Legacy Ridge Country Club

What a hidden gem we just found – Legacy Ridge Country Club is just north of Bonham and is an outstanding golf course at an excellent price. Avid Golfer rated Legacy Ridge "#3 in "Best Outlying Courses" and "Best New Course for 2004" and the Dallas Morning News rated it in the "Top Ten New Courses."

Unfortunately when we visited Legacy Ridge in March 2008, the front nine which is carved through 35 acres of wetland canals filled with wildlife was under water due to recent heavy rain and 8 inches of SNOW! However, from looking at the yardage guide, chatting with some fellow golfers, and from what we could see of this nine, it appears to be a fun and challenging links style course with water on all nine holes, some dogs, narrow approaches, lots of risk reward shots, and some mounds, bunkers, and natural grass areas to contend with. We can't wait to play this nine.

The back nine winds through a century old natural Pecan orchard and it's a very good and enjoyable 9 holes. The back nine is more traditional – the fairways (Bermuda) are forgiving and seem to be wide enough unless you really spray the ball. Some of the approach shots are difficult because of bunkers, water, table top greens, and smaller than normal oblong greens. Rock waterfalls, hardwood trees, and bent grass greens add beauty and character to this nine.

We played just after a lot of rain and snow and when Legacy Ridge was undergoing some major renovations to the bunkers and fairways to make improvements to the aesthetics and playability of the course. Regardless of all that, we found that the condition of the fairways and greens were still well above average and in the summer the course would be lush, green, and very scenic. The greens were mostly flat to gently sloping with no undulation. They were in fantastic condition and seemed easy to read and very true. The pictures were taken in March, after rain and snow, and when everything is dormant. As such they don't showcase the course – it would be beautiful and lush in the summer.

Legacy Ridge has an excellent club house with a nice bar area, a good pro shop, and two great outdoor patio areas with views of the course and surrounding countryside. They serve a variety of lunch items and excellent dinner on the weekends and occasionally you'll find live music on the patio on the weekends. Better yet, Legacy Ridge is seldom crowed and the pace of play is fantastic. Bottom line, we can't wait to come back and try the front nine and play the back nine again. It's worth the trip to go out of your way to play this course.