Golf TI - The Devlin Course at St. Andrews Bay

Professional golfers have a long history of designing golf courses, although many have drawn mixed reviews, as their prowess on the course has failed to translate into the design sphere. While Bruce Devlin may not have Nicklaus’ career record, in either respect, he does boast a long list of over 140 golf courses to his credit. With eight career PGA Tour victories, Devlin began his career as a pro in 1961 and would get involved with golf course construction five years later. Throughout much of his career, he partnered with Robert von Hagge, and together the two created courses throughout the world. Now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Devlin has created a course that will make him even more recognizable on the world stage. The Devlin course at St. Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa was the first of the two courses at the resort to open in the spring of 2001. The course is a mix of the tradition that is represented by the St. Andrews association and distinctly modern touches. For one, the course is more spread out than a traditional links course, and is thus more suited to golf carts than its sister The Torrance. Still, this is hardly viewed as a negative, because the course traverses dramatic land. The early holes ease the golfer into the round, before the challenging sixth hole sets the trend for the rest of the round. Set beside the ocean, the course could not afford the golfer better views and the work done to take advantage of this aspect is evident. Although the scenery offers the backdrop, the main event is the challenging 7,049-yard test, which offers little letup past the fifth green.

The aforementioned sixth is a monster par four, playing to 467 yards. A booming drive can catch the sharp downslope in the fairway and run down, though it is debatable whether it leaves an easier approach. The valley that bisects the course from the sixth green to the 14th tee is where the longer drives collect. This forces the golfer to play their second shot blindly up a steep hill to an angled green. Those golfers whose drives do not reach the valley floor are offered some advantage by the relatively flat nature of the long second shot.

The change in pace and texture in the course is evident upon crossing the valley on way to the sixth green and is only furthered by the 532-yard par-five seventh. Once the golfer reaches the area that is the general lay-up spot for the second shot, the ocean appears majestically behind the green. The difficulty to the shot is the lack of depth perception afforded the golfer as the result of a surface that appears to literally fall off into the ocean. Two greenside bunkers add further challenge, though with a strategic play the hazards can be avoided with a short iron approach.

Following the long hole is the shortest hole on the course, the petite 139-yard par-three eighth hole. With a smattering of four bunkers to guard the green, club selection is of the utmost importance. Once again the view is other-worldly, with the gaze set down the shoreline to the ancient town of St. Andrews. Those missing the green tend to leave their shot in the opening on the left side, which offers a decent chance at recovering to make par.

The beauty of the course to this point is merely the preview for what awaits the golfer on the 406-yard ninth hole. The par four plays along the tumbling coastline, drawing comparisons to Pebble Beach’s famed ninth hole. While the comparisons may be daunting for such a young course, the hole is still a solid one. With a large cluster of bunkers on the right side, the golfer is almost forced to hug the dangerous left side of the fairway. However, those willing to take the risky route are left with an easy approach up the throat of this undulating green.

After a wonderful stretch of holes to open the back side, the golfer crosses back over the valley on the 428-yard par-four 14th hole. The tee shot must carry the gulch to find a fairway well protected by bunkers on either side. Once again, the aggressive play over the right fairway bunker leaves the ideal route to approach the hole, but requires a solid strike. The hole provides the best chance to use your sand wedge, as the bunkers are more than just a visual challenge.

Choosing how to utilize the final corner of the property was surely a difficult task. However, the decision to close with a 182-yard par three left the land necessary to build the sublime 443-yard 17th hole. The 17th is one of the finest new par fours to hit Scottish turf in years. The long dogleg right hole plays alongside the gulch with the ocean lurking beyond. As the golfer rounds the corner, the fairway plummets to the green that is guarded by bunkers all the way in. The greenside bunkers are particularly nasty and seemingly urge the golfer even further to play to the opening on the left side of the green.

Just behind the green are the tee blocks for the finishing hole, which plays back towards the town of St. Andrews and the clubhouse. With another flurry of bunkers, the tricky hole is well-protected, and the wind, which blows off the right edge of the water, can be menacing. Undoubtedly a spectacular if abnormal way to finish the round, the two closing holes echoes the courses beauty, challenge and sense of adventure.

Surely the eponymous name of the course will boost Devlin’s already wide-spread recognition, but its quality will provide a lift to his reputation as a top player in golf course construction. The jovial Australian has left his mark in St. Andrews, and the accomplishment deserves recognition.