The Origins course was designed and built as part of a new residential community being developed by St. Joe Towns and Resorts called WaterSound North. The original concept was to provide an "outside the box" option for people to play the game without the restrictions, the limitations, and in some ways the intimidation of playing a regulation 18-hole course. It can be set up to play in different ways, a six-hole regulation length course, a ten-hole par three course, and now an executive nine-hole course.
It was built to be a part of the community, like a park, that can be utilized by the residents as a place for kids, families, and newcomers to enjoy the game. And because it has well designed regulation length holes, it's also a place where more accomplished players will enjoy playing when they don't have time for a full round of golf and would rather not just beat balls on the practice tee. It is a very unique concept developed primarily by Paul Cowley, with its genesis coming, I believe, from the kids course located between the Marine Hotel and the 18-hole course at North Berwick (hence the name "Origins", as it is has ties to an early Scottish links course). We did a similar course for the Sea Island Company which is located at their Cabin Bluff facility, although the Origins has evolved with more playing options.
My understanding is that the Origins course is now open for public play and is set up to be played primarily as a 9-hole executive course. For something different and something fun, you may want to give it a try while you can as I would think outside play would become limited as the surrounding community continues to grow. Paul may be able to add more from a design perspective.
John