| For a real links-style golf experience we discovered | | | | refund; a phenomenal achievement, considering that |
| the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links, located in St. Cloud, | | | | several tens of thousands of rounds are played here |
| about 25 minutes southeast of the Orlando airport or | | | | every year. |
| the Disney area. The Royal St. Cloud Links greet you | | | | One of the very unique features of this course is the |
| with a rolling layout of links-style fairways, | | | | handcrafted stonework which is evident in four |
| punctuated by classic links bunkers that feature | | | | bridges found throughout the course that have been |
| names such as Hell, Spectacles, Devil's Pocket and | | | | hand-built by one individual brick by brick. Bill said that |
| Hoofprint. True to its link heritage, every club in the | | | | some of the bridges are even a little bit crooked, |
| bag will be utilized as the terrain is naturally varied. | | | | just to give them more character. The most famous |
| Unlike other Orlando golf courses, the Royal St. Cloud | | | | stone bridge can be found on the 5th hole and many |
| is free of any residential developments and offers a | | | | of the British visitors to this golf course come here |
| pure golf experience. The design features four sets | | | | specifically for this unique feature. |
| of tees and from the blue tee offers a championship | | | | Bill explained that his golf course serves a value-based |
| length of 7,111 yards and a 74.6 rating, all on flawless | | | | market that is composed of local residents, |
| fairways and silky-smooth Tifeagle greens. | | | | snowbirds escaping the cold northern winters, and |
| Its motto, as printed above the entrance to the club | | | | British golfers, a very loyal crowd who refer this |
| house is "Original Golf Played Here", and indeed the | | | | facility to many of their friends back home. |
| Royal St. Cloud features original style golf at its | | | | The Royal St. Cloud Golf Links have been rated as |
| unpretentious best. I had a chance to talk to Bill | | | | one of the Top 5 Most Underrated Golf Courses in |
| Filson, the Director of Golf and since 2002 co-owner | | | | the Orlando area and they have hosted the 2004 |
| of this facility. | | | | and 2005 British Junior Amateur. With its wide-open |
| Bill has an extensive teaching background. He has | | | | fairways the course looks deceptively simple, |
| personally studied under some of the top-ranked | | | | however, I experienced very quickly the unique |
| teaching professionals and brings 12 years of teaching | | | | challenges offered by the Royal St. Cloud. Traditional |
| experience that featured beginners to PGA tour | | | | links golf is played on the ground, unfortunately I still |
| professionals. Bill has consistently been a top-ranked | | | | managed to find water several times, despite the |
| PGA Professional. The Royal St. Cloud's teaching staff | | | | generously open fairways. |
| is complemented by Dave Rummels who brings 17 | | | | The other feature I really enjoyed were a number of |
| years of valuable PGA Tour experience with him and | | | | the ponds on the back nine of the course that were |
| can share advice from the "Tour" with the students. | | | | playing host to a variety of local wildlife and water |
| Associate Professional, Doug Holloway, has 16 years | | | | birds. I particularly enjoyed watching a very rare |
| coaching experience. | | | | specimen of wood stork stalking the edges of a |
| At the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links the commitment to | | | | pond for food, and a crane standing upright with |
| teaching the game of golf commitment includes | | | | stretched out wings. The course had a very relaxed, |
| state-of-the art video equipment and even a | | | | casual and friendly feel to it and we enjoyed a tasty |
| teaching tent for inclement weather. Lessons, | | | | hot dog after our game on the beautiful patio outside |
| programs, and clinics are offered for every skill level | | | | the clubhouse as a way to cap off a very enjoyable |
| and requirement. Bill explained that they run very | | | | golf experience on a gorgeous day. |
| reasonably priced children's clinics at $7.00 per clinic | | | | Driving Directions from the Disney Area: |
| and the club has 120 members in their junior program. | | | | Royal St. Cloud Golf Links is an easy 25 miles from |
| Ladies can also learn the sport without | | | | the Disney area. |
| embarrassment in a relaxed, comfortable | | | | (25-35 minute approximate drive time) |
| environment. And with every family membership at | | | | * Take Osceola Parkway to the Florida Turnpike |
| the club kids play for free. | | | | * Take Exit 244 to Hwy 192, turn left. |
| Bill prides himself on offering one of the greatest | | | | * Go 4.6 miles to Vermont Ave, turn right. |
| values in golf in the Orlando area. For the 2005-2006 | | | | * Take Vermont 2.1 miles to Creek Woods Road, |
| season rates vary from $46 to $48 from November | | | | take a left. |
| 1 to January 10, and $64 from January 11 to April 30, | | | | * Go only .7 miles to Michigan Ave, take a right |
| 2006. Discounted tee time rates are available after 11 | | | | directly into the Golf Club. |
| am or 12 pm respectively, 7 days/week. Bill went on | | | | Statistics |
| to say that the fees at the Royal St. Cloud are | | | | Par 72 Yards Rating Slope |
| always reasonable, and that he aims not to oversell | | | | Blue 7111 74.6 128 |
| his course, but to exceed the visitors' expectations. | | | | Gold 6680 72.2 125 |
| In addition, he offers a very unique proposition: a | | | | Green 6083 69.2 115 |
| 100% money-back guarantee with no conditions if | | | | Citrus 5531 66.6 111 |
| you didn't enjoy your playing experience at the Royal | | | | For more information please visit Royal St. Cloud Golf |
| St. Clouds. He said in the almost three years since he | | | | website or call them at (407) 891-7010. |
| has run this course only 2 people ever asked for a | | | | |