Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, Unveils The Jim McLean Signature Course, Florida Golf Magazine

Page 17 From Winter 2010 Florida Golf Magazine ©Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved. Subscribe at floridagolfmagazine.com/subscribe To advertise in Florida Golf Magazine in print and on-line, phone 863-227-2751 and/or email joestine@floridagolfmagazine.com
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA	MIAMI / DADE COUNTY
The signature 14th hole is a par-3 highlighted by an island green, and is part of Jim McLean’s Bermuda Triangle on the golf course’s dramatic back nine.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, Unveils The Jim McLean Signature Course
	by Joe Stine
Golf Instructor & Course Designer, Jim McLean Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, unveiled The Jim McLean Signature Course, formerly known as the Silver Course on November 13, 2009. Named after acclaimed golf instructor Jim McLean, a Top 100 Instructor who has operated the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral for the past 20 years, The Jim McLean Signature Course is the namesake’s first full golf course design project, and is highlighted by three of South Florida’s toughest starting holes, along with the aptly named Bermuda Triangle that challenges golfers with three consecutive water holes on the back nine. Designed to offer a fair test of skill and shotmaking to the thousands of golfers who visit Doral each year, the first three holes on The Jim McLean Signature Course feature consecutive par-4’s approaching nearly 500 yards each, which truly defines the golf course and offers a great challenge. The new course includes design features that enhance aesthetics as well as course strategy. Tee complexes are placed to provide varying distances to challenge players of all levels. In addition, the course was regrassed with certified Tifway 419 Bermuda grass to provide more consistent playing conditions, a new irrigation system was installed, new continuous cart paths were constructed, and bunkers were designed to complement the course’s overall strategy. Similar to the infamous TPC Blue Monster, the most recognizable of Doral’s five championship courses and site of the PGA TOUR’s World Golf Championships, the course features TifEagle greens, considered by many to be the fastest type of Bermuda grass available.

World renowned golf course architects, Tom Fazio and son, Logan Fazio reportedly lent McLean a hand during the design and construction process and attended the unveiling of the Jim McLean Signature Course at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort. McLean’s most significant changes to the new par-70 layout, which offers a unique collection of par-3 holes, include widened fairways, enhanced water visuals and an increased course length from 6,557 yards to over 7,100 yards. The signature 14th hole is a par-3 highlighted by an island green, and is part of McLean’s Bermuda Triangle on the golf course’s dramatic back nine. This spectacular hole will test a golfer’s mettle as the tee boxes have been moved 80 yards to the right and lengthened by 30 yards from the professional tees, offering a challenging approach shot to the green. Complementing the signature hole is the 13th hole, a par-4 that demands an impressive tee shot that sets up a 220-yard carry over a lake. Rounding out the Bermuda Triangle is the 15th hole, a par-4 which is one of the most scenic holes on the golf course and features a new professional tee added off the back of the island green 14th hole, which increases the overall distance by 50 yards. The green on the 15th hole was also enhanced with a new false front, providing golfers with an excellent look at the elevated green. “This is truly a championship-caliber golf course, and you will not find three more challenging ‘starting golf holes’ anywhere in Florida,” said McLean. “Moving the course from a par-71 to a par-70 not only makes it quite challenging from the professional tees, but it provides a very competitive and fun amateur-friendly course from the closer tees.” “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jim McLean on this golf course re-design, and proud to name the course in his honor,” said Darrin Helfrick, Golf General Manager at Doral Golf Resort & Spa. “As a part of the Doral family for nearly 20 years, Jim knows every inch of our courses and understands the needs of our guests. We are confident that this re-design will provide an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels, while offering some of Doral’s most memorable golf holes.” The Jim McLean Signature Course also represents a complement to Doral’s expansive environmental stewardship program. In 2008, Doral earned the designation as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its high level focus on environmental conservation. As part of the new design of The Jim McLean Signature Course, Doral was able to reduce 10 acres of maintainable turfgrass by replacing it with native grasses such as Cordgrass and Dune Sunflower. These plant species will provide wildlife habitat and require less resources to maintain. Aquatic plantings were also added to many lake features to enhance water quality and promote aquatic wildlife. The installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system will also decrease water usage and enable firmer, faster playing conditions. For more information about Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, see www.doralresort.com.
Page 17 From Winter 2010 Florida Golf Magazine ©Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved. Subscribe at floridagolfmagazine.com/subscribe To advertise in Florida Golf Magazine in print and on-line, phone 863-227-2751 and/or email joestine@floridagolfmagazine.com