If you want to experience “everything golf – 24/7,” then a visit to the World Golf Village in north Florida should be on your bucket list. The World Golf Village in historic St. Augustine – the country’s oldest city – is just 30 minutes south of Jacksonville and 100 miles northeast of Orlando. The village is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, the PGA Tour Academy, two championship golf courses, high-end accommodations, golf-themed dining, and lots of retail outlets.
The World Golf Village in St. Augustine is 30 minutes south of Jacksonville and 100 miles northeast of Orlando.
An RV-Golf Getaway to Florida, The Hall of Fame is the centerpiece of the village. It features endless displays and golf’s storied past. One special exhibit is called Grace & Grit: Women Champions Through the Years. This summarizes golf’s greatest female champions spanning eight decades – from the 1940s to today.
The King & Bear course is named for its co-designers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Further, the World Golf Hall of Fame features an IMAX theater screen, measuring 70 feet wide and five stories high. Featuring crystal-clear images and pitch perfect digital sound, the IMAX experience offers entertaining documentaries as well as Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
In fact, according to Dave Cordero, WGHOF Director of Communications, the two golf courses are the design efforts of four of the world’s most successful golfers. Even more exciting is both are open for public play. Of special interest is The King & Bear course, which is for its co-designers, World Golf Hall of Fame members Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This course is the first and only 18-hole design collaboration between the two golfers. As a result, Palmer and Nicklaus set out to create the 7,279-yard course as an eminently playable and picturesque course with memorable par 5s amid lakes and 200-year-old live oaks.
One fan-friendly event is the Hall of Fame Challenge. This is a monthly closest-to-the-pin contest conducted at the Challenge Hole, which is a 132-yard island green. So, be prepared. It’s reminiscent of the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. Also, the 18-hole, natural-grass putting course is the other outdoor exhibit. What’s more is The Hall of Fame admission includes one round of golf.
The Old Town Trolley Tours offers access to all the places your RV or car can’t take you.
Attractions Beyond the World Golf Village
Just five miles south of the World Golf Village is Stagecoach RV Park. at exit 318 off Interstate 95. Also located are two outlet malls, plus downtown St. Augustine. Stagecoach RV Park offers 80 sites, full hook ups, pull-through sites, and many amenities.
Further, the best way to get a feel for the historic city of St. Augustine is to hop aboard one of the Ripley’s Red Train trolleys. There’s also the Old Town Trolley Tours that offers access to all of the places your RV or car can’t take you. Step off and re-board at your leisure and check out the 20-plus stops, that include historic sites, restaurants, and shops. Additionally, St. Augustine has 43 miles of pristine beaches.
Rick Stedman is an avid golfer, RVer, and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. Rick writes a weekly golf blog, “The 19th Hole,” which posts every Saturday on rvlife.com. E-mail Rick at rstedman@gmail.com.
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