OUR 19th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JULY 2020
JULY IS FAMILY GOLF MONTH
CLUB DE GOLF
ALCANADA
TIGER POINT GOLF CLUB
www.golfvacationsmag.com Golf Vacations July 2020 1 Plus: PAST MEETS PRESENT - THE OPEN FOR THE• AGES
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GOLF VACATIONS JULY 2020
Club de Golf Alcanada - Mallorca, Spain
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Chip Shots
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Tiger Point Golf Club
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The Open for the Ages
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by JD Latorre Gulf Breeze, FL – Tiger Point Golf Club, an 18-hole semi-private club in Gulf Breeze, Fla., recently completed a course enhancement project. The project, which began in November 2019, focused on the club’s irrigation system, bunkers, general course maintenance, and a new practice area.
St Andrews, Scotland - The R&A is inviting golf fans around the world to take part in a very special celebration of golf’s original championship following the cancellation of The Open this year.
Club Selection: Club de Golf Alcanada
by Dakota Diaz Mallorca, Spain - Golfers visiting the island of Mallorca this summer are in for a treat as the already excellent course of Club de Golf Alcanada has reopened in sublime condition after a period of improvements, perfect weather conditions and tender loving care.
Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Dakota Diaz is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Growing up in the golf mecca of Palm Springs, CA, Dakota is no stranger to the golf resort lifestyle. You’ll find him at his “real job” as Partner/Chief Investment Officer at Green Cloud Capital, a Rancho Mirage, CA. headquartered private equity firm.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Barry Lotz is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf”. His latest book, “The Right Mind for Golf”, is now in its 8th printing. He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net
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 JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling the Pocono Mountains 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, Tenerife, 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.
Regional Advertising
Los Angeles Terry Ross • (949) 279–7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • (770) 239–7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com Chicago Dakota Diaz •(312) 809–8808 dakota@GolfVacationsMag.com
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Bringing Communities Together
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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 2020 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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JULY IS “FAMILY GOLF MONTH” AT TROON-AFFILIATED COURSES S cottsdale, AZ – July is “Troon Family Golf Month” at Troonaffiliated facilities around the world. Throughout July, Troon courses will amplify their year-round family golf initiatives through family-oriented instructional programs, events and tournaments. “We’re seeing a renewed interest in golf from juniors (and adults) around the globe,” said Bruce Glasco, chief operating officer, Troon. “In parts of Europe, for example, kids are not able to participate in soccer or cricket due to the pandemic, but they can play golf while properly physically distancing. During Family Golf Month, we hope parents and juniors will get out and play golf, enjoy the fresh air together and appreciate the camaraderie that golf provides.” While the month of July serves as the kickoff for family golf activities, Troon Family Golf is available every day of the week, all year long, at participating Troon-managed facilities worldwide. Families can play golf together and enjoy the following: • Juniors play golf for free after 3 p.m. when playing with a paying adult • Juniors enjoy complimentary Callaway rental clubs all day (U.S. only) • Juniors receive complimentary instruction when taking a
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lesson with a paying adult In addition, the Troon Junior Club is open to all junior golfers age 17 years and younger for an annual fee of just $35. Troon Junior Club members receive: • Preferred junior rates and programs at participating Troon facilities • Troon Junior Club Nike hat • Troon Junior Club bag tag • Welcome letter from Rory McIlroy • One time 25 percent off at Nike.com (exclusions apply) • One-year GOLFPASS video membership (retail value: $49 annually) • Practice facility access at select facilities • Special junior clinics • Up to 20 percent discount on summer golf camps at participating facilities • Exclusive access to Troon Junior Club social media (with parental approval) • Plus all current Troon Family Golf benefits Visit www.TroonFamilyGolf.com or contact the Troonmanaged club nearest you to learn more about specific Troon Family Golf programs. For more information on all of Troon’s “grow the game” initiatives, visit www.PlayTroon.com.
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Pebble Beach Company and Tiger Woods release plans for reimagined short course facility at Pebble Beach
New facility will include a ninehole par-3 short course, a putting course, and an indoor/outdoor food and beverage venue overlooking one of the Resort’s most stunning views PEBBLE BEACH, CA – Pebble Beach Company and Tiger Woods, through his TGR Design firm, released plans to transform the former site of Peter Hay Golf Course. Located directly between the Pebble Beach Pro Shop and Golf Academy, the new facility will include: • A short course comprised of nine par3 holes ranging in length from 47 to 106 yards and measuring 670 yards in total; • A 20,000-square-foot putting course that can be set up in a variety of different hole and routing combinations; and • A 5,000-square-foot food and beverage venue featuring a full kitchen and bar, indoor seating, and the resort’s largest outdoor patio positioned for expansive views of the short course, putting course,
Carmel Bay, and Point Lobos “We are thrilled to elevate the quality of our short course to a level consistent with our other world-class golf courses,” said Bill Perocchi, Chief Executive Officer of Pebble Beach Company. “You can see the genius of Tiger Woods and TGR Design come to life when you walk the site, the way it all fits together. I expect all aspects of this new facility will be very popular for junior golf events, Resort golfers, outings, resident hang-outs, and everything in between.” Woods’ design philosophy for the short course is anchored on playability and creativity. His vision is that the course will draw new players to the game, bring families together, and provide a fun golf experience for players of all ages and abilities, while still offering a challenge for skilled players. “Everyone who plays this golf course is going to enjoy the playability of it,” said Woods. “Golfers will have the choice to play nearly any club off most tees and around the greens, which will make them think and channel their creativity. It will also play differently from day to day depending on the tee and hole locations and wind direction. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to play it.”
In shaping the new course, Woods’ inspiration resulted in dramatic terrain movement and nine holes entirely distinct from the old course. He also reoriented the routing to better capture the views, with four holes now playing directly toward Carmel Bay. In addition, Woods aligned each hole’s yardage to correspond with a significant year in Pebble Beach history, with accompanying plaques on each tee telling a story and creating the sense guests are walking amongst the Resort’s rich championship heritage as they play. The only exception is the course’s second hole, which will be an exact replica of the famous seventh hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links. “Pebble Beach is such an iconic golf destination, we want guests to feel the entirety of that spirit when they play this course. We also know not everyone who comes to Pebble Beach will have a chance to play the U.S. Open course, so we wanted to create the opportunity for all visitors to experience one of its most famous holes,” Woods added. The Grand Opening of the entire facility is currently scheduled for the Spring of 2021.
some greens are better when you add a little salt.
View or request a vacation guide There’s nothing like the salty sea air on a warm Gulf breeze while playing on one of 14 unique courses in the coastal Alabama area. From sparkling coastlines to rolling hills and links-style golf, you’ll find an abundance of ways and places to play both on and off the course.
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GulfShores.com/Golf 877-852-3618
Golf Vacations • July 2020 9 2/6/19 4:33 PM
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Costa Brava
Returns to a “New Normal” with a Positive Outlook
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brighter 2020 beckons for the Costa Brava as it can now announce that the majority of the hotels which form part of the Costa Brava golf brand are now fully open once again. La Costa Golf & Beach Resort, Park Hotel San Jorge, Torremirona, Peralada and Girona’s city-centre Hotel Carlemany all opened in June, and have recently been joined by PGA Catalunya’s Camiral and Lavida (3rd July) and Hotel Eden Roc and Hotel Cap Roig (8th July). Emporda Hotel Golf also reopens its doors this week after and extensive refurbishment including a new swimming pool and restaurant concept. Other hotels now open in the Costa Brava which should remain of interest to golf tour operators include Hotel Alga, Hotel Peninsular, NM Suites, Aparthotel ciutat de Palol, Hotel Santa Marta, Hotel Alàbriga, Sallés Hotel Mas Tapiolas, Hotel Aromar, Hotel Clipper & Villas, S’Agaró Hotel, Hotel Costa Brava and Hotel Casa Granados. All golf courses reopened in May, and working with the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) and various other industry associations, each course implemented various safety protocols now familiar at venues across many European countries. The hotel re-openings will be welcome news to the industry as it gears up to welcome back tourists to the region. With plenty of flights to Barcelona, and the schedules now also re-starting for Girona in, there are many reasons to be optimistic for this very special golf destination. Laia Cunill, marketing manager for golf at the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, said: “It is a huge relief to be able to announce that our golf courses, and now hotels, are open again. We hope to welcome back golfers from across Europe soon, to enjoy our amazing courses and to experience the wonderful environment our region has to offer.”
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PGA Catalunya Golf Resort
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Giants Ridge Unveils Stay-And-Play Packages BIWABIK, MN – Giants Ridge – Minnesota’s leading golf resort, set in the rugged beauty of the Mesabi Iron Range – reveals stay-andplay packages highlighting the resort’s exceptional golf courses and accommodations. A convenient three-hour drive along Interstate 35 from the Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area, Giants Ridge boasts two of the highest-ranked layouts in state, The Quarry and The Legend. The aptlynamed Quarry is built on the site of a former sand quarry and iron ore mine, and dramatically raised tees and hazards provide dramatic Iron Range vistas. Carved out of the Superior National Forest, The Legend is a true “northwoods” course featuring towering pines, giant fairways and majestic views of Wynne and Sabin Lakes. Through October 15, the “Stay & Play at the Villas at Giants Ridge” package offers a round of golf per person / per day on either The Legend or The Quarry, golf cart, range balls, a yardage book and accommodations at The Villas at Giants Ridge for 10% off the regular price. Subject to availability, the package requires advanced reservations and tee times. Starting at $281 per person / per night, the “Play & Stay at GreenGate Guest Houses” package includes a three-night stay at the GreenGate Guest Houses and two rounds of golf. A four-night, three rounds of golf package also is available, and starts at $397 per person / per night. Taxes are not included, and other restrictions may apply.
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More information about these golf packages at Giants Ridge can be found on the resort’s special offers page. “These packages are ideal for anyone coming to Giants Ridge – from golf getaways groups to families embracing the outdoors,” says John Kendall, director of golf. “With the golf season and pleasant weather upon us in the Midwest, we encourage early bookings to ensure you can play our highly rated courses.”
Youth On Course Expands Life-Changing Opportunities For Young People In New York Youth on Course – the non-profit organization providing young people with access to opportunities through subsidized golf, college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program – announces its partnership with the New York State Golf Association (NYSGA) to expand affordable rounds of golf and life-changing opportunities to juniors in the state. Young people ages 6-18 in New York will be able to join the Youth on Course national network and access golf for $5 or less per round at 1,400 facilities across 36 states. The initial cohort of NYSGA courses offering $5 or less rounds include Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course, Cazenovia Country Club, Chautauqua Golf Club – Hill Course, Chautauqua Golf Club – Lake Course, College Golf Course at Delhi, Lyndon Golf Course, Rome Country Club and Sunset Ridge Golf Club, with additional facilities joining soon. https://youthoncourse.org
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Popular Events Feature Play on Pete Dye’s Celebrated Teeth of the Dog LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – announces two popular upcoming tournaments, the 6th Annual Latin America Pro Am (Aug. 11 – 15) and 39th Annual Casa de Campo Open (Sept. 16 – 20). Casa de Campo reopened on July 1 after being closed due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March. During its closure, the resort’s management worked closely with HS Consulting Group in Mallorca, Spain to review all enhanced health and safety protocols and certify they are effective in the prevention of all infectious diseases. A full list of the new measures may be found here. The Latin America Pro Am features four rounds overall played on Teeth of the Dog, Pete Dye’s masterpiece creation widely known as the best course in the Caribbean. Competing teams are comprised of four amateurs and one professional. For the event, the resort is offering a four-night “Amateur Package” starting at $2,134 (per player, based on double occupancy). The package features four nights’ accommodations in elite rooms; four-passenger golf cart (per room); daily breakfast, lunch and dinner; welcome dinner and awards banquet; practice round on day of arrival; tournament entry fee; unlimited complimentary replay rounds after tournament play; and cart fees, range balls, club
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storage and care. Also included are unlimited drinks in resort restaurants, bars and lounges as well as from the Oasis golf course cart (bottles, mini-bar, premium bottled water, specialty cognacs and premium brand liqueurs are not included); complimentary transfer from La Romana, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana airports; all resort taxes and service charges. The 39th Annual Casa de Campo Open will be played on the five-star resort’s three Dye-designed layouts: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links. The 54-hole individual stroke play event includes competition in senior, super senior, master senior and elite senior divisions for both men and women. The four-day tournament is all-inclusive with four nights of accommodation and starts at $1,579 (per person, double occupancy). For more information on all Casa de Campo events, please call 809.523.8115 or email m.leonardo@ccampo.com.do. “These two exceptional golf events are ideal to join us here in paradise to relax and savor our world-class resort amenities,” says Jason Kycek, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “We’re excited to be back open for our guests to come visit the friendly Dominican Republic and discover firsthand why we’re in the highest echelon of luxury resort destinations.” Casa de Campo also offers an array of fully appointed villas perfect for golf groups and families. The villa options range from three to 11 bedrooms with stylish living areas, a private pool as well as endless creature comforts. Daily breakfast, private maid
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS service and full access to a wide range of on-site activities are additional highlights of villa stays. Teeth of the Dog features Pete Dye’s design hallmarks: railroad ties, vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, handsculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. Oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.” Twenty-seven-hole Dye Fore joined Teeth of the Dog in 2002. Its three nines – Chavon, Marina and Lakes – are distinct. Chavon features seven holes running atop cliffs dropping 300 feet, Marina meanders down to a harbor ringed by restaurants and shops, and Lakes is artfully crafted across tumultuous terrain. Located in the interior of the property is the resort’s third Dye layout, The Links. The moderately hilly track with tall Bahia grass framing bunkers and undulating greens presents spectacular Caribbean views. Slightly over 7,000 yards from the back tees and playing to a slope of 126, it is considered one of the most-forgiving courses Dye has designed.
Casa de Campo is offering free cancellation for all bookings. 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/.
Chee Chan Golf Resort Opens Pga Academy A new state-of-the-art PGA accredited golf academy has opened its doors at the Chee Chan Golf Resort, Thailand to add to its world class golf facilities. Located just outside Pattaya, The Chee Chan Golf Resort opened in 2018 and is ranked as the best course in Thailand by Golf Digest. The new PGA Academy is an exciting addition to the facility, offering the very best in golf instruction and teaching technology. British PGA Professional, Ewan Hogarth, has been recruited to head up the new academy. Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, commented: “The new PGA Academy at Chee Chan Golf Resort is a fantastic addition to the portfolio of PGA branded golf academies around the world, and the
exceptional facilities available at the resort is a perfect match for the PGA brand.” The Chee Chan Golf Resort becomes part of the PGA family of branded facilities, joining a number of prestigious international venues including The Belfry in England and Gleneagles in Scotland. IMG provide golf management services to Chee Chan Golf Resort, and Paul Burley, Senior Vice President, IMG and a PGA Master Professional, added: “Chee Chan Golf Resort offers an exceptional golf experience, and with the addition of the PGA Academy, our guests will now have access to first-class tuition and practice facilities that are some of the best in the region.” IMG Golf Course Services is a global leader in the design, development, marketing and management of world class golf courses. For more than 25 years, the group has set the standard for excellence in golf course design and golf club management. IMG’s golf course services team currently provides a diverse range of management and marketing services to more than 20 award winning clubs and resorts. For more information about IMG Prestige, please visit www.imgprestige.com
Chee Chan Golf Resort
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Fresh New Look For Race To Costa Del Sol
The Race to Costa del Sol is ready to enter the next phase with a new look as part of the Ladies European Tour’s brand refresh pushing towards the future. The logo includes the LET mark, which represents the ambition of the new LPGA-LET joint venture partnership and a shared desire to elevate women’s professional golf. The Costa del Sol Tourist Board became a partner of the LET this year by sponsoring the Order of Merit, which is now called the Race to Costa del Sol and rewards the achievements of the players, recognising the hard work, grit and determination that it takes to achieve long-term goals. Francisco Salado, President of Costa del Sol Tourist Board, said: “The Costa del Sol Tourist Board is proud to be part of this new stage in the history of LET. Women’s professional golf will continue to grow in popularity, thanks to the dedication, and mastery, of LET’s incredible players and the message that Costa del Sol is a champion of women’s golf will be welcomed by golfers throughout the world.” The Race began successfully in February with three first-time winners at the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville, the Women’s New South Wales Open and the Investec Women’s South African Open and the Rankings are currently led by the Women’s New South Wales Open champion, Julia Engström, from Sweden, followed by Belgium’s Manon De Roey in second position and England’s Alice Hewson, the Investec Women’s South African Open winner, in third.
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LET Chief Executive Alexandra Armas said: “The Race to Costa del Sol is a huge part of the new LET and our mission to #RaiseOurGame for the female golfers of today and those who will follow. The contribution of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board and their commitment to being a champion of women’s golf is hugely appreciated by our players, who cannot wait to return to the Costa del Sol for our popular season-ending event, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, in November.” Follow the Race to Costa del Sol and join the conversation on social using the official hashtag #RaceToCostaDelSol. About the Ladies European Tour Partner: Costa Del Sol Tourist Board In 2020 the Costa Del Sol Tourist Board became a partner of the Ladies European Tour by sponsoring the Order of Merit, which is now called the Race to Costa del Sol. Costa del Sol Tourist Board is dedicated to the promotion of Costa del Golf and provides advice and support to its partners throughout the golf industry. The Costa del Sol has been recognised as a top European Golf Destination by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) and is the exclusive destination in continental Europe of PGA Germany. The Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga in southern Spain, is the leading destination for golfers who seek a wide variety of quality golf courses and ideal golfing weather through 12 months of the year. With over seventy golf courses, many of which were conceived by masters of golf course design, the Costa del Sol enjoys worldwide prestige. Many top-level championships
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have provided unforgettable days of competition on its courses: the Ryder Cup, the World Golf Championship, the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters and the Ladies European Tour Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España. Golfers of all levels visit this unique destination, year after year, to enjoy the golf, and explore all that this unique destination offers including top class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, great shopping and a wide range of hotels, apartments and villas with an astounding array of services, combined with the legendary sights of Andalusia. Race to Costa Del Sol In 2020 the Costa del Sol Tourist Board sponsors the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, which is now called the ‘Race to Costa del Sol’ and offers an additional bonus pool. The Race to Costa del Sol teed off in Australia in February with the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville and will culminate at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino in November. The Race to Costa del Sol will showcase the tourism excellence of both the Costa del Sol and Andalusia whilst providing a tremendous incentive for Ladies European Tour members. #RaceToCostaDelSol
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The Reserve Club At Woodside Celebrates Grand Opening Of Its Newest Course AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Reserve Club at Woodside recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Hollow Creek Golf Course. The par 71, 6,943 yard golf course completes a full 36 holes at Woodside and is now available for play. From July 1st through 5th, members enjoyed a full calendar of celebratory events to accompany the opening of the golf course, including an appearance by Hollow Creek Golf Course architect Clyde Johnston. Hollow Creek Golf Course gets its name from the 110-acre nature preserve that is adjacent to the course. Hollow Creek Nature Preserve, with its rolling hills, mature hardwoods and miles of trails, is part of South Carolina’s first designated bluebird habitat. The Reserve Club at Woodside now features the Hollow Creek Golf Course and the Reserve Course, a Nicklaus Design that opened for play in 2002. “The completion of the Hollow Creek Golf Course is exciting for our entire membership,” said The Reserve Club General Manager Saul Schwartz. “I’m proud to be part of a team that honors its longstanding commitment to add value to its memberships. The addition of the Hollow Creek Golf Course is an example of how we
deliver on that promise.” Located in Aiken, South Carolina, a Southern Living Magazine “South’s Best Small Town” and approximately 20 miles from Augusta National, The Reserve Club at Woodside is home to 36 holes of golf, six har-tru tennis courts, three regulation-size pickleball courts, a resort-style pool and cabana, a croquet court and game lawn, two outdoor patios and a 27,500 square-foot clubhouse. The clubhouse offers members and guests a variety of amenities including more than 60 member-led clubs and social groups, a variety of dining venues, grand ballroom for live music and other popular events, library, locker rooms, golf shop, conference room and an art studio. Thanks to its proximity to Augusta, Georgia, The Reserve Club welcomes guest/ visitor play during Masters Week. Playing packages are available for the November 2020 and the Spring 2021 Masters. The Reserve Club at Woodside is proudly managed by Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon. For more information on The Reserve Club, visit www.thereserveclubatwoodside.com or call 803-648-1601. For more information on the Woodside community, visit www. woodsidecommunities.com or call 800648-3052.
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Tiger Point Golf Club Completes Course Enhancement Project
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ulf Breeze, FL – Tiger Point Golf Club, an 18-hole semi-private club in Gulf Breeze, Fla., recently completed a course enhancement project. The project, which began in November 2019, focused on the club’s irrigation system, bunkers, general course maintenance, and a new practice area. As part of the $1.2 million enhancement project, Tiger Point added a new irrigation pump station, all new lateral irrigation lines and new sprinkler heads. The club’s agronomy team also renovated bunkers, leveled tee boxes and cut back trees and brush around the entire golf course. The pruning project opened more views of beautiful Santa Rosa Sound to golfers. In addition, Tiger Point also renovated and expanded its practice facilities. The new, all-grass practice range features an elevated tee area with four target greens. A new practice green and practice bunkers were also added for putting, chipping and bunker-shot practice.
“We’re thrilled with how the enhancements have improved the overall golf experience,” said Trey Childs, PGA, general manager, Tiger Point Golf Club. “The new irrigation system is not only more efficient, but we’ve also improved the turf quality and playing surface for golfers. What’s more, the views of Santa Rosa Sound are even more spectacular thanks to our agronomy team thinning trees and bushes around the course.” Tiger Point Golf Club was originally designed by PGA TOUR veteran and former US Open winner Jerry Pate in the mid-80s, and was later renovated by Pate in 2001. Tiger Point Golf Club is set along the shores of the Santa Rosa Sound, a body of water connecting the Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay along the Florida Panhandle. Tiger Point features eighteen holes of championship golf, and a beautiful two-story clubhouse. For more information on Tiger Point Golf Club, visit www.tigerpointgolf.com or (850) 932-1333
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t Andrews, Scotland: The R&A is inviting golf fans around the world to take part in a very special celebration of golf’s original championship following the cancellation of The Open this year.
will build up from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 July when coverage of the first three rounds of ‘The Open for The Ages’ will be provided by in-play clips, live leaderboards and end of play highlights across The Open’s social media channels.
‘The Open for The Ages’ will bring together many of golf’s greatest champions for the first time to compete against each other over the Old Course at St Andrews in a compelling and innovative three-hour broadcast production.
The winner of ‘The Open for The Ages’ will be determined by a fan vote, which has registered more than 10,000 responses, and a data model developed in partnership with NTT DATA that utilises player career statistics alongside the input by fans to calculate the Champion.
This exclusive edition of The Open features 50 years of archive footage expertly edited and woven together with modern graphics and new commentary to imagine a Championship contested by the legends of the sport including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Watson, Sir Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy. ‘The Open for The Ages’ will culminate in a final round programme that will air on Sunday 19 July when it will be broadcast globally to fans around the world on TV, TheOpen.com and The Open’s social media channels. The broadcast is being supported by HSBC and NTT DATA, both Patrons of The Open. Anticipation and excitement for the final round programme
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Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Golf is one of the very few sports where this concept can be created and brought to life. The way in which the sport is filmed allows us a truly unique opportunity to reimagine history and bring together the greatest players from many different eras on a scale which has not been done before, either in golf or in other sports. “We are all keenly feeling the absence of The Open from the global sporting calendar this year and so we hope that this broadcast will generate real interest and enjoyment for the millions of golf and sports fans who closely follow the Championship every year.”
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Laurence Norman, VP Sports Technology at NTT DATA UK, said, “Technology is synonymous with modern sport, helping athletes compete at optimum performance levels. What’s even more exciting is the new emphasis on technology being utilised to enhance fan experiences. “Building stronger fan engagement through technology is the future of sports, and while it will never replace the thrill of live events, The Open for The Ages demonstrates how technology can keep pushing the boundaries of what it is possible in sports broadcasting.”
‘The Open for the Ages’ will be supported by a digital and social media campaign featuring ‘in-play’ clips, leaderboards and statistics in the lead up to the final round being played when the outright winner is revealed. Visit TheOpen.com for more information about ‘The Open for The Ages’. Fans can follow The Open via Facebook, Instagram, twitter and YouTube. The 149th Open will be played at Royal St George’s from 1118 July 2021.
The R&A’s international TV broadcast partners, including Sky Sports in the UK, NBC Sports and NBC Golf Channel in the United States of America, and TV Asahi in Japan, will televise ‘The Open for The Ages’ to fans all around the world. It will also be made available via TheOpen.com and The Open’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
The Open is golf’s original championship. Played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, it is the sport’s most international Major Championship with qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans.
Commentators, including Ewen Murray, Nick Dougherty, Butch Harmon and Iona Stephen, will bring the Championship to life using a compelling narrative that will provide a fascinating spectacle at the Home of Golf.
Staged by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of up to £100 million to its host region, while the Championship’s commercial success supports the development of the game, worldwide
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CLUB SELECTION
Alcanada
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olfers visiting the island of Mallorca this summer are in for a treat as the already excellent course of Club de Golf Alcanada has reopened in sublime condition after a period of improvements, perfect weather conditions and tender loving care. The club was forced to close between March 15 and May 11 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but used the time to its advantage by carrying out maintenance works to the course, building on an extensive €700,000 renovation project where all 18 greens were replaced over the winter of 2018/19.
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GOLF CLUB
Throughout the period of closure, the club experienced perfect levels of rain and sunshine, which, coupled with no golfers playing, has brought the best out of the natural condition of the course. This, combined with the hard work and effort of its fantastic greenkeeping team, has resulted in the course’s best-ever condition. The team has carefully nurtured and enriched pretty much every aspect of the stunning par-72 course over the last few months. The work has included levelling some of the tees, repairing the drainage of the chipping green behind the www.golfvacationsmag.com
by DAKOTA DIAZ
MALLORCA, SPAIN guest and is renowned for great customer service and facilities. To add to this, Alcanada has recently invested in a new fleet of 38 ‘Tempo’ Club Car buggies, which come complete with a premium seat and USB connection. Not only that, but the club has also recently introduced Honma rental clubs, which give golfers the unique opportunity to play with some of the best and most expensive clubs on the market, with the Honma XP-1 set available for men and the 1 Honma Beres set for ladies. TaylorMade SIM clubs are also available to hire. Director of golf, Kristoff Both, said: “We are delighted that the restrictions have now been lifted here in Mallorca and we can welcome back golfers again. We have been eager for golfers to come back to the course and are excited to see what they make of it. It was already loved by all before, but we have now managed to enhance and improve it to its best possible condition – something we are very proud of.
Golfers Strike it Lucky as Course Reopens with Best Ever Course Conditions ninth hole, pruning work in forested areas, hollow coring the approaches to the greens, solid tining all greens, 12th hole pathway repair, as well as the construction of a purpose-built shelter for the club’s resident donkeys. The Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed layout is widely regarded as one of the best courses on the island with spectacular panoramic sea views over the Alcudia Bay towards its iconic picturesque lighthouse. Measuring 6,499 metres and boasting 18 beautiful, yet challenging, holes, the course is a must for any golfer – especially with the enhanced course conditions.
“Of course, the safety of all our visitors and staff members is paramount, which is why we have taken every precaution to make sure we stringently adhere to all published guidance from the Spanish authorities – this includes a strict cleaning and sanitising regime, as well as measures to practise social distancing and personal protective equipment is available where needed.” Surrounded by pine and olive groves throughout, the course often appears in Europe’s top 100 rankings and is a great test for golfers of all abilities, from beginners to professionals. This was shown when it was selected as the host venue for the European Challenge Tour Grand Final in November 2019.
www.golf-alcanada.com
The club does everything it can to provide a five-star experience to every www.golfvacationsmag.com
Golf Vacations • July 2020 23
SWEETSTUFF Green Books by GolfLogix
T
he company with the most downloaded app in golf history— GolfLogix—recently took their advanced course-mapping technology retro with the introduction of its printed Green Maps Books for those players who prefer the traditional pocket-sized course guides. In an ode to the old-school, back-pocket books that tour pros and caddies use, the new Green Map Books provide virtually all of the information that the GolfLogix phone app provides in this more traditional package for those that prefer a printed course map book or those that don’t have their phone
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with them. As far as yardage books are concerned, these are the ultimate. The rules-compliant Green Books combine detailed 3-D imagery, including yardages, with the sophisticated green-contour data that most professional golfers use in competition. With the GolfLogix tour-level intel, golfers can reach into their back pockets and read every putt quickly and confidently to enable lower scores and speed up play. These durable and water-resistant Green Books are available for more than 14,000 courses. In addition to the clear plastic cover that comes with each book, these easy-toread at- a-glance books also feature pages to fill in your club-spec information and yardage—and an expansive note area to make personal comments for reference. Professionals and amateurs alike have long relied on printed yardage books to guide their decision-making with confidence. However, the prohibitive cost of mapping the contours of each green down to centimeter accuracy has prevented all but the top courses from gathering this data independently. GolfLogix’s unprecedented catalogue offers accurate professional insight that all players can take advantage of to shoot lower scores. The topographical guides include three views of every hole. Quick-view heat maps outline the green’s undulations and provide large, easy-to-see arrows which help golfers identify the areas to avoid when planning approach, pitch, and chip shots. Using these amazing course management features will provide more straight, uphill birdie putts and stress-free pars. A second, closeup perspective of the green highlights the subtle changes in elevation and direction
that are often undetectable to the naked eye. Combined, the maps help make every putt read quick and simple. This printed guide also features yardage book-quality color images of every hole with 50-yard grids to help plan your tee shots and avoid the major hazards. Green Books mimic the GolfLogix app’s Approach Mode, allowing golfers to strategically target positions on the green for their best opportunity of draining their putt. “With our foundation as a software company, we are uniquely positioned to produce these Green Books with detailed course-specific intelligence that helps golfers read greens quickly and with confidence,” noted Pete Charleston, President of GolfLogix. “It was important to us to make accurate green-reading maps accessible for the everyday golfer. I’m proud to say golfers can purchase a Green Book for less than it costs to play a round of golf at most courses.” GolfLogix Green Books give golfers a quick and accurate read without having to walk around the hole, by showing exactly how the putt will break on each hole. Putting with the confidence of a quick and accurate read can also speed up the game and can shave strokes. “GolfLogix Green Books give you the same data-filled map of every green that college teams and pros pay thousands for,” said Kellie Stenzel, a GOLF magazine top 100 instructor. “You won’t waste time circling the pin countless times; instead, you’ll discover a new confidence that saves strokes on every course you play.” The Green Books have already caught on with many players—even during these times of limited accessibility and travel with orders for 2,000 courses in 49 states in the first month since they became available in April—and with 350 new courses being ordered each week. The Green Books by GolfLogix can be purchased at pro shops and online at www. store.GolfLogix.com
Bushnell Golf’s Wingman GPS Speaker - Barry Lotz
W
hat a great first-to-market product from Bushnell Outdoor Products that they have brought to the golfing world – The Wingman GPS Speaker. I am totally enamored with this product.
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross and Barry Lotz
Anyone would love this when riding on a 1-person golf cart. With a combination of GPS and Bluetooth technologies, the Wingman provides players audible front, center and back distances, all while listening to the music of their choice through mobile applications. This is a product that will allow golfers to enjoy themselves on the course, while providing them with the functions of a distance measuring device that works with Bushnell’s legendary quality. Never one to enjoy other people’s music taste and volume, now you have the ability to play music and provide GPS data you can rely on. The Wingman GPS Speaker is unlike any other product in the industry. It is accurate, clips on to the golf cart’s support strut tightly, so don’t worry about it falling off.
Sock of Champions - Barry Lotz
P
layers will love these “Sock of Champions”, made with the unrivaled characteristics of Bamboo--and will enjoy the socks’ bold graphics and great feel. The “Sock of Champions” provide a soft and luxurious experience for any golfer. The Bamboo fiber itself is super soft and feels comfortable against the skin. Early Beta Tests revealed that people thought the “Sock of Champions” was made of a high-quality silk or cashmere. However, these same testers were surprised to see how these socks perform. Bamboo has a natural wicking ability that rids moisture away from the skin to keep feet dry, which reduces the chance of a blister-a really important factor when walking the golf course. In the cold, Bamboo warms up the skin, and in the heat, cools down the skin. This temperature control is remarkable in all weather conditions and environments. Another keen feature of the “Sock of Champions” is that bacteria cannot live or grow in the bamboo fiber which makes them naturally antibacterial and odor resistant. Bamboo is also incredibly gentle on sensitive skin. On almost every level, Bamboo outperforms traditional cotton or wool. “The ‘Sock of Champions’ is a specialty sock that looks like a trouser sock but performs like an athletic sock. On the golf course, they keep me comfortable and dry. In the boardroom, or at the 19th hole, they add color and fun to my dress pants. The design and graphics always get attention – a real icebreaker,” said Founder and President of All 19 Holes, Tim Ready. More information is available at: www.all19holes.com
How it works: Pair the Wingman with your music source and Bushnell Golf App Press remote button to get audible GPS distances from your Bushnell Golf App The Wingman GPS Speaker will change the way players take on the course, by bringing an entirely new atmosphere to the game. With premium sound quality, paired with front, center, and back distances with customizable settings for game play, the Wingman is the perfect all-in-one accessory for the golf course. Additionally, the speaker comes standard with Bushnell’s Magnetic BITE technology. The BITE magnetic mount allows the speaker to be secured to any golf cart without the need for an aftermarket accessory. The Wingman GPS Speaker features: • Audible GPS distances and music through mobile applications • Premium audio quality • Front, center and back distances – with customizable settings for your game play • Integrated BITE magnetic cart mount • Auto hole advance • 10+ hour battery life • Charge other devices from speaker Available at retailers and online at: www.bushnellgolf.com/wingman
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