Destination Travel & Golf July 2014 by 123 Sports Network

Destination Travel & Golf Inside Top Golf Destinations Must Visit Local Golf Must Play Golf Gift Ideas & Merchandise

July 2014

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Volume 1 Issue 2

Spotlight course

a Treat for All Level of Players By John Torsiello

re you looking to pack a bag and travel to play golf during the fall in Myrtle Beach, S.C.? Well, see why so many avid golfers make Tidewater Golf Club a must play golf course on every trip to Myrtle Beach. Golfing at Tidewater during the months of September through November will often be a recipe for wonderful weather, great golf rates and spectacular golf course conditions, making this one of the best times of the year to play. The North Myrtle Beach layout was designed by Ken Tomlinson and plays 7,150 yards from the back tees with a par of 72. The slope from the tips is 140, which tells you a little something about the challenges you will face here. The golf course, which has won top reviews from a number of publications, offers you thrilling rewards if you are a shot maker, who takes chances, uses proper course management and welcomes challenges. The course also accommodates the average golfer looking to play a fun golf course that will test you on a few holes and

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still provide a magnificent place to play a round of golf with your friends. If you are looking to find a place to play a few rounds of golf on vacation or for a business meeting while playing golf, we know, you won’t be disappointed. We are reminded every day that we have a rare golf course offering you multiple signature holes. As you start playing the first and second hole you will experience mostly narrow fairways, some sand will test you here and there and fast greens, the third and fourth holes will surprise you with spectacular scenery and openness. This side of the golf course, which also includes the 12th and 13th holes, runs along a salt water marsh with views of the Grand Strand and the Atlantic Ocean. The course offers you many different looks including several holes with views of the intercoastal waterway. A number of the course’s best holes are located on the inward nine. Number 10 is a 409yard par-four that demands a tee shot over water followed by an approach over water that fronts the putting surface. The 12th is the course’s signature hole, a classic and beautiful 189-yard par-three that

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demands a nerves-of-steel tee shot over the marsh to a green that is protected by bunkers to the front and right side. The 14th is a monstrous 457-yard par-four that calls for a lusty tee shot if you don’t want to leave too long a shot over water that ends about 40 yards out from the green. And 17 is another super par-three, measuring 208 yards. The carry is over a waste area. Starting Sept. 6, Tidewater Golf Club will be offering “your choice” of any sleeve of Titleist golf balls in its pro shop and lunch from the grill for any golf rounds booked through the Club’s website at www.TidewaterGolf.com. The Club will also honor the promotion with golf package providers for rounds booked seven days or more in advance. For more information call 800-446-5363, or 843-913-2424, or by email at GolfConcierge@ TidewaterGolf.com.

MUST PLAY

MUST VISIT

Charleston’s Middleton Place is Living History

The Golf Club at Ballantyne A Classic Experience

By JOHN TORSIELLO

any visitors to Middleton Place in Charleston, S.C. come to stroll through the paths of this National Historic Landmark’s spectacular, French-influenced formal gardens, which are lined at very special times of the year by blooming camellia and azaleas. But Middleton Place is much more than a pretty garden, or somewhere to come and drink in natural and man-made beauty, picnic, or relax the mind. The property is filled with the long and storied history of four generations of Charleston’s commercial and political past, and where Arthur Middleton, an estimable Signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born, lived, and laid to rest. After admiring the impeccably-groomed gardens and ancient Live Oaks, visitors can learn about life on a Lowcountry rice plantation—from the creation of what is known as America’s “Oldest Landscaped Gardens,” built in 1741, to the burning of most of the plantation’s buildings by Union troops at the end of the Civil War in 1865. “The mission of the non-profit Middleton Place Foundation is to preserve and interpret the rich cultural, political, and natural history of Middleton Place, and educate visitors about the site’s role in the American experience,” says Warren Cobb, director of marketing and public relations. “We accomplish this through research-based programming and special events highlighting the extraordinary lives of the Middleton Family and their slaves.” The Anglo-American history of Middleton Place is balanced with that of the enslaved Africans and African-Americans who toiled for years on the plantation. Exhibits and walking tours highlight the history of these individuals, their contributions to daily life in 18th and 19th century Charleston, and

he Golf Club at Ballantyne, located in Charlotte, N.C., is a true Must Play. Listed among the finest PGA public golf courses in the region, and honored with 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest and named as a Top 50 Golf Resort by Golf World, this par-71, tree-lined championship golf course is situated on a dynamic terrain, carefully crafted into the natural hills of the Piedmont. Golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the challenging but fair course that has multiple water features coming into play throughout. The Golf Club at Ballantyne was the first in the Charlotte region to update its greens to Champion Ultra Dwarf in September of 2009.

their place in the Lowcountry’s cultural heritage. Middleton Place also features the Plantation Stableyards, where interpreters in period costume demonstrate such skills as spinning and sewing, coopering (barrel making), pottery and blacksmithing—trades practiced by slaves and vital to keeping the plantation thriving. In addition, heritagebreed goats, sheep, water buffalo and crops, such as Sea Island cotton, sugar cane and Indigo, which were known to have been present on the plantation during the time of its operation, can also be found in the Stableyards. Carolina Gold Rice is still planted at Middleton Place every May, grown throughout the summer and harvested each September, bringing a very real and tangible essence to this historic site. The property, as befitting a major cultural venue, is also geared toward the comfort and tastes of today’s visitors, with the AAA Three Diamond-rated Middleton Place Restaurant offering up fine dining and a menu that

'OLFING -AGAZINE s North Carolina/South Carolina

features locally-sourced food (some of which is grown at the on-site Middleton Place Organic Farm) that is heavily influenced by African-American culinary culture. All while maintaining a high standard of what can be truly called cutting-edge Charleston cuisine. A five minute walk along the Ashley River takes visitors to the 55-room boutique Inn at Middleton Place, which offers superb accommodations, spectacular views of the natural landscape, and cypress-lined interiors and fireplaces in every room. The staff at Middleton Place can arrange eyeopening kayak tours of river, and each guest of the Inn receives free admission to the Middleton Place National Historic Landmark. In addition, visitors can walk down the Inn’s unpaved entrance road and visit the Middleton Equestrian Center, where they can take trail rides through the magical Lowcountry wilderness that surrounds this most special site. For more information, visit www.middletonplace.org.

“We have the best pace of play in town, and I would estimate that 75 percent of our play is local,” says Director of Golf Woody Allen. “We try to walk that fine line so that everyone enjoys their round of golf because they can play it in four hours. We actually try not to sell out all of our tee times.” Ballantyne’s challenging yet quite approachable 18-hole golf course is the recreational centerpiece of The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge. The track was designed by Land Design/Shape Makers and plays 6,740 yards from the tips, although three other sets of tees allow golfers of all abilities to enjoy this gem. There are ample bunkers, some tree-lined fairways, and enough water to make the player think out every shot, both off the tee and on the approaches to the medium-sized greens. Your round finishes in grand fashion, with a very good par-four that plays 420 yards. There

is water to the right side of the fairway leading to the green and a sand bunker that flows into the water that you need to steer clear of if you want to end your 18 holes in acceptable fashion. In addition to the golf course, golf facilities include a spacious practice area, golf pavilion for events and lunch, golf pro shop, and golf event planners for tournaments and outings. The golf course is located adjacent to The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, which is a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection. This Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers special stay-and-play packages. Adding to the allure is the Dana Rader Golf School, a state-of-the-art instructional facility selected to Golf Magazine’s prestigious list of Top 25 Golf Schools in America and unrivaled in North Carolina. The school’s founder and owner, Dana Rader, is a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher. With the assistance of her awardwinning instructional staff and state-of-the-art technology, players can learn the basics or advance their skills. From video swing analysis to multi-day golf schools, this is sure to fulfill any golfer’s dream vacation. It operates year round. “Our philosophy is to coach new and experienced golfers on an individual basis with consideration for each person’s goals, playing abilities, and swing tendencies,” says Rader. “We enhance overall player performance where it counts, on the golf course. Our instructional staff uses the most-up-to-date teaching techniques, technology, on-course instruction, club fitting, and fitness to develop our player’s overall game.” For tee times, call the pro shop at 704248-4383, or visit www.golfballantyne.com. For lessons and golf school packages, call the golf school at 704-542-7635, or visit www. danarader.com. www.TheBallantyneHotel.com

PUTTING IS A GAME OF PRECISION Here’s what separates the pros from the three-putting public, according to Golf Digest 50 Best Teacher Dana Rader. In order to be a good putter you must do three things. First, make sure you are properly fitted for your putter. This is a huge mistake that golfers make and a putter that doesn’t fit will produce mechanical errors and compensations. Second, learn the proper set up for putting. The proper fit and set-up go hand in hand. If a putter fits you then the posture, distance from the ball and alignment are easier to do. For example, if the putter is too long it affects how you can stand to the ball and in effect moves your eyes off the target line. Third, keep your body still and your eyes quiet. Quiet eyes means you are focused on making the putt and not thinking about making a perfect stroke. When your brain gets active with swing thoughts, your eyes will begin to blink, causing a lack of focus to the target. It also causes the brain to send confusing messages to the muscles about how long or far the putt is and how hard to hit the ball. There is considerable research in this area and it would be very helpful in making you a better putter. In fact, I believe that you can be just okay mechanically if you believe you can make every putt you stand over. Do that consistently and you will perform at a much higher success rate. Dana Rader is Founder and Owner, Dana Rader Golf School in Charlotte, N.C., 704-542-7635, or visit www.DanaRader.com.

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MUST PLAY

Three Great Nines at the Golf Club

at Wescott Plantation

By JOHN TORSIELLO

he Golf Club at Wescott Plantation in North Charleston, just minutes from downtown Charleston, offers 27 holes of fabulous golf. Michael Hurdzan of Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design, the 2007 recipient of the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects and one of the most respected course designers in the world, put his masterful touches on the three nines at Wescott Plantation. The result was 27 holes of fun, challenging and eminently approachable golf. The course, which opened for play n 2000, is sited on and somewhat unique for the Lowcountry in that all 27 holes are tree lined, resulting in excellent definition of the entire layout. The routing of the golf course, combined with the abundant trees, provides a sense of isolation because you rarely ever see another golf hole. Each of the three nines stretches to over 3,550 yards from the back tees, so any combination of nines will result in a back tee length of over 7,100 yards. But with at least five tees on each hole, golfers can choose to play anywhere from 5,120 yards up to 7,100 yards, depending on their ability. The designer’s intent was to capture the flavor of low flowing earthworks, classic bunkering, and each hole separated and framed by the vegetation. To this were tied wide landing areas, strategic and offset angles of play from various tees and fairway landing areas. The course will reward intelligent shot selection as much as skillful shot making. In keeping with the traditional flavor of the course the name of the three nines, Oak Forest, Burn Kill and Black Robin, all are derived from the history of the site. The fairways are planted with the newest generation super grass called “Tifsport” Destination Travel & Golf

that offers superb playing conditions, while being the most environmentally adapted. Any ball in the fairway is rewarded with a fine lie. Naturally, there are a profusion of natural elements on the courses, such as streams, ponds, wetlands, sentinel trees, and holes play in various directions and lengths around these features. The average size green

three that can play anywhere from 115 to 200 yards. With a lake running all the way down the left side to the green, hitting it fat, chunky or left is not an option. The fourth on the Oak Forest Fine, a 528-yard par-five, may be the best long hole on the course. It’s a slight dogleg to the left that is reachable in two for the big hitters,

is 6,000 square feet and feature “Tifeagle” grass, with the putting surface s having soft contours, although when “shaved down,” they can be fast and tricky to read. There are not an excessive number of bunkers on the course, but each one is well thought out and demands careful shot selection and execution. The bunkers have nearly flat sandy bottoms, but steep grass faces. There are some forced carries at Wescott Plantation, but few and none that will overwhelm the average golfer. Westcott’s best hole may be the eighth hole on the Burn Kill Nine, a beautiful par-

but if you get too greedy a lake on the right side of the green comes into play. The second on the Black Robin Nine is a short par-four that plays 355 yards for the tips. At 250 yards the fairway bends 90 degrees, with water protecting the right side of the green on the approach shot. Wescott Plantation also offers a large driving range/learning center, practice putting green, full service clubhouse, on-course shelters and restrooms, and easy access to and from the clubhouse. www.wescottgolf.com. www.GolfingMagazineOnline.com

ASK THE READERS

GOLF TIPS

Terror on the Tee

By Steven Rudd fairway. If you play this “movie” in your mind enough times, you will notice that your anxiety level will be noticeably lower on the day of the event.

Nothing can make a player break into a cold sweat faster than the thought of standing on the first tee in a tournament with people watching.

to impress people, make the most of it! If you walk up to the tee looking forward to what lies ahead instead of fearing it, your chances of success are greatly increased.

Most people view this as an opportunity for public humiliation but, believe it or not, a poor tee shot on the first hole rarely makes the five o’clock news. Instead the player needs to view this as an opportunity to show off. Unless it is a major tournament, there will probably not be spectators on every hole so you only have one chance

Remember, this is not a life or In the days leading up to the event start to envision the first tee and what will death situation, so relax and have some fun be happening. See yourself warming up with it! before the round, walking to the tee, having your name announced, tee- Steven S. Rudd, a PGA Certified ing up the ball, going through your Professional, is Head Golf Professional at pre-shot routine and then striking the Wescott Golf Club in Summerville, S.C. perfect shot down the middle of the (843-871-2135, www.wescottgolf.com..

True Power

By Patrick Brown

The most common request that I hear before a lesson is for more distance and consistency. It turns out that if you focus on your swing from the ground up, you can achieve both in an easier and more efficient manner.

shoulders second and the hips last. As you begin your downswing, you should start by transferring your weight to your left side with a hip turn, followed by your shoulders, then hands and eventually your club.

It has been proven through biomechanical studies that there is a “most” efficient way to swing the golf club. When done in the proper sequence, a player will automatically pick up the most common desires. The backswing sequence should be club and hands first,

This move will create more club head speed with less work. If you are starting your downswing with your lower body, you will be using the larger muscles in your body (legs, glutes and core) to generate power versus your shoulders and/or arms.

The next time you are on the range, practice your efficiency. The main key is to focus on starting your downswing with a hip turn and allowing your hands to flow through impact instead of forcing the issue. Swing more efficiently!!

Patrick Brown, PGA, is Head Golf Professional at The Links at Stono Ferry in Charleston, S.C.

Swing thoughts on the course lead to tentative swings and errant shots. A clear mind and relaxed body will lead to better tempo,

By Rich Rankin

better contact and straighter shots. At address, remember to RELAX, BREATHE and SWING, it’s much easier to score well from the fairway.

to and create a mental image of that spot in your head. Let that be your only thought during your swing. Have fun and enjoy the game!

If you are like me and your brain is always spinning with thoughts while you play, look out into the fairway or on the green, pick a spot you would like the ball to travel

Rich Rankin is General Manager of Dunes West Golf and River Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Destination Travel & Golf

Q: What two golfers led the PGA in earnings three seasons each in the 1960’s? Q: What’s a scratch golfer’s handicap? Q: What’s a golfer said to have if he is entitled to tee off first? Q: What comic actor scored huge sales with his Bad Golf Made Easy instructional videos? Q: What tournament did Arnold Palmer say he would play in as long as he could walk? Q: Who won a record six PGA Player of the Year Awards-Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer or Tom Watson? Q: Who summed up a playoff loss to Jack Nicklaus at the 1991 U. S. Senior Open with “the Bear crushed the Mouse”? Q: What golfer’s worst finish at the British Open from 1966 to 1980 was sixth?

Q: Who was the first Swedish golfer to win the U.S. Womens’ Open two years in a row? Q: Who’s the most successful Zimbabwean golfer of all time? Q: How many rounds must a golfer have had played to be eligible for a handicap? Q: What female golfer’s high school nickname was “Taco”? Q: What did John Daly number the new iron he began teeing off with in 1996, because it had virtually no loft? Q: What golfer hit Ben Crenshaw in the head with his putter in 1986, forcing Crenshaw to the hospital?

Relax to Play Golf There is a great saying-“You don’t play golf to relax, you relax to play golf”. One of the feelings all players get when they are playing well is that they are relaxed and all the strokes seem to be effortless. How do we create that feeling every time we play? First, allow yourself plenty of time to hit a few practice shots on the range and hit a few putts before you play. Showing up one minute before your tee time is sure to create stress. Eat a good nutritious breakfast. If you’re a coffee drinker trick yourself with some decaf coffee. Regular coffee can play havoc with your putting stroke.

For all you golf nuts, here’s a little quiz that will spark some good debates at the 19th Hole. Answers in our next issue.

Q: What’s the only Grand Slam event Lee Trevino never won?

Leave Mechanics Behind and Just Swing Golf is a game best played on the short green grass. When playing your round, hitting fairways and greens in regulation should be your goal. Do not concentrate on mechanics; leave that for the practice range.

How Well Do You Know the Rules of the Game?

Relaxation on the course starts with the correct grip pressure. Gripping the club too tightly is another sure fire way to create tension. Golf is not heavy work; we’re not moving a refrigerator! Try this experiment-hold the club waist high-grip it as tight as you can-we’ll call that a 10. Now hold the club so lightly that it falls out of your hands-we’ll call that a 1. Your grip pressure should be about a 3 or 4. Soft grip pressure allows for a repetitive, consistent swing and club head speed as you are more flexible thus creating power. This will also allow you to stay soft in the arms and shoulders. Soft grip pressure is the easiest way to get and stay relaxed on the course.

Q: What Japanese golfer is the only player to have won events on the PGA, Champions, Japanese, European, and Australian tours? Q: What golfer won nine tournaments during her 1978 rookie year on the LPGA Tour? Q: What golfer had played 87 straight Grand Slam tournaments until a shoulder injury forced him to miss the 1996 British Open? Q: Who followed his first winless season by winning the U.S. Open and PGA Championship www.GolfingMagazineOnline.com

must visit

The Charleston Place Hotel one of the finest hotels in the Lowcountry, actually anywhere in the country as a whole.

By John Torsiello

uring a visit to Charleston, I had the delightful opportunity to stay at The Charleston Place Hotel, one of the finest hotels in the Lowcountry, actually anywhere in the country as a whole. Located at the heart of downtown Charleston, in the historic district and within walking distance of all the major attractions, the Hotel has a true feel of the Old South and its central location makes strolling the famous Marketplace, historic sites and renowned restaurants of downtown Charleston as easy as making a six-inch putt, maybe easier. The Hotel truly has the feel of a grand, 17th century residence, from lush personal suites to a stunning Italian marble lobby that boasts a signature Georgian Open Arm stairs and a gorgeous 12-foot crystal chandelier that leaves the visitor with mouth agape at its beauty. The Charleston Place Hotel offers a top-rated spa, and a funky bar called the Thoroughbred Club that is outfitted with plush leather seats and bedecked with wonderful paintings of race horses. The Palmetto Cafe offers a variety of American and international dishes in an informal atmosphere. More about these later The Hotel, which has 435 guests rooms total, including 48 suites featuring period fabrics with tapestries, lace, chintz and damask chosen to provide each room with sense of history and ambiance. Each guest room features an opulent bath with Botticino marble and brass fixtures, separate work spaces and seating areas, individ-

Destination Travel & Golf

ual temperature controls, high definition flat screen televisions, direct dial telephones with voice messaging and high speed connection and a supply of Gilchrist and Soames amenities. The very special Club Floor at Charleston Place Hotel offers a distinct level of service that is exclusively available on the top two floors of the property. The Club has 79 guest rooms that offer a personal concierge, wireless Internet connection in each room and an array of culinary offerings that include complementary continental breakfast, afternoon teas, evening cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and after dinner cordials and desserts. Ahh, the food. The Charleston Grill has been recognized as one the best restaurants in the country and has won the Mobil FourStar, the AAA Four-

Diamond, and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America designations. The Grill offers up sumptuous contemporary Southern cuisine that features local produce, seafood and game. Live jazz music fills the air daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m., imbuing the dining area with a sense of comfort and relaxation. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the ingredients, unique representation and sophisticated textures of each meal. The Palmetto Café is set amidst the hotel’s central garden and foundation and is open for breakfast and lunch with a menu that features innovative American cuisine that uses the freshest local ingredients. You’ve simply got to try out the fabulous Sunday Brunch that features gourmet omelets, eggs Benedict, apple wood smoked bacon, stone-ground grits, house-made caramel brioche, fresh fruit and pastries. Yes! The Thoroughbred Club is home to the oldest Jockey Club in America, founded in 1792, and captures the spirit of the Sport of Kings with a lounge that has the feel of a social club. Sit back, gaze at the paintings of great horses and jockeys and enjoy cocktails, tapas/ appetizers and desserts that are served daily. Live entertainment keeps things hopping.

The Spa at Charleston Place Hotel has a full range of services that allow guests to relax and unwind after a day of shopping, sightseeing or golf. There’s a horizonedge, saltwater swimming pool, with a retractable glass roof that guarantees usage rain or shine. There’s a children’s splash pool on the rooftop sun terrace to keep the kids amused. The spa also features a fullyequipped gym with professional trainers on hand to provide instruction, as well as lead classes in aerobics, body sculpting, yoga and power walking through the historic district. The Shops at Charleston Place Hotel are a collection of upscale shops and boutiques, including Gucci, Louis Vitton, Lacoste and Godiva Chocolatiers. The Hotel’s nearby renovated 9,000-square-foot Riviera Theater located across the street from the west entrance to the Charleston Place, is a 1930’s Art Deco style building that offers one of most unique conference centers in the country. A ballroom in the theater can host dinner parties for up to 300 people, while the Conference Theater seats 300 in fixed seating. The Charleston Place Hotel has comprehensive banquet and conference services in the main Hotel that features a 14,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, ten function rooms, eight hospitality suites, a Grand Hall, and several outdoor courtyards. The Grand Ballroom alone can accommodate up to 1,700 people and additional function rooms can accommodate smaller meeting, breakout sessions and seminars. Six residentially-appointed hospitality suites and a tworoom conference lounge are furnished with a wet bar and bathroom. For the adventuresome client(s), the Hotel’s destination management company can produce events at a variety of venues in the area. The Hotel is within easy drive distance to some of the best golf courses in South Carolina, including the Wild Dunes Resort, Dunes West, RiverTowne, Stono Ferry, Patriot’s Point, and the multiple layouts at the Kiawah Resort a short haul down Route 17. By the way, the Hotel has ramp parking for 440 cars (this is real bonus in a city where parking is as hard to come. What I was most impressed with about the Charleston Place Hotel, of course beyond the magical feel, ambiance and physical offerings of the property, was its estimable staff, which prides itself in indulging guests with what is known throughout the world as pure Southern Hospitality. The staff fulfills guests’ wishes that include customizing sightseeing itineraries, offering babysitting services, transportation, and an overnight valet, laundry, shoe shine, and 24-hour room service. Get the feeling that you’ll be pampered here like nowhere else? Owned and operated by Orient-Express Hotels, The Charleston Place Hotel is an ideal and one-ofkind base of operations for a most special visit to one of the world’s most charming, interesting, historic and vibrant cities. For further information about The Charleston Place Hotel, visit www.charlestonplace.com.

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MUST VISIT

The Charleston Place Hotel one of the finest hotels in the Lowcountry, actually anywhere in the country as a whole.

By JOHN TORSIELLO

'OLFING -AGAZINE s North Carolina/South Carolina

Diamond, and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America designations. The Grill offers up sumptuous contemporary Southern cuisine that features local produce, seafood and game. Live jazz music fills the air daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m., imbuing the dining area with a sense of comfort and relaxation. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the ingredients, unique presentation and sophisticated textures of each meal. The Palmetto Café is set amidst the hotel’s central garden and foundation and is open for breakfast and lunch with a menu that features innovative American cuisine that uses the freshest local ingredients. You’ve simply got to try out the fabulous Sunday Brunch that features gourmet omelets, eggs Benedict, apple wood smoked bacon, stone-ground grits, house-made caramel brioche, fresh fruit and pastries. Yes! The Thoroughbred Club is home to the oldest Jockey Club in America, founded in 1792, and captures the spirit of the Sport of Kings with a lounge that has the feel of a social club. Sit back, gaze at the paintings of great horses and jockeys and enjoy cocktails, tapas/ appetizers and desserts that are served daily. Live entertainment keeps things hopping.

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NUTRITION/FITNESS/WELLNESS

Tips to Improve Your Game and Your Health

3. Be Prepared.

BY, DIANNE MCCONNELL

A good motto for any sport, to ensure top play and avoid injury. Golfing requires balance, core strength, flexibility, power and cardiovascular fitness. There are countless exercise program available to help you build and maintain strength and fitness, specifically for your golf game. It’s important to find a regimen that works for you - not only will it improve your game, but it reduces the risk of injury. Warm up prior to the game, and if you do incur an injury, remember the PRICE method to address it (protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Of course, it you don’t improve quickly, seek medical attention (for more on the PRICE method and other good information, visit http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/golf_exercise)

Golf has so many benefits - a beautiful setting, playtime with friends, challenge (getting that tiny white ball close to the hole!) and relaxation. No wonder millions of people pursue it with passion and lookforward to their time on the course. The bonus: golf provides health benefits. Most players dream of better shots and lower scores. Everyone wants to enjoy better health. So, what’s the best plan for meeting both objectives - here are some tips

1. Walk the Walk. Walking provides great cardiovascular benefit. In fact, the Nurses Study (one of the most Comprehensive health studies ever conducted in the US) showed that women who walk an average of 3 hours a week at a brisk pace are 35% less likely to suffer a heart attack! One round of golf can average 4 miles - a great way to get your cardio workout, especially if you are carrying or pulling your clubs. In addition, walking the hills and valleys that are on many courses provides strength training. Still need more convincing to walk? Neil Wolkodoff, director for the Center for Health and Sport Science at the Rose Medical Center in Denver conducted a study which showed that walkers generally have lower scores. Why? Wolkodoff says this could be due to a multitude of reasons, but one “centered on the idea that walking golfers have more time — and a built-in, physical, stress-reducing response to a poor shot.” For more on this visit, the NYTimes golf blog at http://onpar.blogs.nytimes. com/2010/08/01/take-a-walk-after-a-poor-shot/

2. Concentrate. Golf is a precision sport, requiring thought and concentration. The best players remember numbers and techniques and incorporate the ability to read the course - the distance and the lie. Concentrating not only improves the game, but helps prevent brain degradation which can lead to memory loss - what a great benefit! So, prepare yourself to think about your game: rest, fuel yourself properly, hydrate (preferably water), warm-up and maintain focus (you may need a healthy snack for this). Don’t let a bad shot ruin your game or your fun - take a deep breath, relax, walk to the next hole, think about how to do it better and have fun. Dr. Bob Phillips, Golf Psychologist, offers tips on how to focus better and avoid becoming a “grinder” (a golfer who tries to maintain focus during the entire round rather than relaxing and refocusing on the current situation). His last tip: Practice hard and enjoy the game, read more at http://www. golflink.com/golf-tips/tips/phillips002.aspx

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4. Fuel Yourself Properly. GA round of golf = 4 hours = 4 miles if you walk, so you will need proper fuel to finish strong. Eat a healthy pre-round meal that provides energy and endurance. Remember that all calories are not equal - some provide more nutrition and energy than others so choose complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and whole fruits and vegetables. Curb sugar and caffeine intake to improve focus and concentration, and plenty of water and a healthy snack for later.

Protect Your Skin Use sunscreen and wear a hat to avoid sunburn. But remember...most of us are Vitamin D deficient and the best source is the sun. So it’s ok to go 10-15 minutes in the early sun without sunscreen to get a dose of D. However, not so long t h a t you b u r n , and remember to apply the sun screen! Take a hat and a rain jacket just in case! Dianne McConnell is a Health Counselor, Food Coach and professional chef who now provides support for people eager to embrace healthier lifestyles. For more health tips, including recipes, visit her blog at www.healthyfoodsmatter.com where you can subscribe - it’s free.!

...and remember Drink Water Did you know that often your brain confuses hunger and thirst? So, if you experience a sudden hunger pang, you may just need a drink. And did you know that by the time you feel thirsty, your body has already started to dehydrate? Make water your drink of choice - it’s really good for you.

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nutrition/fitness/wellness

Tips to Improve Your Game and Your Health

3. Be Prepared.

By, Dianne McConnell

Golfing Magazine • North Carolina/South Carolina

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must play

Charleston National: Day Fee Golf at Its Best

By JOHN TORSIELLO

harleston National Country Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C. was originally conceived as an exclusive club, along the lines of Augusta National Golf Club. An airport was even built not far from the club that would welcome members on a private runway. Rees Jones was hired to transition his drawings onto hundreds of acres of pristine lowland, full of marshes, flora and fauna about 20 miles away from the city of Charleston. The course was pretty much built when plans were altered dramatically when Hurricane Hugo roared into the area in 1986 and totally altered the landscape, tearing down thousands of beautiful, old live oaks that were draped with Spanish moss. The original two dozen or so members, their product damaged and changed, began to withdraw and the developers decided to switch gears and make their club a public one, while building attractive communities on much of the rest of the property. We were left with one heck of a course, the routing of which was only slightly altered and it clubhouse moved inland and off the ocean where it was originally sited, as was the proposed finishing hole. The changes left most of Jones’ layout in place. The course was carved out of property near the intracoastal waterway, through natural wetlands and lagoons and a pine and oak tree forest. The result was a championship caliber golf course with some of the best views on the southeastern coast. Charleston National, which was voted the number one nonresort golf course in the Charleston area by Golf Magazine, is the only Rees Jones design in the Charleston area open to the public. The par-72 stretches just over 7,100 yards from the tips, and there are five sets of tee markers to accommodate all playing levels. The greens are undulating, as befitting a private course, 18

Beau Rivage

although kept on the slower side to accommodate all public golfers. A number of wooden bridges are strategically placed to carry players over the natural areas from tee box to green. Go slow and you may see egrets blue herons, alligators and other wildlife floating or crawling by as you pass. The finishing holes at

Charleston National are among the prettiest in the region. Jones designed a course that is challenging from the back markers but very approachable from one or two tees down. There are quite a few forced carries, mostly over marshes, but none that will cause you to shake and shiver.

Golfing Magazine • North Carolina/South Carolina

The par-threes here are all superb, starting with the seventh, a 218-yarder and ending with the 188-yard 18th. That the finisher is a par-three is a bit odd, but that is because the owners flopped the nines several years ago for pace of play purposes and to allow players to stop at the clubhouse on the turn. All of the short holes demand shots over the marshland, which is in abundance at Charleston National, but if you play one marker down you’ll be hitting nothing more than a mid-iron and sometimes a short-iron into the large and receptive greens. One of the best holes on the course is the fourth, a 360yard par-four that plays towards a bay that is visible as you approach the green. There’s a pond on the left side and large homes hug the water’s edge, with mounding on the right. The sixth is a perfect example of a good, short par-four. It plays 360 yards from the back markers, only around 300 yards from the next two sets of tees, and a good drive leaves a short-iron or wedge into a small green that is guarded by a tree on the right and marsh front and left. www.charlestonnationalgolf.com.

a Very Different Carolina Golf Experience By JOHN TORSIELLO

lay a round at the Beau Rivage Golf Club and Resort in Wilmington, N.C. for a refreshingly unique golf Carolina experience. Set amid gently rolling hills, willowy pines and lakes, this 18-hole, 6,709-yard course ranks among the finest on the East Coast, while elevations changes of up to 75 feet (atypical for a Southeastern coastal course) and scads of bunkers place Beau Rivage among the more dramatically landscaped golf courses in the area. Carved out of long-needle pine forests, the layout incorporates wooded hills, rolling dunes, undulating valleys and plenty of water from the Cape Fear River into its challenging yet very playable routing. Attacking the flags from the rough and pine straw can be a perilous undertaking, so golfers are tested to hit the fairways off the tee. The greens, made of a genetically engineered form of Bermuda grass (ultradwarf TifEagle), are well-known for their consistency and true rolls. The golf course at Beau Rivage is full of

cool holes. After a modest par-four and a reachable-in-two par-five, the third is great short par-four, playing just 301 yards from the tips. Big hitters will be tempted to take it over water on the left and try and reach the putting surface or near with their drives. But it’s a dangerous play and the safer shot is a fairway wood or long iron off the tee and a wedge into the green. The fourth hole, a parthree, calls for a shot of over 200 yards from the back markers across water, while the fifth is another par-three over water, but this time only 150 yards. Three, four and five will make or break your front nine. The 11th hole is a 389-yard par-four that has a pond guarding the green, so the approach must be precise and certainly not short. Number 13 is a shortish par-five, measuring less than 500 yards, but it doglegs rather sharply to the right. The 15th is yet another super par-three and measures 172 yards from the tips. Water must be

cleared but there is a fairway landing area short of the green is you don’t catch all of it. The 16th is a beefy par-four of 446 yards that has a pond protecting the left side of the fairway. Number 18 is a relatively straightforward par-five that plays 558 yards and doglegs ever so slightly to the right. It’s a true-three shot hole. For those who can’t get enough, Beau Rivage offers stay and play packages with a fine hotel on site. The Beau Rivage Resort features spacious hotel accommodations with old-fashioned charm, ideal for golf packages, family vacations, banquet events and other enjoyable getaways. Designed to accommodate golf groups, two-room clubhouse suites are larger than a typical hotel room. Each suite features over 900 square feet of space with two beds and an extra sleeper sofa in the common area, comfortably accommodating up to six guests. Each suite features a private patio or balcony (depending on the floor level) with views of the course and grounds. www.beaurivagegolf.com www.123sportsnetwork.com

know your pro Age: 42. Best round and where: My best round is 68 at Osprey Point Golf Club, but that seems about 50 years ago, unfortunately. How you got into golf: I got into golf at a very young age. I was about 5 or 6 and I would tag along with my dad when he played. I would hit a few shots here or there. He encouraged me to pursue golf and the reason I became a golf professional is due to his encouragement and support. Positions/jobs before your current position/course: I started my golf career at Kiawah Island as a bag attendant/assistant golf professional at Osprey Point Golf Club. I worked my way into a full-time assistant position about six months after starting and eventually worked into the first assistant position. In 2003, I was hired as the head professional at Oak Point Golf Club, also at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and then moved into my current position as the head professional at The Ocean

better appreciation for service and what’s most important to our guests.

It’s a strategic design with lots of doglegs and three beautiful holes on the Kiawah River.

Working in such a beautiful environment and at a resort and world class golf course is truly a dream job. One of the most enjoyable benefits of my job is that I have the chance to work with some of the best people in the golf business. Our caddies, starters and player assistants, assistant professionals, and shop staff are the most professional and best people I have been associated with in my golf career. They deliver the highest level of service every day and I am proud to be associated with them and their professionalism.

Do you get to play much golf? We do not get to play nearly as much golf together as we would like. We do set aside one afternoon a week usually for golf. Myself and one of our shop attendants, Dick Orman, play on most Saturdays with Roger Warren and at least one other PGA professional on staff or one of our superin-

Stephen Youngner The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, S.C. Course in 2006. What you like most about your job: One of the things I like best about the Resort, and the golf department within the resort, is the fact we always try and hire from within. All of my fellow head professionals (there are five of us) started out at Kiawah either as bag attendants or assistant professionals. I truly believe this allows us to work better as a team. The fact that each of us has worked the bag drop or the counter, answered the phone booking tee times, and worked “in the trenches” gives us a

What makes your course/facility special, favorite thing about your course/ facility: Certainly the seaside setting and beauty of the course make it a special place. The moss-draped live oak trees fram-

ing the front nine, views of the Atlantic Ocean from every hole coupled with views of the saltwater marsh and the abundant wildlife make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world. Pete Dye’s genius routing of the course to take advantage of the natural elements of the surrounding environment make it one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen. Another element that makes The Ocean Course special is the walking only policy for anyone teeing off prior to noon. The golf course was meant to be walked, with the fairways raised and many of the greens complexes elevated to provide views of the surrounding marsh and ocean. Having one of our expert caddies by your side to guide you around the course also makes it a unique experience for our guests. The golf course now is very playable for almost anyone, provided they choose the correct set of tees and listen to their caddie’s advice. Favorite course (other than your own) locally and anywhere else in the world: My favorite course in the world besides The Ocean Course is Lahinch in Ireland. I had the chance to play Lahinch in 2006 and was blown away by it. It has perhaps some of the quirkiest holes of any golf course I’ve ever played. My favorite local course is one of our own courses here at Kiawah, Cougar Point. Cougar is a Gary Player design and was the first course built on Kiawah. It has great risk/reward par-fives and a solid group of par-threes with four distinctly different shots and club selection on each.

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tendents. Those Saturday afternoons are a great opportunity to wind down and remember why we got into the golf business in the first place. Best golf tip you can give or ever got: Swing easy in

the wind, which is very applicable at The Ocean Course. What do we need to do to grow the game: We need to be as creative as possible with our policies and procedures at golf courses. We need to offer more flexible opportunities for people to get on the course. For example, we instituted a family tee program at the resort a number of years ago. It is a nine-hole program from a short set of tees (250 yards on par-fours, less than 100 yards on par-threes, etc.) and is designed to allow beginners and families an opportunity to experience golf

in a pressure-free environment at a low cost. Kids play for free and adults pay $50 each. Since the inception of this program we have played 35,803 family tee rounds with 15,968 adults and 19,835 kids taking part in the program. As operators of golf courses, it is worth considering if restricting tee time access to only 18 holes, highly restrictive dress codes, restrictions on mobile devices, etc. is keeping kids and others from wanting to play golf. We need to ensure the services we offer are keeping up with modern trends and the demands on time and resources most people face these days. The benefits of golf are well known to core golfers but we must be more flexible with our policies and more welcoming to beginners if we want to grow the game. www.GolfingMagazineOnline.com

better appreciation for service and what’s most important to our guests.

It’s a strategic design with lots of doglegs and three beautiful holes on the Kiawah River.

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Golfing Magazine • North Carolina/South Carolina Carolina Section Golfing Magazine • North Carolina/South

tendents. Those Saturday afternoons are a great opportunity to wind down and remember why we got into the golf business in the first place. Best golf tip you can give or ever got: Swing easy in

MUST PLAY

MUST VISIT

Charleston’s Middleton Place is Living History

The Golf Club at Ballantyne A Classic Experience

By JOHN TORSIELLO

Destination Travel & Golf

www.GolfingMagazineOnline.com

MUST PLAY

Charleston National: Day Fee Golf at Its Best

By JOHN TORSIELLO

Destination Travel & Golf

Beau Rivage

a Very Different Carolina Golf Experience By JOHN TORSIELLO

must play

Tanglewood Park

Delights Forsyth County Residents By JOHN TORSIELLO

he residents of Forsyth County, N.C. are indeed fortunate to have a championship caliber golf course, one that could host a Major professional tournament, as part of their recreational amenities. Actually, Tanglewood Park boasts two golf courses, the Championship layout designed by none other than the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and the Reynolds Course. The Championship Course is a classic Trent Jones, Sr. work, filled with challenging tee shots, plenty of trouble, tree-lined fairways and tough green surrounds and putting surfaces. The Jones track opened in 1958, measures 7,018 yards and has a slope of 140 from the back tees, which gives you a good indication of the challenge the master architect imbued this course with. Several of the best holes include the 467-yard par-four second that has fairway traps right of the landing area and long bunkers on both sides of a deep putting surface.

Destination Travel & Golf

The fifth hole is a classic parkland hole, with water, trees, a wide fairway and plenty of sand. A lake hugs almost the entire hole on the left side and bunkers surround the green. The 14th is a long par-five so typical of Jones, Sr.’s work in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The hole plays over 600 yards from the tips and the green is accessible in two shots for only the longest hitters. There are a ton of traps on the 14th, which makes the tee shot, the layup and the approach dicey for mortals. Just one heck of a solid long hole. The 16th is the toughest par-three on the course, measuring over 240 yards from the back markers with water left and bunkers on three sides of the green.

The 18th is a good finisher, a 435-yard par-four that demands a very nervy tee shot from a chute of trees. The green is again surrounded by bunkers. The Championship Course at Tanglewood Park Clemmons, N.C. 336-703-6420 www.Forsyth.cc/Tanglewood/Golf/

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must play

Sapphire National

A Stunning Course in the Carolina Highlands By JOHN TORSIELLO

uperb playing conditions, a tranquil mountain setting, dramatic views and elevation changes, and a routing that will challenge and delight all golfers, that’s what you get when you tee it up at Sapphire National Golf Club in the town from where it takes its name. Sapphire Golf Club is the only club in the Highlands, Cashiers and Sapphire region of North Carolina that is open to the public. The club, which recently underwent a considerable renovation, has been awarded numerous accolades from golf publications. One of the changes at Sapphire National was a new back tee, a new creek and four additional bunkers on number one, a 583yard par-five, that made a pretty good starting hole into a fabulous one. Creeks come into play on the tee shot and approach to the green on this slight dogleg left. The green on the 218-yard par-three second was lowered eight feet and doubled in size but it is still considered one of the best holes on the course. The hole drops some 100 feet from the back tee. The fifth, a 518-yard par-five, is a visually stunning hole that has a creek that crosses the fairway and five new bunkers. The approach is to a large green that is located on a slight rise.

Destination Travel & Golf

The beautiful 130-yard par-three sixth hole is another dramatically downhill hole that plays 50 yards below the tee box. The eighth, a long, 214-yard par-three, is a real toughie. Again its downhill but this time over a lake to a green protected by bunkers right and left.

The 401-yard par-four 13th is considered one of the more famous holes in all of North Carolina. The hole doglegs sharply to the left and there is a waterfall protecting the right side of the putting surface. The approach is 50 feet uphill and three bunkers also guard the green. The par-three 15th plays just 153 yards but again it’s downhill and over water to an island green. There is a new pot bunker on the left side of the green on this super parthree that adds another challenge. The 16th hole, a 301-yarder, is a classic

short par-four that can be attacked with a driver by the big hitters. Four bunkers guard the green. The par-four 17th is considered one of the better holes on the course. It measures 408 yards and there are bunkers guarding both sides of the fairway landing area. Three bunkers guard the green and there are some wonderful views of the mountains in the distance. The course concludes with a really tough, 453-yard par-four. A new back tee has pushed the hole back 40 yards and the green is protected by a lake on the left and bunkers right and back. The club has practice facilities and a pro shop. Sapphire Mountain Brewery’s location at Sapphire National Golf Club offers over 80 micro beers, imports and domestic beers, wines and award-winning wood-fired pizza. There’s a full menu, including casual food, chef specials, and daily specials. Sapphire National Golf Club is one really fine course, and well worth a drive to play and enjoy the North Carolina beauty. Sapphire National Golf Club Sapphire, N.C. 828-743-1174 www.SapphireNational.com