LPGA International: Among Florida’s Finest Golf Courses

There must be a thousand golf courses in sunshine state of Florida, but among the very best are the two courses are the LPGA International. These outstanding courses are open to men and women members and to the general public. Located in Daytona Beach. they’re just minutes from the famous beach and the world renowned Daytona International Speedway. The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), headquartered here, oversees more than 800 golf events worldwide each year.

Opened in 1994, the LPGA International complex features two golf courses distinctly different in design that have hosted numerous LPGA Tour Championships. The Champions course is now the venue of the final LPGA Tour Qualifying School. There’s also a first-class driving range, three regulation-length practice holes, and a clubhouse that boasts all the fine amenities you might expect in a major resort facility.

The Rees Jones designed Champions Course is both challenging and picturesque. There are elevated tees and greens, the dramatically rolling fairways bordered by high mounds and old-growth trees, and many of natural and man-made hazards. Water is in play 10 of the 18 holes. The 18-hole Champions plays 7,088 yards from the tips for a par of 72.

The LPGA’s 1997 signature Arthur Hills Legends Course challenges golfers at every turn. The par 72 layout is a classic at 6,984 yards. Hills used a superb natural setting to create a masterpiece in playability and variety. It features natural wetlands, narrow pine corridors, small greens and strategically placed water hazards.

The Legends calls for the player to use their mind ahead of their muscles. Played from the proper tees, it poses an appropriate challenge to more accomplished players and fairness to high handicappers, seniors, women and junior golfers.

The Practice Facility at LPGA International is larger and superior to any I have ever encountered. Totally unique, it is what one might expect from the home of the LPGA Tour and the Teaching and Club Professional Division. The main practice area features an 80,000 square foot surface area of natural turf and 10 target greens. With a combination of perfect turf and high quality practice balls, there is no better place to practice.

There are six practice putting greens throughout our facility so that it’s never too crowded to practice this vital area of your game. Several of these greens have bunkers with different face heights to enable realistic bunker practice. There is also a bunker reserved only for fairway bunker shot practice.

In addition, there is a three-hole Practice Academy course that features a par 5, par 4 and a par 3. It is maintained to the same high standard as our two championship courses.

The practice facility hosts numerous college golf teams for their annual spring training, international teams, local school teams and a wide variety of golf schools.

LPGA International offers world-class golf instruction, school, and clinics. Florida is renowned as a top destination for golfers worldwide, and the LPGA encourages groups and individuals of all levels and ages to come experience our world-class golf instruction.

To learn more about these opportunities view www.lpgainternational.com. Also, see www.daytonabeachcvb.org to plan you trip to the area.

James C. Weaver
jweaver35@comcast.net

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