Hernando County offers wide range of golf facilities
The growth of Hernando County has created wider-ranging demographics, and on a smaller scale that trend reaches into the golfing community.
Whether it’s youths just getting started in the game or retirees enjoying an afternoon on the links, there are plenty of options that can challenge golfers of all skill levels, yet not necessarily break the bank.
A total of 17 courses are located within the county’s borders, eight of them public, four that are semi-private and five that are fully private.
“I think you have a great variety of golf courses in Hernando County,” said golf expert Glen Hnatiuk. “There are some championship-caliber golf courses. Southern Hills is definitely a championship-type golf course.
“The Dunes, they’ve done some renovations to the golf course and that golf course has become really, really good. Then there’s Hernando Oaks and there’s a lot of other golf courses, smaller golf courses that are more friendly to the open public and cater to higher handicaps.”
Hnatiuk, currently a resident of the GlenLakes community surrounding GlenLakes Golf and Country Club, has resided in Hernando County since 1995.
He now works as a gym teacher at Explorer K-8, also coaching the school’s golf team, but he was a professional golfer from 1990-2007, collecting four wins on the Nationwide Tour. He spent six seasons on the PGA Tour from 2000-05.
Hnatiuk has a connection to what would be considered the two crown jewels of the county, the private Southern Hills Plantation Club and public World Woods Golf Club.
During his time on tour, Hnatiuk would often practice at World Woods, which features two nationally recognized 18-hole courses (Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks), plus a 9-hole course, three practice holes, a circular driving range and a putting green.
“World Woods was always a really, really great facility,” Hnatiuk said of the course located on U.S. Highway 98 right by the Suncoast Parkway. “You can be there all day and never get bored. The last couple of years, they’ve now improved some things. It’s become a championship-caliber golf course.”
Yet it does not only serve the seasoned pro. World Woods is the home course for both Springstead High and the North Suncoast Junior Golf Association.
As for Southern Hills, Hnatiuk has a membership at the prestigious course off U.S. 41. Opened in January 2006, it offers more of a country club feel, but the Pete Dye-designed layout puts it over the top.
“Southern Hills has a lot of length,” Hnatiuk said. “They’ve got it to 175-176 yards long. You have elevations changes, especially on the front nine. You don’t even realize you’re in Florida.”
One thing Hnatiuk particularly noted about those courses, and the majority of others in Hernando County, was the amount of tees available, allowing golfers of various driving abilities a realistic chance at each hole.
Though World Woods and Southern Hill may stand out above the rest, there are other intriguing courses throughout the area.
From the trees that line Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club to the spectacular quarry holes of Brooksville Country Club, the county presents unique opportunities and landscapes.
“Those quarry holes are something else,” Hnatiuk said. “Those quarry holes make the golf course, but it’s a pretty solid layout.”
The Dunes Golf Club, GlenLakes and Silverthorn Country Club are also among the more advanced courses in the county. All are open to the public, though in the case of GlenLakes only on a limited basis.
There are several more quality destinations — some public and some private — for the intermediate golfer, including Brookridge Country Club, High Point Golf Club, Oak Hills Golf Club, Ridge Manor Oaks Golf and Country Club, Seven Hills Golf Course, Sherman Hills Golf Club and Timber Pines Country Club.
Hnatiuk has a particular affection for Oak Hills, since it serves as Explorer’s home course.
“They’ve got great people over there,” Hnatiuk said. “But the golf course itself is really good. It’s friendly to everybody with its layout.”
Ownership of Oak Hills changed hands last month. Trigild, a San Diego-based distressed real estate and loan recovery specialist, has taken over operating the course.
Finally, there is Rivard Golf Club and two exclusively 9-hole facilities, Heather Golf and Country Club and The Quarry Golf Course.
Coaching at the middle school level has given Hnatiuk additional insight into these courses, and an appreciation for what they have to offer.
The Quarry, located in the heart of Brooksville, has made an especially strong push to encourage a younger generation of golfers, hosting The First Tee of Brooksville program.
“Those three golf courses are perfect for people who are just kind of starting out, kids at the age where they’re playing with junior sets,” Hnatiuk said. “They all lend themselves to being playable to that caliber. If you go out as a father and son, or grandfather and grandson, then those courses are perfect for those situations.”
