Highly Decorated Layout Moves Up to No. 7 on Prestigious List
(DELAND, Fla.) – Victoria Hills Golf Club – the award-winning Ron Garl design located in Victoria Park, a St. Joe community in DeLand – advanced two spots to No. 7 among Florida’s best courses in Golfweek’s 2008 Best You Can Play, State-by-State rankings available in the March 8 issue.
This distinction marks the sixth consecutive year Victoria Hills has earned a spot among the Sunshine State’s best, solidifying its position as one of America’s elite layouts. The survey, which included more than 700 Floridacourses, examined overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management and other criteria.
“We’re thrilled to move even further up the top 10 in Golfweek’s rankings, a highly regarded source for identifying the country’s finest golf experiences,” says Matt Payne, Head Professional at Victoria Hills. “Florida has a vast array of outstanding golf courses and we’re honored to be considered among the very best.”
One of the region’s most popular golf options since opening in 2001, Victoria Hills is set amid a stunning canopy of live oaks, tall pines and pristine lakes. The course’s rolling terrain features more than 50 feet of elevation change, with free-form waste areas and steep-face bunkers providing an unmistakable “Pine Valley” feel that strikes a chord with students of golf course design.
Victoria Hills was selected by the United States Golf Association and Florida State Golf Association to host a U.S. Open Local Qualifier in 2007. In selecting the courses, the USGA and FSGA cited their championship-caliber layouts, commitment to conditioning and ample practice facilities. The home course of the Stetson Universitymen’s and women’s golf teams, Victoria Hills has also staged a U.S. Senior Open qualifier and NCAA collegiate events over the past three years.
For more information about Victoria Hills, visit www.stjoegolf.com.
About Victoria Hills Golf Club
Victoria Hills was named one of Florida’s “Hidden Gems” by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, and has become one of the most sought-after rounds of golf in central Florida. Tucked away in the historic college town of DeLand, the course is conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Designed by Ron Garl, the stunning layout boasts more than 50 feet of elevation change, taking advantage of the area’s natural rolling hills, foliage and wetlands. Tall pines and majestic oaks frame the course while sandy waste areas and pristine lakes make for inspiring sight lines.
Other accolades for Victoria Hills include:
* “Top 10 You Can Play” – GOLF Magazine
* “4-1/2 Stars” – Golf Digest
* “America’s Best Residential Golf Course” – Golfweek
* “America’s Top 40 Best New Courses” – Golfweek
* “No. 7 Course in the State” – Golfweek
* “No. 2 Florida Public Course of the New Millennium” – Travel + Leisure Golf
* “Florida’s Best New Golf Course” – Florida Golf News
* “One of the region’s Top 10 courses” – Orlando Sentinel
* “Best 18 holes in Orlando” – Golf Life Orlando
About Victoria Park
Victoria Park features housing options for families of all sizes with new homes priced from the high $100,000s to more than $1 million. In addition to the award-winning Victoria Hills Golf Club, the community boasts other impressive amenities including: a 22-acre lake park, fitness center; swimming pool; lighted tennis courts; walking trails; bike lanes; playground and picnic facilities. An amphitheater serves as the focal point for community events facilitated by on-site Art of Living staff. Proximity to vibrant metro areas like Orlando and Daytona Beach and a number of cultural centers make Victoria Park an attractive option for those interested in city life conveniences and the personal familiarity of a smaller community. Several educational opportunities are available to residents including Stetson University, Florida’s first private university, and a number of excellent public schools. FreedomElementary School, an A-rated DeLand public school, is located adjacent to the community. DeLand Middle and High Schools are just minutes away. For more information, visit JOE.com | Keyword: Victoria Park
About JOE
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate development companies. We are primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. JOE’s mission is to create places that inspire people and make the region an even better place to live, work and play. We’re no ordinary JOE.
More information about JOE can be found at our website at www.joe.com.
© 2007 The St. Joe Company. “JOE,” “St. Joe”, “Victoria Hills,” “Victoria Commons,” “Victoria Gardens,” “Victoria Park” and the “Taking Flight” design are service marks of The St. Joe Company.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
