True to its name, Ocean Links has spectacular Atlantic views. (GolfPublisher.com)

Scenery or challenge: Golfers can take their pick at Amelia Island Plantation

By Tim McDonald,
Contributor

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - Amelia Island Plantation has two golf courses available to resort guests. Which one to play depends on, well, what you're playing for.

"We ask people if they're playing for the scenery or the challenge," Head Professional Gary Chambers said.

If you're looking for scenery, you want Ocean Links. It's a great course for the golfer to drag around his or her non-playing partner. Even the non-golfer will enjoy a stroll or cart ride around Ocean Links, with its up-close-and-personal vistas of the wide Atlantic Ocean.

After the third hole, you pop up to No. 4 to be greeted by one of the world's great bodies of water. The hole plays parallel to the ocean, as do Nos. 5 and 6. The course heads inland at that point, only to wind back once again within sight of saltwater toward the end.

It's a strange, interesting little Pete Dye design that got a Bobby Weed makeover six years ago. First of all, it's barely 6,000 yards long and has six par 3s, the result of shuffling three nines, and it can be very tight and nasty. There is rarely any room for error on the par-70 layout; witness the aforementioned No. 4, where you must be wary of the swimming pools in front of the condos to the left.

No. 5 has a tiny green. No. 6 has trouble everywhere you look. The par-5 ninth has an extremely tight fairway. And … well, you get the picture. Nearly every hole has a narrow fairway, a small green or something else that demands accuracy rather than muscles.

The Oak Marsh course, on the other hand, is much longer, a par 72 with your usual array of 3s, 4s and 5s. Not that it's hard on the eyes, with its views of the Intracoastal Waterway (five holes play alongside), just that it's more for players than sightseers. Oak Marsh re-opened in September after six months of renovations, during which the irrigation system was improved, greens stripped out and some cart paths changed (although only one hole was altered significantly)."This is the course I like to play on," Chambers said.

It features waste areas, better movement in the fairways and some formidable carries. In fact, the yardage book recommends a lot of layups, not that your big hitters will take that advice. No. 18 is nicknamed "Jaws," and unless you wallop your drive you'll be following the yardage book's advice.

The verdict

The two courses give resort guests two very different looks. You can practice your accuracy on the Ocean Links course or play for power at Oak Marsh. The conditioning at both courses is excellent, though both are in the 30-year-old range.Green fees are $130 for guests, a little pricey in my book, but I guess if you're staying at the posh plantation you don't mind shelling out that kind of money.

Stay and play

Fernandina Beach, with its downtown historic district, has been a favorite day trip for Jacksonville and southern-Georgia residents for years, especially its downtown, historic district. The area has a number of quaint shops and excellent restaurants, all within walking distance of nice, rambling old homes, and the beach is easily accessible on the other side of the island.The Ash Street Inn is a well-located B&B in the historic district, an easy walk from the waterfront and all the downtown attractions. The inn is owned and operated by Sam and Jill Chi, former sportswriters who used to write about the Oakland Raiders. Their oatmeal-raisin cookies are a must-eat.

If you want to stay further south in spread-out Jacksonville, location is the key in lodging; it can be difficult getting around to the courses on the First Coast. There are a couple of good places to stay near Interstate 95, which will take you north or south, and Butler Boulevard, which heads east to the beaches. The Best Western is at the intersection of I-95 and Butler, eight miles from downtown and about 15 miles from the beaches. The six-story motel has in-room, high-speed Internet access, free continental breakfast, pool, fitness center and sauna. It also has meeting space that can handle 150 of you business types. The Hilton Garden Inn is another good, centrally located place. It offers free in-room Internet, a business center, whirlpool and a fitness center. The rooms have microwaves and small refrigerators. There is any number of other accommodations in the area.

Dining out

The Hilton has the Great American Grill restaurant, which serves breakfast, and there are a bunch of restaurants within walking distance. One of them, the Seven Bridges Brewery, provides room service to the hotel (try the flame-grilled meat loaf). Also nearby: Don Pablo's, Tony Roma's, Jacksonville Ale House, Jason's Deli, Copeland's and the Gallery Bistro. The Beach Club and Snack Bar at the course is a good place for lunch.

Fast fact

The other resort course, a Tom Fazio design, is open only to members. Ron Philos' School of Golf is located there.

March 10, 2006

Veteran golf writer Tim McDonald keeps one eye on the PGA Tour and another watching golf vacation hotspots and letting travelers in on the best place to vacation.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.