Jacksonville golf options - input appreciated

[George Pazin]

A good friend of mine is heading down there, and as he tends to do on all trips, he asked me what I knew about the area. I drew a complete blank (other than the obvious TPC). Any info on best options, public or private, would be much appreciated.

[Jeff_Mingay]

George,

I think Timuquana Country Club is a neat place. Old Donald Ross course redone by Bobby Weed and co.

[Mark Saltzman]

Pablo Creek
Sawgrass CC
Hammock Dunes (two courses)

[Howard Riefs]

-- Ponte Vedra Inn, Ocean Course

Additional nods for:
-- Sawgrass C.C.
-- Pablo Creek

[Sam Morrow]

Isn't there a cool old muni down there that Ross did?

[Dean Stokes]

Is he looking to play golf George? A lot depends on where he is staying.....it is a huge city. If he is on the beach, Timuquana is an hour away. If he is in Amelia Island, Sawgrass is over an hour away! Can he get on the private courses? Otherwise adding Pablo, Timuquana and Sawgrass CC is pointless.......

[Dean Stokes]

Is he looking to play golf George? A lot depends on where he is staying.....it is a huge city. If he is on the beach, Timuquana is an hour away. If he is in Amelia Island, Sawgrass is over an hour away! Can he get on the private courses? Otherwise adding Pablo, Timuquana and Sawgrass CC is pointless.......

Hyde Park.

[Howard Riefs]

A lot depends on where he is staying.....it is a huge city.

Dean isn't kidding.  Given my inner Cliff Clavin for needless trivia:

Jacksonville is the largest city in area in the continental U.S.

http://www.coj.net/About-Jacksonville.aspx

[George Pazin]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. My friend is a member of an old Ross course, so I know he would love some of the suggestions. I don't think access is an issue, he's a great guy with lots of friends!

Interesting thoughts on the location question, I don't know where he's staying. I'll forward a link to the thread, see what he says.

Thanks again.

[Dean Stokes]

Timuquana and San Jose CC are the best two Donald Ross. Pablo Creek and Palencia are both good courses (Fazio and A Hills). Sawgrass CC is a good test. Long Point on Amelia Island is good.

[BCrosby]

Hyde Park is interesting and inexpensive. They played a PGA event there back in the day.

I've never been clear if it is Stanley Thompson or Ross or some combination of both.

Bob

[Kris Shreiner]

Sam M,

I believe you're talking about Palatka GC, about an hour South of the city limits. It's a bit scruffy around the edges, but for $25.00 it's a darn good value. While it is reputed to be a Ross design, a recent visit by the Ross Society found the name of another gent on a routing that the pro produced. A bit of a mystery there, though it has some of the most devilish holes and greens you can imagine. It also hosts the Azalea Amateur, usually in March, which has a top field and the 5,900 and change yardage gives'm fits!

The immortal Tommy Bolt, who played the course, gave the BEST quote I've ever heard in describing a course . When asked his take of Palatka he said, "That's the hardest little catbox I ever played!" Priceless.

Hyde Park is worth a play. The other usual suspects mentioned are all sold bets. Another track that usually is is fine shape is St. John's Country Club, off of  Rt.  210, I believe. It's always good to call ahead to check on conditions. One thing I'll say for the golf folks here, they tell it like it is when you ask about the shape of the course. Refreshing.

Cheers,
Kris