Destination Golf Media Ltd
destinationgolf@live.com www.destinationgolf.travel ■ PUBLISHER Dermot Synnott ■ EDITOR Karl Doyle
■ CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Marshall Paul Marshall Aidan Bradley ■ DIRECTOR Vincent Synnott
■ FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Darren Maguire ■ CREDIT CONTROLLER Mallory Courell
■ OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helen Duggan INTERNATIONAL OFFICES/ REPRESENTATION • Albert Ferrer (Spain) • Ronald Montesano (USA) • Peter Barnes (UK) • Gene Oberto (Sweden) • Gianni Attanasio (Italy) • David Cooney (China) • Maarten Hageman (Netherlands) • Benjamin Oosterveer (Tunisia & Morocco) • Kevin Markham (Ireland)
Front Cover: Pinehurst Golf Club USA
IAGTO Annual Report shows 9 per cent growth in global golf tourism
G
lobal golf holiday sales grew by an average of 9.3 per cent in 2012 from the previous year, according to the first-ever IAGTO Annual Golf Tourism Report. The largest and most comprehensive international golf survey ever undertaken, the report’s findings come from data provided by 48 per cent of IAGTO’s golf tour operator members around the world, who completed a detailed survey on the issue.
IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry with, today, 2,061 member companies in 90 countries – including 492 golf tour operators in 62 countries that control in excess of 85 per cent of all golf holiday packages sold worldwide.
The average growth in sales in 2012 over 2011 reported by IAGTO golf tour operators based in Europe was 9.4 per cent, fractionally above the global average of 9.3 per cent. Global Golf Tourism is on the rise – a trend that is expected to continue throughout 2014. Golf Resorts need to promote their facilities at a time when golf travellers are deciding their next golf holiday.
Pinehurst will host both the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships in back-to-back weeks, marking the first time in history that both tournaments will be played in the same year – and on the same course. Ronald Montesano visits North Carolina, the ‘Home of Golf’ in America, to inspect the recent upgrades to Pinehurst as it embarks on a historic year.
Our features for this month take a look at Hilton Dalaman in Turkey, Grande Pines GC in Florida, and Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland. Enjoy!
Karl Doyle
EDITOR editor@destinationgolf.ie Dermot Synnott
Andrew Marshall
Editorial Director
Golf Travel Writer
Aidan Bradley
Ronald Montesano
Golf Course Photographer
Golf Travel Writer
Paul Marshall
Golf Travel Photographer
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Contents and reference guide EAST LAKE WOODLANDS COUNTRY CLUB Tampa, Florida www.clubcorp.com Page 4-5
FALCON’S FIRE GOLF CLUB Kissimmee, Florida www.falconsfire.com Page 6-7
HUNTERS GREEN COUNTRY CLUB Tampa, Florida www.clubcorp.com Page 8-9
RIVER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB Valrico, Florida www.riverhillscountryclub.com Page 10-11
TAMPA PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Tampa, Florida www.clubcorp.com Page 12-13
THE BILTMORE Coral Gables, Florida www.biltmorehotel.com Page 14-15
CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO GOLF CLUB Tuscany, Italy www.castigliondelbosco.com Page 16-17
CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO GOLF CLUB Tuscany, Italy www.castigliondelbosco.com Page 18-19
DONNAFUGATA GOLF (PARKLAND) Sicily, Italy www.donnafugatagolfresort.com Page 20-21
DONNAFUGATA GOLF (LINKS) Sicily, Italy www.donnafugatagolfresort.com Page 22-23
VERDURA GOLF RESORT Sicily, Italy www.verduraresort.com Page 24-25
VERDURA GOLF RESORT Sicily, Italy www.verduraresort.com Page 26-27
Features THE CRADLE OF AMERICAN GOLF
HILTON DALAMAN GOLF RESORT
Ronald Montesano visits Pinehurst Page 28-33
Turkey www.hiltondalaman.com Page 36-41
GRANDE PINES GOLF CLUB
FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS
Florida, USA
St Andrews, Scotland
www.marriott.com
www.standrewsbay.com Page 48-53
Page 42-47
East Lake Woodlands Cou Tampa, Florida • www.clubcorp.com
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untry Club AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Falcon’s Fire Golf Club
Kissimmee, Florida • www.falconsfire.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Hun
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nters Green Country Club
Tampa, Florida • www.clubcorp.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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River Hills Country Club
Valrico, Florida • www.riverhillscountryclub.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Tampa Palms Golf & Count
Tampa, Florida • www.clubcorp.com
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try Club
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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The Biltmore
Coral Gables, Florida • www.biltmorehotel.com
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AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Castiglion Del Bosco Golf Tuscany, Italy • www.castigliondelbosco.com
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Club AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Castig 18
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glion Del Bosco Golf Club Tuscany, Italy • www.castigliondelbosco.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Don
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nnafugata Golf (Parkland)
Sicily, Italy • www.donnafugatagolfresort.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Donnafugata Golf (Links) Sicily, Italy • www.donnafugatagolfresort.com
AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Verdura Golf Resort
Sicily, Italy • www.verduraresort.com AIDANBRADLEY Golf Course Photography
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Verdura Golf Resort Sicily, Italy • www.verduraresort.com
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The Cradle of Am 2
014 is a tantalising year in which to examine the importance of Pinehurst, North Carolina, to the history and world of golf.
Few would argue that the burgh merits an honoured place in the pantheon of golfing locales and destinations in the United States of America, if not the world. The 120-year history of the village and its surroundings is woven with threads of golf, leisure, and repose. Despite the changes and advances that took place over time, this particular year will stand out for the rest of time for a singular fortnight: the consecutive trials of the US Women’s and Men’s Open golf championships. It’s proper that Pinehurst, its beginnings and its priority be visited and examined with appropriate attention. Pinehurst was planned and developed by James Walker Tufts around the turn of the last century. Tufts, with assistance from Frederick Law Olmsted, developed the Pinehurst Resort and unincorporated village in 1895. The original plans called for a street framework reminiscent of a New England small town. Even today, those streets remain uncluttered and distinguished. Despite its venerable arc, Pinehurst was officially incorporated 85 years after its founding. From the inception, golf featured prominently in the development of the region. Tufts wanted a retreat from the bitterness of a northern winter and promoted the Carolina sand hills as a rejuvenation destination, one with potential to ease ailments and offer relaxation and leisure activities. Claims of enhanced ozone, as produced by the long-leaf pine, encouraged the
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Ronald Montes recent upgrade
EL E AV R R U T AT
FE
merican Golf
sano visits North Carolina to inspect the es to Pinehurst and its surrounding courses
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From previous page “brain-weary and nerve-worn” to make rapid progress toward “health and vigour.” Whatever the truth, Pinehurst began its evolution toward a sportcentered destination with the retention of Donald J. Ross as manager of the Pinehurst Country Club. At that juncture, Pinehurst was in possession of a single, rudimentary golf course. It would eventually be massaged by Ross, renamed Pinehurst #1 and joined by three other courses: #2, #3 and #4. Ross would devote his architectural vitality to the resort, seeing the course through changes as vibrant as the transition from sand to grass putting greens. His fullest energy would be dedicated to course #2, and it became his magnum opus. It is this particular 18 holes of golf that will host both the women’s and men’s Open championships in 2014. In addition to the tetrad of courses at the resort, Ross was responsible for three other magnificent area layouts. His work at Southern Pines, Mid Pines and Pine Needles sanctioned his reputation as a pre-eminent designer of golf courses. The emigrant from Dornoch, Scotland, became the Shakespeare of golf course architecture, thanks to his prolific record of creation. After Ross’ death in 1948, the Pinehurst region continued to grow around golf. Men who learned from Ross, like Ellis Maples, built courses called Whispering Pines, Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood) and the #5 course at the Pinehurst Resort. The next great selfpromoter, Robert Trent Jones, sr., came to the sand hills and built two courses at Carolina Trace country club. Noted touring professionals signed off on courses like MidSouth and The Carolina (Arnold Palmer), National Golf Club and Anderson Creek. Finally, a second generation of modern architects continued the construction of golfing venues. Rees Jones (Trent’s son) designed Talamore, Gene Hamm laid down holes at Foxfire Resort and Beacon Ridge, while Ellis Maples’ son Dan built Longleaf, Little River and The Pit. Sadly, the latter course was purchased by the Pinehurst Resort and from its ashes will rise Pinehurst #9, a Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw project. Coore and Crenshaw first came to Pinehurst to work in the mid 2000s. Their collaboration brought forth the Dormie Club, a
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From previous page marvellous trek that celebrates a return to the original notion that golf is played along the ground, and not so much through the air. After Ross’ death, the architects that worked the region from 1950 to 2005 imposed the idea that golf is an aerial game and that water hazards, bunkers and thick rough should be emphasized as hazards. If anything, that opinion served to drive people away from golf, rather than toward it. Thankfully, the administration of Pinehurst Resort took notice of Coore and Crenshaw’s work and retained them to return the fabled #2 course to its original state. The viewing public and touring professionals will find little rough this June when their eyes focus on Ross’ masterpiece. In its place are wire grass, erratic stretches of sandy wasteland and firm turf. If Coore and Crenshaw are to be considered guardians of the architecture of the traditional game, then the late Mike Strantz must stand at their shoulder as a fellow guardian with a surreal twist. In the 1990s, Strantz came to the south-central part of North Carolina and built two courses whose like had never before been envisioned, let alone seen and played. On the site of an abandoned sand quarry, Strantz painted Tobacco Road. His seminal work features countless opportunities to decide between a running and a flying approach. His greens are enormous, serpentine and undulating. Once a golfer excuses the visual intimidation of Strantz’ work, he is able to appreciate and interpret the myriad options along the playing corridors. Buoyed by the appreciation of The Road, Strantz built a second course at the northern extremity of the region, Tot Hill Farm. For visitors to the area, the ideal seasons to tour would be the spring and fall of the year, when the weather is moderate and flowers or leaves ignite the area with color. While summer can bring the sun and the heat,
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From previous page mornings and evenings are beautiful times to experience the area’s offerings. Winter is certainly dodgy of late, no matter where you plan your escape. Very rarely does Pinehurst experience more than three consecutive days of snowfall and cold temperatures. On the off chance that you miss out on more than a round or two, a plentiful amount of gastronomy awaits to sate your stomach. In addition, the shop-portunities available in Southern Pines, Aberdeen and Pinehurst will provide a viable distraction from any lost golfing. While it’s difficult to predict the tack that Pinehurst and its sand hills kin will take over the next 10, 20 or 50 years, the direction should be a well-lit one. The planned rebirth of The Pit as Pinehurst #9 is welcome news, as the property occupied by that Dan Maples’ design was equal in terms of uniqueness to Tobacco Road. In 2013, Kyle Franz completed a heroic restoration of the Mid Pines course. Similar in scope and theme to the work done at Pinehurst #2, Franz returned the sand hills to the Donald Ross classic. Franz was retained by the new ownership at Deercroft golf club to work similar magic over their acreage. Anticipate that Pinehurst will continue to find a way to preserve its heritage while edging gently forward, welcoming advances with cautious embrace. It’s fitting that Pinehurst and its eponymous resort were given landmark status by the United States government 18 years ago. The classic age of adulthood in society will be worn well as a cloak of proper legitimacy during and after the highly-anticipated 14 days this June.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
Golf www.pinehurst.com Visitor Information:
www.homeofgolf.com Volume 2 • Issue 17
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Hilton Dalama
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Turkey • www.hiltondalaman.com
EL T RE O U H AT FE
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Hilton Dalaman G 38 Destination Golf TRAVEL
Sip ‘n’ Dine
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et on a glorious private beach and near-side of a river, the Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa
is ideally located for guests to enjoy the many
cultural delights of Sarigerme as well as the natural beauty of the Aegean region of Turkey.
With its modern architecture the hotel offers its
guests a choice of Deluxe rooms, various Suites or Hilton Guest rooms.
Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa offers its
guests a dazzling gastronomical adventure through its restaurants; A La Turca, Vela, Alize, Finesse and TAO. Choose between A La Turca restaurant
serving its diligently chosen Turkish cuisine, Vela
restaurant serving only the freshest seafood from
the local fishermen, Alize Italian Restaurant offering
the best that Italian cuisine has to offer, while the
Finesse Indian Restaurant has what it takes to
make the guests’ night truly unforgettable and the
TAO Far East takes their taste to Asian dining culture with its cool breeze.
olf Resort & Spa
Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa offers the
vibrant atmosphere of outdoor clubs, bars in the
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Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & S
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Spa
From previous page bar street and Citrus Patisserie, Vento Beachbar,
Breeze Snack Restaurant, Prive Outdoor Nightclub, and the family-friendly moments for children in the Kid’s Playland.
Its guests can revive their senses in spa pool,
sauna and steam room. If their choice is swimming they can choose between seven outdoor and three indoor swimming pools while they let their children
enjoy the aqua-park and the special children’s pool. Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa have all sorts of
activities for all age groups and interests, including, of course, golf (estimated opening in 2015), diving,
water sports, tennis, squash, pool and billiards, mini golf, street basketball, archery, air gun, beach volleyball and an area for adrenaline sports.
Get in touch!
facebook.com/hiltondalamansarigerme twitter.com/hiltondalaman For more information see
www.hiltondalaman.com Volume 2 • Issue 17
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Grande Pines Golf Club
Florida, USA • www.marriott.com
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Grande Pines Golf Club
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Grip it and rip it...
enowned golf course architect Steve Smyers has designed one of Central Florida's most dynamic new golf courses. located in the popular tourism resort of Belek, Turkey. Located only 25km away from Antalya International Airport, the area is known for its natural environment, Mediterranean coastline, and stunning golf courses. In partnership with six-time major champion Nick Faldo, Smyers created each hole of Grande Pines Golf Club to be a strategic challenge that will bring out the best in each player's game. The course earned international acclaim when it was named in Golfweek's Top 100 ‘America's Best Resort Courses’. Nestled among lakes, tall pines, oaks and palms, Grande Pines Golf Club peacefully coexists with the native flora and wetlands. The course is committed to environmental stewardship, and is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The ‘risk and reward’ layout is designed to provide each golfer with a choice – testing their skills of ball control and levels of confidence. Do you ‘Grip it and rip it’ over the hazard, play a fade to the side? The type of course that you wish to play is completely yours at Grande Pines Golf Club.
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Grande Pines Golf Club
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From previous page
More conservative players can always take the safe route, but bolder competitors can challenge the course for a thrilling experience. The contoured, rolling fairways accept most tee shots; and the well-bunkered, multi-tiered greens reward accuracy on approach shots. Four sets of tee boxes allow golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the adventures posed by the magnificent layout of Grande Pines Golf Club. Each golf car at Grande Pines Golf Club is equipped with a ProLink yardage system to provide the golfer with accurate yardage to each hole. After your game, refresh and relax in the world-class surroundings. As part of the Marriott family, the clubhouse at Grande Pines Golf Club offers luxurious amenities including generously sized lockers and spacious showers. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Greenside Grille, serving Floridian specials with stunning views overlooking the course. The golf shop at Grande Pines Golf Club carries the latest golf equipment and accessories, as well as a wide variety of men's and women's apparel.
Get in touch! twitter.com/Marriott For more information see
www.marriott.com Volume 2 • Issue 17
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Fairmont St Andrews
St Andrews, Scotland • www.standrewsbay.co
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Fairmont St Andrews
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HEAVEN ON EARTH
he 520-acre five-star Fairmont St Andrews resort encapsulates luxury, elegance and truly breathtaking surroundings in Scotland’s ‘Home of Golf’. A truly unique and special venue that makes your visit one to remember, with its lavish and stunning surroundings, peaceful setting with stunning cliff-top views of St Andrews and the North Sea.
The resort prides itself with an array of fabulous facilities including two championship Golf Courses, The Kittocks and The Torrance, excellent dining experiences for every palette ranging from an opulent fine dining experience in one of the two AA Rosette Esperante restaurant, to golfers fayre and magnificent views at The Clubhouse.
All of its 209 luxury guestrooms are spacious and well-proportioned with thoughtful Scottish touches. A sumptuous Signature Spa offers a range of treatments including locally-themed massages, facial and relaxation therapies. The 16-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and relaxation room complete the experience, helping you to relax and unwind. Whatever the occasion, Fairmont St Andrews really is the perfect location to turn your getaway into a treasured memory. With two new magnificent courses that weave their way over the rolling landscape, an unforgettable experience awaits both the seasoned professional and the beginner alike.
The Torrance Course is a spectacular 18hole championship course designed by the late
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From previous page
Gene Sarazen and Sam Torrance. This par 72, 7,026 yard golf course circles the hotel and is blessed with stunning sea views and cliff-edge tees and greens. Opened again in July 2008 following remediation and drainage work, the course played host to the final Open Qualifying for the Open Championship in 2010 as well as the Scottish Seniors Open each year since 2009 There’s also the Kittocks Course: Opened in July 2002, it’s an equally challenging course designed by Gene Sarazen and Bruce Devlin. This par 71, 7,020 yard golf course stretches over Kittock's Den and along the sweeping coastline. It is one of only two courses in St Andrews that offer buggies and won Golf Tourism Scotland’s Golf and Club Experience of the Year in 2012 The Clubhouse sits atop a spectacular cliff-top formation, with a commanding view of both courses. This facility includes a pro shop, conference room, driving range, practice area and restaurant. It’s also prewired for international golf tournaments.
Get in touch! facebook.com/FairmontStAndrews twitter.com/FairmontStA For more information see
www.natadolabay.com Volume 2 • Issue 17
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