Kenya/Hemingway at Havana Country Club

The Hemingway Course at Havana Country Club occupies a distinctive position within The Villages' extensive golf portfolio, designed by the team of Ron Garl's former associates Bobby Clifton and David Ezell. The course takes its thematic inspiration from Cuba's colonial capital, reflecting The Villages' broader practice of naming courses and districts after international destinations. The layout serves the active adult community that defines this central Florida development, where golf operates as a central amenity within a master-planned environment.

Clifton and Ezell, who established their partnership after working with Garl, brought their Florida design sensibilities to this routing. The course navigates terrain typical of the region—relatively flat with manufactured elevation changes, strategic water features, and native vegetation framing the corridors. The design emphasizes playability for the community's demographic while incorporating enough variety to maintain interest across repeated rounds. Bunker placement and green contouring provide the primary strategic elements, with multiple tee boxes allowing players to select appropriate challenge levels.

The Villages context shapes the Hemingway experience significantly. The community's social infrastructure means golf here functions as much for daily recreation and neighbor interaction as for competitive play. Pace of play and accessibility take precedence, with cart paths, forward tees, and maintenance standards reflecting the expectations of residents who may play several times weekly. The course integrates into a broader network of facilities, dining venues, and activities that define life in one of America's largest retirement communities.