Silverado Golf & Country Club

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.

The course’s name change to Silverado Golf & Country Club is part of the “New Name, New Game” attitude that has developed since Brantley’s return. Visit Silverado today and you’ll find many improvements as well as a cordial staff whose primary goal is to make you a happy golfer. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere at the club contributes mightily to a great golf experience.

One person who has been there from the course’s beginning is Superintendent Jeff Sweet. “Working with the Smith family on the rejuvenation of the Silverado property has been an extremely positive and rewarding experience,” said Sweet. “It’s great to be a part of such a functional and encouraging team that is raising the bar for public golf facilities in our area.”

The practice facilities include a natural turf driving range and a huge 12,000 square-foot practice putting/chipping green with a sand bunker. Individual and group lessons are available with Director of Golf Daryl Martin. Adult clinics are conducted Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. Junior clinics are scheduled Saturdays, 9-10 a.m.

The course, measuring 6,671 yards from the back tees, is a shotmaker’s delight. With many tree-lined fairways and seven ponds coming into play, the premium is on accuracy. Careful club selection, course management, athleticism and true golfing skills are required, particularly when playing from the championship tees.

The greens at Silverado are generally large and well-contoured. The Tifdwarf Bermuda surfaces are mown short so they putt fast and true.

The front nine starts out with a short, yet challenging 361-yard par-4. There’s water to the right off the tee and a small pond guards the left front of the green which slopes dramatically from back to front. Make sure you’re warmed up before taking on this tricky starting hole.

The rest of the front nine is relatively open, but not without its challenges. Number nine is a tantalizingly short par-4 measuring just 302 yards from the back tees. The hole doglegs left with several tall oaks and a large bunker at the corner. You can hit anything from a 5-iron to a driver off the tee depending on your confidence level. It’s a great short hole that dares you to gamble.

Virtually every hole on the back nine is lined with massive oaks and tall pines. The key to good scoring is to keep your ball in play. Distance off the tee always helps, but is not critical.

Number 10 is a monster, 442-yard par-4 from the back tees. From the white tees it plays as a 167-yard par-3. The fairway is tree-lined from tee to green. The approach is slightly downhill to a wide, shallow green guarded in front by a pond and in back by sand.

Number 12 is a 477-yard par-5. The tree-lined fairway doglegs right and again water protects the green. Longer hitters will be tempted to go for this green in two.

Number 18 is the most challenging of a good set of par-5s. It’s 565 yards and requires a layup off the tee for longer hitters. A pond occupies the middle of the fairway at the elbow of this dogleg right. Once past the water, it’s smooth sailing to a green that’s open in the front. It’s a great finishing hole that has the potential to make or break your round.

The par-3s at Silverado are also worthy of mention. Numbers seven and 13 are picturesque holes requiring middle to short irons over water to large, undulating greens. Number 17 calls for a short iron to a heavily contoured green.

Number four might be the most difficult of the short holes. What makes this 192-yarder so demanding is the absence of hazards around the elevated green. No trees, no water, nothing except a lone sand bunker. From the tee, the green looks tiny and is very hard to hit in regulation.

Silverado’s 4,000 square-foot clubhouse features a newly renovated multi-purpose Club Room and restaurant. With the ability to host 160 people, it’s the perfect venue for business or personal functions, charity events, tournaments and corporate outings as well as weddings and receptions.

Silverado is a semi-private facility where daily fee play is always welcome. A variety of affordable memberships are also available. The Silverado Golf & Country Club staff recognizes that members help create the friendly environment which fosters “quality, tradition and excellence under the oaks.”

To make a tee time up to seven days in advance – or to inquire about an outing, tournament or private function – call the pro shop at (813) 788-1225 or toll free (800) 853-GOLF.

To get to Silverado, take I-75 to exit 58 (SR 54); travel east six miles to the SR 54 bypass. Turn left and travel three miles to Silverado G&CC entrance on the left.

For more golf specials, maps and course information, log on to www.golfsilverado.com.