Hole Overview

Architects Notes by Gil Hanse

In contrast to the 17th, the finishing hole offers a less demanding tee shot (no bunkers to be considered). Yet it has a more compelling second shot that will set up the approach to the green.  In a nod to the bunker patterns of Egan and Macan, three bunkers have been arranged in a line at the top of the ridge.  If these bunkers are carried the golfer will receive a nice forward and right hand kick that will position them in the center of the hole for their third. If the golfer (or the longer hitter) takes them out of play then they must take a more aggressive right hand line that will bring the river more into play.  One tip for golfers is to check the hole location on 18 while playing 9 or 10.  With the expanded green, mammoth bunkers, and proximity to the river, the angle of approach into this green will take on an importance that no member or guest has seen before.

History

The origin of the historical name “Home” was a welcome sight to Waverley members finishing their round on one of the Northwest’s most recognized finishing holes.

1964 USGA Senior Amateur Championship… The outcome of the championship round brought a disappointing conclusion to the great “Cinderella” effort of Waverley’s Ed Murphy. Murphy became the second member of Waverley Country Club to be thwarted in a national senior final, Bill Blakely was runnerup in 1962. At the end of the championship match, Higgins was four-over par, Murphy six-over for the day. “My experience helped me,” Higgins said later. “Murphy seemed awful nervous because this was his first time in a match like this….a couple of times I talked to him and he didn’t even hear me.”

1970 USGA Men’s Amateur Championship… Wadkins had an anxious moment at the 18th when his second shot came to rest in thick rough. He expertly hit an 8-iron onto the green and gave a visible sigh of relief as he watched the ball settle down. “I was able to stick to my pre-round plan pretty well,” Wadkins said. “The only time that I let myself start playing Tom and not the course was on the 17th and it cost me.” Wadkins 20 foot putt for birdie on Waverley’s 18 green closed out his gritty Texas foe and climaxed this exciting battle. “All I wanted was to get it close and die at the hole.” And did it ever die, right in the middle of the cup. “When the ball disappeared into the hole, I felt as if I could jump up into the sky,” the 20-year old Wadkins said of his final birdie putt. Kite, also 20, walked across the green and shook Wadkins hand. Then he went back and sank a 10-foot birdie putt that kept him from losing by more than one stroke. A gallery of over 3,000 lapped up the drama. That afternoon on the 18th green, Waverley Country Club and Lanny Wadkins went into the U.S.G.A. record book. Wadkins winning total of 279 was an all-time low, beating the previous record of 284. Among the cheers of appreciative Waverley members, Tom Kite finished this head-to-head match with a total of 280. 

1981 USGA Women’s Amateur Championship… When her putt from 12 feet dropped into the 18th hole Juli Inkster leaped, hugged nearly everyone within reach, and sighed, “My nerves-I feel like I just drank 20 cups of coffee.” It was a putt she had to make, just as her successful putt on the 17th had been. Her birdie-birdie finish on the two par-5 closing holes were the only birdies of the match – by either player. The tension at Waverley, in August, was such that Mrs. Inkster had trouble standing still for several minutes after the match. She shifted restlessly, sat down on the grassy bank beside the 18th green, then stood, then sat down again. Finally she slapped the ground next to her in sheer jubilation. She remarked to those in the gallery “Last year I didn’t know what I was doing; this year I can’t believe it.” 

1993 USGA Junior Amateur Championship… At the 578 yard 18th, Ryan Armour appeared to have the advantage. Woods cracked his drive more than 300 yards. Tiger noticed Armour pull out an iron. Tigers’ face hardened. Earl Woods stated later that “Tiger realized Armour was just trying to make par, and he said to himself, You think I can’t birdie this hole? I’ll show you what I got.” Armour’s third shot reached the middle of the green, a lengthy distance from the tightly tucked front right hole location. He was looking at a difficult birdie try, but an almost sure two-putt for par. Woods three-iron from light rough, on the other hand, put his second shot into the right green side bunker about 40 yards shy of the flag stick. “I am thinking, He’ll be lucky to get it on the green,” said Armour later. With nearly three quarters of the bunker between him and the green, par seemed questionable. Birdie was doubtful. The afternoon’s hole location was tucked neatly over the crown on the front right of the green, leaving Woods very little green to work with. He was far enough back in the bunker, and had a good enough lie that he could spin the ball. Armour left his birdie attempt short, parring the hole. Woods lofted a nifty shot over 35 yards of sand and stopped it cleanly on the green 10-feet left of the hole. Tiger rolled, or willed, his birdie putt smack in the heart of the cup. Waverley members having played this hole so many times were amazed and elated. “At 18 it’s either make the putt or go home,” Tiger said. I knew I had to play two of the best holes of my life, and I did.” “To finish birdie-birdie on this course is awesome,” Armour added. Taming Waverley’s tricky greens appeared to be the scoring key during the championship.