King and Bear- One of Florida’s Best

What happens when you bring together two of the greatest golfers in the world and let their minds run wild to build a golf course? The answer is: The King & Bear, the first collaborative effort between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who between them hold 25 major titles, over 130 PGA Tour victories, and some 350 golf course designs to their credit.
There are quite a few golf clubs that market their courses as collaborations between legendary designers, however what you often find is that one designed the front nine, the other the back. Often they stay well apart from each other, sharing only a common employer. Things were different in designing The King & Bear at World Golf Village near St. Augustine. They actually walked the layout together, consulted one another, even played the course together. This may seem odd since they are almost as competitive as course architects as they were as players.

This 18-hole championship golf course; which opened in 2000, plays 7279 yards from the back tees for a par of 72. It has a course rating of 72.5 and a slope rating of 141 on Bermuda grass. The King and Bear features loblolly pines and open meadows on the front nine while 200-year-old live oaks line many of the holes on the back nine. Each of these legend's footprints is quite evident; witness Palmer's beach bunkers and Nicklaus' trademark open fairways. The Bear's influence can also be seen in the subtly contoured greens.

The key to a low score at The King & Bear is course management. The fairways often look generous, with landing areas that scream "grip it and rip it." Don't be fooled; these seemingly open fairways can be full of peril. You will find that the risk-reward option will have you taking a direct line to the green, a route that often brings water or bunkers into play. However, if executed to perfection, this will yield the best angle of approach as well as the best score. The alternative option is to aim for the wide landing areas and leave either a long iron to the green or a more sensible lay-up. The fairways are impeccably manicured and well cared for; the greens are not only fast and somewhat hard to read, they all seem to be guarded by deep, well-placed bunkers.

Memorable Holes

Number 5: Par 5, 532 yards. This dogleg right goes around a large body of water that features not only an abundance of wildlife such as birds and gators but quite a few golf balls, some of which I would recognize if retrieved. There is also a large fairway bunker on the right and another large one straight away, Armies' idea I would guess. Water guards the right side of the fairway this entire hole, so the key to a good score is an accurate layup and approach shot. Beware of the nasty post bunker in the middle of the fairway on your layup shot. Your approach shot requires you to navigate past a few more bunkers to a narrow green that slopes gently from back to front.

Number 9: Par 4, 430 yards. This hole is a good set up for the two long par 4s on the back 9. Once again, water goes the entire length of the fairway down the right side. A good drive will leave a long to mid iron approach shot. A good line for approach is to aim at the bunker on the left side of the green and fade the ball in. Anything right of the green is wet. Take your par and run.

Number 15: Par 4, 334 yards. There is a plaque near the tee that contains the following quote from Arnold Palmer: "When Jack Nicklaus and I picked out or favorites, he picked number 16 and I chose number 15. A short par 4 with water down the right playing to an elevated green over a natural rock retaining wall extending from the back and right side out of the lake." No need to hit drive off the tee; a well hit long iron or hybrid will leave a relative short pitch shot to this elevated green, But, as Arnie warned, beware of the water on the right. A par or birdie on this hole will get you ready for Jack's favorite. Interestingly enough, this is the number two handicap; Jack's favorite is number sixteen.

Number 16: Par 4, 441 yards. Obviously Jack liked them a little bit longer than Mr. Palmer. Favor the right side of the fairway off the tee on this long par 4 in order to avoid the large pine tree on the left side of the fairway. Massive bunkers guard the front of the long narrow green. I have no idea why this hole is a higher handicap than number 15.

Number 18: Par 5, 540 yards. A nice finishing hole, this double dogleg requires a somewhat straight tee shot. This will lead to the avoidance of trees and large fairway bunker on the right and the large pine tree on the left. A huge waste bunker envelops the left side of the fairway and, to make matter worse has some grassy areas and trees in it as well. Keep layup shots well right. This will leave an open approach shot to an elevated green that features a lot of undulation.

The King an Bear is owned and operated by Honours Golf, and features Honours' signature amenities including complimentary range balls, fresh chilled apples on the 1st and 10th tees, cool towels for warm Florida days and a Global Positioning System (GPS) in every golf cart.

Fees range from a low of $125 in the summer months to $200 during March and April. Currently, the King and Bear is offering a Play All Day special for the summer for $99 + tax Sunday through Friday. There are also numerous stay and play packages that will allow you to play both the King and Bear and The Slammer and Squire. For more information, visit their website at www.kingandbear.com or give them a call at (904) 940-6088.

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