| Orlando, Florida is more and more becoming a | | | | golf enthusiast, you can play a round each |
| mecca for vacationers. There are many reasons | | | | day at a different course for, oh, say about |
| for this, and one I want to explore now is | | | | 5 straight months, since Orlando has about |
| the sporting or active side of the Orlando | | | | 150 golf courses with all of them reputed to |
| holiday. Now, talking to a friend recently | | | | be essentially world class facilities. Some |
| about sporting holidays I almost didn't bring | | | | resorts are just for golf. ChampionsGate Golf |
| up Orlando's numerous sporting attractions. | | | | Club, for example, provides two 18-hole |
| He was talking about going hiking in the | | | | championship golf courses, said to be among |
| Rockies for a week or two. And he also | | | | the best in the US. The resort hosts several |
| mentioned distance bicycling holidays as a | | | | tournaments including the popular World |
| great way to spend the summer (and he meant | | | | Points Father/Son Challenge. But if you're |
| the whole summer, not just a short holiday!). | | | | not up to championship play yet, most courses |
| Marathon running? Sure, why not. (Although | | | | have professional coaches to help you improve |
| even he agreed that running a marathon is not | | | | your game. The city even has six golf |
| exactly a holiday. But he did insist that | | | | instruction academies that use personalized |
| when you travel to a city to run a marathon | | | | teaching methods and state of the art |
| you get to visit great cities that you may | | | | equipment. And if you want a change of pace |
| have never otherwise seen.) Orlando's active | | | | from big time (and big course) golf, many |
| side can include such intense activities, but | | | | resorts here also feature miniature golf |
| for the family, or for anyone who wants | | | | courses. For example, one new adventure style |
| activity but doesn't want to feel they're in | | | | miniature golf course is designed as a |
| training for the Olympics, it can be ideal. | | | | Hawaiian oasis. Fire and lava pour from a |
| One famous active attraction is Boggy Creek | | | | fifty-foot volcano. Hawaiian Rumble Adventure |
| Airboat Rides. Started by a couple in 1994, | | | | Golf attracts people with their rhythmic |
| it's blossomed into one of Orlando's top 10 | | | | music and sophisticated design. Holes range |
| attractions, according to the Orlando | | | | from beginner to advanced, and are |
| Business Journal. They offer high speed | | | | thematically designed. There's also the Congo |
| airboat rides on Lake Tohopekaliga (or | | | | River Adventure Golf course where you can |
| "Sleeping Tiger Lake") a 12,000 acre lake | | | | take the whole family high atop giant |
| where you can board a 6-passenger or | | | | waterfalls and rocky summits or deep down to |
| 18-passenger boat and really take off on that | | | | mysterious caves. You mean you've never |
| lake. Like up to 65 mph. That may not seem so | | | | golfed your way through tropical rainforests, |
| fast on the highway, but in an airboat it can | | | | jumping over river rapids, and thoroughly |
| thrill you or chill you (both, actually, if | | | | enjoying yourself regardless of how high your |
| you go out early in the morning). Speeding | | | | score is? Well, maybe then Orlando is the |
| along on the lake you can glimpse a wide | | | | place to golf (or mini-golf) like you've |
| variety of its wetland birds, such as bald | | | | never dreamt of. There's much more to the |
| eagles, cranes, egrets and ospreys. Which | | | | sporty side of Orlando than this, but for |
| brings up an important point: the airboats | | | | golf enthusiasts, maybe I've said enough and |
| virtually float on the water so they are less | | | | I should just let you make your reservations |
| invasive to the lakes plant and wildlife | | | | for this grand, beautiful city. |
| inhabitants than regular propeller driven | | | | |
| boats. For something a bit more mundane, how | | | | Mark Whichard is an Orlando Vacation Homes |
| about a round of golf? Or if you are really a | | | | expert. |