DELAND, Fla. -- Victoria Hills Golf Club – the award-winning Ron Garl design at the heart of Victoria Park, a St. Joe community in DeLand – today announces its par-4 seventh hole has been named one of the “Best 18 Holes in Orlando” by Golfweek’s Golf Life Orlando magazine.
The challenging two-shot hole is featured in the Summer 2006 issue, and was selected from hundreds of holes around the Orlando region. Garl, a Lakeland native with numerous design credits throughout Florida, the United States and worldwide, frequently cites Victoria Hills as one of his greatest works. Since opening in 2001, the layout has been hailed by critics as a seminal course in the history of Florida golf course architecture.
“We are honored that the No. 7 hole is included in Golf Life Orlando’s prestigious list of the Best 18 Holes in Orlando,” says Victoria Hills general manager David Buth. “Choosing the best par four here is a formidable undertaking. The magazine made an excellent choice in terms of overall strategy, playability and aesthetics.”
In describing the unique features of the 431-yard hole, the magazine’s editors wrote: “A 230-yard forced carry requires a driver tee shot that has to be hit solidly on this uphill, dogleg left. You have to avoid the fairway bunker on the left with your tee shot. The approach shot is to an undulating green with a large false front. You’ll want to take an extra club because a short approach likely will find the large bunker protruding into the fairway on the right side of the hole.”
The seventh hole was recently lengthened nearly 70 yards in order to provide a stern test for the area’s best golfers. Victoria Hills recently hosted the F lorida State Golf Association’s 39th Senior Amateur Championship, the Florida Junior Tour’s ultra competitive 13-15 year-old age bracket and the Stetson University Invitational. A number of Orlando-based PGA Tour players have also been sighted at Victoria Hills, fine-tuning their games prior to the Bay Hill Invitational in March.
For more information about Victoria Hills or to book tee times, visit www.stjoegolf.com or call 386.738.6000.
About Victoria Hills Golf Club
Victoria Hills was recently named one of Florida’s “Hidden Gems” by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, and has quickly become one of the most sought-after rounds of golf in Central Florida. Tucked away in the historic college town of DeLand, the course is conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona. Designed by Ron Garl, the stunning layout boasts more than 50-feet of elevation change, taking advantage of the area’s natural rolling hills, foliage and wetlands. Tall pines and majestic oaks frame the course while sandy waste areas and pristine lakes make for inspiring sight lines.
Other accolades for Victoria Hills include:
* “Top 10 You Can Play” – GOLF Magazine
* “4-1/2 Stars” – Golf Digest
* “America’s Best Residential Golf Course” – Golfweek
* “America’s Top 40 Best New Courses” – Golfweek
* “No. 8 Course in the State” – Golfweek
* “No. 2 Florida Public Course of the New Millennium” – Travel + Leisure Golf
* “Florida’s Best New Golf Course” – Florida Golf News
* “One of the region’s Top 10 courses” – Orlando Sentinel
About Victoria Park
Victoria Park features housing options for families of all sizes with new homes priced from the mid $200,000s to more than $1 million. In addition to the award-winning Victoria Hills Golf Club, the community boasts other impressive amenities including: a 22-acre lake, fitness center; swimming pool; lighted tennis courts; walking trails; bike lanes; playground; picnic facilities and community garden. An amphitheater serves as the focal point for community events facilitated by on-site Art of Living staff. The community will also include a Village Center scheduled to break ground at the end of 2006. Proximity to vibrant metro areas like Orlando and Daytona Beach and a number of cultural centers make Victoria Park an attractive option for those interested in city life conveniences and the personal familiarity of a smaller community. Several educational opportunities are available to residents inc! luding Stetson University, Florida’s first private university, and a number of excellent public schools. Freedom Elementary School, an A-rated DeLand public school, is located adjacent to the community. DeLand Middle and High Schools are just minutes away. For more information, visit www.joe.com | Keyword: Victoria Park
About St. Joe
The St. Joe Company, a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate operating companies. It is engaged in town, resort, commercial and industrial development and land sales. JOE also has significant interests in timber.
More information about JOE can be found at our web site at JOE.com.
© 2006 The St. Joe Company. “JOE,” “St. Joe,” “Victoria Hills,” “Victoria Commons,” “Victoria Gardens” and the “Victoria Park” design are service marks of The St. Joe Company
