Bay/Lake at Bluewater Bay Resort

Bluewater Bay Resort in Niceville, Florida, features two eighteen-hole courses that share the property's wooded, water-influenced terrain along Choctawhatchee Bay in the Florida Panhandle. The Bay and Lake courses were designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate, with Fazio's work dating to the resort's development in the 1970s and Pate contributing design input as a touring professional who transitioned into course architecture. The routing takes advantage of the natural topography, incorporating stands of pine and oak, elevation changes modest by Florida standards, and numerous water features that define playing corridors and strategic options.

The courses wind through a residential resort community, with fairways framed by native vegetation and homes set back from play. Water comes into play frequently, both from natural wetlands and constructed lakes that require carries off the tee and on approach shots. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance, rewarding players who navigate the tree-lined fairways and avoid the hazards that guard greens. Bunkers are positioned to challenge approach angles, and the putting surfaces vary in size and contour to test short game skills.

Bluewater Bay serves as a semi-private facility, accommodating resort guests and members within a community that includes marina access and other recreational amenities. The courses are maintained to standards typical of Panhandle resort properties, offering a playable challenge for a range of skill levels. The setting provides a quiet, wooded atmosphere distinct from the more open links-style courses found along the nearby Gulf Coast.