The new Bridlewood Golf Club, the centerpiece of a fast growing 800 acre master-planned community in Flower Mound, TX, offers golfers the total package ... from tremendous amenities to a challenging course that is fun to play.

Bridlewood was designed by local favorite, D.A. Weibring, CEO of Golf Resources, and a five-time winner on the PGA Tour. Maury Miller was the architect. Golf Resources, located in Irving, was the architect, builder and is now the manager of the facility, offering a complete turnkey approach in new course development. Weibring's first signature design is a "real fun course to play," says head pro Dan Budzius. "The fairway landing areas are somewhat generous, 40 yards wide on average. There are some real challenging holes, and golfers will leave here having used every club in their bag." "Because of the variety and balance of the holes, players will find a well-rounded golfing experience," says Weibring. "All skill levels will find a fair challenge and the opportunity to use a different strategy on each hole. With fairways surrounding each green, chipping will play a big role."

"Every golf course designer relishes the opportunity to start with a site as beautiful as Bridlewood" ... D.A. Weibring

The front nine is more of a links style layout with rolling terrain, grass swales, mounds and bunkers.

Weibring allows the golfer to get off to a good start, with a wide fairway awaiting the all-important first tee shot on the opening par 4. An uphill par 5, reachable by the long hitters, follows.

The par 4, fifth hole requires an accurate draw off the tee to avoid the deep bunkers along the right side. Water lurks behind and to the left of this deep green. Golfers get to choose how to play their second shots on the par 5 sixth, which features a double fairway.

The scenic eighth hole requires a long iron tee shot over a lake to a green fronted by a stone wall.

The front nine ends with another challenge - a 463 yard par 4, with a ravine along the fairway, and a lake along the front and left side of the green. However, on both of these holes, Weibring allows the golfer to safely bail out to the right on their approaches.

The back nine is dissected by Timber Creek and ... "of course, everyone who plays Bridlewood gets to enjoy our TREES," says Weibring.

An accurate tee shot through some of those trees is required on the par 4 tenth and eleventh holes.

The 568 yard, #2 handicap, thirteenth hole provides several alternatives on the second shot. A large sentinel tree in the middle of the fairway forces most golfers to lay up to the right or left. Long knockers must still take the tree into consideration as they attempt to cross Timber Creek.

A driveable 327 yard par 4 follows, but deep bunkers defend a small green. Players attempting to make a late charge may be able to reach the 507 yard 16th hole in two, if the dangerous bunkers surrounding the green are avoided.

The 17th hole, measuring 231 yards, requires a long tee shot safely navigating the swirling winds, carefully placed onto the largest green on the course. The finishing hole, a 438 yard par 4, requires a solid drive over Timber Creek. Deep bunkers and grass mounds surround the angled green, with the creek coming into play on shots left out to the right.
Bridlewood has 419 bermuda fairways and Cato-Crenshaw bent grass greens, which are more heat and disease tolerant than other strands. It is the first public course in the metroplex which is striving to be soft-spikes only.

"The pros (of soft-spikes) definitely outweigh the cons," says Budzius. "We believe we will have a quality putting surface all summer long. There are no spike marks late in the day on soft-spikes greens. Soft-spikes have made great strides in their products and are more comfortable. Many seniors are now playing in them, along with PGA touring pros such as Fred Couples."

Unlike many new developments, Bridlewood is a walkable course, although there are a couple of long hikes to the next tee box.

According to Budzius, Bridlewood will focus on providing a complete total golf experience in an attempt to attract repeat business. "We want to treat our customers the way they need to be treated on a consistent, daily basis. We hope they enjoy our amenities, which are tremendous."

Besides a pro shop and locker facilities, Bridlewood features a restaurant, a 19th hole, and a banquet room which can be used for weddings, tournament events, or parties. A pavilion overlooks the first and tenth holes.

Budzius is excited about the impact Bridlewood has already had in scheduling corporate outings and charity events. However, attempts are made to keep the weekend dates open for repeat customers from the booming Lewisville and Flower Mound areas, which are the target markets of Bridlewood.

A spacious driving range, measuring 134 yards wide by 84 yards deep, features two fairways for realistic practice or warm-up. Beginning this summer, Bridlewood will be offering men’s, ladies, and junior clinics. Weibring hopes to build a strong youth program, and juniors (under 16) are allowed to play the course on Mondays-Thursdays at the special rate of $15.

The course is located at 4000 W. Windsor Drive off of FM 1171. For more information, directions and tee times, call 972-355-4800 or visit their web site Bridlewood Golf Club

Don Dowell, Editor/Publisher, Golf in the SouthWest ©