"Designed by Rees Jones, Ocean Forest opened in 1995 and quickly gained notority as one of the finest modern links courses in the world. Situated along that Atlantic coast, the course weaves through a myriad of oaks, pines, and marshlands. Its natural rolling terrian and stunning beauty is as distracting to the golfer as it is pleasing to the eye. It is truly a great test of concerntration and shot making ability." or so the scorebook says. First of all, OF is located on a great piece of property, located on the northern tip of Sea Island. Last year, the course removed many, many trees so the breeze is present on almost every hole. Secondly, the condition of the course is second to none. For someone who loves lush, dark green grass, this course is the pinnacle. The level of maintenance is simply outstanding. For the type of membership that OF has, the course answers all their questions.
Architecture...Okay, "Designed by Rees Jones, Ocean Forest opened in 1995 " should say it all. A basic Rees course where the envelope was never pushed. There isn't alot of wow factor until the 13th, which sits on the Fredrica River.(?) The bunkering is lifeless. Circular bunkers everywhere...yawn. The greens are quite small and have minimul contours. One thing that OF has going is it has some very good greensites-Greens that butt right up to many marsh areas.(#10, #14, #15, #17)The biggest green is 17, a par three that opens up to the Atlantic Ocean-plays 215 from the back into the wind. My biggest problem with OF is that the fairways have the mid 90's Rees Jones mounding in the middle of them. There isn't alot of contour around the greens and lining the fairways and the course sits near sea level. If I was Rees, the first thing I would do in a renavation, is change the green surrounds and all the bunkering. There is not a ample chance to play a bump and run shot as an approach shot or around the greens. These greens would play much better and be more interesting if there were more fall offs around the greens. Lastly, SHUT THE WATER OFF-If OF played firm and had a hint of brown to if, this place would actually play like a links course and bring alot, and I mean alot more options into play. I really think that the course would be fun if the ball was able to bounce around a bit. Being located at Sea Level, the ball doesn't travel very far, which makes it even more important to try to get a course to play fast and firm.
Overall, I rate it a 6.5, a 7 if it was firm. I think it's current ranking in GW is about right and i will probably continued to be located around 50-65ish. Great piece of land, but Rees really, really could have hit a homerun here. This course COULD have been the best course in between Charleston(The Ocean Course) and Jacksonville.(TPC) I has/had the potential to be better than Harbour Town...great site though......