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 it has been selected by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and the Florida State Golf Association (“FSGA”) to host a U.S. Open local qualifier on May 21, 2007.

The U.S. Open, the second-oldest USGA championship by a single day, is the jewel of USGA competitions. The event has evolved into one of the most prestigious championships played with many of the game's greatest players having captured this coveted title. The event is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap index of 1.4 or lower. The Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. The 2007 edition will be contested at historic Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., June 14-17.

In selecting Victoria Hills for the local qualifier, the USGA and FSGA cited Victoria Hills’ championship caliber, 6,923-yard layout, commitment to conditioning and state-of-the-art practice facility featuring a double-sided driving range, expansive short game area and true-to-form putting green. The Ron Garl designed course has hosted a number of high-profile events since opening in 2001, including a U.S. Senior Open qualifier, the Stetson University Invitational and an Atlantic Sun Conference championship. It has also emerged as one of the most highly-decorated courses in the state, garnering “best of” recognition from GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, Travel + Leisure Golf, Golfweek, the Orlando Sentinel and Golf Life Orlando.

“We are honored to host the U.S. Open local qualifier and to have received such a positive response from both the USGA and FSGA,” says David Buth, Victoria Hills General Manager. “Victoria Hills serves as an excellent proving ground for players attempting to gain entry into the U.S. Open. With its tree-lined fairways and rolling hills, the course is an accurate representation of what players will face at Oakmont in June.”

Players (grouped in threesomes) will tee off from Victoria Hills first and 10th tees, both formidable par 4s measuring 429 and 408 yards, respectively. The tournament format is 18 holes of stroke play, with two hours of tee times at nine-minute intervals followed by two hours of crossover. Buth says the course’s undulating greens will be cut as fast and firm as possible without risking any damage to the putting surfaces.

“These greens feature a great deal of movement and when rolling fast, require players to execute pinpoint accurate approach shots,” Buth adds. “Overall, the course setup will be challenging and fair and should produce qualifiers who can manage their games and not leave strokes out on the course.”

For more information, visit www.usga.org or www.usamateur.org. 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 Beach. 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
* “Best 18 holes in Orlando” – Golf Life Orlando

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 park, 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. A Village Center has also been proposed for the community, with a tentative ground-breaking in 2007. 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 including St! etson 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 JOE

The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate operating companies. We are primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. Our mission is to create places that inspire people and make JOE’s Florida an even better place to live, work and play. We’re no ordinary JOE.
More information about JOE can be found at our web site at www.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

CONTACT:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
803.547.2118
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com