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Forest Lake Golf Club
A Golf-Only Facility That Is Good To The Last Shot
By David Blondell
Looking for a memorable golf experience with no homes to hit? Look no further than Forest Lake Golf Club, located just west of Orlando in Ocoee. Designed, built, owned and managed by Central Florida's own Clifton, Ezell & Clifton Golf Design Group, this core layout challenges every level of golfer - naturally.
Opened in early 1994, this 7,113 yard layout has always been a local favorite - and now, with the new 429 Western Beltway leading to its front door, venturing from the attractions and I-Drive is a quick - and effortless - trip with no traffic lights.
Forest Lake blends naturally-wooded property of live oaks and pines, stunning lakes and rolling topography to seperate the fairways - not houses.
 Forest Lake was conceived as - and will remain - a golf-only facility. As a result, its popularity has never waned. "Forest Lake was designed with the traditional golfer in mind," proudly explains co-architect Ken Ezell. "Understanding the strategy of each hole will require the use of every club in your bag."
And using every club - along with every shot - is a must here. Five sets of tees allow you to negotiate as much of the par 72 layout as your game can handle. Generous fairways lead quickly to the heavily-treed rough areas, all leading to well-bunkered, undulating greens. Rated as a "**** Star Places To Play," as well as Orlando Magazine's "Best Par 3's in Central Florida" designation, Forest Lake is always in superb condition.
Conveniently located only 18 minutes from I-Drive, Forest Lake is another terrific Clifton, Ezell & Clifton creation (same designers of Kissimmee Bay, EastWood, DeBary G & CC, Rock Springs Ridge, River Bend, etc.) that provides a fun and enjoyable experience for all skill levels. Certainly, the final six holes present as stiff a challenge as any in Central Florida.
The 13th, a double-dogleg par 5 of 535 yards, most likely ranks as the toughest hole on the back nine. The hole is also the site of the "Hanging Tree" of the facility's logo, and the oak grove in which it resides provides a formidable obstacle to fly for those going for the green in two. Like most holes at Forest Lake, the green is generously sized, and - as is often the case here - the premium is on approach shots, chipping and putting.
After the scenic all-carry par 3 16th (whose bordering lake no doubt has more balls in it than fish), one must conquer the monstrous uphill par 4 17th, without question one of the toughest par 4's in town. Eighteen is no picnic either, but nonetheless one that fittingly leaves you wanting more.
A 229-acre site that was developed strictly for golf and a preserved wildlife habitat, Forest Lake's 6,000-square-foot clubhouse is surrounded by a huge, 40,000-square-foot practice range, putting green and expansive short-game pitching area. The "Rusty Niblick" grill has a friendly "Cheers"-type atmosphere, and features stained-glass golf scenes, old clubs, a dark-stained oak bar, and of course a great lunch menu. Forest Lake's experienced staff is very friendly, and rental clubs, lessons, tournament bookings and memberships are readily available.
From the pristine surroundings to the championship-caliber design of the course, a round at Forest Lake Golf Club of Ocoee is an affordable experience worth repeating as often as possible. And proudly so.
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For more information, reservations or tee times, please call toll free, 866-342-4782
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