The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club

ICI Homes’ Exclusive Builder In Asturia’s Final Phase

By

If you dream of building a new home in Pasco County’s in-demand State Road 54 corridor, look no further than the final phase of Asturia in Odessa.

ICI Homes — one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious builders — has been chosen as the exclusive builder in Asturia’s final phase, with 23 over-sized homesites in this exclusive community located just minutes from the Suncoast Parkway.

“We are so excited to have these final homesites in Asturia, where we have been building beautiful homes for area families since 2017,” said Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes. “These new homesites are some of the prettiest in all of Asturia, with many backing up to conservation, and all offering privacy and quick access to State Road 54.”

Phase 4 road construction and infrastructure are underway, and ICI Homes is now offering pre-construction sales to its VIP families.

“Because of Asturia’s stellar reputation as a great place to live, we are anticipating a huge demand for these new homesites” said Jones. “These are the final lots in this highly desirable community, and we expect them to sell fast. We encourage people to call today for a VIP appointment to secure their desirable homesite before they are gone.”

Asturia is situated on 500 pristine acres in central Pasco on the north side of State Road 54. Setting it apart from other master-planned communities is Asturia’s manageable size of just 550 homes. It is a friendly, walkable development that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle with its many trails, walkways, parks and recreational amenities.

Outstanding schools are another top reason why families chose Asturia. Children attend some of the best schools in the county, including Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle School and J.W. Mitchell High School. All three schools have received a minimum A or B school grade for the last three years.

ICI Homes is building several floor plans in Asturia. After its final 23 homes are completed, it will close out all new construction in the community, which began development in 2016.

Many of ICI Homes will back up to incredible wilderness views of wetlands, cypress trees and rolling ranchland. Wildlife is everywhere, and residents will enjoy connecting community trails perfect for bird-watching, and to see deer, gopher tortoises, racoons and other native animals.

ICI Homes has chosen its most popular one- and two- story floor plans for Asturia, all with family friendly layouts, where cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining happen cohesively. Homes feature an abundance of windows that bring the outside in.

Floor plans include the Costa Mesa, which also is its model home, that is open now for folks who want to stop by to get more information about Phase 4 from Rich Driver, ICI Home’s dedicated and longtime sales representative for Asturia.

The Costa Mesa is a one-story home that showcases 2,565 square feet of living area, with four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. It is designed for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and empty-nesters.

“The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan is perfect for entertaining,” said Driver. “Its gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

The model is located at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. All COVID-19 safety restrictions are in place, including masks and social distancing. To schedule your VIP appointment, stop by the model to see Rich, call (813) 252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com.

Lake Jovita and Persimmon Park
ICI Homes also is accepting VIP reservations for new homesites in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, and continues to build homes in Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch community. Both communities are tremendously successful and are attracting families of all kinds because of their unique ICI design features and community amenities.

A new Lake Jovita Sales Center has recently opened at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City, FL 33526. The model center at Persimmon Park is located at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

Published December 30, 2020

Hitting the links? Check these local golf courses

By

As we flip the calendar to October and corresponding cooler outdoor temperatures, it makes make an ideal time to dust off those golf clubs, iron your polo shirts and hit the links again in the morning or afternoon. Another reason: it’s also one of the more socially distanced sports or recreation activities at the ready. (Just watch out for those incoming snowbirds.)

Locally, there’s more than 20 courses spanning Odessa, Lutz and New Tampa, and all the way through East Pasco. Each presents a unique quality, from Scottish links to Florida-style with wide open fairways and water hazards, to some with rolling hills reminiscent of North Carolina-esque layouts.

Some courses are longer than others, some more expensive and exclusive, but there’s seemingly something for anyone, whether a novice or scratch golfer.

With that, here’s a closer look at the local golf courses to check out in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Pasco County golf courses

The Groves Golf and Country Club, in Land O’ Lakes (Courtesy of The Groves Golf and Country Club)

The Groves Golf and Country Club: 7924 Melogold Circle, Land O’ Lakes
18 holes, par 65

Skinny: The Groves promotes itself as “the longest short course in Florida” suited for golfers of all skills levels. Designed by professional golfer and sportscaster Gary Koch, the 4,019-yard course surrounding 200 acres of conservation wetlands features holes ranging from 105 yards to 375 yards. Greens are well-bunkered with winding fairways flanked by trees and water. Course also features an aqua range and full-sized putting green.

Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, in Dade City (Courtesy of Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club)

Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club: 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City
Two 18-hole courses, both par 72

Skinny: The semi-private Lake Jovita features two 18-hole championship courses, the North and South, which Golf Digest magazine once called, “one of the best kept secrets in Central Florida.” Unlike much of Florida, rolling hills and elevation changes provide for scenic views of the surrounding oaks, lakes and ponds. Both courses play a bit longer, tapping out at 7,226 yards and 7,153 yards, respectively. Lake Jovita also is home to the Saint Leo University men’s and women’s golf teams, and has played host to many college tournaments and charity scrambles.

Lexington Oaks Golf Club, in Wesley Chapel (Courtesy of Lexington Oaks)

Lexington Oaks Golf Club: 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The 6,646-yard course traverses through woods, marshland and waters, requiring players to avoid bunkers on elevated, massive greens — including a 62-yard wide surface on the 18th hole. Three of its par 3s are handicapped as the toughest holes on the course — including the 233-yard second hole, carryover water on a two-tiered green.

Links of Lake Bernadette: 5430 Links Lane, Zephyrhills
18 holes, par 71

Skinny: The semi-private club was designed, built and previously owned by former golf Dean Refram, who also designed the original Saddlebrook. The 6,400-yard course is regarded for rolling fairways, towering pines, and playable for golfers of all ages and skills levels. Golf Digest once rated it as the “Best Overall Value” in Tampa Bay.

Plantation Palms Golf Club, in Land O’ Lakes (Courtesy of Plantation Palms Golf Club)

Plantation Palms Golf Club: 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The 6,831-yard course presents a difficult layout, with water hazards on all but one hole en route to rolling, elevated greens. Property also features a lighted driving range and 18-holf miniature golf course.

 

 

Saddlebrook Golf Club, in Wesley Chapel (Courtesy of Saddlebrook Resort & Spa)

Saddlebrook Resort: 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel
Two 18-hole courses, par 70 and par 71

Skinny: The renowned Saddlebrook Resort features two 18-hole courses — Palmer Course, Saddlebrook Course — which incorporate rolling fairways and well-maintained greens, along wilderness areas full of cypress, pine and palm trees. Other frills also stand out — including a 16-acre golf training center and professional golf instruction utilizing state-of-the-art swing technology through Trackman, SAM Balance Lab ad SAMPuttLab. The facility is home to Saddlebrook Preparatory School, which has groomed many elite-level junior golfers, including Australian-born Karl Vilips, one of the world’s top-ranked amateurs now competing at Stanford University.

Saint Leo Abbey Golf Course: 33640 State Road 52 W., Saint Leo
18 holes, par 71

Skinny: The manageable 5,659-yard public course with a slope rating of 105 is convenient and affordable for Saint Leo University students and faculty, located directly across the road from the main campus.

Scotland Yards Golf Club, in Dade City (Courtesy of Scotland Yards Golf)

Scotland Yards: 9424 U.S. 301 S., Dade City
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The 6,661-yard course plays into its namesake — a traditional links-style layout reminiscent of courses played in England and Scotland. Though relatively few water hazards, many pot bunkers are strategically located throughout.

 

 

Silverado Golf and Country Club, in Zephyrhills (Courtesy of Silverado Golf and Country Club)

Silverado Golf and Country Club: 36841 Clubhouse Drive, Zephyrhills
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The semi-private 6,671-yard layout is accented by 100-year-old oaks shading the course’s clubhouse and fairways. It also is home to a variety of Florida wildlife like sandhill cranes, red-tail hawks, egrets, grey squirrels, ducks, geese and even foxes. The club features a full practice area including grass driving range, chipping and bunker areas, plus a 3,000-square-foot practice putting green.

Southport Springs: 3509 Southport Springs Parkway, Zephyrhills
18 holes, par 69

Skinny: The nearly 5,000-yard course prides itself on being a quick round and accommodating senior golfers, but still testing low handicappers because of narrow fairways and small greens.

Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, in San Antonio (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club)

Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club: 10641 Old Tampa Bay Dr., San Antonio
18 holes, par 71; 9-hole executive, par 27

Skinny: The 6,210-yard Scottish links-style courses requires golfers to steer narrow tree-lined fairways and water hazards on all 18 holes. It’s been labeled a “shot-maker’s course,” whereby accuracy and skilled iron play are a must for respectable scores. Fairways are made up of 419 Bermuda turf while putting surfaces are made of TifEagle Bermuda grass. Novices not quite up to the task are welcome to try the club’s 9-hole, par-3 executive course.

Zephyrhills City Golf Course: 39248 Ave. B, Zephyrhills
18 holes, par 68

Skinny: The 5,054-yard layout has a 70.0 course rating and a slope rating of 113. Since opening in the 1970s, it’s been a local favorite —approachable for beginners, yet offering advanced players an opportunity for a quick round. Lakes and streams play throughout the course, along with the occasional bunker strategically placed out.

Hillsborough County golf courses

The Club at Cheval, 4312 Cheval Blvd., Lutz
18 hole, par 71

Skinny: The semi-private, 7,005-yard layout is one of the area’s more ballyhooed courses, running through 860 acres of development property. Shot-making is critical, as the course features water hazards on every hole and 108 bunkers total. Its signature hole is a par-3 17th, where water short of the green wraps around the left side to the back of the landing surface.

The Eagles Golf Club, in Odessa (Courtesy of Eagles Golf Club)

The Eagles Golf Club: 16101 Nine Eagles Dr., Odessa
Two 18-hole courses, both par 72

Skinny: Features two 18-hole golf courses surrounded by more than 30 lakes, ponds and canals. The 6,604-yard Forest Course requires accuracy, thanks to contoured fairways and well-protected greens. Meanwhile, the lengthier 7,101-yard Lakes Course is aptly named, as water comes into play on nearly every hole, and plays more like a traditional Florida course with a generous driving area.

Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, in Lutz (Courtesy of Heritage Golf and Country Club)

Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club: 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway, Lutz
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The 6,900-yard public course offers its fair share of water and marshes to cross. One appreciative feature the club markets is homes don’t crowd fairways — as only five holes out of 18 have housing on both sides. During a round, you’re bound to spot hawks, ospreys, loons, ibis, herons and kingfishers. It’s also one of the newer courses locally, built in 1999.

Hunter’s Green Country Club, in New Tampa (Courtesy of Hunter’s Green Country Club)

Hunter’s Green Golf Club: 18101 Longwater Run Drive, Tampa
18 holes, par 72

Skinny: The 7,059-yard course — designed by Tom Fazio, one of the most well-known golf course architects of all time — is sculpted from existing pine flatwoods and wetlands, giving it a picturesque element. The course in 2017 was renovated with new TiFEagle Bermuda greens on all 18 holes and practice areas. Additional sand bunkers also were recently constructed throughout the entire course, bringing more of a challenge.

Northdale Golf & Tennis Club: 4417 Northdale Blvd., Tampa
18 hole, par 72

Skinny: The 6,824-yard course presents a Florida-style layout with wide-open fairways, and large, inviting greens. Natural surroundings are highlighted by cypress trees and spring-fed lakes.

Pebble Creek Golf Club, in New Tampa (Courtesy of Pebble Creek Golf Club)

Pebble Creek Golf Club: 10550 Regents Park Drive, Tampa
18 hole, par 71

Skinny: The 6,436-yard course is set on a secluded layout with moss-draped grandfather oaks and water on 16 holes. There’s all sorts of wildlife, from alligators to sandhill cranes. Elevated greens are another noted feature.

 

 

Silver Dollar Golf Club: 12711 Silver Dollar Drive, Odessa
Three 9-hole courses, par 35, par 36, and par 37

Skinny: Silver Dollar’s three 9-hole championship-length courses (Gator, Panther, Bobcat) can be played individually or consecutively, each featuring a wide variety of fairways, bunkers and water features flanked by stately trees. The course also boasts one of the better practice facilities, including a full driving range, two putting greens, pitching and chipping green with sand trap, and three practice holes. Measures a long of 6,489 yards when the Gator and Panther courses are paired together.

Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, in New Tampa (Courtesy of Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club)

Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club: 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd., Tampa
18 hole, par 72

Skinny: The 7,004-yard private course sits on an Audubon sanctuary and claims to test golfers of all skill levels, as water hazards come into play on 10 holes and bunkers, strategically placed throughout. Its signature par-3 17th hole requires a tee shot over an expansive body of water to a green abutting two left side bunkers. The course is the former home of the Senior PGA Tour’s GTE Suncoast Classic Tournament.

TPC Tampa Bay, in Lutz (Courtesy of TPC Tampa Bay)

TPC Tampa Bay: 5300 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
18-hole, par 71

Skinny: Consistently ranking among the top-rated courses in all of Florida, the PGA Tour-built 6,898-yard course winds through natural wetlands, cypress heads and lagoons. The course presents its share of difficulties with a slew of uneven lies and water found on 15 holes. It’s played host of the PGA Tour Champions event for 21 years running.

Published October 07, 2020

Domestic violence on rise during pandemic

By

Domestic violence in Pasco County has followed a worldwide trend of increased cases and incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelly Sinn, chief executive officer with Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic and sexual violence center that offers shelter and services for victims, said her agency saw a 22% increase in hotline calls during the pandemic’s first three months.

However, during the same period, the Sunrise shelter occupancy numbers were actually down.

“A lot of what we were hearing on our hotline, which is the gateway into shelter, was these individuals in abusive relationships were stuck at home but they felt they were better off there,’’ Sinn said. “It’s the evil they know versus the evil they don’t know. The increased risk of contracting coronavirus in a residential facility — instead of being around two to four people, they might be around up to 40 — wasn’t worth it.’’

Kelly Sinn oversees Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic and sexual violence center. It has seen an uptick in calls, in the midst of COVID-19. (Courtesy of Kelly Sinn)

The pandemic — and its accompanying quarantines, social isolation, travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders — has created a rise in domestic violence cases worldwide, according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office reports that the monthly total in January to the monthly total in April — the heart of the pandemic’s shutdown — accounted for increases in domestic violence calls (22.4%), police reports (30.5%) and arrests (31.8%) within the county.

The pandemic also has changed the way that Sunrise does business.

“The early trend was we weren’t getting as many (people) in shelter,’’ Sinn said. “They found a way to cope and live with what was happening to them. They adjusted their life to abuse in the home, knowing what was coming and when it was coming, instead of dealing with a virus they knew nothing about.

“Now, that is changing. Our (shelter) numbers are going back up. With the virus out there, we’ve had to adjust,” she said.

The 40-bed Sunrise shelter, which generally ran above capacity in the pre-coronavirus days, has administered social distancing rules while keeping its occupancy at about 25 to 30. The normal eight-week average stay has trended up to nine weeks or 10 weeks.

“We’re now limiting it to one family per room — or, if we have two women unaccompanied, we can put both of them in a room together — because we want to keep our victims and staff safe,’’ Sinn said. “We had to change quickly because things have happened quickly.

“The bottom line is, we’re trying to limit the number of people who come into the shelter. We have turned to telemedicine for doctors and other providers. Normally, we would have case managers, counselors and legal advocates all coming in and out. Now, we are limiting interactions — and that might mean a call from the office, which might be on the other side of the parking lot. But, we must take these precautions,” she said.

Even with those precautions, Sinn said Sunrise’s central mission won’t be compromised.

“If somebody calls our hotline and it’s a dangerous situation, we’re going to do anything we can to get them into shelter,’’ Sinn said. “Whether that’s sleeping on a trundle, a blow-up mattress or moving people around, we’ll do that.

“You have to make accommodations (immediately) because there’s no guarantee that individual will be safe or want to go (later). In the first few months (of the pandemic), people were scared and our numbers were low. As people become more comfortable with the virus and they can’t take abuse anymore, our numbers have increased. We are managing,” she said.

There was preliminary talk of expanding the shelter at Sunrise, which opened in 1982 as a solitary office and help from community members who offered shelter to victims. The need for a permanent shelter became obvious. The 24-bed shelter was expanded to 40 in 2013. But, further expansion — and maybe other financial considerations — is on hold due to the virus.

Sunrise, which has an annual $3.5 million budget, relies on federal, state and local government funding, along with private donations and fundraisers. An annual breakfast fundraiser was canceled in April, but a golf tournament remains set — for now — on Oct. 5 at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

“While there have been closings and limited services in a lot of businesses, a key message for us is Sunrise is open and available,’’ Sinn said. “It’s still a resource. People don’t have to live in an unsafe environment. Our hotline (352-521-3120) is 24/7. Even if individuals aren’t ready to leave, we can establish safety plans and offer other resources they may not have known about.

“We need our community and our donors. Every nonprofit is feeling the pinch from the virus. But, our services are continuing, even in tough times. It’s humbling to see the support we continue to get and to know our community values what we can provide,” she said.

WHAT TO DO?
Here are some tips on protecting yourself from domestic violence during the pandemic.

Safety Steps You Can Take
Johns Hopkins Medicine offers these suggestions to help, if someone you live with becomes verbally or emotionally hurtful, threatens you, has episodes of explosive anger or harms animals:

  • Find a place you can retreat to safely. Avoid the bathroom or kitchen.
  • Enlist support from a trusted friend or family member you can call.
  • If necessary, use a code word or phrase to indicate you need help.
  • Memorize phone numbers of people and agencies you might need to call in an emergency.
  • Make sure you can easily access cash, identification (driver’s license and Social Security card), birth and marriage certificates, credit cards, safe deposit box keys, and bank information and health insurance information. Be sure to keep any documentation (photos, medical or police reports) relating to previous episodes of abuse.

Help is available
The 24-hour Sunrise of Pasco hotline/helpline is (352) 521-3120. The website is SunrisePasco.org.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is (800) 799-7233 (SAFE).

By Joey Johnston

Published August 26, 2020

Local communities come up big in Parade of Homes

By

Home and community developers from Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties picked up 14 awards recently as the Tampa Bay Builders Association named its 2014 Parade of Homes winners.

The parade itself featured 143 model homes by 33 builders in more than 80 Tampa Bay area communities from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Hernando counties.

Judging was done by a panel of independent homebuilding experts, according to a release, who considered site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural detailing and workmanship.

Among the local communities, Connerton was the biggest winner with two grand awards and two merit awards. Terra Bella in Land O’ Lakes earned a grand award and a merit award, as did Cordoba Estates in Lutz.

Local grand and merit award winners were:

• Ryland Homes, Frost II at Connerton — Grand award for homes priced $226,000 to $250,999
• Lennar, Sedgewick at Live Oak Preserve — Merit award for homes priced $251,000 to $275,999
• Taylor Morrison, Kentwood III at Connerton — Grand award for homes priced $276,000 to $300,999
• Ashton Woods Homes, Fairfax at Crenshaw Reserve — Grand award for homes prices $301,000 to $335,999
• D.R. Horton, The Surrey at Terra Bella — Grand award for homes priced $336,000 to $350,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, The Chelsea at Peregrina at Watergrass — Grand award for homes priced $351,000 to $400,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Castleberry in Crosswinds at Seven Oaks — Grand award for homes priced $401,000 to $425,9999
• Inland Homes, the Devonshire of Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club — Merit award for homes priced $401,000 to $425,999
• M/I Homes, Roxbury C at Connerton — Merit award for homes priced $426,999 to $450,999
• M/I Homes, Madison C at Trinity Preserve — Grand award for homes priced $451,999 to $474,999
• Homes by WestBay, the Verona at Terra Bella — Merit award for homes priced $451,999 to $474,999
• Homes by WestBay, the Key Largo II at Connerton — Merit award for homes priced $551,000 to $600,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Bellingham at Cordoba Estates — Grand award for homes priced $651,000 to $775,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Bristol at Cordoba Estates — Merit award for homes priced $976,000 to $1 million

Standard Pacific Homes also earned a Best Floor Plan award for its Castleberry in Crosswinds at Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel.