"This course has a tee and a route for everybody," said Steve Smyers, course designer. "The elite players can play it and take the bold route and have a world-class challenge on their hands." The Golf Club at Bridgewater is located 30 minutes from Orlando, Florida and 30 minutes from Tampa, Florida in the city of Lakeland.
"We`ve taken distressed wetlands and made them into 40 acres of pristine wetlands. The course will actually turn into a nature conservancy as well. With Tenoroc right here, we will have a fair amount of wildlife. This is a perfect example of golf and nature coexisting. And it`s even a better example of golf developing and creating an excellent environment."
"The less experienced or less accomplished player always has a route to play. We never force a shot on them, and we always give the weaker player an alternate route. That route is less risk and less reward. But if the golfer plays to his or her capabilities, there`s a route or avenue for them to shoot to their handicap or better on this course. "It`s more of a strategic golf course than a penal golf course. It`s all about managing yourself."
Originally a phosphate mine with few stands of native oaks, the original terrain was flat. The 7,199 yard Lakeland, Florida golf course now features undulating fairways, multi-tiered tees and greens, and strategically placed bunkers. The greens surfaces feature slopes, ridges, and numerous potential hole locations. Closely located to I-4, The Golf Club at Bridgewater is easily accessible to Tampa, Orlando and the Lakeland communities.
Bridgewater has received numerous awards including: Top 100 courses by Golf Week in 2008 and nominations by Golf Digest, Golf, and Golf World magazines as being one of the best new courses.
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