King & Bear, Slammer & Squire - Two legendary courses, one memorable experience

Think about Golf Legends and who comes to mind? Well, you are definitely going to think about Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Go back in time to an earlier era and you are going to think about Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. And how about the chance to play the Official Courses of the World Golf Hall of Fame? The golf courses at World Golf Village have it all. The King and Bear is the only collaborative design by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and The Slammer and Squire had Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen consulting on the design with Bobby Weed.

“Opened in 2000, King & Bear at World Golf Village is one of those courses that stirs the soul. Standing on the first tee, peering over the downslope, around the waterside bunkers and back up to the green, you feel a responsibility to the game. A responsibility to both the history and future of golf. Divots get sanded more frequently here. Extra pitch marks are repaired. Traps get re-raked with a bit more tenderness. Whether you play better is a whole other matter. But score is secondary here.” – Course Review of King & Bear in Florida Golf Journal

Teeing off from under the tower of the World Golf Hall of Fame at the Slammer and Squire is a just as magical an experience. You are not alone, only a pitching wedge away from the famous exhibits featuring Snead and Sarazen. Playing both courses is a must, with both offering very different course design challenges. Take a step back in time with the challenge of the Slammer & Squire that is reflective of the finesse game that made ‘The Slammer’ and ‘The Squire’ legends. Although a shorter course than the King & Bear, more importance is placed upon accuracy and the short game.

The King and Bear is reflective of the power game that ‘The King’ and ‘The Golden Bear’ brought to their era, with more forced carries off the tee and approaching the greens. As was evident during Palmer and Nicklaus’ inaugural match in 2000, there are many risk-reward holes. Palmer, as is typical, risked everything on the par 5 fifth hole, to reach the water guarded green in two, before sinking a huge eagle putt. However, Arnie’s ‘dream hole’ is the fifteenth, a dangerous dog leg to the right, with water all the way along the right and surrounding the green. Arnie liked this hole so much that he named it in his ‘Dream 18’ in Sports Illustrated’s Preview to the Ryder Cup.

In such a special place, it is not surprising that no stone is left unturned. The course conditions are tournamentready year round. Guests can expect the same standards as when the Legends Tour returns with the Handa Cup in December.

The clubhouses feature excellent restaurants with panoramic views, and the Slammer & Squire, in partnership with the World Golf Hall of Fame, has recently opened exhibits of Snead and Sarazen. Exhibits of Palmer and Nickalus at the King & Bear clubhouse will follow, but you can currently compare yourself to these greats via the GPS system that is on all carts at the World Golf Village golf courses. Keep your eye on the screen to compare not just your scores but your individual shots to Jack and Arnie’s during their inaugural match at the King & Bear.

To compliment Sam, Gene, Arnie, and Jack, is a staff that clearly prides itself on delivering a memorable experience. Customer service is exemplary at the World Golf Village golf courses. From the moment you approach the bag drop, you will be greeted by a smiling and welcoming staff member, to take away your bag and your troubles. Player assistants are available on the course to offer a cooling, mango scented towel, or to top-off your water, as well as to take care of your every need. And look for the fully stocked beverage carts and our friendly cart attendants who will visit you a couple times per 9 holes.

In addition to the World Golf Village’s rich attachment to history, the Slammer & Squire and the King & Bear are committed to the golfers of tomorrow, with various programs and special offers designed to bring new golfers to the game, as well as bring golfers who have left the game back. This year’s Women’s Golf Month featured appearances from LPGA Tour player Rosie Jones and World Golf Hall of Fame member Louise Suggs.

Family Golf Month featured appearances from Jacksonville Jaguar cornerback Rashean Mathis and punter Josh Scobee, former PLAYERS Champion Mark Mc-Cumber and his son, former Jacksonville Jaguars star Tony Boselli and local sports personality Sam Kouvaris. To hear about such events, and other specials, simply go to www.golfwgv.com and click on the ‘Join our E-Club’ icon.