Located in the heart of Lake Mary, Heathrow Country Club is Seminole County’s premier private country club. When you hear the term private country club, images of Bushwood Country Club and Judge Smails might come to mind, but I can ensure Heathrow Country Club is a relaxed setting full of down to earth members. A full golf membership at Heathrow Country Club provides access to 36 holes of championship golf featuring courses designed by Ron Garl and Tom Fazio. Both golf courses are located within a mile of each other and provide members two distinct golf experiences.
The Garl Course which opened in 1985 is a water lover’s dream, featuring water hazards that come into play on 14 out of the 18 holes. Down the street the Fazio Course which opened in 1998, couldn’t be more different. The Fazio course was carved around a dense forest of lush, mature trees with spectacular topography, dramatic slopes, rises and knolls unique to Florida. This course is a true nature lover’s dream, and is certified as an Audubon International Sanctuary golf course.
Membership at Heathrow Country Club unlocks the doors to two of Orlando’s best golf courses but also provides entry into one of the best Men’s Golf Associations in the state. The Heathrow Men’s Golf Association features several tournaments throughout the year highlighted by the crowning of the club’s Player of the Year. Throughout the year members compete in events earning points similar to the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour. Members include golfers with handicaps ranging from +6 to 36. Heathrow Country Club also features several members who have won on the PGA Tour including; Chris DiMarco, Jim Thorpe, Donnie Hammond, and Fulton Allem.
Over the past two decades the Garl Course has played host to nine US Open Qualifiers, and challenged golfers of all skill level. The Garl Course is a Par 71 that plays at 6,888 yards from the championship tees. The men’s slope rating on the Garl Course ranges from 114 to 131 however the course plays much tougher with numerous water hazards in play, most errant shots end up finding water. The Fazio Course, designed by Tom Fazio, one of the world’s most renowned golf course architects is a Par 72 that plays at 7,160 yards from the championship tees. The slope rating on the Fazio course ranges from 118 to 132, however the Fazio course is more forgiving than the Garl course because most of your bad shots tend to end up in play and not in the water hazard.
Both the Garl and Fazio course feature expansive clubhouses, a pro-shop, and practice facilities that include a driving range and dedicated greens for both chipping and putting. The instructional staff is amazing and the junior golf program is among the best in the country. The junior program has consistently produced nationally ranked amateur golfers, including several which have been awarded full scholarships at some of the nation’s top collegiate golf programs.
In fact, Olympic Bronze Medalist and PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar grew up in Heathrow playing golf on the Garl Course. PGA Tour golfer Zach Johnson winner of the 2015 Open Championship scored his first double eagle on the 11th hole of the Garl Course. The golf courses at Heathrow Country Club are no stranger to special moments and special people.
When I first moved to Heathrow several years ago, one of the first things I did was become a full golf member at Heathrow Country Club. Not only have I enjoyed playing two world class golf courses over the years but I have met dear friends that welcomed me and my family with open arms and helped us settle into the area after relocating from across the country. The membership at the club is vibrant and features members of all ages and skill level. If you’re interested in learning more about Heathrow Country Club please feel free to reach out to me and I’d be more than happy to introduce you to the best golf experience in the area.
