If You Have to Work a Golf Convention
You Might As Well Be Comfortable

By Tony Leodora

I’ve been to enough golf conferences and conventions over the years. They are all the same – early mornings, full days, late nights, plenty of eating and drinking and schmoozing. Most of the time there is a little bit of golf thrown in.

You come home from them feeling a bit beaten up – both physically and mentally.

Then I got smart. That hotel room – even in a nice hotel – is not always the best way to get through the week. Wait in line to check in. Wait for the elevator. Wait for a table in the restaurant. Wait in line to check out. Wait for the valet to bring your car.

It makes your work week even longer. And when your work week involves doing battle at the PGA Merchandise Show, the last thing you need is something that makes your work week longer.

For the last two years I have moved my headquarters to one of the properties that has been an integral part of our annual Golf Orlando Reports, presented by GolfPac Travel. I set up shop at Mystic Dunes Resort.

Located just off Rt. 192 in Kissimmee, the resort is an oasis in the tourist-plagued surroundings. Instead of a cramped hotel room, I have a huge two-bedroom condo overlooking a heated pool. There is a full kitchen, dining room and a large living room, with an overstuffed leather sectional and a large flat screen television. The condo is wired for internet access and has all of the upgrades you would find in the finest homes.

And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Mystic Dunes golf course, one of the most unique and entertaining courses in the Orlando area, is right around the corner.

The course has a great driving range, a nice short game practice area and a classy clubhouse with a friendly sports bar and steakhouse.

Mystic Dunes is a timeshare resort, but its extensive inventory leaves plenty of 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condos available for rent each week. And now, as every property in the Orlando area tries to climb out of the economic slump, Mystic Dunes has deals that make it irresistible.

The Snowbird Special (good through March 31) starts at $79 per person and includes accommodations, breakfast and 50 percent off green fees for two people. You can’t live at home for less than that.

So, while the rest of the 20,000 people who will be attending the PGA Merchandise Show this week cram themselves into the tiny hotel rooms along International Drive and beyond, I will be living like I am on vacation at Mystic Dunes. With all the comfort at my disposal, I should have a foot up on the competition when I arrive at Orange County Convention Center each morning.