
Magnolia 9 Course
Bluewater Bay Resort
About this course
Magnolia 9 at Bluewater Bay Resort in Niceville, Florida, was designed by Jerry Pate, the former U.S. Open champion who transitioned to golf course architecture in the 1980s. The course is part of the larger Bluewater Bay complex, a residential resort community situated along Choctawhatchee Bay in the Florida Panhandle, roughly midway between Pensacola and Panama City. The region's coastal setting and relatively gentle topography provide a backdrop typical of northwest Florida golf, with pine forests, natural wetlands, and sandy soils. As a nine-hole layout, Magnolia 9 serves as a complementary option within the resort's golf offerings, which have historically included multiple courses designed to accommodate both residents and visiting golfers. Pate's design work in Florida often emphasizes playability and integration with natural surroundings, and courses in this area typically feature tree-lined fairways, water hazards drawn from the local hydrology, and Bermuda grass playing surfaces suited to the warm, humid climate. The Bluewater Bay community developed over several decades as a golf-oriented residential destination, and its courses have provided recreational golf for families and retirees drawn to the Emerald Coast region. The nine-hole format allows for shorter rounds and flexible play, fitting the resort's role as a casual, accessible facility rather than a tournament venue. The setting near the bay and surrounding conservation areas gives the course a quiet, wooded character common to Panhandle golf properties.
Quick facts
- Location
- Niceville, FL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1981
- Designer
- Jerry Pate
- Holes
- 9
- Par
- 36
- Length
- 3,290 yards
- Difficulty
- 36.3/142
Getting there
The journey to Bluewater Bay Resort begins at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), a mere twenty minutes south, or alternatively through the larger hub of Pensacola International (PNS), roughly forty-five minutes west along the Florida Panhandle's coastal corridor. Private aviation finds its home at nearby Destin Executive Airport (DTS), offering seamless access for those traveling by charter. The final approach winds through the emerald landscape of the Florida Panhandle, where pine-studded terrain gives way to the resort's gated entrance on the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, a transition that signals arrival at one of the region's most serene and deliberately secluded golf destinations.

FAQ
Common questions about Magnolia 9 at Bluewater Bay Resort
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Magnolia 9 was designed by Jerry Pate.
Yes. Magnolia 9 at Bluewater Bay Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Magnolia 9 is 36.
Magnolia 9 plays 3,290 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Magnolia 9 is 142.
Magnolia 9 is a 9-hole course.





