Carrollwood Country Club

Carrollwood Country Club has a very rich and interesting history. The club - originally known as Carrollwood Village Golf & Tennis Club - was founded in 1972. Back then, the Carrollwood area, which is about 10 miles due north of downtown Tampa, was not considered part of "Tampa," yet the club was very successful, boasting nearly 1,000 golfing members and 600 tennis members. It was the largest Country Club community in the Tampa Bay area.

Fast forward 30 years to the early 2000s and the club is undergoing an ownership and name change. The new Emerald Greens Golf Resort and Country Club is about to embark on an extensive renovation project at the hands of world-renowned golf course architect Dan Maples. Maples will oversee the rebuilding of all 27 holes as well as resurfacing of all greens with Champion UltraDwarf turf, considered to be one of the best putting surfaces in the world. The club continues to flourish.

A little over a decade later times have changed once again. The economy has taken a huge hit, and in 2013, Emerald Greens Golf Resort and Country Club was sold to Concert Golf Partners. Concert Golf Partners CEO, Peter Nanula, a Tampa Jesuit graduate, finds that owning a country club in his hometown is a natural fit. One of the first orders of business is to rename the club and give it a sense of community and Carrollwood Country Club is reborn.

Carrollwood Country Club proudly boasts 27 holes of incredible Dan Maples golf. It may seem cliché but it's a fact: 27 holes of golf equals three challenging 18-hole golf courses and this is certainly the case at Carrollwood Country Club. Each nine is unique in its own right and exemplifies Dan Maples at his best. A variety of strategically placed bunkers dot the landscape in several landing areas including devilish pot bunkers and large waste bunkers. Water hazards abut several elevated greens which are well-undulated and roll true.

The majestic tree-lined fairways of pine and cypress trees on the Pine Course give it a North Carolina look and feel. Water comes into play on seven of the nine holes and culminates with an island green, albeit on a par 5. A good drive that finds the fairway on this finishing hole may give you the opportunity to go for the green in two but beware, double bogeys are more common than eagles.

The way the courses are typically played, the Cypress Course is the back nine of the championship layout. It is the longest of all three courses and is considered to be the most challenging. Many of the holes are tight and require accuracy off the tee in order to score well. Your journey starts with a tee shot that puts a premium on accuracy as water lines both sides of the fairway. Success off the tee on the first hole will leave an easy approach shot to the elevated green and hopefully set the tone for a good round.

The Meadows Course is the most wide-open of all three layouts, which may allow you to spray the ball a bit but won't help you find the smaller, well-protected greens any easier. The 6th hole is a 390-yard par 4 dogleg right that requires a tee shot down the middle/left side of the fairway; anything to the right and your approach shot will be blocked out by cypress trees. A good tee shot will leave an approach shot of about 160 yards into a green that is well-bunkered and guarded by water up the right side. The seventh hole is considered the best par 3 on any of the three layouts. The hole plays 158 yards hole with a forced carry over water and a bunker to a well-undulated green.

Carrollwood Country Club also boasts some tour-quality practice facility, which includes multiple tees, a short game area, and practice putting greens.

If you prefer the courts over the course, you'll be glad to know that Carrollwood Country Club has an extremely active tennis membership. They offer eight beautifully surfaced Har-Tru tennis courts equipped with brilliant lighting for nighttime play. CCC's staff of certified tennis professionals can help you with your tennis game as well as assimilation into leagues, clinics, and an ongoing schedule of social opportunities with fellow tennis players.

The warm Florida weather does have its advantages and being able to keep the sparkling Junior-Olympic swimming pool open year-round is definitely one of them. The centerpiece of the Tennis & Aquatic Center is surrounded by a magnificent deck of pavers, palm trees, cabanas, lounge chairs, and a large natural grass activity area. CCC offers a number of regularly planned fun activities such as Kids Nights, Movie Nights, and Barbecues. There's a fenced Splash Pad for smaller children and a covered playground, which is also fenced in. Salads, wraps, hotdogs, and burgers are prepared poolside at the Oasis Poolside Grille.

No private club is complete without a state-of-the-art fitness center. The Fitness Center at Carrollwood Country Club is located inside the Tennis & Aquatics Center and features Life Fitness equipment, cardio machines, and free weights. Members can also choose from a number of fitness classes designed to work certain parts of the body or work out at their own pace. No matter what you choose, it's a great way to feel better and more energized!

Since its founding, Carrollwood Country Club has been a melting pot of family fun and memories. Many of these memories are made with friends and their families; relationships that were made within the club. And there is no better place to make new friends than at one of the club's social events. Whether it's attending a Family Movie Night, taking a fitness class, or enjoying each other's company at Happy Hour, CCC offers an active social calendar. Arrange a visit and see for yourself the family atmosphere that exists within the club.

The best way to take advantage of everything Carrollwood Country Club has to offer is to become a member! As a Full Golf Member, you, your spouse, and children under 24 will have full access to all 27 holes on the Meadow, Pine, and Cypress courses including greens fees and practice facilities for everyone listed on the membership. You'll also receive full access to the Junior Olympic-size cooled and heated pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and social/dining events is also included. All items including food, guest fees, and carts will be charged to your member account. Each guest may play with you up to 6 times per year at current guest fee rates. A Junior Executive Golf Membership has the same privileges and is designed for members who are under 40 years of age.

Social and Tennis Members have full access to the Junior Olympic-size pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and social/dining events along with indoor and outdoor dining for everyone listed on the membership. You may play golf up to six times per calendar year and have yearly access to the practice range facility at an additional fee. Social Members may also play tennis, up to six times per calendar year at the discretion of the TAC staff; fees apply.

As a member, you'll also be entitled to Club benefits at other Concert Golf properties. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, your benefits will mirror those of your home club; Full Golf Members receive cart fee-only pricing and regular guest fee rates for guests and each property can be accessed up to 6 times a year.

For more information, visit them online at www.carrollwoodcc.com.