OUR 21st YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JUNE 2022
THE REFUGE GOLF COURSE OLD COURSE WITH A NEW LOOK
CLUB REPORT
SILVER DOLLAR GOLF AND TRAP CLUB Plus: VIETNAM REGAINS ITS TRAVEL ALLURE
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GOLF VACATIONS JUNE 2022
Tubac Golf Resort & Spa • Tubac, Arizona
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Chip Shots
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Vietnam Regaining World Class Status
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Silver Dollar Golf and Trap Club
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by Dakota Diaz
LANG CO, VIETNAM – Pre-pandemic the buzz about Vietnam’s golf courses was almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
by David Theoret
At first glance, Silver Dollar Golf and Trap Club in Odessa, FL is not your typical golf club. For starters, there’s a skeet shooting range directly across the street, hence the Trap part of the name. It’s not uncommon to be teeing off or putting to the sound of gunfire, but you get used to it after a few holes.
The Refuge Golf Course - Old Course With New Look
by David Theoret
If you played The Refuge Golf Course in Flowood, MS before 2017, you may not recognize it these days. The Refuge closed in 2017 for an extensive renovation and restoration under the direction of golf course architect Nathan Crace. During that time, a $50-million hotel and conference center was also built where the old clubhouse used to stand.
Sweet Stuff
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by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS 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.
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.
Associate Editors Terry Ross Dakota Diaz
Features Editor JD Latorre
Senior Writers Dakota Diaz is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Growing up in the golf mecca of Palm Springs, CA, Dakota is no stranger to the golf resort lifestyle. You’ll find him at his “real job” as Partner/Chief Investment Officer at Green Cloud Capital, a Southern Californa based private equity firm.
Tim Cotroneo Larry Feldman David R. Holland Dave McKibben
For Editorial:
call (760) 774–2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com Shane Sharp is a freelance writer and the owner of Southbound 4, a content marketing and PR shop in Greenville, S.C. He’s a contributing editor with GOLF Magazine, Club & Resort Business, Golf Inc. and Club Management.
Regional Advertising
Los Angeles Terry Ross • (949) 279–7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • (678) 906-4050 harold@chamblissmediagroup.com Chicago Dakota Diaz •(312) 809–8808 dakota@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
President Jeffrey Diaz
PO BOX #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774–2655 StonyCreekMedia.com
Cimarron Communications President/CEO James A. Diaz
Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 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 17th Tee at Wailua Golf Course
Go Golf Kaua‘i Courses And Kaua‘i Community Featured On “Journey’s With Matt Ginella” KAUA‘I, HAWAI‘I – The Go Golf Kaua‘i golf courses and the Kaua‘i community are featured in a new episode of “Journey’s With Matt Ginella” – a 36-minute webisode currently available on www. FirePitCollective.com and www.GoGolfKauai.com/Journey. On Ginella’s recent journey to the “Garden Island,” he and the Fire Pit Collective team immersed themselves in the culture and community of the oldest and northernmost island. He played the five Go Golf Kaua‘i golf courses, sampled generational recipes, paddled a canoe, farmed his own food and encountered multiple Hall of Famers. While centered around golf and the breathtaking Go Golf Kaua‘i golf courses, the show delves deeper into why sustainability matters and why a hyper-focus on the preservation of natural resources is critical to Kaua‘i’s future. Ginella discovers “malama ‘aina,” which means: take care of the land, and it takes care of you; and that on Kaua‘i, it doesn’t stop with the land; the people also take care of one another. A concept Hawaiians refer to as “Malama Kaua‘i.” Ginella began his Kaua‘i journey at the Ocean Course at Hokuala, playing with the property’s Golf Sales Manager Hualani Duncan and Director of Community Relations Kellie Hines Akana. It is there Duncan offers him sage advice, “Come as a guest and you’ll be hosted as an ‘ohana,” which is to say, family. Ginella then meets Hokuala’s own Farmer Samuel Selindh and learns about organic farming. From Hokuala, Ginella travelled to Wailua Golf Course, Kaua‘i’s municipal course, where he met and played with Hawai‘i Golf Hall of Fame member Art Fujita, and Kaua‘i resident Winston Ogata. He then sat down with Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami and learned of the importance of keeping golf on Kaua‘i affordable for residents and visitors alike. On Kaua‘i’s North Shore, Ginella teed it up with Keli’i Alapa’i at Princeville Makai Golf Club. Alapa’i is with the Hui Makaainana o Makana, a community organization dedicated to perpetuating and teaching the skills of their ancestors (kupuna) through the interpretation, restoration, care and protection of the natural and cultural resources that are located within Kaua‘i’s Haena State Park. Continuing to the south side of Kaua‘i, Ginella was paired with Zeke Alamida on a “mandatory golf Friday” at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course, former home of the PGA’s Grand Slam of Golf from 1994-2006. Alamida, who grew up on O‘ahu, talks to Ginella about the differences in Kaua‘i compared to the other Hawaiian Islands. “Kaua‘i is the country road,” proclaimed Alamida while describing the island’s laidback lifestyle. At Puakea, the final golf course on Ginella’s five-course journey, he met up with Mary Bea Porter-King, a former LPGA professional and
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Hawai‘i Golf Hall of Famer for helping to found the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association. Joined by junior golfers Kanoa and Caleb, the two reflected on Porter-King’s pro career, while discussing junior golf on Kaua‘i and the golf opportunities available to kids. Ginella has been covering golf for 25 years – first at Sports Illustrated, then Golf Digest and Golf World magazines and most recently for Golf Channel, where he appeared as the Travel Insider for “Morning Drive” and wrote for Golf Advisor.com. He is the founder of The Fire Pit Collective, a modern media company composed of authentic and diverse perspectives focused on informing, inspiring and entertaining their readers, followers, and listeners. For more information on Kaua‘i golf, visit www.gogolfKauai.com. For more information on the island of Kaua‘i visit www.goHawaii.com/kauai. About The Go Golf Kaua‘i Courses The Ocean Course at Hōoku ū ala – The Ocean Course at Hokuala is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course that boasts the longest stretch of oceanfront holes in all of Hawai‘i. The picture-perfect course winds its way through papaya and guava groves to dramatic seaside cliffs. A 2016 renovation added sparkling white sand to all the bunkers, framing holes to be even more spectacular than before. Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course – Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course was designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr and is set between lush mountains and rugged ocean bluffs. The course incorporates more than 30 acres of colorfully landscaped tropical plants and flowers, making it one of Hawai‘i’s most beautiful courses. Princeville Makai Golf Club – Princeville Makai Golf Club opened in 1971 as the first solo effort of Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The course was completely renovated in 2009, introducing spectacular new Seashore Paspalum turf grass on all fairways and greens. Princeville Makai features surreal vistas of Mt. Makana (aka Bali Hai) and Hanalei Bay, including the signature par-3, 7th hole that offers a 213-yard shot over scenic cliffs. Puakea Golf Course – Designed by architect Robin Nelson, Puakea is a spectacular layout built along massive ravines and lush tropical undulating terrain, with the backdrop being used for the Jurassic Park series. Named one of the top courses in Hawai‘i by Sports Illustrated, Golf Advisor and Golfweek, the dramatic 18-hole golf course is also known for its high-quality, “Kaua‘i-style” customer service. Wailua Golf Course – Wailua Golf Course offers classic, golden-era seaside golf holes just a few steps from the Pacific Ocean. First built as a 9-hole course in the 1930’s, and expanded to 18 holes in 1961, Wailua has hosted three USGA Amateur and three US Public Links Championships. This wonderful municipal layout was designed by Toyo Shirai and features stunning mountain views along the Royal Coconut Coast.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes
Hilton Head Golf Island Announces Fall 2022 Golf Packages HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC – Due to increased demand for advanced reservations, Hilton Head Golf Island’s premier resort partners – The Sea Pines Resort, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and The Heritage Golf Collection – are making their fall golf packages available for booking this spring at www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com. Comprising 26 courses across the scenic South Carolina Lowcountry counties of Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper, “Golf Island” has long been one of the nation’s most sought-after golf destinations. The region’s stunning setting – marked by barrier islands, coastal marshes, and Spanish moss-draped live oaks – has inspired timeless designs from Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, Bob Cupp, Willard Byrd, George Cobb, Clyde Johnston, Davis Love III and other noted architects. Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes and Heritage Golf are collectively home to 189 golf holes spread among tournament-tested layouts such as famed Harbour Town Golf Links (home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage), The Robert Trent Jones Course and Oyster Reef. All three are located within a short drive, setting up perfectly for golf buddy trips consisting of a steady diet of golf, great food and good times. Highlighted fall golf packages available for booking:
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The Villa Golf Package (The Sea Pines Resort) The Sea Pines Resort’s most popular stay-and-play for small groups, the Villa Golf Package starts at $335 per person per night. It includes three total rounds on Harbour Town, Heron Point by Pete Dye, and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and three nights’ deluxe villa accommodations. Afternoon replays are available for $75 on Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes. The resort’s private villas are the perfect lodging option for golfers to relax after a long, rewarding day under the Lowcountry sun. They offer fully-equipped kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms, and all the comforts of home. The Golf Group Package (The Sea Pines Resort) Designed for leisure golf groups of 12 or more, the Golf Group Package (also $335 per person, per night) features three total rounds on Harbour Town, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, three nights’ deluxe villa accommodations, gratis resort gift, a personal on-site coordinator, and complimentary afternoon replays on Heron Point. And out of appreciation for all the hard work and planning that goes into organizing and executing a golf buddy trip for the ages, the group leader’s golf is covered by the resort. Birdies and Beer Golf Getaway (Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort) Back by popular demand, Palmetto Dunes Birdies and Beer
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Golf Getaway is fully customizable by group size and preferences. The package features three nights’ accommodations in a twobedroom villa, two or three total rounds on the Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio or Arthur Hills courses, a one-hour Toptracer Range experience and complimentary range balls. Additionally, golfers enjoy exclusive discounts on pro shop merchandise, dining at Big Jim’s, The Dunes House and Alexander’s Restaurant, preferred rates on bike, kayak and canoe rentals at Hilton Head Outfitters inside the resort, and two hours of tennis and pickleball court time per day based on availability. And of course, breakfast and beer are included. All partner packages are subject to availability, rate changes and blackout dates. Golfers can visit the Hilton Head Golf Island website for more details. Fall ‘Fore’ 2022 (Heritage Golf Group) The Heritage Golf Collection offers 81 holes spread among three distinct properties: Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club (36 holes), Shipyard Golf Club (27 holes),) and Oyster Reef (18 holes). The Fall “Fore” 2022 Golf Package lets golfers secure their autumn golf getaway for just $150 down per person. Package pricing starts at $200 per night, per person, based on quad occupancy and includes four nights’ accommodations, taxes, and resort fees. Golfers also enjoy unlimited golf on all Heritage Golf courses, including cart fees and range balls, and a $100 gift card per person to be used for merchandise, food and beverage. Getting Here 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 golfers 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 golf 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. The Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association, in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor and Conventions Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, launched Hilton Head Golf Island to support the island’s thriving golf market through the promotion of golf rounds and packages.
Atlantic Dunes Hole 15
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The Fox Club
The Fox Club Florida Acquired By The Cape Club PALM CITY, FL – The Fox Club Florida, an 18-hole semi-private club in Palm City, Fla., has been acquired by The Cape Club, a collection of world-class golf facilities that includes Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth, both must-play facilities in the Boston/Cape Cod, Massachusetts area. The Cape Club plans to invest significant capital into The Fox Club’s golf course and clubhouse, ushering in a new era for the golf facility – an era that creates a premier private club experience that will be the crown jewel of the Palm City and Treasure Coast region. “This is so very exciting for the club, the community and the region,” said longtime associate of the Fox Club, now General Manager Kristi Tower. “The Cape Club organization as a whole operates at an extremely high level, investing back into their courses to create amazing golf, social and culinary experiences. Being a part of the Cape Club family will usher in a new era for the club and will elevate the experience for members and guests.” Capital improvement projects planned for The Fox Club include: • Renovation of all bunkers on the course to include re-shaping, new liners, drains and the addition of brilliant “Augusta-white” bunker sand in all bunkers – a Cape Club Collection signature feature • New landscaping around the parking lot and clubhouse • Investment in a new pump station to provide enhanced turf health • Revitalization of golf cart paths to include a refresh of current paths and new white coquina for natural paths ª Clean up of landscaping in both in-play and out-of-play areas on every golf hole. This will include trimming of all brush and trees, laying down pine straw, mulch and flowers in strategic locations. • The entire golf course will receive top dressing to enhance turf health and will undergo other agronomic practices throughout the summer to ensure first-class conditions for the future • Player-friendly redesign/enhancements to holes 10 and 18 • Refreshed (and fully accessorized) golf carts featuring stateof-the-art GPS, Bluetooth-enabled upgraded speakers, coolers and in-cart ball/club washers
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• Renovation of the driving range/practice area to include enhanced landing area, new targets (with white sand bunkers), a new retaining wall, alternative artificial hitting matts, new practice golf balls along with furniture and practice accessories • Creation of a new back patio on the clubhouse • Clubhouse interior improvements to enhance social opportunities and event venues Capital improvements to be made by the Cape Club represent a multi seven-figure investment in the golf course and clubhouse. In an effort to complete all improvements in a timely manner, The Fox Club will close temporarily from July 1 through mid-November 2022, at which time the club will be relaunched as the new Cape Club of Palm City. Members of the new/relaunched private club will have access to both sister clubs – Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth. Additionally, members of Cape Club of Sharon and Cape Club of Falmouth will have access to the new Fox Club upon reopening. “Our members will be able to play and discover the world-class Cape Club courses in Massachusetts and vice versa. We look forward to being a winter retreat for Cape Club members from Sharon and Falmouth, and being their go to Florida destination,” added Tower. About Fox Club Located thirty minutes from West Palm Beach Airport in Palm City, Florida, on the Treasure Coast, The Fox Club offers quintessential Florida golf with a meandering layout highlighted by creative mounding, strategically located water features, tour-quality putting green surfaces. Originally designed by Roy Case in 1989, The Fox Club was redesigned in 2017 by the championship-winning duo of Darren Clarke and Eoghan O’Connell and features a fun, yet challenging par 72 layout with flexible tee options that can offer a yardage from 5,090 yards from the front tees to 7,070 yards from the tips. Just a short ride from Atlantic Ocean beaches, just east of I-95 in Palm City, The Fox Club is a popular locale for weddings, special events and golf outings/events. For more information on The Fox Club Florida visit www.thefoxclubflorida.com or (772) 597-4222.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS About Cape Club Falmouth and Cape Club Sharon Located in Falmouth Massachusetts, at the gateway of the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard, The Cape Club of Falmouth features a recently renovated golf course with jaw-dropping elevation changes, signature Cape Club white sand bunkers and a recently renovated clubhouse that is the perfect venue for a culinary journey or a wedding and special family occasion. The golf experience at The Cape Club is one of the best in the region that brings together fun, family and friends. For more information on Cape Club of Falmouth visit www.CapeClubResort.com. Located in Sharon, Massachusetts, the Cape Club of Sharon joined The Cape Club Family in 2017 and has also undergone significant renovations and enhancements. Golf course refinements included the addition of new Cape Club signature white sand bunkers, while clubhouse enhancements have included renovations to the Grand Ballroom and Grille Room, and the creation of an expansive Grand Patio featuring fire pits, big screen televisions, frequent live music events and expansive views of the golf course. The Cape Club of Sharon is one of the best dining/social experiences in the region. For more information on the Cape Club of Sharon, visit www. thecapeclubofsharon.com
Circling Raven Garners No. 1 Public Course Distinction in Idaho WORLEY, ID – Best-in-kind course raters have ranked Circling Raven as Idaho’s No. 1 public course in the just-published Golfweek’s Best 2022 – a compendium of best-of lists that the national media outlet generates annually. Designed by Gene Bates, this marks the 11th time that Circling Raven has been voted the state’s best public golf course by Golfweek raters. To derive “Golfweek’s Best,” hundreds of Golfweek course
raters evaluate courses nationwide annually and score them based on 10 criteria. Owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and an amenity of its awardwinning casino resort in the scenic Idaho panhandle, Circling Raven’s 18 holes are astoundingly routed across 620 stunning acres of Palouse Region terrain. The course unfurls amid woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife, including eagles and moose. “Circling Raven is named for one of our tribe’s most important chiefs who guided us through our most difficult times,” said Laura Penney, CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. “Our homelands mean everything to the tribe, so Circling Raven’s award is testament that we’re nurturing it respectfully and our honoring our ancestors as well.” In addition to being rated No. 1 in Idaho, the course is ranked among the country’s best in the Resort Course, Casino Course and Pro Shop categories, twice being named Merchandiser of the Year in the Resort Category by the PGA of America. Further, the course is home to the Circling Raven Championship presented by KXLY News 4 Now, an Epson “#Road2LPGA” Tour event. This summer more than 100 top women professionals will vie for their share of the $200,000 prize purse, August 22-28. Located approximately 50 minutes from Spokane International Airport (GEG), Circling Raven measures 7,189 yards from the rear tees. The golf club is one of several amenities that make the casino resort one of the most popular in the Western U.S. It boasts a full-service spa, recently renovated gaming floor, two hotel wings, multiple restaurants, and live entertainment shows and events. For more information about Circling Raven and Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, including stay-and-play packages, frequent player Advantage Cards, and instructional programs, visit www. cdacasino.com or 800-523-2464.
Aerial view of the 5th hole split fairway at Circling Raven
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Troon Events To Host 2023 Cobra Puma Pro AM At Pebble Beach Pebble Beach, CA – Troon Events, a luxury travel experiences and tournaments division of Troon, is pleased to announce the acquisition and hosting of the 2023 Cobra Puma Pro Am at Pebble Beach Resorts. The five-day, 72-team tournament features competition across three award-winning golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and The Links at Spanish Bay. The 2023 event is set for February 14-19, 2023. The Cobra Puma Pro Am has a 30-plus year history at Pebble Beach Resorts and was previously managed by Creative Events Inc. Four-person teams, consisting of three amateurs and one golf professional, compete in both team and individual competitions across four rounds. Amateur competition features gross and net scoring, with top teams earning prizes from Cobra Puma Golf. Top professional golfers will compete for a share of the $10,000 purse. Teams play one round each at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay before the field is cut. Top performing teams return to Pebble Beach for the final round, while the other remaining teams compete in consolation tournaments at Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay. “We are thrilled to continue the rich tradition of the Cobra Puma Pro Am at Pebble Beach Resorts, an event that will serve as a cornerstone tournament in the Troon Events tournament series that is under development.” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. Pebble Beach Golf Links is the No. 1 ranked public golf course in America, and annually hosts PGA TOUR and PGA Champions Tour events. Seven men’s major championships have been played at Pebble Beach, and the first women’s major championship in the course’s illustrious history will take place in 2023 with the U.S. Women’s Open. Cobra Puma Golf returns as the title sponsor for the fourth
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consecutive year, outfitting competitors with their signature apparel, state-of-the art-equipment and weeklong custom fitting experience. Cobra Puma Pro Am entrants receive five nights accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay, four rounds of golf, daily breakfast, a welcome reception, daily hospitality events, an awards banquet, VIP gifts from Cobra Puma, and much more. Registration for the 2023 Cobra Puma Pro Am is now open and the field is expected to fill quickly. For more information, visit: www. troon.com/cobrapumaproam
Giants Ridge Kicks Off Eventful 2022 Golf Season BIWABIK, MN – Giants Ridge – Minnesota’s leading golf resort set in the rugged beauty of the Mesabi Iron Range – commenced its 2022 golf season on May 13 with multiple specials ideal for those looking to escape up north this summer and a special silver anniversary for its Legend course. A convenient three-hour drive from the Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area, Giants Ridge boasts two of the highest ranked layouts in state, The Quarry and The Legend. Although both tracts were designed by renowned course architect Jeffrey Brauer, each course features its own unique layout and character. The highlight of the 2022 golf season is the 25th anniversary of the Legend Course. Established in 1997, The Legend is credited with creating the golf scene in the Iron Range of Minnesota and spearheading that region into becoming a world-renowned golf destination. Carved out of the Superior National Forest, the playerfriendly resort course plays through towering pines and alongside glittering Sabin Lake. The appropriately named Quarry is built on the site of a former sand quarry and iron ore mine and often considered the best public golf course in Minnesota. Dramatically raised tees and hazards
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS forged from reclaimed and repurposed mine land set The Quarry apart from other courses and provide dramatic Iron Range vistas. Beginning June 3, The 37-Hole Golf Special package includes golf with cart on both of Giants Ridge’s award-winning courses along with range balls and yardage book. Labeled “Minnesota’s Greatest Value in Golf,” this offer also features lunch between rounds for a price of just $175 on weekdays and $190 on weekends. For guests interested in a slightly slower-paced resort experience, the Nine and Dine Special includes nine holes of golf for two on either championship layout after 2 p.m. and dinner for two at the Wacootah Grille or The Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews, two unique and delicious dining establishments. Price does not include tax, and dinners include select menu items. Giants Ridge continues to shine as one of Minnesota’s best golf destinations. In addition to Golf Digest’s Best Golf Resorts in the Midwest honor for the fourth year running, Giants Ridge achieved lofty status in Golfweek’s latest public course rankings. The Quarry maintained its top-35 ranking from the year prior. The splendid resort and its courses have also received accolades from GOLF Magazine, MyGolfSpy and GolfPass. Golf groups can savor early season prices as low as $82 to play one of the Brauer’s highly touted championship designs. For more information: www.giantsridge.com, 1.800.688.7669
Papago Golf Club Set To Begin Renovation And Enhancement Project SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. will soon undergo a four-month golf course renovation and enhancement project. The project is set to begin in June and is expected to be completed by October 2022. The golf course will remain open for play while renovation work takes place. Owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by Troon, Papago Golf Club’s $4 million renovation is being funded by the Arizona Community Golf Foundation (ACGF) and a private donor. ACGF President Gregg Tryhus is overseeing the project and Troon’s Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development Ron Despain is overseeing project management and design enhancements. Heritage Links and Casa Verde Golf will be
executing the construction work. With construction of the new Arizona Golf House scheduled to begin in 2023 adjacent to 9th green, 18th green and Evie’s Pavilion, renovations will include moving the 9th and 18th green complexes as well as the 1st and 10th tees. The 9th green will be relocated to the edge of the existing pond, creating a risk/reward par 5, while the 18th green will be repositioned creating a new angle for golfers’ approach shots. The current 442-yard, par-4 6th hole will be lengthened as the green complex will be relocated and moved back 20 yards. In addition, all golf course bunkers will be rebuilt and renovated, many tee complexes will be leveled, and new cart paths will be added around tees and greens. More than 10 acres of turf will be removed throughout the course, further reducing water usage. An Open House is planned for Thursday, May 26th at Papago Golf Club to show hole renderings and describe the enhancements in greater detail. As noted, the golf course will remain open for play during construction with temporary greens set on the 6th, 9th and 18th holes, and temporary tees on holes 1 and 10. Papago Golf Club will close for overseeding on October 3rd and reopen, with renovations complete, on October 24th. Named one of the “30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America” by GOLF Magazine in 2021, Papago Golf Club is located in the heart of Papago Park, surrounded by native desert landscape, the picturesque Papago Buttes and conveniently located less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Originally designed by William Francis (Billy) Bell in 1963, the challenging golf course has hosted numerous events including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Phoenix Open qualifying and an LPGA tournament. Papago is now home to Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, and the teams’ state-of-the-art, indoor/outdoor practice facility, the Thunderbirds Golf Complex. The 2018 additions of the mid-century modern inspired Lou Grubb Clubhouse (including neighborhood hot spot, Lou’s Bar & Grill) and Evie’s Pavilion for group events have further accentuated Papago’s revitalization. For more information on Papago Golf Club, visit www. papagogolfclub.com or call 602-275-8428.
Papago Golf Club
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Dundonald Links 16th hole
Dundonald Links, Scotland Ascend on World Stage with Luxury Amenities, Major Tournaments AYRSHIRE, SCOTLAND – As if hosting the 150th Open Championship this summer isn’t enough – including an early commitment to play by Tiger Woods – Scotland and Dundonald Links offer an array of complementary offerings that make the Home of Golf a must-visit destination. Home to the world-class, Kyle Phillips designed golf course and burgeoning resort in Western Scotland, Dundonald Links recently unveiled 18 luxury lodges, 22 hotel rooms, a new clubhouse with Michelin-caliber restaurant, whisky tasting room, and more – the latest phase of a £25m investment transforming the esteemed Scottish venue into one of the UK’s most modern new golf resorts. While the global spotlight this summer will inevitably fall on the east coast for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, golfers will certainly want to sample some of Ayrshire’s finest links starting with Dundonald Links and including Western Gailes, Prestwick, Barassie and Irvine – to combine with a luxury stay at Dundonald Links’ new hotel and lodges. With a record-breaking 290,000 spectators set to attend at the world-renowned Old Course, tee times and accommodation in Scotland are proving hard to come by. Dundonald Links can enhance the golfing experience and play host at the resort which is fast becoming one of the most sought-after locations in Scotland. The Dundonald Links Experience is available from £295pp and features two rounds at Dundonald Links, two nights with twin occupancy in a luxury hotel or lodge room, and breakfast and dinner at the ‘Canny Crow’ restaurant that is located upstairs in the venue’s impressive clubhouse.
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The Ayrshire Links Experience is based on a two-night stay at Dundonald with three rounds across the host venue, and the links at Barrasie and Irvine Golf Club. It also includes breakfast and a ‘Canny Crow’ dinner and starts from £380pp. The third ‘Love Links’ offering comes in the shape of the two-night Ultimate Links Experience package with golf at Dundonald Links and the prestige links of Western Gailes and Prestwick Golf Club. Breakfast and one dinner are also included, and packages start from £470. Dundonald Links’ collection of brand-new 2-, 4- and 6-bedroom lodges were custom-designed with golfers in mind, with bag storage and drying areas, en-suite bathrooms, large living spaces, and fully equipped kitchen and dining facilities. Each of the lodge clusters surround a private practice putting green. The brand-new hotel rooms are situated beside the clubhouse for ease of access to the restaurant and club facilities. Resort owner Darwin Escapes also invested £1m in upgrading the 18-hole championship course, including the addition of a new halfway house. “The world is watching Scotland this summer and avid fans and players are planning trips here to be part of the historic season and professional golf tournaments,” said Ian Ferguson, Dundonald Links Club Manager. “We are ideally positioned to host guests, allow them to enjoy our luxury amenities and world-class golf course, plus attend what promise to be unforgettable competitions.” As well as the 2023 Open Final Qualifying, Dundonald Links is also hosting other major golf events this year including the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, July 28-31. For more details and to book a stay at Dundonald Links, please visit dundonaldlinks.com.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Announces Exceptional Summer Golf Packages LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including its iconic “World Top 100” Teeth of the Dog – announces an array of exceptional summer stay-and-play packages ideal for family and golf buddy getaways. The “Unlimited Golf with All-Inclusive” package starts at $1,259 (per room, per night). Resort guests can tee it up to their heart’s content on two renowned Pete Dye-designed gems: Dye Fore (27 holes) and The Links (18). Play on the legendary Teeth of the Dog has a preferred rate of $199 per round (plus taxes). All golf rounds are based on availability and include play on arrival and departure days. The offer also includes deluxe accommodations in the resort’s recently renovated guest rooms, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, use of a four-passenger golf cart to internal travel throughout the 7,000-acre gated property, unlimited horseback riding, use of the property’s tennis courts, one round at the 245-acre Shooting Club, non-motorized water sports, family program activities and use of the resort’s fitness center. Casa de Campo is additionally offering its “Unlimited Golf in Villa” stay-and-play offer starting from $550 (per villa, per night). This allows groups and families the opportunity to enjoy a “world of their own” in a three- to five-bedroom luxury villa with one daily round of golf (per person) on Dye Fore and The Links. Breakfast for the group is prepared right in the villa each morning along with daily housekeeping and dedicated concierge services.
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From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Casa de Campo is also offering the “family-friendly” opportunity for two kids or young adults (ages 17 and younger) to play golf for free when accompanied on the same rounds with their parents during resort visits. Please note, Teeth of the Dog will be closed for its annual summer maintenance from June 20 – July 31. “We offer luxury golf getaways perfect for families, friends and groups looking to enjoy time together while savoring our worldclass amenities,” says Jason Kycek, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “With our world-class golf courses and host of resort activities, Casa de Campo provides a wonderful opportunity to reset, enjoy time away and simply have fun in paradise.” Villa at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Teeth of the Dog has long been a “bucket list” layout for those seeking to play one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. Dye’s design hallmarks are all present: railroad ties, vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. “The Heaven 7” oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.” During the COVID pandemic, the five-star resort initiated its “Casa Cares” program touching virtually every area of the property including significant investment in new equipment and employee training. The robust health and safety practices continue to remain a top priority for its guests. A full list of the measures may be found here. For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas please call 800.877.3643, email golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www.casadecampo.com.do/.
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VIETNAM’S BEST by Dakota Diaz
Calver tips Vietnam to regain status as golf travel’s biggest noise Laguna Golf Lang Co’s Director of Golf is witnessing a swift uptick in demand
L
ANG CO, VIETNAM – Pre-pandemic the buzz about Vietnam’s golf courses was almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Big-name architects including Sir Nick Faldo (designer of Laguna Golf Lang Co), Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones Jr have made their mark with a string of incredible layouts the length and breadth of the Southeast Asian country.
And Adam Calver, director of golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co and a driving force in Vietnam Golf Coast — a destination marketing organization that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf courses — has tipped the nation to become an even bigger noise in golf travel following its reopening to international visitors in March 2022.
Global accolades for the nation, meanwhile, including the coveted title of World’s Best Golf Destination at the 2021 World Golf Awards, fueled pent-up demand for travel during a period when Vietnam’s borders remained largely closed.
“Asia’s top golf destination is not just recovering following the pandemic: it’s getting even better,” he said. In recent years, Vietnam has forged a reputation as Asia’s ultimate bucket-list golf destination.
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Nobody involved in Vietnam’s tourism industry expects visitor numbers to immediately bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. But golf industry insiders like Calver predict a bright future for clubs in Vietnam following the reopening, pointing to a growing contingent of layouts that are maintaining the country’s reputation for quality. “A lot has been going on here (in Vietnam) during the pandemic,” said Calver. “New courses have been popping up all over the
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VIETNAM’S BEST
country so golfers who have visited Vietnam in the past have a number of new courses to experience when they return. “For example, many golfers won’t have been in Central Vietnam since 2019. We already had five great championship courses here at that time. Now, with the addition of Hoiana Shores and the second course at BRG Danang Golf Resort (a Nicklaus design), we have seven.”
including Korea and Europe as well as from domestic travelers. “Demand is surging here once again,” added Calver. “Before, I would have said that anyone serious about golf travel should
be coming to Vietnam at least once in their life. With world-class courses opening all the time, I would revise that to say that you’d need to return every few years to do the place justice.”
Like other layouts around the country, Laguna Golf Lang Co has been forced to contend with stern challenges posed by the pandemic over the course of the past couple of years. But the club, which recently ranked #88 on Golf World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World list, is training its sights on a major resurgence over the coming months. At Laguna Golf Lang Co, two awardwinning resorts – Angsana Lang Co and Banyan Tree Lang Co as well as the ultraluxe Banyan Tree Residences and the Laguna Park Golf Villas along the 18th hole just a hundred meters from the clubhouse and the beach – round out one of Asia’s most attractive stay/play packages. Indeed, the club is witnessing an uptick in bookings from various key international markets
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CLUB REPORT
Silver Dollar Golf and Trap Club Not Exactly What You’d Expect A
t first glance, Silver Dollar Golf and Trap Club in Odessa, FL is not your typical golf club. For starters, there’s a skeet shooting range directly across the street, hence the Trap part of the name. It’s not uncommon to be teeing off or putting to the sound of gunfire, but you get used to it after a few holes. Secondly, the course sits in the back of a manufactured housing community/RV Park. Back in the day, it was rumored that more than 20 multimillionaires would park their formidable RVs at Silver Dollar for the season and enjoy both trap shooting and golf. A lesser-known fact is that several well-known professional wrestlers used to play at the course regularly. Names like (Flyin’) Brian Pillman, Brian (Crush) Adams, (Dangerous) Dan Spivey, Paul (Big Show) Wight, and Mark (Undertaker) Calaway could often be found playing in weekly games or creating games of their own. There are three 9-hole layouts at Silver Dollar meaning there are three unique 18-hole combinations. The Gator/ Panther combination is the one most played however, throw in the Bobcat nine and you can have all kinds of fun and 20 Golf Vacations • June 2022
challenging golf. As you make your way around each of the three nines you’ll encounter the usual golf hazards with trees, bunkers, and water features that will test and entertain you. Narrow, tree-lined fairways are often complemented with generous landing areas which are great for beginners. Some sparkling lakes and ponds come into play on a few holes and strategically placed bunkers are situated around many greens. Paspalum greens provide excellent rolling putting surfaces! The Gator nine plays 3,003 yards from the White Tees with a par of 37. Water is present on at least 7 holes but only comes into play on about 3 or 4 of them. Gator starts with a relatively short 319-yard par 4, dogleg left. The green sits directly beyond the large evergreen trees and just past the retention pond on the left side. With a good drive, it is reachable if you know where the right line is. Otherwise, hit your tee shot down the left side of the fairway past the dogleg and you’ll have a short pitch shot into a small, elevated green. Bunkers guard each side of the green and there’s a small pond right of the cart path. Par or better can be had and get your round off to a great start. www.golfvacationsmag.com
by DAVID THEORET
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ODESSA, FLORIDA
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RESORT REPORT The 3rd and 4th holes are short par 5s and if played correctly can help you pick up a couple of shots. Number 3 is a short 415-yard par 5 dogleg left; a good drive past the dogleg will allow you to go for the green in two. You’ll need to navigate over the small pond that fronts the green, which slopes gently from back to front. Number 4 is a 421-yard par 5 that plays to the left around a large lake. The more of the lake you can carry, the shorter your approach shot. Clear the corner of the lake off the tee and you’ll only have a mid-iron into the green. Number 8 is a legitimate 500-yard par 5 with a double dogleg. Unless you’re a longball hitter off the tee, don’t even try to cut the dogleg left. There’s a small pond just beyond the palm trees that have claimed its fair share of tee balls. A good drive followed by a successful layup shot around the second dogleg will leave a short chip shot into the green which slopes gently from back to front. The Panther nine plays 2,974 yards from the White Tees and plays to a par of 35. This layout places more of a premium on accuracy than on length. The last three holes can make or break your round. Sixteen (7) is the shorter of these back-to-back par 5s, but because of the way it’s laid out, it’s going to be a three-shot hole for most players. The tee shot is wide open, but you need to be careful with your layup shot. Hit it too far and you’ll find the water that guards the front of the green, A good layup short of the ponds will leave a short pitch into the green of a little more than 100 yards. The green is a lot wider than it is deep. Number 17 (8) is the longest hole on the entire property, playing 577 yards from the White Tees. The pond that comes into play off the tee requires a drive of at least 290 to clear so most players will be laying up. A good drive followed by a well-struck layup shot will still leave a short or mid-iron into a relatively flat green with bunkers fronting either side. Par is a good score here. Number 18 is a 171-yard par 3 that requires a carry over water off the tee into a small green. A good tee shot can set up a great end to a wonderful round of golf. For some reason, the Bobcat layout seems to be the forgotten nine, but we found it quite challenging. The first hole is one of the property’s most interesting, a short par 5 that wraps around the driving range on the right with a chain-link fence down the right side. It’s a great risk-reward hole because you can go over as much of the driving range as you want and shorten your approach shot. Take the driving range out of play and play down the left side, and it’s a definite three-shot hole. Live oaks on either side of the fairway as you approach the green seem to shrink the fairway. The green is large and fairly flat. Another opportunity to make up a stroke or get started on the right foot. Number 3 is the closest I’ve ever come to making a hole-in-one on a par 4. The hole plays 246 yards from the White Tees which requires about a 200-yard carry to clear the pond. There is no sand around the green, just the pond. Unless you know it’s there, the pond that fronts the green on the 306-yard, par 4, 5th hole can be an unwelcome surprise. From the White Tees, you only need to hit it about 180 yards, which will leave a short pitch shot into the green. Silver Dollar Golf Club has some of the best practice facilities in the area. For starters, there’s a full-length driving range where you can hit every club in the bag. Then, there is a putting and chipping green complete with sand trap, two putting greens, and to top it off, 3 practice holes. For $6, you can play the three practice holes as many times as you like! There’s no reason not to be ready when you hit the first tee. With an in-season rate of just $38 for greens fees and cart, Silver Dollar is affordable by anyone’s standards. Other courses in the area are charging twice that rate. If you’re competitive and looking to get in a game at Silver Dollar, you’ll find them just about 22 Golf Vacations • June 2022
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ODESSA, FLORIDA every day of the week. I used to live in the area about 20 years ago and played a money game every Friday afternoon. Head Golf Professional Ron Hoffman who returned to Silver Dollar a few years ago, has been able to keep that game going all this time. As you would expect during the peak golf season in Florida, the course was very busy. We spoke with golfers from all over the Midwest who make Silver Dollar Golf Club a regular visit on their snowbird migration. Everyone we spoke with raved about what a great value the course is. Ladies seemed to favor
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the Panther 9 because it has three par 3s and Thursdays. After all, that’s Lady’s Day. Another common denominator between those we spoke with was the food. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also priced right too! Hamburgers seemed to be the favorite, however, it was Lady’s Day and we saw a lot of salads! For more information or to book your next round at Silver Dollar, call them at (813) 920-3884 or visit them online at www.silverdollargolf.com.
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The Refuge Golf Course by David Theoret
An Old Course with a New Look
in Flowood, Mississippi 24 Golf Vacations • June 2022
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I
f you played The Refuge Golf Course in Flowood, MS before 2017, you may not recognize it these days. The Refuge closed in 2017 for an extensive renovation and restoration under the direction of golf course architect Nathan Crace. During that time, a $50-million hotel and conference center was also built where the old clubhouse used to stand. The Refuge Golf Course was originally designed by Roy Case and opened to rave reviews in 1998. The Club quickly gained acclaim as the “Best Purely Public Golf Course in Mississippi.” GolfLink.com ranked The Refuge as high as the #4 course in the state. The Refuge is carved out of 200 acres of wetlands. The course is routed through stands of towering pines and centuries-old oaks and for the most, the original wetlands have been preserved. The original layout was nine holes out and nine holes back, like something you’d expect to find on a links-style golf course. Back then, the rap on the course was that it was too short for longer, better players and too tight and awkward for lesserskilled golfers. Miss the fairway and you literally took your life in your hands, looking for your ball in the snake-infested rough! Crace, who is from Mississippi, readily accepted the task to update and renovate the course. As part of the renovation, 26 Golf Vacations • June 2022
invasive trees were removed, and fairways were widened. Irrigation and drainage systems were also enhanced, and all course bunkers were rebuilt with the Better Billy Bunker system, which provides superior drainage. Many modifications were made to the overall routing including three new holes, the relocation of several water hazards, as well as new and enlarged cart paths. All greens were re-grassed with TifEagle Ultradwarf Bermuda and a new forward “Family” tee box was added. The latest iteration of The Refuge plays to 7,013 yards from the tips with a course rating of 74,6 and a slope of 137. Most players I spoke with favored Tee II (6,327/71.1/135). There is now a suitable distance for players of every skill level from beginner to professional. Because the terrain in this area is so flat, The Refuge is an easy course to walk. The Refuge features a nice mix of short risk/reward par 4s as well as longer, more challenging ones. Greens tend to be guarded by nasty little pot bunkers which can be penal with deep faces. Cart paths, bunkers, and wetland areas are meticulously maintained and add to The Refuge’s aesthetic value. The newly designed Refuge Golf Course has several memorable holes. Number 6 is the first par 5 on the golf course. Trees on www.golfvacationsmag.com
either side of the fairway guide you towards the green, which is visible from the tee box. The lone fairway bunker on the left catches its fair share of errant tee shots. Water comes into play about 100 yards from the green on the right and the green is protected by two more bunkers. The course also features back-toback par 3s at Numbers 7 and 8 which can make or break a good round. Number 7 is 182 yards and typically plays into the wind, especially in the afternoon. The green is elevated so you’ll need to select a club that will get you to the green. There’s a pot bunker front left and waterway right if you totally mishit it. The green is long and narrow and slopes back to front. Number 8 plays 173 yards over water with a pot bunker situated just short of the green. The green is extremely large and deeper than it is wide; it can easily be a two-club difference between a front and back pin placement. It’s almost totally surrounded by water; anything right or short is most likely wet. Number 16 is a short but interesting par 4, that plays 345 yards from Tee II. The lake on the left side creates a dogleg left and the large pine tree on the right side adjacent to Tee IV, forces you to play your tee shot towards the water. Trees line the right side; a good tee shot will leave a short pitch shot onto a green that is guarded with water on the left side. At 377 yards, Number 18 is a relatively short and easy par 4 – as long as you keep your tee shot in play. Play your tee ball down the left side, that will take the fairway bunkers and water out of play. A good drive will leave a short iron or wedge into an elevated green that falls off to the left and is surrounded by bunkers. Eighteen provides a fitting end to an enjoyable – and memorable – round of golf.
meeting space, a fitness center, a cooking school, and a spa. It is located just minutes from the city’s main airport. Head Golf Professional and General Manager Blake Hatfield’s office is located at the back of the golf shop. Resort golf courses are, in most cases, more playable than your average daily fee course or private country club. Golfers at resort courses are there to have a good time, not set course records. As Flowood and the capital city of Jackson set their sights on becoming a viable golf destination, the renovation of The Refuge Golf Course is a step in the right direction. And the way Crace rerouted the course, it will be more appealing to golfers looking to just play nine holes. Playing the Refuge no longer requires 4 ½ hours to kill! Rates are quite reasonable too; the top in-season rate is $65. The Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel and Conference Center is one of the hotel chain’s newest properties. The resort-style hotel at The Refuge Golf Course offers everything you need to feel welcome during travel. The rooms are stylish with modern decor, ergonomic workspaces, and golf course views in select accommodations. A variety of restaurants and bars offer savory American cuisine. Start with Rebecca’s and drinks in the lobby and then enjoy one of the best hamburgers in the state. End the evening at the Missy Sippy Roof Top Bar with your favorite adult beverage. Golfers can order from Sandi Trap (aka the 19th hole). Keep up to date on your workouts in the 24-hour fitness center and then unwind in the spa, sprawling outdoor pool, and lazy river. The Conference Center is adjacent to the hotel and offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor function spaces and is an excellent choice for your upcoming event. No matter what the occasion is, you’ll enjoy your stay at the Sheraton Flowood. The Refuge Golf Course is proudly managed by Troon Golf. Troon is by far the best golf course management company in the country. By joining their Troon Rewards program (it’s free to join), you can earn free rounds of golf at Troon facilities around the world as well as discounts on merchandise and greens fees. You’ll also receive access to exclusive events and Callaway promotions. For more information on the all-new Refuge Golf Course, visit them online at https://refugegolfms.com. Sheraton Flowood
The renovation also included an upgrade of The Refuge’s 15acre aqua driving range. Every shot longer than a wedge is hit into a large pond with lighted fountains offering measured targets. Concrete was poured and new matted hitting surfaces were installed. Lights behind the range have also been added, allowing golfers to practice after the sun goes down. The clubhouse was replaced by a golf shop within the new hotel. The new Sheraton hotel features multiple restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, a lazy river, 27,000 square feet of www.golfvacationsmag.com
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
Puma Gust O’ Wind Collection
P
uma Golf is opening the spring and summer season with fresh new-look apparel offerings for both men and women that even sport a unique name in addition to trendy and stylish fabrics and designs that are truly at the forefront. The Gust O’ Wind Collection for both men and women include elevated, performance-ready styles featuring premium materials and a bold swirling
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cloud pattern just for starters. The men’s Matter Gust O ’Wind polo is made with a timeless pattern and a full cut that is comfortable and lightweight on the course--and looks just as good in the grill room after a round. With 50+ UPF sun protection. This polo is designed with enhanced stretch of 92% polyester and 8% elastane that not only is very breathable but is moisture wicking and fast drying as well. Highlighting the women’s side of the collection are polos with similar cloud patterns, along with a unique floral pattern top that is a partnership between Puma Golf and Duvin to deliver this vibrant, lightweight polo that is a genderless style designed to be worn by both men and women. With an all-new, flattering waistband and fresh new colors, the PWRSHAPE skirt is a terrific addition to the women’s collection. Pair it with your go-to polo and your style will be effortless every time you dress for the course. These sleek and stylish designs are very modern and fashionable, yet comfortable to wear. They look fabulous on the course and off. Another new edition for the ladies is the Alphacat spikeless golf shoe that is both stylish and comfortable on or off the links. Pushing the boundaries of performance, style, and comfort, the ProAdapt Alphacat combines a new multi-material traction system with premium technologies to give you the Alpha of all spikeless footwear. The multi-material Proadapt outsole combines high-durometer, abrasion resistant TPU perimeter chassis that provides a stable under foot feel while multiple shapes of lugs provide ridiculous ground gripping traction. The upper features a new Exoshell material that is engineered to provide light weight structure and a one-year waterproof warranty. In addition, the Gust O’ Wind collection also sports several nice caps to finish the look off, along with stand bags that match this very modern look. For more information, visit: www.pumagolf.com
Tour Aim
H
aving the proper alignment is the backbone of a good golf stroke—be it a full swing or a putt to save par. Tour Aim-distributed by GolfTrainingAids.com--is an easy-to-use tool that conveniently sets your swing path on the driving range or when taking practice swings indoors. On the putting green or a practice mat, the Tour Aim easily converts to the putting mode in seconds with three different guidelines and a small target hole to make sure you are keeping the flat stick on the correct path through the swing. Because of its unique design, the Tour Aim will reveal your putting stroke flaws very quickly--and is a great tool to make sure you practice the correct take-away and follow-thru without moving the putter head. Tour Aim was designed and produced by Tour Aim’s founder and CEO, Noah Wolf. He could only get away during the week to squeeze in some range time and had terrible range habits. Wolf found using swing aids and alignment sticks cumbersome to use and he was not sure how they were supposed to help him align and aim. After hitting ball after ball, not paying attention to alignment and aim, some bad swing habits developed. These habits translated to high scores and lots of lost balls on the golf course.
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SWEETSTUFF With the sole focus of making practicing golf more effective and efficient, Wolf created Tour Aim. With every aspect of the golf swing starting with proper alignment and aim, he quickly saw the benefits of using Tour Aim as an effective practice tool. As a result, his handicap dropped from 11 to 6 in three months. With these results and feedback from hundreds of golfers and teaching pros, Wolf brought Tour Aim to the market. Now hundreds of teaching pros and amateurs around the world are using Tour Aim to improve their games and their student’s games. Tour Aim is quite easy and straight forward to use, and fits neatly in a stand golf bag, making it perfect to take to the range for practice. For more information visit: www. GolfTrainingAids.com and www. golftrainingaids.com/products/tour-aimtrue-target-aim
level. DrySee waterproof bandages are not only the first bandages built to keep moisture out, but measure the quality of the protection with its wetness indicator.
The liquid indicating perimeter of the bandage will turn dark blue if moisture enters the bandage from the outside— prior to reaching the wound site. Average bandages found in standard first aid kits do not fully seal off a wound, so you risk getting sweat, germs and bacteria getting into your wound. The low exudate center pad measures moisture from the wound and will change color with saturation, letting the wearer know when it is time to change the bandage. The pads come in their own sterile enclosures that are easy to pack in your golf bag for emergencies and come in a variety of sizes. This product also can come in handy to get you back on the links following a small procedure or cut, since they offer great waterproof protection and let you know when it is time to change the dressing— which can be used for up to four days. More information is available at: www. drysee.com
DrySee
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olf courses are unpredictable places and occasionally players suffer cuts, scrapes, insect bites and whatever else can happen outside in all types of weather and conditions. A small emergency kit is something that all players should have in their golf bags for those unexpected occurrences that can leave one bleeding or nursing a nasty bite wound. The latest item for those emergency kits takes bandaging up a wound to the next
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