Stoneybrook West is an 18-hole championship golf course in Winter Garden, Florida. The course was designed by Arthur Hills, and plays 7,101 yards from the championship tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 74.8 and carries a slope rating of 135. Stoneybrook West golf course opened in 2000. Four sets of tees make Stoneybrook West playable and challenging for golfers of all abilities. Stoneybrook West also includes one of the first USGA rated junior tees for beginner and intermediate boys and girls, with a total yardage of 3256 yards.
Water plays a prominent role in the design of the course as it usually does in Florida, coming into play alongside fairways and greens on at least 12 holes – more if you spray it. There are more than fifty bunkers that come into play: many protecting mildly undulating green complexes. Greenside collection areas and grassy swales make up and down from errant approach shots a challenge.
A lot of the course's popularity is its greens which are seeded with TifEagle Bermuda grass, making for a very true roll. Green speeds at Stoneybrook West have been known to register 14 on the Stimpmeter; however they are normally maintained at a modest, yet playable, 9. No matter what the speed, the greens roll excellent and true.
The practice facility is complete with a full size aqua driving range, practice greens and bunkers. The Golf Academy at Stoneybrook West offers individual and group lessons as well as junior clinics and summer camps. The beautiful clubhouse includes the delicious Stoneybrook Grille as well as banquet facilities that can seat up to 200 people, making it an ideal spot for that special occasion or conference.
Last Word
I don’t think there is such a thing as an easy Arthur Hills course and Stoneybrook West is no exception. If the wind is blowing, this course can be downright brutal. Water comes into play on most holes and approach shots through the air on some holes are a necessity. Two Arthur Hills’ trademarks – greenside bunkering and contoured fairways - are evident throughout the course. Although I’m sure a tremendous amount of earth was moved, the course does not seem “manufactured” or unnatural.
The biggest attraction to
Stoneybrook West is definitely the green complexes. Bunkers are always in play around the greens; trying to avoid them and at the same time hit it close to the pin, can either be heroic or tragic.
On many approaches you can’t see the entire green which can pose a problem depending on pin placement. . A few of the greens actually run off to the back which, when you know this, can weigh heavily in club selection. Speed is another concern; they can run higher on the stimpmeter than most weekend golfers are used to, even under “normal” conditions.
Stoneybrook West is the type of course you are more likely to find in the Midwest (sans the orange groves, of course) rather than Florida. It challenges you in ways other local courses do not. And, f you don’t have the mental toughness needed to play Stoneybrook West, free wireless Internet is available on the course!
For more information or to book a tee time, you can visit them online at http://www.golfsbw.com. Be sure to check out their online specials section. Or, if you prefer, give them a call at (407) 877-8533. You don’t want to miss this course.
