By Len Ziehm
Thirty years ago, World Woods was one of the hottest golf properties in Florida. It featured two Tom Fazio-designed courses, Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks, that opened on April 1, 1993. In addition, the Japanese owner, Yukihisa Inoue, had plans for much more.
“The previous owner wanted this to be a destination golf resort that would bring in people from all over the world, especially Japan,’’ said Rick Kelso, now the resort’s director of golf. “He planned to build seven golf courses, plus a beautiful hotel to bring in the top Japanese players – but things changed.’’
Kelso was part of the excitement that World Woods generated in the beginning and is looking forward to a renewal of the resort now that the Canada-based Cabot group has completed purchasing the facility.
Cabot Citrus Farms Logo
Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cabot’s founder and chief executive officer, first saw World Woods 20 years ago and has considered buying it for the last ten years.
Mike Keiser, whose golfing vision spurred the creation of Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and Cabot Cliffs, will be involved in some capacity, with Cowan-Dewar.
Kelso can’t say to what extent Keiser will be involved, but admits that he and Cowan-Dewar are “very good friends who talk all the time.’’
He suggests that Keiser is Cowan-Dewar’s “mentor’’ for golf projects and World Woods will be Cabot’s first venture in the United States.
The company’s portfolio already includes Cabot Cape Breton, home of Cabot Cliffs and Cabot Links, both highly ranked as golf destinations. Cabot St. Lucia and Cabot Revelstroke, in British Columbia, are under construction. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have done several previous projects for both Keiser and Cowan-Dewar, plus they are currently working on the St. Lucia course. The architects for the World Woods project have not been chosen, but will be announced in the very near future.
Kelso also said, “The main architects have visited the site.’’
The densely-wooded Pine Barrens was Golf Digest’s ‘Best New Resort Course of 1994’ and spent several years on that publication’s prestigious Top 100 list. Rolling Oaks ranks high among Florida courses.
Pine Barrens has recorded 75,000 to 83,000 rounds each year with little maintenance and it is in dire need of some tender loving care.
There is also a nine-hole short course, three practice holes, a putting course, plus a 360-degree driving range. Everything will receive a major renovation after the facility is closed later this spring.
In addition to the 550 acres on which the golf courses sit, the Cabot purchase also includes 600 acres of undeveloped land, plus two other nearby courses, Sugarmille and Southern Woods. Retail outlets, restaurants and a spa are also being considered being added to the propery in the master plan.
Once complete the name World Woods will be dropped and the new resort will be rebranded, Cabot Citrus Farms.
“When we open again there will be lodging, as well as, a new clubhouse.”
Visiting golfers have stayed in the nearby towns of Spring Hill and Crystal River in the past and made day visits from Orlando and Tampa as well. The Tampa airport is an hour away and Brooksville has an airport that can accommodate corporate jets.
Kelso expects Cabot Citrus Farms to be more friendly for golfers who want to walk, and caddies will likely be available.
Pine Barrens was the site of a final qualifier for the Senior PGA Tour in the 1990s and a Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf match between David Toms and Phil Mickelson.
With Ben Cowan-Dewar, as well as, Mike Keiser involved in the restoration of this property, we can’t wait to see the finished product.
