After yet another hearty breakfast it’s out to the chipping green for some much needed short game practice and the facilities here are wonderful. After I hit a bucket of balls with my 56° wedge and then a few fall swings it’s off to the 1st tee which sits right between the range and the chipping area.
I smash my ball down the left and over the cart path, but as the opening hole is only 351-yards I only have a wedge in. It’s a gentle start to this David Toms designed course. David is a local lad and I must say from the outset I am already impressed with the layout.
The second is another well designed tree lined hole that leads you to the first of four Par 3s and this one looks down from a slightly elevated tee and plays between two lots of trees with a deep bunker protecting the right hand side and looks stunning.
Like yesterday this course does have real estate around it but unlike yesterday the houses don’t intrude on the course and gives it breathing space and I feel it’s all the better for it. The holes meander through the trees that help give each hole its own definition and personality.
The 4th hole brings up the first of four par 5s – two on each nine – from the tee you have two options on this great risk and reward designed hole. Aim to go straight and as close to the water that starts around 350 yards out down the left and go for the green in two giving yourself a shot at eagle. Or stick closer to the right of the slight dogleg right and go for the chip and put birdie putt, but remember the second half of the hole doglegs left 100-yards from the green so water may still come into play if you don’t position your second shot in the right area. It really is a thinking golfers golf course.
Water features on most of the holes here but only really comes into play on eight of the holes and the water fountain that sits in the middle of the water on the 11th, 13th and 17th is a nice aesthetic touch.
Looking across to the 4th green Looking back down the 5th Water short of the 9th green
13th green with the water fountain and the 11th tee and 17th green in the background