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STAY & PLAY PACKAGES
Quarry Course
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Black Diamond
Located in the heart of Citrus County, Black Diamond Ranch is a sanctuary for those looking for a golf retreat unlike any other in Florida. The rolling hills and towering pines provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable round of golf, and private homes welcome guests for a relaxing evening.
The signature Quarry Course can best be described as breathtaking. The 13th through 17th holes are carved over and around the canyon walls of two abandoned limestone quarries. Writer Dan Jenkins once referred to this stretch as “the best five consecutive holes of golf anywhere in the world.” Designed by architect Tom Fazio, the Quarry Course opened in 1987 and has garnered high praise from Golf Digest, Links Magazine, and Golfweek, which ranked it 5th in its 2017 “Best Courses You Can Play” list for Florida.
While the Quarry Course is one of America’s favorites, the Ranch may very well be the members’ favorite. The Ranch’s 16th, 17th and 18th holes “represent the three best finishing holes I’ve ever designed,” according to Fazio. The Highlands is no slouch either, and may be the most difficult course at Black Diamond.
Ranch Course
It can be played in tandem with the front nine of the Ranch or Quarry, offering two more 18-hole combinations.
Off the golf course, guests enjoy three and four-bedroom accommodations; private, fully furnished homes conveniently located within the gated Black Diamond community. During their stay, club guests are invited to visit the Black Diamond restaurant for a pre-round lunch or quiet dinner. The chef and his staff delight members and guests alike with a worldclass culinary experience. For those who need a break from golf, the club offers a heated pool and Har-Tru tennis courts.
Stay & Play packages are available with one night and two rounds of golf, with add-ons available. To schedule your stay, visit www.blackdiamondranch.com or call Cherri Shepard at 352-453-5454.
Lecanto, Florida (352) 453-5454 Kevin Streelman, Defending Champion BlackDiamondRanch.com/stay
El Campeon, #7
Mission Inn Resort & Club
Las Colinas, #5
Located in the heart of Central Florida, in Howey-In-The-Hills, Mission Inn Resort is a one-of-a-kind 1,100 acre full-service resort located 35 minutes north of Orlando and 90 minutes from Tampa Bay. It is easily accessible by Interstate 75 or the Florida Turnpike. It is a resort destination with an abundant amount of activities for everyone.
Mission Inn features 176 freshly-decorated guest rooms and club suites with golf front patios. All rooms feature new Stearns & Foster bedding, modern décor, safes, a new lock system and doors, plus much more. Club suites are larger and now include refrigerators for snacks and beverages, a separate sofa and second TV for relaxing over dinner. The resort setting features quaint courtyards, low profile buildings, red roof tiled accents and an intimate Spanish hacienda feeling. With four restaurants, two championship 18-hole golf courses, a luxury spa, fitness center and a wide range of outdoor recreation, the resort offers a perfect guest experience for couples, buddy groups, and family outings. The golf is truly remarkable. The terrain provides hills that roll and pitch, mature pine and magnolia trees that tower, where eagles and ospreys fly overhead. The terrain of this part of Central Florida, originally orange groves, provides up to 85-foot elevation changes and a peaceful ambiance removed from busy city life. Golfers looking to hone their skills can practice on the 130 person golf range, several putting greens and chipping areas before their rounds. After golf, relax over lunch at Nicker’s clubhouse pub or relax at Spa Marbella over a refreshing massage. Special Summer/Fall Golf Package offers are now available. For example, book any two-night golf package with room, golf and daily breakfast for as low as $158 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.
For all stay and play packages, go online to MissionInnResort.com to review the many options for golf, spa, fishing, wine tours and more.
Howey-In-The Hills, Florida
University Park Country Club, the area’s premier semi-private country club is located just minutes from anywhere in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The breathtaking Ron Garl designed championship course is designed to reward the golfer whatever their skill level and provide an exhilarating golf experience against a stunning backdrop of native Florida. Unrelenting attention to detail is evident and these high standards keep the course in top playing condition to maximize player enjoyment of the course. For the 26th year in a row, the award-winning and challenging 27 holes at University Park have earned Golf Digest’s 4-star rating, with writers enthusiastically calling it a “must play” course. University Park Country Club has been voted “Best Place to Play Golf” by Sarasota Magazine readers every year since 1993 as well as “Best Golf Course” by Sarasota Herald Tribune readers. Golf Advisor ratings and reviews tell the story and University Park ranked #10 on its 2015 top 25 courses in Florida. “Best course in town! Amazing staff, practice facilities and course conditions. Best course I played since I got to the area.”
The outstanding golf experience is enhanced by notable food and beverage service. Golfers are invited to enjoy lunch post or pre round and drinks and conversation are always welcomed on the lakeside café. The award-winning culinary staff and management attract many of the area’s most prominent charitable and corporate golf tournaments, weddings and special events.
For the 26th year in a row the beautiful and challenging 27 holes at University Park have earned Golf Digest’s 4-Star Rating with writers enthusiastically calling it a “must play” course.
LOCATION
7671 The Park Blvd. University Park, FL 34201 1.8 miles west of I-75, exit 213.
www.universitypark-fl.com
STATISTICS
Number of Holes: 27 Par-72 10+1 10+19 19+1 Emerald 6446 6598 6725 Platinum 6095 6205 6161 Gold 5607 5720 5727 Ruby 5338 5456 5432 Bronze 4875 4949 4862
COURSE FACTS Architect: Ron Garl General Manager: Laurie Evans Head Golf Professional: Ashley Hayden Head Teaching Pro: Sue Ertl Superintendent: Curtis Nickerson
Visit University Park Country Club located just 1.8 miles west of I-75 on University Parkway (Exit 213). For Tee Times call (941) 359-9999. For Club Membership call Ann Backus at (941) 355-3888 x234. Visit our website: www.universitypark-fl.com to be included in special e-news and rate promotions.
Jean Couser – The Queen of Golf Coast
Jean Couser, who founded the Greater Sarasota edition of the Golf Guide in 1987, which later became Golf Coast Magazine, is retiring to spend more time enjoying life as a new grandmother. As a publisher, Jean built the company from an idea into an established magazine with three print editions and a large digital following. In 1995, Tami Vaughan joined the team to update the map and eventually, help publish the entire magazine. The internet was still in its infancy in those days – making publishing a frantic process. They would burn the pages onto CDs and overnight them to Hilton Head for printing. The magazine was always mailed minutes before the UPS truck came to pick it up! In 2012, Jean joined force with Bruz Fellenz, who was publishing the Golfer’s Guide in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, to create Golf Coast Magazine. The magazine was sold to Rose and Ryan Ruppert in 2015, in a first attempted retirement. However, that didn’t go to plan and Jean decided to stay until 2021! Golf has had its ups and downs through the years, and Jean was always there fiercely advocating for the industry and her clients. Jean has always had her eye on the future, which is why she is passionate about introducing kids to the game. She served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Junior Golf Association for 18 years, a position that twice earned her The Dunlap Award which was given to the volunteer who contributed the most to the organization. She was also named Amateur of the Year by the SW Chapter of the North Florida PGA and honored by the North Florida Section of the PGA with the same award. She always likes to add that it certainly wasn’t given to her for her playing ability! “Throughout our time of “working together” it never seemed like work. Jean has been a friend, sister, mentor, mother, shoulder to cry on and only occasionally a boss,” said Tami Vaughan, which was echoed by Bruz Fellenz who added, “Jean has always had my back, no more so than when we broke away from Golfer’s Guide and resurrected Golf Coast Magazine. We have always had a friendly competition, but that never stopped us from being great friends and helping each other whenever the opportunity arose.” Ryan Ruppert reflected on her leadership, saying, “Jean’s tireless work building Golf Coast Magazine from the ground up cannot be overstated. Working with her for the last five years has been a true privilege. Our magazine would not be where it is today without her guidance and dedication.”
Though Jean is retiring to spend more time being a grandmother, her impact will be felt for years. She plans to continue offering advice, so her guidance will continue shaping the future of Golf Coast Magazine for years to come.
Semi-Private Course MAP #160
TEE INFORMATION
Yardage/Rating/Slope:
Black: 6357 / 70.9 / 125 Emerald: 6065 / 69.7 / 122 Platinum: 5720 / 67.9 / 121 Gold - M: 5366 / 66.4 / 118 Gold - W: 5366 / 71.1 / 127 Ruby - M: 4981 / 63.8 / 114 Ruby - W: 4981 / 69.2 / 113 Pearl - W: 3174 / 59.8 / 94
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18
Golf Professional:
Ed McConnell, PGA Superintendent: David Spencer
COURSE AMENITIES • Chipping Area • Club Storage • Clubhouse • Golf Lessons • Practice Greens • Pro Shop • Sand Practice • Restaurant-Lunch Daily, Dinner
Wed-Fri, Sunday Brunch • Golf Club Rental • Tempo Walk Units
Englewood
Boca Royale Golf & County Club
Boca Royale is a Semi-private Country Club that welcomes all golfers and offers a challenge for all skill levels. Our pro shop staff and our teaching professionals are waiting to serve our members and guests. Eighteen championship holes with Champion Greens, five tee box locations and an excellent putting practice area are surrounded by towering oaks, cypress, palms, and lush green fairways. Native birds and wildlife can be spotted on the 150 acres of lakes, tropical nature preserves and the beautiful landscape of woodlands, sand and water.
1601 Englewood Road Englewood, FL 34223 941-474-7475 www.bocaroyale.com
The NFPGA is a group of approximately 1500 PGA Members and Apprentices serving the needs of the golfers at more than 600 courses in North Florida.
The North Florida Section is the fourth largest in the PGA, geographically comprised of 41 counties. Founded in 1916, the PGA of America has grown into the world's largest working sports organization.
If it’s about golf, choose a PGA Professional for advice! They are the experts in the game and business of golf.
On the web at: nfpga.com
Golf In Venice Pro, Jack McFaul Retires
Jack McFaul started playing golf at age 19 in Malone, N.Y., and has had an outstanding career as a playing club pro and teaching pro in Florida.
But he stepped away from the daily grind as the head golf pro at Waterford Golf Club in Venice, retiring at the end of May.
Jack is one of those fortunate seniors who doesn’t look his age (67) but can still play to it, recently posting rounds of 66 and 67. And you would think that would be near the top of his highlights of his playing days, along with winning 3 Senior-Junior Section Events in a row and 4 out of 5 years with Dave Hronek.
They are very close. But his favorite golf story/memory has nothing to do about winning or going low.
For the record, he missed the cut by one shot. Bingo! Now we know why Jack retired while he can still play and teach with the best of them.
“My wife (Surry, a retired engineer) and I want to travel and visit our grandchildren (Tanner, Alex and Levi). They are all good athletes. And they probably know of their grandfather’s well-documented achievements:
Southwestern Chapter of the North Florida PGA teacher of the year three different times; 1998 Southwestern Chapter golf pro of the year; 1999 North Florida Section golf pro of the year; 2013 Southwester Chapter lifetime achievement award.
Those are just a few. There are many more. Along the way he tutored two juniors (Sarah Jones and Lexie Flerlage) well enough to play for the University of Florida and Florida State University.
Semi-Private Course MAP #144
TEE INFORMATION
Yardage/Rating/Slope:
Men’s White: 3752 / 60.3 / 101; Ladies Red: 3122 / 58.5 / 95
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Architect: Dean Refram
Director of Operations:
Joel King Superintendent: Andrew Jordan
COURSE AMENITIES • Putting Green • Pro Shop • Walking Allowed • Tournaments and Leagues
Welcome • Rental Clubs Available
Bradenton
Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club
RENTAL CLUBS AVAILABLE
Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club is one of the area’s finest executive courses nestled inside a beautiful community. Between the water-bordered fairways and the 37 bunkers surrounding 18 Champion Bermuda greens this 3,706-yard, par-61 course offers a challenge to golfers of all ages and handicaps. The amenities include a pro shop, snacks, refreshments and putting green.
4260 Ironwood Circle Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-3288 www.PinebrookIronwood.com
Semi-Private Golf Club MAP #172 Punta Gorda
TEE INFORMATION
Par 70: Yardage/Rating/Slope:
Blue: 5836 / 68.9 / 124 White: 5424 / 66.9 / 115 Gold: 4942/ 64.8 / 113 Ladies Gold: 4942 / 69.0 / 121 Red: 4746 / 68.3 / 119
COURSE FACTS Number of Holes: 18 Architect: Mark McCumber
General Manager/PGA:
Todd Evans Superintendent: Josh Czarnecki
COURSE AMENITIES • Clubhouse - Restaurant • Practice Facilities • Short Game Area • Walking Allowed • Golf Club Rental • Five Day Advanced T-times • PGA Instruction • 5 Day Advanced T-Times
Deep Creek Golf Club
Now in its 35th year of operation, Deep Creek GC has been voted one of the best golf courses in the Charlotte County area year after year. A Par 70, 18 hole layout designed by PGA Tour player Mark McCumber is truly an enjoyable experience with a friendly welcoming staff. From tee to green, whether high or low handicap your experience will be top notch. Public play is welcome, and a variety of memberships options are offered at an exceptional value. Our restaurant and lounge serves only the best quality food and drinks under a casual setting to enhance your experience.
