Bluewater Bay Golf Club

Bluewater Bay Golf Club Niceville: Where Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate Built 27 Holes Nobody Talks About Enough

Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate designed Bluewater Bay Golf Club in 1981, which puts it on the same pedigree shelf as courses that get considerably more attention. Fazio went on to design Whistling Straits, Shadow Creek, and Augusta National’s practice facility. Pate was a US Open champion before he moved into course design. The 27 holes they built along the Choctawhatchee Bay in Niceville represent an early collaboration between two architects who each developed significant independent reputations — and the course reflects it.

The property sits along the bay shoreline about 15 minutes from Destin, inside the Bluewater Bay residential community. The three nine-hole layouts — Bay, Marsh, and Lake — combine into three distinct 18-hole configurations. Bay and Marsh are the original Tom Fazio nines; the Lake nine was added later. Each plays through varied terrain: bay shoreline exposure, wetland marshes, southern woodland corridors, and elevation changes that are genuine for Northwest Florida. You will at times play along the water, through the woods, and across the wetlands within the same round.

The club came under new management in March 2022 under Preserve Bluewater Bay (PBB) LLC, a community-backed operation dedicated to maintaining the green space as a permanent amenity for the Bluewater Bay neighborhood. The flat rate of $50 for 18 holes with cart — plus special pricing for 9 holes, snowbirds, military (active and veterans), and juniors — makes this one of the most accessible Tom Fazio experiences on the Gulf Coast.

The resort property also includes a 120-slip marina, tennis complex, two pools, and hiking and biking trails, making it a full day’s destination beyond the round itself.

Guide to Emerald Coast Golf

Bluewater Bay Golf Club — Course Info

Membership at Bluewater Bay Golf Club

Bluewater Bay offers membership options through the Preserve Bluewater Bay community structure. Contact the club at (850) 897-3241 or bwbresorts.com for current membership tiers and pricing. The property is community-managed with a focus on preserving access for Bluewater Bay residents and the public alike.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bluewater Bay Golf Club

Is Bluewater Bay Golf Club open to the public? Yes. Bluewater Bay Golf Club is open to the public year-round. The $50 flat rate for 18 holes with cart applies to public players. Reduced rates are available for 9-hole rounds, snowbirds, military (active and veterans), and juniors.

Who designed Bluewater Bay Golf Club? Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate designed the original Bay and Marsh nines, which opened in 1981. Fazio is one of the most respected golf course architects in the United States. Jerry Pate was a US Open champion who transitioned into course design.

How many holes does Bluewater Bay Golf Club have? The facility has 27 holes across three nine-hole layouts: the Bay Course, the Marsh Course, and the Lake Course. These combine into three different 18-hole configurations, giving repeat visitors variety.

What other amenities does Bluewater Bay Golf Club offer? Beyond golf, the Bluewater Bay resort property includes a 120-slip full-service marina, a tennis complex, two swimming pools, biking and hiking trails, and casual dining.