Course Review – Stonebriar Fazio

In the past, our monthly AVIDGOLFER Magazine course feature has typically been reserved for municipal and daily fee courses. But, on occasion, we will branch out and visit a course that might be semi-private or a resort property. Take Old American and The Tribute in The Colony or the Fields Ranch courses at the Omni PGA development in Frisco. For our August luxury issue, we wanted to highlight another Frisco club that does offer course access with a hotel stay. 

Stonebriar is one of Invited’s premiere Frisco properties with a pair of courses, the Country Club and the Fazio course. Stonebriar also offers every other club amenity members might want, from racquet sports and fitness center to dining and pool with splash pad. However, if you aren’t a member, you can still access the Fazio with a stay at The Westin Stonebriar just a stone’s throw from the first tee. 

For starters, The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa is near the epicenter of Frisco’s bustling entertainment district, sitting just two miles from The Ford Center, The Star, and Riders Field. The Westin is also just minutes from Grandscape in The Colony, home of Cosm, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, PopStroke and Fritz’s Adventure. So, while you’re enjoying your staycation or vacation at The Westin, you are never more than couple minutes from all the entertainment and dining you could ever want. 

Of course, if you are looking for something a little more relaxing, you can always stay at The Westin and enjoy the pool, spa or even their Topgolf Swing Suite. They even accommodate your furry friends if you need to bring along your pooch to join in the fun. After all, dogs are family, too. 

If you know the name Tom Fazio, then you might be aware of some of his other Texas designs, including the acclaimed Dallas National Golf Club, as well as Barton Creek Canyons and Barton Creek Foothills. The name Fazio is known worldwide for stellar design elements and visually intimidating course features that often evoke a sense of difficulty, while usually playing more forgiving than they appear. The Stonebriar Fazio is no different, offering plenty of beauty and visual stimulation, but when proper tees are selected, can yield some great golf and scoring opportunities. 

The opening hole at the Fazio eases players into the round with a straightaway downhill par 4 playing just 366 from the tips. There is O.B. on the right, so favor the left side of the fairway and allow the pitch of the terrain to feed the tee shot to the middle of the short grass. Driver isn’t necessary, but if you are confident with the big stick, you can end up with a short approach and an opening opportunity at birdie. 

After a simple opening hole, Fazio takes players to the limit with a long par 4 with a creek that runs the length of the hole and then snakes across short of the green. Although the 408-yard number on the scorecard doesn’t seem that long, the tee shot plays slightly uphill and into a predominant south wind, making the hole play longer than it reads on the card. Those who play a cut can watch as balls balloon into the breeze and fall right into the waiting creek. A good tee shot helps, but the hole is far from conquered, as a massive bunker to the left of the putting surface and water short make the approach equally tough. Par is a great score on the second hole at the Fazio. 

After the first par 5 of this par-72 layout, come back-to-back par 4s that play relatively straightforward. This part of the course is gettable and includes the short par-3 sixth, which will be nothing more than a wedge or short iron for most players. At just 136 yards from the tips, this hole is great for those who possess consistent distance control. There are a pair of bunkers that guard both the front and back of the green, but a solid shot can lead to a circle on the card or a simple par. 

The final par 5 of the outward nine is straight away but narrows in the primary landing zone off the tee. The fairway cambers slightly from right to left, making a tee ball up the right-side trundle back toward the middle, adding a little run-out. This allows for longer players to consider a run at the green in two, but be aware the green is well guarded in front by a trio of bunkers. Should you reach the green in two, the job isn’t finished, as the green on No. 7 is large and undulating, making for some tough two-putts. 

The final two holes on the opening nine are a lengthy par 3 that tips at 210, followed by a slight dogleg right par 4. The ninth requires a tee shot that covers the fairway bunker on the right to leave an optimal shot into the green, which is whimsical and difficult to read. The opening nine at the Fazio features some twists and turns, but with some quality shots, can be fruitful and offer some looks at birdies. 

You don’t see a lot of course routings that open the back nine with a par 3. The Fazio at Stonebriar is one of them. At 190 yards, this is no cupcake, as most will require a long iron to find the green. There is a large deep bunker short and right, which was strategically placed by Fazio to collect balls that come up short and right, and with the wind usually blowing off the left, that sand trap is a popular spot. Be sure to gauge the wind properly and choose enough club to find the center of the green. And when the hole is cut on the right, don’t fall for the sucker pin. 

Before you hit the No. 11 tee, be sure to pop in the comfort station to fuel up with some adult beverages, cold waters, hydration drinks or even a fantastic jalapeño-cheddar sausage or hot dog. There are also plenty of other snacks and drinks to get you ready for the final eight holes. 

No. 11 is the first real look at the significant water feature on the Fazio. The lake on the right of 11 also runs down the right of No. 14. The landing area narrows off the tee the longer the tee shot carries, so players can be as bold as they choose. However, this tee shot will usually play into a south wind, so balls tend to not carry as far, which could mean a watery demise or sandy second shot should the line be too aggressive. There is a tiny pot bunker that guards the green short and right, so be mindful to take enough club on approach to find the center of the putting surface. 

The first of the two par 5s on the final nine is almost a carbon copy of No. 7, except a little tighter off the tee. As with No. 7, native area on the left makes missing on that side a no-no, as the fairway slopes toward the hazard. Bold players can challenge the narrow landing zone, offering a chance to get to the green in two, but laying back, hitting an iron second and a wedge third might be a more sensible play should your round be going well. 

After another par 4, No. 14 parallels No. 11 and features the aforementioned lake that splits the two holes. As with 11, a miss right is wet, but with a narrow fairway, there isn’t much room to bail out left. It is one of the most challenging holes off the tee on the Fazio. Full commitment to the shot is required, but should you find the fairway, things are much easier. That’s not to say the mission is complete, as the water runs all the way from tee to green side, so be sure to favor the left side of the green on the approach. 

The final three holes on the Fazio are classic risk-reward. No. 16 is a short par 4 that is drivable for the longer hitters and shouldn’t be anything more than a flip wedge even for the non-bombers (when playing correct tees). Although short, the green is guarded by a bunker, and the two-tiered green makes this anything but a gimme birdie, even if you get one close to, or on, the green off the tee. 

No. 17 is another choos-your-own-adventure design. There is a distinct bunker in the middle of this split fairway. Choose the left, and driver may be too much, as balls will kick left and chase out into water at the end of the fairway. Choose the right side, and driver is an option, but the fairway narrows to a sliver. The green on No. 17 is severely undulated, especially with holes cut on the back right. The day our group played, the hole was cut in one of the most comical positions I have ever seen, making two-putts almost impossible. I’m not sure who angered the superintendent that morning, but it was borderline unplayable, even if you didn’t go flag hunting and end up above the hole. 

The final challenge at Stonebriar Fazio is a par 5 that can yield a birdie with good golf shots. The fairway is generous, so driver is the play off the tee. Get to the corner of the dogleg, and going for the green in two is possible. Should you attempt to get home in a pair, be aware short and right is a good miss and leaves the best opportunity to get up-and-down for a final birdie on the card. It’s a great finishing hole that offers players the chance to walk away smiling. 

Overall, Stonebriar offers one of the most user-friendly Fazio designs I have played. It’s fun but fair, with just enough challenge to keep you on your toes. Those hitting it well can score, but there is plenty of trouble to penalize those who may not be as sharp or higher-handicap players. As with most courses, choosing appropriate tees will make rounds smoother, so be sure to tee it as far forward as you can to really enjoy this layout. Conditions are superb, with well-manicured greens, bunkers and fairways. Native areas can be tough to navigate should you stray too far off the short grass, but good drivers of the golf ball can flourish on this track. The final three holes are great for those who might like to have a little heat on the line with fellow players, as each offers a legitimate birdie chance with the opportunity for some cash to change hands. 

Sure, Stonebriar is technically private, but checking in at the Westin not only offers access to the Fazio, but also some other great amenities and plenty of great entertainment options nearby if you are looking for a fun weekend staycation.