Robert Trent Jones Course Review

[SteddyGolf]

 

A few weeks back I started a RTJ topic asking for recommendations. Well......... I am now three rounds into my RTJ adventure.

 

Driving from Columbia South Carolina it took me about 8 hours to get to Huntsville Alabama and the Hampton Cove courses. Before you google map masters jump in with comments about taking 8 hours to travel 370 miles let me just say there is a PGA Superstore at the halfway point! Enough said ;)

 

Traveling the Alabama country side is truly scenic. Even at the end of winter before all blossoms are in bloom it’s still quit stunning. The roads, however, need a lot of work. Keep your eyes on the road.

 

Judging from folk art along with other southern staples I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I do share quit a few social differences with some of the good people of Alabama. While it’s difficult not to notice these things my priority over the next two weeks is golf not social commentary or change. I only mention it because if you are planning a trip it’s something that could be a sensitive issue.

 

1. Hampton Cove

 

 

The Hampton Cove Courses I found to be extremely challenging. From the fact for some odd reason I totally forgot how to swing a club to gusting winds and sub 40 temperatures, I played 10 strokes over my handicap.

 

The Highlands and River Courses of Hampton Cove are profoundly different. The Highlands Course features numerous elevation changes and rolling hills. The bunkers are so well placed I found myself swimming in the sand 9 out of the first 12 holes. The fairways were well manicured for winter like conditions. The greens are medium size with hidden pitch changes that punish you if you hit the wrong part of the green. The ball rolled consistent and greens were not terribly hard to read.

 

The River course is a traditional links style course. The holes are straight away but there is trouble everywhere and water on just about every hole. The greens only differed from the Highlands course in their size. While the greens were larger and a bit easier to locate, they also had greater run off which would quickly turn a good shot into a hot mess.

 

The staff was very pleasant, courteous and professional. This will not matter to some but for me personal professional appearance says a lot about the culture of an organization. An organization that has no standards has no standards. If I were the GM I believe I would work to ensure every member of the team represented the values of my organization to the highest level. A clean, well groomed, professional appearance would be a must do. Several staff members fell well short of the minimum standard.

 

Tomorrow I’ll have notes from the two courses at Oxmore. Feel free to ask questions. I’m an open book.

 

 2. Oxmore Valley Ridge Course

 

Oxmore Valley was a step up from the Hampton Cove Course. Where Hampton Cove felt like an upscale municipal course Oxmore Valley felt country club’isk.

 

Good morning worms .........I left the house at o-dark-30 to meet my 720 tee time. I arrived to smiling, albeit cold, faces ready to help me get unloaded, uploaded and started. The starter was truly helpful. His tips were right on point and helped throughout the day. No way I have an Even Par round without his sharing of his course knowledge.

 

If you read about Robert Trent Jones design characteristics it is said that he did not believe in imposing Golf’s will on my nature but instead he simply integrated a game into what God created. Oxmore Valley certainly shares the aforementioned design traits. For three hours I worked my way around a course that amazed me with how seamlessly it was integrated with Mother Nature. If you have the ability to aim, shoot and hit your target you will be rewarded. If you don’t, punishment is forthcoming. Flat even lies are a rarity so practice practice practice before lacing them up at Oxmore. When hitting approach shots into elevated greens always take one more club than what you think you will need because you’ll need to extra distance every time.

 

The green are very large and placement of the flag can change the entire dynamics of s given hole. I’ve always though joining a country club and playing the same course all the time would get rather boring. Not at Oxmore! You could play these course every day and find each day to be a unique experience. Moving the flag plays a big part in the changing of those dynamics. While course knowledge will certainly help I don’t think anyone would ever get bored with a course that can play so different from one day to another. The greens rolled true, smooth and predictable. That’s not to say putting wasn’t a challenge as well. You still had to see the line and hit the line to make your putts.

 

It’s important to note my interaction with a maintenance guy on the Par 5 12th. I smashed a 3 wood into the green side but couldn’t seem to locate the ball once I pulled up to the green. He jumped down off his back how to show me where I was embedded. We talked a bit and I remarked about the incredible condition of the course. His response verbatim was, “your golf experience is my job and I’m not going to let you down”. The general manager was visibly alarmed when I walked unescorted into his office but that change to all smiles when I relayed that story to him. Some people are just cut from a different cloth and it takes inspirational leaders to set the conditions for those people to shine.

 

Ross Bridge tomorrow.

 

 

Beautifully carved into the rolling these 18 holes will challenge even the best golfers.

The course meanders through indigenous landscape. Symbolic of an old parkland style course, ten holes play along the banks of two significant lakes connected by a spectacular waterfall dropping 80 feet between the 9th and 18th.

 

The beauty and challenge of each hole leads many to believe there is not one signature hole but possibly eighteen. Like many other Trail courses, the par-three holes are incredible. Considerable elevation changes combine with water or other natural obstructions to get your attention. Large putting surfaces provide many tempting pin locations that will test golfers’ approach shots.

 

Number 17, a long par 4, plays to a small, well-guarded green. Water frames the right side of this down-sloping hole. In the background is a picturesque view of the 9th and 18th holes with the waterfall tumbling between. The 7th hole offers a par five that traverses a ridge high above the rest of the course.

 

The 9th will leave you speechless as it is time to decide how daring you are off the tee. A split fairway allows for either a short challenging route along the water’s edge or opt for safer play leaving a longer, more difficult approach to the green. Regardless if it is a par three, four, or five, Ross Bridge stands ready for your game and that better be your A-game because it’s tough.

 

 

 

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[BigtazzGolf]

Agree with you on this babies. They will eat your lunch.
Did you go up and play Muscle Shoals?


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[SteddyGolf]

Agree with you on this babies. They will eat your lunch.
Did you go up and play Muscle Shoals?


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I did not play Muscle Shoals. I have an old friend in Grant Alabama so we stayed local.


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[bens197]

Would love to see some pics as the trip progresses. Have fun


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[SteddyGolf]

Would love to see some pics as the trip progresses. Have fun


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Pics and video coming soon. I’m a better golfer than photographer


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[SteddyGolf]

 

 

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Above Oxmore Valley Golf Course, RTJ Trail, Birmingham, Alabama

[SteddyGolf]

So far I’ve traveled 700 miles and have played 5 rounds on 5 different courses. Today is Capital Hill then on to Mobile for the weekend. I’m taking Sat/Sun off before playing Magnolia on Monday followed by Lakewood on Tuesday. I’ll then head North to Grand National on Wednesday before packing up and heading home. Not tired yet!!!!!


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[tommc23]

Those pictures make the courses look amazing 

[SteddyGolf]

Those pictures make the courses look amazing 

More coming.


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[Txmason123]

Thanks for the write up Steddy! That is definitely on my vacation wish list.

[SteddyGolf]

If you have been following this post please be patient. I realize it’s turned into a bit of a hot mess. When I return home I’ll clean everything up to make it more readable. There will be three more courses added; Capital Hill, Magnolia Grove and Grand National. Expect the final update at the end of the week.


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