Golfers visiting the St. Johns River Country communities of DeBary, DeLand, Deltona and Orange City will be pleasantly surprised to find themselves walking championship courses with rolling hills, lush fairways and an abundance of trees. With landscapes more characteristic of courses in the Carolinas than Florida, golfers here can tee off on some of the state�s most scenic courses. Conveniently located along the I-4 corridor between Central Florida attractions and the beaches, St. Johns River Country courses offer the perfect day-trip for visitors.

The historic city of DeLand is home to Victoria Hills Golf Club, a challenging course located in Arvida�s Victoria Park, a St. Joe master-planned community. Victoria Hills preserves Mother Nature�s best with some additional challenges thrown in to keep things interesting. Designed by acclaimed golf course architect, Ron Garl, the course holds true to his philosophy of allowing the environment and man to coexist and flourish. More than 40 percent of the land in the Victoria Park community is designated for open space and conservation areas, making this 18-hole course a golfer�s dream. The course is often ranked in national publications including Golfweek, Golf and Travel & Leisure Golf.

DeBary Golf & Country Club, four-star rated in 2004-2005 by Golf Digest, offers undulating fairways and greens and excellent course conditions. Designed by Lloyd Clifton, this course provides only a single water hazard that comes into play by the 9th and 18th greens, which adds to the Carolina feel. The holes are buffered from the residential community by dense woods populated with local wildlife; one reason The National Audubon Society certified the course as an official bird sanctuary. Complete with a driving range, chipping green and putting green, this course offers ample practice and play facilities.

Designed in 1965 by Pete Craig, The Pines Golf Club in Orange City is a longstanding tribute to the well-manicured courses in St. Johns River Country. Featuring an abundance of trees, this 18-hole public course offers tight fairways, rolling terrain and small, well-bunkered greens.

Deltona Hills Golf & Country Club, a semi-private course, welcomes golfers year-round with rolling hills, lush fairways and velvety greens.

St. Johns River Country is made up of 14 distinct communities in Central East Florida, including Barberville, Cassadaga, DeBary, DeLand, DeLeon Springs, Deltona, Glenwood, Enterprise, Lake Helen, Orange City, Osteen, Pierson, Seville and Volusia. For information on area courses available for play, contact the St. Johns River Country Visitors Bureau, (386) 775-2006, toll-free (800) 749-4350 or visit www.StJohnsRiverCountry.com.

-St. Johns River Country, Fla.-

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