Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2009 - (Page 25) play a round 365 days a year! Gems from world-famous designers such as Ted McAnlis’s Waterlefe Golf & River Club and Arnold Palmer’s Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch are among the half-dozen or so area courses to garner ratings of four stars or higher from Golf Digest. Pristine semiprivate courses and wallet-friendly municipal layouts offer additional golfing experiences stretching from Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club in Palmetto down to beginner-friendly Manatee County Golf Course. Every Bradenton Area course boasts its own unique feel, but a combination of year-round sun and lush landscapes make for one constant – impeccable course conditions and 365 days of playing time. Oh yes, there’s one other constant – enough watery danger to make any prudent golfer buy an extra sleeve of Titleist at the pro shop. BUFFALO CREEK GOLF COURSE 8100 – 69th St. E., Palmetto, 941-776-2611 Great golf value, fair and challenging. Grass driving range, practice green and pitching area. 18 E-3 DAVID LEADBETTER GOLF ACADEMY 5500 – 34th St. W., Bradenton, 800-872-6425, www.imgacademies.com Golf academy offers training in the morning and afternoon tee-time, five days per week. D-6 THE GOLF CLUB AT CYPRESS CREEK 1011 Cypress Village Blvd., Ruskin, 813-634-8888, www.cypresscreekgolfclub.com An 18 hole, semi-private championship golf course, located just 25 minutes north of Bradenton. 18 G-1 HEATHER HILLS GOLF CLUB 101 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, 941-755-8888 This course offers seven par fours and the rest are par threes. Complete with water and sandtraps. 18 E-5 IMPERIAL LAKEWOODS GOLF CLUB 9680 Buffalo Rd., Palmetto, 800-642-2193 Ranked highly by Golf Digest, this challenging and well-kept course is a proven favorite for golfers of all skills. 18 D-3 LEGACY GOLF CLUB AT LAKEWOOD RANCH 8255 Legacy Blvd., Bradenton, 941-907-7067, www.legacygolfclub.com Rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play and one of Zagat’s America’s Top Courses ’08. 18 H-6 THE LINKS AT GREENFIELD PLANTATION 10325 Greenfield Blvd., Bradenton, 941-747-9432, www.linksatgreenfieldplantation.com 18 G-4 This course offers a rare mix of championship golf, excellent course conditions and competitive rates. MANATEE COUNTY GOLF COURSE 6415 – 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-792-6773, www.mymanatee.org A regulation par 72 with teeing areas for everyone, even beginners. Great golf at a fair price. 18 D-5 PALM VIEW HILLS 5712 – 28th Ave. E., Palmetto, 941-722-2392 Family-owned. Pretty greens, challenging yet fair. 18 E-3 PALMETTO PINES GOLF COURSE 14355 Golf Course Rd., Parrish, 941-776-1375, www.palmettopinesgolfcourse.com A nice little golf course in the country. 36 G-2 PERIDIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 4950 Peridia Blvd. E., Bradenton, 941-758-2582, www.peridiagcc.net A challenging par 60 course, it offers something for every level of golfer. 18 G-6 PINEBROOK/IRONWOOD GOLF CLUB 4260 Ironwood Cir., Bradenton, 941-792-3288, www.pinebrookironwood.com An 18 hole executive course. Par three and four. 18 D-5 THE RIVER CLUB 6600 River Club Blvd., Bradenton, 941-751-4211, www.riverclubgc.com 18 G-5 PAR FOR THE COURSE Snowbirds aren’t the only species of animal life you’ll encounter on Bradenton area golf courses. The following fauna sightings are common: BALD EAGLES Florida is home to the second highest number of bald eagles of any state in the country. Keep an eye out for nests atop tall pines and power poles. WHITE-TAIL DEER More common on courses east of I-75. These skittish mammals are usually found assisting in the mowing of fairways. ALLIGATORS These prehistoric reptiles populate lakes and marshes throughout the Bradenton Area. Feel free to employ the “predatory animal free-drop rule” allowed by the USGA. OSPREY This smaller, darkerfeathered cousin of the Bald Eagle can be seen plucking fish from ponds and mangrove swamps on area courses. Four star Golf Digest course. Five sets of tees. RIVER RUN GOLF LINKS 1801 – 27th St. E., Bradenton, 941-708-8459, www.riverrungolflinks.com Amenities include a fully-stocked pro shop and snack bar. Rental clubs are also available. 18 D-5 THE RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSE One Pier Dr., Ruskin, 813-645-2000 An 18 hole semi-private golf course. 18 G-1 ROSEDALE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 5100 – 87th St. E., Bradenton, 941-753-6200, www.rosedalegcc.com One of the most challenging and well-maintained courses on the suncoast. Manicured greens. 18 G-6 STONEYBROOK GOLF CLUB 7515 Grand Harbour Pkwy., Bradenton, 941-746-2696, www.stoneybrookgolfbradenton.com A true golfers’ course encouraging a variety of clubs and shots to put you in position for your approach. 18 G-5 TERRA CEIA BAY COUNTRY CLUB 2802 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd., Palmetto, 941-729-7663 Challenging course; fifteen holes have water obstacles. Views of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway. 18 E-3 TIMBER CREEK GOLF COURSE 4550 Timber Lane, Bradenton, 941-794-8381 Unique par three. Get your short irons on track. 9 D-5 UNIVERSITY PARK COUNTRY CLUB 7671 The Park Blvd., University Park, 941-355-3888, www.universitypark-fl.com Golf Digest four stars, Sarasota Magazine 2007 Best Place to Play Golf and Tennis. 27 F-7 WATERLEFE GOLF & RIVER CLUB 1022 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton, 941-744-9771, www.waterlefegolfandriverclub.com 18 hole, par 72, championship course designed by Ted McAnlis, on the Manatee River. 18 G-4 25 MAP GRID HOLES GOLF ISN’T A HOBBY AROUND HERE, IT’S A WAY OF LIFE. Even if you failed to bring your clubs along with you, many courses have rental clubs available. Links enthusiasts can find close to 20 championship courses within 30 minutes from wherever you’re staying. http://www.imgacademies.com http://www.cypresscreekgolfclub.com http://www.legacygolfclub.com http://www.linksatgreenfieldplantation.com http://www.mymanatee.org http://www.palmettopinesgolfcourse.com http://www.peridiagcc.net http://www.pinebrookironwood.com http://www.riverclubgc.com http://www.riverrungolflinks.com http://www.rosedalegcc.com http://www.stoneybrookgolfbradenton.com http://www.universitypark-fl.com http://www.waterlefegolfandriverclub.com
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