Re-posting this in memory of the great Arnold Palmer. A man who though I never met has touched my heart in so many ways. Truly one of the greatest individuals of my lifetime. Arnie will be missed by me and millions of fans around the world. So lucky to have watched him golf, live his life and bring so much happiness to so many. Cannot think of a better role model for all of us. God Bless Arnold Palmer. You were a gift to this world.
ARNOLD PALMER'S BAY HILL CLUB AND LODGE
9000 BAY HILL BLVD
ORLANDO, FL 32819
407-876-2429
Simply stated Bay Hill was one of the best golf experiences of my life. I loved this place.
The history, Arnold Palmer, the course, the food, the people. All amazing. Enjoyed the quiet "lodge" feel to the property even though it is a bit dated. After a day and night here my only wish was to cancel my flight home and stay a few more nights and golf this incredible course a few more times. The entire staff here was friendly and they love Arnold Palmer. Everyone raves about how nice Arnold is to everyone. He was on property and seen on the golf course during our visit but somehow we missed him. Really wish we could have stayed another day to meet Mr. Palmer after several members of the staff told us where to find him in the morning. I had a very early flight out of Orlando so stalking Mr. Palmer after his breakfast was not in the cards. My goal in visiting Bay Hill was to take in the history, relax, golf and meet Arnold Palmer. Accomplished everything but the meeting with one of the greatest golfers of all time. I did however meet David Duval while at the Lodge. David was the perfect gentlemen. He took time to chat and pose for photos with us. He was working at the Golf Channel which is only a few miles from Bay Hill. I asked him if they give tours and he asked what I was doing Monday. Told him I was flying home on Sunday and missed my tour of the Golf Channel. The front desk staff at Bay Hill was very nice. Cannot remember the girls name but she was fantastic as were the servers we had for lunch and dinner. Enjoyed a terrific lunch in the Grill Room. The Chili here is awesome. Full of ground beef and deep chili flavor. Loved it! The Southwest Chicken Salad was also really good. There was a ton of chicken in the salad plus sweet corn, black beans and jalapeños. Loved it! My friend enjoyed a Shrimp Po Boy and said it was also very good. After lunch we ventured into the Pro Shop and took in some of the photos, trophies and memorabilia that line the walls at Bay Hill. Eventually turned a corner and ended up in the locker room where several of the Members said hello. There is a bar in the locker room and the bartender who is originally from England offered us a drink and some light snacks. I walked over to the lockers and was amazed to see the names on the lockers. Tiger Woods, Rory McElroy and all of the greats. This was a cool golf moment and I took it all in. Pretty much golf Disneyland for me. I sat at a card table inside the locker room and just thought of all the great players and history here. How did a hacker like me get into this place I thought. With golf on my mind I headed back to the room to grab my golf shoes and get ready for our round. We hit the driving range and practice green where I put my rental clubs through the test. Probably the best set of rental clubs I have ever had at a course.
Checked in with the Starter and he said we just missed Mr. Palmer and that he was cruising in his golf cart. We took chase but Arnold was nowhere to be found. Being that we were a twosome, the starter teamed us up with two young men from Boston. They were great and as with all Boston guys enjoyed a few beers with us on the course. The course at Bay Hill was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed every single hole. While I was playing I already wanted to play another round here. If it was not almost dark when we finished I would have played another 18 holes if they would let me. Finished with a missed putt for par on 18. Oh...how sweet it would have been to par 18 at Bay Hill. My putt as just inches away as it broke a hard left towards the water. After a quick shower we headed to the bar for a drink and met David Duval. David left to go to work and we enjoyed a great dinner on the outside patio where fire pits heat the air. The Chicken Wings were great and the portion was huge. I went for Beef Wellington because you rarely see that on any menu in Hawaii. The dish was good but the steak was not seasoned well. Our waitress was engaging and made us feel welcome as did all of the employees at Bay Hill. There is a special feeling here and I like it. After dinner we found many of the diners putting in the hallway in front of the restaurant reception desk. Everyone was drinking and laughing while trying to sink putts into a cup held in place by a guys two feet.
What an incredible experience. Cannot wait to return to Bay Hill and highly recommend you visit.
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| ENTRANCE TO BAY HILL |
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BAY HILL IS RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY WITH SINGLE FAMILY, TOWN HOMES AND CONDOS.
LOVED TO SEE THESE KIDS SELLING LEMONADE IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE |
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| SELLING LEMONADE ON THE STREET REMINDED ME OF MY YOUTH SO WE STOPPED FOR A CUP |
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| ARNOLD PALMER'S BAY HILL LODGE |
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| WELCOME TO ARNOLD'S WORLD |
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| SMALL LOBBY WITH FRIENDLY STAFF |
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| LOBBY SITTING AREA |
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| LODGE STANDARD ROOM |
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| CLOSET AND DRAWERS |
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| SMALL SEATING AREA |
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| NICE VIEW OF THE PRACTICE FACILITY FROM MY ROOM |
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| LARGE BATHROOM WITH DUAL SINKS |
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| ARNOLD PALMER BATH PRODUCTS |
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| SEATING AREA BETWEEN HALLWAYS TO GUEST ROOMS |
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| LOVED THIS GOLF WALL SCULPTURE |
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| OFF THE LOBBY THE HALLWAY IS FULL OF ARNOLD HISTORY ON THE WALLS |
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| 18TH HOLE AT BAY HILL PAINTING |
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| AUTOGRAPHED GUITAR FROM THE BAND STYX |
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| ARNOLD IS PROBABLY THE MOST RESPECTED MAN IN GOLF. GOTTA LOVE HIM! |
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| TROPHY IN WINE ROOM |
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| MRS. PALMER |
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| ENJOYED A GREAT LUNCH IN THE GRILL ROOM AT BAY HILL |
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| THE GRILL ROOM HAS DOZENS OF PICTURES OF ARNOLD'S LIFE |
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| BAY HILL GRILL ROOM MENU |
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| NICE SELECTION OF SALADS |
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| THE GRILL ROOM MENU HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY |
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| BAY WINDOW CHILI WITH TORTILLA CHIPS - THE CHILI IS GREAT! |
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| SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD WAS DELICIOUS! |
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| SHRIMP PO BOY |
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| PGA CHAMPIONS AT BAY HILL |
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| ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL TROPHY |
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| ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL INAUGURAL FIELD OF PLAYERS |
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| THE BAY HILL TROPHY |
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| LARGE SWORD IS THE BAY HILL TROPHY |
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| LOCKER ROOM AT BAY HILL HAS ITS OWN BAR WITH FRIENDLY BARTENDER |
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| MEMBERS AT BAY HILL ENJOY WATCHING GOLF, PLAYING CARDS AND HAVING DRINKS |
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| BAY HILL LOCKER ROOM |
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| LOCKERS AT BAY HILL FOR THE BEST IN GOLF |
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AFTER A GREAT LUNCH AND VISIT TO LOCKER ROOM I RETURNED TO ROOM TO GET READY
FOR OUR ROUND OF GOLF AT BAY HILL |
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| PRACTICE FACILITY AT BAY HILL |
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| THE FAMOUS BAY HILL CLOCK ON THE PUTTING GREEN |
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| BAY HILL CLUBHOUSE |
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| CLUBHOUSE OVERLOOKS PRACTICE GREEN |
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| BAY HILL STARTER DESK |
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| REALLY NICE CALLAWAY RENTAL CLUBS AT BAY HILL |
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| BAY HILL SCORE CARD |
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| 160 YARDS TO GREEN AND WATER IN FRONT. GUESS WHERE MY BALL ENDED UP |
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| BAY HILL'S FAMOUS 18TH HOLE |
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| MY BALL IS HERE IN TWO. HAD THIS SHOT FOR BIRDY ON 18 |
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| MY THIRD SHOT WAS CLOSE TO PIN |
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| MISSED THIS PUT BY INCHES TO BOGEY 18 |
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| AFTER OUR ROUND WE ENJOYED DINNER AT BAY HILL |
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| INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING WHEN DINING AT BAY HILL |
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| RAN INTO DAVID DUVAL AT BAY HILL |
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| BAY HILL LODGE DINNER MENU |
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| ENTREES |
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| PIZZA AT BAY HILL |
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| LARGE PORTION OF CHICKEN WINGS AND THEY WERE GOOD! |
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| BEEF WELLINGTON |
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| BEEF WELLINGTON WAS COOKED TO PERFECTION |
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| AFTER DINNER AND A FEW DRINKS SOME OF THE DINERS SET UP A MAKESHIFT PUTTING GREEN IN THE RESTAURANT HALLWAY |
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LEFT BAY HILL LODGE IN THE EARLY MORNING AND WANTED TO STAY MORE NIGHTS
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