Page 11 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2018

Golf Destination Golf Destination

Bay Point Resort ∼ Emerald Coast’s Four-Season greens to Tift Eagle Bermuda Grass,
Destination which most top courses in the South
use for the best conditioned year-round
Nick Ciattei greens
The Meadows Course at Bay Point boasts
a classic old Florida layout designed by
The Sunshine State is known for its Southeastern legend Willard Byrd Best
many golf destinations. PGA National, described as the type of golf course that
Innisbrook, Streamsong, and TPC visitors return to year after year, this Meadows Course Hole 13
Sawgrass just scratch the surface of course, while by no means a pushover, is
choices golfers have when looking to decidedly more forgiving than the Nicklaus Course. The Meadows Course weaves
get away for some great weather and through the mature oaks and tall pines of the Bay Point Resort community Five
tremendous golf. I recently had the sets of tees are also in play here playing more than 6900 yards from the tips to 5100
chance to visit a hidden gem located yards from the forward tees Length from the blue tees tests the best players while
along the Emerald Coast. In fact, this the red ones provide more lenient options for less experienced players Expect
Nicklaus Course Hole 5 was my first visit to this part of Florida. plenty of doglegs and greenside bunkering, which are staples to any Byrd design.
The Sheraton Bay Point Resort, which Two memorable holes on the back side, the long par 5 eleventh and the short par 3
just completed a $30 million renovation in 2017, is situated on the beautiful St. thirteenth, present water features located near their putting surfaces that can grab
Andrews Bay just minutes from the gulf waters of Panama Beach Everything any errant irons
this resort offers creates a perfect script for a fruitful golf trip. The Bay Point Golf
Club is the focal point of this well-rounded four-season resort with 36 holes of Sheraton Bay Point Resort offers
championship golf including the only Jack Nicklaus design in Northwest Florida golfers an ideal retreat with their newly
The natural terrain of oaks, pines, and saltwater marshes run throughout both the renovated Golf Villa Experience. Of
Nicklaus Course and the Meadows Course the 320 guestrooms at the resort, 120
of them are dedicated golf villas and
The Golden Bear’s very challenging suites clustered together in a peaceful
signature track presents water hazards setting adjacent to holes on the Nicklaus
on nearly every hole. They are not all Course. They assembled the writers for
forced carries as most of these hazards this tour there to give us the skinny on
lie toward the sides of either the fairways what they offer golf groups. These accommodations have lots of elbow room, and
or greens. The St. Andrews Bay and a all are equipped with mini refrigerators. They are ideal for golf groups as well as
marshland wildlife sanctuary set the families who are looking for extra space. While these offer views of the golf course,
stage for this outstanding test of golf the main building at the resort has guestrooms that tender endless views of the
Five golfer-friendly sets of tees range coastal waters. As I first toured the grounds, I immediately thought about a return
from 7152 to just under 5000 yards. I Nicklaus Course Hole 12 visit with the family
always caution readers that courses
near the shore lie at sea level and will play a club longer on most shots. I have had Let’s talk about other stand-out features and amenities that have resulted in
to remind myself of this fact to soothe my ego after years of watching shots come Sheraton Bay Point Resort earning the only AAA Four Diamond resort designation
up short. Holes four and five that meander through the wetlands of the Grand
Lagoon list among the highlights on the front side. Water lurks to the left of the
green on the tough par 4 four. The par 4 fifth is not only the signature hole but
may just be THE signature golf hole for the entire Emerald Coast. Tee it up with a
hybrid or fairway wood and take dead aim at the island fairway. Hold your breath
for a spectacular approach back over a hazard to a peninsula green overlooking
the bay. Everyone remembers this hole and has a story to tell about it. Holes that
draw attention on the back nine on the Nicklaus Course at Bay Point include the
par 5 twelfth, best recalled for a huge greenside bunker to the left that capture any
errant approaches. Your interest will be peaked to the very end as the closing par 4
has water down the entire left side and a green surrounded by traps. The Nicklaus
Course put forth exciting news that they are in the process of converting their Meadows Course Hole 11

8 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM SUMMER 2018 9