Sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean stretch before you as you play through ancient forests, salt marshes and abundant wildlife. That is, if you're playing on Amelia Island.

The Amelia Island area, located northeast of Jacksonville, is known for its diverse terrain, pristine natural beauty and challenging golf courses, both private and public. These courses host major events, win regular acclaim from golf publications and even harbor one of Arnold Palmer's favorite holes. Following are a few of the highlights, along with some tips.


Amelia Island Plantation

Rated a "Silver Medal Golf Resort" by GOLF magazine, Amelia Island Plantation boasts four superb courses that promise a great golf experience. The Oak Marsh and Ocean Links courses make up 36 holes that are collectively referred to as the "Amelia Links." Oak Marsh was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1972 as a 27-hole layout. In 1998, Dye and golf course architect Bobby Weed collaborated on an additional nine holes that eventually, along with nine holes from Dye's original project, became the Ocean Links. It's a pretty pair of courses.

Oak Marsh, as the name implies, winds through salt marsh creeks and oak trees, mingling with native plants and wildlife to make for a challenging yet refreshing day of golf on this tight 6,580-yard layout.

The Ocean Links, although the shortest of all four courses at only 6,108 yards from the back tees and 5,007 from the White tees, is really a testing little track with its five Atlantic Ocean view holes (#4, 5, 6, 15 and 16). Short but windswept, you'll have your hands full on all these holes, especially #15, a Par 3. As the wind direction changes, so does your shot. Playing directly into the ocean breeze, what appeared as an easy short iron a few minutes ago has become a challenging knock-down shot to a small green. Choose your club wisely.

For a really challenging day, play the Tom Fazio-designed Long Point, a private club that resort guests may play. From the Gold back tees it's rated a strong 73.0/135 – no pushover for a Par 70 layout. A more enjoyable time may be had from the Blue tees at 6,086 yards. Here, rolling fairways travel through the marshes and dunes along the ocean. Long Point will give you all that you can handle. One of the "Best Places to Play" according to Golf Digest, it's brawny enough to have held U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur qualifying rounds as well as the Florida Women's Amateur.

Amelia River Golf Club (formerly known as Royal Amelia) has recently been acquired by Amelia Island Plantation. It's noted for its excellent condition for players of all levels to enjoy. This club, which is open to the public, was designed by noted architect Tom Jackson. The course is the longest of the four, but still fun to play due to the wider landing areas. The 14th hole, a Par 4, presents the more skilled golfer with a tantalizing risk-reward proposition – there's water all the way from the tee box to the green, requiring either a long shot to the green or a conservative shot to the right on the open fairway. Three bunkers protect the green.


Golf Club of Amelia Island

Just a few miles away, the Golf Club of Amelia Island is a terrific track that's definitely worth your time. It's a private club that allows play by guests of the Summer Beach Resort and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island so you'll need reservations. (Take this opportunity to add Five Diamond dining to your golf getaway – the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and its highly acclaimed restaurant Salt both boast the coveted and rare AAA Five Diamond rating.)

Designed by Gene Littler and Mark McCumber, this course held the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament and hosted all the big-name Champions Tour players in 1998. The front nine roams through a series of lakes and, with a completely different look, the back nine ambles along the local marshes, making for an interesting day of play. Hole #15, a Par 5, will test your skill as you must carry three distinct marshes to reach the green.

While visiting, you can hone your game at the Anne Cain Golf Academy. Anne is rated one of the "Top 100 Teachers in America" by GOLF magazine.


Golf Club at North Hampton

A short five-mile drive from Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach is the Golf Club at North Hampton. The course was designed in 2001 by one of my favorites, Arnold Palmer. You can't go wrong with a day spent trying to tame this sturdy layout. Did I say sturdy? How about 7,171 yards from the back tees with a rating of 75.4 and slope of 147. If that sounds like a long day to you, take a look at the Blue tees with a more reasonable 137 slope.

The course is situated among 10 spring-fed lakes, and with the native wild grasses you really get the feel of a Scottish links course. The 16th hole is one of Arnold's "Top 18." A strong 460-yard Par 4 makes you fly the water twice – be ready for this one!

For more information on planning your own golf getaway to Amelia Island, contact Florida's First Coast of Golf at 904-249-9683 or visit www.florida-golf.org. This not-for-profit organization can assist with everything from travel arrangements to tee times.