Pennbrooke Fairways offers options with 27 holes

THERE’S definitely something different about playing golf at The Club at Pennbrooke Fairways.

While most courses offer you 18 holes, Pennbrooke goes the extra mile. Or, rather, the extra nine.

Giving golfers plenty of options, Pennbrooke is something of a hybrid course, with two nine-hole executive courses and one full-length nine.

Depending on the week you play, you could be playing either a par-67 course or a par-65 course.

“It’s not the norm, that’s for sure,” said head pro Jeff Cothran. “The great thing out here is you’re not going to get beat up by the course.”

For golfers playing 18 holes, the course switches from week to week with either The Oaks or The Meadows executive courses serving as one of the nines. The Sanctuary full-length course serves as the other nine.

Each course has five tee boxes to offer up the perfect challenge for all skill levels. There is plenty of water all over the courses, and there are neat features, like the long wooden bridge that takes you over a protected wildlife area and swamp on the way to the third hole on the Sanctuary course.

And for those who would discount the challenge of an executive course, keep in mind that The Oaks course is probably the toughest of the three nines.

The summer is a great time to play the courses at Pennbrooke, with Cothran estimating that 70 percent of the club’s members head north during the hot months.

And if you really want to find a quiet time to play, head out there on the weekend.

“We’re busy during the week and quiet on the weekends,” Cothran said. “During the winter we have shotgun starts three days a week, and every single part of the course is filled up. Summer is when we can be really accommodating.”

The Meadows, which is considered the easiest of the three, is no slouch either. Right from the start, a short par4, there is a giant oak tree in the middle of the fairway. It means either blasting a tee shot over the top or keeping it to the right or left side of the fairway.

For most of us, that’s a pretty good challenge to start a round.

The Meadows has five par-4 holes, but the par-3 fourth hole may be the toughest on the nine. It measures 193 yards from the back tees and features a sloping green.

The Sanctuary is the kind of nine that rewards accuracy, both off the tee and from the fairway. The two par-5s have danger areas, with the first one seeing the fairway get quite narrow in the landing area. The second par-5 has water on the left and bunkers on the right.

The Oaks has six par-3 holes, opening with a par-3 that measures 205 yards from the back tees. The nine is noted for its tight fairways and small greens, and out of bounds is a concern on eight of the nine holes.

“One thing about playing out here is that everyone is super friendly,” Cothran said. “Usually you go to these courses in neighborhoods and there are cliques, but that’s not the case here. People welcome you with open arms. It’s very laid back out here and we’re not going to rules you to death.”