Champions Gate Golf Resort

Orlando Florida
Part 2

by Ed Stone

Opened in October of 2000 the International Course offers four sets of tees, depending on your golfing ability. The tips or black tees allow the long hitters to play a 7,363-yard course while the forward tees stretch to a distance of 5,618 yards. Being a “bogey player,” I selected the white or gentlemen tees for a yardage of 6,239. If you are not a consistent long hitter, I strongly suggest you do the same.

The first three holes of the “outward nine” allow the golfer to warm up with a par 4, par 3 and a par 5. However, the number 3 hole,par 5 demands a long drive off the tee and then two very exacting shotsto make the green in regulation. It is narrow and quickly introduces you to the “links-style” course in a somewhat intimidatingmanner.

Stepping up to the number 4 tee box, I was introduced and challenged, all at the same time, by the number of fairway pot bunkers. Strategically placed, I knew I had to keep my tee shot to the center left of the fairway that breaks towards the lake on the right. The green is protected to the right by a very large sand bunker so keep your approach shot to the left portion of the green. Between number 4 green and number 5 tees, I noticed many old orange trees left from the days when the area was famous for excessive amounts of vitamin C.

Other outstanding holes on the front nine include numbers 7 (the number one handicap hole) and 8. Each of these presents water that one must contend one way or the other. On the left side of the eighth fairway, the bunkers are pretty much from tee to green. On the right side of the fairway is water…from tee to green.

Click on selected photos for expanded view.

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Images copryrighted CGA