By: David Theoret
Anyone, who plays golf in the Greensboro, North Carolina, is familiar with Bryan Park. This 36-hole facility is home to two stellar courses, the Champions and the Players. The latter is an 18-hole championship course designed by George Cobb in 1974 and redesigned by Rees Jones in 1988.
From the back tees, the Players Course measures 7018 yards with a course rating of 73.3 and a slope of 133. Mere mortal golfers will find that the White Tees (6,342/70.9/127) will give them all the golf they can handle. Ladies can give it their best from the Red Tees (4,713/69.9/117). All four sets of tees make The Players Course fun and challenging for golfers of all abilities.
The Players Course has been named a “4-Stars Best Places to Play,” by Golf Digest and one of America’s “Top 100 Courses for Women,” by Golf for Women Magazine.
The Players Course features everything you’d expect in a Carolina golf course, elevation changes, challenging green complexes, water, sand, plus tree lined fairways. The greens are undulating, true rolling, generous and fast. Keeping it in the fairway off the tee is only half the battle, hitting the green and making the putt is the other part of the equation.
Several holes bear witness to this philosophy. The par 3, 3rd hole plays 169 yards from the White Tees, and has it all. The green sits well below the tee and plays significantly downhill. The tee shot plays over both water and sand, plus the green also provides a challenge. Beware of those pesky 3-putts.
The members I spoke with during my round, unanimously rated the par 5, 12th hole their favorite. It plays 493 yards from the Whites and features a lake on the left. The hole moves downhill, for the second shot, with a narrow fairway for a layup, with woods and sand encroaching on the right. Although the putting surface is large, an accurate approach shot is required as the green is surrounded with large, deep bunkers. I think this hole is so well-liked because of the lakeview behind the green; it’s absolutely stunning, especially in the fall with the leaves changing color.
After your round, stop by the Grill Room for your favorite post-round libation. They have several local and domestic beers on tap, which are ice cold. Their food offerings stray from traditional clubhouse fare with items such as a Carolina Burger; everything is well prepared and tastes great. The pro shop is full of logoed apparel from many top golf companies such as PING, FootJoy, Antigua and Callaway Golf.
The Players Course may not be as difficult as its sister course, the Champions, but it will still test your mettle. Just be sure to pick the set of tees that best compliments your ability. As you make your way around the course, you’ll be treated to scenic lake views which are worth their weight in gold when the leaves change color. The elevation changes and hazards add to the challenge of this wonderful golf course.
If you plan on being in the Greensboro area and looking to treat yourself to a couple of rounds of golf on some incredible golf courses, check out Bryan Park. Whether you choose the Players Course or the Champions Course, odds are that you will use every club in the bag and have a great time.
For more information about playing at Bryan Park, visit their website at www.bryanpark.com.
