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Tim Gavrich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Branch, GA
« on: October 18, 2007, 12:58:05 AM »
Our final tournament of the year is being held at this course north of Atlanta.  Has anyone here played it?

The website was not very helpful, but Google Earth seems to show a pretty narrow golf course with an island green and a few beach bunkers.  Should I bring a wrist brace in preparation for extremely fast and firm conditions?

Thanks.

--Tim
« Last Edit: October 19, 2007, 09:01:29 AM by Tim Gavrich »
Senior Writer, GolfPass

A.G._Crockett

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Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Mound, GA
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2007, 08:51:50 AM »
Tim,
I've played Royal Lakes several times over the years, though not as much since it was renovated by D.J. DeVictor several years back.  

It is a solid golf course, and you'll enjoy it.  They hosted a Hooters Tour event a couple of years ago, as well as lots of junior and high school tournaments, and it has proven to be a pretty good test.  The primary owner is a friend of mine who played college golf at Miami U., and is very interested in having tournament golf on the course.  I don't think you will find it to be particularly narrow off the tees, though.  In my mind, it is a second shot golf course.

As to the conditions, I don't know if you will need the wrist brace, but it WILL be firm and fast.  We are forecast for some rain here in Atlanta today, tonight, and into Friday a.m., but I doubt that it will be heavy enough to impact the course conditions much, especially in the fairways.  As the name implies, they've got a fair amount of water on the course, but I have no idea what water restrictions they are under, whether governmental or self-imposed.  Most everybody here has long-since stopped watering fairways, but continued to water greens as necessary, and I would imagine that Royal Lakes would be in that situation.

Let me know what you think after you play, either here or in an IM.

Regards,
A.G.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

John_Cullum

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Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Mound, GA
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2007, 08:52:06 AM »
The water hazards are likely playing very firm
"We finally beat Medicare. "

Gary Daughters

  • Karma: +0/-0
THE NEXT SEVEN:  Alfred E. Tupp Holmes Municipal Golf Course, Willi Plett's Sportspark and Driving Range, Peachtree, Par 56, Browns Mill, Cross Creek, Piedmont Driving Club

Tim Gavrich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Mound, GA
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2007, 02:21:27 PM »
What a stroke of luck!  Thanks Gary!
Senior Writer, GolfPass

Brock Peyer

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Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Branch, GA
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2007, 07:55:34 PM »
Tim, I think that you will like it.  It isn't anything fancy but it is good enough where I try to play it once per year.  Like AG said, it is a second shot course, you've got to put it in play and go from there.  It is usually in good condition and it is a pretty good value for public golf.  It sounds like you are playing a touranment though.  Let us know what you think, especially the par 5 with the island green, it's a tricky hole.

Gary Daughters

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Mound, GA
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2007, 08:07:47 PM »
Arthur Davis, who designed Royal Lakes, doesn't get any love here and maybe he should.

He did Stonebridge in Rome, Ga on beautiful land donated to the city by Berry College.  My buddy and I used to leave Atlanta at 5am every Saturday for the first tee time.  

Davis was also instrumental in a number of courses in the Atlanta area including Atlanta Country Club.  I'm told he died early from not taking care of himself.  

Tim, best of luck in the tourney.  Do tell us what you thought of the course.

« Last Edit: October 18, 2007, 08:13:16 PM by Gary Daughters »
THE NEXT SEVEN:  Alfred E. Tupp Holmes Municipal Golf Course, Willi Plett's Sportspark and Driving Range, Peachtree, Par 56, Browns Mill, Cross Creek, Piedmont Driving Club

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Royal Lakes GC; Flowery Mound, GA
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2007, 10:01:13 PM »
Arthur Davis, who designed Royal Lakes, doesn't get any love here and maybe he should.

He did Stonebridge in Rome, Ga on beautiful land donated to the city by Berry College.  My buddy and I used to leave Atlanta at 5am every Saturday for the first tee time.  

Davis was also instrumental in a number of courses in the Atlanta area including Atlanta Country Club.  I'm told he died early from not taking care of himself.  

Tim, best of luck in the tourney.  Do tell us what you thought of the course.



Gary,
I'm glad you posted this; I like Arthur Davis' stuff a lot, and like most southern guys, he is pretty much off the radar on this site.
The renovation by D.J. DeVictor added some nice touches, such as the sod-faced bunkers,but the routing and basic layout are still as they were.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones