Event to kick-off ‘ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound’

Local Junior Golfers to Play with International Sports Icons at Innovative Origins Golf Club

The ANNIKA Foundation and St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) announce international sports icons Annika Sorenstam and Mia Hamm will square-off in a celebrity golf match at Origins Golf Club on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. to kick-off the “ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound,” a two-day celebration of active lifestyles and wellness education to benefit the ANNIKA Foundation and local charities.

Annika, a member of both the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame and widely regarded as the greatest female golfer of all-time, and Mia, elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997 and a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time World Cup champion, will play a 10-hole match on Origins’ par-3 configuration (course description below). They will be joined by a team of 20 local junior golfers - 10 boys and 10 girls - who will each play a hole with the star pairing.
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Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, golf

Events promise exciting formats for professionals and amateurs

The award-winning Tom Fazio designed Camp Creek Golf Club will host the PGA Dixie Section Team Championship, October 26-27, and the Anchorage Children’s Home Tournament on November 2.

The PGA Dixie Section Team Championship will pit two-man teams of PGA professionals and apprentices from the Dixie Section covering Alabama and Northwest Florida. (Each team may have one out-of-section PGA member.)

The day one format calls for nine holes of scramble and nine holes of modified foursomes play, while day two will feature 18 holes of four-ball stroke play. The field is limited to 50 teams.

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Posted under golf

Origin’s Golf Course tournament benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge

Enjoy a Saturday morning on a golf course designed by Davis Love III and help raise money for Walton County’s only no-kill animal shelter, Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Dogs are welcome to walk with players (please no retractable leashes or prong collars).

Field is limited to 40 players. Lunch is included. Shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Play $45 per person
Call 850-376-4190 to register
Registration deadline Aug. 15. All proceeds go to Alaqua.
For more information, email Nancy at bownnancy@gmail or Will at whopkins@troongolf.com

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, golf

Kayaking on Lake Powell one of the weekend activities at Summer at The Sound.

Golf, kayaking, lawn games and swimming all part of the fun-filled weekend at WaterSound

The community of WaterSound and The St. Joe Company will host a free public event to celebrate the summer season in South Walton County.  Held at WaterSound’s central gathering spot, Village Commons, and The Origins Golf Course, Summer At The ‘Sound is a fun-filled outing for visiting and local families alike.  Folks of all ages will enjoy live music, swimming in the beautifully designed Village Commons pool, playing in the nearby kids’ fort, face painting and clowns, lawn games, giveaways and door prizes.  Guided kayak tours by Sunrise Kayak Rental on scenic Lake Powell and community bike rentals will also be available. The WaterSound Beach Café will be preparing boxed lunches and treats which will be available for purchase.

There are a variety of games and contests planned for the Davis Love III-designed nine hole Origins Golf Course – just steps from the Village Commons – such as a free short game clinic, including chipping and putting, with a member of Camp Creek’s professional staff and hourly kids’ chipping and putting contests.  For that day, a discounted round of golf for adults will be offered at just $15.00 while kids 15 and under play free with an adult.   For event information call:  850-231-6433.

That same weekend, WaterSound is also host to the inaugural Soccer At The Surf Regional Soccer Tournament, being produced by US98 Soccer and Local United Soccer Leagues team, The Panama City Pirates, all to benefit the South Walton Montessori School.  Families from all over the southeast will travel to South Walton the weekend of June 12 – 14 to play in various age groups/divisions at both the Wind Garden Park in WaterSound and Helen McCall Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Soccer At The Surf will also be offering the unique and memorable soccer-playing experience of playing against actual professional soccer players! The Panama City Pirates will be providing a team of their actual players (fresh off a match on Saturday night) to play against a team of those lucky individuals who win/purchase the opportunity to play in a fundraising match on Sunday, June 14th.  For more information, please visit www.us98soccer.com.

Directions: WaterSound is located in South Walton County in Northwest Florida, on Highway 98 just north of Scenic Highway 30A, half a mile north of Camp Creek Golf Club and three miles east of WaterSound Beach.  Address:  180 North WaterSound Parkway, WaterSound, FL  32413  Follow the signs from Highway 98 into the community.

Posted under Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, golf

Enjoy a week of festivities for a good cause

The inaugural Leukemia Cup Regatta at Bay Point, making its debut in Panama City. Not just an thrilling sailing race, this moving event is intended to raise money to fight blood cancers and will be held at Bay Point Marina May 7th-9th.

Never heard about the Leukemia Cup before? You may be surprised to learn that numerous Leukemia Cup Regattas are held around the country, each with one goal: to raise money to fight leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. In 2008, the sailing community raised more than $3.6 million at 38 Regattas, bringing the overall campaign funds raised to more than $27 million. In 2009 Bay Point Marina will join forces with the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club and Bay Point Yacht Club to bring the Leukemia Cup to the Panama City area for the first time. We’ll feature three days of food, live music, dock walks, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, silent auctions, art shows, wine tastings and, of course, sailing.

Saturday, May 2nd
• Leukemia Cup Poker Run at Pirate’s Cove Marina

Thursday, May 7th
• Golf Tournament at Bay Point Marriott Nicklaus Golf Course
• Kickoff Party at St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club

Friday, May 8th
• Dock Walk • Art Show • Wine Tasting • Live Music • Silent Auction

Saturday, May 9th
• Art Show • Wine Tasting • Live Music • Kid’s Events • Regatta • Awards Presentation
- Panama City
Leukemia Cup Regatta – Bay Point Marina

The First Annual Leukemia Cup Poker Run May 2nd at Pirates Cove Marina. The Leukemia Cup Poker Run involves power boaters of all speeds, as boats travel to different stops along the route to pick up playing cards. At the end of the Run, attendees will return to Dockhopper’s Restaurant at Pirates Cove Marina for a Poker Run Party where hands are compared and the fun begins! Additional poker hands are available for purchase to increase your odds. “Green” entrants will be available for players that either don’t own a boat or would like to participate without creating a carbon footprint.

On May 7th, the Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort will host a charity golf tournament on their Nicklaus Course. Featuring a Stableford format, this event is open to the public and tickets are available. Immediately following the golf tournament will be the Official Leukemia Cup Regatta Kick-Off Party at Dockhopper’s, located on the water at Pirate’s Cove Marina.

The main event will take place at Bay Point Marina on May 8th and 9th. On Friday, May 8th, the public is invited to Bay Point Marina to begin the Leukemia Cup Regatta with a dock walk, wine tasting, art show, live music, food, silent auction and children’s activities. Saturday, May 9th will continue the celebration and will also include a boat parade as participants depart for the Regatta. The course will take boats outside St Andrews Bay (weather permitting) and will be visible from many locations along the beaches of Panama City Beach.

This event is co-hosted by the St Andrews Bay Yacht Club and the Bay Point Yacht Club. http://www.baypointmarina.net/lcr2.cfm

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, golf

Posted under golf

Great mix of wine tasting and casual golf

The St. Joe Company’s WaterSound West Beach community will host ‘Putting for Pinot’ – a complimentary evening of wine tasting and casual golf – on Thursday, April 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be open to the public at the residential community’s Puttering Park, a twelve-hole putting green surrounded by native vegetation and an intricate trail of boardwalks and paths. The event will feature:

·  Wine tasting of blush, white, red and dessert wines (paired with a variety of cheeses and fruits) at every other hole of the putting green’s twelve holes;

·  Door prizes and giveaways, including a weekend getaway at the WaterSound Beach GateHouse, dinner for four at Fish Out of Water restaurant at the WaterColor Inn, and two rounds of golf at either Camp Creek or Shark’s Tooth Golf Course.

The residential coastal community lies south of Scenic Highway 30A, just a mile west of the WaterSound Beach GateHouse entrance. Putters will be provided. For more information, visit www.JOE.com, or call 888-499-7767.

Posted under golf

Be part of a great cause and support the American Cancer Society

Pool Pal, Inc. and 331 Pool & Beach Supply is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Relay For Life South Walton Charity Golf Tournament at Emerald Bay Golf Club in Destin on Friday, April 17.

Early registration and check in is at 11 a.m., with lunch provided by 98 BBQ at 11:30 a.m. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Details:
Limited entry to 36 (4-man) teams / $400 per team
Cash Payouts, Charity Auction, Including Contests:
Longest Drive, Closest To The Pin,
$2,500 Putting Contest, & $5,000 Hole-In-One

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM

For More Information: warmelissa@co.walton.fl.us
Melissa Ward – (850) 499-3735
Hal Laird – (850) 585-2010
Special Guests: Troy Head Coach, Larry Blakeney and
Defensive Coordinator, Jeremy Rowell

$100 Tee & Green Sponsorships
The deadline for sign sponsors is April 1, 2009.
Please make checks payable to:
Copy Systems
Send checks in care of:
Melissa Ward
Walton County Planning Department
31 Coastal Center Blvd., Suite 100
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-1955 or (850) 499-3735
warmelissa@co.walton.fl.us
We thank you for your support!

Emerald Bay Golf Club
4781 Clubhouse Drive
Destin, FL 32541

Posted under golf

Origins Golf Club at WaterSound.

A look at 12 area courses open to the public

A look into The Walton County area offers many options for the golf enthusiast. With fair weather most of the year, the courses in the area offer golf year round.

The following is a brief overview and guide to 11 area courses open to the public:

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South Walton/Panama City Beach

Camp Creek Golf Club
Phone: (850) 231-7600
684 Fazio Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413
Website: www.campcreekgolfclub.com

Located just off of Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A, in WaterSound, Florida, there is a water and sand experience of a different sort at the Tom Fazio-designed Camp Creek Golf Club.

This private golf course has just opened for public play. Created by The St. Joe Company is master-planned for 36 holes, the first 18 of which opened for play in May 2001 along with a driving range, golf shop, and snack bar. Camp Creek is any easy half-mile south of The Town of WaterSound, eight miles east of WaterColor.

Phone: (850) 231-7600
684 Fazio Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413

Origins Golf Club
530 Pathways Drive
Watersound
Tel: 850.641.0007
Website: www.originsgolfclub.com
Located 11 miles east of U.S. Hwy 331 off of U.S. Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach.
The Origins Course is a six-hole regulation course that alternatively plays as a nine-hole executive course and a ten-hole par 3 layout through the use of alternate tee boxes and auxiliary greens – was designed and built with the “short course” concept at its core. The mission: make golf more fun, accessible and attractive to families, beginners and casual golfers. Via its non-penal design and manageable distance (approximately 1,800 yards) the Origins Course both appeals and caters to novices. Yet its regulation-length holes and greens dimensions provide enough challenge and strategy to retain the interest of avid and experienced players.

Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club.

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
334 Golf Club Dr
Santa Rosa Beach
Tel: 850-267-2229
Website: www.santarosaclub.com
18 challenging holes with a unique character. A target course that will challenge even the best golfers. Santa Rosa course offers the area’s only Gulf of Mexico fronting holes. Called “The Purest Golf on the Panhandle,” by Golf Magazine, the Santa Rosa Golf course is filled with activities for the modern day golfer. The course is nestled in the dunes, just off Scenic Highway 30-A.

DeFuniak Springs

DeFuniak Springs Country Club
171 Country Club Ln
Defuniak Springs
Tel: 850-892-3812
The 18-hole course features 6,619 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72 . The course rating is 69.2 and it has a slope rating of 125.

Freeport

Windswept Dunes in Freeport.

Windswept Dunes
11 Clubhouse Dr
Freeport
Tel: 850-835-1847
Highway 20, 5.5 miles East of the US-331
Website: www.windsweptdunes.com
The spacious 18-hole is a demanding 7607 yards from the championship tees, but with five additional sets of tees, offers challenge and excitement for golfers of all abilities.

Sandestin/Destin area

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers three courses open to the public.
9300 Hwy 98 W
Sandestin
Website: www.sandestin.com

The Raven at Sandestin.

Raven Golf Club
Raven Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., opened for play in March 2000, and in 2006 and 2007 hosted a PGA Champions Tour event. This course meanders through the wetlands of the Sandestin Resort, and is noted for dramatic water features, challenging bunkering and fairways lined with tall pines. The large undulating Tifeagle greens are fast in speed. Raven plays from 5,060 to 6,931-yards and offers four sets of tees.  850.267.8155.

Baytowne Golf Club
The Baytowne Golf Club is Tom Jackson’s second creation at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and originally opened for play in 1984 before undergoing its latest renovation in 2005. The rolling fairways of this course are lined with tall pines and lead to large, undulating greens that are moderate in speed. Water comes into play on twelve holes and the entire course is heavily bunkered. Baytowne is a par 71 course, and plays from 3,002 to 6,804-yards and offers five sets of tees, including junior tees.  850.267.8155.

The Links Course
The Links Course winds alongside the Choctawhatchee Bay. Designed by architect Tom Jackson, this course opened for play in 1973. This is a shotmaker’s’ course where accuracy and proper club selection are a must in order to outfox the prevailing Gulf Coast winds. The medium sized greens are moderately undulating and moderate in speed. Water hazards come into play on 14 holes including five holes on the bay. The Links Course plays from 4,969 to 6,710-yards and has four sets of tees. 850.267.8144.

Seascape Resort
100 Seascape Dr
Mirmar Beach
Tel: 850-837-9181
Website: www.seascape-resort.com
Seascape’s par 71, 6,100-yard championship Destin golf course poses a unique challenge to players of every skill level as its green placement and hazards require singular precision to maneuver the course. The sheer beauty of the terrain, with its tall pines, shimmering waters and softly rolling hills has been known to distract even the most ardent golfers. If time is an issue, Seascape offers the option of playing nine holes in the afternoon.

Kelly Plantation Golf Club
307 Kelly Plantation Drive
Destin
Tel: 1-800-811-6757
This Fred Couple’s Signature 18 hole course is designed to enhance the golfing experience for every golfer, low-handicapper and duffer alike. The turf is has lengths ranging from 5,200 yards from the ladies’ tees to a 7,100 from the blues.

The Golf Garden
A nine-hole executive course located on U.S. Hwy. 98. The Golf Garden has a lighted golf course and a ten-acre practice area with ten multi-pin target greens.
2958 U.S. Hwy. 98 west
Miramar Beach
Tel: 850-837-7422

Ponce deLeon

Acadian Hills Golf Course
Sandy Pines Golf Course
655 Golf Course Rd
Ponce de Leon
Tel: 888-833-5254
The 18-hole “Sandy Pines” course at the Acadian Hills Golf Course facility features 6,269 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 70.5 and it has a slope rating of 123.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, golf