Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club - South Course

Tom Lehman, the 1996 British Open champion, and architect Kurt Sandness designed Lake Jovita's South Course, which opened in 1999 on uniquely hilly terrain 30 minutes north of Tampa in Dade City. The stated design strategy: take full advantage of one of Florida's most dramatic natural topographies and create a tournament-caliber course. The routing succeeds: the par-5 11th features a 94-foot drop from tee to green, the largest natural elevation change of any course in the state of Florida. 220-acre footprint, tight tree-lined fairways framed by majestic oaks, and multiple natural water hazards threading through the routing. Due to its challenging play and natural beauty, Lake Jovita South has hosted the PGA Tour Qualifying School since 2000. Peak green fee runs $85-155 depending on season. Fits a Cabot Citrus Farms or Tampa-area trip as the 'hilliest course in Florida' architectural detour.