Disney Magnolia: color me impressed

[italianstallion]

The last time I played the Magnolia was in 2007 on a high school trip to Disney World. I got away from my friends, got my 18 in, and left feeling a bit unimpressed with the Magnolia Course. Back then the conditions were so-so, and for whatever reason there was a lot left to be desired. I told myself it was a one-time thing, and that I probably wouldn't play there again.

 

Well now that I live in the Tampa area I find myself in Orlando a lot just because I personally think that overall the courses are nicer. Friday I found myself hitting balls at the Magnolia driving range around 4:30 before spending an evening in the parks. I finished my range session around 5:30, and walking back to the clubhouse I noticed the place was a virtual ghost-town. Seeing the course wide open without a golfer in sight was temping, so I popped into the pro-shop, asked what the super-twilight rate was ($39 with cart), threw my money on the counter and told the cart-kid I'd be back in two hours. Hey, I was itching to just tear through 18 holes, so $39 wasn't gonna hurt me all that much.

 

Two hours later I walked off 9 (my 18th) absolutely impressed. The course has definitely changed for the better under the new management. Tee to green the course was in good of shape as I've seen any Florida course, although the greens are still kept at a fairly long length in my opinion. But no matter; the tee boxes were nice, fairways were plush, I loved the look of the graduated rough, and the bunkers had plenty of sand in them and were nicely edged. While I wouldn't pay the $160 rack rate they get out there in the winter (I wouldn't pay that 99% of the time anyway), I think paying $70-$90 is reasonable if you can get it when you take into consideration things like location, condition, PGA Tour course, etc.

 

I still like the Orange County National courses better, but Magnolia is no longer in my "avoid" category.

 

(I only took one picture because I was racing around)

[24vince]

I was like you, I played the course prob 5yrs ago and thought it was ho-hum, not in the condition I expected....I played it again last year and had same thought, " much better".... I played ocn 4 1st time last year, nice layout loved the greens

Sadly I only get to Florida now when visiting family (I grew up 40min from Tampa)....13yrs in WI and I still hate winter, still waiting for weather to get in 1st round on 2013....