ST. AUGUSTINE, Fl. -- It's easy to understand why so many hundreds of people each year are moving into single-family homes and condominiums at the World Golf Village near here.

What's not to like? Two world-class golf courses, an internationally acclaimed World Golf Hall of Fame, great shopping, beautiful streets, IMAX Theater, resort hotel(Renaissance), a spa, top golf training school, great golf practice facilities, restaurants, etc.

The place is truly a mecca for golf enthusiasts -- not only for those who play, but for those who love the game.

The Hall of Fame is a wonderful place to get insight into the world's greatest players, view videos, check out interesting displays. You can see everything from the first golf shot on the moon to the oldest known golf balls in existence. Many famous players have donated memorabilia to the Hall of Fame.

Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about golf can be found here. It is unquestionably the ultimate golf destination. You can even take a shot at testing your putting skills on a real-grass, 18-hole putting course or see if you can hit a golf ball about 150 yards across a lake to a semi-island green.

The World Golf Village, home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, covers hundreds of acres and is located just off Interstate 95 South (you can see the facilities from the highway).

The golf courses -- The King & the Bear (Palmer-Nicklaus) and The Slammer & the Squire (Snead-Sarazen) are among the best in the South (see separate review story "Old, But Fun" describing St. Augustine highlights).

A nonprofit organization), the Hall of Fame opened its doors at World Golf Village in St. Augustine in 1998, previously being located in Pinehurst, N. C.

Supported by all of the world's leading golf organizations, the Hall of Fame combines historic artifacts and personal memorabilia with interactive exhibits to tell the stories of its members and the history of the game.

The World Golf Hall of Fame was originally located in Pinehurst, N.C. from 1974 to 1994, operated by the PGA of America. The museum re-opened in 1998 in its new location in St. Augustine. The Hall of Fame inducts the game's greatest players and contributors each year through five categories. A voting body comprised of golf journalists, historians and golf dignitaries vote on the PGA Tour and International Ballots each year. In addition, the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors' Selection Committee determines each year's recipients in the Veteran's and Lifetime Achievement categories. Lastly, professional women golfers may be inducted by meeting the criteria of the LPGA Points System.


The World Golf Hall of Fame experience includes admission to an adjacent IMAX® Theater, one of only 300 in the world and the only one associated with a sports hall of fame.

Perhaps the most challenging part of a visit to World Golf Village isn't finding something to do, it's deciding what new adventure to take next. Those seeking culinary experiences will enjoy the resort's varied dining choices and a selection of area dining establishments from rustic fish camps specializing in local seafood to sophisticated bistros whose master chefs create tempting international cuisine.

Golf equipment, clothing and paraphernalia fill the 30,000 square-foot PGA TOUR STOP store and bargains can also be found at the area's outlet malls and unusual items available from the quaint shops in downtown St. Augustine.

The World Golf Village continues to grow and has already pumped more than three billion dollars into the Northeast Florida economy, according to a University of Florida study.

The study focused on the economic impact of the development (which includes the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Renaissance Hotel Resort, a convention center and an IMAX movie theater) had on the area from 1995 to 2005.

World Golf Village offers vacationers access to high-end accommodations at affordable prices. Vacation packages include lodging at one of three locations: Comfort Suites, Vistana Resort or the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort; golf on the world-renown The Slammer & The Squire, a tour of the World Golf Hall of Fame; and one round on the World Golf Hall of Fame Championship putting course.

Prices vary according to accommodations and a guest can stay for as little as $138 per person based on quad-occupancy in the Grande Villas at World Golf Village. The ability to add additional days is further enhanced by multiple play discounts at The Slammer & The Squire, as well as a variety of golf locations within the surrounding First Coast area. Also available are daily films at the World Golf Village IMAX Theater, a variety of shops and restaurants, and the opportunity to explore the nearby beauty, history and beaches of America's oldest city, St. Augustine.

For more information or to book a vacation to the World Golf Hall of Fame, call 1-800-WGV-GOLF. For more information about events and exhibits at the World Golf Hall of Fame, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com. For tickets and showtimes at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater, call 904-940-IMAX.

This story was published on 31 Mar 2007.