During my Rollins College years of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the area of Orlando on Orange Blossom Trail between Colonial and Princeton Drives was known for its seedier style offerings. Unbeknownst to me in those occasional visits to the “Trail” was the fact that a 1911 Donald Ross beauty was mere steps from the various dens of iniquity. The Country Club Of Orlando is a magnificent golf course and a refuge from the encroaching concrete jungle of Orlando. The original Donald Ross design has recently been polished by Forse Design and Forse again demonstrates his deft touch by showcasing the clever and interesting routing while at the same time creating his own vision of this golden age gem. The total package is impressive and delightful.
Having worked with Ron Forse and Jim Nagle at Sunnehanna C.C. for over a decade, I again recognized their fine work at C.C.O. Forse Design basically created the golf course within the confines of the Ross routing and with an eye towards Ross’ work at Seminole ( See “ A Renovation Lesson For Classic Clubs”, Graylyn Loomis, Links Magazine ). The results are stunning. The opening set of holes sets the tone for the round as short 4’s, long 4’s a par 5 and a par 3 complete the first third. On the back, the same variety is continued with the spice being the back to back par 5’s of 14 and 15. All of the 4’s and 5’s are great driving holes and the 3’s require shot-making and deep thinking. CCO is a must play, so seize the day and go play it.
The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes was reviewed on this site in 2013 and it has only improved with age. The course is largely unchanged, but the naturalness of the adjacent Shingle Creek management area adds a special touch to Grande Lakes. The course is a lovely track with terrific turf conditions, most notably the speedy and tricky greens. The one insider tip is to not miss the beers and cocktails at Highball and Harvest and Whisper Creek located in the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott respectively.
Our 36 hole day continued at the venerable Bay Hill Club. The great places in golf have a certain feel and Bay Hill nails it in the atmosphere , course design/conditioning and championship history categories. The Club fits like a well broken in cordovan loafer and the absence of pretension or any sort of factory mentality is immediately evident. The real treat is the golf course with its twists and turns around various interesting land forms, bunkers, water and live oaks. The opening holes feature a testing dogleg left opener, followed by a redan par 3 second and then the first encounter with water on the sweeping left hander par 4 third. While approaching the third, the massive scale of the par 5 sixth is viewed on the golfer’s left and it whets the appetite for the challenge ahead. The balance of the front nine is a fine mix of pars and terrain with the meat of the course dead ahead on the back nine.
The home nine is a most interesting and stimulating inward half. Even with the ultimately reachable par 5 sixteenth, the last third of the course is a battle. The challenges are enhanced by terrific turf conditions and a multitude of subtle, yet unnerving pin positions. We received the Sunday pin on 17, which from the back tee appears to be on a distant hole from earlier in the round. The entire experience is extremely memorable and the overall vibe is one of pleasant satisfaction. Just like its indomitable patriarch Mr. Palmer, Bay Hill is for real in every respect.
George Wolfe