Quarry Holes Lend Character

Joe DiCristofalo looked out at the 12th hole and realized he faced a quandary at a quarry.

Play the safe shot and aim for the fairway on the high ground, or try to hit it over the other fairway - in what once served as limestone mine - and potentially get closer to the green.

These are the unique decisions golfers must contemplate at Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks, open since 1970, but redesigned two years ago to include several "quarry holes" on the back nine.

"It went from having one quarry hole to having four and it just adds a lot of character," said DiCristofalo, photographer and avid golfer. "For me it plays some of the same interest as a course like Black Diamond (in Lecanto). You have something in the middle of the golf course not like anything you're used to seeing."

Those quarry holes - 12, 13, 14 and 17 - are now the calling card of this scenic semi-private course located at 23446 Links Drive not far off Croom Road.

They include steep drops, man-made lakes and waterfalls, and the rock walls that framed a mine abandoned long before the course existed. Occasional pieces of limestone dot the holes.

"It's something very much different from a traditional golf course, which are pretty much flat," said Brian Brewer, general manager of the club. "You're looking for something to be different, set yourself part. It was a unique opportunity to do that.

"They're fantastic. Everybody loves them. The people that come here and play them find they're unlike anything else they play in this area."

Member owned

In the late 1960s, several of the most prominent families in Brooksville got together and built the club, putting ownership in the hands of the members.

However in 2000, a private group made up of about ten members - called Majestic Oaks - bought out the club during some financial hardship.

Several years ago the facility went through a significant upgrade, one that made it far more than just a golf course.

"We built a new fitness center, a new day spa, redid the swimming pool," Brewer said. "We want to build a championship-style golf course."

Brewer pointed out that this course is not part of a housing development, so players can "get back to the quiet and natural feel of playing golf."

The full-service club has 375 members, 80 percent of which Brewer estimated are local, and also features tennis courts, dining and a pro shop.

Current rates are more than reasonable, especially considering the quality of the facility. A round of golf on weekdays before noon costs $37, $29 noon-2 p.m. and $20 after 2 p.m.

On weekends, a round costs $45 before noon, $32 noon-2 p.m. and $20 after 2 p.m.

The club offers a platinum individual, platinum family and social membership plan, as well as a seasonal family plan for October through April.

Playing the course

The course measures 6,812 yards from the black tees, 6,357 from the blues, 5,976 from the whites and 5,337 from the reds. Professional golfer Lee Westwood holds the course record of 63.

There are par-5s on 3, 7, 11 and 18, and par-3s on 5, 9, 14 and 17. Of course, on 17 the golfer tees off from high ground into the quarry, with a dangerous lake sitting in front of the hole.

Dave Braden of Inverness, a 10 handicap, and Dan Ball of Dunnellon, a 14 handicap, are two golfers who frequently play the course, and extolled its virtues following their round on Thursday.

"I really, really like it," Braden said. "It's got character and it's well maintained and the price isn't too bad. There are a lot of nice things about it.

"...They're (the quarry holes) really tough, very penalizing if you're not careful on the tee. I don't know how many times I've made seven on 12 and 13."

"It's wonderful, manicured great, super challenging, very nice," Ball said. "The people are nice. I've never had a bad experience.

"...They're (the quarry holes) the reason for coming here. It's all character. It's a nice course regardless but add the quarry holes; it's a really exceptional course."

DiCristofalo, who had not played the course since its renovation, deemed it visually satisfying.

"Something like those holes, you're not seeing everyday," DiCristofalo said. "That makes a big difference to me."

So what did the veteran golfer think about how the course played?

"It's not killer difficult," DiCristofalo said. "It's fair. A lot of course, it's got very wide open areas. Most of the areas you're not going to lose your golf ball. You can make some kind of play off the fairway with the exception of the quarry holes.

"Most of the holes give you an option. It's not just a target golf course where you fly it at the pin. There's an option at almost every hole where it's up to you. It depends on where your strengths are. It's a good shot-making course."

It apparently left a very good impression, as DiCristofalo vowed to return.

"Very well kept, the greens are in very good condition, the fairways are in good condition," DiCristofalo said. "I don't know that anyone would have any complaints about playing on that golf course.

"I'll definitely play there again. Actually I can't wait to play there again."

Course rating (out of five):

T T T T T