Plano, Texas
The redesign of the championship course is the centerpiece of The Courses at Watters Creek. The Traditions, which opens for play January 12, is a course that is surprising in its beauty as it weaves through woodlands of red oak, cedar elm and pecan trees. Most holes have as many as seven tees to accommodate all levels of playing skill. An added touch that might go unnoticed is an auxiliary putting green near the first tee for those rushed to make their tee times. Another feature that makes the course so attractive is the squared off tee boxes that feature 419 Bermuda grass, as do the fairways. The greens are mini verde and can be as fast as the green superintendent desires. The hybrid grass on the greens is the same or very similar as that used on such well-known and admired courses as TPC Sawgrass in Florida and Eastlake Golf Club in Georgia, both sites of major PGA Tour events. For those who played the old Chase Oaks course, the routing has been reversed with the old back nine now the front side and vice versa. Still, some holes, near and dear to the hearts of many, have been preserved like the sixth, which has long been the signature hole because of its beauty and challenge. Nature is a big part of The Traditions from the golfer's first glance down the fairway of the first hole. That wide fairway that slightly narrows at the dogleg with a stand of healthy oak and pecan trees guarding the right side is indicative of things to come. Play The Traditions just once, and you will be wanting to experience more from this true gem of a course. The Traditions makes for a wonderful starting point at this new golfing destination, The Courses at Watters Creek.