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GOLF VACATIONS MARCH 2015
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ST ENODOC TH
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Plus: BEATING THE WINTER BLUES IN HILTON HEAD www.golfvacationsmag.com
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GOLF VACATIONS MARCH 2015
Kingsmill River Golf Course, Williamsburg, Virginia
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Chip Shots
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Torrey Pines: Muscled Up South Course by David R. Holland LA JOLLA, CA – Little boys like Corey Pavin and Billy Mayfair have hoisted trophies at Torrey Pines. Teenagers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson posed for grin-and-grip photos, trophies in hand, that now hang in the pro shop at this historic municipal nestled against the dramatic rust-colored bluffs overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean.
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St Enodoc: Celebrating 125 Years March 2015; One of England’s oldest and most beguiling golf clubs, St Enodoc in north Cornwall (www.st-enodoc.co.uk) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the club will stage a Festival of Golf Week, comprising various tournaments and social functions, from June 28th to July 5th.
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Beat The Winter Blues
by JD Latorre
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC — A recent trend on Hilton Head Island has been a precipitous uptick in long-term rentals during the winter season. And little wonder why: Hilton Head is the largest barrier island off the Atlantic coast between Long Island and the Bahamas — a Lowcountry legend just 40 miles north of Savannah, Ga., and 90 miles south of Charleston, S.C.
Sweet Stuff
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by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Tim Cotroneo is a Mineapolis-based freelance writer specializing in Caribbean travel, business, and golf. Tim is a long-time contributor to Tee Times Press and he’s also the Travel Writer for American Business Magazine.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. Holland, whose favorite golf moment was teeing it up with former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, splits home time in Colorado and Texas. He has written for GolfWeek’s Superintendent News, Colorado AvidGolfer, Midwest Golfing Magazine, South Central Golf Magazine, and Fairway to Green (UK). He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, United Press International and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling South Florida his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Cabo San Lucas, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.
Associate Editor Terry Ross
Features Editor Larry Feldman
Senior Writers JD Latorre Andy Reistetter Fred Robledo
For Editorial:
call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com
Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com
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Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2015 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Kingsmill
Golf Balls Now Fly Where Cannon Balls Once Flew
WILLIAMSBURG, VA – Golf is a war that the golf course usually wins. So why not play on a real battlefield? While there are many golf courses in the United States, few are on former battlefields and sacred ground. At Kingsmill Resort, the only AAA Four Diamond condominium resort in historic Williamsburg, Va., golfers literally walk in the footsteps of the Jamestown settlers and soldiers of the American Revolution and Civil War. The grounds are also home to the 11th staging of the LPGA Kingsmill Championship held May 11–17, with players challenging Kingsmill’s River Golf Course for a $1.3 million purse. The Unlimited Golf Package offers the best of Kingsmill’s golf experience starting at $448 per person based on double occupancy for two nights and includes unlimited rounds of golf on the River and Plantation courses, breakfast, use of a golf cart, complimentary transportation to local attractions, accommodations and full resort access. Are you a golfer in need of a quick getaway? This is your best bet. Drop off your luggage and the golf cart will be waiting for you. With the Signature Golf Package for one night at $189 per person based on double occupancy, golfers are treated to a breakfast buffet and 18 holes of golf on the River or Plantation courses. If you are bringing an
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army of four, sign up for the Foursomes Golf Package. Accommodations in a three-bedroom condo for two nights, limitless rounds of golf – with cart – on the River and Plantation courses, and complimentary use of the driving range, fitness center and pools are included for a starting rate of $575 per person. All golf packages are available March 1–Nov. 30. Kingsmill Resort’s one- to three-bedroom condominiums, with kitchens and spacious living areas, are ideal for golfers who want to rise early and enjoy a round all day. Golfers who need R&R after a day on the course may opt to take advantage of Kingsmill’s riverfront location and amenities: a brand new fitness center and spa, four on-site restaurants, tennis courts, fishing, indoor/outdoor pools and a fullservice marina. For more information, visit www.kingsmill. com for specific details or call (800) 832-5665.
Pound Ridge Golf Club, Delamar Greenwich Harbor Announce Spring Stay-andPlay Experience
POUND RIDGE, NY – Pound Ridge Golf Club – New York’s only Pete Dye design – and the luxurious Delamar Greenwich Harbor invite golfers to eschew the winter and plan for the upcoming golf season with the re-release of their popular stay-and-play experience. The package is offered seven days a week
and includes one round of golf per person and one night’s accommodations. Weekday rates start at $455, weekends at $499 (single occupancy).Value-laden additions include: • Golf shoe and club rental • 10% off all golf shop merchandise at Pound Ridge Golf Club • A bottle of champagne/wine delivered to the room • 10% off a sports massage at the Spa at Delamar “The Spring Golf Experience is ideal for avid golfers who travel for business or leisure and make time to play world-class, highlyranked golf courses,” says Todd Leavenworth, General Manager. “The Delamar Greenwich Harbor is the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy amazing accommodations and service.” Ranked No. 3 in-state by GOLF Magazine and No. 4 by Golfweek, Pound Ridge is a formidable challenge for accomplished players, with its 146 slope and 76.1 course rating from the back tees. However, Dye’s use of handicap differential in determining the placement of the five other sets of tees makes the golf course appealing for every type of player. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor features 82 deluxe rooms and suites with 500-feet of waterfront and private docks. Designed to evoke old world charm, it houses a full service spa with services and treatments by the luxury brands Biologique Recherche and Valmont, and
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS an award-winning restaurant and bar, L’escale. Wrought iron balconies, marble bathrooms and working fireplaces grace the guest rooms of this Mediterranean-inspired “inn.” Guests enjoy tee time booking via concierge or hotel staff and transportation options (from shuttles to rental cars and limousines). For reservations, visit www. delamargreenwich.com or call (866) 335.2627. For more information about Pound Ridge Golf Club, visit www.poundridgegolf.com or call (914) 764.5771
MOST DRAMATIC GOLF COURSE AT LAUCALA ISLAND
LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI, Feb. 18, 2015 – With 10 hours by plane from LA to Nadi and a short ride to the private island of Laucala, visitors discover a special paradise and one of the most vivid golf courses in the world. As guests approach the island by air, they are able to catch a glimpse of the four holes that run alongside the seashore giving a firsthand perspective of the beautifully manicured grass against the dramatic rugged, natural topography. The stunning course includes a back drop of volcanic mountains, natural island vegetation and a sheer cliff dropping into the turquoise water of the Pacific Ocean. While the resort was being built, Scotsman David McLay Kidd was called upon to design the 18-hole championship golf course. Highly
acclaimed, he was in fact chosen to create the seventh course at the legendary St. Andrews in Scotland, home of golf. The main goal was to preserve the original character of the island and create the most environmentally sensitive and sustainable golf course possible. The par72 layout has been thoughtfully integrated into the environment, with minimal impact on the island’s old coconut plantation area and jungle. Today golfers enjoy undulating fairways, challenging greens and strategic bunkers. Unique blends of grasses were used to provide the ultimate playing surfaces. The tees and greens have been planted with a hybrid Bermuda grass called Novatek, providing smooth putting surfaces year-round. Fairways were seeded with Zoysia Japonica, a strand of grass which is ideally suited to the warm tropical climate of Fiji. Situated on the water’s edge sits arguably the most picturesque Halfway House in the world. Here golfers can enjoy a well-deserved rest after a challenging front nine. Players can reboot with a healthy snack and refreshing drink while indulging in the breath-taking panoramic views of Satokoro Bay, the ideal way to rejuvenate body and mind before taking on the back nine. Golfers of Laucala Island enjoy the ultimate privacy, as adequately staggered tee times ensure players feel they have the entire course to themselves. Home to a variety of different terrains and course obstacles, the island’s 18
holes create distinct challenges for the most advanced golfers while offering forgiveness and fun for beginners. Laucala’s signature par-5 12th hole boasts breathtaking views, with a seaside green extending onto the beach. The hole never plays the same twice, with a player’s second shot determined by the ever-changing tides. A true do or die hole, immense green-side bunkers test a golfer’s skill and accuracy on a tricky approach shot. PGA professionals are on site to ensure all golfers’ needs are met, offering private lessons both on and off-course. Golf at Laucala is an adventure never forgotten. About Laucala Island Set upon a private island of 3,500 exclusive acres in the Fijian Pacific archipelago, Laucala Island brings a new meaning to the term “all-inclusive resort.” A beyond-five-star, luxury private island resort, Laucala is set amidst coconut plantations, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, rich green mountains and breathtaking natural beauty, often drawing comparisons as the veritable Garden of Eden of Fiji. True luxury is appreciated in the privacy of the resort’s 25 villas as well as the freedom to experience a variety of activities with spontaneity, ranging from pro golfing to beachside horseback riding to watersports and more. The resort prides itself on an integral philosophy, incorporating elements of the entire island into each guest’s experience, www.laucala.com
Laucala Island
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Marriott Golf Academy Debuts 2015 Golf School Packages For Players of All Abilities
ORLANDO, FL – March 3, 2015 … Appealing to avid golfers as well as aspiring players of all abilities, the acclaimed Marriott Golf Academy℠, with locations at Marriott’s Grande Vista resort in Orlando, Fla., and Marriott’s Shadow Ridge resort in Palm Desert, Calif., has debuted its 2015 golf school packages. Highlighting the programs available are uniquely designed getaway packages for guys and gals who want to learn and play the game together. Marriott Golf Academy℠ offers a wide range of instructional programming for golfers of all skill levels, from low-handicap elite golfers seeking a competitive advantage to newcomers seeking an introductory golf experience that is matched to their needs. The new 2015 golf school packages are customized for specific consumers such as families, a group of women
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and even a buddies getaway. All programs include an assortment of amenities, and some offer a lodging option featuring spacious and luxurious one and two-bedroom villas (on property), that are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. New 2015 Programs include the following: The Guys Golf Getaway is created for a private group of three to six players, including two rounds of golf and a group instructional session. The program provides both group goals and customized individual instruction before the players head out to the course for two rounds of championship golf. In Orlando, guests can experience The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando Grande Lakes, Grande Vista Golf Club or Hawks Landing Golf Club. In Palm Desert, guests will tee-it-up at Shadow Ridge Golf Club, set against the beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains. Highlighting the experience on
course will be golf carts fully stocked with each player’s personal selection of adult and nonalcoholic beverages. The Girls Golf Getaway is also created for a private group of three to six friends to learn and play together in a relaxed environment, while enjoying either two rounds of golf, or one round of golf and an exhilarating spa treatment. The Spa at Grande Vista in Orlando includes a choice of a 50-minute personalized massage, 50-minute European facial or express manicure/pedicure. The Spa in Palm Desert at Desert Springs includes a choice of a 60-minute Swedish massage, or a 60-minute custom cleansing facial. The 2015 Marriott Golf Academy Golf School Packages also feature the first-ever All-Girls’ School. Tailored to women who are most comfortable learning alongside other women, the school provides participants with a comfortable, relaxed instructional environment. Incorporating full swing, short
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS game and practice techniques, all instruction is capped at a 4-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio to ensure learning is paced for each student. This package features 12 hours of expert golf instruction if attending the 3 day school, and 8 hours of expert golf instruction if attending the 2 day school, Championship golf, video swing analysis, lunch each day with the instructor and a student gift amenity. Lastly, in appealing to family togetherness, the Family Golf Camp was created so families of three to six can have fun learning golf while spending time together in a beautiful outdoor setting. “We felt it was important to complement our 2 and 3 day schools with additional customized instructional options, said Bill Nault, Vice President, Marriott Golf. “The golf school experience here at Marriott Golf Academy is designed to cater to every type of golfer, from the competitive avid player to beginners, families and even a foursome of friends who want to enjoy a great destination golf experience.” For more information on all of the 2015 Marriott Golf Academy golf school packages,
please visit www.marriottgolfacademy.com or call 855-642-2369.
Hilton Head Golf Island Announces Golf Course, Resort Enhancements
HILTON HEAD, SC – One of the world’s greatest golf destinations just keeps getting better. Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI) – a collection of 31 of the Lowcountry’s premier golf courses – will shine this spring following a series of enhancements to its courses and resort amenities. Ranked in the top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including “Best Courses” and “Best Weather,” Hilton Head is the ideal place for golfers to kick-off the spring season. This year’s additions to various resorts include: The Sea Pines Resort -- The results of its $55 million capital investment project include the new 26,000 square-foot Harbour Town Clubhouse opening in March, and recently completed Sea Pines Beach Club and Plantation Golf Club. This summer, Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage, will be re-grassed and a state-
of-the-art irrigation system will be installed. In October, Love Golf Design, the course architecture firm founded and headed by PGA TOUR star Davis Love III and his brother Mark, will begin a complete renovation its historic Ocean Course. Palmetto Dunes -- New golf bikes – equipped with golf bags flanking the rear tires -- will arrive in March. Experience the Visage GPS system at the famed Robert Trent Jones course. USB ports for charging mobile devices have also been installed in the new golf carts at the Arthur Hills course. The Heritage Golf Collection -- The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and the Sonesta Resort each recently received $30 million in renovations. The two upscale beachfront resorts are top hotel choices for guests who enjoy playing at the seven Heritage Golf Collection courses on Hilton Head Island. A re-grassing project at the Robert Cupp course at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club was also completed in September 2014. For more information about the shows above, please contact the Lowcountry Golf Course Owner’s Association at 843.384.5342.
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
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Torrey Pin
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nes By David R. Holland
muscled up south course showcase for golf’s big boys www.golfvacationsmag.com
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LA JOLLA, CA – Little boys like Corey Pavin and Billy Mayfair have hoisted trophies at Torrey Pines. Teenagers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson posed for grin-and-grip photos, trophies in hand, that now hang in the pro shop at this historic municipal nestled against the dramatic rust-colored bluffs overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean. But today’s Torrey Pines South is a big boy golf course. When the marine layer rolled in on Torrey Pines South on Sunday of the 2015 Farmers Insurance Open the leaders were suddenly facing chilly, windy conditions so tough that someone said the 2008 U.S. Open broke out. Summer turned to winter. No. 4, a formidable 488-yard par 4 along the Pacific Ocean coastline was so nasty the leaders were struggling to hit the green on their third shot. Lucas Glover, only a shot out of the lead when the day started, carded a double bogey after hitting it in rough so gnarly he could only advance it a meager distance – twice. Cold, wind, impossible rough – need any other challenges? “This golf course is a beast and you’ve got to realize that,” Harris Eng-
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lish said. “This is like a U.S. Open.” “This golf course is a big, ball-striking course,” J.B. Holmes said. “So you’ve got to hit it in the fairway, you’ve got to hit some good approach shots and give yourself a chance for some birdies. Then, you have a lot of 10-footers for par. The rough probably plays worse today than it did in the 2008 U.S. Open.” Does this sound like a challenge you want to tackle? You can because the Torrey Pines South and North Courses are open to the public. But most days are postcard perfect with sunny weather and 70-degree temperatures. Torrey Pines South selected for 2021 U.S. Open The United States Golf Association likes Torrey Pines South so much that it has been selected for the 2021 U.S. Open. Tiger Woods, who won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines South in a classic duel with Rocco Mediate, will be 45. The only other municipal golf course to host a U.S. Open is the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y., which hosted in 2002 and 2009. And if you think the course is tough during the Farmers Insurance Open, held during the rainy season, summertime conditions at Torrey Pines are usually firmer, drier and faster and holding the greens more difficult.
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Torrey Pines South Course Muscled up by the 2001 $3.2-million Rees Jones’ facelift completed for the Buick Invitational, now the Farmers Insurance Open, the course measures a brawny 7,569 yards at par 72, more than 500 yards longer than before the makeover. And its brazen new bunkering distances it from the original South Course designed by William Bell Sr. which opened in 1957. The scorecard even has the words “permission only” where the back tees are listed. The bunker count went from 44 to a bodacious 72. Some greens were uplifted, creating some top-hat designs that serve as tiny targets - miss and watch your ball trundle downward into deep, difficult traps. Not enough to challenge you? Just try finding your ball in the deep, thick rough. Some putting surfaces were moved closer to the bluffs and ravines that dissect the rugged golf course land creating even more stunning views and hazards for wayward shots. Hang gliders dance above the horizon as you line another tricky putt framed by another ocean view. Before he passed away, Californian Ken Venturi said the retooling coupled nicely with what he considered to be one of the premier titles on the tour. Mickelson, who moved back to San Diego after years in Arizona, said it was one of the longest and hardest golf courses he’s ever played.
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Tiger Woods holds the South Course record of 62. He recorded it in the 1999 Buick Invitational, which he won, but that was prior to the Jones makeover. It might be a long time before anyone erases that mark. Changes by Jones started on No. 1, a 452-yard par 4 where a bunker was added just at the length where the big boys hit them today. The ninth was lengthened from 540 yards to 610 and No. 14, formerly 390 is now 440. You get the idea. More length, more bunkers, higher rough, tougher putting surface targets with contours, greens moved to edges of bluffs. And even though length was added from 515 to 571 at the par-5 No. 18, Jones didn’t change the famous water fronting the green called Devlin’s Billabong. It was during the 1975 Andy Williams San Diego Open that Bruce Devlin came to the last hole in contention and his approach nestled halfway submerged in the water. It took him six swings to get the ball on the green and a plaque commemorates this ultimate mistake. It’s the only water hole of the 36 at Torrey Pines. Torrey Pines North Course Phil Mickelson was tabbed to give the North Course a remake as soon as the 2015 Farmers Insurance Open concluded. But standard city government red tape and high bids by only two companies has delayed start of a retooling until 2016.
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honed their skills here. Keep those cameras ready for the North’s signature hole No. 12. It’s a sensational downhill par-3 of 174 for the mortals with sweeping views of the Pacific and La Jolla. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Lifetime memories are made at places like The Lodge at Torrey Pines. And since tee times are hard to get stay at The Lodge because it has daily reserved spots on the tee sheet. The patio door of the “Robinson Suite” opens and in just a few steps you can be next to the 18th green of the Torrey Pines South Course. What other place on earth has a AAA Five Diamond resort hotel and spa next to a worldclass affordable municipal golf course? Resplendent, but earthy - that’s The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Experience top-shelf service, food and accommodations, including the feel of a 1900s California craftsman’s-styled lodge perched near the rugged bluffs and scalloped Pacific coastline amidst a landscape dotted by rare Torrey Pines, eucalyptus, oak and native shrubs. Since opening in April 2002 this striking property is becoming known as a must for travel golfers. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, one of only two such hotels in the San Diego area.
Some purists hope renovation never happens. The North Course may be more fun for the average golfer. Then the 6,874-yard North Course, a par72, might just heal that bruised feeling of being humbled by the South. Possibly the best thing about Torrey Pines’ North Course is being paired with locals who have been playing the course for years. They can tell you countless stories, including the one about Camp Callan, a military training site that occupied this vast mesa and once tested mortars where you are firing golf shots. Look closely in the formations of the ravines and you can still see the scars left by the mortars. You also will hear stories of a possible star of the future on the PGA Tour, Pat Perez, who once worked in the cart barn. And Billy Casper, Gene Littler and Scott Simpson all
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Luxury is found in rooms that range from 520- to 1,500-square feet. Indulge yourself with the spa’s signature coastal sage scrub or dine at upscale A.R. Valentien. Casual diners can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Grill, just steps from Torrey Pines’ practice putting green, a great place to watch the pros during tournament week. Things to do From The Lodge and the golf courses you are within walking distance or a short drive to the Torrey Pines State Reserve, one of San Diego’s most visited natural attractions. It has miles of trails through the rare Torrey Pines forest, sandstone formations and wide beaches. The glider port is adjacent to the golf course for those bold enough to hang glide above the cliffs. The cities of La Jolla and Del Mar provide excellent shopping opportunities and the Del Mar Racetrack is minutes away. Twenty minutes down I-5 in San Diego is the Gaslamp District, Old Town, and Sea World. The world famous San Diego Zoo, located in 1,000-acre Balboa Park, is a must for all visitors. The park, celebrating 100 years, is loaded with museums of all tastes, and was site of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, a world’s fair to celebrate the Panama Canal’s opening.
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125TH ANNIVERSA M
arch 2015; One of England’s oldest and most beguiling golf clubs, St Enodoc in north Cornwall (www.st-enodoc.co.uk) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the club will stage a Festival of Golf Week, comprising various tournaments and social functions, from June 28th to July 5th. The highlight of the week promises to be a Hickory Shaft Tournament with competitors carrying a set of fully-restored hickory clubs in replica leather and canvas bags over a composite course of club’s Church and Holywell courses. First laid out in 1890 by acclaimed golf course designer James Braid, St Enodoc’s Church Course is considered one of the premier championship links in England that has a golfing heritage to match. Its location on the high sand dunes of the north Cornwall coast overlooking the Camel Estuary, with Padstow to the west and the Atlantic ocean to the north, makes for ideal links golf and for some of the greatest sea and estuary views of any course in the world.
This alluring 6,547 yard-course, characterized by undulating fairways, firm greens and a number of blind shots, may not be long by today’s standards yet the course record stands at 65, just 4 under par, indicating just how challenging the course remains to this day. Testament to its enduring quality, the Church has hosted numerous amateur golf events in its 125-year history, including the English Ladies Amateur Championship in 1993 and 2002, the English Counties Championship in 1989 and 2005. Just last year, it was chosen by England Golf to stage the English Women’s Amateur Championship. To add to its golfing narrative, St Enodoc has over the decades lured a host of legendary Open Champions to its fairways including not only James Braid, but also Henry Cotton, Jim Barnes and Tom Watson which has further added to the prestige of this outstanding course. Indeed the course was immortalized forever thanks to the Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman whose experience of playing St Enodoc was encapsulated in his poem, ‘Seaside Golf’. Fittingly Betjeman, who lived in
ST ENO
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ARY CELEBRATION nearby Trebetherick towards the end of his life, was buried in graveyard of the Norman Church alongside the 10th green of his favourite course. St Enodoc boasts a second course, the Holywell, which is set to the north side of the present clubhouse. Since golf was first played here, there have been holes located there with some of these original holes also of Braid’s design. At times, some of them even formed part of today’s Church course. The Holywell is more manageable in length and carries than the Church and so ideal for beginners, juniors and seniors as well as for experienced golfers looking for a quick round. Though just 4,082 yards, the Holywell still boasts some demanding holes with small, testing target greens making it a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. As a club today, St Enodoc offers excellent practice facilities complete with driving range, two putting greens and two PGA coaching professionals. It recently invested heavily in a new short game practice area, a new target green on the range and a new covered bay facility. The clubhouse,
refurbished last year in time for its anniversary celebrations, provides the full range of usual amenities plus an elegant terrace for al fresco dining in the summer. Visiting golfers are able to play the Church Course for £75 – or just £45 in winter – which represents excellent value for a course of this quality, history and tradition. Meanwhile a round over the Holywell Course is just £25 all year round. St Enodoc is part of the Atlantic Links, a trail of ancient links set along the north coast of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall comprising Burnham & Berrow, Saunton, Royal North Devon and Trevose. For more on the 125th anniversary celebrations of St Enodoc, please go to www.st-enodoc.co.uk Follow St Enodoc on Twitter @stenodocgolf St Enodoc Golf Club, Rock, Cornwall, PL27 6LD Reservations 01 208 869 904
ODOC
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Beat The Winter Blues On Hilton Head Island and especially its famed Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, visitors are lengthening the duration of their winter-month stays
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ILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC — A recent trend on Hilton Head Island has been a precipitous uptick in long-term rentals during the winter season. And little wonder why: Hilton Head is the largest barrier island off the Atlantic coast between Long Island and the Bahamas — a Lowcountry legend just 40 miles north of Savannah, Ga., and 90 miles south of Charleston, S.C. As for where to stay during your visit to Hilton Head, the island’s “hottest” resort these days is Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, which reports that an increasingly popular getaway timeslot for locals and savvy out-of-towners has been between November and February — when the average high temperature on Hilton Head is around 65 degrees. Palmetto Dunes is renowned for its trio of distinctively unique golf designs by legends of the business: the renowned Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, the Arthur Hills Course, where collegiate stars like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson honed their talents, and the Fazio course, designed by George Fazio and his nephew, famed architect Tom Fazio. Last year — when the Fazio Course was awarded the 2014 South Carolina “Golf Course of the Year” — the honor ensured that all three Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort courses now have been finalists for the “National Golf Course of the Year” title. For short-term and long-term accommodations, Palmetto Dunes offers a great variety of vacation rental properties from oceanfront homes to spacious villas overlooking the harbour, lagoon, fairways or beach. Its Monthly Stay & Sports Membership features accommodations plus unlimited golf, along with bikes, kayaks, tennis and more. Meanwhile, Palmetto Dunes’ seasonal and part-time residents are able to take advantage of an unlimited 30-day golf pass. Along with 30 days of access to reserve tee-times on all three award-winning golf courses, the pass also offers discounts in golf pro shops, grilles and ranges, one free yardage book per course per person. Guests can pick the start date they want to play and additional days are available on a pro-rated basis. For those who happen not to play golf, the internationally-acclaimed Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center features 23 clay courts and two Nova ProBounce courts, six of which are lighted for night play. The tennis center offers a full schedule of seasonal activities, instructional programs and daily round robin tournaments, as well as the always-popular Monday Night Tennis Exhibition played from March through October. Hilton Head Island offers more than 50 miles of paved bike paths — 5 miles within the resort — ideal for exploring. Guests can rent a bicycle at the resort to fully explore the island by paved pathways or along miles of sandy beach. Choose from beach cruisers, comfort bikes, tandems, kids bikes, tag-a-longs, kiddie carts and more, plus bike equipment, accessories, sales and repair.
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Dining in Palmetto Dunes is also available at family-friendly Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza at the Robert Trent Jones golf course clubhouse. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Big Jim’s serves signature Southern dishes, including barbeque, gourmet burgers and grilled pizza, as well as soups, salads, seafood, steaks and ribs. It also offers a kid’s menu, as well as a wine and beer menu. The restaurant has big-screen TVs, expanded outdoor seating overlooking the Jones course, Happy Hour specials from 4-7 PM, daily and live entertainment seasonally. Meanwhile, the Dunes House is located just steps away from beach and offers casual dining for resort guests and property owners. This laid-back beach bar and restaurant allows you to enjoy food, drinks and fun with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Open for lunch and dinner starting again in mid-February, the Dunes House serves a menu featuring local seafood, handmade burgers, grilled chicken, gourmet salads and other tasty treats. A wide range of beverages are also available, from beer and wine to sodas and signature frozen drinks. On select evenings, the Dunes House offers live entertainment, Lobster Night, Caribbean Night, Wine Tastings and more. In addition, located just off the Intracoastal Waterway and directly across William Hilton Parkway from Palmetto Dunes, picturesque Shelter Cove Harbour serves as a popular waterfront dining, shopping and entertainment destination. Patterned after a sunny Mediterranean villa, Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina is alive with activity day and night, along with some of Hilton Head’s widest variety of worldclass cuisine. Choose from more than 20 shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafés. Of course, for those who enjoy the distinct pleasure that only a fishing pole can provide, inshore/offshore chartered fishing excursions for game fish that ply the Gulf Stream are available at Shelter Cove Marina. Guests also may book nature tours and dolphin cruises and take in the majestic beauty of Hilton Head Island. Fishing is available through these charter boat operators at Shelter Cove Marina: the 35-foot Gullah Gal (6 people), the 34-foot True Grits (6 people), the 26-foot Finatic (up to 11 people), the 26-foot Outside Angler or OCat (6 people each), the 24-foot Bayrunner (4 people) and Palmetto Lagoon Charters. Fishing trips for Kings, Spanish, Barracuda, Cobia, Grouper, Marlin and more are available in 4-10 hour time segments. Those looking to enjoy some world-class golf, tennis and much more this winter should try Hilton Head Island, S.C., and its venerable Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort — and be sure to stay a while. For more information about Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and its many golf packages, call 877-567-6513 or visit www.PalmettoDunes.com.
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SWEETSTUFF I
t has been nearly 15 years since Titleist ushered in the era of the solid ball for the better player that heralded the end of the wound, balatacovered ball that had been the standard for decades for those skilled enough to be able to curve shots and desired maximum feel around the greens. The introduction of the Pro V1 in late 2000 by Titleist and three years later the Pro V1x established the standard for premium golf balls that both professionals and everyday recreational players could enjoy without having to sacrifice feel and/or distance to get one or the other. The latest versions of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x for 2105 have recently been released by Titleist and feature significant improvements in feel, control and durability, not to mention the maximum distance that all golfers look for. As the bestselling golf ball in the marketplace since the spring of 2001 and the most played ball on all professional tours by a long shot, the Pro V1’s latest incarnation has a new patented urethane elastomer cover formulation that has is not only durable but is notably softer on the greens and with the wedges. It is the softest ball Titleist has made to date in the Pro V1 era. The company notes that it has taken out more than 100 patents that cover the technologies and manufacturing process of the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x combined, and since 2010 Titleist has been awarded nearly 50 percent of all the golf ball patents issued in the United States. “The launch of Pro V1 was especially significant in that for the very first time the best performing golf ball for tour players was also the best performing golf ball for all golfers,” said Mary Lou Bohn, Vice President of Titleist Golf Ball Marketing and Communications. “You no longer had to choose between distance over short-game control and durability over soft feel. There were no trade-offs.” There is greater control with the irons with this latest formulation of the Pro V1 line, along with reduced spin that in turn creates more distance. “We’re giving golfers everything they’ve previously had in Pro V1 and Pro V1x with some enhancements,” explained Bill Morgan, Senior Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball R&D. “They’ll get the extraordinary distance and ball flight they’re accustomed to. But they’ll also get a softer cover, which will add more spin control and feel around the greens. The feedback we’ve received on tour and with club professionals and amateurs clearly tells us that players are benefiting from this improved perfor-
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mance. Our urethane is so resilient that as we softened it, we were able to increase short game spin and enhance the feel while maintaining its abrasion resistance.” As in previous models of the Pro V1 line, Titleist provides two distinct performance options with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x. The Pro V1 has a softer feel, slightly more long game spin and a more penetrating trajectory for a shallower angle of descent for more roll than Pro V1x. It is a three-piece, multiple component technology ball with a very soft compression, ZG process core, ionomeric casing layer, softer thermoset urethane elastomer cover and spherically-tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design. The Pro V1x has a slightly firmer feel and lower long game spin and launches higher with a steeper angle of descent than Pro V1. It is a fourpiece, multi-component technology ball with a ZG process dual core, ionomeric casing layer, softer thermoset urethane elastomer cover and spherically-tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design. Many, if not most professional players actually prefer the firmer Pro V1x with lower spin and slightly more distance, but Titleist recommends player testing to determine which ball is better for an individual’s game. For more information: www.titleist.com.
F
ila Golf has taken the traditional golf sweater to another level this spring with its new St. Anton Zipper Sweater that combines the look and versatility of a light jacket with the styling, feel and warmth of a sweater. The high-tech features of this stylish top say jacket, but the soft mesh interior and knit-like feel are every bit as comfortable and warm as your favorite sweater. Vintage styling with Fila’s advanced Tech-Dry and Anti-Bacterial mesh lining of Polyester and Spandex gives the needed warmth and protection from the elements, but is not so overwhelming that it can’t be a comfortable and smart club house top for dinner or drinks after a round of golf. This is a perfect layering piece and with its hidden full contrasting color zippered front is easy on and off for those weather changes. It also boasts two zippered front side pockets, long sleeves with adjustable Velcro closures, curved sport hem, 3M™ reflective insert on front and back yoke and Fila logo embroidered on the bottom left hem.
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SWEETSTUFF by TerryRoss
impact on vision health. Years of research has shown that high energy visible light (blue light) is harmful to the front portion of the eye lens and the back of the eye— the retina and macula. The Sundog TrueBlue® lenses utilize the patented process developed by Dr. James Gallas with his Melanin and Ocular Lens Pigment (MOLP) technology that is among the most advanced in the market today in providing eye protection and vision performance. The TrueBlue® lens advantages are protection from harmful blue light and its long-term impact on vision health, reduced eye fatigue, no color distortion because the blue light is filtered--not blocked, along with enhanced clarity for sharper vision on the course. Improved contrast, the reduction of glare, better color balance and a soothing effect to the eyes are also readily apparent with these lenses. As always, the stylish frames that Sundog offers are among the best because they feel as good as they look. Although the TrueBlue® lens comes in a variety of styles, two stand out for both men and women. The Fairway, which is a favorite of LPGA star Paula Creamer, is made of a lightweight polycarbonate frame front, has MaxFlex Rilsan® temples and includes a soft microfiber lens cleaning cloth case. This is a largerlook lens. For men, the sleek Laser is both, light, comfortable and molds well to the face. It has a suspended lens on an open frame design made of MaxFlex RILSAN®, Megol Co-Injected temple tips and nose pads, and includes a soft microfiber lens cleaning cloth case. Both of these sunglasses come in a smoke and brown color lens. For more information visit www.sundogeyewear.com
The trim yet comfortable cut provides ample room that won’t inhibit your swing, and the textured outer finish comes in a choice of three colors—silver, navy blue and black. For more information, please visit: www.shopfilagolf.com
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ollowing in the footsteps of its highly popular and successful MelaLens line of golf and sports sunglass, Sundog EyeWear is now enjoying tremendous success with its most advanced sunglass lens ever—the TrueBlue® lens that is designed to offer even greater protection for the eyes from the harmful blue light of the sun and its long-term
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