Orange County National Panther Lake (Winter Garden, FL)

Orange County National Panther Lake was designed in 1997 by the trio of Phil Ritson, Dave Harmon, and Asao Aoki. It debuted in Golf Magazines top 10 new public courses. I will always remember it because it's the best start I ever had on a golf course, birdie-eagle! 

(Eleven is a wonderful par three. Pin locations on the right are all carry with a long iron or hybrid. The par threes at Panther Lake are diverse in both challenge and visual appeal.)

OCN is just outside Disney, is devoid of housing, and is always in excellent condition. Phil Ritson and Sean Foley both teach here, a testament to the excellence of the practice facility and golf course. It has hosted several PGA Q school tournaments too. There's 5 par fives so plenty of opportunities for birdies, and one reason why 62 has been shot a few times. 

(202/165 yard par three fourth plays over the corner of the lake. Short is not an option.) 

The par threes are the stars at OCN. They're well designed, vary in length, and highlight the beauty of the property. Panther Lake is the main feature, and four of the one shotters play over it. 

(Short par three seventeenth. Note the severe slope between the rear and front tiers. Pin in the back requires a very precise shot. The slope will spin the ball all the way to front of the green, leaving a very difficult two putt.) 

The par fives are the scoring holes, and overall I feel they're weak. Two, ten, and eighteen lack hazards to make the long hitter think twice about pounding it as close as he can to the green. I played these three holes in four under par!! The other two long holes however are very good. Seven is shaped like a ? mark, playing around a water hazard. Then fourteen is a ninety degree dogleg right. It's 622 yards from the tips, but it's possible to carry the corner. However, fail to carry it, and the second shot will be from a very difficult lie and stance. 

(The par four fifth has a long narrow green that slopes hard to the right (left in pic). Reminds me of Muirfeild Village's fourteenth.) 

The par fours range between long and mid length. I felt like a couple of them are well done, especially the long third with a carry over wetlands, and the short fifth with delicate shot to green next to wetlands. However, a few of them are typical Florida holes, with approach shots over water, and greens bunkered excessively. 

OCN is well known and most golf aficionados would concur it's one of Orlando's five best public courses. No housing alone makes it a winner for me! I feel with all the amenities, this place is a no brainer. I would definitely recommend playing it. However, architecturally speaking, I think it's more in the 5 (good) range than a six.