The Tournament Committee consisted of Rich Grula, Natalie Wells, Marci Likens and Bill Geisler (left to right) with Dennis James and Mike Stevens missing from the above photo.
Let’s start with other hickory-friendly golf courses in the area.
DUBSDREAD GOLF COURSE
Dubsdread has been Orlando’s home golf course since 1924. It’s set on a rolling Florida layout between the houses of the College Park neighborhood. It looks easy, but it’s not. Lots of open fronts for rolling approach shots. The Tap Room is a great bar restaurant right off the practice putting green.
MT. DORA GOLF CLUB
Mount Dora Golf Club is billed as “the longest 5,700 yards in Florida,” which is high praise for this par 70, 88 acre challenge with both down and uphill lies, to keep the best golfers on their toes. Not fancy, but lots of fun and always reasonably priced.
PINECREST GOLF CLUB (Avon Park)
A mostly unrenovated Donald Ross gem located about 90 miles southwest of the WP9. Not a cookie-cutter Florida course. Very good club restaurant.
DINING OPTIONS
Winter Park has a lot of great restaurants. Here are a few we recommend.
- THE COUP – Comfort food and Southern fare from the folks that brought us 4 River Smokehouse
- 4 RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE – probably the best place for smoked meats in Winter Park. The Fairbanks Ave. branch is on the way for anyone who has to get on I-4 to go home.
- BOSPHOROUS TURKISH CUISINE – Amazing Turkish food. Lots of outdoor seating on Park Ave.
- THE RAVENOUS PIG – An American gastropub with a large outdoor beer garden/dinning area.
- ANTONIO’S – Italian & pizza in nearby Maitland. Upstairs is fancy, downstairs and outside casual.
- OLEA MEDITERRANEAN GRILL – Imagine a Mediterranean version of Chipotle. Easy, tasty and casual.
2023 Winter Park Hickory Classic 