The Omni Orlando Golf Resort at ChampionsGate might well have had its roots on the Scottish moors. A wild and windswept place, not unlike many I've seen at the Home of Golf, the vast Mediterranean-style resort sprawls across 1,200 acres of Florida's natural wetlands and is the centerpiece of the ChampionsGate community. With two challenging par-72 championship golf courses, both designed by Greg Norman, The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is the answer to the golfer’s prayer: one of those few spots with plenty to see and do - Disney is just a few miles down the road - so you can take your family along with you.
The resort is secluded, yet not too far from the great attractions in Orlando itself – Walt Disney World is just a short, 6-mile drive away, Sea World is 14, and Universal Studios are 16 miles. The on-site amenities are extensive and, although the nearest beach is way the other side of Orlando, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, relaxed and happy.
The facilities include a world-class spa, that I can personally recommend; seven, bars, grills and restaurants - David's Club, Zen, Trevi's, Croc's, the Broadway Deli, ChampionsGate Golf Clubhouse, and the Lobby Bar; a Lazy River you’ll have to line up for, and eight luxury, poolside cabanas complete with high speed Internet. But golf is the main attraction and perhaps the best offering, besides the two championship courses, is the one-of-a-kind, lighted par3 golf course, and it's no more than a short stroll away from poolside.
The Omni is, in my opinion, the answer to the golfer’s prayer. This is one of those very few spots where you can take a non-playing family on vacation and get away with disappearing for an entire eight hours doing that which you love to do best – playing golf. And, speaking of golf: that’s why we’re here, right?
With 36 holes on two championship courses designed by world-renowned master of the game, Greg Norman, ChampionsGate is sure to become one of the most popular golf destination in Florida.
The two courses are still quite young, but maturing rapidly. The greens are all in great shape. The fairways are smooth and forgiving, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get an easy ride. Greg Norman has a Machiavellian imagination. His conservative use of the vast natural wetlands along with a tricky flair for design has turned this otherwise bland, mid-Florida acreage into a golfer’s dream. Hundreds of bunkers guard the greens, fairways and approaches, and every last one of them placed to perfection. No matter which tee box you decide to use, the result is always the same: the wayward shot is sure to find a sandy home.
The International is an authentic links-style course some 7,363 yards in length. If you’ve ever played any of the great courses in the United Kingdom, you’ll feel right at home here. Bounded by heavy rough, the fairways and bunkers look as if they were carved by the onshore winds off the coast of Scotland. When the weather is less than clement, I can see the International could be just as wild and windswept and any the Home of Golf might have to offer.
The National, on the other hand, is a true American-style course. At 7,128 yards it offers a rare challenge. The par 3s look easy and inviting: they are not. The par 5s (554, 627 and 636 yards) look long and treacherous; they are. The tee shots are intimidating. The bunkers are awesome and have been placed with flair. The National is one of those courses that’s a treat to contemplate playing but, if all doesn’t go well, can leave you drained. The trick to playing well is, without doubt, good club selection and to play short rather trying to “go for it.”
ChampionsGate is also the site chosen as world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academies . The on-site academy, and its 26 locations worldwide, offers instruction, based upon Leadbetter’s own methods and philosophies, to pro and amateur alike. Each of his instructors are golf professionals that have undergone a year of stringent training that qualifies them to carry the title of “Leadbetter Certified Instructor.” These guys are good.
Want to try the master himself? Well, you certainly can, but the waiting list is long and you’ll have to make way for the likes of Ernie Els, Michelle Wie, Nick Price, Scott Hoch and Lee Westwood, to name but a few. Still, if you can wait, and if you have the necessary dollars, an afternoon with “The Man” would be an extraordinary experience and the memory of a lifetime.
“I have often thought what the ideal golf academy setting would look like; fortunately, ChampionsGate offered me the chance to design such a place.” David Leadbetter
Florida boasts of more than 1,000 courses catering to golfers of every level of skill. For instance, in the Naples area alone, which includes Marco Island, there are more than 40 golf courses, and there are more being constructed each year. The Southeast Atlantic coast offers more than 100 courses.
Here are a few you must not miss:- The TPC Sawgrass PLAYERS STADIUM Course
- Dye's Valley Course at Sawgrass
- The Blue Monster at Doral
- Regatta Bay in Destin
- The Kelly Plantation in Destin
- Indian Bayou in Destin
- The Rookery on Marco Island
Where To Stay:
- Compare Prices on nights for Omni Orlando ChampionsGate
- Orland Hotel Guide
How to get There:
The closest regional airport is, of course, Orlando International Airport. The airport is served by Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, Northwest, and by international airlines from around the world.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
- Compare Prices on Airfare to Orlando
- Compare Prices on Rental Cars
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter.
