The Blackjack Course at Chase Oaks Golf Club in Plano, TX offers a great venue to truly test your game. Measuring 6762 yards from the tips, the par 72 course is rated 74.4, with a slope of 139.

The Bruce Devlin / Robert von Hagge designed course, which opened in 1986, is one of the most popular daily-fee courses in the D/FW metroplex.

Chase Oaks’ turnkey tournament approach and top-notch facilities, supported by strong customer service, has made the venue a popular place for corporate and charity events, and the Club hosts over 200 events annually. Event sizes have ranged from 16 to nearly 300 participants.

The Blackjack course, which was ranked the #1 public course in the state of Texas in the 1991 Dallas Morning News Golf section, continues to mature. The course features trees, bentgrass greens, 419 tiff fairways, hills, mounds, doglegs, creeks, lakes and bunkers. Lots of bunkers. Some of these 42 bunkers are impressive pieces of art which are best admired from afar.

While length is an asset on some shots, overall the strategic course rewards accuracy.

The course opens with a 521 yard par 5, dogleg left. While long hitters may be able to reach the green in two, head pro Ann Sowieja suggests "playing a mid-iron second shot to set up an enticing approach."

There is a wide landing area around the 100 yard marker, which leaves a pitch to a green with water protecting the right side, and everything slopes that way.

The par 4 second and sixth holes, handicap 3 and 1, require distance off the tees. A drive to the right-center is preferable on the tight second hole. A tree in front of a mammoth bunker along the right side of hole six invites the golfer to head left off the tee, but that only increases the length of the hole. A two-tier green slopes right to left, and vision of the small left portion of the green, which is dangerously close to a pond, can be blocked by a hill.

The 399 yard par 4 fifth hole, which is a dogleg left around a pond, tempts the player to take off some distance. However, the wise play is to drive right, according to Sowieja, especially since the fairway slopes into the pond. Be aware that woods to the left and behind the green are a lateral hazard.

A solid shot is required on the 188 yard par 3 seventh hole, which is fronted by a wooden fence and a deep creek. Bail out left is the only safe option.

The course eases up on number nine, a par 4 that may be driveable by long hitters. A large wide green is shared with #14.

A drive down the right side of the 501 yard, par 5 eleventh hole sets up an approach shot, which must take into account the pin placement, as club selection can vary by three clubs.

Number 13, is a 388 yard par 4, dogleg left with a tight tree-lined fairway. Your approach may be blocked by trees if your drive is too far left or right. Second shots must fly a large ravine which guards the front of the green. A scary downhill pitch from the ball drop area to the right of the green awaits those that find the ravine.

The picturesque number 14, is a 165 yard par 3 over a lake, into a well-guarded green. Pay attention to the flagstick, as the green is larger than it appears from the tee.

The 15th hole is a fun dogleg right, par 4. While gamblers may try to find the small landing area down the middle, Sowieja says the looks are deceiving, and the smart play is to the left for clear sight of the green.

The 517 yard, par 5 signature hole is next. Careful club selection off the tee will allow the golfer to avoid the rocky area that jettisons out of hill along the right side.

Golfers can get lost in these "moon rocks" which looks like something the developers forgot to finish. Danger is all around this narrow green, with water in front and to the left, and intimidating bunkers that are best left avoided.

The drive on the par 4, 410 yard finishing hole is key. The green is one of the few that allow you to play a bump and run.
Chase Oaks also has a 9 hole Sawtooth course, which features two tee boxes that allow you to play 18. Sawtooth is favored by walkers and has its own following. The course is less intimidating than Blackjack.

Recently, lights were added at the spacious driving range which allows for night time practice by the nearby residents.

Try the Blackjack course when you are ready to truly test your game. Just be sure to stick in an extra sleeve of balls in case you run into trouble, and keep that sand wedge handy.

For more information on the Chase Oaks Golf Club, visit their new web site at http://www.chaseoaks.com/ or call 972-517-7777.

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