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Not too many golf courses can claim the same thing that Sportsman can, as a matter of fact, none can. The Sportsman Golf Resort, which hosted the PGA Tour in the Pensacola Open for 10 years, has been rebuilt from the ground up. With the rebuilding came a little surprise in terms of the grass that the course was seeded with. The grass is so resilient, it can be irrigated with salt water and still endure your 8-iron from 165 yards out. 
     The greens are carpeted with a new type of Bermuda grass that can withstand the harshest of cuts, allowing for northern bent grass play.
    The resort re-opened its doors after nearly eight months of renovations late this fall. Architect Bill Bergin kept the basic routing of the holes during the redesign, but kept little else. Nearly 2,000 of the original trees from the course were uprooted, giving the resort more of an open feeling. The tee boxes are vast and allow both left and right handed players the luxury to play the ball where they want it.
    Several of the water hazards have been lined with white sand to provide visitors and members that feeling of the beach being right next door. Not only do the water hazards provide a bit of strategic planning but they also provide the water source for the irrigation system.
    Saving the best for last is a bit of an understatement when referring to the renovations at the resort. The fairway bunkers on the 18th hole features a style of church pews, made famous at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Although they look more like coffins than church pews, getting
out of them may take a prayer as the best way to advance from them is to 
play out sideways.
    A round at the redesigned course will cost you $60, but it is well worth every penny just to experience what it has to offer. With a split of 36 -36 for a round of 72 at par, this 18- hole course will work you out at whatever level you play. Red Snapper Tees are located at 5,156, Wings (white) at 6,024, Blue Angel Tees just a shade behind at 6, 554, and expert level Moose Tees are playable at 7,072 total yards.
Location: One Doug Ford Drive, Pensacola, Fla.
Tee Times: 850-492-1223