ON THE TRAIL
TPC Sawgrass
Sitting at the tip of a narrow peninsula that strikes out 411 feet into the centre of a pond , the ‘ Island Green ’ at TPC Sawgrass is undoubtedly one of the most iconic — and most vexing — holes in golfing . The club was formed in Ponte Vedra Beach in 1980 on the impetus of PGA commissioner Deane Beman , and as the world ’ s first Stadium Course planned with spectators in mind , has been the home of The Players Championship ever since . While the signature 17th is supposed to test the best , TPC favours no particular style , giving any golfer the opportunity to tee up on a tournament-grade course .
GOLF COURSES IN FLORIDA
With more courses than any other state , Florida is a must-visit for golfers , says Emily Lush
Some 1,400 golf courses stud the Florida Peninsula and Panhandle . The Sunshine State ’ s love of the game can be traced back to the 1890s , when the first stay-and-play resorts were built for pleasure-seekers travelling south on the new railroads . During the ‘ golden age ’ of golf-course architecture in the early 1900s , designers descended on Florida to shape its marshes , grasslands and sand dunes into state-of-the-art greens . Their legacy lives on in the Historic Golf Trail , which has in turn inspired many of today ’ s modern clubs . While firstclass golfing is par for the course in Florida , these five spots stand out for their inspired fairways and exceptional facilities .
Sarasota National Golf Club
Clusters of sabal palms , pine and oak trees frame this 18-hole , semi-private course in the Gulf Coast city of Venice . An Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary , Sarasota was planned and executed with the environment in mind — which is why much of the property ’ s 2,400 acres are preserved as wetland . The championship course was designed by Gordon B . Lewis and is characterised by open , rolling fairways that are suitable for all levels . Sandhill cranes , white pelicans and gators are commonly spotted in the rough . illustrations : Lis watkins
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