Tom Fazio has often been correlated to championship-length courses of the modern generation, however the membership at Stonebriar Country Club (in the Dallas suburb of Frisco) were not looking to outmuscle the existing “Country Club” course (a Ken Dye design). Rather, they were looking for Fazio to provide a similar golfing experience...while working with half the acreage!
While the “Country Club” course weaves through a housing development along the considerable north side of the property, the “Fazio” was limited to a significantly smaller parcel on the south side of the club. Challenge accepted! The architect routed his course so that it ended up just a few yards short of its sibling.
Perhaps more interesting is that the course doesn’t feel constrained for its smaller canvas. In fact, Fazio’s fairways are often wider than those at its sibling course! One rather helpful factor in this equation is that there is considerably less housing along the “Fazio” 18, providing a more natural playing experience. There are, however, just as many ponds to threaten players. No legal fees for hitting a ball into one of these!
