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THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JULY 2015
KEYSTONE RESORT SPOTLIGHT ON KIDS AT COLORADO GETAWAY
BIG APPLE
GOLF ACROSS THE FIVE BOROUGHS
Plus: FAIRWAYS-FORE-FREEDOM • THE FIRST HOLE www.golfvacationsmag.com
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GOLF VACATIONS JULY 2015
The River Course at Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO
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Chip Shots
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Tee Off This Summer in New York City NEW YORK CITY, NY – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, encourages visitors and locals to spend a day enjoying a game of golf around the City’s five boroughs. With the recent debut of Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, the City has become a more recognizable golf destination.
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Keystone Resort
by David R. Holland
KEYSTONE, CO -- Long before the ski runs were carved and the golf holes placed into the environment, Keystone, at an elevation of 9,300 feet, was an 1880s stagecoach station on the way to Denver, heading over towering Loveland Pass.
Right from the Start
It’s not how you start, it’s…Wait a minute. Perhaps it is how you start, especially when talking about golf courses. Like the first chapter of a book, the first hole introduces the layout and offers a glimpse of what is to be expected throughout the round.
Sweet Stuff
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by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Tim Cotroneo is a Mineapolis-based freelance writer specializing in Caribbean travel, business, and golf. Tim is a long-time contributor to Tee Times Press and he’s also the Travel Writer for American Business Magazine.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. Holland, whose favorite golf moment was teeing it up with former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, 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 (UK). He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, United Press International and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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.
JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling South Florida his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Cabo San Lucas, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.
Associate Editor Terry Ross
Features Editor Larry Feldman
Senior Writers JD Latorre Andy Reistetter Fred Robledo
For Editorial:
call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com
Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
S
portsMedia publications
President Jeffrey Diaz
455 NE 5th Avenue, Suite D-151 Delray Beach, Florida 33483 (760) 774-2655
and
Destiny Media, LLC President/CEO James A. Diaz
Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2015 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Desert Springs Golf Club
“Fairways-Fo
Military Golf Program in
O
RLANDO, FL – Marriott Golf, the golf management organization of Marriott International, Inc. recently announced that Desert Springs Golf Club and Shadow Ridge Golf Club, both located in Palm Desert, CA, are participating in the company’s 4th Annual “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom” military golf program which debuted over Memorial Day weekend. Created to celebrate the men and women of the military who are dedicated to protecting America’s freedom, “FairwaysFore-FREEdom” provides active, reserve and retired military personnel with discount golf from Memorial Day through Veteran’s Day at
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20 acclaimed Marriott Golf courses throughout the United States. As part of “Fairways-Fore-FREEdom,” which ends on Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2015), members of the armed forces who present a valid military ID card can take advantage of discounted twilight green fees/ carts, ranging from just $29 - $69, while receiving a free replay certificate for another day. The free replay certificates will be valid until December 31, 2015. The program is available after 3 p.m. any day of the week at participating Marriott Golf courses, and all tee times can be made up to three days in advance. In some cases, select Marriott Golf
properties will even extend the hours that the special offer is available, further enhancing the value of the program and enabling eligible military personnel to experience the company’s prestigious collection of championship golf courses. “Discounted golf opportunities at our collection of Championship courses, combined with the recent launch of the $1 For HOPE Campaign in support of golf programming for military veterans, reinforces Marriott Golf’s commitment to honoring the men and women of the armed forces who stand at the frontline and protect our freedom,” said Jim Keane, Senior Director of Operations, Marriott Golf.”
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ore-FREEdom”
n Honor of Armed Forces
The launch of the 2015 “Fairways-ForeFREEdom” program comes on the heels of the $1 For HOPE launch. As part of the $1 for HOPE campaign, all golfers/visitors checking in for their tee time and/or making a purchase at the pro shop – at any of 20 participating Marriott Golf resort destinations – will have the opportunity to make a donation, by adding $1 or more, to their fee. All proceeds from this initiative will be used to support and enhance PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programming nationwide. PGA HOPE is designed to introduce golf to veterans with disabilities in order to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional
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well-being. Participating courses in the “FairwaysFore-FREEdom” military golf program represent some of the country’s premier championship venues, including: Wildfire Golf Club, Phoenix, Ariz.; Camelback Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Starr Pass Country Club, Tucson, Ariz.; Desert Springs Golf Resort, Palm Desert, Calif.; Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Palm Desert, Calif.; Grande Vista Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.; Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla.; The Rookery at Marco, Naples, Fla. (hotel stay required); Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club, St.
Petersburg, Fla. (hotel stay required); RitzCarlton Members Club, Sarasota, Fla.; Stone Mountain Golf Club, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Crane’s Landing Golf Club, Lincolnshire, Ill.; Toftrees Golf Club, State College, Pa.; Cattails Golf Club, Kingsport, Tenn.; and Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, Va. In total, 20 golf courses located at Marriott Golf properties will participate in the program, which will provide military personnel with arguably the greatest golf values in the country today. For more information on the program, visit http://www.marriott.com/explore-andplan/kids-golf.mi.
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Sizzlin’ Summer Special at Caledonia & True Blue is Golf’s Hottest Package Deal
Pawleys Island, S.C. -- Caledonia Golf Vacations – the golf travel provider of True Blue and Caledonia, two of America’s top 100 public courses – announces its “Sizzlin’ Summer” package, a two-night, three-round deal that delivers the best value in golf travel. The package costs $299 and features three rounds of golf at Caledonia and True Blue and two nights accommodations at True Blue golf villas. For an additional $100 per day, golfers can add additional nights and rounds to their trip. Summer isn’t regarded as a peak golf season along Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, but True Blue and Caledonia enjoy excellent conditions during the summer months, enhancing the appeal of a package that gives golfers the opportunity to play two top 100 courses. The Sizzlin’ Summer Special run through September 7, 2015. “The Sizzlin’ Summer Special is best package in all of golf travel,” said Bob Seganti, Director of Golf Operations at Caledonia and True Blue. “Caledonia and True Blue offer two distinct yet equally dramatic experiences, and to stay-and-play at both for $299 provides
golfers incredible value.” Caledonia is ranked 24th on Golf Magazine’s list of the Top 100 You Can Play, a ranking of America’s best public courses, and True Blue is 77th on the prestigious list. Caledonia, which is equal parts art and architecture, plays through a stunning piece of lowcountry land that was once home to a thriving rice plantation. The live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the marshy waters of the Waccamaw Neck, and Strantz’s architectural brilliance combined to make Caledonia one of America’s premier public golf experiences. Golf Channel’s travel guru Matt Ginella wrote of the course, “I could never imagine a trip to Myrtle and not heading down to Pawleys Island to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.” A round at True Blue, while completely different from a design perspective, is no less captivating. Everything about the 7,126-yard layout is big – the fairways, the greens and most of all, the fun. Strantz used waste bunkers, which frame many of the course’s fairways, to craft a layout that is among the area’s most visually stunning. Golf Magazine’s travel expert, Joe Passov, said of True Blue, “From the late, great Strantz’s sublime design to the helpful staff to the tip-top course conditions, this dramatic,
watery layout remains a must play in Myrtle Beach.” For more information on Caledonia, True Blue and Caledonia Golf Vacations, go to www. FishClub.com.
Celebrate the Longest Days of Summer with BOYNE Golf’s ‘Great Escape Golf Vacation’
PETOSKEY, MI – BOYNE Golf – home to 11 premier golf courses spanning three resorts in the scenic northwest corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula – announces the availability of its five-day, unlimited golf “Great Escape Golf Vacation.” With nearly 16 hours of daylight available this time of year in northern Michigan, the Great Escape is an ideal way to celebrate the first days of summer. Accommodations are available at Boyne Highlands Resort, just named the U.S.’s “No. 1 Golf Resort for Value” by Golf.com readers. Golf on its five courses, as well as sister courses at Boyne Mountain, Crooked Tree Golf Club, Bay Harbor Golf Club and Hidden River Golf & Casting Club, is available. The package starts at $880 / person and includes: • Five nights’ lodging (Sunday check-in) • Unlimited golf with cart on following courses: Boyne Mountain (The Monument,
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS The Alpine), Boyne Highlands (The Moor, Donald Ross Memorial, Arthur Hills, The Heather), Crooked Tree Golf Club and Hidden River Golf & Casting Club • Sunday welcome reception and gift, including choice of a round at Bay Harbor Golf Club, 50-minute spa service, two-day lesson with the BOYNE Golf Academy or $75 food and beverage gift card. • Unlimited range balls, plus club storage and cleaning • Scramble golf tournament with prizes • Preferred pricing at Bay Harbor Golf Club courses (The Links, The Quarry and The Preserve nines) • Breakfasts and dinners (salad, entrée and dessert) at any BOYNE-operated restaurant • Country Club of Boyne and Bay Harbor Golf Club dining privileges • Night at The Young Americans Dinner Theatre (July-August, based on availability; inquire at Sunday reception) • $25 Odawa Casino gaming voucher and
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complimentary casino shuttle • Access to swimming, hiking, biking, fitness centers, tennis, hot tubs, and more “The sun rises before 6 a.m. and sets after 9:30 p.m. this time of year, making a 54- or even 72-hole golf marathon possible,” says Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resorts’ senior vice president of golf and resort sales. “Come see why we’re renowned as the quintessential Great Lakes golf escape.” With courses designed and inspired by renowned architects like Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Arthur Hills and Donald Ross, BOYNE Golf’s three flagship resorts offer experiences to suit players of all ages and abilities. The Inn at Bay Harbor – A Renaissance Golf Resort Bay Harbor Golf Club •T he Links (9) • The Preserve (9) • The Quarry (9) Crooked Tree Golf Club (18) Boyne Highlands Resort Arthur Hills (18)
Donald Ross Memorial (18) The Heather (18) The Moor (18) Hidden River Golf & Casting Club (18) Boyne Mountain The Alpine (18) The Monument (18) Beyond golf, BOYNE’s unique onproperty amenities include award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, Avalanche Bay – Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark and adventure sport venues. They are supported by historic, lakeside resort towns Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey all a short drive from Mackinac Island. Following in Hemingway’s footsteps, taking in the famous northern Michigan sunsets, enjoying the casino and exploring acclaimed microbreweries like Petoskey Brewing mean golf isn’t the only game in town. More information: www.BOYNEGolf. com, info@BOYNE.com, 844.634.5315
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PRINCEVILLE MAKAI GOLF CLUB OFFERS SUNRISE TO SUNSET FUN FOR GOLFERS AND NON-GOLFERS
PRINCEVILLE, KAUAI, HAWAII – The spectacular Princeville Makai Golf Club on Kauai’s north shore offers a variety of unique, fit, and fun ways for golfers and non-golfers alike to experience the acclaimed Makai Course. Situated on Kauai’s famed north shore, the Makai boasts an extraordinarily beautiful setting and was named one of the “Top 5 Great Golf Settings in the U.S.” by National Geographic Traveler in 2011. Start your day with Sunrise Yoga, Monday and Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. on the Makai’s signature oceanfront 7th hole tee area. Undoubtedly one of the most scenic yoga settings in the world, this site features a dramatic 360-degree view of Kauai’s magnificent north shore from ocean to mountains. The Sunrise Yoga class is open to all levels of students for a fee of $20. Enjoy yoga accompanied by the sounds of the sea, whales spouting offshore during winter months, and albatross and shearwaters soaring overhead. No reservation is needed. Check in at 7:25 a.m. at the Makai Golf Shop. Then head over to the open-air Makai Grill for breakfast. This charming café, situated in the Makai Clubhouse courtyard, is open from 7 to 5 daily, serving breakfast and lunch, with a Happy Hour beer and pupu menu from 2:30 to 5 p.m. The Grill hosts many special theme events throughout the year, and its 70-inch flat screen TV makes it an ideal gathering place for major televised sports events.
Golfers can spend the day enjoying a round of golf on the Makai Course, then relax and unwind at the neighboring St. Regis Princeville Resort on the “Makai Wine & Dine” program. This special package includes 18 holes of golf on the Makai Course (tee times at any time of day, based on availability) and a $50 gift certificate for use at any of The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s restaurants, lounges, or Halele’a Spa. (Gift certificate does not have to be redeemed on day of play.) The 18-hole package is priced at $225 per person, with a 9-hole variation offered at $135 per person. End your afternoon with the Makai’s popular Sunset Golf Cart Tour, a wonderful way for non-golfers to experience the beauty of the course without swinging a club. Starting at 5 p.m. daily, two people can explore the Makai Course at their leisure in a 2014 Club Car Prestige electric cart. Guests can follow the cart paths meandering through the 18 holes, stop and linger wherever they wish to take photos, enjoy a snack or drinks (including champagne) purchased from the Makai Grill, and watch the sun set over Hanalei Bay. Written information on specific scenic points is provided for this self-guided cart tour, which provides approximately 90 minutes on the course. Cost is $50 per cart (accommodating two guests). For groups (10 to 20 people or more), arrangements can be made for a guide/escort or a beverage cart on the course for an additional fee. For more information, reservations for these programs, or tee times at Princeville Makai Golf Club, call (808) 826-1912 or visit www.MakaiGolf.com. The Princeville Makai Golf Club is managed by Troon Golf.
‘Myrtle Beach Family Fun Golf Tournament’ Ideal for Summer Vacations
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Mystical Golf – owner and operator of The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard courses – and Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts are co-hosting the “Myrtle Beach Family Fun Golf Tournament,” ideal for an unforgettable summer getaway (Aug. 20-23). Two-person teams (parent / child and grandparent / child pairing welcome) start at $995. Non-competing family members may be added for just $160 per person, enjoying accommodations and all non-golf activities. This value-packed extravaganza includes: • Three nights’ lodging (Aug. 20-22) at the oceanfront Grande Shores (two queen beds) • Two tournament rounds on the Wizard and Man-O-War courses (Aug. 21-22) • Welcome reception at Grande Shores (Aug. 20) • Daily breakfast and lunch • Two tickets to the Alabama Theater’s “One Show” (Aug. 21) • Dinner for two at Logan’s Steakhouse (Aug. 22) • Golf skills challenge and demonstrations on tournament days • Gift bag for each participant • Prizes awarded to event winners • Practice rounds are available on Aug. 20 for cart fee only To register, call 855.420.8043 or visit www. grandeshores.com/familygolf. All entries must be in by Aug. 7. For Mystical Golf information: www.mysticalgolf.com, 843.282.2977.
Sunset-watchers on the 7th hole of the Makai Golf Course, part of the Sunset Golf Cart Tour.
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World’s Largest Golf Outing on August 3 Golf Heavyweights Unite To Benefit Wounded Warrior Project
R
ESTON, VA – America’s leading golf course owners and management companies have joined forces to make the World’s Largest Golf Outing (WLGO) on Monday, August 3 the biggest one-day celebration of golf and charity. Billy Casper Golf, Troon, ClubCorp and Toll Golf – with a collective portfolio of more than 575 golf courses, country clubs and resorts worldwide – will serve as host site sponsors of the fifth annual event that benefits Wounded Warrior Project. Several National Golf Course Owners Association board members, including President Matt Galvin, will also support the highly emotional event at their respective courses. Since its inception in 2011, the simultaneous golf outing played from New England to Hawaii has raised $2 million for Wounded Warrior Project. Open to all golfers, part of the proceeds and 100% of donations benefit the national organization that honors and empowers injured servicemen and women, as well their caregivers and families. Individuals and teams of golfers are encouraged to raise additional funds; donations unrelated to playing golf are made at www. worldslargestgolfouting.com/donate. Registration is at www.worldslargestgolfouting.com/register. “Golf’s charitable impact in America is $4
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billion annually,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of Billy Casper Golf, which founded WLGO. “We are grateful to our friends at Troon, ClubCorp and Toll Golf to help make meaningful differences in the lives of wounded warriors, some of whom play in the World’s Largest Golf Outing.” “The 2015 World’s Largest Golf Outing powerfully showcases the golf industry coming together to support a great cause,” says Dana Garmany, Chairman and CEO of Troon. “In joining together, we are helping to make a positive impact on those who have given so much in their service to our country.” Last year 12,100 golfers, including 364 wounded warriors, at 118 courses in 27 states raised more than $887,000 for WWP, the largest amount ever from a single-day golf event. This topped 2013 when 10,000 golfers raised $735,000. “The event has evolved into an incredible, industry-wide initiative to elevate respect and raise funds for our nation’s heroes,” says Eric Affeldt, President and CEO of ClubCorp. “We are thrilled to collaborate and pool resources to make this year’s outing the best ever.”
course fundraising with $35,360 • Team Horn from Alta Vista Country Club led group fundraising with $22,055, its second consecutive year at No. 1 • Many courses honored the military with moments of silence; ceremonial tee shots; standing ovations; national anthems and color guards before play; patriotic decorations course-wide; golf carts adorned in red, white and blue; military vehicles and flyovers onsite • Veterans and active service members shared their military experiences with participants • Participation by national and local politicians, entertainers, professional athletes and media • Enthusiastic contributions from high-school bands, military bases and other community groups • Auctions of sports memorabilia, tee times, event tickets, resort getaways and other items • Live coverage on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” from BCG-managed courses in central Florida
Highlights from the 2014 WLGO: • Bill Clinton, the nation’s 42nd President and 2014 recipient of the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award, supported the event in his suburban New York City community • Alta Vista Country Club (Placentia, CA) led
• The first tee time was 7:30 a.m. on the east coast and the last tee time six hours later in Hawaii More information: www.worldslargestgolfouting.com, 703.761.1444; www.woundedwarriorproject.com, 887.832.6997.
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Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx
TEE OFF THIS
NEW YO
Public and Private Courses Offer Ways for Visitors
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S SUMMER IN
ORK CITY
s Across the Five Boroughs and Locals to Play Golf
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EW YORK CITY, NY – NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, encourages visitors and locals to spend a day enjoying a game of golf around the City’s five boroughs. With the recent debut of Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, the City has become a more recognizable golf destination. “Golfers visiting New York City might be surprised to find that the City offers several professional golf courses and driving ranges throughout the five boroughs,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “The newly opened, world-class Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx is the latest example of how our City is becoming the next big golf destination.” With several private and public golf courses and driving ranges, each borough offers different options when it comes to programs and tee rates. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation offers an NYC Resident Rate with proof of residency. A listing of some key golf courses include:
The Bronx
The recently opened Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point has put the Bronx on the map as the next exciting destination for golfers. This public course is the longest in all five boroughs at 7,407 yards and is the first built since Marine Park in 1964. The 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, state-of-the-art course features pristine tees, fairways and greens that overlook the East River, as well as the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. Also in the Bronx is Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course, which is the only 36-hole course in the City and features a John Van Kleek classic design. Small but mighty, the 9-hole Mosholu Golf Course in Norwood features a family-friendly course that is also great for beginners and experts alike. Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, visited by Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, is the oldest public golf course in the country and now features seven new greens among other improvements. The Turtle Cove Golf Center in Pelham Bay Park provides private full-swing practice stations, great for golfers to prepare for tee time.
year-round outdoor driving range with a 200-yard fairway. Special social events, event spaces and a 2,000 square-foot Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers make this a must-visit for golfers.
Queens
Whether a beginner or an expert, Queens offers several courses and driving ranges that are great for any skill level. Clearview Park Golf Course recently completed renovations, which include an 8,000 square-foot putting green for warming up and newly constructed forward, mid and back tees geared for any skill level. Forest Park Golf Course offers over 6,000 yards of tree-lined fairways that overlook the City’s skyline. Also offering great views of the skyline is Douglaston Golf Club, which is located at the highest point in Queens and is one of the City’s most popular courses. Golfers can also check out the challenging 4,665-yard Kissena Park Golf Course, as well as driving ranges at Alley Pond Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Staten Island
The City’s greenest borough is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the other boroughs, complete with lush landscapes and expansive courses. La Tourette Golf Course in New Springville, home to the annual New York City Amateur Championship each May, offers 6,692 yards of championship golf, complete with a full-size driving range and historic manor clubhouse overlooking Richmond Town. Golfers can enjoy a family outing at the 18-hole Silver Lake Golf Course, which features patio dining at its Veranda restaurant that overlooks the beautiful course. The rolling hills and quaint surroundings of Grand Oaks Country Club are home to the South Shore Golf Course, a perfect backdrop for a fun game of golf with brand-new tees, a new catering hall and recent turf improvements that make this course a favorite among locals. Before heading out to the links, golfers can visit the popular New York Golf Center, which offers custom fittings, exclusive golf apparel and major brands, at three Manhattan locations in Chelsea Piers, Herald Square and Grand Central. Golfers can also shop at several Modell’s Sporting Goods stores throughout the five boroughs for great deals on the latest golf equipment and accessories.
Brooklyn
Young golfers aspiring to be the next PGA Pro can participate in several free programs throughout the summer. Kids ages 7 to 17 can learn how to score that perfect hole-in-one with free golf lessons from the CityParks Foundation at their new Junior Golf facility on Brooklyn’s Dyker Beach course. For those intermediate-level players, the Junior Golf Center Annex in Flushing Meadows, Queens, offers free specialized lessons. The 2,000 square-foot Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers features junior programming for kids ages 4 to 16, including an indoor putting green, two Full Swing simulators and PGA/LGPA certified instructors. Visit cityparksfoundation.org and chelseapiers.com for information on how to sign-up and other programs available for kids.
Manhattan
For more information on these and other golf courses and driving ranges citywide, visit nycgo.com/golf or nycgovparks.org. Plan your summer vacation with our Hello Summer guide at nycgo.com/summer.
While Coney Island might be abuzz this summer, Brooklyn’s golf scene is also a great way to enjoy the borough. With a view of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor in the distance, Dyker Beach Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course complete with pristine fairways and a new clubhouse in the heart of Dyker Heights. Marine Park Golf Course, also home to an 18-hole championship course, provides panoramic views of Jamaica Bay and has four sets of tees ranging from 5,200 yards to 7,000 yards; a new golf studio is planned for later this summer. Before visitors and locals yell “fore” on these courses, Brooklyn Golf Center offers a driving range on Flatbush Avenue that’s perfect for practice rounds. In addition to the breathtaking skyline, Manhattan offers golfers two professional driving ranges that will make them forget they’re in New York City. Visitors can take the Randall’s Island bus from 125th Street to Randall’s Island Golf & Entertainment, which offers something for every golfer in the family. Practice your swing at 82 two-level hitting stalls, learn from the professionals of NBC’s Golf Channel Academy and enjoy delicious food and 27 craft beers at the Community House Beer Garden and Grill. Overlooking New York Harbor, The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, on the West Side, is Manhattan’s only multi-tiered,
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About NYC & Company: NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.
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NEW YORK CITY
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Golf Vacations • July 2015 17
Keystone Resort
__________________________________ By David R. Holland ___________________________________ KEYSTONE, CO -- Long before the ski runs were carved and the golf holes placed into the environment, Keystone, at an elevation of 9,300 feet, was an 1880s stagecoach station on the way to Denver, heading over towering Loveland Pass. A little rustic inn served as the stop for travelers and it’s still here. They call it the Ski Tip Lodge and if you could look back in time, there was a day when you might have said “howdy” to Henry Fonda, sitting in a rocking chair in back, overlooking the Snake River, relaxing after a day of hiking in the cool Colorado summer. Today, the Ski Tip Lodge is a Keystone landmark. It’s a bed and breakfast and home to a gourmet restaurant that is a must for any vacationer. But modern-day Keystone is much, much more. It’s a world class ski resort, carefully designed to make every single member of the family happy. The kids won’t have a chance to get bored. Even golf has a special program for the youngsters. It’s also home to two championship golf courses, the newest one opened in June 2000, named The River Course at Keystone, and The Ranch Course, which opened in 1980. “It is hard to get bored looking at the sweeping vistas from Mount Baldy to the south to Red Mountain, Swan Mountain, the West Gore Range, Buffalo Mountain and Uneva Peak,” said Jim Banks, head pro of the Ranch Course. Add Soda Creek crossing the property and the scenery is as good as the golf.
Steve Corneillier, Keystone’s General Manager of Golf & Recreation, looks at the River Course like a proud papa. A veteran employee for three decades, he nurtured the dream-to-reality project with a vision of environmental stewardship to a playable and enjoyable golf course that might not be matched by any other mountain golf course -- anywhere. “Our goal was to make this golf course appear as if it was air-lifted in,” said Corneillier. “We didn’t want the golfer to see any disturbance to the landscape. There’s a breathtaking view from every hole.” This vision was the reason he selected golf course architects Dana Fry and Dr. Michael Hurdzan. The duo are known worldwide for their environmentally-sensitive approach to design and Hurdzan was rewarded as Golf World magazine’s 1997 Golf Architect of the Year.
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“Our two courses are like brother and sister,” Corneillier said. “You can see how they are related, but they are also two different contrasting styles.” The River Course The River Course measures 6,886 yards from the black tees for par 71. It cost almost $12 million and features five to six sets of tees allowing play for any level of golfer. It includes 74 bunkers and five water hazards. Fry and Hurdzan provided generous landing areas, but mounding keeps fairways from looking as wide as they are. After a spectacular elevated tee shot on the first hole, it takes you only two holes to cross the scenic Snake River, where a par-3, 222-yard test awaits. Then your journey provides some scary target golf combined with mountain scenes that will cause you to shoot as much with your camera as with a wedge. The back nine is more elevated and includes incredible mountain vistas and a glimpse of Lake Dillon. Lodgepole pines frame the fairways and wildflowers -- poppies, daisies, lupine and flax -- are popping up everywhere for an added dash of color. You could ski down the par-4, 509-yard, 16th hole. It features a 194foot vertical drop from the tee to green with leveled-off collection areas for the tee shot. The 18th is another elevation drop par-5 with 12 bunkers to navigate on a trip of 520 yards. “The 18th is my favorite hole,” Corneillier said. “From the tee box you feel as if you can see all of Colorado in the stunning 360-degree panoramic view. It’s a 130-foot drop and the exhilaration you feel after you tee off on the final hole makes you want to start the whole day over again. The River Course really is Colorado at its best.” The River Course design also features biking and hiking paths which creates a multi-purpose recreational opportunity. In winter, Keystone’s Cross Country Center will headquarter out of the new River Course clubhouse and provide cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the area’s pathways. The Ranch Course The 7,012-yard, par-72 course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and is located where Ute and Arapaho Indians once hunted buffalo. The clubhouse is a former ranch house, standing for more than eight decades. Here the settlers were cattle ranchers and also farmed lettuce. After the first two holes are played in the trees, the Ranch Course
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pops out into sage meadows with a Scottish “linksland” design with 68 bunkers, a nineacre lake and a total of six water hazards. The greens are a combination bent and poa with bluegrass and rye in the fairways. Old ranch buildings provide a backdrop on the par-3, 190-yard No. 5. No. 9 is a challenge from the back, especially if the wind is gusting. The hole is only 368 from the rear, but it’s a major carry over the lake when you are against the wind. If you clear the water you will be faced with a short iron for a possible birdie.
Kids get a spotlighted program at Keystone SNAG (Starting New At Golf) is all about having fun while learning the basics of golf. SNAG is a player friendly, development program designed for new learners, both children and adults. The program makes it easy and fun to learn the fundamentals of putting chipping, pitching and full swing by using over-sized clubs (rollers and launchers) to hit tennis-like balls at sticky targets (flagstickys). The program develops playing ability quickly and effectively. SNAG equipment and
training tools are specifically designed to simplify the learning process. SNAG is available at Keystone Ranch most days during the golf season -- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 4 – 7 p.m. and all day Wednesdays (junior clinic participants play for free.) Cost: $5 per round $2 replay $15 per family up to 4 Snagsters + $2 per additional family member Includes equipment Call for more information and to confirm availability (970) 496-4250. Where to Stay Keystone Lodge & Spa is an excellent place to bunk down. Be sure and check the web site (www.keystoneresort.com) for specials. River Run is a European-styled village with shops and restaurants on the first floors and condos on the upper floors. It includes underground parking, which is great for winter ski trips. Keystone’s gondola ski lift is a short walk away. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Corneillier says No. 17 is Jones’ favorite hole. From the back this par 4 is 422 yards with a forced carry over native grass and wetlands. It’s only one of the holes on the Ranch Course side that makes it a sterner test of golf over the new River Course. “The Ranch Course is course is wonderful,” said Kyle Ueberroth, a Keystone vacationer. “I have played several courses in Colorado including Cherry Hills. Keystone is a far more challenging course. It’s like Carnoustie in the mountains, but much better.”
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Right from the Start It’s not how you start, it’s… Wait a minute. Perhaps it is how you start, especially when talking about golf courses. Like the first chapter of a book, the first hole introduces the layout and offers a glimpse of what is to be expected throughout the round. And believe us, there are some opening holes that are memorable and really get players amped up for their rounds. Avid golfers know all about the opening holes at St. Andrews, Machrihanish and Bethpage Black (the warning sign by the first tee is still the best), but there are some others – especially in the U.S. – that are dazzling and memorable.
1) The Sports Club, Cottonwood Valley Course
– There’s nothing resounding about the tee shot at this Irving, Texas course, which is part of The Sports Club that includes the TPC Four Seasons. What catches our eye is the green shaped like the Lone Star State. If that’s not cool enough, a bunker resembling Oklahoma is above the green, with water (mimicking the Gulf of Mexico) front right. Toughest pin placements: Amarillo, El Paso, Brownsville and Houston.
2) Desert Highlands Golf Club
– Think of this hole as a beauty and a beast. The beauty is off the tee, as a granite grotto shelters the tee box and frames an amazing view of the desert valley. The beast: golfers need to carry their opening tee shot 200 yards over desert and rocks to a fairway 125 feet below. The hole is true desert golf, which means there’s also trouble on both sides of the fairway. The approach is no slouch either with a drop-off behind the putting surface.
3) Pound Ridge Golf Clu
b – Theatrics always seems to be the name of the game at Pete Dye-designed courses, and the opening hole at this New York City area gem doesn’t disappoint. Stretching to 453 yards, this hole has trees dotting both sides of the fairway, with a massive bunker guarding the green on three sides. To add more eye-appeal – a serene water feature frames the back part of the greenside bunker.
4) Telluride Golf Club
– Picture standing on an elevated tee 9,400 feet above sea level, with glorious mountain views and towering firs lining the fairway. You’re at the first tee at Telluride Golf Club in Colorado. Another attractive feature of this 377-yard opener: The thin mountain air and downhill tee shot make going after this green with the drive very tempting.
5) Top of the Rock
– This Jack Nicklaus Signature Design and amenity of Big Cedar Lodge near Branson in Southwest Missouri may have the only opening golf hole in the world framed by a wedding chapel and honeymoon cabin. And that’s just for starters. Perched high above Table Rock Lake, the hole offers sweeping sunset views across the water and is located just steps from the Buffalo Bar patio. The beauty of the setting and scenic vistas appeal to newlyweds and golfers alike. Top of the Rock
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Pound Ridge Golf Club
Desert Highlands Golf Club
Telluride Golf Club
The Sports Club, Cottonwood Valley Course
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SWEETSTUFF
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s the sport of golf has been more and more associated with an athletic endeavor over the past couple of decades, so have the specialty shoes that players are wearing these days that reflect the style, performance and comfort of the sporting life. Hence the current trend of popular golf shoes more resembling tennis or running shoes rather than the ridged dress shoes of yesteryear. FootJoy has taken this idea to its most technological level yet with the introduction of its Hyperflex golf shoe that has the appearance of a running or athletic show and is being hailed by the company as “the most distinctive footwear category in its history.” Featuring a very light and cool feel, this golf shoe gives great support for the golf swing yet looks and feels like a running shoe and is very light on the feet. Good traction and styling goes with this shoe’s comfortable feel, but the technology under the hood is what makes it go.
“Our designers have carried out research in civil engineering and construction to create the distinguishing aesthetics of Hyperflex, which are also fundamental to its performance,” said Doug Robinson, Vice President of Design and Development Worldwide for FootJoy. “Every area of this shoe has been carefully considered, incorporating exceptional craftsmanship and innovative componentry to create an incredibly flexible and lightweight, yet stable platform from which to swing.” The most striking feature of the new Hyperflex golf shoe is the upper. Most athletic shoes are constructed with soft, mesh upper materials that are ideal for running and activities that don’t require a lot of lateral movement. However, for FJ’s research & development team, the key was to keep those comfort qualities in place while also delivering the support, stability and waterproof characteristics re-
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quired for golf. Through extensive testing, this balance was achieved utilizing an engineered material never before used in golf shoes, called FlexGrid. The very distinct FlexGrid upper was inspired by the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts. When viewing this type of cable-stayed bridge at different angles, the cables create a grid offering tremendous strength and support, all while maintaining a sleek, lightweight and technical appearance--similar to FlexGrid. The FlexGrid exoskeleton is strong enough to keep the foot from rolling laterally during the golf swing but also conforms to the foot and allows it to flex. The base layer that supports the exoskeleton consists of a tight-knit, lightweight, soft, flexible, waterproof mesh, which allows for maximum comfort, breathability, flexibility and airflow. The combined layers produce a golf shoe that wraps the foot in the comfort of an athletic shoe with the additional support of a high-performance golf shoe. Among the other technological advances in this shoe are the inclusion of FineTunedFoam™ 2.0 that provides exceptional comfort. The next-generation midsole, constructed of a softer and lighter EVA blend, delivers supercharged cushioning. Visible at the rear of the shoe, the Optimized Performance Stabilizer provides support and motion control towards the heel. On the outside, the Next Evolutionary Outsole, equipped with ‘Tornado’ Cleats by SoftSpikes, has been specifically engineered with thin TPU that provides flexible-yet-durable underfoot traction elements that utilize the FastTwist® insert system. This shoe is already popular with many Tour players and comes in a variety of styles and colours, including the Boa Lacing System that eliminates shoe laces and tightens with a twist knob. For more information: www.FootJoy. com/HYPERFLEX
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company with an almost 100-year history of producing premium quality headwear has introduced one of the most technologically advanced products into the golf market this summer with the Imperial Headwear Coolcore® collection that features cooling fabrics for those hot rounds this time of year. Designed to keep the part of the body cool
that gets the brunt of the sun’s rays, these new hats by Imperial provide a cooling solution that extends beyond traditional moisture-management fabrics or evaporative cooling technologies that typically rely on chemicals. It’s 100% free of chemicals, polymers, gels, crystals or phase changing materials, ensuring all Coolcore® benefits never wash out or degrade. Coolcore® fabrics deliver three distinct functions, including moisture wicking, moisture transportation to accelerate drying, and regulated evaporation for a cooling effect. The result is up to 30% lower surface temperatures, drier garments that don’t cling or saturate, healthier chemical-free usage and zero degradation of the cooling effect over time or washing. Coolcore® fabric formulations have earned the prestigious “Innovative Technology” recognition from the Hohenstein Institute, a first for a U.S. company, and the only company globally to be awarded this recognition for “Cooling Power”. According to David Shaffer, Director of Marketing at Imperial Headwear, “Cooling fabrics are definitely the next trend in performance fabrics and Imperial is excited to be the first company to bring this industry-leading Coolcore technology to the golf market.,” Already in leading pro shops throughout the country, the new Imperial Coolcore® collection, consisting of nine headwear styles, over 50 SKU’s, and ranging from caps and visors to small fit and sun protection hats are already getting rave reviews from retailers. “Imperial’s new cooling technology has the potential to change the headwear business,” said Laura Robinson, Director of Retail at Pinehurst Resort. “The Pinehurst team saw their demonstration and we were all amazed at how this can be incorporated into headwear designs. Imperial impresses me with their innovation in the accessory category.”
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SWEETSTUFF by TerryRoss
And just recently Imperial announced that is has also made its best-selling styles available to consumers directly on-line, including themed collections with icon logos. For more information on the new Coolcore caps by Imperial headwear, visit www. imperialsports.com
A
s summer is golf season, it is also the season to be extra careful about long hours in the sun. One of the most unique products we have seen to guard against extreme sun exposure are the new YouVees Sunscreen Swipes by Adventuress that are not only efficient for the golf course, but also prevent your hands from getting greasy and are so small you can even put them in your pocket. The individual swipes are individually wrapped pads with just the right dosage of moisturizing sunscreen packed in a sealed finger pocket to ensure a clean application and can be used for re-application during the round. These sunscreen swipes are packed 24 to a box and you can put one or as many as you like in your golf bag. YouVee’s sunscreen SPF 30 sunscreen swipes are designed to stay on the skin and maintain effectiveness while under exposure to environmental elements--including water. This sunscreen uses the synergistic UV screening properties of Titanium Dioxide and Octinoxate to help prevent sunburn, along with water resistant silicone oils to help maintain a solid hydrophobic barrier, while Aloe and a blend of nourishing oils help moisturize and invigorate the skin. To use the swipes simply place fingers in the swipe pocket, peel back label and apply swipe to skin and reapply every 2 hours. The sunscreen is 90% naturally derived ingredients
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to leave your skin with a clean, velvety feel, offers UVA/UVB protection and the carbohydrate complex helps prevent irritation and inflammation due to environmental irritants. It is designed for all skin types, including sensitive or Rosacea-prone skin and is fragrance, oxybenzone and paraben free. For more information about Sunscreen Swipes visit: www.goadventuress.com
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or anyone looking to keep track of their golf rounds and statistics, a new free app for those that have an IPhone makes it fun and easy—and also provides local course information and directions. Artigo Solutions has released its new and free “Global Golf Guide & Logbook” app on the iTunes App Store. Developed by awardwinning author Yves C. Ton-That--who wrote the best-selling golf book “Golf Rules Quick Reference” and created the popular “iGolfrules” app that’s officially recommended by Apple--this app was two years in the making. Golfers can easily and quickly find the best courses in their area. They can also rate courses and save course information within the app. The “Golf Guide & Logbook” app covers two key requirements of golfers: it documents the rounds played and helps with choosing
courses for future rounds. By having all of this data on an IPhone, users always have their personal logbook with them at all times. They can also rate courses they’ve played and, thanks to the pool of ratings, they know which courses are worth playing. All of this can be shared with friends. The “Golf Guide” portion of the app contains every golf course in the world and gives users all the information they need, such as contact data, route planner, ratings and more. The guide is based on a specially developed global database that’s maintained and expanded on a daily basis. With the Logbook portion of the app, users can enter their rounds in their personal logbook. They can add a wide variety of additional information to the entries, such as playing partners, event, results, rating, photos, scorecard and more. How much information is stored is decided by each individual user who can then display their golfing history chronologically or on a map, and sort entries by rating, frequency, countries, playing partners, etc. They can also share rounds they’ve played with friends via email, Twitter or Facebook. “Golf Guide & Logbook” is available for download from the iTunes App Store free of charge.
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