Our
THIS MONTH: MY TURN I SWEET STUFF I CHIPSHOTS I DESTINATIONS
9th
Year!
GOLF VACATIONS DECEMBER 2011
SEA ISLAND GOLF CLUB
DEFINING GOLF IN THE SOUTHEAST
GREENHORN CREEK RESORT THERE’S GOLD AND JUMPING FROGS TOO
PLUS: Finding Paradise in Mexico I Holiday Gift Guide
99 WAYS GET AWAY TO
HALF WAY BETWEEN THE EXCITEMENT OF ATLANTA AND THE TRADITIONS OF AUGUSTA, NESTLED ALONG THE BANKS OF LAKE OCONEE, YOU WILL FIND 99 HOLES OF GOLF FROM THE GAME'S GREATEST ARCHITECTS. CHOOSE FROM JACK NICKLAUS' FAMED GREAT WATERS, JONES' BRILLIANT OCONEE COURSE, FAZIO'S AWARD-WINNING NATIONAL COURSE OR BOB CUPP'S DUAL MASTERPIECES, THE PLANTATION AND THE LANDING. NOW, REYNOLDS PLANTATION INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE GOLF’S ULTIMATE DESTINATION LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
. TRADITIONS GETAWAY GOLF IS A GAME OF TRADITIONS, AND REYNOLDS PLANTATION IS PROUD TO OFFER A SUPREME COLLECTION WITH UNMATCHED VARIETY.
. ULTIMATE TEST DRIVE PACKAGE
THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS YOU TO TEST DRIVE THE GAME’S BEST EQUIPMENT ON THE BEST COURSES.
. FAMILY RETREAT
THIS REYNOLDS PLANTATION VACATION HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES.
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON GOLF GETAWAY PACKAGES OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT REYNOLDS PLANTATION, VISIT WWW.REYNOLDSPLANTATION.COM/PACKAGES. FOR PACKAGE RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL 877.809.3324.
& Endless Lake Activities.
World Renowned Golf, a Variety of Accommodations, Fine Dining
Lake Oconee GREENE COUNTY, GEORGIA
For more information about Lake Oconee an vacation packages, visit www.visitlakeoconee.com or call 866.341.4466
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contents I december 2011
cover
stories
16
Finding A Golf Paradise In Mexico
22
Sea Island GC Defines Southeast Golf
28
There’s Gold At Greenhorn Creek Resort
16
by Dave McKibben
It had been 16 years since my last trip to Puerto Vallarta, this charming resort city lined with cobblestone streets, quaint restaurants, loud bars and great shopping. But even before I touched down in Puerto Vallarta, I had a feeling this trip would be different.
by Andy Reistetter
Along with the Plantation and Retreat courses, Sea Island Golf Club is a premier golfing destination. But there is more to the story. Play along with writer Andy Reistetter as he discovers a truly unique, world-class golfing experience at Sea Island.
22
by Fred Robledo
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and just a couple of hours east of the bay area, Angels Camp is a gateway to everything Calaveras County has to offer.
departments 9 ChipShots Updates From The World Of Golf & Travel
28
13 Destinations Your Link To Great Resort Golf Locales
14 Holiday Gift Guide
by Terry Ross
Fashion Performance, SPIbelts, TaylorMade R11, Cutt Offs
34 Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross
AUR Golf, Tour Edge XCG5, TRX Rip Trainer
36 My Turn
by James McAfee
Golf and Marriage Don’t Always Mix
on the cover: Sand Shot On Seaside Course At Sea Island, Georgia 6
34 G O L F VA C AT I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1
www.golfvacationsmag.com
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month If you saw someone having a seizure, would you know what to do? Go to www.GetSeizureSmart.org to learn about epilepsy, take the quiz and Get Seizure Smart!
CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Dave McKibben is a former award-winning sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times who covered nearly every sport imaginable during his 20-year career, including the PGA and LPGA tours. He resides in Carlsbad, Ca., he has his own media company, specializing in sports public relations. He has a passion for golf and traveling, teeing it up in Scotland, Portugal and Hawaiian islands. He can be reached at dmckibben@roadrunner.com Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Spotter, Research and Broadcast Assistant for The Golf Channel, NBC and CBS Sports. He spends time on all four major American golf tours and resides near the PGA TOUR headquarters and TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Andy is a lifetime golfer and enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf. He can be reached by e-mailing him at AndyReistetter@gmail.com.
Fred Robledo has been covering professional golf for more than 30 years. He wrote for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and the Los Angeles Times before moving into public relations where he promoted professional tour events for Brener Zwikel & Associates. He is now semi-retired, traveling the country and reviewing golf destinations for Golf Vacations Magazine.
James McAfee is a freelance golf and travel writer based in Wylie, TX. He was executive director of the Northern Texas PGA for 17 years and executive director of the Dallas District Golf Association for eight years. With editor stints at Golf Shop Operations, Golf Digest and Texas Golfer Magzaine he is currently the director of communications for GolfDFW.com. He has been a member of the Golf Writers of America for 37 years and was one of the founders for the Texas Golf Writers Association. Playing the game for 56 years he was recently named to the U.S. Amateur Golf Hall of Fame.
Palm Springs Resorts Golf Package Specials Cimarron Golf Resort – 1 round incl. cart Woodhaven Country Club – 1 round incl. cart 1 nights accommodations Homewood Suites – Palm Desert or Holiday Inn Express – Palm Desert
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Senior Writers Tom LaMarre Fred Robledo For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 e-mail: INFO@GolfVacationsMag.com
Regional Advertising Los Angeles • 949-279-7801 Terry Ross - terryross@cox.net Atlanta • 770-239-7500 Harold Chambliss - haroldcmg@ceocenters.com San Diego • 619-889-7706 Bob Black - bobblack@cox.net
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Destiny Media, LLC President/CEO James A. Diaz
Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2011 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. www.golfvacationsmag.com
U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >>
INFAMOUS 18 HOLES EVEN BETTER NOW by James McAfee When I first saw golfer/artist Bud Chapman’s imaginative painting “Victoria Falls Golf Club” 36 years ago when I was an assistant editor with Golf Digest Magazine, I was amazed. In the next four years, Chapman followed with additional paintings of imaginary holes that were to become the “Infamous 18.” The others at the magazine were equally impressed and used Chapman’s works in the publications during the 1970s. Art print posters were made available and were quickly added to the walls in the homes of many golfers. Most of today’s younger golfers have not had the privilege of seeing them, but this will soon change thanks to advancements in technology that have improved the fourcolor separation process, allowing Vlad Grivosky, a friend of Chapman, to bring the “Infamous 18” back on the market. “The Gicleé printing productions has been able to produce true replicas of the original paintings,” Grivosky said. “The difference in color is amazing. Bud’s works were never sold as collectibles, but that is also changing as current plans call for a limit-
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ed production of 5,000 sets that will be numbered and signed by Bud. This is the only edition that will ever be produced, making them true collectibles that will likely appreciate in value.” The Gicleé prints will be the same size (22.5” wide and 29.5” high) as the original paintings and will be on archival paper mounted on archival board. The first 200 sets will have a Remarque done by Chapman, still active at age 89. All will be signed Loyal H. (Bud) Chapman. The cost will be $54,000 for a set of 18. The first 200 sets, called the Southeast Asia Edition, will be introduced in conjunction with the 20th anniversary edition of jigsaw puzzles produced by Beverly Enterprises of Japan. Beverly sold the puzzles in the 19891990 time frame, generating $3 million in sales in Japan and Korea. New puzzles went on the market over there Nov. 11. For the first 60 days, the 200 Southeast Asia Edition prints will be sold only to buyers with shipping addresses in Southeast Asia. Specific reservations, starting with No. 11 through No. 200 will require 25% down and the remainder prior to shipping. General reservations require 10% down and the remainder prior to shipping. Interested collectors here in the United
chip shots States and anywhere else in the world can make reservations after the 60-day period has expired. Earlier reservations will be accepted under the following conditions. If the 200 sets are not sold, then the reservations will be confirmed starting with the next number available in sequence. If the 200 sets are sold, those making reservations will be allowed to specify any available number from 201 to 5,000, which will be signed Loyal H. Chapman. The contract price for buyers wishing to purchase the sets on a payment plan will be $63,000. A 10% down payment will be required. A print will be shipped every four months for a $3,500 payment plus shipping and handling. The final two prints will be shipped for a final $700 payment. Go to www.tpkgolf.com to find out more. Famed golf course architect Pete Dye believes Chapman made a great contribution to the game with his paintings. “Bud’s innovative thinking certainly influenced many designers to make contours a little steeper and the bunkers a little deeper and generally to think outside the box with new designs, and, in that way,” Dye noted. Many think that Dye’s 17th at TPC was modeled after Bud’s A native of Minnesota, Chapman, began painting at an early age and played his first round of golf as a caddie at the age of 12 at Interlachen Country Club, the site where Bobby Jones finalized his grand slam. During World War II, Chapman flew B-29s and created a comic strip called “Willie Washout”. After his discharge from the service, he attended Walker Art School in Minneapolis, and later opened his own art studio, starting his career as a commercial artist. As a scratch golfer, he has been a perennial champion as his own club, won several state tournaments and has participated in many USGA national amateur events. He holds a pilot license and is always seeking out adventure, whether it’s fishing, hunting or searching for buried treasure. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >> “REPLAY SEASON' FEATURES BONUS ROUND AT REYNOLDS PLANTATION Greensboro, Ga. – Golf vacationers can now make reservations for “Reynolds Replay Season,â€? scheduled to begin Dec. 1, 2011, continuing through March 13, 2012 at Reynolds Plantation. Ideal for winter golf escapes, “Reynolds Replay Seasonâ€? offers the opportunity to enjoy a traditional golf experience at an exceptional value, featuring same-day complimentary repeat play at your choice of five Reynolds Plantation courses, as well as a special rate for rounds on the day of arrival, or departure. Package rates start at $149 per person per night for a standard room at The Landing Inn with golf. Or upgrade to a cottage or condominium (many with lake views) starting at $229 per person, per night, in the Winter Traditions package, which in addition to golf includes: • Fully-equipped kitchen, living, dining and outdoor living areas and daily housekeeping; • Full Southern-style breakfast daily at the Plantation Clubhouse; • Access to practice range and putting green facilities;
• Additional round of golf on day of departure or day of arrival at preferred rate of $50 per person (a savings of 50%); • Golf on Reynolds Plantation’s Signature courses (Great Waters, Oconee) at no additional cost. Reynolds Plantation offers a supreme collection of courses, designed by some of the game’s time-honored architects: Jack Nicklaus’ Great Waters, Rees Jones’ brilliant Oconee course, Tom Fazio’s award-
winning National course, and Bob Cupp’s dual lakefront masterpieces, Plantation and The Landing – each available for the complimentary round during “Reynolds Replay Season.� Besides golf, guests have access to marinas offering boat rentals, walking trails, tennis courts and three clubhouse restaurants – each with an inviting lounge area. To make reservations visit www.reynoldsplantation.com/packages or call (877) 809-3324.
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G O L F VA C AT I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1
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orre T U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >>
SANTA GETS A HO-HO-HOLE IN ONE ON HAMILTON ISLAND
Taking a break on Hamilton Island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for a little rest before his busiest time of year, Santa swapped his usual mode of transportation for a golf buggy. Santa chose to spend the break practicing his swing on the Hamilton Island Golf Course, Australia’s only 18-hole championship golf course situated on its own island. But as Santa knows all too well, golf isn’t the only reason to visit Hamilton Island during the holiday season. The “Summer Festival” (http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/Event s/summer-festival/Pages/summerfestival.aspx), which runs from mid December to mid January during the holiday season in the Southern Hemisphere, is packed full of festive fun, guaranteed to give the holidays a truly tropical twist. Highlights include: • Over 3,000 Christmas decorations on
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through January 4, 2012 inclusive) starting from AUD$450 per room per night in a Garden View room at the Reef View Hotel. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au
the island including a reindeer light display. • Live entertainment from Hamilton Island’s resident musicians, playing in many of the islands bars, restaurants and poolside locations. • A personal appearance from Santa at ‘Carols by Candle-light’ held beneath the starry Whitsunday skies. • A wide variety of fun activities for children, from face painting, cookie decorating and beach sports through to kids quad bikes and magic shows. • Sparkling New Year’s Eve Party with live band. Accommodation (December 22, 2011
5 ACTIVITIES TO COMBINE WITH YOUR GULF SHORES GOLF TRIP
GULF SHORES, AL – The arrival of winter doesn’t mean golfers in northern climates must stow their equipment until spring. In fact, golfers are encouraged to escape Nor’easters and lake-effect snow with a snowbird vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama – a 32-mile stretch of Gulf Coast beach that offers mild off-season temperatures. Rates starting as low as $70 per golfer, per night for room and golf on any of nine golf courses, and stays in a wealth of condos
THE CUISINE OF ITALY
“Combining Old-World Italian comfort food with personalized service, a congenial atmosphere and an extensive wine list, La Torretta excels as one of Arizona’s most impressive restaurants” — Dining Out
With a menu that utilizes the freshest and most authentic ingredients and pasta made fresh in-house daily, the restaurant’s culinary fare is consistently delicious and refreshing.Their Osso Buco,Taglio del Vitello Farcito con Quattro Farmagio and Veal Piccata have become local legends and inspired positive reviews from the Scottsdale Republic, the New Times, Guest Informant, TravelHost, and Scottsdale Magazine. The combination of La Torretta’s sophisticated interior and authentic food make it a prime candidate for intimate dinners to group celebrations of special occasions.
LIVE WELL
•
LOVE MUCH
•
LAUGH OFTEN
LA TORRETTA Ristorante & Italian Steakhouse
16640 N. Scottsdale Rd • SW corner Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale • 480.991.2000 • www.latorrettaaz.com Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm • Dinner Daily 4:30-9:30pm
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U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >> and hotels with great views, are just a few reasons why Gulf Shores was named a Top 10 Best Winter Retreat by Yahoo Travel. “The Gulf Coast’s winter weather is very pleasant, especially for folks who otherwise would be shoveling snow in bitter wind chills,” said Duncan Millar, executive director of Golf Gulf Shores. “The attractive rates on our nine courses, great food and beverage options and a host of area activities make Gulf Shores the perfect winter golf destination.” Here’s a list of winter to-do activities in Gulf Shores to combine with great golf: 1. Go Fish: Winter is perfect for Bull Redfish and charters will continue daily in Gulf Shores. Jump on an early-morning charter and be on the links by afternoon. 2. Eat Local: Royal Reds – deepwater, locally caught Gulf shrimp that are sweet and tasty – are the favorite in Gulf Shores. If you’re visiting for a few days, try Live Bait 2 at the Wharf to find a sample. Staying longer? Try Blalock’s Fish Market and cook them in the condo. Several other restaurants offer a bounty of fresh seafood daily on the waterfront. 3. Shop for Deals: Golf couples can
finish Christmas shopping at Foley and Tanger outlets –popular areas for deals and specials. Gulf Shores also prides itself on local boutiques and galleries, including the must-see Orange County Art Center, which has artists in residence. 4. Scenic Drives: Driving along the water’s edge is fun, but don’t miss the 10mile slow drive through the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The slower time and smaller number of tourists returns this ecosystem back to life in the winter. 5. Pub Crawl: There are plenty of bars and restaurants in Gulf Shores. Start your trek at Lulu’s. The sister of Jimmy Buffett, she’s been serving local favorites in a fun atmosphere for years. Other great winter activities to blend with Gulf Shores golf include the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip; visiting historic Fort Morgan, which celebrates its 151st anniversary on Jan. 29, 2012; and the nightlife, including The Wharf’s 10hour happy hour. Check out the below "starting-at" package prices for family, buddy trip and couples getaways – including all taxes and fees – from a few of Golf Gulf Shores’ accommodation partners. Each is valid
through Feb. 26, 2012. Family Golf and Gulf Trip: 2 Bedroom Gulf Front Condominium Starting-at Rate: $82.38 per person per night for golf and room Description: Starting-at rate based on 4 people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with Gulf Coast views, with one king bed, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa. Buddy Trip: 2 Bedroom Golf Course Condominium Starting-at Rate: $73.31 per person per night for golf and room Description: Starting-at rate based on 4 people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with golf course views and four queen beds. Couples Golf Getaway: Double Queen Hotel Room Starting-at Rate: $81.00 per person per night for golf and room Description: Starting-at rate based on 2 people staying in one room with two queen beds and a deluxe continental breakfast. Customized quotes can be requested at www.golfgulfshores.com – a quick, easy way to get the most from your winter escape.
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U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >>
QUINTERO GOLF CLUB OFFERS EXPANDED PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES SCOTTSDALE, AZ. – Troon Golf announced that Quintero Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz. is now offering expanded playing opportunities for non-members. With tee time reservations available for
daily-fee play, guests can enjoy the now semi-private Quintero Golf Club, which was recently purchased by Infinity Capital Golf Resources, LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz. The accessible, yet still secluded golf club is located less than one hour northwest of downtown Phoenix, Ariz. in the high Sonoran desert and ranked among the “Top 100 Residential Courses” and “America’s Greatest Modern Courses” by Golfweek. Quintero, also named one of the best in Arizona by Golf Digest, was designed by esteemed architect Rees Jones and includes an extensive practice facility. Located at an elevation between 1,986
DESTINATIONS
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chip shots and 2,670 feet in the Hieroglyphic Mountains, the entire property is surrounded by Federal lands, adding to its secluded feel. “Quintero Golf Club rivals some of the best golf courses in the country,” said John Easterbrook, Troon’s executive vice president, operations. “We are thrilled that more golfers will have the opportunity to experience the incredible design and pristine setting that makes Quintero so unique.” In addition to 18 holes of spectacular mountain golf, the facility takes full advantage of the sweeping desert landscape with significant elevation changes and lush collections of native cactus and trees, including Saguaro, Ocotillo, Ironwood, Palo Verde, and Acacia. Great care has been taken to maintain the natural setting, making the course appear as if it has been a part of the landscape for many years. For more information on Quintero Golf Club, visit www.QuinteroGolf.com
WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO PLAY
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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HOLIDAY F
or the golfer who loves to travel, the holiday season is one of expectation for two reasons: more time to devote to golf and a wondrous array of new accessories that make great gifts to both give and receive. As is our annual tradition, we are bringing you our picks for the Golf Vacations Magazine Holiday Gift Guide. Adidas Golf is ringing in the holiday season with its new line of game-enhancing apparel and footwear aimed at expressing individual style called FASHION PERFORMANCE. Featuring bold colors and unique patterns, FASHION PERFORMANCE combines tour-proven performance technologies with contemporary, fashion-forward styling. Vibrant color combinations make for a dynamic, confident look with each piece offering a tailored, comfortable fit without sacrificing performance.
super-durable and improved abrasion-resistance. This shoe is sure to be a hit in the New Year as the spikeless golf shoe has never been more popular. For more information: www.shop.adidasgolf.com
C
ombining the necessities of an active lifestyle for both men and women, the versatile accessories created by SPIbelt™ accommodate lightweight items such as keys, credit cards, iPods™, Blackberries™, cash and identification as well as golf balls and tees for the course. Available in dozens of different color combinations, the SPIbelt™ is the perfect accessory for both men and women on the greens.
The shirt line debuts in a variety of uniquely-detailed designs for both men and women, and includes color blocked polos, fashion bottoms, training tops and stylish sweaters made to match and amplify personal style. Adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Jason Day will wear FASHION PERFORMANCE apparel on Tour starting in 2012 and noted the bold new look. “I love the strong, confident colors. It really looks unbelievable,” he said. “I think this is going to go a long way. I can’t wait to start wearing it.” Adidas Golf adicross golf shoes combines iconic adidas styling with full-grain leather for a rich look and feel. The upper is both lightweight and durable, while the soft, spikeless outsole provides traction, comfort and off-course versatility. With more of the look and feel of a tennis shoe or loafer, the adicross is designed to allow the foot more natural flexion and torsion while cushioning every step. The spikeless outsole delivers superior traction with 124 strategically placed traction lugs of varying size for a secure grip in all playing conditions, with textured synthetic toe-cap that’s 14
G O L F VA C AT I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1
It has become a favorite in the market place for its craftsmanship and its first to market claim to fame. An Austin, Texas – based manufacturing company, the entire collection is designed and made in the United States. Sleek, expandable and secure, this belt provides the maximum freedom of movement during any physical activity. To see all of SPIbelt’s products, visit their site at www.spibelt.com
F
or getting in golf shape and training, a new wrist device by Motorola Mobility, Inc. has everything you want to track your workouts and listen to music. MOTOACTV is a lightweight, wearable GPS fitness performance tracker and smart music player in one---the ultimate fusion of music and fitness. Whether indoors or outdoors, the device tracks time, distance, speed, heart rate and calories burned. MOTOACTV
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GIFTGUIDE can rock up to 4,000 songs and generate high-performance playlists based on the music you perform to best. Sync MOTOACTV with a PC, so you can check out the music you perform to best or track your workouts over extended time periods, set goals and even create workout competitions with your friends via the MOTOACTV web portal. And MOTOACTV features a touch-screen display so you can instantly launch a new workout or find that one song you’ve been dying to hear. With MOTOACTV, you can generate your own personal highperformance playlist by measuring your performance against your music. Track your distance, pace, calories, heart rate and other metrics for both indoor and outdoor activities. It can also be used to measure your performance progress, share workouts, set goals to inspire you to reach new heights, or challenge your friends to beat your time. More information is available at www.motorola.com
T
he TaylorMade R11 Glove is crafted from tour proven thin, yet durable AAA Cabretta leather. Classic fabrication and construction deliver trusted feel and fit while advances in its leather tanning process prolong and enhance the natural qualities and the life of the glove. The Elastomer performance fit closure offers custom fit capability and the black ion interior cuff wicks moisture and enhances comfort. The R11 Pure-Lite Stand Bag is a streamlined design of larger TaylorMade stand bags, providing the serious walker with a full array of functional features, a balanced fit for playability and
F
TaylorMade’s iconic R11 branding boldly displayed. This bag has it all in a lightweight package, including a six- way top with new integrated handle; seven total pockets, including a valuables pocket with internal key / ring clip; www.golfvacationsmag.com
insulated beverage sleeve pocket; ventilated ergonomic shoulder straps; full length dividers; integrated bottom trunk handle and three FAS-TEK receivers for holding accessories like range finders or a cell phone. This lightweight bag weighs in at a mere 4.9 pounds. The R11 Umbrella by TaylorMade is a great addition to a PureLite bag, or any golf bag for that matter, in its traditional black/white color scheme with the TaylorMade and R11 brand-mark printed logos displayed prominently. It features a 64-inch double canopy auto-open assembly with black nylon and white honeycomb nylon with vented canopy to resist windy conditions; red fiberglass ribs, plus an ergonomically correct black textured contour rubber grip for easy handling. For more information: www.taylormadegolf.com
or a little after-golf fashion that keeps the links theme, the search for the perfect holiday present need no longer be a struggle, thanks to the launch of a new collection of cufflinks with character from Cuff Off. Designed by Melbourne-based sisters Ali and Kirsty Hamson, Cuff Off’s high quality, affordable sterling silver cufflinks combine timeless style with a fresh, quirky edge, making them the perfect accessory for the modern Sartorialist of any age. The latest range is based on two key areas of inspiration: Australian icons and some of Ali and Kirsty’s favorite pieces created as part of their custom design service. Styles in the new range which recall these distinctly Australian memories of yester year include sets of footballs, trains, the Aussie dollar, and, a personal favorite for Ali and Kirsty - the trams. The addition of the new collection takes Cuff Off’s permanent range to 52 original designs, across categories including Animals, Music, Classic, Sport, Golf, Vehicles and Novelty. Cuff Off cufflinks are available online at: www.cuffoff.com.au. by Terry Ross
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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NUEVO VALLAR
FINDING A GOLF PARAD 16
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DISE IN MEXICO www.golfvacationsmag.com
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t had been 16 years since my last trip to Puerto Vallarta, this charming resort city lined with cobblestone streets, quaint restaurants, loud bars and great shopping. But even before I touched down in Puerto Vallarta, I had a feeling this trip would be different. My wife and I were staying 10 minutes north of the city in Nuevo Vallarta, an emerging beach town that developers built as an alternative to the bustle of Puerto Vallarta. The unquestionable star of this sixmile swath of land--carved out of a jungle 20 years ago-- is the Mayan Resort. Once our airport shuttle drove through the gates and onto the Mayan property, I realized we wouldn’t be leaving the grounds until our return flight home. Why would we? Everything we wanted was right here-seven resorts, more than 20 restaurants, a newly renovated golf course, three miles of pristine beaches, a lazy river, a water slide, too many pools and swim up bars to count and an 84-degree Pacific Ocean. With so many incredible options, it was hard to know where to begin our four-day getaway. We discussed the wondrous possibilities at Samba, a poolside café that served us a delicious dish of shrimp cocktail, a heaping plate of chicken nachos and two frosty Pacificos. Later that night at Rouge Wine Bar, over dinner and a bottle of red from the Santo Tomas winery in Ensenada, we decided that our first full day in Mexico would be spent relaxing at Brio Spa. Located just off the lobby in the three-towered Grand Mayan resort, the Brio encourages guests to arrive early for their treatments, so they can take full advantage of a spa that includes sauna, steam bath, cold plunge and hydro tub. Since I was first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect from a deep-tissue massage by a professional masseuse. We opted for the Spa Romance package—an 80-minute Swedish massage in a private couple’s room, followed by an afternoon in a shaded outdoor cabana with champagne, fresh fruit and a hot tub. I wasn’t disappointed. As I’m told by someone who is accustomed to this sort of treatment, the art of a good masseuse is to get through your entire body without feeling like they’re rushing. Never for a second did I feel rushed. In fact, I was so relaxed and in such a state of bliss that I don’t remember much after the aroma therapy kicked in, not even that my wife was getting the same treatment
by Dave McKibben
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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LPGA golfer Jessi Gebhardt at El Tigre Golf Course
a few feet away. It’s probably no coincidence that a few hours later, I hit the golf ball longer and straighter than I have in years. I know they say you’re supposed to get a massage View From Room
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after your round, but it’s amazing how flexible and carefree I felt standing over the ball. It probably didn’t hurt that the rental clubs at Nayar Vidanta Golf Course were Cobra irons and woods, much nicer
than the set I left at home. All 18 holes of Nayar, originally designed by Jim Lipe nine years ago, reopened in August after a four-year renovation project by the Jack Nicklaus Design group. From the black tees, the par-70 course plays every bit of its 6,809 yards. From the whites, it covers 5,909 yards. The first eight holes were tweaked slightly; the remaining 10 were completely reworked in typical Nicklaus fashion. The new layout features more bunkers, deeper bunkers and much more undulation in the fairways and on the greens, but wider fairways and adjacent holes give the resort golfer a fighting chance. “This is a course where you can keep the ball play even if you have a big slice or hook,” said Jesus Torres, director of Vidanta Golf. “There is plenty of room in the fairways and the height of the rough won’t keep you from having a chance to reach the greens.” The highlight of my post-massage round came on the 168-yard, par-three www.golfvacationsmag.com
fourth hole when I launched a seven-iron over a pond and onto the green, just 10 feet below the pin. As I walked toward my ball, I heard claps and “nice shot” coming from a condo that overlooked the green. “Beautiful,” said an elderly man in a perfect Scottish accent. Naturally, I missed my birdie putt, but I had an easy tap in for par. Thanks to a 280-yard drive that split the fairway, I easily made par on the 549yard par-five fifth, Nayar’s longest hole. I didn’t celebrate my two consecutive pars for very long. On my way to the sixth tee, Head Pro Hector Rodriguez alerted me to an eight-foot long crocodile that had apparently wandered over from the Ameca River, which flows to the coast from the Sierra Madre Mountains. As Hector snapped pictures of the reptile lounging by a pond, I sped past, relieved that the croc seemed more interested in being a celebrity than chasing golf carts. My next round wasn’t quite as eventful—no croc sightings. But thanks to my caddie, Martin, who read every putt as if he was Jack Nicklaus, it was just as enjoyable. Martin also gave me some occasional swing advice and constant encourage-
ment. I had struggled some on the back nine especially on the 12th and 13th holes, which are guarded by a large waste bunker that runs along both par-fours. So when I approached the signature 18th hole, a 414-yard par four that played straight into a hefty afternoon breeze, I wasn’t feeling very confident. Somehow I found the energy and focus to crush possibly my longest drive ever, a 290-yard blast that landed in the lush fairway, which is surrounded by water and menacing deep bunkers. “That was into the wind, Senor,” Martin called out. “Not bad.” When I played in early November, the course was busy, but not packed. Torres said that will likely change soon. From December to May, the course operates at full capacity—240 rounds a day. Many days, there is a waiting list. The resort has grown to more than 2,000 rooms. Torres said there will soon be more options for vacation golfers. In 2012, Vidanta Golf will begin building its second course in Nuevo Vallarta, a Greg Norman Signature Design. “We have 65,000 active vacation ownership members and 100,000 overall, so
we could use that new course yesterday,” Torres said. “That’s why there will be a third course. The demand is so high.” Aspiring golfers and serious players will only have to wait until May before the Nicklaus Golf Academy opens. It will be the Nicklaus group’s third such facility in Mexico and their 15th in the world. The academy promises to be one of the world’s most complete instruction and training facilities in the world. “Even if people staying at the resort are not great golfers, these new facilities give them a great opportunity to learn the sport of golf from some great instructors,” Torres said. By the time the academy opens, the Mayan’s new transportation system should be ready to go. A light-rail system will ferry visitors to and from all of the resorts’ restaurants, pools and activities. Each resort has its own schedule of activities for adults and kids. At the Grand Mayan, yoga by the pool is followed by crafts, pool volleyball, bocce ball and our personal favorite, the crazy game or Juego Logo—a Mexican variety show where guests show off their dancing skills before the swim-up bar crowd. Hole #15 at Nayar Vidanta Golf Course
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Since we were without the kids, we didn’t spend much time at the wave pool, water slide or the lazy river. But Kids Club, complete with babysitters, was a big hit with guests that we met. We stayed at the Grand Mayan, where rooms range from the 603-squarefoot Grand Master up to the two-bedroom, two-bath 1,898-square-foot Grand Master Suite. The staff was extremely welcoming and the concierge was full of knowledge and suggestions about activities should we want to venture out for snorkeling, scuba or a day in town. We didn’t hit all dining options over four days, but we tried. Our favorite spot was the Grand Luxxe’s Punta Arena Fish and Seafood Market, which sits a few feet from the beach and is perfect for sunset dining. Get the grilled salmon or seared Ahi for an entrée, but don’t leave without having Dario mix his specialty drink, the flaming Mexican Coffee tableside.
We weren’t expecting fabulous sushi deep in the heart of Mexico, but we were blown away by Gong, an Asian-fusion restaurant next to the pro shop. Get the Kobe beef skewers and seaweed salad for starters and for an entrée, try sharing one of the many delicious noodle dishes or specialty rolls. The dragon roll topped with fresh avocado and mango was our favorite. About Vidanta Golf: The largest golf course operator in Mexico, Vidanta’s award winning courses are located in the most beautiful beaches of Mexico including: Acapulco, Los Cabos, Riviera
Maya, Puerto Peñasco in Sonora and Nuevo Vallarta. To learn more about golf with Grupo Vidanta, visit www.vidantagolf.com. and www.grupovidanta.com. To learn more about the resort destinations such as The Grand Mayan, visit www.vidavacations.com.
Mayan Resort
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Sea Island Golf Club DEFINING SOUTHEAST GOLF By Andy Reistetter
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G
olf writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive "PlayWrite" series with a round of golf on the Seaside Course at Sea Island in Georgia. Ben Crane triumphed in the PGA Tour's McGladrey Classic on the Seaside Course. Along with the Plantation and Retreat courses, Sea Island Golf Club is a premier golfing destination. But there is more to the story. Play along with Reistetter as he discovers a truly unique, world-class golfing experience at Sea Island. There may be five oceans and seven seas, but there is only one Sea Island. What defines a golf course? Eighteen holes? What defines an ocean or a sea? It gets complicated, isn't it all salt water? What defines golf in the southeast United States? I grew up north of the Mason-Dixon Line, playing on golf courses with bent grass greens and Kentucky bluegrass rough. After four years of living in the Southeast, Bermuda grass continues to challenge me. How does one play a shot from the rough around the greens? Why is it harder to read the break on Bermuda greens? But isn't Kentucky south of the Mason-Dixon Line? Why does bluegrass, but not Bermuda grass, grow well up north? Here's the answer to the rub… Play the Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island in Georgia. Sea Island defines southeast golf… golf nestled in the salt marshes in the coastal plains of the Low Country. There is a reason Sea Island has hosted the SEC golf championship since 2001. Sea Island's pedigree goes back to 1927, with Walter Travis designing the original nine holes of the Plantation Course. Harry Colt and C.H. Alison designed a second nine in 1929. In 1999, Tom Fazio redesigned Colt and Alison's work, as well as Joe Lee's Marshside nine (1973), to form the Seaside Course as it is known today.
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Seaside is a design masterpiece. The first nine goes out and back in a counterclockwise fashion, while the second nine follows a clockwise direction. Each of the four par-3s faces its own unique direction. In essence, the layout complicates the gauging of the ocean breezes. Red wicker baskets are the norm on the Seaside Course. The golfer is left in quiet isolation to feel the direction and strength of the wind without the aid of a flag on the stick locating the hole on the green. The PGA Tour thinks this is unfair for its players, so during the McGladrey Classic there are flagsticks on the greens. Golfers with exceptional talent and a desire to have that talent challenged have always come to Sea Island. Bobby Jones first played there in the summer of 1930, just before completing the Grand Slam at Merion Cricket Club in Pennsylvania. Merion has wicker baskets but no crickets. World Golf Hall of Fame member Louise Suggs has been a member of Sea Island since 1955. Whether it is a sponsor's product or a golf club affiliation, Suggs never associates herself with anything other than the best and something she personally believes and trusts in. Sea Island was the place where the best golfers would come for instruction by Davis Love Jr. His son Davis Love III heads up a growing list of professional golfers who make Sea Island their home. Hosted by Davis and his foundation, the McGladrey Classic is a family affair. His brother Mark is the executive director of the tournament. Davis grew up at Sea Island. This is where his heart is. To bring a PGA Tour event to his hometown must be as satisfying as winning the 1997 PGA Championship with Mark on the bag. Every golf shot Love takes has something to do with his father. When he sank the winning putt for his first major championship, a rainbow was present.
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It was as if his father, who had died nine years earlier in an airplane accident, was there smiling his approval for a course well played, a job well done. The golfing face of McGladrey is bigger than only Davis Love III. It includes Chris DiMarco, Natalie Gulbis, and another Sea Island resident, Zach Johnson. While I have been trying for four years to understand how to play golf on Bermuda grass, it took me one round at Sea Island to understand Southern golf. We all know that the lie dictates the shot. Play shots from greenside Bermuda rough like bunker shots. Open the blade up, aim an inch or two behind the ball and blast it softly onto the green. On the green, look for the grain at the edge of the hole cut and play one-third less break than you think you need. We all know that the truth dictates one's life experience. Play Sea Island and enjoy a truly remarkable golfing experience!
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Golf Instruction in Class by Itself at Sea Island Golf Learning Center From instructional DVDs to divine intervention, there are myriad possibilities that hold promise for golfers on the long road to improving their game. Those who are truly serious should get to Sea Island in a hurry. “If someone really wants to improve, no matter their level, there is no better place than Sea Island Golf Learning Center,” says Todd Anderson, Director of Instruction. “Our successes are unmatched in the country.” Indeed. A destination all its own adjacent to The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club and the championship Seaside course, the Golf Learning Center counts three of the country’s top 50 instructors, including Anderson, the 2010 PGA Teacher of the Year. Their approach is holistic, focusing on five core competencies, including Long Game, Short Game, Golf Fitness, Club Fitting and the Mental Game. “Our holistic approach works because there are always limitations in how the body functions or how the equipment performs,” continues Anderson. “People often overlook the mental game entirely, but not here. We examine every different variable from all sides and gear golfers toward proficiency in each.” The Golf Learning Center’s results speak for themselves: Students have garnered 60 wins on major U.S. tours since 2005. PGA professionals Davis Love III, Jonathan Byrd, Matt Kuchar and U.S. Open Champion Lucas Glover are just a handful of the game’s best who train at the Golf Learning Center, while untold amateurs of every skill level arrive daily to polish their game as they never believed they could. Unmatched Team Approach The Golf Learning Center team is led by Todd Anderson, Jack Lumpkin and Mike Shannon, a trio of world-class talent individually hailed by Golf Digest as three of the top 50 golf instructors working today – the highest concentration of talent in the country. Like Anderson after him, Lumpkin was the PGA’s Teacher of the Year in 1995, an honor earned by only 25 professional instructors to date. The faculty goes deeper, employing top sports psychologist Dr. Morris Pickens, author of Learn to Win. “The better you get physically the more important your mental game becomes,” notes Dr. Mo, who helps golfers find balance and keep www.golfvacationsmag.com
sharp through the demands of a three- or four-day tournament. There’s also fitness expert Randy Myers, a Pennsylvania State grad whose Masters thesis, A Strength Training and Flexibility Program for Recreational Golfers, set a new precedent for golf exercise conditioning. Myers has been fundamental in establishing the connection between fitness and golf, concentrating on flexibility as integral to injury prevention and creating an eponymous Golf Stretching Pole that is the only training aid of its kind approved the U.S. Golf Association for players to carry in their bag. Together, the Golf Learning Center faculty serves countless guests each year through one- to threeday training programs that assess fitness levels, swing mechanics, equipment, body function and mechanics with impressive results. If The Club Fits Even deeper, the Golf Learning Center has made a specialty of club fitting, one of the least considered yet most significant aspects of the game. On-staff club fitters are masters of their craft, including Craig Allen, who doubles as the Center’s Manager, and Curtis Leggett, a St. Simons Island native who has plied his talents at Sea Island since 1984. Utilizing advanced technology via Trackman Launch Monitors, Allen and Leggett enable golfers to test the latest equipment from major manufacturers in live conditions or to confirm the performance of their existing clubs. It takes about an hour each for woods and irons, or two hours for both, with hourly rates ranging from $125 for Sea Island guests and Pros. Let’s Golf Newly tuned for optimum performance on both fairway and green, what’s a Sea Island golfer to do? Play golf, of course. Along with the superb practice facilities from a driving range to putting greens, the resort offers three world-class championship courses – Seaside, Plantation and Retreat – as well as Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond-rated luxury accommodation at The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club. For more information or to book a training program at the Sea Island Golf Learning Center, call 800.732.4752 or 912.638.5119. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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RESORTREPORT
ANGELS CAMP, CALIFORNIA
By Fred ROBLEDO
There’s Gold at Greenhorn Creek Resort . . .and Jumping Frogs Too! here are many reasons why the
toric mine towns that were thriving
Greenhorn
during the Gold Rush days in the
T
Creek
Resort
in
Angels Camp, California is a
preferred vacation destination for so many from all over the world.
1850s. That brings up the second point. The history of the area. Angels Camp
First, as real estate agents like to
was named after Henry Angel who
say, it’s location, location, location.
had set up a trading post in 1848,
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra
two years before the Gold Rush.
Nevada mountain range between
Once gold was discovered, that trad-
Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and just a
ing post grew into a thriving commu-
couple of hours east of the bay area,
nity. For those who want to get a
Angels Camp is a gateway to every-
sense of what life was in those days,
thing Calaveras County has to offer.
they can take a tour of Main Street
“There is so much to do here all year,” said Mike Kristoff, the general
where many of the original buildings have been preserved.
manager at Greenhorn Creek Resort.
Greenhorn Creek got its name
“There’s a ski resort nearby, so close you
because it was in an area where inex-
can ski and play golf in the same day.”
perienced “Greenhorn” prospectors
There are also award-winning
were sent down to the creek which
wineries scattered throughout the his-
was believed to be worthless. But gold
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
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RESORTREPORT was discovered in the diggings and it became known as Greenhorn Creek.
which opened in 1996. The Grupe family, renowned as builders of award-win-
Third is the lore of Mark Twain, the celebrated journal-
ning single family homes and master-planned communi-
ist whose first successful short story, The Celebrated
ties, purchased the property just before the turn of the cen-
Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, is the reason the area
tury and has continued its legacy of commitment to caring
celebrates the Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee
for people, the community and the environment.
every year during the third weekend in May. It is no small
Fritz Grupe knew he had something special, but he
event. Visitors from all over the world come to see if any
wanted more, so he hired an old friend, Robert Trent Jones
frog can break the world record of 21 feet, 5 ≤ inches set
II, to redesign the golf course in 1996. Soon thereafter,
by Rosie the Ribeter in 1986.
the course began collecting various awards as one of the
And finally there is the Greenhorn Creek Resort, for
most spectacular courses in Northern California.
which golfers can thank the vision of Barden Stevenot
But it’s more than the golf course that makes Greenhorn
and Fritz Grupe. Stevenot recognized the beauty of the
Creek a world class resort. It also has a Golf Academy,
land with its undulating hills and majestic oaks and
30 practice stalls on the driving range and chipping and
knew it would be the perfect setting for a golf course
putting greens. All of it sits in the shadow of a stunning
and community. Don Boos designed the original course
lodge that features a well-stocked golf shop and the highly acclaimed Camps Restaurant which offers regional produce, fine wines, hand-cut meats and steaks, fresh fish and hand-tossed salads. Camps is also a favorite of the locals on weekends because of the music for listening and dancing pleasure. On my recent trip to Greenhorn Creek, my day started with a hearty breakfast at Camps. Then before embarking on my round, I asked Kristoff what to expect from the conditions on the course. “I would rather let you experience that for yourself,” Kristoff said. “I am pretty certain you are going to like it.” That turned out to be a vast understatement. The layout of the course follows the rolling contours of the lush land between majestic oaks, down through some creek-lined valleys, across wetlands all set to a backdrop of the towering Sierra foothills. The fairways have ample width in the driving areas with plenty of bunkers in strategic areas to give long hitters options. The greens were extremely quick, but in pristine condition and putts rolled true. Despite the speed of the greens, they didn’t have many putts that broke sharply. The breaks were subtle and one has to pay attention to the
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ANGELS CAMP, CALIFORNIA direction of the foothills and the water on the course. The condition of the course was flawless. I never had a bad lie in a fairway and the rough was consistent and fair. There is even a sense of history on the course. The lakes
The long hitters play them from 494 to 592 yards. The par 3s range from 157 to 213 yards and one must navigate wetlands, lakes, bunkers or elevation on most of them.
on the 5th, 6th and 7th holes were originally a drainage
The 13th hole is the signature hole and you should bring
area where miners panned for gold in the 1860s and 70s,
a camera and take it all in before you play it. From the ele-
and a standing chimney and rock wall on the 4th hole are
vated tee, you are treated to a panoramic view of the Sierra
historical sites from the golden era.
foothills. The hole only measures 150 yards from the tips, but
Although it’s a par 72 course, it is different from most with
the elevation of the tee makes the hole play about two clubs
five par 5s and five par 3s and you will never encounter a
shorter. The problem in trying to figure out distance is the
hole that resembles another. They are each different and
pond that guards the right half of the green, the swirling
memorable. It is rare that I come off a course for the first time
winds and the series of bunkers behind the green that catch-
and can remember every single hole.
es shots from those who overclub because of the water.
There are five sets of tees ranging from 6,749 yards
I would like to report I played the hole perfectly from 135
from the Golds (73.2 rating, 142 slope) to 4,887 yards
yards, but I would be lying. My first shot found the lake; my
from the Greens (69.5 rating, 122 slope), but at this course
second was well left of the green, but dry. A chip and two
they create two more sets of tees by combining some Blue
putts gave me a double bogey.
and White tees and calling it the Blue/White Combo, and
The closing hole is a reachable par 5, even from the Gold
some Red and White tees as the Red/White Combo. I
tees at 485 yards. It’s pretty straight away with a wide fair-
opted for the Blue/White Combo tees at 6,014 yards (70
way but the problem for long hitters comes with a second
rating, 133 slope).
shot that has to avoid a group of trees which are in front of
Players with handicaps in the 10-18 range are encour-
the lake that protects the large green.
aged to play the Blue/White Combo tees and they meshed
This is a course where you come off the last green want-
well with my game – short but straight off the tee, fairly good
ing another crack at it. Once you learn where to hit your tee
iron player, a good putter on some days. Even from the tees
shots, you are sure you will be able to improve the second
I played, I found myself using every club I had.
time around. But here’s a tip for you when you play it the sec-
Three of the par 4s were less than 350 yards which
ond time. Try to play at about the same time. The course can
enabled me to play them with a driver and iron (on those
be much different in the afternoon when the wind tends to
holes where I hit good drives). For the better players, they
kick up than in the morning when all is calm.
stretch from 382 to 460 yards.
Morning or afternoon, however, it is an outstanding track,
There were dogleg and trees on some of the short par 4s
worthy of all of the accolades it has received. I left the course
which brought options into play. There were also deep
thinking this would be a great place for small groups or golf
ravines and plenty of wetlands waiting for bad decisions or
clubs to hold their annual club championships or their annu-
errant shots.
al road trips.
Four of the par 5s were in the 475 to 485 range. Again,
“That’s exactly what we had in mind when we built the
this allowed me two hit two good shots to leave myself short
Caddy Shack,” said Kristoff. “We think the Caddy Shack is
irons into the greens. Putting two good shots in a row is not
the perfect place for small groups of 12 or fewer golfers.”
my forte, but I was rewarded on this course when I did so. www.golfvacationsmag.com
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RESORTREPORT range, the Caddy Shack opened in September and is a 5-bedroom unit that includes a kitchen, a family room with a high def TV set and a game room. Outside is a barbecue, a patio, picnic tables and a horse shoe pit. For larger groups, there are many two and three-bedroom cottages available with weekday and weekend rates beginning at $200 per night. Each home features a full kitchen with all the amenities necessary for entertaining. There are also guest suites available in some of the cottages beginning at $125 per night. Those staying at the Caddy Shack or in one of the cottages also have access to the Fitness Center, the pool
STAY AND PLAY GOLD COUNTRY GOLF PACKAGE Stay at Greenhorn Creek Resort or Saddleback Creek Resort for one or two nights and play each course on subsequent days. The package begins at $99 per person per day and the two-night stay includes: • 18 holes of golf on each course, including cart and range balls. • Lodging for foursomes in a resort condominium or cottage at Greenhorn Creek or a bungalow at Saddle Creek. Couples may stay, for the same price per person, in a bungalow suite at Saddle Creek, Cottage suite or one bedroom condo at Greenhorn Creek. • Group lodging is available at the Caddy Shack for up to 12 golfers. Groups can also stay in condos, bungalows or cottages. Call for group or tournament rates. • Weekend packages are available. One night packages are available midweek with golf on arrival and the following day at the participating course. Advance reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call Greenhorn Creek Resort at 888-736-5900 or Saddle Creek at 800-611-7722.
and Jacuzzi and the tennis courts. Although the Greenhorn Creek resort was the highlight of my brief trip, I was in the area long enough to visit a few of the legendary wineries and some of the historic towns in the area. But at the end of the day, it was the memories of the spectacular golf course that stayed with me.
WHERE TO STAY Greenhorn Creek Resort 711 McCauley Ranch Road Angels Camp, CA 95222 209-729-8111 www.Greenhorncreek.com Saddleback Creek Resort 1001 Saddle Creek Drive Copperopolis, CA 95228 800-611-7722 www.Saddlecreek.com 32
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HISTORICAL MUSEUMS Angels Camp Museum 753 S. Main Street Angels Camp, CA 95222 209-736-2963 Features more than three acres of historic treasures and exhibits including Mark Twain exhibit.
Calaveras County Museum Complex 30 N. Main Street San Andreas, CA 95249 209-754-4658 Features courthouse, jail where legendary outlaw Black Bart was held and Hall of Records.
Murphys Old Timers Museum 470 Main Street Murphys, CA 95247 209-728-1160 Dedicated to the history and preservation of artifacts of Murphys and its generations since the Gold Rush.
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SWEETSTUFF A
UR, which is owned by Fletcher Leisure Group in Canada, is emerging as one of the newest and hippest lines of golf clothing going into 2012. With bold colors and an athletic fit that is “more compact with more impact,” this emerging brand is sure to make a splash in the golfing community in the New Year.
pants and shorts. Classic colors of black, taupe, navy and charcoal highlight this collection. Finally, AUR Aware is the company’s strongest growth category and an attempt to give a little back to our ailing planet. This is AUR “doing its part” with a list of fabric stories including: The Spring 2012 color palette for men featuring basic must-haves in a myriad of colors that all merchandise back to the men’s fashion collections. An assortment of cool greys and black mixed with additional bright blasts of color--flex blue and wasabi--are the highlight colors for men. In addition they have added a more traditional bright navy and blue granite collection for the more conservative golfer. For women, distinctive style, fine quality and an aura of sophistication lends itself nicely to a golf collection that is current and onthe-ball. Fashion driven Urban Garden features bright Peony paired with plaid bottoms featuring a new slim cut plaid Capri. Water Trace features Blue Glass with Black accents to provide a sporty, fun look. Skylight is all about the fashion girl who loves trendy prints. Periwinkle and Navy are the base colors for this group with a trendy Pucci inspired print. For more information on AUR Golf Apparel: www.aurgolf.com
O
AUR has three distinct categories for “All That You Are.” Starting with the AUR Active Collection, which boasts performance driven designs, this category features a polyester double-knit DriMax™. These polos feature the stretch of Spandex, a soft, supple hand feel and a lightweight drape that makes it ideal for golf. Synthetic fibres create a strong, crease resistant fabric that is quick drying and maintains its shape. Next is the AUR Authentic category. This collection is the home for a more traditional golf inspired assortment of sweaters, vests, 34
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ne of the hottest drivers to hit the market this fall is the Tour Edge XCG5, part of the company’s Exotics line of premium clubs by a company known for easy to hit woods that can take it long. This latest effort from Tour Edge does not disappoint. It has a full 460cc head-right at the USGA limit - and instills a sense of confidence at address and a light feel that makes this new offering fun to hit. With a deep center of gravity and the available Graphite Design Tour AD shaft the weighs in at on 42 ounces; this driver sports a feathery feel on the tee with a high launch angle. The XCG5 driver features Tour Edge’s one-of-a-kind combobrazing process to join the titanium face and body to an ultrathin beta titanium crown. In fact, no other driver sold in the United States uses brazing because it’s too expensive and time consuming. Instead, most drivers weld face plates to the body to save cost. This method does not allow for full face flexion and maximum forgiveness like brazing. Combo-brazing is utilized when only the highest quality joints are needed. The crown and body must be fitted to 1/1000th of an inch and the base metals must be exceptionally clean and free of oxides. The process is expensive because it must be performed inside a vacuum chamber over several hours. The end result is exceptional because it greatly reduces residual part stresses through slow heating and cooling cycles. This, in turn, significantly improves the thermal and mechanical properties of the material for truly exceptional performance. Unique to golf, the XCG5’s special beta titanium crown material is ultrathin and lighter than the previous carbon crown found in the XCG4. This material dramatically improves sound
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SWEETSTUFF while allowing weight to be added to the rear of the sole via the Six Point Perimeter Weighting System. This system lowers the center of gravity and moves it deeper and further back in the sole for longer, more forgiving drives. To maximize spring-like effect, Tour Edge increased the XCG5’s face size by 12% over previous models. The boomerang face offers multiple levels of variable face thickness that supercharge the rebound effect from more points on the face. By thinning and thickening the face, the v-shaped boomerangs allow for the maximum elongation of the titanium for enhanced feel and hotter launch. Power is also enhanced by generating greater swing speed through an advanced aerodynamic shape that has a visibly sloped crown and sole to reduce drag and improve airflow for enhanced swing speed. In addition, the XCG5 is available in a swing speed enhancing ultralight versions and super ultralight versions that is one of the lightest drivers on the market. The super ultralight features a sub 26-gram Winn Lite Exotics grip and the Graphite Design AD shaft. The ultralight version comes standard in the Fujikura Blur 50 gram and Aldila RIP Sigma 60 gram version with the Exotics White New Decade grip. The Exotics XCG5 driver is guaranteed longer than your current driver by Tour Edge. If it is not longer than your current driver, the club can be returned under Tour Edge’s 30-day Play Guarantee for a store credit or refund depending on the retailer’s policy. For more information on the Tour Edge XCG5 driver: www.touredge.com
T
he new TRX Rip Trainer™ is an innovative new training device that is simple but very effective for all levels of exercise and training—from the beginner to the advanced athlete--and perfect for golfers looking to get in better shape this winter. Its innovative lever bar and resistance cord system creates a variable, asymmetric load, ideal for training balance, explosive power, or
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adding a high-intensity metabolic challenge to workouts. Originally created to meet the needs of combat sport athletes and physical therapists, the Rip Trainer provides a unique mix of rotational resistance, core stability, and coordination training. It is scalable to all levels of fitness, easily portable and can be used virtually anywhere by attaching it to any secure anchor point, such as a door jam. This is an excellent device to build strength in what trainers call the 3-D plane because you move in golf - as in everyday life - from all angles. It excels at enabling dynamic and explosive rotational movements that create a high metabolic demand. Created by a former two-time US National Tae kwon do champion - Pete Holman - the TRX Rip Trainer™ uses the variable asymmetrical loading of the resistance cord to constantly challenge your balance and demand maximal muscle recruitment. Plus, it is highly portable and attaches in seconds to any secure anchor point so that you can use it anywhere. The easy to use bar with resistance cord comes with a very concise and easy to follow DVD explaining some of the principals of precision postural movements and some good advice about preventing injuries to the spine while building a stronger core, something that is most beneficial in the golf swing. Real time exercises are included in the 60-minute DVD so you can basically follow along with the instruction as you work out. The 25-page, 18excercise Workout Guide included along with the video is a great handout and reference manual after watching the DVD and includes a step-by-step process to build an exercises program using the Rip Trainer, complete with photos, tips on technique and best practices in exercise movement. TRX seems to have everything covered here for comprehensive training programs that utilizes the same integrated movement patterns that you use in life and sport...all while strengthening your muscles, improving your endurance, building core strength and helping to prevent injury. For more information on the Rip Trainer: www.trxtraining.com by Terry Ross
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • D E C E M B E R 2011
35
MYTURN
by JAMESMcAFEE
Golf Don’t and Marriage / Always Mix W
hile my wife Betty might disagree, I’ve never felt that my love for golf would ever cause us to think about divorce like it probably did in some of the stories I’ve heard. On a nice sunny day in June, Victor showed up as usual to join his regular group on the first tee. All of a sudden, a woman in a wedding gown came running from the parking lot. She had tears streaming down her face and screamed, “I can’t believe it. How could you do that?” Victor calmly answered, “I said only if it’s raining.” If this couple did get married on a rainy day, it’s likely that golf became a problem later, especially if she ever issued an ultimatum like the following wife. Pat explained to his regular foursome that Gloria had put her foot down and threatened to leave him if he did not quit playing on the weekend. “We can always get Bob to join us as he’s still single,” one of the others said. “No, I’ll be here next week, but I am sure going to miss Gloria,” Pat answered. “She was a terrific cook and handled all of the finances.” Another wife named Mary Ann made the mistake of taking Ed’s clubs out of the car and leaving them in the garage when she decided to go out shopping. On returning home, the clubs were missing. Ed was upset, but went out and got some new ones. Mary Ann called a friend
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later to say Ed had left. “Oh, he has threatened to do that many times,” the friend said. “I’m sure he’ll be back.” Mary Ann sobbed, “Not this time; he took his new set of clubs.” This situation might have worked out better if Ed had an insurance agent like I did when my clubs burned in a car fire. Insurance covered it and I got new clubs and even had some money left over for a nice golf vacation. A wife of 40 years, Cathy, asked her husband, Carl, what he would do with their house if she happened to die first and he got remarried. “It would just make sense to keep it,” Carl answered. “Well. What about my Cadillac?” she asked. “It has been dependable and we’d probably keep it,” he said. “What about my clubs? she asked. “No way,” he answered. “She’s left-handed.” This conversation may have ended that marriage. Even if the wife also played golf, there is always the possibility of something like this happening. Playing with Sue in an alternate shot format, Lawrence hit a drive of 300 yards down the middle of the fairway. Sue shanked her wedge into nearby trees. Lawrence threaded the small opening with pinpoint accuracy and rolled the ball to within five feet. “Hit it easy and off the toe,” Lawrence said, noting how it was downhill. Sue rolled the putt 10 feetpast the cup. While a little miffed, Lawrence rolled the putt in for a bogey. On the way to the next tee, Lawrence tried to encourage Sue and said, “We just need to do better on the next hole.” Sue countered, “Don’t blame me. I only took two strokes.” Sounds like grounds for divorce to me. Another husband playing in an alternate shot event solved a similar problem by telling his wife to just whiff the next shot. Of course, he later discovered that was against the rules. In closing, here’s more proof that golf can be an addiction just like drugs and isn’t just limited to husbands. Playing with her regular group of women, everyone was amazed when Linda took off her golf hat and stood silently for a moment when a funeral procession came by. She had never done that before. “It’s the least I could do,” Linda said. “We would have been married for 42 years next month.”
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