Opened in 2007 and designed by Jim Engh, Golf Digest's first "Architect of the Year," Creek Club captures the natural essence of the Lake Oconee region. By utilizing the undulating terrain and innate detail of the property, Engh created a course that lends itself to spectacular viewing corridors at every angle. This par 72 plays to a maximum of 7,079 yards, with each hole characterized by distinctive mounding and bunkers that complement the topography and impact shot values, along with greens enhanced by multiple contours and collection areas.
- Yards 7,079
- Par 72
- Opening Year 2007
Creek Club
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HOLE
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PAR
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YARDS
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HOLE
1
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PAR
5
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YARDS
563
HOLE 1
TEES
- 1 - 563
- 3 - 521
- 4 - 476
- 5 - 420
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 1
The introduction to the course begins at an elevated tee, from where shots dramatically hang in the air on their way to a large fairway nearly 60 feet below. A creek flanks the left side and crosses into play along the way, particularly in front of the raised green complex. The tree line along the creek bed dictates options for attacking the green with the second shot -- which requires more finesse than power, given the angle and location of the bunker fronting the green. Laying up a safe distance from the creek leaves only a short approach to the green's plateaus.
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HOLE
2
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PAR
4
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YARDS
336
HOLE 2
TEES
- 1 - 336
- 3 - 295
- 4 - 259
- 5 - 205
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 2
Short and deceptive, the hole appears to play sharply uphill. The front part of the green is reachable from the tee by a select few, but the majority of play will target a fairway that is almost 100 yards wide. While roomy, the fairway is undulating and can create varying degrees of blind approaches into a green that is 200 feet long but only 30 feet wide. The soft bowl surrounding the green may provide a helpful bounce.
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HOLE
3
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PAR
4
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YARDS
389
HOLE 3
TEES
- 1 - 389
- 3 - 357
- 4 - 306
- 5 - 260
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 3
The fairway is much wider than it appears from the tee, but the angle of the creek at the end of the landing area dictates club selection and strategy. The right-center line is more accommodating for longer shots, with fairway dotted by two bunkers. The green looks small as it sits on a slightly raised peninsula along the edge of the creek, which runs in the front and along the right side of the green.
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HOLE
4
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PAR
3
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YARDS
204
HOLE 4
TEES
- 1 - 201
- 3 - 171
- 4 - 126
- 5 - 89
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 4
One of the most intimidating holes on the course requires a slightly downhill carry over a wide wetlands area, a creek that cuts completely across the target line. While there is bailout room to the right, the distinct contours in the green make chipping a challenge and will trouble the best of putting strokes.
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HOLE
5
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PAR
4
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YARDS
467
HOLE 5
TEES
- 1 - 467
- 3 - 410
- 4 - 350
- 5 - 292
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 5
A creek bed bisects the route from tee to green, naturally creating a double fairway as well as various strategy options - but at some point, a shot must be played over the creek. Teeing off over the creek to the right fairway requires a more precise shot, but is rewarded with a clear approach. A safer tee shot to the left fairway leaves an approach that must carry the creek, which cuts in front of the green, which is also fronted by a deep bunker that runs parallel with the shot. There are bailout areas right and short, but an up-and-down from any of those spots is no bargain.
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HOLE
6
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PAR
4
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YARDS
394
HOLE 6
TEES
- 1 - 394
- 3 - 334
- 4 - 292
- 5 - 237
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 6
Club selection from the tee determines the strategy on this hole, which offers flexibility in setting up the most comfortable approach. It is helpful to locate the flagstick while still on the tee, since the approach is extremely uphill and the target can be partially, or totally blocked out. Favoring the left side of the fairway can help avoid a direct path over most of a menacing complex of eight pot bunkers that front the green. It is better to be long, rather than short, at this green.
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HOLE
7
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PAR
3
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YARDS
172
HOLE 7
TEES
- 1 - 172
- 3 - 154
- 4 - 141
- 5 - 110
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 7
A pond in front of the raised green creates a peaceful setting, while three bunkers post guard at the front edge of an expansive green. While the target is inviting the difficulty increases dramatically with the contouring on and around the putting surface. Playing to the center of the green is wise, since some flagstick locations - particularly on the far right - can lead to serious error.
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HOLE
8
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PAR
5
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YARDS
553
HOLE 8
TEES
- 1 - 553
- 3 - 494
- 4 - 450
- 5 - 412
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 8
A spacious fairway flares out into openings right and left of a lone bunker in the distance, with a creek meandering to the far right. The preferred play is to the left, since the fairway turns along that corner and climbs gentle grade the rest of the way to the green. Two muscle bunkers flank the sides of the entrance to the green, discouraging all but the bravest of attempts to get home in two. The green sits back further than it appears from the fairway, lending uncertainty to club selection on the approach.
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HOLE
9
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PAR
4
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YARDS
404
HOLE 9
TEES
- 1 - 404
- 3 - 340
- 4 - 286
- 5 - 245
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 9
An extremely wide landing area encourages reaching back for a little extra off the tee. The route then turns left, away from a lone fairway bunker, presenting a slightly uphill approach. Club selection and shot execution is vital into the treacherous, two-tier green, intersected to create a front level that is eight feet lower than the rear level. Putting from one tier to the other can be a memorable experience.
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HOLE
10
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PAR
4
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YARDS
458
HOLE 10
TEES
- 1 - 458
- 3 - 406
- 4 - 358
- 5 - 314
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 10
The creek that slices completely across the fairway and runs up close to the front of the green impacts strategy on this left-to-right route. A wide landing area and right fairway bunker influence the options on the tee, with the result to dramatically affect the approach. Playing more safely to the left eliminates the need to carry the bunker, but leaves a longer approach. However, this angle offers the choice of hitting an aerial shot, or a run-up shot into the green, away from the creek on the right. Taking the more direct line from the tee, carrying the fairway bunker sets up a closer approach, but offers no option other than a potentially dangerous carry over the creek to the green.
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HOLE
11
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PAR
3
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YARDS
234
HOLE 11
TEES
- 1 - 234
- 3 - 202
- 4 - 168
- 5 - 135
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 11
The longest of the par 3s is characterized by the deep, winding creek bed that tumbles toward the green, creating a small peninsula on the far right. An elevation drop from the tee makes distance control a significant factor, intensified considerably when taking aim at the slender rear right section of the large green that extends so closely to the creek. With a low bunker resting in front of the green, there is more landing room on the left side and some safety behind the green as well.
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HOLE
12
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PAR
5
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YARDS
566
HOLE 12
TEES
- 1 - 566
- 3 - 512
- 4 - 470
- 5 - 412
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 12
Lake Oconee makes an appearance for the first time on a three-hole stretch, with an inlet dividing the fairway into two distinct lines to choose from the tee. The safer start is to the fairway on the left of the water and wetlands, although the next shot will need to carry some part of the water to the second landing area. Reaching the fairway on the right of the inlet forces a carry over the wetlands to a narrow landing area, but provides a better angle into the green. The lake runs along the left of the fairway as it leads to the green, which is approachable on the right, away from the slender bunker on the left, down along the banks of the water.
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HOLE
13
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PAR
3
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YARDS
175
HOLE 13
TEES
- 1 - 175
- 3 - 145
- 4 - 139
- 5 - 117
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 13
Negotiating Lake Oconee and its impulsive breezes create a difficult task to reach a narrow, 200-foot long green that climbs front to back through a small valley, surrounded by slopes that can lead to some memorable bounces -- and possibly some birdie putts. A singular pot bunker is tucked into the hillside short and left, but can serves as a line of play to a hidden hole position on the back left portion of the green.
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HOLE
14
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PAR
5
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YARDS
558
HOLE 14
TEES
- 1 - 558
- 3 - 515
- 4 - 480
- 5 - 436
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 14
Visually intimidating and thoroughly demanding, the fairway rises from the tee, cresting above a lone pot bunker and hiding a landing area that will be found to be generously wide and accepting. The route turns slightly right as the fairway races back downhill toward Lake Oconee, which nudges into play. Laying up is complicated by a fairway bunker that tightens the landing area short of the lake. But the approach should require only a short iron into a green complex that sits on the far side of a neck that stretches 100 feet wide along the banks of the lake.
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HOLE
15
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PAR
4
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YARDS
407
HOLE 15
TEES
- 1 - 407
- 3 - 341
- 4 - 298
- 5 - 267
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 15
A striking view unfolds from the hilltop tee, nearly 40 feet above the fairway. An intimidating ravine snakes along the right side for the length of the hole, which plays easier up the right side - forcing a decision on how much of the ravine to challenge from the tee. There is ample room on the left for a safer play, but the approach becomes much longer and requires more precision to the angled green, which is hugged by a long bunker on the right.
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HOLE
16
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PAR
4
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YARDS
341
HOLE 16
TEES
- 1 - 341
- 3 - 299
- 4 - 250
- 5 - 220
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 16
Straightway from the tee, a narrow fairway leads directly into a terrifying bunker that separates the landing area from the raised green complex. The dramatic bunkering - reachable from the tee -- is characterized by its depth and massive shoulders that amplify its difficulty. A softly contoured green is receptive to full, uphill approaches, which must carry beyond the top of the bunker's rolling edges.
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HOLE
17
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PAR
3
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YARDS
221
HOLE 17
TEES
- 1 - 221
- 3 - 174
- 4 - 142
- 5 - 112
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 17
A hearty uphill carry is distinctively marked by a long, undulating bunker directly in line with the green, a design feature that is both intimidating and deceiving. From the tee, the flagstick often will appear to stand closely behind the bunker, while in reality there is another 40 yards from the middle of the bunker to the front edge of the green. A sharp ridge divides the putting surface right and left sides, so the only way to have a straightforward putt is to be on the appropriate side.
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HOLE
18
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PAR
5
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YARDS
512
HOLE 18
TEES
- 1 - 512
- 3 - 464
- 4 - 424
- 5 - 382
Jose Lopez
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 18
Three seperate greens are clustered in a natural bowl at the end of the narrow valley, creating a multitude of possible finishes to every round. Each green provides a different look and requires a distinct approach. The elevated tees present a legitimate opportunity to reach the greens in two - but only by avoiding the three pot bunkers lined up on the right-center of the fairway. From there the fairway climbs back uphill to an enormous amphitheater, where the fun begins: The left green is set up high into a hillside, guarded in the front by pot bunkers; the long, narrow middle green is hidden behind a large mound; and the raised right green is fronted by a deep bunker.
