Ohio Golf Journal September 2017

before Hurricane Matthew hit. Not what you want to go through with the newest addition to your company’s portfolio. The courses lost more than 1,000 trees during the storm; nevertheless, the grounds crew had both courses cleaned up and playable within 60 days. Grant Backus, Superintendent at Dolphin Head Country Club – a once private, now public facility – moved over to Palmetto Hall Plantation and began restoring the courses to their former glory. The remnants of Matthew are still evident, but do not infringe on play. Speaking of Dolphin Head , this once member-only facility, is now flourishing. It’s the only Gary Player-designed course in the area and he attempted to leave as much of the existing terrain intact as possible. Since it opened, Clyde Johnson has redone the tees, fairways and greens, installing the much quicker Mini-Verde Bermuda grass. Dolphin Head is really two courses in one – the front 9 plays through trees and forests, while the back nine brings marshes and wetlands into play. Both nines are rife with Player’s signature bunkering, creating a course that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is fun to play. Eagle’s Pointe is a Davis Love III design and has been lauded as one of the most environment friendly courses in the area. The course winds its way through strands of moss-draped live oaks and pine trees, freshwater lagoons, and makes use of the natural beauty and existing terrain. Native coastal wetlands come into play on several holes. In addition to adding a challenge to your game, they also provide some wonderful scenery. The greens are large, moderately fast and roll true. Crescent Pointe is an Arnold Palmer design and like most Palmer tracks, offers generous fairways and challenging approaches to elevated, undulating greens. Water is present but not necessarily in play on all but the par 4 18 th . In addition to the water that dots the landscape, you’ll Ohio Golf Journal