Alaqua Country Club was designed by golf legend Gary Player and opened in 1988. Player put his personal stamp on the private 18-hole golf course, with its elevated tees and other features that make it playable for his level of golfer as well as high handicappers.
Sculpted through tunnels of soaring 60-foot trees and incorporating water in some form on 16 of the 18 holes, the course at Alaqua Country Club is short by today’s standards at 6,395 yards from the back tees. A phenomenal shot maker throughout his long and illustrious career, Player designed Alaqua to encourage a variety of shots from different angles.
Large, mature oak trees draped with Spanish moss and tall palm trees are prevalent and provide an inviting habitat for wildlife. On a typical round, you’ll have occasional sightings of deer, wild turkey and alligators.
The most talked about hole at Alaqua Country Club is the 177-yard (159-yards gold tees, 144-yards blue tees and 110-yards red tees), par-3 No. 13, one of Central Florida’s most beautiful holes. The tee boxes are situated on a series of mounds creating a daunting shot. Surrounded by water, the smallish green is fronted by a long bunker that’s a magnet for under-clubbed shots. Along the left side, impressive mansions that look like Parade of Homes nominees frame the lake.
At Alaqua Country Club, you will finish your round with a short par 4 that measures 350 yards from the back tees (335-yards gold tees, 310-yards blue tees and 249-yards red tees). The approach shot is a knee knocker to a small green fronted on the left by a rock bulkhead and on the right by a bunker.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a well designed, strategic layout that doesn’t demand mammoth tee shots with fabulous tree growth, elevation changes, beautiful landscaping and picturesque lakes, Alaqua Country Club is an excellent choice. But the club is private.