Sunbrook – Woodbridge Golf Club Review
Designer: Ted Robinson/John Harbottle (1990)
2366 W. Sunbrook Drive St. George, UT 84770
https://www.sgcity.org/sportsandrecreation/golf/sunbrookgolfclub
435-627-4400
Accolades
#6 – Golfweek Magazine’s Best Courses for Utah (2005 + 2006)
Utah Golf Guy Grade
| OVERALL | 8.75 |
| BEAUTY | 9 |
| VALUE | 9 |
| PRACTICE FACILITIES | 9 |
| CLUBHOUSE | 7 |
| PACE OF PLAY | 8 |
| CONDITIONS | 8 |
| FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF | 10 |
| FUN | 10 |
| NOT INCLUDED IN OVERALL: DIFFICULTY | 7 |
| Woodbridge/The Pointe | |||||
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3491 | 3397 | 6888 | 73.9 | 133 |
| GOLD | 2393 | 3179 | 5572 | 71.9 | 130 |
| SILVER | 3106 | 2986 | 6092 | 70.4 | 124 |
| BRONZE | 2681 | 2650 | 5331 | 65.9 | 116 |
| Blackrock/The Pointe | |||||
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3384 | 3397 | 6781 | 73.1 | 137 |
| GOLD | 3155 | 3179 | 6334 | 70.8 | 130 |
| SILVER | 2928 | 2986 | 5914 | 69.3 | 122 |
| BRONZE | 2481 | 2650 | 5131 | 65.1 | 114 |
| Blackrock/Woodbridge | |||||
| TEES | OUT | IN | TOTAL | RATING | SLOPE |
| BLACK | 3384 | 3491 | 6875 | 73.8 | 141 |
| GOLD | 3155 | 3293 | 6448 | 71.7 | 137 |
| SILVER | 2928 | 3106 | 6034 | 70.3 | 127 |
| BRONZE | 2481 | 2681 | 5162 | 65.2 | 114 |
Course Summary
Sunbrook Golf Club is the only course in southwest Utah to feature 27 championship holes. Golf Digest twice rated this track the best golf course in all of Utah. This course has it all, including variety, scenery, difficulty and quality. Fairway Magazine describes the course as follows:
“The crown jewel of St. George City owned golf courses is the Sunbrook Golf Course. Sunbrook features three distinct nines. The Pointe nine meanders through the foothills of the west side of St. George, offering tremendous views of the surrounding landscape. The Pointe has plenty of water hazards and some great risk/reward holes.The Wood Bridge nine features two of the most recognizable golf holes in southern Utah. The 4th hole is a par 3 with an elevated tee shot to an island green. The island green is generous in size but it is still no consolation to golfers wishing to avoid dumping that new Titleist into the water. And if an island green isn’t enough, the par-4 5th hole has more in store for you. From the tee the famous wood bridge is visible just beyond the landing area. The hole requires a well-placed tee shot between water hazards and sagebrush, all from an elevated tee. Once you find the landing area, you will face a long approach shot into a well-guarded green. The newest addition to Sunbrook is the Black Rock nine. With three holes carved from lava fields, Black Rock puts a premium on accuracy. Black Rock has improved the overall playing experience at Sunbrook resulting in an unmatchable variety of championship golf holes.”
Every nine is distinctly different and enjoyable. It is not too often that you see this type of variety and quality all in one course.
SPECIFICS
The staff was fantastic, including on the phone, in the clubhouse and out on the course. The clubhouse is quite stunning on the outside but small and underwhelming on the inside.
The practice facilities were good, offering an extremely large and well manicured putting green outside the clubhouse. The driving range is in much better shape than it was in the winter and provides a good space to hit and practice all types of shots.
The pace of play was decent. During the morning, we were able to fly through the first 7 holes. After that, we averaged about 2 minutes waiting on every tee box.
Greens – The greens were in fantastic shape. Received the balls well and were quick but not on the ridiculous side. Played smooth and rolled true according to my reads. Well-manicured and aesthetically pleasing.
Fairways – I was able to play this course two times this year. I was able to play Woodbridge in January, and the fairways were near perfect. Playing The Pointe and Blackrock in August, the fairways had some serious dead spots throughout the course. In 110 degree heat, this is expected but it still affected a few of my shots.
Sand Bunkers – I had heard about the “red” sand bunkers of southern Utah but was even more impressed seeing them in person. I only hit into two of them during my 27 hole round (but I did some practice swings in a few others to get a good review). The bunkers played great. Firm enough to hold the ball and soft enough to get a good slap out of the trap.
Overall – Overall, this course was in pretty good shape. In January, conditions were near perfect, allowing me to give them a conditions score of 10. In August a 6, due to the large dead spots on the tee boxes, fairways and rough. Averaging out my conditions score, the course received an 8.
BEST HOLES
Signature Hole - Woodbridge #4 Par 3 200 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
One of the most visually engaging Par 3’s in Utah! An island green surrounded by water from all angles with an elevated tee shot to boot. Beyond the water are beautiful houses that surround the green. Must land your ball on the green or just a touch long to stay in play. The fringe and surrounding rough all slope down towards the water so you need to be accurate and long on the tee shot.
Once putting, the green has a slight right to left slope but is generally flat. Take pictures. Land on the green. Get out of here with a par.
Clubhouse Pick: Woodbridge #4/#5
Most Beautiful - The Pointe #6 Par 4 470 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
An absolutely stunning tee shot that offers panoramic views of St George. Tee boxes sit high above the fairway making the hole play 30 or 40 yards shorter if you can get a rollout on the fairway. No room on the left of the fairway, much more forgiving on the right side. A beautiful, peaceful pond runs all along the right side of the green. A greenside bunker is wedged between the pond and green. Recommended to play right side of the fairway for the best angle. Green slopes towards the water but is relatively flat. If you can put your drive in the fairway you will have a decent birdie change.
Clubhouse Pick: Pointe #5
Birdie Time - Blackrock #5 Par 4 281 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Birdie
The shortest par 4 on the course forces you to make a decision off the tee. Tee box is elevated which makes this hole play even shorter than the yardage shows. Three fairway bunkers, 2 on the left and 1 on the right, pinch the narrow fairway about 70 yards from the hole. Four total bunkers protect the green, 2 on each side giving a narrow opening to the green. Due to the short yardage, you can fly your drive to the green if worried about the seven bunkers. Missing to the right risks being caught behind some trees. If you decide to layup, your approach will be slightly uphill. Green slopes uphill and from left to right. The Utah Golf Guy missed a 12 footer for eagle.
Clubhouse Pick: Blackrock #5 or Pointe #7
Likely Bogey - Blackrock #7 Par 4 441 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
The 2nd hole of “lava rock” holes. This shot requires two good shots to stave off bogey. The deep lava rock field lines the entire right side of the fairway. Big hitters will need play 3-wood as the fairway runs out on the right side around 285 yards from the tips. Once on the fairway, your stress will only continue. A forced carry over bushes and lava rocks is necessary to reach the green. Water lines the right side making it necessary to aim left of the flag. There is a small bail out area just left of the green. Green is deep and narrow.
Clubhouse Pick: Woodbridge #5
Best Par 3 - The Pointe #3 208 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
Beautiful hole playing from an elevated tee box. Water on the left, with a bunker sandwiched between the pond and the green. Another bunker on the backside and one more front right but 8 yards away from the green. Simple, stress free hole with beauty all around.
Clubhouse Pick: Woodbridge #4
Best Par 4 - Woodbridge #5 441 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Bogey
An absolutely unforgettable hole played directly after one of the best Par 3’s in the state. This Par 4 has an elevated tee box with a 180 yard forced carry. The play is to layup due to a large lake separating the fairway from the tee. It is recommended to hit your tee shot as far down the fairway as possible without flirting with the water. Ideally, about 250 yards but, due to the elevation, it will probably take a 220 yard club to accomplish this.
The approach shot plays longer than it looks so make sure that you have enough club to get on the green. A small bunker on the front right of the green should not come into play unless you yank your approach shot to the right. The green slopes gently from front to back.
Bonus – To get over the lake you will be able to walk/drive across a beautiful man made wood bridge for which this 9 holes was named after. Get your camera ready.
Clubhouse Pick: Pointe #5
Best Par 5 - The Pointe #7 502 Yards
Utah Golf Guy score - Par
This hole has a little bit of danger in every direction. Houses line the entire right side of the fairway. Water lines the entire left side, all the way up to the green. A decision needs to be made off the tee about how to handle that same water that runs across the fairway. From the tips, this decision is an easy one for me. Instead of trying to carry my drive 280 yards, I aim short and to the left of the water onto the first tier fairway. This requires my 250 yards club. Hitting from the forward tees will force you to decide if you can make it over the water off the tee. Unfortunately, laying up to the left makes it impossible to go for the green in two due to the water jutting into the fairway on the front left of the green. A fairway bunker lines both sides, 70 yards from the green.
The green slopes uphill and is two tiered, high side on the back and low side on the front. Fun hole that will require some strategy. Recommended to keep the ball in play off the tee (just don’t go into the water) and then land your second shot on the right side of the angle for a simple pitch shot into the green.
Clubhouse Pick: Woodbridge #1