ORLANDO, Fla. - For many and especially those living in cooler climates, golf and Florida are almost synonymous.

However, in late summer four severe hurricanes hitting the state were major news stories around the world. Pictures of the storms’ effects were on every television channel and stories in every newspaper until some may have gotten the idea golf in Florida and especially Orlando had been “blown away.”

That is not the case. Golf was not “blown away” according to GolfOrlando, a marketing group for 24 of the area’s best golf courses.

Courses are open for play and the group has also set out to correct the image of golf being “blown away” that may be lingering in the minds of golfers as they plan winter golf trips.

Kenny Wynn, general manager Falcon’s Fire Golf Club, put it best, “We’ve recovered and it’s a great time to play golf in Orlando. However, we were hit by both the hurricanes and then by visitors who were here leaving, others not coming at all and the locals staying at home to deal with damage to their own houses.”

Results of a survey of the group’s members revealed courses are both open and in great condition.

“Golf in Orlando is not only back but many golf courses are reporting better then normal playing conditions due to the amount of time that they closed for clean-up,” said GolfOrlando President Tony Johnson, general manager at Timacuan Golf & Contry Club in Lake Mary.

“We are getting several reports that our area golf courses got a much needed rest, and although the amount of downtime was financially strapping, our products on the ground only got better.