The Manor Golf & CC Private Golf Course Review

April 1st, 2009

The Manor Golf & CC (Private)

15951 Manor Club Drive, Alpharetta
678-366-3975; www.themanorgolfandcountryclub.com

STAFF: Doug Meredith is the General Manager/Director of Golf; Jon Hough is the Golf Professional.

PAR/YARDAGE: The Manor plays to a par of 72 with five sets of tees: Watson (7,177 yards); Blue (6,738); White (6,338); Yellow (5,807); Red (5,206).

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 74.9/142 (Watson); 72.5/138 (Blue); 70.4/134 (White); 68.4/128 (Yellow); 70.4/127 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: As golf legend Tom Watson’s career winds down, he has branched out into the design field. While he has limited the number of clients he has accepted, his lack of a deep resume does not cast any shadow over his abilities in his new occasional occupation. Watson’s work on The Manor, which opened in 2006, is first class, working well for both players who will tackle the course from the tips, named for its designer, or those playing from a shorter set. Watson has done an excellent job in spacing the tees, providing multiple playable options for the members. Thanks to the relatively generous landing areas off the tees and the minimal number of hazards in play, you can move back a set and not feel overwhelmed, with the rolling terrain an ally on some holes but a potential concern on others. While there are no huge elevation changes, the rolling terrain will impact tee shots that miss the fairway, leaving you with some hilly lies you definitely want to avoid. The same holds true around many of the greens, which provide much of the challenge of Watson’s well-balanced, superbly conditioned layout.

The outstanding putting surfaces at The Manor are large and feature a significant amount of undulation, with many of the greens divided into distinct sections that will produce some perplexing putts and short game shots. Watson also has guarded several of the greens with bunkers cut into mounds that border the putting surfaces, making for some very uncomfortable sand shots. Watson’s bunkering is also distinctive from a visual standpoint, and that aspect of his work is as impressive as the course itself. There are some striking views of landing areas from tee boxes and of greens complexes from landing areas, as Watson makes use of the terrain to create a layout that is memorable both for its scenic appeal and playable nature.

Share and Enjoy:

Sign up to receive FORE Georgia Online

View golf course videos.

Tickets Now On Sale

www.pga.com/1.800.PGA.GOLF

Castro places second on Nationwide Tour Ex-Tech star within range of PGA Tour card

In professional golf, the difference of just one shot in a round can have a huge impact on the career of a player, even if that shot takes place outside tournament competition.

After finishing second in a recent Nationwide Tour tournament in Wichita, Alpharetta’s Roberto Castro is in position to earn an exempt spot on that tour next year, and will have the chance to play his way onto the 2011 PGA Tour if he excels the rest of this season.

Seven Georgia Golfer Qualify for U.S. Mid-Amateur

Three players tied for medalist honors at 3-under-par 69, including two Georgians – Richie Taylor of Snellville and reigning GSGA Player of the Year David Noll Jr. of Dalton. They were joined by Herbie Sargent of Pelzer, S.C.

Bill Hodges of Thomasville, Ga., was the lone player at 70 to also qualify. Behind him were five players tied at 71 for the four remaining qualifying spots. Chris Hall of Kennesaw, Ga., and Kris Mikkelsen of Atlanta, Ga.