What to expect
Water, angles, and deep greens
Thistle is a public 27-hole club set among wetlands, wildflowers, and a nature preserve, with a Scottish-inspired clubhouse. The Cameron / Stewart combination is rated 71.0/135 from Blue, 68.4/125 from White, and 67.3/122 from White/Gold.
Cameron opening nine
Cameron asks for accuracy early. Water appears repeatedly, and the short par-4 seventh uses a peninsula fairway followed by a forced-carry approach. The par-3 fourth has a peninsula green with water short and on both sides; center green is the correct target.
Stewart closing nine
Stewart mixes reachable risk-reward holes with demanding forced carries. The fourth is a par 5 where the safer left line lengthens the hole; the closing par 3 requires a carry over water to an elevated, heavily contoured green.
Round-specific game plan
- Every player plays his own ball. Do not pick up a partner’s ball unless his net score can no longer help.
- Know your pop holes before the round starts; the lower net partner score counts.
- Adam Kelley’s 8:39 team uses Gavin Linkens as a blind. Gavin remains in the 8:57 group and records only one set of scores.
- Friday afternoon players should bring everything needed for the replay—there is no resort return between rounds.