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Water Holes Create Challenge

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

The sign at the tee of the par-5 third hole at Silverthorn Country Club displays the first water hazard on the Brooksville course.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: August 25, 2008

Updated:

At first glance, the par-3 fifth hole at Silverthorn Country Club seems innocent enough. There the hole sits, only 169 yards from even the gold tees.

Just one problem: a large body of water sits between the tee and a tiny green, providing little landing space and a dangerous slope.

Numerous water hazards offer quite a challenge at this semi-private course located in the Silverthorn community off Barclay Avenue.

"A fair golf course with a little poison thrown in, in the form of the third, fifth, ninth and 18th holes," said photographer and avid golfer Joe DiCristofalo. "The water on all those holes is completely in play and not just decorative.

"They may look pretty, but unlike other courses I've played, you have to play smart to not have those water holes eat you up."

Owned by Heard

Jerry Heard, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour and resident of the community, has owned and operated the club over the last six years.

Designed by Joe Lee, the course opened in 1994 as part of a development built by a company called Scarborough. Houses are close enough that one bad shank could wind up in someone's backyard.

Arnold Palmer Golf Management first operated the course, but it has since passed through several hands.

The course has roughly 130 members, mostly residents of the surrounding community. For the public, rates are reasonable: $18.95-23.95 on weekdays and $18.95-27.95 on weekends depending on the time of day. These special rates will run through Sept. 30.

The clubhouse offers a quality restaurant and pro shop, as well as a banquet hall available for weddings. A gazebo between the ninth and 18th holes makes for a nice photographic backdrop.

But what about the course itself? From the gold tees the yardages is 6,933; 6,502 from the blue tees, 6,194 from the silver tees, 5,665 from the white tees and 5,259 from the red tees.

"It's well-maintained," said Leo Cadden, the course's head golf pro. "It's a player-friendly course, but also challenging for better golfers, too.

"It's flatter. There are not as many hidden shots. It's not too hilly. Usually it's pretty dry even in wet weather."

However, keeping the golf ball dry can become quite a chore. It starts with the 570-yard, par-5 third hole that doglegs right around a large lake.

"Silverthorn is very gentle," said Mike Humphreys, a DiCristofalo golfing buddy. "It eases you in and then bam! It hits you with a risk-reward (hole)."

Humphreys called the 510-yard, par-5 18th hole, to the right of another lake that sits between the ninth and 18th, "one of the nicest finishing holes in our area" and complimented the course's degree of difficulty.

"It's not overly dangerous, it's not overly long. But if you don't hit the ball fairly straight you're in trouble," said the Spring Hill resident with a seven handicap. "It's a course where you can make it more difficult than it really is. But for what it is it's a very good test of golf.

"You've got to play well to get a good score. You can't go with an average game. You have to have your game on line."

For the rest of the course, DiCristofalo noted the "lush conditions" based on the thickness of the fairways and added that the greens are typically in good shape.

"I think most of the holes play pretty fair," DiCristofalo said. "There are a number of blind tee shots. Knowing the course certainly is helpful. The greens are fairly large. You can get away with not hitting a perfect shot and still get on the green.

"...I think it's a great golf course to play. I've always enjoyed the golf course and the amenities are more than fair. Anybody looking for a nice round of golf a little off the public golf course track, this is very inviting."

Course rating (out of five): T T T T

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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