COURSE
REVIEW
Francis Lake may
not be the most
challenging of courses,
but the price is right
By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor
VALDOSTA, Ga. (June 3, 2005) – You might care to nit-pick about the Francis Lake Golf Club's proximity to all those stores and strip malls or the fact it's flat and not overly challenging.
But, one thing you can't gripe about is the price. When you live in Valdosta – not the wealthiest of cities – your golfing options are fairly limited. But, still, like anywhere else, you want some bang for your buck, and that's where Francis Lake delivers.
"It's my favorite," said golfer Luke Bailey. "I guess, because it's the cheapest."
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With green fees at $26 weekdays and $35 weekends, the course attracts more area golfers than any other course around, including Kinderlou Forest, Stone Creek or the Valdosta Country Club.
John Leonard bought the course on Valentine's Day in 1997 and has put about $1.5 million into it since.
"Absolutely horrible," Leonard said. "The greens were about the only thing that wasn't in bad shape. There wasn't any grass in the fairways, it was all eaten by mole crickets."
Leonard and his family installed a new irrigation system and built a new clubhouse, and they came and still keep coming – the club hosts from 30,000-34,000 rounds a year.
Still, they kept prices low.
"We haven't changed our price structure in four five years and I think that has a lot to do with it," Leonard said. "Our green fees have stayed the same, even after all the money we put into it."
What the course may lack in superior conditioning, an imaginative layout or country club ambience is made up for by cheerful, friendly service.
"We're just a club that takes care of people, more of a blue-collar club," Leonard said. "We cater to everybody. We get them from the country club. In fact, we have a lot of country club members down here now. We just have more fun."
Of course, that heavy play shows on the course, but it's still in decent shape for a well-traveled public course, even if it does seem at times to be brand-name heaven.
You have a good view of Sonny's Barbecue from No. 3, for example, and No. 4 is so close to the back of Winn Dixie you can almost feel the air from the air-conditioner ducts. No. 5 is in back of a strip mall, No. 7 is behind an RV dealership and strip mall parking lot and No. 11 is privy to unobstructed views of First State Bank and Movie Gallery.
The course, as mentioned, is flat and fairly easy, with a slope rating of 131 from the back, gold, tees.
"This is a pretty easy course unless you hit it crooked," said Bailey, a former high school golfer.
There are a few challenging holes, though, like the 401-yard No. 9, a dogleg right over tall, thick pine and oak. There's marsh to the right, trees left and a fairway bunker straight. A pond with a little fountain comes around to the right front of the green, which slopes off to water, and a bunker guards the right side.
No.
13 is a long par-3, 220 yards from back, with a bunker right that reaches
around in front of the small green. There's a big bunker to the left
too, and it's a tough shot when the pin is placed behind the right bunker.
No. 16 is rated the second hardest hole on the coure: there are bushes to the right and to the left is a fairway bunker and a guy burning trash right next to his house.
Though the course plays around Lake Francis, there aren't many glimpses of it, owing to the thickness of the trees, though there is little rough to lose ball in.
There is a smattering of water, like the par-3 17th, which has a bulkheaded green and water front and back right.
The verdict
Francis Lake isn't exactly a pastoral experience, owing to the surrounding commerce and the fact it wends through a residential community.
The front nine is narrower and requires more shot-making than the back nine, which is more open.
"You can hit it about anywhere back here," Bailey said.
It is a little disappointing the lake doesn't come into play more than it does, and the lack of elevation doesn't help. There are better courses around, but this is a good deal for the price.
Stay and play
Being close to Interstate 75, the area has more than its share of chain motels nearby.
For something not quite so generic, try the Fairview Inn Bed and Breakfast on River Street in the city's oldest residential neighborhood.
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Dining out
The Sonny's is close by, if it barbecue you're hankering for, and there is a Bob Evans and other assorted, mid-level dining closer to town. For fine dining, try Lulu's Restaurant on North Patterson Street.
Fast fact
Francis Lake was designed by Willard Byrd, who did a number of courses in the Atlanta area and Myrtle beach.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
