Chip Shots

PGA National Resort Announces Exceptional ‘Game Changer’ Stay-and-Play Package

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – PGA National Resort – South Florida’s world-class golf, vacation, culinary, events and spa destination – announces its exceptional “Game Changer” stay-andplay offer highlighted by rounds on its thrilling and innovative new Andy Staples-designed Match and Staple courses.

Since opening for play on Sept. 10 to wide acclaim, few golf course debuts in recent years were as highly-anticipated as The Match Course with its exciting goal of encouraging “match” versus “stroke” play. Built on the land of the legendary resort’s former Squire Course, the 18-hole layout is inspired by classic golf course design principles while specifically using the “template hole” concept for inspired ideas.

The Match Course joined PGA National Resort’s new nine-hole Staple Course which opened on July 1 to rave reviews. The Staple is a bold take on the par-three course concept created for pure enjoyment. With hole distances ranging from 48 to 130 yards, The Staple is ideal for fast-paced, joyous rounds while using just a putter and a few short irons.

The Staple is also the perfect setting for golf groups to unwind and relax in a casual setting after playing the resort’s four “traditional” and additionally celebrated 18-hole layouts: The Champion (host venue of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic), The Palmer, The Fazio and The Estate courses. Both new layouts are part of an ongoing $100 million capital revitalization touching every aspect of the celebrated property.

Starting at $667 per night (per person, double occupancy), the Game Changer package includes a minimum two-night stay with accommodations in a beautifully-transformed guestroom, suite, or a spacious cottage as well as one round each on The Match and The Staple. The offer also features one additional round on either The Champion Course (with surcharge), The Palmer Course (with surcharge), The Estate Course or a replay round on The Match Course. All cart fees are included except for the walking-only Staple Course.

“Our ‘Game Changer’ package is ideal to enjoy the exciting additions of The Match and The Staple layouts to our world-class golf courses and resort amenities,” says Jane Broderick, director of golf. “Golf groups are going to love the variety of golf we now offer from playing where the pros play during the Honda Classic to our thrilling new Andy Staples-designed courses that are the talk of the golf industry.”

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A golf lover’s dream location, PGA National Resort also features extraordinary instruction at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, and the world’s first science-based and statistical data-driven golf training center, Full Process Golf. PGA National Resort also offers state-of-the-art club fitting. The popular resort also offers an array of special golf-centric stay-and-play

packages including rounds on both The Match and Staple courses.

Resort guests can also enjoy the high-tech 33,000-square-foot Sports & Racquet Club featuring a wide array of fitness activities and classes, including pickleball and tennis on the 18 Har-Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play). Not to be missed in early 2022 is a visit to the completely reinvented Spa at PGA designed by VStarr Designs and offering the latest in soothing wellness treatments.

For more information about PGA National Resort: visit www. pgaresort.com or call 800.863.2819.

Boca West Country Club First Private Country Club in U.S. to Install Inrange® Radar Technology

BOCA RATON, FL – Boca West Country Club is the first country club in the nation to upgrade its driving range with Inrange® radar tracking technology. The precision radar ball tracking and range gamification system provides entertainment at seven Inrange®equipped bays leading directly out from the newly-renovated Mr. D’s restaurant.

The Inrange® technology was officially unveiled at Boca West on December 8, 2021. The technology offers players both an entertainmentfocused experience with the Inrange+™ multiplayer gaming & virtual course offering and technologically-aided practice sessions for more experienced players with Inrange® & the Inrange® App.

The Club also created an additional 19 outdoor bays available to member golfers, equipping them with the technology to perfect their game with the world’s most advanced golf training app, the Inrange® App. Each of the site’s Mr. D’s entertainment bays feature Inrange® tracking, 22-inch HD touchscreens, seating & gallery screens while the outdoor bays are equipped with Inrange® mobile tracking.

“We are constantly looking for ways to enhance our member experience and to stay ahead of the demand for the most advanced amenities and technology,” said Matthew Linderman, CCM, President, COO and General Manager of Boca West Country Club. “As the first country club to offer this radar technology, we are further enhancing our reputation as a world-class destination for golfers of all skill levels and abilities. In addition to improving their golf game, Members and their guests have the opportunity to enjoy the driving range in a sleek and luxurious setting. Inrange® gives us the ability to offer a fun and relaxed setting for both avid golfers and beginners looking for an experience to try out with friends.”

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Inrange® to deliver a revolutionary entertainment experience for our members and their families - and technology-aided practice for golfers,” said JR Friend, Director of Golf for Boca West Country Club. “We are excited to have introduced our members to the new range where they have been able to enjoy games and virtual courses as well as having access to a truly personalized practice aid in Inrange® and the Inrange® App. Changing the traditional driving range into a technologicallyenhanced destination promotes fun for all types of players. The installation of this technology has created an environment that promotes fun and stress-free entertainment for casual golfers and technologically aided practice sessions for avid players.”

Boca West Country Club was recently ranked #14 of the Top 100 Platinum Golf & Country Clubs in the world by the Club Leaders Forum. Boca West was the highest ranked in South Florida’s TriCounty area and it moved up one spot from its ranking of #15 in 2019. Platinum Club status is the pinnacle of recognition for private clubs around the world and acknowledgement as a Platinum Club is the most revered in the private club industry.

For more information, visit bocawestcc.org. To inquire about club membership, call (561) 488-6934.

Sweetgrass Golf Course Named NGCOA National Golf Course of the Year

ESCANABA, MI – Island Resort & Casino’s original course, Sweetgrass, has been named the 2022 Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). The announcement was made this week at the NGCOA Golf Business Conference 2022 in Orlando.

The NGCOA selected its winner based on four criteria: quality of golf course, quality of ownership and management, outstanding contributions to the local community and significant contributions to the game of golf.

“When we received the Michigan Golf Course of the Year award back in October, we were very excited,” said Tony Mancilla, general manager of Island Resort & Casino. “Michigan has a lot of great courses, so just winning our state was huge. Now to earn the national award and recognition is the cherry on top. I recently talked with other courses owners about how this is a big deal, because it’s more than just about having a great golf course. You have to do more things for the game and help promote golf, and we’re doing that on a lot of different levels.”

Island Resort & Casino, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’s largest resort destination, sits 13 miles west of Escanaba in Harris, and is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe. The casino first opened as a bingo hall in 1981, then in 1991 expanded with the Chip-In Casino on its present site. The late 1990’s saw the expansion of the casino, a showroom and convention center. The next decade brought further major expansion with the Palm Tower rooms, more restaurants and more golf.

One of the resort’s two courses, Sweetgrass opened in 2008 to rave reviews. Designed by Paul Albanese, Sweetgrass features an open layout with some of golf’s most fun greens to putt (Redan, Biarritz, Island and Double-Green), as well as some wonderful strategic holes -- including the famous island green No. 15 and a finishing par-five hole on each side. Throughout the course, golfers will also come across a rich history of the Hannahville Indian Community, with holes named after traditional Potawatomi clans, villages, allies, medicines and symbols. The dedication to nature and the area’s heritage makes for a unique golf experience. The course also plays host to the Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass.

One of the areas that Sweetgrass was selected for, and the resort management takes pride in, is its contribution to the community through the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, which debuted in 2011 and has become the premier community event in the region. The Strong Kids Campaign - YMCA is the event’s official charity and guarantees that all kids, regardless of income, have an opportunity to receive free YMCA memberships. Other local charities and nonprofits have also received more than $250,000 raised from the tournament’s ticket sales.

“The Symetra Tour event raises about $100,000 each year, and that’s about one-quarter of the entire YMCA annual funding in membership scholarships,” explained Mancilla. “It gives underprivileged kids of economically struggling families a chance to enjoy time at the YMCA.”

The YMCA golf program is also supported by this effort, providing clubs for kids to use and youth golf clinics for them to participate in during the tournament.

“I think the biggest thing is having the pros play and the kids watch them,” said Mancilla. “It’s exciting when they’re here playing. They are young golfers trying to make their way and accomplish a huge goal. And we’re right in the middle of it, watching. Hopefully the little kids will think they can do it, too.”

The growing popularity of golf and gaming at Island Resort has driven the demand for yet another major expansion of $30 million, making it one of the Midwest’s largest golf, casino and entertainment resort destinations. Opened in January 2022, the new hotel tower is connected to the south end of the current Palm Tower and features 138 guest rooms, including golf and spa suites, the top-floor Horizons Steakhouse fine dining offering the region’s best views and the new Splash Island family water park.

For more information, visit www. islandresortgolf.com

CARSON VALLEY, NV – Adventurers around the world are facing a pent-up demand for travel. After two years of staying home, travelers are ready to get out and create some more memories in 2022. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada just 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe and an hour from the RenoTahoe International Airport, Carson Valley, Nevada, brings big destination bucket-list worthy experiences for travelers seeking an escape that are easily within reach.

Glider enthusiasts travel from around the world to experience a flight from Minden, and for good reason. Ideal air stream conditions mix with spectacular scenery to give riders the thrill of a lifetime. Carson Valley’s Soaring NV takes guests on a flight high above both Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe by tow cable, before cutting them loose to soar the skies. Because gliders are engineless, there is no motor noise, giving passengers a rare, bird-like experience. There is no better place than Carson Valley to complete this bucket list experience.

If floating in a glider is too safe, adrenaline junkies can check out Skydive Lake Tahoe, also based at the Minden-Tahoe Airport. A common bucket-list item for thrill seekers around the world, Carson Valley’s skydiving offers what many others cannot – views of the gorgeous Lake Tahoe while free falling. There’s nothing quite like seeing the Sierra cradling the Lake Tahoe Basin, and the dramatic face of the mountains over the Carson Valley.

Another common bucket list item, but with a Carson Valley twist – hot air ballooning. Balloon Nevada offers balloon rides with expert pilots guiding their crafts high enough to peek over the Lake Tahoe Basin to capture photos of Lake Tahoe, one of America’s most photographed lakes, from a completely unique vantage point. This is the perfect activity for those looking for just a little less heart thumping, though the views are no less thrilling.

There are only a few places in the county where you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. Lovers of outdoor recreation may think they need to choose between a ski day or a golf day, but in Carson Valley that’s not the case. Due to its proximity to Lake Tahoe, it’s quite possible to hit the slopes at Heavenly Mountain Resort in the morning, then hit the links at one of Carson Valley’s four golf courses in the afternoon.

There’s no better bucket list item than a challenging mountain bike trail in the Sierra Nevada. Better yet, end the day at a historic saloon. With hundreds of miles of trails in the region, downhill thrill seekers can feel the rush of the descent and end their adventure in Genoa. Here, history buffs enjoy the thrill of walking in the footsteps of those from the past. Do just this at Genoa Bar, Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor. Built in 1853, it’s seen the likes of Mark Twain, Clark Gable, Red Skelton, Willie Nelson, Presidents Roosevelt and Grant, Johnny Cash and more. Pull up a stool and transport back to the wild west at this iconic watering hole.

Carson Valley was home to the first non-native settlement in Nevada, making it a perfect place to reconnect with the wild west and pioneer culture. Always wanted to feel like a legendary old west cowboy? Take a wild horse tour with a local guide and get up close and personal with these majestic wild creatures. Or take a photography tour to capture amazing birds of prey as they dive, swoop and capture their prey across the valley.

After the adventure, there’s plenty of fine dining, relaxing and fun to be had in Carson Valley. Stop by Bently Heritage Estate Distillery for a tour and cocktail tasting from one of the country’s few estate distilleries. Then check out some of Carson Valley’s unique dining options, including an authentic, family-style Basque meal at JT Bar and Dining Room. To end the day, relax in natural hot springs at David Walley’s Resort where the five pools are filled with natural hot spring waters. Whatever the desire for adventure and thrill, Carson Valley delivers. Explore the land of everyday legends at VisitCarsonValley.org.

Rumbling Bald Announces 2022 Golf Packages

LAKE LURE, NC – Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole golf retreat on North Carolina’s Lake Lure an hour east of Asheville, announces its 2022 golf packages ahead of what promises to be an exciting year for the 3,000-acre golf destination.

Starting at $300 per player and running through March 31, Winter Golf Packages features a two-night stay, two rounds of golf on the Apple Valley and Bald Mountain courses and unlimited range balls at Bald Mountain’s recently upgraded practice area. Three-night, threeround and four-night-four round packages are also available for $407 and $514 per player, respectively.

Rumbling Bald’s Weekday Golf Packages are a great value for those with flexible schedules and are offered Sunday through Wednesday year-round with a peak season black-out period from May 26th through Sept. 17. They start at $320 per player for two nights and two rounds and range up to $554 per player for four nights and four rounds. Customized weekend packages for groups of all sizes are available year-round.

Lodging options include the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from the first tee. Via its wide variety of spacious vacation rentals, Rumbling Bald can accommodate golf groups of all sizes. Luxury vacation homes are also available for extended stays and golf rounds can be added a la carte.

“We’ve made an impactful investment in the golf courses and facilities over the past two years, and we’re excited for golfers to experience everything Rumbling Bald has to offer,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “Our 36-hole combination provides two decidedly different rounds of golf, with Bald Mountain being a pure mountain-style layout and Apple Valley offering a more level playing surface.”

For groups of 12 or more, Rumbling Bald extends free golf for group leaders when booking their first trip to the property. The Large Groups 12+ Comp is ideal for PGA Professional-member trips, small tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. The shoulder- and off-seasons are ideal for group play, with ample value and typically a faster pace of play than the peak spring and fall periods.

To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072. Golfers are advised to call, email or check the website for course maintenance and closure schedules. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (four players in a two-bedroom villa or two in a one-bedroom studio).

Tucked along scenic Lake Lure and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald is secluded yet eminently accessible from myriad metro areas. Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh, N.C., Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn. and Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. are all between one and five hours away. The idyllic retreat features two contrasting 18-hole layouts: W.B. Lewis-designed Bald Mountain and Dan Maples-designed Apple Valley.

Rumbling Bald’s marquee course, Apple Valley, stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Maples estimated 75% of shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard of for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play.

Bald Mountain, at 6,300 yards, is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16th green, the backdrop of a scene from the movie “Dirty Dancing.” A protégé of golf course architect George Cobb, Lewis is known for his traditional approach to course design. This philosophy is reflected in Bald Mountain’s playability from tee to green.

Second course underway for Quivira Los Cabos

Following the incredible success of its first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, Quivira to Expand and Elevate Golf Experience at Land’s End on the Baja Peninsula

Situated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula and just 10 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas—in a dramatic setting marked by windswept dunes, sheer cliffs and lush desert foothills—Jack Nicklaus, golf’s greatest champion and globally acclaimed golf course designer, crafted a world-class layout that redefined the Cabo golf experience when the Quivira’s Golf Club opened in 2014. With Quivira Golf Club having garnered nearly every design accolade the golf and travel industry has to offer, Nicklaus has returned to create a second course at Quivira Los Cabos—the destination’s finest luxury development.

Groundbreaking for the Club’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is expected to take place by fourth quarter 2022. Quivira’s second course will expand the resort and residential community’s golf offering to accommodate the increased demand, resulting from the growth of the development, including ultra-exclusive, recently launched projects such as the St. Regis Resort & Residences; the exclusive new real estate community, Old Lighthouse Golf & Ocean Club; and the Alvar hillside condominiums.

“The first golf course at Quivira is a spectacular layout playing across a remarkable piece of property,” Nicklaus said. “Now, I am excited that design is well underway on the second course at Quivira, which should be stunning and equally as spectacular. I hope golfers who play the second course will enjoy the views, the quality of golf, and the challenge.”

While the routing plan for Quivira’s second course is in its final stages, it is anticipated that Mr. Nicklaus and his design team will create another world-class layout on this exceptional piece of land. Situated in the northwest area of the 1,850-acre development, several of the holes on the new course will meander through rolling desert foothills and expansive valleys, interlaced by winding arroyos. Quivira’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will provide a different challenge but one that should mirror the high quality associated with the existing golf experience. The southern portion of the new layout will feature panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the westernmost point of the Sea of Cortez, which swells with breaching whales during the winter months. On the interior side, tall distant peaks will serve as dramatic backdrops for several holes.

For additional information, resort reservations, or tee times access the web site at www.quiviraloscabos.com/golf or call 1-800-9908250.