Grand Reserve Golf Course (formerly Oak Branch) opened Jan 5th – I played it Today – My Report
No electricity, a tent for a clubhouse, and Porta-Johns, but layout and staff both good.
January 9, 2008 –
The parking lot is paved, but the “clubhouse” is a semi-permanent tent with no electricity (as of 1/9/08). Restrooms are Porta-Johns. Carts are gas operated. Don’t expect GPS. Temporary cards are printed on paper. The par 71 course has yet to be rated. But the staff was helpful and very friendly. And there is a beverage cart available on the course. Surrounded by homesites and with infrastructure construction still in process, the course is well laid out and in surprisingly good condition for a new course. Greens are hard but rich with grass and beautifully smooth (that means I putted well). Bunkers are consistent. Fairways have filled in so you can “play the ball down.”
I played the Black tees at 6,401 yards and found them challenging. The par 3s are 174, 233, 157, 174, and 191 yards respectively. Three of the par 4s are over 400 yards, the longest being the 455 yard 11th hole. Much of the area was clear-cut, leaving some holes without trees and with a wide open feel, but there are some wooded areas. Lots of lakes, generous fairways, and small greens pretty much describe the layout. Though many of the holes are not necessarily memorable, they are fair and not easy. And there are no “tricked-out holes.
Grand Reserve has three sets of tees:
Black – 6,401
White – 5,552
Green – 4,704
I recommend that every
A Good Alternative?
Toby — To what extent do you think this course, along with the expected Palm Harbor course, will contribute to a decline in Grand Club members in 2009? Though I haven’t played the Grand Reserve yet, I think the 2 courses will create a significant reduction in next year’s Hampton membership. Agree?
Didn’t u forget something ???
Hi Toby, love ur writings – you forgot to tell me your score from the black tees.
Regards – Paul
All in a day’s work
Somehow I believe this was on of the most enjoyable stories Don has had to research in a long time. Keep up the great work, and stay out of the woods and sand.
Gotta change
I\\’ve played the Grand Club courses and they\\’d better change. Honestly, they aren\\’t worth the price they want for a membership. They are mid-level courses at best and trying to compete with the Ginn\\’s of the world. Can\\’t do that unless they throw in the Grand Haven course into the mix. Just my .02.
Reply to Lee, Hank, and Paul
Lee: It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Paul: 79, one of my best rounds in weeks.
Hank: Local club dues, cart fees, etc. have gone up consistently at a rate higher than the rate of inflation, CPI, or any other reasonable index. I do believe that both the Grand Reserve and the Palm Coast municipal Palm Harbor course, to opened later this year, will put preasure on the local clubs. Several people have told me that they are seriously considering dropping their memberships.