Tuesday,
December 6, 2005
Golf in Orlando: The Links-Style International
Course at ChampionsGate
Several days after attending the Father-Son-Challenge
at ChampionsGate
we actually got out and played the International Course ourselves.
It was an exciting experience to play a championship golf course
just shortly after a major tournament, when it was still in tournament
condition with just a few extra degrees of difficulty. The open
wind-swept design features a multitude of bunkers and a variety
of water hazards, and with a difficulty rating of 76.3, one of the
highest ratings in the state, we were duly humbled by the challenges
that this course threw at us.
The impressive entrance to ChampionsGate
ChampionsGate is an impressive facility with 36 holes designed
by famous golf legend Greg Norman. What sets ChampionsGate apart
is that its International layout and the National course have totally
different designs. The hard, fast fairways of the International
course are reminiscent of the great old Scottish and Irish links,
while the more modern American-style National course winds through
citrus groves and stands of pines, emphasizing challenging shot-making
choices and a range of memorable par-3s.
Golfers who want to improve their game can do so at the world-famous
David Leadbetter Golf Academy which offers two or three-day mini-schools
or retreats, private sessions or David's "Beginner to Winner"
program. David Leadbetter even offers video lessons via the Internet,
providing access to his teaching expertise to golf students all
over the world. The Callaway practice facility consists of an expansive
practice area, putting green and short game area and is always complimentary
with a round of golf.
The Omni Orlando Resort
As you come off exit 58 on the I-4, ChampionsGate greets you right
away with imposing gates. The road takes you past the luxurious
Omni Orlando Resort and Spa which has been welcoming resort golfers
since 2004 in 730 premier rooms, including 25 guest suites. In conjunction
with the Omni Resort, ChampionsGate now offers an upscale resort
golf experience, complete with a European-style spa, state-of-the-art
conference facilities and a 15-acre tropically landscaped recreational
area featuring an 850 ft "lazy river". The Champions 9
Golf Experience, the resort's lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course,
adds to the recreational opportunities.
The resort will be complemented by a master-planned community including
villas and condominiums. The 59-unit phase 1 of the Villas is set
to open in the summer of 2006, which will be followed by groundbreaking
for the 110 units of Phase 2.
The clubhouse with its huge wrap-around veranda
The 30,000 square foot clubhouse at ChampionsGate with its enormous
wrap-around veranda features a panoramic view of both golf courses
and a unique menu that is split right down the middle, featuring
international cuisine on the left, and American fare on the right.
ChampionsGate specializes in hospitality and customer service, and
last year the club hosted more than 340 business or charity outings.
After our challenging round we enjoyed a tasty lunch and were joined
by Alan Findley, the General Manager of ChampionsGate, who gave
us a better overview of this facility.
Alan is particularly proud of hosting the Father-Son-Challenge,
a nationally televised golf event that features many present and
past legends of golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and
Vijay Singh, to mention just a few. The Father-Son-Challenge is
a veritable "Walking Hall of Fame". What makes this tournament
really special is its relaxed family atmosphere and the opportunity
to see different generations of golf icons playing with their sons,
daughters and even grandchildren. It's an opportunity to see these
famous golf legends from a human side and we indeed enjoyed watching
Vijay Singh relax with a cup of coffee on the 18th hole, awaiting
the arrival of his son Qass, hoping for a great final score.
In our conversation Alan also indicated that at the David Leadbetter
Academy you never know what golf celebrity you are going to run
into. Michelle Wie is a famous Leadbetter student, Charles Howell
III was practicing while we were there, and Greg Norman helicoptered
in for a lesson last week. Alan also pointed out Michelle Wie's
favourite spot in the clubhouse: the table right in front of the
big screen TV.
Links-style golf
Alan also made us aware of the unique wildlife inhabiting this
golf course: two American bald eagles have made the course their
permanent home, and on any given day you could see whooping cranes,
gannets, alligators or armadillos. For a special glimpse of ChampionsGate's
atmosphere come here at the end of the day, when you could see bald
eagles perched on a tree in the sunset right in front of the clubhouse,
while listening to a Scottish bagpiper, a feature Allen himself
has introduced to the club.
Driving Directions:
ChampionsGate is located 10 Minutes from Disney World at Exit 58
on Interstate 4, just minutes away from International Drive and
area attractions.
Statistics for Champions Gate
International |
Par 72 |
Yards |
Rating |
Slope |
Black |
7363 |
76.8 |
143 |
Blue |
6792 |
74.1 |
137 |
White (M) |
6239 |
71.5 |
132 |
White (L) |
6239 |
75.7 |
134 |
Statistics for ChampionsGate
National |
Par 72 |
Yards |
Rating |
Slope |
Black |
7128 |
75.2 |
138 |
Blue |
6427 |
71.9 |
133 |
White (M) |
5937 |
69.1 |
124 |
White (L) |
5937 |
74.7 |
125 |
For more information please visit the ChampionsGate
website or call them at (407) 787-GOLF (4653) or toll free at 1-888-558-9301.
Related Articles on Golf in Central Florida:
A first-hand
look at ChampionsGate
A first-hand look at the
Royal St. Cloud Links
A first-hand look at Timacuan
Golf and Country Club
Attending the Father
Son Challenge at ChampionsGate
An overview of golf in the Orlando area:
Orlando- Golf's Ultimate Theme Park
Orlando and Central Florida travel stories:
Orlando Off the Beaten
Path
A visit to the Orange
County Regional History Center
Exploring Orlando's African
American Heritage at the Well's Built Museum
A lovely evening walk around downtown
Orlando's Lake Eola
Visual delights served
up on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
A walking tour through quaint
historic Winter Park
Our high-speed adrenaline adventure
at Boggy Creek Airboat Tours
Our picnic lunch by the Kissimmee
waterfront
Exploring picturesque Mount Dora
on the "Herbie Express"
Orlando's Loch Haven Park:
Center of culture and arts
Exploring downtown Orlando's
historic neighbourhoods and parks
Learning about citrus at
Florida's Natural Visitor Center
Architectural and natural
beauty at the Bok Historic Sanctuary
Central Florida: a haven
for naturalists and plant lovers
Central Florida's wildlife:
surprising ecological diversity..
Driving home through St. Augustine:
the oldest city in the US
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