Viera East Golf Club

Located just minutes from the pristine shores of Cocoa Beach, you'll find the golf course community of Viera East, a master-planned community that was developed by the Duda family. A little bit of digging about the Duda family revealed that they were a devoutly religious family. In fact, Viera, translated from their native Slovakian language, literally means "faith."

The Viera East community is made up 719 homes located within of 12 named communities. Within this populous community is The Viera East Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by world renowned architect, Joe Lee. It plays 6,669 yards from the Gold Tees with a course rating of 72.2 and a slope of 132. The White Tees (6,231/70.3/128) will give most guys all they can handle and still let you leave with a bit of dignity. For the ladies, the course plays 4,179 yards with a 64.6 course rating and a slope of 109. In fact, women have made this one of their most preferred courses in the area. All in all, six sets of tees offer a yardage suitable for any player's ability.

One thing you can't overlook when playing a Joe Lee-designed course is the bunkering. I think the man lives by one of two mottoes: "Control your ball or pay the price," or "Better have a good sand game." Maybe even a little of both. Not only are Lee's bunkers strategically located, there's lots of them! Making your way around the course without finding one of them deserves some sort of award.

Viera East is also one of the prettiest courses you will play. It's lush, rolling fairways are well defined, often by towering pines and cypress trees, which only adds to the beauty. It's not uncommon during your round to see Sandhill cranes, deer, fox, bobcats and majestic American bald eagles. Be careful looking for your ball near the water as alligators are also plentiful here. As you make your way around this stunning course, your eyes will be captivated by the sweeping vistas of the many lakes found on the property. Native marshlands and grasses, majestic palm trees and white sand bunkers add to the aesthetic beauty of Viera East, leaving you with positive memories regardless of what the scorecard says!

What sets Viera East apart is the conditioning of the course. Well defined fairways, well-manicured, short Bermuda rough and brand new TifEagle greens make this a course you'll want to play time and time again. As a member, you'll never get tired of playing this course! They have recently added a fleet of brand new EZGO golf carts outfitted with GPS.

If you want to play well at Viera East, it's important that you don't go out on an empty stomach and Divot's Grille is just the thing. Whether it's a made-to-order breakfast or one of their delicious burgers or wraps, you won't leave hungry. It's also a great place to grab a cold one after your round.

Membership Opportunities
Viera East offers several membership plans and they are confident they have one that will meet any golfers' needs. Their Associate Membership has an annual fee of just $79, which includes one complimentary round of golf as well as a 20% discount on future greens fees throughout the year. Their Platinum Membership gives you golf course access 7 days a week and their Gold Plan lets you play anytime Monday thru Friday. There's also 4 and 6-month membership plans available for snowbirds. For more information on Viera Easts membership opportunities, call Tim Melloh at (321) 639-6500 or click here.

Memorable Holes
Favorite Hole: Number 6, Par 4, 399 yards (Blue Tees). The number 1 handicapped hole on the course and with good reason. Accuracy is necessary on both your tee shot and your approach shot. Your tee shot needs to avoid the lone fairway bunker on the left side as well as the trees that cut out into the fairway, creating the corner of the dogleg and producing a very small landing area. Your approach shot is to a small, narrow green with forest on the right side and a bunker that protects much of the green's left side. Putts roll extremely true and fast on this multi-tied putting surface, so give it your best shot.

Favorite Par 3: Number 4, 157 yards (Blue Tees). There is no water on this medium length par 3, but there is a lot of sand, so much so that trying to run it onto the green through the narrow opening presents a significant risk. The green is longer than it is wide, so the difference can be two or three clubs depending on pin placement and wind condition.

Favorite Par 4: Number 10, 394 yards (Blue Tees). If I were naming holes, this one would be called "Risk/Reward." Accuracy off the tee is at a premium. Water on the left side creeps in closer than you think. You need to decide how much of the dogleg you can cut off and then not hook it or you'll most likely find the trees. Your approach shot is all carry as there is a large bunker in front and a larger bunker right.

Favorite Par 5: Number 14, 509 yards. (Blue Tees). For 99% of amateur golfers, this is a three-shot par 5. Although trees along the fairway are few and far between, they can hinder your progress significantly should you find yourself behind them. The strategically placed fairway bunker on the left sees its fair share of action to, as does the right-side fairway bunker closer to the green. Hit two good shots down the fairway and your poised for a good finish - provided you can find the island green on your approach shot. You'll be faced with a shot about the same distance as the famed Island Hole up I-95; only you can't use a tee! A left pin placement makes this hole that much more interesting as the water abuts the green. Best of luck!

Last Word: Viera East is a friendly, welcoming course that can be played by golfers of all abilities. Although there are several water hazards at Viera East, beginners will be comforted by the fact that the fairways are wide and have ample bailout room. The breezes that are constantly blowing off the coast add to the challenge of even the most seasoned golfer.

Viera East has a stellar practice facility, with a driving range big enough to accommodate the largest event. There's also a large practice green that rolls the same as the greens you will soon encounter. The pro shop is well stocked and offers the latest in golf fashions for men and women as well as everything else you would expect to find. The pros here are also an authorized fitting center for Titleist, TaylorMade, and Ping and can fit clubs precisely to your body type and swing parameters, providing results which will elevate both your game and your enjoyment of the sport. Viera East has great rates for a course of this caliber and should be experienced by all golfers in Florida at least once! For more information or to book a tee time, visit www.vieragolf.com