TPC-Sawgrass
Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, just south of Jacksonville, TPC Sawgrass is home to the PGA Tour's administrative offices, the annual Player's Championship and the Stadium and Valley courses. The facility has a new Mediterranean Revival clubhouse and a golf school. The Stadium Course, on which the Player's Championship is held in May, is a tough, tricked-up course with fast greens. The Valley Course, adjacent to the Ponte Vedra Marriott, has giant greens and plenty of water. Both courses were designed by Pete Dye. Tee times are available to the general public, and advance reservations are suggested.
TPC Sawgrass
110 Championship Way
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904) 273-3235
http://tpc.com/sawgrass
World Golf Hall of Fame
Located in St. Augustine, about a half-hour south of Jacksonville, the World Golf Hall of Fame offers an interactive look at the history of golf. Standing exhibits include information about Hall of Famers, and there are often special featured exhibits about professional golfers or others who have made contributions to the game. Inductions are usually held in November. The Hall of Fame is open at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at noon Sunday, and tickets include access to the on-site IMAX theater and 18-hole putting course.
World Golf Hall of Fame
One World Golf Place
St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 940-4123
http://www.wgv.com/
World Golf Village Courses
In the same complex as the World Golf Hall of Fame, you'll find two golf courses designed through collaborations of some of the best golfers in history. The King & Bear, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and the Slammer & Squire, designed by Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen, are challenging championship courses set in the woodlands and wetlands of North Florida. Both courses are dotted with lakes and live oaks. The PGA Tour Golf Academy is also on site.
World Golf Village Courses
One World Golf Place
St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 940-6088
http://www.wgv.com/golf/golf_courses.php
Other Activities
Besides golf, you'll find plenty to do around Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a premier, small facility with Florida jaguars, a giraffe feeding area and a giant kids play zone with water features, a playground and a petting zoo. In downtown Jacksonville, the Landing and trendy San Marco areas are tourist destinations with shops, dining and live entertainment. And the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is a small facility with more than 5,000 works and gardens filled with rare plants under a canopy of live oaks.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 757-4463
http://www.jaxzoo.org/
The Landing
2 Independent Dr.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 353-1188
http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32204-3336
(904) 356-6857
http://cummer.org
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
