GolfNewsRI

I had the opportunity to play Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando Florida during the first week of November.

I found Eagle Creek to be a great golfing experience. The course is located just minutes from Orlando International Airport and was designed by well-known architects Ron Garl and Howard Swan. 

It is par 73 with five par-fives and more than 60 bunkers.  The course has plenty of water but is not in play very much.

When my foursome arrived, we were warmly greeted. Everyone at the course has a great customer-focused attitude.

Like most public courses in Florida, out of staters pay more per person than residents – about $85 vs. $75 during the peak period.

We had arrived early and got to use all the practice facility. 

Range balls are not included in your greens fees and must be purchased at the pro shop. $13 for a large ~ slightly higher than I would have expected.  They are simple range balls but in top notch shape.

One thing that stood out about the range was the length. My rangefinder measured a poll at the end of the range at more than 385 yards – quite a bit more than me ~ or anyone around me ~ would ever need.

The chipping area and putting area are first class. I wasn’t in many bunkers during my round, but was able to figure out on the practice bunker that my Vokey 54 degree worked better in the Eagle Creek sand than my 58-degree BV.

The practice greens were terrific – smooth and fast. Unfortunately, the greens on the course did not mirror them.  They were much slower ~ I was told due to the hard rain the day before.

I was thrilled to have time to be able to work through the entire bag, hit chips and bunker shots and putt.

The weather was near perfect ~ 83 degrees, mostly sunny and fairly dry.  We chatted with the starter then it was out foursomes turn on the tee.

I was excited to be here when it was about 50 degrees in Rhode Island.  I hit a bomb (for me) on the first tee and was too close to the green for a full shot.  I hit a chip, missed the green then the putt!   The layout seemed boring and not challenging – while I am still making bogeys!

However, on the 5-6 hole, the layout seemed much more interesting and got more interesting from there. 

The back nine is a much better layout / design than the first few holes of the course.

My foursome was all playing well, and we had a good, well played match tied going to 18 until three of us put balls in the water and it looked more like a pillow fight at the end and we lost 1-up.

We had drinks and dinner on the patio and again the service was great. The menu was large and prices very reasonable.

Eagle Creek has many good qualities of a private course.  

Other than the greens being much slower than the practice greens and the first 4-5 boring holes, I highly recommend the course and will return when I am back in the Orlando area.