Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course
Tom Fazio called it some of his best work: a run of holes carved through an abandoned limestone quarry, with cliff faces, water and elevation found almost nowhere else in Florida. The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch opened in 1987, a par 72 of about 7,159 yards near Lecanto, and remains one of the most acclaimed courses in the state.
Photo: Black Diamond Ranch via Google.
The verdict
Florida is not known for dramatic elevation, which is exactly why the Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch is so startling. Tom Fazio routed a stretch of holes through an abandoned limestone quarry in Lecanto, an hour and a half north of Tampa, with sheer rock faces, deep water and elevation changes that feel transplanted from somewhere far more mountainous. Opened in 1987, the course is regarded as one of Fazio's finest and has long ranked among the top courses in the state and the country.
For the traveling golfer it is a genuine bucket list round, the kind of course you plan a trip around rather than slot in. At about 7,159 yards and par 72 it is a strong test, but the appeal is the spectacle: the quarry holes are among the most photographed and most talked about in American golf. Access is private and member oriented, so the round usually needs to be arranged through a member or a guest pathway, but it is well worth the planning.
Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1987
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Private quarry
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- To about 7,159 yds
- Green fee
- Private, member access
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Black Diamond Ranch, Golf Digest and course databases. The Quarry Course is a Tom Fazio design opened in 1987, a par 72 playing to about 7,159 yards, famous for its run of holes through an abandoned limestone quarry. It is a private club, so play is generally arranged through a member or guest pathway rather than a published daily green fee. Any guest rates are set by the club and change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The signature stretch is the quarry run, generally cited as holes 13 through 17, where Fazio dropped the routing into and around the old limestone pit. Sheer rock walls, water at the base and tee shots played from clifftop to fairway give these holes a scale and drama unlike anything else in Florida golf. The par 3 over the quarry is the picture everyone takes, but the whole sequence is a sustained piece of theater.
The rest of the course is no afterthought. Fazio used the rolling, sandy ridge land of the Brooksville hills to build a varied, well bunkered layout with real elevation change and contoured greens, so the round is strong from the first tee, not just through the quarry. The conditioning is excellent and the setting, quiet and wooded, adds to the sense of a special place.
It is a course that rewards the trip to reach it. Golfers who have played the great Fazio courses routinely put the Quarry among his very best, and a round here is the highlight of any central Florida golf itinerary.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private club at Black Diamond Ranch; play is generally arranged through a member, a member guest pathway or limited access programs |
| Green fee | Private rather than a published daily fee; any guest rates are set by the club and vary |
| Booking | Arrange through a member or the club directly; confirm guest access well ahead |
| On the day | Carts standard; collared shirts and soft spikes; clubhouse, lodging and practice facility on site |
| Getting there | At Lecanto, Florida, about ninety minutes north of Tampa near Crystal River |
| Best months | Fall through spring are prime in central Florida; summer is hot and stormy |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates swing by season and packages change, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking. To book a round through a partner, use our trip desk to check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Black Diamond Ranch has its own on site lodging for golfers arranging access through the club, the simplest base for a round on the Quarry. The nearby Crystal River and Citrus County area offers hotels and rentals within a short drive for those staying off property.
For a central Florida golf trip built around Tom Fazio design, pair the Quarry with the links inspired golf at Camp Creek on the Emerald Coast, or the redeveloped Fazio land at Cabot Citrus Farms nearby.
Looking for a base near Lecanto? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a central Florida golf trip
We work the access pathways at Black Diamond Ranch, pair the Quarry with the best Fazio golf in Florida and book the lodging around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course questions
Who designed the Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course and when did it open?
The Quarry Course was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1987 at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. Fazio has called the quarry holes some of his best work.
What is the par and length of the Quarry Course?
The Quarry Course is a par 72 that plays to about 7,159 yards from the back tees.
What are the quarry holes at Black Diamond Ranch?
Fazio routed a stretch of holes, generally cited as 13 through 17, through an abandoned limestone quarry, with rock cliff faces, water and dramatic elevation that are among the most photographed in American golf.
Can the public play Black Diamond Ranch?
Black Diamond Ranch is a private club. Play is generally arranged through a member, a member guest pathway or limited access programs rather than a published daily green fee, so confirm access with the club directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.