Holey Terror: Hole No. 18 at Sleepy Hole Golf Course

Sleepy Hole Golf Course • Suffolk, VA • sleepyholegolfcourse.com • 757-538-4100

Hole No. 18 • Par 4 • 470 Yards

A city best known for growing peanuts proved it was no “goober” back in 1972 when architect Russell Breeden was hired to design Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk, VA. More than 50 years later, the layout remains one of the Tidewater’s favorite green patches for those who don’t want to shell out big bucks to play a championship-caliber venue.

Sleepy Hole gained regional recognition as home of the LPGA Crestar Classic in the 1980s. But it was a dramatic playoff on No. 18 in 1988 that put it into the national spotlight. Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez, Rosie Jones and Betsy King — four of the biggest names on the LPGA TOUR at the time and now each considered legends in women’s professional golf — engaged in an epic showdown with Inkster hitting what she described as a “career” 4-wood on her second shot to within 10 feet of the hole. She putted for eagle and won the tournament in sudden death.

All these years later and No. 18 still remains the star attraction at Sleepy Hole. Played as a par 5 back then, it is now a lengthy 470-yard par 4 that loses none of its difficulty or character if played up from the middle or forward tees. So much so that it is universally accepted as the toughest, most feared hole in Southeastern Virginia.

Number 18 begins from a slightly lowered series of tees, over a grassy depression area, up to a plateau fairway guarded on the left by marshlands. The target line is directly at the renovated Obici House and a big drive can put your ball at the bottom of a hill. The approach is played over a thumb of the marsh to a semi-blind green that bumps right up against the Nansemond River. A sand trap and small bail-out area to the right of the green are often the safest targets. This is one sleeping giant you don’t want to disturb.

In a nutshell, Sleepy Hole offers players an extremely fun track, one that smoothly blends easy and hard holes together like a perfectly made PBJ. Just don’t expect to stick it very close at No. 18.

What is the most challenging hole at your favorite TeeTime Golf Pass participating course? Let us know! We would love to feature it in an upcoming issue of our weekly newsletter. Submit your Holey Terror to [email protected].