Played my first round of the year here, and at the same time, played my first round at De Bell. Starting with the good: I loved the course layout. I can't remember the last time I played a course wi... Continue »

Played my first round of the year here, and at the same time, played my first round at De Bell. Starting with the good: I loved the course layout. I can't remember the last time I played a course with so many twists and turns, and I enjoyed the fact that this is a course that challenges your course management skills just as much as it tests your physical ability. (I'm sure this course drives the long hitters crazy, because it certainly isn't a course where they'll excel. I found myself teeing off on quite a few of the holes with middle irons, just to put the ball in the right position to handle the doglegs.) Greens were good and bunkers were soft. Now, the bad: There were many places on the course where the grass was just too loose (and it shouldn't be -- we're well past the rains). On at least three occasions, the ground gave way so much that solidly hit balls traveled maybe about half as far as they would have on better turf. Pace of play was also far too slow for such a short course.