Reed On The Greens, by Jeffrey Reed
Brennan Brings Luck Of The Irish To The Fox During 20th Season
March 26, 2014
With the Masters Tournament teeing off April 10-13 at Augusta National Golf Club, local golfers find amusement in labelling a challenging stretch of their own courses as London’s own Amen Corner.
It may not be as famous nor as challenging as holes 11, 12 and 13 at Augusta, but Amen Corner at The Fox Golf Club has cemented a name for itself in southwestern Ontario. And with this the 20th year of operations at The Fox, just minutes north of London, there will be plenty more golfers applauding – and cursing – holes 14 and 15.
I was honoured in March when The Fox director of golf and head superintendent Pat Brennan named me an honorary lifetime member. Since The Fox opened for play with nine holes in 1995, I’ve been a regular visitor to this parkland-style course. Its beauty is in its simplicity – rolling hills, plentiful fescue, strategically-placed bunkers and undulating greens. And when the wind blows hard, The Fox plays much longer and tougher than its 6,409 yards.
The par-3, 230-yard No. 17 hole is the toughest at this track – it’s always into the wind and features a rollercoaster green that makes any ride at Canada’s Wonderland blush. But Amen Corner at The Fox is legendary.
Former City of London director of golf, Bill Fox, designed the front nine at The Fox, while his son, Bill Fox Jr., designed the second nine (est. 2001). Sadly, Bill Fox Jr. died this past December. I had an opportunity to play with the younger Fox shortly after the back nine opened, and was amazed at both his golfing skills and immaculate golf etiquette.
Hole No. 14 is a 311-yard dogleg left, forest out-of-bounds left, onto an undulating green almost as tough as No. 17. The smart play here is to lay up with an iron or hybrid draw, then chip below the hole for possible birdie. I’ve been lucky over the years to have given myself eagle opportunity with hybrids or 5-woods onto the green, but perhaps I’m getting smart with old age as now I typically hit a long iron off the tee for good chance at birdie.
Hole No. 15 plays tougher than No. 14. On paper, it’s a sharp dogleg left, again with dense forest left, playing 339 yards. But many golfers either hit a landing-area bunker off the tee (usually mid-iron), or overrun the fairway, then dropping three with a tough pitch onto a slick, elevated green. Don’t even think about cutting it over the trees here, as you would be tempted to at No. 14. You’ll be pulling another ball out of your bag and perhaps ruining an otherwise good scorecard.
Brennan, from County Cork, Ireland, has implemented numerous changes at The Fox since he arrived in 2003, and this season opens a new short game practice area. Ian Latta joined the staff as club professional in 2013.
As for opening day, Brennan hopes for a pre-Masters opening. His optimism stems from his many rounds during horrid weather at Irish links clubs, and an apprenticeship at the Old Course at St. Andrew’s, Scotland.
“I would love to be open Masters Thursday. That’s my goal. But nothing shocks me about this great country,” said Brennan, laughing. “I have seen it go from -27° C to 27° C in eight days. My wife (Amy) calls me the Praying Superintendent.”
Let’s hope we all find a little luck of the Irish – both at Amen Corner at The Fox, and in opening our golf courses this spring.
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