OUR 14th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS SEPTEMBER 2016
ANGUILLA
SHARK MAKES HIS MARK AT CUISINART GOLF COURSE
SARASOTA
WONDERFUL GOLF SPECTACULAR BEACHES Plus: MY TO DO LIST - PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND www.golfvacationsmag.com
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GOLF VACATIONS SEPTEMBER 2016
CuisinArt Resort, Anguilla
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Chip Shots
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Shark Makes His Mark On Anguilla
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Wonderful, Spectacular Sarasota by Chuck “The Traveling Guy” Miller The headline of this article truly tells it all. Sarasota, Florida has an abundance of wonderful golf courses, delightfully spectacular
by Tim Cotroneo
Like the prettiest girl at the dance, the tiny island of Anguilla takes its time picking a partner. Just 16 miles long and three miles wide, Anguilla makes up for its size with a shoreline that is a Caribbean postcard waiting to happen. Already an island paradise, Anguilla can afford to be selective when suitors come calling.
white sand beaches, and a myriad of things for individuals, couples and families to see and do in and about the city. The city limits include a slender, but lengthy mainland along with eight islands. Upscale high-rise condos and hotels gaze out at the blue-green waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Palm trees and jungle like plants surround quiet suburban neighborhoods. It has upscale dining and small family-run restaurants. It has museums parks, and sport venues galore. It is a vibrant city.
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Resort Report: Prince Edward Island
by David R. Holland
Imagine a summer day in golf heaven. Can you envision Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, but one of the globe’s most beautiful ocean and pastoral settings, with a “To Do List” that will rival any vacation destination?
Sweet Stuff
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
Chuck Miller (The Traveling Guy) is a resident of the golfing community of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. For the past 20 years he has traveled extensively throughout the US and around the world writing about “Places to Play and Places to Stay”. In 2012 he played golf in every state during a 50-week, 50-state driving tour of the US.
Associate Editor Terry Ross
Features Editor Larry Feldman
Senior Writers Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
JD Latorre Andy Reistetter Fred Robledo
For Editorial:
call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com 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.
Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
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portsMedia publications
President Jeffrey Diaz
455 NE 5th Avenue, Suite D-151 Delray Beach, Florida 33483 (760) 774-2655
and
Destiny Media, LLC 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 2016 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 Take Advantage Of Great Fall Golf Getaway Packages From True Blue Golf Club And Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, named two of the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine, celebrate the comfortable weather of fall in Myrtle Beach with three themed golf packages sure to delight golfers (and the families and friends who love them!) this upcoming season. With each package, golfers can choose how they play their four rounds at Caledonia and True Blue, two of America’s Top 100 courses. Play one course every day or split your rounds evenly - the choice is yours. All packages include lodging at the True Blue Resort in Pawleys Island. Golfers also have the option of staying at the Murrells Inlet Sports Lodge, coastal South Carolina’s newest upscale hotel designed with quiet luxury in mind. Packages include range balls, carts and taxes. In addition to playing Caledonia and True Blue, golfers have the option of playing any of the 70 Myrtle Beach area partner golf courses for an additional cost. Fall packages include: • The Back To School Golf Getaway is designed with parents in mind. After a long summer of keeping up with the kids, parents
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can take a long weekend to indulge in some peace and quiet and, of course, some golf. Package includes three nights’ lodging and four rounds of golf at Caledonia and True Blue. This package is available starting at $479 per person. • For those who admire the landscape as much as the game, Golftoberfest is the perfect package, as course conditions and weather will be the best of the year. Available from Sept. 29 through Oct. 31, this package starts at $619 per person. • The November to Remember package is a great option for those who want to make their holidays extra special. You can choose to celebrate Thanksgiving early or make the most of your travels if you’re in town for the holiday. Available from Nov. 1 to Nov. 27, this package is available starting at $519 per person. “The area is truly beautiful in the fall, so golfers will get to enjoy nationally acclaimed courses along with amazing scenery,” said Bob Seganti, PGA director of golf operations for Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club. “Plus, it’s a great time of the year to play 36 holes and finish the day with an amazing meal from one of the many local restaurants in the area.” For more information about all the specials offered by Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, visit caledoniagolfvacations.com.
Devereux Developing Fashionable Menswear That Transcends The Golf Course
SCOTTSDALE, AZ. - Devereux, an innovator in properly styled men’s golf and resort clothing founded by brothers Robert and Will Brunner, today unveiled its Americana Collection for Fall 2016. Americana features an array of tops, bottoms and layering items all geared towards bringing proper men’s style to the golf course, and vice-versa. Americana is a collection that was inspired by the American resort and golf travel lifestyles. Creative Director Robert Brunner, designed the collection around a softer color palette that features dusted blues, greens and tans with tasteful pops of red, white and blue integrated throughout. “At Devereux we are fascinated by the resort life in America and the fashion that surrounds it,” said Robert Brunner, Creative Director and Co-Founder - Devereux. “Our Americana-vibed collection offers a selection of shirts that will appeal to the jet-setting man who is at his favorite resort for the week, or the sophisticated man looking to exude a cool confidence in a casual office environment. We’ve really evolved from a golf-based collection to one that offers solutions for every aspect of the resort lifestyle.” Devereux’s tops in the Americana Collection feature a proprietary blend of fine pima cotton
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS and performance fabrics providing an amazing hand with a jolt of on-course performance and non-wrinkle convenience when traveling. In addition, Devereux has evolved its fit to more of an American athleisure style. Highlights of the collection include the new Beckham, Duke and Lucas polos (see details below). Beckham Polo • Raglan style performance players knit blend that features a tri-blend of fine pima cotton, polyester and spandex. This garment provides premium performance and moisture management for a variety of pressure-packed life moments. Duke Polo • The Duke is a Lux Tech Jersey that features a tonal palm leaf print front. The Duke is constructed from a 65% pima cotton/35% poly fabrication offering luxurious comfort and fashionable function for the stylish, active man. Lucas Polo: • A lux tech jersey utilizing Devereux’s signature hybrid Pima/Poly blend for enhanced comfort and fashionable function. Devereux apparel is crafted for resort lovers and golf enthusiasts, and features an array of polo shirts, pants, shorts, various luxurious layering items and headwear that is designed to seamlessly transition from the course to the street. For more information on Devereux’s entire selection of proper threads, visit dvrxthreads.com.
Loudmouth Golf Selected To Create Turf Life Pants, Shorts & Skorts
Turf Life, the brand that salutes the consumer and industry “players” everywhere whose lives involve turf, announced today that they’ve partnered with Loudmouth Golf
to create the coolest, hippest private label apparel available today. The new Turf Life Pants, Shorts and Skorts by Loudmouth are available right now on the Turf Life website (turflife.club/loudmouth), and for a Limited Time when you order a pair you’ll receive a “Turf Life”, “Swinger” or “Pin High on Life” window decal absolutely FREE! The new Turf Life Pants, Shorts and Skorts are 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex and 110% AWESOME! The cotton-spandex fabric blend provides breathable comfort and flexibility on or off the course. “We partnered with Loudmouth and had them create private label Turf Life apparel for us because it’s the most recognizable golf brand in the world and its rapidly expanding into the fashion and lifestyle industries,” said Terrie Purdum, founding Farmer of Turf Life, Inc. “Loudmouth’s vibrant prints and bold patterns can be instantly spotted and are always a great icebreaker for any conversation. It seemed like the perfect fit for the Turf Life brand!” Turf is an essential part of the world. There are nearly 50 million acres of grass in the US. Turf is often the most cost effective solution to wind and water erosion. You want to be cool? Then start rockin’ the Turf Life look!
Sea Island Unveils Package To Celebrate And Honor The American Team
St. Simons Island, GA – The 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team will be led by one of Sea Island’s most famous residents when Davis Love III and the American team arrive at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, to compete in the 2016 Ryder Cup (Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, 2016). In honor of this historic event, Sea Island, a Forbes FiveStar resort on the coast of Georgia and home
to more PGA Tour players than any other golf community, will celebrate with a special package in honor of the Ryder Cup. Available from Sept. 1 - Dec. 31, this special offer is open to a minimum of eight guests and includes a two-night stay at the award-winning The Lodge at Sea Island, daily breakfast, one warm-up session with Sea Island’s golf fitness guru Randy Myers (pending availability), two rounds of golf on one of Sea Island’s three championship courses and an option to add a complimentary third round, schedule permitting. Additionally, Sea Island will provide Ryder Cup format scoring and management for the group by a dedicated group golf professional from the resort’s golf staff. Sea Island’s package in honor of the Ryder Cup has a starting price of $1,200 per person based on double occupancy. For any package booked in the month of September (for travel before the end of 2016), guests will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one 2016 Ryder Cup bag signed by 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain and Sea Island resident, Davis Love III. Throughout his career, Love has been instrumental in creating one of the top training facilities in the country at Sea Island, which boasts an industry-leading Golf Performance Center with three of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Greatest Teachers. In addition to Love, other PGA Tour players who call Sea Island home include Zach Johnson, who was recently named to the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team, as well as Matt Kuchar, Harris English, Jonathan Byrd and Brian Harman. For availability and reservations, please contact Richard Scott, golf sales manager, at 912-634-4450 or RichardScott@seaisland.com. For more information about Sea Island, visit seaisland.com.
Sea Island
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Oglebay Resort and Conference Center Announces 2016 Fall Golf Packages
WHEELING, WV – Oglebay Resort and Conference Center – West Virginia’s most popular golf destination set in Oglebay Park amid the stunning Appalachian foothills – announces an array of packages ideal for affordable fall golf. Oglebay’s golf amenities feature courses for all abilities, including two exceptional 18hole championship layouts at The Speidel Golf Club designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Arnold Palmer. The Crispin – the resort’s 5,600-yard original course – is perfect for warm-up rounds, seniors and beginners. Oglebay also offers two driving ranges and a family-friendly par-3 course. The golf offers include: • Championship Golf Package – Available through Sept. 28 (Sun.-Thurs.), the offer includes unlimited golf on both the Jones and Palmer courses with GPS cart, and daily play on the Crispin Course. Starting at $239 per person per night (based on double occupancy), the getaway also offers lodging and daily breakfast buffet. • Birdie Golf Package – Beginning at $179 per person (double occupancy required), the
offer includes rounds with GPS cart on both the Jones and Palmer courses, as well as daily play on the par-3 and Crispin courses (subject to availability, cart not included). Valid on weekdays (Sun.-Thurs.) through Sept. 28, the package includes accommodations in the Wilson Lodge or golf cottages and daily breakfast buffet. • Ones Golf Package – Starting at $131 (per person, per night, double occupancy), the package includes lodging and a round of golf on both the Jones and Palmer courses with GPS cart. Available weekdays through Oct. 31 (Sun.-Thurs.), the package requires tee times for all golf rounds. • Eagle Golf Package – Available on weekends through Oct. 28 (Fri.-Sun.), guests enjoy lodging and a round of golf with GPS cart each on the Jones and Palmer courses. Starting at $299 (per person, per night, double occupancy), it also features daily play on the Crispin and par-3 courses (cart not included), and daily breakfast buffet Saturday and Sunday. “The fall packages are perfect to experience Oglebay’s exceptional golf and resort amenities at very affordable rates,” says Rodney Haley, Executive Vice President of Operations. “Plus we pride ourselves on
friendly customer service and our guests only need to visit us once to become customers for life.” Oglebay is an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh and easily accessible from Columbus, Charleston (W.V.), Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and numerous Midwest and Northeast metropolitan areas. For additional information about Oglebay Resort and Conference Center: www.oglebayresort.com, 800.624.6988.
Pebble Beach Resorts Launches New Enhanced Website
PEBBLE BEACH, CA – Pebble Beach Resorts is pleased to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website – pebblebeach. com – which serves as the official hub of information for acclaimed events, accommodations and offerings at the historic coastal resort. The website, which was last redesigned in 2009, features a more contemporary look and an interactive, responsive experience that adapts to whatever desktop or mobile device a visitor is using. With this robust visitor-centric focus, readers can explore all the offerings at Pebble Beach Resorts, see what other resort guests are sharing via social media and easily Oglebay Resort and Conference Center
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plan their next getaway to California’s central coast. Featured highlights of the new pebblebeach.com include: • #MyPebbleBeach, a social media hub for readers to engage with the site and showcase their photos, videos and stories • Featured videos and large photo galleries • New design treatment that creates a sense of depth and movement • Enhanced HD web cams of Pebble Beach Golf Links, allowing photo capture • User-friendly navigation for an intuitive browsing experience Visitors to the website will have a significantly upgraded navigation experience that includes the ability to learn more about the famous courses of Pebble Beach Resorts – Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course. Non-golfing guests can view restaurant menus, spa treatments, equestrian center services, special brand
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partner offers, retail selections and online store, and recreational activities including 17Mile Drive. The new website also allows visitors to keep up-to-date on Pebble Beach Resorts events including the AT&T Pebbl` Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, along with the latest news about the 2018 United States Amateur Championship, 2019 United States Open Championship and the Pebble Beach Centennial celebration, to be held around the 100th birthday of Pebble Beach in 2019. For more information about Pebble Beach Resorts or to book a getaway, visit pebblebeach.com or call (800) 654-9300..
Rivers Edge Golf Club Recognized Among North Carolina’s Best Golf Courses
SHALOTTE, NC - Rivers Edge Golf Club (playriversedgegolf.com) has been recognized as one of the “Best Golf Courses
You Can Play” in North Carolina by Golf Magazine and golf.com. The North Carolina Golf Panel has also listed Rivers Edge as its top “hidden gem” in Coastal Carolina. Rivers Edge is managed by East Coast Golf Management (ECGM). “Rivers Edge is a very special golf experience and a must play as part of any Myrtle Beach golf vacation.” says Mike Buccerone, ECGM President. “We are very proud to have received these honors.” adds Jeff Pianelli, PGA Head Golf Professional at Rivers Edge. Rivers Edge Golf Club is truly one of the most sensational golf properties in the Eastern United States. An Arnold Palmer Golf Signature design, the course offers every golfer a round of challenge and fun. Sitting along the bluffs and tidal marshes of the Shallotte River, the unmatched scenery, breathtaking views and coastal breezes have earned Rivers Edge a stellar reputation as one of the North Carolina’s top courses. PlayRiversEdgeGolf.com
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Shark Makes His
The Greg Norman Designed
CuisinArt Golf Course 12 Golf Vacations • September 2016
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Mark on Anguilla By TIM COTRONEO
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ike the prettiest girl at the dance, the tiny island of Anguilla takes its time picking a partner. Just 16 miles long and three miles wide, Anguilla makes up for its size with a shoreline that is a Caribbean postcard waiting to happen. Already an island paradise, Anguilla can afford to be selective when suitors come calling. Golf legend Greg Norman is someone who found his calling in Anguilla. The Shark has a keen eye for seeing what others don’t. Norman was able to look beyond Anguilla’s 33 stunning beaches and see an ideal setting for CuisinArt, a world class 18-hole golf course. Prior to November of 2006, Anguilla had yet to be introduced to the game of golf. This revelation is not all that surprising when one considers that Anguilla didn’t have phone service until the mid 70s. The pace on Anguilla is calm, serene, or what newcomers often refer to as island time. But as a rule, when Anguilla does decide to pick up the pace and venture into something new, the results are extraordinary. Turquoise Blue Meets Fairway Green With or without golf, one’s initial arrival on Anguilla’s shores is without question “memorable.” In the film Jerry Maguire, Renee Zellweger said it best when she coined the phrase, “You had me at hello.” One’s first glance becomes a stare when taking in the colors of the surrounding Caribbean Sea. The sapphire blue and turquoise green waves blend perfectly with the talcum white sand that positions Anguilla’s beaches atop many of the world’s best lists. Today, on the most northern of the Leeward islands, Anguilla’s only golf
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course has also found its way on to the lists of the world’s finest. Norman went to great lengths to make sure CusinArt exceeded Anguilla’s high standards. If first impressions are everything, then nowhere is this more stunningly evident than on CuisinArt’s 384-yard first hole. With the hand of a diamond cutter, Norman placed the first tee box to face the panoramic vistas of neighboring St. Maarten, located a mere 20-minute ferry ride from Anguilla. For those not easily impressed, hold on to your knickers, because CuisinArt is just warming up. Throughout CuisinArt’s 7,000 yards, Norman adheres to the real estate adage of “location, location, location.” Whereas many Caribbean golf courses are situated a mile or more inland, CuisinArt fondly embraces Anguilla’s most treasured asset, its pristine shoreline. Norman makes sure that a golfer’s lasting image of CuisinArt is the ultra-blue Caribbean Sea. In fact, water or ocean views are featured on no fewer than 13 of CuisinArt’s 18 holes. Best in Caribbean Golf The CuisinArt design is at once a visual and sensory experience that gives new meaning to the daydream of Caribbean golf. Completing your round is like turning the last page of a favorite novel; one hates to see it end. Fittingly, the 401-yard, par four, 18th hole is a scene-stealer you won’t soon forget. It’s only right that the prettiest girl at the dance has a very nice home. The CuisinArt clubhouse, serving as a backdrop to the 18th green, is a spectacular whitewashed presence, reminiscent of the architecture from the Greek Island of Santorini.
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It’s amazing how Anguilla has evolved since the course first opened a decade ago. The island is now home to 58 hotels, 400 villas, and 131 restaurants. This quiet growth has occurred while thankfully maintaining the island’s paradise-like beauty and trademark small-town charm. CuisinArt Keeps Happening Since its opening, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa’s growth has run concurrently with the island of Anguilla’s recognition as a Caribbean luxury destination. Today, CuisinArt is so much more than a golf retreat. The resort features 98 suites, a 27,000-squarefoot Venus Spa, four restaurants, and the largest hydroponic farm in the entire Caribbean. CuisinArt refuses to rest on its laurels, and the resort continually receives hospitality accolades, as well as make exciting new attraction announcements for their guests. In November, CuisinArt is hosting the Epicurea Celebrity Chefs event featuring four of the world’s greatest chefs. November is also the month that CuisinArt expands to open The Reef, Anguilla’s newest villa luxury destination. CuisinArt also proudly gained inclusion into the Great Golf Resorts in the World. Golf’s presence in Anguilla is a Caribbean tribute to the adage “good things come to those who wait.” For a people and a location that had the patience to wait for golf until 2006, CuisinArt appears to be a just reward. Yes, the time is right to say “hello” to golf in Anguilla. CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa is the perfect partner for the prettiest girl at the dance. www.cuisinartresort.com/the-course.html
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SARA
STORY BY CHUCK “THE TRAVELING GUY” MILLER 16 Golf Vacations • September 2016
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ASOTA Wonderful Golf, Spectacular Beaches… and Much, Much More www.golfvacationsmag.com
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he headline of this article truly tells it all. Sarasota, Florida has an abundance of wonderful golf courses, delightfully spectacular white sand beaches, and a myriad of things for individuals, couples and families to see and do in and about the city. The city limits include a slender, but lengthy mainland along with eight islands. Upscale highrise condos and hotels gaze out at the blue-green waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Palm trees and jungle like plants surround quiet suburban neighborhoods. It has upscale dining and small familyrun restaurants. It has museums parks, and sport venues galore. It is a vibrant city. When good friends, Larry Venable and his wife, Jolyn, who had lived in Sarasota for twelve years, mentioned they were going to vacation in Sarasota, my wife and I were envious. Although we’d been to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, up and down the East Coast of Florida, and had spent time in the panhandle cities of Pensacola and Destin, we had never been to Sarasota. Seeing our envious facial expressions, our friends said “why don’t you join us.” When they explained their two-bedroom rental would be only a few hundred yards from the wide and lengthy Siesta Key beach, we began to get excited. We had read that because of its sugar-fine,
white quartz sand, Siesta Key beach was rated as one of the world’s best beaches. When they said they planned to play golf, dine at a number of their favorite local spots, and would be happy to be our guides to the many, many, places and things to see and do in Sarasota, we said “yes, count us in.” Because we wanted to play two top courses in Sarasota, before driving to Sarasota from our homes in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas we set up tee times at Misty Creek Country Club and University Park Country Club. Both were formerly private courses that were open for public play. Both were excellent courses. Misty Creek, which was Larry and Jo’s home course during their years in Sarasota, is set in a 350-acre eagle preserve, complete with resident bald eagles. Although a flat course, as are most courses in Florida, it has plenty of character. Fairways, with small rolling hills and bunkers to maneuver around and over, are ringed with native palmetto palms and live oaks covered in Spanish moss. Wetlands water is prevalent on a number of holes. Large greenside bunkers guard good sized greens which have subtle breaks. The course is very scenic, and with five sets of tees ranging from 5208 to 6895 yards, a very playable championship length Par 72 course.
University Park Country Club
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Misty Creek CC
As an Audubon Cooperative Society property, it is managed with wildlife and environmental quality in mind. With over seventy varieties of birds, including egrets, which float effortlessly over the many small ponds and lakes on the course, and cormorants, that sun themselves on the banks of the lakes and ponds, it is easy to understand why Misty Creek’s slogan, is “Golf in Nature’s Backyard.” Beside birds, also to be seen on the course but given a wide berth, are alligators of all sizes. The day we played Misty Creek, there were eight on the ninth hole alone, including one that was at least ten to twelve feet in length. We didn’t get close enough to measure even though the gator seemed quite passive as it relaxed in the Florida sunshine. The alligators were actually quite interesting to see and didn’t hinder our golf game, but since they are capable of short bursts of speed, we cautiously avoided them. The second course we played, which came highly recommended, was the University Park Country Club course. It is a 27-hole beauty, and like Misty Creek, also has an abundance of palmetto palms and moss covered live oaks. Adding to its beauty are pine trees, water on seven holes, lengthy waste bunkers, and wide receptive fairways with numerous right and left dog legs. Consistently rated four stars by Golf Digest since 1966, any two nines combine to make for a Par 72 course. With six sets of tees, it offers a pleasurable golfing experience for golfers of all skill levels, in fact, University Park has had the distinction for 23 years running of being voted “Best Place to Play Golf in Sarasota” by Sarasota Magazine.
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Besides golf, enjoying the beautiful Sarasota beaches, especially the ultra-wide, ultra-long Siesta Key Beach, when vacationing in Sarasota be sure and tour the Ringling Brothers complex, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and Selby Gardens. Take time out to shop at the scores of stores in downtown Sarasota and on St. Armands Circle on Lido Key. Dine at some of the many restaurants offering delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and for a change of pace, drive out to Myakka River State Park, which is preserved within 59 square miles and features wildlife and nature tours. While there, walk “through the trees” on along the quarter mile long walkway located 120 feet in the air. And, be sure and take a ride on the world’s longest air boat on the Upper Myakka River, where wildlife, including raccoons, alligators and blue herons are quite plentiful. For anyone interested in the oceans, and the fish that roam the oceans, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a must. With more than 100 marine species, it features a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, as well as other large tanks where you can observe turtles and giant manatees. It also has interactive exhibits and numerous working labs where Mote scientists, who work in the waters around all seven continents, do diverse research programs. The more than thirty PhD scientists on its staff of more than 206 investigate new cancer and infection fighting substances from the sea, find innovative ways to restore dwindling coral reefs, and develop new technology to seek ways to sustain fisheries while boosting sustainable seafood farming.
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The Ringling Brothers campus, which was created to preserve the legacy of John and Mable Ringling of Ringling Brothers circus fame, is another “must see.” It includes Ca’D’Zan, the Ringling’s winter home, a world class art museum with 600 Baroque masterpieces and a Peter Paul Rubens collection that is considered the finest in the world. You will marvel at the huge “Greatest Show on Earth” mural located at the entrance to the Ringling Circus Museum. You will be amazed as you view the incredible 44,000 piece miniature circus museum which includes 150 trains and 1500 people depicting every-day circus life involved in presenting the three-ring “Big Show.” A short educational movie at the museum shows how the circus arrived in town, was set up, performed, taken down and moved to the next town or city all in one day, a feat described as a “logistical miracle.”
University Park Country Club
In its brochure and location map, Selby Gardens, another recommended stop when visiting Sarasota, the gardens are described as “an oasis of tranquility offering a respite from the commotion of urban life.” When walking around the grounds, which feature a collection of plants from tropical and subtropical regions around the world, you will be enthralled by the varieties and vibrant colors of the orchids growing there.
Sarasasota miniture circus
Since restaurants in Sarasota are plentiful and diverse, ranging from fast food chains, to locally owned family restaurants, to elegant white tablecloth restaurants with outstanding cuisine and service, eating out when in Sarasota is a true treat. Two favorites, which were recommended to us, and we thoroughly enjoyed, were the Roast Restaurant in downtown Sarasota, and
Misty Creek CC
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Siesta Key Beach
Crab and Fin on St. Armands Circle, the sophisticated outdoor dining and shopping area on Lido Key. The downstairs eating area of the Roast Restaurant once housed John Ringling’s office. The upstairs served as his gentlemen’s club. Two quite interesting aspects of the upstairs gentleman’s club, now a private dining room, are the walls which are adorned with frescoes drawn and signed by John Ringling, and the very impressive antique bar which Ringling imported from Scotland. The Crab and Fin, which prints its menus daily to reflect the freshest seafood available, is known for its seafood, steaks, and its extensive selection of wines. We ate there and our dinners were outstanding. So was our waiter, Jack, who epitomized to us what makes our country great. A proud father, he was working two jobs to make enough
money to put the first of his five children through college. If you’re in Sarasota and have the opportunity to eat at Crab and Fin, be sure and ask for Jack. For good old fashion home cooking, enjoy breakfast at the Broken Egg on Siesta Key. For great seafood, try Monks Steamer Bar, minutes from Siesta Key Beach. It is an unpretentious casual restaurant featuring fresh seafood, cold beer and reasonable prices. While dining, you can watch oyster shuckers shuck hundreds and hundreds of oysters with amazing speed and skill. It’s quite a show. Sarasota is definitely a great city for wonderful golf, spectacular beaches, and much, much more.
Lido Key
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RESORTREPORT
“Must”
A On Any “ ’ True Golfer s To Do Lis
The Links at Crowbush Cove
22 Golf Vacations • September 2016
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PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA
by David R. Holland
C
HARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Imagine a summer day in golf heaven.
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Can you envision Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, but one of the globe’s most beautiful ocean and pastoral settings, with a “To Do List” that will rival any vacation destination? There’s seaside beauty found here (just north of Halifax, Nova Scotia) in red cliffs and pathways, ocean coves, white sand beaches, a chorus of green in the fairways, brush and trees plus a bounty of seafood that includes lobster, mussels, crab, and many varieties of oysters. Fishing villages are always just around the next bend. And there’s rolling farmland where canola and potatoes are harvested each year and cattle graze in a nearby pasture. Golf is abundant -- 25 courses for all levels of player. There are friendly people to be paired with, and a favorable rate of exchange from the strong American dollar. PEI may be small but it has the most golf courses per capita -- 438 fairways in only about 150 miles from end to end. Terry Hamilton, The Links at Crowbush Cove’s golf shop supervisor, says it best: “The beauty of golf here is you don’t hear traffic, you feel the breeze, smell the ocean and can even almost taste it. Prince Edward Island may be small with 140,000 residents, but we have more than a million visitors a year. And the people of PEI and the golf professionals are friendly and inviting.” Let’s highlight four of the options on PEI. The Links at Crowbush Cove Probably the most scenic and highest-ranked of the island courses, Crowbush, opened in 1994, is stunning visually, but formidable if the elements kick in with wind and rain. Woodlands, wetlands and dunes all come in to play. At 6,903 yards, par 72, this Thomas McBroom design has hosted numerous professional tournaments, including a Canadian Tour event that had to be stopped because the wind was blowing so hard. It also hosted a Skins Game in 1998 John Daly, Mark O’Meara, Fred Couples and Canadian Mike Weir participating. Daly in that swashbuckler state of mind drove golf balls off the 17th tee toward the ocean. Trademark holes abound, but Hamilton looks to No. 16 that’s right along the ocean, uphill, requiring a tee shot of 180 yards over water. The approach requires an exact shot to a small green, but the reward is a beautiful view of beach, where a campground once existed. Hamilton says enjoy the view, but don’t be long on this 360-yard hole.
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Golf Vacations • September 2016 23
RESORTREPORT Dundarave Golf Course This red sandstone 7,089-yard, par 72, was designed by award winning architects Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry and opened in July of 1999. It hosted the 2006 Legends of Golf featuring Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Holes use the Brudenell River for awesome views and traditional and contemporary architectural designs flow with memorable rust-colored bunkering. Fairways are wide, lined by pines, and nature is foremost here. Dundarave is an integral part of the Rodd Brudenell River Resort 36-hole complex. It is located beside another golf gem, Brudenell River, where LPGA Tour Player Lorie Kane’s dad was the first golf professional. Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf Club Les Furber, a western Canadian designer, was chosen to route Glasgow Hills and he accentuated the dramatic views of the River Clyde and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is an outstanding setting in which to play. The undulations, muscular bunkers and water hazards will challenge the best golfers. This award-winner opened in 2001 also uses elevation
changes to make things even more interesting. The 367yard dogleg par-4 ninth requires a layup before taking on an island green. The 19th hole is special. The restaurant named Piper’s at Glasgow Hills offers unlimited complimentary mussels -- a mollusk that PEI is famous for. Green Gables Golf Club When in Canada you must play a Stanley Thompson designed golf course. Green Gables was routed in 1939 and later updated by McBroom, who added length to the course. This classic is situated with a backdrop of sand dunes in Prince Edward Island National Park, along with the fictional home from the novel “Anne of Green Gables”, which at one time had the 12th green near its yard. It was later rerouted because hordes of visitors were just a bit too close to flying golf balls. This 6,874-yard, par 72, has tricky greens, deep bunkers with brawny faces, six water holes, and ever-shifting ocean breezes. The view from the 3rd tee overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Canola fields of Prince Edward Island - photo courtesy PEI Tourism
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by David R. Holland is worth the green fee. My favorite hole is the 453-yard, par 4 13th that trundles downhill. Use the speed slot over the tough left bunker complex and you can have a 300-yard drive. Prince Edward Island’s off-course menu Seeker of lighthouses can visit more than 25 on PEI with some dating back to the 1850s. Also visit Rustico Wharf and National Park and take the Top Notch Lobster Tour, a fishing boat history lesson that includes a visit with a 25-year-old, 10-pound lobster. The evening concludes with a lobster meal on deck. Many want to base their golf trip in Charlottetown, considered the birthplace of Canada. Named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, the town of 35,000 is easily walkable, especially to places like Peake’s Wharf Historic Waterfront (1864), which consists of more than 20 shops and restaurants. Walkers and bikers will enjoy the Confederation Trail that follows an abandoned rail line from one end of the island to the other. Dining, drinks and atmosphere? Don’t miss Gahan House and its brewery, Peakes Quay, and Sims Corner Steakhouse
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA & Oyster Bar, known for incredible beef raised on the island. At Claddagh Oyster House the food doesn’t disappoint and upstairs is Olde Dublin Pub, where you can hear live Irish music. How do PEI residents like to get their sporting and gaming fix on during the summer? How about harness racing at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino? Dine at Top of the Park Restaurant, overlooking the Charlottetown Driving Park. This three-tiered dining room offers a spectacular view from any table. VIP experiences include rides in the starting gate car -- now that is memorable. Wonder if Queen Elizabeth took on the ride when she visited in 1951? Is that enough for a “To Do List” summer vacation? If not you are a serious grouch. For more visit: www.golfpei.ca http://peisfinestgolf.com
www.tourismpei.com
Glasgow Hills No 9 island green 367 yards
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Golf Vacations • September 2016 25
SWEETSTUFF T
itleist has long been known to produce some of the most playable and popular irons on the market, especially with their AP line that was first introduced almost a decade ago and continues to evolve. The company’s current AP1 and AP2 lineup for 2016 has shown some remarkable improvements in both feel and playability in comparison with earlier versions of these clubs, and Titleist’s increased use of tungsten in them has paved the way for some dramatic changes. The AP1 model is being called the longest, most forgiving club in company history and with 50% more tungsten used in the 2016 model, the CG is lowered, forgiveness is improved and the 360 degree undercut cavity face produces greater speed and launch at impact. High density tungsten, precisely placed low and in the toe of the long and mid irons, also moves weight to the perimeter, increasing moment of inertia (MOI). A forgiving High-MOI Design at an average of 42.5 grams of tungsten per head – maximizes heel and toe stability without increasing AP1’s preferred blade length, while producing higher ball speeds across the face for more consistent distance on off-center hits. “Golfers are getting a double helping of distance with new AP1 without sacrificing trajectory,” explained Marni Ines, Director, Titleist Iron Development. “By carving more mass from the undercut and thinning the face, we get more launch and speed. On top of that, we’ve added a significant amount of tungsten, which lowers the CG and increases launch. We’ve taken that extra launch and used it to strengthen the lofts. Stronger loft means more speed. More speed means more distance. There are a lot of companies that chase distance mainly by strengthening lofts and lengthening shafts, but we think we’re doing it the right way, with superior technology.” The larger use of tungsten, according to Titleist, is allowing for more technological improvements than would otherwise be possible. “Remember, when it comes to good iron play, distance is still just one part of the equation,” added Dan Stone, Vice President, Golf Club R&D. “Distance control and accuracy are just as important, and that’s where forgiveness comes into play. We are the only company in this category using high density tungsten. You can make a club more forgiving just by making the club head larger, but golfers don’t always want that. Through our technology we have the best combination of low CG and high MOI in the game improvement category. What that means to the golfer is hitting the ball far enough to reach the green
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and stopping it close to the pin more often, and maintaining distance consistency and trajectory even when you hit it off center.” The 716 AP2--which is designed for better players but as a cavity back iron--provides forgiveness plus distance. It is a forged club that many Tour players have in their bags and has been the Titleist flagship club when it comes to providing both workability and forgiveness. Made of 1025 forged carbon steel, the AP2 for 2016 has added 25% more tungsten with an average of 56.2 grams per club head and features a thin top line, very solid feel at impact and a noticeable wider sole with the “pre-worn” leading edge that makes this club very easy to hit off of a variety of lies. Compared to the previous generation, 716 AP2 has 8.5 percent higher MOI in the long irons and 5.5 percent for the full set featuring extreme perimeter tungsten weighting in the long and mid irons. “There isn’t a tour-played iron with better technology than AP2,” Stone added. “It’s been the forgiveness leader by a substantial margin for years now and we just keep expanding on that. Our 712 series AP2,
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
iron that is part of an entire set. The T-MB Utility irons use an extreme amount of high density tungsten—as much as 80 grams’ in each head-- to produce a high-launch, long carry club that is really easy to hit but many times gives a more desirable, lower launch than a hybrid or fairway wood. With a low and deep CG and a high-MOI design, the T-MB looks like a muscle-back iron but feels and plays more like a hybrid, so if you are looking for a forgiving club for longer shots, this fits the bill. The thin facedface of 431 stainless steel allows for more flex at impact, making this feel and perform like a very powerful club. “T-MB’s are the most playable, most forgiving utility irons in the game. They will change the way players look at this type of club from a driving iron to a true utility club that can be integrated into the long end of a players’ set to improve distance gapping and shot stopping,” said Chris McGinley, Vice President, Titleist Golf Club Marketing. “TMB is loaded with technology. That’s what ‘T’ in T-MB represents. Our R&D team has given players more launch, carry distance and forgiveness where they need it most at the long end of the set, all with an incredible, lively feel.” Titleist features an assortment of True Temper stock shafts with these three models of clubs, including the newer Dynamic Gold AMT that has been popular on tour and the lighter lineup like the XP 90 and 95. For more information: www.titleist.com.
which we introduced in the fall of 2011, would still be a leader in the category in terms of combination of low CG and high MOI. And our construction has improved two times since then. Our tour players like ball speed on off center hits just like everyone else does. Consistent distance comes from consistent speed. The forgiveness of 716 AP2 is now on par with 714 AP1 and brings distance control in a players’ club to an entirely new level.” A lot of players on all levels are opting to use mixed sets these days and choosing specialty irons for the longer clubs to maximize performance—especially for those tougher longer shots. Titleist is also offering a great option for players looking for a driving iron or something easier to hit than the traditional three or four
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G
etting a grip on the golf club is pretty much a known fundamental, but accomplishing that without holding it too tight and creating tension is not always the easiest thing to do—especially in hot, humid weather. A solution to this problem for golfers has been solved by NFL player Matt Furstenburg, a tight end who has played with the Baltimore Ravens and found that the gloves he wears to catch football lost their tackiness during a single game and wanted to find a solution. After two years of research, the former University of Maryland Terrapin developed a spray called Boost Grip Football Gel that has become an Amazon best seller. Recently, after marketing the product to football, baseball and softball players, Furstenburg has introduced the Grip Boost
Golf Spray for golfers who are looking for more gripping power without having to strangle the club. This easy to use spray comes in a handy two once aerosol can that can be applied before or during the round simply by spraying on your golf glove. A quick spray to club grips in addition to the glove can increase the tackiness and give you more griping power with worn grips. Grip Boost Golf Spray is mess-free, easyto-use and restores grip to golf gloves and clubs easily. The best part about it is that the grip technology works through sweat, rain and humid conditions. The product uses an eco-friendly ingredient derived from crab shell materials, and Furstenburg worked with these with the help of the the University of Maryland’s Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering in the development of the Grip Boost Spray. To learn more visit www.gripboost.com
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SWEETSTUFF
E
veryone that plays golf likes to shoot lower scores. And many times that means getting better distance and performance from your equipment. One of the key ingredients for all golfers is to play the proper-fitted shaft in the scoring clubs—the irons--that has the right flex and weight for the player and his or her particular physical attributes. For many players, as they age, this means transitioning into lighter shafts that are more flexible and easier to hit that will result in better shot dispersion and can give back the distance in many cases that the addition of years has taken away. True Temper Sports, which produces and distributes a wide variety of golf club shafts and is used by more touring pros and amateurs than just about any other brand, has some outstanding options for most players when it comes to finding a lighter iron shaft. The XP series was developed by True Temper as a lighter alternative to the Dynamic Gold series of irons shafts that have been considered top-of-the-line for many years by professionals and recreational players alike. Dynamic Gold shafts weigh in the 127-130-gram range and although this is excellent for many players, engineers at True Temper found many players needed something different.
“Traditionally, the superlight weight ranges have largely been reserved for moderate to higher handicap player profiles,” said Greg Cavill, vice president of alloy engineering & R&D for True Temper Sports. “The XP series enhances iron performance across a much broader profile. Our testing showed that highly skilled players also benefited greatly from the distance and feel that XP delivered.” More than a decade of advancements in the company’s super light alloy development allowed True Temper to optimize the weight and flex distribution of the XP series to get the same performance characteristics that players enjoyed in the Dynamic Gold shafts—but with lighter weights and more flex. By using this advanced ultralight alloy technology with optimized material distribution, each XP shaft is designed with a flex chamber where power is stored in the downswing and released just prior to the point of impact. “Every golfer, no matter the skill level, seeks greater distance,” added Scott Hennessy, president and chief operating officer for True
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by Terry Ross
Temper Sports. “With the XP Series, we set out with one singular focus…deliver greater distance to irons. Over time you’re going to be more accurate hitting an 8-iron as opposed to a 7 or 6-iron. We knew we could get players closer to the pin if we could get them an additional full club of distance or more with their irons and XP delivers on that objective.” In the XP series, True Temper now has three distinct weight classes for this premium shaft line that give players a wide variety of options that an experienced club fitter can use to find the optimal weight and flex. The XP 115 is the heaviest weight down from the Dynamic Gold and at 115 grams feels considerably lighter and will lead to more distance. It is considered a good club for anybody just coming down from a heavier shaft like the Dynamic Gold line and is considered a good choice for a player with a faster tempo who wants medium trajectory and high spin. For yet another good leap down in weight, the XP 105 is an excellent shaft for more moderate tempo players who want a higher ball flight and medium spin. The XP 95 is categorized in the superlight category for more deliberate swings and has an exceptionally light feel for a higher ball flight and medium spin. The XP115 comes in three flexes—X100, S300 and R300—while the XP 105 and 95 shafts come in S300 and R300 stiffness. The cut weights of these shafts also vary slightly within each model depending on the stiffness, with the 95 and 105 being the closest in weight. Having an expert club fitter is vitally important in choosing the shaft that will give each player their best option among the XP series. Swing speed, tempo and other factors can influence which shaft performs best with any given player—and many times the lightest shaft isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes the lightest shaft will not give the maximum distance— or maybe you will sacrifice control because the weight should be heavier for your particular swing. Getting the proper fit and having your swing speed and characteristics detailed on a launch monitor by an experienced fitter can make all the difference in the world. According to Jerry Molinar, the owner of Marcs Golf in Palm Desert, California, matching a person’s swing speed and tempo is the key to shaft selection. “Getting the right lighter shaft can help slow your tempo down and help with your shot dispersion,” explained Molinar, who has worked with hundreds of golfers of all skill levels, including tour players. “I think one of the benefits of the lighter shafts is that you pick up more swing speed and more yardage. Many times when you go lighter it will help you with your tempo. “It will slow you down but still allow you to get the maximum speed out of the shaft. It can also help your stamina throughout the round as compared with a heavier shaft. The benefit of the XP’s is that it helps you transition from a heavier shaft and you can find the one that suites you best.” He noted that, for instance, that a player still hitting a 7-iron over 70 miles an hour could be better off tempo-wise playing an XP105 over the lighter XP95 because the tempo improvement would add distance and make up for the heavier shaft--and dispersion would be better for more accuracy. More information on True Temper shafts can be found at www. TrueTemper.com
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