MIAMI -- The Doral Golf Resort & Spa has unveiled its Great White Golf Course after what resort officials call a "refinement" by course creator Greg Norman.
The 7,171-yard, par-72 Great White, a Greg Norman Signature Course, is the only golf course of its kind in the Southeastern United States that utilizes coquina -- crushed shells -- as the primary design element on every hole.
In creating the Great White, Norman blended strategically demanding fairways with hundreds of palm trees and sporadic Scottish-style bunkers. He then laid out the course in a manner where water comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes.
"With increased areas of turfgrass and the liberal use of crushed coquina shells, we have enhanced both the challenge and the playability of this golf course," Norman said. "It's a departure that complements the other four courses at Doral very well."
Highlighting the enhancements to the Great White Golf Course was the re-design of the 6th and 15th holes, as well as all bunkers. The course also received new landscaping, as thousands of native grasses were planted around the course, while cart paths were installed at strategic locations throughout the course for improved drainage.
"The refinements we've put forth on the Great White were designed to create an even more playable golf experience," said Doral General Manager Darrin Helfrick. "At the same time, we've made modifications that enable us to enhance course maintenance, such as the installation of concrete cart paths designed to improve drainage."
Doral is currently in the midst of a three-year, $40 million renovation backed by the resort's owner, CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc. As part of the investment, several million dollars have been earmarked exclusively toward enhancements to all five golf courses, the creation of a new golf range and other significant golf developments.
In 2006, following the conclusion of the Ford Championship at Doral, the famed Blue Monster Golf Course will undergo a renovation of the greens, bunkers and cart paths.
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