Creekside Course
Par 4 – 384, 355, 355, 331, 300, 294 yards – An open hole to begin, very open from the tee. The raised green is framed by a high, landscaped berm. The hole is 382 yards from the back tee, #15 handicap because there is little trouble.
Par 4 – 385, 356, 356, 328, 287, 216 yards – Really a very pretty medium length par 4 (385 yards). The challenge here is that there is water along the left side of the green and bunkers right of the green. Note that hole #2 is the #3 handicap!
Par 3 – 176, 164, 164, 146, 133, 79 yards – The hole is all carry-over water, well almost because there is a bailout to the right front of the green. While the hole is only 176 yards, it plays every bit of that yardage. There is an attractive amphitheater setting around the back of the green.
Par 4 – 420, 406, 369, 369, 350, 294 yards – This is quite a lot of golf for most players. The greenside bunkers are deep. They make the second shot demanding, especially when the cup is in the back part of the green. Here again the green is framed on the right side and in back by a high landscaped berm.
This short par 5, 518, 507, 507, 453, 428, 389 yards, is open enough from the tee. However the remainder of the hole becomes narrower, particularly at the green. The green is on a narrow point of land at the north end of the hole. Beyond the green and to both the left and right sides are wetlands.
Par 4 – 330, 305, 305, 292, 245, 240 yards – is short, only 305 yards from the center tees. However two very good shots are required to gain the green surface. It should be easy, however errant shots are promptly penalized. The green has severe contours within its surface.
Par 5 – 563, 534, 521, 521, 474, 467 yards – Long, the longest hole on the course and narrow too. Pines, palmettos and marshland border the hole. The green is narrow, tucked between wetland right of the green and other vegetation on the left. It is rated #5 handicap. One wonders if there are two other more difficult holes on the front nine.
Par 3 – 160, 135, 135, 122, 108, 95 yards – This is really a simple, short hole (handicap #17) except that the player can find water right of the green. There is space to play short left of the green.
Par 4 – 377, 353, 320, 320, 311, 302 yards – This hole always plays tough. Not just because there is water on the left from the tee to beyond the dogleg but because the raised green is guarded by bunkers and slopes on the sides and behind the green. It is one of the most difficult handicap 11 holes one will ever play.
Par 5 – 511, 452, 452, 441, 358, 351 yards – This is a short par 5 however the shot to the green is demanding. The third shot, if you have gotten beyond the marsh on the left side with your tee shot, the water on the left side on your next shot and avoided the fairway bunkers,will be played to a green just beyond the pond. The hole is actually demanding. Very accurate shots are required. The 4th handicap rating is understandable.
This par 3 – 220, 189, 1160, 160, 126, 97 yards long is one of the most difficult holes on the course. The shot to the green is long. The bunker left of the green catches almost every shot left of the green and the shots from right of the green are delicate, finesse shots requiring considerable skill if the player is to make a par.
Par 4 – 379, 346, 322, 322, 277, 244 yards – From the middle tee the hole is only 346 yards. Here the player must play a well-struck tee shot and then a very good second shot to the elevated green. There is just one small bunker beside the green, however the elevation of the green and the abrupt slopes around the green create difficulty.
Par 3 – 174, 153, 153, 140, 106, 99 yards – This hole, like every other hole throughout the course, requires accuracy. The green is elevated, the bunkers are in play in front of the green. While this is the eighteen handicap hole, it is not easy! This hole points to the fact that a good score on Creekside requires many, many fine shots from the tee and around the greens.
Par 4 – 390, 373, 356, 356, 339, 272 yards – Quite open from the tee and quite demanding from the fairway. The green is again beside a pond. Bunkers are beside the green, facing toward the pond, and the green slopes to the water. No surprise that this hole is the #2 handicap!
Par 4 – 393, 350, 350, 333, 317, 300 yards – Three yards longer than the #2 handicap #14, but apparently easier. The fairway landing area is wide. The green area is narrow, bounded by marsh on the right. This is a strong 10 handicap, for sure.
Par 5 – 516, 493, 493, 467, 432, 427 yards – This is a pretty hole. The dogleg is guarded by a big, long bunker. The view to the green which has water on the left is beautiful. Tall pines frame the green site.
There are only 50 bunkers on the course, however every one of them comes into play. 13 bunkers are found on just two holes, #10 and #18. Therefore the remaining 16 holes have only 37 bunkers.
Hole #16 is a good example; three of the four bunkers are in play on either the tee shot, the second shot or the shot to the green. The fourth is a tee shot “target” bunker, something to aim toward.
Par 4 – 389, 358, 335, 335, 269, 262 yards – This hole requires accuracy. Many players might play for the front of the greens and be rewarded with many opportunities for par. Shots which come to rest right or left of the greens may be in trouble; in bunkers, down slopes or in a pond.
The green on this hole has an undulation which increases its resistance to scoring, probably part of the reason the hole is an 8 handicap.
Par 4 – 347, 312, 246, 246, 210, 179 yards – A good drive on this short par 4 (312 yards from the middle tee) creates the opportunity to play a short pitch to a receptive green. The player has a good chance for par or even an occasional birdie. It is fun to leave the course after playing the hole well. That encourages the player to return again, soon.
The course is just 6,632 from the back tees and 6,141 from the middle (dark green) tees. There are opportunities to score well for the player who keeps the ball on the short grass. Good tee shots, good play around the greens and good putting are rewarded on Creekside. Length is less a factor than accuracy.
The course is scenic with water and wetlands in play. The course is a good test for the members and their guests.