It ’ s a new year , and even though during the winter months in Virginia it may not look like golf season just yet , how about a little road trip south to northeast Florida to kick off your year ? There are plenty of top-shelf , highly touted courses in the Sunshine State to offer those first swings of 2021 , but this issue of Virginia Golfer takes a look at some of the hidden gems of the north region of Florida . All are within a short distance of Jacksonville International Airport , or if you ’ re driving , each course is not far away from the I-95 corridor .
Several of the courses offer exceptional public practice facilities , which may be worth the travel just to spend time fine-tuning your short game to prep for this season .
AMELIA RIVER GOLF CLUB (
ameliarivergolf . com , 904-491-8500 ) is bordered by the Amelia River on Florida ’ s Amelia Island and was built by designer Tom Jackson in 2000 . Three holes border the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport . Remarkably , there are no homes on the golf course .
The par-72 , semi-private layout is nestled into a forest of live oak trees , Sabal palms and wax myrtles and features six sets of tees , ranging from yardages of 6,808 yards ( back tees ) to 4,706 ( forward tees ) to challenge every ability level . The 18th hole meets the edge of the Amelia River ’ s tidal marsh . The course also uses TifEagle Bermuda grass on its greens and can offer an uncharacteristically speedy test for this region . “ We ’ re known for our greens and our green speeds ,” said general manager Mike Block . “ Our greens are definitely some of the fastest in this area .” While Amelia River is largely treelined , several holes feature a Scottish-links feel , utilizing tall grasses for strategic play on slightly undulating fairways . Its signature 17th hole , a 164-yard par-3 , features a peninsula green surrounded by water .
PHOTO CREDIT HERE
Amelia River Golf Club features some of North Florida ’ s speediest greens .
vsga . org J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2021 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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