There are 40 miles between Jacksonville, Florida, and St. Augustine, Florida. But in this golf-rich area, there has been no new courses developed since 2004. Bobby Weed, ASGCA (Bobby Weed Golf Design) is changing that with the design and build of Stillwater Golf Club.
Golfweek reports:
Thus far, two of the 18 holes have been shaped and irrigated, with sod walls put in. It will be grassed in April.
“We’re pretty far along and the surprise is that the soil is much better than I initially thought,” Weed said. “It will be fantastic for draining and playability.”
The course, which will be managed by Hampton Golf, will be a par-71, and play as long as 6,800 yards. The property was already clear-cut for the 549-home development but there are numerous wetlands throughout the course, native areas that Weed said will be left undisturbed and a variety of short and long holes, small to large greens and strategically-place bunkers.
“It’s the first golf course built in St. Johns County so don’t expect a golf course from the past,” said Weed. “It’s not the same-style golf course. We’ll have things you don’t see on North Florida courses, such as sidewall bunkers, lay-down walls … they will be angled, with a much cleaner, elegant finish.”
Weed also said there will be no rough and no cart paths. Most of the time, carts will be driven through crushed shell areas.
The routing is set up for three-, six-, nine-, 12- and 15-hole loops, with every third hole winding back near the clubhouse. Stillwater will join other area courses such as Blue Sky and The Yards in offering more options than 9- or 18-hole rounds.
There will be five sets of tees, with Tifeagle Bermuda grass on the greens and Tiftough on the fairways.