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GOLF VACATIONS DECEMBER 2021
PUERTO RICO WINTER GOLF TRAVEL TALE
PINE DUNES RESORT & GC
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GOLF VACATIONS DECEMBER 2021
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Dumbarnie Links Named “World’s Best New Golf Course”
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Chip Shots
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Holiday Gift Guide
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Winter Golf Travel Tale to Puerto Rico
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Dumbarnie Links, a daily-fee links course located on the east coast of Scotland near St Andrews, was recently honoured at the World Golf Awards as the “World’s Best New Golf Course 2021.”
Sometimes the only way to fit in a round of golf is to get it in early. And that’s certainly the theme with holiday shopping this season, what with all the supply chain and shipping hazards (to borrow from golf parlance). So to speed along the pace of play, here’s a roundup of golf gifts ranging from equipment and apparel to training aids and apps.
by John Brasier
For those living in four-season climates, there’s nothing like a winter trip to “paradise” to warm one’s soul and extend the golf season. That was reinforced on a recent trip to Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory and air travel hub of the Caribbean.
Resort Report: Pine Dunes Resort and GC
by David R. Holland
The expected celebrity photos in Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Course’s pro shop include the NFL’s highest-paid man, Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (came with former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell), and President George W. Bush.
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS John Brasier, a longtime golf writer based in the Carolinas, has written golf travel stories for several publications, including Golf Magazine, Golfweek and GolfWorld. As a newspaper reporter, editor and columnist, he was a regular for many years covering the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup Matches and other events in the Carolinas. Not a great player, he’s a particularly bad putter. His four holes-in-one probably saved him 12 strokes on the green.”
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
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.
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 David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. “Multiple careers” best describes this world traveler (visited 35 countries), who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve. Holland splits home time in Colorado and Texas. He has written for GolfWeek’s Superintendent News, Colorado AvidGolfer, Midwest Golfing Magazine, South Central Golf Magazine and Fairway to Green. He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, UPI and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Follow Dave on Twitter @David_R_Holland.
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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
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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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DUMBARNIE LINKS NAMED “WORLD’S BEST NEW GOLF COURSE” AT 2021 WORLD GOLF AWARDS
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IFE, Scotland – Dumbarnie Links, a daily-fee links course located on the east coast of Scotland near St Andrews, was recently honoured at the World Golf Awards as the “World’s Best New Golf Course 2021.” The World Golf Awards celebrate world-class golf courses and golf destinations, recognizing excellence within golf tourism and are voted for by professionals working within the golf travel and tourism industries as well as golf tourism consumers. The 8th Annual World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony was held in Dubai. Dumbarnie Links opened for play on May 29, 2020 and has since received high acclaim throughout the golf world. The stunning Clive Clark design, located eleven miles from St Andrews, measures 6,905-yards (can be stretched to 7,600 yards for professional competitions) and plays to a par of 72. Dumbarnie Links is built upon land that is part of the historic 5,000-acre Balcarres Estate. Its 345 acres of genuine sandy links land offers unobstructed views over Largo Bay and the Firth of Forth, a 10-mile wide stretch of water with views across to Muirfield, North Berwick and Edinburgh. The routing is a departure from the usual. Instead of the traditional links out-andback layout, Clark incorporated a mix of two big loops with elevated tees facing into the Firth of Forth. Earlier this year, Dumbarnie Links hosted the 2021 Women’s Scottish Open August 9 – 15. “We are very excited to be the recipients of this worldwide prestigious award,” said Dumbarnie Links Founder and Architect, Clive Clark. “We continue to be delighted by the excellent feedback from all those who have played the golf course. Not only were they
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able to enjoy the golf course – which is most entertaining – together with its outstanding condition, but also the first class and welcoming service provided by all members of the Dumbarnie team. We look forward to another busy year in 2022.” World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations. Launched in 2014, World Golf Awards aims to drive up standards within the golf tourism industry by rewarding the organizations that are leaders in their field. World Golf Awards is the sister organization of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 28th anniversary. For more information about World Golf Awards visit www.worldgolfawards.com. For more information on Dumbarnie Links, visit www. dumbarnielinks.com or call 833-691-0403 in the U.S. and Canada, or 0-800-085-1280 in the United Kingdom. About Clive Clark Design Golf course designer and former Ryder Cup player, Clive Clark, has been dedicated to designing high-quality golf courses for more than 30 years. He has an eye for detail and is known for consistently producing award-winning courses and remodels that have proven extremely successful for golfers, clients and developers alike. As the designer of 35 golf courses in Europe and the United States, Clark began his work in the golf course design industry with a highly successful partnership with Peter Alliss before setting up his own firm after moving to the U.S. Visit www.cliveclarkdesign.com for more information.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Boyne Golf
Boyne Golf Announces New ‘Magnificent 10’ and ‘Super 5’ Vacations PETOSKEY, MI – For more than 30 years, BOYNE Golf has set the standard for creating some of the best value in golf vacations. From the original “BOYNE Super 5” in the 1980s, which evolved into the more recent “Great Escape” package, BOYNE has re-defined the premier golf travel experience and helped to cement Northern Michigan as “America’s Summer Golf Capital.” Due to the overwhelming popularity of the “Great Escape” package in recent years, BOYNE Golf has announced two new golf vacation packages – Michigan’s Magnificent 10 and Super 5 Vacation. Both packages provide even more value, a greater golf experience and promote BOYNE as the perfect destination for a buddies’ golf trip, couple’s golf getaway, or simply a golf escape with friends. BOYNE Golf is collectively one of the largest golf and resort attractions in North America, featuring a trio of resorts with 10 golf courses, all within 20 minutes of Petoskey, Michigan. The destinations’ central location in the upper Midwest also makes it easily accessible for golfers from all over the country with direct flights into nearby Traverse City, Michigan (TVC) from 17 different cities. Michigan’s Magnificent 10 Vacation The Michigan Magnificent 10 satisfies the golf appetite for all and includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain
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(Sunday check-in/Friday check-out), and UNLIMITED golf on seven of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses (The Alpine, The Monument, Crooked Tree Golf Club, The Moor, Donald Ross Memorial, The Heather, and Arthur Hills courses, as well as two rounds at Bay Harbor Golf Club. The vacation also includes a welcome party, a lesson with the Boyne Golf Academy, a session on TrackMan Range, and a $100 Shopping Card. Package price starts at $1,585 per person for the week. Click here for more details. Super 5 Vacation BOYNE Golf goes back to the future with its original week-long stay and play, harkening back to a time when BOYNE had just five golf courses. The original Super 5 package was the first of its kind that created overwhelming value for golfers through UNLIMITED golf at a resort destination. Today, the popularity has evolved with even more course options to add. This new version includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain (Sunday check-in/Friday check-out), and UNLIMITED golf on five of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses (The Alpine, The Monument, Crooked Tree Golf Club, The Moor, and Donald Ross Memorial). Guests can play The Heather, Arthur Hills, or Bay Harbor Golf Club courses for an additional charge. The vacation also includes a welcome party and a session on TrackMan Range. Package price starts at $1,109 per person for the week. Click here for more details.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS BOYNE Unlimited Golf Package For serious golfers who can’t get away for five nights, the Unlimited Golf Package is perfect to pack in the rounds of golf. The package includes lodging at Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree (near Bay Harbor) along with UNLIMITED golf on The Moor or Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands, The Alpine and The Monument at Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree Golf Club. Upgrade to a round on The Heather or Arthur Hills courses at Boyne Highlands for just $35 or Bay Harbor Golf Club for $35-$105. Click here for more details. BOYNE Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information, visit www. boynegolf.com.
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Announces Exceptional Caribbean Golf Getaways LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including its iconic Teeth of the Dog ranked No. 1 in LINKS Magazine’s “Best Courses in the Caribbean” – announces an array of winter and spring stay-and-play packages for exceptional golf getaways. The “Unlimited Golf with Breakfast” package starts at $599 (per room, per night). Resort guests can tee it up as much as they like on two renowned Pete Dyedesigned gems: Dye Fore (27 holes) and The Links (18). Play on the legendary Teeth of the Dog has a preferred rate of $199 per round (plus taxes). All golf rounds are based on availability and include play on arrival and departure days. The offer also includes deluxe accommodations in the resort’s recently renovated guest rooms, daily breakfast, use of a four-passenger golf cart to internal travel throughout the 7,000-acre gated property and use of the resort’s fitness center. The “Unlimited Golf with All Inclusive” package features all the highlights above plus daily breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and drinks by the glass at resort signature
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restaurants or room service (extra delivery charge), unlimited horseback riding, use of the property’s tennis courts, one round at the 245-acre Shooting Club, non-motorized water sports and family program activities. This extraordinary offer starts at $799 (per room, per night). Casa de Campo is additionally offering its “Golf Buddies in Villa” stay-and-play offer starting from $550 (per villa, per night). This allows groups and families the opportunity to enjoy a “world of their own” in a three- to five-bedroom luxury villa with one daily round of golf (per person) on Dye Fore and The Links. Breakfast for the group is prepared right in the villa each morning along with daily housekeeping, dedicated concierge services, and free Wi-Fi “There is no better time of year for families, friends, groups and golf buddies to visit our world-class resort to unwind and relax in paradise,” says Jason Kycek, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “Come not to just escape the cold, but to build memories that will last a lifetime at our gorgeous golf courses, beaches, pools, marina, equestrian center and additional jaw-dropping onsite amenities.” Teeth of the Dog has long been a “bucket list” layout for those seeking to play one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. Dye’s design hallmarks are all present: railroad ties,
vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. “The Heaven 7” oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.” The resort’s world-class Golf Learning Center is a “must visit” when on property. Highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology, it features two indoor hitting bays for rapid game improvement, yearround training, individual and group golf lessons and schools, and expert clubfitting and repair. Residing on 21 acres of “pure grass,” the PGA Tour-quality facility also showcases practice greens for honing putting, chipping and pitching skills as well as unlimited use of the pristine outdoor range for full shots. On-course instruction is also available. During the COVID pandemic, the five-star resort initiated its “Casa Cares” program touching virtually every area of the property including significant investment in new equipment and employee training. The robust health and safety practices continue to remain a top priority for its guests. A full list of the measures may be found here. 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/.
Dye Fore - Hole 3
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Belvedere Golf Club
Belvedere Golf Club Will Host 2023 Hickory Grail Matches CHARLEVOIX, MI – Belvedere Golf Club, the classic William Watson design located in Northern Michigan, announces that the club has been selected to host one of the premier hickory club events in the world, The Hickory Grail in 2023. The Hickory Grail matches is a Ryder Cup style event where 13 of the most passionate hickory players from the United States and Great Britain/Europe compete in the oldest international hickory match in golf. Belvedere members Ross Hays and Jerry Esselman, along with head pro Marty Joy, were all named to this year’s U.S. Grail team who competed in the event last month at the famed St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland. Since 2000, the U.S. team and Great Britain/Europe have tied 6-6 in retaining the cup in the friendly matches played in the spirit of the game. “With Belvedere’s history and the passion that our club members have for hickory club play, it was a natural fit for us to be selected to host The Grail Cup”, said Joy. “To have been able to participate in this prestigious event at St. Andrews, the home of golf, and now to play host is a dream come true for all of us at the club. We are very proud to welcome this event and fellow hickory players from across the Atlantic to play the game as it was meant to be played.” The Hickory Grail was founded in 2000 by American’s Ralph Livingston III and Tom Stewart, both hickory pioneers and experts, along with Scotland’s David Hamilton, one of today’s premier golf historians. The biennial event is conducted under the auspices of The British Golf Collectors Society, with current membership of 700+ members in Great Britain, America and around the world. The tournament is noted for selecting many of the world’s most prestigious historical courses for its venues. Among them are St. Andrews; Baltustrol; Kilspindie, Scotland and Falsterbo GK, Sweden. Visit https://thehickorygrail.com. Belvedere is the only club in the U.S. to have as many as 44 antique hickory club players and hosts Hickory tournaments annually including the Belvedere Hickory Open since 2006 and in 2019 hosted the national U.S. Hickory Open. Competitors dress in period appropriate apparel, including knickers, ties, and jackets. Conservative estimates of the total number of hickory players in the world now total about 3,000 and growing. Belvedere, with its classic parkland layout designed by William Watson in 1925, has always been the perfect venue for hickory club play. Watson’s masterpieces include famous classic and major cham-
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pionship designs like Olympia Fields in Chicago, Harding Park in San Francisco, Interlachen in Minneapolis, The Olympic Club in San Francisco, and others. Belvedere, named 2016 Michigan Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, has been a respected tournament venue for nearly a century, having hosted the Michigan Amateur 40 times. Beginning in 1963, Belvedere hosted the event for 26 consecutive years. The 41st hosting of the Michigan Amateur at Belvedere will come in 2025, the club’s centennial year. Stretching to 6,906 yards, Belvedere isn’t long by modern standards, but the challenge lies in the short game around the dynamic green complexes, which features subtle undulations, ridges and slopes that fall off to chipping areas. Belvedere recently went through a major restoration bringing the green complexes back to the original drawings. Leading golf architects describe Belvedere’s greens as on par with those at renowned courses, such as Augusta National and Oakmont. The course has long been a favorite of many golf greats, including legend Walter Hagen, who won the first Great Lakes Open at Belvedere, and five-time British Open winner Tom Watson, who as a youngster honed his game playing summers at Belvedere. He remains a member today and calls the short par-four 16th hole one of the great par fours in America. For information about Belvedere Golf Club visit www.belvederegolfclub.com.
Bubba Watson Joins Team Troon SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Troon®, the leader in club management, development, and marketing, welcomes 12-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson to Team Troon – a collection of top international golf talent representing the Troon brand throughout professional golf. Watson joins PGA TOUR golfers Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, and Matt Kuchar of the United States, Alex Noren of Sweden, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England, PGA TOUR Champions golfer and World Golf Hall of Famer Collin Montgomerie of Scotland, and LPGA Tour/Ladies European Tour player Cheyenne Woods as members of Team Troon. Watson, 43, from Bagdad, Fla. will unveil his Troon-branded golf bag at the QBE Shootout (Dec. 10 – 12), held at Troon-managed Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla., and carry it throughout the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. As part of being on Team Troon, Watson will
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS collaborate on social media campaigns in cooperation with Troon and Troon-managed facilities around the world and take part in select Troon-sponsored events. “I feel like most golfers have heard the Troon name but not many realize how influential Troon is within the golf industry,” said Watson. “They are best-in-class at what they do and their reach and influence on the game of golf is beyond impressive. I look forward to collaborating with Troon to help grow the game that I love so much.” Currently 65th on the Official World Golf Ranking, Watson recorded five top-10 finishes during the 2020-21 PGA TOUR season, highlighted by a T4 at the ZOZO Championship and made 17 cuts in 22 starts. He is one of only six players to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs in each of the first 15 seasons of the FedExCup era. “We are proud to welcome Bubba to Team Troon,” said Tim
Bubba Watson with Troon Bag
Schantz, president and chief executive officer, Troon. “Bubba is a global ambassador for golf and, like Troon, is committed to growing the game through supporting junior and women’s golf. His philanthropic efforts through the Bubba Watson Foundation and openness about mental health continue to help those in need and is to be applauded.” Watson’s new book, “Up & Down, Victories and Struggles in the Course of Life,” was released on November 2, 2021 and was written with 11-time New York Times bestselling author Don Yaeger. Copies of the book can be purchased at www.upanddownbook.com. Troon-managed or affiliated facilities host 17 professional golf events across 9 professional tours around the world. Including high-
level amateur events and qualifying tournaments, Troon-managed facilities host more than 30 elite events. For more information on Bubba Watson, visit www.BubbaWatson. com. For more information on Team Troon, visit www.Troon.com.
Tiburón Golf Club Set To Host Second Professional Golf Event In 3-Week Span NAPLES, FL – Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples is set to host its second professional golf event in a three-week span, as PGA TOUR and LPGA professionals will play in this week’s QBE Shootout, December 10 – 12. The LPGA Tour’s season ending CME Group Tour Championship was just played (November 18 – 21) at Tiburón and was won by Jin Young Ko. Following a two-month break, Tiburón will then play host to the PGA TOUR Champions’ Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, February 18 – 20, 2022. Tiburón Golf Club is the only golf facility in the world to host LPGA Tour, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournaments over a three-month stretch. The CME Group Tour Championship and QBE Shootout are both played on Tiburón’s Gold Course, while the Chubb Classic will be contested on the Black Course at Tiburón. “Hosting three tour events in three months is a credit to the dedication of our entire team,” said Tiburón Golf Club General Manger Kevin DeDonato, PGA. “Hats off to our agronomy team, led by Grayson Grainger, for their hard work in keeping the courses in tournament-ready condition, not just for these three events, but yearround for our resort guests and members.” Bubba Watson, the newest member of Team Troon, will unveil his Troon-branded golf bag at the QBE Shootout and will be paired with LPGA Tour great Lexi Thompson. Watson will carry the new bag throughout the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Team Troon is a collection of top international golf talent representing the Troon brand throughout professional golf. Matt Kuchar, a fellow Team Troon member, returns to the QBE Shootout with teammate Harris English to defend their 2020 tournament title. The most successful pairing in Shootout history with three wins, the team has also recorded two runner-up finishes. The duo holds the tournament record for largest margin of victory, nine strokes last year – they also held the previous record when they won by seven strokes in 2013. For more information on Tiburón Golf Club at the RitzCarlton Resort, Naples, please call (239) 593-2214 or visit www. tiburonnaples.com.
Tiburon Golf Club
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS TPC Summerlin
TPC Summerlin Unveils Plans For A Golf Course Renovation LAS VEGAS, NV – TPC Summerlin, a private 18-hole golf course located just minutes from downtown Las Vegas and host to the PGA TOUR’s Shriners Children’s Open, announced renovation plans to further enhance its award-winning facility. The renovation will begin April 15, with reopening scheduled for the start of the Shriners Children’s Open on Oct. 3-9, 2022. “This is an exciting time for our club, our members and our community,” said Brian Hawthorne, general manager at TPC Summerlin. “TPC Summerlin has become synonymous with a world class golf experience and we truly believe this long-awaited renovation will not only improve the on-site experience locally but will boost the appeal for our city when millions tune-in for the Shriner’s Children’s Open next fall.” The renovation calls for TPC Summerlin, part of the TPC Network (owned, operated and licensed by the PGA TOUR), to re-grass all of the fairways and greens to newer improved varieties. Throughout the renovation, TPC Summerlin’s practice facility, Lifestyle Center, tennis courts, pool and clubhouse will remain open and available to members. Currently, TPC Summerlin’s existing fairways are made up of the originally planted 419 hybrid Bermuda. The fairways are set to be planted with a newer variety of Bermuda called Bandera. This variety is known for its aggressive growth habit and early spring green up and fall color retention. Its aggressive style will lend itself to faster divot recovery and improved wear tolerance offering a more uniform experience for play. In addition to the fairways, the project will regrass all Bentgrass greens to an improved variety called Dominator. Dominator is a blend of two high-quality Bentgrasses selected for its proven performance in warmer climates and its exceptional density
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and texture providing superior ball roll characteristics. Named by Golf Digest as “One of America’s Best Golf Courses,” TPC Summerlin and its championship layout continue to redefine the private golf club membership experience in Las Vegas. The par-72, 7,243-yard golf course’s layout was carved from a magnificent swath of rugged desert terrain by renowned golf course architect Bobby Weed which meanders through arroyos and canyons, with striking flora, numerous water features, an abundance of honey mesquite and pine trees contrasting dramatically with undisturbed desert washes – creating one of the most visually stunning tests of golf in Nevada. TPC Summerlin’s golf, amenities and exceptional member benefits make it one of the most coveted private clubs in Nevada where members enjoy a sense of community, camaraderie and belonging that come with participation in exclusive members-only golf and social events throughout the year. To learn more about TPC Summerlin, please visit www.tpc.com/ summerlin.
Duininck And Nicklaus Golf Merge Talents At Bearpath Golf And Country Club EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Bearpath Golf & Country Club – Jack Nicklaus’s only Minnesota golf design sits just to the southwest of downtown Minneapolis in a proud and thriving community eager to see their already great course become even greater. It was a visit from the Golden Bear himself that prompted Bearpath’s multi-year Master Plan development and impending rollout. Jack noted the erosion caused by Riley Creek, and several other renovation projects that current technology and the right construction team could easily and adeptly tackle and improve. Jack expressed a personal affection for his lone Minnesota design and desire to see it reach its modernized potential.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS The Bearpath ownership and management group was listening carefully and, over the past two years, has worked diligently together with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to prepare for improvements, specifically on holes 12, 13 and 16 as an overall joint project. The renovation provided the opportunity for the watershed district to also join in on stream improvements while the golf course was undergoing construction. Nicklaus Design’s lead architect for the project, Chris Cochran, then pointed out several other improvements he wanted made, including bunker renovations, cart path replacements and green re-grassing and resizing. Bearpath leadership responded quickly and deliberately, bringing in Duininck Golf and BARR Engineering for the multiyear project currently underway. Bearpath’s PGA Head Golf Professional, Kevin Cashman, said, “We’ve worked with many of the top golf course construction companies in the country, and it was important that we partner with a contractor who could respect and execute our golf course master plan to the highest of standards. We were confident Duininck Golf was the right choice.” Duininck Golf, for its part, is thrilled to be involved in yet another prestigious Twin Cities golf renovation, and even more excited to work with and learn from BARR engineering on this project. Brad Lindaman is the Senior Water Resources Engineer at BARR engineering and represents Bearpath in their work with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. “I have over 30 years of experience in watershed organization management,” Brad says, “and I’m intent on making sure there’s mutual benefit in this project, to both the watershed district and Bearpath Golf & Country Club. Ultimately I want to make sure that the golf course’s existence and evolution are sustainable long term.” The extensive engineering work, Nicklaus Golf renovations, and Duininck Golf construction expertise will make sure Bearpath’s magnificent course is improved in functionality, scenery and entertainment value. “I love Bearpath Golf & Country Club,” Duininck Golf’s General Manager, Judd Duininck, says. “Bearpath is a great property and facility. I have been there
many times over the years. It has been fun to see the improvements to the facility over the years and greatly appreciate being a part of making it a better place for everyone in the long term.”
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Joins Img Prestige IMG Golf Course Services announced that Abu Dhabi Golf Club has joined the IMG Prestige network. The addition adds yet another exclusive property to the global network of leading clubs and resorts and provides members the opportunity to visit another unique and enchanting destination in the Middle East region. Home of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship for 16 consecutive years, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is widely recognised as one of the most exciting golfing experiences in the Middle East. Earlier this month, the club successfully hosted the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship for the first time, with the competitors widespread in their appreciation of the golfing experience on offer. The 27-hole championship course provides a challenging test of golf for players of all abilities while the iconic Falcon clubhouse, designed by the renowned architect Samir Daood, reflects the national symbol and history of the UAE. The club is located just 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi. Within walking distance to the clubhouse, golfers will also find the luxurious and award-winning Abu Dhabi Westin Hotel & Spa, making it the perfect stay and play venue. Russell Hannah, Senior Director, IMG Golf Course Services, commented: “We are proud to announce another great addition to our network of clubs and resorts. We are always looking for exciting new destinations to offer our club members and we are delighted to welcome Abu Dhabi Golf Club to IMG Prestige. Club members are now able to play one of the finest courses in the Middle East, host to numerous flagship professional events”. IMG Prestige provides a valuable and unique benefit to the members of each participating club, delivering green-fee revenues as well as providing an immediate seal of quality in the marketplace. For more information please visit www.imgprestige.com
Bearpath Golf and Country Club
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Costa del Sol
Race to costa del sol finale to provide launchpad for Los Naranjos Los Naranjos Golf Club is hoping to use the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España as the platform for enhancing its global appeal and hosting future high-profile professional and amateur tournaments. The exclusive Marbella venue provided a fitting venue for the climax to this season’s Race to Costa del Sol on the Ladies European Tour (LET) as Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul was crowned a worthy winner of the 2021 Official Rankings title. Spain’s Carlota Ciganda was among the players to lavish praise on Los Naranjos after claiming a deserved four-shot victory in the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España to win her national title for the first time, and Julián Romaguera, general manager of Los Naranjos Golf Club, believes that the event can provide the catalyst for further success in the coming years following a recent period of significant investment. “Ever since I joined the club in 2016, I had the vision of hosting a Tour event here, but I was not comfortable enough with the quality of standards we were providing both in clubhouse and the golf course.,” said Romaguera. “I have had the opportunity in my career to work in the golf industry in USA, Asia and Mexico and I wanted to bring a bit of the best of each place to the club. Over the years we have been improving in all aspects to make significant changes to make big tournaments happen.
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“Los Naranjos Golf Club today has all the elements needed to host any professional or amateur at any level; a great conditioned golf course, top standard service, upgraded facilities and also a fully committed team. This tournament was very important to the reputation of the club, both domestically and internationally, we’re delighted with the feedback that we have received and believe that it will be the start of an exciting new chapter for the club.” Los Naranjos was hosting the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España for the first time in its prestigious history, and players faced a supreme test of their golfing skills on the 6,532m, par-72 Robert Trent Jones Snr layout following a series of significant improvements over the last few years. Among the changes to have been made, the tees, fairways, greens and bunkers have all been upgraded. In addition, the club has also carried out work to improve the drainage and cart paths, meaning members and guests can enjoy the course in optimum condition allyear round. Ciganda said: “I’m very happy, it’s a tournament that I really wanted to win. I love Spain and to win your country’s tournament is something very special so I’m happy with the way I played. To shoot two bogey-free rounds round here is great golfing, it was quite tough in the back nine with the wind, so I was pleased with how I played all week. “It’s hard to explain (winning in front of the home fans), I get emotional because I love Spain and I love my family, so it’s just amazing to win this week.”
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Thitikul added: “It is a pleasure to have been able to play in the Costa del Sol region as the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol champion. It means the world to me. “I am honoured to have won this title in my first full season on the Ladies European Tour and I would like to thank the Costa del Sol Tourist Board for their support.” The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España signals the start of an exciting time for the Region of Andalucia as the build-up begins to the 2023 Solheim Cup, which will take place at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa in September 2023.
New Academy At Indian Wells Golf Resort Focuses On Developing Consistency And Enhancing Enjoyment INDIAN WELLS, CA – Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, Calif. recently opened “The Academy at Indian Wells” – a golf instruction program geared towards helping golfers improve by minimizing mistakes, while developing consistency and enhancing enjoyment. The Academy is led by Director of Instruction Eric Solander, PGA, and Lead Teaching Professional Jordan Hamblin, PGA, and is located at the Indian Wells Golf Resort practice facility. By emphasizing sound fundamentals, Solander and Hamblin create individual pathways for golfers to achieve their goals. Golfers can choose between private one-on-one lessons, couples lessons, specialty clinics or two-day and three-day golf schools. Clinics take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and are hosted in a small group environment. The clinics last about an hour, and feature
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The Academy at Indian Wells Golf Resort
instruction that varies between personal and group drills, depending on skill level and areas identified for improvement. “Utilizing the latest technology available coupled with our fun, play-based approach, we are helping students bring their range game to the course,” Solander. “Our new Trackman Studio allows us to analyze and track club head speed as well as essential ball data points such as carry, total, ball speed, height, launch angle and launch direction.” For more information on The Academy at Indian Wells Golf Resort including pricing and instruction opportunities, visit https:// site.booxi.com/indianwellsgolfresort. For more information on Indian Wells Golf Resort, visit www. indianwellsgolfresort.com or call 760-346-4653.
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Compiled By Terry Ross, Shane Sharp and Barry Lotz
Sometimes the only way to fit in a round of golf is to get it in early. And that’s certainly the theme with holiday shopping this season, what with all the supply chain and shipping hazards (to borrow from golf parlance). So to speed along the pace of play, here’s a roundup of golf gifts ranging from equipment and apparel to training aids and apps. FootJoy Holiday Gift Highlights It is the holiday season and golfers everywhere are beginning to think of next year—and the new and exciting gifts to either give or receive that will add to their enjoyment of the game in 2022. Starting off our selections for this year’s gift list are some stylish yet functional offerings from FootJoy, highlighted by the HydroKnit Pullover that was designed as a mid-layer, yet performs beautifully as a rain jacket or excellent protection in
windy weather. This lightweight and versatile top utilizes three-layer bonded knit construction, four-way stretch fabric for freedom during the swing, is very breathable and has seam sealed waterproof construction that makes it 100% rainproof. Water actually rolls right off this jacket to keep you as dry as possible. The waterproof front zipper is well-designed to keep the elements out and this pullover can be zipped up snuggly around the neck for an even better seal against the rain. The HydroKnit Pullover has a full comfortable fit and the light-weight design makes this a terrific addition to your golf attire during the colder and inclement months—and fits nicely 18 Golf Vacations • December 2021
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Achilles pad ensures a nice no-slip fit and support for the heel, and the shoe is waterproof with a one-year warranty. For that player who wants a timeless look together with the latest in comfort, traction and technology, Traditions is a shoe that checks all the boxes. Shop: www.footjoy.com Radmor Golf Fall + Fall & Winter Collection Saving the planet one piece of golf apparel at a time is an ambitious resolution. But that’s just what Radmor Golf has set out to do. The Seattle-based golf apparel company is the only brand in the golf industry to eliminate the use of “virgin” polyester at the garment level – a harmful material used in the vast majority of “stretch” and “moisture wicking” fabrics. In doing so, Radmor Golf has reduced the amount of recycled ocean polyester and recycled nylon to just 10%, almost unheard of in the apparel business. Instead, founders Scott Morrison and Bob Conrad rely primarily on BCI organic and extra-long staple Pima cotton, two of the softest, most durable cottons available.
inside a golf bag as insurance against harsh weather. Another FootJoy staple for this gift-giving season is the all-new HyperFLX glove that features a super-soft feel, great fit, breathability and excellent gripping quality. The thin, exclusive APL™ Cabretta leather offers exceptional water and perspiration resistance and maximum grip enhancement. The glove has patented micro-perforations in key areas such as the palm and a MicroVent™ FiberSof™ on the back of the hand for added breathability. The breathable 3D PowerNet™ mesh on the knuckles makes for even a more comfortable glove, while the 3-D ComfortTab™ Velcro elastic closure gives this glove an extremely comfortable fit. When it comes to your feet, FootJoy Traditions shoes have been one of the best- selling categories of the year—and offer the best of both worlds. The look of the shoe—especially the two-tone saddle designs—gives the footwear its name as an ode to the more traditional look of FootJoy shoes of yesteryear—but with a modern twist that includes an ultralight feel and suburb traction with the molded sole and Pulsar LP cleats by Softspikes. The iconic silhouette of the Traditions shoes offers a soft waterproof leather upper and a super-cushioned foam midsole that is as light as you will find in a premium golf shoe that offers this kind of stability through the swing. The built-in www.golfvacationsmag.com
Radmor’s new fall and winter collection features a curated assortment of high-performance, refreshingly casual polo shirts, corduroy and knit pants and t-shirts in fall colors like sage and blue graphite. And as golfers battle the elements this winter, or just want to stay toasty, Radmor’s hoodies, sweatshirts are popular plays, and its weather-resistant Moscrip Jacket is perfect for rainy or blustery days. For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Radmor is planning a “site-wide” sale with savings ranging from 30 to 50%. Shop: www.radmorgolf.com OnCore Golf + VERO X1 Buffalo, N.Y.-based OnCore Golf has carved out a formidable position in the direct-to-consumer ball category over the past decade. Its perimeter-weighted, three-ball lineup includes the high-compression VERO X1, award-winning mid-compression ELIXR and low-compression AVANT 55. Little wonder that Charles Schwab, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott Golf Vacations • December 2021 19
have invested in the company. The VERO X1 ($39.99) is nothing short of a technological marvel, replete with a metal-infused mantle and enhanced perimeter-weighting that produces the highest allowable velocity off the club face. According to independent testing recently conducted by Golf EQ, OnCore Golf’s VERO X1 bested Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x in distance and delivered 60% less side spin. Professional golfer Erik Compton just switched to the VERO X1 after rigorous testing and says it is the longest, straightest ball he’s ever played. Be on the lookout for OnCore’s Black Friday promotion, which officials say will be one of the biggest sales in company history. Shop: www.oncoregolf.com.
The slope feature enables you to see the actual distance plus a second reading that compensates for uphill/downhill— and this feature can be turned on or off easily with the toggle switch on the top of the unit. The device also lets you set the measurements in both meters and yards. The NX9 comes with a handy carrying case and lint-free cleaning cloth that attaches to your golf bag, but one of the nicest features is the magnetic grip that allows you to keep the rangefinder handy on the bar of your golf cart or any metal object—making it easy to grab it, get the yardage and go without having to fuss with the case. Another extra included with the NX9 is the Precision Care Package that offers a lifetime battery replacement free of charge. This rangefinder has been highly rated by many players for its ease of use and accuracy—a perfect stocking stuffer for the golfers on your gift list. Shop: www.precisionprogolf.com/product/nx9-sloperangefinder TRUE linkswear + Foray X + Sport The walking-focused golf shoe brand headed up by Jason Moore and his brother / PGA TOUR player Ryan Moore debuted several new lines this year including its wildly popular TRUE Pebble and Dead Golfer collections. Rounding into the final stretch of 2021, these Pacific Northwest pioneers are bolstered by an $11.25 million investment from private equity firm KarpReilly.
Precision Pro NX9 Finding the right holiday gift for a golfer can be tricky at times, but you cannot go wrong with the PrecisionPro® NX9 Slope Rangefinder that features all the latest technology in a small, lightweight package. The enhanced LCD display with 6X magnification makes this rangefinder easy to use and spot your target. It is quick to home in on flags and the pulse vibration technology delivers a short burst to let you know you are locking in on the flag and not a tree. This rangefinder is also adept at getting the yardage for any object in the direct line of sight—be it bunkers, trees, etc.
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Recently, TRUE debuted the limited-edition Queen of Clubs Foray X True Knit II ($175), its first collaboration with the women’s golf apparel brand Foray Golf. The shoes come wrapped in a Foray-designed carry bag perfect for travel or just storing the shoes at home. Foray has also added several unique finishes to the shoe, including a translucent sole under which sits the Queen of Clubs artwork. The Moore brothers are all about comfort and performance, and TRUE’s Sport Series was just unveiled in November to rave reviews. Engineered for the eternal pursuit of par and the grinders and early risers, as the TRUE crew likes to say, the Sport’s adaptive upper is both breathable and waterproof, a one-two punch any diehard golfer would relish. It’s offered in www.golfvacationsmag.com
two models, OG ($165) and Lux ($175). TRUE is planning a Black Friday sale with killer “final sale” deals on older models, big-time savings on top-selling collections and free gift cards with certain levels of spending. Shop: www.truelinkswear.com. Sun Mountain + Cirque Rain Gear Let’s face it, there will be times this winter when the weather says “no” to golf. With Sun Mountain’s new Cirque rain gear, golfers are now free to say “no” right back. Cirque is the company’s top-of-the-line waterproof lineup and is its most breathable rain suit to-date. The jacket and pants are extremely lightweight, waterproof, and breathable due their three-layer construction.
The breathable waterproof membrane has a 20k waterproof rating and an elite 50k breathability rating. Key is the four-way stretch fabric that makes this rain suit ultimately playable – a must for golfers who actually want to be able to perform amid the elements, not just play. Cirque is available in Men’s FullZip Jacket at $299.99 and Pants at $259.99. Shop: www.sunmountain.com Acculine Golf Puck Training Aid Golf is a game of compensation and correction. You miss one tee shot to the right, and the next one is over-corrected into the hazard on the left. If your aim is a tiny bit off, you will compensate for that mistake with your golf swing. It’s human nature. You don’t even know you’re doing it. With putting it’s even worse. Miss a couple of short putts and you immediately start messing with your perfectly good putting stroke. Next thing you know it’s a roundabout of www.golfvacationsmag.com
compensation, experimentation and frustration. Now there is an easy way to check yourself for those pesky little aim and alignment errors that cost you so many strokes--the Golf Puck. Golf Puck has taken one of the world’s most accepted training aids and made it dramatically more versatile and useful. Golf Puck’s patented aim and alignment training system provides a simple, fool-proof way to check yourself on the driving range and on the putting green, so you’ll eliminate the two most common mistakes in golf: • Improper aim • Inconsistent set up Tour Pros know how important those little details are. They constantly train to aim. That’s why you will seldom see them on the driving range without some sort of alignment tool. Three aiming sticks locked together with a golf puck is one hundred times better than one random stick by itself. Organize your practice. Be precise with your aim and alignment. Set the angles on your three aiming sticks to make sure: • The clubface is square with the target line. • Your feet are set properly… parallel to the target line. • Perfect ball position for any club in the bag. • Shoulders square. The Golf Puck system trains you to set up precisely the same way every time - for drives, iron shots, bunker shots or for putts. Train to Aim! It’s a sure-fire way to set yourself up for success. Here’s what you get: • One patented, adjustable Golf Puck. • Three golf aiming rods: 42” 36” and 18”. One puck holds up to 4 guide rods. • Hundreds of variations for full shots, putting and chipping. • Engineered, machined and assembled in America with American steel. • The plastic is hardened resin - practically bullet proof. • Risk-Free, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee Buy two Golf Puck systems and go crazy with six aiming sticks. Whatever works for you! Shop: www.golfpuck.com Golf Vacations • December 2021 21
game of golf. These UltraLite grips are a breakthrough in grip technology offering ALL the same stability and control of JumboMax’s patented oversized grips at LESS THAN HALF the weight. At 20-25% lighter than a standard size grip, the JMX UltraLite grips are for the player who wants all the benefits of JumboMax’s oversized grip technology, while retaining the feeling of more weight in the club head.
PeakVision + GX6 + SL9 PeakVision’s Dual Zone lenses give golfers something they simply don’t get with any other eyewear: an upper zone for blocking harmful UV rays and a lower zone that elucidates green topography. If Neo and Trinity from the Matrix played golf, they’d wear “Peaks.” For the holidays and into 2022, the company is leaning hard into its GX6 ($127.50 on sale) and SL9 ($118.99 on sale) models. The GX6 is made from aluminum magnesium, a much lighter and more durable frame material. The frame’s temple pieces also feature rubberized technology for added gripping, spring hinges for added flexibility, and a fully adjustable nose bridge. SL9 features a fully adjustable hypoallergenic nose bridge for maximized performance and spring hinges for added flexibility. Shop: www.peakvision.com
Also check out the putter grips, used currently by Goosen, who loves the “non-torque” feel of the putter grip. They are available in five sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large and X-Large. FYI: When you purchase any UltraLite with Bryson’s personal logo, $1.00 per grip will be donated to the Bryson DeChambeau Charitable Foundation. Shop: https://www.jumbomax.com/jumbomax-jmx-ultralite
JumboMax JMX UltraLite Grips Should you re-grip your clubs? Worn out grips can hurt your game. What is known is that over time (and rounds, plus practice sessions), heat, sweat, dirt and oily residue combine to degrade the grip. You’ll feel less traction between your hands and the club, which in turn, will cause you to grip it more tightly to keep it from slipping. This is the dreaded word in golf - tension, tension in the hands, the wrists and the forearms – and tension is a guaranteed swing-wrecker. We tested JumboMax’s grips, which are used by 2020 U.S. Open Champion and 8-Time PGA TOUR winner, Bryson DeChambeau, as well as Retief Goosen, who is a two-time US Open Champion. The JMX UltraLite grips from JumboMax feature a deeply textured, all-weather design for incredible feel and tackiness, and the performance better players require. JumboMax Grips simply fit your hands better for increased distance, better accuracy and more solid ball striking. Their patented design and larger diameter provide a superior “Finger-Palm™ grip” that is revolutionizing the 22 Golf Vacations • December 2021
SkyCaddie® SX550 The new SkyCaddie SX550 gives golfers the same powerful features as the original awardwinning SX500 with a lighter, slimmer body. The impressive features are easily tapped with a 5.5” intuitive touch screen. The large HD display combined with HD quality course graphics, provide the best view of the most reliable information in the game. SkyGolf® is offering a special Holiday Promotion of $50 off the SkyCaddie SX550 and awardwinning SX400 rangefinders-and the LX5 and LX5 with ceramic bezel smart watches. The promotion ends December 31, 2021. Shop: www.skygolf.com www.golfvacationsmag.com
Southern Tide Polos + Quarter Zips Greenville, S.C.-based Southern Tide knows exactly how to stay in its lane. After all, when your logo is a Skipjack (fish), you can’t exactly start cranking out heavy wool hoodies and joggers. Instead, this unapologetically preppy brand is sticking with long sleeve polos and quarter zips this winter, perfect for golfers in tropical or temperate climates seeking a little shelter from the 50s and 60s.
The Driver Heather Long Sleeve Performance Polo ($99) is a classic piece with a classic fit with plenty of stretch for ease of movement on the course and Southern Tide’s usual UV protection. The Cruiser Heather Micro Striped Performance Quarter Zip Pullover ($110) features stretch and moisturewicking fabric and is offered in five colors. And when it does rain in Southern Tide country, the Intracoastal Quarter Zip Pullover ($165) affords ample protection. Shop: www.southerntide.com. Peter Millar + Hoodies Golf’s leading bespoke brand is getting into the hoodie game, and early indications are that Raleigh, N.C.-based Peter Millar has come to play. At the top of the line is the cozy Excursionist Flex Popover Hoodie ($378), crafted in Europe with Italian Merino wool. It features a tailored-fit with a dash of performance yarn to give it just enough stretch for playability. Next up is the Crown Crafted Merino Waffle Hoodie ($248), a slightly more formal hoodie, if there is such a thing, with Merino wool sewn in a waffle knit pattern for a visibly comfy texture. And what’s a great hoodie without a pair of golf joggers? Peter Millar’s Apollo Performance Pants ($99) are available in navy blue and iron, and perfect for on- and offcourse wear. Shop: www.petermillar.com www.golfvacationsmag.com
DownUnder Board + 2.0 Tour Edition For the most part of golf’s storied history, training aides have focused almost entirely on the upper body, whether it’s swing plane, path or impact. The DownUnder Board is eschewing tradition by helping golfers active their lower bodies. More than 100 Tour pros are using the “DUB,” including Brendon Todd, Harold Varner III, Luke Donald and Christina Kim. The DUB 2.0 Tour Edition was released earlier this year featuring adjustable width for a variety of different swing types ranging from full to chipping, and even putting. It can also be rotated for golfers who prefer to flare their feet for additional rotation. The DUB was invented by renown Australian golfer and instructor Bradley Hughes, who’s focused on creating a solution for stabilizing the lower body during the golf swing Using the board is a cinch: just set the width and rotation, apply pressure to the board with the inside of the feet and make a golf swing. Hughes recommends taking several swings without a ball, first, to get a feel for it. The DUB 2.0 Tour Edition was available on sale for $99.50 as of this writing, including an instructional video from Hughes. It’s regularly $109. Shop: www.downunderboard.com
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full-suite of Arccos features. Link is a wearable clip that attaches to a player’s belt or waistband, records shots and transfers the data via Bluetooth connection to the base smartphone. Because it frees up the phone’s microphone, golfers can listen to music, sporting events or take videos on the course. Link retails for $129, and it can be bundled with Smart Sensors (14, one for each club including a putter sensor) for $279.99 for a 10% savings. Shop: www.arccosgolf.com
Arccos Caddie + Link Arccos Caddie operates via Smart Sensors screwed into the ends of club grips, or via Smart Grips and provides golfers with shot tracking, smart distances for clubs, a range finder, strokes gained analytics and more. Users simply download the app, pair their clubs via Bluetooth connection, download the course they’re playing and away they go. And now with Arccos Caddie Link, golfers can now leave their phones in their bags, golf cart or pushcart and still enjoy the
Pinehurst Resort + Donald Ross Package If couples give each other new vehicles for Christmas, is it crazy to think a golf package, at only around a 1/20th of the price, would be an over-the-top gift? Pinehurst Resort’s Donald Ross Package is an absolute bargain in the “offseason,” offering golfers a chance to experience the Cradle of American Golf at over 50% off the peak spring and fall rates. Packages include two nights’ accommodations in any of the resort’s three hotels, villas or condos and three rounds of golf on any of its nine courses. And because all that golf makes for a hungry group, Pinehurst also throws in its famous Southern-style breakfast each morning and a three-course dinner every evening of your stay. The Donald Ross Package starts at $692 per player from Nov. 28 – Feb. 28 (note: the Carolina Hotel will be closed Dec. 19 – Jan. 5). Playing the famed No. 2 requires a $125 surcharge, but it’s more than worth the add-on this time of year to experience the site of the 2024 U.S. Open (and 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047). Pinehurst Resort
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Palmas Athletic Club in Palmas del Mar
A Winter Golf
Puerto By John Brasier
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f Travel Tale to
o Rico
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by John Brasier
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For those living in four-season climates, there’s nothing like a winter trip to “paradise” to warm one’s soul and extend the golf season. That was reinforced on a recent trip to Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory and air travel hub of the Caribbean. After an early flight that had me leaving frosty conditions, I landed in San Juan at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and was immediately greeted by swaying coconut trees and temperatures in the 80s. Puerto Rico is the most travel friendly destination in the Caribbean. American citizens do not need a passport to enter, it’s bilingual, and it uses U.S. currency. Travel Bonus: the Island has one of the highest rate of vaccination of any place in the United States and one of the lowest covid infection rates. Our group of four was staying at El Conquistador Resort in Farjado on the Island’s northeast coast, a pleasant and scenic 45-minute drive that fueled our anticipation as we observed the tropical scenes unfurling before us. After touring the resort to get acclimated to all it offered, we enjoyed dinner at El Conquistador’s Ballyhoo’s restaurant. The open-air setting included enjoying fresh caught seafood, mojito drinks, warm evening breezes, and the sounds of Puerto Rico – ocean waves lapping below and the serenading of coquí (the common name for several species of small frogs native to Puerto Rico.) After the long day I embraced the plush bedding in my 5th-
story room. A deep night’s sleep restored my wanderlust, and I was rewarded from the instant I opened my eyes. Awake, but still comfortably tucked into my king-sized bed, I could see the ocean through the patio windows. Bright sun shining over the blue Caribbean water – what a way to start the day. In the distance was Palomino Island, where later I would enjoy a frozen strawberry daquiri while stretched out on a reclining chair on the beach in the shade of a giant umbrella. As I found out, when you go to Puerto Rico, it’s almost an obligation – and a pleasure -- to enjoy Don Q, an aged rum produced on the island. Here we were in mid-week November, only a few months after this amazing resort had reopened after extensive renovations. And we had everything, including a private beach and terrific golf course, practically to ourselves. Let’s go! First things, first. We had a 7:30 am tee time at El Conquistador’s picturesque golf course, the better to beat the peak heat coming later in the day. The 18-hole layout was authored by Arthur Hills. It featured a collection of unique, unforgettable holes with dramatic elevation changes as well as spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, the El Yunque Rain Forest, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (El Conquistador sits on a point with the Atlantic to the north and the Caribbean to the south). I just had time to grab a quick breakfast sandwich at the Cafecito Cafe before taking a short shuttle to the pro shop, where my clubs were waiting for me, loaded on a cart.
El Conquistador Resort Golf Course Ocean and Mountains
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Par 3 Ocean Panorama at Palmas Athletic Club
Some golf courses begin with a pedestrian opening hole. But not El Conquistador. Standing high on a perch above the first fairway, I had an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the rain forest. Such a view made a deep breath necessary before trying to find the landing area on the sharp dogleg right par-4 bending between forest and thick vegetation. Hills carved a wide assortment of interesting holes, several concluding with moderately sized greens perched upon plateaus. Though challenging in length at more than 6,700 yards from the tips, the El Conquistador layout tested shotmaking more than distance. As our cart attendant advised while we prepared to tee off, putts break toward a radio tower that can be seen from virtually anywhere on the course (while putts toward the resort roll slower). Though local knowledge is probably worth at least few strokes given the elevation changes, good scores are very possible at El Conquistador, especially for players able to manage their games and avoid the temptation to hit driver from the tee on every par-4 or par-5. We left the course pleased with the experience and wanting another chance to use our experience. A relaxing lunch followed at the resort’s Brisas Courtyard Café before heading out to Palomino Island. Getting to Palomino Island is almost as fun as being there. From the hotel on high, you take a glass tram that descends on tracks, providing an increasingly closeup view of the marina as you travel down to take the resort’s two-level boat on the 15-minute ride to the island beach. Upon arrival, beach towels are plentiful, and dozens of umbrella shaded chairs are stretched along a curving, pristine white beach. After picking a resting spot, you can enjoy a variety of frozen drinks and www.golfvacationsmag.com
food selections ordered from attentive servers. Though sipping a daquiri in the shade while enjoying the ocean breeze was a piece of heaven, I couldn’t resist the allure of taking a dip in the refreshing blue water. That night we set out to enjoy the local scene away from the lush resort with dinner at Smoky Joe Caribbean Grill in a beach-side plaze of connected restaurants in nearby Luquillo. The chef and owner Joe Padilla specializes in Puerto Rican barbecue – we feasted on smoked pork, beef, shrimp, and lobster, all of which were delicious. But Smoky Joe’s is also known for its paella, a rice dish that won Chef Joe world honors at this year’s competition in Spain, the nation most associated with paella. We were lucky, the paella was served last, or we might have filled up and not left room for the tasty meat and seafood. The first day was hard to beat, but we tried. The next two mornings were spent on the two beautiful seaside golf courses at Palmas Athletic Club and the affiliated Wyndham Palmas Beach and Golf Resort in nearby Humacao. We played first at the Palm Course, a Gary Player design that grabs your attention early with a challenging dogleg par-5 over wetlands then awes you with two gorgeous, consecutive par-3s along the beach. The course meanders along rolling hills, though with much less elevation change than El Conquistador. The next day we took on Palmas’ Flamboyan course, a Rees Jones design, which also featured several beautiful water obstacles, but allowed a little more leeway off the tee. A 20acre freshwater lake and the Candelero River come into play as the course winds along and near the coast. The signature hole (the par-3 12th) is framed by palms and the nearby sea, is a ready-made postcard. The tee shot, hit into a stiff wind Golf Vacations • December 2021 29
coming off the nearby sea, must avoid large curling bunkers to the left and right. A shot that carries a few paces too far can roll into palms and the nearby beach.
Surf and turf dinner in Puerto Rico photo courtesy of @kleaarmstrong
Dining at Wyndham Palmas is a real treat. Executive Chef Yia Medina, a native of the island, recently took over as executive chef after serving as Chef at a Ritz-Carlton property in Dallas. At lunch, Medina treated us to a delicious selection of appetizers including garlic shrimp and ceviche and muscles before serving the coup de grace, mouthwatering Tomahawk Steak. On the return to El Conquistador, we indulged in a little more authentic Puerto Rican flavor with a stop at a small seaside bar, El Chinchorro de J, enjoying mojitos and native Medalla beer as the waves crashed into the sea wall only a few feet below our table. It was here we had a chance to mingle with the locals, who were most hospitable throughout our stay. In fact, I owe a debt of gratitude to one local man for alerting me when my wallet fell out of pants as I left the table. Back at “El Con,” a late afternoon siesta had me dozing off luxuriantly to the sound of the ocean through the open patio doors. For dinner – and more local flavor – we went to La Estación (“The Station”), so named for the former gasoline station that once existed there. The open-air restaurant had a great vibe, with young-ish servers dishing out food and drinks while salsa music played. Obviously, great food enhances any golf trip worth its salt, Mojito image
photo courtesy of @kleaarmstrong
and our Puerto Rico sojourn certainly featured wonderful, savory tastes at every turn. On our final night, we made the one-hour drive into San Juan for a special dinner at Cana by Juliana Gonzalez in the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, where we dined al fresco on a covered deck above a lighted pool with the beach only yards away in the near distance. While enjoying a refreshing Albahaca, a white rum cocktail with waterfront steeped tea, pineapple, lemon fresh basil, and shrimp appetizers, I selected a Prime New York Steak “Encebollao” with onions and demi-glace. For dessert, I capped off a great meal with a fine choice, Copa de Carmelo, or salted chocolate mousse, raspberry marmalade and chocolate crumble. With one half day left, I faced a golf junkie’s dilemma. I could either try to squeeze in 9, or maybe 18, at El Conquistador, or make one last trip to Palomino. I chose the latter – that’s how amazing the ferry ride, the relaxing beach and calm blue water is, especially to a man facing winter temperatures in only a few hours. The scenes along the ocean are breathtaking with distant views of homes high on the cliffs as well as mountains and rain forest in the distance. Yes, I had another daiquiri, too. A large duty-free shopping market with a wide variety of beverages and souvenirs made my time waiting for a return flight at the airport pass quickly. In a few hours, my trip to paradise was over. But I had wonderful memories – and a few shots of Don Q I brought home in my golf bag.
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El Conquistador Resort beauty shot exterior courtesy of @kleaarmstrong
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RESORT REPORT
Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club USA’s Premier Hidden Gem
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by DAVID R. HOLLAND
FRANKSTON, TEXAS
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RANKSTON, Texas – The expected celebrity photos in Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Course’s pro shop include the NFL’s highest-paid man, Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (came with former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell), and President George W. Bush. It is proof anyone can venture to the USA’s premier hidden gem. “Pine Dunes is the best hidden gem in America,” said The Golf Channel’s Shane Bacon, Co-Host of Golf Today. “I’m telling you, it is a must play. Hard to find, off the beaten path, but when you find this golf course, it is one of the most spectacular 18-hole courses you’ll ever play.” Golfweek likes Pine Dunes so much it was ranked the No. 1 course in Texas at one time. All the major golf magazine rankings love Pine Dunes and Golf Digest declared it as a “Best Places to Play in America” and awarded it a 4.5 rating (out of 5). Now in its 20th season, Pine Dunes has added new lodging with dreams of a new clubhouse and a heralded membership drive. Named Double Eagle Club at Pine Dunes, I was lucky enough to be one of the first to spend the night in the upscale lodging, complete with high tech lighting, shades, DirecTV and bathroom plumbing Herb Kohler would like. My room also had a view of No. 18 green and the driving range and was next door to the beautiful Great Room where owner Jodi Lutz hosted a wine tasting event for the grand opening. The Great Room is complete with kitchen, fireplace, jumbo table for meetings, large-screen TV and plenty of relaxation couches. East Texas Hideaway and its History Here in East Texas, where the Deep South ends with its western boundary, folks still eat grits, sit on front-porch rockers to cool off on hot summer evenings, drive pickups, say howdy and pitch in to help their neighbors. But driving in to Frankston there are no highway signs declaring it as home to one of the best golf courses in the United States. That’s curious. Back in late ’90, Ms. Lutz, a young entrepreneur, and a former pro figure skater from Minnesota, was looking for a unique investment opportunity. Lutz, a senior portfolio manager for some D-FW professional athletes and creator of a million-dollar art supply business, was dabbling in commercial real estate when her agent posed this question: “How would you like to own a golf course?”
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Golf Vacations • December 2021 33
RESORT REPORT Upon seeing the finished product Frost said: “There is no need to go all the way to Augusta National or Pine Valley to play a superb golf course, we have our own right here in Texas.” When Dallas native Justin Leonard visited, he raved about the design, liking the consistent bunker sand, the fact that the subtle, slightly undulating greens require an accurate read, and he loved the tight fairways. The Golf Experience I was lucky enough to visit its opening year and then 20 years later. Pine Dunes continues its history of excellence and beautiful conditioning. During that first season the late Morrish said the par 3s were the best he’d ever designed. Golfers will find his trademark driveable par 4s on both nines and a par 5 that has a split fairway divided by towering pines. The golf is traditional, but No. 11, a 605-yarder does have a fairway interruption 307 yards from the back tees where you have to traverse a native, sandy waste area. “I think just about every architect today is designing reachable par-4 holes,” Morrish said. “It’s a concept Tom Weiskopf and I loved to do. Everyone has the physical ability to play well on them if they use their head. It is strategic golf that’s much more fun than those long par 4s that only the young big-hitters can reach in two. I know I couldn’t compress a ball like that at age 65.”
Even though she had never played the game, Lutz took the challenge. The land included a nine-hole course named Dogwood Trails, but it was primitive. She asked PGA Tour player David Frost to take a look at the property and he was “blown away” and convinced it would make a first-class golf resort. Frost then persuaded her to hire golf course architect Jay Morrish and son Carter Morrish. Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club opened in June 2001. The resulting 7,117-yard par-72 design takes you through a dense pine forest (some 80 feet tall) dotted with dogwoods, around rolling mounds, over more than 80 bunkers with rust-colored sand and past four bodies of water and sandy waste areas. Buddy-trip golfers find a classic course that could be at home at Pinehurst, but it’s only 90 minutes southeast of Dallas and three hours from Houston.
The Texas-sized par-3 No. 6 is 254 yards from the back to a amphitheater green cut into a hillside. This one will challenge anyone. There’s water left, but you have to really yank it to go there. Even if you hit this massive right-to-left sloping green in one, there’s a tricky, sloping putt. The only parallel holes on the course at 14 and 15 are beauties. No. 14 is a healthy 434 yards slightly uphill with a pond on the right 281 yards from the tee. The 15th is one of those reachable par 4s, 344 yards, with the same pond on the right and a huge bunker engulfing the fairway 260 yards from the tee. A 275-yard drive from the back tees will clear the trap, setting up a birdie opportunity. Pine Dunes also has a double-sided 300-yard practice facility and you can grab food and drinks at the Pine Dunes Bar & Grill. For membership opportunities log on to pinedunes. com. Group outings are also popular here. This piney woods golf experience is not to be missed -- you just might think you are playing golf in North Carolina. Photos Courtesy of Pine Dunes and David R. Holland
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FRANKSTON, TEXAS
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