The I-Drive area is known for its world famous attractions, non-stop entertainment, great dining and shopping and it is home to the second largest convention center in the U.S. And Orlando’s tourist corridor also provides a golf mecca known for its championship courses designed by legends to provide play year-round in this vacation destination.

 

Orlando is a true golfer's paradise. Take it from the professionals: In addition to being home to more pro golfers than any other city in the world, Orlando was voted the "North American Golf Destination of the Year" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators in 2010. And with a multitude of stunning courses designed by the likes of Nicklaus, Dye, and Fazio, Orlando offers visitors an exclusive golfing experience not found anywhere else.

 

Visitors enjoy choices of 170 golf courses and golf resorts, 20 golf academies, some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, top-rated professional players and course architects, and even the world’s top golf shops.

 

PGA Tour stars compete every March in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, and the top professional players return in October as the tour visits Walt Disney World for the Children’s Miracle Network Classic (formerly the FUNAI Classic and Walt Disney World Classic). The Del Webb Father-Son Challenge held each December at ChampionsGate is a popular stop for professionals like Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

 

From resort courses in the I-Drive area to nearby public municipal courses to exclusive clubs that allow public play, visitors find award-winning opportunities for golfers of all levels with quality layouts that make golf easily accessible.

 

In addition to golfing at one of the area’s two popular resorts, most accommodations in the area will arrange tee times for their guests. For details on planning a vacation in the I-Drive area, visit www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

 

This Dave Harman-designed, award-winning, 18-hole golf course is located east of Orlando's Orange County Convention Center at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. The par 72, 7,213-yard course layout is challenging and flexible enough to test the skills of players of all levels. The course has been named one of America’s Top 40 New Courses, and one of Central Florida’s Top 10 Toughest Courses by Orlando Business Journal. The course is open to the public.

 

Featuring undulating fairways and interconnecting waterways bordered by the natural backdrop of dense oaks and pines along historic Shingle Creek, the design makes the course play fair while testing all players. Five sets of tees enable golfers to select their individual degree of difficulty. Open to the public, the course takes its name from the pristine Shingle Creek which meanders through the property. Early settlers were drawn to the area by the abundance of game, fishing, ancient cypress trees, and the beautiful creek. Shingle Creek is part of the natural headwaters of the Florida Everglades, located some 140 miles south of Orlando.

 

The 230-acre, four-diamond resort opened in 2006 with 1,500 rooms and in addition to the golf course, includes the Brad Brewer Golf Academy, more than 445,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, a dozen restaurants, four swimming pools and a 13,000-square-foot spa. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently named the resort to the Florida Green Lodging Program. For resort and golf information call 407-996-9933 or visit www.shinglecreekresort.com or www.shinglecreekgolf.com.

 

Renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers designed one of Central Florida's most dynamic golf courses. In partnership with six-time major champion Nick Faldo, Smyers created each hole of Grande Pines Golf Club to be a strategic challenge that will bring out the best in each player's game. Nestled among lakes, tall pines, oaks and palms, Grande Pines Golf Club peacefully coexists with the native flora and wetlands. The course is committed to environmental stewardship, and is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The course is open to the public.

 

Named one of Golfweek's Top 100 "America's Best Resort Courses," the course is open to the public, and is located at Marriott's Grande Vista Resort. One- two- and three-bedroom villas feature spacious living and dining areas, full kitchen, and a master suite with oversized soaking tub, plus access to the Faldo Golf Institute® by Marriott. The resort also offers guests access to dining, tennis, basketball, swimming and much more. For resort and golf information call 407-239-6108 or visit www.grandpinesgolfclub.com.

 

One of the leading merchandise shows in the world, the 57th PGA Merchandise show takes place Jan. 26-28, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center. The show includes 10 miles of show aisles; 1 million square feet of interactive exhibit, product demonstration and industry presentation space; more than 1,000 top golf vendors; more than 40,000 influential PGA Professionals, manufacturing executives, VIP retailers, industry leaders & top decision-makers; 42 acres of product testing at the world’s largest Outdoor Demo Day exclusively for PGA Professionals & VIP retailers. www.pgashow.com.

 

The International Drive Resort Area is known worldwide as the tourist corridor of Orlando. Home to six of the world’s most famous theme parks (SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica-SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Wet ‘n Wild, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) and the second largest convention center in the U.S., the area also offers endless shopping, dining and entertainment.

 

The popular I-Ride Trolley provides convenient and affordable transportation to most accommodations and attractions throughout the area. Information and downloadable maps are available at www.IRideTrolley.com. For information and reservations for more than 100 resorts and accommodations visit www.InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

05/2011