Municipal Golf Course
A municipal course in the city of Gainesville, the Ironwood Golf Course has been honored by Golf Digest on its "Best Places to Play" list. The championship course plays 6,465 yards from the tips and has contoured fairways and fast greens. There are four sets of tees. Set amid a pine forest dotted with lakes and well-placed sand bunkers, this course is well-maintained and challenging. A driving range, putting green and pro shop are on site.
Ironwood Golf Course
2100 N.E. 39th Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 334-3120
cityofgainesville.org/GOVERNMENT/CityDepartmentsAM/Ironwood/tabid/209/Default.aspx
Public Golf Courses
There are four public golf courses located in Alachua Country--Meadowbrook, Turkey Creek, West End and Williston. The Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club, formerly the Plantation Oaks Golf Club, is a championship course that plays 6,570 yards from the tips and winds through live oaks. The course is fairly flat with wide fairways and ample bunkering in front of the greens. Meadowbrook and Williston are also championship courses, while West End is a par-60 executive course.
Turkey Creek
11400 Turkey Creek Blvd.
Alachua, FL 32615
(386) 462-4655
turkeycreekcc.com
Meadowbrook Golf Club
3200 N.W. 98th St.
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 332-0577
playmeadowbrook.com
West End
12830 W. Newberry Road
Newberry, FL 32669
(352) 332-2721
westendgolf.com
Williston Highlands
789 N.E. State Road 121
Williston, FL 32696
(352) 528-2520
willistongolf.com
Sports/Outdoors
Throughout Alachua County, there are sporting events all year long. The University of Florida has top-ranked football and basketball teams, both of which play on campus in Gainesville. The Gainesville Raceway, a key NHRA drag racing site, opened in 1969 and is among the fastest track on the NHRA circuit. For those looking for outdoor activities, the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost is about half an hour from Gainesville, and visitors can rent canoes or take a group tour of the Santa Fe River, which features natural springs, light rapids and wildlife sightings.
Gainesville Raceway
11211 N. County Road 235
Gainesville, FL 32809
(386) 377-0046
gainesvilleraceway.com
Santa Fe Canoe Outpost
2025 N.W. Santa Fe Blvd.
High Springs, FL 32643
(386) 454-2050
santaferiver.com
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
