Northern Florida Golf Draws Interest
If there's one thing that's a constant among recreational golfers, it's their never-ending pursuit of that great golf course and, even better, that great golf destination. Every year, thousands head south in that search, targeting central to south Florida.
A new player is emerging, however, in that destination search. Northern Florida has begun a process of putting its best fairways and greens forward with the hope of someday competing at some level with its in-state neighbors further south.
The crown jewels in that effort are the SouthWood Golf Club just outside Tallahassee and the Camp Creek Golf Club which is about three hours west, not far from Panama City. Sounds like a considerable journey but, as golfers have proven over the years, few distances are too great for the pursuit of good golf.
Tallahassee has long been known primarily as the capital of Florida and home of the Florida State Seminoles. But since the opening of SouthWood in November 2002, that has begun to change. The course, which is the centerpiece of this 3,200-acre, master-planned community, was designed by the Fred Couples/Gene Bates combo and, not surprisingly, the back tees are known as the "Boom Boom" tees.
The course gives the feel of a South Carolina/ Georgia course, thanks in great part to the presence of many moss-covered live oaks. But it also has rolling topography --changes of elevation rare in Florida -- lowlands, secluded woodlands and open fields.
SouthWood, which is the home to the Florida State golf teams -- carries greens fees of between $50-$65, depending on season and weekday/weekend.
The Tallahassee area has long been known as a place where golf was played, but not played by the masses from the north. But officials of the St. Joe Company, a publicly held company based in Jacksonville and one of Florida's largest real estate operating companies that is behind both SouthWood and Camp Creek, are banking on the always-growing golf market in the state.
While SouthWood provides a great taste of the Old South and that unique hospitality, Camp Creek serves up an in-your-face portion of Tom Fazio, who is perhaps the preeminent course designer in the business.
Camp Creek is a typical Fazio course, lots of visually striking bunkers, wider-than-they-appear fairways and putting surfaces that demand your attention. And don't forget the water that can come into play on as many as 11 holes.
This resort course can play as long as 7,159 yards from the back tees and has been described as a player's course, a strong test on an amazing piece of land.
Fazio was given a blank canvas to create Camp Creek, a course that has no housing or commercial development around it. That allows it to have a raw, stark look, somewhat intimidating but definitely challenging.
The course is located just a few miles from WaterColor, one of those quaint coastal communities that are along the coast. People there label the area as "a coastal resort with a southern accent."
Plenty of accommodations are available there, from the WaterColor Inn to home rentals to other hotels in the area.
In addition to Camp Creek, the PGA Tour's Davis Love III plans to build a six-hole course and another nine-hole layout to increase the scope of the complex.
Greens fees at Camp Creek are a little more pricey, $125, but Camp Creek is worth it.
Who knows? One of these days, there might even be a trail of golf courses across Northern Florida, maybe similar to the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama
A new player is emerging, however, in that destination search. Northern Florida has begun a process of putting its best fairways and greens forward with the hope of someday competing at some level with its in-state neighbors further south.
The crown jewels in that effort are the SouthWood Golf Club just outside Tallahassee and the Camp Creek Golf Club which is about three hours west, not far from Panama City. Sounds like a considerable journey but, as golfers have proven over the years, few distances are too great for the pursuit of good golf.
Tallahassee has long been known primarily as the capital of Florida and home of the Florida State Seminoles. But since the opening of SouthWood in November 2002, that has begun to change. The course, which is the centerpiece of this 3,200-acre, master-planned community, was designed by the Fred Couples/Gene Bates combo and, not surprisingly, the back tees are known as the "Boom Boom" tees.
The course gives the feel of a South Carolina/ Georgia course, thanks in great part to the presence of many moss-covered live oaks. But it also has rolling topography --changes of elevation rare in Florida -- lowlands, secluded woodlands and open fields.
SouthWood, which is the home to the Florida State golf teams -- carries greens fees of between $50-$65, depending on season and weekday/weekend.
The Tallahassee area has long been known as a place where golf was played, but not played by the masses from the north. But officials of the St. Joe Company, a publicly held company based in Jacksonville and one of Florida's largest real estate operating companies that is behind both SouthWood and Camp Creek, are banking on the always-growing golf market in the state.
While SouthWood provides a great taste of the Old South and that unique hospitality, Camp Creek serves up an in-your-face portion of Tom Fazio, who is perhaps the preeminent course designer in the business.
Camp Creek is a typical Fazio course, lots of visually striking bunkers, wider-than-they-appear fairways and putting surfaces that demand your attention. And don't forget the water that can come into play on as many as 11 holes.
This resort course can play as long as 7,159 yards from the back tees and has been described as a player's course, a strong test on an amazing piece of land.
Fazio was given a blank canvas to create Camp Creek, a course that has no housing or commercial development around it. That allows it to have a raw, stark look, somewhat intimidating but definitely challenging.
The course is located just a few miles from WaterColor, one of those quaint coastal communities that are along the coast. People there label the area as "a coastal resort with a southern accent."
Plenty of accommodations are available there, from the WaterColor Inn to home rentals to other hotels in the area.
In addition to Camp Creek, the PGA Tour's Davis Love III plans to build a six-hole course and another nine-hole layout to increase the scope of the complex.
Greens fees at Camp Creek are a little more pricey, $125, but Camp Creek is worth it.
Who knows? One of these days, there might even be a trail of golf courses across Northern Florida, maybe similar to the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama
posted by John at
10:42 AM
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