The River at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club

Architect Chris Lutzke spent two years updating this well-established club’s two courses – first the Pete Dye-designed Harbor layout and then this one, one of many pleasant, inoffensive Joe Lee efforts. While the main routing couldn’t change, Lutzke managed to add just enough flavor to the bunkering and green complexes to give me a sense that the course has indeed improved. While the awkward par-5 14th remains a bit of a head-scratcher hole, it is definitely very scenic with its view of the Intracoastal Waterway, and the course finishes strong from there. Quality conditioning and a well-appointed clubhouse make this a nice club.

Jack Nicklaus once said of Joe Lee, the prolific architect and protege of Dick Wilson who designed dozens of Florida golf courses, "Joe Lee has never designed a bad golf course."

Which is true...but it underscores what I perceive to be a low amount of risk that Lee took in his career. In many cases, great courses happen when an architect takes some risk and creates interesting, if potentially unconventional features and holes that threaten to be controversial. Lee's courses are very straightforward, without tons of variety and with bunkering that steers golfers toward the middle. The greens (large and decently undulating) at the River Course are its greatest asset, but I would have enjoyed a bit more flair and panache in what leads up to them. As it is, the course, while very nicely maintained, is a bit forgettable.