Public

Bay/Lake Course

Bluewater Bay Resort

Niceville, FL, USA
jury316
Awaltz
Steven M. Anthony
bosworthbrennan
PD
+5
18 holesPar 726,803 yds72.9/146

About this course

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.

Quick facts

Location
Niceville, FL, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1981
Holes
18
Designer(s)
Tom Fazio, Jerry Pate
Par
72
Length
6,803 yards
Difficulty
72.9/146
Course Vaults score
6.1

Getting there

Most arrivals to Bluewater Bay Resort route through either Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport or Pensacola International, both roughly thirty to forty minutes away depending on traffic along the Emerald Coast corridor. The drive from either gateway follows Highway 20 east through stands of slash pine and coastal scrub before turning south toward Choctawhatchee Bay, where the resort's wooded, low-country setting unfolds along quiet waterfront lanes. Private flyers often favor Destin Executive Airport for its proximity and discretion, shaving precious minutes off the final approach. The transition from beachside bustle to Bluewater Bay's serene, oak-canopied entrance is swift and deliberate - a shift into the unhurried rhythm of Florida's forgotten Panhandle.

FAQ

Common questions about Bay/Lake at Bluewater Bay Resort

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Bay/Lake at Bluewater Bay Resort has a Course Vaults score of 6.1 out of 10 based on 10 logged golfers.

Bay/Lake was designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate.

Yes. Bay/Lake at Bluewater Bay Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Bay/Lake is 72.

Bay/Lake plays 6,803 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Bay/Lake is 146.

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