Harnessing The Weather In Florida

For Florida golf course operators, bad weather will always be, well, bad. Even so, inclement weather conditions can be the impetus for enhanced customer loyalty. And while "weather is the largest unmanageable variable in the Florida golf industry," as one source characterized it, it is also true that owners have more tools at their disposal to manage its ups and downs. Some of these are simply more sophisticated iterations of long-existing capabilities. The abundance of weather-forecasting sources, for example, has never been greater. Others represent brand new approaches to the logistics of absorbing and adapting to meteorological mayhem.

In general, the strategic elements of dealing with the elements fall into two categories, those having to do primarily with human interaction and those that are technological and administrative. The former category includes:

An enlightened rain-check policy. "Err on the side of customer satisfaction," says Jim Keane, director of golf at Grande Lakes Orlando Florida, "not on the side of today's bottom line." Keane and colleagues assign percentage values to the number of holes played, and because the majority of his golfing consists of resort guests who often will not be in a position to play the course any time soon, he offers them a choice. Rain victims can use their checks as a pro-shop credit or toward future green fees. Customers feel gratified by the gesture, Keane says, even as they are turned into walking billboards for the property.

Not only should the rain-check policy be applied consistently by the staff, but it also should be integral to the marketing effort, notes Del Ratcliffe, of Charlotte, N.C.-based Ratcliffe Golf Services. "If your rain check policy is too restrictive, you're placing the gamble on the customer," he points out. "The flipside of that is, if you're known for a liberal policy, they'll actually be encouraged to come out in marginal conditions, when there's only the threat of rain. And there's nothing wrong with letting Florida golfers think they're getting a little more than they paid for."

A relationship with weather forecasters. Complaining about inaccurate weather forecasts is a favorite pursuit for everyone, not just golf course owners. Some of us just have more at stake: Losses among weather-dependent businesses in the United States last year totaled an estimated $7 billion. Perhaps more vexing to many Florida golf course operators than mistaken forecasts, however, is the tone, language and even iconography of weather reports, which can seem negative while still being correct in the strictest sense. Given golf-course operators' vested interest, it is prudent to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with those in the forecasting trade.

Keep the superintendent in the loop. Obviously, weather conditions affect maintenance procedures, including pesticide and fertilizer applications, grooming of bunkers and mowing schedules. But the superintendent's function is sometimes underrated as a component in promoting customer satisfaction.

Joe Baidy, director of golf courses and grounds at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y., has his own weather-monitoring terminal, which he consults several times each day before conferring with Bob O'Brian, the director of golf. This helps keep O'Brian-and prospective golfers-abreast of approaching storms as well as with making decisions about maintenance-related policies such as "cart path only" or "90 degrees."

The key to a successful collaboration, Baidy and O'Brian agree, is ongoing communication, without which the overarching goal-the largest number of rounds of the highest quality for golfers-can be lost in the technicalities.

"Overall, day in and day out," Baidy emphasizes, "the idea is to provide playable conditions at all times."

Other advances in dealing with weather include:

Multiple alternatives in player protection. Although golf course owners identify lousy weather as the biggest single factor in a decrease in rounds in recent years, the good news is that fatalities from lightning strikes are down by roughly half. The confluence of better and more-ubiquitous GPS equipment and an ever-growing spectrum of weather-reporting entities provides golf course owners with the means to protect golfers from harm at a price point in line with the course's operation.

There are, for instance, commercial weather forecasting and warning systems from companies such as Minneapolis-based Meteorlogix. In addition to offering severe-weather warning using pagers, e-mails and phones, golfers can consult the company's interactive weather-forecasting site while analyzing the desirability of various tee time choices.

Systems such as that made and installed by Thor Guard Inc., based in Sunrise, Fla., are more expensive. On the other hand, as Thor Guard's Robert Dugan points out, the cost is less than that of rebuilding a green, and the hedge against litigation arising from a lightning strike is immense. The company-whose equipment is used at some 4,000 golf and nongolf sites around the country-helps to monitor weather at many PGA tournament sites and TPC courses, where its "Voice of Thor" warning system has become a familiar, if unwelcome, sound effect at many events.

Player protection doesn't have to be elaborate. "The combination of online access to weather forecasts, alerts from your local or national weather services, Doppler radar and other free outlets is very good and very conscientious," says Arthur Jeffords, of Atlanta-based Lighthouse Golf Group. "Combine that with either GPS-enabled systems on golf carts or just the old-fashioned method-sending your staff out on golf carts to warn and retrieve players-and you can have a perfectly effective approach to protecting your customers."

Protection for your revenue stream. The unexpected nature of the weather and its consequences for golf course operators are what motivated the founding principals of Adverse Weather Insurance Group (AWIG) to conceive a program to insure courses against losses. It took some three years to develop but is now in place-the first such protection designed specifically for golf courses.

"The only predictable thing is that weather patterns are no longer predictable," says Florida-based AWIG's Nathan J. Yoder, citing documentation of proliferating severe weather patterns. "Margins are tight in the golf industry now, and when you start throwing in unexpected weather events, insurance protection could mean a huge difference. It's a management tool to protect profits during your most critical revenue days."

Yoder describes several different policy structures but stresses flexibility in devising the best one for an individual golf course operation. Programs can be bundled with corporate outing plans to protect group customers' investment, for example, and double as a marketing tool.

The flip side of indemnifying prospective golf customers, especially groups, is to invite them to share in the risk-and-reward; and here, at least an intuitive understanding of both the clientele and the prevailing weather patterns is invaluable.

"The golfers up here are just kind of conditioned to the weather, and if it looks kind of iffy, they just plan on getting rained on," laughs Jim Smith, an owner at East Bay Golf Club, a daily fee course in Largo, Florida

"They know what they're getting into before they put it into the ground on the first. And we know our weather calendar pretty well. So if you can devise a price schedule that rewards them sharing in the bad-weather risk during shoulder season, you can boost your incremental revenue while giving them a bargain. It's a realistic way of dealing with less-than-perfect weather, with benefits for everyone."

Still, in devising a policy, it helps to have the most accurate information possible about the likelihood of playable weather. That is the object of an index currently being crunched by the Oregon-based Longitudes Group, to be available in the fourth quarter of this year. Called the USA Golf Comfort Index, it is a complex analysis of 30 years worth of data to determine the number of playable days in each of 320 golf markets across the country.

"There is a distinct need in the business of golf for the impact of weather to be understood and accounted for," says Sara Killeen, president of Longitudes, "and for the element of surprise to be eliminated."

Again, this will not change the weather, but it may change our perception of it.

"Typically, when business is down at the Florida golf courses, management blames the weather," Killeen observes. "Ironically, in good business years, 'good management' is the factor pointed to as the key to success." Is it weather or management?

No Luck: Singh Misses Second-Straight Cut

Steve Lowery and Bo Van Pelt, two guys who didn't earn a dime the first few months of the season, played some of their best golf Friday at the Chrysler Championship on a tough day that sent Vijay Singh home early for the second straight week.

Lowery birdied three straight holes to start his back nine and finished with a 5-under 66 for a two-shot lead over Van Pelt, who played even better. Van Pelt never came close to a bogey in shooting 65, more than 71/2 shots better than the field average on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.

Davis Love III and Bernhard Langer each shot 69 and were another shot behind with Tom Pernice Jr. (66).

Lowery started his year by missing eight straight cuts and 11 of the first 12, and he didn't secure his card until a tie for eighth two weeks ago in Las Vegas. With that out of the way, he was at 8-under 134 and set his sights on winning.

"It's been a lot more fun," Lowery said. "I started to play a lot better toward the end of the year. I felt a lot more competitive, so it's been nice the last six or seven weeks."

The last two weeks have been disastrous for Singh, who started the year at No. 1 in the world ranking.

He missed the cut last week at Disney, along with Tiger Woods, by taking a triple bogey on his 15th hole of the second round.

Singh shot a 71-74 to miss the cut.

Chrysler Championship Not Only About Money

The Chrysler Championship isn't only about money to everyone at Innisbrook.

Most of the focus is on Charles Howell III, who's trying to hold down his precarious position at No. 30 on the PGA Tour money list to get into the Tour Championship. Trailing by $2,570 - chump change on this circuit - is Jason Bohn, with Peter Lonard and Zach Johnson not far behind.

Further down the food chain, Rocco Mediate is No. 125 on the money list and has two weeks to stay there so he can keep his PGA Tour card next year, with players such as Tag Ridings, Hunter Mahan and Patrick Sheehan also feeling heat.

But players such as Davis Love III and Adam Scott are just as eager for the trophy.

"That's really all that's left for me," Love said Wednesday. "This time of the year, everybody is playing for something. I'm just trying to get a win."

Love is 15th on the money list with nearly $2.3 million, but he has only the Chrysler Championship and Tour Championship to avoid going without a victory for the fifth time in seven years.

Adam Scott only wants a win that counts toward getting him to Hawaii for the winners-only Mercedes Championships.

The 25-year-old Australian was impressive in winning the Johnnie Walker Championship in China, and he rallied to win the Singapore Open last month. All he lacks is a trophy in the United States. He won the Nissan Open, although rain cut short the tournament to 36 holes, so while Scott was able to put the $864,000 in the bank, it didn't count as an official victory.

"I've been pretty disappointed with my performance the last half of this year," Scott said. "I certainly would like to win one of the next two events and get into Kapalua."

Those seem like small problems to those on the bubble, who can feel the pressure building at the end of the year.

Olin Browne knows how they feel.

A year ago, he was at No. 125 on the money list and made a U-turn whenever he saw a reporter's notepad or a television camera, knowing the conversation that was sure to follow.

"It's a hard place to be," Browne said. "Everybody wants a piece of you. Guys are crawling out of the booth to interview you on the putting green. What you want to do is focus on preparing, not what you're up against. But what everyone else wants to talk about is what you're up against."

The idea is to think only about the next shot, but not thinking about the consequences is difficult. Rounds can take up to five hours, about 30 minutes of which is spent on actually hitting the golf ball.

The mind can be a tough thing to control.

"If you're playing great, you start thinking about what could happen and your game could fall apart," Browne said. "And if you're not playing well, you think about what could happen and it could fall apart.

Everyone wants to know how you feel. Everyone wants to hug you if you mess up or do well. Guys are pulling for you, some are pulling against you."

The solution?

"You've got to play good," Howell said.

He knows this having been on the Tour Championship bubble last year, when he was No. 33 on the money list, shot 3 over par on the weekend and failed to advance to East Lake. And he was reminded what it takes last week at Disney, when he tied for 15th to earn $68,200 just to stay in the 30th spot.

"It's going to take a good week," Howell said. "It doesn't matter if you're 25th or 40th."

Browne knows the feeling, considering his amazing turnaround.

He had to rely on sponsor's exemption and his status as a past champion on the PGA Tour, but his 18 months of grinding over swing changes with coach Jim Hardy finally paid off.

The first sign came at the U.S. Open, where he was in the second-to-last group Sunday at Pinehurst No. 2, only three shots behind Goosen, until shooting 80 in the final round. But the 46-year-old hit broke though outside Boston, winning the Deutsche Bank Championship for his first victory in six years.

Looking back at where he was a year ago, it's hard to fathom going to the Tour Championship.

"I have never made top 30 in my career. I hadn't done anything to feel confident enough that top 30 was attainable," Browne said. "It's a pat on the back for the guys who have played great. But this is all about a couple of years of hunkering down and doing better."

Asked about his goals, Browne said he doesn't bother setting any.

"If I set my goals too low, I get to them too easily. If I set them too high, I go insane," he said. "I just want to play well. Because if you play well, and you give yourself a chance to play well every day, all that stuff takes care of itself."

That's good advice to the guys on the bubble, a spot Browne knows all too well.

Wilma Pushes Florida Prep Golf Back One Week

The state high school golf tournaments, postponed for a week because of Hurricane Wilma, now are scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday at four different courses.

Holy Trinity sophomore Vicky Hurst takes aim at the Class 1A girls championship after shooting rounds of 62 and 69 to reach the state tournament.

She will not be the only player representing Brevard County at high school golf's highest level.

Titusville junior Spencer Burson will play in the Class 2A boys tournament at Hammock Creek Golf Club in Palm City, while Palm Bay resident Michael Hebert will try to help Circle Christian in Orlando win a Class 1A boys state championship at Fairwinds Golf Course in Fort Pierce.

Senior Kelly Hurst will lead Cocoa Beach's girls team in the Class 1A tournament on The Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course. As luck would have it, she'll be paired with her younger sister for both rounds.

Vicky Hurst gets to experience what many players feel when she is in the same field as they are: the perception that everyone else is playing for second place.

St. Andrew's Morgan Pressel, who finished second in the U.S. Women's Open this summer, is back to defend her state championship. Pressel won the Class 1A title last year by 15 strokes.

Great Beach Courses Worth A Try!

Most people come to Florida for one of a handful of reasons: going to Disney World, playing golf and laying on the beach drinking beverages with umbrellas are probably the three biggest.

With October here and warm weather winding down, even in some parts of Florida, forget Disney World for a minute and let’s concentrate on the other two. In essence, Florida is one big beach and one big, hopping cauldron of golf courses. The peninsula has 1,197 statute miles of coastline and well over 1,000 golf courses.

You’ve heard of some of the more famous golf courses on or close to some of the more famous beaches. Doral in Miami, the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, the Panhandle courses on the Gulf of Mexico, particularly Destin.

But, there are many places not as well known that offer sparkling sand, both on the beach and in the bunkers. Here are some great, nearly hidden gems:

Fort DeSoto’s North Beach was named the best beach in the country – including Hawaii – in the latest rankings by "Dr. Beach," whose real name is Dr. Stephen Leatherman, and whose rankings appear every year.

As one who lived in Pinellas County on the west coast of the state for a number of years, I can testify to that lofty ranking. Fort DeSoto Park is 1,136 acres and involves five, interconnected islands. Giant snook patrol the clear waters near shore, and the area is known for its birding.

Dr. Beach describes the beach as "set in a natural wilderness, but still close to all the amenities of nearby St. Petersbug Beach."

The park has an 800-foot boat-launching facility with 11 floating docks, as well as a 238-site camping facility and two fishing piers. The fort itself displays a 12-inch mortar battery and two British, breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890, among other relics.

The best golf close to the beach is at the Westin Innisbrook Resort, in nearby Palm Harbor, which has four courses, including Copperhead. Ernie Els called it "the best golf course the PGA Tour plays in Florida," a notion seconded by Stewart Cink. Curtis Strange said, "I could play this course for the rest of my life and enjoy it – it has that much character."

First of all, it isn’t a typically flat, Florida course even though it’s pretty far from the central highlands of the state, which also give you some atypical Florida highs and lows. Copperhead has up to 70 feet of elevation changes, and you might think for a fleeting instant you’re in the Carolinas. But, the April heat will quickly un-cloud your thoughts and make you remember you’re in Florida, and if that doesn’t do it, the Spanish moss-draped cypress trees and alligators sunning themselves beside the lakes and ponds will.

For more information, including booking, call (800) 383-4148.

Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater was ranked fourth by Dr. Beach. "At Caladesi, you’re in an urban area but you can look out at the beach and not see a single building," Dr. Beach wrote. "...The waters are nearly placid , because they’re protected by Honeymoon Island to the North. Wooden boardwalks take you across the sand dunes and past the palm trees so that you can explore some of the island’s trails or get a bite to eat at the snack bar on this offshore island which is only reachable by boat."

Before you take the ferry, try Lansbrook Golf Club, also in Palm Harbor, which is hosting the first Casladesi Open golf tournament. Lansbrook is one of the Tampa Bay area’s best daily-fee courses. Lane Marshall designed it in 1975 and Ron Garl updated the course in 1991 – note the 11th green, a replica of No. 16 at Augusta.

The course is 6,862 yards with water on 16 holes and plenty of wildlife. Green fees range from 25-to $59 with $19 replays.

Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne is eighth on Dr. Beach’s list. It tends to get much less attention than the glitzy Miami beaches, but it’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown.

"With its clear, emerald-colored waters, gentle surf and fine, coral sand, it is the best swimming beach in the Southeast," Leatherman wrote. "A large sand shoal offshore knocks down the waves, and rip currents are nonexistent except perhaps during stormy weather ... the water drops off so gradually that the beach is safe for small children."

For golf, try the Crandon Park Golf Course, formerly known as the Links of Key Biscayne. The course, which overlooks Biscayne Bay, was designed in 1972 by Robert Van Hagge and Bruce Devlin, then renovated in 1993. It has the world’s largest tee, seven saltwater lakes and plenty of mangrove thickets. It has hosted the Senior PGA Tour event, and has been highly ranked by a number of national golf magazines.

Being so close to Miami, it isn’t exactly cheap: green fees are $78 for Florida residents and $148 for non-residents.

For more information, including booking, call (877) 767-5445.

The beaches of Fort Lauderdale don’t appear anywhere on Dr. Beach’s lists, but if you’re looking for a little nightlife to go with your sun-bathing and golf, you could do worse. Yes, it has a hokey history, made so by the movie "Where the Boys Are," but they’re doing some interesting things north of Miami.

They undertook a $26 million renovation of Fort Lauderdale beach some years ago, including a complete redesign of A1A, the famous coastal road, brick-paved pedestrian crosswalks, a beachfront promenade and a beach "wavewall," – a swirling beach wall that extends two miles along the central portion of Fort Lauderdale Beach. You can even take a water taxi into downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Kissimmee Florida's Golf Safari

Looking down the fairway from the first tee, I felt as insecure as a diamond-cutter with cataracts. But remembering the remarkable concentration powers of Jack Nicklaus, who can focus on the business at hand even if encircled by a bevy of belly dancers, I calmed myself and hit a decent drive. A punched 8 iron left me with a long putt but I managed to get my par – a comforting start at any unfamiliar layout.

Par For the Course
I was playing the National Course at ChampionsGate in Kissimmee, Florida, designed by tour legend Greg Norman. By day’s end, grass stains were visible on all my irons, a clear sign of the shot variety presented.

On Hole 2, the cart GPS read 203 yards to the pin but it looked much closer to 170. Silly me to doubt the satellites – my 6 iron flopped short of the green with all the authority of a badminton bird, and I disgraced myself further with a cheesy chip and putrid putt that begot a bogie 4.

"You sure chopped up that hole," deadpanned my son Michael, a golfer in his own right. He drove over from Tampa post haste after I called from my balcony at the new Omni Orlando Resort and Spa at ChampionsGate. With 730 rooms, an awesome fitness center and jillions of first-class amenities, it took no salesmanship whatsoever for him to join me after hearing a poetic description of my view below: pools, waterslides, a hot tub, an 850-foot "lazy river" and the sun-kissed glow of the ChampionsGate courses beyond.

But I digress. Recalling the determination that Tiger Woods summons when under duress, I renewed my spirit and teed up at the third hole. But I’m no Tiger Woods. I skied the drive to the left, leaving me a downhill lie with about the same degree of angle as the Zuchspitz. I bladed a 3 iron but got it close enough to spin a nice wedge shot close to the hole. I glanced triumphantly at Michael and playfully stuck out my tongue.

The National presents a formidable challenge with three double doglegs and fairway-long bunkers on some holes. An amazing par 3 is the 14th, with a picturesque wetland fronting a green framed with tall pines.

Considering the rust on my swing, a 77 wasn’t as heartbreaking as feared. And we ended the day at sunset in front of the clubhouse, where a bagpiper in a full kilt outfit played familiar refrains. Another unique feature: This is the home of David Leadbetter’s world-renowned Golf Academy.

The second leg of my Kissimmee golfing safari was a 12-minute drive away. Celebration Golf Club proved quite special, with a unique water driving range that was prophetic of my round: I spent more time than a water snake around edges of ponds.

Carts don’t have GPS but players receive an excellent spiral notebook with color drawings displaying topography, bunkers and numerous yardage markers. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. and with five sets of tees, the layout is set among a natural wetland environment with oaks, pines and magnolias.

My favorite hole turned out to be the 14th, a par 4 heavily wooded to the left off the tee but offering ample fairway room. I crunched my best drive of the day that started at the right edge of the fairway and drew to the middle. Hitching my pants a la Palmer, my 7-iron approach shot was more than decent, and a rare one-putt added a birdie to the otherwise uninspiring scorecard.

An 81 was downright embarrassing but my playing companions suppressed any snickers, and we all agreed that Celebration is a top-caliber course.

I drove literally minutes before arriving at Mystic Dunes and checking into the Wyndham Palms Resort and Country Club. Talk about luxurious! The villa offered a full kitchen, living room with large-screen TV, screened porch, and the master bedroom even sported a Jacuzzi.

Mystic Dunes boasts a beautiful clubhouse, friendly staff bedecked in knickers, and the best driving range I’ve ever seen. The range tee is huge so practice areas can be rotated to allow excellent portions of turf to be available at all times. Golf carts come equipped with the latest GPS technology, even with close-ups of each green with real-time pin placements.

I played with Head Pro Rick Smith, a delightful fellow with a nice swing and an equally nice disposition. I went birdie-birdie the first two holes and Rick looked a bit worried. But my true colors came shining through thereafter and, after a litany of bogies, he perceived that I posed no danger to the course record of 63.

Mystic Dunes instantly became one of my favorite courses ever. Lots of doglegs, a mixture of wide and narrow fairways, some of the longest par 4s I’ve ever encountered, fabulous course condition from tee to green, and a unique setting amid orange groves, clumps of cord grass plants within sand dunes, wetlands and hardwood hammocks. Not to mention the most incredible greens this side of Augusta National.

The 10th green contains humps so severe it appears as if three huge elephants were buried just under the surface, and the 6th hole has a 9-foot difference in height from front to back. It’s quite a design accomplishment on the part of Gary Koch, who competes on the Champions Tour and serves as a TV broadcast golf analyst.

My play was so inconsistent I couldn’t even get in the golf cart the same way twice. But that’s the price of spending too much time trying to coax a snook into hitting a top-water plug rather than beating balls on the range. Even so, Rick eased home with a nice 71 and I kept the score under 80 – barely. But I will definitely return for another crack at Mystic Dunes.

Although playing any of these courses for just one day is worth the drive from anywhere in the Sunshine State, it’s far more sensible and enjoyable to play several during the same trip – just be careful not to drive into me if I’m up ahead, will ya?

Plan Your Own Golf Safari
Check out the following list of area courses. Be sure to contact those that interest you for any updates on facilities and course conditions.

Lake County Florida Offers Alternative To Orlando Area Courses

Just a stone's throw from the Walt Disney World Florida area, Lake County offers an abundance of inexpensive golfing alternatives on wide open uncongested courses.


"Stay & Play" package rates vary by season and by golf course. Daily rates start as low as $53. Package rates include accommodations per night, based on double occupancy and include greens fees for one round of golf, carts and taxes (some hotels include breakfast in the package).

"If you compare Lake County's rates to other golf packages offered in Central Florida, the cost is often less than half of what you would pay for a comparable package elsewhere," said Jim Smith of Lake County. "Lake County's golf packages are one of the top values in Florida."
Accommodations range from resorts and historic inns to hotels and motels, and all are located close to the courses. Participating accommodations include Comfort Inn & Suites Mount Dora, Holiday Inn Express Clermont, Howard Johnson Express Inn Clermont, Lakeside Inn Mt. Dora, Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort and Swiss Fairways Villas.
The rolling hills, winding streams and sparkling lakes of Lake County offer a landscape upon which magnificent golf courses have been crafted. A number of stunning courses offer some of the best golfing in the South, and challenges are plentiful for the beginner and the experienced golfer alike.

Among the signature golf courses found in Lake County are:

Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort
Towering forests and quiet lakes greet golfers at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills. The resort features 36 holes of championship golf and rare 85-foot tee-to-green elevations. Mission Inn boasts two courses that are rated in the top 20 of Florida's 1,100-plus golf courses. El Campeon, one of the south's oldest golf courses, was built in 1926 by Charles Clark of Troon; and Las Colinas features a signature 12th hole that is a par five with a narrow tree-lined fairway requiring pinpoint accuracy from tee to green.

Black Bear Golf Club
Black Bear Golf Club in Eustis is the place for golfers who "eat, drink and sleep golf." A highly praised P.B. Dye layout, this "do or dye" course features the designer's trademark touches, such as sandy waste bunkers, undulating greens and dramatic fairway elevation changes. The 18-hole course has six sets of tees measuring from 5,000 yards to 7,000 yards.

Deer Island Golf & Lake Club
Visitors may find it difficult to focus on their game at the stunning Deer Island Golfers' Club. Nestled among lakes and nature preserves on a 400-acre island, the 18-hole championship course is situated across Lake Dora from lovely and historic Mount Dora. The course masterfully intertwines a pristine environment with unsurpassed golf. Course architect Joe Lee calls Deer Island "the most unique course I've ever designed."

When visitors finish a round of golf in Florida, they can keep playing. Lake County offers travelers fishing, camping, boating, water skiing, hiking, biking, hang gliding, antique shopping, sightseeing, wining and dining - or just plain resting and relaxing.

Lake County is an off-the-beaten-path destination less than one hour from Central Florida's famous attractions…but light-years away. Quaint inns, graceful rolling hills, clean lakes, preservation areas and a family friendly atmosphere attract visitors looking for the Florida of old, preserved today in Lake County.

FLORIDA STATE EARNS TOP-10 TEAM FINISH AT LADY TAR HEEL WOMEN'S GOLF INVITATIONAL

Buoyed by a pair of top-20 individual finishes by sophomore Whitney Brummett and senior Caroline Larsson, the Florida State women's golf team finished in a tie for ninth place in the team standings at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational at Finely Golf Course in Florida. It marked the fourth time in the last ten events that at least two Florida State players had finished in the top 20 in the individual standings and the sixth time in the last two years that the Seminoles had finished in the top 10 in the team standings of a tournament on a Florida golf course.

No. 1 ranked Duke won its ninth consecutive Lady Tar Heel Invitational title as the Blue Devils outdistanced second-place Auburn by 21 strokes. Duke was led by four players - Anna Grzebien, Amanda Blumenhurst, Liz Janangelo and Jennie Lee - who all finished within the top seven in the individual standings. Ashley Knoll of Texas A&M held onto the individual lead during the final two rounds and won individual medalist honors with a 10-under par score of 206.

Brummett (Eureka, Mo.) led the Seminoles throughout the event and finished with three single round scores of 75 or better. She carded a one-over par 73 in the first round and finished with identical scores of 75 in the second and third rounds. Brummett's 223 total allowed her to earn her third career top-25 finish on a Florida golf course.

Larsson (Danderyd, Sweden) also performed well during the event and finished with a 225 total - good for the 11th top 20 individual finish of her career. She played her best golf of the tournament in the second round as she carded a season's-best one over par score of 73.

Junior Jaclyn Burch (Wildwood, Mo.) recovered from a tough first round outing to finish six-over par during the final 36 holes of the tournament. She carded an even par 72 in the second round. Sophomore Whitney Wright (Rockingham, N.C.) and junior Kayla Shaul (Cumming, Ga.) also competed in the event for the Seminoles in Florida.

The Seminoles continue their fall schedule as they play host to the Seminole Classic at the Raven Course at the Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort Oct. 28-30 in Destin, Fla.

Disney Tourney Adds Length to Once-Easy Course

The train whistle blows every 30 minutes across the street at the Magic Kingdom. Players still spend half their time on the golf course, the other half standing in line with their kids at Space Mountain.

The Funai Classic at Disney appears to be the same as ever, with one notable change.

It no longer is played on a Mickey Mouse course.

The Magnolia course has been stretched to 7,516 yards, the latest tournament that figures the most viable way to challenge the best players is by making a course longer.

"They just don't get it," Frank Lickliter said Wednesday. "Grow the rough. Tighten the fairways."

What irritated the folks at Disney was seeing players hit wedge into the 455-yard 18th hole, which architect Joe Lee intended to be played with a middle iron. At least in the practice round, they got their wish.

Vijay Singh, one of the few players to embrace the 326 additional yards, hit 6-iron into the final three holes during his practice round Wednesday. He used to hit sand wedge on some of them.

"It's not a matter of liking it," Singh said. "It needed some sort of a change, and hitting sand wedges on the last two holes, wedge on the last hole ... doesn't make it a good finish. I think it's good. I think it's very fair."

If players want a break, they still get one day at the Palm course.

The Funai Classic at Disney, which starts today with Ryan Palmer as the defending champion, is a pro-am the first two days on the Palm and Magnolia courses, with the final two rounds of the Mag.

The tournament has had an odd collection of winners over the last dozen years -- from Tiger Woods (twice) to Bob Burns, from Singh to Duffy Waldorf. One thing they all had in common was shooting low scores.

Palmer is not related in the least to Arnold Palmer, but he made a back-nine charge that would have done Arnie proud, closing with four straight birdies for a 10-under 62. He finished at 22-under 266, and that tied for the worst score to win at Disney in the last five years.

Is length the answer?

Woods, who will put the latest Nike driver in play this week, isn't so sure.

"Look at some of the golf courses where we've had from single digits under par, maybe 10 under par, on the shortest golf courses we play all year," he said.

One of those was two weeks ago at Harding Park in San Francisco, which measured a scant 7,086 yards as a par 70. Woods beat John Daly on the second playoff hole. Most players point to Hilton Head with its winding fairways and tiny greens.

Soggy fairways have made the course play even longer -- and perhaps tougher.

"More than the length, it's the fact that every ball is backing up," Woods said. "Every ball picked up mud. That's the hardest thing in the world. You can have length, and you can have longer shots to the green, but if you don't have a clean ball, it makes for a very difficult golf shot."

Eagle Creek Golf Club Selected To Host 2007 Florida Public Links Championship

Eagle Creek Golf Club has been selected to host the 2007 Florida State Public Links Championship. Also, the par 5 finishing hole at Eagle Creek has been named the “Best 18th Hole In Central Florida” by Florida Golf Central Magazine.

Eagle Creek is the highly acclaimed Ron Garl/Howard Swan design, located off Narcoossee Road in south Orlando. Eagle Creek opened to rave reviews in March of 2004, and received several honors during its first year.

The Public Links Championship is for public course players in Florida. The championship is 54 holes of stroke play and is flighted after 18 holes. It is conducted by the Florida State Golf Association, and the winner earns exemptions into the Florida Mid-Am and the Florida State Championship.

“Since Eagle Creek is a daily fee golf course, this selection is a great fit,” said Eagle Creek General Manager Gary Piotrowski. “We are excited to work with the FSGA in availing our course to some of the top amateur players in the state.”

The FSGA is happy to have developed the relationship with Eagle Creek.

“Eagle Creek is definitely worthy of hosting a Florida state championship,” said Les Brown, FSGA Tournament Director. “It is unique in that it is a par 73, and the finishing hole is a tremendous risk/reward par 5 not normally found in this state. The 18th could add a lot of drama to the finish of the tournament.”

The 18th hole was re-designed after the initial work had begun on the golf course, turning a beautiful par 4 into a stunning and dramatic par 5. The change gave Eagle Creek the only par-73 layout in Orlando.

The 18th is the definitive risk/reward hole. At just under 500 yards long, it tempts the player to go for the deep ball off the tee in hopes of reaching the long, narrow putting surface in two. But the drive must carry fairway bunkers on the left, and avoid the water hazard on the right. The green is completely fronted by water, and slopes dramatically from back to front. So whether hitting a third shot after playing it safe, or gambling to reach in two, the approach shot must be struck with great accuracy to assure a two-putt.

“Our 18th always is the talk of the grill room after rounds,” said Eagle Creek Director Of Golf Tony Crawford. “Along with the beauty of the hole with our clubhouse visible from start to finish, the challenge and excitement it creates is the perfect ending to a great round of golf.”

Other awards and honors garnered by Eagle Creek in its first 18 months include:

Top 10 New Florida Courses Of The Decade” by Travel & Leisure Magazine.


One of a six courses in Orlando to achieve “4-star” status by Travel & Leisure.


Grill Room named among the “Top 10 19th Holes” by Orlando Magazine.


Selected to host the Buick Scramble National Finals.


Named host site of the Golf Channel’s Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip & Putt Junior Challenge.
The Emerson International-owned golf course is “Distinctive Orlando Golf With A European Flair.” It is designed to blend unobtrusively with the homes in the master-planned Eagle Creek Golf Community. Homebuyers have the option of choosing from different communities that make up Eagle Creek. In addition, there will be a community park and recreation center for residents.

Timeshares On Florida Golf Courses

Even in Orlando, where the geographical and entertainment landscapes are dominated by Disney World, people still golf. This is a signature of Florida; the entire State is a haven for golfers, whatever kind of courses they're looking for. How could it be otherwise? Most of Florida is blessed with at least 275 days of sun a year, and of course the climate can't be beat. Vacationers come here to work on their tan while they tee off at some of the finest Florida golf courses in the world, designed by the masters.

One of the most popular ways for golfers to enjoy the options in Florida is to get a golf vacation package. They come with their spouses and partners, rent a timeshare on a golf course, and each member of the couple is free to do as they wish in this wonderland. One golfs while the other basks on the incredible beaches, or shops in some of the finest retail opportunities that exist. How can such a vacation be anything other than heaven?

The quality of the golf in Florida is matched by its variety. Daily fee golf offerings complement the availability of membership courses, providing premium golfing opportunities to anyone with the drive to golf. Thinking of taking a golf holiday? You'll find no better destination for luxurious golfing than the peerless State of Florida.