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Golf Tom Fazio |
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Rating |
Yards |
Slope |
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72.9 |
6,766 |
132 |
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70.7 |
6,333 |
127 |
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68.3 |
5,800 |
115 |
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70.1 |
5,605 |
126 |
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What They're Saying |
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Special Features |
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Call 1-800-552-1136 or (386) 446-6200 |
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Hammock Dunes' Tom Fazio Links Course
Continues Commitment to Environmental Excellence |
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Hammock Dunes, one of the Southeast's premier private oceanfront golf communities, is not content to rest on its laurels; it is committed to exceeding its goals of providing the finest amenities and services to its residents. The community is also determined to protect and perpetuate its idyllic environment on the Palm Coast, and has repeatedly been recognized by Audubon International for environmental stewardship on its golf courses.
Continuing commitment, repeat recognition. Recently, Hammock Dunes' Links Course was designated for the second time as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the educational division of Audubon International. The 6,766-yard seaside masterpiece, designed by Tom Fazio, is one of only 553 golf courses in the entire world to receive this prestigious designation.
Another course in that small, honored group is Hammock Dunes' Creek Course, designed by Rees Jones, which received its Audubon Certification in 2004. (The Links Course won its initial certification in 2001.)
Requirements of the program. Certification is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, which is endorsed by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This program provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources.
To reach certification, a community must demonstrate that its course maintains a high degree of environmental quality in planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, and water conservation and quality.
To win the recertification for the Links Course, the Hammock Dunes community demonstrated its ongoing environmental commitment through the coordinated, enthusiastic efforts of the community. Dr. Robert Haley, long-time Hammock Dunes resident and chair of the local Audubon Committee, led the four-year effort to maintain sanctuary status.
Dr. Haley made specific note of some community stewardship activities. "We have nature walks two or three times a year to inventory (the) wildlife. Every month our Hammock Dunes newsletter reports on unusual wildlife that is spotted…and we alert our residents to watch for and report the sightings. By keeping members and the community informed, we can all work to preserve the precious wildlife."
About the honored courses. The recertified Links Course stretches across miles of pristine beachfront, oak hammock forests, lakes, and marshes. According to Tom Fazio, designer of the scenic venue, "The course seems not so much to intrude upon nature as to complement it. The way the design fits into the terrain is virtually seamless."
Fazio continued, "In fact, one of the great joys of playing Hammock Dunes is glimpsing wildlife in its natural habitat. From egrets and cranes to otters and deer, the course is home to a variety of animals and birds, as well as a select group of homeowners."
On Hammock Dunes other Audubon-certified course, the naturally spectacular, 7,355-yard Creek Course, there are no homes--just pure golf traversing more than 690 acres of natural grasses and water, native oaks and palms, and 450 acres of an undisturbed conservation area.
What Audubon said. "Hammock Dunes…has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program," said Jeremy Taylor, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. "They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course."
Dr. Haley said, "Our two golf courses display some of nature's richest blessings, which our Club members are determined to preserve. The Audubon program helps us focus on that goal."
Playing the two honored courses. Prestigious environmental recognition aside, Hammock Dunes golf courses are nationally known for the thrills and challenges they provide even the most expert golfers. As Tom Fazio said, "Actually choosing a favorite hole becomes a pleasurable dilemma-something akin to choosing a favorite color or song."
Continuing, Fazio said, "The wind along the (Links Course) becomes a factor… It allows each hole to be played differently with every round. Each hole has become my favorite at one time or another, but I am constantly challenged and humbled by the 18th. After hitting the ball to the green, the spectacular view of the sea reminds me why I chose this profession."
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Tom Fazio |
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