DestinationGolf by GolfScene

golf destination

m a g a z i n e

VOL U ME 3 : I S S U E 1

One of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Golf Destinations According to Golf Digest

2010

28 destinations 6 10 16

MYRTLE BEACH

SCOTLAND

BRITISH COLUMBIA

NOVA SCOTIA

BERMUDA

remembering the old and the new of one of golf ’s staples The Okanagan is really starting to become a world golf destinaton STYLE

just a few things to bring along for the ‘a la carte’ ride

The Islay provides us with a purity that one can’t just create Fox Harb’r is a ‘shot’ makers paradise

5 very good reasons to find the sand on the cover The Ridge 18 Course Predator Ridge, Vernon BC.

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from the publisher

golf destination

Destination

ma ga zine

Here we are already into our 3rd annual destination GOLF eMagazine. Take some time to read, listen and enjoy what our golf travel experts have to say about some of the great golf destinations right here in Canada as well as around the world. Once again, we’ll do our best to inspire, encourage, motivate, and perhaps even tantalize you with that one undeniable reason to begin looking and booking your ticket sooner rather than later. As in previous years, we have tapped some of the ‘best golf travel scribes around’ to help us craft this issue. Hal Quinn, a great writer of ‘all things golf’ takes us to Scotland and, in particular, to Islay and the Machrie Golf Links. Enjoy Hal’s entertaining look at this unique part of the golf world. Ian Hutchinson, a longtime GolfScene and destinationGOLF contributor finagled his way behind the scenes at the ‘not so private anymore’ Fox Harb’r retreat in Nova Scotia - and almost got himself shot in the process. Good friends Tim O’Connor and Brent Long have jumped on board to share their recent golfing experiences from golf ’s capital Myrtle Beach and the tranquil beaches of Bermuda respectively. And as a break from your reading, take a few moments to listen to one of Canada’s best-known golf course designers, Doug Carrick discuss his latest gem; The Ridge 18 at Predator Ridge in the interior of British Columbia. For those of you who crave the private course experience, the McConnell Golf Trail in North Carolina now provides golfers with a unique experience in and around the Raleigh –Durham region. Some long-time private facilities are now ‘open to the public’. And staying in North Carolina, some of the best golf travel value / deals are available from Ontario resident Joe Mobilio and North Carolina Golf Vacations.

A GolfScene Media Publication

publisher Norm Woods associate Linda Woods navigator Steve Woods production SeventyOne on the cover

Another fantastic view of the newly opened ‘Ridge’ Course to go alongside the original ‘Predator’ gives us the 36 holes of Predator Ridge. Photo: Siren Communications © 2010 Destination Golf Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the Publisher GolfScene Inc. 2010 : Volume 3 : Issue I

Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author only and not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Whether it’s in Canada for a spring vacation or off to a sunny, warm clime in the dead of winter, there continues to be new and exciting places to visit. And play.

Advertising rates and publishing schedules are available on request.

» Norm Woods, Publisher (IAGTW)

INQUIRIES: www.destinationgolfmag.com

Absolutely no trees were harmed in the non-printing of this publication. Unfortunately, we can not say the same for the golf games of our contributers. PRODUCED IN CANADA

destinationGOLF | 2010

sort of like bringing a golf tee to a gun fight page 30 TRUSTED TRAVEL COMPANIONS Ian Hutchinson is a veteran Canadian golf writer. When he’s not writing his golf column for Sun Media, Ian is busy running Golf News Now (GNN), Canada’s only online resource for golf trade news in addition to being a regular contributor to publications and websites across North America. ‘Hutch’ has teed it up with the likes of Alice Cooper and Bob Uecker during his travels to places like Scotland, Ireland, Arizona, and Florida, but adds there’s a rush to playing the snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps off in the distance or discovering underrated golf products in less-traditional locations such as Holland, France, and Portugal or exotic locales such as Dubai, Qatar, and the Caribbean. Tim O’Connor has been published in numerous golf publications including Golf Digest, GOLF, Golf World, LINKS, Golfweek, pgatour.com, and the USGA Golf Journal. He was also a golf columnist for Canada’s The Financial Post for six years. Tim has written three golf books, including The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story; The Ladies’ 1924-1999: A History of the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto; and Devil’s Pulpit: The First Decade. Tim provides professional communications to the golf industry through O’Connor Golf Communications based in Rockwood, Ontario.

Brent Long is an experienced scribe having spent 12 years in the daily newspaper business. In 2002, Brent started Better Golf Communications, a golf writing and photography business, and continues to contribute regularly to golf and lifestyle publications across Canada. He also has taken professional photos for 20 years and his landscape golf photography is widely published in magazines and on websites. In 2006, he authored his first book, “Mississaugua Golf & Country Club – The First One Hundred Years”.

Hal Quinn is a writer / broadcaster whose articles, columns, and photography have appeared in magazines and newspapers across North America, England, and as far away as New Zealand. Vancouver-born, Quinn is the Western Canada Editor of SCOREGolf Magazine, author of Shaughnessy GC: The Tradition Continues (2006), and is the former sports editor of Maclean’s Magazine. Quinn lives in North Vancouver with his wife, their two daughters, and their dog Mulligan.

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This is no longer your Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Myrtle Beach 6

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Story by Tim O’Connor

At 53, I’m a geezer to my teenagers. I prefer to think that with age comes wisdom and perspective. Well, one out of two isn’t bad. We’ll go with perspective. During a recent visit to Myrtle Beach it struck me that my first trip here was—yikes!—20 years ago to the annual Golf Writers Association of America clambake, a boys-styleget-away with golf, a tournament, receptions with great local seafood and southern BBQ, and plenty of “celebratory libations,” as one of the local writers put it. For seven years, I traveled to Myrtle Beach for the clambake, and I’ve made numerous other visits. With more than 100 golf courses spread over about 60 miles known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach had a reputation among Canadian golfers as a fabulous southern golf destination with tremendous value.

◄ an overhead view of Glen Dornach ... just one of the over 100 golf courses spread over 60 miles known as the Grand Strand.

But in spring and fall, aside from golf, Myrtle Beach didn’t appear to offer much else to do (especially on rainy days), exceptional dining was the exception, and most accommodations and shopping seemed average. Getting there wasn’t easy either: you either drove 14-15 hours from Quebec or Ontario, or you spent the day on a series of connecting flights.

Well, in the intervening 20 years since my first trip, Myrtle Beach has evolved into a golf destination that delivers something for everyone, including four-star hotels, marqueedesigner courses (including names such as Fazio, Norman and Dye). There’s sophisticated dining, shopping and entertainment such as the House of Blues and Hard Rock Café nightclubs, the Marsh Walk restaurant row, the Carolina Opry, and amusements such as the Nascar SpeedPark and Ripley’s Believe or Not. On a recent trip hosted by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, a marketing and booking collective, one member of our group opined: “This isn’t your dad’s Myrtle Beach.” Now, it’s even easier to get there. Our group flew out of Niagara Falls International Airport in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Direct Air. With Direct Air, you can–wait for it–fly direct from Plattsburgh, N.Y., which is close to Ottawa and Montreal, and from Niagara Falls, NY, which is great for golfers in Southern Ontario. [ + MORE ]

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SOUTH CAROLINA

After flying down the QEW, you get U.S. Customs out of the way at the border, and the airport is only 10 minutes away. It’s a tiny airport and parking is free, a first in my experience. Small airports are such a joy. Porter Airlines also offers direct, non-stop flights from Toronto’s island airport with departures on Thursdays and Sundays. In Myrtle Beach, our group stayed at the swank Marina Inn at Grand Dunes, which features marble countertops, spacious rooms, and fabulous service. The Marina Inn is a good HQ because it’s fairly central. It also features two courses, which are both on wildly undulating terrain that is unique for the region. Our first game was at the north end of Myrtle Beach at Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links, most of which winds through 80-100 foot pines. As the name suggests, there are links-style elements to the Clyde Johnston-designed course, including some massive dune-like bunkering. Glen Dornoch builds to a climax with three testy finishing holes, including the par-three, 212-yard 17th which is mostly carry with marsh left and pot-style bunkers right. At the opposite end of the Strand is The Heritage Club, ranked No. 46 by Golf Digest on its latest ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. Designed by Dan Maples, Heritage is big and beautiful with classic parkland features, notably majestic oak trees, some draped with Spanish moss, and enormous greens with sweeping slopes. The knock on Myrtle Beach courses used to be that many holes seemed like another dogleg through the pines, but every hole at Heritage has great character. While most Myrtle Beach courses are spread fairly close to Highway 17 and bypass 17, which parallel the Atlantic, The Legends 54-hole resort is a short drive

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inland up Highway 501. We played The Moorland Course designed by P.B. Dye, which is broad with links features such as wood planks in bunkers, double fairways and elevated greens, some of which were enormous. As a resort, you could set up operations at The Legends, and even attend The Classic Swing Golf School, ranked by GOLF Magazine as one the top 25 golf schools in America. Our last stop was True Blue at the south end. I had played True Blue’s sister club, Caledonia Golf and Fishing Club before, and I thought it was amazing with its grand entrance way though a canopy of trees, but True Blue really wowed me. Both are designed by the late Mike Strantz, famous for Tobacco Road in North Carolina. Caledonia and True Blue are ranked 86 and 87 respectively by Golf Digest in its ranking of top 100 public courses in the U.S. Strantz was an incredibly creative architect who conjured exciting golf holes that are inviting, captivating and very playable. True Blue has a lot going on, but it all seems to work into a seamless hole. He weaved multi-shaped waste bunkers sprinkled with love grass throughout the course that add eye candy and make it easy to scoot around in carts, rather than being restricted to a single cart path. I love how he runs bunkers into water. The finishing holes at True Blue are amazing. On the 18th tee, you face a giant pond flanking the left side and the blue, wooden clubhouse behind the green. Due to a tall bunker wall bordering the pond, you cannot see much of the fairway that turns left, so it’s a semi-blind tee shot and a touch scary.

◄ The Moreland Golf Course is part of the Legends Golf Resort which operates 5 courses along the Atlantic coastline. Whether your preference is old world links inspired or traditional parkland, chances are pretty good - well 100% that they can be accommodated.

The new Myrtle Beach offers golf for every budget, and it also offers dining that ranges from down-home southern to high end. Just five minutes from True Blue is Frank’s Outback, an eclectic place; we sat in a part of the restaurant made with canvas. Heaters like you find in hockey arenas hang from the ceiling keep you warm. The wonderful food ranges from seafood to steak, equally perfect for two or a gangsome of guys. Among the relative newcomers among Myrtle Beach’s strong team of eateries are Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, an elegant steak house with a lengthy wine list and comfy arms chairs, and Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, where servers bring 13 different kinds of steak, pork and lamb on giant skewers right to your table, and then cut off pieces that you select with massive knives. For southern hospitality and seafood that is part of the Myrtle Beach’s heritage, we enjoyed an incredible meal at Sea Captain’s House. I had my first meal at this beach-front eatery in 1989. Twenty years later, it delivered everything that I had remembered so fondly about my first visit to Myrtle Beach. . Tim O’Connor is president of O’Connor Golf Communications based in Rockwood, Ontario.

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WESTERN CANADA

- enjoy the view -

OKANAGAN travelling with Norm Woods

Predator Ridge Golf Course, Vernon BC | Canada

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golf, wine and spectacular scenery The Thompson-Okanagan region in central British Columbia is living proof that Canada has some of the world’s finest golf vacation spots. Golf courses, wineries, shopping and panoramic vistas of crystal clear lakes and mountains make this part of the world a ‘must-visit’.

+ MORE NEXT PAGE

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From Kelowna to Vernon and on to Kamloops, the drive is spectacular. Whether it’s golf at Tobiano or the new 18 at Predator Ridge, there are close to 50 other courses in the regions known as Okanagan, Thompson and Shuswap. Predator Ridge has recently expanded to 36 holes with the help of one of Canada’s finest course designers, Doug Carrick. The brand new Ridge 18 is now fully in play and, in my humble estimation, is one of Carrick’s finest. On a 1200 acre piece of property with miles of undulating fairways, natural

In between these two award-winning masterpieces there are many other nearby courses with much of the same intrigue. The Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna with a Nicklaus design called ‘The Bear’ and an adjacent track by Canadian designer Les Furber, are both well worth a full day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I was told, ‘The Bear’ can be as “ferocious as a grizzly or as gentle as a teddy”. And it was both! Also in the Kelowna area is Tower Ranch which has some of the most spectacular views from everywhere on

Tobiano, Kelowna BC | Canada Image: / HUX.NET

lakes and streams, rugged pine covered ridges and wheatgrass meadows, a ‘stay and play’ at Predator Ridge Lodge and Spa is a must. The Tobiano Golf Course, a Tom McBroom design, was built just outside Kamloops on the Six Mile Ranch, rugged bench land which was transformed by McBroom to form a golf course as captivating to look at as it is to play. Set upon bluffs and canyon-cut ravines overlooking spectacular Kamloops Lake, Tobiano is a Nevada-style front nine which blends into hoodoos on the back nine. 12

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the golf course. Moving from tee deck to tee deck the views from on high of both Kelowna Lake and Okanagan Lake are breathtaking. Lots of good camera shots (and many better than my tee shots). Golf can easily be interrupted in this region by a glass of wine at one of the many vineyards in the area. The Gray Monk Vineyard in Okanagan Centre is owned and operated by the Heiss family and is one of the oldest wineries in British Columbia. Be sure to stop for a tour and a taste. After wine, head back out and play

Gallagher’s Canyon, another challenging track in the heart of Kelowna with many fairways that border the ‘canyon’, an area where lost balls are completely gone. If you have the stamina, you can make it another full day of 36 holes by playing Gallagher’s Canyon and Tower Ranch back to back, as they are only about 20 minutes apart. Up the highway in Chase, BC you will find the Talking Rock Golf Resort. Meandering through a mature sandy forest this course, for me was the most player-friendly. (Maybe it’s because I had my best score of the week here). Hole #18 is one of the most scenic golf holes anywhere. With the club-house and resort in the background, Little Shuswap Lake meanders all along the right side of the fairway as you head home. The Quaaout Lakeside Resort is a comfortable place to spend a night at this course. British Columbia is fast becoming a four season destination. it has always had the lure of winter but with the new, spectacular golf courses throughout the province, there is now another reason to visit. AT RIGHT ► Defined by it extraordinary views of Lake Okanagan, dramatic elevation changes, and natural granite outcroppings, The Ridge Course is both challenging and scenic. THIS PAGE Tobiano remains one of those landmark designs that features indellible views. Hal Quinn visited Tobiano in a previous issue and you can read that story here

LINKS www.predatorridge.com www.talkingrock.ca www.tobianogolf.com www.golfbc.com www.golftowerranch.com www.gallaghersgolf.com www.graymonk.com

listening in on Doug Carrick

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get into that inoperable conundrum that is rating courses nor would we dare try and determine who is the best golf course architect in Canada, but ... if anyone was to try ... there is no doubt that Doug Carrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name would be a big part of that discussion. His body of work speaks for itself and he spoke to us about his latest award winning project, The Ridge 18 at Predator Ridge.

[ CLICK FOR AUDIO ]

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WESTERN

Rumour has it that the Fairmont Hotel in Banff Springs is haunted.

N CANADA

Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff Alberta | Canada

Wouldn’t expect anything less from an ‘over a century old’ structure that probably has as many enchanted tales buried betwixt its walls as it has in the sea of endless trees beyond its vast foundation. In a word, majestic. In a thousand words, well, we’d rather give you this positively stirring image of history itself. To tee it up in this environment is a gift for the spirit of any golfer. And may the mystery live on with each beholder.

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TRAVEL IN STYLE

Callaway Fashion Matrix Dual Braid Ionetix bracelets from Callaway utilize magnetic therapy to help golfers feel better. Negative ions are natural, created by thunderstorms and waterfalls, among other things, and are believed to have a positive, calming effect and mood enhancement, creating a feeling of optimism and well-being.

Jawbone

AUR Eco-Sexy AUR’s ‘Little Black Dress’ is made via a patented process that actually transforms coffee grounds into yarn, which is then used to produce, well, something she’ll feel good about wearing and look great in while doing so. (model not included)

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Ultimate Travel Companion The Jawbone Jambox ($200) is a portable speaker and speakerphone that runs via bluetooth. Stainless steel construction and an industrial-weight molded rubber casing make the device sturdy, highly portable and versatile. Built in stereo drivers produce a peak volume of 85 decibels. an integrated rechargeable Lithium-ion battery gives you 10 hours of play. Out of the box, for those who carry their music catalog in their pocket nowadays - you now have it with you wherever you go (travel), including the cart. That next round just got a whole lot more enjoyable. 18 hole playlist anyone?

Look good, feel good, travel well, travel more often FootJoy

the global game demands the ability to play in all conditions (including those that change) - sound preparation is sort of like bringing along a little bit of your own luck

Layering System Everybody knows that the key to staying warm and dry is simple - layering. FootJoyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest system was designed and developed to do just that regulate body temperature and adapt to changing weather conditions. And did we mention that all of it allows for a full range of motion during the golf swing. (amazing how often this fact gets overlooked)

Club Glove Train Reaction Club Glove says its new Train Reaction three-piece luggage system drastically reduces the amount of effort needed to pull or push your gear by creating a centre of gravity that essentially makes bags feel weightless. Certainly looks like a fully functional solution to minimizing travel stress on the mind, shoulders, and back. BONUS: (no assembly or external hardware required)

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ecco Taking it to the Street Ecco has opted for versatility with the introduction of its Golf Street Premier, a hybrid sport-casual shoe that can be worn on and off the golf course. (makes the path to and from the resort that much easier - but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll still need to take them off, albeit temporarily, for airport security)

McKENZIE

Carry on with the tradition Crafted with the purist in mind, the McKenzie Golf Bag is a simple, elegant carry bag, without all of the unnecessary gimmicks. (sorry you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get pockets everywhere) Each bag is individually handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, USA, and made from the finest leathers.

destinationGOLF | 2010

Money Belt The totally hands free, hyper functional, Patagonia Travel Belt doubles as an emergency stash-a-way due to its hidden interior zippered pocket.

Patagonia

fore-warning ...

intelligent laziness ahead.

Apple Nike Golf Function and Fashion Nike’s Lightweight and warm Therma-FIT Sleeves are still a must have for any golfer, in any climate. The ability to slide them on when it’s cool and then back off again when it warms up is just about brilliant.

Travel Minded Apple’s iPAD is revolutionizing the way people interact with technology nowadays. Imagine bringing your book, a few magazines, some music, your own in-flight movie, and the entire world wide web with you on your next golf vacation? Well, you most certainly can. (pictures?, eMail?, itinerary?, eTickets?, Scorecard? - sure, it can handle all that too.)

Fisker

Plug N Play Inspired by nature, Fisker Automotive is in the not so trivial pursuit of the most sustainable and accountable vehicles in automotive history. Because sometimes, exacting standards are exactly what the world requires. Meet ‘Karma’: the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

the very definition of DRIVE FOR SHOW

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North Carolina Golf Vacations ... the vacation that costs less than staying at home!

Carolina National | # 5 Heron Course | PAR 3 203 yards

GREAT GOLF UNBELIEVABLE VALUE

6 days of golf with

1 866 7NC-GOLF

carts - 7 nights condo accommodations * Choice of Fairway Villas or Beach Villas $659US per person for any week in Spring 2011 ...

$599US per person if booked by December 31, 2010

75 here today ... the

temperature, that is ... not the score! www.ncgolfvacation.com

Canadian Owned and Operated

SCOTLAND

M i nimal is m at i ts un-re luctan tly re solute fine st

The 15th at Machrie with Laggan Bay in the background | Scotland

Islay and the Machrie Golf Links as visited by Hal Quinn

Every passion has its holy grails. Whether it is the arts, architecture, literature, music, cuisine, wines, or whatever, there are places that its aficionados and connoisseurs feel they absolutely must visit at least once in their lifetime. For ardent lovers of the game of golf in its purest form, who also happen to have a discerning enough palate to appreciate the finest malt whisky in its singular undiluted form, a pilgrimage to the Isle of Islay should be very near the top of their bucket lists.

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From its birthplace in Scotland more than 500 years ago, golf has spread over the globe with its traditions, and even its terminology, largely intact. The same can almost be said for Scotch whisky, though it first had to migrate from Ireland to Scotland as whiskey. On the windswept Hebridean island of Islay, golf is on a true links, and the whisky from the island’s seven distilleries is pure single malt nectar. Islay may not be the first Scottish destination that comes to a traveller’s mind, but if ventured, it will leave warm impressions to last a lifetime. There are barely 2,000 inhabitants on this outcropping abutting the often-fierce North Atlantic even though the first Ileachs encamped here for centuries before ‘BC’ was suffixed to dates. Just off Scotland’s coast (slightly below parallel to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and from where on a clear day you can see Northern Ireland to the south), Islay’s long history has as many twists as the Isle’s coastline and has been equally rough at times. However, one constant has been the whisky and the golf. Too many North Americans, particularly Americans, have come to use the term ‘links’ to mean golf course. It doesn’t. A links course is one that lays along a seaside on links land, a stretch of infertile sandy soil that ‘links’ the seashore to the arable soil inland. No matter how many misappropriate the term, links courses are not found in North American cities, but along the shores of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, with the Scottish links being the nursery of golf. The Low Road (as opposed to the other route, the High Road) south from the Islay airport draws an almost perfectly straight line through the peat bogs and low hills dotted with grazing sheep. A sharp, barely marked turn onto a single-lane potholed and perfectly straight driveway leads to the historic Machrie Hotel, and just beyond it the enchanting Machrie Golf Links. They form one of the most charming and inviting combinations imaginable. The hotel – really an old farmhouse, or a really old farmhouse closing in its 260th birthday, with additions and subtractions, and self-contained lodges off to the side – exudes character; aromas from the kitchen promise post-round delights; and the bar proudly boasts one of the most thoughtful and varied offerings of whisky in the world.

The entire structure is whitewashed, and stands like a beacon in the middle of a starkly vacant landscape. Around to one side of the hotel, through the fence and past the idle farm equipment and sheds, after walking through a domed passageway the golfer enters a world virtually unchanged since 1891 when the Machrie Golf Links was designed by Willie Campbell. For the purist it is a world of wonder. For the unknowing, it is one of puzzlement, akin to a rum and coke drinker tasting a peaty, smoky Islay single malt for the first time.

▲ Established in 1815, the Ardbeg Distillery literally marks the end of the road or, the start of the story - depending on which way you choose to view the glass.

Like Islay whisky, links golf is an acquired taste; a jolt to those coddled by manicured North American parks land courses. The Machrie is bold, rustic, following the contours carved by the ice ages not bulldozers. The spectacular Laggan Bay and the gentle hills around it provide one of golf ’s finest settings; the towering dunes, the knee-high waving mammon grasses and the quirky, multi-mounded greens are the challenges. [ + MORE ON NEXT PAGE ]

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â&#x2014;&#x201E; The red and white marker pole guides players over the Scotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maiden that hides the green at the par 4 7th hole on the Machrie Golf Links. The view of Laggan Bay is reward enough for the climb to the top of the dune.

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The hand of Campbell and the generations of ‘keepers of the greens’ who have followed are barely evident. The routing and the mounds feel perfectly natural under foot and relentlessly pleasing to the eye. There are blind shots all over the course, a characteristic of links courses that follow the path of least resistance. The 7th hole is the most famous. The 395-yard par 4 plays directly over a mammoth mound – so large it has a name, Scot’s Maiden – and the second shots in to the final two holes are aimed at sign posts. The holes climb and dive, crest hills to reveal greens tucked against slopes as if hiding from the wind, open on to broad expanses with views to the sea or rolling dark green hills marked by drying piles of peat. The Machrie, at 6,250 yards Par 71, is all wonderful, exhilarating in any weather, and an ideal prelude to visits to the distilleries and sampling the best single malts on the planet. Just down the Low Road and shortly after it joins the High Road then passes through Port Ellen, along Islay’s southeastern shoreline are three iconic distilleries. First, there’s Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Gaelic for ‘The beautiful hollow in the broad bay.’ A bit along the road is Lagavulin (Lag-a-voo-lin), with its view over Lagavulin Bay of the ruins of Dunyveg Castle, ancient home to the lords of the isle. Virtually at the end of the road is Ardbeg, where they didn’t start making whisky until 1815. After guided tours of the distilleries – they walk you through the entire process, essentially unchanged since the day the fires were first ignited under the peat – and samplings in the tasting room, the whistle and curiosity is well and truly whetted for a wander north to the charming town of Bowmore, its distillery of the same name, and a visit across Loch Indaal to Bruichladdich (Broo-ich-laddie), founded in 1881. The most adventurous venture north and west to Caol Ila (Coll-eela) at Port Askraig,

where they have distilled beautifully smooth malts since 1846. Almost to Islay’s northern tip is Bunnahabhain (Bu-na-ha-ven) with views and whisky worth the journey. Bowmore is the perfect hub for exploring the island. The Lochside Hotel is not only charming and welcoming – and featuring Duffy’s Bar with its astounding assortment of whiskies and a fine restaurant – but is just pleasant steps from everything in Bowmore, including the distillery that gives the town its name. Get a copy of Peat Smoke and Spirit by Andrew Jefford if the corner store managed to keep a copy in stock. Wander down to the pier and view the Loch and the seaward side of the Bowmore Distillery that opened in 1779, and be transported back in time. Something like 25 million litres of uniquely Islay whisky are exported each year. That not under the Islay labels is bought up by Highland distilleries to lend a hint of the Islay peatiness to Cutty Sark, Johnnie Walker, Ballantines and the other blends. In essence, there is a bit of Islay in the majority of whisky enjoyed around the world. And there’s also a bit of the Machrie in fine golf courses around the globe, even if the ‘links’ in their name is just wishful.

GETTING THERE: British Airways has daily flights from Glasgow; regular ferry service from Kennacraig. WHERE TO STAY: The Machrie Hotel www.machrie.com The Lochside Hotel, Bowmore www.lochsidehotel.co.uk

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destinationGOLF | 2010

one day I will ...

play number 7 at Pebble Beach.

There will always be a course, a tee shot, or a place that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to drop the peg one day ... Where is your dream round in waiting? Let us know the where and why (destinationgolfmag.com) and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come up with the how. And it will be your turn to say ... On this day, I did.

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EASTERN

Welcome to

FOX HA Words: Ian Hutchinson Images : Chris Gallow

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CANADA

ARB’R Nova Scotia

The Journal Ian Hutchinson

For a resort that frequently has corporate jets touching down on site, warmth and coziness wins out over blatant opulence at Fox Harb’r in Wallace, N.S., more of a getaway than a garish playground on the Northumberland Strait, looking across to Prince Edward Island. That point is hammered home immediately upon checking into your room, which is indeed loaded with all the amenities of a high end resort, yet highlighted with its spectacular view from the terrace across the golf course to the water. The day we landed in a Jetport plane from Hamilton was overcast and gray to emphasize not only the warmth of the rooms, but also the understated clubhouse at Fox Harb’r, with its Great Room for dining and The Willard for lunches and more casual fare. [ + MORE ON NEXT PAGE ]

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Unlike many visitors who fly in and head straight for the first tee after touching down, lunch was served for us before a visit to one of the unique aspects of the resort, where the emphasis on comfort in the country hit its pinnacle as I sank into one of the leather chairs in the Sports Club at Fox Harb’r. The smell of a warm fire was detected, not overpowering but always noticeable in this cozy pine and fir building, where the upstairs loft had all the potential to provide the accommodations of a ski chalet. Such was not the purpose. Stephen Herrett stepped up to offer the gathered group of visitors a crash course in gun safety before we got into the sport shooting on the agenda. A lifelong shooter, Herrett has found that several guests develop a passion for shooting clay pigeons out of the air. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm for it. A lot of people find it’s the opposite of what everybody thinks. They get a lot of enjoyment and relaxation out of it,” said Herrett, adding that passion is shared by both genders. “We have a lot of first-time women who have never shot before. They are actually pretty good at it,” he said. The clay birds are shot into the air from down field, or from the side or behind the shooter, the idea being to follow the target and shatter it in the air. “It’s designed to mimic actual things that you would see in the field when you’re hunting birds,” said Herrett, adding that many people use this type of sport shooting as practice before hunting. The rifle gave a good kick when I missed on my first try, but managed to shatter the disk on the second shot. Several of the people alongside me got pretty adept at it and were regularly shooting their targets to smithereens as they went along. The crispness of the air was being emphasized with every squeeze of the trigger, which made our return to the oversized cabin that had earlier caught my fancy that much more appreciated after the fun we were having outside. Fox Harb’r, Nova Scotia | Canada

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That evening from our vantage point over wine and dinner in the Great Room, it was becoming very obvious that the weather conditions were changing quickly as the wind picked up and would become one of the main stories of the following day on the Graham Cooke-designed golf course. The howling of the wind from Hurricane Igor, which was passing out in the Atlantic, was my alarm clock the next day and even though Igor didn’t batter us as it did Newfoundland, it was clear that golf was going

You can read more about the course, which stretches between 5,260 and 7,253 yards with five sets of tees, here. As we got midway through the back nine, the wind that was churning up the water and making it red – which I understand is from the red clay of this area – began to die down somewhat. Let’s just say it was gale force compared to hurricane level. That set the scene for Isenor to work his magic. He cleared the water on 18 and had 140 yards to the pin,

The rifle gave a good kick when I missed on my first try, but managed to shatter the disk on the second shot. Several of the people alongside me got pretty adept at it and were regularly shooting their targets to smithereens as they went along.

to be more of a survival test than a leisurely round, despite the clear, blue sky. The previous night at dinner, I had met director of golf Elliott Isenor, who would also provide good company, not to mention a highlight reel shot, over the next 18 holes. As I put the peg in the ground, I was forced to brace myself against the wind and grab for my cap. The swing was compact and quick, but at least stayed in the fairway. That set the tone for the entire round. The golf course is a stark contrast between the wooded, parkland setting of the front nine and the Scottish feel of the back nine which offers waving fescue and spectacular views of the water and coast. 32

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which he slam dunked for what I thought was an eagle. Afterwards, I was talking up Elliott’s spectacular shot in the bar when I was informed that I had shortchanged him. I had failed to check the scorecard, which clearly stated that the 18th was actually a par five and not a par four. Isenor hadn’t carded an eagle – it was a rare albatross. It turned out to be an albatross of a different kind for me as I took relentless jokes about screwing up the scorecard and shortchanging Elliott, just as I would have with friends at any golf course, be it public or private. Have no doubt, Fox Harb’r is high end, but it’s trying to shake the exclusive tag. That challenging job falls to general manager Jim Miller,

a veteran of 30 years in the resort industry who has traveled the world to work in places such as Maui and Los Cabos in Mexico. The Toronto native arrived at Fox Harb’r in March. “It was a lot of catch-up because the season wasn’t opening too far after that,” said Miller. “I knew a little bit about Fox Harb’r. I knew a little bit about the history and that’s why it kind of interested me to see all of what we have here with Jetport, the marina, the golf course, the hotel, food and beverage outlets and our sport shooting facility,” he added. Miller knew upon his arrival that there was one question to answer.

“

Isenor hadn’t carded an eagle – it was a rare albatross.

“Is it a private club or is it a public resort? We’ve tried to lean a little bit more to the public resort side. We have a great story to tell here and I don’t think we’ve told it well enough,” said Miller of his mission at Fox Harb’r, but it won’t be easy to lose that exclusive image. “I’ve had people tell me it’s the Pebble Beach of the north. When you get those comments and when people compare us to other great resorts around the world, it’s kind of rewarding that you’re thrown into that same category,” he said. l

www.foxharbr.com

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PIXEL PER 34

destinationGOLF | 2010

SCOTLAND

The Postage Stamp, at Royal Troon through the lens of Doug Fergusan

“

Tam Arte Quame Marte as much by skill as by strength

That is the motto of the club at Royal Troon, when it comes to describing on of the most famously develish par 3s in all of the world. At a mere 129 yards the eight hole of the Old Course at Royal Troon should, by scorecard, be a wee pushover - it is not. As a design it really is quite simple. Shave the tops of two dunes, call one the green and refer to the other as the tee box. The space between can be left untouched. Protect the green left with a large dune and tilt it right toward a substantial bunker. Surround the green with four more bunkers and that’s that - right? Add the Scottish winds and the not to be forgotten fact the green is a mere twenty- five feet wide at it’s most forgiving point and you have, well ... one very formidable option - hit this very, very small target.

RFECT

And that is why they call this, the shortest hole in British Open rota, the ‘Postage Stamp’.

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THE CARIBBEAN

faves by Brent Long

BERMUDA My

“

It’s literally an up and down roller coaster ride on the property directly below the hotel with no hole over 200 yards. Teed it up first out as a

single at 7:30 a.m., finished within 70 minutes and was ready to head to the hotel’s awesome Beach Club.

Mid Ocean Club Played Bermuda’s Mid Ocean Club for the second time in my life in October and can only hope and pray to play it again one day soon. Charles Blair Macdonald created the sparkling layout in 1921. What most people don’t know is that Macdonald, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the fall of 2007, was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The opening and finishing holes sit breathlessly on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean while the rest of the routing sits perfectly on the rolling terrain highlighted by exceptional bunkering unlike anything I have encountered. Worth any price including the $430 return trip on WestJet to get to Bermuda. l See www.themidoceanclubbermuda.com 36

destinationGOLF | 2010

Gosling’s Rum It’s hard to miss Gosling’s Black Seal rum - “The Spirit of Bermuda” at any bar in Bermuda. The flagship dark rum, a family tradition, has little changed in over 150 years and is the key ingredient along with ginger beer in the island’s national drink a Dark ‘n’ Stormy. The good news is that it’s available in Canada, however I also tasted Gosling’s newer Gold Bermuda Rum and the Family Reserve Old Rum (awesome neat or with a touch of ice) that are only available at the LCBO from time to time and currently not in stock. You can guess what I brought home from the duty free store. l See www.goslingsrum.com for more information.

The Mid Ocean Club

Fairmont Southampton The Fairmont brand is well-known in Canada and also Bermuda where it’s home to two wonderful hotels. The Fairmont Hamilton Princess is in the downtown core and the Southampton is home to one of the best 18-hole executive par-3 courses you’ll ever find anywhere. It’s literally an up and down roller coaster ride on the property directly below the hotel with no hole over 200 yards. Teed it up first out as a single at 7:30 a.m., finished within 70 minutes and was ready to head to the hotel’s awesome Beach Club. Both hotels are connected via a free shuttle ferry that we took one evening at sunset! l See www.fairmont.com for more information.

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RUM

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Grand Slam of Golf For the past four years Bermuda has hosted the PGA of American Grand Slam of golf and hopefully it will return for 2011 although there’s no agreement in place at this point and time. The three previous champions included Angel Cabrera, Jim Furyk and Lucas Glover followed by Ernie Els’ one-stroke victory in the fun twoday made for TV event over David Toms in October at the beautiful Port Royal Golf Course where it’s easy to get up close and personal with the players. l See www.pga.com/grandslam/2010 for more information.

Tucker’s Point Spent a wonderful afternoon mellowing out on a couple of loungers with my wife at Tucker’s Point Beach Club after a round of golf at Tucker’s. This relatively new development features homes that run from a few million to $60 million, as well as a stylish new hotel that opened in April 2010. The Beach Club features an astonishing infinity pool just steps from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Life doesn’t get any better unless you’re snorkeling and we did that too. Oh yah, check out the Fish Chowder - it’s traditionally accompanied by a splash of sherry peppers and of course Black Seal rum! l See www.tuckerspoint.com for more information.

es located just five minutes from the airCheck out the Crystal and Fantasy Cav t $27 about an hour but probably the bes port. The tour of the two caves takes www.caves.bm for more information. we each spent while on the island. See Brent Long is a Burlington, ON based golf writer and PR guy who has been writing and taking photographs for GolfScene since day one. He likes to write about golf, take course photos and even plays from time to time. He travelled to Bermuda with his wife Jenifer in October to attend the PGA of America Grand Slam of Golf.

destinationGOLF | 2010

Golfer’s Paradise… Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Beach Resort, Golf, Casino & Spa ★★★★★ In a word, wow! From the incredible two-storey lobby and 400-meter pool that lazes through the resort, to the lovely rooms, comprehensive kids’ club, casino, abundance of sun chairs and palapa huts, and massage beds at the spectacular beach, this resort is a beauty. The Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is a stunning 5-star all-inclusive property, perfectly integrated with the exuberant flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic. A very popular choice for Canadians! The 18-hole PGA championship Punta Blanca Golf Course next door was designed by the architect and famous golf champion, Nick Price. The course plays through natural wetland areas with large waste bunkers and big lakes built into the tropical vegetation.

GOLF BONUS! • 1 complimentary round of golf per week at Punta Blanca golf course* (minimum 7-night stay is required) • Transfers from the hotel and balls for driving range are included • Golf cart is mandatory at extra charge *Not applicable to Garden View Junior Suite - special discounted price is available at the hotel.

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DC25453

Now, this would be cool. Photos Courtesy: World Ice Golf Championship Committee The World Ice Golf Championship is held almost 600 km north of the Arctic Circle, on the west coast of Greenland in the little town of Uummannaq when both weather and sponsors are friendly to the tournament. From December through to May, the fjord leading in to Uummannaq is covered by a metre-thick sheet of ice. Huge icebergs containing thousand-yearold ice lie frozen in the fjord, caught by the freeze on their journey out towards the open sea. It is in the midst of this fantastic scenery that the World Ice Golf Championship takes place with up to 20 golfers from all over the world, drawn by the prospect of a magnificent experience in breathtaking surroundings breathtaking even to the most seasoned of travellers. Golfers with a handicap of up to 36 can take part.

destinationGOLF | 2010

NORTH CAROLINA

asides, Norm Woods

not just another golf trail The seven day rate per person during the April through October period is about $2,500. Shoul Shoulder seasons are more attractive.

When the prestigious and private Raleigh Country Club filed for bankruptbankrupt cy a few years ago, a local businessman by the name of John McConnell decided to buy it. Having recently sold his multi-million dollar health software business and a burning desire to get more involved with the game of golf, he jumped at the opportunity to save the Donald Ross designed-course from the developer’s shovel. And McConnell has not slowed down, Follow Following the Raleigh purchase came the Cardinal Country Club in Greensboro, a Pete Dye layout and Arnold Palmer’s Musgrove Mill, then Fazio’s Old North State Club and the Treyburn Country Club. McConnell’s idea (and it is an interesting idea in today’s difficult economic times) is that if private clubs can’t find enough new members to pay their bills, then maybe there needs to be another revenue option. McConnell feels he has the answer. Combine private play for the members who remain and open up the courses for others to try. Bingo! The McConnell Golf Trail. Open to the public and doing quite well.

Depending on the length of stay, accommodation options include the Marriott Hotel in Raleigh, or on-site stays at either the Old North State Course or Musgrove Mill.

world.

John McConnell had a vision. He has saved some golf courses from bankruptcy and has opened up a new opportunity for golfers from around the

If you and your friends are looking for a new, more upscale golf experience, the McConnell Golf Trail in the Raleigh-Durham Charlotte area of North Carolina may just be what you’re looking for l Details are at www.mcconnellgolftrail.com l

His idea is to attract groups of four or eight golfers to the area for outings of three, five or seven days. Accommodation, transportation from local airports and some meals are all part of the deal. And you are playing four hour rounds on pristine golf courses with impeccable southern hospitality and food. destinationGOLFmag.com

golf destination

ma g a z i n e

WHICH WAY TO THE DOOR ?

Thank you for taking the time to click through the pixels of our annual eZine.

I sincerely hope that many of you, our readers, have had the opportunity to travel this year and have played some golf in places for the very first time. And, if not, will get

inspired to do so this year. There is so much to see and learn out there. So much to experience. So many ways to make bogey.

Special thanks to our contributors for there first hand experiences and insight. We can now say that we’re a little more wordly even if only through vicarious means. Unfortunately, your editor at large has been somewhat immobile and ‘at small’. Seems the busier we get, the busier we become, and perhaps the busier we allow ourselves to be. Closed doors lead to closed minds. All work and no play ... you know how that goes. So, as I reflect on this issue I’ll make it my personal manifesto to dust of my own passport and return with a few first hand tales, or pass along this job to someone who can ... because the journey can only be edited by those who take it - and I myself have grown tired of cut and paste, public relations, publishing. Nobody’s interested in something you didn’t do.

the writing is on the wall

Las Vegas, Nevada, Cabos, San Lucas Mexico, Bandon Dunes, Oregon, or anywhere in California sound good to me - maybe I’ll board a golf cruise or even take a run at the World Ice Golf Championship, what a story that would make. The list is endless. Hope to see you there.

Steve Woods, inherently-temporary-editor-at-large editor@destinationgolfmag.com