Teeing off on Orlando's greenery - CountdownToHIMSS.com

Teeing off on Orlando’s greenery

By Patty Enrado, Editor

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you plan on hitting the golf course with clients after HIMSS08, you may have a difficult time picking a course. And that’s not for lack of choice. Orlando has a plethora of award-winning golf courses. We highlight the best to help with your decision.

The Grand Cypress Resort’s (800.835.7377, 1 N. Jacaranda St., Orlando) four courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus and are open to resort guests, tournaments, memberships and limited public play.

Its New Course, 18 holes over 6,773 yards with a par of 72, has been called “a Scottish links masterpiece.” Its South Course, which boasts nine holes over 3,462 yards with a par of 36, opened in 2007. The North Course is nine holes over 3,521 yards with a par of 36, and its East Course is nine holes over 3,434 yards with a par of 36.

The Grand Cypress has won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal Award from GOLF Magazine, most recently in 2004; the Top 75 Golf Resorts by Golf Digest in 2007;
50 Best Golf Courses for Women by Golf for Women from 2002 to 2007; and World’s Best Golf Resorts by the readers of Travel + Leisure Golf in 2007.

Well-known golf course architect Steve Smyers and player consultant Nick Faldo created the Grande Pines Golf Club’s Grande Pines Course (800.371.1165, 6351 International Golf Club Rd., Orlando). The 18 holes over 7,012 yards with a par of 72 have been called a “thinking person’s golf course” because of its design’s attention to shot selection. The course, which was named to Golfweek Magazine’s 100 Greatest Modern Courses list three times, sports elevated Tiff Eagle greens and dynamic bunkers amid native flora and wetlands. The Grande Pines Golf Club was ranked 32 by Golf Link’s Top 100 United States Golf Courses and ranked 4th among best golf courses in Florida by Golf Link.

The Shingle Creek Gold Club’s Shingle Creek Course (866.996.9933, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando) boasts 18 holes over 7,213 yards with a par of 72 and stays true to its philosophy of delivering tournament conditions for golfers. Shingle Creek Course was ranked 19th among the best golf courses in Florida by Golf Link and one of the “Top 40 Best New Golf Courses in the U.S.” by Golfweek Magazine. The Orlando Business Journal ranked it one of the toughest courses to play and Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine awarded it a “Greens of Distinction.” Its golf shop was also voted “One of America’s Top 100 Pro Shops” by Golf Shop magazine.

Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes Orlando’s Ritz Carlton Course’s (407.393.4900, 4048 Central Florida Pkwy.) 18 holes over 7,122 yards with a par of 72 was designed by two-time British Open champion Greg Norman and opened in 2003. Golfers who thrive on challenges will love the water hazards, bunker placement and demanding greens. Accolades include a number 18 ranking in Golf For Women’s Top 50 Courses for Women in 2007, Golf Digest’s Top Ten Best New Upscale Public Courses in 2004 and Florida Golf News Florida’s Best New Golf Course for 2003.

Thomas Fazio designed Walt Disney World Golf Courses’ Osprey Ridge Course (407.939.2272, 3281 Sherberth Rd, Kissimmee). The course, 18 holes over 7,101 yards with a par of 72, was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest. Forests of scrub oak, pine, palmetto, cypress and bay trees line the dramatic fairways. The Osprey Ridge Course features golf carts equipped with state-of-the-art GPS technology, which offers golfers detailed 3D views of all holes, measurement to fairway and green locations, strategic course tips and emergency communication capability.

Osprey Ridge has been awarded the 2006-2007 Gold Medal Golf Resort by GOLF Magazine - the only one in Florida; America’s Best Resort Courses by Golfweek in 2006; and the 2004 Greens of Distinction by Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine. Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the world’s top 75 golf resorts.

Champions Tour Player and NBC lead golf analyst Gary Koch designed the Mystic Dunes Golf Club at the Palms’ Mystic Dunes Course (866.311.1234, 7900 Mystic Dunes Lane, Celebration). With 18 holes over 7,012 yards with a par of 71, the course features five sets of teeboxes. Mystic Dunes has been likened to the Augusta National because of its par fours, which is said to rival in length with some of the par fours in the Professional Major Championships.

Still stumped? You may want to extend your stay in Orlando another day or two or fore!