A Tour of the Indian River Colony Club

by James Stammer – April 21, 2022

Listen to the video clip above, from Dan Shube’s “The Golf and Travel Show” about their visit to IRCC.

Calling all military! Florida is famous for “over-55” communities. In Viera, you will find one that is instead dedicated to military veterans.

Indian River Colony Club (ColonyClub.com) is a retirement community dedicated to those who have served. Located on 453 acres with 777 individually owned 2-4 bedroom, single-family homes, this is haven for veterans and their family. Additionally, the Viera VA Clinic is just a few minutes’ drive from the community. Patrick Air Force Base is also just a few skips away. For those veterans thinking of relocating, IRCC is worthy of a look.

A couple of weekends ago, I, along with a few colleagues, were invited to experience the golf course and see what the community is about. The first thing that I noticed after passing through the security gate at the entrance was how beautifully kept everything is. The lawns are pristine, the homes, the clubhouse, everything. I should not have been surprised as this is what military people do. Keep things in order.

I met our host, Kent Davenport, at the Pro Shop, and we talked about the community and the amenities available for residents. The Club is owned by its members, and all amenities, corporate buildings, and grounds are debt free. I guess they keep the politicians away.

By now, you must be wondering what all can you do at Indian River Colony Club. That would be a long list, which promises something for everyone. In addition to a great golf course, there is tennis, croquet, bocce, a swimming pool, social activities, a fitness center and dining.

My group was here to test the golf course. This Gordon Lewis design has five sets of tees that may be intermingled to create an additional three sets. The course can play to just over 6,000 yards or just under 3,500 yards. There is an aqua driving range, and a putting and chipping green. I swear the driving range is there to acclimate you to the water you will find on the course.

You will find water on every hole here. It is not always in play, and you can pick a set of tees that helps you to avoid the need to carry shots over the water. Local knowledge is certainly a help. Kent, who we all agreed was the best host that we have ever had, explained to us that there are flags on the course that mark where the water is. These flags tell you of the danger that falls just beyond the fairway, out of view from the tee or fairway.

Our round was quite fun and relaxing. It was so peaceful and quiet that we were hard-pressed to notice that we were in a community. The residents that we encountered were very friendly. We were welcomed with “hellos” from many as they enjoyed their morning coffee and newspaper on their porch.

The course was in fantastic shape. Every blade of grass was standing at attention and clipped at just the right length. I kid, but it was easy to see the care and pride that goes into every inch of the community.

Playing at IRCC requires accuracy. As I said earlier, local knowledge helps. The variety of holes is impressive. Holes move right and left. Some are short, others long. I counted only three fairway bunkers on the course. This allows for a brisk pace of play.

While our group enjoyed a nice breeze during our round, it seemed to shift at every hole and I do not remember ever having it at our back. This was most noticeable at the par-3 eighth. Playing only 135 yards from the back tees, we faced a shot over water to a narrow green. I wound up hitting two extra clubs and barely reached the front of the green.

At the turn, Kent met us with a few beverages and checked to make sure we were enjoying our day. After a few more tips, we hit the back nine.

While we could have played better, our foursome enjoyed the day and the course. None of us are military vets, but we have them in our family and deeply appreciate them.

James Stammer has been an avid golfer and golf enthusiast for nearly 40 years. Contact him at – stammergolf@yahoo.com