Broken Sound Club - Old Course

Seeing the Allianz Championship here, and then getting to play it, seemed like a dream come true. Broken Sound is gorgeous, and I've never seen the like in course amenities. There is literally everything you can think of to prepare for your round. You can pour yourself a Powerade if you're bored with water! Even on a day two weeks after they aerated, the greens were rolling fast and true. If you had the money, you'd join here.

But you'll never be able to complete a round here, and that's the thing that ruins Broken Sound.

Even on a raincheck, the four chuckleheads in front of us took just enough time on #14 that only I could tee off before the siren went off, because the siren goes off if there is a lightning strike within 10 miles of Broken Sound. Other courses use a 5 mile system. Other courses also let you finish the hole, which since we were on 14, would have allowed us to post the round to GHIN.

But you don't get to finish your hole at Broken Sound. The marshal drove up and told us we had to drive all the way in. We couldn't even wait out the siren at the shelter next to 15.

My Titleist is still out there, behind 14 green. And there it will stay, because I'm never playing there again.

The Old Course is one of the few "stand alone" golf courses in this area, meaning that it does not wind through housing areas, although it is a hidden gem surrounded by a business park. Host to the Allianz Tournament (Champions Tour), the course has many challenging holes, tricky fast greens, and lots of water to contend with--one of the most challenging courses I've played in South FL. Beautifully landscaped with abundant wildlife (including at least one large alligator), a friendly and attentive staff, upscale dining room, and nice locker room facilities, it is a "must play" in Boca Raton. It's a private course, but definitely worth playing as a guest given the opportunity. The course is currently closed for re-grassing, but should reopen in the fall, better than ever.