With nearly 1,500 golf courses, more than any other state, golfers everywhere are putting Florida on their scorecard with the following specials and courses that open up the fairways no matter what their handicap.

Setting up a tee time at one of Florida�s golf courses is easier than ever with the 2003 edition of Play FLA Golf, Florida�s official golf guide. The guide is a one-stop source for visitor information about golfing in the Sunshine State. Play FLA Golf includes a comprehensive list of Florida golf courses by region, golf editorial and golf vacation information. Order Play FLA Golf by calling toll-free 1-877-PLAY FLA (752-9352) or visiting Florida's Official Golf Web site, www.playfla.com. For Florida Vacation information, visit www.flausa.com.

GOLF NEWS Coral Gables (near Miami) � On the heels of a multi-million dollar renovation of its guest rooms last year, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables just completed an extensive upgrade to its renowned Fitness Center and Golf Course. Now available to guests of all playing skills is the John Pallot Golf Academy, offering customized personal instruction and daily and weekly golf clinics. The golf course has also seen renovations in its men�s and ladies� locker rooms and the addition of 96 new golf carts. (305) 445-1926. www.biltmorehotel.com.

Crystal River (near Ocala) � The Original Golf School is pleased to announce its return to The Plantation Inn & Golf Resort in Crystal River. Founding Director Jay Morelli will join Assistant Director Sue Newell and the experienced staff of PGA- and LPGA-certified professionals for the 19th consecutive winter season at this premier western Florida Gulf Coast resort. The school opens Oct. 20 and runs through the end of April 2004. The success of The Original Golf School is attributed to its unique combination of on-course instruction, a low four-to-one student-to-pro ratio, and a dedicated staff of experienced professionals. The school's proprietary teaching system, the Accelerated Golf Method, emphasizes an individual player�s strengths � a more positive approach than focusing on weaknesses. The Original Golf School offers guests the flexibility of participating in two-, three-, four- or five-day programs scheduled both mid-week and on weekends. (800) 240-2555. www.thegolfschool.com.

Destin � Play Gulf is a one-stop-shopping partnership teaming the best area courses, accommodations and tourist development councils to offer all-inclusive golf vacation packages starting at just $93. All Play Gulf packages are per person, per night and include accommodations, golf, breakfast and a free drink. Play Gulf is a new non-profit marketing co-op organization located in Destin. (866) 752-4853. www.playgulf.com.

St. Augustine � The World Golf Hall of Fame�s newest exhibit is now open to the public. �Go Annika: An Historic Week in Golf� features highlights and memorabilia honoring the historic event of Annika Sorenstam and includes the golf ball and glove she used on the first tee of her opening round, her official scorecards from both rounds, as well as a replica set of golf clubs and bag she used for the tournament. A variety of photos and newspapers will be included in the exhibit to offer context to the items on display, as will other memorabilia from the event, including the recognizable �Go Annika� button that thousands of fans adorned at the tournament. (904) 940-4123. www.wgv.com

Miami � Miami-Dade Parks welcomes a major golf development where residents and visitors can enjoy fun in the sun. A $5.7-million clubhouse at Crandon Park Golf Course is scheduled to open in December. The 20,576 square foot facility will house a lobby and visitors� reception area, restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and a lounge. The new clubhouse will be a welcomed addition to the championship 18-hole Crandon Park Golf Course, which hosts such world-class golf tournaments as the Royal Caribbean Golf Classic. www.miamidade.gov/parks.

Port St. Lucie � Legendary golf course architect Pete Dye is supervising a modification project to the unique layout that bears his name, The Dye Course, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. The ultimate goal is to make the course one of America�s most playable for the general public and more challenging for the professional. The landing areas near the greens are the primary focus. The modification project will add 15 to 20 more yards of playing surface. The expanded landing areas on 14 of the 18 holes will be completed by Oct. 15. Other improvements include an enlarged practice putting green, landscaping near the No. 1 tee and grading the fairway to the left of the 10th hole. The par-72 Dye Course features five sets of tees, from the 5,015-yard �forward� tees to the 7,150-yard �medal� tees. It was selected as �The Best New Course in Florida� in 2000. It also is one of America�s most affordable courses by the acclaimed designer. (561) 624-8400. www.pgavillage.com

Ponte Vedra (near Jacksonville) � The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, an oceanfront resort, completed a $65-million renovation in summer 2003, including the renovation of The Ocean Course, transformation and addition of new rooms at the resort's inn, the addition and expansion of the Shopping Promenade in the inn, and rebuilding and expansion of the oceanfront gym. The resort is a fairway drive from the PGA Tour�s headquarters, as well as the Association of Tennis Professionals' (ATP - men's tennis tour) headquarters. In addition, the renowned Ocean Course, which has hosted five U.S. Open qualifiers, has undergone a complete renovation � giving it more of the qualities of a British links course as it was designed back in 1928. (904) 285-1111. www.pvresorts.com

St. Petersburg/Clearwater � The PGA Tour, the world�s premier golf tour, returns to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area this fall with the first staging of the Chrysler Championship Oct. 27 through Nov. 2, on the fabled Copperhead Course at the Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. The Chrysler Championship, to be held each year prior to the TOUR Championship, will bring most of the top stars on the PGA TOUR to compete for a total purse of $4.8 million. The Chrysler Championship replaces the JC Penney Classic, an unofficial money event held in the area for 23 years featuring pros from the PGA Tour and LPGA. (727) 942-5566 or www.chryslerchampionship.com

St. Petersburg � In October, the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club will complete renovations of its golf course greens. The resort is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The Vinoy Golf Course was designed in the 1990s by well-known golf architect Ron Garl and features an excellent mix of extremely difficult holes with some that allow golfers to catch their breath. The signature hole, the 16th, is a 560-yard par 5 with water along both sides of the fairway culminating with an approach shot to an island green. (727) 894-1000. www.renaissancehotels.com

Tampa � Saddlebrook Resort, an upscale golf, tennis and spa resort located on 480 acres of rolling countryside northeast of Tampa recently completed a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation project to enhance all of the guest rooms. The renovation was part of a larger project that saw the addition of an 18,000-square-foot exhibit pavilion two years ago. (813) 973-1111. www.saddlebrookresort.com

DON�T MISS THESE SPECIALS Bonita Springs � Guests are assured a relaxing and memorable experience at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, with views of Estero Bay and a championship golf course on site. The �Raptor Bay Golf Package for One� includes one-night guest room accommodations (single or double occupancy), one round of golf per night stay, a golf cart, unlimited range balls, yardage book, and a golf club bag tag. The special is available for $175 per night through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the promotion will be offered at $235 per night. The �Raptor Bay Golf Package for Two� gives each golfer a round per day, and includes all other complimentary items. (800) 633-7313. www.hyatt.com

Captiva Island � Connected to Sanibel Island by a bridge, Captiva Island has plenty of spots to swing a club. South Seas Resort is tempting visitors with their �Redfish Point Golf Package,� which includes a three-night/four-day stay at the resort, one round of golf per adult, per day at Redfish Point golf course (18 holes of golf on the nine-hole, par 36 course). Guests also receive complimentary logo golf shirts, a daily lunch per person at Cap�n Al�s Dockside Grill or Chadwick�s buffet, a complimentary cocktail per day at any restaurant or bar on the property and a daily bag of practice golf balls for each adult. The offer will continue through Dec. 24, and visitors can choose from either the Harbourside hotel room for $699 or the Marina Villa two-bedroom for $948. Extra nights are available upon request. (800) 965-7772. www.south-seas-resort.com

Fort Myers � Homewood Suites in Fort Myers is offering the �Weekend Golf Package,� including golf at both Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club (www.wcicommunities.com) and the Club at Grandezza (www.grandezzacc.com), along with a two-night stay. The offer is priced at $179 per person, based on double occupancy, and is valid through Oct. 31. The property�s Web site is www.homewood-suites.com, however, reservations cannot be booked online. For additional information and reservations, call Laura at (239) 210-2463.

Fort Walton Beach � The Best Western Fort Walton Beachfront Hotel is offering golf package specials of more than 20- to 30-percent off the normal rack rates. From now until Oct. 31 the packages start at $114 per person, double golfer occupancy, and from Nov. 1 through Feb. 29, 2004 packages start at $108 per person, double golfer occupancy. The golf packages include accommodations, 18 holes of golf, cart usage, complimentary welcome cocktail coupon, goodies upon check in and all applicable taxes. Additional charges will apply for triple and quadruple occupancy. Advance reservations are required. (877) 243-9444. www.bestwestern.com/ftwaltonbeachfront

Florida Golf/add three Islamorada (Florida Keys) � Cheeca Lodge is starting renovations this fall which include enhancing the manicured, par-three executive course. In addition, the daily resort fee of $25 now includes unlimited golf, greens fees, golf equipment and use of other resort luxuries such as beach cabanas, use of Avanyu Spa Fitness Studio, fishing poles for pier, pool floats, use of tennis courts (also rackets and balls) and much more. "Barefoot elegance" is the trademark at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, located an hour south of Miami in the Florida Keys, the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World." (888) FOR ROCK (367-7625). www.cheeca.com. Naples � GreenLinks Golf Resort, SunStream Hotels & Resorts� newest addition to its collection of properties, is offering special autumn golf packages. The condominium resort, nestled between two of Naples� acclaimed golf courses in Lely Resort, came under SunStream�s management in December 2002. On one side of the resort lies Lee Trevino�s Mustang course while the other side boasts Naples� only Robert Trent Jones Sr. Course, the Flamingo Island Course. These introductory golf packages include a stay in a two- or three-bedroom suite, full American breakfast, one round of golf, greens fees, golf cart, bucket of driving range balls, and all applicable taxes. Packages start at $70 through September for a two-bedroom suite and start at $89 from October through Dec.18. Rates are per person, per night, based on four golfers in a suite, with a minimum stay of two nights. (800) 625-4111. www.sunstream.com

Naples � Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort is offering special golf packages. The three-day/two-night "Come Play In Our Yard" package is only $359 and includes three days unlimited golf with shared cart, guaranteed t-times at time of reservation, free range balls & bag storage, full American breakfast for two both mornings, dinner for two, two drink coupons and all taxes and gratuities. The offer is valid until Nov. 30, 2003. Package price is $319 per couple from Dec. 1- 24, 2003 (800) 277-0017. www.naplesgolfresort.com

Orlando � Swing on through the Courtyard By Marriott at the Marriott Village in Lake Buena Vista and enjoy luxurious one night accommodations, a round of golf for two on �Hawk�s Landing� 18-hole championship golf course located at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and continental breakfast for two, for only $119 per night now through Sept. 30, 2003. Marriott Village in Lake Buena Vista is a gated resort encompassing the Courtyard by Marriott, SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn, all within minutes of Walt Disney World� theme parks, and only footsteps from Orlando Premium Outlets. (877) 682-8552. www.take2golf.com

Palm Beach � The historic Chesterfield Hotel is offering a two-day and one-night Golf Getaway package that includes luxurious accommodations in a Queen Superior Room, continental breakfast, dinner for two with selected wines in the world-famous Leopard Lounge and Restaurant, tee times for two at Emerald Dunes Golf Course and complimentary golf favors including a golf video, a book on golf and Red Carnation Hotel golf balls. Between Oct. 1and April 30, 2004 the package is only $679. (800) 243-7871. E-mail: bookchpb@rchmail.com. www.chesterfieldpb.com

Pensacola � The Dunes Hotel is going back in time with rates from 1999 by offering the Golf & Gulf Package for $77 per golfer. Included in the package is a deluxe room with two queen beds and a private balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, cart and green fees each day at one of 10 PGA-rated courses in the Pensacola area and welcome gifts including Titlist golf balls, towel and tees. The package rates are based on double occupancy and are valid Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2004. The Dunes Hotel is a full-service resort featuring restaurant, lounge, free gym membership privileges, heated pool and award winning staff. For a list of courses offered, visit www.theduneshotel.com/golf.htm. (800) 83-DUNES (38637). www.theduneshotel.com

Florida Golf/add four Port St. Lucie � Indulge and enjoy at the PGA of America Golf School as it offers a 25-percent discount for two-or-more-person bookings for schools valid until Dec. 31. Select from a variety of packages created to provide the best value and convenience for guests. Offer is based upon availability so reserve now. The PGA Village is located 30 minutes north of West Palm Beach in Port St. Lucie. Call (866) 742-2582 to request our 24-page catalog. www.PGAVillage.com

Sanibel Island � The Gulf-front West Wind Inn offers a golf special in conjunction with the gorgeous Beachview Golf Club, both of which are located on Sanibel Island. For $567, guests may stay any three nights at the Inn with two days of golf for two people. This golf package continues through Dec. 21. For more information, access the property�s Web site at www.westwindinn.com, however, the package cannot be booked online. For reservations, call (800) 824-0476, extension 400 or e-mail the inn at sales@westwindinn.com.

St. Augustine � The World Golf Village�s "Golfer�s Dream Package" offers players the opportunity to indulge themselves in all aspects of the game. The package is available year-round and includes the following: four-nights accommodations at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort, recently named one of the top 100 golf resorts in the world by the readers of Cond� Nast Traveler; private one-hour lesson for two at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy; one round of golf on the King & Bear, the only golf course in the world co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus; one round of golf on the Slammer & Squire, designed by Bobby Weed with course consultants Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen; guided tour of the World Golf Hall of Fame; $25 gift certificate for Murray Bros. Caddyshack; a bottle of Greg Norman Estates wine; and tickets to IMAX Theater, Challenge Hole (replica of 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass). Package rates begin at $554 per person, based on double occupancy, subject to availability. All service charges and taxes are included. (800) WGV-GOLF (948-4653) or visit www.wgv.com.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS To many, Amelia Island in Northeast Florida is a golfer�s paradise, offering golf that is both challenging and awe-inspiring in its natural beauty. Amelia Island is home to many professional golfers and the golf facilities are consistently listed among the nation�s finest. Course designers including Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Bobby Weed, Mark McCumber and Gene Littler have woven the island's natural beauty and varied terrain into the creation of 117 holes of challenging, memorable golf. (904) 261-3248. www.ameliaisland.org

The Beaches of South Walton, in Northwest Florida, offers 189 championship holes of golf on top-rated, professionally designed golf courses, all concentrated along a 26-mile stretch of the Gulf of Mexico. This includes Sandestin's Burnt Pine Golf Club, Links and Baytowne -- all named as Golf Digest's �Best Places to Play.� In addition, the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club was named the �purest golf on the Panhandle� by Golf Magazine. (800) 822-6877. www.beachesofsouthwalton.com. Daytona Beach is home to the international headquarters of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), and the area is lined with public championship greens. Golf enthusiasts can plan their Daytona Beach getaway through Golf Daytona Beach, a program coordinated by the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau that packages golf courses and accommodations for added value and convenience to the traveler. There are nearly 30 hotels and more than 20 golf courses in the Golf Daytona Beach program including both courses at LPGA International and the area's new Ocean Hammock Golf Club featuring eight holes fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Customized golf packages offered by participating Golf Daytona Beach hotels may include pre-arranged tee times, cart, green fees and a daily continental breakfast. Group packages are also available. To receive a Golf Daytona Beach Travel Planner call (386) 255-0415, (800) 881-7065 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada only), or visit www.golfdaytonabeach.com.

Along the Lee Island Coast, in Southwest Florida, there are more than 95 golf courses to choose from, giving the golf addict an exquisite opportunity to be both in Florida sunshine (an average annual temperature of 73.3 degrees) and on the links. With this brilliant combination, it�s easy to see why the area is a well-known golfing district. The numerous selections of courses give both professional and amateur golfers several from which to choose for their own personal levels. With this comes a number of amateur tournaments, such as the Southwest Florida Amateur at Eastwood and Fort Myers Country Club golf course and Lochmoor�s annual 36-hole Fall and Spring Classics. Additionally, the area is seeing more and more well-known names in golf, including Mark Lye, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Andy Bean and Nancy Lopez. To request a Visitor�s Guide, call (888) 231-6933 or for more information, visit www.LeeIslandCoast.com.

Florida�s First Coast of Golf is a golf destination marketing company for 21 resorts/hotels and 38 private, semi-private and public golf courses. The region of members encompasses Amelia Island, Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Saint Augustine, Orange Park and Palm Coast. Within the last two years, 14 of the members received awards and accolades ranging from �Named No.1 as �best golf resort� to �Top 100 courses in the U.S. women can play.� For consumers planning anything from a weekend getaway, a tour group, a company retreat or the ultimate golf vacation, Florida�s First Coast of Golf offers a variety of opportunities to enhance golfing experience while visiting Florida�s First Coast of Golf. (800) 555-0807. www.florida-golf.org

The variety and quality of golf courses combined with the easy accessibility, comparatively low greens fees, unmatched settings and year-round play make Greater Fort Lauderdale a popular choice for a golf vacation. The area's more than 50 courses offer many options for players of all skill levels including PGA tournament courses, and consist of premier public facilities maintained to the highest standards, exclusive private clubs and resort courses. Greater Fort Lauderdale is also home to four golf and spa resorts including the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six, Wyndham Bonaventure Resort & Spa and Palm Aire Resort & Spa. There are also world-renowned academies including the Nicholas Flik Golf Academy at Heron Bay, Mark Woods Golf Academy at Grande Oaks, Jim McLean Golf Academy at Weston Hills Country Club and Inverrary Golf Academy. (954) 765-4466. www.sunny.org

With an annual average temperature of 78� F, Palm Beach County is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities. With more than 150 golf courses, the county is known as Florida's Golf Capital, offering resort courses, golf schools and academies, daily fee courses and plenty of diversity for every level of golfer. (561) 233-3000. www.palmbeachfl.com

St. Petersburg/Clearwater has long been known for its 35 miles of award-winning beaches, and a surprise to some is that the area also features nearly 50 golf courses including three major golf resorts and two public courses rated among the nation�s top 100. The area is also home to a new PGA tour event called the Chrysler Championship held in October one week before the tour championship. (727) 464-7200. www.floridasbeach.com

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Betsy Caire, Public Relations Representative (850) 488-5607, Ext. 302 betsyc@visitflorida.org www.FLAUSA-media.com