Golf at The Country Club of Florida
The Country Club of Florida’s rich history of golf begins in 1956.
Built on 160 acres of the old Hunt Dairy Farm, the original golf course was designed by noted Chicago architect Robert Bruce Harris and a year and a half later, in April 1958, the Western Golf Association held its 56th Western Amateur Championship on the brand new course. The rolling terrain, unusual for South Florida, crosses through a prominent sand ridge that was a dune line on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean millions of years ago.
Fast forward to 1987 when Arthur Hills was awarded the contract for remodeling the golf course. The 18-holes would maintain its creative and unique routing with both nines identical in their order of par fours, fives and threes. Almost 20 years later, in 2006, Lester George from Richmond, Virginia directed the second renovation of the golf course. Ponds and lakes were deepened and enlarged, sand traps were brought up to a total of eighty-three, and the same routing sequence remained.
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Ground Dove #1
Par: 4
Your tee shot should favor the left side of the fairway on the opening hole. The approach to the well-guarded green is slightly uphill and into the prevailing wind, so an extra club may be needed. However, do not go over this green; bogey is guaranteed if you do.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 406 | 382 | 349 | 314 | 291 |
The primary grass used throughout the course is "Celebration" Bermuda. This hybrid strain is salt & drought tolerant and very dense. By using less water and fewer pesticides, we're helping the environment.
Bald Eagle #2
Par: 5
This medium length part 5 has a wide landing area left of the fairway bunkers. Carry the devilish bunker fronting the green and you can reach in two. Lay-up the right side for the best approach angle, but be sure to avoid the fairway bunker on the right.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 502 | 497 | 464 | 424 | 356 |
The ponds on the left side of this hole have been planted with cord grasses and aquatic vegetation to promote fish breeding grounds and turtle populations.
Yellow Legs #3
Par: 4
Stay out of the fairway bunkers with your tee shot on this long par 4, the front nine's #1 handicap hole. The second shot is a mid to long iron to a very challenging green cut in half by a ridge. Par is a very good score here.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 463 | 418 | 397 | 361 | 324 |
Pine straw transition areas like the one on the left of this hole help to conserve water usage and protect native tree species that thrive on arid conditions.
Sandpiper #4
Par: 3
This reverse Redan or 'pulpit' par 3 is beautifully conceived. Only a high fade will get the ball close to the pin on the well-guarded green. Long is the best place to miss if you hope to get up and down for par.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 175 | 160 | 138 | 120 | 102 |
Purple Martin houses and bird feeding stations located on the left side of this hole attract a variety of small songbirds. Mallards, ibis and kingfishers frequent the pond by the tee.
Anhinga #5
Par: 4
Water guards both sides of this short par 4. Crosswinds are tricky as well so a long iron or fairway metal from the elevated tee is a smart choice. A mid to short iron to a small green fronted by water and bunkers remains. There's a good chance for birdie here.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 366 | 363 | 344 | 299 | 251 |
The lakes on both sides of this hole store reclaimed water used to irrigate the golf course. Bass and croppies are plentiful in them. You'll often see wood storks on the banks and anhinga drying their wings atop the diffuser rock.
Meadowlark #6
Par: 5
Keep your tee shot right of the fairway bunkers on this par 5 unless you're a long hitter and want to try and cut the dogleg. Second shots should avoid the water on the right. The short approach must carry the three bunkers fronting the undulating green.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 531 | 478 | 458 | 438 | 404 |
A wildlife corridor, frequented by red fox, runs all along the right side of this hole. The plantings are designed to attract birdlife. Cardinal, mockingbird and blue jay nests abound in the large native live oaks.
Palm Warbler #7
Par: 4
When played from the forward tees, this short par 4 gives the longest hitters a chance to drive the green. From whatever tees you play, a precise drive is needed to avoid the fairway bunkers. The green is boldly contoured, but will give up birdies.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 385 | 365 | 317 | 285 | 277 |
Look up in the tall pines on this hole. Great horned owls frequent this corridor and often nest here in the spring.
Egret #8
Par: 3
All tee shots must carry the water on this par 3. The two bunkers guarding the right side of the putting surface are very much in play when you tee off from the tees on the right. This 'plateau' style green is one of the toughest on the course.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 194 | 162 | 160 | 145 | 124 |
The large pond on this hole attracts snowy egret, roseate spoonbill and a variety of wading birds.
Tern #9
Par: 4
Hit it hard, then hit it hard again as this long par 4 plays into the prevailing wind. What you see is what you get. Avoid the fairway bunker off the tee. The green slopes from back to front. Par is a good score.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 446 | 423 | 392 | 376 | 333 |
The irrigation system on the course is state of the art. Every gallon of water dispersed is closely monitored the ensure that not a single drop of this precious natural resource is wasted.
Stilt #10
Par: 4
This monster par 4 will test all your skills. Playing into a left-to-right wind, the tee shot must avoid the water on the right. The uphill second shot must be accurate to negotiate the narrow opening to this 'Biarritz' style green. Making par here feels like making eagle!
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 461 | 428 | 393 | 358 | 304 |
The two lakes on this hole are connected to ensure that the water levels remain consistent. They help attract birds and other wildlife. The wildlife corridor to the right of the green is home to a family of cooper's hawks.
Gallinule #11
Par: 5
A long, straight tee shot sets up this par 5. Your second shot should carry the pond and bunkers on the left for the best angle to the pin. Approach shots from the right side are difficult, as a large bunker hids most of the green from view.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 564 | 524 | 508 | 466 | 399 |
The pine straw between Hole 6 and 11 is an example of 'xeriscape' landscaping. Drought tolerant vegetation including sabal palms, plumbago and firebush require minimal maintenance and attract small wildlife species.
Bob White #12
Par: 4
This short, downwind par 4 requires a drive to the left half of the fairway. Longer hitters may opt for an iron or fairway metal off the tee to avoid the grove of trees on the right. An accurate, mid to short iron to this green sets up a birdie opportunity.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 394 | 385 | 357 | 306 | 271 |
The pine grove on the right is home to several pileated woodpeckers and northern flickers and is a well-known resting spot for ospreys.
Willet #13
Par: 3
This beautiful par 3 is our Signature Hole and offers several different playing angles over the water. Swirling winds near the green make club selection a real challenge. Reaching a back right pin requires a precise carry over a nasty pot bunker.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 142 | 127 | 119 | 109 | 97 |
The Fishing Hole! Aquatic plants like pickerel weed, arrowhead, spike rush and yellow canna surround the lake, helping to make fish populations plentiful. Osprey love it here and if you're lucky, you might even see a bald eagle.
Ibis #14
Par: 4
Aim at the fairway bunkers from the right side of the tees on this medium length par 4; you'll face a blind second shot, but at least you'll be safe! From the left side tees, long hitters can carry the water and end up left of the bunkers. The shot in is easy from there.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 372 | 343 | 335 | 318 | 270 |
The banks of this pond are planted with fakahatchee, fountain and muligrass. This popular bird-fishing spot attracts great blue herons, cormorant and anhinga; they often sun themselves on the banks.
Killdeer #15
Par: 5
This long, three-shot par 5 plays into the prevailing wind. Tall pines and palms protect the right side of the fairway. A large elevated bunker in front of the green will hide the pin from view. An approach shot from the right side of the fairway works best here.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 571 | 524 | 471 | 455 | 402 |
The pine forests along the tees are home to several families of great horned owls. Dawn and dusk are the best times to find out exactly 'who' inhabits this hole.
Mockingbird #16
Par: 4
Favor the left side of this sharp dogleg right for a much better angle to the well protected green. If you avoid the right greenside bunker and put your second shot on, you'll face a tricky putt. Par here will make you proud!
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 374 | 362 | 334 | 291 | 283 |
The last half of this hole is part of the main wildlife corridor. Rabbit and squirrel are plentiful here and occasionally a grey fox comes around to keep them on their toes.
Flycatcher #17
Par: 3
Take at least one extra club on the long, uphill tee shot into the prevailing wind on this par 3, the toughest one on the course. The bunker on the right hides a portion of the kidney-shaped green. A fade is the ideal shot on this hole.
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 205 | 175 | 165 | 143 | 103 |
This section of the wildlife corridor has a tropical feel with gumbo limbo trees and a variety of orchid plantings. The cart path runs through the nature are here - enjoy the ride.
Limpkin #18
Par: 4
On this great finishing hole, aim your drive at the club flagpole. A long tee shot gives you a chance to reach the uphill green in two. If you find one of the deep greenside bunkers, making par will be difficult. Paring this hole feels like making birdie!
| Yardage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | O | B | P | W |
| 451 | 396 | 359 | 307 | 257 |
The waterfall by the tee drains into the wildlife refuge, a bathing and nesting area for mallard, northern pintail, wood duck and purple gallinule. The island is home to playful otters and even a few foxes.
Audubon Sanctuary
The Country Club of Florida is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. To reach certification, course personnel demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. The Country Club of Florida is one of 822 courses in the world to receive the honor, not only because of the environmental achievements of this course, but because of the model that it now represents to its surrounding community. Golf Superintendent Jeff Klontz conducts site visits to assist other golf clubs in achieving certification.
Flora & Fauna
Visitors to The Country Club of Florida (CCF) often remark on our uniquely peaceful ambience. From its founding in the 1950s, the grounds have been, by design, a refuge from the everyday life. As the native plantings and natural wildlife habitats mature, the property grows more beautiful by the year.
The Country Club of Florida’s property has over 10 acres dedicated to two wildlife corridors. The wetland area consists of aquatic plants and fish that attract wading birds. The native area includes plants and vegetation that attract butterflies. These peaceful areas enhance the beauty of our course and support our wildlife population of more than 100 species of birds and over 30 types of animals, amphibians and reptiles.
CCF also manages 32 “condominiums” that host Purple Martins (Progne Subis - members of the Swallow family). These small birds arrive January – February each year, an average of 100+ fledglings are born each year April – May, and they head south to Brazil sometime in August. Purple Martins aren’t really “purple”, but are blue-black, looking black from a distance. Their diet of insects, many of which they catch in mid-air, includes wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, moths, horseflies and occasionally, mosquitoes. A pair usually lay 4-5 eggs, which take 15-16 days to incubate; the young are flying 26-31 days after hatching.
Our commitment and interest in birds began with our founder, and member of the National Audubon Society Carleton Blunt. Our clubhouse is decorated with Audubon prints and holes were designated with bird names from the very beginning. Tee markers later followed that tradition.