TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Holes Of Fame: Avila No. 5

Photo by Chris Urso, The Tampa Tribune

The fifth hole at Avila Country Club is seen Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008 in Tampa. The hole is a short par three over water.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: February 20, 2008

Our experts offer tips on how to play the 5th hole at Avila Country Club.

What's special about the par-3 fifth hole at Avila Country Club is the complete simplicity of its task.

From its back tees the hole measures 123 yards. From the whites, where most members hit, it plays at 103. Sounds simple enough.

Except it looks anything but.

One of the area's most beautiful holes makes a lot of golfers look really bad.

A pond fronts the green that is protected by a raised rock wall, meaning the tee shot yardage is almost entirely carry. Two large and inviting bunkers protect the back, gobbling up anything long. And with the green sloping downward from back-to-front, any shot out of the sand is a water ball waiting to happen.

"You look at it and say, '103 yards shouldn't be a problem,' '' said assistant professional Mike Gareau. "But it's very intimidating – especially when the pin is right up front.

"As simple as it looks, all you really want to do is just get it on the dance floor.''

Avila is a private club located in north Hillsborough Country, but is assessable to non-members through a number of local charity events that it hosts.

Mick Elliott

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT