It’s time to relax. It’s time to reward yourself with a trip to a destination that is known for its laid-back vibe and exceptional golf. If that sounds right up your alley, look no further than Amelia Island, Fla.
Amelia Island is located on the northeastern tip of Florida, just below the Florida/Georgia line, and even though it is located in Florida it gives you the feel of the Lowcountry that you get in areas like coastal Georgia or South Carolina. Amelia Island is only 13 miles long and 2 miles wide, and there is a sense that there is a real dedication by the community to maintain the natural feel of the area by ensuring the land doesn’t get overdeveloped.
With 99 holes of world-class golf located on Amelia Island, and more coming later this year, this destination has more than enough top-level golf to satisfy your palette. And since we are all about golf first, that’s where the Travel Caddie will begin . . .
Omni Amelia Island Resort
The Omni Amelia Island Resort is the largest golf property on the island, providing visitors with 36 holes of championship golf. The Oak Marsh course was designed by none other than the legendary Pete Dye, and this track provides golfers with a narrow test of golf as many of the holes are surrounded by oak trees and feature small, undulating greens. The round weaves in and out of the expansive marshes around the area, and things really open up as you reach the final 3 holes that are arguably the best stretch of holes on the island.
In addition to Oak Marsh, the Omni Amelia Island Resort also provides select limited access to its premier golf property Long Point, the brainchild of the one and only Tom Fazio. This immaculately manicured facility provides golfers with a mixture of holes that highlight the natural thick and pine forests of the area, the magnificent and massive marshes, and even a couple of holes that run along the Atlantic Ocean that are quite spectacular. This course is exclusive to The Amelia Island Club members only, but guests of the Omni can also gain access to tee times one day in advance and we’ve always heard that the staff here is very accommodating about helping make that happen for you.
The Omni is also working on a new 10-hole short course that is slated to open in late 2021, but the exact date has not been announced yet. This new course is a reimagining of some of the holes from the previous Ocean Links course that once lived on property, and we were able to capture a look of where things stand in the development here as of early May 2021.
The Golf Club of Amelia Island at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
There are few brands that personify class and excellence the way that the Ritz-Carlton does, and The Golf Club of Amelia Island exemplifies this as the course delivers the first-class golf experience that you’d expect from this iconic brand. Guests of the resort are given access to the course, and once you tee it up here, you’ll encounter a difficult and beautiful Mark McCumber and Gene Littler design that is always in fantastic shape.
The front nine profvides golfers with a myriad challenges and requires a lot of thought to navigate your way around holes that often feature moss-draped oak trees that are known to swallow up a golf ball or two. Meanwhile, the back nine incorporates more of the rolling marshes of the area, giving you a different sense of place as you make your way up the 18th to the beautiful clubhouse and the perfect place to enjoy a drink while recapping the day’s festivities.ff
Fernandina Beach Golf Club and Amelia River Golf Club
If you’re looking for some great golf outside of the resort scene in Amelia Island, there are two great options available with Fernandina Beach Golf Club and Amelia River Golf Club. Fernandina Beach Golf Club features 27 holes of municipal golf and they have recently been investing a lot to enhance the consumer experience including the addition of a new Toptracer Range at the property that is a perfect way to get golfers of all skill levels out to the course for some fun.
Amelia River Golf Club is a Tom Jackson-designed, 18-hole golf course that provides golfers with an easier test of golf than some of the other tracks in the area. The course features large greens and ample fairways. One thing that is impossible to miss here is that three holes play along the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport creating a unique and fun setting for your round of golf.
Off-course activities at Amelia Island
We know you’ll be spending a lot of time on the course during your visit to Amelia Island, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t stress some of the amazing activities available off-course during your stay in this northern Florida sanctuary.
Our first suggestion is to get outside. The obvious is the beach, which gives you and your crew a tranquil setting and more mild north Florida temperatures making this a great option for visitors virtually all year round.
You can also enjoy a selection of great hikes on Big Talbot and Little Talbot, hop on a bike and explore the island with beautiful oak tree canopied roads, or jump in a kayak and make your way through the marshes to get a first-hand view of a heron, dolphin, manatee, or a sea turtle.
The area is also known for exceptional dining, and with more than 90 distinctive restaurants in the area you will be sure to find a wonderful spot to satisfy your palette. A few of our favorites are:
- Salt at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island: Awarded with a AAA Five Diamond Award, Salt is an upscale dining experience that features the use of over 40 salts from around the world to properly enhance their dishes to an exquisite level.
- Marche Burette Deli: A great little deli located at the Omni Amelia Island Resort’s Shopping Village that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or on special dining events on the weekend such as their Steak Out night that features a 36 oz. bone in ribeye that is one of the biggest steaks we’ve ever seen. Marche Burette is perfect for a quick bite or a sit-down meal.
- Verandah: Another Omni Amelia Island Resort restaurant, Verandah provides guests with a menu featuring items with a coastal Mediterranean influence, a resort casual atmosphere, and local farm-to-table ingredients that all add up to a memorable meal.
Accommodations at Amelia Island
Amelia Island provides golfers with a diverse array of accommodations, from upscale resorts to charming bed and breakfasts. The two mainstays of the island are Omni Amelia Island Resort and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The Omni provides golfers with 404 oceanfront rooms in the main hotel, as well as various home and condo options for rental. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is a phenomenal hotel with 446 resort guest rooms and suites providing golfers with the ultimate in luxury.
In addition to these two mainstay properties, there are a variety of options for any budget that can be found here under the “Stay” tab.
Recommendation
Amelia Island simply has it all for any golf vacation, perfect for a group of friends to enjoy, while also ideal for the whole family or a couple’s getaway. We believe in this destination so much that for a limited time we will be providing golfers who book here with an incentive to cover some or possibly even all of your trip! E-mail us at groups@golfstayandplays.com to learn more, and we hope you enjoy this special destination.