Overall, I thought BallenIsles East was enjoyable, if not overly memorable. I was excited that the design of the course is attributed to Dick Wilson, but overall I would associate it more with Joe Lee's work. Specifically, it reminded me of Bent Pine up here in Vero Beach and Banyan GC out in western WPB.
I was pleased to note that the developers did a good job in giving the hole corridors a wide berth, such that OB/houses are never a real concern. The fairway bunkering dictates strategy off most tees, and there are some places where it's tempting to try and take one of them on in order to score a shorter approach.
I thought the greens were a bit more on the subdued side than I was hoping. Some good contours but overall very latter-20th-century straightforward challenges: hit it below the hole and you'll have a makeable putt. A clear concession (which makes perfect sense, given the clientele) to the members is a buffer of about a yard and a half between many greenside bunkers and the edge of the green. The course is solid, but definitely not in the league of Pine Tree or Callaway Gardens (Mountain View), to name the other Dick Wilson courses I've played.
Greatly to the credit of the place, the course was in marvelous shape. I thought the par threes, three of which are on the longer side, were the strongest part of the course. Shorter par fours at 13 and 15 were favorites as well.
The clubhouse is currently gutted; I was told the renovation to the building is a $35 million project!
I'd be interested to see what the other two courses are like.