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FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO I SHADOW HILLS GOLF CLUB NEW PAR-3
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GOLF VACATIONS FEBRUARY 2010
PALM SPRINGS SPECIAL ISSUE:
ESCENA GOLF CLUB SHINES EXTRAORDINARY CLASSIC CLUB PLUS:
SYCUAN RESORT
54
HOLES OF TRUE GOLF PARADISE
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contents I february 2010
cover
8
stories
Palm Springs Has It All by Michael Villalpando
With more than 120 golf courses stuffed into an area that is only 303 square miles, you can’t turn too many corners in Palm Springs without running into a place to play.
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Classic Club: Simply Extraordinary
16
Gambling, Golf and a Whole Lot More
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8
by Bob Black
One of the most spectacular SoCal desert designs by Arnold Palmer has become more accessible than ever with some new changes and innovations to a course that served host to the Bob Hope Classic.
12
by Terry Ross
In a place known more for its golf than wagering, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has become the Palm Springs desert area’s premier stop when it comes to gambling, entertainment and golf activities.
54 Holes of Golfing Paradise at Sycuan by Tom LaMarre
A short distance from downtown San Diego, discover a unique destination that's unlike typical San Diego golf resorts. Start with worldclass golf that surpasses other Southern California golf resorts.
departments 22 SpotLight
16
by Terry Ross
Escena Golf Club Becoming New Star in Palm Springs
24 ChipShot New North Course at Shadow Hills Golf Club
25 Destinations Your Link To Great Resort Golf Locales
on the cover: Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs, CA
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G O L F VA C AT I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0
www.gvlinks.com
PHOTO BY CHRIS MILLER
A PREMIER GOLF EXPERIENCE
./7 /0%.
Feb-Apr 2010 ' / , & s $ ) . ) . ' s - % % 4 ) . ' &! # ) , ) 4 ) % 3 0'! '/,& ).3425#4)/.
Conveniently located off I-10 at Cook St.
760-601-3600 Go To www.PlayClassicClub.com to Book Your Tee Times Online Now! Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,速 the leader in upscale golf course management.
$125
Player * Per 7 Days a Week
2-1-10 thru 4-30-10
*rate includes $15 voucher for lunch at classic club Includes: green fee with shared golf cart with GPS, range balls, unlimited bottled water, divot tool, ball marker and yardage book. Call for tee times up to 30 days in advance, based on availability.
CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California. Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Michael Villalpando is a Los Angeles based travel writer. He is also publisher of the Park La Brea News and The Beverly Press, both local weekly publications covering news and events in the Los Angeles area. Michael and his wife Karen also run The Melrose Media Group, a successful L.A. based media rep firm.
Associate Editor Terry Ross Online Content Editor Bruce Binder Features Editor Larry Feldman For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 • e-mail: JD@GVLinks.com
Bob Black has played golf since he was 12 years old and led his high school golf team as a top finisher in the conference championships while growing up in Illinois. He lived and played the sport in the Seattle area for 26 years before moving to the San Diego region where he regularly writes about golf in the Southwest.
Regional Advertising New York • 518-789-3005 Jon Meigs - jon@meigsmedia.com Chicago • 630-871-9417 Patrick Keane - patkeane@comcast.net
Tom LaMarre has been a sportswriter for some 40 years, including long stints with the Oakland Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. He was the Tribune’s beat writer with the Oakland Raider for seven seasons in the 1970’s and has written two books, “Winning Offensive Football” with quarterback Kenny Stabler and “Stadium Stories: The Oakland Raiders.” Tom makes his home in Orlando
Atlanta • 770-971-1616 John Reock - reock@mindspring.com San Diego • 619-889-7706 Bob Black - bobblack@cox.net San Diego • 619-709-4425 Wayne McCollum - wayne@gvlinks.com
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
OVER 40 COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM
Online Directory Advertising
199
$
Palm Springs • 760-774-1752 Bruce Binder - bruce@gvlinks.com
00
(per person-double occupancy plus tax) Limited offer – Based on availability
Mix & Match your golf courses and hotels Ask about our Private Reserve Exclusive private country clubs Book 2 weeks to 1 month in advance and
SAVE 10% TO 50% OVER POSTED RATES Course Weekdays Weekends Call Today Classic Club For Details Desert Willow Trilogy Call Today Indian Canyons South For Details Desert Princess Call Today Palm Desert Country Club For Details Rancho Mirage Country Club 6
G O L F VA C AT I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0
Published by
President Jeffrey Diaz 100 S. Sunrise Way., Suite 257 Palm Springs, California 92262 1-800-940-7816 • fax 214-889-3667
and For reservations or inquires contact Bill Cannedy Golf Vacations Magazine Travel Concierge
Destiny Media, LLC
mrgolf@dc.rr.com
President/CEO James A. Diaz
(760) 902-5587
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 2010 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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destination You know what will make your wedding day perfect. We know where you’ll find it. DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT
866-621-9461 www.desertwillow.com Located at Desert Willow Drive off Country Club between Cook Street & Portola Avenue in Palm Desert.
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2010
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For Winter
Golf Palm Springs Has it All! by Michael Villalpando
W
hen it comes to winter golf, probably no location in the United States is more associated with the sport and relaxing holidays than this collection of quant resort communities that is about a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles and has become known as the Palm Springs desert area of Southern California. With more than 120 golf courses stuffed into an area that is only 303 square miles, you can’t turn too many corners in this area formally known as the Coachella Valley without running into a place to play. Long known for its soothing and healing mineral springs and abundant sunshine that radiates down 350 days of the year, the Palm Springs area has a rich tradition of golf that dates back before World War II when Hollywood celebrities would spend winters in the Palm Springs village. Even though the City of Palm Springs is the namesake for the area, newer cities to the east such as Cathedral City, Rancho
Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta have actually fueled the recent golf tourism boom in this area along with Indio, one of the oldest towns in the region. If old Hollywood made this area its playground, then golf’s boom in the 1950s and 60s gave them something to do here and served as a catalyst for professional golf. Two Ryder Cup matches between the United State and Great Britain were played in the Palm Springs area during the 1950s, and some of the biggest names in the profession like Ben Hogan worked during the winter as teaching pros at some of the local clubs to make extra money when they weren’t on tour. The Bob Hope Classic, a five-day, 90hole PGA Tour event grew out of this Palm Springs golf-celebrity attraction to this desert oasis, and since 1960 has been one of the lead-off attractions on the West Coast Swing of the Tour season. It annually brings together 128 professionals and 384 amateurs
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2010
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and celebrities that make for a fun-filled January week of golf and entertainment. From the days when Hope and his friends like Jackie Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Jack Benny and Bing Crosby were regulars in the celebrity field--to the current day names like Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, William Devane, Anthony Anderson, Dennis Quaid and Alice Cooper, the Classic has been the symbol of the close relationship between celebrities and golf. Arnold Palmer, who won the Hope a record five times, has left his mark throughout the area with his many golf designs, including SilverRock Resort and his own Palmer Private layout at PGA West that are used in the four-course rotation for the Bob Hope Classic. This tournament is the only one on Tour that has the amateurs and celebrities playing for the first four days with the professionals and the pros only for the fifth and final round. At one time there were six professional events being staged in this area in one year, and although that number has dwindled from the days when events like the Skins Game and the Lexus
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Challenge were played less than a month apart, there are plenty of events to watch when you don’t feel like playing. The Kraft Nabisco, one of the majors on the LPGA Tour, is one of the top spring golf attractions in the Palm Springs area and is played at the beginning of April at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. For even more celebrity watching, there is the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament February 18-20 that raises funds for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. Known as “Frank’s little party in the desert,” Barbara and Frank Sinatra started the event in 1988 and this year the event moves to Eagle Falls Golf Club and the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio. This venue also hosts The Palm Springs Playboy Scramble featuring Playboy Playmates, along with Hollywood celebrities and select casino guests, during the fall just before the holiday season and is played in mid-November. Throw in great weather and golf courses, and the Palm Springs area is full of places to watch, play and just about breathe golf, especially during those winter months when choices are limited.
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• All Suite Hotel • Just Minutes Away From World Class Golf Courses • Complimentary Full Breakfast Every Morning • Sunday through Thursday Complimentary Hosted Reception • Stay & Play Golf Packages
Ask for th e
Golf Vaca tions Magazine Special Ra te
36999 Cook Street • Palm Desert
760-568-1600
www.palmdesert.homewoodsuites.com
Simp Sim
photo by Chris Miller • Imagine Imagery
By Bob Black
ply Extraordinary mply
O
ne of the most spectacular Southern California desert designs by Arnold Palmer—the Classic Club—has become more accessible than ever with some new changes and innovations to this newer course that served as the host to the Bob Hope Classic for three years (2006-2008) and is owned by a renowned charitable foundation.
Located adjacent to Palm Desert next to Interstate 10, the Classic Club, which is professionally managed by Troon Golf, was developed and is owned by the H.N and Frances C. Berger Foundation as a community benefit project. The upshot for the golf community and visitors to this area is that both local and vacationing players can now access this wonderful facility at greatly reduced fees-- but with the same great service and amenities.
photo by Chris Miller • Imagine Imagery
For charitable organizations the Classic Club is now offering greatly reduced greens fees year-round to qualifying organizations for charity tournaments on the 18-hole championship course. The goal is to maximize charitable fundraising efforts by encouraging economical tournaments during prime season. “The Classic Club provides an extraordinary golf experience with unmatched dedication to our community,” said Ron Auen, President of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Rates are now about 20 percent lower than comparable Coachella Valley public golf courses and reflect the Classic Club’s priority to being first and foremost a charitable golf course. After purchasing a Classic Club resident card this season for $15, Valley residents pay only $45 for each 18-hole round. Resident guests pay only $90. The peak rate plus lunch is only $125 from December 28, 2009-May 17, 2010. All players receive exceptional amenities with those daily rates: golf cart with GPS, unlimited bottled water, yardage book, range balls, divot tool and ball marker. “Our rates give more people in the Coachella Valley and those visiting an opportunity to play on a magnificent championship course that has been ranked between Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines, two of the most celebrated courses in California,” said Greg Rubino, Classic Club General Manager. Additional amenities at the Classic Club can accommodate groups of 10-400 with food and beverage service in private rooms, banquet facilities and picturesque outdoor spaces. The three-story, 63,000-square-foot, Tuscan Village-inspired clubhouse houses the Classic Grill, which serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. The new fine-dining restaurant, Bellatrix, is open for lunch every day and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. The views from the clubhouse overlooking the cascading waterfall and mountain vistas offer a great setting for dinner, casual drinks after a round or with friends. The golf shop, which was recently named on Golf World’s “2009 List of Best 100 Golf Shops,” features men’s and ladies apparel and popular brands including Nike, Adidas, Greg Norman, Travis Mathew, Club Glove, Titleist, Callaway and more. This is a “new breed” of desert course—and one that should be on anyone’s the list to play during a visit to the Southern California desert. 14
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It is definitely a high-end golf experience with service to match. The 18-hole championship course offers five tee options for a challenge at any level. The course features rolling terrain outlined with Pine, Dogwood, Pepperwood and Olive trees, offset with flowering bushes, shrubs and pine straw ground cover. Wide landing areas, stunning water features and 360-degree views of the surrounding Chocolate, Little San Bernardino, San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain ranges make this course an incomparable experience. The Zagat Survey rates the renowned course and amenities as one of America’s Top Golf Courses. This par-72 layout truly tests the pros from 7,305 yards, but yet is very playable for the recreational or vacationing golfer, with rolling terrain accented with elevated tees. In terms of course conditions, this is as good as it gets with lush, spacious fairways and 30 acres of lakes and streams. Although there are five sets of tees, most players usually will play from the White (6,467 yards) or Gold (5,872) tees, since the Blues at 6,947 yards are recommended for better single-digit handicappers who can bomb it. The rye grass and poa greens are some of the purest you will find, and the large putting surfaces create some great opportunities to test your short game. The Palmer design, heavily influenced by senior architect Vicki Martz with help from PGA Tour Design, is probably one of the best layouts that the firm has done in the area and features 18 holes that have a lot of character and can be played a number of ways, depending on you’re your skill level and tolerance for risk. For example, the finishing hole is a 483-yard par-five from the White tees that can be reached in two with a good drive, but in order to do so you have to hit the approach shot over water that protects the 18th green—leaving bogey or worse in the equation, but also making eagle a distinct possibility. The back-nine presents more challenges than the front with holes and 10 and 11 longish par fours that feature water down the right side that demand accurate drives. Hole 17 may be one of the most fun par threes on the course and can be played anywhere from 90 to 176 yards. For more information: www.classicclubgolf.com or www.hnberger.org. To book a tee time call 760-601-3600. www.gvlinks.com
orre T HOMEWOOD SUITES - Palm Desert
Where to Stay When You’re Here To Play
S
ome of the best stay-and-play packages available in the Palm Springs valley area are being offered by the Homewood Suites—Palm Desert, which is located at the center of this golf destination in the mid-valley city of Palm Desert. Courses such as Desert Willow, the Classic Club and Indian Springs are among the nearby golf choices that the Homewood Suites has available for golf vacationers, making this an excellent choice for either a short stay or an extended visit during the spectacular winter months in the desert. Great seasonal rates are available at this new hotel that features not only beautifully appointed full suites in all of its rooms, but also include a kitchen, dishwasher, full-size refrigerator, dining table/ workstation, high speed internet capability, two televisions and a luxurious feel with all the finer appointments. Studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom suites are available for family stays, and the pool, Jacuzzi and fitness areas provide all of the comforts of home. The Homewood Suites Palm Desert is also a pet friendly hotel and their efficient, courteous staff is very accommodating. In the mornings, a complimentary hot buffet breakfast is avail-
able in the lobby seven days a week, and from Monday through Thursday there is a complimentary reception in the evening that features a light meal and beverages-- including wine and beer. Another winter extra is the local restaurants that are featured several times a month during the weekday Manager’s Happy Hour with some of the best food offerings in the area. All of this is included at no cost for guests at the Homewood Suites. Located on Cook Street near the I-10 Highway and just across from the new Cal State San Bernardino and University of California Riverside campuses in Palm Desert, the Homewood Suites is perfectly situated in the middle of dozens of world-class golf courses that have been made famous by the many professional tour events that have been played in the Valley over the years. In addition to the many golf options available for guests, the Homewood Suites Palm Desert has a number of new family and entertainment packages that make this a great choice for a winter golf vacation. For more information and details on the many golf packages available, call Eric at (760-601-1607) or www.palmdesert.homewoodsuites.com
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
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Gambling, Golf and a Whole Lot More
by
Terry Ross
I
n a place known more for its golf than wagering, the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has become the Palm Springs desert area’s premier stop when it comes to gambling, entertainment and golf activities. It is probably the area’s closest rendition of a Vegas-style casino resort with 250 luxury rooms rising 12 stories off of the desert floor next to Interstate 10 in the eastern end of what locals call the Coachella Valley. With a 75,000-square foot casino and a 100,000-square foot Special Events Center known for its top entertainment year-round, together with the Eagle Falls Golf Course next door, this complex stands out among the all-inclusive resorts in the area. Owned by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Fantasy Springs has earned a reputation as one of the top entertainment spots with championship boxing, top concert attrac-
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tions and comedians. The Special Events Center is also one of the more popular venues for trade shows and conventions in this desert that is just a two-hour drive from the Los Angeles basin. The hotel itself features modern rooms and suites with oversized bathrooms that have granite counters, flat-screen televisions and concierge service, while the Casino itself has more than 2,000 slots and more than 40 table games. The Triple Crown Room on the casino floor handles off-track betting and 60 oversized plasma TV’s show horse racing from all over the world. There are five distinct dining options available, but the favorite is the Players Steakhouse that serves the choicest cuts of meat, seafood and more. The 12th Floor Wine Bar is where the action is on most nights, with live entertainment and dancing available while
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2010
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looking out over the desert lights on the indoor-outdoor patio—it’s an ambiance that shouldn’t be overlooked while visiting. The Eagle Falls Golf Club was added to the Resort in 2007 and was quickly named among the Top Five in the region for public-access courses. One of the bonuses is that it is just steps from the hotel and casino at Fantasy Springs, and provides a scenic test of golf in the shadow of the Santa Rosa and Chocolate Mountains. From its finely manicured, wide, generous fairways to the rolling terrain and ample bunkering around the greens, Eagle Falls is an excellent test of golf at 6,715 yards from the tips. Driver is a good play on most holes, but selecting and hitting the proper target and staying away from the many pot bunkers is the key to scoring on this course. With the natural
grasses that line the fairways (and can find your ball if you stray) Eagle Falls is not as easy as it may first appear and there are numerous risk-reward situations that can make those $5 Nassau’s interesting. The short par four 11th hole challenges you to go for it and the par five holes, while not long, can be tricky because of the strategic bunkering by architect Clive Clark. The spectacular 44-foot waterfall on the closing par five 18th hole is one of the course highlights, and at only 478 yards from the back “Eagle” tees, is a real opportunity for a three for better players. Because of the reputation and conditioning of the course, along with the entertainment possibilities at the Fantasy Springs
Resort and Casino, two of the area’s biggest amateur celebrity events are now being held there. The Palm Springs Playboy Scramble that features more than 40 Girls of Playboy and numerous Playmates of the Month, along with Hollywood celebrities and select casino guests, is played in mid-November and features some lively parties with the participants both before and after the one-day tournament, not to mention some of the finest food in the desert during the awards banquet and show at the Events Center. This event has been played at Fantasy Springs for the past three years and continues to be one of the highlight events in the desert during the fall season. For the first time, Eagle Falls will play host to the 21st Frank
Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament February 18-20 that raises funds for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. Known as “Frank’s little party in the desert,” Barbara and Frank Sinatra founded the event in 1988 that has become one of the best draws of the winter season in the area. The Fantasy Springs Casino and Eagle Falls Golf Course, although relative newcomers to the Palm Springs array of golf destinations, have quickly earned a reputation as one of the friendliest and lively spots to visit while vacationing in the Southern California desert. More information on the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and Eagle Falls Golf Course can be obtained at www.FantasySpringsResort.com
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2010
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by Tom LaMarre
54 Holes of True
Golfing Paradise
A
short distance from downtown San Diego, discover a unique destination that's unlike typical San Diego golf resorts. Sycuan Resort is the premiere vacation destination among resorts in San Diego, CA. Start with world-class golf that surpasses other Southern California golf resorts. With two, 18-hole championship courses, and a fun 18-hole par 3 course, Sycuan offers something for every golfer, from beginner to expert. Recently recognized for the fifth consecutive year as the #1 golf course in San Diego by readers of the San Diego Union Tribune SignOnSanDiego.com and as the top courses by the San Diego Business Journal, Sycuan Resort is truly a golfer's paradise. And take advantage of their Golf Academy, which includes incredible practice facilities with top professional instruction. Golf lessons for kids are available at Sycuan Resort too.
Willow Glen Willow Glen is a challenging par-72 course with tight, narrow fairways and
“
strategically placed bunkers. The Sweetwater River occasionally runs along the course and its channel comes into play on many of the holes, providing for fantastic scenery and challenging shots. The course contains several dogleg holes and many elevation changes and water crossings that will challenge and entertain the golfer throughout the day. Willow Glen opened in 1968, and was redesigned in 1980 by Ted Robinson. After a beautiful opening hole, Willow Glen offers a challenging and rewarding par-4 second. At only 311 yards from the middle tees, this rather short dogleg left requires nothing more than a mid-iron off the tee. Hitting anything more than that is a great risk, as the trees surrounding the approach to the green make an escape demanding. The two-tiered green is shaped like an hourglass, and flanked by sand traps on either side. If you misjudge your approach, you will be left with a long putt that will change elevation along the way, making speed difficult to get right. One of the most visually pleasing holes on the course is the par-4 fourth. Again, distance is not as important as accuracy
here (308 yards from the whites, 323 yards from the blues), and keeping your driver in the bag will reap rewards. Waiting approximately 220 yards away from the elevated tee is a rather large pond that sits in between the fairway and the green. The undulating green is extremely large. Leaving a long putt for birdie will quite often result in bogey. Finishing off the front nine is a beautiful, short par-3 that plays from 159 to 184 yards. The tee shot is hit over a canal onto a narrow, elevated green. If you miss the putting surface, your ball will likely fall off the slope of the hillside, no matter which direction you hit your shot. Missing the green will most likely leave a blind second shot that has to get uphill in a hurry. Once you get on the putting surface, it shouldn't take more than two putts to get in the hole. But getting on the green is the big challenge here. The 12th hole, a par-3 playing 149yards from the whites and 169-yards from the blues, is by far the most picturesque hole on the course. A multi-level pond, complete with rock formation, sits to the right side of the green. Sand traps wait to
All of this, and unparalleled gaming action awaits you just five minutes away at Sycuan Casino.
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G O L F VA C AT I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0
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the left, ready to devour a misplaced tee shot. The undulating putting surface demands quite a touch on approach shots and putts. A par, no matter how it's done, is well earned on the 12th. One of the more demanding holes on the back nine is the 350-yard par-four 14th. Playing uphill to a long and narrow green, the semi-blind approach shot must be played cleanly. Falling short or flying the hole location will leave a difficult two putt for par or a long chip and run on the slick putting surface. The par-4 16th is the longest par-4 on the course and rewards pin-point accuracy. Depending upon the hole location, the second shot is played with anything from a five-iron to a nine-iron. The back portion of the green is at least ten feet higher than the front, and the elevation change from back to front is dramatic. A downhill putt on the 16th might be the most difficult putt you'll find at Sycuan Resort. Oak Glen Oak Glen is a beautiful, par-72 course with mature, landscaped surroundings. The course boasts extremely undulating greens and challenging fairways. Besides the Sweetwater River which runs throughout the course, there are many small ponds that create for an exciting round of golf. Oak Glen guarantees a fun-filled day of lush fairways, challenging hazards, and tricky greens. Oak Glen opened in 1956 and was redesigned by Ted Robinson in 1980 and then again in 1991 by Dave Fleming. The track starts out with two great and challenging holes that lead to 16 more. The par-4, 1st hole is guarded by large Sycamore trees sneaking out towards the right side of the fairway. Straying too far left will leave a difficult recovery from the age-old oaks bordering the left side of the fairway. A large and receptive green will reward good shots, and its subtle slopes
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leave a relatively easy putt for birdie or par. The 2nd hole is a short dogleg to the left that is best played from the left center of the fairway. A short iron approach to the slightly elevated green must be carried all the way to the hole, as the crowned green will deflect any ball hit short of the putting surface. The 2nd shares a unique double green with the 16th, and is a delight to play. A beautiful and treacherous golf hole awaits you on the 5th. The drive must cross the Sweetwater River to a rolling fairway. Depending upon how much of the river you choose to cross, the approach can vary in distance to the narrow, 3 tiered green. With the channel on the left and rocky, tree studded mountains to the right, the 5th is bordered by both majestic beauty and devilish hazards. This demanding and enjoyable hole is one of the best golf holes in San Diego. The par-4 16th is another great golf hole on the Oak Glen course. A good drive to the right center portion of the fairway will give you the best approach to the severely contoured putting surface. Sloping from back to front, the double green (with #2), can test even the best of putters. Missing the green to either side will leave a difficult chip and a par on this long and demanding hole is well earned. Finally, the 18th offers a great finish to a fabulous round of golf. The three-shot par-5 works its way through large Cottonwoods and Sycamores to a multitiered green that requires a well judged approach. If the hole position is on the back tier, you'll need to summon up the courage to hit the ball firm enough to find the best putt for birdie. Pine Glen Pine Glen's 18 par-3 holes takes advantage of the area's natural terrain using the mountains, natural rock outcroppings, and aged oaks and sycamores to add character to individual holes. Golfers of all ages and
skill levels will find this course to have numerous natural obstacles and strategically placed bunkers as well as wonderfully manicured and undulating greens. Since it was originally constructed in 1956, Pine Glen has been a great course for beginning golfers to practice their game and for more advanced golfers to hone their chipping and putting skills. It's a very family-friendly course and presents just the right amount of challenge to all who play it. Pine Glen offers unique and fun golf for players of all abilities. Ranging from just under 100 yards to just over 200 yards, the elegantly designed holes test all facets of shotmaking, but are not overly punishing to the beginning player. But, with water hazards ready to swallow up the errant shots, and plenty of strategic bunkering, this is not your every day par-3 course. Whether you're looking to work on your short game or have a fun time with family and friends, the Pine Glen course is a perfect option. Action Away From the Golf Course If golf isn't your sport, not to worry because Sycuan Resort is a fun and relaxing vacation destination for anyone looking to get away from it all and have fun. Set amidst 425-plus lush acres, surrounded by picturesque mountain terrain, there are wonderful areas to walk around and take in the sites. Comfortable accommodations abound along the golf course. Or, take pleasure in several delicious dining options at Sycuan Resort’s highly regarded restaurants. The recently renovated Primrose Spa is one of the most serene health spas in El Cajon with massage and facial services if you are looking to unwind and escape. If tennis is your game, set up a match at one of 11 tournament tennis courts. All of this, and unparalleled gaming action awaits you just five minutes away at Sycuan Casino. more info: www.sycuanresort.com
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SPOTLIGHT
ESCENA GOLF CLUB
BECOMING THE NEW STAR IN
E
ven though the area sports over 120 golf courses, the city of Palm Springs proper hasn’t had a new 18-hole golf club in over 20 years, but the newest addition may become the most popular in this city that is the namesake of this desert region. The newly re-opened Escena Golf Club is just minutes from downtown Palm
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Springs, adjacent to the Palm Springs International Airport and just minutes from Interstate 10. Although the club was originally opened in 2005, the previous owners shut it down more than two years ago at the outset of the economic slump. It has now been revamped and an exquisite 16,000square foot Mid-Century modern clubhouse has been added as the center piece of
this Jack Nicklaus-design championship course that offers some of the most stunning mountain views in the area and a layout that rivals any in the desert. “The re-opening of Escena Golf Club is important to a variety of different stakeholders,” says Mark Tansey, President of Sunrise Golf Company, the new managers of Escena. “For golfers, it’s like the welcom-
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DESERT RESORTS By TerryRoss
PALM SPRINGS GOLF ing home of a long-lost friend. For the City of Palm Springs, it represents a new chapter in the extensive golfing history of this storied destination. “Escena Golf Club marks a return to what made Desert golf great. The course stretches to almost 7,200 yards from the tips and offers a quality test of golf for the most skilled players. But thanks to four sets of tees and generous fairways, it is also among the most playable for golfers of any skill level.” True to most Nicklaus layouts, there is a good variety of holes on this dunesstyle course with strategic bunkering. Most players will want to take it on from the 6,616 championship tees or the 6,115 middle tees, but from whichever set of markers, this is a fun course that will
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challenge you, but is very fair and does have those wide fairways. From the 563-yard opening hole (and a whopping 611 yards from the Tournament tees), to two par threes that stretch to over 200 yards, this course will make you play everything in your bag—and then some. The course includes rounded stone on the rock walls and bridges reflecting golf’s classic era, and also the palm trees – among the 50,000 plants added to the course – are the same species as those used in Palm Springs’ distinctive 1960s landscaping. The new owners and management have done an excellent job of conditioning the course and creating almost perfect conditions—so much so that even the recent Southern California rains left little impact
when playing this track. The clubhouse, which was just completed in November when the course was reopened, is as good as many of the private clubs in the area with its stunning views, bold, modern angular design; a spectacular bar, private dining room and outdoor lawn and patio areas perfect for groups or events. “At Escena, golfers have the rare opportunity to experience an environment not seen since the days of Palmer and Nicklaus, Sinatra and Martin,” added Tansey. ““The dramatic clubhouse captures the unmistakable character of the Mid-Century Modern style that is synonymous with classic Palm Springs design.” For more information on Escena Golf Club, go to: www.escenagolf.com.
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CHIPSHOT
SHADOW HILLS OPENS NEW PAR-3 GOLF COURSE DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM WATER EFFICIENCY
I
NDIO, CA – In conjunction with Del Webb, Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – owner and operator of more than 110 courses in 26 states – opened the North Course at Shadow Hills Golf Club for public play on February 1, 2010. Designed by the award-winning Schmidt-Curley golf-course architecture firm, the North Course – located in the third phase of the Sun City Shadow Hills community built by Del Webb – is constructed to take advantage of more natural plant materials which consume less water and promote ecologically-friendly agronomic practices. Turfed with Bermuda grass and dotted with flowering shrubs, the par-3 course is perfect for golfers looking to sharpen their iron games. With holes ranging from 135 to 210 yards, precision is paramount as either a large waste bunker or lake protects every hole. Approximately 40 percent of the course is turf and showcases multiple water features, fairway undulations and several tee boxes to challenge new golfers and seasoned players. “The North Course is a departure from the typical, Californiadesert layout,” says Brian Curley, Principal of Schmidt-Curley Design. “Rather than featuring wall-to-wall manicured turf, it’s punctuated by natural waste areas evoking a feel more typically
associated with Sonoran Desert, ‘target golf’ courses.” “We’re thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response by people who have sneak-previewed the course,” said Bob Paradise, Director of Land Development for Sun City Shadow Hills. “The perfect mix of water-efficiency, diverse play and stunning natural beauty makes this course special.” Like it does for the 18-hole, championship South Course at Shadow Hills, BCG will manage all aspects of the North Course’s operation. This includes golf-course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management. With a vibrant resort-style feel to the community and unparalleled amenities, Sun City Shadow Hills is bustling with activity since its opening in early 2004. Among its array of spectacular amenities including golf, the beautiful 35,000-square-foot Montecito Clubhouse is the hallmark of the community, hosting a variety of special events. More information about the Shadow Hills North Course or to reserve a tee time: 760.625.1534. www.shadowhillsgc.com
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