Review: Classic Club Golf Course

Former Tournament Golf Course

(Still really good)

The Bob Hope Classic used to be held at the Classic Club. This course is challenging and scenic enough to be a great tournament venue. The layout is beautiful and the variety of holes makes it fun for everyone.

The Classic Club is interesting as you first arrive, it kind of feels like it was part of a failed development. The road is really nice and there is lots of land all around the course. Add to that the massive clubhouse and it feel a little alone where it is, like there should be some other development around it. Even though it feels like it should have more around it, it is actually really nice not having a house or condo anywhere on the property; it is pure golf. As natural as the course feels as you get near the edges of the property, it becomes apparent that it was not that way originally. Some golf architect snobs don’t like created courses, but I have to admit, this feels right, even it if was manufactured.

After exiting the massive clubhouse, you are off to play some tournament quality golf. The first few holes easy into the course. They don’t have too much water or trouble to start off. But as you near the conclusion of the front 9 thing start to toughen up. A long par 3 will take a long iron or more to reach. The next couple holes are tricky with water in play on 8 and 9. Big scores are easy so be cautious as you wrap up the front 9.

There is no let up when reaching the back 9. Right way 10,11, 12 and 13 have water features that make for demanding tee shots. After those first few water features, the back 9 lets up for just a couple holes. Then more water and more accuracy is required. While 17 is the easiest hole on the course, it sets you up for the finishing hole which is another brute that demands navigation of multiple water features.

I can see why this course held tournaments in the past. The conditions are outstanding, the green complexes are excellent and the overall layout is fair, yet challenging. There were opportunities for low scores on a few holes as well as big scores if you found the water. It also had numerous tee-boxes so that everyone in your group could play from a distance that suited them. From the tips, this course is huge

If you want to play a perfectly maintained, condo-free, tournament quality course, the Classic Club is for you. It is slightly further out than some of the other, but well worth the extra drive. The water features are beautiful, the layout is challenging and the experience is great. You can play on a former tournament venue, still worthy of hosting and event.

For more information: www.classicclubgolf.com

Quick Hits
+Tournament quality venue
+Condo-free
+Beautiful terrain
+No palm trees
+Great water features
+Perfect conditions

–Difficult