Sandestin (Raven)

With four golf courses and plenty of entertainment for non-golfers, it’s not surprising that Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is popular.

Located just to the east of Destin, on Florida’s northwest Gulf coast, the Links was the first course to open at Sandestin, back in 1973. It’s Links by name only and not by nature, but it whetted the golfing appetite nonetheless and three other courses were subsequently laid out over the next twenty-seven years. Baytowne, Burnt Pine and Raven are all superior to the Links course and the Raven, which opened in 2000, is probably the best of the quartet.

“Robert Trent Jones Jr. has created a masterpiece at Sandestin.” Wrote Rob Armstrong in Golfing Florida’s Best. “His [Raven] design is original and contemporary, yet influenced by the great classical designers of the past, not least of whom is his father, Robert Trent Jones Sr. The subtle amalgamation of old and new creates a wonderful golfing experience. Jones offers golfers a variety of options for playing almost every hole.

His par 71 track is far from short – nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees and more than 5,000 yards for women playing the forward markers. The mix of holes, including five par threes, is satisfying and memorable. His par fives are all three-shot holes for everybody but people who hit the ball like Tiger Woods or John Daly. The course is actually made up of nineteen holes. Jones created a pair of par threes that are 16A and 16B. They are played alternatively, every other day.

Jones has constructed greens that require a variety of approach shots, from forced carries over water to bump-and-run shots. The greens, themselves, are a joy to play – fast, true and receptive. Jones favours extremes in green length and width, and he likes irregular shapes with lots of breaks and bends. His bunkers are well placed and reflect the thoughtful and deliberate character of the architect. Water is in play on thirteen of the holes.”

The Raven Golf Club at Sandestin was two-time host to the Boeing Championship, a PGA Champions Tour event. Bobby Wadkins was victorious in 2006 and Loren Roberts prevailed in 2007. These two events cemented the Raven’s reputation as one of northwest Florida’s must-play courses.