Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge offers
two of the finest and most highly requested courses in
the Orlando area. Featuring the “Panther Lake” course
and the “Crooked Cat” course, OC National
will provide players with all they can handle at a facility
that is simply top-notch.
Panther Lake was the original course at the facility,
designed in 1997 by Phil Ritson with consultation from
Dave Harmon and Isao Aoki. This course has since received
several awards from top publications, such as: Golf Digest’s “Best
Places to Play (4 ½ stars),” Golf Magazine’s “Top
10 You Can Play,” and has also hosted the 2003
PGA Qualifier Finals. To say that the course is fantastic
is an understatement. There are no homes and no noise…just
18 signature holes that we describe as “therapeutic.”
This course incorporates many undulations and elevation changes of
up to 60 feet; rare for a course located in central Florida. From
the tips, Panther Lake measures 7,295 of rolling fairways that wind
throughout the oak hammocks, pine forests, scenic wetlands, and glistening
fresh-water lakes. The front nine forces players to be consistent
and accurate with the long irons, however you are offered a bit of
reprieve from a back nine that features pine tree lined fairways and
larger landing areas reminiscent of the Carolinas.
The newer course at OC National is Crooked Cat, aptly
named due to 18 holes consisting of bends, curves, and
doglegs. This course is distinctly different from Panther
Lake; however, since opening in 1998 it has received
similar acclaim to that of its sister course. Crooked
Cat was ranked by Golf Magazine in 1998 as a “Top
10 You Can Play,” and has also been awarded 4 ½ stars
by Golf Digest. The course hosted the 2002 PGA Tour Qualifier
(2nd Stage), and will host the 2005 PGA Tour Q-School
Finals.
Crooked Cat claims to give players “a taste of the Scottish Highlands
in Orlando” and delivers just that with long flowing fairways that
have few trees, and large sloping greens that are surrounded by deep bunkers.
It is a “links” style course that requires length and accuracy
to score well, and with 7,277 yards from the back tees this course should
probably be reserved for the better player who can hit it where he aims.
Orange County National is the perfect location for those
who love the 36-hole day, or for the player who has one
day of golf planned and desires the best central Florida
can deliver. Put OC National on your “must play” list
when planning your next Florida golf outing.
| Course Details |
Type of Course
|
Public
|
Number of Holes
|
36
|
Year Built
|
1997 / 1998
|
Designer(s)
|
Phil Ritson, Dave Harmon, Isao
Aoki
|
Water
Hazards
|
Yes
|
|
Crooked Cat
|
|
Tees
|
Yardage
|
Rating
|
Slope
|
Professional
|
7277
|
75.4
|
140
|
Championship
|
6748
|
72.9
|
134
|
Resort
|
6035
|
69.3
|
121
|
Forward
|
5236
|
70.3
|
120
|
|
Panther Lake
|
|
Tees
|
Yardage
|
Rating
|
Slope
|
Professional
|
7295
|
75.7
|
137
|
Championship
|
6816
|
73.2
|
132
|
Resort
|
6298
|
70.7
|
128
|
Forward
|
5094
|
71.5
|
125
|
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