The Fall Of World Woods And Rise of Cabot Citrus Farms | The Golfer's Journal

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Few golf complexes in recent memory have created buzz like Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville, FL. And the only thing more wild than its collection of stunning holes is the land's history. Thirty years ago, World Woods was slated to be the first true American build-it-and-they-will-come golf resort. Its Japanese ownership group had grand plans for seven courses, world-class practice facilities and onsite lodging. It was the talk of the golf world when it opened, and then suddenly, it was left for dead. Rick Kelso has been there from the beginning, and he’s survived personal tragedy and professional heartache to see the vision finally fulfilled at the hands of the Cabot Golf Group. In the latest TGJ Film, we head to Brooksville to understand where World Woods went wrong, what it took to keep the dream alive and why the finished product was worth taking the long way home.

[@gsglawinc]

Wow, Rick's story and the tribute to his late wife were absolutely touching. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story TGJ. I can't wait to play Cabot.

[@KarenOkeefe18]

Thanks for sharing this story TGJ!

[@troncarter2056]

Well done. Rick seems like a genuinely great human being.

[@gulfcoastfishinghomesrealt3781]

I am lucky enough to have played world woods since it opened..... until it closed... I played 36 holes the final day.... I was there at Cabot on day 2 to play Karoo.... I am so impressed with the new design... it's playability and challenges... I have played their now 5 times since it opened again... I can not wait to tee it on the roost...

[@ryanjordan1083]

Cabot Citrus farms was my favorite new course I've played in 10+ years. What an incredible project.

[@chrislreynolds]

Great stuff TGJ. Thrilled to have this gem close to home!

[@brendanulrich6649]

Really well done, as I’ve come to expect. Thank you for sharing the story!

[@-z13]

Beautiful, the course the story. All of it

[@LegolasFan69]

Loved World Woods. I hope Cabot turns out well

[@perfectsense3240]

Played Karoo. It’s incredible. Greens are unfair but awesome.

[@AussieJoshCahill3787]

Golf course is on my bucket list and what a beautiful story told.

[@jonnydrags22]

Played Karoo at Cabot twice. Awesome experience both rounds. Playing Roost July 5th. Can't wait!!

[@brookspga]

Incredible … going in 4 weeks!!!

[@jasonhutty]

Great film. It's such a journey. I've played the WW courses and Karoo. Its great that they largely kept the Pine Barrens routing - it's still really good tee to green - but it's a shame they turned it into a bit of a joke with poorly designed greens and surrounds. It could have been amazing, instead it seems to have been designed for media attention.

[@maunaawakea7391]

Damn. So many sad stories like this as a result of financial crisis’, disease, death, chosen paths, and too many other things or factors to add… etc. Good story to put into the universe bcuz this happens/ed to SO MANY HUMANS across the globe. Wish Rick all the best in this world, esp the rebirth of Cabot, and a track that’s worthy of sticks wanting to play it. Bcuz let’s be honest, good golfers want to play HARD, TOUGH, PURE tracks, not EZ, let alone a track that has no bones, history, or some type of adversity in it. Hope to see this track be in the rota for good tourneys, or qualifiers in the near future. 🕊️✌🏽🙏🏽🤙🏽

[@phiberoptickk]

Was there for a tour just last week. Think they are shooting for Sept for grand opening I believe. Even with the work going on, it's beautiful.

[@jeffreyskinner6281]

Great video guys... played both courses on two trips back in the day. Great golf but you knew the owners weren't putting anything into it.Cabot and crew will do it right.

[@coloradoraptorguy9250]

And make it unplayable due to price. That was the best part of world woods, go pay $90 and play 36 holes with lunch at the turn.

[@PEH-sv1rj]

Only played their once around 2010-2011 and you could tell it was a great layout but at the time it was not being kept up very well at all.