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M A G A Z I N E™
FEATURED DESTINATIONS • Gaylord, MI • Kaanapali, HI • Outer Banks, NC • Brunswick Islands, NC • BOYNE Golf, MI • Santee, SC • Rose Hall, Jamaica • Barbados • Branson, MO • Cooperstown, NY • Tot Hill Farm, NC • Talamore Resort, NC
Winter 2024
Fazio Premier at Treetops Resort Gaylord, MI www.GolfingMagazine.net
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Winter 2024 Travel Guide Volume 60
Issue 1
golfing M A G A Z I N E™
Winter 2024
Publisher Tom Landers TLanders@GolfingMagazine.net Associate Publisher Sean Fitzsimmons GolfingMag@Verizon.net Creative Director Heidi Dyer Production@GolfingMagazine.net Editor John Torsiello Editor@GolfingMagazine.net Travel Editor Claudio DeMarchi Claudio@LakeviewProduction.com
Treetops Resort, MI TRAVEL FEATURES
6 Sweet 16 Success Gaylord Golf Mecca Courses Cooperate, Impress, Grow
Editor at Large Tom Landers TLanders@GolfingMagazine.net Contributing Writers Sean Fitzsimmons John DiCocco Mark William Paul Scott Kramer
10 Teeing Off in Paradise Rose Hall Golf’s Cinnamon Hill Dominates the Caribbean Scene
12 Ka‘anapali Golf Courses
Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul
Lahaina, Maui
14 Brunswick Islands
North Carolina’s Hidden Gem Golf Destination
16 Boyne Golf The Golf is Epic, The Trip is Easy!
18 North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Golfing Magazine 1077 Silas Deane Hwy #117 Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-563-1633 www.GolfingMagazine.net
The Ultimate Coastal Golf Destination
20 Santee Cooper Resort - Santee, SC The All-In Buddy Golf Trip Package
22 Talamore Resort Southern Pines, NC
24 Golf and Jazz in Barbados 28 Branson, MO
Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited with written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
The Midwest’s Golf Mecca
32 Resoration of Tot Hill Farm Golf Club A Mike Strantz Design
34 Cooperstown, New York, A One of Kind Experience Birdies & Baseball… Bogies & Baseball…More Baseball 2
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BoyneGolf.com
Getting to BOYNE Golf has never been easier... Whether flying into nearby Traverse City (TVC) or our newly renovated private 5200’ airport at Boyne Mountain, our 10 magnificent courses are closer than you think. Call 844.884.4374 to plan your 2024 trip today.
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Kauai, Hawaii
Where Aloha Begins... Boasting the longest stretch of ocean front holes in all of Hawaii, the Ocean Course Hokuala will test your golf and your photography skills as you maneuver through the mango groves of the rainforest terrain and play along the cliffside of the beautiful Pacific on this Jack Nicklaus signature layout. 4
Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
3351 Ho’Olaulea Way Lihue, HI 96766 www.golfhokuala.com
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Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Mississippi Gulf Coast Lousiana’s Audubon Golf Trail Florida’s First Coast of Golf Amelia Island, TPC Sawgrass, St Augustine, Hammock Beach Innisbrook Golf Resort Near Tampa, FL Copperhead Reunion Golf Resort Olando FL PGA National Palm Beach Garden, FL Bear Trap Trump National Miami, FL Blue Monster New Orleans LA Gulf Shores AL San Antonia TX, Austin TX Las Vegas NV Pebble Beach CA Charleston SC & Kiawah Island SC Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head SC Memphis TN Saddlebrook Resort Tampa FL Wild Dunes Golf Resort, Isle of Palms SC Destination Kohler WI Dallas/Grapevine TX Atlanta GA; Chateau Elan Winery Resort; Callaway Resort & Garden; Stone Mountain
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TRAVEL
Sweet 16 Success
Gaylord Golf Mecca Courses Cooperate, Impress, Grow
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he Gaylord Golf Mecca has been moving forward as a premier U.S. summer golf destination for 37 years. In 2024, through its time-tested cooperative destination marketing model, the Mecca offers 16 golf course members and 20 lodging partners. “The real reason the Mecca works and continues to grow is a tremendous group of owners who have vision and believe in destination marketing,” said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Mecca since its inception in 1987. “We simply keep getting better together. Our members and partners improve their courses, turf, bunkers, tees, it seems all the time, and those with lodging keep up to date with regular room renovations. I see all the improvements the properties keep making, and our Mecca partnership with the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City has opened up new national and international markets to us. We, as a group, share
ideas to serve visitors. The Mecca is the true meaning of cooperative, and as a group and as individual properties, there is a commitment to always being the best golf destination Gaylord can be.” Gaylord, also known as the Alpine Village, at first glance is not a typical major golf destination. It started in 1987 when Harry Melling, a flamboyant auto industry supplier and NASCAR team owner who had earlier purchased the Sylvan ski resort on the edge of town, unveiled the Masterpiece, the last major golf course design by the legendary architect, Robert Trent Jones. The award-winning Jones creation attracted golfers to what became known as Treetops Resort, but also quickly put Gaylord in the national golf conversation as a must-stop in the Midwest. It was also Jones who coined the name Treetops. During construction he had observed the stunning view over the Pigeon River Valley
from the ridge and tee 180-plus feet above the green of the course’s iconic signature Par 3 sixth hole. It’s treetops for miles. The Masterpiece was the first of five top-flight and award-winning golf courses Melling would go on to build at the resort, including the only Tom Fazio designed course in Michigan, which is called the Premier. The Golf Channel launched its popular “Big Break” series in Gaylord and ESPN’s “Par 3 Shootout” at Treetops on the Rick Smith-designed Threetops par 3 course. Both productions, pushed forward by Smith who was then Treetops’ head golf professional, helped spread the Mecca message across America as Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Lee Trevino and others came to town. In that same summer of 1987, the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau formed the Gaylord Golf Mecca – a coordinated marketing effort and brand
Garland Lodge & Golf Resort Monarch and Reflections Courses 666 Golfing Travel Issue GolfingMagazine Magazine• •Winter Fall Travel Issue
Otsego Resort, Tribute Course, Hole #5 officials hoped would draw attention to the original six Mecca member golf courses. Five of those six – Treetops, Otsego Resort, Gaylord Golf Club, The Pines at Michaywe and Lakes of the North – remain part of today’s Sweet 16. At the Masterpiece grand opening in 1987 Jones called the Gaylord area, and specifically Treetops, a place “waiting for golf to find its way here.” Golf had already found its way in limited amounts to Gaylord, but Jones envisioned what is found in 2024. The golf pro Smith was a 23-year-old fresh-faced, floppy haired PGA pro from Toledo armed with endless enthusiasm and yet-to-be-discovered wide array of skills. He nodded his head as Jones talked that day. “It’s so perfect here,” Smith said as he made his rounds on the practice tee a few minutes later. “Just wait until you get out there and play.” Jones, Fazio, Smith and many more golf architecture greats have their artistry included in the Mecca collection, primed and ready each golf season for people to get out and play. Wilfred Reid, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member whose most notable design is the Olympic Club in San Francisco, did
original design work that remains a part of course designer. His four popular designs at the classic Indian River Golf Club since the resort are a clear reflection of his creative redesigned by Michigan’s Warner Bowen. talents, including the popular Reflections Rees Jones, one of Robert Trent Jones’ course. sons, created one of his personal favorites “We are unique in this country as a desand an award-winning course at Black Lake tination in the north because of the quanGolf Club. tity and quality of golf,” Beachnau said. “I Rick Robbins and PGA Tour player believe only Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch built been together as a cooperative marketing The Tribute at Otsego Resort, a tribute to effort in golf longer than the Mecca. And Northern Michigan golf and vistas. William right now, I see and feel a resurgence in Keney Park Golf Course Diddle of Indianapolis, a co-founder of the cooperative action, in golf travel, a good American Society of Golf Course Architects, economy, those types of things and it is designed The Classic, the friendly course easier to get to Northern Michigan now, along the road at the resort. which opens us up to other big golf markets Jerry Matthews, the most prolific too. It’s exciting. We have a bright future Michigan Golf Hall of Fame designer, craft- as long as we keep the quality of our great ed nine of the holes at Lakes of the North to courses at an elevated level and keep workgo with an original nine by Bill Newcomb, ing together.” another Michigan designer. In what is almost four decades Gaylord Don Childs, another noted Michigan has earned the right to be called America’s golf course designer, created The Pines at Summer Golf Mecca. Michaywe’ and Gaylord Golf Club, two “The first budget for the Mecca was shining-star parkland style courses in the $15,000, the tourism bureau contributed Mecca. $7,500 and we had a formula for the golf The late Ron Otto, a Detroit business- courses to put in $1,500 each to make man who invented the insulated garage door up the rest,” Beachnau said. “The initial and later developed and owned Garland Tourism Bureau budget for Gaylord was Lodge & Golf Resort, also became a golf just over $100,000 and is now well over www.GolfingMagazine.net
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TRAVEL $1 million with a little over $300,000 budgeted for the Golf Mecca marketing and advertising.” The first year of the Mecca saw courses record 60,000 rounds of golf with revenues of $2 million. High water marks for the Mecca are now 300,000 rounds with revenues around $20 million. Beachnau said he and the early founders of the Mecca were comfortable in the golf product they were selling, but he is amazed by the level of success now being experienced. “If you had asked me if I ever envisioned the growth in the number of quality golf courses I would have to say no,” he said. “I imagined us to be reasonably successful in developing a cool niche of the golf market, but what it has led to in terms of the number of golf courses in Northern Michigan, the quality, and the number of world class designers that have found us, is just amazing.” Judy Mason, the head golf professional at The Pines at Michaywe, said the group has long realized that together they are stronger. “Together we have great inventory, more to offer and sell and it gives us as a marketing group more to talk about,” she said. “Beyond that, we know the key is to bring more golfers to Gaylord and we can all grow stronger together. Cooperation and competition can work together. We prove it in the Mecca.” The Mecca is a collective reflection of
Black Lake Golf Club, Onaway, MI many talents, and the current leaders of the Mecca believe it’s a collection of golf variety unmatched by other golf destinations. Corey Crowell, the general manager of Indian River, said traveling golfers can’t beat the Mecca variety. “You can play two completely different styles in one day easily, and three or four completely different styles of courses on one trip,” he said. Rob Diroff, the head pro at Lakes of the North, said the Mecca can fit any golf budget. “You get more bang for your buck in the Mecca, and we’re talking world class golf at affordable prices,” he said. JT Aude, the head golf professional at Gaylord Golf Club and the Mecca’s current president, calls the Mecca destination
unique. “I can’t think of any other destination that has a similar combination of quality and quantity combined with affordability, ease of access and a clear effort to make sure the golfer comes first,” he said. “There are places with affordable golf, but not with the quality of courses we offer at our combination of prices. There are places with more courses, but not in a variety from family friendly golf to classic country club style golf to award-winning resort golf all designed by some of the world’s top architects. You only find all that here, in Gaylord.” Visit www.GaylordGolfMecca.com to learn more.
Treetops Resort, Treetops Par 3 Course 88
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Teeing Off in Paradise Rose Hall Golf’s Cinnamon Hill Dominates the Caribbean Scene
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repare to embark on a golfing journey like no other as we explore the lush greens and scenic fairways of Rose Hall Golf ’s Cinnamon Hill Golf Course and White Witch Golf Course in the heart of the Caribbean. While both courses boast unparalleled beauty and challenging layouts, it’s Cinnamon Hill that steals the spotlight as one of the region’s true gems. Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the Jamaican coastline, Cinnamon Hill Golf Course stands as a testament to the perfect harmony between nature and sport. This 18-hole masterpiece, designed by the legendary Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril, seamlessly weaves through historic ruins and vibrant tropical landscapes, offering a golfing experience that transcends the ordinary. Cinnamon Hill has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier golf destinations, receiving accolades and awards that speak volumes about its excellence. From Golf Digest’s prestigious Editors’ Choice Award to being named the “Best Golf Course in the Caribbean” by the World Golf Awards, Cinnamon Hill consistently sets the standard for excellence in the Golfing Magazine world. What sets Cinnamon Hill apart is not just its stunning scenery but also the thoughtful design that challenges players of all skill levels. The course’s undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and pristine greens demand precision and skill from tee to green. Golfers can expect an exhilarating round that rewards strategic thinking and shot-making prowess. As you traverse the course, you’ll encounter
White Witch Golf Course historic relics such as the Rose Hall Great House, adding a touch of cultural richness to your golfing experience. James Bond fans will be pleased to know that hole #15 hosts the famous waterfall featured in the 1973 “Live and Let Die” hit movie. The fusion of history and sport at Cinnamon Hill creates an atmosphere that is as educational as it is enjoyable. While Cinnamon Hill takes center stage, let’s not overlook the charms of the White Witch Golf Course, another masterpiece by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril. Carved into the lush Jamaican hills, White Witch provides a challenging and scenic golfing adventure. With its elevated tees and breathtaking vistas of the Caribbean Sea, White Witch is a worthy companion to Cinnamon
Hill, offering a different yet equally captivating experience. For golf aficionados seeking an unparalleled Caribbean golf escape, Rose Hall Golf ’s Cinnamon Hill and White Witch courses beckon with their beauty, prestige, and worldclass design. Whether you’re an amateur looking to refine your skills or a seasoned pro seeking a new challenge, these courses promise an unforgettable golfing experience in a tropical paradise. Pack your clubs, prepare for warm breezes, and get ready to tee off in paradise. Rose Hall Golf ’s Cinnamon Hill awaits, inviting you to write your own chapter in the rich history of Caribbean golf. www.RoseHall.com
Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, Jamaica 10 10 Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine• Winter • WinterTravel TravelIssue Issue
Rose Hall Hall Road, Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica
Golf@RoseHall.com
Tel: (876) 953-2984
CinnamonHillGolf |WhiteWitchGolf
RoseHall.com/golf
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Aloha
Love is in the Air at Ka‘anapali and on Maui
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eflecting on the kickoff of the 2024 PGA Tour season on Maui, marked by The Sentry held in early January at the Kapalua Resort, we are reminded of the resilience and vibrancy of this cherished Hawaiian island. The golf tournament proudly signaled that Maui is on the road to recovery. Now more than ever, Maui is ready and excited to welcome back visitors from near and far. The resilience displayed by the Lahaina community played a significant role in this renewal. Indeed, the aftermath of the tragic fires, which temporarily clouded the sparkle of our paradise, has been transformed into a beacon of community strength. Today, as efforts of healing and rebuilding continue in this paradise, the community extends an earnest invitation to you. Come, experience the renewed glory of West Maui and the tranquil fairways at Ka’anapali Golf Courses. Your presence not only aids in reviving our local economy, it also amplifies the echo of our Aloha spirit. LOCATION Situated on 300 acres of sacred lands once home to the Royal Chiefs of Maui,
Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course Ka‘anapali Golf Courses offers 36 holes of panoramic views of Lana‘i, Molokai and the West Maui Mountains. As part of the Ka‘anapali Beach Resort Association, guests can stay at one of 13 beautiful hotels and resorts. The community is anchored by Whalers Village, a beachside shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum, hula lessons and other entertaining activities. Three miles south lies the historic town
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of Lahaina, which translates to “relentless sun” in Hawaiian. The bustling area is filled with shops and plays host to the annual Thanksgiving-week college basketball tournament, the Maui Jim Invitational. ROYAL KA‘ANAPALI Opened in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Ka‘anapali is renowned for its forgiving fairways, quick undulating greens and trade winds.
Ka’anapali Kai Golf Course Beginning at sea level, the course hugs the shoreline before rising into the foothills, where bird’s-eye views are abundant. The opening hole of the Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course offers a golfing adventure that invites both precision and daring. Aptly named “E Komo Mai,” which translates to “welcome” in Hawaiian, the hole warmly greets those who enjoy easing into their round. “E Komo Mai is a great welcoming hole to get out there to make a birdie,” said PGA Teaching Professional Chris Armanini. One of the three par fives on the course, the first hole offers a couple of different ways to approach the green – precision players can make three solid shots to get it
close, while longer hitters can go for it in two, depending on wind conditions. Arnold Palmer remarked, “The 18th hole is one of the best and most challenging finishing holes that I have ever played.” Royal Ka‘anapali gained international notoriety by hosting high-profile events, including Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1964), Canada Cup (1964), LPGA Women’s Kemper Open (1982-85), PGA TOUR Champions’ Ka‘anapali Classic (1987-2000) and SKINS Game (200811) and Ka’anapali Collegiate Invitational (2014-2019, 2021, 2022). KA‘ANAPALI KAI Debuting in 1976 by Arthur Jack Snyder
and renovated in 2005 by Hawaii’s most prolific golf course architect, Robin Nelson, For a limited time, golfers can navigate a unique 9-hole layout on the Kai Course that combines portions of both the front and back nines. The revised routing, which incorporates holes 1, 4-6 and 14-18 with seven par 4s and two par 3s, offers an opportunity for a quick round without skimping on the splendor of the surroundings. “It is a fun nine holes to play and very family friendly,” said Director of Golf Sherrie Golden. “You could say it is more of an executive course layout with no par 5s, but you still have the panoramic views of the resort and ocean when playing the upper holes.” Currently undergoing a renovation between holes 2 and 3, the Kai Course complements the longer and more challenging Royal Course, and has a history steeped in regal tradition, once serving as a vacation spot of the royal chiefs of Maui. Several holes lie in natural canals, gulches and lava rock boundaries, and the course is landscaped with native flowers along the trails, such as hibiscus, bougainvillea and plumeria, as well as the Norfolk Pines and coconut trees that border the fairways. The layout requires golfers to focus on strategy during their round, not necessarily length, which is why it’s enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels and abilities. www.KaanapaliGolfCourses.com www.GolfingMagazine.net 13
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North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands A True Coastal Treasure for Every Type of Golfer.
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f you’re thinking golf – and we know you are – you should be thinking NC’s Brunswick Islands. This strand of barrier islands is located on the southern coast of North Carolina, just across the state line from neighboring Myrtle Beach. And what these islands and their accompanying mainland towns offer is a delightfully refreshing, spacious coastal landscape that calls golfers with a deeprooted love of the game back year after year. It’s no wonder the destination has become known by another name: North Carolina’s Golf Coast. With more than 30 of the Southeast’s finest courses, including notables Rivers Edge Golf Club, Thistle Golf Club and Tiger’s Eye, NC’s Brunswick Islands has become a place where those who revel in the heritage and the camaraderie of a game, a hole or a shot well-played can find their fulfillment. It’s a special place that can so delightfully combine a 45-mile stretch of pristine barrier islands with lush maritime forests, expansive marshes and inlets, and the majestic Intracoastal Waterway to create a terrain primed for the most alluring course designs in all of golf. The game’s legends would agree. Palmer, Byrd, Maples, Jones, Cate, Couples, Robbins – they all came and left their footprints on the land. Volume. Variety. Climate. Terrain. All the essentials have aligned here to create a nearly endless succession of challenges for you and your fellow golf enthusiasts. The coastal landscape of waterways and marshes in NC’s
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Rivers Edge Golf Club Brunswick Islands is the ideal place to reaffirm your love of the game. Mild weather year-round makes for an all-season golf climate where you’ll find playing conditions to your liking almost any time of the year. Good thing, because with over 500 holes, you’ll want to schedule a few trips to the coast to meet the challenge. And while you’re there, don’t be surprised when you discover that some of the best golf on the Grand Strand is actually in Brunswick County. The destination is perfect for staying and playing. NC’s Brunswick Islands has managed to harness that special something that brings both golfers and families back year in and year out. Whatever you’re searching for in
Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
accommodations, from a charming villa right on the fairway to the perfect oceanfront vacation rental home to welcome a group of any size, you’ll find it in the Brunswick Islands. Stay at one of the area’s two golf resorts – Sea Trail Golf Resort and Brunswick Plantation - for a complete golf experience with onsite restaurants and challenging courses. Sea Trail boasts three memorable 18-hole courses designed by Rees Jones, Dan Maples, and Willard Byrd. Wherever you stay in NC’s Brunswick Islands, you’ll come with a passion for the game and leave with a love of a place. The place? North Carolina’s Golf Coast. www.NCBrunswickGolf.com
Jones Course at Sea Trail Golf Resort, Hole #5
This is why you play. Return to your senses—to that place inside you that made you fall in love with the game. Enjoy more than 30 championship courses, many created by the game’s legendary designers, in an ideal setting of islands and towns that has been crowned “North Carolina’s Golf Coast.” Download your free NC’s Brunswick Island’s Golf Guide at ncbrunswickgolf.com.
Scan to download or request your printed Golf Guide.
SUNSET BEACH • OCEAN ISLE BEACH • HOLDEN BEACH • OAK ISLAND • CASWELL BEACH
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BALD HEAD ISLAND • LELAND • SHALLOTTE • SOUTHPORT • CALABASH
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Boyne Golf
The Golf is Epic, The Trip is Easy! By Scott Kramer
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s a golf writer, I get to play at a lot of great golf resorts around the world. The one I keep coming back to: BOYNE Golf. Over the past 50 years, this renowned Northern Michigan golf destination has grown to become one of the largest golf destinations in North America – now encompassing 10 courses and three resort properties, including Bay Harbor, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, and Boyne Mountain. The region’s Norman Rockwell-like lakeside resort towns have long been summertime playgrounds for those in the know – attracting people from all over the world, including golfers. It’s no wonder, as the area offers outstanding golf and is the perfect summer destination. With its 10 golf courses, BOYNE Golf is the dominant player in the Midwest with a growing fan base nationwide. At BOYNE Golf ’s flagship property, located along the shores of Lake Michigan, the nationally esteemed Inn at Bay Harbor and
Bay Harbor Golf Club are high-end luxurious properties situated on the site of an old limestone quarry and cement factory. The Bay Harbor Golf Club, designed by Arthur Hills, offers 27 holes with the award-winning Links/ Quarry and Preserve courses. It features a unique combination of open links along the Lake Michigan bluffs, holes flowing in and out of a rock quarry, and through the area’s hardwoods. Within five minutes lies BOYNE’s Crooked Tree Golf Club that is carved through stands of centuries-old hardwoods and apple orchards, while perched on bluffs overlooking Little Traverse Bay. Across that bay, in the historic and charming waterfront community of Harbor Springs, The Highlands has undergone an elegant transformation fitting to its Scottish Highlands charm. The second of four phases of this reimagination includes remodeling and significantly upgrading 87 guest rooms into refined and elegant luxury accommodations fitting for golf buddy trips for men and women alike.
The Highlands’ 72 holes of championship golf collectively offer a perfect golf experience where groups can check into the lodge and never get back into their car during their stay. The courses are led by the classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. Heather course, which started BOYNE Golf ’s boom back in 1966. The National Course of the Year in 2019, The Heather is a classic parkland experience. The popular Arthur Hills course takes golfers through a variety of landscapes including the hills of Northern Michigan reaching a pinnacle on the 13th tee with a 50-mile view of the region. Last year, BOYNE began renovation work on its Donald Ross Memorial course, a classic rendition of great golf holes designed by the Hall of Fame architect. The fourth course, The Moor, is also undergoing renovations that include widening fairways, expanding collection areas around the greens, all to create a variety of more fun and playable shot options for golfers. Coming soon Boyne is adding Doon Brae, a 9-hole short course built
Boyne Mountain’s Monument Course 16 Golfing 16 GolfingMagazine Magazine• •Winter Fall Travel Issue Travel Issue
Bay Harbor Golf Club, Links Course
into one of the lower ski ly rank BOYNE and its slopes, slated to open courses among the best this summer. in America. The variComplementing ety of golf here is colthe world-class golf, lectively refreshing, the The Highlands is also scenery amazing, and home to the BOYNE the staff always welcomGolf Academy feaing. If you visit in the turing nationally recsummer, you can easognized professional ily fit in 36 holes every instructors who have day. During the long developed a variety of Northern Michigan g a m e - i m p r ov e m e n t days that time of year, programs for all levels. golfers play well into the Boyne Highland’s Donald Ross Memorial Course, #18 Technology is the highevening hours -- somelight for golfers who can times close to 10 p.m. skill levels and the most spectacular panoraexperience the GEARS BOYNE Golf Golf system that can analyze your golf swing mas in the state. The hotel was the first ski is located near Petoskey, MI, just south of and fit you into the best-possible equip- in/ski out lodge in America with an indoor the Mackinac Bridge and historic Mackinac ment for your game through BOYNE’s Fitting waterpark. The all-suites lodge features the Island, USA Today’s #1 Summer Destination Center. At their 34-acre, 360-degree training Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark (one of the for 2024. Getting there has never been easier. facility they have added a TrackMan Range largest in the Midwest) - as well as the Solace Nearby Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport Experience, which marries incredible state- Spa, an 18,000 square foot luxury spa that offers non-stop flights from 17 major U.S. of-the-art technology with a classic practice offers the best seasonal treatments. The latest cities during the summer months. For private addition is SkyBridge Michigan, the world’s jets, Boyne Mountain features a 5,200-foot facility. The third BOYNE Golf property, the highest and longest timber suspension bridge landing strip. To score a great golf packquaint Boyne Mountain Resort, is locat- that is over 1100 feet long and sits 120 off the age – or to find out more information – visit ed 30 minutes south of The Highlands. valley floor offering panoramic views of the www.BOYNEGolf.com or contact a BOYNE The Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa at “the Boyne Valley. Golf Experience Agent at 844.884.4374. They It’s no wonder that the accolades keep will assist you in planning your golf vacation Mountain” features two 18-hole layouts, The Monument and Alpine courses, which offer coming in on BOYNE Golf. Publications like of a lifetime. outstanding golf that appeals to golfers of all Forbes, Golf Digest and Golfweek continuous-
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NORTH CAROLINA’S OUTER BANKS
THE ULTIMATE COASTAL GOLF DESTINATION
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he North Carolina Outer Banks is one of the premier golf vacation destinations on the East Coast and home to THE buddy golf trip of 2024. Located at the top of North Carolina’s barrier islands, the Outer Banks divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Currituck and Roanoke Sounds. With so many holes along the waters completely surrounding the Outer Banks, it’s hard to imagine a more picturesque and exciting place to tee it up for your 2024 golf trip! Couple this with 130 miles of the wildest, most natural and undeveloped beaches in the country and you have the perfect getaway. GOLF ON THE EDGE Golf around the storied Outer Banks represents an outstanding selection of enjoyable, high quality golf courses. The true barrier island links courses and modern parkland marvels located inland are true memory makers. The challenges presented by our five courses are as spectacular as the views they possess. In short, golf on the OBX is sensory overload. You and your group are in for a real treat! Three courses were recently voted among the Top 50 You Can Play in North Carolina by the NC Golf Panel: Featured at No. 15 was The Currituck Club, followed closely by Kilmarlic Golf Club at No. 27 and Nags Head Golf Links at No. 34. These headliners, along with The Pointe Golf Club and The Carolina Club, have helped transform the Outer Banks into an outdoor sportsman’s paradise.
Kilmaric Golf Club STUNNING GOLF ACCOMMODATIONS
The Golf Village Cottages at Kilmarlic are the Outer Banks’ premier accommodations. Each of the 18 available two-bedroom, twobath Cottages comfortably houses four golfers and features a full kitchen, living room and back deck, complete with BBQ grill – providing the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the view of the putting green and natural pond. The Golf Village Cottages also surround a 5,000-square foot, lighted putting green and a four-hole short course that is open for unlimited play for Cottage guests, offering a quartet of par-3 holes that play between 27 and 40 yards.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR GOLF TRIP TO FIT YOUR EVERY NEED! From golf course and accommodations selections to dining and outdoor activity recommendations, our golf travel professionals are ready to assist with your golf vacation plans. Custom golf trips are what we do best, building unforgettable golf vacations that work with every budget and every need. Let us take the pain out of planning your next golf trip, so you can focus on having an incredible visit to one of the most unique golf trip experiences in the country! For more information visit www.PlayOBXGolf.com or call (800) 916-6244.
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OBX
THE MUST PLAY BUDDY TRIP FOR 2024
Nags Head Golf Links
Kilmarlic GOLF CLUB
Currituck Club
The Carolina Club
The Pointe Golf Club
THE OBX COASTAL GOLF EXPERIENCE A golf vacation to the North Carolina Outer Banks is unlike any other. Challenge
one of our five award-winning golf courses, sink your teeth into our fresh coastal
cuisine, and end the day with drinks on the deck at your well-appointed golf cottage overlooking a lighted putting green. Simply put, it’s the perfect golf trip for 2024! Your group is unique and your golf vacation should be the same. Our local golf
travel experts are ready to help you plan every last detail to make it the very best!
Custom Trips Are Our Specialty! (800) 916-6244 • www.PlayOBXGolf.com www.GolfingMagazine.net 19
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Santee Cooper Resort, Santee, SC The All-Inclusive Buddy Golf Trip
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et us set the stage for you at the Santee Cooper Golf Resort in Santee, South Carolina, where the ultimate Buddy Golf Trip Experience awaits. Picture you and your friends waking up to a hot breakfast in our hospitality center followed by a full day of golf, placing friendly bets, sharing lots of laughs and making lifelong memories. Later, enjoy good ol’ southern country cookin’ prepared for your group, followed by putting under the lights on our 35,000 square foot, 18-hole putting course…and that’s just day 1! 13 Championship & Fun-filled Golf Courses Dot the Landscape With 13 championship courses in the Santee and surrounding area, you have lots of choices. Many of these fine courses have been ranked by Golf Digest’s Places to Play Guide. Enjoy classic tree-lined layouts, dramatic elevations, and views of beautiful Lake Marion. As you play your way around Santee, you will notice each and every course has been designed for maximum enjoyment and a thrilling challenge.
All-Inclusive Golf Packages Loaded with Value! What all-inclusive package pricing means for your group is substantial savings on the things golfers typically pay for once they are here on their trip… replay rounds, range balls, daily breakfast, a dinner out, golf gear, souvenirs, and more. Santee Cooper Country Club Our all-inclusive packages include your golf, lodging, gift card, daily hot breakfast buffet, seasonal BBQ and pasta The Fun Extends into the Night with the dinners cooked to perfection on-site, $10 replay Largest Putting Course in South Carolina rounds, unlimited putting on The Palmetto Santee Cooper Golf Resort’s Palmetto Traverse Putting Course, and complimentary Traverse Putting Course was designed for wild range balls. You just can’t beat it! fun, with putts as long as 260 feet possible and Making Golf Trip Planning Easy over some of the most varied terrain you will With more than 30 years of golf travel ever see in a putting surface. The design is based experience, our staff will help you plan your off the Himalayas putting course at St. An- trip down to the final detail, while keeping your drews, and designed by golf course architect and budget a top priority. More than 85% of our Donald Ross restoration specialist, Kris Spence. business repeats year after year, which speaks to Guests enjoy The Traverse well into the night the level of service received and the quality of under the lights with their favorite beverages, the Santee golf trip experience. settling bets and sharing many laughs. The For More Information and Golf Trip putting green is conveniently located steps from Reservations, Call (800) 344-6534, Option 2 or Santee Cooper Resort’s golf villa and townhouse visit www.SanteeCooperGolf.com. accommodations.
Santee Cooper Golf Resort’s Palmetto Traverse Putting Course 20 20
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2024 GOLF PACKAGE SPECIALS AVAILABLE - BOOK TODAY!
SANTEEGOLF YOUR GOLF TRIP PLAYGROUND
New! The Palmetto Traverse SC’s Largest Putting Course
SANTEE, SOUTH CAROLINA
OUR FAMOUS ALL-INCLUSIVE GOLF PACKAGE 36 Holes Just Steps from Our Well-Appointed Golf Villas & Townhouses...All Only100 Yards Off I-95 Unlimited Play on The Palmetto Traverse - SC’s Only 18-Hole, Natural Grass Putting Course $10 Replays • Lake Marion Golf Shop Gift Card • Breakfast Daily & Weekly Dinner (Seasonal)
SANTEE COOPER GOLF RESORT • (800) 344-6534 • www.SanteeCooperGolf.com www.GolfingMagazine.net 21
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Talamore Golf Resort
idely considered one of the Southeast’s most guest-friendly golf getaways, Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines, NC, continues to evolve and improve its experience. Visitors to the renowned Talamore Resort stay and play two of the area’s finest courses, Talamore Golf Club and The Mid South Club, both located on Midland Road midway between the Pinehurst Resort and Mid Pines and Pine Needles. “The U.S. Open Doctor,” Rees Jones, designed Talamore Golf Club. The course has been voted the No. 1 Public Course in North Carolina, Top 10 in the U.S. and Top 25 for Best Course Conditions by Golfers Choice. Talamore is also home to the world famous llamas. The Arnold Palmer-designed Mid South Club was voted Top 200 Resort Courses in America and Top 15 You Can Play in North Carolina for 2023 by GOLFWEEK. Resort guests enjoy exceptional lodging with the Villas at Talamore and luxurious Lodges at Mid South. The comfortable onsite condominiums feature full kitchens, spacious living and dining areas, covered porches, barbecue areas, complimentary Wi-Fi and flat screen TV’s. In-season Resort guests also enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast delivered right to their door. The Resort also offers two amenity-filled cottages just minutes away. The Brooks and Palmer Cottages are very popular options for groups of 8 looking for more space and additional luxuries both provide. The Resort also hosts a popular Pig Pickin’ dinner that is complimentary for all of Talamore’s Monday and Thursday night guests
during the season. Resort guests are treated to a classic Carolina-style barbecue buffet served at the Talamore Clubhouse. This feast includes all the fixings highlighted by a whole roasted pig slathered with a secret rub, hickory smoked for nine hours and topped with spicy Carolina barbecue sauce. The Resort also boasts some exciting new additions to its amenities: A Toptracer Range with 8 hitting bays is available for Talamore guests to experience interactive golf entertainment powered by the same technology that viewers enjoy during televised PGA Tour events to track the shots of the game’s best players. Guests can compete against friends, play a virtual round at some of the world’s top courses and receive instant shot feedback on interactive game screens. The technology uses high speed cameras, coupled with sophisticated computer algorithms, to provide instantaneous ball tracking information to guests using the range.
Talamore Golf Club provides “touchClub of the MidaSouth old country” with the course’s new stacked, sod wall EcoBunkers, which give guests the feel of playing an Open Championship venue in the British Isles. The EcoBunkers provide a stunning, and sometimes challenging, touch to the course. Talamore has also added a 17,000-squarefoot putting course next to the Toptracer Range. Guests can warm up, practice or settle some bets after their round over the putting course’s many humps and bumps. For an innovative, quality stay-and-play experience and value around “The Home of American Golf,” Talamore Golf Resort sets the pace and keeps getting better. The professional travel staff is ready to arrange the perfect group golf getaway featuring the Resort’s courses, as well as 20+ area courses. For more information, call (800) 552-6292 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com.
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Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
In the Heart of the Historic Village of Pinehurst Area
36 Holes by Arnold Palmer and Rees Jones...Plus 20 Area Golf Courses
New! Toptracer Range
New! Putting Course
Deluxe On-Course Lodging
Seasonal Pig Pickin’
Enjoy a Daily Hot Breakfast Delivered to Your Door & a Carolina Pig Pickin’* * For Resort Guests In-Season Only
Stay and Play Golf Packages/Reservations: (800) 552-6292 www.GolfingMagazine.net 23 Get a Quick Trip Quote at TalamoreGolfResort.com
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Golf and Jazz in Barbados By MARK WILLIAM PAUL
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had the opportunity to visit Barbados, a majestic island in the Caribbean northeast of Venezuela. It is an independent British Commonwealth nation. The island encompasses 166 square miles, and it’s mostly flat, but does have some mountainous areas which are over 1,100 feet above sea level. The water is turquoise blue and crystal clear while the beaches feature a white/pink sand. The capital city is Bridgetown, while Speightown, Holetown and Oistins are also frequently visited by tourists. The major exports of the island include hard liquor and sugar. There is one airport on the island, Grantley Adams International, that is easily accessible from most major east coast U.S. cities by American Airlines and Jet Blue, to name a few. You will need a valid U.S. Passport to enter the country. The official language is English while Bajan is also widely spoken. The national currency is Barbados dollars, which are widely accepted along with American dollars. The exchange rate is
approximately 2 for 1. $1 American will get you $2 Barbados dollars. There are six golf courses on the island from which to choose. Two of the most popular are the courses at Sandy Lane, named The Country Club and The Green Monkey. Grantley Adams International Airport I was warmly greeted upon my arrival from Miami International airport. Going through customs via Fast Track was a breeze. I had luggage in hand and was on my way to my resort within 15 minutes of touching down. The airport is clean, colorful and airy while the people are friendly. The food court offered many options for one’s palette. Note: either bring cash or a major credit card as the airlines do not accept digital payments. It was a pleasant experience and a great way to start my adventure.
Crane Resort in Saint Philip I arrived at the Resort at 10 p.m. and was expedited to my room. A young man took my luggage and guided me the short distance from the Reception area. Along the way I passed by a beautiful, well lit pool area
which consisted of three large pools and a bar area. Once entering my ocean front one-bedroom suite, I was immediately impressed with the large bedroom that featured a two post queen size bed. The master bath consisted of a Jacuzzi tub and an oversized, glass enclosed shower. There was a full kitchen if you choose to eat in and a washer/dryer combo in the room, perfect for those who are staying an extended period. The view from the living area is breathtaking, facing southeast, perfect for those morning sunrises on the oversized veranda. Venture up to the rooftop floor, accessed by your personal in-room spiral staircase, and you are treated to an outdoor kitchen, loungers and your own personal soaking tub overlooking the ocean. Sweet. Food choices at the Resort are plentiful and the views from the restaurants are amazing. Every meal was carefully prepared to my liking and quite tasteful. In the Resort’s Village area there are small shops that are great for window shopping and small convenience areas to pick up those small items
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Crane Resort in Saint Philip that you may have left behind when packing your suitcases. Stay and play options are available at www.TheCrane.com
Sam Lord’s Castle Named after the island’s infamous buccaneer Sam Lord, this 422-room ocean front luxury hotel has been built on historic grounds on Barbados’ southeastern shore. Now owned by Wyndham Grand Resort, the newly renovated family destination offers upscale rooms and suites, fine dining options, an ocean front pool and bar options, a fitness center and a day spa. Remnants of Lord’s original castle still remain on the property. For more information visit www.SLCWyndham.com and download their brochure.
Harrison’s Cave Located in the central highlands of the island is the popular attraction named Harrison’s Cave. Here you can explore the underground natural beauty of this limestone cave, which is 2.3 kilometers in length and 15 meters at its high-
est point. Once inside, the
inquisitive traveler will find active crystallized formations, towering columns and pools of crystal clear water. You will ride through this wonder on a tram with a tour guide offering insightful information along the way. Hairnets and hard hats are required, which are supplied. For those looking for more, there is also zip lining, a bird aviary, and a swimming pool and bar area. At the end of your adventure, experience the Mount Gay rum tour and sample some of the local favorites! A must do for those exploring the island for the first time! For more information visit www.Chukka.com
Bajan Bus Tour Looking for a fun and upbeat way to experience what the island has to offer then look no further than booking a trip on the Bajan Bus tour. These colorful busses have been artfully restored and offer seating for up to 30 occupants. Skilled tour guides will show you highlights of the island that are only accessible from the open aired bus. Another must do when you are visiting Barbados. Even the locals give it five stars! Visit www.BajanOpenBus.com
Sandy Lane Golf Course Designed by famed golf architect Tom Fazio, this 7,060 yard, par-72 gem is a must play when staying on the island. The course features five lakes and impeccable views of the Caribbean Sea. From the moment that you enter the grounds this place screams quality. A beautiful array of flowers and manicured landscaping guides you to the clubhouse. Once entering, you are treated to a breathtaking view of 18th hole and the sea. The open air restaurant and bar area afford a memorable view of your surroundings. The pro shop is without a doubt one of
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TRAVEL the finest I have ever set foot in. Bring your wallet as it is near impossible to walk through there without picking up some of your golf essentials or souvenirs to take back home. Amenities include a 450-yard driving range, oversized putting and practice bunker area, locker rooms and shoe and club rentals. From tee to green the conditions are flawless. A cart and caddie are required to play. My caddie, Michael “Apple” P., gave me sound advice on the type of shot to hit and putting lines all day. That left it up to me to focus on just executing the stroke. Many times I didn’t “see” what he did but low and behold Michael was spot on. On the back nine I had learned to trust his knowledge and instinct. By the way, the carts do have built in GPS to aid the golfer with club choices. The course is relatively wide open and I played all 18 holes without losing a ball (I am a 14 handicap). There was a choice of five tee boxes to accommodate players of all skill levels. I chose the middle (blue) tee box, which played slightly over 6,500 yards. If I had to pick a few of my favorite holes I would say numbers 3, 9 and 18 stood out. Hole 3 is a manageable par-four that allows the average player to hit a short iron into a large sloping green. Sounds easy but the real challenge is navigating a large tree that one must hit over on their approach shot. If lucky enough, you will witness one of the many monkeys that live on the course while playing this hole (hint: bring small pieces of banana with you!). Holes 9 and 18 offer stunning views of the clubhouse in the near distance. Number 9 is a picturesque par-three that requires a well-
Sandy Lane Country Club, Hole #18 placed mid-iron into an undulating green, while number 18 is a formidable par-five that allows the player a par opportunity with three well played shots to end their day. Visit www.sandylane.com/barbados-golf for more information and pricing options.
8th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival The 8th annual Barbados Jazz Excursion and Golf weekend, which was hosted by Sam Lord’s Castle Resort and Spa, was held October 12-15. The purpose of the festival is to raise funds for the “Never Lose Your Drive Foundation”, which sponsors scholarships for music education on the island. The event was sponsored by Elan Trotman who was born and raised in Barbados. Trotman was educated at the Berklee College of Music
in Boston. He is now an Associate Professor at the school as well as a philanthropist. Featured artists who performed over the weekend were Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Chris Spencer, The Nicholas Brancker Band, Flex Alexander, Everette Harp, Elan Trotman, Adam Hawley, Kellie Cadogan, Ch’An, Jazz in Pink, Kweku Jelani and DJ Sapphire. The main event was a concert held on the main stage at llaro Court, which is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados. Concertgoers were treated to an eclectic mix of contemporary jazz and R&B classics that lasted for 3 and a half hours. It was a busy and fun trip to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and action packed islands. https://www.VisitBarbados.org
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Simplify The Way You Travel
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Golf Mania Hits the Midwest in Branson, MO
By TOM LANDERS
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ocated in the heart of the Midwest, Branson provides golfers with the ultimate opportunity to experience the perfect blend of natural beauty and challenging terrain. Branson, Missouri, is famous for its live entertainment, scenic Ozark Mountains, and exceptional golf courses that attract golfers worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking to enjoy the game in a stunning setting, Branson’s golf courses will leave a lasting impression. Visiting this past October, we discovered that the Ozarks and Big Cedar Lodge has emerged as America’s newest must-visit golf destination. We stayed in the Payne’s Valley Cottages, adjacent to the newest Big Cedar Golf course. The new 1-, 2-, and 4-bedroom Payne’s Valley Cottages are rustically elegant with vistas of Ozarks terrain as well as several holes at Payne’s Valley. The wood, glass, and stone buildings have kitchenettes, cathedral ceilings, porches with rocking chairs, and BBQs. Payne’s Valley Golf Course, the first
public-access course by Tiger Woods is rated one of the country’s Top 100 public courses, named in honor of golf legend and Ozarks native, the late Payne Stewart. Through a partnership between Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops, and Tiger Woods, the 19-hole layout was created with the intent to foster a deeper connection to nature through the game of golf. The walkable course is challenging yet player-friendly and includes an unforgettable finish where golfers must traverse through a breathtaking natural cave system to return to the clubhouse. Carved through walls of 300-millionyear-old limestone rock formations, the drive from the practice green to the 1st tee is a dramatic start to the round. The daunting tone set by this this ride is in contrast with the overall friendliness of the course itself. The course is routed across an expansive piece of land, winding up and down and out — but mostly out. The routing never returns back to the clubhouse until the 18th (and 19th) holes. The golf course has flow
to it and it has movement. There are many of bail-out areas, mostly on the right side of the holes to accommodate the slicers among us. Generous fairways make you want to unleash off the tee, and large aprons around the greens and forgiving green complexes make approach shots pleasantly inviting. You can stretch this course out for a challenge but even if you play from an appropriate set of tee boxes, and there are four to choose from that range from 4,957 yards to 7,370 yards. The movement in the greens are so subtle they can be tough to read. The subtleness is enough to keep golfers on their toes without punishing them unnecessarily. Set behind the 18th green and at the base of towering rock walls, the unforgettable 136-yard bonus 19th hole is an island green and you won’t find a more dramatic location at which to settle a bet. This was not a Tiger-designed hole, but one by Johnny Morris himself. Johnny has worked with a slew of high-profile architects while developing the courses on his property: Jack Nicklaus (who designed the par-3 Top of
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Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
Payne’s Valley Golf Course 19th Hole
the Rock); Tom Fazio (Buffalo Ridge); Gary Player (par-3 Mountain Top); Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Ozarks National); and now Tiger. This time, it was Morris’ turn at this 19th hole. The ride from the 19th green up to the clubhouse is like something out of an amusement park. Called the “Cliffhanger Trail,” it’s a one-mile nature trail that winds up the rock face. The passage winds around some unprotected cliffs and through streams and over rock surfaces, requiring slow, precise driving. Ozarks National designed by worldrenowned golf architect duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened at Big Cedar Lodge in 2019. The 18-hole championship course is the first and only golf course in Missouri designed by Coore & Crenshaw, which was honored as the Best New Public Course by Golf Digest in 2019. With breathtaking views the course also includes interesting
he was admiring the views all around him. He and Coore never put an actual tee box there and that is probably a good thing. A long par-4, the 14th hole is difficult enough with a beautiful reveal from the fairway of an infinity green set against the valley. Ben’s alternate tee would require a mighty drive and a forced carry, hence “Ben’s Torture Tee” which is not used Payne’s Valley Cottage for play. I really enjoyed playing Ozarks features, such as a 400-foot wooden beam and plank bridge, which connects the tee National but Buffalo Ridge Springs is still box and fairway of the 13th hole that stands top of the herd in my books. Buffalo Ridge Springs, 18-holes, 60-feet above a flowing creek. Coming off the green at No. 13 there designed by renowned course architect Tom is a small sign that can be easy to miss. It Fazio and visionary conservationist Johnny hides off to the left in the grass when the Morris. Ranked by GOLF Magazine as the path to the 14th tee is straight ahead. We No. 1 Public Golf Course You Can Play in wandered over to take a look and saw the Missouri for multiple years, the course feaold slab of wood that read in painted let- tures herds of roaming bison grazing on the ters: “Ben’s Torture Tee.” Crenshaw found native prairie grasses that surround the golf an additional line to play the 14th from as course boundaries. Buffalo Ridge Springs www.GolfingMagazine.net 29
TRAVEL covers approximately 450 acres of Ozark Mountain terrain with flowing creeks, scenic lakes and natural limestone formations. Why is it important to mention 18-holes so often when talking about Big Cedar Golf? Because not all world class golf needs to be eighteen holes! Rounding out the Big Cedar collection are two short courses. The Top of the Rock Golf Course is a true celebration of nature and Ozarks heritage. Honored as the first par-3 course to be featured on a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, the 9-hole course offers an unrivaled golf experience with unparalleled panoramic views that highlight the work of the course architect, Jack Nicklaus. Mountain Top is “Nature’s Course.” Here Johnny Morris, who by nature is a very hands-on kind of guy, teamed up with World Golf Hall of Fame legend Gary Player to create a world-class 13-hole short course that delivers an unparalleled experience. The course routes through unforgettable rock formations and includes some of the most dramatic views in the Ozarks. Thousands of hours of painstaking pick and shovel excavations revealed 300-million-year-old limestone formations, creating an over-the-top experience that golfers will never forget. With five courses in play to date – designed by Woods, Nicklaus, Fazio, Player, and Coore-Crenshaw (all certified by
Branson Hills Golf Course, 16th Hole Audubon International for their environmental and sustainability best practices) – Big Cedar continues to improve. A sixth course (Cliffhangers) is currently under construction. It’s an 18-hole, par-3 design located adjacent to Payne’s Valley. Big Cedar Lodge, located 15 minutes south of Branson in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, is an ideal place to call home on area visits. Recognized as America’s “Premier Wilderness Resort” – and fueled by Morris’ passion for the region (he grew up in nearby Springfield) – the 4,600-acre lakeside
retreat connects families to the outdoors with a variety of nature-based experiences (touring caves, fishing, boating, hiking, water skiing, shooting). Other amenities include a spa and wellness offerings, retail shops, restaurants, Top of the Rock, and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre non-profit wildlife nature park 15 minutes from Big Cedar Lodge. Named “Number One Resort in the Midwest” by the readers of Travel + Leisure, the resort offers genuine Ozarks hospitality. www.bigcedar.com In addition to Big Cedar’s five courses,
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Ozarks National Golf Course there are five others that combine to comprise Branson Golf ’s 10 playing venues (with an 11th under construction). They are Branson Hills, Thousand Hills, LedgeStone, Holiday Hills, and The Pointe. Branson Hills Golf Club, situated in the heart of Branson, caters to locals and travelers seeking a challenging and visually captivating golf experience. This 18-hole championship course, designed by Chuck Smith and Bobby Clampett, is known for its creative layout that seamlessly blends into the picturesque Ozarks landscape. It boasts lush fairways, pristine greens, and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, offering a test of skill and precision for golfers of all levels. With elevation changes that provide breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and cityscape, Branson Hills Golf Club is a golfing paradise and a feast for the eyes.www. bransonhillsgolfclub.com Maybe the best kept secret in the Ozarks, and it is semi-private so no wonder they keep it a bit of a secret, LedgeStone Country Club at StoneBridge Village. This 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Tom Clark, seamlessly integrates with the area’s rolling hills and lush landscapes. Golfers of all skill levels will appreciate the challenging
layout, featuring tree-lined fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that demand precision and strategy in each round. The course is known for its scenic beauty, and its stunning vistas provide a serene backdrop for a day of golfing in Branson. One last thing, OK maybe two, just about an hour north of Branson in Springfield, MO is home to another Johnny Morris creation, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. The name pretty much says it all – voted America’s Best new Aquarium and Best New Attraction by USA Today. When I was first told I was visiting I suggested that 1.5 hours would be enough time for me. Ha-ha, wrong! I have been twice now and honestly have no problem spending the good part of a day there. wondersofwildlife.org Where to Stay? You can stay at any number of lodging types at Big Cedar during golf trips – from Payne’s Valley Cottages to traditional lodges and hotel rooms. You need not ever step foot off Big Cedar to enjoy a remarkable golf getaway and its other features; marinas, nature trails, family amenities, and shops. For those that are not able to stay at
Big Cedar Lodge, two Hilton hotel options are located in Branson between waterfront Branson Landing Town Center (with retail shops, bars, restaurants, and family friendly venues) and historic downtown Branson (with Dick’s 5 & 10 and the 110-year-old Branson Diner). Level 2 is an upscale steak restaurant located in the Hilton Convention Center and definitely the spot for a great meal. Transportation Branson is less than one day’s drive for over a one-third of America’s residents. If you prefer flying, Springfield-Branson International Airport (SGF) has a variety of commercial airlines (American, Delta, United, Allegiant) and is only 50 minutes away, while Branson Airport (BKG) primarily services private flights. If you have never been to Branson, don’t overlook all that the destination has to offer. There is much more to be had, including over 100 shows happening at 37 theaters in the city (population roughly 13,000). For more information: w w w. E x p l o re B r a n s o n . c o m , Facebook (@bransongolf), and/or Instagram (@explorebransongolf) www.GolfingMagazine.net 31
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Resoration of Tot Hill Farm Golf Club A Mike Strantz Design
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ot Hill Farm Golf Club, the renowned masterpiece designed by the late Mike Strantz, reopened in September 2023 after a major restoration. The picturesque course, nestled in the heart of the triad region of North Carolina, has been thoughtfully restored to maintain the integrity of Strantz’s original design, offering golfers an unforgettable bucket list experience.
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The restoration process focused on preserving the essence of Mike Strantz’s visionary design. Course owner Pat Barber expressed his unwavering commitment to honoring the architect’s legacy, stating, “We wanted to stay true to Mike’s brilliant vision and ensure that every aspect of the course reflects his genius. I am not an architect, and it wasn’t my job to tweak Mike’s design. Instead, we diligently worked to revive its
splendor and magnificence. The goal was to restore not change. I feel Mike would be very proud.” The restoration executed by Dail Golf Services included a range of enhancements, including new Prizm Zoysia greens, bringing a high quality putting surface that is much easier to maintain. The bunkers, essential elements of Strantz’s design, have been meticulously restored, adding both
beauty and challenge back to the course. The waterfall feature cascading behind the 15th green was uncovered and now provides for one of the most amazing par 3 backdrops in the country. Additionally, the team cleared out overgrowth to recapture the corridors designed by Strantz, perfectly blending the course with its natural surroundings. One of the most exciting additions to the club was the complete restoration of the historic farmhouse on-site, built more than 125 years ago. This historic building has been transformed into a state-of-theart clubhouse, featuring modern amenities such as a golf shop, grab-and-go snack shop, changing rooms, and offices. The highlight of the clubhouse is the Strantz Room, where Mike Strantz stayed during the construction of the course, and where he drew the plans for the eventual Bulls Bay Golf Club in Awendaw, SC. The room now houses cher-
ished memorabilia, including sketches and items from the legendary architect. Director of Golf Operations, Greg Wood, has been thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response from all who played the course this fall, and he stated, “Our team, myself included, has taken a lot of time to sit and talk with golfers after their rounds to get their feedback, whether good or bad. It has been neat hearing the extremely positive response from each of these conversations. This project has been a labor of love, and to see golfers thoroughly enjoying the magic of Mike Strantz’s creation at Tot Hill Farm once again shows we are on the right track.” About Tot Hill Farm Golf Club Located in Asheboro, NC, Tot Hill Farm Golf Club is set amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Uwharrie Mountain region, less than 10 minutes off Interstate
73 - the main corridor leading to both Pinehurst and Myrtle Beach. With the recent restoration, Tot Hill Farm is poised to reclaim its position as one of the most sought-after bucket list golf courses in the country. Tot Hill Farm is open for public play. Tee times can be booked online at www.TotHillFarm.com. The course has also aligned itself with all of the major golf travel providers in Pinehurst who can easily set up a group golf package that includes a round, or two, at Tot Hill Farm.
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Cooperstown, New York, A One of Kind Experience
Birdies & Baseball… Bogies & Baseball… More Baseball By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI
Hawkeye Bar and Grill Patio
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hen initially invited to visit Cooperstown and told of all the experiences that the area offered, my instantaneous response was, “You had me at Baseball and Golf.” Is there more to life than that?” My two favorite pastimes, and with that the anticipation began. I had heard plenty of great things from a friend about the Leatherstocking Golf Course, at the historic Otesaga Resort Hotel. All true and all came to life. Sitting on the southern shore of Otsego Lake sine 1909, The Otesaga Resort offers timeless elegance, historic charm along with spectacular lake and golf course views. Exceptional staff from the moment you approach stately doors of the hotel, at check in, to the first-class accommodations, memorable dinning, exceptional resort amenities and so much more. A Touch of Class resonates throughout. A must do, and one of the first things we did after our 4-hour drive from Ontario,
Canada, was to grab a rocking chair and a cocktail on the Resort veranda. Satisfying and relaxing, as we absorbed the mountain backdrop, the lake, and the 18th hole which would challenge us the next day! The Leatherstocking Golf Course is a finely maintained, world class golf course moments from downtown Cooperstown.
Boasting a 96%, 5-Star rating from Golf Pass. The original course was opened in 1909, a Devereux Emmet design. Following a remodel, overseen by golf course architect Bob Cupp, Leatherstocking GC has been voted No. 3 “Best Golf Course to Play in New York” by Golfweek Magazine, while GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest have both
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Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
rated Leatherstocking among “Best Public Courses in New York.” Shorter in total yardage by modern standards at 6,400 yards from the tips, but the contoured terrain, elevation changes and panoramic views more than make up for that. A very pleasant and fun golf experience. From the first tee you get a glimpse of what the closing holes present. Sixteen through eighteen is an Amen corner in its own right, and a little prayer might be helpful as you descend from the 16th tee. Two delicate shots required to avoid water lining the fairway and protecting the green. Enjoy the lily pads from tee to green on the par 3, 17th. The 18th is a risk / reward, Pebble Beach like par 5, taking you around Otsego Lake to a veranda of spectators overlooking the 18th green. Otesaga Resort Hotel From the first hole on you are gradually climbing the terrain and without out mounted outside my office is an everlasting realizing it. A parkland style course with fun par 5’s, a fine mixture of par 4’s, wow memory. Well worth the 10–15-minute drive to factor par 3’s all leading to smallish slick greens that you don’t generally find at resort the Factory where you can witness the making of bats from the lathe stage to the fincourses. Two other par 3’s to love and hate. ished product. Make it a point to meet the Hate……Elevation changes come into play big time starting with the uphill par 3, 9th, a pretty much blind 160yard (white tees) shot, stay left as everything will generally come down to the right. A very tough par. Love the par 3, 12th, a 122 all downhill with everything in front of you. What goes up must come down. Two fun and memorable par 5’s, the 11th 532 yard moving you downhill, your third shot drops dramatically to the green. Be very careful here, long, and disaster could loom large. The 452-yard par 5, 15th a favorite, even I can almost get there in 2! The third shot here is another short pitch or wedge to a green that is well below the level of fairway. Delicacy is required to hold this green. And of course, then there is the 18th. www.Otesaga.com/Golf Baseball, Baseball, Baseball It is a one of kind experience, The National Baseball Hall of Fame was top of mind from the moment we decided to make this trip. However, The Cooperstown Bat Company stole the show. Coming home with my own personalized bat, now,
very personable owner, Tim Haney. Plenty of interesting facts about the history and making of bats with the local woods that are available and how nothing goes to waste. From Pro Bats, (in fact while there and order came through for Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Gerrero Jr.) to custom engraved Personalized Bats as gifts, awards and trophies. Something for every fan. Making bats in Cooperstown for almost 25 years now, it is the 3rd oldest bat company in the USA. Their Pro Model bats are made from hand split maple, ash, and yellow birch all from within a 350-mile radius of Cooperstown. Upstate New York hard woods, also known as “Route 20 Maple”, are known across the bat making industry as the best wood for baseball bats on the planet. Currently over 450 major and minor league players are using Cooperstown bats. When Tim suggested that my buddy Brian and I should have bats with our name engraved, along with the baseball Hall of Fame logo on it to commemorate our visit, we couldn’t say YES, fast enough. And we got to watch Tim make it happen. Nice gold lettering on a black background. Amazing! Check it out at www.CooperstownBat.com If by chance you don’t make it to the Factory there is a retail outlet for the Cooperstown Bat Company on Cooperstown’s Main Street. www.GolfingMagazine.net 35
Leatherstocking Golf Course The National Baseball Hall of Fame – Every Baseball fan’s “Field of Dreams.” Located on Main Street in the heart of picturesque Cooperstown, the National Hall of Fame which opened its doors in 1939, is one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. With its Mission to preserve history, honor excellence and connect generations, it does all that and so much more. https://BaseballHall.org Something for everyone! The Hall of Fame’s centerpiece is its historic Gallery where the plaques of all 342 Hall of Fame members line the oak walls. The Museum’s collection contains over 40,000 artifacts representing all facets of the game, from its inception in the mid 19th century, to the present. Included are; bats, baseballs, gloves, uniforms, equipment, ballpark artifacts, tickets collectibles, assorted memorabilia and more. When you think Museum and Hall of Fame, that is naturally what you expect. As you move through the 3-story building what you will find is that you make the experience your own. History and for the many years before my time, I can only take so much. Going back in time to the players I can remember, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, and Ozzie Smith caught my attention and will tell you that I am a die-hard St. Louis Cardinal fan. From that time to the present 36
Golfing Magazine • Winter Travel Issue
is where my attention was, that is just me – you too will make it your own. Visiting in 2023 was pretty special in consideration of this year’s inductees, former St. Louis Cardinal, 3rd baseman, Scott Rolen and former Toronto Blue Jay, 1st baseman, Fred McGriff. The Cardinals will always be #1 in my heart but Blue Jays are number 2 two. The Museum Store: You know you are going to stop in! Can’t help it and you know it is going to cost you and you are going to be all the better for it. Unique gifts, hats, clothing, and keepsakes for not only yourself but the other special baseball fans in your life. Cooperstown Downtown You certainly do not have to limit your shopping experience to The Museum Store, downtown Cooperstown is both a fan and a collector’s dream arena. I am pretty sure that we went into every store and yes, we could not help but pick up few things here and there. With the walk to Downtown Cooperstown not more that 15-20 minutes, a few hours or more in the National Hall of Fame and strolling the downtown shops, a couple of guys can get really hungry and thirsty. Day 1, after our visit to the Hall of Fame we stumbled across what could be the “Cheers Bar” for Cooperstown. It certainly
became a daily stop for us, the charming staff and a comfortable setting Cooley’s Stone House Tavern is highly recommended for wings and a few cold ones. There are plenty of dining options in Cooperstown, with only 3 nights, our first night we made ourselves at home with pre dinner martinis at The Otesaga Resort, followed by a fine and memorable steak dinner, overlooking Otsego Lake at The Hawkeye Bar and Grill. When in an All-American Town, you just need to check out one of New York’s premier American Restaurants, Mel’s at 22. 22 Chestnut Street at the corner of Main, you can’t miss it! The bar area was a happening place at Mel’s. Whether you choose from a decadent seafood dish or a classic burger, your taste buds won’t be disappointed. We certainly were not! We could say that we saved the best for last, at least we both felt that way. is a family-run Italian restaurant, located across from The National Baseball Hall of Fame. A classy setting, service and staff second to none, good selection on the all-important wine list and to top it all off our meals were fairly priced and diecious. For everything you could want to know about Cooperstown visit www.ThisIsCooperstown.com
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