PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BIG BOARD at Mystic Rock Golf Club at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA., (R) Mike Jones one of Illinois’ very own is the new Director of Golf at Nemacolin. For more information please visit Nemacolin.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Mystic Rock GC and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

It’s the #1 course in Pennsylvania that you can play. Yes that’s right the Pete Dye designed Mystic Rock Golf Club at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA.

What started in 1995 has really grown into a mature, fun test of golf. The PGA Tour loved the place from 2000 until 2006 while they were here during the 84 Lumber Classic.

84 Lumber owners the Hardy family, also own the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort since the 1980’s. It has gotten better ever since.

One picture says it all.

While the resort had 36 holes for a while, the old links course has been mostly eliminated for the development of the new Pete Dye course that is not yet named, and will open in 2017.

In the meantime there is Mystic Rock the first Dye creation on the property, and it’s a good one. If you have been to other Dye courses you will notice a few Pete Dye signature trademarks along the way, but Dye’s magical touch at Mystic Rock is about the rocks, and not the railroad ties. But Mystic Rock really fits in with the mountain area where the course is located.

The Par 4, second hole requires a solid drive or you could find some of Mystic’s Rocks.

Right from the start of Mystic Rock you feel the Dye presence, a raised fairway on the first hole with a long running Dye style bunker on right, that will keep you from trying to cut the corner. Stay left, stay safe and you have a great chance of opening your round with a par or maybe even a birdie.

The second hole requires a solid drive to clear the rock-cropped ravine right, and a pond on the left. But a drive that doesn’t clear the left side of the ravine, leaves a drive that falls on the left side of the fairway, and approach shot that will have a few fairway and green side bunkers to carry.

John Daly swings from a Mystic Rock near the 5th green.

By the green on the 5th hole is a waterfall, an 84 Lumber logo, and a statue of “Big” John Daly swinging away.

Daly did swing away for several years in the 84 Lumber Classic but never came away with the title. But with a couple of well placed shots, you can come away with an eagle or birdie on this par 5.

You the golfer get quite a journey through the rolling terrain, and in between Pete’s Rock’s when you play the Mystic course. Their are several statues on the course, like Daly, Sam Snead, and Chief Nemacolin on the 16th tee box. Perhaps one day there will be one of Dye.

After the 9th hole that requires one of your best tee shots off the day, the back nine starts out in spectacular fashion with a slight left to right dogleg. That’s followed by what some call the course’s signature hole a 634 yard par 5 from the tips. This hole involves a water carry, and some navigation around two water hazards and a green tucked into an area right up to the water and behind the clubhouse.

The par 3, 12th hole is one of the prettiest par 3 holes you will find anywhere, with a Pete Dye “I dare you” green front that sticks it’s nose out into the pond that fronts the green. Miss short, left or right and you are wet. Chicago area golfers might compare the green to the par 3, 11th hole at the only Dye course in the Chicago area, Ruffled Feathers.

The 13th hole is a great short par 4, but a middle-center pin location leaves the hole in between two classic Dye styled pot-bunkers in front of and behind the green.

The closing holes 16-17-18 have such a risk reward factor, that in match play you can really close out your opponent quckly should they try to gamble their way back into the match. Water protects the left side of the 16th green, that sits behind a narrow runway  leading to the front of the green on this par 5 hole.

The par 3, 17th hole at Mystic Rock will test the best golfers nerve. For those who know Pete Dye, this hole compares to the River Course #4 in Kohler and 17 on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort.

The 17th hole is a par 3 that is only 204 from the tips, but a long left side water hazard can be a real challenge when the pin is on the left side of the green.

Bailout, sure no problem there, except for the deep pot bunker that Dye hid on the right side of the green. 17, yes have fun and trust your swing.

18 can play 468 yards from the tips but remains a fun golf hole, this dogleg right takes you past the big scoreboard that brings back memories of the PGA Tour playing the 84 Lumber Classic. There is plenty of space around the green for other members of your group or outing to watch their friends finish up while looking for that final birdie.

So until that second course of Dye unveils itself in 2017, why not come and enjoy the first 18 holes of Nemacolin, and enjoy another Pete Dye, Dye-abolical creation. So much fun all rolled into one course, that is until “wait until next year” arrives.

See Nemacolin.com A final look at the resort tomorrow with our Part 4, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort becoming a new destination.