Once known as World Woods, the transformation into Cabot Citrus Farms has elevated the property into a world-class golf destination, with the Karoo Course standing out as a striking reinvention. Designed by Kyle Franz on top of Tom Fazio’s original Pine Barrens course, Karoo embraces the rugged beauty of Central Florida’s sandy soil, featuring expansive waste areas, firm-and-fast fairways, and bold green complexes that demand precision and creativity. The once tree-lined corridors of World Woods have given way to wide, wind-exposed fairways, evoking the feel of an inland links course with undulating terrain and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful shot-making. Franz says that he pulled in notes of George Thomas at LACC, Ross at Pinehurst No. 2 and the all-star collective of Pine Valley to create something new in the Karoo course that also pays homage to some of his personal favorites.
In the latest Playing 18, we find Broken Tee Society member Isabel Bannon out for a relaxing morning stroll at the Karoo Course. Let’s see how she plays it.
Warning: this video is safe to watch at work.
