| As you pull into Deltona Hills, you find a large parking lot | | | | approach shot. Your approach shot will be very much |
| that leads to a trailer. You sense right away that things | | | | uphill (another term not used much in Florida golf) to a |
| are different, very different than what used to be. | | | | large, undulating green that slopes back to front. Long |
| Having not played the course, I know the best is yet to | | | | ball hitters can get home in two with a decent drive off |
| come. | | | | the tee and an extra club or two on approach. |
| The Deltona Golf and Country Club was originally built | | | | Number 8: Par 4, 292 yards. Short straight hole |
| in 1964. Over the last several years it has really been | | | | features waste bunkers (and a few houses) all down |
| showing its age. In August of 2004, Hurricane Charley | | | | the right side. It is a true risk/reward hole and is |
| swept through the course, knocking down more than | | | | definitely short enough to drive. The green gets very |
| 500 trees in the process. Before this storm, there | | | | narrow as you approach the hole; pine trees near the |
| were no homes visible from the golf course. | | | | front left of the green will catch a few errant tee |
| The Deltona Club as it is called now, re-opened in | | | | shots. The green is large and features several crowns |
| January of 2008 after a complete renovation, led by | | | | and mounds making all putts very challenging. |
| renowned golf architect Bobby Weed. Not only did he | | | | Number 11: Par 3, 223 yards. This very long par 3 plays |
| re-grass the tee boxes, fairways, and all 18 greens, he | | | | well over 200 yards and even longer into any |
| also lengthened the course, which now plays over | | | | prevailing wind you may encounter. Deep pot bunkers |
| 7,000 yards from the "permission only" back tees. He | | | | right and more sand left await errant tee shots. This |
| planted more than 250 trees, installed a new irrigation | | | | hole features a very large green with a lot of |
| system, and put in some vey unique waste areas. | | | | undulation. Par here is good. |
| Although the original layout has pretty much stayed the | | | | Number 17: Par 4, 444 yards. Short tricky par 4, keep |
| same, Weed did change several holes. Among others, | | | | tee shots left of big tree that hovers between the tee |
| number 11 went from being a 190-yard par 3 to a | | | | and green. This hole features a tremendous amount of |
| 245-yard par 3. The Deltona Club throws a curve ball | | | | sand in front of the green as well as some deep, |
| at you as well; after leaving the second green, you | | | | gnarly pot bunkers. The green is fairly small with a pot |
| don't find any consecutive pars again until you hit | | | | bunker in the front left. |
| number 17. | | | | Deltona Hills is a true shot-makers golf course. It's a |
| The greens are medium to large and Weed added | | | | great golf venue for the experienced as well as the |
| some nice undulations; they play neither too fast nor | | | | inexperienced player. Unlike typically flat Florida |
| too slow. Some are open in front but for the most part | | | | courses, the rolling hills, native trees, elevation changes, |
| you will be approaching via the air route. An | | | | lush fairways, and greens of Deltona Hills Golf Club will |
| imaginative short game will go a long way to shooting | | | | challenge your shot making ability. To me, it is a course |
| a low score. If you enjoy playing a Florida golf course | | | | more reminiscent of Whistling Straits than something |
| with rolling fairways and unusual changes in elevations, | | | | you would normally find in Florida. It achieved the "looks |
| then the Deltona Club is a must play. | | | | hard, plays easy" characteristics the designers were |
| Memorable Holes: | | | | looking for. There is no water on the course so |
| Number 2: Par 4, 404 yards. A long dogleg right that | | | | chances are pretty good that you will finish the round |
| features water straight away and waste bunkers all | | | | with the same ball you started with. |
| down the right side. Keep your drive left off the tee, | | | | Deltona Hills is still a work in process; they are currently |
| but not too far as trees will come into play. Aiming at | | | | working out of a temporary clubhouse and are still |
| the 150 yard marker will prove to be the best line; the | | | | lacking many of the amenities found at most new |
| dogleg is more like a right turn. A good drive will leave | | | | courses. Two small putting surfaces currently make up |
| about a 140 yard approach shot to a large, elevated | | | | the practice green; one near the temporary clubhouse |
| green protected by bunkers on the right. | | | | and one near the first tee. Also of note, 17 acres near |
| Number 7: Par 5, 466 yards. This par 5 plays uphill | | | | the clubhouse have been set aside for up to 300 |
| most of the way and has a lot of mounding in the | | | | condominiums. |
| fairway that can produce something foreign to golfers | | | | Summer rates at Deltona are quite reasonable; you |
| in Florida - the dreaded uneven lie. Fairway bunkers on | | | | can play any day of the week for no more than |
| both the left and right come into play off the tee; | | | | $40.00 (summer 2009 rates). Twilight rates kick in at 2 |
| anything way left may find a nasty little pot bunker. | | | | pm and are $30.00. Annual memberships are currently |
| Anything right will find another one of the many waste | | | | being offered for $4,000/yr for a family membership |
| bunkers that loom throughout the course. A modest | | | | an $3,000 for a single. |
| layup shot will leave slightly more than a 100 yard | | | | |