Course Reveiw - The Avocet at Wild Wing.

Hello, today we'll take a look at the Avocet course at Wild Wing Plantation. Wild Wing is located on Hwy. 501 between Myrtle Beach and Conway. You can get more information about Wild Wing, including directions, rates and tee times at http://www.wildwing.com/ Wild Wing offers a wonderful training/practice facility. Pictured below (to the right) is the enormous putting green.

Wild Wing is a 27 hole facility. The Avocet has 18 holes and The Hummingbird has 9 holes. Wild Wing was at one time, a 72 hole facility.

History of Wild Wing Plantation.

The origin of Wild Wing Plantation dates back to 1991 when the Wood Stork course was opened. A second course, The Hummingbird was opened in 1992, and in 1993 and 1994 The Avocet and Falcon were opened. The facility was the largest in the area and was well known for it's great turf conditions, great customer service and tournament administration. In December of 2005, Wild Wing Plantation was sold to a group of local businessmen, who pledged to maintain the quality golf and commitment to service but also create a first class residential neighborhood, with fantastic golf and social amenities. The Avocet will remain as the focal point for golf and The Hummingbird will offer a 9 hole golf experience to compliment it. Development of the real estate began in 2006. Personal Note: It ended soon after. For more information, please see http://www.wildwingmb.com/

Course Review - The Avocet.

Today's review is provided by Lori's Golf Shoppe Facilities Manager Bob "Rocco" Desi. He is one of the few Sugar Gang golfers to brave the inclement weather.

Pro Shop -4 Pro Shop staff was friendly and shop was well stocked.

Outside Staff - 4

Tees - 4

Fairways - 3 Fairways were wet from recent rains. No fault of the golf course.

Greens - 5 Bob said they were the best he's played on recently.

Rough - 4

Grill/Snack Bar - 4 Great prices and each golfer received 1 token for a free draft.

Overall - 4 Bob suggests this course for all. I need to get out there, as it has been 5 years since I played there.

The Yardage.

Tips. Dark Teal - 7127 yds. Rating - 74.6 Slope - 133

Magenta - 6614 yds. Rating - 72.4 Slope - 124

White - 6028 yds. Rating - 69.1 Slope - 116

Forward Teal - 5298 yds. Rating - 70.4 Slope - 118

Hope all is well, God Bless, Sugar.

Course Review - The National Course at ChampionsGate

Hello again. I hope all of you enjoyed the Super Bowl. What a great story, and how precious were Drew Brees and his son Braylon. Okay here we go. Today we'll be reviewing The National Course at ChampionsGate. You can do a visual tour (animated) on their website, http://www.championsgategolf.com/ ChampionsGate Resort is located about 25 miles SW of Orlando, Exit 58 off of I-4.

The hole pictured below, is the par-3 #14. A tough hole, playing 152 yds. on the day we played it. We took the picture because it was attractive and looked difficult. It proved not to be that difficult for me as I have a natural fade built into my golf shots. A well struck 7 iron flew over the marsh, slid gently under the branch, spun back about 10 ft. and left me 30 ft. below the hole. With the hard work done, I just put a good stroke on the putt, and it found it's way to the bottom of the cup. It was my only birdie of the day.

Course Review. The National Course.

The National Course was my favorite of the 2 courses. The first 2 holes and the last 2 holes are on the clubhouse side of the road (no trees.) Navigating the tunnel under the road brings you to the #3 tee box. The change in the golf course is awesome. You are now surrounded by Live Oaks covered with Spanish moss.
The contrast from the International Course is very significant.

ChampionsGate will be included on my agenda for next years trip. I've also began hinting to Lori that it might be a great place to retire. The National stretches out as such: Tips - 7128 yds.

Blue - 6427 yds. White - 5937 yds. Red - 5150 yds.

The Review.

Pro Shop Staff - 5 Say hello to Vinny when your there. He's a former Myrtle Beacher.

Golf Staff - 5

Food and Beverage - 3 Beverage Cart service was good. Restaurant Staff (breakfast) needs work.

Tees - 4

Fairways - 4

Greens - 4

Rough- 4

Overall - 4+

The 15 holes across the street (collectively) were some of the most aesthetic and natural golf holes that I've played. I thoroughly enjoyed these 2 Norman designed golf courses, and would highly recommend them when visiting Central Florida. I'm looking forward to "getting after" the International. I played it in 30 mph winds, and it was a beast. I played well on the back, after I put the driver away, and started punching the 1 iron.

Hope all is well, God Bless, Thank a Vet, Hug a Soldier, Sugar.

PGA SHOW - CHAMPIONSGATE

Hello Everybody! Please let me apologize for my recent blogging hiatus. I have been in Orlando with Lori, attending the PGA trade show. The show is where we go every year to find all the new products for you to see in our shops. And as you can see from the photo (above), it' also a place to meet good looking women. The photo includes, from L to R, yours truly (Sugar), Lori, from Lori's Golf Shoppe, Chris Chapman, and Robin Ince. All of us were staying at The ChampionsGate Golf Resort via an invitation from one of our apparel vendors,
Izod G/Tehama. Chris and Robin were representing Robin's company, Mrs. Golf, out of Kansas City. I was asked by our rep. if I wanted to play with the pros, the answer was no. How good was my decision? Check out the picture. And people say I'm not that smart. You should have seen me strutting around the other golfers (male), chest out, head nodding, smiling. That's right boy's, this is how Sugar rolls. The Fat Guy and three good looking women. Okay, let's talk about the golf course now.

ChampionsGate Golf Resort. The International Course.
ChampionsGate, (yes it's spelled that way) is located just off of I-4, exit 58, about 25 miles southwest of Orlando. CG has 2-18 hole courses, The International and The National. It is also the home of The David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Let's cover The International! The International is a Links course, with absolutely no trees. The day we played it there were 30 mph sustained winds, with gusts to 45 mph. The International stretched out as such: Tips (black,) 7363-yds. Ouch! Blues at 6792-yds. Still too much for me. Whites at 6239-yds. Okay, I'll play from here. Gold (forward) 5618-yds. Lengthy! Don't forget the wind.

Review.
I would like to preface the review by stating that in my 30 yrs. of working in the Hospitality Industry, ChampionsGate's staff provided, by far, the best customer service I have ever received. Props to all!!
Ratings are 1-5, 1 is poor, 5 is great.
Hotel Staff, includes, Valet, Bell, Front Desk, House Keeping and Shuttle Service. 5
Golf Staff, 5
Restaurant, 3 The food was excellent! 5 minutes to be seated (empty dining area,) 20 minute ticket time (time from ordering to served.) This would have been a 1, but the food was awesome.
Golf Course,
Tee's 4
Fairways 5 This is based on the 2 or 3 that I hit.
Green's 4 Rolled excellent. There were a lot of ball marks. Bring your ball mark repair tools people.
Rough 4
Overall Rating 4 Awesome experience! I would suggest this course to all that visit Central Florida.

My next blog will review The National Course at ChampionsGate. Until next time, Peace, Love and all of the Above. Your lovingly dysfunctional blogger, Sugar.