Nine More Holes Of 'Fun' At Hepler's Raccoon Run
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
When PGA pro Denny Hepler acquired the nine-hole Stonehenge Executive Course in 1998 he renamed it Raccoon Run.
He also came up with a catchy little slogan: "Raccoon Run, Where the Game is Fun."
But anyone who's played Raccoon Run knows that a least a couple holes are a little more than just "fun." Other adjectives like "challenging" or "difficult" come to mind.
That combination of fun, challenge and degree of difficulty continues with the addition of nine new holes set to open for play this Saturday.
The process began in the spring of 1998 after Hepler, his wife, Cindy, and co-owners Dane and Mary Louise Miller were able to purchase 22 adjacent acres.
"At first, we were going to take it slow," Hepler said, "but we had a dry spring in '98 so we decided to start right away."
After he knew how much land he had to work with, Hepler walked off the yardages and began conceiving the layout.
He designed the nine new holes with advice from his friend and legendary golf course designer Pete Dye.
It was a busy time for Hepler, who, as a new course owner, was simultaneously working on course maintenance and membership for the existing nine holes.
"We were so blessed with the weather," he said. "The summers were dry so we could keep working. It allowed us to work back in the woods, which is very wet."
The new nine was seeded in the fall of 1999. Again, the weather was very friendly, allowing the course to be ready for play this spring.
A pro since 1978, Hepler has now been involved in just about every facet of golf - from playing on the pro tour to digging in the dirt.
"I've been on every side of the golf industry and business. Being a player, I see what I want from a golfer's perspective," he said.
And having spent so much time on different golf courses gave him a unique perspective for his own course. He calls the new nine holes "a blend of a lot of ideas from other courses."
The No. 4 green, for example, is dedicated to Hepler's friend and fellow golf pro Payne Stewart. Stewart died in a plane crash shortly after winning the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
"The No. 4 green has a big crown like a lot of the greens at Pinehurst," Hepler said. "That one's in honor of Payne."
The course also features a horseshoe-shaped double green that serves holes 5 and 13. The green is guarded by a steep-walled Scottish bunker with a layered fescue lip. If you're against that wall, you can't go for the green.
What may be the signature hole on the course is No. 6 - a 400-yard double dogleg par five. Water is in play, and golfers must navigate two narrow chutes through the woods to reach the green. The green itself is surrounded, except for the narrow entry chute, by large trees.
Hole No. 2 offers golfers a choice from the tee box. It takes 230 yards to carry the water. Lay up and you are 140 yards from the green on a downhill lie, hitting to an elevated green.
The third hole has an elongated tee box lined by mature trees. Stand at the front of the tee box and you have a clear, unobstructed 133-yard shot at the green. Stand at the back of the tee and you have to stripe the ball 145 yards through the trees.
Only two holes of the original nine will retain their numbers - 8 and 9. All the other holes will receive new numbers to mesh with the new nine.
The original course carried a par of 32. The new nine is a par 35. Under the 18-hole configuration, the front will be a par 34 and the back a 33.
Hepler gives a great deal of credit to course superintendent Tim Huber, who helped guide Hepler through the process with lots of "hands on advice. Let's face it. I'm a rookie construction worker and golf course designer," Hepler joked.
Rookie or not, Hepler now operates an 18-hole golf course that offers some unique challenges to local golfers.
And if you play Raccoon Run, don't be surprised to see Hepler riding the fairway mower. [[In-content Ad]]
When PGA pro Denny Hepler acquired the nine-hole Stonehenge Executive Course in 1998 he renamed it Raccoon Run.
He also came up with a catchy little slogan: "Raccoon Run, Where the Game is Fun."
But anyone who's played Raccoon Run knows that a least a couple holes are a little more than just "fun." Other adjectives like "challenging" or "difficult" come to mind.
That combination of fun, challenge and degree of difficulty continues with the addition of nine new holes set to open for play this Saturday.
The process began in the spring of 1998 after Hepler, his wife, Cindy, and co-owners Dane and Mary Louise Miller were able to purchase 22 adjacent acres.
"At first, we were going to take it slow," Hepler said, "but we had a dry spring in '98 so we decided to start right away."
After he knew how much land he had to work with, Hepler walked off the yardages and began conceiving the layout.
He designed the nine new holes with advice from his friend and legendary golf course designer Pete Dye.
It was a busy time for Hepler, who, as a new course owner, was simultaneously working on course maintenance and membership for the existing nine holes.
"We were so blessed with the weather," he said. "The summers were dry so we could keep working. It allowed us to work back in the woods, which is very wet."
The new nine was seeded in the fall of 1999. Again, the weather was very friendly, allowing the course to be ready for play this spring.
A pro since 1978, Hepler has now been involved in just about every facet of golf - from playing on the pro tour to digging in the dirt.
"I've been on every side of the golf industry and business. Being a player, I see what I want from a golfer's perspective," he said.
And having spent so much time on different golf courses gave him a unique perspective for his own course. He calls the new nine holes "a blend of a lot of ideas from other courses."
The No. 4 green, for example, is dedicated to Hepler's friend and fellow golf pro Payne Stewart. Stewart died in a plane crash shortly after winning the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
"The No. 4 green has a big crown like a lot of the greens at Pinehurst," Hepler said. "That one's in honor of Payne."
The course also features a horseshoe-shaped double green that serves holes 5 and 13. The green is guarded by a steep-walled Scottish bunker with a layered fescue lip. If you're against that wall, you can't go for the green.
What may be the signature hole on the course is No. 6 - a 400-yard double dogleg par five. Water is in play, and golfers must navigate two narrow chutes through the woods to reach the green. The green itself is surrounded, except for the narrow entry chute, by large trees.
Hole No. 2 offers golfers a choice from the tee box. It takes 230 yards to carry the water. Lay up and you are 140 yards from the green on a downhill lie, hitting to an elevated green.
The third hole has an elongated tee box lined by mature trees. Stand at the front of the tee box and you have a clear, unobstructed 133-yard shot at the green. Stand at the back of the tee and you have to stripe the ball 145 yards through the trees.
Only two holes of the original nine will retain their numbers - 8 and 9. All the other holes will receive new numbers to mesh with the new nine.
The original course carried a par of 32. The new nine is a par 35. Under the 18-hole configuration, the front will be a par 34 and the back a 33.
Hepler gives a great deal of credit to course superintendent Tim Huber, who helped guide Hepler through the process with lots of "hands on advice. Let's face it. I'm a rookie construction worker and golf course designer," Hepler joked.
Rookie or not, Hepler now operates an 18-hole golf course that offers some unique challenges to local golfers.
And if you play Raccoon Run, don't be surprised to see Hepler riding the fairway mower. [[In-content Ad]]