When I first got done playing the Red, and then the Blue courses my mind was jumbled and a bit shell shocked. My first impression was both courses seemed very similar- just given the common terrain that they both enjoy. However after writing up the reviews of the Blue, I realized how different the courses really are.
The Blue is fashioned much more as a "links" style course. It is much more open and by-and-large flatter than the Red course. That being said, the course starts out uncharacteristically from atop the highest point on the property. After that the vistas decrease as the course starts to introduce its true character. Holes 1-7 are stellar. The first and 7th are like two exclamation points between a series of well planned holes. Holes 2 and 3 are each doglegs of opposite directions. 4 is straight ahead and tests you both off the tee and on your approach to the elevated green complex. The 5th is a short par 3 with a wicked green over 70 yards in length. This gives the option of playing the hole from 120-194 yards from the tips. Factor in the wind on this elevated ridge and this hole can play all kinds of ways, even in the same day. The 6th is a great short par 4 that taunts you to go for the green. Yet is unforgiving for those who try and miss right. And then the crescendo, the par 3 7th that is destined to be (or already is) one of the most famous holes in Florida. A perfect location for the green created an opportunity too good to pass up. While the 7th feels like it should be a part of the Red course, it never the less is a thrilling conclusion to the opening 7 holes of the Blue course.
Moving onto 8, this is a tough hole. A well placed bunker is in play off the tee and the approach into this green is diabolical, over water and a green wedged between all kinds of sand on an elevated hill. This hole then flows into the remaining timbre of the course. Most of these holes all feature the same flattish terrain. It is here where the Blue course distinguishes itself the most from Red. While holes 9-12 on the Red course seemed like the least strong of that 18, in part because of their flat terrain, I didn't feel the same way playing Blue. Maybe it was because the terrain was more congruent from start to finish on Blue, rather than a smattering of holes stuck into the middle of Red?
Playing 9, aside from the blind tee shot over the ridge, for some reason reminded me of the 5th at Troy Burne in Hudson, WI. 10 is a good par 3, 11 features a huge fairway and fun rippling mounds around the green. 12 offers one of the most countered greens on the course protected front and right by a forced carry over water.
I really enjoyed the 13th, with its premium on strategy. The green here is a devil. A right pin placement is just asking for trouble. In our foursome I was the only one to hold the green. Everyone else fell off to the right. Collectively the other three players took 8 chips or putts to get onto the green from less than 10 feet away. The views from this hole are also spectacular. A sampling of both the Red and Blue courses can be seen from here.
The remaining holes 14-18, offer a bit of variety. From here the general play is uphill to the finish. The 14th is an intimidating tee shot to a long but otherwise easily played hole. 15's fairways are massive. 16, the long par 3 that will test your long irons. 17 is a great hole with its cross bunkering in play for you to lay-up short of or carry on your second shot. 18 is a great, tough finishing hole with gobs of bunkers between you and the green, and the clubhouse beyond.
While the Blue course is not as visually jaw-dropping as the Red, its character is more coherent. On the long holes, it features wide fairways. On the shorter holes, strategy is rewarded with generous landing zones for lay-ups. While I would term the course links-ish, it is not exactly, as many of the greens require an aerial approach.
So which did I enjoy more?
The answer: Both
To go back to the entire write up go here
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