Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

From Florida Golf Magazine's 2016 List of Florida's Best 5-Star Golf Course Communities with Real Estate For Sale. Written by Joe Stine, Editor

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Playing at 160 yards from the back tees, the par three eleventh hole at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Ocala Florida is a re-creation modeled after the twelfth hole at Augusta.

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club boasts a riveting 18-hole championship course design by world renowned architect Ron Garl that incorporates eight masterfully created tribute holes from some of the world’s finest courses including Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield, and St. Andrews.

Though the eight tribute holes are beautiful, the other ten holes at Golden Ocala are outstanding, and in concert with the tribute holes create a golf course that stands very much on its own merits.

When Florida native, Ron Garl originally designed the course back in 1986, it was the first golf course in the country to include tribute holes actually modeled after some of the most famous golf holes in the world. It has since been consistently rated as one of the top ten courses in Florida, as well as one of the top 100 courses in the country.

Architect, Ron Garl, ASGCA

Speaking of Golden Ocala’s eight tribute holes, Ron Garl told Florida Golf Magazine, “Each one of these holes has a very unique character. I think a really great golf hole has to have character, as well as strategy and some options, and the tribute holes at Golden Ocala certainly have all those factors.”

In regard to Golden Ocala’s 11th and 12th holes being modeled after the 12th and 13th holes of Augusta, Garl said, “Obviously the 12th and 13th holes at Augusta have been pivotal many times in deciding who will win the Masters, so in my opinion I would say ‘there is no greater stretch of golf holes than Amen Corner at Augusta.’” (Amen Corner" is the monicker given to a 3-hole section of the back nine on Augusta, comprised of hole Nos. 11, 12 and 13.)

“Speaking of Amen Corner,” said Garl, “I remember one-time playing golf in West Virginia at The Greenbrier with Sam Snead and we were talking about great courses and great golf holes. He told me that one of the three times that he won the Masters happened because he chipped in for a birdie on #12. Snead said that he could remember looking up at his caddie after that and saying, ‘Maybe our luck has changed.’”

The "Road Hole"

The Road Hole at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is very accurately modeled after the 17th hole at “The Old Course” in St. Andrews, Scotland.

The Infamous "Road Hole" at Golden Ocala

The 13th hole at Golden Ocala is a tribute to the infamous Road Hole at the “Old Course” in Saint Andrews, Scotland, which has often been the decisive hole in the British Open. Modeled after the 17th hole of the hallowed “Auld Course” the Road Hole at Golden Ocala plays very much like the original.

Playing at 470 yards from the back tees, this long par 4 will test the player's mind with their approach shot. If the hole is up front, it is critical to keep your ball below the hole for an uphill putt. If the hole is on the back of the green, it is best to hit your approach shot long and left. Try to avoid the left greenside bunker at all costs. It is a Scottish-style revetted bunker made with stacked sod modeled after the notorious Road Hole Bunker.

The Notorious “Road Hole Bunker” at Golden Ocala

The "Postage Stamp Hole"

Playing at 123 yards from the back tees, the Postage Stamp Hole at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is modeled after the eighth hole at Royal Troon in Scotland.

The "Postage Stamp Hole" at Golden Ocala

Playing at 123 yards from the back tees, the beautiful Postage Stamp Hole at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is named and modeled after the famous eighth hole at Royal Troon. This short downhill par 3 plays to a long narrow green. Players should club themselves to the front third of the green. The green is protected in front, as well as on both sides, with deep bunkers.

Ron Garl said, “One time while I was playing golf with Gene Sarazen at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Ft. Myers, FL., we were talking about memorable golf holes. Gene, who was eighty-some years old at that time said, “You know Ron, I will never forget making a hole in one on the Postage Stamp Hole at Royal Troon in the 1973 British Open.” (Sarazen played in the 1973 Open at age 73, which was 40 years after he won the 1932 British Open and The Grand Slam.)

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

The stately 77,000 sq. ft. clubhouse at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

At-a-Glance-Facts about Golden Ocala

Golden Ocala is a gated community consisting of eight unique neighborhoods, each carefully designed to provide distinctive options for our residents.
Club amenities include an 18-hole championship golf course, six Har-Tru HydroGrid® tennis courts, a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, a resort-style pool, a full-service equestrian center, world-class dining, and social events.
Golden Ocala offers a variety of membership levels including all access memberships, active wellness memberships, social memberships, and seasonal memberships.
Annual, seasonal, and vacation rentals are also available through Royal Shell Vacations.