Miami or Key West Golf

« **on:** November 20, 2006, 02:26:17 PM »

Folks, if you were hanging in Miami/Key West for a week, where would you play?

I know I'll play the Dye Course at PGA Village (a personal favorite) but the two hour drive makes it only feasible for three days out of say eight. I tried Emerald Dunes (too glitzy) and Don Shula's, (football flavored golf...

)...Oh well, the steak was good...

Anyway, where should I play in the area...Fort Laud/Miami/Key West?

I have to say, I really like the Dye Course at PGA-V...lots of interesting holes - good cape hole, nice par-3s, excellent finish.
Thanks.

« **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:27:54 PM »

You gotta play the Flynn course...If you don't know don't ask.

« **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:34:11 PM »

Jay, I too like the Dye course at PGA Reserve. That's nowhere near Miami. Is Palm Beach County an option? If so, the Links at Madison Green is very interesting. It is close to Emerald Dunes.

« **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:34:32 PM »

That would certainly be a nice option, good thinking there John.

How about Key West? The writer in me is yearning for a little channeling and the lawyer in me is yearning for some beach time in the sun...

Hey John, I really like your Holiday Tag Line! Merry Christmas to you too! I'll look into your option as well because a day in Palm Beach could be convenient for the Port St. Lucie leg of the trip.

« **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:35:23 PM »

Emerald Dunes is now private

« **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2006, 02:37:22 PM »

I just got back a week ago from a conference there. I do not have private club access so I was looking for a good public course to play.

On the advice of the treehouse gang I chose to play Crandon Park (formerly The Links at Key Biscayne). It was a very good course. It is a Von Hagge built in the 70's and hosts a senior event these days. It is very challenging and is worhty of a second round once you understand some of the angles better.

The course in genrally on the narrow side often with angles that will force you to choose an intimidating line or lay up. The greens for the most part are elevated and HEAVILY fortified with bunkers. Most of them have good contours and since many are on the smaller side it is easy to slip off to the fringe on your approaches.

We also liked the fact that it played in a park along the bay so there is no housing or development on the course. My gut tells me this is rare in southern FL. It is also great for wildlife, Aligators, Iguanas, birds, if you like that stuff bring your camera.

Hope this is a help. Enjoy your trip.

« **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2006, 03:47:11 PM »

Quote from: Jay Flemma on November 20, 2006, 02:34:32 PM

Hey John, I really like your Holiday Tag Line! Merry Christmas to you too!

Credit goes to Robert Earl Keen. "Merry Christmas From the Family" resides in the lofty pantheon of immortal holiday classics with "Christmas Wrapping" and "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You". Simply brilliant.

I don't think you'll be going to Key West for golf. Sure, there is a course there. So what?

The Nationwide just played the Miccosukee Casino course W of Miami. I don't think it is anything special. You may enjoy it if you'd like to mix in some gaming.

Miami is just the wrong place for decent golf. Their top courses are probably La Gorce and Indian Creek, both of which are private. Doral hosts a Tour event but disappoints almost everyone that plays it. The Turnberry courses in Aventura aren't much of a value at those prices.

Good luck.

« **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2006, 04:56:14 PM »

John, I'm beginning to agree with you...the price and course is so much better at PGA Village ($45 vs $90 or more), I may leave the Miami/Key West leg to tennis, shopping for shirts and kickin it on the beach...maybe a drink at the Delano...then tall bacardi drinks in my suit and sunglasses o the beach after a jeep ride to key west...a fine, wide gringo smile for the locals and good book as the surf rolls in...

...chains and specs of islands curved
where palm trees dipped and sea gulls swerved...

(Yes, that's a musical quote...for anybody paying close attention:))

« **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2006, 05:57:58 PM »

Happily, I think there's a couple more sean

But I do pick good songs don't I...

...I parked my kayak on a stone
and yelled across an ocean to his evil throne...

« **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:43:12 PM »

Anyone ever played at Key West Golf Club? I am also heading down to the Keys and I thought this Rees Jones design would be the most convenient option considering its a 4 hour drive to Miami. It looks like they just did some renovation work on the course but everything was supposed to open back up in October.

http://www.keywestgolf.com/home.htm

« **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:47:17 PM »

The only other club I could find in the Keys was a private club named Sombrero Country Club:

http://sombrerocc.com/

It looks flat as a pancake but there might be some interesting holes there given its location. Never heard of it before.

« **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:54:14 PM »

I'm not so sure I'd pay $160 for a Rees Course in the Keys, but maybe the pix dont so it justice. Anyone played it? Or Sombrero?

« **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:56:48 PM »

Quote from: SPDB on November 20, 2006, 05:31:01 PM

Jay,
I suspect that i'm the only one on this board (other than you) that would recognize that quotation.

You can add me to that list. I've noticed (and chimed in about) some of Jay's previous lyrics in a post.

I thought I was the only one who'd get it too!

« **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:57:50 PM »

You don't go to Key West to play golf. The only course I know worth playing down there isn't worth playing

If fact it might be the only course period. I believe it is called the Key West GC. I played it in a scramble which was very appropriate.

« **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:59:38 PM »

I think that's the one Geoff was referring to mark.

Brian, nice job on the lyric too...

« **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2006, 08:28:57 PM »

Sombrero CC? My grandparents are members there. I have played it. I can't say that I can recommend it to anyone from this board, although I haven't seen it since the hurricanes and the changes. It is in Marathon. The par 3 2nd is very good and difficult. Some not so bad holes, nothing stupid or anything. Pretty flat. Probably Doak 4. Better than anything from Miami south though. My grandfather is 92 this week and doesn't play 18 too often, but if you want to play there, let me know.

« **Reply #16 on:** November 20, 2006, 10:51:59 PM »

In my yuonger days there was a course in the upper part of the keys called Ocean Reef...don't know if it is still around or even accessible, but other than that I don't believe there is ANY good golf in the Keys.

As for Miami, I was one of those who suggested the Crandon Park GC, and would still recommend it.

« **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2006, 11:02:05 PM »

Here's Ocean Reef:

http://www.vacationsatoceanreef.com/

There's two 18 hole courses there, but both are private/resort courses.

« **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2006, 11:14:32 AM »

They advertise ocean reef as a "true test of target golf."

Let me ask this of the Florida crew...which of the Keys is the one to go to for SOLITUDE. A quiet beach with palmyrae, cabanas, sunshine all day and that Elmore leonard/Ernest Hemingway-esque Latin charm...

« **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2006, 02:01:39 PM »

There are very few beaches in the Keys...mostly rocky shores...but if you want SOLITUDE head farther South...the upper Keys are alive and boisterous (sp?)

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