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Debate

Will the lava-carved Black Desert Course redefine what we expect from a PGA Tour venue?

On July 3, 2023, the PGA Tour and the Black Desert Resort announced a new tournament on the Tour. The Black Desert Championship is set to debut this year in the FedEx Cup Fall. Well, this is the first time that the PGA Tour will be hosting an event in Utah since 1963, which is more than sixty years.  “We are thrilled to partner with Black Desert Resort in bringing PGA TOUR golf to the state of Utah,” said PGA TOUR Executive Vice President and President Tyler Dennis.

The tournament features a 144-player field, including players from the DP World Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and several others with various exemptions, and is set to take place from October 10 to October 13. The Jay Monahan Tour has entered into a four-year agreement with the Black Desert Resort, which will serve as the tournament host. Located in Irvins, Utah, the Black Desert Resort Golf Course boasts an elevation of 3,100 feet above sea level, with an estimated total yardage of around 7,371 yards.

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It is a par 71 layout which has three par five ranges, which are somewhere between 570 to 590 yards. Two of these holes are situated close to each set of nine, providing players with several opportunities for a birdie or eagle if played correctly. The fairways are approximately 30 yards wide at the landing area, allowing ample space for good gameplay while presenting a challenge for players during putting. Conversely, the rough is minimally widened, running directly into the bluffs, which consist mostly of overgrown desert and rocky native areas.

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This is where it might get a tad bit more challenging since the players will need effective accuracy as the spots only consist of 4 to 5 yards of rough before the hurdles sweep in. Well, it has just been built and will be inaugurated by the new PGA Tour Championship. But what is so special about the course of Utah?

The Black Desert Resort Golf Course is crafted with lava

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What makes this course the most unique all across the globe is the fact that is carved out of lava. The freshly built property was initially an open forest, which was surrounded by blue lakes, desert native areas, and unique black basalt rocks. One could easily envision a lush green fairway built through it. The thought was made by Tom Weskopf and Phil Smith, in 2023.

It was opened for the first time in May 2023, but this will be the first time an official event will be hosted there. It took approximately $2 billion to build it keeping in mind sustainability and environmental consciousness. What are your thoughts about the newly introduced golf venue? Let us know in the comments section below!

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