The Golf Club at Cypress Creek |
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The Golf Club at Cypress Creek was built within and around a beautiful 640-acre nature preserve with a minimal amount of earthmoving. “We just tried to fit the holes into the ground instead of on top of it,” said Refram when the course opened. Improvements to the golf course include all new TifDwarf Bermuda greens. During renovations several greens were enlarged, four greens were rebuilt (#4, 6, 13 and 18) and slopes were altered on many of the putting surfaces. Tee boxes were rebuilt using Celebration Bermuda. The goal was to restore the course’s original design integrity. All fairway and greenside bunkers received new sand. Waste bunkers were added on #2 and #8. The irrigation system was updated and cart paths were repaired. The clubhouse features new landscaping and new interior and exterior paint. Along with course renovations comes a renewed commitment from the Cypress Creek staff to ensure that golfers have a great experience that brings them back again and again. The professional staff promises to get your foursome on (and off) the course on schedule. 
Cypress Creek is one of those golf courses that you never get tired of playing. It has all the elements that make a championship layout both challenging and fun to play. Variety is the key. There are windswept linksstyle holes that call for low, running shots as well as tight, tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy. There are several postage-stamp sized greens and a few that are large and undulating. Golfers choose from five sets of tees. Be sure to check the course ratings and slopes on the scorecard. The Black tees are rated 74.5 with an outrageous slope of 149. Water comes into play on 14 holes; however, forced carries are infrequent unless you are playing from the championship tees. The par-3s are particularly challenging at Cypress Creek. The uphill sixth is the shortest at 130 yards from the Blue tees and features a small, contoured green with water right. The 17th is the longest at 219 yards. Its green is elevated and well bunkered, and there are precious few trees to protect tee shots from the wind. Cypress Creek’s par-5s offer all the variety a golfer could ask for in one course. The 475-yard seventh is a mirror image of the 18th at Pebble Beach. This dogleg right features water on the right for the entire length of the hole. Trees line the left side of the fairway along with a bunker that pinches in the tee shot landing area. Bite off as much of the dogleg as you dare off the tee. A bold tee shot gives the accomplished player an opportunity to reach the green in two. 
Number 14 is a relatively short five par at 465 yards from the Blue tees. However, there are several design elements that come into play. The downhill tee shot is out of a shute of trees. The tree-lined fairway narrows dramatically in the landing area as the hole doglegs slightly left. The huge green is dramatically elevated and guarded by bunkers on three sides. The par-4s offer plenty of variety as well. From the Blue tees they range in length from 315 to 420 yards. The 330-yard third hole is a gem. Two fairways divided by a series of deep cross bunkers call for a decision on the tee box. The fairway on the left is closer and easier to hit, but the fairway on the right offers a much better angle on the approach to the green. The choice is all yours.
The 420-yard 15th is Cypress Creek’s Signature Hole. From an elevated
tee, this devilish par-4 doglegs left around water from tee to green. A
series of fairway bunkers defines the landing area off the tee. The
large green looks small from the fairway as The latest addition to the Golf Club at Cypress Creek is Murphy’s Golf Academy. LPGA Professional Brianne Murphy heads a teaching staff devoted to improving your golf game. The new teaching facility borders Cypress Creek’s beautiful natural turf driving range. The academy offers private instruction, 1-, 2- & 3-day golf schools, junior and adult clinics, personal training, golf fitness training and video swing analysis. For more information, call Brianne Murphy at (813) 527-1770. 
The clubhouse features a fully-stocked pro shop, a full-service bar and lounge, and a restaurant that will surprise and delight you with its delicious offerings from prime rib to French and Italian dishes. The restaurant is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday 4:30 to 8 p.m. The Cypress Creek professional staff welcomes tournaments and outings for groups from 16 to 144 players. Schedule your event any day of the week, morning or afternoon. Weddings, banquets and business meetings are also welcome. Catering services are available. The Golf Club at Cypress Creek is a public facility where seasonal rates are always affordable. You are cordially invited to come play the Golf Club at Cypress Creek, one of Tampa Bay’s favorite places to play.
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The Golf Club at Cypress Creek, located in Ruskin just west of Sun City Center, underwent extensive renovations during the summer and early fall of 2007. It is now in fantastic condition. The course, which originally opened for play in January 1989, was a creative collaboration between the late Dean Refram, a former PGA Tour player, and renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers.
