Dye Gets It Right In His Area Florida Golf Course Design Debut
When Southern Hills Plantation owners were vetting who they wanted to design their golf course, the list was short.
"There were about five guys, top guys, heavy-hitters," said Randy Houseman, the club's general manager.
Pete Dye's submission won out and, after about two years, the club opened in January. The 18-hole private Florida golf course set in the gated community off S.R. 41 is the only course in the Tampa area designed by the renowned golf-course architect. Houseman said Dye's work has been a hit. More than anything, the terrain makes the course unique, with holes elevated as high 240 feet above sea-level.
"Out of those that have played the course, I'd honestly say that 99.9 percent have loved it," said Houseman. "People are amazed by the fact that it's in Florida. They're used to playing courses with flatter terrain, but this course is so hilly that they think they're in Georgia, Tennessee or the Carolinas. The hills are rolling and people find that they love that feeling."
Houseman also said players have commented on the courses playability, specifically the lack of scruff and water hazards. The lack of places to lose your ball is good for the high handicapper.
The lush Florida golf course is set amidst a community that's still growing. Two homes were in mid-construction on both sides of the fifth fairway, and the mixture of chirping birds and echoing pounds of hammers serve as a soundtrack of sorts.
Still, the scenery is the course's main attraction.
A picturesque river runs along the 11th hole. The seventh hole, however, is the marquee hole. It's set atop a lush hill and, at 618 yards, is the longest on the course.
"We get a lot comments about No. 7," said Houseman. "It's long and with the rolling hills ... people love it."
In all, there are four par-fives, four par-threes and 10 par-fours.
"We wanted to make it an experience for those that play the course," said Houseman.
This, being Dye's introduction to the Tampa area's golf community, is a grand way to say hello on this Florida golf course.
"There were about five guys, top guys, heavy-hitters," said Randy Houseman, the club's general manager.
Pete Dye's submission won out and, after about two years, the club opened in January. The 18-hole private Florida golf course set in the gated community off S.R. 41 is the only course in the Tampa area designed by the renowned golf-course architect. Houseman said Dye's work has been a hit. More than anything, the terrain makes the course unique, with holes elevated as high 240 feet above sea-level.
"Out of those that have played the course, I'd honestly say that 99.9 percent have loved it," said Houseman. "People are amazed by the fact that it's in Florida. They're used to playing courses with flatter terrain, but this course is so hilly that they think they're in Georgia, Tennessee or the Carolinas. The hills are rolling and people find that they love that feeling."
Houseman also said players have commented on the courses playability, specifically the lack of scruff and water hazards. The lack of places to lose your ball is good for the high handicapper.
The lush Florida golf course is set amidst a community that's still growing. Two homes were in mid-construction on both sides of the fifth fairway, and the mixture of chirping birds and echoing pounds of hammers serve as a soundtrack of sorts.
Still, the scenery is the course's main attraction.
A picturesque river runs along the 11th hole. The seventh hole, however, is the marquee hole. It's set atop a lush hill and, at 618 yards, is the longest on the course.
"We get a lot comments about No. 7," said Houseman. "It's long and with the rolling hills ... people love it."
In all, there are four par-fives, four par-threes and 10 par-fours.
"We wanted to make it an experience for those that play the course," said Houseman.
This, being Dye's introduction to the Tampa area's golf community, is a grand way to say hello on this Florida golf course.
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