Cabot Citrus Farms – the Roost logo
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Cabot Citrus Farms – the Roost

86

Brooksville, Florida

Hidden GemExceptional golf hiding below the radar.
Established
2024
Architect
Kyle Franz, Mike Nuzzo, Rod Whitman, Ran Morrissett
Access
Resort
Par
Par 72
Length
4,124 – 7,543 yds
Green Fees
$$$$
The verdict

Region's Bold New Must-Play

Recently unveiled, The Roost at Cabot Citrus Farms instantly delivers a serious punch of architecture and adventure. This is modern destination golf, full of bold landforms, sandy corridors, and jaw-dropping strategy – an exceptional addition to Florida's golf road trip scene.

Course DNA
Difficulty
85
Scenery
76
Conditioning
88
Shot Variety
88
Walkability
81
Green Complexity
90
Wow Factor
84
Design Quality
91
Don't miss

Keep an eye out for wild turkeys—if you're on an early morning or twilight loop, you might spot them roaming under the sprawling oaks that inspired the course's name.

At a glance

Quick facts

Resort debut
2024
Founding architects
Franz, Nuzzo, Whitman, Morrissett
Signature terrain feature
40-foot-deep central sinkhole
Wildlife inspiration
Named for wild turkeys roosting onsite
Shortest tee
4,124 yards
Onsite sister courses
Karoo, The Wedge, The Squeeze
The design

The architecture

The Roost at Cabot Citrus Farms is a modern masterclass in bold, strategic architecture set atop sandy inland Florida. Designed by a superstar team—Franz, Nuzzo, Whitman, and Morrissett—the course twists through rolling meadows, wildflowers, sandy scrub, dramatic doglegs, and a central sinkhole, demanding both power and finesse. Every hole presents an invitation to think creatively, play angles, and embrace ground and aerial options. There’s MacKenzie-inspired movement in the greens, risk-reward drama off the tee, and a fresh, lively resort vibe that feels original yet world-class.

The Roost is a full-fledged collaboration of acclaimed modern architects—Franz, Nuzzo, Whitman—with Ran Morrissett as architecture advisor, each influencing the course with strategic brilliance and natural movement.

Defining features
  • Routing through rolling sandy scrub and wild meadows
  • Central 40-foot-deep sinkhole as strategy-defining hazard
  • Expansive, multi-contour greens with pronounced slopes
  • Multiple playing corridors and risk-reward driving lines
  • Edges blurring between fairway, native, and hazards
  • Audacious approach angles and green surrounds
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 3

Double Dare Carry

PAR
5
YARDAGE
601

A true three-shot par 5 from the back tees, this monster bend sprawls across open sandy corridors with a dramatic approach over natural hazards. The second shot is a do-or-lay-up moment, setting up a wedge from an ideal angle or forcing a nervy longer second.

Play it smart

Plan your lay-up for your preferred wedge distance; the long second shot is only worth the gamble if the wind is helping and you’re confident with a precise carry.

Where it bites

Mistimed attempts bring scrub and sand into play both off the tee and on approach, making aggressive plays carry real risk.

Course management

Shots to think about

Hitting into an exposed green with wind up
Trust your number, flight it down, and avoid missing on the short side—the ground game is an option if the pin isn’t tucked.
Second shot on the par-5s
Resist reaching for all you can; play for your favorite wedge distance unless the angle is perfect and the pin is accessible.
Approaching a green surrounded by sandy scrub
Favor the wide side and play with shape to use contours—don’t fire directly at short-sided pins.
Attacking short par 4s
Bolder lines bring birdie—the right drive angle sets up the simplest approaches, but know your carry distance over hazards.
Facing a demanding par 3 with a deep green
Club selection trumps everything; favor the front edge on deep greens to avoid trickier recoveries from long.
Recovered from a wayward tee shot into sandy terrain
Don’t get greedy—advance smartly back to the short grass and set up the next shot.
Closing holes under pressure
Play for center-green targets; let the contours work for you and avoid the exhausting miss.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Luxurious new-build turf conditions with fast greens and crisp, firm fairways.

Pace

Plan for a full championship-round duration, especially if playing the back tees.

Vibe

Modern, architecture-focused resort buzz—relaxed sophistication with passionate golfers all around.

Dress code

Smart, contemporary golf attire expected throughout the property.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Book in Advance

Resort guest spots and top tee times sell out quickly during peak season—secure your slot early to play The Roost.

02

Bring Versatile Game

Be ready for both power and finesse—drivers and wedges will get plenty of use, and ground-game creativity pays off.

03

Check the Weather Forecast

Wind can add bite, especially on exposed holes—adjust your approach and shot plans accordingly.

04

Walk if You Can

The rerouted design delivers a rewarding walking experience; embrace the land and soak in the details on foot.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1993

    Original site (Rolling Oaks) designed by Tom Fazio opens as part of World Woods.

  2. 2022

    Course closes for complete redesign and rerouting led by Franz, Nuzzo, and Morrissett.

  3. 2024

    Cabot Citrus Farms debuts The Roost as a fully reimagined 18-hole resort course.

  4. 2024

    The Roost opens for public and resort play, unveiling its new bold look and strategic features.

Stories & legends

What makes it special

reinvention

From Wild Woods to Modern Marvel

Once known as Rolling Oaks, the old World Woods site was transformed by a renowned multi-designer team. Every green, fairway, and hazard has been rethought, giving The Roost an adventurous new personality and routing.

course-feature

The Sinkhole Statement

A 40-foot-deep sinkhole at the heart of the property is more than a curiosity—it’s a pivot point for routing and a psychological feature players will talk about for years. Its presence shapes strategy and scenery.

lore

Where Turkeys Roost

The course’s name pays homage to the wild turkeys often seen under the massive moss-draped oaks at dusk. It’s a quirky, uniquely Floridian nod that gives The Roost its signature vibe.

architecture

MacKenzie in the Sunshine State

The Roost’s strategic overlays and green contours are openly inspired by Alister MacKenzie’s golden-age masterpieces, bringing Augusta-like shot value and creativity into the Florida interior.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

The Roost is named for the wild turkeys that regularly gather beneath the property’s ancient oaks.

2

A central 40-foot-deep sinkhole adds both natural spectacle and strategic challenge to the routing.

3

The course debuted in 2024, the same year as its sibling, Karoo, marking a rare double unveiling for a Florida resort.

4

Design inspiration includes Augusta National and Alister MacKenzie’s philosophy of angles and contour play.

Build the trip

If you're making a West Central Florida golf trip out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cabot Citrus Farms – Karoo
Resort

The Roost’s bold, sandier sibling, challenging and highly original

Cabot Citrus Farms – The Wedge
Resort

Creative 10-hole layout for fun, relaxed rounds and quirky short-game tests

Innisbrook (Copperhead)
Resort

Iconic PGA Tour venue outside Tampa with tree-lined fairways and dramatic greens

World Woods (Pine Barrens, legacy/closed)

Former acclaimed public layout—local lore and context for the new Cabot era

On property at Cabot Citrus Farms or in Brooksville for quickest and most convenient access to all courses.

Course DNA

If You Like Cabot Citrus Farms – the Roost

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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