Golfing on the upswing on Amelia Island

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

January 5, 2015 10:00 a.m.

In its Fall 2014 issue, LINKS Magazine has rated Amelia Island in the 13^th spot on its list of top 25 Golf Islands, naming the Ocean Course as the island's best course. The popularity of golf both as a tourist draw and local recreation has continued to grow, according to David Reese’s research presented to the Tourist Development Council at their December 17, 2014 meeting.  David Reese is President & CEO of Florida's First Coast of Golf (http://www.florida-golf.org/about). His firm handles golf marketing for the Amelia Island Convention Visitors Bureau (AICVB),  for which he receives about $55K annually.

The data presented was obtained from the following courses:

• Fernandina Beach Golf Club
• Omni Amelia Island Plantation – Oak Marsh
• Omni Amelia Island Plantation – Ocean Links
• The Golf Club of Amelia Island
• The Golf Club at North Hampton

Amelia River Golf Club does not belong to Florida's First Coast of Golf and does not report its statistics.

Tourism room nights attributable to golfers were also up for every month during 2014 except January. Marketing efforts have been directed toward the Golf Channel and Golfchannel.com. The number of tourist rounds played is up 12 percent over 2013.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.