Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Bridgewater Golf Course, Lakeland, Florida

The Bridgewater golf course is an exciting new Florida course, in Lakeland, that was opened in 2007. Designed by Steve Symers, it is a links style golf course with 18 superb holes.

When Symers designed this course, he wanted to create a long golf course, which would provide a test for longer hitting players. Certainly, the course comes with some formidable par 5s. The longest hole is 583 yards off the black tee, while hole 3 has a lengthy maximum of 267-yards. Overall, the course measures 7,200 yards. The green complexes are also large, at approximately 10,000 square feet.

The course has a risk-reward approach, particularly around some of the greens. Heart-break ridge has become an example of this, and is considered the signature hole. It has an elevated green, which is surrounded by water on the left, and a deep bunker on the right. Likewise, it is almost a 500-yard par 4.

It offers a strategic challenge also. The risk-reward nature of the course creates various shot-options and routes to the hole. In many respects, this was as Symers intended.

The course has a good location, and as Symers put it, will actually turn into a nature conservancy as well. The course does indeed have a fair amount of wildlife to mix in with the golf.

It has 5 tees for players of all levels. These range from the shortest white tees, to the longest black championship tees. Players can pick the tee they feel best suits them, and play from there.

Rates at the course vary. The regular maximum rate is $60 dollars, before 2 pm. Off peak, after 2 p.m. the rate drops to $30. However, for a Florida resident it is only $25 dollars of peak. Better still, a Bridgewater player's card gives further reductions down to $15 dollars for an off peak round. A 10 round pass is also available.

The course is also next to a good club-house, which is well stocked. It includes a pro shop, plus a snack area and lounge and an impressive expansive patio. Equally, the practise facilities are upscale with target greens, short game with sand bunker and putting green.

Since opening, the course has been widely acclaimed. Golf Week Magazine has given it its seal of approval, rating it as one of the top 100 golf courses you can play.

Certainly this course should not be missed. It offers a good location, with moderate rates and a lengthy course with interesting design features.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

has this course re-opened ?