Signature Hole – Diamond Hill Golf Course and Country Club

When I first created this website, I had this idea of going around to the area golf courses and video taping someone playing that particular course’s “signature/most definable” hole. It couldn’t just be anyone, though – I thought it would be important to have someone who knew the lay of the land and could best describe how to play that hole. Not only that, they had to be able to perform, too. As an avid golfer, I thought this would be something I could use myself when deciding where to play. Additionally, once I did choose, I would be able to use that insider knowledge for at least one hole and think like the scratch golfers think.

The first ever Signature Hole post belongs to Diamond Hill Golf Course and Country Club in Dover, FL. The hole is the par 3 15th. Credit for this accomplishment belongs to a few people, including Mr. Olivieri, the pro-shop manager at Diamond Hill. After hearing me out and realizing I wasn’t trying to sell something, he was on board. He then got the Club GM (I hear he goes by many titles), Chuck Peters, to approve the plan. Mr. Peters even offered his step-son, Eric Bradley, as my first guinea pig. At some point, Mike Coburn was paired to play with Eric. Along with a few members of the club’s staff, these four men deserve many thanks for their efforts. Once everyone was on board, it was just a matter of coordination and we were a go…Or so I thought.

The morning of filming couldn’t have been nicer. Beautiful blue skies and pure white clouds were above and the temperature was barely climbing. Then, out of nowhere, ominous dark gray clouds began rolling in from the Gulf. I arrived at the course an hour early to prep and started to get that uh-oh feeling as I watched the clouds creep closer and closer.

While the skies darkened, Mr. Olivieri was on the phone trying to get confirmation that the players were going to show up. It took a while, but eventually both Eric and Mike, a local scratch golfer, confirmed they were coming. Within 5 minutes of the rain starting both guys were on site and warming up. As I was finishing up an interview with Mr. Olivieri, I noticed that the rain was a little different this time. No typical thunder claps or bolts of lightning, and certainly no sudden downpour, it was kind of just a drizzle.

It turned out to be great conditions to play in. I seriously doubt either of these guys needed it but the overcast skies kept the heat down and the wind at bay, and the drizzle softened the greens just enough for them to hold.

–A few notes about the course

Diamond Hill opened in 1967 and is located at 13115 Sydney Rd, Dover, FL 33527-5968. The pro-shop phone is (813) 685-3775. Current weekday rates are $30 and weekends $35 for peak play. If you’d like to join the Diamond Hill Men’s Golf Association you can visit their site at www.dhmga.com.

I certainly hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I enjoyed filming and editing it. I can’t wait to do the next one!

Video Tour Of Bonterra Blvd.

While sitting an Open House this weekend at the Bonterra Springs property, I decided to re-introduce the home through another video tour. Enjoy!