I was in Orlando for the Global Business Travel Association annual conference at the Orange County Convention Center. Before the conference officially began, EVA Air invited me to a spirited scramble at ChampionsGate Golf Club. I teamed with EVA’s Gary Huang and Daryl Yu, and Jack Jeremy from American Express completed our foursome.
Francis X. Gallagher, Daryl Yu, Jack Jeremy and Gary Huang (left to right) © Francis X. Gallagher
ChampionsGate features two Greg Norman–designed courses. The International Course showcases the open, windswept style Norman favors, with more than 130 pot bunkers scattered across its fairways and one of the highest course ratings in Florida.
We played the National Course, a more traditional parkland layout that winds through 200 acres of woodlands, swamps and a former orange grove. Norman’s design here is merciless in spots—holes 12 through 16 are lined with fairway bunkers, three holes include double doglegs, Hole 7 features a sunken fairway, and a very large green is shared by holes 4 and 16. It’s a thoughtful test that demands accurate shot placement.
The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is a very large property and feels a bit cavernous in public areas. The hotel provides shuttle service to the course, although driving and parking at the club is an option if you prefer.
National Course
Hole 2 | 517 yards, par 5
This opener is an imposing par 5. The tee narrows quickly with trees on both sides and a series of bunkers peppering the fairway, so placement is critical. The safer play is to carry the bunker on the left, which proves difficult when trees block the line. After a few players found trouble, I positioned our ball short and right of the left bunker, which let Gary unleash one of his trademark 3-woods and advance us toward the green. Daryl’s approach got us on the green and saved the hole, while Jack had other things on his mind ahead of the evening’s opening ceremony.
Hole 4 | 323 yards, par 4
This slippery little par 4 climbs toward the green and forces a choice: challenge the marsh that dominates the left side of the hole or favor the safer but tighter right side without rolling into the trees. Gary and I each learned the hard way—one into the marsh, the other too far right—but Daryl found the center of the fairway and steadied the team. The long, narrow green requires respect, but we pushed on despite the Florida heat.
Hole 13 | 389 yards, par 4
Hole 13 is a classic Norman dogleg that rewards a tee shot toward the right side to avoid rolling into the water on the inside of the turn. Missing left risks a wet recovery and the green slopes devilishly from right to left. After a brief refreshment stop supplied by United Airlines, we tackled 13 and all hit solid drives. Jack capped the hole with a well-struck shot to the green. Several bunkers on the dogleg’s far right sat empty that day—perhaps the groups behind us put them to use.
Hole 15 | 210 yards, par 3
By 15 the heat and humidity were intense, and fatigue was beginning to show. Hole 15 is tight and marsh-lined, so it demands a clean tee shot to reach the green. My tee ball came up just short, leaving a chip from the brush, while Gary and Daryl found the putting surface. Jack’s ball disappeared to the right. Daryl’s putt left him closest to the pin and set up a birdie, punctuating a strong stretch for our team.
Hole 18 | 636 yards, par 5
The closing hole is a true finishing par 5 that rewards a drive aimed left to open the best approach down the fairway. A long waste bunker runs from the tee toward the fairway and creates a deceptive visual challenge. Gary launched an exemplary drive into prime position, and in our scramble format we rallied to play off his ball. I managed a solid 3-wood down the fairway with rental clubs, and although a few shots drifted toward the water left of the fairway, Daryl’s approach onto the green saved the hole. Par didn’t win any tournaments, but the round delivered plenty of fun memories.
ChampionsGate Golf Club
8575 White Shark Blvd.
ChampionsGate, FL 33896
tel 407 787 4653
championsgategolf.com