Cover Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photo by Windermere Photography
It all began in a land known more for its hockey than its golf courses. Growing up in Canada, Rocky Hodge did not consider golf a priority. “I was into hockey, obviously, coming from Canada,” he chuckles. “Golf was a sport young boys didn’t play. It didn’t seem tough enough.”
It wasn’t until Rocky went to college that his interest in the sport grew. Surrounded by friends passionate about golf, he quickly became enthusiastic about the game. While golf became a cherished pastime, Rocky's primary focus was building a successful career as an entrepreneur. Over the years, he owned several businesses, including a venture in the energy drink industry, producing private-label beverages for clients throughout North America and the Caribbean. Rocky's love for golf deepened as his career took him around the world, and he seized opportunities to play wherever business took him.
Meeting Carla: A Small-World Love Story
Carla was a part of Rocky’s life long before he knew it. "We grew up on the same street," Rocky says, laughing at the serendipity of it all. Seven years older than Carla, Rocky didn’t even realize that the girl he’d one day marry had been just down the road.
Their paths diverged when Carla moved to another town, and it wasn’t until much later that fate brought them together again. In an unexpected twist, Rocky’s business partner, whose wife was Carla’s best friend, played matchmaker. Despite initial resistance to blind dates, the two eventually met—and the connection was instant.
“It was surreal,” Rocky says, recalling how they discovered their overlapping histories. "We even went to the same church growing up." The sense of destiny was impossible to ignore, and wedding plans began.
A few years later, Rocky and Carla fulfilled their dream of building a beautiful home on a sprawling 12-acre estate. The property was complete with everything they had ever envisioned: their dream home, horses grazing freely, and the serenity that only nature could provide. It was their perfect sanctuary, where they could escape the hustle and bustle of the world and live the life they had always imagined. Their joy multiplied when, in 2008, their son Colton was born.
The Move to Windermere: A Leap of Faith
As Rocky’s business expanded, so did the opportunities. One day, he returned home from a business trip with an idea that would turn their lives upside down. “I told Carla I want to move to Florida,” Rocky recalls. At first, the idea seemed absurd—they had just built their dream home, and their entire community was there in Canada. The decision wasn’t easy for Carla. Rocky admits. “It’s tough to leave your friends, your dentist, your doctor, your entire community.”
Despite the challenges, the family made the move to Windermere in 2015. It wasn’t just about proximity to clients or business opportunities. Windermere felt like home. It had the small-town feel they were used to back in Canada, with its friendly neighbors and community-driven atmosphere. “It had everything we wanted,” Rocky says. “It checked all the boxes for us, from safety to schools and, of course, golf.”
Local Relationships Developed
One of the first things the Hodges did after moving south was to become a Stoneybrook West Golf Club member. Rocky joined the men's league, forming close friendships with many of the league’s 50-plus players, primarily residents of Stoney Brook West. In 2018, after years of mismanagement, Stoney Brook Golf Course abruptly shut down, shocking the community. The neglected course sat for two years, becoming an eyesore for West Orange County. In early 2021, the city of Winter Garden purchased the course. The Homeowners Association (HOA) would repay the city through a special assessment. The HOA was also granted the club management.
The Hodges had a vision for the club and the members they had grown to love. Rocky reminded the HOA that if the property were leased to a golf management company and converted into a private club, residents might lose affordable access to the course and its amenities. Personally invested in the future of the course, the Hodges were committed to keeping it accessible to the public. In March of 2022, after consideration of multiple offers, the Stoneybrook West HOA accepted Hodge’s proposal to lease and restore the course.
Building Community Through Golf
The Hodges got to work. Following a year of extensive renovations, Stoneybrook West reopened in September of 2023, nearly five years after its closure. With Rocky’s vision and expertise and Carla’s eye for detail and design, the clubhouse was updated to a modern and sophisticated setting. The project's central focus was the restoration of the golf course, which stands as the key achievement of the renovation. With the help of an experienced superintendent, the course was brought back to life. But his vision went beyond simply maintaining fairways and greens—it was about creating a welcoming environment for families, especially women and children. “Golf often overlooks women and kids,” Rocky notes. “There are a lot of programs for men, but not enough for everyone else.” They launched a ladies’ golf program that began with only a few participants but has since grown to attract 15 to 20 women twice a week. Additionally, children's lessons and golf camps have been reinstated. Stoneybrook West remains open to the public, maintaining its community-centered approach while expanding its accessibility to a broader audience. Rocky and Carla take pride in the inclusive and supportive community they have cultivated at Stoneybrook, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone.
The Future in Windermere
Windermere has truly become home for the Hodges family. Carla, once hesitant about the move, now manages much of the golf course’s day-to-day operations, from scheduling to payroll, as well as her aesthetic touch to the clubhouse design. Together, they’ve created a space where people come to play golf, gather with their families, form friendships, and feel at home. “We’re not trying to be a Ritz-Carlton,” Rocky says. “We just want people to feel welcome and like they’re getting the best value for their dollar.”
Colton, now 16, and a student at Windermere High School, has pursued his passions: mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu. “He’s more into fighting than golf,” Rocky says with a grin. But that’s fine with him—he believes everyone should follow their own path.
Rocky, Carla, and Colton are firmly rooted in Windermere. Though they miss their extended family in Canada, they’ve found a sense of belonging in the community. “We came here for business, but we stayed for the community,” Rocky reflects. Their story continues to unfold, but one thing is clear—Windermere will always be at the heart of their journey.
Stoneybrook West Golf Club | stoneybrookwestgolfclub.com
