The Legends at Chateau Elan

No longer associated with the resort, Chateau Elan’s private club is a scenic and peaceful place to play if you can score an invite. It loosely fits in the category of “replica” or “tribute” golf courses, because architect Denis Griffiths took input from golf legends Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Kathy Whitworth on its design, adapting six of each champion’s favorite holes each. To the course’s benefit, most of these adaptations are on the looser side, and fit the terrain well, although a near-exact replica of Augusta National Golf Club’s 12th hole (Legends’ 15th) is the most memorable single hole on the course.

As one would expect for a well-established private club, conditioning was excellent, pace of play was brisk and the people – members and employees – could not have been more welcoming.

I can't stress how absolutely perfect the greens were. 10/10. Course meanders through the neighborhood but homes don't encroach on the course much (a couple of OB stakes are too far toward fairway IMHO). Interesting design and great pace of play. Worth a play when in the area for sure. Only complaint for me would be that I think some of the really mature trees should be trimmed back/removed as they seem to have really overgrown the original design over the years.

The legends course is hands down the best course at Chateau Elan. The legends course was designed in 1994 by Gene Sarazan and Sam Snead. The Legends is the only private course at Chateau Elan and is very hard to get on, and I was very lucky to have had the opportunity. The legends course meanders through the trees with some nice elevation changes and many elevated greens. The practice facilities are top notch and the clubhouse was very organized and had very nice interior decor. There are lots of holes were you need to just hit 3 wood (5&10). The greens were very fast and the rough was thick. There was a good amount of water so pack an extra sleeve of balls. The bunkers are very deep. The one bunker that I got in to me three to get out of with to plugged lies. The hole expierience was great and recommend playing the course of you get the opportunity.

The Legends course is the best of the 4 courses at Chateau Elan, hands down. The course is always in good shape and usually not crowded. My favorite part of the course is that it was designed as replicas as some of the famous holes around the world, most notably Augusta Nationals' par-3 12th and par-5 13th. Otherwise, the course does play fairly difficult and keeping the ball straight is key to getting a decent score here. Expect a few strokes above your handicap at this course as there are no easy birdie holes!