 COLUMBIA LAKES GOLF CLUB & RESORT (800-231-1030)
Texas Golf Course Review
The Columbia Lakes Golf Course is the centerpiece of a 160-room, full service resort featuring comfortable villa accommodations which are easy walking distance to the many resort amenities that include tennis courts, a large swimming pool, workout facility and clubhouse with restaurant/lounge, various meeting rooms and conference facilities. Fishing and spa services are also options, and business groups will also be delighted with this resort, which caters to professional and promotional groups, as well as golfers. The huge oak trees found on property, draped in Spanish Moss, help to create a secluded and tranquil environment.
The golf course was originally designed by Jack Miller in 1972, with a subsequent makeover by renowned architect Tom Fazio. This par 72 course plays to 6970 yards. The layout is tree lined throughout, with a mix of tight and open driving holes. Golfers will be challenged to place the ball in the sometimes narrow fairways, and the small to medium size green complexes also demand accurate approaches.
The putting surfaces are mildly sloping and are often framed by one or more bunkers, with gentle mounding on either side. Sand traps are also strategically situated near the landing zones on the fairways, and can be particularly menacing on the numerous doglegs. In total there are 52 sand bunkers, and water is also a prominent feature, with hazards coming into play on 11 holes. Al 4 of the par threes have green complexes protected by lakes or ponds.
There are 4 sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6988 yards/136 slope, 6308 yards/130 slope, 5861 yards/124 slope and 5329 yards with a slope of 132 for women hitting from the forward tees. As these ratings indicate, this is a challenging golf experience for players of all skill levels. Golfers definitely have to hit the ball straight, but with a good number of reasonably long par fours, distance off the tee is also important.
On course yardage blocks are posted at 100, 10 and 200 yards, with some sprinkler heads also measured to the center of the green. Color coded flags indicate the day's hole locations, and 150 yard stakes double as directional devices on all par fours and fives. The clubhouse is a short walk from all accommodations, with the pro shop and restaurant/lounge adjacent. There also are locker rooms with showers.
Those staying at the resort will appreciate the convenience of all the amenities, and should also develop a fondness for this layout which we became more fond of each time we played it. A practice green is situated in front of the clubhouse, and a driving range and short game area with sand bunker are nearby. Don't expect perfectly manicured conditioning, but do expect a pretty course with a nice variety of holes, that will keep golfers on their toes. For more info on the course, visit our page with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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