PGA of America Golf Professional David Bennett’s journey to golf leadership wasn’t conventional. A knee injury ended his downhill ski racing career, forcing him to reimagine his athletic future. He found it on a driving range in South Florida, where he practiced relentlessly and fell in love with the game that would define his professional life.
That dedication paid off. Bennett competed in college golf, earning All-American honors before entering the PGA of America and earning his Class A status through hands-on club experience, tournament play and deep commitment to the craft.
More than 20 years later, Bennett has built an impressive resume. He’s been a Class A PGA Professional since 2005. He’s certified in Executive Management and holds a specialization in Golf Operations. He’s served on the Vermont PGA Chapter Board as Past President and the New England PGA Board. He's qualified for the PGA of America Club Professional National Championship nine times. And he's currently pursuing his PGA Master Professional Certification.
Throughout his career, Bennett has led golf operations at private clubs and resorts, mentored professionals through their own PGA journeys and built instruction programs that emphasize personal growth and connection to the game. Today, as General Manager at Cabot Citrus Farms, he's helping shape one of the most ambitious golf destinations in America.
But ask Bennett about his greatest professional strength, and he won’t point to his tournament record or his certifications. He’ll tell you about the power of building strong teams and empowering the people around him.
Cabot Citrus Farms has a compelling story. Formerly known as World Woods, the property was acquired by Cabot in January 2022. Just one year later, the facility opened for preview play with its first 18-hole course, Karoo, along with two short courses, The Wedge and The Squeeze. The full resort celebrated its grand opening in January 2025, marking the debut of the second 18-hole course, Roost.
Set on 1,200 acres of Florida’s scenic Nature Coast, Cabot Citrus Farms offers a golf experience unlike anywhere else in the state. Just 50 minutes from Tampa and 80 minutes from Orlando, the property features rolling hills, moss-draped oaks and sand pines—a refreshing contrast to the typical coastal courses found throughout Florida.
As Cabot’s first American destination, the resort features two championship 18-hole courses, a 10-hole course, an 11-hole par-3 course, an expansive practice facility and accommodations ranging from cottages to fairway homes and Citrus Ridge lots. Beyond golf, guests can enjoy exceptional dining, outdoor activities, including the new Sporting Club and nearby nature experiences at Withlacoochee State Forest and Crystal River.
Managing an operation of this scale and ambition requires exceptional leadership. But Bennett’s approach differs from the traditional model of identifying one key lieutenant. Instead, he sees success as the result of strong team collaboration across the entire organization.
“Rather than pointing to one individual, I genuinely see our success as the result of strong team collaboration,” Bennett explains. “At Cabot, I work closely with our entire executive team each day, and the directors of each department are absolutely vital to how we operate. They lead the larger teams, set the tone and serve as the bridge between day-to-day execution and our broader goals.”
This philosophy reflects a mature understanding of organizational leadership. Bennett recognizes that in a complex resort operation spanning golf, agronomy, hospitality and real estate, no single partnership can carry the entire burden. Success requires alignment across all departments, with strong leaders at every level.
“Communication flows both ways, up from the front lines and down from leadership, and that only works when there’s trust and alignment across departments,” Bennett says. “Whether it’s golf, agronomy, hospitality or real estate, every director plays a key role in creating a consistent, high-quality experience. I rely on them daily, and I couldn’t lead effectively without their insight, accountability and shared commitment to doing things well.”
Bennett must balance competing priorities across multiple departments while ensuring the golf experience remains exceptional as the resort develops its hospitality, real estate and outdoor recreation offerings. The results speak for themselves. Since opening, the response from guests and homeowners has been overwhelmingly positive. Cabot Citrus Farms has evolved into not just a premier golf destination but a multi-generational retreat where families can reconnect with nature and each other.
The dining program exemplifies the attention to detail that defines the resort, with venues including Grange Hall on Main Street, The Porch overlooking The Wedge and Cantina 21 serving Mexican-inspired fare and specialty cocktails.
For Bennett, the key to managing this complexity lies in empowering his directors to lead their teams effectively. “Strong directors make a strong operation,” he says. “My role is to support them, clear roadblocks and help everyone stay focused on what matters most: our guest experience.”
This leadership philosophy aligns with the broader mission that has driven Bennett’s career. Throughout his two decades as a PGA of America Golf Professional, he’s mentored professionals through their own PGA journeys, helping them develop the skills and confidence to advance their careers. At Cabot Citrus Farms, he’s put those same principles into practice on a larger scale, creating an environment where talented professionals can thrive and take ownership of their departments.
The approach requires trust, clear communication and a willingness to delegate authority. Bennett must resist the temptation to micromanage, instead focusing on strategic direction and removing obstacles that prevent his team from succeeding.
At Cabot Citrus Farms, where championship golf meets outdoor adventure and luxury hospitality, David Bennett’s collaborative leadership style continues to build something special. It’s a place where guests can experience the best of Florida’s natural beauty, where families can create lasting memories and where a talented team of professionals work together to deliver exceptional experiences every day.
“Cabot Citrus Farms is more than a destination,” Bennett reflects. “It’s a place to reconnect with nature, relax with family and friends and experience the best of Florida's natural beauty and hospitality.”
And it’s a place where one PGA of America Golf Professional’s commitment to empowering his entire team is creating championship-level success through true collaboration.