Ballantrae Golf and Yacht Club |
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Ballantrae Golf and Yacht Club is exactly that. This Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is a Florida links course that winds its way among the wetlands and pine uplands that skirt the St. Lucie River just north of Stuart. Only in Florida can you find the unique blend of moss-hung oaks, pines and cabbage palms preserved in abundance here. On a site so lush with outstanding natural characteristics, the task facing designer Jack Nicklaus was to build into this setting a course that is challenging and yet fun to play. “Golfers will find that Ballantrae is a bit of a departure from most Florida courses,” said Nicklaus, the most decorated golfer in history. “The presence of the St. Lucie River and numerous wetlands provided us a challenge in designing the course, but it also presented us a luxury. With such variety, including pine uplands, Ballantrae should be as aesthetically pleasing as it is enjoyable to play. From the back tees, this is a strong golf course. But with five sets of tees, the golf course should be playable for all levels.” Don’t be fooled, however, this is a solid Nicklaus course. While landing areas are generous and the course itself creates the mood of spaciousness, approach shots to the green must be well-placed if you’re going to be pleased with your scorecard. Sir Jack has a real talent for placing bunkers in some crucial spots around the greens. Lending to the course’s spaciousness feel is the gorgeous presence of water, which comes into play on 11 of the 18 holes. The combination is nowhere better seen than on the fifth hole, a double dogleg par-five that is the number one handicap hole. From the back three tees (blue, gold, and the ultimate black) the tee shot must be carried over a large lake. Water then skirts the entire left side of the fairway, separating it from the green on the other side. Across the water from the fairway is a large bunker guarding the green, making the accuracy of the approach shot critical. “The front nine plays in and around preserved wetlands and many large lakes,” explains Nicklaus. “The site allowed for the preservation of the native vegetation and many exiting trees, including some beautiful centuries-old live oaks. This allowed us to use these features as part of the design strategy for many of the holes.” “Short par-4s,” says Nicklaus, “force a player to think on the tee, and I love to include them in my designs.” A perfect example is the eighth, from the tips a short 350-yard par four that can be cut off. Surrounded by native vegetation to the left and right, the hole can be driven; however, if you miss the fairway, you’ll be enjoying a close encounter with the pines and oaks. Not only are water and bunkers used to make play interesting, waste areas also lend a special touch at Ballantrae. The 14th may be just a long par-3, but the tee shot must carry a large waste area. Here Nicklaus provides us with a perfect description of this special par-3. “The entire hole is framed by existing pines that almost make the golfer feel as if he has ventured into the Lowcountry of the Carolinas,” Nicklaus says. The Grand Finale As you stand on the tee at the 18th, the view of the St. Lucie River is stunning, for it is, in essence, what makes Ballantrae so special. Just when your round is about over the golfer must suck it up for one last good drive in the fairway, for this tee-shot is not the time for those knees to buckle. This 410-yard par-4 doglegs to the left, and the fairway is the thinnest on the course, lined with pines on both sides. The 18th green sits right at the edge of the river and is one of the most beautiful holes in Florida. The sun rays play tag across the expanse of water on the St. Lucie….boats drift serenely in and out of the scene….green limbs reach down from the surrounding trees….and waterfowl seeking a meal skim gracefully across the shining surface of the water. With such beauty surrounding you, it’s tough to concentrate on the task at hand. Concerning the finishing hole, Jack Nicklaus says, “As the golfer approaches the 18th, he or she enters a vastly different playing environment. The second shot plays over a river wetland, while the green sits along the St. Lucie River. The combination offers spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Hopefully, golfers will walk away from the 18th with a lot of good memories of the round and reasons to return to Ballantrae.” Indeed, there are many good reasons to return to Ballantrae. The grace and beauty of the resident wildlife lends serenity to an already tranquil setting…even the 18th green. Views of the wide St. Lucie River may be enjoyed from all corners of the large banquet facility. A semi-private course, Ballantrae offers only limited tee times to the public. Public players are allowed five-day advanced tee times, and are encouraged to make them several days ahead. Ballantrae is a gated community, and is located approximately five minutes east of the Port St. Lucie exit (142) off the Florida Turnpike.
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“Aesthetically, layout, and condition-wise, and add to that the fact that it sits on the St. Lucie River, this is the most incredible place a public golfer can play in Florida,” boasts Michelle Kaplet, Ballantrae’s new head professional. “On the otherside of the wide river you can see the ultra-private Harbor Ridge and Wayne Huizenga’s own personal golf course The Floridian. Indeed, Ballantrae is one of the few places where a non-member can experience such an exclusive and wonderful setting.”
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