CELEBRATION GOLF CLUB (9407-566-4653)
Florida Golf Course Review - March 13, 2003 - Photos updated November, 2006
Designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened for public play in 1996, Celebration Golf Club boasts one of the
finest daily fee courses in Central Florida. This golf facility (named "Business of the Year in 2004 by the
Kissimmee/Oceola Chamber of Commerce) is a centerpiece of the Celebration residential community, which
features classic architecturally designed homes, an innovative school and health care center, and recreational
and community services that provide advanced lifestyle opportunities for today's families. Located just minutes
from Disneyworld near the I-4 and 192 intersection, the Celebration Golf club is designed around a series of
pristine lakes with clusters of native oak, pine and magnolia trees dotting the landscape. Water comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes, with the par four second being the only exception.
Golfers will find finely sculpted greens and tee areas, and will be happy to know that the short rough that defines
the ample fairways is quite playable. Forced carries off the tee are frequent, though reasonable in length - and
players from the forward tees catch considerable "breaks" in distance and tee positioning, which often take the
hazards out of play. Uniquely, Celebration provides 5 sets of tees - with the fifth set (green tees areas) aligned to
provide par threes at each hole. What a great idea - as beginners/juniors can "practice" on the 2247 yard layout
from the par three tees while experienced golfers can choose challenges from 6772, 6257, 5724 and 4949
yards. This is wonderful for "family golf" and is great for newcomers who want to join their golf buddies without
being totally intimidated on what can be a challenging course (135 slope rating from the tips).The average player
will find the Gold tees (6257 yards and 129 slope) to be reasonable - although the scorecard indicates that men with a 15+ handicap should choose the silver tee areas (122 slope).
Amenities at Celebration include a beautiful clubhouse and a pro shop fully stocked with golf accessories and
attire. The men's/women's locker rooms provide showers and changing areas, and a full service restaurant and
lounge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Two ice chests are standard on each cart, along with rear
canvas shields that provide shelter for clubs during rain and inclement weather. On course, sprinkler heads are
measured to the center of the green, 150 yards stakes are visible on all par fours and fives, and each tee box
has posted measurements. Pin placement sheets in the carts indicate daily hole locations. All the above
amenities, as well as top notch conditioning and service, serve the public well, and have made the Celebration Golf Club a worthy host of the Florida State Public Links Championship!
The opening hole is a fair starter - a short par four with a tee shot over a pond and water on the left all the way to
the green, from 160 yards out. There is plenty of room on this rolling fairway. There is no water on the second -
although a marsh area must be carried off the tee - with a length of 140 + yards necessary to reach the fairway
from the gold tees. From short grass, this is one of the easiest holes on the course. Number three is a simple par
three with plenty of room for error right and left of the green. This precedes an interesting par five - with water
hazards in play off the tee and on the approach. Long hitters can hug the left side opf the fairway and attempt to
reach in two, but the tight approach beckons for golfers to play this as a three shot hole. A large bunker between
the putting surface and water hazards provides ample reason to aim for the right side of the green. The par 3 fifth
has water left and woods to the right, but at 138 yards from the golds is one of the best birdie holes on the front.
These 5 opening holes present an opportunity to get off to a great start - and help one to warm up for the next
four which are the 7th, 3rd, 1st and 5th handicaps. A very reasonable carry over water to a wide fairway awaits
on six. A huge bunker complex divides the fairway into a wide area right and a narrow opening left about 110
yards from the green. Though not overly long, most will attempt to reach in three and play for par - as the
approach is extremely tight. There is plenty of room between the fairway bunkers on number seven, but the rolling
fairway tightens with two bunkers just left of the putting surface - making par a good score here. Eight is equally
difficult, with a tight fairway leading to an approach that must avoid the water and natural area short right. The
ninth fairway presents a wide landing area, but a natural area right and considerable mounding along the left create the possibility of a difficult lie. Par is a good score to close the front.
Bunkers on either side of the fairway encourage a lay up off the tee on the short par four 10th. Mounding and a
perched green creates an approach to the flag that is nearly blind here - pay attention to the pin placement sheet.
Cutting some distance off the tee by bending a shot to the right over the water and towards the fairway traps is
recommended on 11. Anything hit to the extreme left of the fairway may go through, and will almost certainly
leave a two shot approach and very little chance at par on this long dogleg right par four. After a wide open tee
shot on twelve, a long iron placed past the fairway bunkers about 100 out will leave an easy approach and a
possible birdie try. Between the 12th green and the 13th tee boxes, you are treated to a short drive through an
upscale residential community - the homes here actually add to the charm of the course. The par 3 thirteenth
demands a carry over water from the two back tees, but 30 yards of fairway provides bailout room and ample
landing areas for those landing short of the elevated green complex. Aim for the 150 on the short but tight par
four 14th. Dense woods on both sides of the fairway and wetland preserves left of the green make this a target
golf hole. A lay up past and just to the right of the 150 stake will leave the most advantageous positioning to
approach the elevated green on 15. Accuracy is the key on this 335 yard par four. A high, soft shot is needed to
carry the deep bunker fronting the green. There ia abundant room left on the par three 16th. Anything leaking
right will probably find the water hazard that protects the putting complex on that side. Another short par four
follows, and demands a tee shot hit down the middle to about the 100 yard marker. Anything longer may find the
water right or one of two fairway bunkers left. The approach is extremely narrow. An ample landing area greets
you on the finishing hole, which is the longest hole on the course. The advice in the yardage guide booklet -
complimentary to all players - is to lay up on the second shot, short of the water hazard on the right, about 100
yards from the green. We second the motion. Like seventeen, the fairway narrows considerably as you approach the green. A deep bunker left and the hazard right, make this a challenging shot.
A day at Celebration Golf Club is one well spent. On our visit, the course was in wonderful shape from tee to
green. The golf ambassadors were knowledgeable and friendly, and the practice facilities left nothing to be
desired. Besides an ample putting green and short game area with practice bunkers, a unique water driving
range is also on property. Golf Digest has awarded the property a lofty 4-1/2 star status in its "Best Places to
Play in 2006/07" publication - and also lists Celebration as one of the nation's top service facilities. Our
personal experience there bears this out! Rates top out at around $130 with cart during prime season.
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Information page with a link to this course's web page (if available).
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