| On our last full day in Florida we had a chance to | | | | of things do to, including a variety of waterfront |
| play another beautiful golf course, this one located | | | | restaurants, the Sanford Zoo, the Sanford |
| about half an hour north of downtown Orlando in | | | | Historical Museum, and Colonial Town Park, a local |
| the community of Lake Mary. Timacuan Golf and | | | | development that features restaurants, theatres, |
| Country Club was built in 1987 and was originally | | | | hotels, cinemas, shopping, all in all a nice area to |
| designed by a Ron Garl. In 1996 the course was | | | | walk around in. |
| renovated by architect Bobby Weed and today it | | | | We thoroughly enjoyed our round, despite the |
| is ranked in the top 14 in the state of Florida. | | | | grey, drizzly weather as Timacuan features a |
| Timacuan's other accolades include having been | | | | very scenic layout. The course had a wonderfully |
| chosen as one of the most golf-friendly courses | | | | friendly feel to it, and we enjoyed our chats with |
| for women by Golf for Women Magazine. | | | | course staff while waiting for our cart and were |
| Bobby Weed's redesign encompassed many | | | | warmly welcomed by the starter. Upon hearing |
| elements of the course and ensured that all | | | | that we were from Canada, one of the local |
| players will have an enjoyable round of golf. | | | | members generously gave us his chip for practice |
| Timacuan also features a large driving range and | | | | balls and this friendly ambience got us off to a |
| putting green. Par is 71 and the course plays close | | | | good start. |
| to 7,000 yards from the back tees. Timacuan's | | | | Hole number 2 is one of the most difficult holes |
| unique features include a links-style front nine and | | | | on the course, and I promptly made two |
| a Carolina feel complete with gorgeous pines and | | | | separate ball donations into the pond. The front |
| lakes on the back nine. | | | | nine is surrounded by an attractive residential |
| Timacuan Golf and Country Club also has a lighted | | | | development that never intruded into our golf |
| practice facility and is home to the Mike Bender | | | | game and a couple of holes actually feature |
| Golf Academy. Mike Bender is a two time North | | | | drive-through bunkers. The Carolina-style back |
| Florida PGA Teacher of the Year, and is ranked | | | | nine had its own set of challenges, particularly |
| by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 | | | | since water comes into play on seven holes. |
| Instructors and Golf Digest as one of the top 50 | | | | Timacuan's rates are quite reasonable: for June to |
| Instructors in America. While we were there, a | | | | October 2005 the rates ranged between $55 and |
| young golf aficionado was receiving a very | | | | $65, from November 1 to January 11, 2006 the |
| thorough one-on-one video-taped lesson and we | | | | rates vary from $69 to $79, and in high season |
| admired her elegant drives into the driving range. | | | | from January 12 to April 23, 2006 the rates range |
| We drove in on a winding road through a | | | | between $85 and $95. |
| residential area and were greeted by Timacuan's | | | | Driving directions: |
| spacious two-story club house. I had a chance to | | | | Lake Mary is located about 10 miles northeast of |
| talk with Kim Shield who handles marketing for | | | | Orlando and is easily accessible via the interstate |
| Timacuan, who explained that the club house | | | | system. Off of the I-4 take exit 101a to |
| features a full service grill room downstairs, and | | | | Rhinehart Rd (go right). First light Timacuan Blvd |
| can host up to 250 people in the upstairs dining | | | | (go left). Go one mile to the Timacuan entrance |
| room which has panorama windows that offer a | | | | on right. Follow Timacuan Blvd to the clubhouse. |
| beautiful view of the golf course, making it a | | | | Statistics |
| popular destination for corporate and private | | | | Par 71 Yards Rating Slope |
| functions. The club house also hosts a Sunday | | | | Gold 6915 73.7 135 |
| brunch from 11 am to 2 pm as well as a | | | | Blue 6403 71.2 128 |
| Wednesday night buffet. | | | | White 5892 68.6 119 |
| Kim filled me in on some other unique details on | | | | Green 5243 70.0 124 |
| this course. Considering its location in Seminole | | | | For more information please visit Timacuan Golf |
| County north of Orlando, it mostly serves local | | | | and Country Club's website or call them at (407) |
| residents. The area around the course offers a lot | | | | 321-0010. |