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 ChampionsGate 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