New owners reimagine historic Orange County golf course

Florida’s Fourth Estate

Some of the most recognizable names in golf used to walk the greens at Rio Pinar Golf.

Now the new owners are hoping they will inspire the next golf greats to get their start in East Orange County with their family at their side.

Gregor Tilch-Jensen and his wife recently bought Rio Pinar Golf and the duo isn’t wasting any time breathing new life into the historic golf course.

If the walls could talk they would probably tell you all about the Florida Citrus Open.

“It was a great event they hosted here with an unbelievable winner’s list, from Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Julius Boros, all Hall of Famers and people who tried to win here and never did, Sam Sneade, Jack Nicklaus, they were here, couldn’t do it.”

But, the walls would also tell you about the new owners’ plans to go beyond that history.

Tilch-Jensen stood on the green telling the hosts of Florida’s Fourth Estate that he sees this location as less “members only” and more community.

“We want to be a destination for families,” Tilch-Jensen said.

He said he is bringing new technology to his hitting bays, building a pickleball court and re-furbishing one of his tennis courts.

The amateur golfer turned instructor, turned golf course owner told hosts Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden that creating a space where parents and kids can play together is near and dear to his heart.

“My kids love golf as well. My wife and I met on a golf course. It’s just part of our life, it always has been,” Tilch-Jensen said.

He admitted it’s not as popular of a sport in his home country of Germany, but once he got a hold of a golf club, he fell in love and wanted to introduce that passion to the next generation of golf enthusiasts.

To do that he said he has developed a long-term plan, which involves moving his wife and their children to Central Florida. He said he is committed to making Rio Pinar Golf a success again.

“You want to make it work and you don’t want to let down the people you love the most,” he said.

His wife is fully onboard and has focused on helping to redesign the interior of the golf course’s clubhouse.

“It’s not really like a golf club, it’s really loungy-modern, which is located at a golf course. Leaving the former Champions’ Room, which is now the Oak Room, just modernize that a little bit, which you still have the history part of it and still have the trophy from Arnold Palmer in it, but that’s a separate space, so now again, everyone feels comfortable,” he said.

To learn more about Tilch-Jensen’s plans for Rio Pinar Golf check out Florida’s Fourth Estate. You can download the podcast from wherever you listen to podcasts and watch it anytime on News 6+.

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