A design from Bobby Weed, ASGCA (Bobby Weed Golf Design), has opened in St. Johns, Florida. Stillwater Golf and Country Club is said to be the first new 18-hole course to open in North Florida in 20 years.As part of Stillwater’s 18-hole routing, Weed has designed 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole and 12-hole loops that start and finish near the clubhouse.
“This incredible Bobby Weed-designed course sets Stillwater apart from any other active adult community in the region,” said Matt Figlesthaler, vice president of sales and marketing for Lennar Jacksonville. “With bundled golf club memberships, beautifully-designed new homes, world-class amenities and weekly events, residents at Stillwater will experience the ultimate active lifestyle at a tremendous value.”
With only 70 acres of irrigated turf (148 total acres), the following attributes are exemplified throughout the golf course:
- Up to 25 million gallons of water to be saved annually from non-irrigated areas
- TifTuf bermudagrass fairways, tees and approaches use 38% less water than similar varieties
- No rough; all fairways are efficiently mowed using a single height of cut
- Non-irrigated centipedegrass native areas offer contrasting swaths of texture and color
- 18 acres of shell screenings replace cart paths, reduce maintenance and deliver visual contrast
Weed has also installed sod wall EcoBunkers. Unique to North Florida, layers of artificial sod at stacked at 55-to-60-degree angles to fortify the bunker edges and create the visual appeal of Scottish-style pot bunkers. These fortified bunkers yield a striking aesthetic, are environmentally sustainable and aid the club’s bottom line.
Also distinct to Florida’s First Coast, elegant lay-down walls are used in lieu of traditional vertical bulkheads. Planks of treated timber are seamlessly tied together, then stylishly angled from the water to the playing surface. Stillwater’s inspiration came from Weed and Pete Dye’s similarly styled walls at Long Cove Club.
Stillwater’s 16-acre practice facility will be a rain or shine, year-round destination. The lighted driving range has covered hitting bays equipped with Toptracer Range. Players of all skill levels can receive instant feedback on their swing and distance data.
The practice facility also includes three putting and chipping greens, highlighted by a 16,041-square-foot Himalayan-style putting course. Designed with moderate slopes, swales, plateaus and terraces, the free-range green provides great excitement during putting contests and practice.
“Stillwater delivers terrific shot values with ample playing areas that encourage the old-style game of low, running approach shots,” Weed said. “It is incumbent upon us as architects to be good stewards of the environment, while simultaneously designing courses that create interest, flexibility and fun. We accomplished these goals at Stillwater.”