Origins Golf makes Great Play Date
A unique golfing experience is available at The Origins Course, which is located in WaterSound, just north off U.S. 98 between Destin and Panama City Beach.
The course, created by The St. Joe Company and managed by the Troon Company, is a six-hole regulation course that alternatively plays as a nine-hole executive course and a 10-hole, par-3 layout through the use of alternate tee boxes and auxiliary greens.
“It gives you the opportunity to work on your short game,” said Steve Burnette, of The Origins Course.
The course opened just a few years ago and is a companion course to Camp Creek Golf Club, located south across U.S. 98.
The Origins Course was designed by PGA Champion Davis Love III. It has a short course concept in mind to make golf more fun, accessible and attractive to families, beginners and casual golfers.
Its signature green is No. 4 where a sand trap is located smack in the middle of the green, which makes for interesting approach shots.
“It’s a difficult trap to get out of,” Burnette said. “I know. I’ve been in there a few times myself.”
Junior golfers under age 15 play for free. It is one of the few public golf courses between Panama City Beach and Destin.
“That helps promote kids learning the game and families coming out and playing,” Burnette said.
Origins Course is walker friendly at just over 1,800 yards. The grass is a SeaIsle Supreme Paspalum, which stays green throughout the winter and requires little or no overseeding. A round of golf takes less than two hours.
It has a putting green and chipping area and carts. Lunch and refreshments are available at the nearby WaterSound Café, located off Highway 30A at the WaterSound Gatehouse.
For tee times, call 850-641-0007. For more information, go to www.originsgolfclub.com.
From Panama City Beach
Go west on Highway 98 (Back Beach Road). Continue three miles past the Philips Inlet Bridge. The entrance to WaterSound is on the right (north) side of Highway 98. Look for the red bridges.
From Destin
Go east on Highway 98 for 11 miles past the Highway 331 intersection. The entrance to WaterSound will be the red bridges on the left (north) side of the road.
