Florida Golf

Mountain Lake - courtesy Polk County Golf

I’m playing a little golf this month.

My warm up rounds include a couple of Steve Smyers courses in Southern Dunes and Old Memorial. Perhaps even a third if I can work out a transportation issue I have the first day. I have lots of respect for Steve and loved his work at Olympia Fields South, so I made a point to play a few of his courses while I’m getting ready for the Renaissance Cup. Steve was kind enough to set up the round at Old Memorial for me.

My last warm-up round will be at Seth Raynor’s Mountain Lake Golf Course. I’m playing with a couple of very close friends and can’t wait to play. This is one course I really wanted to play because I have a passion for all things Raynor. I’m curious to see the templates on flatter land and find some new ideas. I find his work stimulates me on how I want the ball to react on the ground.

There is a review in Golf Club Atlas currently that is well worth looking at.

I’ll share some thoughts while I travel.



Streamsong

Finally it’s off to Streamsong for the Renaissance Cup. I’ve now played in five of the matches and really enjoy the event. The matches will be staged over both the Doak and the Coore courses and I look forward to playing both. They are as interesting a pair a courses as I’ve seen in a while, particulalrly with the wild features created through strip mining.  I also look forward to seeing many great friends. I hope to play 36 a day, but that will be tested by the sun I expect.

I will review both courses while I’m travelling.

Wish me luck, I went three rounds last year with Ken Nice, the super at Bandon Dunes. Lost to the eventual winners 2&1.