomes more mountain golf. Once you hit the back nine, the terrain changes quickly! You’ll find thick hardwood forests, rolling hills, and dramatic elevation changes on just about every hole. You’ll be treated to enchanting mountain views and several water features that include Little Hillabee Creek and a natural waterfall on Number 12 – Cider Ridge’s signature hole.
Remember, this is mountain golf so there’s a lot of roll and undulation in the fairways, leaving many uneven lies. Mature trees guard many fairways, and it can be hard to hit under, over, or around them. Many of the greens are well-elevated so if you don’t take enough club you’ll come short of the putting surface. In some cases, if you fail to hit your putt hard enough, it will roll back down to your feet.
Cider Ridge is not without its fair share of memorable holes. The first and last holes on the back nine are quite memorable: after 3 months I can still picture each shot I hit. If you look up target golf in the dictionary, you may just find a picture of Cider Ridge’s 10th hole. It plays 397 yards and requires a tee shot that finds the landing area at the top of the hill. That will leave you about 150 yards slightly downhill to a green protected in front by a bunker and in back by trees. Miss the green and you may just lose your golf ball!
Number 18 is a great finishing hole and a good test of golf. It’s a par 5 that plays 518 yards with water running down the entire left side and then wrapping behind the green to catch anything hit long. The right side is no bargain either; it’s lined with trees and out of bounds beyond that and a bunker in the landing area off the tee. Favoring the left side off the tee will leave a clear shot into the green and if you hit your drive well you may have a chance to get home in two. A large bunker guards the front right of the green. No matter how you do it, par is a great score here!
Before your round, be sure to check out the practice area. It’s quite impressive and includes a full-length driving range, putting green, and chipping green area. Cider Ridge also believes that growing the game of golf starts at the junior level and offers summer golf camps every June and July.
If you live in the area or nearby and thoroughly enjoy playing the golf course, maybe it’s time to consider becoming a member. Cider Ridge’s Annual Pass includes unlimited greens fees, 50% off range balls, ability to participate in Club Tournaments including the Club Championship, Oxford City Championship, and Match Play. You’ll also receive a 15% discount on pro shop merchandise (shirts, hats, golf balls, accessories, gloves & more). Individual, senior, and family memberships are available.
翻译:最近一次参观苹果岭时,几位高尔夫球手告诉我,在过去的几年里,之前的管理公司让高尔夫球场的状况急剧下降。该俱乐部最近被出售给 Zotan, LLC,该公司由 PGA 会员 Cory Etter 领导,该公司还拥有阿拉巴马州安尼斯顿附近的 Pine Hill 高尔夫球场。
埃特和他的员工已经开始行动,正在使苹果酒岭变得比以往任何时候都更好。与我交谈的许多高尔夫球手都对球场状况的改善以及它如何变得比近年来更具可打性进行了评论。果岭最近用新的 TifEagle 百慕大草进行了翻新,几个发球台也进行了重做。
苹果酒岭高尔夫俱乐部由阿拉巴马州的比尔·伯金 (Bill Bergin) 设计。球场毗邻塔拉迪加国家森林和塔拉迪加山脉,位于阿拉巴马州最高的山 - 谢哈山(海拔 2,410 英尺)的山脚下。在建造高尔夫球场时,伯金能够将阿拉巴马州中部的大部分地形纳入设计中。
苹果酒岭最贴切的描述是“两道菜的故事”。前九洞类似于传统的公园式球场,球道两旁种有百年老橡树,溪流流过几个球洞。在打到第 6 洞之前,您不会看到太多海拔变化,从那时起,它就变得更像是山地高尔夫了。一旦打进后九洞,地形就会迅速变化!您会发现茂密的硬木森林、连绵起伏的山丘以及几乎每个球洞的巨大海拔变化。您将欣赏到迷人的山景和多个水景,包括小希拉比溪 (Little Hillabee Creek) 和苹果岭 (Cider Ridge) 标志性洞 12 号洞的天然瀑布。
请记住,这是山地高尔夫,因此球道上有很多滚动和起伏,留下了许多不平坦的球洞。成熟的树木守护着许多球道,很难在它们的下方、上方或周围击球。许多果岭的高度很高,因此如果您没有携带足够的球杆,您将无法到达推杆面。在某些情况下,如果您击球的力度不够,推杆就会滚落到您的脚上。
苹果岭球场并非没有令人难忘的球洞。后九洞的第一个洞和最后一个洞非常令人难忘:三个月后我仍然可以想象我击球的每一次击球。如果你在字典中查找目标高尔夫,你可能只会找到苹果岭第 10 洞的照片。它的球长为 397 码,需要开球找到山顶的着陆区。您将在大约 150 码处稍微下坡,到达前面有沙坑、后面有树木保护的果岭。错过果岭,您可能会失去高尔夫球!
18 号洞是一个很棒的收尾洞,也是对高尔夫的一次很好的考验。这是一个 5 杆洞,全长 518 码,水从整个左侧流下,然后绕到果岭后面,以接住任何长击球。右边的也不便宜;右边的也不便宜。它的两旁都是树木,越过界线,发球台附近的着陆区有一个沙坑。偏向发球台左侧,可以将一杆清晰地击入果岭,如果您击球得好,您可能有机会以两杆获胜。果岭右前方有一个大沙坑守卫着。不管你怎么做,标准杆在这里都是一个很好的分数!
在开始比赛之前,请务必检查一下练习区域。它相当令人印象深刻,包括一个全长的练习场、果岭和切球果岭区。 Cider Ridge 还认为,高尔夫运动的发展要从初级水平开始,并于每年六月和七月提供高尔夫夏令营。
如果您住在该地区或附近并且非常喜欢打高尔夫球,也许是时候考虑成为会员了。 Cider Ridge 的年度通行证包括无限制的果岭费、50% 的射程外球、参加俱乐部锦标赛(包括俱乐部锦标赛、牛津城锦标赛和比洞赛)的能力。您还可以享受专卖店商品(衬衫、帽子、高尔夫球、配饰、手套等)15% 的折扣。提供个人、高级和家庭会员资格。