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Jason Connor

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Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« on: October 30, 2007, 02:00:28 PM »
My wife and I are relocating to Orlando and I've been looking around at clubs.

I'm assuming Isleworth won't have me.  Bayhill was surprisingly low on its initiation fee, $28k (though still more than I want to pay).

It's inland Florida so the topography isn't what I'm used to.  So I'm looking for a course that'll be fun to play 3-5 times a week -- one a guy who loves reading about course architecture would enjoy.  And I'd prefer a private club, so many courses there are resort affilitated, I'd like to shelter myself from the tourists.

We haven't bought a house yet and the courses may affect our home buying decision.  Places I've spotted online that seem to be affordable (i.e. initiation < 10k, preferably lower) and look interesting and close to locations where we're looking to live:

Orange Tree Country Club (Doctor Phillips)
Kissimmee Bay CC (Kissimmee)
St. Cloud GC (St. Cloud)

But so far my exploring has merely been on line as I don't know anyone in Orlando.  We're going down for a visit Thursday-Sunday.

If anyone here has opinions on Orlando clubs, especially from an architecture standpoint, please share.  Thanks
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Joe Bausch

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2007, 02:04:56 PM »
Well, I'm going to guess Lake Nona has a hefty initiation, but perhaps you'll fall into a pile of money soon.  That is a decent course and just think of all the good swing thoughts you'll have knowing Annika and Retief are members there.  :)
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Mike Sweeney

Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2007, 02:20:20 PM »
http://www.countrycluboforlando.com/

Still have not played it. Silva did a redo of Ross, I think.
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Doug Sobieski

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2007, 02:55:43 PM »
Jason:

Believe it or not, Orange Tree is probably the most exclusive club in Orlando. Nobody really knows it's even there, and they used to have only about 100 members. They probably get less play than anybody, so if you are interested in regular games, you probably can't count on it.

Bay Hill is where you'll find the best regular games/groups, and the best players (aside from the Tour players at Isleworth).

Rio Pinar is a good option you should look into. Sweetwater is a quaint little course in Longwood. Architecture-wise, if you can make the commute, Victoria Hills in Deland is a good semi-private option.

Feel free to IM me if you have any questions, or if you'd like to chat on the phone. It sounds like you have the flexibility to live wherever you want. If you have to drive down I-4 at all for work, you'll definitely want to factor that into the decision. Rush hour is a nightmare in Orlando because there is only one way through downtown.

Regards,

Sobe
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Mike Sweeney

Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2007, 03:56:38 PM »
http://www.themountain.cc/

Depending on how close you need to be.....
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Zack Kelly

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2007, 04:35:08 PM »
Jason,

I'd say Country Club of Orlando, I think its a great place with a great atmosphere.  The golf staff is great nice men's grill and the golf course is really really good.  I just wish they had a national membership and I'd join.  I've played it a few time and just can't say enough good things about it.  PM if you have any questions about it or if you need contact info.

Zack
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Steve_ Shaffer

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2007, 04:48:05 PM »
How about Peter Kessler's club?

www.interlachenccfl.com
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JeffTodd

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2007, 04:55:16 PM »
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Tiger_Bernhardt

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2007, 10:27:18 PM »
Sugar Loaf Mountain and Mountain Lake are my choices. Lake Nona is good but not my cup of tea
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Joe Hancock

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2007, 10:44:19 PM »
I know this isn't a wildly popular observation here, but the New Course at Grand Cypress has always been fun for me. 80 acres of turf cut down to 3/8 of an inch......... ;D

Joe
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John_Conley

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Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2007, 02:18:47 AM »
Quote from: Jason Connor on October 30, 2007, 02:00:28 PM
My wife and I are relocating to Orlando and I've been looking around at clubs.

We haven't bought a house yet and the courses may affect our home buying decision.  Places I've spotted online that seem to be affordable (i.e. initiation < 10k, preferably lower) and look interesting and close to locations where we're looking to live:

Orange Tree Country Club (Doctor Phillips)
Kissimmee Bay CC (Kissimmee)
St. Cloud GC (St. Cloud)

Check your PM and call me this week.  I am very familiar with the entire area and I even have a house for sale!

Are you familiar with the private club scene in Orlando?  It is probably the world's greatest market for an unattached player.

Assuming I wanted to join a club, I would choose:
1) Sugarloaf Mountain if I lived West
2) Rio Pinar if I lived close to the E/W Expy on the E side of I-4
3) Tuskawilla if I lived in Winter Springs or Oviedo
4) Heathrow if I lived N by Lake Mary, a very good club
5) Orange Tree as Doug suggests, but I've never seen it

I'd pass on Lake Nona and Isleworth simply because of the cost, but your finances may be different.

Interlachen is a WONDERFUL club with a very difficult golf course.  It is in Winter Park.  (*home for sale*)

The CC of Orlando would be another nice club if you are on the W side of I-4 in College Park.

If you're not "in Orlando" there are some excellent choices in the surrounds.  Sugar Mill in New Smyrna, Plantation near Daytona Beach, Suntree in Melbourne, or the CC of Ocala.  

Some people 'join' resort courses like Bay Hill, Mission Inn, or the Academy at Grand Cypress.

My advice would be to choose the right place to live and not join anything right away.  There are so many fun places to play that you could sample those before you settle.

Walkabout
Victoria Hills
Alaqua Lakes (may be private now)
North Shore
Eagle Dunes

Another to consider is Red Tail.  I haven't seen it since it opened but I'll bet they are pricing some of the large homes to move.
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Jason Connor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Orlando clubs worthy of an GCAer
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2007, 08:52:05 AM »
Thanks for all the feedback.

I'll definitely use this information and Doug & John's invitations as I make my decision.

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We discovered that in good company there is no such thing as a bad golf course.  - James Dodson
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