Tucked into the corner of Northeast Florida, just below the Georgia border, the Jacksonville area is a great golf and beach destination. The beach area is not in the city, but rather it is on a strip of beach communities beginning with Atlantic Beach to the north and ending at St. Augustine to the south. Jacksonville's beaches are home to a handful of beach-front resorts as well as the TPC Sawgrass complex, which houses the Stadium and Valley courses, as well as the PGA Tour offices. The PGA hosts its Players Championship event on the Stadium course every May. It's a great golfing destination with municipal and public courses all along the beaches and in town.
One Ocean Resort
Recently renovated and renamed, this oceanfront property was formerly the Sea Turtle Inn. Located in Atlantic Beach with direct beach access, guest rooms and the lobby area are sophisticated and contemporary. Many rooms face the beach and have porches where you can see--and hear--the surf roll in. Though there is no golf course on-site, the resort has an agreement with the Queens Harbor Yatch & Country Club, which has a Mark McCumber-designed championship course. The parkland course is tucked into a housing development, but does have views of the intracoastal waterway.
One Ocean Resort
1 Ocean Blvd.
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
(904) 249-7402
oneoceanresort.com
Comfort Inn Oceanfront
Formerly a group of condo complexes and open space, the Comfort Inn was built in the 1990s and is the only oceanfront lodging property between Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra. The hotel has a pool with four waterfalls, a spa, direct access to the beach and a restaurant on the property. Though there is no golf on-site, the TPC complex, Deer Creek Country Club, Jacksonville Municipal Golf Course and Windsor Parke Golf Club are within easy driving distance.
Comfort Inn Oceanfront
1515 1st St. N.
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
(904) 241-2311
comfortinn.com
Ponte Vedra Resorts
Comprised of two lodging properties--the Inn & Club and Lodge & Club--the Ponte Vedra resorts offer luxury oceanfront accommodations and access to two exclusive golf courses. The Inn & Club opened in 1928 and is one of America's grand, old hotels with white-glove service, opulent decor and luxury amenities. The newer Lodge & Club which opened in 1989, also has high-end amenities and on-site access to the Ocean and Lagoon golf courses. The properties share amenities, including pools, a high-end spa, a fitness center, multiple dining options, boutique shopping and a playground. The golf complex includes a putting green, practice bunker and driving range. Resort guests may also gain access to the TPC Stadium and Valley courses.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
200 Ponte Vedra Blvd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
(904) 285-1111
pvresorts.com
About The Author
Jill Dorson is a professional journalist who covered sports for nearly 20 years. A passionate golfer and traveler, Jill has covered professional and college golf, the NFL and everything in between. Jill has played golf all over the U.S.and hasn't found a destination she doesn't want to visit.
