Tag: Tom Fazio

  • Champion Hills – Fazio’s Mountain Masterpiece

    Champion Hills – Fazio’s Mountain Masterpiece

    Legendary golf course designer Tom Fazio has signed his name to over 200 golf courses, and many of them are recognized on “best of” lists at state and national levels. Among his most acclaimed designs are several in the state of North Carolina, including BrightsCreek, Quail Hollow, Wade Hampton, and of course Pinehurst #8. But in the hills just outside of Hendersonville, NC and only minutes from his office is perhaps Fazio’s best design that you haven’t heard of.

    Voted one of the best residential golf communities in the United States, Champion Hills Club has 730 acres nestled on the eastern edges of the Blue Ridge Mountains just eight minutes from downtown Hendersonville, 30 minutes from Asheville and about an hour from Greenville, SC. This ideal location affords members the ability to play golf year-round, while still experiencing seasonal changes in weather like frosty mornings in the fall while the colors change and warm, humid summer nights by the fire pit. The course was even rated the No. 1 year-round course in North Carolina.

    His design company’s offices being less than six miles away, Tom Fazio was a natural choice to design a course on this amazing piece of property. Land that features such dramatic changes in elevation as this site does can make it very challenging to lay out a playable golf course, but making it friendly to play for all abilities, genders and age groups is even harder. After all, this is a member’s course. Fazio’s mastery of course routing resulted in a par 71 layout that doesn’t feel like mountain golf, while being in the mountains.

    By using some clever routing and creating what Fazio calls “playing platforms” in the landing areas from tee to green, the course has only six holes that play uphill despite almost 350 feet of elevation change on the property. The majority of the holes play downhill, and a few of the drops are quite dramatic, such as the par three 9th hole that drops almost 125 feet from tee to green. This results in a very fair and playable course without missing out on those amazing mountain views. Fazio calls Champion Hills a “golf course in the mountains, not a mountain golf course.”

    While the golf course may be the centerpiece of this community, it is far from the only thing going on at this active club. There are over 17 miles of maintained trails around the property, which helped Champion Hills get voted Best Hiking Community of the Year by Real Estate Scorecard in 2017. Champion Hills is also an active tennis club with lessons, clinics and leagues (Pickleball is coming soon), and they have a well-equipped, modern fitness center with two personal trainers and a professional staff to help you get in the best shape of your life, or just work off that big meal you ate last night.

    Speaking of meals… The Mountain View Room is the highlight of the magnificent 25,000 square-foot clubhouse and Champion Hills’ main dining room, with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a country club casual atmosphere. The culinary team brings creative ideas to classic recipes and are committed to approachability and service. Next door to the main dining room is the Fazio Pub, for lighter fare or to enjoy the game on TV and and a few beers after playing golf.

    Champion Hills Club is managed by Troon Golf, the world’s largest golf management company. As such, full members at Champion Hills have access to Troon Privé Privileges, which gives them access to over 100 Troon private courses and amenities at Troon Privé member rates, as well as opportunities to experience 150+ resort and daily fee locations at preferred rates. Plus, all members of Troon Privé clubs receive special discounts with Avis Rental Cars, Ship Sticks, Entertainment, Marinas and more. tennis players also enjoy preferred access, rates and benefits at Cliff Drysdale Tennis clubs and resorts throughout the United States and Bermuda.

    The Blue Ridge Mountains of North and South Carolina are among the most desirable places to raise a family or retire in the eastern United States. Among the many places to see, things to do and experiences to be had, Champion Hills Club stands out as one of the finest places to live and play in the region. Having spent a day there in the fall, I learned quickly how this residential community seems to be doing so many things right. From the immaculately conditioned golf course, to the gorgeous clubhouse and facilities, to the warm, welcoming staff and the active and diverse membership, Champion Hills Club has found a winning formula and deserves your attention.

    To plan your visit and get more details about Real Estate, golf, memberships and more, visit www.championhills.com for more information.

  • A Day At Black Diamond Ranch

    A Day At Black Diamond Ranch

    15th Hole on the Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch
    Click Photo to Zoom

    When contemplating some of the greatest holes in golf, we usually think about holes like #16 at Cypress Point, The Road Hole at St Andrews, the Postage Stamp at Troon, #12 at Augusta National, #17 at TPC Sawgrass and many others. No matter what order you put them in, the greatest holes in golf are considered great because they are visually stunning, offer superb shot values, present risk and reward, and have stood the test of time.

    But which course has the best stretch of holes? One thinks immediately of Amen Corner at Augusta National, which is comprised of holes 11-13 on the back nine. What about holes 16-18 at TPC Sawgrass, where the Players Championship is often won or lost on Sunday? Colonial’s Horrible Horseshoe is one of the toughest three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour, along with Quail Hollow’s Green Mile and PGA National’s Bear Trap. All of those are great, but I recently played what I would argue is the best 5-hole stretch of golf in the United States at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, FL.

    The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch is named for the 5 spectacular holes that were routed in and around 2 abandoned limestone quarries. Tom Fazio expertly designed the quarry holes to take advantage of the extreme topology of the area, with sheer drops and dramatic carries. The result was a stunning set of holes that will leave a golfer breathless and wanting more. Of course, I’m not the only one who likes the Quarry Course so much. Golf Digest has recognized it as one of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 19 consecutive years.

    9th Hole on the Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch
    Click Photo to Zoom

    The 5 hole stretch of quarry holes from 13-17 is fantastic, but the other 13 holes on the 7062 yard Quarry Course are not to be overlooked. The course is a stern test of modern golf, but is very playable for all levels.  While playing the course, it actually felt like the quarry holes snuck up on me. It’s a fantastic course for the first 12 holes and demands your full attention, but as you stand on the thirteenth tee looking at the 100 foot drop into the quarry it becomes evident why this course blows people away. Tom Fazio is a master at creating visually stunning layouts that complement the natural beauty of the landscape. His designs reward good shots while punishing poor ones. For this reason, he was the perfect choice to design not only the Quarry Course, but all 45 holes in the 1,340 acre private community near Florida’s Nature Coast.

    Black Diamond’s other golf courses include the 18 hole Ranch course, which measures 6985 yards from the longest tees. Along with the Quarry, the Ranch course recently hosted the 2011 Florida Open. I have to admit - Playing the Ranch course in the afternoon after a go around the Quarry in the morning was a bit of a letdown. This is misleading of course, because the Ranch course on its own is fantastic, and it would certainly be the crown jewel of many other communities or resorts.  The Ranch course may be second fiddle to the Quarry in critics’ eyes, but it remains a favorite with the members. The Ranch course is framed by hammocks of live oaks and tawny colored sand, and is sometimes compared to Pine Valley. Course designer Tom Fazio once said that the Ranch’s final three holes “represent the three best finishing holes I’ve ever designed.” The Ranch course can also be combined with the Highlands nine-hole course, offering a total of four separate eighteen-hole configurations. The Highlands course measures 3470 from the black tees and boasts views of up to 25 miles overlooking Citrus County. [caption id="attachment_3205" align="alignleft" width="300"]15th Hole on the Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch Click Photo to Zoom[/caption] Homeowners at Black Diamond Ranch also have unlimited access to the neat little four hole Diamond Dunes executive course, which is hidden in the Carnoustie Village neighborhood. It’s an added bonus for the members, who take advantage by bringing out family and friends for a fun time. The club also enjoys a complete practice area, which includes a large practice range, chipping green, two large putting greens and four other maintained greens for short game practice. The amenities are rounded out by a 28,000 square foot clubhouse, fully equipped fitness facility complete with professional personal trainers, green-clay tennis courts and a pool. One of the big factors that often makes or breaks a private country club is the staff who interact directly with the members. At Black Diamond, members and guests are greeted with smiles and friendly faces, and everyone was very helpful and understanding. The outside staff is well organized and the area around the clubhouse is kept neat and tidy, and the pro shop is well stocked and professionally staffed. Riding around the golf courses, one can hardly tell that Black Diamond is a vibrant residential golf community. Home sites are set back from the course with plenty of vegetation providing privacy, and the homes don’t come in play at all. Homeowners get golf course views without golf balls in their back yards. Black Diamond Real Estate offers custom-built homes ranging from the mid $300s to over $1 million, and membership at the club is quite exclusive. [caption id="attachment_3206" align="alignright" width="300"]16th Hole on the Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch Click Photo to Zoom[/caption] With kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and world class fishing just minutes away in the Gulf of Mexico and Homosassa River, and with cities like Tampa, Orlando, Ocala and Gainesville a short drive away, it’s no wonder Black Diamond Ranch and its 45 holes of top-notch golf is among the top residential golf communities in America. Black Diamond Ranch is located 30 minutes from Ocala in Lecanto, FL. The community is free from big city traffic, noise and congestion but still close to shopping, attractions and services. Located less than 15 minutes to the Gulf of Mexico, just over an hour from Tampa and Orlando, 30 minutes from Ocala and one hour from Gainesville, Black Diamond Ranch feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere but it really isn’t. It’s a perfect blend of quiet country living mixed with modern amenities and big city convenience. For more information about Black Diamond Ranch membership or real estate opportunities, contact Black Diamond Realty at 800-328-8099. The membership director can be reached at 352-746-7400. Black Diamond Ranch also has stay & play packages available on a limited basis, which includes three days, two nights accommodations and two rounds of golf on the Quarry and Ranch courses. The list of golf communities that can boast 45 perfectly maintained holes of breathtaking championship golf and all the other amenities I described above is a short one, and Black Diamond Ranch is right at the top of my list. Being an exclusive private community and managed by Escalante Golf, the members are assured that it will remain one of the best golf communities in the world for years to come.

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  • Jupiter Hills Club – How the Top One Percent Live – Part 1

    Jupiter Hills Club – How the Top One Percent Live – Part 1

    Nestled in the seaside hammock and stands of hardwoods on the edge of Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Tequesta, Florida lies the ultra-private Jupiter Hills Club. In the late 1960s, William Elliot, George Fazio, William Clay Ford, Sr. and Bob Hope joined forces to conceive the amazing golf facility that stands there today. Like many of the finest private clubs in America, Jupiter Hills maintains a very selective and exclusive membership criteria. Golf is the main focus here, and with 36 of the finest quality holes in the country set on an amazing piece of rolling terrain, a stellar practice facility, courteous and professional staff and the finest clubhouse I have ever seen, the members are truly spoiled.

    The Hills Course was designed in 1970 by George Fazio, and bears a resemblance to Pine valley, where Fazio had been the Pro for many years. The course features 75 feet of elevation changes and most holes are bordered by sugar sand and natural vegetation like palmetto bushes and old pines, severely punishing wayward shots. The ball settles quickly into the soft sand and makes hitting out of it akin to taking a half stroke penalty. The fairways run fast and true, and follow the natural contours of the land, and the greens are some of the fastest and truest putting surfaces anywhere in the country. Rolling a ball across the greens at Jupiter Hills is similar to rolling a ball on a pool table. These greens are a true pleasure – and challenge – to putt. The member tees on the Hills course measure 6973 yards and play to a par of 72. With a course rating of 75.3 and a slope of 146 it is certainly no slouch, but if you feel up to it, you can play the unadvertised black tees. The club has a special scorecard for the black tees, given to players after the pro shop approval to play them. The black tees on the Hills course stretch the course to 7344 yards and it plays to a par 70. The course rating from these tees rises to 77.3 and the slope of 152 is almost at the USGA limit of 155. If the sinister appearance of the special matte black scorecard and the “dead man walking” look you’ll get from the pro shop staff aren’t enough to intimidate you, the opening 5 hole stretch most likely will.

    The first hole is a dogleg left par 4 of 493 yards. Into the prevailing wind. If you thought you could just ease your way into the round, you were wrong! After a modest (ahem) 300 yard drive up the left side, you are left with a 190 yard approach to a narrow plateau green. No problem, because if you manage to get through number one unscathed, Fazio gives you a bit of a break on number two with a straightaway par 4 of 469 yards, that is also into the prevailing wind. The green is guarded by a bunker on the right that is about 6 feet deep – about average for the Hills Course. The first par 3 on the course is a modest 187 yards over water. The green is wide and somewhat shallow, but except for the water it is relatively unguarded. The fourth hole is a 578 yard par 5. The fairway is guarded on the right by two deep fairway bunkers and the prevailing wind is left to right, so avoiding these bunkers can be tricky. The hole turns right after the bunkers to a smallish green. The final hole in the opening stretch is a dogleg left, 457 yard par 4 guarded by a huge fairway bunker all the way down the left side, and a green side bunker so deep you can’t see the putting surface from the bottom. The front nine ends with the signature hole – a 227 yard, uphill par 3 over a huge expanse of sand dunes and vegetation. Good luck!

    The Village course was built in 1979 by George and Tom Fazio. Tom is George’s nephew, and a highly acclaimed designer in his own right. It is a par 72 and plays to 6800 yards or so. Compared to the Hills course it would seem to be a walk in the park, but in reality it presents a different kind of challenge. The layout is similar in topography to the hills course, but there are more grassy areas and less sugar sand lining the course as its big brother. The course features smaller greens and is slightly less penal, but a stray shot will still be punished. Where as you are virtually forced to hit driver on many holes over on the Hills course due to the sheer length, the Village course rewards placement rather than brute strength. As with the Hills course, the greens are flawless and the entire course is manicured to a level I’ve never seen before. In fact, when I arrived a week before the 2008 Florida State Amateur for a practice round, the Village course had just re-opened after being closed for a 6 month maintenance refresh. I was the first person to play the course. Every tee box was brand spanking new and there wasn’t a single divot, ball mark or blade of grass out of place on the entire golf course! I remember feeling guilty after striking my nine iron from the first fairway. I felt like I had just ruined the perfect golf course. That feeling subsided quickly after I rolled in a birdie putt on the perfect green surface, and my thoughts turned to “I can’t wait to play the next hole!”

    Check out part 2 of the story – the 2008 Florida State Amateur Championship!