For those of you who have been influenced by this recent
blast of Midwest winter and are thinking about warmer climates and new places
to play golf, I have a suggestion. I just recently returned from a short
business trip to the PGA Show in Orlando. After a couple days at the show, a
friend and I drove to Brooksville, Florida to play a course Mr. Dye completed
in 2006, Southern Hills Plantation Club.
As a private club it is not that well known to the public,
however it is well enough known to have hosted the second stage of the PGA tour
qualifier last fall. It is a great golf facility, challenging, but not
punishing. A straight forward layout
that requires just about every club in your bag. It has an extensive practice
area that includes a walking only, short game course off the back of the range.
You can spend a whole afternoon there just working on your wedge game and putting. Finally, there is a
clubhouse worthy of the name Southern Hills Plantation. Left click the following picture to see the first hole and the clubhouse.
Brooksville is located in Hernando County bordered on the
west by the Gulf of Mexico. While modernized in many ways, it still retains
much of the charm of what is referred to as Old Florida. The town was
incorporated in 1880 and many of the original historic buildings still stand.
The rolling topography and sand based soil of this area has lent itself to some
of the most beautiful golf courses in Florida. The best of which might be Southern Hills.
From the back tees, the course measures 7557 and at the time of its opening it
was the second longest golf course in Florida. Of course like all of Mr. Dye's
golf courses, you don't need to go all the way back to have a great golf
experience. My friend and I played from the Blue Tees, plenty of golf at 6995
yards and I will say without reservation, it was a great golf experience. The following video describes it better than I ever could.
Now for the best part! The club is currently offering member for
the day opportunities. Arrangements can be made through me by contacting the
Pete Dye Golf Trail Office at 574-933-1610 or you can call the Pro Shop at
Southern Hills and let them know you are a friend of the Pete Dye Golf Trail. In
addition, home and real estate tours are available by contacting the Pro Shop
as well. The number there is 352-277-5000.
Either way, I hope you will take advantage of this generous offer and after you
play let me know what you think. I think you will agree that this one is a gem.
