Now Playing
This past Spring I was invited to bring my wife along and enjoy a stay at Nemacolin.
Now, of course, I had heard of Nemacolin over the years; I knew they played host to a PGA Tour event over 20 years ago and that they were owned and operated by the 84 Lumber family. With a brief search I discovered Nemacolin is located in Farmington, PA, about an hour south of Pittsburgh and just about 8 miles from the border of West Virginia.
To be properly prepared before our visit I knew I had to dig a little deeper so I tossed the name out to some of my industry friends. The responses were positively overwhelming and not exactly what I expected from the bunch. I heard “it’s a magical place,” “a special, special destination,” “you will be blown away.” Needless to say, we were excited to visit.
After an easy and scenic five-hour road trip from our home in New Jersey, we pulled up to the front entrance and knew immediately that we were in for a treat on a whole new level. The environment is warm and welcoming with beautiful landscaping and a lobby that embodies European elegance. The staff went above and beyond in every capacity. The accommodations were pure luxury. The restaurants top notch, the pools and spa spectacular, and the unique activities available were endless.
Oh…and then there’s the golf…the reason we were invited! Shepherd’s Rock and Mystic Rock, both designed by Pete Dye, both absolutely stunning and in pristine condition. These two are not your typical resort courses by any means. While certainly very challenging, they also both felt very fair. We enjoyed our rounds immensely.
To say our stay at Nemacolin exceeded our expectations might be an understatement. I really could go on and on … it’s one of the nicest destinations we have ever visited. Trust me, it’s worth the trip!
Enjoy your Fall golf…it is the BEST time of the year to play in our area.
Cheers,
Sean Fitzsimmons
New Jersey Pennsylvania
Elevated above the rest...naturally
Golf on 45 acres of pristine forest
Lessons for all skill levels 7 days a week
About us...
Practice on driving range, putting greens, and bunkers
Shop at the stocked Pro Shop
Memberships to a premier
course located adjacent to OVR
Shore Gate Golf Club has been perpetually ranked as one of the top public golf courses in New Jersey. Carved out of the trees, Shore Gate allows each group to feel unbothered as they navigate the course from start to finish. Whether you are looking for a round of golf, a membership to a premier golf course, lessons, or just a driving range, we have it all. Located just two miles from the
beach, Shore Gate is the perfect place to relax.
You Don’t Have to Stop Playing Golf in the Winter
By, JOHN TORSIELLO
Abevy of New Jersey courses will stay open during the winter if the weather permits. Even if some snow does fall, the courses may close but will re-open if Mother Nature cooperates. While your buddies are watching football and professional golf tournaments from some warm weather retreats, you can still be knocking it around at a number of courses.
The Atlantic City area is a very affordable year-round golf destination. It is typically warmer down at the shore as the salt air and milder temperatures allow for more golfing days than in Philadelphia, Northern Jersey and beyond. It’s the same Atlantic City experience at a great rate.
While it is true that courses along the coast usually face less severe winters, especially when it comes to long-lasting snowfall, inland tracks
will remain open as long as Old Man Winter doesn’t get too nasty from December through February.
Whether or not a club is open is on a course-by-course or even day-to-day basis. Some may prefer to not deal with slow days caused by cold temperatures, others may choose to open on selected days, and some keep their fairways open throughout the winter, again, as long as the snow or ice doesn’t pile up and stick around for too long.
Here are some courses that will remain open this winter, again weather permitting. Call ahead before visiting a course just to make sure it’s open for business, even if the weather seems favorable.
The Seaview Golf Club (www. StocktonSeaview.com) in Galloway features two championship golf courses–The Bay and Pines courses. The links-style Bay Course hosted the 1942 PGA won by Sam Snead and
was designed by Donald Ross.
The Bay Course is loaded with superb holes and, like Atlantic City Country Club, offers cool views of the Atlantic City skyline across the bay. Several of the holes either end or start near the bay or run along it. While not overly long at 6,247 yards from the tips, the course is nonetheless is a good test of course management and proper club selection. Tall fescue grasses line many of the fairways during the warm months and there are ample bunkers and occasional wetlands or water to catch the wayward shot.
The brainchild of the design team of Toomey and Flynn, the Pines Course was carved from woodlands surrounding the resorand features tight fairways and wellprotected landing areas. Longer (6,731 yards from the tips) than the Bay Course, the Pines demands precision off the tee and steady approaches to the ample greens. Three of the
Twisted Dune
four par-fives can be reached in two by big hitters, but there are five par-fours–including the monstrous 468-yard 17th–that play over 400 yards from the tips. The back side features three par-threes, including back-to-back holes on 15 and 16, both of which measure well over 200 yards.
Twisted Dune Golf Club ( www.TwistedDune. com) in Egg Harbor is a links-style course that was built in a residential area, but it works well. The course was designed by Archie Struthers in a links style, with the track winding through a “twisted” landscape, and offering dramatic elevation changes and contoured fairways. There are over 100 bunkers on this beast but the fairways are wide and the greens accepting of approach shots.
Shore Gate Golf Club (www.ShoreGateGolf. com) in Oceanview is both interesting and intimidating. The Ron Fream-David Dale creation has deep greenside bunkers capped off by chocolate drop mounding that often presents a somewhat disconcerting scene when standing on the fairways and preparing to hit approach shots.
McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links (www. McCulloughsGolf.com), located in Egg Harbor and designed by noted New Jersey-based golf course architect Stephen Kay, is a tribute to famed European layouts, such as St. Andrew’s, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry. McCullough’s 16th hole, for instance, is a replica of the “Postage Stamp” par-three hole at Scotland’s Royal Troon. McCullough’s, quite appropriately, presents a decidedly Irish-Scottish feel, with wide open fairways, tricky winds, grass mounds, bunkers, natural waste areas and undulating greens.
orchards. The track was designed by Ed Shearon and kept to owner Joseph Milza’s vision of a layout that is challenging for good players but also approachable for visitors of all skill levels.
The Links at Brigantine Beach (www. BrigantineGolf.com) is yet another historic
the area’s pinelands and is a pleasing blend of short and long par-fours, solid par-fives–several of which are reachable in two by big boppers–and great par-threes. There are numerous bunkers that come into play both off the tee and on approach shots to the medium-sized greens.
Cape May National Golf Club (www.CPNGC. com) in Erma is one of the most natural golf courses ever built. Nicknamed “The Natural”, the course surrounds a fifty acre private bird sanctuary. Cape May National started a new trend in environmental sensitivity in course design while providing a classic turn of the century golf course that golfers love. In fact, Cape May National goes back to its roots to the late 1800s and its predecessor, Cape May Country Club. The course surrounds one of the largest private bird sanctuaries in the state of New Jersey. When you play you are immersed in natural beauty from the first hoe to the 18th.
The Golf Course at Renault (www. RenaultWinery.com) in Egg Harbor City is a piece of a package that includes the Tuscany Hotel, a winery and the “gourmet” Restaurant at the Renault Winery. The course winds its way through and past grapevines and
course designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, who created some fine courses at the turn of the 20th century. Brigantine has a sense of being a Scottish links layout, with berms, gently rolling fairways that are almost devoid of trees, tall grasses off the fairways, mounds and smallish, tricky greens typical of links courses. Brigantine, opened in 1927, has its own rich golf history. It is said that Walter Hagen and Harry Vardon played at Brigantine to acquire a feel for links courses before setting sail to play in Scotland at the British Open.
Blue Heron Pines Golf Club (www. BlueHeronPines.com) in Cologne is one of Jersey architect Stephen Kay’s best designs. It takes full advantage of the natural beauty of
Harbor Pines Golf Club ( www.HarborPines. com) in Egg Harbor is a rather open layout that has plenty of water and bunkers. The track feels good and looks pleasing to the eye. Number 12 is one of the most photographed holes in New Jersey and visually a stunner. The tee shot on this 339yard par-four must clear a large pond and land in a small fairway that sits before the green. The putting surface is protected by bunkers all around and water to the rear. You can make birdie or double bogey here, depending upon your accuracy and length off the tee. It’s an example of a great, short par-four.
Designed by legendary course architect Hal Purdy, Pebble Creek Golf Club (www. PebbleCreekGolf Club.com) in Colts Neck provides golfers with an enjoyable and memorable experience. The unique characteristics and differing landscapes of each hole presents a challenge for accomplished players while remaining player-friendly for beginners. The
Gassan Khuntan Golf Resort
par-three 188-yard 18th is the easiest hole on the course, giving the players the opportunity to finish strong. The large, undulating green is surrounded by three bunkers that will catch any errant tee shots to the right or left.
LBI National Golf & Resort (www. LBINational.com) in Little Egg Harbor is situated on over 155-acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the pinelands of South Jersey, the newly named LBI National is being re-imagined and revived. On-site amenities include a 31-room inn, a fully equipped conference center, and an on-site banquet room equipped to handle large-scale events. The first hole I a song 565-yardpar-tfive that lets you loosen up with the driver and fairway woods in your hands. The course plays almost 7,000 yards from the tips.
Ron Jaworski Golf’s (www. RonJaworskiGolf.com) impressive portfolio of public daily fee courses includes New Jersey properties Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Galloway, Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, Ramblewood Country Club in Mount Laurel, Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove, RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club in West Deptford and Downington Country Club in Downington, Pennsylvania.
Blue Heron Pine’s signature hole is its
15th. You need to hit a solid tee shot to carry the waste area and if you attempt to keep your tee shot up the left side there is a possibility it could roll out into the pond that runs up the left side of the fairway and fronts the left portion of the green. If you hit a solid tee shot to the middle of the fairway it will leave you with a mid to short iron into a large green. Aim for the middle of the green and walk away with away a par after two solid putts.
Downingtown CC boasts immaculate course conditions and a welcoming, friendly staff that provides top level customer service that makes all RJG courses places to be. The course has been very busy this year. Downingtown draws from Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania and has recently been seeing more people coming from Philadelphia, and South Jersey. Number nine on the Red Course is
Harbor Pines Golf Club
Harbor Pines Golf Club
Ramblewood Country Club’s signature hole. The par-three has a beautiful backdrop and there are bunkers short and long left. A solid tee shot leaves a fair chance for birdie to wrap up the Red Course.
Designed by legendary course architect Hal Purdy, Pebble Creek Golf Club (www. PebbleCreekGolf Club.com) in Colts Neck provides golfers with an enjoyable and memorable experience. The unique characteristics and differing landscapes of each hole presents a challenge for accomplished players while remaining player-friendly for beginners. The par-three 188-yard 18th is the easiest hole on the course, giving the players the opportunity to finish strong. The large, undulating green is surrounded by three bunkers that will catch any errant tee shots to the right or left.
At RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club, course conditions have been outstanding the last two years, a testament to the club’s grounds staff and their hard work and dedication to the property. The signature hole here is number 17. A low-flighted shot is necessary when playing from an elevated tee box right next to the Delaware River, as the wind is always a major factor. Trajectory is everything when playing this short but tricky par-three.
Running Deer Golf Club is a course that will test every level of golfer. The course provides a truly unique experience where membership is accessible to all while retaining a private club feel. A classic risk-reward signature hole is the third, a short par-four
Renault Resort
Egg Harbor, N.J.
609-965-2111 www.RenaultWinery.com
Seaview Hotel and GC Stockton, N.J.
855-894-8698 www.StocktonSeaview.com
Twisted Dune Golf Club
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
888-894-7839 www.TwistedDune.com
Harbor Pines Golf Club
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
609-927-0006
www.HarborPines.com
that can play between 300 to 390 yards, depending on which tee box you play. Your tee shot is safe playing to the right and safely played with a shot that will put you between 100 to 150 yards out. An aggressive line with driver can reward you with a shorter approach.
Valleybrook Country Club has expanded the tee boxes on holes one and 10 and there was a redesign of number nine’s green complex. The club also has a new cart fleet. The par-five ninth is one the course’s signa-
ture hole. It presents options of the tee to an undulating fairway. If you find the fairway, your second shot is an intimidating one. At the par-three 12th, you must carry your tee shot to the center of the green to avoid a false front
Cape May National GC Cape May, N.J. 609-884-1563 www.CMNGC.com
609-624-8337
609-857-5656 www.lbinational.com
Blue Heron
Stunning Nemacolin is a Feast for the Senses
Two Magnificent Pete Dye Courses Highlight a Must-Visit Resort Experience
Traveling to play golf takes you to some pretty amazing places. And if your tastes often take you beyond the ordinary, Nemacolin is word you should know and a singularly spectacular resort experience from the moment you arrive through its gates.
Perched among the picturesque Laurel Highlands one hour southwest of Pittsburgh, Nemacolin simply exceeds just about every expectation you can set. As first impressions go, Nemacolin sets the tone for the bold and dramatic with the scale and architectural splendor of its Chateau, the first hotel structure you come to and enter to check in for your stay. Talk about a sense of arrival. Patterned after The Ritz Paris, the vast Chateau welcomes guests not with cold, museum-like austerity, but with warmth and whimsy. When we passed through the entrance, we were greeted by a giant giraffethemed topiary and friendly faces who offered us a welcome glass of sparkling wine. If we didn’t know by now, we would soon find out that this place is characterized by indulgent fun and bountiful art at every turn.
The Château is just one of the places you can stay at Nemacolin, along with the awardwinning Falling Rock and the newly reimagined and The Grand Lodge. Nemacolin is world-class on all fronts, but we soon learned that it got that way, because it’s constantly improving its guest experience and its infrastructure. Fabulous new guest suites and reinvigorated common spaces within the Grand Lodge make Nemacolin somehow even more special. The luxe Circle Bar and the brilliant new restaurant concept Fawn & Fable have infused a burst of energy and refined panache to this incredibly fun place.
Nestled in the splendid Allegheny Mountains, Nemacolin is home to long views and Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock, two imaginative championship courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye. Both courses take ample advantage of the area’s vast, rugged topography, lush terrain and majestic sweeping vistas. Just down the road from architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s acclaimed masterpiece Fallingwater and Fort Necessity National Battlefield (site of the opening action of the
French and Indian War in 1754), Nemacolin is making its own distinctive brand of history in those nature-rich Laurel Highlands.
Owned by the visionary Hardy family who founded and operate 84 Lumber, Nemacolin has an attraction for any mood or interest you’ve probably ever had, including a diverse and internationally acclaimed art collection, the Hardy Room cigar lounge, Tea Room, The Patisserie for coffee, pastries and essentials. The Michelin-caliber dining at Lautrec has returned with the re-opening of The Grand Lodge and the debut of Fawn & Fable. We enjoyed a transcendent seafood meal at the chic Aqueous we’ve revisited in our heads many times since. In one’s spare time they can enjoy luxury shopping boutiques, art walks and even a 1950s-style ice cream parlor. Beyond golf, outdoor adventurers can enjoy the Field Club (soon to be renamed Rod and Range); Wildlife Academy that features everything from safari tours to dog sledding; The Peak Adventure Center (complete with zip lines and climbing wall, paintball field and cosmic bowling); and Jeep Off-Road Driving
Academy, fly fishing as well as antique auto and aircraft collections.
You’ll find artwork and sculptures at almost every turn at Nemacolin. It’s a feast for the senses that somehow fits seamlessly along with the 2,000-acre resort’s breathtaking natural surroundings. Nemacolin offers guests 320 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, suites, townhouses and private upscale homes, including Falling Rock, a AAA Five Diamond boutique hotel with rooms overlooking the Mystic Rock course.
Before rounds on Mystic Rock, Shepherd’s Rock, we took time to check out all the stateof-the-art toys inside The Nemacolin Golf Academy. The all-season entertainment and game improvement space is a great place to play and learn on TrackMan or get a lesson or custom fitting from director of instruction Mike LaBella and his team.
Teeing it up at Nemacolin means being ready to tackle the crafty Pete Dye and walk in the footsteps of the PGA Tour players who competed in the 84 Lumber Classic from 2003 to 2006, including champions like Vijay Singh Open Championship winner Ben Curtis.
Mystic Rock is a sterling example of a more subtle and cerebral side of Dye. He lets the rolling land dictate the routing and shot values here with ample landing areas, walkability and serene sight lines. There are very few daunting forced carries, but endless riskreward scenarios and plenty of ways to make the round more complicated than it needs to be. Positioning off the tee and hitting to the correct parts of the green comes into play routinely as Dye plays with angles, misdirection, false fronts and greens that run off the sides or back if you mis-club.
There’s a great mix of short par 4s like the first hole, the sneaky-long, uphill fourthwhich is one of the few holes that asks for a tee shot to carry water – and more humbling long holes like the daunting 476-yard ninth with water left off the tee and a narrow, sloping green. You can gain momentum early in the round with manageable par 5s at the fifth and eighth holes and a wedgeshot par 3 at number seven, but beware the geometry Dye throws at you on holes like nine,
the winding, 439-yard par-4 10th and the long, dogleg-right uphill par-five 11th. After a satisfying stretch of par fours at 13, 14 and 15. Mystic Rock closes with a fun risk-reward par 5, a long, challenging par 3, with water lurking left, and uphill par 4 that demands solid strikes and respect of the angles of play. Mystic Rock belongs in the conversation with some of Dye’s best work.
At Shepherd’s Rock, the mischievous side of Pete Dye and his associate Tim Liddy come out to play. You’ll find yourself playing shots 40 feet from the hole to allow Dye’s slopes to (hopefully) do their work and you’ll come to respect false fronts that can send even well struck shots that look pin high back down the
front edge of the green and toward the man who hit it. What you probably won’t figure out on the first try is the wildly sloping greens or the ideal angles into those greens.
That said, there’s a great collection of beautiful holes that rise up hills and plunge down valleys. The crafty and postcard-worthy 11th is one of the handsomest holes on the property while views from fifth, seventh, 16th and 17th holes are extraordinary places to enjoy the nature around you. The 18th hole is a terrific and memorable par 4 that demands a strong drive that is safe from ponds and marshes right and trees left. The waterfalls and majestic setting near the green while inspire to return for another challenge.
Nemacolin’s entertainment and adventure offerings are so creative, you can’t help but feel the Hardy family’s personal touches all over the grounds. It’s like they’ve invited you to hang out at their estate and let your hair down for as long as you like.
Set in an area steeped in rich American, architectural and agricultural history, Nemacolin is carving out its own distinctive legacy in the nature-rich Laurel Highlands. To learn more about this oneof-a-kind destination, visit nemacolin.com.
By, Sean Fawcett
NTidewater Golf Club A Myrtle Beach Gem
orth Myrtle Beach is known for many things. Being the Home of Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White is one, of course, but being the home of Tidewater Golf Club is another.
Played partly right along the scenic, and peaceful, Cherry Grove tidal inlet, set along the low-country’s beautiful and natural landscape, Tidewater Golf Club is a must-see, and must-play, golf course that all golfers traveling to the Myrtle Beach area will absolutely love to play, and want to play again and again, and again.
Tidewater’s stunning landscape leaves golfers raving long after they’ve returned home. While beauty is at the heart of the Tidewater experience, it’s only part of what makes the property so very, very special. Tidewater’s commitment to premium customer service and meticulously maintained course conditions are every bit the equal of the scenery, making this one of the best golf travel experiences in Myrtle Beaches’ historic, and iconic, Grand Strand.
For ten years I’ve been wanting to play Tidewater Golf Club, and I’m so, so sorry that I waited so long to finally get to do so. Rated by Golf Digest as one of America’s “Top 100 Greatest Public Golf
Courses”(2011-2012), Tidewater has a feel similar to that of Pebble Beach, and sometimes TPC’s Sawgrass, and challenges players of all levels.
One of the courses’ prettiest holes is the picturesque Par 3 Twelfth Hole called “Wishing Well”. Set to carry water to an elevated two-tiered green guarded by bulkheads and bunkers short and left, the Tidewater’s 12th plays for a fade with some room to miss long and a chance to save par with a good chip and a putt.
Tidewater features nine holes that run
right along either the Cherry Grove Inlet, or the Intracoastal Waterway and wows golfers with truly incredible, and eye-popping, views and a layout that challenges every part of a players’ game. The beauty of the par 3 third hole highlights a trip along the waterway, with its putting surface perched along the edge of Cherry Grove. Named “Stranded”, the challenge of putting the ball on the proper tier is a thrilling test that has anchored thousands upon thousands of memorable Myrtle Beach golf trips.
Tidewater’s other signature aspect of its
terrific, and scenic, layout is in its many risk-reward options. Par Fives like the 13th, “Ocean Isle” force golfers to make some hard decisions about going for the green in 2, or laying back and going at it in a regulation 3.
If you enjoy playing fun golf courses with risk-reward, and challenging, golf holes and incredible, breath-taking scenery, then Tidewater Golf Club is for you, and, well, everyone else as well.
Tidewater’s Fourth. “Futch Site”, named for a former overseer of the property, is the course’s No.1 Handicap, and one whale of
a Par 4 to get to try. Tidewater’s Teaching Professional Cory Hill explains.
“At 430 yards, the par-4 fourth hole at Tidewater Golf Club is considered the toughest on the course. The fairway turns slightly from right to left, with a few sand traps lining the right side and saltwater marsh on the left. The green is well-guarded by sand bunkers all around. Typically, the hole plays into the ocean breeze, adding to its difficulty. To play this hole effectively, I usually hit a driver, aiming just right of the 150-yard marker in the middle of the fairway. From the right center of the fairway,
I generally have about 175 yards left to the green, and I use an extra club to account for the ocean breeze and avoid the front bunkers. When aiming for the green, I aim for the middle and try to be below the hole. Being on the green doesn’t mean the challenge is over, as the green slopes severely from back to front.”
As amazing as the golf is at Tidewater, so is their award-winning food and drink. A perfect place to finish your round, or to have lunch before playing, Joey’s Clubhouse Grille, caps off, or tees off, a wonderful day at Tidewater Golf Club with classic pub and clubhouse fare that golfers of all tastes crave, along with local Low-Country treats. I recommend “JD’s Famous Chili” and The “Po Boy”, which comes with either fried flounder, shrimp, or oysters, plus juicy burgers and crab cakes and pulled pork sandwiches, give diners almost as much options as the holes on the golf course do.
An all-in-one and all-around golfing experience is waiting for you at Tidewater Golf Club. Don’t dare miss it when coming to play in your first, or next, Myrtle Beach golfing vacation if you can. Play Tidewater Golf Club today. You will regret it if you don’t.
www.TidewaterGolf.com
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Golf Digest has given this beautiful, scenic course four stars.
Check out our many Stay & Play options.
Rejuvenate yourself in the beautiful mountains of Historic Wellsboro Pennsylvania and enjoy a scenic round of golf at Tyoga.
LANSDOWNE RESORT Escape With Ease 45 Holes of Championship Golf and So Much More
Seeking a weekend getaway within driving distance, while taking in some historic sights, sipping wine, and teeing it up? Consider Loudon County, Virginia, and its abundant vineyards, picture-perfect scenery and glorious views.
Twenty-five miles from Washington, D.C. awaits Lansdowne Resort, which boasts three of the region’s finest courses open to members and resort guests. Here, 500 perfect acres overlook the Potomac River Valley. The golf is not only good but offers great variety, thanks to two of the more imaginative architects working today. Then, assuming you can pull yourself off the courses, there’s much, much more to entertain!
The Robert Trent Jones Jr. course makes
the most of the area’s rolling terrain, bringing elevation, water, and mental challenge into play. For example, the par-3 13th hole drops some 50 feet from tee to green and requires carrying a creek as well as a stone wall that was built when Virginia was still a colony. The mix of classic and risk/reward holes will keep golfers or all skill levels engaged from start to finish.
The Greg Norman course, designed by one of the game’s best-known stars, is flatter, playing along the Potomac, through hardwood forest, and past rocky outcroppings, and includes a four-hole stretch at the end that the Shark himself labeled “the hardest mile in golf.” But power isn’t the only prerequisite as the golfer will have to make plenty of strategic decisions and make
careful club selections into the mostly raised greens.
Both courses offer a choice of tees, making them suitable for all. New or non-golfers, as well as juniors, families, and really anyone else, will have a blast on Norman’s “Sharkbite” course, nine entertaining holes with enough charm and challenge to guarantee a good time along with stunning river views.
If you’re looking to learn or improve your game, check out The Lansdowne Golf Academy. Instruction is available one-toone, in groups, and with a range of programs for juniors from 4 through teens. The Academy is one of the few facilities in the region with advanced biomechanics systems to capture and analyze every component of
the swing.
Golf is hardly the only recreation on property. There are two lighted tennis courts and three pickleball courts, where both equipment rental and court time are complimentary. The Fitness Center offers much more than your neighborhood gym, with the full range of machines as well as weights, suspension systems, group classes, and indoor heated pool and hot tub, access to hiking and biking rails (they’ll even lend you the bikes), and an outdoor basketball court. Then dive into the Aquatic Complex, where you’ll find three outdoor pools, both a waterslide and waterfall, the privacy of plush personal cabanas, and pool-side dining and drinking. Far less rigorous activity can be found in the exceptional Spa Minérale, where the
mind and spirit receive as much attention as the body. A long menu of treatments is available, along with steam rooms and dry saunas, whirlpools and salon services, and full-body experiences. Combination spa packages are available, as are packages for golfers, couples, and groups of all sizes.
Having made sure you’ve worked up an appetite, the resort offers dining from gourmet to casual, with regional cuisine and tavern fare, as well as poolside and by the golf course. Check the resort calendar for special wine dinners and live entertainment. And when it’s finally time to rest, luxurious guestrooms and suites feature the latest in style and amenities, swaddling guests with intimate elegance and comfort.
The website features seasonal packages and special offers. www.LansdowneResort.com 44050Woodridge Parkway
Leesburg, VA 20176
Golf: 703/729-4071
Resort: 877/509-8400 or 703/729-8400
Richland Raises The Bar at Reynolds Lake Oconee
Seventh Golf Course Unveiled; Designed By, Tom Fazio
Acclaimed golf course architect Tom Fazio has returned to Reynolds Lake Oconee to unveil Richland, a new 18-hole layout crafted from nine holes on his existing National Course (Bluff) combined with nine freshly designed holes built on adjacent land distinguished by a creek, large natural boulders, and an existing pond. The resulting layout provides plenty of challenge, with numerous bunkers, elevation changes, and lake views.
“My goal is always to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind golf courses,” says Fazio. “There’s a lot of terrain variation—lots of ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns—which is great for golf. That’s what makes this such a fine natural setting.”
The existing Bluff holes—with some recent modifications—are now holes 1 through 5 and 15 through 18. The all-new
holes comprise numbers 6 to 15.
Fazio added, “Members will enjoy this golf course because it will have character and never play the same. This new course will provide a challenge and have endless possibilities of capturing your emotions and feelings.”
The new 18-hole experience is private, accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee Platinum members. With the addition of the new course, Reynolds Lake Oconee now boasts seven 18-hole courses, including two privates (Fazio’s Richland and Creek Club by Jim Engh), as well as another 90 holes available for member and resort guest play:
The National (Fazio), The Landing (Bob Cupp), Great Waters (Jack Nicklaus), The Preserve (Cupp), and The Oconee (Rees Jones).
Richland Pointe Community
The new Richland course meanders through the Reynolds Lake Oconee community of Richland Point, which opened three years ago and has enjoyed tremendous success with each release of lakefront, lake access, golf, and wooded homesites. The demand for homes throughout RLO remains strong, with additional homesites and cottages scheduled to become available over the next three years.
The community’s hub is Richland Pointe Village, which boasts a 160-seat restaurant with a 52-foot wraparound bar offering lake views and an eclectic menu with global influences. A full-service spa and state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center are in an adjacent building. An outdoor event lawn fronts the lake and two magnificent infinity-edge pools seem to fall
off into the lake.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Directly across the lake, The RitzCarlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a great place to visit and, literally, dip a toe in the water of this residential resort community 70 minutes from Atlanta. Visit here, play here, live here.
The resort has recently undergone renovations, with a newly reimagined 27,000-square-foot destination spa, the all-new clandestine “speakeasy” lounge called Oconee Cove, and a refreshed lobby lounge and bar. These upgrades help the resort further define modern lakeside luxury, creating an unparalleled oasis for relaxation, rejuvenation, and refined indulgence.
The
Spa
With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to holistic wellness, the spa’s 19 treatment rooms, expansive indoor pool, and state-of-the-art gym await resort guests. Inspired by the
beauty of the lakeside environment, design elements include a soothing palette of neutral textured walls, natural stone, gray oak, brass accents, and forest green tiles, paying tribute to the lush splendor of the resort’s surroundings.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee also invites guests to experience additional wellness-led activities with a rotating schedule including water meditation, lakeside yoga, guided hikes, and more.
For a deeper wellness journey, the spa will unveil a dedicated “wellness retreat” in 2025 including a multi-day workshop of curated spa treatments, wellness activities, keynote speakers, and more.
Oconee Cove
Just off the resort’s lobby, hidden behind what appears to be a library, is the new 24-seat lounge Oconee Cove. Discreet and elegant, Oconee Cove looks like a stately home reading room while evoking the unmistakable charm and sophistication of a Prohibition speakeasy. This step back in time is adorned with deep-forest-green walls, rich leather furniture, gold accents, and low, as well as a wall-full of the finest bottles of bourbon, scotch, gin, and tequila.
www.reynoldslakeoconee.com
www.ritzcarltonreynolds.com
5 Reasons to Visit Barbados Now
So many places to visit, so little time. Where should a motivated, intrepid traveler go?
At 21 miles long and 14 miles wide Barbados offers luxury and cultural experiences throughout the Island. Gorgeous beaches and lush vegetation. Bajan hospitality and superb food. Rum shops everywhere. From historic places to contemporary luxury, Barbados is a discerning traveler’s dream destination. Here are five reasons why.
World-Class Golf
Stay at casually elegant Apes Hill in one of the sumptuous private rental villas – it’s the only way to play all four of Barbados’ “trophy courses.” The club and boutique resort are exclusive to members and guests renting the resort’s excellent lodging units.
The club’s 18 championship holes, reimagined in 2022 by Ron Kirby, have received significant acclaim. Apes Hill garnered the No. 72 ranking in Golfweek’s “Top 100 International Courses, 2024”— out of more than 25,000 courses worldwide. Apes Hill also includes a 9-hole short course, Little Apes, that is debuting before year’s end, and a 19th hole inspired by the famous island green at TPC Sawgrass.
Nearby, Royal Westmoreland and Sandy
Lane, two other top-rated golf resorts, offer distinct but complementary experiences. With four 18-hole courses and a short course between them, these golf resorts combine elite play with outstanding service. To give you an idea of how exclusive the properties are, Tiger Woods married Elin Nordegren at Sandy Lane. You cannot buy logoed Green Monkey apparel in the pro shop unless you play the Tom Fazio-designed course by the same name.
Barbados’ golf courses are first class featuring award-winning, strategic designs that challenge players to display grit, resilience, and poise. Or, as the Bajans would say, “If greedy wait, hot will cool,” meaning patience will be rewarded.
Apes Hill
Perched atop one of the island’s highest points, Apes Hill Barbados is a blossoming
luxury resort and residential destination that blends concierge-style service with exquisite amenities. The 475-acre eco-conscious sanctuary offers panoramic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and its prime location features lush forests and 12.5 km of tropical hiking trails.
Sustainability is a core foundation at Apes Hill and its 18-hole golf course is certified by Audubon International for its eco-friendly best practices. The property’s reservoir can hold up to 58 million gallons of rainwater. This water is used to irrigate the golf course and other areas, ensuring that no water is taken from the local desalination plant or community resources.
Apes Hill farms its own fresh herbs, edible flowers, and banana trees to make the food and drinks sustainable at its two restaurants – the Noisy Cricket and the 20th Hole. Renowned Chef Javon Cummings ensures that the freshest items are used in his delectable creations.
Guests and homeowners can enjoy a range of amenities, including a Performance Centre (dial in your swing or putting stroke with its state-of-the-art technology), Padel courts, fitness center, and wellness programs like yoga and spa treatments. The private rental villas offer chic, modern accommodations with plunge pools and access to a private chef, catering, and more. Whether arriving by flight into
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) or via luxury cruise ship, Apes Hill awaits with an elevated Caribbean experience.
Cultural Heritage
Barbados has a rich cultural heritage as the “brightest jewel in the British crown – the richest colony in the empire,” as it was once heralded. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Barbados was one of three major British transshipment points alongside Boston (MA) and Bristol (England). Its African and European heritage and deep history include being the place where sugar cultivation was perfected before being spread across the region. This legacy is evident in the island’s architecture and cultural DNA.
The people of Barbados are the friendliest in the world. The island has a high rate of returning visitors, and the primary reason they come back is the warmth, safe environment, and hospitality of the Barbadian people. Visitors are welcomed into local communities and homes, allowing them to experience the essence of the destination by eating, living, and traveling like a Bajan.
Birthplace of Rum and Rum Shops
Barbados was the first country to produce and bottle rum, with the Mount Gay Rum Distillery dating back to 1703. The uniqueness of Barbadian rum traces back to the
high-quality molasses produced on the island, known as liquid gold, due to the coral limestone formation of the island’s water, which enhances sugarcane cultivation. There are award-winning rum distilleries that offer tours, and boutique rums produced by an old sugar plantation still grinding cane during the season. Depending on how you define them, Barbados is home to between 1,000 and 12,000 rum shops, ranging from village shops that sell groceries, bread, provisions, and drinks, to those that focus solely on food and beverages.
Festival Island
In late November, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival continues its annual celebration of Caribbean cuisine. Critics have judged Barbados as the epicenter of Caribbean culinary excellence, drawing foodies and rum lovers from around the world. For those who enjoy dancing in the sunlight with a drink in hand and vibrant feathers in their hair, the Crop Over Festival is an experience not to be missed. Though the island celebrates festivals year-round, Crop Over in the summer is the grandest of them all. The Holetown Festival in February and the Oistins Fish Festival on the South Coast are other must-visit events for food lovers. While small, Barbados has much to celebrate.
