Rio Pinar Country Club

First opened in 1957, Rio Pinar Golf and Country Club has a rich history and a great future. The semi-private club, which offers a 7,000-yard championship golf course, is the former home of the PGA Tour's Citrus Open and LPGA's Women's Citrus Open. Recent renovations, however, have the club and the course thriving in the 21st century. Great players to grace these fairways include Arnold Palmer, Julius Boros, Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Patty Sheehan, and Beth Daniel. The course, which was designed by Mark Mahannah, was redesigned in 1995 by architect Lloyd Clifton. More recently, more than $3 million was put into renovations that include new Champion Bermuda greens, white sand bunkers, new cart paths and a remodeled golf shop and clubhouse. As for the course -- which has five sets of tees, starting at 5,346 yards -- it's a traditional Florida layout with mature Spanish-moss-covered trees, strategic bunkering and subtle greens. Water comes into play on five holes on the back nine. The 12th is a good example. It's a par-3 where players must carry a creek on the way to the green. The finishing stretch is strong, beginning with the 510-yard, par-5 15th, the no. 2 handicap hole. It's a dogleg right with a creek that cuts right in front of the green. Besides the golf course, Rio Pinar also offers a driving range, short-game area, and practice putting green. The golf shop is well-stocked with the latest in apparel and accessories. And the Champions Grill at Rio Pinar is a traditional country club dining room, offering great food in a relaxed, comfortable, golf-themed setting.