When I played Annbriar about a year ago with my uncle John, the first question he asked is why is such a beautiful course located way out here? (It is actually only 10 or 12 minutes from the JB Bridge) The answer is found on the Annbriar website, which tells the story of this course being built by the parents of Ann Nobbe, who met an untimely death in an auto crash in January of 1990. Ann always felt that her parent’s farm would make a beautiful site for a golf course, so her parents built Annbriar in her memory. Her parents created a fitting tribute when they hired golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan to design and build the magnificent Annbriar Golf Course.
I played again over the 4th of July weekend, and the course was in terrific condition. The lush zoysia fairways provide an ample landing area for most tee balls, while the approach shots often narrow enough to provide a challenging shot to the large greens. Hitting the greens in regulation is every golfer’s goal, but on this course the spacious undulating greens may leave you with a difficult 2 putt if you don’t place your approach shot well. The speed of the greens is moderately fast, and they roll very true making the playing experience very gratifying. Golf is never fun if you can’t sink a putt. Even though the weather has been hot and dry for the past three weeks, the extensive watering system and the careful spot watering of the greens has Annbriar in peak condition, even in the midst of summer’s wrath.
The front nine is a links-style course which rolls beautifully from tee to green, following the curvature of the land, the mounds, and the strategically placed bunkers. Playing the correct set of tees is always important (five choices here), but never more evident than on hole 5, the first par 5. As you look down the fairway from your tee, you see water, sand, and trees, which can be intimidating even though 496 yards is not long for a par 5. You can cut off as much of the slight dogleg right as your length allows, and a good tee ball leaves you with a chance to get home in two. This hole is a lot of fun to play because of all of the visual challenges from the tee. Holes 8 and 9 are especially scenic, flowing from elevated tees to gently rolling slopes, and narrowing your focus to challenging approach shots. Number 8 is down hill to a second shot that requires an accurate approach, or you find yourself in a bunker left or swale right. The green is tucked back in the trees which makes the hole setting very pleasant. Number 9 is a short par 5 with no view of the green from the tee. The fairway is bunkered both left and right, but a long hitter can blow past those and reach the green with a mid to long iron approach left to a very deep green. Once again the hole is beautifully crafted, with a premium paid to those who place their shots well.
The back nine finds you mostly in wooded land, carved beautifully from tee to green, and demanding more exacting approach shots to avoid the trees, creeks, and drop offs that can penalize you. Hole 11 is one of the most scenic par fours in all of St. Louis golfing area. The view from the tee is mesmerizing as you plan where to place your tee ball, deciding whether to hit an iron or utility or driver. Reaching the green in two can be easy if you place your tee ball well, but it can become a 3-shot hole if you leave it short or drift to the right behind the stately trees. Hole 14 is my favorite par 5, rolling gently downhill and dogging left, making a well placed tee ball a necessity to go for the well-guarded green in two. Once again the design of the hole brings visual pleasure by itself, but playing the hole for a birdie or par is even more satisfying.
The overall facilities include a well stocked golf shop, a restaurant with great food and drink, a meeting room for small conferences, and a friendly courteous staff that makes you glad you came. Five sets of tees can provide a course yardage that is fair for everyone. I like to play from the back, about 6800, but my dad prefers the blue tees, just over 6500. At www.annbriar.com you can find much more information including course photos, maps and hole descriptions. I recommend Annbriar Golf Course for a terrific golf experience.
