Tag: Central Florida

Where to play golf around Orlando and Central Florida: Golfweek’s Best 2023 public-access courses

Thanks to Golfweek’s Best rankings, we break out the top courses around Orlando and Central Florida.

Looking for a break from the theme parks around Orlando? Whether you want to stay close or you’re willing to drive a bit, there are several courses available that appear on the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top public-access layouts in Florida.

But it’s not as easy as pulling up our state-by-state rankings, which lists Florida courses that might be a full day’s drive away from Central Florida. We wanted to focus on the eight top-ranked courses that, while they might require golfers spend up to 90 minutes in the car, are within reasonable driving distance.

For the purpose of this exercise, we limited driving time to within 90 minutes of Disney World. Why 90 minutes? Because it can take a while to get anywhere around Orlando, especially if you’re stuck on Interstate 4, so 90 minutes seemed like a reasonable amount of time in a car to reach great golf.

And why Walt Disney World Resort? Because chances are if you’re visiting Orlando, you will be bunking up not far from that entertainment giant’s theme parks or Universal Orlando nearby.

We used Google Maps for its drive times, keying in Walt Disney World Resort at a time with no significant traffic slowdowns. Take all drive times around Orlando and Central Florida with a grain of salt, of course, as backups frequently happen.

None of this is to say there aren’t plenty of other worthy places to play around Orlando. As a nearby resident, this author will attest to the simple pleasures to be found at Winter Park Golf Course – frequently called WP9 – just north of downtown Orlando. The short nine-holer is one of the most fun two hours you’re likely to spend on a golf course.

Included with this list is a general map of where to find all these courses. Each one on the list below is represented with a number on the map – keep scrolling to see the numbers.

Included with each course is its position in Florida on the Golfweek’s Best public-access list. For any course that appears on our other popular rankings lists, those positions are included as well.

A little background: The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them on 10 criteria on a points basis of 1 through 10. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce all our Golfweek’s Best course rankings.

The courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time – no membership required.

Orlando map where to play 2023
(Google Earth/Golfweek)

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Arkansas’ next opponent gets throttled by Gus Malzahn’s UCF

Kent State will be coming to Fayetteville next weekend smarting from a 50-point setback at the hands of Central Florida.

The opening Thursday night of the college football season usually provides some twists and turns.

There were none of the sort in Orlando. Gus Malzahn’s Central Florida made light work of the Kent State Golden Flashes, 56-6.

It was 28-3 at halftime and the Golden Knights had outgained Kent State 357 to 99.

John Rhys Plumlee was 23 of 31 for 305 and three touchdowns, but did throw two interceptions for UCF.

The Golden Flashes will make their way to Fayetteville next weekend. Kickoff is tentatively slated for 3 p.m. on SEC Network.

Other games of interest included Utah handling Florida with ease and Missouri taking care of business against South Dakota.

Bomber Molly Smith, 18, shot 70 against the men at a U.S. Open local qualifier, nearly advanced

The high school senior shot 2-under 70 to miss the cut by a shot.

Molly Smith birdied two of her first three holes Wednesday at U.S. Open local qualifying. The 18-year-old University of Central Florida commit drove her brown minivan, fondly known as “The Potato,” to LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and took on the men in an 18-hole qualifier.

“It’s been raining a lot here and the course was soft,” said Molly, “a day you could go pin-seeking.”

The high school senior would go on to shoot a 2-under 70 to miss the cut by a shot. Five players in the field at LeBaron advanced to U.S. Open final qualifying, with two players topping the board at 67. Smith lost out on securing one of two alternate positions in a playoff. On June 7, she’ll give U.S. Women’s Open qualifying a try.

Local qualifying is being conducted at 109 sites across the U.S. and Canada. The 123rd U.S. Open will be contested at The Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, June 15-18.

Smith has competed against men in club championships and Massachusetts qualifiers for the state Amateur and Open. She doesn’t spend much time concerning herself with what others might think about a woman teeing it up in men’s events.

“There’s pretty clear criteria on what a golfer needs to do to play in the tournament,” she said of men’s U.S. Open qualifying.

Molly, a former Massachusetts Junior Player of the Year, averages 275 yards off the tee with 107 mph swing speed.

“She just oozes confidence,” said UCF coach Emily Marron, “and I think that comes from growing up playing with the boys. She had to be confident.”

Later this month, Smith and her older sister Morgan, 19, who heads to Georgetown this fall, will team up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington. Maddie, 15, is the youngest Smith sister, and she plays too. Just last week Morgan and Molly became the first sister duo to compete in the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship, taking a share of 68th out of 192 teams.

Molly Smith (right) with sisters Morgan and Maddie (courtesy photo)

On Monday, she’ll try to qualify to compete against the men at the Massachusetts Open.

“If you spend three minutes with her,” said Marron of Smith’s infectious personality, “you’ll love her,”

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Atlanta Falcons 2021 draft pick profile: S Richie Grant

The Atlanta Falcons took a versatile starting safety after a trade down to No. 40 overall with the selection of Richie Grant from UCF.

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The Atlanta Falcons took a versatile starting safety after a trade down to No. 40 overall with the selection of Richie Grant from the University of Central Florida. He profiles well to a starting safety role in Dean Pees’ defense and should fit in perfectly in the locker room. Atlanta got a first-round value at the top of the second round.

Athletic Testing and Athletic Comparison

Stats and Awards

2020: 9 Games Played, 72 Tackles, 3.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 1 QB Hurry, 3 Interceptions, 2 Fumbles Forced, 6 Pass Deflections, First-Team All-AAC

2019: 13 Games Played, 78 Tackles, 4.0 Tackles for Loss, 1 Interception, 8 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown, First-Team All-AAC

2018: 13 Games Played, 109 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 6 Interceptions, 3 Fumbles Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Punt Return, 13 Yards, First-Team All-AAC

2017: 13 Games Played, 32 Tackles, 1.0 Tackle for Loss, 1 Fumble Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 4 Kick Returns, 75 Yards

2016: Redshirted

Highlights vs. Cincinnati

https://youtu.be/TtJRgN0GnaU

How does Grant fit on the field?

Richie Grant can do it all. He’s a deep-third safety who can win with instincts and athleticism while aligned deep. He makes all the calls and has the on-field leadership the Falcons lost when Ricardo Allen left. He reads offenses well and understands his keys even pre-snap. His range is unmatched in the draft and the Falcons can use him at either free or strong safety.

Grant is one of the best tacklers in the draft, and as long as his angles are good, he can take down anyone. He’s also able to stick guys the way Keanu Neal used to. He’s a true all-around safety who can also blitz from the third level if he is told to. He has great special teams potential with how he’s willing to run downfield and smack someone.

How does Grant fit off the field?

The Falcons are missing leadership and competitiveness in the back end of the defense. Grant brings that in spades. He’s aggressive when he hits people. He’s ornery when he goes after the ball. Grant plays the game with a level of aggression and is someone who’s going to get after it, make all the calls, and be that third-level leader the Falcons need.

Why Grant instead of Azeez Ojulari or Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah?

Atlanta has guys who can rotate in for the pass rush, and Owusu-Koramoah has some issues with fit in an NFL scheme. Grant is a perfect fit for Dean Pees’ scheme, so the Falcons taking the Golden Knight just made too much sense. Grant was the best scheme fit for the Falcons’ defense in the 2021 draft much like how Keanu Neal was the best in 2016.

Overview

NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Brian Dawkins

This is a comparison that’s coming from Football Gameplan and CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt. And honestly, it’s tough to argue with. Grant will bring toughness, leadership, and intelligence to a Falcons defense that is losing a lot of all three with the losses of Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. This gives them a true long-term answer at the safety position.

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Bowl Projections have Texas in New Year’s Six, rematch with Georgia

The week three bowl projection have the Texas Longhorns heading to the New Year’s Six. Two have UT in the Fiesta Bowl and one the Cotton.

With the Big Ten Conference back in the fold for the college football season, the postseason could get interesting.

Prior to the conference’s decision to delay the season until spring, Ohio State was a virtual lock for the College Football Playoff. Once it appeared the Big Ten and Pac-12 would wait until the spring to play, Texas seemed to be heading back to the New Year’s Six. What about now?

The Longhorns are looking to return to the New Year’s Six or, better yet, qualify for the College Football Playoffs. While the only Big 12 team to make it into the playoff is Oklahoma, early on it feels as though analysts are starting to look toward Texas. The Sooners are still the overwhelming favorite, but the Longhorns could make a little noise. For now anyway, the Longhorns are being picked to play in one of the premier bowl games by season’s end. ESPN released their latest bowl projections.

Mark Schlabach is sticking with the Longhorns returning to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Setting up the battle of Sam Ehlinger vs. Kellen Mond. Tom Herman vs. Jimbo Fisher. Texas vs. Texas A&M.

Would it be great television? Absolutely. Is it going to happen? Probably not. Seems like each time a prediction has been released, an analyst picks this game and it never comes to fruition.

The pick by Kyle Bonagura feels like the more appropriate prediction: Texas vs. Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl. A rematch from the 2018-19 All State Sugar Bowl, these schools have met five times over the last 70 years. The Longhorns lead the series 4-1 and are 2-1 in bowl games. Texas beat UGA in the 2019 Sugar Bowl and the 1949 Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs lone victory in the series game in the 1984 Cotton Bowl.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports, put the Longhorns up against the Central Florida Golden Knights. Texas and UCF have matched up twice before with the Longhorns winning both matchups. The last coming in 2009 when Texas won 35-3 in Austin. That would make for an interesting bowl game, especially given how much most analysts love UCF.

Analyst Bowl Game Opponent
Schlabach Cotton Bowl Texas A&M
Bonagura Fiesta Bowl Georgia
Crawford Fiesta Bowl Central Florida

The picks are in, analysts select their winners from todays games

Find out who the experts picked to win this weeks slate of games.

It has become a right of passage at the end of collegiate pregame shows, the picking of the day’s slate of games. Take a look at who the experts selected, along with celebrity picker comedian Bill Murray.

Troy at MTSU

Kirk Herbstreit – Troy

Lee Corso – MSTU

Desmond Howard – MTSU

David Pollack – Troy

Bill Murray – MTSU

 

App. St. at Marshall

Herbstreit  – App. St.

Corso – App. St.

Howard – App. St.

Pollack – Marshall

Murray – App. St.

 

Tulsa vs Oklahoma St.

Herbstreit – OSU

Corso – OSU

Howard – OSU

Pollack – OSU

Murray – OSU

 

UCF at Georgia Tech

Herbstreit – UCF

Corso – UCF

Howard – UCF

Pollack – UCF

Murray – UCF

 

Miami at Louisville

Herbstreit – NO PICK

Corso – Miami

Howard – Miami

Pollack – Louisville

Murray – Louisville

Marcus Tatum transfers to Central Florida

Marcus Tatum transfers to Central Florida.

KNOXVILLE — Redshirt junior offensive lineman Marcus Tatum announced on Dec. 4 that he would transfer from Tennessee.

Tatum has made his decision to transfer to the University of Central Florida. He appeared in 29 games since 2016 for the Vols.

“Appreciate all the support and love,” Tatum said on Twitter. “Excited to say The University of Central Florida is where I’ll be calling home for my final year of eligibility.”

On Dec. 4 Tatum said of Tennessee that he appreciates “all the support and love that I have always received at this great institution.”

“I would like to thank the current staff for coming in and truly helping us become not just better players but also better men,” he continued. “I will always be a VFL, but it is time for me to move on in my career and pursue different opportunities for myself as a person and as a player as a graduate transfer. There is no bad blood, and nothing bad between me and the coaches. It has been a mutual situation, and they have been great in helping me every step of the way. They want what is best for me just as much as I do.”