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Ocala, Florida (Return to Previous Page)
It's fair to say that when most people think about Ocala, Florida, the first thing that probably comes to mind is "horses" not "golf." This is not a surprise, because for several years now (even though our friends up north in Lexington, Kentucky, would no doubt dispute it) Ocala has been recognized as the "Horse Capital of the World." And for good reason. In 1997 the county in which Ocala is located, Marion (named for the Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, better known as the "Swamp Fox"), had more horses and ponies within its borders than any other county in America. Further proof of its supremacy as a horse haven comes from the fact that three quarters of Florida's 600 thoroughbred breeding and training facilities are in the Ocala area. In 1999, therefore, no less an authority than the U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed that Ocala was the "Horse Capital of the World."
Well that's just (yawn) really interesting, isn't it? However, if it suggests to you in any way that the Ocala area is completely and totally about happy, healthy horses and nothing about great golf, it's simply not true. In fact, cowboys and cowgirls, it's horse pucky. For sure, this part of central Florida is well-known for its numerous and oh-so-beautiful equestrian enterprises - anybody traveling through the area on I-75 will pass a passel of them. Just don't be fooled by that scenery; golf is a big part of the gorgeous landscape, too. And you don't have to ride around in circles to find it.
Originally built in the mid-1960s, the appropriately named Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club was designed by amateur architects Charles Pace and Lee Popple. Long a popular playground for members and visiting golfers, Golden Hills was beginning to look its age as it neared 40. So, in 2003, a facelift was ordered and a famous doctor was called on to do the work: Rees Jones. Son of the even more famous course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees is a prolific and highly respected designer in his own right. Due to the USGA frequently calling on him to prepare the sites of our National Championship, he's also become known as the "Open Doctor." The good news is that the operation was a success; the patient looks great. The bad news is that Golden Hills is heftier not slimmer. Already pretty sturdy at 6,851 yards from the back tees, the Good Doctor added 450 yards to this lovely tree-lined layout and it now measures over 7,300 yards from the tips. (That's just over 33 furlongs, in case you're wondering.) The new Golden Hills layout sort of lulls you into thinking the course is playable through the first six holes, but from the seventh thru eighteenth, you better pay attention to shot selection and execute precisely, especially on approach shots, if you want any chance to escape with par!
Another Ocala favorite is Royal Oaks Golf Club. The first solo effort by architect Terry LaGree (he earned his stripes working alongside renowned designer Tom Fazio), Royal Oaks is a 6,703-yard tract that features a tight, tree-lined front nine and a much wider links-style back nine. When it opened in 1997, Royal Oaks was named "Florida's Best New Golf Club" by Gainesville/Ocala Business Magazine.
Located southwest of Ocala in the quaint town of Beverly Hills are a couple of very nice championship courses that are not only fun to play, but also easy on the budget. The first is Twisted Oaks Golf Club, a Carl Litton design that opened in 1990. Much like many other courses throughout this region, Twisted Oaks features rolling tree-lined fairways and undulating greens. Conveniently located just a couple minutes away is it's "sister" course, Pine Ridge Country Club. Pine Ridge Country Club is a classic design by Charles Almony Sr. that is routed through towering pines and ancient oaks making accuracy key to scoring well despite its shorter than average length. Both courses offer early bird and afternoon discounted rates in the peak season in addition to attractive pricing throughout the year.
A tad shorter from the back tees but arguably more challenging is the 7,045-yard El Diablo Golf Club in Citrus Springs, also southwest of Ocala. Designed by Jim Fazio (older brother of course architect Tom) and opened in 1998, El Diablo received rave reviews almost from the get-go. Most recently, Golfweek ranked El Diablo the #17 public access course in the state of Florida. Florida Golf Magazine called it "One of the top 20 courses in six regions," golfflorida.com said it was "one of the top ten courses in Florida," Golf Digest named it the "#1 Best New Affordable Public Golf Course," and GD's architectural editor, Ron Whitten, said that "El Diablo is worth a special effort to play." High praise, indeed. Located somewhat off the beaten path, El Diablo is secluded within the hardwood and pine trees of Citrus Springs (there aren't any homes on the course and only a few nearby). And in contrast to the semi-flatness of Central Florida, the layout features dramatic elevation changes and holes that rise and fall and twist and turn. Visually at least, another interesting contrast comes from the pearly white sand of its bunkers and the native tan sand of its waste areas. It's an attractive look, made even more appealing by the numerous flowerbeds and azalea bushes. El Diablo's most appealing feature, however, may be its green fees. As recent as 2005, from May 1 to September 30, golfers could play this exceptional layout for between $30 and $40 - depending on the day of the week and whether it's before or after noon. For a tract of this caliber - often considered to be equal in quality to the world-renowned Pine Barrens course at World Woods Resort, an hour to the south in Brooksville - that's not just a steal, it's grand theft. Hey, even if you have to get to El Diablo by horseback ... get there.
A "must play" in the area is Harbor Hills Golf Club in Lady Lake, about forty minutes southeast of downtown Ocala. Harbor Hills is another lovely Lloyd Clifton design that was built in 1989. This traditional-type layout is situated on quite hilly terrain for Florida and features a spectacular panorama of Lake Griffin - one of the largest lakes in Florida - and it measures 6,925 yards from the back tees (three others are available). The elevation changes here, combined with the newly resurfaced TifDwarf Bermuda greens make Harbor Hills a Central Florida favorite!
As you can no doubt tell, the golf in the Ocala area is both plentiful and diverse. The city itself is quite diverse as well. Additional activities might include a visit to the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, a walk through the city's Historic District (the Queen Anne Revivals along Fort King Street are only wonderful), and a side trip to nearby Silver Springs, where a number of famous motion pictures have been filmed. Excellent restaurant choices include "Arthur's," "Bistro Mediterranean Grill," and "Horses & Hounds" (which, thankfully, has nothing to do with the menu).
So listen. If you're thinking about somewhere different for your next golf trip, be sure to look long and hard at the "Horse Capital of the World": Ocala, Florida.
Just like the six Kentucky Derby champions that have come from this area, the courses around here are winners, too.
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