COURSE
REVIEWS
Don Shula's Hotel & Golf Club: Excellence Personified
By Elaine Gallant,
Staff Writer
MIAMI LAKES, FL -- In 1972, NFL head coach Don Shula led the Miami Dolphins through a perfect, record-setting, 17-0 season, then crowned the achievement with a 1973 Super Bowl VII win over the Washington Redskins. His legendary career, filled with monumental statistics, ultimately swept him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But it should be noted that also in the '70's, he and his career sparked a lifelong business relationship with the Graham family, prominent members of Florida's social and political scene and developers of Miami Lakes, a 5-square-mile, master planned community located within the confines of the Greater Miami Area.
Here is where
Shula's namesake
hotel, golf
club and steakhouse
provide a venue
for business
travelers and
athletes alike
to kick back,
play golf, and
enjoy a fine
meal.
"We have one group that's been coming here for over 30 years," says Barbara Cambia, VP of Sales and Marketing. "They play golf everyday, go to dinner at the steakhouse, smoke cigars and just have a really good time."
Shula's is a dual-location property, offering a 205-room hotel in the heart of Miami Lakes and an 84-room lodge at the entrance of the city. But where the hotel is the centerpiece of this brick- and palm-lined little town, it's the lodge that anchors his original steakhouse and golf complex that's complete with lighted driving range, lighted 18-hole, par 3 Executive Course and par 72, championship course.
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Adding to the mix are strategically placed deep-faced bunkers near the greens, generous amounts of fairway mounding and large, shallow fairway bunkers. Water, seen on four holes, only plays havoc around the green of number 7.
At 531 yards, Kevin Carlson, Shula's director of golf says this par 5 signature hole requires intelligent play because an approach to the well-undulated island green is further complicated by the visual impact of its size and slope. Any flag right of center will surely test your skills.
If you doubt
it, consider
turning toward
the green of
number 7 while
you're on the
tee of number
5 and listen
to the yelps
and grunts of
the players
already there.
Don't forget,
however, the
tempting little
morsel that's
straight ahead.
At 145 yards,
this par 3's
landing tilts
toward a soft,
fringed shoulder
then disappears
below the waterline.
Miss it short
or right and
you're lying
three.
Of particular interest on the front nine is the starting hole. It's placed well away from the line up allowing a bit of privacy and the chance for those suffering from "first hole jitters" to actually make a decent shot - provided you stay right, of course, and away from the hardwoods.
On the turn, number 10 begins where you'd expect the starting hole to be. That's because in 1999, architect Kip Schulties, re-grassed the greens with super-fast tifeagle and improved drainage to Bill Watt's original 1962 design, then flip-flopped the course. It helped flow traffic but didn't calm any nerves.
At 418 yards, Carlson says this slight dogleg right has a right-sided fairway bunker just begging to be carried. He suggests that if you're a long hitter, go with a controlled fade. Otherwise, favor the left and take an approach to the center of the green.
From here on out, the back nine feels more like the Florida Everglades with water defining all the remaining holes exclusive of the 170-yard, par 3, number 17. You won't even find sprinkler heads. The sandy soil drains poorly and holds water well, so irrigation simply isn't needed.
At number 11
during rainy
season for example,
fairway puddle
jumping is frequent
and enough to
make you love
your Dry Joys.
Measuring 434
yards, this
number one handicapped
hole also features
a series of
creeks running
up the fairway's
right, left,
in front of
and behind the
green.
Numerous other watery challenges and doglegs appear in all directions throughout the back. On holes 13 and 14, look for the resident alligators. On number 16, beware the natural habitat area. And on the finishing hole, take your final aquatic challenge.
At 454 yards, this palm-and water-lined beauty is a temptation. According to Carlson, "only someone like Tiger Woods could probably jump on the green if he wanted to." But for the rest of us, the conservative approach is to consider how much water and fairway you want to cut off to have a short iron to the green.
"Overall,
Shula's course
is a fun, but
not too demanding
golf course
where you're
not out there
getting frustrated,"
Carlson says.
"It gives
you a chance
for risk and
reward. It gives
you options...
The wind...
The larger greens...
So if you play
it everyday
as a member,
I don't think
you'll get too
bored."
You won't get bored with the sports theme either, because Shula's is a tribute to athletic competition. On every tee box, you'll find colored NFL football kicking T's, and at the 200-, 150-, and 100- yard mark, actual pylons. Off the course, you'll discover almost everywhere, including your room, a virtual museum of photographed football Hall of Fame players and professional golf and tennis stars. You'll even find an actual Miami Dolphins goal post from Shula's perfect season erected near the hotel.
But if that's
not enough,
consider that
Golf Florida
Magazine named
Shula's among
the top golf
resorts in Florida
and that the
Audubon Society
has certified
it within its
Cooperation
Sanctuary System.
It is the official
home of the
Miami Dolphins,
the official
hotel of the
University of
Miami Hurricanes,
and also host
to a variety
of NBA, NHL
and National
League baseball
players and
teams.
Need more? Well, there is shopping, dining and a 17-screen movie theater in Miami Lakes, but there's also a 44,000-square-foot Athletic Club that will keep you busy for days with tennis, basketball, racquetball, and any other kind of fitness routine you can dream up.
"Don Shula's," says Barbara Cambia, "is the best-kept secret in Florida. When people find out we're here, they don't go anywhere else. You don't have to leave Miami Lakes. It's safe and there's nothing like it."
Shula's can be reached via the Miami International Airport or the Fort Lauderdale International Airport and SR 826 at the NW 154 Street/Miami Lakes Drive exit.
Don Shula's
Hotel &
Golf Club
6842 Main Street
Miami Lakes,
FL 33014
and
7601 Miami Lakes
Drive
Miami Lakes,
FL 33014
1-800-247-4852
Phone: 305-820-8170
www.donshulahotel.com
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