By Bill Nestor
It’s that time once again as golf season is in full swing. Our first installment of “tee It Up” is finally here and it focuses on Lodestone Golf Course at Wisp Resort.
Lodestone, an 18-hole gem, designed by Hale Irwin in collaboration with Todd Schoeder, is a unique golf venue. This par 72 (18 hole) layout ranges 7,507 yards from the tips and provides one of the most private rounds you will play all season. Once you play a hole and leave it, you will never see it again., giving you the feeling of owning your own course.
Mountain terrain, scenic rock outcroppings, towering hardwood trees, and panoramic views are found everywhere from the first tee to the 18th green.
Elevation changes and large bunkers with big bad bushy fescue guard the diabolical greens. The greens are large and challenging, to say the least.
The tee boxes and fairways are sizeable but to score on this course, tee shot placement is key. It was an extremely wet day when i was there and I was surprised by how well the course held the water, which allowed carts on the course.
The “must play” hole on the courts was number 17, a 214 yard par three that is all carry over a rocky ravine.
The staff was very friendly and the break from the extreme heat were also big plusses. Throw in a pro shop that provides all you need to play your round and free practice balls and you are ready for a great day at Lodestone.
