Played Emerald Lake yesterday (8/9/08), and it seemed in good shape. Greens were rolling well, and the fairways were very consistent. However, one mystery still remains after all these years. Every time I bring a friend there who is not familiar with the course, I hear the same comment about #18. “Man this is a lousy finishing hole”, they say. When I point out that the two nines were switched several years ago, they are usually dumbfounded. Like me, they cannot understand the reasoning for that. Hole #9 (formerly #18) is a great finishing hole, although rumor has it that the green was constructed backwards (it slopes AWAY from to back towards the lake, making it virtually impossible to approach in two with a long iron or wood) The green will not hold anything longer than about an 8-iron, depending on where the pin is cut. This green design and the switching of the nines has always mystified me. I have asked a few guys at the pro shop, buy they don’t know the story behing it. If anyone does, please feel free to elaborate. I’m really curious, mainly since most folks feel I’m sure that #9 was a much better finishing hole.