I finally played this course this summer, after expecting it to be as good as all the publicity hype says it is,and here's what I found.... It is half great and half ordinary. When you get there,i... Continue »

I finally played this course this summer, after expecting it to be as good as all the publicity hype says it is,and here's what I found.... It is half great and half ordinary. When you get there,it looks like a luxury private club/resort place with giant luxurious clubhouse. the staff is helpful enough.Lets see what the course looks like. The view from the first tee is surprizingly ordinary,a short ,straight ,flat par 4,that looks well manicured,but hardly breathtaking. the next 6 holes are pretty much the same,well manicured, short,and ordinary. a few of these holes had a glimmer of quality,style,like what you'd expect of an exclusive private course, but just a faint glimmer.
But then ,at hole 7,on the other side of the course,it suddenly became a totally different golf course.Beautiful landscape,and vistas that you just want to stand there and enjoy.A dogleg uphill,with undulations,and ancient style;followed by a par 3 shot across a gulch,another brilliant view;followed by another spectacular view down the 9 th hole.3 wonderful elegant,beautiful golf holes on the front nine .
Then,back to the boring flat side to hole 10,11,and 12,all dull,ordinary,uninspiring layout(what's up with this golf course?!)... and Then...back across to the other hilly side to the final six holes.... and these holes,13 through 18 are without doubt,six of the most beautiful vistas I've ever played golf on. These handful of magnificent holes are what makes Stone tree special,and while I wouldnt pay full price to play this course,it is worth playing if you can get a discount,if only to enjoy the last six holes.