Mission Resort + Club (El Campeón)

The “Champion” course at Mission Inn was one of a wave that welcomed the first crowds from Florida’s tourism boom when it was designed during 1919 by the relatively unknown Midwesterner George O’Neil.

One must wonder if Herbert Strong had visited the golf resort before heading to Ponte Vedra, based on El Campeón's frightening island installation at No. 16: Players will make their second shot to a constructed island just off of the fairway, to a green with a sand “safety net” that loops around the putting surface.

If that got your heart-rate up, the club sells the next hole as having more obstacles than some entire courses.” Although that may be a bit of a stretch, “The Devil’s Favorite” will not be an easy score. The first 500 yards of fairway are lined by both bunkers and trees, ending in one massive sand hazard that stands as protection for those who may have sent their second too far. That said, few will be happy to make their final approach to the green, out of the hazard and over around 50 yards of lake.