Forest Lake Golf Club: Ocoee's Beloved Public Course Now City-Owned
How a 229-acre public course became Ocoee's civic centerpiece — and what it means for golfers, homebuyers, and the neighborhoods next door
Forest Lake Golf Club is a public 18-hole golf course located at 10521 Clarcona Ocoee Road in Ocoee, FL 32703, just off Exit 26 of SR 429. The course opened in 1994, was designed by the Clifton, Ezell & Clifton Golf Design Group, covers 229 acres, and plays up to 7,152 yards from the back tees. On April 1, 2025, the City of Ocoee terminated the original ground lease and bought the golf operation for $4.5 million, and on November 18, 2025, the City Commission voted to operate the course directly as a city-owned public facility. Winter season 2026 Florida resident rates begin at $33.95 for a twilight round and top out at $71.95 on weekends.
So you've heard that Ocoee has a public golf course — but here's the part most people still don't realize: as of 2025, the city actually owns it. Not the land. The whole operation. Forest Lake Golf Club, one of the busier public layouts in West Orange County, is now a city-run facility, and that's a pretty rare thing for a town this size.
Before you decide whether that's interesting or boring, stick with me. Whether you're a golfer scoping out a new regular course, a homebuyer looking at Forest Lake Estates or Greens at Forest Lake, or just paying attention to how Ocoee is positioning itself as a Central Florida sports destination — this story matters.
The Basics: What and Where
Forest Lake Golf Club sits at 10521 Clarcona Ocoee Road, on the northern edge of Ocoee right along the Apopka line. The course covers 229 acres of Central Florida's Ridge area — sandy loam soils, natural ponds, rolling fairways, and a surprising amount of elevation for Florida. It's accessible from Exit 26 off the 429 Expressway, which puts you roughly 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Orlando and under 10 minutes from most of Ocoee's residential core.
The course was designed by the Clifton, Ezell & Clifton Golf Design Group and opened in 1994. It plays up to 7,152 yards from the back tees with five sets of teeing grounds, so it works for scratch players and first-timers alike. Four memorable par-3s, strategically placed bunkers, large undulating greens, and — here's the one people mention most — no housing on the course. That's almost unheard of in Central Florida. It's pure golf, not a backdrop for a subdivision.
How Ocoee Ended Up Owning a Golf Course
Ocoee has actually owned the land under Forest Lake since the course was built — a 75-year ground lease from the start. For decades a private operator tied to co-designer Kenneth Ezell ran the golf side and paid the city roughly $45,000 a year.
That arrangement unraveled in 2024 when the operators tried to sell the leasehold to JA Hospitality for $7.5 million. The city denied the assignment, a dispute over alleged lease defaults followed, and a mediated settlement landed on April 1, 2025: Ocoee terminated the lease and bought out the golf operation for $4.5 million. In October 2025 the city interviewed three management firms to take over daily operations — Hampton Golf, Tamarack, and Ocoee Golf Holdings. On November 18, 2025, the commission unanimously rejected all three and voted to self-operate, extending previous operator Down to Earth for 90 days to bridge the transition.
Mayor Rusty Johnson put it plainly: the move wasn't about making money, it was about giving the course back to residents. For city services context, see our Ocoee Community Contacts page.
Why Should Orlando Residents Care?
If You're a Golfer
Forest Lake is one of the few daily-fee courses in West Orange County that plays legitimately difficult from the tips without punishing casual rounds from the forward tees. The Rusty Niblick Pub and Grill is on site — cold drafts, burgers, fries with something of a local reputation. The practice facility includes a natural grass range tee, a large putting green, two short-game greens, and a blast bunker. For a public course at this price point, that's unusual.
Winter season 2026 Florida resident rates run from $33.95 for a twilight round up to $71.95 on weekends and holidays. Compare that to Orange County National Golf Center or West Orange Country Club and Forest Lake lands squarely in the approachable-but-serious range. Under city ownership, pricing and programming may evolve — call the pro shop at 407-654-4653 to confirm current rates.
If You're Looking at Homes Nearby
Three neighborhoods sit directly adjacent to the course and are now tied to a city-owned amenity rather than a privately operated one — a meaningful shift. Find options at Forest Lake Estates, Greens at Forest Lake, and Forest Oaks. The city's stated goal is to broaden the property into a community amenity with family-friendly spaces — which could be a plus for the homes nearby or a negative if you bought specifically for a quiet fairway view. It's worth watching.
If You're Tracking Ocoee's Direction
Forest Lake fits a broader play. The city is positioning itself as a Central Florida sports destination — The Dynasty mixed-use sports and entertainment development (159 acres, 17 multi-purpose fields), the Vasant Sports pickleball facility, and now a city-owned golf course. For the full picture on what's happening with recreation in the city, our Ocoee Sports & Athletics and Ocoee Parks & Recreation guides are the starting points.
Getting There and What's Nearby
- From Downtown Orlando: 15–20 minutes via SR 408 west to SR 429 north, Exit 26
- From downtown Ocoee: 7–10 minutes north on Clarcona Ocoee Road
- From Apopka: 5–8 minutes south
- From Winter Garden: 12–15 minutes
The course is close to West Oaks Mall, the West Orange Trail, and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive — easy to build a full day around. For dining options after your round beyond the Rusty Niblick, see our Ocoee Restaurants & Dining guide.
The Real Deal: Pros and Cons
The Pros:
- No housing on the course — rare in Central Florida
- 229 acres with genuine elevation changes, lakes, and mature trees
- Five tee sets accommodating every skill level
- Approachable pricing, especially Florida resident and twilight rates
- Full practice facility including grass range tee and short-game area
- Rusty Niblick Pub and Grill on site
- Direct SR 429 access via Exit 26
The Cons:
- City operation is new — programs, rates, and service standards will shift as the transition settles
- Tee time availability tightens during peak winter season
- Mayor has publicly acknowledged course conditions need work (regrassing and irrigation improvements)
- Residents of adjacent neighborhoods may see changes if the city adds non-golf amenities
What the Locals Know
Forest Lake's strongest pitch has always been that it's a legitimately good public course at a fair price, minus the housing-development feel of most Florida golf. That doesn't change under city ownership. What does change is the direction. Ocoee isn't running this as a revenue play — the mayor was explicit about that — so expect investments in course conditions and community programming, with rates set more for residents than for tourists.
If you've been looking at homes in Ocoee pool homes or gated neighborhoods anywhere on the north side of the city, Forest Lake is now a city amenity in the same way Bill Breeze Park is. That's a genuine shift worth factoring into the decision.
For current rates, tee times, pub hours, and league information, visit Forest Lake Golf Club or the official City of Ocoee website.
Considering a home in Ocoee near Forest Lake Golf Club? Browse listings in Forest Lake Estates or all Ocoee homes for sale, or contact us for a walk-through of the neighborhoods tied to the course. ⛳
