[Doug Wright]

I'm planning a trip (with non-golfing spouse) in late February to celebrate   my entry into Senior er Champions Tour eligibility. The two options are the Amelia Island/Ponte Vedra areas near Jacksonville, Fla. and Palm Springs/Palm Desert, Cal. I've read the Palm Desert thread from a few weeks back, which is helpful re that area. For those who have visited both areas, what say you about the relative golf-worthiness of these two venues from a GCA standpoint (say, four courses minimum). I guess it's safe to assume I'd play one round at either TPC Stadium or PGA West, so three other courses.

Many thanks, and Happy New Year to all.

[Matt_Ward]

Doug:

Palms Springs has the better depth of courses and it's fairly easy to access many of them. If you pull up the info on the Palm Springs thread you will find plenty of options. Just keep in mind that you'll need one or two credit cards to play some of them. If you're looking for course options that won't break the bank I recommend the following:

*Desert Willow (Palm Desert) / Firecliff Course
*Desert Dunes (Desert Hot Springs)
*Marriott's Shadow Ridge (Palm Desert) *go with twilight play for the lesser rate!
*Landmark (Indio) Play the North layout if possible.

On the Jacksonville side there are plenty of options but a few of the better layouts are spread out from TPC Sawgrass. I would recommend making the trek to Palm Coast and playingthe Nicklaus Course called Ocean Hammock. It's about 90 minutes from TPC Sawgrass but well worth playing. I see the course as the third best public -- only behind TPC Sawgrass and World Woods / Pine Barrens. I also like Ravines in Middleburg but I have not been back in a few years ad I'm sure others may have more recent comments.

Enjoy your trek no matter what direction you head ...

Happy New Year too and I hope our golf paths cross again when I return to Colorado in '03.

[Dave_Miller]

Doug:

The course at Amelia Island Plantation is fine.  The old Sawgrass is good as is TPC.

The only caveat I give is that the weather in Northern Florida, while it should be fine, can be very cold.  A couple of years ago one of my sons and my daughter were playing in a tournament at Amelia Island in January and the temperatures were in the High 20's and low 30's.

The weather in that area is very similar to South Georgia.

If you go further south in Florida you can get great golf and be sure of good weather.

Maybe some others can give better info on the weather.

Hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas,

Best,
Dave

[RJ_Daley]

Doug, I am in the same boat when planning such a trip with a "non-golfer" wife. :-/  So for me such a decision would be based on what can she do or what would she like to do when you are out on the golf course?  I liked some of the FL options the two times I was there, particularly having St. Augustine nearby as that sort of atmosphere appeals to my wife, and I like it too .  

Frankly, if there were any other possibility to make a different choice from those two, I'd take a chance on the iffy weather and go to Charleston or Savannah.  There are so many more things for the ladies to do there.  And the golf course selections are good enough to keep you engaged.  

[Joel_Stewart]

I've been to both a number of times and its almost like night and day.  Florida being more tropical with the ocean and of course Palm Springs (which is used in name only, you probably want to go to Rancho Mirage) is of course desert.  If you are looking for golf, I have to agree with Matt.  With over 100 courses in the area, Palm Springs has it all although 80% are geared for seniors and moderate skill level players.

Palm Springs area has much better resturants, a couple of indian casinos, shopping, and ultra resorts to budget hotels.  With that said, Amelia Island and The Ritz can be very nice and its more peaceful.  Either way you are going to have a good time.

Email me if you want specifics on the Palm Springs area.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Doug,

I wouldn't sweat too much over the weather at Amelia, as the average high in late Feb is 69 degrees.

[ForkaB]

Doug

I lived in Ponte Vedra for 2-3 years, so I am BIASed, but here are the arguments for that place:

1.  Better "real" golf.  TPC, Sawgrass CC (27), some old Ross stuff up in JAX, some new private ones that get good reviews (Pablo Creek).  Mostly full of golfers and not posers.

2.  Location, Location, Location.  Beaches vs. Deserts.  2500 miles further away from LA.  St. Augustine vs. Indio.

3.  Apres golf.  Walks along the beach.  Nibbling on gator tails whilst listening to world-class blues on shacks along the bayous or on bars on the trailer trash sections of the beach, or even at the posher semi-private clubs in and around Ponte Vedra.  St. Augustine (again), which has more history and charm around each corner than Palm Springs has in its entirety.  Shopping malls that are so low key and "reasonably" priced that even Winona Ryder would consider using her credit card, rather than her scissors were she to deign to visit there......

I hear that Amelia is just as funky, but I don't think that the golf is as good, even though Fernandina Beach Muni is Tom Paul's all-time favorite non C&C course.

Enjoy

Rich

PS--Scott is right.  By late Feb, the weather should be just fine.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

I would concurr with most of what I have heard so far.  If money were no object I would probably go for Palm Springs, but that may be partly because I get to JAX area more often.  But I think JAX area might have more things for a wife to do off the course also.

I would also add to the list of courses mentioned that Palmers new Golf Club at Northhampton (public) is now open off the Amelia Island exit north of JAX.  Interesting golf course, and quite affordable.  (Certainly not minimalist as they pushed up a lot of dunes looking land, but some good holes.)

Also down near JAX the GC at Flemming Island (Bobby Weed) just got 5th best new Affordable Public course in this months Golf Digest.  I liked it, but didnt think it was quite that good.

If you are looking down nearer to St Augustine which I would not only for the golf but for the off course distractions as well.  You not only have Ocean Hammock as mentioned above, but also Nicklaus's Grand Haven off the same Palm Coast exit.  

Also I would not miss The King and The Bear at World Golf Village.  I do not think as much of the Slammer and the Squire Course, but King & Bear is great (although spendy).

Also there is a new course (which may eventually be private I am not sure but someone told me you can get on at this time) that just opened on that same exit (World Golf Village) done by Arthur Hills I think.  I will probably butcher the name, but I think it is Palencia GC or something like that?

I will also mention at least in passing that if you have any way to pull strings at a private club, I have heard great things about the relatively young Pablo Creek CC in JAX, but I have not had the chance to see it first hand.

[chris neblett]

Yes, Palencia will soon be a private course.  It is supposed to be nice.  In addition if you have any pull to get on a private course why not try Timuquana Country Club on the west side.  In addition, if you have never played it, a Donald Ross course Ponce de Leon will be dug under in the next few months.  It has been changed greatly over time, but still might be worth the visit.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

 In addition, if you have never played it, a Donald Ross course Ponce de Leon will be dug under in the next few months.  It has been changed greatly over time, but still might be worth the visit.

Thanks for the note on Ponce de Leon, I may try to play it in January when I pass through there if for no other reason than it will forever be gone after that.  Where is it in JAX?  I assume public.  Any other details you can think of?

Thanks,

[Chris Neblett]

On Highway 1 between Jacksonville and St Augustine.  It actually is almost in St Augustine, about 5 miles north.

[guest]

Nibbling on gator tails whilst listening to world-class blues on shacks along the bayous or on bars on the trailer trash sections of the beach, or even at the posher semi-private clubs in and around Ponte Vedra.

Saying that Ponte Vedra has "world-class blues" is like saying that Myrtle Beach has world-class golf courses.  

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