Real estate, membership and club enhancements highlight historic year
(LECANTO, Fla.) – Black Diamond – one of Florida’s most iconic golf communities and home of Tom Fazio’s famed Quarry Course – will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2012.
In 1987, Fazio forged the Quarry Course through the steep cliffs and lakes of two retired limestone quarries, creating a layout GOLF Magazine called one of the “50 Greatest Courses of the Last 50 Years.” It has been a mainstay on GOLF’s “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.” and Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses,” and remains one of Fazio’s seminal designs.
“I honestly believe the Quarry Course was one of our most special, interesting, fun and spectacular golf courses ever created,” says Fazio. “We are very proud to be a part of the Black Diamond family and we know that this golf course will be something that will be a legacy in the game of golf.”
Fazio added the Ranch – a member favorite that has drawn comparisons to Pine Valley – and the Highlands – a stout 9-hole par-36 playing to almost 3,500 yards – in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
Black Diamond is marking the 25th anniversary with a series of real estate, membership and club enhancements offered via new owners, Escalante Golf.
First will be the re-launch and re-branding of Black Diamond Realty. The full service real estate office is headquartered in a new state-of-the-art Welcome Center that opened Feb. 14. Located just inside the club’s gates, the Welcome Center houses Black Diamond’s full suite of membership, property and building services.
The onsite team provides existing and future residents with a complete turn-key real estate solution, from sourcing the perfect resale home to the design and construction of brand new product. Black Diamond Realty will deliver architecturally-appealing, energy-efficient homes in the 2,000 – 3,000-square-foot range in as few as 120 days.
“2012 will be an unforgettable milestone in Black Diamond’s history, as well as a time to celebrate the exciting future of the club and its members,” says David McDonald, president of Escalante Golf. “We have a great appreciation for the spirit and integrity of this club and community.”
A boutique owner/operator based in Fort Worth, Texas, Escalante purchased Black Diamond from original owner Stan Olsen in March 2011. It immediately charted a course to breath energy and vitality back into the Citrus County golf panacea 70 miles north of Tampa. This effort began with re-establishing the Quarry Course as one of the premier golf experiences in the U.S.
For more information: www.blackdiamondranch.com, (800) 328-8099.
About Black Diamond
Featuring three Tom Fazio-designed courses – The Quarry, The Ranch and The Highlands – Black Diamond has established itself as Florida’s No. 1 residential golf community since 1987.
The Quarry Course, set amongst limestone cliffs, live oak trees, dogwoods, myrtles and magnolias, has been ranked one of “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” by Golf Digest and among the “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.” by GOLF Magazine. Black Diamond has earned a place on LINKS Magazine’s list of “America’s 100 Premier Properties,”and is perennially featured on Golfweek’s “Best U.S. Residential Golf Courses” list.
Completed in 1997, The Ranch Course was carefully crafted to gently blend into its natural surroundings. Reminiscent of Pine Valley, The Ranch Course sports rolling fairways and dramatic elevation changes of over 100 feet. With stunning hilltop views of up to 25 miles, the nine-hole Highlands Course (completed in 1999), is a magnificent mix of lush, rippling fairways, stands of oak and pine, pristine water features and mesmerizing natural beauty.
Located in bucolic Citrus County, Black Diamond is a 1.5 hour drive from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), both of which feature direct service from markets in the U.S. and abroad.
About Escalante Golf
Established in 1991, Escalante Golf is a boutique owner and operator of luxury golf properties nationwide, including California, Colorado, Florida, Ohio and New Mexico. Operating partners David McDonald, Elcio Silva, Robert Silva and David Matheson direct the Escalante team with offices in Fort Worth, Texas.
For more information: www.escalantegolf.com, (407) 739-8729.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@buffalocommunications.com
Jonathan Williamson
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3346
jwilliamson@buffalocommunications.com
