OUR 21st YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JULY 2022
TEE UP AN EPIC GOLF SWING
WASHINGTON & IDAHO
THE LANDINGS CLUB
REDEFINING WHAT A GOLF COMMUNITY SHOULD BE
Vacations • July 2022 1 Plus: RESORT REPORT: LAP OF LUXURY ATGolfNEMACOLIN
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2 Golf Vacations • July 2022
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GOLF VACATIONS JUNE 2022
Coeur d’Alene Resort Course • Worley, Idaho
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Chip Shots
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Resort Report: Lap of Luxury at Nemacolin
22 28 32 36
by David R. Holland
Mystic Rock, the dream of Nemacolin’s founder, Joseph Hardy, was designed by Dye in 1995, and is a scenic trip perched high in the Allegheny Mountains spanning acres of the scenic Laurel Highlands. It offers players championship-level golf in a beautiful mountain golf setting but at 7,526 yards, with a whopping rating of 77.0 and a slope of 149, it can be brutal.
Epic Golf Swing Through Washington & Idaho
by Tim Cotroneo
The bordering states of Washington and Idaho can’t wait to exceed your golf trip expectations. The golf trifecta of Kalispel Golf and Country Club, Circling Raven Golf Course, and the Coeur d’Alene Resort Course deliver history, majestic nature, and the world’s only floating island green.
Planning Makes Perfect on Hilton Head Golf Island
by Shane Sharp
Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI), comprising 26 courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties, awaits with a host of unforgettable golf vacation options ranging from buddy trips to family getaways. Detailed itineraries to provide inspiration and ideas are available in the 2022 Golf Vacation Planner, which can also be downloaded at www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com.
Club Report - The Landings Club in Savannah, GA
by David Theoret
Each of the six golf courses at The Landings Club is unique in its own right but one attribute they all share is, showcasing the natural beauty of what Skidaway Island has to offer. Whether it’s playing through a backdrop of hardwood forests, saltwater marshes, or tidal creeks each course shows the philosophy of its designer. as well as the distinctive mark of its designer.
Sweet Stuff
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by Terry Ross
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Golf Vacations • July 2022 5
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 Theoret (aka The Golfin’ Guy) grew up in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, where it was naturally assumed he would play hockey. Beginning at the age of 3 and continuing into his late 30s, he did just that, however, after one too many pucks to the head, he realized that golf was a lot easier on the body and took the game up. From 2003 until 2009, David ran the sales and marketing department of TravelGolf Media – now known at GolfNow.com. While at TravelGolf, an editor told him he had a flair for writing and he started writing articles about anything golf-related. He currently resides in Lake Tansi, TN with his wife Belinda and their four-legged “kid,” Louie. David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. “Multiple careers” best describes this world traveler (visited 35 countries), who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve. Holland splits home time in Colorado and Texas. He has written for GolfWeek’s Superintendent News, Colorado AvidGolfer, Midwest Golfing Magazine, South Central Golf Magazine and Fairway to Green. He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, UPI and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Follow Dave on Twitter @David_R_Holland.
Associate Editors Terry Ross Dakota Diaz
Features Editor JD Latorre
Senior Writers Tim Cotroneo Larry Feldman David R. Holland Dave McKibben
For Editorial:
call (760) 774–2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com Shane Sharp is a freelance writer and the owner of Southbound 4, a content marketing and PR shop in Greenville, S.C. He’s a contributing editor with GOLF Magazine, Club & Resort Business, Golf Inc. and Club Management.
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Los Angeles Terry Ross • (949) 279–7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • (678) 906-4050 harold@chamblissmediagroup.com Chicago Dakota Diaz •(312) 809–8808 dakota@GolfVacationsMag.com
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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 2022 Stony Creek Media, LLC, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Ivinghoe pair Robert and Elizabeth Culley won The R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final over the Old Course, St Andrews.
Husband And Wife Pairing Victorious In R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final St Andrews, Scotland: Husband and wife duo Robert and Elizabeth Culley emerged victorious in The R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final as golfers enjoyed the dream opportunity to play the Old Course on the eve of The 150th Open at St Andrews. A record 91,000 golfers entered nine-hole qualifying events held at courses throughout Great Britain and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand for the chance to reach the showpiece final. Forty finalists, including 11-year-old Kaiden Marsh from Styal Golf Club in Cheshire, enjoyed the experience of a lifetime by competing over holes 1–4 and 14–18 of the famed links and savouring the atmosphere in front of The 150th Open grandstands. From the 20 team pairings, it was the Culley duo from Ivinghoe Golf Club – a nine-hole course in Buckinghamshire – who won the Stableford competition with a nett aggregate score of 36 points to be crowned 2022 champions. Paul Gaskell and Karen McIlroy (Greenacres) finished as runners-up a point behind, ahead of the New Zealand pair Judy Toovey and Peter Tremain on countback. Peter Forster, Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, presented the prizes to the leading teams. Robert said, “It’s definitely been one of the best golf days of our lives – we were a dream team. It was really nerve wracking on the first tee. I’ve never teed off in those circumstances before with so many people around and cameras clicking. “I struggled on the first hole and I said to Elizabeth going down the second I didn’t think it was going to be our day. But it’s amazing how things can turn around. Playing in front of the grandstands made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, it was stunning.” Elizabeth added, “It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience
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and a dream to win. It’s been incredible. We are members of a nine-hole club at Ivinghoe and I don’t think cubs like them get enough kudos. I think this championship is fantastic for promoting nine-hole golf.” Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is going from strength to strength and it was fantastic to see the finalists enjoying their day on the Old Course ahead of The 150th Open. “We had 91,000 golfers participating this year to earn the opportunity to compete in St Andrews and it’s been especially pleasing to see so many women and girls competing. “It’s great to see this form of golf showcased on such a stage, highlighting the different ways golf can be played by all ages, abilities and backgrounds.” In glorious conditions over the Old Course, combined with a challenging wind, players with a handicap index ranging from two to 47 enjoyed the unforgettable opportunity. The prize also included two nights’ accommodation in the Rusacks St Andrews Hotel, dinner in The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and a tour of The R&A World Golf Museum. The R&A 9 Hole Challenge, first staged in 2016, is central to the organisation’s wider drive to promote this form of golf as an ideal way to enjoy playing the sport in less time, either recreationally or competitively for handicap purposes, and experience the physical and mental health benefits golf provides. There has been an impressive growth of nine-hole golf in recent years, aided by the ease of the new World Handicap System to submit scores and the ability of golf to be played safely in a number of countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please visit randa.org/nine-hole-challenge for more information.
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Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club’s New Apartments celebrate the best of Mediterranean Life Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has unveiled a line of new luxury apartments with the Spanish resort – recognised as one of Europe’s finest real estate destinations – adding the Kumquat community to its burgeoning portfolio. The exclusive two and three-bedroom apartments, which are due to be completed in 2024, have been specifically designed to utilise the best of the Mediterranean landscape. Built using a unique cascading design, each will feature an oversized, south-facing terrace offering breath-taking views of the sea and the surrounding forests, while minimalist architecture ensures a seamless bridge between the outside and the inside. The properties, which range from 75 to 114m2 in size and make up two blocks of 12 apartments, will appeal to anyone wanting to combine luxury design and service with an unspoilt, natural landscape, while also enjoying one of Spain’s most revered championship golf courses - a five-time winner of the ‘Best Golf Course in Spain’ at the World Golf Awards. Francisco Moreno, real estate manager at Las Colinas, said: “The addition of the Kumquat community is extremely exciting for everyone at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club and the initial reaction to the plans has been overwhelming.” “We wanted this addition to our portfolio to maximise the stunning, preserved nature that is synonymous with Las Colinas and our architects have exceeded expectations. “
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“The expansive, 55m2 sunny Mediterranean terraces that each apartment enjoys is a highlight of the design and will offer residents the very best in indoor-outdoor living while masterfully maintaining a feeling of privacy.” This latest real estate development is positioned in one of the resort’s most desirable locations and will benefit from one of the most impressive communal areas, with a large swimming pool, 350m2 maintained garden and electric car charging points. Along with an 18-hole championship golf course, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club offers a wide range of comprehensive leisure facilities, including a golf academy, padel and tennis academy, WOW Beach on the seafront, gym, a wellness area and a racquet club. The impressive culinary offering at the resort includes the stylish Italian restaurant il Palco and an international menu at unik restaurant, made with fresh produce to give residents and guests an opportunity to enjoy a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle to the fullest. Nestled in a 330-hectare valley, the resort enjoys more than 300 days’ sunshine a year, while the site is surrounded by a natural park of 10,000 hectares and is only six kilometres from the Spanish Mediterranean coastline. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club benefits from exceptional travel links, with both Alicante and Murcia Airports less than 50 minutes away, as well as three major train stations less than 45 miles away. For more information on Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, please visit: www.lascolinasgolfrealestate.com
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS July Is Troon Family Golf Month And July 31St Is Family Golf Day SCOTTSDALE, AZ – July is “Troon Family Golf Month” at Troon-affiliated facilities around the world. Throughout the month, courses will amplify their family golf initiatives through familyoriented instructional programs, events and tournaments. In addition, Sunday, July 31st is “Family Golf Day” providing families with an opportunity to enjoy the game of a lifetime together at Troon-affiliated courses, while concurrently serving as a fundraiser for “Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals.” 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 lesson with a paying adult Led by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the PGA TOUR and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, “Play Yellow for Children’s
Hospitals” strives to bring the entire golf world together to help the 10 million kids treated at local children’s hospitals each year. As part of Family Golf Day on July 31st, Troon-affiliated courses across the United States will be collecting donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with all proceeds staying in each course’s local community. Donations are optional for Family Golf Day participants. In addition, the Troon Junior Club (TJC) is open to all junior golfers age 17 years and younger for an annual registration fee of just $35. Troon Junior Club members receive preferred Junior Rates at participating Troon facilities, a TJC Nike hat, bag tag, practice facility access, all Troon Family Golf benefits and more. “Troon facilities around the world are committed to growing the game through junior golf every day of the year,” said Troon Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Kris Strauss. “During Troon Family Golf Month our facilities, PGA/LPGA instructors and associates come together to amplify these efforts and share the many great virtues playing golf together as a family can provide.” Visit www.TroonFamilyGolf.com or contact the Troon-affiliated 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.
Troon Family Golf
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Wolfdancer Golf Club
Wolfdancer Golf Club At Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort And Spa Announces Renovation
‘New’ PGA National Resort Announces ValuePacked Summer Vacation Package
BASTROP, TX – Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, located on 405 acres of Texas landscape lining the Colorado River right outside of Austin and near the city of Bastrop, announces a redesign to its championship golf course. The renovation, expected to be completed in fall 2022, will transform the layout of the course with four brand-new holes that flow across rolling tree-lined terrain and undulating hills. “We are thrilled to announce that we have broken ground on a renovation that will transform the closing nine holes of the golf course,” said Jason Boydston, Director of Golf at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. “The updates will include four brand-new holes that will feature more playability and exciting terrain that is ideal for golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. The new course design will take advantage of the beautiful landscape and natural tributaries that will further showcase the beauty of our Central Texas location.” The four new holes have been designed by the course’s original architects, Hills • Forrest • Smith Golf Course Architects. The process will create four brand-new holes that will replace holes 15, 16, 17, and 18 on the current course, and updates will include additional tree-lined areas and water features including water hazards, low draws, and creeks. Following the addition of the new holes, the course will then be rearranged with a new starting and finishing location. The renovations are expected to be completed in the fall of 2022, with plans for future enhancements including updates to the club’s golf facilities and the pro shop. Throughout the renovation process, Wolfdancer Golf Club will remain open to the public, members, and resort guests. Tee times are available by visiting wolfdancergolfclub.com, or by calling (512) 308-4770. For more information or to book a stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, please visit HyattRegencyLostPines.com, or call (512) 308-1234.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – PGA National Resort – South Florida’s world-class golf, vacation, culinary, events and spa destination – announces its superb “PGA Signature Vacation” package perfect for a memorable summer getaway the entire family will savor. Featuring a daily $75 resort credit and breakfast for two, this exceptional package makes it easier than ever to experience the wide range of new amenities the resort has to offer. Whether teeing off on one of six championship golf courses or spending a day luxuriating in the newly revitalized spa, guests can choose their own adventure and make the most of their summer vacation. Currently unveiling the stunning results of its substantial $100 million transformation, the dramatic “new” PGA National Resort features reimagined guestrooms inspired by a theme of “1960s Pam Beach chic” as well as spacious villas, six exciting new culinary concepts, and a host of superlative amenities. The legendary South Florida destination boasts the famed Champion Course (host venue of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic) as well as three additional “traditional” 18s (The Palmer, The Fazio and The Estate courses) and two new bold and innovative Andy Staples designs – The Match Course (18 holes) and The Staple Course (nine holes). With National Golf Month just around the corner in August, the fun and exciting Match and Staple courses are just the ticket for both new and experienced players to tee it up, celebrate the game and share their experiences to help grow the sport. PGA National Resort also offers world-class golf instruction with the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School and Full Process Golf. Ideal for golf groups of all abilities, the “Game Changer” package also is available throughout the summer and includes rounds on the new Staples-designed courses in addition to a round on The Champion, The Palmer, The Estate, or a replay round on The Match. With prices as low as $469 (per day, double occupancy), there is no
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS better time to play these celebrated layouts and enjoy a two-night stay at the legendary PGA National Resort. “We are thrilled to showcase our first-class golf courses alongside luxurious accommodations and amenities this summer,” says Jane Broderick, director of golf. “With our ‘PGA Signature Vacation’ package, families and golf groups will experience why PGA National Resort is an elite destination in the U.S. Now open after an extensive renovation, the 40,000-square-foot Spa at PGA National Resort is an oasis of opulence for those who wish to indulge in lavish luxury with additions including a couple’s treatment room and two Himalayan salt rooms. Acting as a “resort within the resort,” the spa offers a comprehensive menu of restorative treatments designed to nurture an openness to healing, balance and growth. For more information about PGA National Resort: visit www. pgaresort.com or call 800.863.2819.
Indian Wells Golf Resort Offers Exceptional Summer Stay-and-Plays INDIAN WELLS, CA – Indian Wells Golf Resort – the public worldclass golf, vacation, culinary and events destination located in the picturesque Coachella Valley – is partnering with neighboring Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa to offer a pair of extraordinary stay-and-play packages perfect for golf group and family getaways. Celebrating its 36th anniversary this year, the acclaimed Palm Springs-area resort features 36 holes of exceptional golf on its acclaimed “Celebrity” and “Players” courses. The Celebrity, designed by architect Clive Clark and colloquially referred to as “The Beauty,” features aesthetically pleasing water features, colorful wildflowers and narrow fairway corridors placing an emphasis on strategic shotmaking. The challenging John Fought-designed Players course, or “The Beast” as it’s known, is a longer, more spacious layout with demanding bunkering and stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains. Like the Celebrity, no roads or homes disrupt the two routings with each hole
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designed to provide a feeling of serene privacy and escape from the hustle and bustle right in the heart of the dynamic Coachella Valley. With the “Indian Wells Stay & Play” package, guests can enjoy three nights’ accommodations at the luxurious Hyatt Regency along with a round each on both the Celebrity and Players layouts. The offer also features one additional round on either course, with the option to add a fourth round on departure day for an additional fee. The superb “Lifestyle Escape” package features two nights’ accommodations at the Hyatt Regency along with one each day of unlimited golf on the Celebrity and Players. Additionally, guests can add a round on departure day and reserve a lesson with one of the excellent PGA Professionals at Indian Wells for an additional fee. Information on additional details and pricing may be obtained by calling 800.495.5520. “We are thrilled to offer these outstanding stay-and-play offers providing golfers and families the opportunity to enjoy our worldclass resort for a fun summer getaway,” says Sven Wiedenhaupt, general manager. “Guests will not only our marvelous golf, but also the top-notch dining and welcoming customer care which Indian Wells Golf Resort is long known for.” The Vue Grille & Bar, located in the resort’s stunning 53,000-square-foot clubhouse, boasts award-winning cuisine and an extensive selection of wine and spirits complemented by gorgeous views of the property and top-of-the-line service. Adding to the splendid dining offerings, Café 36 is a special anniversary-themed option located on the first floor of the clubhouse. Indian Wells Golf Resort is also an ideal destination for weddings, meetings and other group outings. Most notable is an “in-demand” pavilion accommodating up to 700 guests with additional lawn event space combining for up to 1,300 visitors at a time. The resort’s Celebrity Ballroom is another premier event space with a beautiful outdoor patio and capacity for 250 guests. For more information about Indian Wells Golf Resort please call 760.346.4653 or visit www.indianwellsgolfresort.com.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Conch Scramble
‘Par’-take in the Conch Scramble On-theWater Golf Tournament ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA KEYS — Golfers can enjoy a nine-hole round without greens fees, sand traps or golf carts during the popular Conch Scramble charity golf tournament. Set for Saturday, Oct. 1, the Islamorada event delivers a casual-play, unique on-the-water experience where the target greens float and biodegradable golf balls turn into fish food. Up to 50 teams of golf boats can enter this “par-tee” on the water to have a “hole” lot of fun honing their swings and raising money for charity one shot at a time. Boating and golf enthusiasts also can participate as spectators, attending the kick-off party Friday, Sept. 30. The 6-10 p.m. party traditionally includes games, food and
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drinks and locally crafted beers. A silent auction and a 50/50 cash raffle highlight the evening fun. The Islamorada location is to be announced the week of the event at conchscramble.com and on the event’s social media channels. During the tournament, teams of four and a designated golf boat driver, or “caddy,” make stops at Islamorada waterfront venues and come ashore to tee off. Each player takes shots at the floating holes using biodegradable golf balls that dissolve into fish food after 90 hours in the water. Teams are to meet Saturday for an 8:30 a.m. breakfast, hole location assignments and a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Organizers are to confirm details with teams after registrations are finalized. Hole locations where patrons can see and cheer on the fundraising teams in past events have included Islamorada Fish Company, Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar, the Oceanview Inn & Sports Pub — known locally as the “OV” — and Marker 88. The 2022 hole locations are to be confirmed closer to the week of the event, according to organizers. At the golf round’s ninth and final hole, an awards ceremony is to be held with trophies presented to the three top-scoring teams. Additional honors recognize the best hole location, most team spirit and best costumes. Proceeds from the lighthearted golfing challenge help fund Florida Keys charities. Online team registration opens July 15. Fees are $650 and include tickets to the kick-off event. Nongolfers are encouraged to attend the Friday kick-off festivities and can purchase tickets for a $50 donation beginning July 21, 2022. Event information and team registration: conchscramble.com Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS
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Gamble Sands Announces Plans For Second David Mclay Kidd-Designed Championship Golf Course
BREWSTER, WA – Gamble Sands, one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America” located in Brewster, Wash., announced today plans to build a second 18-hole, David McLay Kidd-designed championship golf course. Construction on the new course, which will be located north of the existing clubhouse, will begin this fall with anticipated completion and grand opening in summer 2025. The new yet-to-be-named course adds to an already impressive collection of golf and hospitality amenities at Gamble Sands. The property’s 18-hole, McLay Kidd-designed Sands Course opened for play in 2014 to widespread acclaim and is recognized as a Top 100 golf course in the United States. In 2021, Gamble Sands unveiled its 14-hole QuickSands short course (also a McLay Kidd layout) providing golfers with a fun and imaginative shot-making alternative to the Sands course. “The site for the next course at Gamble Sands was high on the list the first time around but some challenges with power lines made us choose the first course site. Those challenges have been overcome and golfers have shown their appreciation of the amazing fescue surfaces that allow them to play every shot a thousand different ways,” said David McLay Kidd. “They want more and we are only too thrilled to oblige. The Gebbers family (owners of Gamble Sands) have entrusted us to create another full 18 that are similar in terms of playing style, but different enough to again grab the interest of every passionate golfer. The site we will build this new course upon
is different, more intimate, more dramatic even. I can’t wait to get going this fall.” In addition to the new golf course, the Inn at Gamble Sands, the 37-room on-property lodge, will also be enhanced with 36 more rooms added (for a total of 73 rooms). A new food and beverage outlet will also be built to compliment the current Danny Boy Bar and Grill. The Inn at Gamble Sands features oversized rooms that match the wide-open nature of Gamble Sands, as big rooms open to the big golf course, framed by even bigger views that sweep across the Columbia River Valley. Danny Boy Bar and Grill has large garage-style doors that roll open to outdoor dining options and more views of the Cascades and Columbia River Valley. “All of us here at Gamble Sands are truly excited for the next step in the evolution of the golf resort,” said Tory Wulf, project manager at Gamble Sands. “Our team has worked hard to enhance the experience on and off the golf course since opening in 2014. The second full-length rendition by David McLay Kidd and his team will be fun to watch take shape and I’m sure even ‘funner’ to play. With the addition of more golf, the resort will expand more overnight units and a new F/B outlet that will match the laid-back atmosphere of the property. Stay tuned…” McLay Kidd’s award-winning course designs include Gamble Sands, Bandon Dunes and Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisc. He is currently working on projects in Nebraska and Portugal. For more information on Gamble Sands, visit www. gamblesands.com or call 509-436-8323.
Gamble Sands
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Branson Hills Golf Club
Five Branson Courses Voted Best in Missouri including Top Four in State BRANSON, MO – Golfweek rates Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Branson Hills, and Payne’s Valley as the top four courses in Missouri in that order and LedgeStone at No. 7 in its annual compilation of the nation’s finest courses by category. Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course design) and Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Johnny Morris) also garnered distinction in the “Top 100 Best Courses You Can Play in America” list that was included in the just-published 2022 Golfweek’s Best compendium, ranking nos. 49 and 82, respectively. “We’re thrilled that our destination’s golf options are so highly regarded by Golfweek raters,” said Lynn Berry, Explore Branson, Director of Communications. “Considering there are roughly 17,000 golf courses in the United States, to have five of our 10 courses recognized as ‘best-in-kind’ demonstrates why golf travelers should consider choosing Branson for their next getaway.” To determine the Golfweek’s Best rankings, the media outlet’s international course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them using 10 criteria on a 10-point scale. The raters also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce a cumulative rating for each course,
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which is then ranked against other layouts. Branson Hills (Chuck Smith-Bobby Clampett), Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods) and LedgeStone (Tom Clark) complement Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge as top-ranked playing options. Branson’s five other courses are Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus), Mountain Top (Gary Player), Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills. Top of the Rock and Mountain Top are award-winning par-3 courses, a welcome addition in golf trips where players tee up 18-holers in the morning, then add afternoon “short course” rounds. Thousand Hills has often earned “favorite course” status among area golfers, while The Pointe and Holiday Hills provide additional popular playing options. The two short courses and Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, and Payne’s Valley are amenities of Big Cedar Lodge. All 10 courses in the destination are located near one another as well as hundreds of restaurants, lodging options, and aftergolf attractions. Branson is the No. 3 rated tourism destination in America according to Trip Advisor, a place where live entertainment theatres, lakes, museums, a world-famous theme park (Silver Dollar City), and family friendly activities proliferate. For more information about Branson Golf, visit www. explorebranson.com/golf, Instagram (@ExploreBransonGolf) or Facebook (@BransonGolf).
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Invited members and guests play 16,600 miles of golf on Women’s Golf Day DALLAS, TX – Invited, the World Leader in Private Clubs®, again embraced Women’s Golf Day with events, initiatives, and outreach at select clubs on June 7 and tracked the total holes played and estimated miles traveled by female members and guests with the goal of playing enough golf to equal crossing the United States. The women far exceeded that goal totaling an estimated 16,600 miles traveled, enough to cover three round trips from New York to Los Angeles and still have 1,800 miles remaining. Formerly ClubCorp, Invited’s lifestyle hospitality brand was founded in 1957 on the traditions and values of acceptance with a recently launched new name and brand that conveys the aspiration and appeal to match the lifestyle and hospitality service that the company and its members and guests have become accustomed to. This change in name reflects Invited Club’s dedication to welcome and attract more woman of all ages to the game with less friction and intimidation than has been present in the past. Through programs like Crush It and other targeted events, Invited has grown its female membership by 164% since 2019. As reported by the National Golf Foundation, 600,000 women entered the game just this past year with growth split evenly between on-and off-course play. Legendary and historic Firestone Country Club is one of many Invited facilities that has a history of embracing and celebrating Women’s Golf Day. This year was no different at Firestone with local members and guests invited to play 9 holes at Firestone’s Fazio course or participate in a clinic for all abilities. “Golf is a sport and hobby that brings people together across the
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world and it meant for everyone to enjoy no matter their race, age or gender,” said Invited CEO David Pillsbury. “While June is Women’s Golf Month and we are excited to see the industry put an emphasis on creating more opportunities to share the game with women, we have pledged to make this a fundamental part of our clubs for perpetuity. We hope women who are experienced at the game or have never picked up a club in their life feel comfortable and welcome to Invited Clubs. We were thrilled to see the participation at our clubs from women who have a history of playing the game to those who were simply curious to try the game for the first time.” Crush It is a progression-based golf program that is offered at more than 120 Invited locations. Jennifer Bermingham, the Director of Programing at Invited and a certified PGA and LPGA instructor, launched and customized the program as a way to create a standardized junior golf throughout the Invited portfolio. Crush places a strong emphasis on offering fun, developmentally-appropriate activities for developing youth golfers—a corrective to the winningat-all-costs mentality that informs a lot of junior instruction. Where Crush It really stands out is in its attention to the social experiences of junior golfers. Girls learn in female-only groups where working collaboratively and making friends is often more of a priority. Additionally, “Game On” is a subscription and progression-based model geared towards adults to learn more about playing while focusing on creating connections. The program is open to all players but has shown to be a popular and successful next step to increase full participation by females. Game On includes themed classes, practicing with specific clubs or around the green and then practicing full course play.
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RESORT REPORT
Nemacolin Resort The Lap of Luxury in Southwest PA
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ARMINGTON, PA. – During the 2004 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Resort, PGA Tour Player Billy Andrade was somewhat perplexed by the woodlands retreat in Southwest Pennsylvania.
This little tale is so right-on about Nemacolin Resort. A family can enjoy the ultra-luxury of a butler or there are other lodging experiences like The Lodge and The Chateau where you can tone down the extreme spoil factor just a smidgen.
Andrade was staying at the plush Falling Rock, a golf-course boutique hotel lavishly inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, furnished with art deco interiors, ripe with luxury amenities and personalized butler service.
The Golf at Nemacolin Resort Nemacolin includes two Pete Dye golf tracks that can be a minefield of lofty scores for an average hack.
“I’ve never been spoiled like this in my life,” Andrade said. “I have a butler. He asked me if I wanted him to unpack my clothes. I told him no. I don’t want anybody touching my clothes. Next time he came by I asked for an iron and an ironing board. He said, ‘What’s up with you golfers? You don’t like your clothes ironed?’ “ Andrade comtemplated then responded: “I said, ‘Sir, you have to understand this is not reality. We stay at Residence Inn’s and Courtyard Marriott’s, and we do our own laundry, and we iron our own clothes. It’s a little therapeutic we don’t have you at our disposal.’ I wish my wife was here.” 18 Golf Vacations • July 2022
Mystic Rock, the dream of Nemacolin’s founder, Joseph Hardy, was designed by Dye in 1995, and is a scenic trip perched high in the Allegheny Mountains spanning acres of the scenic Laurel Highlands. It offers players championship-level golf in a beautiful mountain golf setting but at 7,526 yards, with a whopping rating of 77.0 and a slope of 149, it can be brutal. Golf-course architect Tim Liddy completed an extensive bunker renovation on Mystic Rock in July 2021. Liddy’s work transformed the bunkers, playing surfaces, and tee boxes. The course has countless accolades from all the major golf publications, including Golfweek’s No. 1 Best Courses You Can Play in Pennsylvania for 2022. www.golfvacationsmag.com
by DAVID R. Holland
photos by Evan Schiller
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FARMINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA
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RESORT REPORT Shepherd’s Rock, Nemacolin’s second Pete Dye designed course, opened in 2017, and offers more fun and a stern test. The 7,290-yard course stretches across a beautiful landscape with wide fairways, 149 jagged bunkers, and wild contours on the greens. The 18th finishes with a waterfall backdrop. Golfweek gave it the No. 5 Best Courses You Can Play in Pennsylvania.
The learning, practice, and entertainment space has also been outfitted with the most sought-after simulator, launch monitor, and biomechanical feedback technology in the golf industry. This includes state of the art hardware like TrackMan launch monitors and simulators, Foresight Sports’ GCQuad launch monitor, and Swing Catalyst’s Balance and Dual Force Plates.
Downtime or rainy time can be spent at The Nemacolin Golf Academy. This 4,000-square-foot space has a renovated building, all new furnishings, seven flat-screen TVs, and new décor.
The Golf Academy’s four spacious, customized hitting bays can open up to the 25-station driving range that sits adjacent to two short-game practice areas and a large putting green. It also features a dedicated, 1,000-square-
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FARMINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA foot putting room, is optimized for expert golf training and club fitting under Golf Digest “Best Young Teacher” Michael LaBella and his team.
Today, Nemacolin Resort could be the best rural, luxury golf retreat in the USA that folks west of the Mississippi have never heard of.
Nemacolin: History, luxury, dining and countless activities The name Nemacolin pays respect to a chief of the Delaware Nation, local history, and the first battle of the French and Indian War in 1754. The nearby Fort Necessity National Battlefield heralds those skrimishes and chronicles a 21-year-old British emissary named George Washington, who arrived midwinter of 1753-54.
The more than 2,000 acres on the western ridges of the Appalachians are 90 minutes from Pittsburgh and has vistas into three states. Sugar maples can be found in the rolling hills along with whitetail deer and mountain laurel, the state’s official flower. Hardy purchased Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in 1987 and turned it into a AAA Five Diamond resort hotel. The Chateau, was inspired by the Ritz in Paris. The Lodge is a classic English Tudor-style hotel that also include some townhomes and luxury vacation homes. The five lodging offerings have 320 rooms, a luxurious spa with 40 treatment rooms, five swimming pools, 15 dining options, a local casino, a multimillion dollar art collection, and plenty of outdoor activities including tennis, skeet shooting, paintball, archery, shuffleboard, mountain biking, rock climbing, and jeep rides into bumpy terrain. Want more? How about a small wild animal park, an aviation and vintage car museum, ziplining, fly fishing, skiing, and a private airstrip. The Peak at Nemacolin includes year-round fun for all. The pool complex is amazing and one can relax in poolside cabanas, enjoy live entertainment, order drinks and dining, and much more. The elevated poolside lounge areas feature a pool and hot tub. There’s also a lower pool. One can’t go wrong with the dry-aged steaks offered at Rockwell’s, but you can also try Michelin-caliber dining at Lautrec, Italian family-style dining at Barattolo, and upscale seafood at Aqueous. Also checkout The Pantry general store, the Cigar Bar, and the Tea Room, along with shopping boutiques, a tavern and a 1950s-style ice cream parlor. The sculpture garden houses an impressive art collection of more than 1,000 objects valued in the millions. The bronze resort logo, Fat Bird, was commissioned from Fernando Botero’s Little Bird and greets you at The Chateau entrance. Sculptures are everywhere as you traverse the 36 holes including statues of Gene Sarazen and John Daly. As you walk the grounds and inside the hotels one can see an airplane once owned by Steve McQueen, and even memorabilia from Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. There’s no theme to the artwork, just for your enjoyment. That’s what Nemacolin Resort is all about. Enjoy.
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An Epic Washington
Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
22 Golf Vacations • July 2022
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& Idaho Golf Swing by Tim Cotroneo
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Golf Vacations • July 2022 23
T
he bordering states of Washington and Idaho can’t wait to exceed your golf trip expectations. The golf trifecta of Kalispel Golf and Country Club, Circling Raven Golf Course, and the Coeur d’Alene Resort Course deliver history, majestic nature, and the world’s only floating island green. Golfers can anticipate a landscape eye-opener of towering pine trees, mountain ranges, and one of America’s most stunning Alpine lakes. All three courses have hosted the world’s top players in events ranging from the Women’s U.S. Open, the LPGA Tour, and tournaments showcasing best in brand spirits. Stretching your golf course bucket list to include this great American northwest trio promises to be one of those, “I wish I’d done this sooner,” moments. Let’s take a look at three courses within an 80-mile radius that offer first class service, supreme course conditions, and one-of-a-kind golf holes. Kalispel Golf and Country Club - in Spokane, WA 124-Years Never Looked So Good For the golfer who thrives on history, know that playing at Kalispel Golf and Country Club means you’re walking on hallowed ground. The club’s 1898 opening was a time of golfers wielding brassies and mashies. One of Kalispel’s first golf professionals held the Wild West nickname of “Long Jim” Barnes. You’ll feel a comforting hush throughout this pine tree-lined environment that stretches to 6700-yards. If you enjoy courses
offering a different twist, know that when playing holes 7 through 13, every other one is a Par 3. If you think your driver is getting off easy, keep in mind that Kalispel is still a Par 72. You’d be right if you sensed a spiritual nature to your Kalispel round. After finishing the 9th hole, walk over and rub the head of Fil the Frog sitting on the trunk of a huge oak tree. The Native Indian community called the Kalispel land, situated on the banks of the Pend Oreille River, sacred. The surrounding area dubbed “Frog Island” believes the frog is a symbol of health, balance, community, and a promising future. All the better for your back nine. For those that choose to walk or use a pull cart, Kalispel’s storied history is acknowledged when you throw your clubs in the back of a 1934 Model T to assist your hike up the hill to the 10th tee box. The pristine vehicle has been stretched twice to accommodate golf clubs. The 321-yard, Par 4, finishing hole is driveable. Avoid the four bunkers protecting the green, and you may close out your round with a birdie. There’s more history when you head to the elevated restaurant overlooking the 9th green. This stylish restaurant with a farflung view is called the 1898 Public House. Quench your thirst with a Mimosa flight, a custom Bloody Mary, or a local craft beer. Amidst a beautiful atmosphere, dig into the restaurant’s curated lunch and dinner menu featuring Pan Seared Duck, Cedar Plank Salmon Oscar, and Prime Filet Mignon.
Kalispel Golf and Country Club
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Circling Raven Golf Club
Circling Raven Golf Club - in Worley, ID The Awards Keep Rolling In The award momentum for Circling Raven Golf Club began when the course opened in 2003. The first trophy in their sparkling 6500-square-foot clubhouse read, “Best New Course.” This accolade was followed by Best in Idaho, America’s Top 100, Best Merchandiser of the Year, Best Casino Course, One of America’s Greatest Public Courses, Exceptional Hospitality, and Best in the West. Whew! Circling Raven must be doing something right. Begin your Circling Raven experience by reveling in their beautiful clubhouse, VIP service, spacious practice area, and immaculate course conditions. Step up to the 513-yard, Par 5, first hole and realize that this is when the fun really begins.
Each of the Circling Raven golf holes has a name tracing back to its native roots. Ironically the 10th hole is called Moose Crossing. The 10th tee box, located just a sand wedge from the clubhouse, is one of the favorite haunts for a moose that frequents the golf course. Once your round is over, you may feel like relaxing before taking on the third leg of your Washington to Idaho golf journey. Take the shuttle over to the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and recharge your battery. Expect spacious rooms, a relaxing spa, three great restaurants, insights into Native American culture, and gaming offering big-time payouts. Once you’re reinvigorated from your hotel stay, drive 28 miles north to the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
Your Circling Raven surroundings are, in a word, huge. We’re talking over 600 massive acres. The sheer acreage is more than double the size of most championship golf courses. The championship legacy has been noted by the best lady golfers in the world, as the Epson Tour comes to this 7200-yard layout on August 26, 2022.
Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course in Coeur d’Alene, ID Spectacular First Impression Your sense of anticipation grows as you enter the river town of Coeur d’Alene. The excitement and popularity of this bustling city was sparked when the resort opened in 1986. Over 20,000 people lined the streets edging toward the resort entrance to catch the first sighting of this stunning mix of water, golf, business, restaurants, fitness, and nature.
If tranquility is one of the feelings you like best about the sport of golf, consider that on Circling Raven’s back nine, each golf hole is all by its lonesome. You won’t find a housing development, but you will find glorious views of the Bitterroot Mountain Range, as well as lush fairways, ample sand traps, and possibly a moose.
Today this excitement continues as you drive through Coeur d’Alene’s gated entrance and head to the pro shop to check in for your round. Expect your head to turn on a swivel because this course, designed by Scott Miller, delivers the “wow” factor.
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The glass wrapped pro shop gives golfers every opportunity to catch a glimpse of what’s in store when starting with the Par 5, 520-yard, first hole. Then again, while on the practice range hitting golf balls that float into Lake Coeur d’Alene, you can’t help but feel like you’re in for four hours of something truly special. Fore Caddies are mandatory at Coeur d’Alene, and you’ll soon appreciate all that these seasoned golf ambassadors have to offer regarding what to shoot for and what to avoid, while also tapping into their green reading expertise. The scenic golf on the front nine and first four holes on the back are like a drum roll leading up to the 14th hole par three. We’ve left out the yardage of this jaw-dropper because it varies from day to day. That’s because the 14th is the world’s only golf hole with a floating green.
by 1500 red geraniums. As you move on to 15, perhaps you’ll daydream that Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie were thinking of Coeur d’Alene’s 14th hole when they sang, “Unforgettable.” Upon completing Coeur d’Alene’s 18 holes, tip your fore caddy, and then stop to appreciate the highlights of your three-day epic golf experience. At Coeur d’Alene Resort’s aptly-named Lakeview Lounge, hoist a cold brew and recount your 72 hours of golf journey memories. It seems your foursome has but one regret about their Washington and Idaho golf getaway. To a person you agree on one thing: “I wish I’d done this sooner.” https://www.kalispelgolf.com/about/#the-course https://www.cdacasino.com/golf/
Washington and Idaho Golf – Let’s Do it Again After hitting your tee shots, go to the nearby dock and hop into a mahogany boat named Putter. This polished StanCraft vessel takes your foursome on a three-minute drive and ultimately parks next to the 2,200-ton floating green colorfully framed
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Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
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Circling Raven Golf Club
Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course
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Planning Makes Perfect on Hilton Head Golf Island by Shane Sharp
2022 Vacation Planner Available for Summer, Fall Trip Inspiration 28 Golf Vacations • July 2022
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ILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI), comprising 26 courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties, awaits with a host of unforgettable golf vacation options ranging from buddy trips to family getaways. Detailed itineraries to provide inspiration and ideas are available in the 2022 Golf Vacation Planner, which can also be downloaded at www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com. A sampling to whet the golf appetite: On-Island Buddies Trip Focusing specifically on Hilton Head Island, the “On-Island Buddies Trip” features golf at famed Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III at The Sea Pines Resort. It also includes the redoubtable Robert Trent Jones and George Fazio courses at Palmetto Dunes, and Rees Jones’ Heritage Golf Collection masterpiece, Oyster Reef. On-Island lodging is highlighted by Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes rental homes and villas, fully appointed with all the amenities of home, including flat-screen TVs, washers and dryers, wireless internet and fully-equipped kitchens. Dining and nightlife options abound, with more than 250 bars and restaurants to choose from. 30 Golf Vacations • July 2022
Off-Island Buddies Trip Centered on Bluffton, the Off-Island Buddies Trip starts at Old South Golf Links, a long-time local favorite. Designed by Hilton Head-based architect Clyde Johnston, Old South plays along the Intracoastal Waterway with front and back nine views that are among the best in the region. Holes are hemmed by oak forests and pastures and marked with several tidal marshes. Next up in the off-island course lineup is neighboring Hilton Head National, designed by Gary Player and Bobby Weed. Both facilities offer golf packages with the Hilton Garden Inn, located less than a mile from either venue. Old Town Bluffton, situated on the shores on the May River, is the place to grab a warm meal, a cold drink and relax with friends. Golf Couples Getaway With its array of award-winning restaurants, boutique accommodations and women-friendly courses, Golf Island is the perfect getaway for couples who love the game. So, grab your favorite playing partner, clubs and sunscreen, and enjoy this getaway for two. Rest and revitalize at the Inn and Club at Harbour Town (ranked as one of the top 10 hotels in the country by U.S. News World Report) or at the charming Old Town Bluffton Inn, a 14-room boutique property in the heart of www.golfvacationsmag.com
the action. Play on a compelling mix of courses – including Harbour Town and Oyster Reef – with multiple tees rated for women. Dining highlights include the island’s charming Main Street Village, home to award-winning restaurants and several specialty shops. A record number of juniors took up the game in 2020 and 2021, and the uptick in youth participation continues to surge in 2022. Golf Island is primed for an extraordinary features family trip, with various camps, activities and other programming offered throughout the year for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Options range from the FUNdamentals Camp at The Sea Pines Resort and late afternoon “family play” nine-hole rates, including a cart throughout the summer at Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club to the new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Getting to Golf Island Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) on the island’s north end offers non-stop and one-stop service from multiple hub cities and connections via American Airlines, Delta and United. American offers daily non-stop flights from Charlotte and seasonal service from Dallas / Ft. Worth, Philadelphia and Washington National (DCA). Delta has daily flights to Atlanta and United provides daily non-stop service to Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (IAD). Golfers can also utilize Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), with direct flights from numerous East Coast, Midwest and Texas airports on several major and discount airlines. For those who prefer to hit the open road, major metro areas in the Carolinas, Georgia and north Florida are under a half-day’s drive, while several Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern cities are seven to nine hours away. About Hilton Head Golf Island Hilton Head Golf Island is a marketing collective of 26 member courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties in South Carolina’s stunning Lowcountry region. Golf enthusiasts relish the region’s Southern hospitality and world-class venues sculpted by vaunted architects Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, George Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Willard Byrd, Davis Love III and Clyde Johnston. Home to the world-renowned Sea Pines Resort, the PGA TOUR makes its only South Carolina stop each April at Harbour Town Golf Links for the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. In conjunction with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor and Conventions Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association launched Hilton Head Golf Island to support the island’s thriving golf market through the promotion of golf rounds and packages.
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CLUB REPORT
The Landings Club Redefining What A Golf Community Should Be
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he Landings Club on Skidaway Island is much more than a private country club; it’s a community.
A 6,300-acre gated community that includes 6 championship golf courses designed by such world-class architects: Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Willard Byrd. A community that includes 31 tennis courts, 11 pickleball courts, and eight bocce courts. A community that includes a 52,000 sq. ft. “wellness” facility with 105 pieces of exercise equipment and five large pools. A community that includes 7 restaurants each with its own unique, hand-crafted culinary creations. And one of them is arguably the area’s best fine dining steakhouse, named after the King himself, Arnold Palmer. You get the picture. The Landings is the perfect place for golfers, racquets sports lovers, and foodies. They pride themselves on providing an exclusive country club atmosphere, which allows residents and members to enjoy a fun, fulfilling, and 32 Golf Vacations • July 2022
personally rewarding lifestyle. It’s the perfect community for an active family that can take full advantage of everything they have to offer. Each of the six golf courses at The Landings Club is unique in its own right but one attribute they all share is, showcasing the natural beauty of what Skidaway Island has to offer. Whether it’s playing through a backdrop of hardwood forests, saltwater marshes, or tidal creeks each course shows the philosophy of its designer. as well as the distinctive mark of its designer. Whether it’s the ‘go for broke” style of an Arnold Palmer design or the functional beauty of Tom Fazio, each course at the Landings will create fond memories. All six courses have been designated “Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries” and offer challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. Every spring, the Korn Ferry Tour makes a stop at The Landings Club for the Club Car Championship which is played on the Tom Fazio-designed Creek course. This year, the Korn Ferry www.golfvacationsmag.com
by DAVID THEORET
Tour qualifying school had the privilege of being the first to play on the newly renovated Magnolia Course, redesigned by Brandon Johnson, VP and Senior Architect of Arnold Palmer Golf Design. Johnson has done a masterful job of recreating and redesigning holes, greens, and bunkers. Many of these new bunkers are penal; all are aesthetically beautiful. Two of the more popular courses at The Landings Club are the Arnold Palmer-designed Magnolia Course and Deer Creek, designed by Tom Fazio. Deer Creek is the perennial host of the aforementioned Korn Ferry Tour event. Magnolia, which plays out of the newly renovated Marshwood Clubhouse recently underwent a total renovation of its own at the hands of Brandon Johnson and the Arnold Palmer Design Company. As with all courses over time, bunkers had changed in shape and size and greens had shrunk significantly. There was no longer any correlation between the two. According to Johnson, “The focus became a redesign of bunkers and greens in order to improve their playability, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance. The new greens now provide a variety www.golfvacationsmag.com
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
of pin locations, while the redesigned bunkers have led to wider fairways within the mature oak playing corridors. The course now feels slightly more generous off the tees and many of the approaches and green surrounds allow for a wider variety of approach and recovery shots.” Many members have long regarded Magnolia’s front nine as the most difficult nine-hole stretch in the entire community. The back nine offers players some relief as long as you keep the ball in play and out of the water that comes into play on at least 6 holes. From the Club tees, Magnolia plays 6,174 yards with a course rating of 71.5 and a slope of 129. The scorecard gives an assortment of blended distances and yardages – 12 for men and 7 for women – each with its own course rating and slope. You can make this course as easy – or as hard – as you want. A couple of newly renovated holes have stuck in my mind. Number 8 is a medium-length par 3 that plays 157 yards from the Club Tees. It’s a challenging par 3 with a pond on the left side that wraps around behind the green and mature, Golf Vacations • July 2022 33
CLUB REPORT moss-draped oak trees lining the right. The asphalt cart path has been replaced with crushed coquina shells creating a more natural look. The green has been greatly enlarged and now features two tiers. The top/right tier is guarded by a large bunker while the lower-left tier juts out into the water. The par 5, 301-yard 11th is another hole that was given a lot of attention. The tee shot was made a little easier by widening the fairway. The original fairway bunkers on the left side were eliminated and replaced by two new eye-catching bunkers that were pushed down the fairway and moved slightly back, creating a wider landing area. The far-right bunker was also
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moved so that it is more in play. The landing area of your layup shot has been widened. The green was moved slightly which brings the lake on the right side into play. It’s another beautiful golf hole. In June 2020 the Marshwood Clubhouse underwent a complete renovation as part of its member-approved capital plan. The new 22,500-square-foot clubhouse overlooks the two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses and boasts a resortstyle pool complex, top-of-the-line golf shop, event lawn, and Cabana Bar.
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SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Marshwood also has two new dining options — Arnie’s Tavern and Palmer’s Steakhouse. Both pay tribute to the golf legend and the influence he has had on the development of The Landings Club. Palmer’s Steakhouse is a premier dining facility by anyone’s standards and features a modern twist on typical steakhouse fare, including a few favorites from the original Marshwood menu. Arnie’s Tavern captures the funloving, spirit of its members and offers classic, casual fare, craft cocktails, and unique brews. Another new dining venue at The Landings Club is The Deck at Franklin Creek. It’s a fast and casual dining facility that is located at the Franklin Creek Tennis Center, besides their
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resort-style pool complex that includes a splash pad and zeroentry pool. The Deck offers the best cup of coffee in town as well as bagels, pastries, and parfaits for breakfast and a variety of salads, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, and handtossed pizza for lunch and dinner. The Deck is the perfect place to gather with friends and enjoy The Landings’ lifestyle. Over the past decade, The Landings Club has invested more than $62 million in projects and renovations large and small; very few amenities have gone untouched. Come out and see for yourself everything The Landings has to offer. Visit them online at www.landingsclub.com.
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
GolfForever
F
or players looking to improve their game, nothing makes more of a difference than physical conditioning and developing the proper muscle memory—together with the coordination to pull of the necessary shots. GolfForever is both a training tool and a web/app-based program designed to enhance all aspects of a golfer’s physical strengthening and conditioning with the proper warmup, exercises and stretching techniques that the best players in the world use to further their games to the elite status. Golf conditioning has seen a revolution in the way that the best players in the world advance their games and prepare for competition over the past three decades, and the GolfForever swing trainer tool and its conditioning programs have taken the best of some of these advancements and produced a program that can be done at home or anywhere there is enough space to workout.
Troy Van Biezen, Pete Holman and Margo Moselle. Also featured in the workouts are PGA Tour standouts Justin Leonard, Scottie Scheffler and Ryan Palmer. The many areas covered by these experts include flexibility, rotational power, core strength, injury recovery--and more. Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world and the Master’s champion from this past April, is an ardent user and believer in the GolfForever Swing Trainer and credits it with helping his game. “When you’re able to have a workout routine and gradually build up to where you’re training your body to move properly, you’re going to get a lot of big dividends on the golf course,” said Scheffler. “You’ll have mobility in your hips (and) more mobility in your spine. And, when you go out to hit golf balls, you will feel more fluid and--all a sudden, you’re going to see a few more yards and distance off the tee, as well. For me, GolfForever is something that’s worked, and I’m going to continue to do it because I’ve seen the real benefits.” Scheffler has gained almost seven yards in driving distance and advanced from 36th to 16th on the PGA Tour, while his clubhead speed has increased to 118.97 from 116.94 MPH—taking him from 57th to 32nd on Tour. The GolfForever library has more than 1000 videos in its library that can function as a training session—with many of the exercises designed to help with balance as well as strength. It is the best training tool outside of hiring a private, tour-level physical therapist to come to your home. The training sessions on the app are excellent for developing a more powerful, efficient swing—and for feeling better after a round or practice by promoting muscle recovery. For more information on GolfForever and the Swing Trainer, go to: https://golfforever.com
Honma TW757 Woods
T The Swing Trainer device itself is an at-home, cord-driven training device that doubles as an optimized weighted warmup club that features a D3 swing weight and a quick-Interchange weighted ball (green) that mimics the dynamic feel of your driver--but is 2.5x heavier to help you loosen up properly. A heavier, quick-Interchange weighted ball option (gray) is also included for a slightly overloaded feel and speed training workouts. The GolfForever Swing Trainer also comes with handles that can be attached to the cord for specific exercises and--the entire apparatus comes with a Premium Carry Bag. This can be paired with the GolfForever app for a complete at-home golf training system that you can do in your living room, garage, or a studio. You receive instructions for 30 days of free access as a trial after purchasing the app. You take a simple strength and flexibility Test right at home with the mobile app and receive a customized plan on the app with guided video workouts, how and when you need them-and whenever you want, with routines customized for your needs. The tour-proven workouts are demonstrated and explained by top PGA Tour coaches, doctors and trainers such as Dr. Jeremy James, Dr.
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he new fairway and hybrid woods that Japanese club maker Honma Golf recently introduced into the U.S. market as part of their new premium T//World TW757 collection of high-end clubs are designed for a variety of players--and offer a host of visually pleasing and performance enhancements that many players will fall in love with. The Sakata, Japan company has been known for its craftsman clubs for more than six decades, and their latest contribution to the woods and hybrid category look, feel and perform at a high level. These clubs are designed with performance enhancing characteristics that both pros and amateurs can appreciate and will help their game—and thus suitable for both types of players. The TW757 Hybrid built for high initial ball speed, and with its high-launch tendency, the result is a noticeably higher ball flight and greater distance than most hybrids we have evaluated. According to the company, the lower progressive CG weighting promotes high launch--and the vertical slot clubface helps compensate for mishits from the upper and lower clubface. This maintains initial ball speed and increases power across a wider area of the clubface. Together with the player-preferred neutral bias and square face angle, these come together to deliver the optimal balance of distance and control. A Maraging 455 Steel Cup-Face creates hot ball speed gains, with an internal weighting cartridge allowing weight to be redistributed low and deep to help increase launch conditions from any lie.
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SWEETSTUFF The club also features optimized progressive sole weighting that adopts a shallow and low CG design that results in high trajectory and low spin. This provides a playable, strong trajectory that can resist wind while still maximizing carry from a variety of turf conditions. Behind each TW757 hybrid is Honma’s Vertical Rib face design, which along with an advanced sole slot increases initial ball speed and improves weight distribution in a classically shaped, compact head design. The TW 757 fairway woods feature a strong, compact look at address and many of the construction features found in the hybrid for faster initial ball speed, stability and control. Classic shaping blends a 455-steel cup-face with an ultralight carbon crown to deliver a true player’s 3-wood. Tour-proven compact profiles and optimized adjustable sole weighting with a shallow and low CG design results in high trajectory and low spin. All of these are features that make this a good replacement for a driver on many holes. As with any club, the shaft is the engine and, in the fairways, and hybrids, Honma has developed its own proprietary shaft made specifically for these clubs. The exclusive VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft was holistically designed to synergize these woods from grip to tip. The strong mid-section in conjunction with a sub 5.0° torque value stabilizes club delivery and maximizes energy transfer at impact, while a softer tip provides for high launch and optimal spin. This versatile shaft has a smooth feel and is excellent for a wide variety of players looking for a premium ultra-lightweight shaft. As with all VIZARD shafts, this proprietary shaft is spine aligned at 6 o’clock for added stability. These shafts have a soft but controlled
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feel that add to the distance and accuracy attainable with these clubs. To complement the standard VIZARD for 757 50 Shaft, Honma produces several other high-end shafts through Sakata’s worldrenowned Custom Department. Produced in-house in Honma’s Sakata factory to the industry’s tightest tolerances, the VIZARD MA, MP, FZ and Platinum shafts hold their own on professional tours around the world. The TW757 Hybrids come in 18, 21, 24 and 27-degree lofts, while the fairway woods come in 15, 18 and 21-degree lofts. For more information: visit https:// us.honmagolf.com/collections/tworld
ScotteVest
W
hen it comes to jackets that fit the bill for both playing golf and traveling, it would be hard to find anything as versatile and accommodating as the SCOTTeVEST Tropiformer 3D--that really is the Swiss Army Knife of jackets. Although CEO and founder Scott Jordan established SCOTTeVEST more than 20 years ago because he couldn’t find cloths with enough pockets, it is only recently that the Idaho-based company has reached out to the golf market with reformulated products. Jordan, who has coined the company motto: “It’s not rocket science. It’s pocket science.” Has taken the art of designing
super functional clothing and really made a science out of it. Along with his wife Laura, who is the company president, they have built a reputation for producing quality products that cater to carrying your electronics with you with a personal touch--and even include such notables as Steve Wozniak—one of the co-founders of Apple—as a member of their Board of Advisors. In addition to the 22 pockets in the Tropiformer 3D jacket—yes 22 pockets—the jacket easily transforms into a nice vest with the magnetic removable sleeves. This is an excellent feature for those rounds where the temperature rises, and you need to quickly shed sleeves. And when the temperature dips, you can easily reattach the sleeves to match the conditions. The Tropiformer has tons of features designed for your life on the go. A a removable/stowable hood and the ability to pack into its own back pocket are just some of the very nice features that include: large inside pocket that easily stores a tablet; chest pocket with drop-in pocket; glasses pocket with chamois; key holder and bottle holder; two phone pockets; two handwarmer pockets; digital camera and MyMemory™ pocket and the personal area network that allows you to wire headphones and power cables through specially designed channels in the garment without getting tangled in loose wires. This is really the ticket for going through airport security—just take off the jacket with all your gear and put it in the tray! The jacket is made of water-repellent Aquapel™ by Nanotex treated 100% Polyester shell with breathable mesh panels that repels liquid spills and is fluorocarbonfree and PFOA-free. It is also machine washable. In addition to the Tropiformer jacket, SCOTTeVEST has a large and versatile assortment of other designs with loads of innovative features and pockets, such as vests, jackets, hoodies, button downs, teeshirts, polos and pullovers, pants and shorts, PJs and underwear. The company also has a well-designed lineup of fashions for women, including jackets, vests, hoodies, dresses, skirts, tops, pants skorts and more. For more information: www.scottevest. com
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