Herndon, Virginia-based Heritage Golf Group recently added another private club to their growing list of Florida clubs. In June, they acquired Deercreek Country Club on the south side of Jacksonville. The Club is across from The Avenues Mall and a mere 20 minutes from the beaches and downtown. This acquisition brings Heritage holdings within the golf industry to 32 clubs in 13 states. Other Florida properties include TPC Prestancia, TPC Tampa Bay, Venetian Golf Club, The Club at Pelican Preserve, and The Club at Boca Pointe.
Deercreek Country Club opened in 1989 to rave reviews. It’s located within the gates of the upscale 750-home residential community of Deercreek. On top of the golf course, Deercreek’s amenities include eight Har-Tru tennis courts, three pickleball courts, a fully equipped fitness center, an aquatics center with an Olympic-size swimming pool, and an upscale yet casual clubhouse that offers both indoor and outdoor seating, serving local and seasonal cuisine.
Andy Miller, Chief Revenue Officer for Heritage Golf Group says that the company will be making several capital improvements designed to enhance members’ experiences and fuel interest in the club. Although Miller did not disclose details, a million-dollar-plus renovation will include significant changes and enhancements to the clubhouse dining areas, golf practice facility, tennis center, and aquatic center proving once again that Heritage Golf Group is committed to taking the private club experience to a new level and using each club’s amenities and operational systems to supplement its unique assets.
The golf course was designed by Robert Miller and offers an exciting and challenging round of golf regardless of your skill level. Low handicappers will be challenged from the Gold Tees (6,663 yards) which bring into play several hazards yet offer good risk/reward opportunities. Less-skilled players will enjoy the Red Tees (4,703 yards) which eliminate many of the natural hazards but still require you to play smart and hit solid shots. In all, the six tee locations provide suitable yardages regardless of what kind of game you have. I found that the Black Tees (6,002/70.0/128) offered a substantial challenge and still let me leave with some dignity intact!
The golf course itself is challenging (aren’t they all) and well-maintained. Well-groomed Bermuda-grassed fairways lead to beautiful TifEagle green complexes protected by grass and sand bunkers as well as the occasional lake! Water is present on all 18 holes but only comes into play on 16 of them. Notice I said ONLY; you’re best to bring a few extra balls. You’ll need both accuracy and distance control off the tee as well as a good short game if you plan on turning in a good score.
The professional golf staff can offer tips and tricks for playing the golf course. One of these tips came from Stephen Hopper, an assistant pro at the club who is trying to make it onto the long drive circuit. Before my round, I asked Stephen the best way to play the first hole, a 362-yard dogleg right par 4. There’s a strand of live oak trees that line the right side of the fairway up to the dogleg with a large lake just to the right of the trees. Stephen’s advice – or at least how he plays the hole – is to just hit it over the trees straight at the pin. He’s driven the green many times! The rest of us will hit a tee shot left of the trees that avoids the fairway bunker on the left side and leave ourselves a mid-iron approach shot into the elevated green protected by a bunker on the left and water behind it. It’s a great starting hole, especially if you can hit it like Stephen does!
The 399-yard, 4th hole is a challenging par 4 and ranks as the number one handicap hole. Longball hitters can try to carry the hill at the end of the landing zone off the tee and get some extra roll but beware of the water on the right side that cuts back into the fairway. Push your drive right and you’ll need to contend with several large oak trees. A good drive from the Black Tees will leave a long to mid-iron approach shot into a well-protected green. With the lake to the right and O.B. on the left, it’s easy to see how this hole earned its ranking.
I asked a few of the members what they thought were some of the most challenging holes and many included 9 and 16. Obviously, these are golfers who do not like forced carries. Number 9 is a par 4 that plays 361 yards from the White Tees with two small lakes to contend with. Favoring the left side of the fairway off the tee will take the large oak on the right out of play and give you a better look at the challenging approach shot that awaits you. It’s a forced carry over water onto a well-protected and narrow green. Par is a good score here!
The 16th hole requires two forced carries although the first one is relatively simple. Anything longer than 240 yards from the White Tees will find the second marsh area so choose your club wisely off the tee. From the edge of the marsh, it’s about 165 yards to the middle of this long and narrow two-tiered green which is guarded in the front left by a bunker. Many players feel that this is the toughest hole on the back side and the scorecard agrees!
As I passed a foursome who had let us play through, I was given a word of advice about the 18th hole: layup! When I reached the tee box, I understood what they were talking about; it was another forced carry approach shot. I wonder why none of the members I spoke with earlier mentioned it. Number 18 plays 450 yards from the White Tees. A good drive will leave a decision to either go for the green or layup. Laying up short of the marsh will leave about a 75-yard approach shot. Going for the green requires a 200+ yard carry slightly uphill into a triangular-shaped green that slopes back to front. It’s a great way to end a fun and challenging round of golf.
Heritage Golf Group continues to add to its portfolio of private clubs and a membership is the perfect way to take advantage of everything these clubs have to offer. As a golf member, not only will you enjoy full clubhouse and golf privileges at your home course, but you’ll also have the ability to access other Heritage Golf Group properties around the country. It will also help you build lifelong relationships and develop a network of connections that lead to personal and professional fulfillment along with the family memories you’ll create.
For more information on becoming a member of Deercreek Country Club, give them a call at (904) 363-1604 or visit them online at www.deercreekcountryclub.com.
