central west Central West Golfers in Central West Florida are spoiled for choice with an abundance of nationally, even globally, recognized courses. Outside of the Tampa Bay area, courses–public included–are of the highest caliber, all with their own unique attributes. Dunnellon Crystal River Inverness Brooksville Dade City 75 Tarpon Springs Clearwater Tampa 275 4 75 St. Pete Beach St. Petersburg Top-Ranked Courses Black Diamond, Quarry Course Lecanto TPC Tampa Bay Lutz A former limestone quarry is now a legendary golf course. Visually stunning and a strategic star, the Quarry earns all the praise sent its way. Designer Tom Fazio has called this 1987 work one of the milestones of his career. Jagged cliffs with drops up to 80 feet are the major attention-getters, but the entire course is a treasure to golfers with the gift of recall, thanks to topography that rises and dips throughout. The quarry emerges on Nos. 13-17, a stretch that the game’s most esteemed writer, Dan Jenkins, has described as “the best fi ve consecutive holes of golf anywhere in the world.” Black Diamond is a private club but “stay-and-play” options are available upon PAR: 72, YARDS: 7,025 request. For years this cypress-lined beauty was a regular stop for big-name seniors on the PGA TOUR. Bobby Weed and Player Consultant Chi Chi Rodriguez designed this course with tournament golf in mind; it requires a golfer’s best. Water hazards lurk for those wild off the tee, and mounds and bunkers present themselves regularly on approaches. Then short game becomes key as tiers, slopes and ridges complicate many a roll to the hole. The round closes with drama on No. 18, with water hugging the right side while bunkers and rough on the left also pose a threat. The wetlands are a big part of the beauty of this course, along with abundant wildlife. PAR: 71, YARDS: 6,898 34 | OFFICIAL FLORIDA GOLF GUIDE
Visit Florida Golf Visit Florida Golf Guide 2017: Page 31
