Amelia Island Golf Resort (Ocean, Long Bay, or Oak Marsh Courses)
Amelia Island, FL (20 miles from Jacksonville)
Ocean Course: 1973, Pete Dye & Bobby Weed (Glen Mills)
Blue 6108, 70.3, 134, 70
White 5584, 67.8, 126, 70
Fees: ~$187
Tee Times 90 days in adv.
T&L Golf rates Long Bay at 5/5 stars; then Ocean, Oak Marsh, and GC Amelia at 4/5 stars.
T&L Golf Review, Ocean: Bobby Weed's creation features 5 oceanfront holes and another 10 with lagoons or marsh wetlands in play. Pros: The sheer beauty of the ocean holes. Plus, if you're a straight hitter, length is not a demand. Cons: On almost every hole, sacrifice distance for accuracy. Leave the driver in the bag.
OTHER AREA TRACKS TO PLAY: Per T&L Golf, stretch your golfing dollar with a round at strong value Ferdinandia Beach GC ($39-$45, 800-646-5997). A fine example of mid-20th-century municipal minimalism with 3 nines designed between '56 and '72 by former club pros. Simple tee boxes, small greens, and deep bunkers set in an enchanted maritime forest.
ARRIVAL & STAYING
T&L Golf says arrive via JAX airport, about 30 mins. from the island, shuttles available. Stay @ Amelia Isl. Plantation or the Ritz-Carlton (the Ritz provides exclusive access to GC of Amelia Isl.).
BEST BAR NEARBY:
Two ocean-side clubs, Sandy Bottoms (904-277-0814) and Sliders (904-261-0954), offer live music. For the neighborhood bar scene, there's O'Kane's Irish Pub & Eatery (904-261-1000). The Ritz (904-277-1100) offers nightly entertainment from small jazz combos to big-band orchestras.
WHERE TO GRUB:
Seafood is the way to go here. And the Golden Grouper (904-261-0013) makes seafood in the traditional style (fried, broiled or baked) or with a cajun twist. For something funky, order the crab burger. Brett's Waterway Cafe (904-261-2660) offers good seafood with the best view on the Intracoastal Waterway. Or check out the Marina Restaurant (904-261-5310), annually named as one of the area's 10 best. For a casual meal after a round at Amelia Island, try the Down Under Marina Restaurant (904-261-1001, $$) in Fernandina Beach. It's a waterside seafood shack under the bridge that carries Highway A1A over the Intracoastal. You can't get much more Florida than that.
In their Players Championship preview issue, Jacksonville Magazine recommends these Amelia Island locals-only spots to get a flavor for the island: Green Turtle Tavern (14 S. 3rd, Ferdinanda Beach) is known for a good beer selection and live acoustic music in a turn-of-the-century house with a wrap-around porch, giving it a homey feel. The hip Moon River Pizza (925 S. 14th, www.moonriver.net) has a wide local rep. T-Ray's Burger Station (202 S. 8th @ the old Exxon Station) is a true locals-only joint that doesn't even have to advertise, this breakfast and burger spot in two converted gas station service bays doesn't even have a sign outside (other than the old Exxon moniker). Baxter's Bar & Grill (4919 First Coast Hwy) is a steakhouse without any of the steakhouse pretense, so shorts or jeans are just fine. Serving USDA Certified Angus Beef, with a full bar and good wine selection. Hit the Fernandina Farmer's Market (Centre & N. 7th, www.fernandinafarmersmarket.com, Saturdays 9-1 only) for farm fresh foods of all kinds. Gourmet Gourmet (1408 Lewis) is a perfect spot to grab a picnic lunch on your way to American Beach. Cafe' Karibo (27 N. 3rd, www.cafekaribo.com) serves mircobrews, tasty pub grub, friendly service, and live music. And Wendesday Trivia Night at the Crab Trap (31 N. 2nd) has great atmosphere at the upstairs pub.
From T&L Golf Florida Golf Getaways, Nov '06
FERNANDINA BEACH
THE PLACE
This historic port town on Amelia Island, a former shipping hub once preyed upon by pirates, lies thirty miles north of Jacksonville. It’s convenient to a number of superb courses and has a lively downtown. For a splurge, book a round at the Golf Club of Amelia Island, part of an encompassing Ritz-Carlton resort.
PLAYING
Fernandina Beach Golf Club 904-277-7370; www.fernandinabeachgolfclub.com ; $44–$49. Though it will never match the conditioning of the Ritz-Carlton course nearby, this bargain muni abounds with charm. Winding through inland oaks and pines, its three nines (designed by a pair of club pros) sport small push-up greens and plenty of doglegs.
The Golf Club at North Hampton 904-548-0000; www.hamptongolfinc.com ; $49–$75. Arnold Palmer’s design team pulled out all the stops here, creating holes that play over man-made moguls and fescue-covered dunes to boldly contoured greens—a rarity in this part of Florida.
Laurel Island Links 912-729-7277; www.laurelislandlinks.com ; $40–$55. Slip across the Georgia border to this Low Country course, the second joint design by Mark Love and Davis Love III. Three early holes merge with salt marshes of the broad Crooked River before the layout turns to a secluded inland area.
STAYING
Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island 904-491-4911; www.hamptoninnsuites.com ; $99–$189/night. Convenient to the region’s golf, this clean, modestly stylish hotel along the Intracoastal Waterway is just steps away from lively bars and restaurants.
DINING
Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro (Regional); 904-321-2558. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating at this Southern-inflected place near the marina.
O’Kane’s (Pub fare); 904-261-1000. This Irish pub offers a casual, well-executed menu, a fine selection of beers on tap and live entertainment.