The renowned golf course at R.L.R.Golden Ocala Golf & Country Club in Florida has been named by T&L Golf Magazine as the best replica course in America. The 18-hole links features re-creations of eight holes at famous U.S. and Scottish courses.
The recognition, announced in the magazine’s January/February 2002 issue, ranked the Ocala course above nine other replica courses.
“It is very impressive to me that Golden Ocala is ranked No. 1 since it was one of the first replica courses ever built,” said Joe Donnelly, the course’s general manager. “It is remarkable that it started out as No. 1 and remains No. 1. Ron Garl did a phenomenal job when he designed this course.”
Golden Ocala, which opened to the public in 1986, has been closed for more than a year to undergo extensive renovations. The now private course is scheduled to reopen this spring in the gated community of the same name.
“We updated the replica holes to incorporate the changes made over the years on the original holes,” Donnelly said. “New irrigation and drainage systems were installed and we re-sprigged the grasses everywhere but in the roughs.”
“Everyone really likes hole 4, the Postage Stamp from Royal Troon in Scotland,” said Donnelly. “I especially like the replica of Augusta’s Nelson Bridge hole. Planted with thousands of azaleas, it looks and plays just like the original.”
Golden Ocala also features a replica of the famous Road Hole at St. Andrews including the long stone wall; in addition to replica holes from Muirfield and Baltusrol.
Golden Ocala www.goldenocala.com.