Bocaire Country Club, Boca Raton, FL

As you drive south of Atlantic Avenue on Military Trail in Boca Raton, FL, you’ll drive past a number of private communities and country clubs. One worthy of mention in this neck of the woods is Bocaire, a boutique country club community that is home to 237 custom-built estate homes that sit on at least 1/3 of an acre of land. Magnificently manicured fairways, serene lakes and beautifully land¬scaped vistas are just a few of the trappings of home in a community that caters to your family’s active lifestyle.

Late last year, Bocaire Country Club’s golf course and practice facilities underwent a total transformation and these days it looks nothing like it used to. The redesign of the golf course was performed under the leadership of Kipp Schulties, South Florida’s hottest golf course designer. Schulties took what was once a relatively flat course and turned it into a layout with lots of mounding on the peripheries and undulation in the fairways. His crew moved over 325,000 cubic yards of dirt and created several new lakes to get the course to what you see today. Every hole has undergone at least a subtle change and no green is in the exact same place it used to be.

The course has been lengthened to over 7,000 yards from the back tees, yet seven sets of tees make the course playable for every skill level and members never need a tee time. Course aesthetics have been greatly enhance as well; thousands of red bougainvillea, oleanders and stadium-like greens have been planted creating lush backdrops. Currently, Bocaire is the only South Florida course to feature TifGrand fairways, a grass that is a vibrant shade of green throughout the year and helps the ball sit up nicely. Along with a fresh look to the golf course comes a new name: The Challenge at Bocaire.

The Challenge offers several holes that live up to the new name. The par-3, 3rd hole boasts one of the highest elevations in Boca Raton, creating a truly dramatic downhill shot. A rock wall defines the water hazard in front of you; all the while your mind tells you “Don’t hit it left!” Should your tee shot become a case of mind over matter, there is plenty of bail out room on the right, leaving you with two choices; go at the pin or let the subtle undulations of the green feed your ball down to the hole. A large ‘serpentine’ bunker hugs the left side, between the water and the green. A back left pin is definitely the toughest.

Number 8 is the second par-3 on the front side and is also quite memorable. It’s a totally new hole from tee to green that is as beautiful to look at as it is fun to play. Once again, the left side of the green is protected by water, with two bunkers in back if you hit it long. A ridge in the green will decide how close you get to the pin. The color that has been added to the landscape makes this an exceptional looking hole.

Ten and 11 are probably the best two back-to-back holes on the course and the best chance to shave off a couple of strokes quickly. Number 10 is a par 5 that can be played several ways. The riskiest is to carry the massive bunker and single oak tree on the corner of the dogleg right in order to give yourself a chance of getting home in two. A better play is out to the left off the tee, where you may find a flat lie. Should you leave yourself a chance to go for the green, you’ll need to thread the needle with water on the right and the two bunkers on the left. The way Schulties has set up the hole, even if you carry both, you’ll have an awkward lie because of the way the green pitches. Laying up to a fuller wedge distance may provide better results. The green has two tiers and being on the right tier could easily be the difference between a birdie putt and a bogey.

Number 11 will be a drivable par 3 for many players. Several bunkers dot the landscape in the landing area and the water on either side of the fairway keeps you honest off the tee. There’s a lot of undulation on and around the elevated green, which is the smallest on the course. Just remember, you didn’t come here to layup!

Bocaire realizes how important a good practice facility is and has gone to great lengths to create a practice facility that is second to none. The driving range allows you to hit every club in the bag into actual greens, many of which are fronted by rock bunkers. The newest addition is a separate short game area with multiple greens to give players an accurate feel of what awaits them on the course. There’s also a large practice putting green to let you work on the most important part of the game.

At Bocaire Country Club, it’s not all about the golf! Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy the Club’s 5 Har-Tru tennis courts, some of the which are lit for night play. The Bocaire tennis program offers something for every level of player, from daily round robins to Club Championships; they also have very active men’s, women’s and junior programs. Tennis professionals are onsite for lessons and racquet services.

Within Bocaire’s 4300 sq. ft. Fitness Center and Spa Services you’ll find the latest weight training and cardio equipment, and the personal instruction and fitness assessments you need to keep you at your physical peak. If group classes are more your thing, Bocaire has a variety of Zumba, yoga, aerobics, body sculpting and stretch classes for every fitness level. Bocaire’s team of fitness specialists provide comprehensive personal and group training and maintain a close connection with the Exercise Science and Wellness program at Florida Atlantic University. Bocaire members can also enjoy relaxing spa services by appointment from the club’s Certified Massage Therapist, who also does house calls.

After a tough day on the links or on the courts, Bocaire’s Aquatic Center is a great place to soak up some of Boca Raton’s beautiful weather. Members and their guests can relax at their resort-style pool which features a beach-style entry and two dedicated swimming lanes for a great workout. Bocaire also offers water fitness classes for those who enjoy a non-impact exercise program. To compliment the pool, there’s a 10’ spa surrounded by a 9,100 sq. ft. sundeck along with beautifully appointed cabanas and baths with lockers located nearby.

Bocaire’s clubhouse is a beehive of activity and the heartbeat of the Club and their impeccable service and original cuisine sets Bocaire Country Club apart from other clubs in the area. When it comes to dining, members and guests can dine enjoy casual dining outside near the Aquatic Center or indoors in the club’s elegant dining facilities. Bocaire’s exquisite cuisine is available all year and the club’s Executive Chef and his talented culinary team create tantalizing and delicious dishes use only the finest and freshest ingredients. Lunch and dinner menus as well as a signature Sunday Brunch are not to be missed!

Members and guests marvel at the innovative family programs and the extensive calendar of entertainment, social events, card games and tournaments. But Bocaire is much more than a club; it’s a small, close knit community that offers unparalleled customer service and amenities that promote a healthy lifestyle and can be enjoyed by the whole family.