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Jacksonville Grand Slam (and thank you ma'am)


(* Readers please note. This is the introduction I had for the initial draft but my Editor wanted a "more personal touch...give me some details of your golfing experience." Basically, she is asking me to publicly humiliate myself. So, for the sake of my "journalistic integrity", I must bare my soul. But I refuse to divulge my golf scores!)

 

(*My original introduction).

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Golf has a new home which means that golfers have a new destination. And that would be Jacksonville & The Beaches, which includes an area stretching from historical St. Augustine to trendy Amelia Island: a surprisingly pleasant and friendly area that sits quietly in the northwest corner of Florida. Quietly, because most people tend to forget about this part of Florida; many seem to think this sunny state starts with the Mouse at Orlando and stretches down to Miami. The Keys, of course, the so-called "Conch Republic", are a separate world unto themselves.

("The truth").

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- The ball took off with a satisfying "thwack" and I knew I had hit a good long drive. When I finally looked out, and out, I saw I had truly gotten a terrific distance on that drive. It just sailed away. Unfortunately you can hear that "thwack" and watch your ball curve into one mean slice and disappear somewhere in a vast mess of trees and long grass. But geeezzzz, it really did sound terrific at the time.

OK, so I'm a duffer, which is being mighty charitable to my golfing prowess. But I started the game late in my jock career. And I'm using my father's old clubs. Plus my shoes don't fit properly. Oh yah, and those little white balls just don't like me. See? My game may not be that good, but like all golfers from beginner to pro, I've got all my excuses handy.

("So what if I'm not serious - I'm a fun kind of guy.")

Actually, the best advice I ever received when I first started swinging a club (OK. OK I was over 40. My age, not my score) was given to me by a realistic (of my talents) golf pro. He said, "Listen here. You are never going to be on the circuit, so don't drive yourself crazy with scores and perfection. This is just so you and your buddies can enjoy a pleasant, sunny day strolling around the course, having some fun, and then heading for that inevitable lounge at the 19th hole to tell some fictitious golf stories." (For most of us, that is likely the best advice we will ever hear. But the problem is, does anyone ever take that advice?)

("This place is SERIOUS.")

Anyhow, back to Jacksonville. I mentioned that golf has a new home, which is the sparkling new World Golf Village combined with the World Golf Hall of Fame. What Cooperstown is to baseball, this complex is to golf. This is the mecca, the shrine, the official home of the PGA TOUR, LPGA, and PGA of America. Golfers, this is your place!

Skyscrapers & water: Jacksonville. Used with permissions.As you drive into the Village, which is the heart of the 6,300-acre St. Johns planned community, easily reached from Interstate 95 near St. Augustine, your first glimpse is of the 190-foot Tower Shrine topping the Hall of Fame. Not only is this a monument to the world's great golfers throughout history, but it also offers a spectacular 360° view of the village and its connecting golf courses. The Village itself, perfectly manicured, is built around the little Kelly Lake, which you can circle by following the Walk of Champions. The Walk connects all the elements of the Village including hotels, golf courses, tennis courts, exclusive shops and stores, bars and restaurants.

(" I took The Challenge and paid the price.")

Oh yes, and the 132-yard Million Mile Challenge. Golfers will leap at the challenge to test their swing. If you manage to clear the water -- which is most of the 132 yards -- and get a hole-in-one, you win 50,000 Delta SkyMiles and a chance at a draw for one million SkyMiles. Can it be done? Yes, indeed. In the past year, five people have cleared the pond to drop that little white ball in the hole. Although it must be noted, the bottom of the lake is piled high and deep with golf balls. If you must know, I tried a few swings (two for $5) and after donating $20 to charity I had added seven of those little white balls to the depths of Kelly Lake. I'm not quite sure what happened to the eighth.

The Hall of Fame itself is fascinating for golfers and non-golfers alike. This is a spacious (75,000 square feet!!) interactive museum / playground that traces the journey of "the sport of kings" from its birth in the highlands of Scotland to the modern hysteria of "Tigermania". And if you have to ask what "Tigermania" is, then you truly need this tour. You can easily spend hours wandering through this fun history which includes: early historical photos; tributes to world champions; golf video and pinball games; the backgrounds and records of the pros; various interactive video challenges to test your knowledge; and indoor putting greens with some 1880 wooden putters.

Personally, I would have added a special display listing all the "great golfing excuses" to the Hall of Fame. After all, we duffers should be allowed to learn all aspects of the game. As well, the Village's 300-seat IMAX theatre is showing three spectacular films on its six-story-high screen -- Everest, The Living Sea, and The Mysteries of Egypt -- and will soon be showing the first-ever IMAX film on Golf created specifically for the Village.

OK, so you have checked out the museum, the shops (where you can purchase a Greg Norman designer shirt at the PGA Tour Stop golf shop for a mere US$120. Yikes!) and, of course, sunk your SkyMiles hole-in-one. Now it is time to hit the links.

("Playing THE Round.")

 

"The Slammer and the Squire", a Par 72, 6,940-yard championship course designed by Bobby Weed in conjunction with Golf-Hall-of-Famers Slammin' Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazen, is the first of three golf courses planned for the Village. These 18 holes were designed to give all levels of golfers a good workout without too much frustration for the beginner. The "front nine" is played through wooded wetland preserves, while the "back nine" is much more open and actually winds its way around the Hall of Fame. The two distinct environments actually make this feel like two different courses, providing some fun challenges (note: this is a Golf oxymoron) that range from a Par 3 at 220 yards to a long Par 4 at 459 yards. Uh huh.

("Details, details…")

Green fees, which include a cart, range from US$165 In Season (Feb. 1  - May 31) to US$90 during the (really hot!) Off Season from June 1 - August 31.

However, golfers are already booking dates and tee-off times for Spring 2000 when "The King and The Bear" officially opens to the public. This course is the first-ever collaboration by golf legends / course designers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This promises to be some course. In fact, it may become 'THE' course for golfers throughout North America. Seriously, book now for your tee-off time sometime in the next Millennium for what is going to be one of golf's legendary courses. The Village is not finished by any means -- although, after only one year of operation, the current amenities are most impressive -- and continues to expand with shops, accommodations and, of course, golf courses, and tennis courts.

You can even stay on site at the 300-suite World Golf Village Resort Hotel, a beautiful facility with adjoining 80,000-square-foot St. Johns County Convention Center. As you can imagine, they are heavily booked with executives all arriving with small suitcases and large golf bags.

(" I admit it. I never even carried my own bag.")

There are also the surrounding and luxurious accommodations of the Vistanna Resort -- private villas and condos -- which can be rented for a brief stay or purchased for interval ownership. Since our group was checking out the 48 public and private courses in the area -- well, most of them anyhow -- we decided to stay at the Embassy Suites Baymeadows, an absolutely wonderful all-suites hotel with excellent and friendly service. Not only is it conveniently located about 20 minutes from downtown Jacksonville, with complete highway access to all those golf courses, but the entire staff is "golfer-friendly", and more than willing to help lug your golf bags through the lobby. Some of these courses included: the lush links on nearby Amelia Island; the famous Sawgrass; the Par 72, 7,002 yards of the Baymeadows Golf Club; the Par 71, 6,702 yards of Deercreek; and the Eagle Harbor Golf Club at Par 72 and a challenging 6,840 yards.

More than golf... Used with permission.("Wow.")

One of the most impressive resorts you will ever experience is The Marriott at Sawgrass. Not only is this the juncture of five championship golf courses, but it has one of the most beautifully lush country settings you will ever find, complete with winding river, golf greenery, forests and trees, outdoor pools, and superb cuisine. And if you bring the kids (and there were quite a few there), the property is surprisingly "kid-friendly", with wading pools and baby-sitting services. Speaking of kids, you will have to take them to the delightful Adventure Landing entertainment center with its waterpark, go carts, video arcade and, yes of course, a "Putt Putt" miniature golf extravaganza. Although I must say, we noticed an amazing number of 'big kids' playing the night we visited the park.

("Tennis anyone?")

Ah, lest we forget to mention the tennis facilities (there are more than 150 private and public courts in the area. Plus, just about every hotel and resort seems to have courts), Jacksonville is also the home of the ATP Tour International headquarters where the pros all come to play and train for the seasonal circuit. Brian Gottfried, Director of Operations (and former Wimbledon Champion), presides over the facility, which holds training camps and pro matches on courts with regular surfaces, grass, and clay.

(" Humiliation, this time I'm used to it.")

The ATP offers corporate and group packages for those who want the best instruction from the best of today's pros. And what instruction! Our small group had a private lesson with Brian, who has such a terrific style, both as a player and teacher, that I didn't even feel embarrassed about all those serves whizzing past my head. But then, I had the racquet with the gaping hole in the middle. Also we had an opportunity to watch Brian and current circuit ace Mal Washington burn up the court with a dazzling pro workout. Unfortunately we couldn't fit everything in during our four days, but we have left many, many great clubs and courses to be discovered during our next visit.

("Who cares, if I can hardly play a round.")

Let me leave no doubt, after this taste of Florida's "First Coast of Golf", we will definitely be returning for more. More Golf. More Tennis. More of Jacksonville's delightful hospitality. Plus I want to check if the World Golf Hall of Fame picked up my note from their suggestion box to add a display of Great Golf Excuses.

(Editor's Note: I think Steve actually means, "Who cares, I met a Jacksonville gal and want to go back to play another type of round.")

("Playing THE Round.")

"The Slammer and the Squire", a Par 72, 6,940-yard championship course designed by Bobby Weed in conjunction with Golf-Hall-of-Famers Slammin' Sammy Snead and Gene Sarazen, is the first of three golf courses planned for the Village. These 18 holes were designed to give all levels of golfers a good workout without too much frustration for the beginner. The "front nine" is played through wooded wetland preserves, while the "back nine" is much more open and actually winds its way around the Hall of Fame. The two distinct environments actually make this feel like two different courses, providing some fun challenges (note: this is a Golf oxymoron) that range from a Par 3 at 220 yards to a long Par 4 at 459 yards. Uh huh.

("Details, details…")

Green fees, which include a cart, range from US$165 In Season (Feb. 1  - May 31) to US$90 during the (really hot!) Off Season from June 1 - August 31.

However, golfers are already booking dates and tee-off times for Spring 2000 when "The King and The Bear" officially opens to the public. This course is the first-ever collaboration by golf legends / course designers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This promises to be some course. In fact, it may become 'THE' course for golfers throughout North America. Seriously, book now for your tee-off time sometime in the next Millennium for what is going to be one of golf's legendary courses. The Village is not finished by any means -- although, after only one year of operation, the current amenities are most impressive -- and continues to expand with shops, accommodations and, of course, golf courses, and tennis courts.

You can even stay on site at the 300-suite World Golf Village Resort Hotel, a beautiful facility with adjoining 80,000-square-foot St. Johns County Convention Center. As you can imagine, they are heavily booked with executives all arriving with small suitcases and large golf bags.

(" I admit it. I never even carried my own bag.")

There are also the surrounding and luxurious accommodations of the Vistanna Resort -- private villas and condos -- which can be rented for a brief stay or purchased for interval ownership. Since our group was checking out the 48 public and private courses in the area -- well, most of them anyhow -- we decided to stay at the Embassy Suites Baymeadows, an absolutely wonderful all-suites hotel with excellent and friendly service. Not only is it conveniently located about 20 minutes from downtown Jacksonville, with complete highway access to all those golf courses, but the entire staff is "golfer-friendly", and more than willing to help lug your golf bags through the lobby. Some of these courses included: the lush links on nearby Amelia Island; the famous Sawgrass; the Par 72, 7,002 yards of the Baymeadows Golf Club; the Par 71, 6,702 yards of Deercreek; and the Eagle Harbor Golf Club at Par 72 and a challenging 6,840 yards.

More than golf... Used with permission.("Wow.")

One of the most impressive resorts you will ever experience is The Marriott at Sawgrass. Not only is this the juncture of five championship golf courses, but it has one of the most beautifully lush country settings you will ever find, complete with winding river, golf greenery, forests and trees, outdoor pools, and superb cuisine. And if you bring the kids (and there were quite a few there), the property is surprisingly "kid-friendly", with wading pools and baby-sitting services. Speaking of kids, you will have to take them to the delightful Adventure Landing entertainment center with its waterpark, go carts, video arcade and, yes of course, a "Putt Putt" miniature golf extravaganza. Although I must say, we noticed an amazing number of 'big kids' playing the night we visited the park.

("Tennis anyone?")

Ah, lest we forget to mention the tennis facilities (there are more than 150 private and public courts in the area. Plus, just about every hotel and resort seems to have courts), Jacksonville is also the home of the ATP Tour International headquarters where the pros all come to play and train for the seasonal circuit. Brian Gottfried, Director of Operations (and former Wimbledon Champion), presides over the facility, which holds training camps and pro matches on courts with regular surfaces, grass, and clay.

(" Humiliation, this time I'm used to it.")

The ATP offers corporate and group packages for those who want the best instruction from the best of today's pros. And what instruction! Our small group had a private lesson with Brian, who has such a terrific style, both as a player and teacher, that I didn't even feel embarrassed about all those serves whizzing past my head. But then, I had the racquet with the gaping hole in the middle. Also we had an opportunity to watch Brian and current circuit ace Mal Washington burn up the court with a dazzling pro workout. Unfortunately we couldn't fit everything in during our four days, but we have left many, many great clubs and courses to be discovered during our next visit.

("Who cares, if I can hardly play a round.")

Let me leave no doubt, after this taste of Florida's "First Coast of Golf", we will definitely be returning for more. More Golf. More Tennis. More of Jacksonville's delightful hospitality. Plus I want to check if the World Golf Hall of Fame picked up my note from their suggestion box to add a display of Great Golf Excuses.

(Editor's Note: I think Steve actually means, "Who cares, I met a Jacksonville gal and want to go back to play another type of round.")