Ginn Challenge, Florida
by Ian Dawson

In my role as Director of Golf Programs at Merit Golf Vacations I am often required to spend time on the road. Visiting world class golf resorts and playing world class golf courses, just so that I am comfortable in recommending them to you! I tell my wife I hate being on the road! Away from the family, especially in the winter – yeah right! But it is part of my job, and a guy's gotta do what a guy's has gotta do!

I have been fortunate enough over the past thirty years to play some of the finest golf courses in the world, and I am most excited for this opportunity to share some of my most recent experiences with you. Hopefully you will allow me and my staff at Merit Golf Vacations to turn my experience into a great experience of your own.

My most recent trip took me down to the Ginn Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida where we were invited to experience what they call The Ginn Golf Challenge. Believe me this is not for the Mickey Mouse golfer. Ginn Resorts have developed an incredible program that was designed to appeal to the "HARD CORE" golfer. FIVE rounds of golf over FOUR days played on golf courses designed by THREE legendary designers and staying at TWO luxury resorts ONE chance.

The Ginn Challenge Golf Package:

The Ginn Reunion Resort is approximately forty minutes from the Orlando Airport depending on traffic of course. Accommodations are based on 4 people sharing a 3 bedroom luxury condo. Believe me these condos are second to none, and I have seen countless numbers of condos over my day.

The Reunion Resort has 3 superb courses, each designed by one of golf's living legends. The Legacy is an Arnold Palmer design, The Independence designed by Tom Watson and The Tradition designed by non-other than the Golden Bear - Jack Nicklaus. I will challenge any of you readers to find a resort in Florida that features a selection of golf courses in one spot that are as fine as these three. So the idea is to get one round in at one of the Reunion Courses on your arrival day, while day 2 has you playing 18 holes on each of the other courses at Reunion.

You won't have far to go for dinner that night, and you likely won't want to after playing 36 holes that day. Reunion has a number of fine restaurants right on the property.

The next morning you make your way down to the Palm Coast region of northern Florida, about a 2 ½ hour drive. You check into the luxurious Ginn Hammock Beach Resort. Now you are ready to tackle what is considered one of the best Ocean side courses in North America. This Ocean Course is a Jack Nicklaus design that plays host to one of the most successful events on the PGA Champions Tour, the Ginn Championship.

Six holes that put the players right on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the Ocean Course has in a relatively short period of time built quite a reputation as being as world class course.

Tired yet? Get a good night sleep, maybe a good steak and few cocktails before that and you should be ready for your last round on the Ginn Challenge. Only minutes away is the Tom Watson Signature designed, Conservatory Course. Not your ordinary Florida style course, The Conservatory includes nearly 76 acres of man-made lakes, a waterfall and two Carolina-style creeks wind their way through the course. Each hole has six tee boxes extending the challenge of avoiding the 140 bunkers of coquina shell & white bunker sand that dot the course.

All this for under $700 US, but this is a short term offer, only valid until the middle of December. So if you are looking for a quick get a way before Christmas give us a call and we will make it happen for you. If you are up to the Challenge of course!

If you want to find out more don't hesitate to give me a call. If this one does not work for you I would be happy to customize a package that suites your specific needs. So give me a call at Merit Golf Vacations at 1-800-268-1820 ext 4360. In case you forgot Ian Dawson is the name. You can also check us out online at www.meritgolfvacations.com.