Summerfield, Florida- Eagle Ridge Golf Club, located in Del Webb’s Spruce Creek C.C., about ninety minutes Northwest of Orlando has provided Summerfield and the Villages’ residents a premier golf experience since 1999. There are four distinct 9-hole golf courses located here for your enjoyment: Champions, Memorial, Masters, and Heritage.
The clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop, a full menu restaurant open for lunch and dinner, plus banquet facilities for 250 people. The extensive practice facility includes a targeted grass driving range, four putting greens, and three other greens for sand practice and chipping.
Golf Rates – Before 11 AM – Weekday 18-hole rate for visitors is $45.00 while Weekend rates are $35.00. Nine Hole rate is $27.00. After 11AM – Weekday rates are $45.00, Weekends $39.00 and Nine holes $29.00. Tee times are scheduled 8 minutes apart with the target time for an 18-hole round at 4 hours-30 minutes. Coolers are not allowed on the golf course.
All four courses were designed by Terry Doss who was determined to not make this golf course another flat and boring course usually found in Florida. Rolling fairways, large greens, pine-filled ravines, changes in elevation and magnificent vistas from all areas of the course makes for a great golfing experience for both novice and avid golfer.
Six sets of tee boxes play to distances and slopes that varies depending on which combination of the 36 holes are played. This is a player friendly course, with enough tee boxes for golfers of any skill level to enjoy. Today’s round was played on the the Memorial/Heritage combination that played the white tees at 5356 yards and the red tees at 4596 yards.
Memorial Course
The first couple of holes on the Memorial Course played much longer than expected. The fairways were still soft from the after affects of Hurricane Nichole and the tees were placed at the back of the tee boxes. The dogleg right 4th hole had some major damage to the back half of the green that made any putt from that section impossible to play without relief.
The par 3, 145 yards, 7th hole was a challenging hole with 2 bunkers protecting a raised green. Chose the right club here and you will be rewarded with a birdie putt. The Par 5, 414 yard 8th hole has a huge tree sitting in the middle of the fairway about 140 yards from the tee. A well-placed tee shot here will almost guarantee you a birdie putt.
The par 3, 134 yard 9th hole’s green was a major disappointment. The front pin was located directly behind two damaged areas of the green that directly effected any tee shot landing in that area. Placement of the pin in any other position on this green would have given golfers fairer chance to play this hole.
Heritage Course
This course was one of the better 9-hole courses I have played this year. Right from the start, it was obvious that this was going to be a special treat after playing the Memorial Course. The fairways were luscious green and the greens were manicured and smooth. The first 3 holes introduce you to the type of course Architect Terry Doss’ designs when he has the terrain and room to work with.
The par 3, 160 yards 4th hole is the #1 HCP hole on this course. Looking from the tee box you see a raised undulating green, a deep bunker protecting the entire front of the green, and water guarding the entire left side tee to green. Hitting this green requires a lofting tee shot that can carry the entire 160 yards.
The remainder of the course continues to introduce the golfer to a fair and challenging layout that gives you a chance to enjoy each hole from tee to green. The par 5, 420 yards 9th hole is an awesome finishing hole that heads straight up hill from tee to green. A fairway bunker on the left side of the fairway is the only real obstacle until you reach the two bunkers guarding both sides of the green.
My first visit here to Eagle Ridge leaves me with mixed feelings about the golf course. I did not feel that the Memorial Course gave me a fair shot of playing my game from the white tees today. The conditions of some tee boxes were disappointing and needless to say some of the greens left much to be desired. The Heritage Course was a totally unique experience from my first tee shot to my last putt. It ranks right up there with the very best.
I look forward to revisiting Eagle Ridge again to play their other two courses the Masters and Champions. This will give me a better understanding of what Eagle Ridge has to offer and the opportunity to provide my readers a good idea of the best combinations to play. Until then “Hit’em Straight.”
