Pros:
The Tyger River course will test your arm, and the mostly open fairways require extra skill if the wind is blowing. It was steady wind on the day I visited, and the sun was beating down, with little shade to seek. There are some trees, the thicker parts around the front 9, which features shorter holes with less elevation change and only one par 4. The back nine has more airspace to drive the fairways, which you will need to negotiate the big elevation changes and longer holes (four par 4's and two 5's). The opportunity for a low score is there, if you can keep control and stay in bounds. I only managed to get two birdies, hole 2 and 18, but I missed a few chances. The tees are concrete, and the baskets are all in good shape. Tee signs are pretty good, and the layout is easy to follow. There are benches here and there, as well as a few trash cans. Variety is good, changing contours and enough trees and OB to keep it interesting. Holes 14 through 17 are my favorite. 14 is down a tall hill, with tall rough on either side of the fairway and trees and brush as you get close to the pin. 15 is a 1000' monster, turning left and then right, very thick and rocky rough if you miss to the right, and a slight incline at the end. 16, is over a large hill, then dipping some, and then climbing even more with the pin on a slope. 17 is an elevated tee, with a landing zone as the fairway flattens out, and the pin in an island. The LZ and the island green are marked with large boulders. You can drive the green if you can drive 400' +, getting some help driving from the hill top. I went for it, but the wind knocked me down and put me OB. 18 is a par 5, with the pin atop a fairly tall grassy hill, and I made an all or nothing putt for the birdie to finish. Bad rolls are probably a common sight on this one.
Cons:
I played on a Sunday afternoon, and there was league play going on, so the course was crowded. The sun was out, and there was little escape from the heat.
Other Thoughts:
Tyger River is challenging, and quite different from other courses I have played in the region. Very well done, with great landscaping. I loved the elevation change on the back 9, and the wind added to the difficulty. I carded a 4 over par 67, but there is a good possibility to shoot under par if you can stay in the fairways, make putts, and not hit too many trees on the front nine. It sounds obvious, but is easier said than done. I was stuck with the rating, between 4 and 4.5, but will give it the higher mark based on the variety, difficulty and fun factor. Certainly worth checking out, especially with 2 other great courses near by (Pipeline and Va-Du-Mar).