Emeralds Hills is a former host site for the Doral and the Honda Open Qualifiers, and has also hosted qualifiers for the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur, and U.S. Public Links qualifiers.
Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge, the course opened in 1969. Charles Ankrom redesigned the course in 1989 and it now plays from 5,000 to nearly 7,400 yards depending on which of the six sets of tees you choose, with water in play on 12 of the 18 holes, and Tif-Eagle greens that are extremely undulating.
Hole 6 – Par 3, 170 yards
The medium-length 6th hole requires a forced carry of its entire length over water to a large three-tiered green that has little bail out area for errant shots.
Hole 13 – Par 4, 426 yards
This slight dogleg right has the widest fairway on the course, because the tee shot forces a carry over water to the fairway, with water on the other side as well. The two-tiered green is also fronted by water, requiring two precise shots to have a chance at birdie on this hole.
Hole 18 – Par 5, 651 yards
Saving the best for last, the 651-yard par-5 18th is long and challenging. With water left, and OB right, the fairway narrows as you approach the green, challenging your short iron into a steep back-to-front multi-tiered green that has water on two sides.
