Tampa Bay Golf Scene

The Smith family goes back three generations as cattle ranchers in historic Zephyrhills, just north of Tampa. All that changed in 1987 when Brantley Smith and his brother Buddy commissioned Robert Simons to design and build them a golf course. The result was Silver Oaks, a beautiful 18-hole layout built among hundreds of magnificent oak trees, many dating back to the late 1800’s.

The Smith family operated the golf course for several years, then sold it to Century International Ltd. In 2005, Brantley Smith and his wife Susan bought back the course and immediately started working to upgrade both the facilities and the golf course.

Several holes, notably #7 and #10, have been reshaped and renovated. The many oak trees found throughout the golf course have received a long overdue trimming. The clubhouse has undergone a major facelift, both inside and out. Total capital expenditures to date total over $400,000.

When Scott Pate of Seaside Golf Development, Inc. designed the Hernando Oaks golf course just south of Brooksville, he had two immediate goals. One was to design the course to blend in naturally with the pristine setting of the Hernando County property. As Scott put it, “God did all of the hard work, we just tried not to mess it up”. Scott’s second goal was to build a course that was a playable challenge to every skill level. This he accomplished by building five sets of tees that allow for yardages ranging from 5,200 yards to 7,000 yards and varying amounts of carry over hazards. Scott also created large, fair landing and play areas and huge elevated, undulating TifEagle greens with run-off and chipping areas reminiscent of Donald Ross courses. The end result is a scenic layout that “meanders” through ancient oak and pine forests, featuring the natural elevation changes and wetland areas native to Hernando County, part of the Nature Coast of Florida. By the end of the round you have a hard time believing you are still in Florida. 

Opened in April 1993, World Woods Golf Club has since firmly established itself as one of North America’s finest golf facilities. World Woods offers two championship layouts, both consistently rated among the top 100 courses in the U.S.A. For good measure, World Woods also boasts the top-ranked practice facility in America.

Golf Digest awarded the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods its highest rating of five stars for 2004/2005, which is defined as “Golf at its absolute best. Pay any price at least once in your life.” This is the second time that Pine Barrens has earned this coveted award. Courses were rated in the categories of course condition, pace of play, service, value for the money and overall golf experience.

Eighteen months after extensive renovations, The University of South Florida golf course – better known as The Claw – has rounded into peak condition. The new greens have had time to mature and the new state-of-the-art irrigation system is working manificently.

“The overall condition of the golf course has never been better,” said Jim Fee, USF Director of Golf Operations and USF Men’s Golf Coach. “Our new superintendent, Malvin Hallford, is doing an outstanding job.”

Ten greens were reconstructed, with seven of the greens enlarged by up to 25 percent. The new greens offer a greater variety of pin placements and all of The Claw’s greens now feature TifDwarf Bermuda grass, a hybrid turf known for its speed.

Located in the Southeast corner of Sun City Center in Hillsborough County, Club Renaissance is one of the newest additions to WCI’s line-up of quality golf courses. This thrilling new course, designed by acclaimed Florida architect Chip Powell, opened in January 2002, and features lush, green fairways and large, undulating greens.

Renaissance, a semi-private golf course, is a test that truly demands power, precision and intelligence to play well. The beautifully-manicured, par-72 Renaissance Golf Course features two distinctive nines. The front nine has an open links feel to it with wide fairways and greens that will accept bump-and-run approach shots. The back nine requires more accuracy from tee to green as it meanders through a large conservation area. Water comes into play on seventeen of eighteen holes and most fairways are lined with tall pine trees and assorted fauna.

After Extensive Renovations, “The Babe” Looks – and Plays – Like a Million Dollars

Babe Zaharias Golf Course, one of the Tampa Sports Authority’s exceptional trio of municipal layouts, has undergone a dazzling $1.9 million facelift. The course reopened late last fall after six months of renovations to the delight of its long-time regulars.

The renovations started with the greens complexes and worked back to the tees. All eighteen greens have been reshaped and rebuilt to USGA specifications. The new Tifdwarf Bermudagrass putting surfaces are now a pleasure to putt. The course’s outdated irrigation system was replaced, including all new pipes and sprinkler heads.

Lexington Oaks Golf Club, an 18-hole championship layout located just north of Tampa in Wesley Chapel, is undergoing several major improvements designed to enhance your experience on the golf course as well as before and after your round.

The long-awaited clubhouse is nearing completion and will be finished by summer’s end. The new facility will house a well-stocked pro shop and full service restaurant. A covered patio will offer excellent views of the first hole and the aqua range

A comprehensive bunker renovation project is now completed. All greenside bunkers have been rebuilt and filled with new sand.

Just minutes from Tampa on Florida’s sparkling Gulf Coast lies one of the country’s most highly acclaimed golf destinations…The Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort . Here you’ll find four top-ranked champion-ship layouts and a professional staff that truly understands the traditions of the game, making it a personal mission to ensure sensational service, both on courses and off. Tucked into a wooded, self-contained oasis, this is a full-service resort destination that has easily considered everything you might look for in designing a remarkable vacation – from outstanding dining choices to a long list of recreational options to please all interests. From the superior golf courses to tennis, biking, fishing, nature trails, swimming in six pools (including waterslides and sandy beach areas), fitness facilities, tennis and golf instruction programs, the resort offers a myriad of options just a few steps from your beautiful, modern, newly renovated suite accommodations, including luxurious Westin Heavenly Beds.