Amelia Island and the Ritz Carlton
Tucked in the very northeast corner of Florida
lies the charming beach resort named Amelia Island. This part of Florida is very
different from the rest of the state. It has a rich southern history and
beautiful quiet beaches as well as inland waterways. The Ritz Carlton is the
Island’s luxury retreat and there are many great golf courses nearby including
The Golf Club of Amelia Island, which is adjacent to the hotel. Amelia Island
has a very tranquil feel to it; I found this oasis in the “low country” to be
well worth the visit.
The Golf
The Golf Club at Amelia Island is a private
golf club that is available to Ritz Carlton Guests. The course was designed by
PGA Tour stars Mark McCumber and Gene Littler. The
course is carved out of live oak, palm trees and pristine sand dunes adjacent
to the cooling breezes of the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of the golf club
and The Ritz Carlton Hotel make this one of the few properties in the U.S. with
great golf and beachfront all on site. The course can be played from many sets
of tees, which are appropriate for all levels of golfers. The live oaks are so
thick that sometimes you might forget that you are never more than a driver
away from the ocean. On the front nine, number five caught my eye. This par-3
is only 160 yards but will give the golfer an early test. The approach must
carry the large natural lake that fronts the green that is guarded by bunkers
to the left and right. On the back nine, number 15 was quite memorable. This
490-yard par-5 offers several ways to be played. The tee shot must avoid marsh
and woods to the left. A big hitter might go for the green with his second but
will have to clear more marsh, which starts about 120 yards out and extends to
an area just short of the green. This hole plays toward the ocean and is
usually into the wind. There are many other great golf options within minutes
of the Ritz-Carlton. Royal Amelia Golf Links is the closest and was designed by
Tom Jackson who is well known in Florida. The Golf Club of North Hampton is the
area’s newest addition and was designed by Arnold Palmer. All of these courses
are top notch, having been cut out of large tracts of land, a golf architects
dream come true. The Golf Club of Amelia Island recently redid all 18 greens
with Jones grass, the latest and best strand of Bermuda grass. The Club also
features a large state-of-the-art practice area as well as a golf school.
The Ritz
The Ritz Carlton at Amelia Island is a large
and spacious barrier island resort. The rooms are everything you would expect
from Ritz Carlton, luxurious and well appointed with the top of the line
fixtures. Many of the rooms face the vast Atlantic Ocean, which is about 100
yards from the back of the hotel. The pool and fitness center are a must stop.
The beach area is vast and offers expansive
views in either direction. After you cross the sand dunes near the hotel, the
beach is actually quite flat and suitable for jogging, walking and maybe even
bike riding. Back inside the hotel the lobby area is very elegant with marble
floors and wood paneling. Of the lobby, the Ritz features several restaurants
that range from casual to fine dining. The Ritz also offers a club floor that
serves breakfast and snacks throughout the day. If you have club floor access,
most visitors do not need other dining arrangements. There is even a separate
room for the kids on the Club Floor to maintain a quiet atmosphere for all
guests. Ritz Carlton was a pioneer in kids' programs and Amelia Island is no
exception with activities available all day. The hotel also has a luxurious spa
adjacent to the pool and fitness center. For more information
contact www.ritzcarlton.com.
Amelia Island and nearby Fernandina Beach have
a rich history and are the only towns in the U.S. to have been under the domain
of eight different national flags. Fernandina Beach has a 50-block historic
district with many Victorian style mansions and cottages dating back to the
late 19th century. The area is considered to be
the birthplace of the modern shrimping
industry and is still a very active fishing town. This part of the low country
with its marshland, inland waterways, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife
may well be the best that Florida has to offer and worth a visit.