White Bluff Resort, The Old Course
The Old Course opened for play in 1992. The New Course opened in 1997. Both courses were designed by Bruce Lietzke.
In 1992, Double Diamond Resorts, a golf resort development company that owned a four-mile stretch of Lake Whitney shoreline propert named White Bluff Resort for the numerous white, limestone bluffs located on the eastern side of the lake, added golf as an amenity. The lake was a spectacular backdrop for the 18-hole championship layout. In 1997, Double Diamond added a their second 18-hole course.
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The "Old Course" is a challenging 6,866-yard layout that includes water on almost half the holes. Many of the holes favor the left-to-right player. The signature hole, No. 13, does not feature water or even require the player to maneuver the ball. What makes this par 3 of 158 yards so special is the view. From the tee box to the green, the sparkling blue water of Lake Whitney sits off to the right.
Locals say that The Old course is the easier of the two courses mainly because the tree lined fairways are somewhat wider than on The New Course. The front nine is a traditional parkland layout which prepares you for dramatic views of Lake Whitney and elevation changes throughout the back nine.
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The New Course is 98 yards longer at 6,964 yards than The Old Course but length is not where it increases in difficulty. Water is. Ironically, the New Course features no views of Lake Whitney but has water on 16 holes.
On several holes including Nos. 7 and 16, water comes into play twice. No. 16, a par 5 of 515 yards, includes two creeks that cross the fairway before the green. An accurate tee shot is important on this hard dogleg-right that also runs downhill, so you have an option on whether to go at the green over the two creeks on your second shot. Anything that is not in the fairway and at least to the bend, you must lay up to try and make par.
While No. 16 is a fun hole, the most picturesque hole comes several holes earlier on No. 12. This par 4 of 396 yards reminds you of your location as you peer from the tee box at a large white bluff overhanging a small pond. A long iron will be enough club to avoid the pond and put your ball in good position to clear the finger of water that crosses in front of the green on your short second shot. It's a hole truly unique to Lake Whitney.