OUR 20th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS AUGUST 2021
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE
TO PINEHURST RESORT
BRANSON, MISSOURI
AMERICA’S NEWEST GOLF DESTINATION Plus: PORTUGAL’S BEST: QUINTA DO LAGO www.golfvacationsmag.com
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GOLF VACATIONS AUGUST 2021
Gary Player-designed Mountain Top Course at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri
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Chip Shots
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Portugal’s Best: Quinta Do Lago
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The Insider’s Guide to Pinehurst
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by Dakota Diaz Golfers and their families can take a walk on the wild side at Quinta do Lago this summer as part of a packed programme of events at the luxury Portuguese resort that embraces nature and a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
by Shane Sharp Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina’s famed Sandhills has undergone nothing short of a renaissance over the past decade. From the restoration of No. 2, the opening of The Cradle, the reimagination of No. 4 and the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst, the past decade has been a whirlwind of activity that has set the golf world ablaze.
Branson: America’s Newest Golf Destination
by Chuck Miller Branson, Missouri has long been famous for its multitude of entertainment venues featuring famous country and pop culture stars from past and present. Over the years Andy Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Jim Stafford, Willie Nelson, and a multitude of others have all starred there.
Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Dakota Diaz is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Growing up in the golf mecca of Palm Springs, CA, Dakota is no stranger to the golf resort lifestyle. You’ll find him at his “real job” as Partner/Chief Investment Officer at Green Cloud Capital, a Southern Californa based private equity firm.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Chuck Miller (The Traveling Guy) is a resident of the golfing community of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. For the past 20 years he has traveled extensively throughout the US and around the world writing about “Places to Play and Places to Stay”. In 2012 he played golf in every state during a 50-week, 50-state driving tour of the US.
Associate Editors Terry Ross Dakota Diaz
Features Editor JD Latorre
Senior Writers 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.
Tim Cotroneo Larry Feldman David R. Holland Dave McKibben
For Editorial:
call (760) 774–2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com Shane Sharp is a freelance writer and the owner of Southbound 4, a content marketing and PR shop in Greenville, S.C. He’s a contributing editor with GOLF Magazine, Club & Resort Business, Golf Inc. and Club Management.
Regional Advertising
Los Angeles Terry Ross • (949) 279–7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • (678) 906-4050 harold@chamblissmediagroup.com Chicago Dakota Diaz •(312) 809–8808 dakota@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
President Jeffrey Diaz
PO BOX #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774–2655 StonyCreekMedia.com
Cimarron Communications 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 2021 Stony Creek Media, LLC, 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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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Gil Hanse-designed “New Course” at Les Borde in France’s Loire Valley
Gil Hanse-Designed Course Debuts at Les Bordes SAINT-LAURENT-NOUAN, FRANCE – The gift-wrapping has been taken off Les Bordes’ eagerly awaited New Course, with architect Gil Hanse taking time out from his busy schedule to unveil his first golf-course design project in continental Europe at the start of this month. Hanse travelled from his home in America to France’s famous Loire Valley to give his personal seal of approval to the new layout, hitting the inaugural tee shot prior to members flying in from across the world to experience his new creation. In direct contrast to Les Bordes’ Old Course, the New Course features a more traditional heathland style. When combined with the 10-hole short course – the Wild Piglet, also created by Hanse and opened in 2020 – members of Les Bordes Golf Club will receive one of the greatest golfing experiences in the world. Hanse said: “We’ve never built anything in continental Europe and we wanted to make sure that our first project was going to be something special, and Les Bordes gave us that opportunity. I have always loved visiting France, and to have the chance to create this course and leave a lasting legacy in such a beautiful part of the world makes me particularly proud. “The golf facilities at Les Bordes are on a par with anywhere else in the world. When you consider the variety and contrast of the Old and New, the originality and quality of design coupled with the Wild Piglet and Himalayas putting green, across the board there are outstanding facilities for serious golf and fun golf – and there are very few places who can say that.
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“One of the challenges that we were excited to accept was to have the chance to build a golf course on the same estate as (the Old Course), a course that has been ranked as the best in Europe. “There are elements of a number of golf courses (in the New Course) including a lot of the great heathland courses around London and Paris. I think that I am always influenced by Pine Valley, which is very near to my home, and I think that some of the scale of National Golf Links is apparent out there too. If you roll all of those into one, I think that’s a pretty good recipe. “With the three golf courses and the amenities that are already in place and the ones that are coming, I can’t see how Les Bordes won’t be considered one of the finest golfing destinations in Europe or in the world.” Set 90 minutes south of Paris in France’s magical Sologne Forest, the New Course fits harmoniously into its surroundings, with the fairways blending seamlessly into the natural vegetation and trees, and maximum care and attention was taken by Hanse and his team to clear the location and preserve the natural environment. Featuring large bunkers, subtle elevation changes and incredible green complexes, the layout measures 7,211 yards from the back tees but, in contrast to the Old Course, is expected to play shorter than its overall length due to the firm and fast playing conditions. Jack Laws, director of golf at Les Bordes, said: “The opening of the New Course is a significant landmark in the history of Les Bordes and the culmination of many years of hard work from Gil and his team, and everyone here on the estate. The opening of the New Course headlines three years of investment at Les Bordes, developing a community where all
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS family members have endless possibilities for fun and adventure. Completed on-site amenities include natural swimming lakes and pools, beaches, watersports, go-karting, fishing, equestrian, petting farm and biking and walking trails. Future investment plans include an announced partnership with Six Senses for the transformation of the 19th century ‘Chateau Bel Air’ into a luxury hotel and spa, a village square with shops and restaurants and a variety of residential homes in various styles, as well as an equestrian centre, an organic farm, an art gallery and outdoor amphitheatre. A new video documenting the New Course and Les Bordes Golf Club can be viewed here. www.lesbordesgolfclub.com I www.lesbordes.com
Summer/Fall Tournaments Include Play On Pete Dye’s Celebrated Teeth Of The Dog LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)– Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – is showcasing an array of golf events for later this summer and fall ideal to enjoy its world-class golf and resort amenities in grand style. The 7th Annual Latin America Pro Am will be held Aug. 10 –14 with four nights’ accommodations and all tournament rounds contested on Teeth of the Dog. Competing teams are comprised of four amateurs and one professional. For the event, Casa de
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Campo is offering an all-inclusive package starting at $2,283 (per player, based on double occupancy). Slated for Sept. 15 – 19, the 40th Annual Casa de Open is highlighted by four nights’ luxury accommodations as well as tournament play on Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links. The format is a 54-hole individual stroke play competition using the Stableford scoring system. Men and women will compete in flights defined by index and age. The storied tournament will also feature the first annual “Country’s Cup.” The allinclusive stay-and-play is loaded with extras and starts at $1,655 (per player, based on double occupancy). The 3rd Annual Couple’s Golf & Spa Retreat will be held Oct. 20 – 24. Guests will enjoy playing golf on Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links in the mornings with an opportunity to relax and enjoy the resort’s spa and its additional world-class amenities in the afternoons. The all-inclusive four-night stay includes luxury accommodations and starts at $1,775 (per person, based on double occupancy). This Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas invites all golfers to participate in its 16th Annual Casa de Campo Twosome Championship. Featuring six nights’ superior accommodations and numerous additional fun activities, the event will be played on the property’s three outstanding golf courses with two rounds on Dye Fore, one round on The Links, and two rounds on Teeth of the Dog. Ideal to also enjoy all the many amenities Casa de Campo offers, prices start at $2,474
(per person, double occupancy). The Casa de Campo Women’s Getaway with Suzy Whaley is a four-day / three-night event from Dec. 3 – 6. Whaley – recent President of the PGA of America, renowned PGA Professional and one of the game’s top instructors – will host the joyous Caribbean get-together. The stay-and-play is all-inclusive and starts at $1,799 (per person, double occupancy). The many highlights include unlimited green fees on all three courses and personal instruction by Whaley at the resort’s state-of-the-art Golf Learning Center. The 1st Annual Casa de Campo Spanish Cup is organized exclusively for Spanish golfers and will take place Dec. 3 – 10. With superior lodging for seven nights, the event includes rounds on all three of the resort’s Pete Dye-designed layouts including Teeth of the Dog with additional unlimited play on Dye Fore and The Links during the stay. Prices start at $2,910 (per person, double occupancy). For each of the above events, Casa de Campo additionally offers an array of fully appointed villas perfect for golf groups and families. The villa options range from three to 11 bedrooms with stylish living areas, a private pool as well as endless creature comforts. From secluded Garden Villas highlighting the area’s abundant flora to the tranquil splendor of the Caribbean coast in an Oceanfront Villa, each style offers contemporary designs. For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas please call 800.877.3643, email golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www. casadecampo.com.do
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS
The Staples Course at PGA National No. 9
PGA National Resort & Spa Announces Grand Opening of New ‘Staple Course’ PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – PGA National Resort & Spa – South Florida’s world-class golf, vacation, culinary, events and spa destination – announced the grand opening of its thrilling and innovative new nine-hole Andy Staples-designed “Staple Course” on June 30. Built on the former opening and finishing holes of the property’s Squire layout, The Staple is a bold take on the par-three course concept created for pure enjoyment while highlighted by intriguing fastand-firm shot corridors, and in some cases, difficult to reach shelves on the dramatic, undulating greens. With hole distances ranging from 48 to 130 yards, The Staple is ideal for fast-paced, joyous rounds while using just a putter and a few short irons. Additionally crafted for heroic tee-shots with numerous “hole-inhole” pin locations throughout, The Staple Course’s unique figureeight configuration with crossing holes at Nos. 2 – 3 and Nos. 7 – 8 provide social interaction meeting points with other players at an outdoor seating experience complete with firepits and a café / bar area. The Staple is also the perfect setting for golf groups to unwind and relax in a casual setting after playing the resort’s four “traditional” and celebrated 18-hole layouts: The Champion, The Palmer, The Fazio and The Estate courses. “Our goal for The Staple Course was to combine classic course
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architecture attributes with a contemporary reimagined approach by highlighting playability, a quicker pace of play, and simply creating an enjoyable golf experience for all,” says Staples. “We think guests are going to love The Staple Course so much they’ll want to play it multiple times in the same day.” . Opening later this summer is PGA National’s highly-anticipated “Match Course,” also created by Staples. Additionally built on the land of the former Squire Course, the 18-hole Match Course promises to display some of the most groundbreaking concepts in golf design while encouraging “match” versus “stroke” play. Both layouts are part of the ongoing $100 million capital revitalization touching every aspect of the celebrated property. “Andy Staples’ incredible vision for both our new Staple Course and upcoming Match Course are beyond exciting additions to our world-class golf amenities,” says Jane Broderick, PGA National’s Director of Golf. “From playing The Champion Course just like the PGA TOUR superstars do annually in the Honda Classic to savoring the joys of The Staple, we offer an array of exceptional golf courses and amenities few resort destinations can equal.” A golf lover’s dream location, PGA National also features extraordinary instruction at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, and the world’s first science-based and statistical data-driven golf training center, Full Process Golf. PGA National also offers state-of-the-art club fitting. Resort guests can also enjoy the high-tech 33,000-square-foot
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Sports & Racquet Club featuring a wide array of fitness activities and classes, including pickleball and tennis on the 18 Har-Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play). Not to be missed is a visit to The Spa to enjoy its luxurious and soothing wellness treatments. For more information about PGA National: visit www.pgaresort.com or call 800.863.2819.
and PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Michelob ULTRA will continue to advertise within PGA TOUR telecasts and across PGA TOUR social and digital channels. For more information, visit MichelobULTRA.com or follow @MichelobULTRA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
PGA TOUR, Anheuser-Busch extend partnership spanning three decades
LAKE LURE, NC – Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole golf retreat on North Carolina’s stunning Lake Lure just two hours west of Charlotte, is rolling out its golf package lineup for the fall, customized for golf groups of any size and ideal for weekend or weekday buddy trips during Western North Carolina’s most scenic season. Starting at $313 per person, the popular “Hole-in-One” package features a two-night stay, two rounds of golf on the Apple Valley and Bald Mountain courses and unlimited range balls at both course’s recently upgraded practice areas. Lodging options abound, including the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from the first tee. With a nod to the long-awaited 2021 Ryder Cup at Destination Kohler’s famed Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, Rumbling Bald continues to offer its limited availability “Ryder Cup Package” this fall. Expert golf vacation planners are available to design an
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR and Anheuser-Busch announced an extension of their longstanding marketing relationship that continues Michelob ULTRA’s position as the “Official Beer Sponsor of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” through 2024. Additionally, O’Doul’s will continue to serve as the “Official NonAlcohol Beer of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions.” As part of the multi-year extension, Anheuser-Busch will add Michelob ULTRA Organic Seltzer as the “Official Hard Seltzer of the PGA TOUR,” a new official category for the PGA TOUR. Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with the PGA TOUR began in 1994, and Michelob ULTRA became an official sponsor of the TOUR in 2002. Michelob ULTRA will continue to have a substantial activation footprint at tournaments across the PGA TOUR
Rumbling Bald Rolls Out Fall 2021 Golf Packages
exciting, Ryder Cup team formatted event for golf groups in search of an unforgettable experience. The Ryder Cup Package starts at $541 per person and includes: three nights’ lodging; three rounds of golf scored and handicapped; complimentary replays on either course; a team shirt and hat; private, one-hour opening reception with wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres and unlimited use of the practice facilities. With the Ryder Cup played in the Central Time Zone, golfers compete against their buddies in the morning with plenty of time to catch the action from Whistling Straits in the afternoon. “The golf experience at Rumbling Bald is better than ever with enhancements to both courses and practice facilities, new golf carts and a wide-variety of lodging options,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “And with Lake Lure, the surrounding fall foliage and daytime highs in the 60s and 70s, it just doesn’t get any better.” For groups of 12 or more, Rumbling Bald offers gratis golf for group leaders upon booking their first trip to the property. The “12+ Comp” is ideal for PGA Professionalmember trips, tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www. rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@ rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072. Rumbling Bald Aerial with Lake
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Cydney Clanton receives trophy at the 2019 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout
Mystic Creek Golf Club Set To Host Murphy Usa El Dorado Shootout EL DORADO, AR– Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, Arkansas will host The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout presented by Pepsico September 18 – 26, 2021. 2021 marks the sixth year the Symetra Tour event has been played at Mystic Creek, recognized as the No. 1 “Golf Course You Can Play in Arkansas” and No. 34 on Golfweek’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S.” in 2021. A field of 108 professionals will compete in the 54-hole tournament competing for a purse of $175,000. Cydney Clanton drained a birdie putt on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff against Julieta Granada to capture the 2019 Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, her second career Symetra Tour victory. The Symetra Tour is the official qualifier of the LPGA, with a mission to prepare the world’s best young women professional golfers for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. Since its inaugural sponsorship year in 2012, the Symetra Tour has grown to $4 million in prize money awarded over the course of 24 tournaments. With more than 600 alumnae moving on to the LPGA, former Symetra Tour players have more than 427 LPGA titles. Golf fans are encouraged to attend the El Dorado Shootout and support the professional golfers. Sponsor and volunteer information can be found at www.eldoradoshootout.com Thanks to First Financial Bank, spectators and the general public are invited to attend this worldclass sporting event free of charge. For the first time in tournament history, two nonprofit organizations have been selected as the 2021 charitable beneficiaries – Susan G. Koman and #teamcorrie Cancer Foundation (an El Dorado-based non-profit), both of which provide financial support to individuals impacted by cancer. This year’s tournament will also feature the debut of Mystic
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Creek Golf Club’s new clubhouse. Set amid tall cathedral pines, the clubhouse opened to the public in January 2021 and features an allexposed timber structural system with columns that support both the main dining area in The Grill and the upper terrace. The clubhouse’s exterior employs other organic materials, including red cedar siding, glass, and weathered zinc. The natural elements flow into the interior with exposed beams and a wood roof deck. The new clubhouse includes Mystic Grill, a golf shop with the latest golf equipment and apparel, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. Open to golfers and non-golfers alike Tuesday through Sunday, Mystic Grill features a fullservice bar with panoramic views of the golf course through floor-toceiling windows, plus an outdoor patio that overlooks the 18th green. Mystic Creek Golf Club is an 18-hole, Kenneth Dye, Jr-designed course managed by Troon’s Honours Golf division. Open since May 2013, Mystic Creek Golf Club features cathedral pines similar to Augusta, high-flashing bunkers similar to those designed by A.W Tillinghast and domed greens with runoffs similar to Pinehurst No. 2. Just after opening in 2013, the semi-private course was named one of the “Best New Courses” by Golf Digest. With impeccable course conditions and outstanding service, Mystic Creek Golf Club continues to be recognized as the regions premier course. In addition to The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, Mystic Creek has also hosted a number of other high profile events, including the Men’s Sunbelt Collegiate Championship and the Women’s Southland Conference Championship in 2021. For more information on The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout presented by Pepsico, visit www.eldoradoshootout.com or follow at Facebook.com/road2eldo, Twitter.com/ROAD2ELDO, and Instagram @road2eldo. For information on Mystic Creek Golf Club, visit www. golfmysticcreek.com or call (870) 312-0723.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Golf Saudi Ambassador Camilla Lennarth Gives A Special Clinic For Female Players From The Muslim Golf Association LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: As part of Golf Saudi’s continuous efforts to develop the game of golf, a clinic was organised for ten female golfers from The Muslim Golf Association (MGA) as part of an exchange of golfing experience between the U.K. and Saudi Arabia. Held on the first day of the inaugural Aramco Team Series – London event, the clinic was held at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire. The clinic was given by Golf Saudi ambassador Camilla Lennarth, who provided technical tips to help the participating MGA ladies improve their game. This session was held as part of Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation programme, which aims to introduce the game of golf to female golfers in Saudi Arabia and internationally. The Muslim Golf Association was founded in 2020 as the world’s first dedicated golfing platform that caters for modern, professional, Muslim male and female golfers. Commenting on the opportunity to host such a clinic, Golf Saudi ambassador Camilla Lennarth expressed her excitement saying: “I’m happy to be part of this initiative. Being able to work closely with Golf Saudi always gives me the opportunity to play a more active role in developing and supporting the game. I’m happy to be able to introduce the game to more ladies and inspire them to take up the sport in future.” Amir Malik, the founder of the MGA, described the experience as inspirational: “It was a phenomenal event and such a proud moment for the MGA to be invited as guests of Golf Saudi. The MGA ladies got a unique insight into the professional women’s game by having the opportunity to spend time in-person with Camilla Lennarth, which for any budding golfer is priceless. Events, such as the Aramco Team Series provide inspiration to future generations of up-and-coming golfers, both male and female and long may they continue.” Golfers from the MGA were excited to participate in the clinic
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and reacquaint themselves with a feeling of normality after the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and a long period of social distancing. Farah Bhatti, one of the participating MGA ladies described the positives of taking part in the clinic having herself suffered during the ongoing series of lockdowns: “Having recently experienced life-threatening issues of my own, my physical and mental health has been seriously impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Muslim woman, finding an activity to not only suit but also improve my lifestyle seemed impossible, until now. The MGA has not only given me this opportunity but has also introduced me to a fantastic new sport in golf!” Bhatti continued: “ I was invited to attend the Aramco Team Series-London event and having met with Ladies European Tour Pro Camilla Lennarth was such a fantastic opportunity. To hear first-hand about her sporting journey and how she started out in golf from a very young age was a real privilege. By sharing the highlights of her career as well as offering us simple tips on how we could each individually improve our own game was simply fantastic. This experience is one I will never forget!” During the clinic, all necessary COVID-19 precautions were followed, from social distancing to limiting the number of attendees who were able to attend, to ensure a safe event for all participants. The limitations on the number of attendees provided a more concentrated and focused clinic for the participants who attended. An event entirely unique to golf, The Aramco Team Series is a first of its kind. The initiative, which was developed by Saudi Arabia, consists of 36 teams made up of three pro’s and one amateur with scores from all four contributing to the final result. Following the inaugural London event, the Series will now move onto Sotogrande, in Spain, from 5th -7th August, then New York from 14th - 16th October and finally Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 10th – 12th November.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Heralds A New Beacon Of Beachfront Glamour With The Debut Of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort ST. GEORGE’S, BERMUDA – St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort. Extending the legacy of St. Regis from New York’s finest address of 55th and Fifth, the resort blends the timelessness of a bygone era with avant-garde Bermudian design and cultural influences. Situated in the historic Town of St. George’s, an UNESCO World Heritage site, and nestled among the soft sands and turquoise water of St. Catherine’s Beach, the resort is the first Marriott International luxury brand property to debut on the island. Drawing upon the celebrated spirit of leisure travel, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort seamlessly brings together elegant accommodations, exceptional amenities, and the brand’s signature Butler Service to create an enchanted island escape. “Bermuda has long served as an exclusive destination for the global luminaries, making it the ideal location to debut a glamorous new St. Regis resort. Much like the island, St. Regis is steeped in rich history, offering a storied past and exciting future,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “The St. Regis brand’s founding family, the Astors, spent time on this beautiful island more than a century ago. Now, the House of Astor’s celebrated traditions and rituals will bring this visionary spirit, avant-garde style and impeccable service back to Bermuda where our address is your muse.”
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Spanning St. Catherine’s Beach in a gentle arc, the OBMI designed architecture and interiors of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort draw inspiration from the destination’s notable local geography, heritage and traditions, beautifully weaving the island’s legacy together with the glamourous spirit and sophistication of St. Regis. The resort features 120 elegant guestrooms, including 21suites and an ultra-luxury residential development offering two and three-bedroom residences. Each guestroom features a private balcony and is designed to immediately draw the eye to expansive ocean views and stunning vistas of Bermuda’s celebrated Fort St. Catherine. Speaking to the island’s bold fortitude, stone foundations and formations inform texture and patterns, while the purposeful irreverence of Bermuda’s fashion is brought in through saturated colors and striking geometry. “The St. Regis Bermuda Resort promises to be an enchanted beachfront oasis for guests and local luminaries alike,” said Jan Vanhaelewyn, General Manager at The St. Regis Bermuda Resort. “With bespoke service, exquisite design, outstanding culinary venues, the historic Five Forts Golf Course, and more than a dash of glamour, we hope to inspire and contribute to the local hospitality landscape and help elevate luxury in this iconic leisure destination.” The resort’s sophisticated food and beverage offerings include Lina, a flavorful all-day restaurant whose name is a playful nod to the nickname of St. Regis’ founding patroness Mrs. Caroline Astor.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS This venue features a delectable, light and fresh menu that leans into Bermuda’s coastal offerings and is inspired by the irreverent glamour of yachting clubs of the past. In the evening, the signature blackboards of famed BLT Steak NY will share daily specials, offering guests the finest in modern steakhouse fare. At the iconic St. Regis Bar, guests can socialize and celebrate while enjoying champagne, libations and light bites. The resort will also debut the Gates Bay Mary, its unique twist on the brand’s signature cocktail – the Bloody Mary. The Gates Bay Mary is named for the turquoise bay bordering the resort and infuses native fennel, Goslings Gold Seal Rum, Outerbridge’s Original Sherry Peppers Sauce, and a special spice mix created on the island. Overlooking azure waters, the resort features both an adult and a family pool where guests can lounge luxuriantly or enjoy a private cabana for an exclusive retreat. Indulgence and relaxation awaits at the St. Regis Spa, which offers a comprehensive menu of unique personalized treatments using natural and precious elements and featuring products by Sothys. Additionally, a 24-hour fitness center offers state-of-the-art equipment. Younger guests will be able to enjoy unique amenities and enriching activities at The St. Regis Children’s Club, while Family Traditions programming offers meaningful excursions and experiences for the whole family. True to the Astors love for sports and speed, both guests and locals can relax with a day on the links or a night at the casino. Breathing new life into a historic landmark, the scenic Five Forts
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Golf Course is a marvelous and challenging 18-hole course. Named for the five notable forts that surround it, leisure seekers will tee off near Fort Victoria and enjoy captivating ocean views as they make their way through the 4,436-yard course, concluding at Fort St. Catherine. State-of-the-art, GPS-enabled golf carts will ensure the brand’s bespoke service reaches guests no matter where they are on the green. For a dazzling evening of sophistication and glamour, the resort proudly features the St. Regis brand’s first casino, slated to open later this year. This 5,500 sq. ft. gaming floor offers a variety of options for guests looking to roll the dice, in addition to a salon privé with two private tables. As the finest address for truly bespoke events and celebrations, the resort also features 10,989 sq. ft. of event space. Perfect for executive retreats, family gatherings, or enjoying milestone moments, offerings include a state-of-the-art boardroom, an exceptional ballroom that can host up to 150 people and a stunning terrace for oceanside events. The resort can also create a personalized, private set up on the beach while an additional event lawn located at the 18th hole of the Five Forts Golf Course offers spectacular sunset views overlooking both the ocean and Fort St. Catherine. Informed by the brand’s legacy of celebration from the Gilded Age to the present day, each event at The St. Regis Bermuda is thoughtfully curated and complemented with exceptional service. For more information or reservations, please visit: stregisbermudaresort.com.
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by Dakota Diaz
PORTUGAL’S BEST
Golfers Invited To Take A Stroll With Nature At Quinta Do Lago This Summer
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olfers and their families can take a walk on the wild side at Quinta do Lago this summer as part of a packed programme of events at the luxury Portuguese resort that embraces nature and a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Green golf clinics, guided nature walks and eco-driven sustainable events are just some of the activities being offered to guests between now and the end of the summer holidays, with Europe’s premier golf and lifestyle venue aware of the need for people to take time out in natural surroundings as a result of the Covid pandemic.
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Nestled within the privacy, tranquillity and security of the 2,000-acre Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is the ideal place to unwind, with its five-star facilities including three 18-hole championship golf courses, a premier sports hub, a golden sandy beach and numerous first-class bars and restaurants. New for the summer, players can combine a golf academy clinic with a guided tour around the course to learn more about Quinta do Lago’s environmental initiatives, eco strategies and wildlife conservation efforts. Guided nature trails offering invaluable insight into the many species that inhabit the golf courses and Ria Formosa Nature Reserve can also be booked, while the resort’s ‘Release to the Wild’ event allows guests to share in the special moment when rescued wildlife including owls and turtles are returned to the wild after rehabilitation. Among the golf promotions available is the resort’s ‘Summer Golf Offer’, where players can enjoy 18 holes on either the pristine North and Laranjal championship golf courses including a shared golf buggy for just €99 per person. Boys and girls of all levels aged six to 15 have the chance to improve their golfing skills at one of the weekly junior academies run by the expert team of coaches at the Paul McGinley Academy. Designed to be engaging, exciting and, most importantly, lots of fun, the five-day academies – which are limited to groups of five children per coach and run until August 27 – take place from Monday to Friday with two sessions each morning from 09.00 to 10.30 and 10.45 to 12.15. The programme costs €200 per week or €65 per day, with every child receiving a gift pack and a €15 discount if two or more siblings are booked. Other highlights include TaylorMade Demo golf days, mini-golf family competitions and Quinta do Lago’s ever-popular ‘Movies in the Park’, with a giant 3D outdoor screen on the driving range. A summer of sport awaits fitness enthusiasts at The Campus high performance sports hub, with memberships, events and programmes for all, while guests can relax in style with a choice of dining experiences available at one of Quinta do Lago’s 13 impressive bars and restaurants. These include the resort’s acclaimed Bovino steakhouse and recently-opened Asian restaurant ’UMAMI’ – showcasing a variety of modern dishes from the sushi counter and the robata grill using locally sourced Algarve produce – with live music to help evenings go with an added swing. Just a 15-minute drive from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago has set the benchmark for Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations for nearly five decades. Complementing the golf and sports facilities is a selection of bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious local and international cuisines, with accommodation on offer at the resort’s boutique hotel, The Magnolia Hotel, and at an impressive collection of rental villas. Accommodation at The Magnolia Hotel starts from €120 per night for a standard double room and €216 per night for a family cottage (both on a bed-and-breakfast basis), while hotel guests can enjoy three nights for the price of two over the coming weeks as part of its special summer promotion.
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PORTUGAL’S BEST
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About Quinta do Lago
ince its inception in 1972, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of international golf, hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international tournaments. Home to three world-class golf courses, the resort also boasts a wealth of cutting-edge practice facilities. Quinta do Lago North Course – Opening in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities. Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe’, the par-72 layout has received widespread praise for its strategicallyplaced hazards and varying difficulty across the 18 holes. Having hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions, the South Course is regarded as one of Portugal’s premier golfing venues. Laranjal – Designed by Jorge Santana da Silva in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards, and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting. Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in the world, founded in October 2011
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by Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, who is a regular visitor to the resort, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers’ play by providing them with the tools and techniques used on the professional Tours. The academy focuses especially on younger players, working in collaboration with local schools and is the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the pros. TaylorMade Performance Center – Quinta do Lago’s TaylorMade Performance Centre is the only facility of its kind in Portugal and is located on the resort’s expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player’s swing. It also has a fully equipped Tour standard workshop and utilises FlightScope X2 radar technology to measure the entire flight of the ball from impact to landing whilst displaying its 3D trajectory in real time. The Campus – Launched in October 2018, The Campus is a unique €10 million training, fitness and wellness facility catering to elite, professional athletes and enthusiastic amateurs alike. The multi-sports hub has recently unveiled a brand-new highperformance centre fully equipped with a high-performance gymnasium with technical area, a new centre for active living and sports medicine, dedicated studios for cycle and group exercise, stadium specification locker rooms and 25-metre outdoor heated swimming pool. Offering an array of first-class facilities, it offers the ideal environment for golfers of all abilities to improve their fitness, with golf-performance conditioning programmes and golfspecific fitness classes among the services available. Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community. For more information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, call + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com
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The Insider’s Guide
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to Pinehurst Resort By Shane Sharp
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inehurst Resort in North Carolina’s famed Sandhills has undergone nothing short of a renaissance over the past decade. From the restoration of No. 2, the opening of The Cradle, the reimagination of No. 4 and the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst, the past decade has been a whirlwind of activity that has set the golf world ablaze. That stated, we’re not here to reinvent the sand wedge with a blowby-blow review of all the resort’s amazing changes. Instead, based on numerous multi-day, 36-hole-a-day trips over the past five years, we offer our carefully curated Insider’s Guide to Pinehurst Resort. Planning a golf buddy or family trip to the Cradle of American Golf is an exhilarating experience. With nine courses, three hotels and a fistful of outstanding eateries, it can also be a bit daunting. The resort has an outstanding trip planning service to walk you through the nitty gritty. But we’re here well in advance with a host of insider tips to help you pull-off the golf bucket list trip of a lifetime with flying colors. Best Arrival Day Golf Course: You can make a case for No. 5, an underrated Ellis Maples design that gently pitches and rolls through a residential area across Beulah Hill Rd. from the main golf campus. But the logical point to begin the epic journey that is Pinehurst Resort is the No. 1 Course, completed by Donald Ross in 1901. The expansive fairway of the par-4 opening hole is an arms-wideopen welcome to the Cradle of American Golf. The dead-straight, par-4 second follows suit, and every hole between it and the par-5 18th hole encourages golfers to play their absolute best. As an added bonus, the 18th tee box with the clubhouse in the background is the perfect buddies trip or family photo opp.
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Best Championship Course that Isn’t No. 2 or No. 4: No shocker, here, as No. 8 is situated third among the resort’s courses in the national and in-state rankings. But put Tom Fazio’s Centennial in just about any other state and it’s the best track around. The golf cognoscenti tend to forget just how pure this layout is, and the green complexes, green speed and pin positions rival any tournamentcaliber venue. No. 8 isn’t cut from the same Sandhills aesthetic cloth as No. 2 and No. 4. Rather, Fazio was handed 420 acres of rolling hills and wetlands that required a skillful routing. There are several forcedcarry tee shots and aerial approaches into greens, but its brilliance manifests in No. 8’s differentiation from its siblings. An early morning or late afternoon round, here, is a transcendental experience, as each hole corridor is isolated from the next. Best Course to Revisit if You Haven’t Played it in Years: The obvious answer is No. 4. In the 70s it was a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, in the 80s a Rees Jones course and from 1999 to 2017, No. 4 was a highly-ranked Fazio design. The golf course architecture musical chairs ended in 2018 when Gil Hanse completely reimagined and redesigned No. 4 as a “companion” course to No. 2. Hanse’s craftsmanship is so on-point that 19th hole debates rage as to whether it or No. 2 is the superior circuit. The not so obvious answer, on the other hand? No. 7. Original designer Rees Jones restyled this off campus course into a Herculean test of golf in 2002. No. 7 is 7,216-yards of pure muscle fiber routed through 25 acres of wetland, three acres of waste bunkers and 75 bunkers. Its 520-yard par-5 opening hole, with a double-bending fairway, sets the stage immediately for “hard par, easy bogey” – a timeless hallmark of Jones family design. Tee shots are generally
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downhill, approach shots are usually uphill, and Jones’ routing takes on a steady rhythm that makes No. 7 a joy to play. Best Golf Bonding Experience: If golf was a religion (and for many it comes close), then The Cradle would be its church. On any given day, and especially in the mid to late afternoon, Hanse’s 10-acre short course is humming with golf groups from all over the U.S. and around the world with their shoes off and transfusions in hand. Music from hidden speakers fills the air, as do tee shots from both grass and mat tees. The experience is collective and redemptive, and by the time golfers walk off the ninth green, they’ve made at least 100 new friends. And when church lets out, the people can simply adjourn to the 75,000-square-foot playground that is the Thistle Dhu putting course. Best Non-Golf Bonding Experience: The Drum & Quill in the Village of Pinehurst is the type of joint where if the shades were pulled down tight, you’d lose all sense of space and time. The iconic pub and eatery owned by former golf marketer and writer Kevin Drum is as busting and boisterous at lunch as it is come nightfall. Well, maybe not quite. Pull up a barstool, order fish and chips, have the bar keep pull your favorite pint, and forget about what ails you. You won’t regret it. Meanwhile, back at Pinehurst, the Deuce serves this role, and serves it well. Situated on the far side of the main clubhouse, this authentic tavern is located just behind the 18th green on No. 2. Outdoor seating allows guests to grab a beer and a bite and watch all the action coming in. An ample selection of craft brews are on tap, and everything on the gastropub-focused menu is perfectly executed.
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Best Restaurant for Buddies and Family Trips: When the Pinehurst Brewing Company opened in the old Village steam plant in 2018, the vision called for a neighborhood gathering place that was equal parts golf buddy hang and family dining destination. Mission accomplished on that front and throw in a nice mix of local patrons and out-of-town visitors to top it all off. The “PBC’s” BBQ is front and center, highlighted by smoked baby back ribs, pork shoulder, brisket and homemade sausages. But handtossed, wood-fired pizzas are a sneaky second favorite, and pair just as well with the brewery’s selection of handcrafted ales and lagers. The Pivot IPA has become the stuff of legend, and as soon as it hits the taps and coolers (in cans), the supply can be wiped out in a matter of days. Best Lodging for an Extended Stay: For those who want to play as many Pinehurst Resort courses as possible, i.e. all of them, even
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a 36-hole-a-day pace yields a five-day, five-night vacation that ventures into “extended stay” territory. The Carolina Villas rise to the occasion to fill this niche perfectly. Located adjacent to the Carolina Hotel, they feature four privately keyed guest rooms with their own bathrooms. Better yet, the four bedrooms spill out into a spacious living room with a wet bar, dining area, and either a balcony or patio for chilling outdoors. The bed configuration is two queens, with each unit easily accommodating eight golfers or two families. All the modern accoutrements are included, such as Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and Keurig coffee makers. For more information on Pinehurst Resort’s nine, 18-hole courses, The Cradle, accommodations, dining and other amenities and activities, visit www.pinehurst.com.
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ROAD TRIP
BRANSON
America’s Newest Golf Destination
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By Chuck Miller
BRANSON, MISSOURI
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ranson, Missouri has long been famous for its multitude of entertainment venues featuring famous country and pop culture stars from past and present. Over the years Andy Williams, Yakov Smirnoff, Jim Stafford, Willie Nelson, and a multitude of others have all starred there. For over fifty years the Branson area has also offered a myriad of things to see and do. This continues to be the case. Just minutes from downtown Branson, Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and owner of Big Cedar Lodge, has developed an unparalleled golfing destination. Morris, who started his incredibly successful business selling bait and fishing lures out of a small room in his father’s Springfield, Missouri liquor store, has created a golfing destination now known worldwide as America’s Newest Golf Destination. Locals and visitors from around the world play and enjoy the five courses Morris has developed with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods, all of whom are recognized as among the greatest golfers and golf course designers of all time. The first of Morris’ golf courses, Top of the Rock, is a nine-hole par-3 beauty unlike any other nine-hole course you will ever encounter. It sits high on a bluff overlooking the Ozark Mountains and sparkling Table Rock Lake. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is so unique the PGA TOUR held four Champions Tour events there from 2014-2017. Former PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem had nothing but praise for the course when he said, “If ever there was a par-3 course worthy of PGA TOUR tournament play, Top of the Rock is it.”
Water hole at Top of the Rock
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When you play Top of the Rock you will not only be tested when it comes to your golf skills, you will be overwhelmed by its beauty. Cascading waterfalls, amazing rock formations, gorgeous flowering shrubs and bushes, and immaculate tees, fairways and greens make golfing the Top of the Rock a most pleasurable and unforgettable golfing experience.
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ROAD TRIP Before or after a round of golf at Top of the Rock, you can enjoy dining at one of the Rock’s three restaurants…the Osage, Arnie’s Barn, or the Buffalo Bar. The Osage Restaurant features up-scale American cuisine and gorgeous views of the Ozark Mountains. Arnie’s Barn is located in the reconstructed 150-year old barn brought from Arnold Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It houses an excellent Mexican Restaurant and the Top of the Rock Pro Shop. The Buffalo Bar offers unique and delicious wood-fired pizzas and premium cocktails. If wine is your pleasure, the place to visit is the Rock’s End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar. When you eat at Arnie’s Barn, look above the bar and you will see a huge, 1358- pound Giant Black Marlin caught in 1978 by Jack Nicklaus off Australia’s Barrier Reef. It is an incredible sight. At Top of the Rock you can also view, putt on, and learn about the massive putting green designed by Tom Watson, ride a golf cart or walk the Lost Canyon Cave & Natural Trail, and visit both the Chapel of the Ozarks and the Ancient Natural History Museum. And…if you are at the Top of the Rock at dusk, you can watch and listen as a bagpiper plays and a cannon is shot. A second course of Morris’ five courses is Buffalo Ridge. When he purchased the course in 2015, he commissioned Tom Fazio to reshape it into the beauty it is today. Playing it requires extra concentration because of the extraordinary
views of the Ozarks and the roaming bison that graze on the prairie grasses surrounding the course. Also, the fact that flat lies are few and far between may possibly get you off your game. Elevation changes from tee to green on the hilly terrain also make correct club selection a must. Five tee boxes ranging from 5004 to 7036 yards give golfers of all abilities the opportunity to challenge the course according to their golfing capabilities. A third course, Mountain Top, is a Gary Player designed 10921912 yard 13-hole par-3 gem. Player, known for his love of the outdoors and the importance of good exercise, designed the course to encompass both. It is a walking course where you use large tire pull carts to carry your clubs. The course has few trees, is heavily bunkered, has up and down fairways, a few narrow holes, and finishes off with an uphill 95-yard dandy located just below the Mountain Top restaurant. Don’t let Mountain Top’s length fool you, from the 1912-yard tees it has four long par 3’s…176, 195, 200 and 200 yards, making it challenging even for scratch golfers. When playing from the shorter 1091-yard tees, golfers comment the course is still challenging and definitely not a push-over one might imagine. Morris’ fourth course, Ozarks National, a Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw design, was the site of Phil Mickelson’s first Champions
Water Hole at Top of the Rock
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BRANSON, MISSOURI
Chuck Miller (author) teeing off at Mountain Top
13th and final hole at Mountain Top
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Golf Vacations • August 2021 27
ROAD TRIP Tour event, the August 2020 Charles Schwab Series which he won by four strokes over Tim Petrovic. At 7036-yards from the tips, it is definitely a very challenging course. Fortunately for those of us who need a GPS to find the tips, the course has three other sets of tees, Gold at 6510-yards, White at 5903-yards and Red at 5025-yards. No matter which tees are played, it requires good golf skills because of the numerous carries, the rock formations and the abundance of native grasses and habitat that must be maneuvered over and around. Morris’ newest course is Payne’s Valley. He commissioned Tiger Woods and Tiger’s design firm TGR Design to design the Payne’s Valley course in memory of Springfield, Missouri native Payne Stewart. Woods was quoted as saying that he designed the course so it would be playable for golfers from 8 to 80. When the course opened in mid-2020, Woods first public U.S. course received superlatives like amazing, unbelievable, fantastic and incredible by those in attendance. If by chance you watched the course’s opening ceremony,
the Payne’s Valley Cup on Golf Channel honoring the late Payne Stewart, you saw a 19-hole seesaw match pitting Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas against Justin Rose and Rory Mcllroy, and, can most likely understand why the course was described as incredible. Located in a large valley below the Mountain Top course and restaurant, it is an inviting track with wide fairways and large greens. From the 7370-yard Black tees, it carries a 75.6 course rating and a 132 slope. Its longest hole from the Blacks is a mere 653-yard uphill par 5. The course’s par 3’s from the Black’s are 183, 188, 224, and 267 in length. When played from the Green tees the course is 6876 yards, from the Blue tees it is 6133 yards and from the Red tees it is 4957 yards. The most spectacular and well known hole on the course is the 19th hole, a short 125-yard par-3 surrounded by water. It was designed to be used to break ties. That was the case in the match between Woods and Thomas against Rose and Mcllroy as the two teams went to the 19th hole with their match tied. Mountain Top green and rock formations
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BRANSON, MISSOURI 19th hole at Payne Valley
Both teams halved the 19th hole with pars but Woods and Thomas won the match as the win was determined by which of the four players was closest to the pin. Justin Thomas hit his ball to about eight feet and won the hole and the match for he and Tiger. Although there are all types of accommodations available in nearby Branson, for shear comfort the place to stay is Big Cedar Lodge. According to the Wall Street Journal, it has “Quickly Matured into the Best of the Best in the Region”. Big Cedar Lodge has private log cabins, cottages, three grand lodges, and the new Camp Long Creek which has unique accommodations: shepherds huts, camp cabins and glamping tents. Johnny Morris purchased Big Cedar Lodge in 1987 and over the past thirty four years has spent enormous amounts of time, energy and money making it, and his five golf courses, into America’s Newest Golf Destination. To gain greater insight into America’s Newest Golf Destination, and why you might want to plan your next golfing vacation www.golfvacationsmag.com
there, go to www.BigCedar.com. There you can read about and see photos of the five courses and the variety of accommodations available at Big Cedar lodge. You can also read about and see photos of the myriad of things to see and do at the lodge including the 50,000 Fun Center for kids of all ages. Whether you drive to or fly into Springfield, Missouri on your way to play golf at America’s Newest Golf Destination just 45 minutes from Springfield, take a half day to visit Johnny Morris’ Springfield Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. Once you tour both the 1.5 million gallon Aquarium Adventure which showcases 35,000 live fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds, and walked the 1.5 mile wildlife trail where 4D state of the art dioramas help you visualize and learn about wildlife around the world, you will understand why it has been voted America’s Best Aquarium and Best New Attraction by USA Today readers. The Wonders of the World Museum and Aquarium is an absolutely amazing must to visit before, during or after your golf vacation at America’s Newest Golf Destination. Golf Vacations • August 2021 29
SWEETSTUFF
Cobra King Tec Hybrid
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djustability and customization for each individual metalwood is what better players look for these days, and Cobra raised the bar when it comes to hybrid clubs with its new King Tec Hybrid that comes in four different lofts and is ultra-adjustable for those players who like to tweak their clubs for optimal performance.
Even though this new hybrid with all of Cobra’s latest technologies is designed for better players, it is also very suitable for those needing a little help with their long game--especially as a replacement for a three or four iron. This club is lighter, easier to hit and goes much further than the equivalent long iron--and offers excellent control—even in windy conditions when you need to keep shots low for maximum distance. To optimize performance for an even wider range of golfers, the King Tec Hybrid features an Adjustable Weight and Loft System. This hybrid features three adjustable weights (two 12g weights and a 2g weight) that can be positioned in the toe (for a fade-biased ball flight), heel (for a draw-biased ball flight), or front setting for a neutral and lower launching ball flight. 14g and 10g weights are also available through custom order for those who require more fine-tuning. Cobra’s MyFly hosel features 8 settings which can be adjusted up to + or -1.5 degrees (including 3 draw settings), allowing players to dial in their preferred launch and spin performance. The 4 Hybrid, for instance, can be adjusted to the loft of a strong 3-iron at 19.5 degrees—or a strong 4-iron at 22.5 degrees—and several lofts in between. Some club fitters even suggest that players switching to a hybrid go up one club from their iron—i.e., if you are replacing a 3-iron, go to a 4 hybrid, etc. With these clubs you have many
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options. “We’re excited to bring MyFly technology and adjustability to our hybrids” said Jose Miraflor, Vice President, Marketing & Product Architecture, Cobra Golf. “The ability to fine-tune your trajectory while gaining more distance is what better players look to achieve.” The power in this club is largely due to the PWRShell Face design (also featured in their latest Radspeed irons). The innovative design utilizes a thin, forged 455 stainless steel L-cup insert that is hyperflexible to promote faster ball speed and higher launch across the face. In addition, the club features a Carbon Fiber Crown that saves 10g that are repositioned low and back within the clubhead to lower CG. Together, both technologies achieve the best combination of high launch, reduced spin, longer carry distance and softer landing into greens. A slightly oversized profile aids in forgiveness, while a square leading edge provides a pleasing look at address and gives players confidence to execute precise and controlled ball flights. For many players, this club will serve as an excellent driving iron because of its distance and controllability. Each King Tec Hybrid is equipped with a Cobra Connect Grip powered by Arccos Caddie. Users can download the Arccos Caddie app on their smart device and pair their clubs to track their shot data when out on the course. The King Tec Hybrid is available in right and left hand (left hand custom only) in four different lofts —a 17° 2H (adjustable from 15.5° to 18.5°), a 19° 3H (adjustable from 17.5° to 20.5°), a 21° 4H (adjustable from 19.5° to 22.5°) and a 24° 5H (adjustable from 22.5° to 25.5°). Each hybrid is equipped with either a Mitsubishi Chemical MMT 80 graphite hybrid shaft in extra-stiff and stiff flex; and a MMT 70 in regular flex. For more info: www.cobragolf.com
Sqairz Slidez
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he company that introduced the game improvement concept to the golf shoe business last year—Sqairz-- has now gone one step further with the release of a line of slides (sandals) for golfers called Slidez™ that are designed for after golf, around the hotel, in the grill room or the practice green. These lightweight, easy slip on-slip-off designs have a breathable foam strap and soft orthotic-like foot bed that provides soothing stability and all-day comfort.
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
They offer good traction from the strategically placed grooves and are easy to clean and pack away for a long trip or just going to the gym. The wider base platform—just like in the company’s golf shoes—helps to expand your toes, and the super-soft injected EVA foam and signature cushioning are a welcome relief after a round. This shoe also features the patented SQAIRZ square toe technology and a squared heel to help make a wider base in the forefoot and heel for better comfort and movement, as well as increased stability and balance when walking. “After a round of golf people want to wear their slides/sandals into the grill room, on the ride home, or out on the practice green, so we sought out to develop and design one of the most comfortable sandals on the market,” said Robert Winskowicz, the founder and CEO of Sqairz. “Slidez not only provide extraordinary comfort and cushioning, but they also allow the toes to sit naturally for added comfort. I’m excited to grow the Sqairz brand in a category that is important to golfers with our first line of sandals for golfers. We’re also proud that we’ve been able to create a product that features the same technology that made SQAIRZ golf shoes so popular. They’re designed to be amazingly comfortable and functional.” For more information, visit www.sqairz.com
smell of the topical creams typically used by chiropractors. So, the Israel native drew on her memories of family vacations to the Dead Sea to create her own--bottling up the restorative waters’ therapeutic salts. This skin-care quality body cream is also filled with naturally analgesic essential oils like mandarin and lemongrass, and features a natural plant-based emulsion system. “I developed Mineralgia for the patients of my wellness practice, with the goal to provide safe, everyday relief from acute and chronic pain in order to facilitate whole-body healing,” said Rozenberg. “Formulated with pure, healing minerals from the Dead Sea to decrease pain-related stress on the body, this luxurious, yet effective cream sooths, calms and moisturizes with rich plant-based oils, known for thousands of years to have healing, pain-relieving benefits.” The cream is easy to apply and produces a cooling and relaxing sensation to sore and tired areas of the body. Mineralgia is made in the U.S.A., doctor formulated and tested, and FDA approved. It can be used for: Multiple types of acute and chronic pain; Sore muscles from working out or prolonged sitting; Headaches and migraines (apply to temples); Arthritis; Tendinitis; Inflammation; Pulled muscles, strains and sprains. For more information, visit the website at: www.mineralgia.com
Mineralgia Cream
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ches and pains are a natural part of any athletic activity, and as with most active endeavors, golfers would rather talk about birdies and bogeys rather than what hurts after a round. A new product developed by Los Angeles-based chiropractor Dr. Brigitte Rozenberg called Mineralgia is aimed at reducing the effects that the game has on the body, plus any other joint pain from the aftermath of prolonged sitting or other activities. Rozenberg is a strong advocate for drug-free, non-surgical, noninvasive natural pain relief. She wanted a high-quality formula to use on her patients during treatments as well as a daily solution they could use at home or on a trip. But she disliked the harsh ingredients and lingering medicinal
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