If you want a complete late winter / spring or summertime vacation that the whole family can enjoy, including golf, ocean breeze, natural resources, great fishing, history, and plenty of sunshine, the Florida Keys has it all.

Wait a minute. Golf in the Keys? Where?

Sombrero Country Club

If you look through past golf blog posts you will find information about two Florida Keys golf courses, a very nice 18 hole course in Key West, and a small par 3 course in Marathon.

In addition to those courses, the Sombrero Country Club, also in Marathon, provides a very challenging 18-hole par 4 golf course that has a frequently visiting American Crocodile (not an alligator), several families of ground owls, and all of the usual south-Florida birds and inshore fish using the many ponds and water ways (aka water hazards).

There are 4 sets of tees with the longest stretching out to nearly 6500 yards. The front 9 has received significant work following hurricane damage several years ago.

Some of the previously washed out areas have become unique natural hardpan–like rough that you can play from, or avoid with accurate tee shots and approach shots. 

The Bermuda Grass greens are in great shape and run fast and true. There is significant water on the front 9.

The back 9 is picture-perfect with multiple dog legs, long approach shots, and slightly elevated greens.   

The finishing hole is a slight dog-leg left with a partially hidden green, as there is a hedge row with a creek that crosses the fairway and fronts the green.

Your drive has to be long enough to allow for a reasonably good mid-iron or short-iron shot to the green, otherwise you must lay up to avoid a potentially big number.  

Head Golf Professional Erik Zinn told me that the club offers two types of partial memberships for persons living in the area for only several / winter months of the year, and also offers reciprocal play to members of other golf clubs as well as for vacationing golfers who are in Marathon for only a short time. 

There is driving range, and there is a well-equipped Proshop with rental clubs available for visiting golfers. Contact Erik to discuss tee time availability or to schedule a golf event. Sombrero Country Club website:  http://www.sombrerocc.com 

I played as a guest of a member and was able to participate in one of the weekly member’s events.  The members are great. Some have their name on specific holes. 

I played with one member who has had 7 holes in 1 at the same 160 yard par 3.  Let’s say that they have their shots pretty well dialed in and know the course very well!

Blend your golf experiences in Marathon with a family stop at the Dolphin Research Center, some fishing with Captain Jeff Shelar  of  “Catch-em-All”  Fishing Charters,

sun soaking at Sombrero Beach or via kite-boarding at Bahia Honda State Park, and end your daytime hours by watching the sunset from the 7-mile bridge or the park at Key Colony, and you will have had one complete vacation in paradise. 

Hit 'em Straight.

Phil Lawrence