WHERE TO EAT St Augustine
619 Ocean View at the Cabana Beach Club W: cabana-beach-club-dining +1 904 285-6198
Vernon's First Coast Kitchen & Bar W: vernons T: +1 904-280-3405 Orlando
Forte at Reunion Resort W: forte T: +1 407 662-1350
Omni Orlando Resort
at Champions Gate W: Omni at Champions Gate T: +1 407-390-6664 Fort Myers and Sanibel
Gasparilla Inn & Club W: Dining at Gasparilla Inn T: +1 877 764 1420
Harbourside Bar and Grill
at South Seas Island Resort W: Harbourside Bar and Grill T: +1 239-472-7535
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar
and Grille on Captiva W: docfordscaptiva.com T: +1 239-312-4275
Delray Beach
Throw Social W: throwsocial.com/delray T:+1 800-561-0755
After the perfect golfers' lunch of chilli dog, fries and a couple of local IPAs at Birdie's, which is loosely based on a 50s style diner, I am back on the tee of The Stable course which is basically a par 3 course. Now I played my first Par 3, or what they call in the US a short course in Alabama and I was blown away at just how well designed they were.
The Stable is no different and opens up with a 119-yard hole, which with today's wind is playing near 130 yards, to a raised green and over water. You can tee up anywhere from where the deck chair is placed. But, it’s when you reach the greens and see the contours in them and how well they’re cut and the speed that you realise this isn’t your average chip and putt course.
Left to right: 2nd, 4th and 5th holes
The 87-yard 2nd is played to another raised green with run-off areas and again ridges running through it, so to be honest reaching the green is the easy part. The green on the 90-yard 3rd is basically a horseshoe shape and today's pin is on the far part of the horseshoe and sits in a dip.
The 5th hole has water and bunkers protecting the green and is visually stunning The 6th may be the shortest hole on the course at 48 yards, but if you miss left you have bunkers waiting for you and there are so many pin placement options with each one a potential four-putt just waiting to happen.
Left to right: 6th, 7th and 8th holes
The 7th is another aesthetically pleasing hole with its front bunker and rock wall, but the 9th is truly a fitting finale to this course, playing the longest of the holes at 130 yards, over water to a wide green that not only has more contours than Keith Richards' face, but they decided to put a bunker right in the middle of it!
But, to be honest we’ve had so much fun we are going to play it again! What is also great to see are a father and daughter playing together and having a lot of fun. No matter which course you are playing at the PGA National Resort, make time to play The Stable course. Not only will you be glad you did, I bet you go round at least one more time!
