FEATURE STORY

Tallahassee, Fla's working-class roots show up on golf courses

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer

There is a difference between the things Tallahassee is best known for, and what Tallahassee is really all about.

Look up this town in the encyclopedia, and you'll see it's the capital of Florida, as well as a college town, with Florida State University and Florida A&M calling Tallahassee home. But the college-town personality ends on campus. Tallahassee is close to the Georgia border and is a town with a more conservative, white-collar attitude than many of its neighboring towns.

This attitude can also be translated to its golf courses. There are less than a dozen public courses within a 30-minute drive of Tallahassee, a number dwarfed by similarly sized Florida towns such as Naples. But while Tallahassee doesn't offer the most or the best of golf, it does offer solid golf with low green fees.

Here's a look at some of the places to play in Tallahassee.

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Can't miss

The SouthWood Golf Club has been named as "Tallahassee's Best Golf Course" by Tallahassee Magazine and "Florida's Best New Upscale Public Course" by Golf Digest Magazine when the course opened in 2003.

Fred Couples and Gene Bates designed SouthWood, which entered the Tallahassee golf scene with high expectations and has thus far delivered on its promise.

"The land seems handcrafted for a course, as the topography rises and falls elegantly, creating some tough, but scenic, holes," wrote Jason Scott for Golf Publisher Syndications. "Couples said it has the potential to be a 'premier course in the Southeast.' "

In terms of sheer popularity, it's hard to discount Don Veller's Seminole Golf Club. Located conveniently near the Florida State campus and with green fees rarely exceeding $30, Seminole used a recent $7-million upgrade to keep itself relevant.

"As one expects from a Bill Amick-designed course, Seminole is fairly open with no trickery and modest hazards," wrote Derek Duncan for Golf Publisher Syndications. "It certainly serves as a welcoming venue for all levels of player."

Also playing

Hilaman Park Golf Club a municipal course in southeast Tallahassee that opened in 1971. It brings an interesting landscape to life in this Larry Zimmerman design. Trees and bunkers will come into play, as will pleasant green fees that range from $20-$35.

Designed in 1988 by Dean Refram, The Players Club at Summerbrooke is one of the toughest courses you'll play in the region, as a tight, rolling landscape will require your inner shot-maker to make an appearance.

Take a drive out of town to find an interesting round of golf at the Golf Club of Quincy. Beautiful scenery combines with the most steeply rolling hills you'll find in the region's golf scene. A Joe Lee design that opened in 1968, the Golf Club at Quincy is a soothing way to get in 18 holes.

Also a 25-minute drive from Tallahassee will take you to Wildwood Country Club in Crawfordville. Wildwood enjoys a reputation of being the type of course you can play a four-hour round or less, and put up a good score while doing it.

"It's quiet and scenic (perhaps only a dozen homes populate the course), and there is a simple, refreshing joy to playing this layout that measures just 6,500 yards from the tips," wrote Duncan.

Fast fact

Tallahassee is located in the area known as the Big Bend, with Georgia 14 miles to the north and the Gulf of Mexico 25 miles to the south.

If you go

SouthWood Golf Club
3750 Grove Park Dr.
Tallahassee, FL
Tee times: (850) 942-4653

Seminole Golf Club
2550 Pottsdamer St
Tallahassee, FL
Tee times: 866-521-2331

Hilaman Golf Club
2737 Blairstone Road
Tallahassee, FL
Tee times: (850) 891-3935

The Players Club at Summerbrooke
7505 Preservation Rd
Tallahassee, FL
Phone: (850) 894-4653

The Golf Club of Quincy
Solomon-Dairy Road
Quincy, FL
Tee times: (850) 942-4653

Wildwood Country Club
3870 Coastal Hwy 98
Crawfordville, FL
Tee times: (850) 926-4653

June 23, 2006

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.