The Dunes Golf Club - Where Championship Golf Blends Seamlessly with Nature |
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Renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills designed the Course - which originally opened in 1988. Other area courses designed by Hills include Tampa Palms (Tampa), Stoneybrook (Sarasota) and River Strand (Bradenton). The Dunes remains his favorite design to this day. In 2007, Hills was given free reign to transform the award-winning Dunes layout into a new and improved spectacular golf setting. The golf course is a blend of modern day and old Scottish designs in a Carolina sand hills setting. All vegetation is indigenous to the area. The terrain is dominated by ancient sand dunes, giving the course a very natural look. In fact, the dunes – identified by strategic plantings of native grass – are considered “waste areas” where players are permitted to ground their clubs. 
The Dunes has many other features that contribute to its uniqueness including dramatic elevation changes. Golfers will encounter a variety of uphill, downhill and sidehill lies as they work their way around a course with no parallel fairways. Tall pines line virtually every fairway creating a wonderful feeling of serenity and isolation from the rest of the world. At 7,139 yards from the black tees, a 74.0 rating and 132 slope, the Dunes will challenge the best of players. From the blue tees, the Dunes is still a formidable challenge at 6,744 yards. The white tees are a more reasonable 6,222 yards. All told, there are five sets of tees. To maximize your enjoyment, it is imperative that you play the tees that best fit your game. 
Although the course was not substantially lengthened during the recent renovation, it nevertheless plays signifi cantly longer now. Expansive waste areas now protect the doglegs. Cutting corners is no longer an option except for the longest of hitters. However, wide fairways give golfers plenty of room to maneuver their golf balls. The Dunes features first-class practice facilities including a natural turf driving range with multiple target greens, two short game practice greens and putting green. Director of Golf Jim Cocchi has assembled a fine teaching staff including PGA Professionals Harry Andrews and Walter Newell. 
The Dunes Teaching Staff now offers “Ten-Minute Tune Ups,” its player improvement program. These highly qualified professionals will view, analyze, recommend and implement corrective measures or offer swing keys for players to take to the first tee. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a member of the teaching staff is available to help you succeed in your pre-round preparations and will send you to the first tee ready for your round. If there is a certain shot you would like to learn or if you’re just looking for a swing key for the day, they are there to help. This valuable player improvement service is offered exclusively at The Dunes Golf Club for a nominal fee of $10 per tune up. The remodeled clubhouse at the Dunes features a pro shop and 19th Hole snack bar. Corporate and charitable outings are welcome. The Dunes operates as a daily-fee golf course with annual prepaid memberships available on a limited basis. 
The Dunes – long recognized by discerning golfers as one of Tampa Bay’s finest layouts – is also a great value. With the current economy affecting just about everyone’s discretionary income, the Dunes offers special rates to Military, Florida residents, Seniors, AAA Members and Golf Membership Cardholders. For tee times up to seven days in advance, call (352) 596-7888 or toll-free (800) 232-1363. For membership information, contact Director of Golf Jim Cocchi at (352) 596-7888 or visit www.dunesgolfclub.com. At A Glance
LOCATION: |
Hidden away among the sand hills of north Hernando County is a gem of a golf course that continues to get better. Located on U.S. Highway 19, ten miles north of Weeki Wachee and SR 50, 
