Acclaimed Course Makes Perfect Pit Stop for Visiting Race Fans
(DELAND, Fla.) – Victoria Hills Golf Club – the award-winning Ron Garl-designed course managed by Billy Casper Golf and located in Victoria Park, a St. Joe community – welcomes race fans visiting the Daytona area for “Speedweeks 2009.”
Since opening in 2001, Victoria Hills Golf Club has earned a reputation as one of Florida’s finest courses. A stunning canopy of live oaks, tall pines and pristine lakes frame holes that flow naturally across rolling terrain, with more than 50 feet of elevation change from the first tee to the 18th green. Free-form waste areas and steep-face bunkers provide an unmistakable “Pine Valley” feel that strikes a chord with students of golf course design.
Race fans can test their golf mettle on a course that has hosted qualifiers for the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as numerous NCAA collegiate events. Victoria Hills added to its accolades in 2008 with rankings of No. 7 in the state by Golfweek and No. 10 by GOLF Magazine, which joined Golf Digest, Travel + Leisure Golf, the Orlando Sentinel and many others in singing the course’s praises. Victoria Hills delivers also outstanding value, with weekday rates from $29-59 and weekend fees of $29-69 (cart included).
Located 25 miles southwest of Daytona and just 1.5 miles from Interstate 4, Victoria Hills is readily accessible for a pit stop. For more information or to book tee times during Speedweeks, visit www.victoriahills.com or call 386.738.6000.
Speedweeks/Golf Lovers Itinerary
Saturday, February 7
Race: Budweiser Shootout – A heart-pounding all-star race pitting the top drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in a battle for supremacy on the legendary high banks of Daytona.
Golf: Victoria Hills Golf Club – The course alerts players to buckle up with its 429-yard opening hole. A starkly hewn waste area and red lava rock imported from Hawaii guard the undulating fairway, which leads to an elevated green complex flanked on the right by a stately live oak. Waste areas and flashed-up bunkering are the primary defense against par atVictoria Hills, which is eminently playable when hazards are successfully navigated. Six par 4s play less than 376 yards from the tips, the par 5s do not extend beyond 550 yards and the par 3s range from 136 to 221 yards between the “Champion” and “Challenge” tees.
Thursday, February 12
Race: Gatorade Duel at Daytona — Two 150-mile qualifying races determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. Furious competition is on tap as all the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams fight for a starting spot in the sport’s richest race.
Golf: Victoria Hills Golf Club – Now that you’ve kicked the tires, Victoria Hills’ design nuances will start to come into focus: the sand dunes on the par-5 sixth hole; the faux canyon (replete with boulders) dug out on the par-4 11th; the subtle risk/reward opportunities present on the majority of holes, not just the par 5s. But don’t forget the 19th hole. At Mulligan’s Tavern & Grille, located in the Victoria Hills clubhouse, executive chef Scot Choquette serves up contemporary spins on traditional pub fare. Breakfast, lunch are dinner are available.
Saturday, February 14
Race: Off
Golf: Victoria Hills Golf Club – The third time should be a charm – take what you’ve learned in previous rounds, proffer a risk or two and reap the rewards. Hit your tee shot down the left side of the par-4 third hole to set up a wedge approach to this heavily bunkered green complex; take a bold line over the right fairway bunker on the par-4 eighth to shorten the hole by 15-20 yards – these “tricks of the trade” should no longer be secrets.
Sunday, February 16
Race: Daytona 500 – Every driver dreams of hoisting the winner’s trophy — the Harley J. Earl — as Daytona 500 champion. Ryan Newman defends his title against 2008 Sprint Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson and a host of NASCAR stars.
Golf: Victoria Hills Golf Club – One last trip around this track before adjourning to the storied Daytona International Speedway!
Hey race fans, Victoria Hills Accolades 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 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.
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. Freedom Elementary 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, 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.
© 2008 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.
About Billy Casper Golf
Billy Casper Golf, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, was co-founded in 1989 by professional golf legend Billy Casper, the Masters and two-time U.S. Open winner who ranks seventh all-time with 51 PGA Tour wins. BCG serves its clients through three divisions: Billy Casper Golf, the full-service manager to golf-property developers, owners and public agencies; Buffalo Communications, the publicity, media-relations and marketing-communications agency representing many of the top brands in golf; and Buffalo Golf Trail, the customer-reward program providing consistent, high-quality experiences at BCG-managed properties nationwide.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (m/o)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
Daniel Mitchell
Buffalo Communications
253.312.4536
dmitchell@billycaspergolf.com
