You could see that as a compliment to Copperhead, or just as a comment on how weak the rest of the Florida courses are, or as a slap in the face to Doral and the TPC at Sawgrass.

I agree Copperhead is very good. I have enjoyed it several times, including playing it once with Larry Packard, who is following the MacKenzie scenario of actually getting to be a better golfer in his old age.

This is a course with very traditional design values and no tricks and not designed to be terribly hard, since its a resort course.  The straightforward nature is probably what appeals to the pros - hit it within 10 feet and you have a better chance for birdie than if you hit it within 20 on the gently rolling greens.

I don't think saying its a good course is a knock on any other course, just a vote for doing courses the old fashioned way and letting the pros score what they score, rather than adding a lot of little wrinkles to make it unnecessarily tough, as some of the other Florida tour courses have done.

And, its a very aesthetic and artistic course, which appeals to everyone.  This is the course featured in The Golf Course by C and W with the free form tees, and is the highlight of the 70's landscape architecture school of golf design.  The bunkers are very nice too. Clean edge, lots of shape and variety. IN some ways they look like a lot of other cape and bay bunkers, but the subtle variety of the shaping makes them a cut above most.

Copperhead was in GD's top 100 20 years ago.   It was good then and has only gotten better.  I have not played it recently but I thought the Island course was as good.

As for it being the best course the pros play, I doubt it.  TPC, and Bay Hill are pretty good.  I never like Doral.  As a whole though, I am not enamored with FLA golf.

Quote from: Tommy Williamsen on August 30, 2007, 04:21:16 PM

   As a whole though, I am not enamored with FLA golf.

Although I've never played there, I tend to agree based on what I see. Indian Creek and Seminole obviously are exceptions.

Why do you say Indian Creek and Seminole are exceptions?

I couldn't tell from your answer if you had actually seen Seminole or Indian Creek

I've never seen Copperhead, but am lucky to play and Ed Lawrence Packard as my home course, and there are a number of others he designed and some with his son, here in this area.  They are all solid courses providing great golf enjoyment.  I recognise the style even on TV.  

Wasn't Copperhead one of the first Wadsworth high profile jobs, Jeff?  I think Wadsworth's was one of Ed Lawrence's later job go-to constructors.

My home club is also a Packard course, complete with a double dogleg par 5.  It's not as narrow as some of his other courses I've seen.  Our most notable feature are tee shots on 1 & 10 that are about 100 feet above the fairway.  Great walking course but for this.

I haven't played any of the top private courses in Florida, but definitely prefer the Copperhead course to Doral Blue.

RJ,

It was not only a Wadsworth job, but Brent Wadsworth was an owner of Innisbrook. I think Larry Packard got a minor position and still lives there.  Word always was that as Owner that Brent stayed on site and enhanced Larry's plans, esp. on the copperhead.

Brent was also a former Packard partner in the design biz.  It lasted only a few years in the 50's before Brent realized he wanted to make more money on the construction side.  Larry wanted to remain a gca. They ended up working together often for many years thereafter, often on a negotiated deal, but sometimes through bids.  When Brent decided to do Innisbrook, he naturally called Larry.

rj,

As noted, the partnership broke up well before Roger was even a twinkle in Larry's eye, so he wasn't involved.  He worked for Larry for several years, and then when Larry retired, went out on his own, partnering with North.

I don't keep up with him, but Larry told me he always struggled a bit early. Larry took on some international work in retirement, and sub contracted the drawing work to Roger to keep him busy.  All of this info is several years old now. I really don't know what Roger is up to now, and like you, haven't heard his name much, nor do I know if North is with him.