MISSION INN GOLF AND TENNIS RESORT (352-324-3101)
Florida golf course review
OVERVIEW
Mission Inn - located just 1/2 hour NW of Orlando in Howey-in-the-Hills, is a remarkable golf destination, featuring two championship golf courses developed in Florida's most
beautiful terrain. In a setting adorned with Spanish architecture, spring fed lakes and historic oaks, The El Campeon and Las Colinas Courses provide 36 holes of golf
unparalleled in Central Florida. A review of El Campeon is featured below.
This privately owned and operated estate sprawls over 625 acres that are nestled in the hills, and includes upscale accommodations along with amenities expected at a top scale
resort. A variety of standard rooms and suites (200 total) are located in prime location to the pool/Jacuzzi area, and within walking distance of the hotel's main dining area and
meeting facilities. Additionally, gorgeous villas that are privately owned are leased back to Mission Inn for rental - and are available to the public. The El Conquistador Restaurant is
under new management, and serves impeccable meals (dinner only) in a beautiful setting - at affordable prices with extraordinary service, and is complimented by the Hacienda
Café which is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Sunday brunch is also served at Hacienda, and Nickers at the clubhouse serves a great lunch/dinner menu, as well as a
spectacular Saturday evening seafood buffet. Meeting and banquet rooms are abundant, and one can spend hours walking the manicured grounds, admiring the ornate
architecture and serene beauty of Mission Inn. For more info on the resort, visit our Florida or Orlando resort listing sections and visit the page we have developed for Mission Inn
Golf and Tennis Resort.
The golf courses feature terrain unique to Central Florida, with rolling hills and frequent elevation changes. Also present are abundant cypress trees and tropical foliage, with lakes
and natural areas. Players will find wonderful conditioning from tee to green, and ample informational systems on each course. Each tee area provides measurements to the
center of the green, 100/150/200 yardage blocks are present on the fairways, and 150 yard stakes are also visible. Pin placement sheets are posted on every cart, with the 3 hole
locations on the small greens rotating on a daily basis. The practice facility includes a grass range and spacious putting green that services both layouts.
EL COMPEON REVIEW
El Campeon has garnered many national awards and is annually recognized as one of the top 25 golf courses in Florida. The course was originally designed in 1926 by Charles E
Clarke of Troon, Scotland, as has since been renovated. With elevation changes of up to 85 feet and numerous water hazards (on 13 of the 18 holes), El Campeon is a challenge
for even the seasoned golfers. Players of all abilities can enjoy a resort golf experience however, as the design provides five sets of tees. The tips play to 6923 yards with a 135
slope, and the remaining tee areas measure: blues 6481/133, whites 6235/132, golds 5608/122 , reds 4811/119. There are a significant number of mild doglegs bending in either
direction, with water hazards often dictating the routing.
The opening hole is an attention-grabber , as the tee shot must carry a creek along a fairway that narrows considerable on the approach, to a putting surface with ponds to the right
and left. The second is a beautiful par three with water on either side short of the elevated green, and bunkers also protecting. Number three invites a tee shot to the left side of
the fairway, as trees along the right can make approached difficult. Long hitters have to be careful not to drive through the fairway into the large bunker along the right side. A raised
putting surface that quickly drops off creates the need for a high arcing approach. There is a considerable carry over a lake on four, with the approach playing entirely uphill - take
two clubs extra on the approach to the back to front sloped green. The fifth is a pretty par four with a fairway that slopes noticeably right to left. Aim for the right side here and aim
for the pin, as this elevated green is severely undulating. Another elevated fairway with significant bunkering on both sides awaits on six - which plays longer than the advertised
yardage. Seven is a great golf hole - and the number two handicap. A shot hugging the right side will leave a clear but long approach over the creek which runs across the fairway
about 165 out. There is not much room for error on the par three 8th which plays over water to a peninsula green. A shot aimed just left of the front bunker will hopefully yield good
results. The closing hole on the front is a short and simple par four - with out of bounds along the right, Avoid the fairway and green-side traps and this is the easiest hole on the course.
The par five 10th is demanding from the tips, with the whites playing about 80 yards shorter. This dogleg right has a water hazard that runs the length of the hole along that side. A
large oak guards the dogleg - and must be taken into consideration. Aim left and the hole plays considerably longer - go right and the hole shortens but the second shot is over
water. Eleven bends in the opposite direction and demands an accurate approach with grass swales on either side of the green. The twelfth is a well bunkered par three that
requires careful club selection, as it plays longer than the yardage indicates. This is followed by a short par four that begins from an island tee and plays over a pond with an eighty
five foot climb to the green. As with hole # 4 which plays adjacent, the approach requires two extra clubs to a putting surface that slopes back to front. Fourteen plays back downhill
to a narrow fairway with a water hazard guarding the dogleg (right) near the 200 yard marker. The 15th is a pretty par three over water to a peninsula green with ample bail out
room to the right, and precedes the shortest par four of the layout. A lay up off the tee to about 100 yards out is the recommended play - and the approach will demand extreme
accuracy as the island green is nearly surrounded by a bunker. The "Devil's Delight" is next - the signature hole of El Campeon. This is the tightest hole on the course - a double
dogleg with tall trees defining the fairway. Once you get close, you will find a tall oak sitting in the most in-opportune location, protecting the green from many angles. The approach
must avoid the oak, and carry a significant water hazard - with very little room long - an extremely tough hole! Save your high scores for this one. The last is also a challenge - and
the number 3 handicap. Cut off as much as you are able on this dogleg right over water. You can check out the 150 yard stake near the water to gauge your preferred distance and
location off the tee. The green here is long and undulating, and par is a great score.
El Campeon is a pure and premier golfing experience - with little residential development and abundant wildlife. Golfers will have to play their best to score well, but all levels of
players will delight in the serene setting. If you are looking for a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando's popular attractions and resorts (and traffic) - then Mission
Inn fits the bill and is highly recommended!
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Information page with a link to this course's web page (if available).
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf information page for Mission Inn Resort with a link to its website.
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