Amelia Island Advice

[Buck Wolter]

Probably playing River and National there. Not sure if Palatka will work with schedule but considering that and/or Fernandina Beach as well.



Any thoughts on Deercreek, Queens Harbor in Jax or Marsh Creek in St Augustine? Worth a drive from Amelia?

Anything else in the area that should be on the list?

Thanks

[Jason Thurman]

Buck, I played Fernandina Beach muni a couple times back in 2018. I recall reading a bit about it on GCA. Tom Paul was a fan if I remember correctly. I am too! Nothing too awe-inspiring, but solid golf and an enjoyable walk played quickly for a good price. The North and West nines are the two I'd target - the South is fun but pretty hemmed in.


Probably the best logo-only pro shot merchandise of any public course I know of that costs <$100/rd too.

[A.G._Crockett]

Buck, I played Fernandina Beach muni a couple times back in 2018. I recall reading a bit about it on GCA. Tom Paul was a fan if I remember correctly. I am too! Nothing too awe-inspiring, but solid golf and an enjoyable walk played quickly for a good price. The North and West nines are the two I'd target - the South is fun but pretty hemmed in.


Probably the best logo-only pro shot merchandise of any public course I know of that costs <$100/rd too.

TEPaul and Fernandina Beach; I miss that!
I did the same thing; I played Fernandina because Tom had written about it so often.  I liked it a lot, for the same reasons you did.  It'll never host the US Open, but it is solid, affordable, unpretentious public golf.  I like that.

[Derek_Duncan]

Probably playing River and National there. Not sure if Palatka will work with schedule but considering that and/or Fernandina Beach as well.



Any thoughts on Deercreek, Queens Harbor in Jax or Marsh Creek in St Augustine? Worth a drive from Amelia?

Anything else in the area that should be on the list?

Thanks

Buck,


I wouldn't make a special trip to any of those courses you mentioned. Jacksonville Beach completed a fairly major renovation last year but I haven't seen it.


Oak Marsh at Omni Amelia Island is pretty solid -- 70s Pete Dye, very small scale and Lowcountry, think Harbour Town without the pizzazz.


Timuquana is great if you can arrange it.


I've always had a soft spot for North Hampton, a big maximalist Palmer design near Amelia National that just relentlessly throws one thing after another at you.


If you're driving down I-95, hit The Slammer & Squire at World Golf Village. I love Palatka but I'm not sure I'd recommend going all that way.

[Buck Wolter]

Thanks Derek.


We are flying in/out of Orlando so I was considering Palatka as a stop rather than a separate trip. Oak Marsh and North Hampton both look like good possible add-on's.


Buck

[Steve_Lovett]

Neither Deercreek, Queens Harbor, or Marsh Creek are worth a visit - no.


Consider Hyde Park - 1920's vintage diamond in the rough on Jacksonville's west side. Long time stop on the PGA Tour. Will be in rough condition but lots of character remains.


White Oak is a cool experience if you work out access.


King and Bear is better at World Golf Village than Slammer and Squire.


St Johns Golf & Country Club is near freeway south of Jacksonville.


If you can arrange access, consider Sawgrass Country Club, Plantation at Ponte Vedra, or Atlantic Beach Country Club.

[JBovay]

I'll second Derek's recommendations: Oak Marsh is probably your best bet on the island; Timuquana is great if you can arrange it; Slammer & Squire if you want to stop and play en route from Orlando (I haven't played King & Bear).

[JLahrman]

I was just there in November with my parents, my brothers, and their families. We didn't play golf, it was for family Thanksgiving and we had plenty to do just with our kids. Really enjoyed the town of Fernandina Beach, Ft. Clinch, and the beaches. Stayed in a place we found via VRBO that turned out to be owned by Jeff Saturday the ex-NFL offensive lineman. We really liked the island but didn't want to lug our clubs there for what probably would have been one round of golf (especially since none of the options on the island seemed particularly interesting). But since we might go there again please let me know if I was wrong...

[Buck Wolter]

Cooler heads prevailed and there will be no AI trip this spring. Sounds like our VRBO owner is going to offer us time in the future so this info won't be wasted.