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contents I february 2011
cover
stories
12
Playing Paradise in Fiji, Part II
18
Resort Report: Oak Quarry Golf Club
22
Super Bowl Must Plays in Dallas
26
12
by Chuck Miller, “The Traveling Guy”
On my recent visit to Fiji I had the opportunity to play the Natadola Bay Championship Club and tour the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club course,
by Terry Ross
A great test of golf that was built in the old Jenson Rock Quarry, Oak Quarry offers some spectacular scenery amid the sheer rock cliffs winding around this rural area of Riverside, California
by JD Latorre
18
Super Bowl fans will want to be sure to pack their golf clubs. Dallas is home to some of the best golf experiences in the entire country.
Hip, Retro, Desert Cool at Escena GC by Fred Robledo
“We prefer to call the design Mid-Century Modern,” said Mark Tansey, president of the Sunrise Golf Company. “We wanted to recapture the essence of that era when Palm Springs was flourishing.”
departments
22
9 ChipShots Updates From The World Of Golf & Travel
32 Home Away From Home Homewood Suites Offers Up A Perfect Retreat
34 My Turn
by Terry Ross
Warming Up To A Desert Tour Stop
on the cover: Perfect Round at Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs, CA
26 6
G O L F VA C AT I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1
www.golfvacationsmag.com
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Chuck Miller (The Traveling Guy) a Southern California native and 11 handicap golfer at Shadowridge Country Club in Vista, California, writes about golf for newspapers, magazines and internet travel sites. His business background includes developing the initial international distribution network for Adams Golf.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling South Florida his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Cabo San Lucas, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angeles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.
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.
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.
Associate Editor Terry Ross Features Editor Larry Feldman
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 • 770-971-1616 John Reock - reock@mindspring.com San Diego • 619-889-7706 Bob Black - bobblack@cox.net
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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.
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DESTINATIONS
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WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO PLAY
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2011
9
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 >> BECOME A CLUB CHAMPION AT STEENBERG’S GOLF ACADEMY CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA- For the novice golfer aspiring to be the next Palmer or Nicklaus, the Steenberg Hotel’s Golf Academy package will help lengthen that drive and sink that next putt.
During a five-day, four-night stay, guests hit the links early for a three-hour lesson including professional instruction, tips for improvement and driving range balls, as well as light refreshments and lunch. More advanced players can select the option of a nine-hole playing lesson. All participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. The Golf Academy package is available now until March 31, 2010, at $1,302 per person. Travelers who don’t need help with their game, but want to escape for a few days, can select the Golf and Pamper package at the Steenberg. The package includes a three-day, two-night stay, as well as a round of golf or 60-minute massage at the Ginkgo Spa. Guests will also enjoy a three-course dinner at Catharina’s Restaurant. The Golf and Pamper package is available now until March 31, 2011, at $554 per person. After a day on the greens, visitors can relax during a private wine tasting at the Steenberg Vineyard, included in both packages, or enjoy complimentary transfers to local shops and restaurants. The packages also include daily breakfast. The Steenberg Golf Club features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovitch, and is rated as one of the top courses to visit in South Africa. The course, continuously named as one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa’s Golf Digest’s Top 100 and the number one course in Cape Town, was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forests and 10
G O L F VA C AT I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1
gentle waterways. The par-three 14th hole features the largest green in Africa at a little more than 249 feet in length. A 20-minute drive from Cape Town, the hotel is set on the Cape’s oldest wine farm which still produces award-winning wines. The hotel buildings, dating back to 1682, have been painstakingly restored and declared a national monument. The hotel comprises 21 guest rooms and three Heritage suites within the original buildings: the Manor House, Jonkershuis (young man’s house) and the Barn. For reservations please call 021 713 2222 or email reservations@steenberghotel.com. For more information visit www.steenberghotel.com
NEWLY-RENOVATED POIPU BAY SPECIAL VALUES FOR 2011 POIPU, KAUAI, HAWAII - Poipu Bay Golf Course, located on Kauai’s south shore, reopened on December 16 after an eight-month greens refurbishment, and the award-winning course has announced a variety of special values and packages for 2011. For golfers who want to play Poipu Bay more than once, its 2011 “Grand Slam Package” offers three rounds of golf for a discounted price, with the requirement that all three rounds must be completed within 10 days after date of purchase. The package includes green fees, shared golf cart, use of the GPS (global positioning system) and
driving range, and three rounds at Poipu Bay for $425 plus tax. For guests staying at the adjacent Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, the package is offered at $367 plus tax. The Grand Slam Package price represents a substantial savings off the 2011 single-round green fee at Poipu Bay, which is $160 for Grand Hyatt guests and $240 for non-Hyatt guests. Once purchased, the Grand Slam Package is nonrefundable, but rounds are transferable to a spouse or child of the purchaser. For golfers who just can’t get enough of
chip shots Poipu Bay, the course offers two additional multi-round packages, providing discounts to individuals who pre-purchase five or ten rounds of golf. The five-round Prepaid Golf Package price is $660 plus tax; the ten-round package price is $1,200 plus tax. Additional savings are offered to guests of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. For 2011, Poipu Bay offers an Afternoon rate of $145 for play starting after 12 noon and a Twilight Special of $85 for play starting after 2:30 p.m. For those who want to play 36 holes in one day, the course offers a Second Round/Same Day rate of $55. A nine-hole rate of $105 is offered between the hours of 7 to 9 a.m. For more information or to book tee times, call the Poipu Bay Golf Shop at 800858-6300. Visit Poipu Bay’s website at www.poipubaygolf.com
PLAY KIAWAH ISLAND IN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP CONDITIONS KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Kiawah Island Golf Resort announced that from August 1-7, 2011, The Ocean Course will be set up in the same conditions as it will the following year during the 2012 PGA Championship, including greens speeds, rough lengths and rough lines with tees set at the PGA indicated length of a mind-numbing 7,606 yards. This will give guests an opportunity to test their skills against what the PGA Tour players will face the following year and gives them a chance to win a great Kiawah Island Golf Resort golf vacation package. “It’s the dream of serious golfers everywhere, whether a scratch or a 30+ handicap to play one of the world’s great courses in the same conditions as the professionals play it in a major championship,”explains Brian Gerard, Kiawah’s Director of golf. “During this special week, we’ll give our guests achance to see how their games compare to the best players in the world.” For the week, there will be a low-net competition for players taking the challenge. The winner will receive a two-night stay in the resort’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond oceanfront hotel, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, for a foursome that includes two rounds of golf including one on The Ocean Course. www.golfvacationsmag.com
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 >>
To be entered in the challenge, players must present proof of a certified USGA Handicap and play the course with one of the resort’s caddies to verify the player’s score. In the event of a tie, a winner will be determined by a matching of the cards. The PGA Challenge is open to everyone at normal golf rates. Packages are available. For further information on the PGA Challenge and golf packages, call 800-576-1570 or visit www.kiawahresort.com/packages/golf. For more information on the 2012 PGA Championship, visit www.pga2012.com. For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com or call 800-654-2924.
RENAISSANCE RESORT OFFERING “CHAMPIONS GOLF PACKAGE”
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – All of you golfers out there, take note. The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in Northeast Florida is offering a very appealing new package called the “Champions Golf Package,” which enables you to play golf on both of the resort’s championship golf courses which were designed by masters of the game. Ideally situated in the lush 6,300-acre World Golf Village in St. Augustine, right next to the renowned World Golf Hall of Fame, the resort completed a comprehensive $10
chip shots
million property-wide renovation in 2008. The “Champions Golf Package” includes: accommodations for two nights in a newly remodeled guest room; one round of golf on the popular “Slammer & Squire,” which is located just steps from The Renaissance Resort and is named for Hall of Fame members Slammin’ Sam Snead and Gene “The Squire” Sarazen, who served as design consultants to the course’s architect Bobby Weed; one round of golf on the renowned “King & Bear,” the only course in the world co-designed by Arnold “The King” Palmer and Jack “The Bear” Nicklaus; breakfast daily in the resort’s 500 South restaurant; and range balls daily. Based on two golfers in the room, the two-night “Champions Golf Package” is from $767 - $807 through June 6, 2011. Based on one golfer, the two-night package is from $543 - $584 through June 6, 2011. For reservations or additional information, call 888-740-7020 or 904-940-8000, or visit www.WorldGolfRenaissance.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
Denarau Island at Sunset
“I Played Paradise
in the South Pacifi Chuck “The Traveling Guy”
e ic� Miller
FijiGolf part II
I
n August of this year, Fiji will play host to the prestigious Asian Pacific Golf Confederation Team Championship. The tournament, played every two years since its inception in 1962, will be making its first stop in Fiji. As many as 20-30 four-man teams of top ranked amateur golfers from Asia and South Pacific countries will compete. As of this writing, in addition to host Fiji, Australia, Bangladesh, Cook Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Thailand have confirmed their desire to send teams.
On my recent visit to Fiji I had the opportunity to play the Natadola Bay Championship Club and tour the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club course, the two venues for the competition. The two are totally different. Natadola Bay has rolling hills, elevated tees and greens while Denarau has level fairways and 15 holes that require shots that must avoid water hazards. Both courses will be excellent tests of golf.
Writer Chuck Miller braving the tropical elements on the first tee at the Plantation Course at Musket Cove
The Natadola Bay Championship course, which was designed by Fiji native Vijay Singh, is described as "World Class Golf on a World Class Beach". That pretty much tells the story. It is a splendid course with challenging holes, breathtaking views of mountain ranges, coral reefs and the glistening waters of the largest water hazard in the world, the Pacific Ocean. Opened in June 2009, this South Pacific gem measures 5509 yards from the Red Tees, 6659 yards from the Blue Tees and almost 7,200 yards from the Black tees. There are no White Tees so I chose to play from the Blues which proved to be a great challenge in the warm but windy conditions. As most golfers playing on a new course, I wish I had brought my "A" game. However, even after only one birdie, three pars and lots of bogies and double bogies, I came away delighted that I had had the opportunity to play Fiji's newest course. I was also ready to head to the South Pacific inspired clubhouse
Looking up at 18th green with Natadola clubhouse and restaurant in background
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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 1
www.golfvacationsmag.com
Intercontinental Hotel in Fiji
Navo restaurant
for a cold beer. Sitting in the clubhouse restaurant looking down the 18th fairway to the waves breaking over the top of coral reefs in the distance, I reflected on my round and what lies ahead for the Nomura Cup competitors. Natadola's wide undulating fairways will offer non-threatening tee shots. However, second and third shots to well guarded greens may prove difficult. They certainly were for this 11 handicapper. I suspect the amateurs who play in the Nomura Cup will find the course's 7200-yard length, the tundra that eats up wayward shots, the hard fast greens, and the probable windy conditions quite challenging. The Natadola Bay Course is located a convenient 45 minute drive from Fiji's international airport in Nadi (pronounced Nandi), and a leisurely two-hour drive from Suva, Fiji's capital. It is also just minutes away from the Intercontinental Golf Resort and Spa where my significant other Shirley and I stayed for three wonderful days and nights. The Intercontinental, which opened a little over 18 months ago, is an idyllic location for a relaxing vacation. It offers everything one could want for a casual but luxurious vacation. With its spacious grounds and uncrowded atmosphere, its wide variety of daily activities, its luxurious accommodations and wonderful restaurants and bars, staying at the Intercontinental was like taking a cruise on land. www.golfvacationsmag.com
During our three night stay, Shirley and I stayed in one of the resort's 271 large and superbly furnished rooms which also had an open air enclosed private terrace with a comfortable day bed and Cleopatra-style bath. We walked on the miles and miles of white sandy beaches, swam in two of the four swimming pools, dined or had cocktails at all of the five restaurants and bars, had soothing massages in the spa, watch children laughing and giggling in the kids club, checked out the wedding pavilion and conference rooms and enjoyed the friendly and wonderful Fiji hospitality. One evening we had a scrumptious dinner at Navo, the Intercontinental's excellent up-scale restaurant which features a fully glazed open kitchen, the very best of locally caught seafood, delicious prime cuts of meat and local Yaqara beef and pork. Having dinner while watching the glorious fireball we call the sun turn the sky into brilliant shades of orange was a treat we will long remember. When you travel to Fiji, plan a stay or at least a visit to the Intercontinental and definitely schedule sunset cocktails or dinner at Navo. Following our time at the Intercontinental and golf at Natadola Bay, we headed to Denarau Island to check out the Denarau Island Golf & Racquet Club course. Denarau Island really is an island; however, unlike most of the islands of Fiji, it is only necessary to cross a very short bridge from Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, to reach it. Unfortunately we weren't able to play the course as a large group G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2011
15
from Australia and New Zealand had it reserved for their yearly tournament. I did have a chance however to drive around the course to get a feel for what the Nomura Cup participants will encounter.
Denerau Island Course in Fiji
While driving the course I quickly realized how different it was from Natadola Bay. It is a traditional resort layout with flat terrain and hotels and houses on its perimeter. My first impression was that it would be a rather easy course to play as the fairways were quite wide and would be friendly to "sprayers" like myself. This is what I thought until I saw that 15 of the holes require shots that must stay clear of the numerous canals and small lakes all over the course. I was told that when playing Denarau Island, "it is important to bring plenty of balls". The course, which opened on June 9, 1993, was created from a mangrove swamp. Since its opening it has become the "go to" resort course for Aussies and Kiwis because of Fiji's proximity to New Zealand and Australia and the abundance of resort amenities. Although it has private members, the course is open to the public. I was told that except when it is reserved for tournaments there are always openings with resort guests enjoying special rates. Unless you overclub and blast a shot past the green into the Pacific, you won't find water on the course's signature hole, the 440yard par 4 fifteenth. As I drove from the tee to the green, I under-
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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 1
stood why the hole is the signature hole. As you proceed toward the green, you see coconut palms swaying in the breeze and white caps hurtling waves toward the beach. When you reach the green you see waves breaking over coral reefs and in the distance a few of 332 islands that make up the country of Fiji. The location behind the green is the site of many weddings and is a perfect spot to observe the magnificient sunsets that are so frequent in Fiji. At over 7,100 yards from the Black Tees, with water coming into play on almost every hole, the Denarau Island course is one that requires good course management. Hitting long isn't always the answer‌hitting smart is. It will be interesting to see how the top amateurs do as pressure mounts during the Nomura Cup.
For those of us who don't play from the tips, Denarau offers three additional sets of tees‌ Jade at 5625 yards, Silver at 6322 yards, and Gold at 6680 yards. Because of the many water hazards, no matter which tees are played, I could see that accurate shots are a must. The Denarau Island course, which is managed by Troon Golf the world's largest golf management company, is well situated being only a few minutes from downtown Nadi and the international airport. I think it would be a fun course to play and with numerous hotels bordering it, it is definitely a convenient course to play when visiting Fiji. After my tour of the course, I headed back to the Westin via the
www.golfvacationsmag.com
to watch teams of the best young amateur golfers from Asia and the South Pacific compete for the prestigious Nomura Cup, plan your vacation in midAugust of this year. For more information about vacationing in Fiji, visit www.Fijime.com and www.TourismFiji.com. Information about the Natadola Bay Course can be found at www.NatadolaBay.com. The Intercontinental website is www.intercontinental.com/fiji.
Natadola Bay with Intercontinental in foreground and Natadola Bay course in background
Denarau Golf & Racquet Club information is located at www.denaraugolf.com.fj and information about the Westin Denarau Island is at www.westin.com/denarauresort. Air Pacific information on flights to Fiji can be accessed at www.airpacific.com.
shuttle that runs between the hotels on the island. After a quick shower it was off to do what most visitors do in Fiji, relax around a pool or head for the beach. Although we were there for only one day and night, Shirley and I found The Westin to be an excellent resort offering up-dated accommodations, delicious food, and a relaxing South Pacific atmosphere. When we returned from Fiji, we were asked "why do vacationers go to Fiji"? My answer was lengthy yet simple‌beautiful scenery, sunny bright days with cooling trade winds, warm hospitable people, accommodations and dining to fit any budget, clear crystal water for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, opportunities to hike, play tennis, go white-water rafting, shop, and have the opportunity to meet local Fijians and learn about their centuries old culture and why and how they continue to relish connections to their ancestral traditions. Oh yes, did I mention Fiji is a terrific place to play golf? If you are seeking a location for a relaxing vacation that offers a myriad of activities for singles, couples, families, golfers, or nongolfers, investigate Fiji. If you decide to vacation in Fiji and want
Signature hole - # 15 at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club in Fiji
Air Pacific Airlines Air Pacific, the national airline of Fiji flies 747's on non-stop roundtrip flights from Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji. Flight time is approximately 10 _ hours. Flights to Fiji leave at 11:30 PM and arrive at Nadi at 5:15 AM two days later after crossing the International Date Line. Flights from Nadi leave at 10:50 PM and arrive at Los Angeles as 12:05 PM the following day after crossing the International Date Line. All flights times and schedules are subject to change. For up-to-date information and reservations contact Air Pacific via their website at www.airpacific.com or call their toll free number 1-800-227-4446.
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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 2011
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RESORTREPORT
OAK QUARRY GOLF CLUB
SPECTACULAR SCENERY, SPECTACULAR
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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 1
www.golfvacationsmag.com
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
By TerryROSS
F
or winter travelers in Southern California, the Inland Empire area boasts of one of the most scenic courses in the state at Oak Quarry in Riverside.
GOLF
A great test of golf that was built in the old Jenson Rock Quarry just west
of the 60 and 91 freeway exchange, Oak Quarry offers some spectacular scenery amid the sheer rock cliffs winding around this rural area of Riverside. This par-72 golf course is not for the faint of heart. Although very fair, it can be a stern test of your short game because of its tricky bent grass greens, but also demands accuracy off of the tee. Built over an abandon rock quarry, the story behind this course is just as unique. Opened during World War I, the Jenson Quarry supplied limestone, marble and 88 various minerals for the construction of roads, large buildings and private residences throughout Southern California. Closed in 1979, the Jenson Quarry was eventually developed into what has become one of the more popular courses in the region since its opening in 2000. PGA Tour star Dr. Gil Morgan and the design firm of Schmidt-Curley have produced a layout that has been called the “Yosemite of the Golf world.” Some of the elevations on the course as it winds through the old quarry amid walls of granite are spectacular and offer a variety of challenges. Those who play this course for the first time will find that strategy and club section on this course are crucial. This isn’t a track that is easily overpowered even though six of the par fours are less than 400 yards playing from the blue tees and the first hole measures only 274 yards. The key to scoring at Oak Quarry is finding the fairway off the tee and on many of the holes, using a fairway wood or iron is the smart play. With the built in natural and man-made hazards strategically placed, the percentages on this course favor the player who is a shotmaker and picks the spots to the use the driver wisely. Each hole, in honor of the history of the area, has been named after a mineral found in the old quarry with names like Microlite Ledge, Blotite Bluff and Opal Outcrop. The signature 14th hole, “Spinal Slide,” a 214-yard par three that was created by blasting out a peninsular like green amid the walls of the quarry and bordered on the left by a lake that dates back to the mining days,
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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 2011
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RESORTREPORT
(continued)
has been rated as the best par three in Southern California—and one of the toughest.
OAK QUARRY GOLF CLUB Oak Quarry also offers one of the better practice facilities around with a grass-station driving range, putting green, chipping and bunker practice areas. One nice fea-
Overall, Oak Quarry has been rated as the best golf
ture is that all of these areas are adjacent to the first tee
course in the Inland Empire region by the Riverside Press-
and the starter’s station, making it convenient to warm-up
Enterprise. The course offers four sets of tees, measuring
and get on the course.
5,408 yards from the forward tees to 7002 from the back. The blue tees at 6600 yards provide plenty of golf
Easily accessible from Orange, Los Angeles and
course, especially when the prevailing winds gear up in
Riverside Counties, Oak Quarry is a course that won’t dis-
the afternoon and make club selection an event. The reg-
appoint.
ular tees at 6,028 also offer a lot of risk-reward opportunities, and can’t be taken lightly.
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For more Information: www.oakquarry.com
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SUPER BOWL
Dallas’ C
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ootball fans from Pittsburgh, Green Bay and everywhere in between will descend upon Dallas for The Super Bowl. In addition to their Cheesehead Hats and Terrible Towels, fans will want to be sure to pack their golf clubs. Dallas is home to some of the best golf experiences in the entire country. Squeezing in a round or two is a must for any golfer, whether they’re donning an Aaron Rodgers or Ben Roethlisberger jersey. Here is our list of Dallas’ can’t-miss courses.
The Old American Golf Club
L MUST PLAYS
Can’t - Miss Courses
by JD Latorre
The Old American Golf Club The Old American Golf Club is to golf as Cowboys Stadium is to football. While both are relatively new, they are already being hailed as a one of a kind experience. Opened in September, The Old American, located just north of Dallas in The Colony, has already garnered “Best New” honors from GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, Golfweek and AVID Golfer. The course is the brainchild of acclaimed architect Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR star and native Texan, Justin Leonard. The design is inspired by the “Golden Age” of golf course architecture between 1911 and 1937 and features natural contours, hazard styles, native grasses and green shapes reminiscent of such masterpieces as Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Prairie Dunes and Crystal Downs. For more information visit www.theoldamericangolfclub.com or call (972) 370-4653.
The Tribute While links golf may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Super Bowl weekend, The Tribute has golf chops that can’t be ignored. Golf Digest has named the Tripp Davis Scottish-inspired design the No. 1 public golf course in the Dallasarea and one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” For those fans who were lucky enough to snatch up a Super Bowl ticket last minute or who have procrastinated when it comes to a hotel, The Tribute provides accommodations in the form of a quaint guest house with seven suites. The guest house is also home to The Old Tom Morris Pub, serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. For more information visit www.thetribute.com or call (972) 370-5465. Bridlewood Golf Club In every crowd, there’s someone who prides themselves on being different. Like the guy wearing a Shaun Suisham or Mason Crosby jersey on gameday, Bridlewood Golf Club marches to the beat of
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its own drum. The D.A. Weibring design nestled in the rolling hills of North Texas is a unique experience. Measuring 7,000 yards from the back tees, Bridlewood bobs and weaves through thick forests of hardwood as well as lakes and creeks, which make water an omnipresent hazard. The volume and size of the large oaks onsite leave a lot of decisions in the hands of golfers and affords them the opportunity to use a different strategy on each hole. For more information visit www.bridlewoodgolf.com or call (972) 355-4800.
Bridlewood Golf Club
Bear Creek Golf Club True to Texas’ “bigger is better” bravado, Bear Creek Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf. The two distinct layouts – the East and West Courses – pack a one two punch that has earned it a place among Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Resort Courses in America” and The Wall Street Journal’s “10 Great Places to Golf.” While the golf may be bigger, the prices are not. From now until Tuesday, February 8, Bear Creek is offering a package for fans including greens and cart fees, lunch and a beverage for $79.99 Friday through Sunday and $69.99 Monday through Thursday. Rental clubs – in conjunction with the special – are $25, a 50 percent savings. For more information visit www.bearcreek-golf.com or call (972) 456-3200.
Bear Creek Golf Club
Texas Star Golf Course Texas Star is a fitting name for a course located just more than six miles from Cowboys Stadium. The course’s proximity to the stadium and DFW International Airport will make it attractive to fans lucky enough to have reserved hotel rooms close to the festivities. The municipal track was designed by Keith Foster and gives off a Texas Hill Countryvibe. The par-71, measuring at just less than 7,000 yards features stacked rock ponds, waterfalls and natural woodlands that provide a relaxing atmosphere during what is one of the most electric sports weekends of the year. For more information visit www.texasstargolf.com or call (817) 685-7888. www.golfvacationsmag.com
The Tribute
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F E B R U A R Y 2011
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ESCENA GOLF CLUB
HIP • RETRO • DEFINI
ITELY DESERT COOL
Story by
FRED ROBLEDO
Photography CHRIS MILLER • course ART COLEMAN • dining
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glance to the memorable past unfurled a view of the optimistic future for the Escena Lounge & Grill, the centerpiece of the 16,000 square-foot clubhouse for the Escena Golf Club which re-opened to rave reviews little more than a year ago. Renowned architect Douglas Fredrikson pulled out all the stops with the artful use of glass, steel, concrete, rocks and mirror pools in designing the new look for Escena. Part of the look also includes abstract martini glasses, swizzle sticks, wood ceilings and covered walkways between the pro shop and the lounge, floorpiercing swizzle sticks that pierce Some would call it a retro design from the 50s and 60s, an era which brings to mind happier times in Palm Springs when the likes of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and all of their pals used the desert oasis as their personal playground much to the delight of taheir huge legion of followers. “We prefer to call the design Mid-Century Modern,” said Mark Tansey, president of the Sunrise Golf Company that manages Escena. “We wanted to recapture the essence of that era when Palm Springs was flourishing.”
Not only was the nostalgic look recaptured, so were customers who started noticing the theme of the design.
What is happening now is beyond the wildest dreams of Tansey, who was just hoping Escena could hold its own in the Coachella Valley where locals barely notice anymore when a new golf development opens. “I would say more than 80 percent of our customers are nongolfers,” Tansey said. “They come here because this place is unique, and, of course for the ambiance and great food.” Tansey admitted in the beginning, even some of the locals needed a map to find the place for the first time. Located near the intersection of Vista Chino and Gene Autry Trail, neither the clubhouse or golf course is visible from the street. “We don't get many people who happen to be driving by and see our place and decide to give it a try,” Tansey said. “We had to market it heavily for the locals and put up signage to make it easier to find. I am sure a lot of people drove around for awhile before finding us.” Once found, it is obvious why customers keep returning. When I visited Escena for the first time, I managed to find the entrance to the property on the south side of Vista Chino, then took a drive between plots of land that will obviously be home sites one day, and finally found myself in front of stunning clubhouse.
The first thing I noticed were the spun-steel swizzle sticks that pierce circular cutouts in the roof that illuminate the breezeway of the winged entrance to the clubhouse. Inside the Escena Lounge and Grill, I was greeted immediately and escorted past a circular sports bar to a table where I was treated to stunning views of the golf course framed by San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain ranges. An obvious reason for the success of the restaurant is because Executive Chef Oscar Ayala is one of the finest chefs in the Coachella Valley. He has an extensive menu that reflect the teachings of his South American grandmother who loved to cook. Ayala's menus combine the best of American and South American cuisines and is tastefully presented. If I had arrived early enough, I could have sampled one of his many omelettes or huevos rancheros. On this day I enjoyed one of Ayala's lunch specials, an Escena Club Sandwich which features all natural turkey with applewoodsmoked bacon and avocado piled high on sourdough bread with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. It was easy to see why Escena has become such a local favorite. It's a great place, not only for locals who visit for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for also for an after-golf cocktail or just to
relax with friends either on one of the outside patios overlooking pools and the golf course or inside next to one of the cozy fireplaces. “We want to do even more with the lounge,” Tansey said. “We are planning on having Jazz groups play on Wednesdays and Sundays.” Can a piano bar be far away? “That's another thing we might do,” he said. That would bring back more memories of the Rat Pack. “We're still growing here,” Tansey said. “It's a pretty amazing story. Just a couple of years ago this place had to be closed because of the economic downturn. But our company saw the promise in this golf property and we wanted to create something Palm Springs residents could enjoy again.” It didn't hurt that the course was designed by Jack Nicklaus or that each hole provided panoramic views of the mountain ranges. The course has four sets of tees and can be played as short at 5533 yards or as long as 7173 yards. The course features rolling fairways, natural desert-scape plants, towering palms, streams, lakes and gorgeous views in every direction.
The course is already picking up awards. PGATour.com named it the sixth best public golf course in California. Palm Springs Life polled its readers and named it the top public golf course in the Coachella Valley. With that kind of notoriety, Tansey is not surprised that the word is leaking out to desert visitors looking for new courses to conquer. “This is going to help our tourism, too,” Tansey said. “Most of the resort hotels in Palm Springs don't have golf courses. We can work with those resorts and offer this place as one of their golf destinations.” And the little secret Tansey knows is that once tourists play a round as Escena, they are certain to visit the Escena Lounge and Grill and mark it down as a place they have to visit again, and again, and again. For more information on Escena Golf Club, go to: www.escenagolf.com
ESCENA GOLF CLUB
Escena Lounge & Grill 1100 Clubhouse View Drive • Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-778-2737
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HOME AWAY FROM HOME HOMEWOOD SUITES • PALM DESERT, CA
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ll-suite hotels for vacation travelers have gained in popularity over the past few years and in the Palm Springs Valley the Homewood Suites—Palm Desert is gathering a reputation as one of the most accommodating such destinations for visitors coming to this Southern California golf Mecca. With every room beautifully appointed, easy access to the more than 100 courses in the area, complimentary breakfast and evening happy hour, visitors feel right at home in this hotel that is part of the Hilton family. The Homewood Suites Palm Desert has also developed a number of excellent packages for both golfers and non-players during the brilliant warm winter days in the desert. The Classic Club, which has hosted the Bob Hope Classic on the PGA Tour and remains one of the most-high-acclaimed courses in the area, is featured in the Homewood Suites Classic Package with
golf for one or two players at The Classic Club and a one bedroom King Suite. One of the advantages here is that the course is just across the I-10 freeway from the hotel—about a three minute drive. For a different feel at one of the area’s semi-private courses, the Rancho Mirage Country Club Package features a course with mature, tree lined fairways, subtle undulations, and perfect year round playing conditions, plus views of the entire Coachella Valley and the snow capped peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains from the elevated tees. Included with the golf for one or two players is a one
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by Terry Ross
bedroom King Suite. For the more adventurous looking for a different way to sightsee, the Up, Up, Up and Away Package includes two adult tickets for a balloon ride over the valley with one night stay in a studio king suite or a one bedroom king suite. For those looking to stay a little more grounded, the Desert Adventure Jeep Tour Package includes two adult tickets for Jeep Tour with one night stay in a one bedroom king room. Great seasonal rates are available at this hotel that features not only beautifully appointed full suites, 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. There is even a complimentary grocery story shopping service available. In the mornings, a complimentary hot buffet breakfast is served 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. Thursday’s are BBQ night with some great offerings from the kitchen at Harry’s Oklahoma Style BBQ in La Quinta. 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 Cal State San Bernardino and University of California Riverside campuses in Palm Desert, the Homewood Suites Palm Desert is perfectly situated in the middle of dozens of world-class golf courses. For seasonal pricing and more information and details on the many golf packages available, call Eric at (760-601-1607) or www.palmdesert.homewoodsuites.com
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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 2011
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MYTURN
by TERRYROSS
WARMING UP TO A DESERT TOUR STOP VACATIONING NEXT TO THE PROS
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put his mark on this event in its infancy in the early 1960s by bringing his celebrity friends such as Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason and many others.
With the majority of the golfing public looking out a window filled with ice, snow, rain or all of these elements that make hitting a little white ball over green grass pretty much like scaling the Himalayas, finding a refuge to play during the cold months is pretty much like waking up to a dream.
As far as a destination or a PGA Tour stop, this area is unique from the other desert locations that host the professionals every year in that the small town, resort feel is still prevalent throughout this valley even though it is only two hours away from the Los Angeles metropolis and there are literally more than 20 million people within a two and one half hour drive.
or much of the country, winter golf is something that simply doesn’t exist other than on television, in a fantasy league or with a video game.
The PGA Tour figured out a long time ago that you have to play the early-season golf where you can find warmer weather in January, February and March, and after beginning the season in Hawaii and then playing in California and Arizona before heading to Florida pretty much tells you where you will find some nice golfing weather. And taking time off to soak up some good golfing weather and watch professional golf in person while your friends sit huddled next to a fire and deciding who gets to shovel snow off the driveway—well, as they say— Priceless! But really, there are few places in the world that are as good for a winter vacation to enjoy both playing and watching golf as the desert. The PGA Tour makes two desert stops in Arizona during the first two months of the year and one in the Southern California region of Palm Springs. The Palm Springs area, or Coachella Valley as the locals call it, is normally the first mainland stop for the Tour each year in January for the iconic Bob Hope Classic that is in its second half century of combining celebrities and touring pros in a unique format over four courses and five days that involved over 300 amateur players. It is the only 90-hole event left on tour where celebrities and amateurs play for the first four rounds on a different course every day and the pros that make the cut play for a $5 million purse on Sunday. Although this event still carries his name almost a decade after his passing, Bob Hope was the man who
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This isn’t where you have 170,000 on one course in one day as they have in Phoenix, which is actually a bigdesert city. This is the relaxing getaway that movie, stars, athletes and other celebrities come to hang, play golf and soak up the sun and forget about the rest of the world. This is where Elvis spent his honeymoon and former Presidents like Eisenhower and Ford spent their retirement and left their mark on not only the golf courses, but on the community. These days the Hope is played in the eastern part of the valley in the city of La Quinta, with two of the four venues inside renowned PGA West at the Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Private courses which back up against the stately Santa Rosa Mountains. If you want a change of pace from watching the pros and celebrities, there is the La Quinta Resort nearby where you can get your own 18 in during morning before venturing out to the tournament. There is plenty to do after hours at some of the popular spots like Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant in La Quinta, the Jackalope Ranch in nearby Indio and the Nest in Indian Wells. Taking a week—or even just a few days—to venture out on a winter getaway during the week of the Bob Hope Classic to the Palm Springs area in January gives you the recipe for a memorable golf trip. With more than 100 courses of all varieties in the Valley, and winter weather that you can find in few places, it doesn’t get any better for winter golf.
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