I played Mystic Dunes in Orlando last week and was stunned.  I don't think it gets any real attention here, but to me it seems to be excellent architecture in a modern package, and a really good sign for Florida.

Here's the deal with the architecture:
Very open driving.
Some interior hazards
Some partially blind approaches to
fantastically contoured greens surrounded by
huge chipping areas

A wide variety of hole shapes.  Overall, great balance and
very challenging and fun.  It's the kind of place that plays
harder once you know what you're getting into.

There is a wide set of options from the tees, but if you think too much about the slopes on the greens, you'll end up doing a lot chipping area activity.

So who did the work along with Gary Koch as the name?

Overall, a huge addition to the Orlando area -- which isn't really chock full of great stuff, IMHO.

Anyways, I'm surprised it's not discussed a bit more.

johnk

Johnk,

I think Mystic Dunes does not get discussed for a couple of reasons that have to do mostly with comparative analysis.  Mystic Dunes IMO is very similar to Rustic Canyon in that it is a very solid effort in the middle of a public golf wasteland.  

Mystic blows away the Disney courses, is better than OCN's courses, etc.  The only public in that area that I think compares is Southern Dunes (I am not couting Bay Hill as Public).  Much like RC sits among no really worthy public golf in its 50 mile radius.  Most of the golfers here are very well traveled.  As much as I liked MD, I think it would be lost if it was built in Northern Michigan, Hilton Head, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Las Vegas or other areas with high concentrations of good public golf.  It simply has too many weak holes (Especially the two rebuilt ones that are really bad).  I would hope it makes the list for people looking to play good public golf in Orlando but I am not sure it makes a serious contribution to the overall quality of public golf in the US.  Just my opinion.

PS - When you play there again, say hello to Eric Tate.  He runs the bag room and used to be the Ast. Pro at one of my clubs.  He is a great guy.

David,

I agree that it may have weak holes, but as a whole, it's way better and more innovative than courses that regularly make the "Best 100 modern" type lists.

I've played Southern Hills, and it has some nice greens, but I think it's containment city, and it has all the character of any number of Las Vegas or Desert courses.  Which is too say (IMHO) very little.  In fact I think Mystic Dunes would be very appealing and different in Las Vegas.  Of course, the green fee would be $250.  I really do find Las Vegas to be desert for golf...

Actually, both So. Hills (i.e. #11) and Mystic Dunes had several greens that reminded me a lot of Kapalua Plantation.  So maybe guys like Smyers and whoever is Koch's designer are being influenced by C&C these days...  I find that interesting.

David,

I agree that it may have weak holes, but as a whole, it's way better and more innovative than courses that regularly make the "Best 100 modern" type lists.

I've played Southern Hills, and it has some nice greens, but I think it's containment city, and it has all the character of any number of Las Vegas or Desert courses.  Which is too say (IMHO) very little.  In fact I think Mystic Dunes would be very appealing and different in Las Vegas.  Of course, the green fee would be $250.  I really do find Las Vegas to be desert for golf...

Actually, both So. Hills (i.e. #11) and Mystic Dunes had several greens that reminded me a lot of Kapalua Plantation.  So maybe guys like Smyers and whoever is Koch's designer are being influenced by C&C these days...  I find that interesting.

John,

I assume you mean Southern Dunes?  I doubt you are comparing MD to Southern Hills.  I do not mean this to be a criticism because I really like MD, but there is not a course on GW's top 100 that I would remove and replace with MD (Southern Dunes is not in the top 100).  Out of curiosity, which course that you have played would you remove for MD?

John,

Fair enough.  I have played two of those three and like them more than Mystic but it is clearly personal preference and splitting hairs.  The one things we certainly agree upon is that MD is a worthy effort and worth to hour drive for those coming to Disney.

Mike,

The Condo holes are the ones I was referring to as the redesign holes.  Two of them are really pretty bad.  Obviously this is a personal preference thing.  Even with the three redesign holes, I still prefer it to Champions Gate and Disney.  Not a top 100 though IMO and yours.

Wiggles:

The staffer working at Mystic must be new since we played there.  If he isn't, you never mentioned it!

JohnK:

What David is referring to is that the developer built three holes so he could sell timeshare.  Look!  There's golf if you live here!  When ready for the course, Koch had to work around three holes already in place.  They were #1, 2, and 18 - but are now #9, 10, 11 after the swapping of nines.  Dave's right; 9 is pretty bad.  (Too much wetlands)  11 is just so out of character with the rest of the course.

Mystic Dunes easily makes top decile for me.  (You may not have seen my Orlando decile rankings!)