by Pete Davison - AmateurGolf.com Panelist
Opened 1993, Southern Dunes was built during the
golden era of golf and residential development in
Haines City, Florida. It’s just a 30-minute drive from
Disney and only about 15 to 20 minutes past
Champions Gate and Reunion resorts. And if you're
lucky enough to be in the area in February, you can
play golf, then attend "Ribs on the Ridge" -- a
national
competition sanctioned by the Florida BBQ
Association.
But for now, back to the golf. Because barbecue or
not,
Southern Dunes should be on your must-play list if
you're visiting Orlando and appreciate a good test,
great conditions, and a fair greens fee.
The original project entailed transitioning a former
Citrus Grove (that suffered a devastating frost) to a
wonderful golf and real estate development that was
the vision of the land owner and some golf
enthusiasts.
The recipe for Southern Dunes was simple and still
works for me today – give your guests warm
hospitality, a wonderful tee-to-green layout and
superior putting surfaces. The rest will take care of
itself.
The original course was designed by Steve Smyers,
a
noted architect whose other designs include Old
Memorial (Tampa); Isleworth in (Orlando); Olympia
Fields (Chicago) and the Evian Masters Golf Course
in
France. Southern Dunes opened for play in 1993 to
all
sorts of reviews and accolades. But after more than
20
years of wear and tear, the course was in need of
the
remodel that occurred in 2016. Steve Smyers was
again retained to remodel all 18 green complexes
and
to make changes to several holes including Nos. 12,
14
and 16.
It was an investment in the original vision for
Southern
Dunes. Firm, fast, and challenging with expanded pin
positions was the directive. The new Tiff Dwarf green
complexes reopened in Sept of 2016 and I can share
with you, well done Southern Dunes and Steve
Smyers.
The course conditions were fantastic for my January
round.
The course layout is thru the homes, but with ample
fairways, 183 bunkers and more than ample space
both
right and left, off the tee. With mature trees, and
well
designed "waste areas" with natural grasses, the
course provides a nice parkland style feel. The
design
of Southern Dunes provides a challenging, but fair
experience from tee to green. Avoid the big
gaping bunkers and try to leave yourself with the
correct angle to attack the flag. While many
Orlando area courses are flat with fairways feeding
to
swamps or water hazards, Southern Dunes provides
subtle elevation changes with ample green space.
Five sets of tees will allow you to challenge your
game
from the back tees at more than 7200 yards or play
it
forward and allow yourself to play to the widest
landing areas. (My foursome of single digit golfers
played at 6800 yards, and with a rating of 73, it was
plenty of golf course.) The green complexes provide
you the choice of challenging the pin placements or
using the
openings at the front to run it in. Most importantly,
get to know the greens and avoid going long,
particularly on the downhill par-3 holes.
Should your plans have you in the greater Orlando
area
for work or play and a round of golf is on your mind,
I
would highly recommend making the drive down I-4
for a round at Southern Dunes. Stop in and see the
GM, Shane Trice and let him know you read the
review
on AmateurGolf.com.
If your day was like ours (we played in about 3 1/2
hours) you will be looking at your
watch and wondering what the replay rate is and if
there is a spot on the tee sheet that can get you out
for
more.