As a kid growing up in a few of the northern states, I dreamed of retiring, moving to a golf community somewhere in the Sunshine State, playing golf, and living happily ever after! As I got older and moved through the workforce, that was the same dream shared by just about everyone I ever played golf with. On a recent trip to the Naples area, I came across a community that more than fills the bill. The community is home to more than 900 residents and has a very robust calendar of social and recreational activities including tennis, bocce ball,…
Author: David Theoret
David Theoret
The Golfin’ Guy aka David (or Dave, but never Davey) Theoret grew up in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, where it was naturally assumed he would play hockey. Beginning at the age of 3 and continuing into his late 30's, he did just that. However, after one too many pucks to the head, he realized that golf was a lot easier on the body and took the game up. Whoever said hockey players were slow? Since that time, golf has become his passion – just ask Belinda. From 2003 until 2009, David ran the sales and marketing department of TravelGolf Media and took his team to over $1M in annual advertising revenue. While at TravelGolf, an editor told him he had a flair for writing and the lightbulb came on. He started writing articles about anything golf related: courses, destinations, resorts, shoes, apparel, equipment and training aids and sending them to websites and magazines. At first, his articles were picked up by a few golf websites and magazines, but the number steadily grew – enough that he could call it a career. Most days he’s on a course somewhere, either working or playing. Actually, to him playing IS work. Occasionally you’ll find him on the practice range reinforcing bad habits. David plays to a 12 handicap - unless there is money involved in which case it goes considerably higher. He currently resides in Fairfield Glade, TN with his wife Belinda and their two "kids," Duncan and Paisley.
The state of Tennessee has several big cities, each with its fair share of upscale daily fee golf courses, private clubs, and resorts. But it’s the small town of Crossville, with a population of less than 15,000, that is recognized as “The Golf Capital of Tennessee.” Crossville is located in Cumberland County, up on the Cumberland Plateau. It’s right off I-40, two hours east of Nashville, and about an hour west of Knoxville. Crossville garnered this distinction because of the high concentration of championship courses, a wide variety of layouts suitable for all skill levels, and a mild, year-round climate.…
In the 1990s, golf’s popularity flourished. The “Tiger “effect was in full bloom, dramatically changing the game’s demographics as the younger crowd began to see golf in a whole new way. Media coverage increased as new digital platforms emerged. Golf equipment was quickly evolving. Manufacturers were using lighter yet stronger graphite shafts and titanium clubheads to increase swing speeds and add distance. Resorts in the planning stages began including golf courses and training facilities. Golf courses were popping up in new “master-planned” communities, which linked the game to an upscale lifestyle and social status. Robert “Rab” Summers has been…
When you think of the Florida Panhandle, the city of Navarre probably isn’t on your list of vacation destinations. It’s a sleepy bedroom community, consisting primarily of U.S. military personnel, defense contractors, federal civil servants, and retirees; it’s located about 25 miles east of Pensacola and about 15 miles west of Fort Walton Beach. Within the city limits is an upscale neighborhood located in the Holley By the Sea subdivision, called Hidden Creek Estates. The centerpiece of the community is The Club at Hidden Creek, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by renowned golf course architect Ron Garl. The community features custom-built executive homes that have breathtaking views…
Warren Valley Golf Course – Resurrecting a Donald Ross Classic I’ve always been a big fan of Donald Ross and will go out of my way to play a course that he designed. For the most part, his courses are not long, but the subtleties of his architecture have always made them interesting…and challenging. A few months ago, I read about a 36-hole Donald Ross-designed facility in Dearborn Heights, Michigan that had recently been transferred to a new management company with the intent of reopening to the public. I contacted the company and spoke with Jason Pearsall, who gave me…
When it comes to choosing where to tee it up for your next round of golf in the Miami area, golfers have a lot to choose from. There are over 40 public and private courses in Miami-Dade County alone, making it one of the most golf-rich counties in the state. The County itself operates 6 golf courses at five properties. I recently had the opportunity to play what many consider the County’s top two courses, Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne and Palmetto Golf Course. Palmetto has been a Miami favorite since 1959. You’ll find golfers of all levels and abilities…
Thinking about moving or relocating to Texas? Whether your joy comes from hiking, biking, fishing, racquet sports, or golf, a community in the Texas Hill Country deserves your consideration. Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Comanche Trace is located just minutes from the thriving town of Kerrville. The airports in San Antonio and Austin are an hour and two hours away, respectively. Kerrville has small-town charm with an abundance of amenities, including award-winning health care, upscale shopping, a vibrant cultural arts center, and a variety of outdoor activities. Comanche Trace is a 1,300-acre master-planned community with homesites up…
Cimarron Hills, located in Georgetown, Texas, just on the outskirts of Austin and the Texas Hill Country, is a private golf and country club community; it’s one of two clubs owned by Legacy Golf Properties. Their other property is The Club at Comanche Trace in Kerrville. The surroundings of the golf course are as spectacular as the golf course is challenging. The community is a collection of luxury residences ranging in price from the $700s to over $3 million, and built by some of the finest builders in the area. Cimarron Hills’ 45,000 square-foot clubhouse features old-world architecture with modern…
Elwood Golf Links in Elwood, Indiana, is considered one of the most picturesque and challenging golf courses in these parts of the state. If you’ve never played here, you’ll probably pass it on your way into town. It’s also won a lot of praise from the golf industry media over the years, including Top 25 Friendliest Courses in the U.S. and Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S. in 2022, and Top Courses in Indiana and Top 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. in 2023, by Golf Advisor. It’s also the home course of the Elwood Panthers, the local…
Growing up, Joe Penland, Jr. and his family spent many summers at Lake Sam Rayburn and the Rayburn Country Resort – although it wasn’t called that back then. Penland has many fond memories of those family visits to the resort, to the extent that he now calls Rayburn Country home. Back in 2020, the resort was in serious financial trouble and closed. Penland saw a business opportunity and stepped in, bought the resort, lock, stock, and barrel, and began making improvements right away. He wants to ensure that the property remains viable for generations to come. Several months later, the…