A Return to Highlands Reserve Championship Golf Club
It’s been about three years since I have played this course but I was itching to get back! On entering the Pro-shop, the welcome was as warm as I remembered; the staff as helpful and informative. My round cost $23 as, staying at our villa on the community, I was classed as a resident, as is anyone renting there. The Shop is still well stocked with equipment and apparel but as we have golf clubs available in the villa, I was all set! The club house also has a bar serving alcoholic and soft beverages plus you can order sandwiches to be collected as you travel from 9th green to 10th tee.
The first round I played was with my daughter’s American boyfriend and my son and competition was fierce! Our villa overlooks the first tee and the pressure was on as the family was watching. I have played the course a few times and my scores have varied greatly. It was a close matched round but cross Atlantic relations survived (Okay I lost) ! I was determined to redress the balance and so I played again the following week. I was on my own and was asked to join three American gentlemen.
The course is challenging at Par 72 but for a straight hitter a good score could be on the cards. There is plenty of sand, coarse grass and trees though and they were waiting to increase our short count! This time though I acquitted myself admirably and re-dressed the balance with a passable 82 score. We toasted my success with a cold beer back in the club and a superb bacon and lettuce sandwich. All in all, a very pleasant way to meet new people.
It was August when we visited and of course, Florida is very hot at this time of year so the most popular time to play is early in the morning (ie 7am to 10am is peak time) After 3pm the cost is significantly reduced but with the possibility of tropical storms, there is a risk of a round being interrupted by being called back to the club house by a klaxon. We were lucky and had superb weather.
I didn’t have time to play for the next few days as we were busy re-decorating one of the bedrooms (always a draw back of vacationing in your own villa) but I did find time to spend a while on the driving range. For $5 a bucket it was good practice (and a good excuse to stop work for an hour! )
It’s going to be another twelve months before I can play the course again… I will be running through my course management to improve the next time I play . . who knows I could even play par!
It’s been about three years since I have played this course but I was itching to get back! On entering the Pro-shop, the welcome was as warm as I remembered; the staff as helpful and informative. My round cost $23 as, staying at our villa on the community, I was classed as a resident, as is anyone renting there. The Shop is still well stocked with equipment and apparel but as we have golf clubs available in the villa, I was all set! The club house also has a bar serving alcoholic and soft beverages plus you can order sandwiches to be collected as you travel from 9th green to 10th tee.
The first round I played was with my daughter’s American boyfriend and my son and competition was fierce! Our villa overlooks the first tee and the pressure was on as the family was watching. I have played the course a few times and my scores have varied greatly. It was a close matched round but cross Atlantic relations survived (Okay I lost) ! I was determined to redress the balance and so I played again the following week. I was on my own and was asked to join three American gentlemen.
The course is challenging at Par 72 but for a straight hitter a good score could be on the cards. There is plenty of sand, coarse grass and trees though and they were waiting to increase our short count! This time though I acquitted myself admirably and re-dressed the balance with a passable 82 score. We toasted my success with a cold beer back in the club and a superb bacon and lettuce sandwich. All in all, a very pleasant way to meet new people.
It was August when we visited and of course, Florida is very hot at this time of year so the most popular time to play is early in the morning (ie 7am to 10am is peak time) After 3pm the cost is significantly reduced but with the possibility of tropical storms, there is a risk of a round being interrupted by being called back to the club house by a klaxon. We were lucky and had superb weather.
I didn’t have time to play for the next few days as we were busy re-decorating one of the bedrooms (always a draw back of vacationing in your own villa) but I did find time to spend a while on the driving range. For $5 a bucket it was good practice (and a good excuse to stop work for an hour! )
It’s going to be another twelve months before I can play the course again… I will be running through my course management to improve the next time I play . . who knows I could even play par!