NW Florida: one private, one public?

[OK_Golf]

Hello all,

 

We've booked a condo in the Blue Mountain Beach area for mid-March.  I'm looking for some up-to-date course recommendations (I know, I know, I'll probably have to check back closer to March, but I haven't traveled much lately and am VERY excited for the trip 😀).  I've been to the area a handful of times and have played Camp Creek, Windswept Dunes, Regatta Bay, and Raven Sandestin.  I'm looking for two (possibly three rounds) with one being a splurge round (also, I've recently joined a private club at home and am just interested to try out the reciprocal concept, as I've never done it before).

 

With that said, my thinking was to pick one of Camp Creek, Sharks Tooth or Burnt Pine.  As noted above, I've played Camp Creek before and I LOVED IT!  What does the WRX group think about these three for all-around golf experience?  Also, am I likely to get on with a reciprocal request, and any intelligence on ballpark fee would be great (I'm at a decent club, but nothing mind-blowing).

 

With the second round, i was thinking of something a little more reasonable and was planning on Windswept Dunes again.  Really enjoyed my first time around it several years ago and want another look.  I also liked Regatta Bay, but don't think I want to drive that far into Destin and deal with traffic (I know Windswept is probably a longer drive, but I remember it being little/no traffic)  On-line it looks like Santa Rosa Beach and Golf Club is closed for renovation (is that true?) or I would have tried this one purely for proximity.  Appreciate other suggestions or feedback, too.

 

Appreciate any feedback from the WRXer knowledge base!

[OK_Golf]

Hello?  Anyone?

 

 

 

I hate to be that guy who bumps his own post.  Appreciate any insights from the GolfWRX knowledge base, here!

 

 

 

How do you rank Camp Creek, Shark's Tooth, and Burnt Pine?

 

Does anyone have experience with getting on these via reciprocal (rather than staying at the properties)?

 

Thanks all!

[GreyDawg]

I've played Shark's Tooth once about 2 years ago and it was pretty epic. It was in great shape. But also tough, lost several balls off the tee.

 

It was about $250 for the round if I remember correctly. So if youre looking to splurge, full send. I would play windswept dunes day after day for their price and conditions though. Cant speak on camp creek and burnt pine. Think CC and ST are affiliated so would expect similar conditions between those two.

[GreyDawg]

Kelly Plantation is probly the most pricey in Destin but is legit. Sharks tooth is tight lined with pine trees, Kelly Plantation is tight with water. I know what youre saying about battling traffic but worth considering.

[bcflyguy1]

On 1/25/2021 at 5:38 PM, OK_Golf said:

Hello all,

 

We've booked a condo in the Blue Mountain Beach area for mid-March.  I'm looking for some up-to-date course recommendations (I know, I know, I'll probably have to check back closer to March, but I haven't traveled much lately and am VERY excited for the trip 😀).  I've been to the area a handful of times and have played Camp Creek, Windswept Dunes, Regatta Bay, and Raven Sandestin.  I'm looking for two (possibly three rounds) with one being a splurge round (also, I've recently joined a private club at home and am just interested to try out the reciprocal concept, as I've never done it before).

 

With that said, my thinking was to pick one of Camp Creek, Sharks Tooth or Burnt Pine.  As noted above, I've played Camp Creek before and I LOVED IT!  What does the WRX group think about these three for all-around golf experience?  Also, am I likely to get on with a reciprocal request, and any intelligence on ballpark fee would be great (I'm at a decent club, but nothing mind-blowing).

 

With the second round, i was thinking of something a little more reasonable and was planning on Windswept Dunes again.  Really enjoyed my first time around it several years ago and want another look.  I also liked Regatta Bay, but don't think I want to drive that far into Destin and deal with traffic (I know Windswept is probably a longer drive, but I remember it being little/no traffic)  On-line it looks like Santa Rosa Beach and Golf Club is closed for renovation (is that true?) or I would have tried this one purely for proximity.  Appreciate other suggestions or feedback, too.

 

Appreciate any feedback from the WRXer knowledge base!

Yes, Santa Rosa is closed for a wall-to-wall regrass. I'm sure it will be nice when it's done, but don't know what the timetable is for that.

 

Shark's Tooth is wonderful. It's nitpicking, but there are a couple holes where the design is a bit awkward because of the land they had to work with.

Camp Creek recently re-opened after a complete re-grass. That being the case, I'd imagine it's quite firm and fiery right now making an already challenging test that much moreso. I still have some PTSD from a bad experience in a US Open qualifier there...LOL. That aside, Camp Creek as a total golf experience is on a level all its own for this area.

 

Burnt Pine is the best Sandestin has to offer; gets fewer rounds played so conditions are that much better. The Raven will be hosting a Korn Ferry Tour event this spring around the time you're in town, so it may not be open to play. Oddly enough I've never played the Baytowne course, and I'd pass on the Links.

Regatta Bay has done some impressive reinvestment projects in the facilities and is as good as ever. Kelly Plantation put in new greens about 4 years ago and is excellent. Going back to Windswept Dunes certainly wouldn't be a wrong answer, either.

Rocky Bayou CC in Niceville makes a limited number of tee times available to outside play. It's a nice little mom & pop (sort of) private club that is typically in fine shape and offers something different from the typical pancake flat FL golf experience.

 

 

[OK_Golf]

@GreyDawg, thanks for the feedback and pricing on Shark's Tooth.

 

@bcflyguy1, thanks for the perspectives.  I agree Camp Creek is a GREAT golf experience all the way around.  with your nitpicks on Shark's Tooth I think a second round at camp creek would be better than a first a Shark's Tooth, if i can get on.  If not, I may make Burnt Pine my splurge round.

 

Does anyone know the general maintenance / areation schedule for courses in the area?  Is this Mid-March in that window?