The Mark Bostick Golf Course

When you step foot on the first tee at the Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida -- situated on the UF campus in Gainesville -- you are about to begin a golfing adventure filled with scenic vistas, tee shots through tall trees, and a stroll through some gently rolling terrain. The flat, low-lying courses of south and central Florida, as majestic as they may be, are in your rearview mirror when you arrive at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, originally designed in the 1920s by Donald Ross. This par 70 layout --- www.markbostickgolfcourse.com -- represents what golf in north, central Florida is all about, which is very similar to what you find in Georgia and throughout the Carolinas. At the Mark Bostick Golf Course, there are five tees - three of which have names that are directly linked to the University's mascot (Gator) and school colors (Orange and Blue). The other tees are the Whites and the Reds.

From the Gator tee markers, the course measures 6,701 yards, 6,274 yards from the Orange tees, 5,921 from the Blues, 5,471 yards from the Whites, and 4,929 for the ladies and young juniors who play from the Red tees.

From the first tee, you will get an intriguing glimpse of many holes on the course - the entire 9th hole, the walk up the 18th fairway, players leaving the 12th green, the tee shot on the 13th, and portions of the 2nd hole and 3rd hole.

What's intriguing about the Mark Bostick Golf Course is that every hole is a memory making experience for all players. Here are a few points of interest:
2nd: The par three is one of the course's more picturesque. A pond, the home of a real alligator at times, protects the left side of the green.

5th: This 453-yard par four ranks as this course's most difficult hole. It's a straightaway hole where trouble lurks on both sides of the fairway. It's the most difficult tee shot on the entire course.

10th: The tee shot at this par four is one of the most visually appealing ones on the course. A well-struck tee shot, hit from a raised tee box, will soar forever with the backdrop of the trees in the distance.

13th: The key to success at this par four is to skirt the corner of the dogleg with your tee shot. Beware of this green's lightning-quick 'false front.'

17th: If you like to 'drive for show,' then pull out your driver at the 17th. The tee is positioned high on the hill with the green down below in the distance. A big hitter can probably drive the green from either the Orange or the Blue tees.

18th: After 17 holes, the 18th is a tough, but fair finishing stretch of real estate. A par four here will leave you with a great memory as you complete your round on the home course of the University of Florida Gator and Lady Gator golf teams. If you finish birdie-birdie on this course, you might want to check on the availability of golf scholarships at the local university!

Having read a few highlights of the Mark Bostick Golf Course, it's time to go play. Call the pro shop - 352-375-4866 - to reserve a tee time. Members of the University of Florida Alumni Association get a discount. If you don't have any Gator-themed apparel to wear on the day you play, it's available in the pro shop! Go Gators.......and go pepper those pins!