Photograph by John and Geanine Henebry
Home All-Stars: The Sporting Life
January 1, 2006
Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club
An hour north of Orlando, the Golden
Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Ocala, Fla., sits in the heart of the
state’s most desirable horse country: a landscape of rolling hills famous for
its horse farms, polo, breed shows and trail riding. Developed by the Roberts
family, the community was envisioned as a private sanctuary where families can
enjoy horseback riding, spectacular golf, luxury homes and breathtaking scenery.
According to Cliff Wilson, vice president of development for the 1,200-acre
project, the Golden Ocala is “attracting people from the Northeast, the Midwest
and even South Florida. They’re coming here because of the open acres and
because this is truly some of the most important horse country in the United
States. Many Kentucky Derby winners came from this area.”
Top photo: The 18-hole Ron Garl golf course. Bottom photo: The graciously
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The Golden Ocala Equestrian Center recently opened, offering beautiful paddocks
surrounded by large oaks, along with state-of-the-art equipment both outside and
inside the stable.
Golf is the other major draw. An 18-hole Ron Garl golf course features eight
tribute holes, resembling those found in Royal Troon, Augusta, Baltusrol and St.
Andrews. There is also a double-ended driving range and a 77,000-square-foot
clubhouse built in the Southern Colonial style. A tennis, fitness and spa center
is currently under construction.
Top photo: Horses from the equestrian club. Bottom photo: The picturesque
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Of the 798 home sites, more than 100 are already sold. Home sites range in price
from $300,000 to $1.5 million; homes range from $600,000 to $5 million. The
architecture is classical with antebellum touches, and the homes will be spread
out among five separate villages: Club side Village, Lakeside Estates, Masters
Village, Grotto Park and the Residences of Golden Ocala. Membership fees for
2006 have yet to be announced.
Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club
352.369.6969
www.goldenocala.com
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