Four West Coast Florida Courses Worth Playing

It's a good bet that when you think of Florida golf destinations you immediately envision the flashy, touristy areas of Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville. While those hot spots are all well and good, an underrated Florida golf Mecca resides on its west coast starting near Tampa and continuing two hours north on Hwy 19. I was fortunate enough to play four first-class properties in this area of the state earlier this year and I believe these four Florida stops would be a wonderful addition to any golf vacation plans.

Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor

I admit it; I get an extra shot of nervous adrenaline when I'm about the play a PGA Tour stop. In 2001, it took me nine holes to settle down at the TPC at Sawgrass and at the TPC at Deer Run in 2005, my game resembled a most recent internet connection - they were both lost for unknown reasons.

So when I was fortunate enough to play the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, home to The PODS Championship in early March, I vowed not to let giddiness derail my game. It worked. For the first hole anyway. After that I got caught up in Copperhead's inordinate amount of incredible views, majestic settings and Tour-quality conditioning. This is one of the top five golf destinations I've been fortunate enough to play.

But if you don't believe a golf writer known for his pithy one-liners and self-deprecating humor, take note of the following quotes from these Tour stalwarts. Paul Azinger calls Copperhead, "The best course we play on TOUR." Curtis Strange said, "If I could only play one course the rest of my life it would be Copperhead. It has that much character." And Stewart Cink said, "Copperhead could host a US Open." Those heady comments from the game's elite perfectly summarize the Innisbrook experience."

Located roughly 30 minutes northwest of the Tampa International Airport, the Westin at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club features four championship golf courses, a fine dining experience for the ages called Packard's Steakhouse, numerous one and two bedroom condos perfect for a golf group, and a host of amenities sure to never leave you feeling bored or unfullfiled. Amazingly this tranquil setting is only a pitching wedge away from the hustle and bustle of a 30 mile continuous strip mall called Hwy 19 just north of the Tampa/Clearwater metro area.

"Golfers playing Copperhead feel like they're in North Carolina with the 70 feet of elevation changes and all the hard woods and pines. There isn't a single home on Copperhead," stated Jay Overton, the Director of Golf at Innisbrook, who has a 30 year history with the property. "We were lucky that in 1970 our owners had the "first pick" of land and they selected the most beautiful 900 acres in all of Pinellas County. We're located less than a mile from the Gulf of Mexico and we enjoy cooling breezes in the Summer and warming breezes in the Winter."

It's difficult to pinpoint the main reason why guests are drawn to the four courses of Innisbrook, but near the top of the list is the diversity of courses and their natural beauty. The cornerstone of such aesthetics -- a myriad of trees. "Natural sand pines are abundant throughout the rolling hills of the property, while Cypress trees are prevalent in all the lower areas of the resort. There are live oaks scattered throughout the entire 900+ acres and in the early 1980's we installed over 100 magnolia trees on the Copperhead Golf Course," explained Overton.

The finest holes at the Copperhead Course are in order holes 1 through 18, and that's not a stretch. To me, Copperhead is the Medinah of the south, a setting that makes your group feel like you're the only ones there. The par-5, 560 yard opening hole greets golfers with something you wouldn't expect in this part of Florida, an elevated tee shot. I promise you, it won't be your last at Copperhead either. The green at the first is protected by bunkers short right and left, a definite better option than trying to negotiate the Tour-grade greenside rough. The best tip to play Copperhead is to stay below the pins with your approach shots. Putting downhill on these tournament-tested greens is a real challenge.

At the par-4 3rd hole I realized firsthand why the University of Florida is known as the Gators. As our group was putting out, we turned around to see a rotund gator sleek across the fairway from one pond to another. The group behind us improved their lie by 40 yards to stay on the beast's good side.

Every single hole at Copperhead deserves mention of some kind, but I'll defer to Innisbrook's Director of Golf to describe one of his favorites."The 16th hole at the Copperhead would be my favorite from a players viewpoint. The hole plays 475 yards, and it's a dog leg right with the entire landing area guarded to the right by water and to the left by pines and oaks. The green complex is guarded by oak trees to the right and left as well as bunkering to the right and left. It is the hardest hole on the Copperhead Course and annually ranks in the top 10 hardest holes on the PGA Tour," stated Jay Overton.

It's also important to note that as of July 16th, 2007, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is under new ownership. Salamander Hospitality, LLC, owned by Sheila C. Johnson acquired the 900-acre destination resort and has already announced plans for an immediate renovation of the resort's amenities. Within the first 24 months, Salamander Hospitality, LLC will develop the resort's first full service luxury spa and revamp the tennis and fitness facilities. Within 24 hours of acquiring Innisbrook they began a major renovation program on the Island Golf Course, already rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by Golf Digest.

"Many of the PGA Tour professionals consider Copperhead one of the best courses on Tour. With these renovations the Island will give Copperhead a real challenge for "best course" at Innisbrook. The scope of the renovations include new Tiff Eagle greens, (the same as the Copperhead) , lengthening the golf course to over 7,300 yards, and re-landscaping/theming the Island to enhance the natural beauty and "Low Country" feel of the course ," added Jay Overton. " The new landscaping will incorporate natural grasses and beautiful flowers will be added near the first and tenth tees and the practice putting green. In addition, new cart paths have been installed throughout the golf course. We are positioning ourselves to be able to host major golf events on the Island Course including the possibility of a PGA Tour event using both the Copperhead and Island Courses in the future."

Innisbrook's most popular golf vacation includes three nights and four rounds of golf (one round on each of their four Championship courses) and you don't pay a surcharge to play Copperhead or the Island. Best of all, by reserving your package now you can lock in 2007 rates for 2008.

For more information on Innisbrook's stay and play packages, call 1-800-456-2000 or visit www.InnisbrookGolfResort.com.

World Woods- Brooksville

World Woods is a golf oxymoron. Thanks to differences in soil content, World Woods features two championship caliber courses right next to each other that elicit different characterisitics and shot values. Playing courses like these reaffirm my love of the game and make me thankful I didn't pursue that bocci ball scholarship at age 18. As an added bonus, World Woods is highlighted by the finest driving range, short course, and three-hole practice center on the planet. The 360 degree range encompasses 23 acres and is highlighted by two greenside pitch and chipping areas with corresponding bunkers, and a two acre putting green. A day spent practicing at World Woods ranks right up there with 12 consecutive months of September, the NCAA basketball tournament, and nearly any food wrapped in bacon.

The Pine Barrens Course gained fame when it played host to Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match between Phil Mickelson and David Toms in 2003. Phil bested David by one stroke on the 6955 yard track, but it was the natural, rugged beauty of the Tom Fazio design that left a national audience wanting to see more. Scott Wyckoff, World Woods' Director of Golf was present for the made-for-tv event and offers these thoughts. "The Shell's Wonderful World of Golf could be viewed as a 'once in a lifetime' experience for both World Woods and the golf staff who participated in making it such a success. It obviously has a favorable impact in terms of worldwide exposure due to the continued replays that are shown on television. World Woods was honored to have been part of the great history of Shell's. For the avid golfer, it is understood that 'Shell's Wonderful World of Golf' picks the best venues throughout the World and we were very proud to be a part of that history," stated Wyckoff.

As the name indicates, The Pine Barrens Course is a dramatic mix of pine-lined fairways and untamed waste bunkers. The course's style has been favorably compared to Pine Valley in New Jersey--the consenus number one property in the United States. The major surprise you'll find at Pine Barrens is the drastic elevation changes one wouldn't expect in the middle of Florida. Honestly, a round played on the Pine Barrens course is an intoxicating mix of Wisconsin Northwoods golf mets Whistling Straits.

The Rolling Oaks 18 is also a stunning par 72 layout that plays to just over 7000 yards. Instead of pine trees, their hallmark feature is huge oak trees draped with Spanish moss. The bunkering is more defined and white sand adds a stark contrast to the green fairways. The elevation changes may not be as wild, but the undulating greens make for just as an enjoyable golf experience. Scott Wyckoff summarizes the differences this way: "The Rolling Oaks golf course is lined with Live Oak trees and is more traditional in style. Fashioned after the 'likeness and feel' of Augusta National, the Rolling Oaks has magnolias and azalias throughout the golf course," stated Wyckoff.

If you are in the area and don't have time to play, at least drive in and walk around the clubhouse area and towards the practice facility. The setting is straight from a best-selling novel and one that will draw you back to World Woods time and again. For more information on the property, visit their website at www.worldwoods.com or call (352) 796-5500.

The Plantation Inn and Golf Resort-Crystal River

If you're looking for an out-of-the way must play along Florida's west coast, then you've got to try The Plantation Inn and Golf Resort in Crystal River. The public 27 hole layout is perfect for all skill levels and budgets. The 18 hole regulation course features three tee boxes that play to 6531, 6161, and 5203 yards respectively. The executive Lagoons Nine also has a trio of tee boxes, the back playing at 2511, the middle at 2333, and the forwards at 2032 yards.

The one constant of both courses is the exceptional quality of the greens. I honestly felt I was playing a private county club - the putting surfaces rolled that true. Director of Golf Jimmie Brothers gives credit where credit is due. "My superintendent Glenn Oberlander is the reason for our spectacular greens. Glenn has been here for 25 years plus and just does a wonderful job and takes a lot of pride in what he does."

Brothers not only is a great judge of talent, he's also a great judge of golf holes, picking out two winners to describe. "My two favorite holes are 11 and 13 on the championship course. They are very challenging and well designed at the same time. Number 11 is a par-5 which is quite long, measuring 552 yards from the back tee," stated Brothers. "It has water on the second shot which needs to be avoided and a very deep pot bunker guarding the center of the green. Five is a good score. Number 13 is again a very well designed hole which measures 421 from the back tee. The tee shot has water on the right and out of bounds left. If the player can successfully avoid trouble on the tee shot he will be left with a lengthy second to a well- bunkered green. Again par is a good score."

It's important to note that The Plantation Inn is directly across the street from the course and is exactly what you'd expect from a resort with that moniker. Four rotund white pillars frame the entrance that leads to the stately manor. The facility features a variety of room options, including suites, condominiums, and golf villas. The resort also offers numerous stay and play packages where golf is included. Jimmie Brothers discusses the amenities of note the adajcent property has to offer. "The Plantation Inn is a wonderful destination for every kind of traveler. Not only is there golf but there is a marina which offers snorkel tours and swimming with manatees. Our 4 restaurants offer a wide variety cuisine, and our beautiful Tiki bar and swimming pool on the Crystal River offer a great place to just relax," said Brothers.

For more information, visit their website at www.plantationinn.com or call (352) 795-7211.

The TPC at Tampa Bay- Tampa

The TPC of Tampa fits the successful mold of all TPC entities throughout the country. You know you'll receive first-rate service before you tee off and once on the course, you'll experience a diverse layout with top-notch conditioning. The 6898 yard track is a wonderful mix of open and closed holes that meander towards superbly manicured greens. Water comes into play on a remarkable 13 of the 18 holes including 12 of the 14 non par-3's. So needless to say, accuracy is paramount and a backup sleeve of balls imperative if you don't have your "A" game that day.

I marvel at the fact that these series of courses are able to house large galleries when most of the holes are carved out of the woods or at the very least are tree-lined on one side. The finest section of the course is once you cross Suncoast Drive and play holes 4-7. Architect Bobby Weed and Player Consultant Chi Chi Rodriquez used this tract of land optimally as the two par-4's, par-3, par-5 sequence will test every facet of your game.

The 332 yard par-4 5th get my vote as the finest view from a tee box on the property. A subtle dogleg left with trees down the entire port side bends around the corner to reveal an exquisitely designed putting surface. Take your time on this hole to savor its elegance and beauty.

The 144 yard par-3 6th is the shortest on the course and is my future father-in-law's favorite. A near hole-in-one has a tendency to make one a little biased. I found the front bunker with my pathetic tee shot, yet I still concur the 6th is the finest short hole at the TPC at Tampa.

Besides receiving everything we'd come to except at a TPC layout, we were granted the bonus chance to feel like a pro. Fortunately for our group, we played a few weeks before the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am and got to stroll up 18 with the grandstands nearly completed. As we walked up to the putting surface thoughts of screaming fans applauding for us filled our minds. Sometimes silence can be deafening. For more information, visit their website at www.tpc.com or call (813) 949-0090.