ChampionsGate Golf Club - International Course

ChampionsGate Resort features 36 holes of Greg Norman designed golf – the International Course which is an authentic British links layout and the National Course which is a little easier and more scenic with wood lined fairways and strategic water hazards. Both courses, plus a lighted nine hole executive course, are part of the Omni Resort with upscale accommodations and amenities.

If you like a links style course that is unique, very demanding, reminiscent of the great courses in the British Isles, and a blast to play, then you need to call and book a tee time now at the ChampionsGate International Course. Some of what we liked about the International Course include:

• the layout is fantastic with no two holes that are the same
• it's in excellent condition and very well manicured
• its fair but very demanding
• it will throw a little bit of everything at you to keep you on your "A" game
• course management and club selection are critical to score well
• the greens are fast, all shapes and sizes, and fair
• waste areas, pot bunkers, and huge natural sand areas add beauty as well as hazards
• the sand is soft and deep

Each hole has it's own unique character and something that makes it both fun and challenging. You'll find dog legs, forced carries, risk reward opportunities, elevated greens and tee boxes, water on 15 holes, berms and mounds, contoured and sloping fairways, tight and tough approaches, and over 185 soft white sand bunkers from small oval pot bunkers to gigantic beaches suitable for over 150 umbrellas and beach chairs – I'm not sure that the coast has much sand left for their beaches. Speaking of bunkers, the fairways are lined with so many bunkers that each cart come equipped with a sand rake. For example, #18 is a 572 yard dog leg right with water and a natural area along the right side and berms and 24 pot and sand bunkers all along the left side.

When we played in February, conditions were excellent, even though the previous week was some of the harshest and worst weather Orlando had seen in years. The fairways were lush and soft, the rough was cut right, and the greens were near perfect. The greens vary in size and shape, are mostly flat to gently sloping, about average speed, and very fair.

Bottom line, even if you don't like a links style course, you need to play ChampionGates' International Course. Bring your "A" game and your best sand wedge – you'll need both. We played ChampionsGate Golf Course as part of a fun filled seven days in Orlando where we rode in an Indy race car, saw alligators on an air-boat ride, sky dived in a wind tunnel, flew a 1946 World War II fighter trainer, para-sailed, swam with the manatees, ate too much good food, enjoyed some fun nightlife, golfed 9 different courses, and got very little sleep! Read our Orlando Vacation article to learn more about this adventure packed vacation.