To see Ocala National Golf Club is to experience the embodiment of the Castro family's great devotion to Ocala. Sharing their sense of quality with others ultimately resulted in the development of the Ocala National Golf Club, creating Marion County's first private club. Breaking ground in mid-1963, the club attracted notable thoroughbred breeders to its initial board. Heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano was also a founding member. Once deeded to its membership, the club returned to the Castro family interests in 2002 through a partnership forged between Bernadette Castro and golf architect Rees Jones. The stately colonial clubhouse has been rejuvenated to feature a fitness center, an enhanced Olympic-sized swimming pool, a state-of-the-art golf shop, the elegant Belmont Ballroom that seats 250 guests, as well as smaller, private dining areas throughout the gracious building. In June of 2012, Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club acquired Ocala National. Ocala National Golf Club is a central Florida treasure, filled with tradition, yet still making history with a challenging championship golf course to grace the beautiful rolling countryside.