Less than 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, World Woods Golf
Club is located in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, a bountiful and unique
region of Florida that was virtually undiscovered by resort developers and the
growing snowbird population. It was a 90-minute drive from the Orlando and Tampa airports, and in the world of golf its
only claim to fame was Black Diamond Ranch, known for its spectacular Tom Fazio
design.
Geographically, it wasn’t the ideal spot for 36 holes of the
best daily-fee golf that Fazio has produced. Topographically, it couldn’t have
been much better. Roughly half of the 800 acres set aside for the golf complex
was old farmland covered with pine forests, while the other half was blessed
with bigger hills, mature hardwoods and native vegetation, including live oaks,
magnolias, dogwoods and azaleas. These two distinct parcels of land enabled
Fazio to create two outstanding golf courses with totally different design
styles and environments.
Pine Barrens has the design style and look of a hybrid of
Pine
Valley and Donald Ross’
Pinehurst No. 2. Rolling Oaks course is more traditional, with greater changes
in elevation, expansive fairways and large rolling greens, set among pristine
forests and enhanced by picturesque ponds and lush vegetation.
To complement the two courses, Fazio created one of the most
extensive practice facility in the world. The first-time visitor is simply
astonished to find a facility this good practically in the middle of nowhere.
This teaching pro’s dream includes a 72-acre circular practice range with every
feature imaginable, simulating shots that are encountered on the two courses.
Other facilities include a two-acre putting course, three warm-up holes, and a
nine-hole short course.
Fazio’s goal at Pine Barrens
was to create a dramatic but playable course, framed by areas of native sand,
tall pines and indigenous vegetation. Constant changes in elevation and Fazio’s
artistry provide the drama and generous fairways provide the playability—while a
variety of exceptional approach shots provide the challenge and imaginative
greens provide the thrills—and agonies.
As with all Fazio designs, Pine
Barrens is a visual feast of convergent lines, contrast, color and
textures. Bold ridges and swales interact with the light native sand, dark
vegetation and verdant playing areas to bring the course to life and enhance the
player’s enjoyment of the game.
Pine Barrens’ design style
is primarily strategic, offering alternate routes of play according to a
player’s skill and penchant for risk, along with bailout areas that allow
players to avoid severe hazards at the cost of an additional stroke. Several
holes, however, offer the player an opportunity to save a stroke or two, by
attempting a heroic shot over a hazard at risk of a penalty stroke.
The variety of the greensites and putting surfaces at
Pine Barrens is one of its greatest design
features. Many are wide and shallow, while others are narrow but deep. Several
are angular and a few are simply round.
Put it all together, and Pine
Barrens—and World Woods—is well worth the trek to this remote
outpost.
