Located just 60 miles south of Disney World, the Citrus Golf Trail provides a unique terrain for golfers at a bargain price
What will $99 buy you these days? Not nearly as much as it used to, that’s for sure. That is unless you’re a golfer stuck in the frozen tundra of the northern US states in the winter; then 99 bucks goes a seemingly long way.
The Citrus Golf Trail in Sebring, FL currently consists of 7 courses at 5 facilities in the south-central part of Florida around Sebring. And, while the name Sebring Florida may conger up the idea of car racing, there are some fantastic golf courses down here too.
Pinecrest Golf Club
Pinecrest Golf Club – This Donald Ross designed course is full of history and charm
One of the member courses is a Donald Ross design – Pinecrest Golf Club, site of the very first televised PGA golf tournament. Pinecrest is surrounded by natural wooded areas and orange groves and offers a challenge to all that play here. The fairways are well maintained, the greens roll true; several have deceptive false fronts. Bunkers tend to be strategically placed. Pinecrest requires you to think your way around the course if you want to score well.
River Greens is home to the most interesting hole on the Citrus Golf Trail
Another hidden treasure in the Sebring area is River Greens Golf Course. This Jack Kidwell design opened for play in 1969 and has been delighting local golfers and guests ever since. River Greens features a drivable par 4 on the front side and ends with par 5’s on three of the last 4 holes. Most notable is number 18 which has two greens. The longer of the two requires a drive over the lake off the tee and then over it once again on your layup shot. It also comes into play on your approach if you miss to the right. It’s one of the most interesting holes in the area.
Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club
Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club boasts two top-notch golf courses
Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club boasts two top-notch golf courses. Deer Run Golf Course is a Don Dwyer design and features several long and thought-provoking holes. Number 17 is a long dogleg right par 4 with a creek that bisects the fairway and requires a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee. This leaves a long approach shot to an elevated green that is well protected with bunkers. Your round concludes on the Ron Garl-designed 18th hole; a par 3 with an island green. Deer Run will have you hitting every club in your bag!
The other championship golf course at Sun ‘N Lake is Turtle Run Golf Course. Although it plays several hundred yards shorter than its sister course, Turtle Run is by no means a pushover. This Charles Ankrom design opened in 1999 and tests every golfs ability and accuracy. You’ll find narrow landing zones off the tee on several holes as well as deep, challenging bunkers. Turtle Run is built in the middle of a scrub jay preservation area which provides a safe haven for this protected species.
Highlands Ridge Golf Club
Highlands Ridge Golf Club a 36 hole facility that boasts 2 of the best options on the Citrus Golf Trail
Highlands Ridge Golf Club is another 36-hole facility although the courses play out of totally separate clubhouses. The North Course plays out of the main clubhouse. The course was designed by renowned architect Dave Harman and features some of the quickest greens in the Sebring area. Several holes test your shot making ability while a couple of the longer holes put your length to the test. The second hole is a par 4 around a lake that requires both accuracy and distance control off the tee, followed by an accurate approach shot to a fairly small, undulating green. It may not be that long, but it will test everything you’ve got!
The South Course was designed by Lakeland, FL based architect Steve Smyers and is considered by many to be a shotmaker’s delight. Links-style bunkering, natural ponds and creeks all come into play and require accuracy to steer clear of them. Number 13 is a short par 3 over a large conservation area into a small, well-protected green. Just another example of a golf hole that requires an accurate shot hit with the right club. The course is unique in that the front side plays to a par of 34 with no par 5s and two par 3s, while the back nine has three par 5s for a par of 37. Multiple sets of tees make this a favorite for both members and guests.
Inn on the Lakes
At Inn On The Lakes, you will enjoy the luxury of casual, yet elegant surroundings that are as pleasing to the eye as they are comfortable and relaxing
The Inn on the Lakes in Sebring provides a great centralized location for all of the area’s courses. Inn on the Lakes offers 155 rooms; no two of which are exactly alike. All rooms are spacious and well-appointed with several different themes including golf and car racing -in honor of the 12 Hours of Sebring annual event. One of the nicest things about Inn on the Lakes is the atmosphere, especially at Chicane’s Lakeview Restaurant, a perennial finalist for Sebring’s top-rated restaurant.
If you’re looking to book golf packages in the Sebring area, Inn on the Lake offers some very impressive offers. They offer packages that start at $99 and include a round of golf at one of the aforementioned courses, a one-night stay at the hotel and breakfast the next morning. For more information, give hotel owner Phil Hatfield a call at 800.531.5253 x193 or drop him an email at bmwca@aol.com.