Jacksonville’s publicity campaign is “Where Florida Begins,” an appropriate phrase to characterize Florida’s northeastern most city, situated on the St. Johns River within a few miles of the wind-whipped Atlantic Ocean. Jacksonville is one of the largest cities geographically, spreading over 840 square miles and encompassing the magnificent river and the Atlantic beaches. South of downtown Jacksonville, the river is two miles wide and looks like the majestic Chesapeake Bay. It flows north through downtown before heading east where it empties into the Atlantic at the city’s commercial seaport, a port of call for cruise ships.

The city, named after Andrew Jackson, figured prominently in the Seminole and Civil wars. It was first settled in 1816 by Lewis Hogan (probably no ancestor of Ben) and laid out in 1822. Today, it is a major banking and commercial hub and, of course, a well-known golf destination, boasting dozens of outstanding public access courses and famous golf resorts, including Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Greater Jacksonville, which encompasses Jacksonville Beach, is also home of the PGA Tour and the TPC at Sawgrass, site of the Players’ Championship.

According to its promotional material, Jacksonville is where “Unpretentious metropolitan style meets stunning natural beauty. Along this stretch of Atlantic coastline, visitors will discover an intimate warmth within the distinct districts that fill the area with its unique blend of flavors. Discover the heart of the city and endless stretches of pristine beaches, while exploring the region’s unique shopping, numerous dining options and warm Southern hospitality. With a moderate temperature year round, Jacksonville is home to numerous festivals, national and international sporting events, exceptional golf courses and world-class art and culture, get to know Jacksonville.”

Jacksonville, which has hosted the Superbowl twice, has many non-golf attractions. Jacksonville Landing, located along the north bank of the St. Johns River in Downtown has live entertainment and many fine restaurants. It is also the site of the annual jazz festival, featuring the biggest names in jazz. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens many features include the “Range of the Jaguar” exhibit, home to animals, birds and reptiles from South America, and over 1,000 plant species. The marine zoo is one of the best in the world.

Travel the outdoor waterways of Northeast Florida with Kayak Amelia. Offering guided tours for beginners and experienced kayakers, nature enthusiasts get an up close view of the wildlife surrounding the Timucuan Preserve. Be on the lookout for manatees, unique birds and even dolphins. There is also Kingsley Plantation, the oldest remaining plantation house in Florida. Wander through the remarkably preserved slave quarters, barn, plantation house, kitchen house and interpretive garden located on the waterfront.
Don’t miss Jacksonville’s local hotspot for chocolate lovers, the Peterbrooke

A short drive south of Jacksonville in St. Augustine is The World Golf Hall of Fame, featuring two exceptional golf courses, The King & Bear and the Slammer & Squire, as well as a golf museum showcasing the history of golf complete with trophies and other memorabilia.

Greater Jacksonville, which also encompasses Orange Park and Amelia Island, has over 1,224 holes of golf and 72 public and private courses. There are two delightful courses, primarily geared for vacationing golfers at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. These include the Lagoon course, a recently renovated short course of just over 6,000 yards from the back tees that meanders around lagoons and lakes and is especially suited for weekend and beginning golfers as well as more seasoned players. The resort’s signature course is the 6900-yard Ocean course, which is slightly mislabeled because it does not offer views of the Atlantic. It is a test, especially when the winds whip up.

I have played both courses at the World Golf Village and I prefer the Slammer & Squire. It is located adjacent to the Hall of Fame whose tower looms over the 9th and 18th greens. Designed by local designer Bobby Weed, the Slammer & Squire is a terrific layout featuring an interesting mix of short and long holes along lakes and marshes and through tall pines. On this wonderfully landscaped, non-gimmicky course, Weed says, “I worked off the existing pallette of natural features” that include fedder bush, myrtle, cypress and swamp hibiscus.

Slammer & Squire #7

On a course that has a nice rhythm to it, the holes that stand out include the 311-yard (from the tips) 14th hole, a delightful risk-reward par 4 that dares you to hit a green beside a lake. Layup tee shots must avoid a pair of fairway bunkers that cinch the landing area.

Slammer & Squire #15

The course’s par 3s are among the best you will play anywhere and include the magnificent #7, a 180-yarder featuring a tee box that is elevated in relation to the green guarded by large bunkers. A small lake on the left and trees all along the right side gives players the sensation of being off in the woods. Like all the holes on this gem, #7 is beautifully landscaped. It is one of the prettiest holes I have ever played.

Two other public courses worth playing are St. Johns Golf and Country Club and South Hampton. They are located within a couple of miles of each other in St. Augustine. Managed by Billy Casper Golf, St. Johns is located in an upscale residential community and was designed by Clyde Johnston, who also designed Eagle Landing, another recommended course.

Frequently hosting USGA and other tournament qualifiers, St. Johns has no design gimmicks, but rather is laid out over the terrain as Johnston found it. Its large greens have subtle undulations, and the course is beautifully maintained.

South Hampton is equally well maintained. It was designed by former Tour player Mark McComber. Like its sister course, North Hampton, a Palmer design located on the north end near Amelia Island, South Hampton is very popular and is a site particularly well suited for corporate outings.

Centrally and conveniently located on Southside Blvd. near the busy restaurant, hospitality and shopping area of Baymeadows Road on the south end of the city, Deercreek Country Club is a fine course in a beautiful gated community of splendid high-end homes and estates. The golf course, designed by Robert Miller, stretches to only 6684 yards but is a real tester. As residential development courses go, it is a terrific layout with many doglegs around lakes and environmental areas. Though the course is private, it is accessible to the public in the summer months, when member play decreases.

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