Inside the course: Ginn Hammock (Conservatory)

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Courtesy: Ginn Hammock Beach Resort

The Tom Watson-designed course in Florida will host its first PGA TOUR event this week.

Oct. 28, 2008

The PGA TOUR will play the Ginn sur Mer Classic in Palm Coast, Fla. at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort (Conservatory course). Learn more about this course:

Fast facts

Original architect	Tom Watson (2006)
Number of PGA TOUR events as host venue	1 (2008 is first year)
Par value	72
Yardage history	7,663 (2006-present)
Course tour	Click here

Ginn Hammock Beach Resort (Conservatory)

Hole	Par	Yards	Description
1	4	444	This is an excellent starting hole that sets the tone for the round. Players will need to avoid the steep faced fairway bunkers which protect the right side of the fairway. Each side of the hole is landscaped with beautiful coquina rock mounding.
2	4	440	This is a very demanding hole from tee to green. Once you negotiate this tight driving area you will need to avoid the first steep sod faced green side bunker on the course. Two false fronts guard the front and the back right portion of the green.
3	3	202	This picturesque par three has water and bunkers that guard the left side of the green. If you miss the green right you will faced with a challenging up and down.
4	5	613	The first par-5 on the front nine. The second shot is deceivingly tight as water comes in closer than appears on the right and a strategically placed bunker on the left. A birdie is a good possibility for the good wedge player.
5	4	460	The first of a series of three long par 4s. Avoid the coquina rock bunkers on the left with your drive. A very narrow green will require an accurate mid iron shot.
6	4	476	This is the longest par 4 on this nine. Length off the tee is required for any birdie chance. The fairway is generous but any wayward tee shot could leave you with a steep faced fairway bunker to contend with.
7	4	440	The drive requires precision placement between the oaks that are located on each side of the fairway. The casual elevation in the putting surface can cause problems should you miss the green.
8	3	199	This par 3 is the signature hole of The Conservatory, which boasts an island green. The faint of heart will have room to the right side of the green to be safe. Don't be greedy with a left pin placement.
9	5	570	A great par 5 to finish the nine and the best birdie chance. Water guards the entire left side of the hole with beautifully shaped bunkers down the right. The longest hitters can reach this in two.
10	5	636	The longest hole on the golf course. Pine trees and wetlands run down the entire right side of this hole. A sod face bunker is placed on the front center of this green. Be careful not to hit in the coquina rock bunker that protects that front of the green.
11	4	467	A long tight par 4 with wetlands on the right. A long iron or fairway wood to this long narrow green may be regarded as the most challenging approach on the golf course.
12	3	243	The longest par 3 on the course. The beautiful landscaped mounding on the left and the wetlands on the right add to the serenity of the hole. Par is a great score.
13	4	491	A long par 4 that doglegs left and plays slightly uphill. The elevated green on the second shot will require extra club.
14	4	502	The longest par 4 on the golf course. Water guards the entire right side of this monster. Players will be approaching this green with a long iron or fairway wood.
15	4	377	A great risk reward hole. The long hitters can cut the corner of this hole leaving a short wedge for the approach. A birdie is a good possibility with two well played shots.
16	4	414	The placement of the fairway bunkers makes this a tight driving hole. Water plays along the entire left side of the hole, with beautiful landscaped coquina rock mounding on the right.
17	3	200	A demanding uphill par 3 with a penalizing steep sod face bunker guarding the front left side of the green. The green is bigger than it appears from the tee.
18	5	603	A fantastic finishing hole, with a panoramic view of the golf course from the elevated teeing ground. Long hitters must be careful with the water on the left. This hole can be reached in two, but make sure you have enough club to carry the stone bulkhead guarding the green. This is a great chance for birdie.

Course origins

The Conservatory Golf Course, a Tom Watson Signature design, is comprised of 140 acres of dramatic elevation and undulating greens not commonly found in Florida. The Conservatory includes nearly 76 acres of man-made lakes and three water features. Two Carolina-style creeks wind their way through the course and a large stunning waterfall serves as a natural water treatment system.

Each hole has six tee boxes extending the challenge of avoiding the 140 bunkers of coquina shell & white bunker sand that dot the course. Watson also added three sod-faced bunkers, a nod to his affinity for British links-style golf. -- Source: Ginn Hammock Beach Resort

Tournament course history