[PPreu]

Ive been an Ocala resident for 10 years and have spent most of that time playing golf. I'm on a 30-day break from the game I love in order to pack up my belongings and move to The Villages.!!! YAY me!!!

I'm a 9 handicap, so it is my belief that courses and conditions are relative to a golfer of like ability. A 24 handicap has a different impression of the same course that a 15 or a 6 handicap will.

The Country Club at Silver Spring Shores - a classic old Florida style course. Nicely appointed, priced accordingly, about $42.00. Zach Johnson holds the course record during a Hooters Tour event held there. VERY busy, a great skins game for the single digit group. I'd give it a three and half ball (out of 5) rating.

Lake Diamond is parked next door and is an 18 hole layout very reminiscent of northern courses, as it is literally carved out of the woods. It boasts the most difficult hole in the county, a par 4 beast that measures out at 445 yards from the middle tees. NOT an easy course, expect to shoot 5-7 strokes over your normal. $25.00 at last look. 3 balls.

Ocala Golf Club, known locally as "Muni". Owned by the city of Ocala it is up on E. Silver Springs Blvd (State Rd 40) in Ocala. It IS close to the Wing House, a Hooters knock-off. Elevation changes, (pretty uncommon in Central Florida), make this course a fun play. Even though its a city-owned public course, its worth the trip. Probably about $35-40. 3 1/2 balls.

Pine Oaks. Another "Muni" course in Ocala. Difficult to tell the difference between the fairway and the rough. It gets a lot of play moreso because the price is in the 20s. T-shirts and jeans if that floats your boat. Two balls.

Stone Creek. A little too easy for me, but that's just me. Expect to improve your norm by 2-3 strokes. Well manicured, extremely wide fairways and rough, very nice greens. Its a bit of a hike to get there, maybe 45 minutes, but all in all, I'd make it there at least once a season. Figure in 35-40 bucks. four balls.

Golden Hills. A tough, hilly golf course. Do yourself a favor. There's a Hooters Tour event there in March. Plan a trip there right after. It'll give you a chance to experience the "pro feel" of a tournament ready course. A bit more pricey, but you get what you pay for. Up I-75 to US-27 north. 3 1/2 balls.

There's more, but heck, there's football too ya know!!!

"P"