By Jason Bruno

On a sunny and cool mid-December morning, PGA Golf Club showed off

its newly renovated Ryder Course to the golf media. PGA Golf Club is

the main attraction at PGA Village, the flagship property of the PGA of

America - located in Port St.Lucie, Florida (less than a two-hour drive

from Orlando and Miami and is just under an hour from West Palm Beach).

The home to 3 distinct golf course designs by Pete Dye (Dye Course),

Tom Fazio (Ryder) and Jim Fazio (Wannamker). The in-house renovation

project on the Ryder Course was led by 2016 Superintendent of the Year

Dick Gray.

Along the first tee these plaques commemorate past Ryder Cup

competitions.

Named after Samuel Ryder (founder of the Ryder Cup), the Ryder Course

features a Carolina style setting where many of the holes gently traverse

through mature stands of Slash and Loblolly Pines. The Tom Fazio design

features numerous lakes and ponds along its fairways and green complexes,

many of which come into play. The Ryder Course renovation is the final piece

of a $10 million multi-year property-wide investment to upgrade every element -

from the clubhouse to last blade of turf on each of the courses.

“Our dedicated staff has accomplished an impressive transformation that

cements PGA Golf Club as a top golf destination in Florida,” says Jimmy

Terry, PGA Senior General Manager. “The stunning renovations are shining

examples of our dedication to providing great course conditions day in and

day out to our club and PGA members, as well as guests.”

The routing on the new edition of the Ryder remains unchanged,

however, all of the bunkers have been updated and new drainage

installed. Turf throughout has been replaced - Paspalum tees,

Celebration fairways and Tif-eagle greens provide an eclectic mix

of turfgrass - each specialized for a specific playing application.

Perhaps the two best examples of the renovation work and Tom

Fazio's design, come back to back at the par 5 fourth and par 3 fifth.

The tee box here on the left to right 484 yard par 5 - fourth is easily one

of our favorite and no doubt is among the most beautiful in South Florida.

The ideal line here is the dip in the tree line (W shape), with a slight cut

shot. Be sure to check the wind here and adjust accordingly. Anything

solid just inside the bunker line leaves a tasty risk reward proposition -

whether to lay up or go for the green . . .

The new green complex at the fourth was moved slightly left and given

a Dye style bulkhead.

If the fourth rewards power and courage, the 137 yard par 3 - fifth

is a brilliant challenge of your precision and restraint. The shortest

hole on the course will repel the greedy pin seeker, especially when

the pin is front left as it is here (shown above), play for the center

of the green and take your chances with the flatstick.

This image of the left to right finisher gives a great visual of the beauty

and style of the property at PGA Village. On the Ryder course all tees

have been framed by ornamental grasses (above).

A look at the approach on the last, shows off Fazio's signature bunkers.

For more information on PGA Golf Club:  https://www.pgavillage.com/

By Jason Bruno

A few weeks back in November, Innisbrook unveiled their newly renovated

North Course, also known as "Little Copperhead". Owned and operated by

Sheila Johnson's Salamander Resorts, Innisbrook's media event was day two

of grand re-openings for the resort company. Just a day earlier and 200 miles

northeast in the city of Palm Coast, the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort

re-opened after a 13 month extensive overhaul. The renovation at Innisbrook

wasn't nearly as extensive, but was deemed necessary due to years of wear

and tear to one of the resorts most played courses. The most noticeable facet

of the six month project is the new Tif-Eagle Bermuda greens that now play

firm and fast providing a much more consistent putting experience.

Innisbrook's Managing Director Mike Williams who returned to the resort

after more than two decades away (when it was part of the Hilton portfolio),

returned to Innisbrook because of his passion for the Tampa area and the resort.

Williams spoke about the North Course renovation that focused on the greens:

"The North course is re-opening with exceptional putting surfaces that our

guests and members will truly enjoy playing. We never rest on our success

as a nationally recognized PGA Tour venue, and the popularity of the North

Course offers yet another championship golf venue that attracts golfers from

all over the world. We replaced all 18 greens, and it was a project that was

tremendously successful, on time and under budget."

Known as "Little Copperhead" because a portion of the North when it was first

designed by Larry Packard was orginally part of the Copperhead Course. The

renovation also included bunker re-conditioning, clearing of storm canals, tree

work and expanding greens back to their original size to allow for more pin

placements.

The flagship of Innisbrook Resort is the Copperhead.

The North is one of four courses at Innisbrook, which also includes the Island,

South and Copperhead Course - home of the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship.

In addition to Championship golf, Innisbrook also features 500 guest rooms and

suites, four restaurants, three bars, tennis facility, the Salamander Spa, Fitness

Center, six heated swimming pools, nature preserve, and three conference halls

with 100k square feet of meeting space.

For more information on Innisbrook Resort: www.innisbrookgolfresort.com

By Jason Bruno

Just south of historic St.Augustine, Florida is the city of Palm Coast - the home to

Hammock Beach Resort and its renowned Ocean Course. When Hurricane Matthew

came thru the area in October 2016 it's storm surge and salt water intrusion caused

such significant damage to the Jack Nicklaus signature layout that a decision had

to be made by the resort's owners - Lupert-Adler and its management team from

Salamander Resorts. Options ranged from: repair the damage and re-open as soon

as possible, close down operation permanently or completely renovate the Ocean

Course. Luckily, they chose the latter. The renovation included a complete re-grassing

of the entire routing using Platinum Paspalum (a salt tolerant dense short bladed turf

that thrives in all seasons), this resulted not only in improved playing conditions, but

provides a much needed sustainability for several decades to come. On November

2nd, 2017 the Ocean course re-emerged better than ever with the slogan "New Turf,

Same Surf".

Known for its six shorline holes, the Ocean Course and its closing stretch called

the "Bear Claw", underwent an extensive 13 month restoration that not only

included the re-grassing of the entire Nicklaus design, but also the reconstruction

of every bunker, tee box and green complex. When Hurricane Irma blew into the

area in September, the new surfaces were put to the test, but held up really well

(the re-grand opening was delayed by only a few weeks). Along with the new

upgrades is the idea of one length turf from tee to green. The only existing rough

now is the slopes and surrounds of tee boxes and bunker collars. This speeds up

resort play and allows for much greater shot making. More importantly, the lack

of rough and firmer surfaces allowed the ground game to again be a factor on the

Ocean Course. When you consider the persistent winds that influence ball flight on

seaside layouts, bringing the ground contours into play creates better playability

and enjoyment for players of all ability levels (The most brilliant designs we've

featured in 2017 - Sand Valley and Streamsong Black are perfect examples of

this no rough philosophy). The newest edition of the Ocean Course garnered

unanimous superlatives from the media that was on hand for the flawless fall

day at Hammock Beach Resort.

The Ocean Course driving range and resort accommodations in the background.

The restoration of the course is just one of the many enhancements to Hammock

Beach Resort, recently renovating its grand lobby, 15,000 square feet of indoor

meeting space and its boutique hotel experience. The lodge also re-opened its

signature restaurant, The Atlantic Grille.

Brad Hauer - Director of Golf at Hammock Beach Resort who was an integral

part of the re-emergence of the Ocean Course gave his insight to what was

accomplished after Hurricane Matthew, "By replacing Bermuda grass with salt-

tolerant Platinum Paspalum, we now offer golfers one of the purest surfaces in

the game. In addition to improved playing conditions for golfers of all levels,

the views of the Atlantic Ocean are simply incredible."

The 508 yard par 5 second hole provides an opportunity to get home in two,

for those laying up, the left side is the best angle to avoid the majestic slash

pine (pictured above) that guards an approach from the right side.

The 164 yard eighth ticks all the boxes of an iconic coastline par 3. Scenic

ocean views, fresh seaside breezes, and a bold design that challenges you to

pull off the big shot. This is our pick for the best one-shotter on the Ocean

course.

The view from the tee on the 468 yard par 4 ninth, easily the handicap 1 hole

on the Ocean Course as well as being one of the toughest holes anywhere in

Florida, but not in a typical sense. So Why is it so tough? Considering that

Nicklaus provides a super wide fairway and the prevailing wind usually is helping

off the right. Three factors, the first is obvious - length. Even 3 tees forward from

the tips it's still 402 yards (from our tee it was 452 yards). Second (which often

works in tandem with the first factor) - the wind tends to shift here and can

come from any direction at anytime. For instance, when we played the wind

was coming from the north (a crisp steady 15 mph straight in your face), so from

our box it played more like 480. Third - Nicklaus provides plenty of real estate

to bail left off the tee (which leaves a much tougher angle for the approach)

but the narrow elevated green is easily the toughest to hit in regulation on the

course. Only your two best knocks have a prayer on the ninth.

The reverse view of the ninth shows the new Paspalum green surrounds and

the elevated putting surface. Any approach shot that lands short or has the

incorrect shot shape will be repelled to a tight lie well below the green. The

steep turf wall that fronts the bunker snags shots that roll off the green, and

believe me when I say you'd prefer to be in the sand. The 4" tall Paspalum

rough grabs the ball like a catchers mitt - thick gnarly stuff. I'd like to see all

of greenside bunker collars also be cut to fairway height. Just sayin . . .

The routing on the Ocean Course remains essentially as Nicklaus presented

it at the opening in April of 2000, the 450 yard par 4 fifteenth plays to a severe

uphill green that overlooks the Atlantic. The two fairway bunkers (right center)

are a good line to start a slight draw tee shot.

This plaque that greets you as you enter the seaside "Bear Claw" commemorates

the Ocean Course's restoration.

The back right pin on the 17th was 165 yards, but with the breeze blowing into,

it played a good club and half longer. This view is a links postcard.

The Ocean Course's dune line which has been restored, is over a mile long and

perhaps is only matched in Florida by famed Seminole Golf Club's 14th tee

(some 230 miles south) in Juno Beach. Unlike exclusive Seminole, Hammock

Beach Resort is accessible, offering unparalleled views along the "First Coast".

The seventeenth green, eighteenth hole and clubhouse in the background.

With tees ranging from 4261 to 7201 yards, the Ocean Course will challenge

the best players, but also provides links fun for all golfers. Kudos to resort

owners Lupert-Adler and Salamander Resorts for making the bold decision

to make something that was special into something spectacular. Not merely

repairing the storm damage, but to give the Ocean Course the investment

and treatment it deserves as one of Florida's very finest golf designs in a

setting that's as good as it gets. A no-brainer vote for 2017 restoration of

the year.

To learn more about Hammock Beach Resort and the Ocean Course:

https://www.hammockbeach.com/golf/ocean-course

By Jason Bruno

Photo by Tracey Hanse

It's widely known that there are more golf courses in the Sunshine State than

anywhere else in America, nearly 1300 in total. Quantity certainly can't be

mistaken for quality, but there are standouts in the land of links abundance.

Five years ago, The Mosaic Company created a next level golf experience when

they brought us Streamsong Red & Blue, raising the bar for what qualifies as

a WOW golf destination for the east coast of the United States (and especially

in Florida). In late September, Streamsong took it up another peg with the grand

opening of their Gil Hanse designed Black Course.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

The Bone Valley Tavern and clubhouse at Streamsong Black designed by

Tampa based architect Albert Alfonso fits perfectly into the vast horizontal

landscape of the Black Course.

The opening of Hanse and Jim Wagner's Black course now puts Streamsong in

the rarified position as the only golf destination on earth that features a Coore/

Crenshaw, Tom Doak and a Gil Hanse layout all at one location. In our initial Blog

post just a few weeks ago we described the Grand Opening experience at the

resort's third offering, and in this edition we highlight many of the design

features by Hanse and his team - easily the most sought after firm in golf

course architecture today.

Rich Mack the executive VP of the Mosaic Company (who is also the visionary

and heartbeat behind Streamsong Resort), was eager when opening day finally

arrived: "The anticipation and buzz for this course has been remarkable. From

this expansive sandy site, Gil and his team have uncovered a dramatic course

that fits its bold landscape and flows as if it has been here for years. We are

ready to introduce Streamsong Black to the public and elevate our golf experience

with three must play courses that will rival the best golf venues in the world."

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

The par 73 Black Course plays 6759 yard from the black tees (which are one up

from the tips that play a mighty 7331 yards). After starting you out with a benign

par 5 on the first, the gorgeous 326 yard second is the first visual adrenaline rush

that grabs hold and announces itself as a true beauty. Just like many Gil Hanse

creations, this hole requires you to think and have a blast doing so. Here at the

second, he favors finesse over power. Challenging the left side here leaves a much

better angle to this elevated green that is angled left to right. Notice the classic

weathervane in the background that serves as a landmark on this big and bold

routing.

Although there is no shoreline within 70 miles, the firm and fast waves of Celebration

Bermuda turf and endless ripples of sand that make up the 300 acres of the Black

will have you favoring the ground game and contemplating the bounce - perhaps

more than you've ever experienced along the east coast of the United States. With

ample space off the box, you will hit more fairways and greens than usual, but the

task just begins once the flatstick is in hand.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

Here on the 601 yard fourth, you get a good idea of just how boundless the

mini-verde putting surfaces and surrounds on the Black are. The height of cut

extends well beyond what is technically considered "the green". For example,

what you see above is probably 60-70% of actual green, but because the 11

acres of greens and surrounds are cut at the same height, for all intents and

purposes you're dealing with colossal sized greens and an experience not

commonly found in the U.S .

Hanse gives you an option off tee here at the fourth, chose the safer right fairway

and you face a tough uphill lay up, or chose the riskier left fairway and you have a

better view of the green. This may be a hole that gets tweaked down the road, it's

the one that can easily be a round wrecker, but doesn't need to be. In our opinion,

the hole is a bit too severe for the masses, moving the tees up might go a long way

towards solving the issue here. In all fairness to Hanse, he did say that there would

likely be a few modifications after reviewing early play.

Photo by Nile Young

The 177 yard fifth is another visual bolt of adrenaline, playing uphill it tempts

you to bail left (from what playing partner and noted course design expert

Bradley Klein referred to as a Royal St.George style Hill bunker), but resist

the urge. Short left is a decent chance for recovery, but as I found out, long

left is certain doom. This is the most severely undulated green on the course,

and that's saying plenty.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

Another look at the fifth, this perspective gives the view looking back towards

the tee.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

The deep greenside funnel bunker and green surrounds on the short 321 yard sixth

makes for an exciting and interesting scoring chance on this brilliant design.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

The 158 yard par 3-seventh features a reverse redan design and an Aussie

sand belt look. The par 3's throughout the resort are memorable, this was

my selection as the best one shotter on the Black.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

The 408 yard eighth plays longer than the yardage, Keep your tee shot left

center to avoid this right fairway bunker and the natural areas that surround

it.

Among the 11 acres of super tightly mowed green complexes, is this two-

tiered punchbowl on the 408 yard ninth. A fantastic uber sized homage to

classic designer Seth Raynor. Not many greens anywhere are as impressive

or as fun to play as this one.

Photo by Larry Lembrecht

The 524 yard par 5 - tenth features this immense crumpled stream of sand and

turf remnants that pinches the layup landing area, demanding you to make a

choice whether to go for the green or stay well short of this ginormous hazard

that measures nearly 100 yards in length. This might be the most underrated

hole on the Black, but easily was one our favorites.

Photo by Larry Lambrecht

This portion of fractured sandy terrain between the 531 yard par 5 -twelfth

and the 463 yard par 4 -sixteenth fairway has been dubbed "The Glove" based

on its appearance when flying over the property.

By Larry Lambrecht

The par 4 -13th can play as a fairly straightaway hole or as dogleg right,

depending on which of the two greens are in play. It plays 409 yards to

the left green/421 yards to the right green.

By Larry Lambrecht

The 15th is the shortest hole on the Black, playing a mere 133 yards from the

tips. Pick the right club, although its broad from the left edge to the right, it's

only 24 paces deep - neither short or long provides an easy recovery.

By Larry Lambrecht

The 189 yard -17th plays downhill with a sideboard on the left that will feed

everything towards the center of the green. Doesn't appear that Hanse and

company had to move much earth to create this natural beauty.

Photo by Larry Lembrecht

In our blog feature regarding the opening day experience, I discussed the drama

that this 530 yard finale can and will bring to your match. There's very few forced

carries on the Black, and with a bail out area left, this technically isn't one either -

but it's definitely the one white knuckle finisher at the resort if you take it on.

The Roundabout, located between the driving range and the 9th tee features

several green complexes and practice holes for those who just cant get enough.

Created to give players multiple ways to test their short game, the Roundabout

also includes an alternative ninth green, giving players the option of a shorter

nine-hole loop back to the clubhouse.

Ranging from 5293 yards to 7331 yards, there is a proper teeing ground for all.

The serene environment just begs you to walk the golf landscape, gaining the

full experience of the Black.

The two acre "Gauntlet" putting course that sits right outside the clubhouse,

is the perfect pre or post round gathering spot.

There may not be enough superlatives to describe the journey around the

Black, and all that makes up the experience on the grounds of its stand alone

parcel that's just a 2 minute shuttle ride from the main lodge. Gil Hanse and

his design team just simply nailed it. It's Gamble Sands caliber fun on the

scale of Sand Valley's Mammoth Dunes, with a Streamsong signature style.

Rarely does the third production ever get mentioned as the finest in a trilogy,

but the Black just might be that. By our assertion - an instant classic.

For more info on Streamsong Resort: http://www.streamsongresort.com/