Let's start with the new greens put in place during the renovation. The TifEagle variety of turf, an ultradwarf Bermuda grass, provides golfers with faster, smoother putting conditions. Add to that the reshaping of bunkers and installation of an improved greens irrigation and drainage system. In addition, the entire course was overseeded in December 2009 and will once again be overseeded in December 2010 to ensure optimal course conditions for the winter season.
Falcon's Fire is a Rees Jones-designed golf course that has been recognized both locally and nationally as one of Orlando's top golf facilities. Stretching over 7,000 yards from the back tees and providing golfers four sets of tees to choose from, Falcon's Fire has received Four Stars from Golf Digest, has been recognized in "Florida's 50 Finest Golf Courses" by Golf & Travel and "America's Top 15 Women Friendly Courses" by Golf for Women. Additionally, Falcon's Fire hosted the Senior PGA Tour Regional Finals, and the Buick Scramble National Finals in years past. Course management, however, is not ready to have the course rest on it's past reputation. The attitude today is all about renovations, upgrades and maintaining a position of leadership in the golf industry now and in the future.
"Having endured 18 months of transition and renovations here at Falcon's Fire, the management team is excited about entering into the 2010/11 golf season and being able to offer our guests the ultimate public golf facility in Central Florida. New faster greens, enhanced bunkering, and an extensively renovated clubhouse will provide new and returning guests alike a fresh feel for our facility offerings that will hopefully turn them into regular visitors to Falcon's Fire," said Alex Forsyth, head golf professional at Falcon's Fire.
During the past year, there have been continued improvements to the lay-out of Falcon's Fire with re-shaping of some fairways to accentuate larger and more visible bunkering - both greenside and fairway adjacent. Management has also added four new tee boxes to the course to help stretch the back set of tee boxes, Gold, to over 7,000 yards. New tee boxes have been built on holes #3, #6, #14, and #17 for individuals looking for more of a challenge.
Visitors to Falcon's Fire Golf Course will be delighted to hear that while management has invested heavily in giving you every reason to play the course in 2011, the greens fees, specials and group leader enticements are more aggressive than ever. For example, winter rates Monday - Thursday are especially aggressive. Throughout the year special discounts are offered for groups of 16 or more players. At certain times of the year, same-day replay rounds can now be booked FREE of charge, based upon availability on the day of play.
In addition, groups of 28 players or more will now be offered the ability to start play in a shotgun format, and other tournament offerings including hole contests, customized cart plates and scorecards will now be granted at no additional cost.
Maintaining Falcon's Fire in top condition throughout the year remains a priority. $220,000 worth of new maintenance equipment has been acquired to help maintain the course conditions better than ever before. The package includes 6 new flex-reel greens mowers which were purchased at a cost of $12,000 each to be able to mow the greens at lower heights with more of a consistent cut than was previously available, thus helping both the pace and consistency of roll that Falcon's Fire's greens offer.
Forsyth explained that an additional $300,000 has been spent on a major renovation to the clubhouse. The pro shop has a new, even more upscale feel with brand new lighting, interior design and doorways. The restaurant, banquet room, and attached restroom facilities have been completely replaced. Additional renovations are being completed from floor to ceiling to provide an entirely new feel to the space.
"Besides being the perfect venue for weddings and social or business events, we want to make sure that every golfer has a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy a post-round beverage or meal," said Forsyth.
The restaurant will now promote more of a bistro-type ambiance with three new large HD televisions so everyone can enjoy an afternoon ball game or golf tournament.
"An enhanced menu will ensure that you will want to stay and enjoy the atmosphere," added Forsyth.
Falcon's Fire has submitted an application to join the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program, according to Forsyth.
"Within the next six months we hope to have gained membership to this club that promotes golf course maintenance practices that support preservation of wildlife habitats on and around the golf course to where nature can co-exist with golfers, and that certain maintenance practices that are not eco-friendly are eradicated so that a good balance can exist between local wildlife, the environment, and golfers making use of our facilities," said Forsyth.
Falcon's Fire joined the Marriott Golf partnership in November 2009. This new arrangement means the course now has the support of a multi-national company with great marketing and buying power. Locally, that puts Falcon's Fire in alignment with Marriott's other courses that include Grande Pines, Ritz-Carlton and Hawk's Landing.
By Roseanne Stocker
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