Orlando Golf Trail

The Orlando Golf Trail, a collection of accomplished golf courses and well-situated lodging properties along the Interstate 4 corridor, is adding a new club to its bag. The organization recently announced the introduction of an all-encompassing Web site that will allow users to book every aspect of their Orlando golf vacation.

On this site, you can link directly to a course's Web site, book tee times online at each course and receive a quote for a golf outing or a golf vacation package at a variety of properties in one, easy place. 

Consisting of 11 golf courses and six lodging partners, the Orlando Golf Trail represents the absolute best the state of Florida has to offer. Specifically, Orlando's combination of quality golf and family attractions makes the city one of America's top tourist destinations and the ultimate place to Stay & Play.

The Orlando Golf Trail features architectural works by the world's most acclaimed golf course designers including Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Greg Norman and Rees Jones. One 36-hole facility along the trail has become a popular site for a tough tournament designed to test the mettle of future PGA Tour stars.

With two championship courses (Panther Lake and Crooked Cat), on-site lodging facilities and one of the largest practice areas in America, Orange County National was an obvious choice to host the PGA Tour's Q-school finals.

The most pressure-packed tournament in professional golf first came to OCN in 2003 and has returned in 2005 and 2007. Including the most recent rankings, Orange County National has earned the prominent 4.5 star Golf Digest rating every year since opening in 1999.

You'll also find 36 holes of championship golf at Champions Gate Golf Club, home to both the National and International Courses. Greg Norman designed the 36 holes at the facility to offer golfers a blend of tradition and modern elements and to create a unique golf experience.

One of the area's best new courses, Shingle Creek Golf Club , was designed by David Harman. This 18-hole championship course measures 7,228 yards from the tips and features undulating fairways and interconnecting waterways bordered by the natural backdrop of dense oaks and pines along historic Shingle Creek. The club is also home to the Brad Brewer Golf Academy.

Established in 1993, Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club has been recognized as one of the top places to play in not only Central Florida, but the entire Sunshine State. Designed by Steve Symers, this hillside course is known for its distinctive look, imaginative design and impeccable playing surfaces.

Celebration Golf Club is a unique collaboration by the father and son team of Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr. Opened in 1996, Celebration is an upscale daily-fee resort course that exudes an atmosphere of beautiful tranquility and fun, challenging golf. It boasts 18 distinctly fascinating holes with a great deal of variety throughout.

Hunter's Creek Golf Club is no stranger to hosting important golf tournaments. The award-winning course has welcomed the U.S. Open qualifying tournament (1989-1994), PGA Tour Q-school (1989) and the Florida State Public Links Championship (2008). This Lloyd Clifton design is set among towering pines and 13 lakes creating a classic Carolina course atmosphere.

Also included in the Orlando Golf Trail collection is the meticulously manicured Falcon's Fire Golf Club , Robert Trent Jones, Sr.'s Metro West Golf Club and the tropical Ridgewood Lakes Golf and Country Club .

Accommodations offered in conjunction with the Orlando Golf Trail range from the budget-conscious to the sublime. Guests can choose from the likes of the Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, the World Quest Resort Orlando and the Omni Orlando World Resort at Champions Gate.

The Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate consistently receives the prestigious AAA four-diamond rating and is one of the nation's premier golf, meeting and leisure retreats. The resort has 720 guest rooms and suites, as well as two- and three-bedroom villas equipped with every modern convenience and a host of luxury amenities. In addition to walk-out golf, guests may choose to relax in the European-style spa, dine in one of five restaurants or enjoy 15 acres of pools and recreation activities including the 850-foot lazy river.

To deliver the very best in customer service and an intimate knowledge of its golf facilities and lodging options, The Orlando Golf Trail has partnered with Golfers Guide Travel Services, which will operate its call center and handle every aspect of planning and booking your ultimate Orlando getaway. To get started on your trip to the Orlando Golf Trail today, call 1-877-ORL-TRAIL or visit www.orlandogolftrail.com.

Savvy golfers know that Interstate 4 is far more than just the quickest way to get from Orlando to Tampa and back. It's also home to the Orlando Golf Trail, a collection of 11 courses, all among Florida's finest. This trail is far shorter than the Appalachian version as the entire trail is within a 15-mile radius of the Orlando County Convention Center and the ever-popular theme park attractions. The close proximity of the courses allows for short travel times so that golfers can spend more time on the links and less time in the car. And that of course, makes it easier for the die-hard golfers among us to knock off two rounds per day.