For those of us aspiring Tiger Woods the chance to play courses of championship quality are few and far between. Portugal's Villamoura area with Vale de Lobo & Quinta offer this opportunity but at what cost? Florida's answer to these courses start at just $45!!
Situated in Seralago Boulevard just off the US 192 in Kissimmee Falcons Fire is the opportunity to play a beautiful championship golf course for a reasonable fee. This Rees Jones 6,901 yard par 72 voted in Americas top ten courses by golf Digest also boasts one of the top US 100 Golf Pro shops with an array of golfing products. Having played this course in 1998 my recent trip in 2004 drew me back.
Having gone through Hurricane Charley on the Friday ( we played a week later) it was amazing to find the course open let alone in such great nick. The approach to the clubhouse is spectacular whereupon you are greeted by the valet parkers and cordially directed to the pro shop. Your clubs are removed and taken to the caddy-shack and loaded on your buggy. At the shop Fabian McIintyre and his team cannot do enough to help your round to get off to a good start with helpful advice. You can hire clubs - my playing partner did (a brand new set of King Cobra's) for $45 which is the only thing i thought was a bit expensive. Downstairs to your buggy and off to the starter who explains how the GPS (yes GPS on a golf cart) works. Its amazing !! Tells you hole distance, bunkers, yardage, pin position etc.
Once you are off and drive to your ball it updates you to your current position! . Wow!! No guesswork on a strange course at all. The course itself is fairly forgiving and the rough short but still a demanding round. The par 4 13th signature hole, over water with its myriad of bunkers is a frightening prospect from the tee so its a "grip it & rip it" and hope there's no splash! The beverage buggy usually appears at this time to get rid of the old dry mouth just before you hit it. Following your round you drop off your buggy and your clubs are taken care of. Disappearing into the "spike" bar we then partook of the comprehensive bar menu at very reasonable prices downing a well earned PINT OF BASS! Great club this! Deciding it was time to get back to the girls we exited to the car which was awaiting outside, trunk open ,clubs cleaned ready to go. A $5 to the waiting valet and we rode off into the sunset having had a thoroughly great day. Falcons Fire rates start at $45 low season up to $135 high season and I recommend you go early morning to avoid the heat of the day and the high handicappers as this is a public course. View the website on www.falconsfire.com or call the pro shop on 407-239-5445 for a great days golf.