Daytona Beach: A ‘Hot-Bed’ of Racing & Golf By Chris King In many respects, Daytona Beach, Florida and Indianapolis, Indiana are polar opposites, yet both cities have two things in common – motor racing and golf. Both cities consider themselves as the ‘heartbeat’ of automotive racing and rightfully so. Indianapolis is known as the Racing Capital of the World and Daytona Beach is known as the World Center of Racing. Racing is king in Indianapolis in May, for the Indy 500, while the Daytona 500 takes precedent each February. Both cities are proud of their racing heritage, plus both have a long tradition of being top-flight golf destinations. For golfers in the Midwest who enjoy making the trek to Florida for the running of the Daytona 500 – aka, the Great American Race – in February, there are a number of strong, must-play golf courses. • LPGA International: This 36-hole property is Daytona Beach’s most acclaimed facility. The Jones Course challenges players with some of Central Florida’s best greens, sprawling waste bunkers, and natural marsh areas. A favorite of the world’s best female golfers when the LPGA has hosted events in Daytona Beach, the Rees Jones layout also features generous fairways framed by mounding, creating the memorable visuals which players enjoy. ● • Victoria Hills has been ranked by Golfweek as being among Florida’s top 15 public layouts and it doesn’t take players long to figure out why. The course plays along a naturally rolling terrain and pine tree-lined fairways, an atypical look for a Florida layout. As you would expect, players love this golf course which was designed by Ron Garl. ● • A greens restoration project has moved Halifax Plantation to the top of many must-play lists. The new Champion Ultra dwarf Bermuda grass has 18th Green at LPGA International Indiana Golf Journal
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