Post by Richie3Jack on Feb 6, 2012 13:40:32 GMT -5
Metrowest is one of the oldest public courses in the Orlando area. It is located just west of the downtown area by the Citrus Bowl and Amway Center.
Metrowest is a Robert Trent Jones designed golf course that is now being operated by the Hilton hotel group. The section of town it is located is probably the hilliest in all of Orlando and you will immediately notice this as you drive into the parking lot. The restaurant, clubhouse and pro shop borders on immaculate.
Condition wise, Metrowest has a strong reputation for the great attention they pay towards manicuring the course. The fairways are bermuda grass and the greens are Tiftway II grass. As far as Florida courses go, the greens are not that grainy. Metrowest is usually in fantastic condition at any time of year.
From the championship tees, the course plays to a 74.1 index and 132 slope. It's a fairly typicaly RTJ design although a little more open than usual. I also believe that RTJ favored longer rough over trees in his designs and they keep the rough at Metrowest rather negligible in length.
From the championship tees the course plays to 7,054 yards and that is split just about evenly from the front to back 9. For a Florida course, there's not a lot of water. The water really only comes into play on #4, #9, #14, #17 and #18.
I've found that the course plays rather short for 7,000+ yards. A lot of the longer holes have the golfer landing their tee shot downhill. And overall, there's not a lot of holes that are just plain difficult. I would only say that #3 and #17, both long par-3's fit that description. The rest of the holes tend to rely on smaller greens and more or less 'tricky' shots that you have to be a little careful with. I think it makes it hard for good players to get the ball close to the cup and shoot low rounds, but they should be able to keep their score within reason.
RTJ designs remind me a lot of the Fazio designs in that there are usually not many poorly designed holes, but they lack the extravangantly designed holes that you may get out of a Pete Dye or a Mike Strantz design. Still, I prefer the RTJ design because on the more artistically creative holes it seems much more organic rather than designed with the idea so panoramic photos can be taken and sold for $99.99.
I think the best holes at Metrowest are:
#2 - provides a beautiful view on the approach shot and even though the longer players can have SW into the green, it will be to a downhill lie into a small green.
#4 - A unique par-5 that can be reached in 2 by the longer players. If not, it still provides a devilish time hitting the green in regulation.
#9 - a tricky par-4 that requires the golfer to figure out how much of the water to cut off and then still hit a delicate wedge shot into the green.
#10 - tough par-5 that provides an ominous feeling as you get closer to the hole.
#14 - par-5 that goes steeply downhill on the 2nd and 3rd shots and requires a bit of a gamble and then difficult shot(s) into the green.
#18 - A great finishing hole where water comes into play from tee to green.
Overall it's a quality design at a fair price. It's probably the type of course that you would like to play about 3 times just to get a good enough feel for it and then move onto other places. But, if you want a course you can rely on, Metrowest is the place for you.
3JACK