Exploring Flori
Left: Reunion Resort Middle: Orange County National Right: The Castle at Disney
equipment stored away for the winter. Usually this mass exodus happens between December and March when thousands of snowbirds flee our cold climate in desperate search of warmer tempera- tures. For avid sun and sand seekers, Florida’s beaches are among the best in the world. Millions of dollars are spent every year to preserve and re- store the state’s beaches from the effects of Mother Nature. Mangrove ecosystems can be found along Florida’s extensive coastline and provide outstand- ing opportunities for naturalists to view the hun- dreds of animal and migratory bird species that flourish in their natural habitat. And then there are Florida’s golf courses. With
M
over 1,200 courses to choose from, it is no wonder you’ll oſten see a Florida license plate bordered with the phrase “World’s Golf Capital” as you travel along Interstate 75.
ost Canadians make their annual golf pilgrimage to Florida shortly aſter the pins have been pulled and the turf
Getting to Florida has never been easier. With
regular direct flights from Hamilton and Toronto you can be on the first tee or lying under a Florida beach umbrella in less than three hours – the same length of time it would take to drive north to cot- tage country on a long weekend. Te undisputed hotbed of Florida golf can be
found in the heart of the state – in and around Or- lando. Renowned for its theme parks (e.g. Disney), the Orlando area is home to more golf courses and PGA Tour professionals than anywhere else in the U.S. Tere are hundreds of golf courses to choose from but none finer than the three championship courses at the Reunion Resort and Club. Te brainchild of developer Bobby Ginn, Re-
union is more than a resort; it is a golf community. Te focal point of the 2,300 acre property is Re- union Grande, an eleven-storey luxury hotel and conference centre designed with every modern- day amenity in mind. Tree exceptional golf courses encompass the property designed by none
24 | ST. GEORGE’S GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
other than the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson; the only golf destination in the world that features signature golf courses from the game’s three greatest players. Comple- menting the golf courses is the new Annika Acad- emy, a 5,400-square-foot, state of the art teaching facility designed to provide students with an un- precedented level of personalized golf instruction from none other than Annika Sorenstam herself. Down the road from Reunion is another out-
standing golf development called Champion’s Gate. Designed by Greg Norman, Champion’s Gate features two 18-hole golf courses – the 7,363-yard International Course and the 7,128-yard National Course. Situated on over 1,000 acres, the develop- ment abuts the neighbouring Omni Hotel and is home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. No trip to Florida would be complete without
visiting Walt Disney World. With its theme parks, dining, shopping and 81 holes of golf, Walt Disney World has something for everyone. Te ultimate
GOLF
TRAVEL
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