Southern Dunes

Golf and Country Club
Haines City, Florida
Part 2

by Anthony Scaggs

Bunkers by the Dozen, Hole #14, par 3 is 149 yards from the blue tees and far more challenging mentally than its number 18 handicap designation. The green seems infinitely small compared to ALL the bunkers. Ignoring the yardage books' suggestion for hookers and straight-hitters to play the ball along the ground, my partner dropped down one club and hit a draw over the right front bunker. With pounding heart, he watched as the drive barely cleared the right front bunker. As expected the ball rolled right to left on the green and the back to front slope of the green stopped the ball just below the pin.

The number 4 handicapped 16th hole is called the "Hawk Walk". The 507 yard, par 5 from the blue tees appears easier than it is. The drive should be center to left center. An eagle attempt from the blue tees would require at least a 275 yard drive, followed by a 232 yard three wood, keeping the second shot left of the right side bunkers. My partner's solidly hit drive landed 255 yards down the fairway right of center. Short of the 275 yard mark and right of center, the strategy for an eagle changed to a birdie attempt. He hit a short iron and then a wedge to the green. The birdie putt was missed but not the par putt.

Hole #6 is Binion's Bluff a par 3, 179-yard drive from the blue tees. The partially hidden left side of the green makes the approach shot appear even more difficult from the back tees than it is. Stay to the left side of the green, away from the right side bunkers but don't leave your shot on the left slope.

If one has an affinity for bunkers then Heaven's Gate, Hole #8 is anything but heaven. The par 4's green is 395-yards from the blue tees. The left side is wide open but the second shot is over a series of left hand bunkers, leaving a narrow green with which to work. The other option is a long straight drive with a slight right to left turn along the right side of the fairway. If executed properly, the second shot will be straight into the green with the widest part of the green available to work the ball. If one misses the drive, one prays for a bogey.

When asked Danny Wilson, Assistant Professional, at Southern Dunes attributed its success to the "uniqueness of the nearly 180 bunkers, the type of bunkers and the hilliness of the terrain."

Also, one could add the efficient, courteous and professional staff that insures a positive experience for every guest.

Click on selected photos for expanded view.

CONTACTS:

Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club
2888 Southern Dunes Blvd.
Haines City, Florida 33844
Tel: 863-421-4653
Fax: 863-421-8363
www.SouthernDunes.com

Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau
P.O. Box 8040
Cypress Gardens, Florida 33884
Tel: 863-298-7565
Fax: 863-298-7564
www.sunsational.org

Images copryrighted CGA

Images from yardage book property of Southern Dunes