Stonebridge Near Tulsa Opens for Play

Stonebridge Golf Club opened on July 1st in Claremore, Okla. The course was designed by Randy Heckenkemper, who has three courses on TulsaWeb.com's top-10 list of public layouts in the state.

Heckenkemper has fashioned another enjoyable test of golf with Stonebridge. Rolling fairways, subtly undulating putting surfaces, strategically-placed hazards and a mix of holes varying in length and difficulty place a premium on course management.

Stretching 6,510 yards from the back tees, Stonebridge requires accuracy and feel rather than brute length. Contoured bunkers with a bright white sand give the course a unique look and help define the shape of Stonebridge's holes. The course's Penn A-1 bent grass greens are impressing players and already rolling in the double digits on the stimpmeter. The superior condition of the new course is a credit to superintendent Scott Schurman, who has been overseeing maintenance and grow-in of the layout since late 2004.

"We are getting nothing but praise from players," says general manager Rob Overgard. "Stonebridge Golf Club is a premier layout for golfers in the Tulsa area."

Each nine at Stonebridge has its own distinct characteristics – the front is generally open while every hole on the back side is tree-lined. Both nines open with short par-4s. The third hole is a classic par-3 measuring 180 yards that involves all carry over a lake which runs the entire length of the hole.

At the 17th, the tee shot must avoid a gaping bunker along the right and a hazard all the way down the left of the fairway. Like a number of holes on the back nine, No. 17 also utilizes an old oak tree right-front of the green, which is further guarded by a creek.

Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Tulsa at the intersection of Highway 266 and Route 66, Stonebridge offers a number of annual memberships for families and businesses. The facility is operated by Bill Casper Golf. For more information about the course, call 918/266-5000 or visit www.stonebridgeclub.com.