Florida Golf Resorts

Florida's East Coast features many excellent opportunities for a dream golf vacation.

You will also find world-class golf shops, golf lessons, and opportunities to stay or live right on championship courses.

Click on one of the links below to plug into some of Florida's premier golf resorts. locations for the avid golfer!

Guests from all over the world arrive at Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, a soothing retreat situated within the lush surroundings of Aventura, an exclusive enclave in North Miami. This stunning Mediterranean-style hotel sitting on 300 tropical acres offers 395 spacious guest rooms and suites, two Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed championship golf courses, two tennis clubs and a 117-slip marina A private Ocean Club on the Atlantic boasts a beautiful beach, pool, cabanas and water sports. Or visit the Spa at Turnberry - the ultimate spot to get in shape or let yourself be pampered. But for those craving a golf getaway, Turnberry's two championship golf courses are the main event.

Both courses have been completely renovated to the exacting standards of the legendary Jones. The North Course is a par 70 and measures 6,403 yards. Watch for the 7th hole, which proves that short isn't always easy since the small sloping green presents a difficult target. Club selection is vital on the 17th hole that allows no room for error.

The par-72 South Course measures 7,003 yards and ends with a splashy finish on Turnberry's famous 18th hole, "Island Green." Other noteworthy holes include 3, a water-filled hole affected by winds coming off the ocean, and 15 where water poses problems once again for players of all skill levels.

One of Turnberry's prime vacation packages for golfers is available until Dec. 21, 1999, offering unlimited play each day. "Turnberry's Tee Time" includes two nights deluxe accommodations, daily breakfast, unlimited daily green fees, golf accessories, daily admission to the resort's spa and more. Cost is $279 per person, per night from Sept. 12 to Dec. 21.
After an invigorating day on the links, it's time to indulge in the resort's award-winning restaurant, The Veranda. A signature menu, which starts each meal with a basket of fresh baked breads, features a fusion of South Florida's tropical flavors combined with fresh, savory ingredients such as local produce and seafood.

To find out more about Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, phone 1-800-327-7028 or (305) 932-6200 or visit their Web site at: www.turnberryisle.com.

Cool ocean breezes are blowing, palm trees are swaying and you're spending the day on the golf course in a subtropical paradise tucked into the heart of the fantastic Florida Keys. Cheeca Lodge is situated on a 27-acre estate in Islamorada, where 154 villa rooms and suites dot the landscaped resort complex, 49 traditional guest rooms make up part of the main lodge and penthouse accommodations offer luxury and privacy.

Each oversized, air-conditioned guest room features paddle ceiling fans, tropical decor and, in most cases, private balconies. If you prefer a certain amount of self-sufficiency, the villas are equipped with kitchens.

After breakfast it's time to pay a visit to the local golf course. Cheeca's executive par-3, nine-hole golf course was created by the company that builds Jack Nicklaus' courses. The holes on this short, but demanding course were contoured and shaped to challenge any golfer.

A complete selection of water sports are part of this resort's charm, from snorkeling and parasailing to fishing and diving. The 1,100-foot palm-lined beach is perfect for strolling or sunning, followed by a dip in one of two freshwater swimming pools, one of five hot tubs or a saltwater lagoon with meandering ponds.

Camp Cheeca, an organized activities program for children ages six to 12, keeps the kids busy while mom and dad spend the morning on the golf course.

Cheeca Lodge has earned a reputation for fresh, festival meals. The Atlantic's Edge, a gracious plantation-style dining room, offers a tempting array of fresh pastries to round out the sophisticated dinner menu. Informal meals are available both indoors and poolside at the Ocean Terrace Grill which specializes in such regional cuisine as stone crab claws. The Light Tackle Lounge is a place to relax and enjoy lively piano entertainment.

For more information, phone Cheeca Lodge at 1-800-327-2888 or (305) 664-4651. You can also learn more by visiting their Web site at: www.cheeca.com.

Two renovated golf courses, a new water attraction and a new clubhouse are just part of a multi-million dollar campaign to develop new facilities, attractions and renovations at Doral Golf Resort and Spa. Set among 650 tropically landscaped acres in Miami, the 694-room resort is one of only a few in the world to offer 99 holes of golf.

Five championship courses and a nine-hole, par-3 course provide quality golf for players of all skill levels. Doral's Blue Monster course, renovated and lengthened with the addition of 11 new bunkers, is home to the Doral-Ryder Open. The par-72 course plays 6,701 yards from the regular tees, with a famous 18th hole that is considered one of the most challenging finishing holes on the PGA circuit. Two par-3 holes are rated among the top 25 in the country.

The par-71 Red course, with 14 water holes, plays 6, 210 yards. The par-70, 6,602-yard Raymond Floyd Gold course is famous for its narrow fairways and water holes, including the signature island green at the 18th hole.

Doral's newest addition is the Silver course at Doral Park. This par-71, 6,614-yard course is famous for its signature 14th hole and was recently renovated by Jerry Pate. There's more exciting news at Doral and it involves Greg Norman, winner of 84 international titles including two British Opens. Norman is designing and lending his trademark name to The Great White, a new par-71, 6,800-yard course scheduled to open in January 2000. There won't be any roughs on the desert-style course, which will feature three distinct zones of palm forest and European-style sod wall bunkers.

The resort's recently renovated guest rooms are situated in three- and four-story lodges located close to the main clubhouse. Forty-eight of those guest suites can be found in The Spa at Doral, a resort within a resort. Garden resort room accommodations are included in the Championship Golf Package, the perfect way to sharpen your skills or simply enjoy a relaxing round. Also included are 18 holes of golf with cart per night, breakfast, introductory golf clinic and unlimited use of the driving range.

Families will enjoy one of Doral's newest additions, the Blue Lagoon. This spectacular water playground features five exotic pools, cascading waterfalls, spacious poolside cabanas, Jacuzzi and massage cabanas. Bungalou's, a bar/grill restaurant, provides a venue for live music and entertainment.

Guests at the Doral Resort have several dining options, though all use the freshest quality ingredients in dishes that reflect the flavors of South Florida/Caribbean cuisine. Windows offers a panoramic view of the gardens, fountains and Blue Monster's famous 18th hole. Terrazza Restaurant and Cafe is perfect for casual indoor or outdoor dining. In addition to traditional soup and sandwiches, Terrazza specializes in Floridian cuisine.

Champions Sports Bar & Grill is a casual sports bar, complete with roadhouse-style fare and large-screen televisions. The Atrium Restaurant, located in The Spa at Doral, is the resort's premier fine dining restaurant. Enjoy tantalizing entrees that combine health-conscious ingredients and striking flavors.

To plan your holiday at Doral Golf Resort and Spa, phone 1-800-71-DORAL or (305) 592-2000 or visit their Web site at: www.doralgolf.com.

Boca Raton Resort & Club

Situated on 356 acres in Boca Raton, the heart of Florida's Gold Coast in south Palm Beach County, the Boca Raton Resort & Club has reinforced its reputation as a premier golf resort with the recent $6.5-million reconstruction of the Resort Course. Each hole on this 18-hole, par-71, 6,253-yard course has been redesigned.

The addition of extensive water features and a variety of elevation changes have created renewed interest throughout the course. Each hole offers five sets of tees, with the back set providing an challenging level of difficulty for seasoned golfers.
The Resort course is one of two championship 18-hole courses at Boca Raton. The Country Club course located at the Boca Country Club, just minutes from the resort, was designed by Joe Lee. This par-72 course plays 6,585 yards from the back tees and offers a signature island green on the 18th hole.

Fully-stocked pro shops, complete practice facilities and two prestigious golf schools are part of the attraction. The 1999 Golf Package offers two nights of accommodations, unlimited green fees with shared cart on either course, daily golf clinic, daily breakfast and much more. Rates vary depending on the season.

Parents can enjoy full days on the golf course while their children participate in the resort's Boca Family Fun program. Supervised daily recreational programs are geared to four age groups, starting at age three up to 17.

The Boca Raton Resort & Club is a architectural delight, with hidden gardens, barrel tile roofs, archways, ornate columns and intricate mosaics. All of the resort's 936 guest rooms, located in five different areas of the resort, feature deluxe amenities. Golfers may prefer the Golf Villas - 120 rooms and suites secluded from the main hotel overlooking the Resort golf course.
Additional features include 34 tennis courts, five pools, an indoor basketball court, four indoor racquetball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a 25-slip marina with full fishing and boating facilities and a half-mile of private beach with water sports facilities.

The resort also provides endless dining choices. Options include Italian fare at Top of the Tower, offering a panoramic view of the coastal waterways; American-style cuisine in Chauncey's Court overlooking the championship golf course; tropical beach dining in The Cabana; or elegant dining at Nick's Fishmarket, featuring outstanding fresh seafood indigenous to the area.

Learn more about the Boca Raton Resort & Club by calling 1-888-495-BOCA or (561) 447-3000, or by visiting their Web site at: www.bocaresort.com.