Heritage Inn & Golf Club has fun-looking layout
November 12, 1999
Last week’s column discussed the new Heritage Inn & Golf Club, nearing completion for its projected May 1, 2000 opening. This week’s column fills in more details about the new Cape Region amenity.
Heritage Inn motel guests will have a short walk to the golf course across Postal Lane. They qualify for guaranteed tee times, and also receive a discounted rate for playing the course, at least in the off-season. There will also be a chipping and putting green on the motel property, lit up for night-time fun.
Bryan Derrickson and his father, Donald, did the original design for the course. They found help from a USGA text, and were also assisted by the company that provided the shaping and turf installation. From the looks of the place thus far, the layout should be fun.
There are three sets of tees, and each hole has a name. From the Gold tees the layout is 2828 yards. The Blue tee course is 2682 yards long, and the White tee layout is 2338 yards long. Officials from the Delaware State Golf Association recently confirmed the yardages.
Here are the hole-by-hole descriptions, based on the Gold tee yardages:
No.1 (Backslide)–This short par 3 heads east from the clubhouse for 129 yards. The name comes from the strong back to front green slope, which puts a premium on placing the tee shot below the hole.
No. 2 (Gorge)–It’s a Sussex County gorge. That means the tee shot crosses the large stormwater management pond between Pelican Square and the second fairway. Golfers on this 368-yard par 4 must decide how much to risk to shorten their approach shot.
No. 3 (3 Tiers)–Three putting or worse will be a distinct possibility if the second shot lands on the wrong shelf of the three-tiered green of this 297-yard par 4.
No. 4 (Devils Tower)–The green for this 405-yard par 4 is elevated. To add to the challenge, the areas around the green will be mown at fairway height. Shots that just miss the green will roll away, thus earning the hole its name.
No. 5 (The Island)–This 558-yard par 5 is the signature hole. The approach shot must clear a pond surrounding the green. Attempts to reach the green in two shots will be made by the very good and/or the very foolish.
No. 6 (Blue Monster)–On this 178-yard par 3, a pond will collect shots pulled or hooked left. A waterfall on the left side of the green will also add to the fun.
No. 7 (The Beach)–Long drivers will be tempted to go for the green in one shot on this 303-yard par 4. They must fit their tee shot within a 10-yard opening between two large sand traps fronting the green. They may regret trying.
No. 8 (Lazy 8)–This 299 yard par 4 is named for the green’s sideways “8” shape. Golfers will need an accurate wedge shot to avoid the small traps on the front and back of the center of the green.
No. 9 (The Gambler)–Golfers will be tempted to clear a depressed waste area that may often be wet on this 291 yard par 4. Laying up is the safe option, if the golfer isn’t sure he or she can clear the waste area 257 yards from the Gold tee and 182 yards from the White tee.
Derrickson hopes the winter is kind to their new development. The scheduled opening date of May 1, 2000 is just in time for the new season.
In the meantime, the Derricksons–Bryan, Regan, or Spencer–will be available to conduct tours of the new course for those interested in becoming members. To set up an appointment for a tour, call them at 302-644-0600.