FEATURE STORY

Orlando boasts some of America's top-rated golf courses for women

By S. Adam Cardais,
Staff Writer

As one of America's most sought-after entertainment destination, Orlando has something for everyone. And that goes for golf, as well.

The city has more than 100 golf courses, a number that surprises even seasoned golfers. While it has some seriously challenging tracks that could send even the scratch golfer home with a bruised ego, it's also got great places for women to play.

Indeed, two Orlando courses made Golf for Women magazine's list of the top-50 courses for women in America. The judges looked at things like length, service and other factors such as instruction programs for women and the quality of pro shops.

Here's a bit more about those courses and a few other women-friendly tracks in Orlando worth taking a look at.

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Grand Cypress Golf Club, South/East courses: Designed by Jack Nicklaus, these two nine hole tracks ranked eighth in Golf for Women magazine's list of the top 50 best courses for women in America. The full 18-holes measures 5,120 yards from the forward tees, which might be a bit longer than many women prefer. But the back nine, on the East course, is a generous stretch of golf, with less bunkering than on the South course, particularly in front of the greens.

It also has many of the off course amenities women lake: excellent lockers rooms, a well-stocked pro shop and solid women's instruction programs.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes: This Greg Norman-design made number 17 in Golf for Women magazine's list. Built within the pristine headwaters of the Florida Everglades, the course is surrounded by pines, palmettos and live oaks, making it one of the most beautiful tracks in the area. The course has five sets of tees for varying skill levels and measures 5,223 yards from the forwards. Probably the biggest attractions are the three air-conditioned on-course restrooms and women forecaddies. It's also know for having great service, as well.

"The facility's immaculate presentation and service, including a new concept called the caddy-concierge program, is everything one would expect from the name Ritz-Carlton," Derek Duncan wrote in a story for GolfFlorida.com.

Orlando Tee Times Tee Times: 866-521-2331

Reunion Resort & Club: Located about 25 minutes south of Orlando, this 2,300 acre resort in Osceola County hosted the LPGA Ginn Open 2006. It will also be the location for LPGA Tour star Annika Sorenstam's new golf school.

There are currently two courses at Reunion: The Legacy, designed by Arnold Palmer; and The Independence, designed by Tom Watson. A new Jack Nicklaus-design called Tradition will open next month.

Both The Legacy and The Independence made it onto GolfWeek's list of America's Top 40 New Courses of 2005.

The Ladies Legacy course has a slope rating of 113 from the red tees and generous, wide fairways. The Ladies Independence course is a bit more challenging, with a 119 slope rating from the red tees.

Mystic Dunes Golf Club: This course measures 4,665 yards from the forward tees. Designed by Gary Koch, it made an appearance in GolfDigest's best places to play from 2004 to 2006.

The course has five sets of tee boxes and is known for excellent conditioning.

November 22, 2006

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.