Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

Rees Jones: Florida Golf Course Design Is All About The Fill

Courtesy of Mike Jamison
Golfpac Travel

Rees Jones has designed or renovated major championship courses on all types of terrains around the world. So when it comes to creating memorable layouts on the flat and sandy Central Florida landscape, the world-renowned architect has the knowledge and experience to get the job done.

And according to Jones, it comes down to one word. Fill.

“I think it’s fun to create golf courses in Florida,” said Jones, who counts Falcon’s Fire and the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club in Orlando among his long list of successful golf course designs. “Generally it’s a free pallet. You start with very little except wetlands in some cases. Then it comes down to the amount of fill you have to work with.”

The use of fill has changed a great deal since Jones’ father, Robert Trent Jones Sr., was designing golf courses during the latter half of the previous century.

“The difference now compared to my father’s era is where the fill is used,” said Jones. “Back then they used fill to elevate the greens and tees. They generally left the fairways at grade. Today we use fill on the fairways, creating the northern experience of undulating fairways rather than flat ones.”

A great example of moving dirt to create memorability is on the 13th at Falcon’s Fire, a hole called “Bunker Hill.” Jones routed the par 4 around an existing lake that comes into play throughout the hole on the right side. He used fill on the left side of the fairway to create mounding and a series of bunkers. The result is a visually striking tee shot that challenges players to cut off as much of the lake as they can while avoiding the bunkers carved into the mounds on the left.

Falcon’s Fire

Falcon’s Fire

Jones is also fond of the next few holes, all of which flow along the natural lakes, putting a premium on shot making.

“There are a lot of shot options on those water holes,” he said. “14, 15, 16, 17 — they are all great holes.”

Jones’ shaping team did not have to move as much dirt on his other layout in Orlando, the Waldorf Astoria. The natural terrain and majestic cypress trees provided a nice foundation for a classic design.

“I love the Waldorf course and resort,” said Jones. “The course blends in with the natural tree line. And it is as creative a course as there is in Orlando.”

Jones’ favorite hole at the Waldorf Astoria is the short par-4 13th, which plays just over 300 yards, drivable for the big hitters.

“That’s a terrific tournament hole,” said Jones. “Very unique for Florida. It was designed so you can go for it, but with all the shot options it is a really fun hole to play.”

One thing that both of Jones’ Orlando courses have in common is length.

Waldorf Astoria

Waldorf Astoria

Both the Waldorf Astoria and Falcon’s Fire share something in common with all other courses in Central Florida that proves to be a benefit for courses owners and players alike.

“The sandy soil in Florida drains well,” said Jones. “If you can get enough pitch in the fairways, players can go right out an play after substantial rain. We accomplished that at both courses.”

Jones’ redesigned venues have hosted numerous major championships, earning for him the nickname, “The Open Doctor.” His design style is purely classical.

“My style is based in rich tradition,” he said. “I stood the classic ground two decades ago when penal course designs abounded and contrived features were the order of the day. At the 1988 U.S. Open, the restoration of The Country Club in Brookline proved that a course did not have to have “bells and whistles” to be a champion. I am a purist who adheres to the fundamentals of good design.”

That philosophy is most apparent in his two Orlando-area designs, Falcon’s Fire Golf Club and the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club.