Mirmichi and Westhaven: Two new courses making a big splash in Tennessee Golf

I'm often told that I am incredibly lucky to be doing what I'm doing, and I have to concur. My job affords me the chance to step foot on our state's finest golf courses and to experience things that I otherwise would never be able to. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have such an opportunity, not once but twice.

As most of you know my job duties include that of course rating. Amongst the hustle and bustle of tournament season I am lucky enough to have a couple of weeks to indulge in this area of my expertise and recently was able to rate two new golf courses that I think will make a big splash in Tennessee golf. First on my list was Mirimichi in Millington, Tennessee. Once known as the Club at Big Creek, Mirimichi (meaning "place of happy retreat") is a renovation masterpiece. Owner, Justin Timberlake, has invested $16 million into turning his childhood course into the "greenest" golfing destination in the nation. Not only does Mirimichi have 18 holes of championship golf, it will also include a 9-hole executive course and be one of nine locations to hold a Callaway Custom Fitting Center all while remaining open to the public. I speak for myself and all of the TGA staff when I say this place is simply "amazing". It is not often we find ourselves on a new course immediately thinking of how soon we can bring championships to the site, but here we were. With five sets of tees, and boasting a back tee yardage of more than 7400 yards it offers the ability to host a myriad of events. Set to open on July 24, 2009 Mirimichi has quickly become one of my favorites and I hope that everyone gets a chance to see what all the fuss is about! For more information on Mirimichi visit their website at www.mirimichi.com.

Ratings

Black Rock(M) - 76.6/137
Blue Sky(M) - 74.2/134
Gold Sun(M) - 71.4/131
White Sand(M) - 68.3/122
White Sand(W) - 73.3/129
Red Clay(W) - 69.8/125






Westhaven Golf Club in Franklin, Tennessee was next on our list. Designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills, Westhaven Golf Club is a private, championship 18-hole golf course that prides itself on being a "core" course which allows players a true escape from the outside world. With the course scheduled to open in mid to late August my staff and I ventured out a couple of weeks ago to finalize their course and slope ratings. Wow, what a golf course! While it may not be a overly long course, back tee of 6,968 yards, it is a course that requires precision on absolutely every shot. At first glance, you'll notice that the course has several short par 4's, ranging in yardage from 310 to 370 from the back tees, but do not let this fool you. For example, hole #2 is a 310 yard par 4 in which the player finds himself very easily tempted to pull out driver. What is not immediately recognized is that the margin of error is next to none. With a water hazard lining the entire left side of the hole and OB right, a player's need for an accurate tee shot is a must. What makes the hole even more difficult is a fairway bunker that sits directly in the middle of the landing area which forces players to have to hit something in the neighborhood of 250 yards to carry but will force an approach shot of over 100 yards if they decide to lay up. As if that wasn't enough, players are then forced to deal with several pot bunkers and an additional water hazard directly behind the highly contoured green. It is these kind of descisions that place a premium on course management at Westhaven. While it seems that so many courses are becoming longer to defend themselves against technology, Westhaven brings back the game of shot placement and creativity which is so often forgotten. For more information on Westhaven Golf Club visit them online at www.golfwesthaven.com.

Ratings

Gold(M) - 73.9/138
Blue(M) - 71.7/131
Green(M) - 69.1/126
White(M) - 66.6/118
Green(W) - 74.9/135
White(W) - 71.4/127
Red(W) - 67.9/122