Orlando Golf News

CRYSTAL RIVER - During the month of October, Plantation Golf Club on Florida's Nature Coast is offering a special three month trial golf membership. Golfers can enjoy Plantation's 27 holes during the months of October, November and December for the price of $350 per single or $500 per couple.

The resort's Championship Course, designed by Mark Mahannah, features tree-lined fairways and water hazards on 14 holes. Always kept in top condition, the course is known for its "fast and true" greens. Plantation's Lagoons Course was designed to offer golfers the opportunity to play a "quick nine" and sharpen their skills. 

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS – Renowned fitness trainer Pat Etcheberry has brought his acclaimed “Etcheberry Experience, Strength and Conditioning for Serious Sports” program to Mission Inn Resort & Club, located just 45 minutes north of Orlando. His proven regimen will complement the Gary Gilchrest Golf Academy and Justine Henin’s 6th Sense Tennis Academy, both based at the resort, which cater to junior champions.

Prior to joining the team at Mission Inn Resort & Club, Etcheberry spent the past eight years at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Florida. During his career, he has worked with some of the world’s best professional tennis players, including Henin, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis and Jelena Jankovic. Recently, Etcheberry was with Jankovic at the 2008 US Open Grand Slam Championships, where she reached her first US Open Singles Final. Among the professional golfers he has worked with are Nick Faldo, Helen Alfredsson, Julieta Granada and Justin Rose.

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS – Spa Marbella will open in November 2008 at the Mission Inn Resort & Club (www.missioninnresort.com), located just 45 minutes northwest of Orlando. The 6,200-square-foot spa will offer resort guests, area visitors and residents an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation with a Mediterranean flavor. 

The spa is named for Marbella on Spain’s Costa del Sol, a chic, sun-drenched resort and favorite travel destination for the Beucher family, owners of Mission Inn. Soco Interiors of Winter Park, Fla., has been chosen to design an elegant and serene spa that embodies Marbella and that complements the Spanish Colonial character of the resort.

New Summer Program Lets Protégés Train Like Professionals

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS – Mission Inn Resort & Club, just 45 minutes northwest of Orlando, is home to the new Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, designed for young golfers worldwide who are keen on becoming professionals. A new summer program, designed to produce results in the shortest period of time, launches today, announced Gary Gilchrist, its founder.

“Our mission is to prepare students technically, mentally and physically to succeed at the collegiate and professional level,” said Gilchrist. “We aim to provide the highest level of tournament competition training for all inspired junior golfers, and I believe Mission Inn Resort & Club is the ideal location for our home base."

~ $139 Celebratory Rate Includes Accommodations and Greens Fees ~

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS – The two championship, 18-hole golf courses at Mission Inn Resort & Club – El Campeón and Las Colinas – have recently received a four-star rating from Golf Digest. Both will be included in the publication’s 2008-2009 edition of “Best Places to Play,” which rates nearly 60,000 courses in North America and the Caribbean.

To celebrate this achievement the resort has introduced a “Golf No Limits” package that includes overnight accommodations, unlimited same-day greens fees, all-day shared cart rental and driving range privileges for just $139 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Red shirt on Sunday … how about with a dazzling pair of LoudMouth Golf Disco Ball pants? The days of khaki pants and plain polo shirts have just become a thing of the past for the Double D Winter Series at Orange Tree Golf Club as LoudMouth Golf has signed on to be the title sponsor. The Loudmouth Golf Tour at Orange Tree kicks off the first of an 11-event schedule Sept. 29 at the famed Orlando golf course.

"Awesome! Our own mini tour, that's outstanding! We're going to have so much fun with this that it may border on illegal," said Loudmouth Golf CEO Larry Jackson. "Seriously, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor this tour and to have our clothing displayed by some of the top golfers in the world. We foresee this becoming Central Florida's version of the Summer Gateway Tour in Scottsdale." 

Over the next few months Zellwood Station will be shaping four new holes on some undeveloped strips of land throughout the front nine of the golf course. The project in its entirety should take just under a year and should be ready for play in the summer of 2009. These four holes will be replacing the existing numbers 2-5. In doing so, the designer of the new holes has configured a layout that will be top notch. With some added length and new challenges, Zellwood Station promises to be bolder and more beautiful then before. Zellwood Station will also be boasting an all new 15,000 square foot practice facility used for sharpening your short game in all facets.

Mayor Glenn Ritchey played host to 136 golfers who gathered to play golf, have a good time, and raise $30,000.00 that will support the Mayor's two designated charities; the Keech Street Children's Clinic and the Daytona Beach Police Foundation. Mayor Ritchey would like to express his thanks to the major sponsors; Brighthouse Networks, Daytona International Speedway, Halifax Medical Center, Florida Health Care Plan, Pepsi-Cola and Consolidated Tomoka,  all of whom helped make this day a huge success.

The 2008 Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play" guide has been released and Orange County National's Panther Lake and Crooked Cat Golf Courses have received a prestigious 4 ½ stars out of 5 stars. Orange County National has earned the prominent 4 ½ stars every year since opening in 1999.

"We are very happy the readers of Golf Digest enjoyed their experience at Orange County National," stated Bruce Gerlander, General Manage, OCN. "By having raters come and play at their own expense gives enormous creditability to the rating process. We are continually implementing new programs and services to offer our guests a unique experience every time they play here and we can see our efforts reflected in the ratings." 

Builders Marketing Resource is producing the Annual BMR/Stock Golf Classic on October 24, 2008, at Victoria Hills Golf Club in Deland, Fl. The promotional golfing event was designed to bring Builders, Suppliers, Subs and Industry professionals together to Network in a "PGA Style" Fun but Competitive Golf Tournament.

The single day event consists of Seventy-Two (72), Two-Player Builder Teams competing for the Championship Crystal Bowl and $3,000.00 in Prize Money. Atleast One Player on each Team must be employed by the Building Company. No professional players are eligible to participate although Subs & Vendors can play on a Builder's Team. Scoring is based on a handicap index or the Callaway system. Opposing Team keeps score. For detailed information on the Rules & Regulations of Play, Prizes, and other Information, please visit: www.bmrgolfclassic.com.