Culver Military Academy was founded in 1894 in Culver, Indiana. Wm Langford and Theodore Moreau laid out a 27 hole complex but only completed 9 holes of it in 1926. In 2015 Bobby Weed restored the course back to its original intent. These are all orginal holes, most L/M courses were built with 9 holes orginally and then added on and reconfigured. The only other complete L/M course I have played is the 18 hole Lawsonia Links(view course under slideshow tab}. Culver is a more dramatic property than Lawsonia and ranks right at the top of the list of the 9 courses by L/M I have played.
If anyone has ever visited Mackinaw Island you know the feeling when you step off the boat onto the island- a step back in time. When I walked to the first tee at Culver I felt the same way. Huge undulating greens, rollicking terrain with blind shots, and very firm and fast greens. There are three 3's, 4's, and 5's. The par 3's all play around 170 yards. The first #2 plays uphill to a redan style green, the second #3 is downhill, surrounded by flat bottom bunkers, the last #8 is farily level with all challenging.
The first Par four #4 is a magnificient, sharp DL left which you need to hit your tee shot about 265 yards to be in the best position for your uphill approach shot. Unfortantly, that distance left me quickly 6 years ago. The front left portion of the green can put you in some deep doodoo if you mess with it. This was one of my favorite holes at Culver. #6 and #7 are more conventional, long, par fours.
The three Par 5's all have a blind shot involoved and are the strongest group of holes here. #1 Is a dogleg left that you need to carry a 60' deep gorge to about 200 yds on the drive. Next you have a blind shot into the green if you have the length or play it to the right for your third. #5 is more strightforward and you may have a blind shot for your second to the largest back to front sloping green. The finishing hole you face a dogleg right off the tee to a blind second shot. These three holes are lots of fun and what is not to like about opening a Christmas present everytime you crest the top of hill and see your ball.
As I noted before these greens are as huge as most I have ever played, big undulations including false fronts, and every hole allows you to run your shots up on the putting surface. The conditioning is as firm and fast as you will want or you would running your ball of the greens. Of the 9 rounds on my trip North, this is by far the most memorable, that even I can recall every hole in detail. The only other 9 hole stretch that gave me this much enjoyment was the F9 at RCD. I want to thank Michael for the wonderful job he does keeping Culver in perfect playing conditions and for his generous hospitality. BLUE+
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