Jacksonville Golfers Guide Featured Course Stories

The four-man scramble is one of the most enjoyable formats for team competition in golf. After all, finding one decent shot out of four is a welcome proposition to many golfers. Beginning this spring, golf clubs across the country will be able to compete in The Great American Scramble and vie for the coveted title of National Champions in Las Vegas.

After the longstanding Buick/Oldsmobile Scramble shut down in 2005, golfers were left without a national scramble competition. PGA Professional Wayne Stone decided to change that. Stone created an event aimed at bringing excitement, camaraderie and team-building experiences back to golfers through the scramble format.

Stone, who is the director of Golf at Windermere Country Club in Windermere, Fla., decided there was enough interest to create a national scramble just by gauging the response of his members to the loss of the Buick event. Encouraged by the feedback, Stone set out to create the national tournament that was currently missing from the golf world.

THE PLAYERS is one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR and is widely regarded as golf’s “unofficial fifth major.” The tournament brings the best golfers in the world to the greater Jacksonville area and at the same time makes a significant contribution to a diverse number of charitable organizations throughout Northeast Florida.

Last year THE PLAYERS raised $2.8 million dollars for local charities and continued the PGA TOUR mantra as being the official sport of giving back. The tournament raises money primarily through ticket sales and sponsorships which greatly benefits a large number of groups.

“Realize that the money raised stays right here in the First Coast,” said Ron Natherson Jr., PLAYERS tournament chairman. “The dollars we give span the gamut of human services, youth initiatives, health care; all sectors you could ever imagine. We really touch them all, it’s wide reaching.”

Amelia River, renowned as one of the best conditioned courses in North Florida, continues to feature public and private play on its links-style layout. This Amelia Island gem, first opened in 2001, is one of the few in the area featuring TifEagle greens resulting in smoother surfaces for testing the golfer’s short game.

Add to that the wide-open putting green – and the spacious practice range – both of which allow golfers to be at their best after warming up for a round of golf. In the spring and summer of 2008, Amelia River Golf Club will be implementing an amazing price structure to keep golfers of all ages and abilities even more happy with the course.

In April and May 2008, golfers can play for $100 per round, per person when booking a foursome, including cart and range balls. In June and July 2008, golfers can book a foursome and pay only $75 per person per round, including cart and range balls. These prices will be available even after extensive renovations that added the new clubhouse and improved playing conditions at the public/private course.