Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club

Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club (formerly Plantation Oaks Golf Club) (formerly Gainesville National Country Club), is a Semi-Private, 18 hole golf course located in Alachua, Florida.

Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club golf course first opened for play in 1977. The course was designed by Ward Northrup. The course is a traditional style with a parkland setting. The course was closed from 2011 to 2021.

From the back tees, the par-72 course measures 6,570 yards with other sets of tees placed at 6,200, 5,930 and 5,580 yards. There are large greens, but they're not overly undulating. They have lots of subtle turns.

The front nine and back nine have a fairly similar flow; both sides have their share of doglegs.

#1 is a par-4 that measures 385 from the back tees and 335 from the forward. This straightaway hole with a narrow fairway has a large waste bunker on the left and trees to the right. The long, narrow green slopes from back to front with bunkers left and right. This opening hole offers a chance for a par or a birdie.

#8 is a great short par-3 (152 from the back tees and 110 from the forward). The green has almost an egg shape that is almost surrounded by bunkers. You need to be careful about the very deep bunker on the left side. The front of the green is the safest spot from which to take your putt.

#9 is also a straightaway hole, a longish par-4 that is 425 yards from the back tees and 350 from the forward. This can be a very intimidating hole off the tee because of the huge oaks and water on the left fairway. Accuracy off the tee is very important. There's also a very, very large green with bunkers on the left and back.

#10 is a double dog-leg par 5 with water in play the whole way. signature hole,

#14, a par-3 that plays from 125 to 155 yards over a pond is the signature hole for the course. It's surrounded by majestic old live oaks. There is also water to the left of the green.

#15 is a dogleg left par-5 (520 yards from the back tees, 450 from the forward). Tee shots have to be aimed toward a bunker 250 yards ahead. If you miss your tee shot and do not get to the dogleg, you can be in big trouble. The undulating green is guarded by a huge bunker in front.

#18 is one a great finishing par-4.

Blue tees: par-72, 6,716 yards, course rating 71.8, slope rating 123.

White tees: par-72, 6,307 yards

Green tees: par-72, 5,908 yards

Red tees: par-72, 5,528 yards

Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club closed in April 2011.

Turkey Creek Golf & Country Club reopened in January 2021.

Reflections on How it All Began!
1. How did this begin?
 It all started in 2015, with the foresight of the Turkey Creek Master Owners Association, (TCMOA) to purchase the property, including the golf course, restaurant, swimming pool, and tennis courts, in hopes of improving the quality of life in our community. This was a monumental task but the TCMOA mounted a tremendous campaign, the residents came out and voted to purchase the property.  At that point, the grounds had been sitting idle for 6 years. The property was in a state of disrepair.  Surely, most remember the grounds being waist-high in weeds.  
 It was estimated that during the golf course closure, between 2011- 2015, home values in Turkey Creek plunged by 18%, new home construction was down, and it was very difficult to sell existing homes.
 Following the purchase of the property by the TCMOA many attempts were made to secure a company to lease and restore the golf course. However, after an extensive search, it was determined that no company was willing to put up the capital needed to tackle the necessary renovations.  
 At this point, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) was formed by a group of 35 people, 33 of which are residents of Turkey Creek.  Each purchased a unit or units to provide the necessary capital to fund the costly renovations.  
 On October 24th, 2017, the TCMOA unanimously approved an agreement to enter a lease with the newly formed Turkey Creek Golf LLC.  The lease included the golf course land, the restaurant, the bottom of the clubhouse, and the maintenance shed.  On February 24th, 2018, after a lengthy period of negotiation, the TCMOA finalized a 5-year lease (with the option of two additional 5-year periods), with the Turkey Creek Golf LLC.  The express goal was to return the golf course to this “Golf Course Community”. 
2. So Where Are We Today
 Davey Golf, - a professional golf course management company was hired by the LLC and has assumed responsibility for daily course maintenance.
 The Creeks 19th Hole Restaurant- leased by the LLC to Axel and Debbie Giaccone, is open and offers residents a gathering place to socialize and come together as a community.
 Real Estate – Local Realtors report that today, Turkey creek is a “hot” real estate market, resale values are up, new homes under construction, and the inventory of existing homes for sale in our community is approaching a record low.
 Grand Re-Opening- After two years and thousands of volunteer hours, the Grand Re-opening of an 18-hole facility was held on January 23rd, 2021.
3. The Numbers
      This may help explain the magnitude of the work involved in restoring a golf course that was closed for ten years and the positive impact this course will have on the residents of Turkey Creek.
 35- The number of Turkey Creek friends and neighbors who are members of the limited partnership that is the Turkey Creek Golf LLC.
 126- The number of dead or diseased trees removed from the golf course by the LLC these past 12 months at no cost to Turkey Creek homeowners.
 360- The number of sprinkler heads installed and now operational after volunteers dug and set them by hand.
 19- The number of newly grassed greens.
 3- The number of holes in the former Expanded Practice Facility… the best in North Central Florida
 $2,000,000.00 – The number of dollars golf course consultants said it would take for them to restore the course.
 $450,000- The number of dollars invested by the Turkey Creek Golf LLC. to restore the course by utilizing volunteer labor and making this a DYI project. We were so fortunate to have volunteers with the proper skills set to be able to pull this together.
 $69,000.00- The amount of annual savings to the TCMOA for mowing.  Beginning in January, when the LLC completely absorbs the cost for mowing.
 $16,000.00- The reduction to the TCMOA annual property tax payment when Turkey Creek Golf assumes responsibility on January 1, 2020.
 #1 -Turkey Creek…The one and only; and the number one place to live in Alachua County. 
4. Thank You! … to all, every Turkey Creek resident and non-resident who has given his/her time, talent, and financial support to rescue this beautiful golf course and who continue that support today.  Many of you have helped install the irrigation system, removed dead trees, reclaimed sand traps, adopted golf holes, or purchased sprinkler heads.  You have demonstrated what the Turkey Creek Community spirit is all about. This spirit is the legacy of Turkey Creek,” A Golf Course Community”
“Turkey Creek … where neighbors become friends!”