Andrew Rice Golf

Posts Tagged ‘jack nicklaus’

Champions Gate (International)

Look, we both know it’s been a long cold winter and that you are ready to feel the sun on your skin and get out and play some enjoyable golf. Why not head south and experience some great golf in Orlando.

Early spring is a fantastic time of year in O-town - no major summer crowds yet, the NBA’s Orlando Magic are playing and the heat (80’s just about every day) and humidity are perfect.

Orlando has two of the finest golf resorts in the entire USA; namely Grand Cypress and Champion’s Gate. Both resorts have multiple courses and are located on the Disney(west) side of the city.

Grand Cypress has three separate Jack Nicklaus nines along with the highly recommended Nicklaus designed New Course – which is based after the Old Course at St. Andrews. It even has a “burn” running through the course.

10th Hole New Course at Grand Cypress

Champion’s Gate sports two Greg Norman designed courses – one a links themed International course and the other a more traditional National course. While the linksy International can be great fun on a calm day, beware when the winds pick up as it can certainly be quite formidable.

The International course at Champion's Gate

Whether it be with the family or a golf specific trip, there are few locations that can match the fun you will have in Orlando. Give it a try!

Riviera'a Timeless Tenth (Shackelford)

Having had the opportunity to watch the majority of the NBC broadcast over the weekend I was very impressed with the diversity and interest that Riviera seemed to possess in just about each of her holes.  I have never had the good fortune to play or visit Riviera Country Club, but the images of the course on television forced me to make a mental note to get there at my first opportunity. And I certainly don’t need Jack or Sly or Arnold to complete my experience – the course itself appears to be more than enough thank you!

Of the holes that caught my eye none was more exciting or interesting than the 315 yard 10th.  Designed in 1926 by George Thomas Jr. this could be my new favorite hole in golf. A well thought out hole that rewards just the right amount of bravery one day and just the right amount of caution the next – just be sure to get your days matched up.

From therivieracountryclub.com:

Arguably Riviera’s finest hole, the 10th ranks among the world’s great short par fours, its timeless strategic challenge having perplexed golfers for more than eight decades. The key is the putting surface, an angled, extremely narrow target with a dangerous right-to-left slope. Though reachable from the tee, only a perfect drive will hold this green – and a tee ball missed even slightly right will generally result in a bogey, or worse. The smart play is a fairway metal down the left side, but the temptation to go for the green remains eternally tantalizing…

Steve Stricker's Approach on Saturday (Shackelford)

As you study the picture above taken by Geoff Shackelford (who did a fantastic job covering the event in person) on Saturday you’ll notice many of the subtle design features.  As Steve Stricker plays this approach into the green (which is the perfect position to play from!) keep in mind that the green slopes quite aggressively from right to left. This means that if you have a go and happen to miss right, you now have a shortish pitch from the rough to an extremely narrow green that runs away from you. No bargain even from close range.

Should you have a go and happen to hit the low, left quacker (we all know it!) then you’re only faced with a 50-60 yard sand shot. No bargain either.

Jack Nicklaus on the 10th at Riviera:

I love option holes and this one has more than any short Par 4 I know.

Looking Back from Behind the Tenth Green (Shackelford)

My question is this: Where have all the golf courses like Riviera and holes like the 10th gone? Can it possibly be that difficult to build a golf course that incorporated a little thought and planning? Golfers are pleading for interest over torture.

Give me a golf course filled with interest and I’ll play it over a long, torturous monster anyday. I’ll start with the 10th at Riviera, then play the 9th at Harbourtown, then the 4th at Spyglass and follow that with the 6th at Ballybunion……

Golf should be fun and Riviera looked exactly that!

I regard Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina as one of the top 10 golf courses I have ever played.  It is one of those rare courses where every hole is memorable! 

The course was originally meant to be Jack Nicklaus’ very first course, but early on Jack realized he was in over his head and called up Pete Dye to help out.  Pete and Alice Dye are now credited with the design of the course.  Alice, because she designed my favorite hole on the course the 13th.  Can you imagine hitting one down the left side of the fairway and being faced with the shot below for a second?

The 13th at Harbour Town

It is an unusual golf course that allows every golfer to be challenged, from PGA Tour golfer to a high handicapper, yet provide them with an opportunity to shoot that great score - Harbour Town has that trait!  It is playable and enjoyable for every golfer on the planet!  The course is not long by modern day standards playing just over 6,900 yards from the back tees.  While the course may be narrow, it is not overly punitive, as the trees often will knock down an off-line shot and provide the golfer with a chance for recovery.

The golf course starts slowly and builds to the back nine.  I actually believe that the back nine at Harbour Town is the best nine holes of golf on any course anywhere! The course has four of the best holes I have ever played anywhere: the long dog leg left par 4 8th; the short and always interesting 13th; the “challenging on all three shots” par 5 15th; and the stunning par three 17th that plays back out to the Calibogue Sound.

The "testy" 17th Hole

For a lifetime of memories and a rare opportunity to play a course that the “pros” play make it a priority to visit Hilton Head and play the magnificent Harbour Town Golf Links

Enjoy the Deutsche Bank at TPC Boston this weekend! I look for a young “bomber” to win…..

Pearl Valley

South Africa has so much to offer, but for the golf fanatic and wine connoisseur there is no better, or more scenic, place in the world!  Our destination is Cape Town with stunning Table Mountain, it’s mix of classic and modern styled golf courses and the beauty of the surrounding vineyards.

The grand course to play in the Cape Town area is Pearl Valley  in the tiny wine village of Franschoek (French corner in Dutch). Designed by Jack Nicklaus as one of his signature courses in 2003 it has all the modern amenities one might expect at a top-class facilty.  The course is known for it’s world-class conditioning.  This December it will host it’s third consecutive South African Open!

After your round a visit to Boekenhoutskloof winery to taste through a line up of what arguably may be South Africa’s great red wines is a must. Try pronouncing that name after tasting through their wines!  Should you be hungry try Reubens Restaurant which was voted the top restaurant in South Africa in 2005.

 The primary wine growing region in the Cape is Stellenbosch, home to DeZalze Wine and Golf Estate. This course winds through vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields and was designed by my friend Peter Matkovich.  It hosted the World Amateur Team Championship in  2006.  Matkovich has quickly become the top course designer in Africa and has perhaps designed the most scenic course ever built in Pinnacle Point, a little further up the coast.  Peter was recently interviewed by Golf Club Atlas.

The View from Ernie Els Winery

DeZalze Wine and Golf Estate

When in the Cape Town area I would also recommend playing at another Matkovich design, Clovelly Golf Club and Trevor Immelman’s boyhood course Erinvale Golf Club.  For a links flavor with incredible scenery of Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town give Milnerton Golf Club a try, but watch out for the ‘Cape Doctor’ a fierce wind that will challenge the best ball strikers.

In summary this is what to expect:

• Golf: good to very good, good blend of old and modern style
• Caddies: great experience and personality, request class A caddie, a worthwhile upgrade
• Red wines: very good to excellent, try Pinotage, South Africa’s indigenous grape
• White wines: excellent, sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc are as good as anywhere
• Food: spectacular, steak and seafood is truly world class
• Value: excellent, the Dollar is currently about R10-$1, a great dinner with wine for four will run about $25 per person! Green fees will never be more than $100!

For your next exotic golf trip consider South Africa.  It has great golf and so much more available! To read more on traveling the South African winelands click the link.