ZooMasterGZ

The Challenge is back! The greens are just plain awesome, after a no-till green renovation using Champion Bermuda. The fairways and rough are in the best condition they've been for years. Bunkers #1 and #18 have new sand. The new sand is much whiter and denser. Gradually, all of the bunkers will have new sand and drainage--not something that can be done over night. The parking lot was full both Saturday and Sunday. This is a great course. Really happy about the greens and the way the course plays. Pine straw added on #13 and new mulch on #1 and between #7 and #8. More to come.

Three Huzzahs to the Challenge Golf Club!!! This is an update to the course's conditions. Like many clubs in the South and Southeast, the bentgrass greens suffered in the heat of August. The Challenge suffered the same fate. The decision was made to do a No-Till conversion to Champion Bermuda--the same cultivar used at Pinehurst #2, Old Chatham (very private), and hundreds of other courses. The folks that own the patent to Champion were here to distribute the sprigs and continue to advise. The course is scheduled to re-open Aug 1, 2017. Greens #4 and #10 were reshaped. Can't wait for the grand re-opening....

Without question, the heat and humidity wrecked areas on some of the greens. Those affected greens have about a 50% healing rate. Sand has been applied to try and keep the surface level. If the area is too bad, we just move the ball to an unaffected area of the green. Some of the greens have bent grass patches. This is a good thing. I love this course. At the same time I get frustrated that Mother Nature plays havoc with the greens. Fairways are dormant and in great shape.

While playing Brookwood the other day, I remarked to my buddy, "I love Brookwood. This seems like the kind of golf course 90 percent of Americans play. The fairways are a mixed of grass and weeds--yet mowed. The cart paths are mostly dirt--where there are cart paths. Both great and bad lies abound."
My friend said, "When you think about it, this kind of course may be like the courses Bobby Jones grew up on."

I love Brookwood for what it is--local, unpretentious golf. I have played the Pinehurst courses, lots of resort courses, and many gems that are hard to find. The links at Gettysburg in PA and Belgrade Lakes in Maine are a couple of my favorites. Brookwood in no way resembles the high end courses. It is what it is--local golf.

At first I was surprised that Old Chatham had zero reviews? Quickly, my brain worked the way it is designed and blasted that Old Chatham is so great, so private, so lush, so well maintained that they do not entertain outside reviews. They don't need it. it's like reviewing Pinehurst #2, or August National, or any other top course. It's just not needed. Yet, I love golf and Old Chatham that a few words is a good thing.

I am not a member at OC. I have had the pleasure many time, however, to enjoy the course. Wide fairways, outstanding greens, and all the amenities. This is a golf club. No pool. \

When I first played OC 10 years ago, I felt like Tin Cup's caddie on the practice range--"Hey look at this--real Titleists!" . The place still keeps me in awe. Just great golf in a subdued, upscale atmosphere. It exudes the love of golf.

Love this course. The weather was 85 degrees with low humidity (for upstate South Carolina). This is an immensely playable course. Forgiving fairways and from the white tees, not to long (5900 yds). The greens were experiencing some stress. Coming from a course in the Piedmont of NC with re-sprigged fairways (after the winter kill), it was quite a pleasure to play on great conditions. The senior price was great for a Friday morning. Had 6 birdies and shot 71. Too many bogies!!!

I play the Challenge quite often. The greens are in outstanding shape--medium fast and rolling true. The fairways have come in quite nicely. The greening seeming late this year, but the area had a late wet, cold spell. A new set of tees have been added between the White and Blue tees to give the course a 6000 yard range (Blue 6400-White 5850). Now these are not new tee boxes, just markers placed The fairways running hard and fast.

Quick Tips: Left bunker behind #18 is marked GUR. Stay left of center on #6. Stay right of center on #11.

Greens and surrounds are great. The fairways and rough must not be watered, as are the green surrounds and greens. The fairways were almost bare, as was the rough. I can see conserving water, but this was ridiculous. Just down the road at Southwood Golf, the fairways were plush-at least for winter. Seminole staff automatically started talking about Winter fairways. They haven't started growing. The Bermuda was green which means it's growing. They are just not watered. My fairways at home in NC are Bermuda and are dormant because of extended freezing nights. They are brown. This course was just making excuses. Why not just be honest. Played at 6,500 yards, green tees. Shot 84 (9 index)

Okay, all important golfer info first. USGA index 8.9. Age 64. Shot 78 at The Majors.
This hilly course (for FL) has a great layout and high quality greens. The fairways were a little rough in places, but we're all concerned much more about the greens and green complexes than fairways. Was in Melbourne on business and had a day to play. I wasn't disappointed. The fairways in NC are now dormant Bermuda, so it was great to have the ball sit up nicely in the fairway. Just notice more weedy grass than I would have expected. Played from the regular tees, White I think. Great value. $38, Sunday, GolfNow. Did not want to pay $80 at the other two well know courses in the area. Would play again. Very welcoming staff