The Lakes is maturing as a layout. Overall condition hugely improved with some great tweaks after Kevin Stone took charge as golf director. I think the wayward rough (close to properties) should be longer to compensate for the shortness of the course. And the par-5 eighth would be a better hole as a low stroke par 4. The overall experience could be improved by changing the nines around, the current ninth becoming the 18th. There has already been a precedent at MECC where the routing of holes was changed on The Woods. With that change the 19th hole on The Lakes would become the Watershed facility. Although I am sure it’s good for pace of play, the halfway house at the Watershed feels rushed with the current ‘drive-through’ arrangement.
