The Club At Fairvue Plantation , Gallatin, TN

I have played the original "Lakes" course at Fairview several times as a guest. I can honestly say that my experience there was top notch, ranking up in the top 5% of my golf experiences. The moment you pull into this community from the front gates, you know this is a wonderful tandem of a new golf course community with and an old, traditional style plantation / horse farm. The rows of mare barns lining the 18th hole are just a few of the restored original buildings that give this complex its charm. The new buildings and grounds are constructed in a similar fashion, so nothing seems too out of place. The staff at Fairview are nothing short of phenomenal. I have had the distinct pleasure of attending Fairvue's version of a member guest (the Foxhunt) and have NEVER felt more welcome at any course in the world. I don't know who is responsible for their procedures, but I was told they are instructed to do things the "Fairvue Way" and it makes your golfing experience a wonderful one. The practice areas (two of them), are well tended and in good shape, also conveniently located near the first tee, so the transition to the ever friendly starter is a breeze. The fairways are smooth and well kept despite occasional drainage issues that I've seen addressed over the past three years. The greens are quite good, large with gentle undulations, nothing too tricked up, smooth, fast and roll true. Bunkers are in good shape for the most part and there is plenty of water or hazards to contend with, but not so many that you feel like you have to steer EVERY shot. While the front has a nice lake view coming down a tough number nine hole, the back nine works its way around another lake, (hence the Lakes name I am guessing) for four holes. Hooks and pulls on these holes are watery death, but the remaining holes open up a little bit, without getting too easy. The finish is on a great par 5 that takes you past the mare barns and a nice view of the original plantation house. The rough is typical southern bermuda, not very "wet" but balls nestle down in a tangle that will penalize you for missing the fairway. One of the toughest aspects of this course is compensating for wind, especially around the lake holes, it can be brutal. Overall a very good course, even with the large number of homes lining the fairways. (You almost expect it on any development course these days, and at Fairview its not overly obnoxious.) A nice course to play, well manicured but I still think the course's greatest asset HAS to be its people working there, they are just wonderful. Now, a course that exceeds even the staff at Fairvue is their newly opened sister course, Foxland. I'll post my review of that GEM next time.