Golf in Orlando: Timacuan Golf and Country Club
On our last full day in Florida we had a chance to play another
beautiful golf course, this one located about half an hour north
of downtown Orlando in the community of Lake Mary. Timacuan Golf
and Country Club was built in 1987 and was originally designed
by a Ron Garl. In 1996 the course was renovated by architect
Bobby Weed and today it is ranked in the top 14 in the state of
Florida. Timacuan's other accolades include having been chosen
as one of the most golf-friendly courses for women by Golf for
Women Magazine.
Bobby Weed's redesign encompassed many elements of the course
and ensured that all players will have an enjoyable round of
golf. Timacuan also features a large driving range and putting
green. Par is 71 and the course plays close to 7,000 yards from
the back tees. Timacuan's unique features include a links-style
front nine and a Carolina feel complete with gorgeous pines and
lakes on the back nine.
Timacuan Golf and Country Club also has a lighted practice
facility and is home to the Mike Bender Golf Academy. Mike
Bender is a two time North Florida PGA Teacher of the Year, and
is ranked by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Instructors and
Golf Digest as one of the top 50 Instructors in America. While
we were there, a young golf aficionado was receiving a very
thorough one-on-one video-taped lesson and we admired her
elegant drives into the driving range.
We drove in on a winding road through a residential area and
were greeted by Timacuan's spacious two-story club house. I had
a chance to talk with Kim Shield who handles marketing for
Timacuan, who explained that the club house features a full
service grill room downstairs, and can host up to 250 people in
the upstairs dining room which has panorama windows that offer a
beautiful view of the golf course, making it a popular
destination for corporate and private functions. The club house
also hosts a Sunday brunch from 11 am to 2 pm as well as a
Wednesday night buffet.
Kim filled me in on some other unique details on this course.
Considering its location in Seminole County north of Orlando, it
mostly serves local residents. The area around the course offers
a lot of things do to, including a variety of waterfront
restaurants, the Sanford Zoo, the Sanford Historical Museum, and
Colonial Town Park, a local development that features
restaurants, theatres, hotels, cinemas, shopping, all in all a
nice area to walk around in.
We thoroughly enjoyed our round, despite the grey, drizzly
weather as Timacuan features a very scenic layout. The course
had a wonderfully friendly feel to it, and we enjoyed our chats
with course staff while waiting for our cart and were warmly
welcomed by the starter. Upon hearing that we were from Canada,
one of the local members generously gave us his chip for
practice balls and this friendly ambience got us off to a good
start.
Hole number 2 is one of the most difficult holes on the course,
and I promptly made two separate ball donations into the pond.
The front nine is surrounded by an attractive residential
development that never intruded into our golf game and a couple
of holes actually feature drive-through bunkers. The
Carolina-style back nine had its own set of challenges,
particularly since water comes into play on seven holes.
Timacuan's rates are quite reasonable: for June to October 2005
the rates ranged between $55 and $65, from November 1 to January
11, 2006 the rates vary from $69 to $79, and in high season from
January 12 to April 23, 2006 the rates range between $85 and $95.
Driving directions: Lake Mary is located about 10 miles
northeast of Orlando and is easily accessible via the interstate
system. Off of the I-4 take exit 101a to Rhinehart Rd (go
right). First light Timacuan Blvd (go left). Go one mile to the
Timacuan entrance on right. Follow Timacuan Blvd to the
clubhouse.
Statistics Par 71 Yards Rating Slope Gold 6915 73.7 135 Blue
6403 71.2 128 White 5892 68.6 119 Green 5243 70.0 124
For more information please visit Timacuan Golf and Country
Club's website or call them at (407) 321-0010.