OUR 12th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS NOVEMBER 2014
HAWAIIAN
GOLF VACATIONS
HAVE IT ALL
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
WORLD-CLASS GOLF AWAITS
Plus: ODILE TO IDEAL: CABO WEATHERS THE STORM www.golfvacationsmag.com
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GOLF VACATIONS NOVEMBER OCTOBER 2014
Kapolei Golf Course - Photo courtesy Pacific Links Hawaii
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Chip Shots
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World-Class Golf on Hilton Head HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Before they became two of golf’s greatest champions, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson made their mark at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the venerable home of great golf on Hilton Head Island.
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Hawaiian Golf Has It All by Chuck Miller, “The Traveling Guy” In 1932, the Matson Navigation Company’s S.S. Lurline began carrying passengers between California and Hawaii. In 1939, Hawaii Calls began the first of its thirty-six years on radio broadcasting Hawaiian music live each week from the courtyard of the Moana Hotel on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach.
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Odile to Ideal: Cabo Weathers The Storm LOS CABOS, MX – Less than a month after one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in Los Cabos, the area’s leading resort golf facility, Cabo del Sol, has teamed up with onsite hotel partner, Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, Los Cabos, to create an unprecedented offer for the golf community.
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Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross and Fred Robledo
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
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 Fred Robledo has been covering professional golf for more than 35 years. He wrote for the Los Herald Examiner and the Los Angeles Times before moving into public relations where he promoted professional tour events for Brener Zwikel & Associates. He is now semi-retired, traveling the country and reviewing golf destinations for Golf Vacations Magazine.
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.
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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portsMedia publications
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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 2014 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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SWEETGRASS GOLF CLUB EARNS “BEST COURSE IN MICHIGAN” HONOR FROM GOLF MAGAZINE
HARRIS, MI – Sweetgrass Golf Club – the award-winning amenity course at Island Resort & Casino – has again been ranked a top course in Michigan by GOLF Magazine. Judged by a national panel of raters, the biennial “Best Courses Near You” by state list appears in the September issue. Twenty of the nearly 1,000 public-access courses in Michigan were chosen, with Sweetgrass (No. 17) joining Greywalls Course at Marquette Golf Club as the only Upper Peninsula courses included. “We’re excited to earn this critical distinction from an esteemed national publication like GOLF Magazine,” said Director of Golf Dave Douglas. “Combined with the array of after-golf amenities available at Island Resort & Casino we continue to solidify our place among the country’s best golf getaway destinations.” Since opening in 2008, Sweetgrass has collected numerous accolades, including “Best New Course” and “Best Casino Course” honors from Golfweek. Each spring the course plays host to the Island Resort Championship, a Symetra Tour “Road to the LPGA” event, and has drawn high praise from players and media
for its beauty and creative layout. Owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, Sweetgrass Golf Club was designed by Michigan-native Paul Albanese. The course features unique green complexes and beautifully crafted rockwork while winding through native wetlands and five reclaimed Michigan Department of Transportation bridges. Along with nearby Greywalls and TimberStone Golf Course, Sweetgrass is part of the popular “Perfect 4-Some” package, which starts at $215 per person (double occupancy) and includes 18 holes and cart at all three courses with two-night’s accommodations at Island Resort & Casino. For more information, or to book a tee time, visit www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com. Owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a band of the Potawatomi Nation, Sweetgrass Golf Club and the Island Resort & Casino are located in the unspoiled beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese, Sweetgrass Golf Club has been named a “Best Casino Course” and a “Best Course You Can Play” by Golfweek and GOLF Magazine. The 18-hole championship layout is renowned for its five historic bridges rescued
from around the region that lend the course a unique feel. Golf groups benefit from a dedicated on-site golf concierge and VIP room, and can use Five Bridges Pub as their own personal 19th hole. Since 2011, Sweetgrass Golf Club has hosted the Island Resort Championship, an LPGA Symetra Tour stop. The Island hosts top musical headliners from a variety of genres in the intimate, 1,327seat, theater-style Island Showroom. Lodging options at the resort include finely appointed guest rooms, 14 elegant suites and a 53-site RV Park, open May 1 to Nov. 30. In addition to Five Bridges Pub and Five Bridges Steak and Seafood House, other onsite resort dining options are Firekeeper’s Restaurant, which specializes in casual dining, Coral Reef Grille and the popular Island Sports Bar, with a menu that ranges from classic appetizers to burgers and specialty wraps. The property is easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette and is also an easy and scenic four-hour drive from Milwaukee and two hours north of Green Bay. For more information, see http://www. sweetgrassgolfclub.com or http://www. islandresortandcasino.com.
Sweetgrass Golf Club, Michigan
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PGA OF AMERICA TRANSFORMS PGA COUNTRY CLUB INTO ‘ST. LUCIE TRAIL GOLF CLUB’ PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - Unveiling a unique and special focus on the local community, PGA Country Club will transform into the opento-the-public “St. Lucie Trail Golf Club” beginning Nov. 1. The facility and golf course, originally designed by Jim Fazio in 1988, will continue to be owned and operated by the PGA of America, upholding the same maintenance standards as nearby PGA Golf Club. St. Lucie Trail Golf Club has undergone a tremendous revitalization program to its tee boxes, fairways, greens and landscaping over the past 18 months, under the direction of Superintendent Dick Gray, a protégé of Pete Dye. Accordingly, golfers now have the ability to play a picturesque, 18-hole course for the best value in the local marketplace. “The PGA of America is extremely proud to unveil St. Lucie Trail Golf Club, as golfers from the local community and surrounding counties can now enjoy unparalleled public access to this beautiful course,” said Jimmy Terry, PGA general manager for St. Lucie Trail Golf Club. “In addition, the course will serve as a national testing ground for player development programs originated by the PGA of America, in order to further grow the game, both here in St. Lucie County and across the country.” St. Lucie Trail Golf Club also features a new logo, which pays homage to the local community by incorporating a warm and welcoming green colored trail. Rounds will range from $49 in the summer to $89 during the winter season. In addition, an annual, golf-only “Preferred Player Program” that offers unlimited access for $1,995 for a single player, and $2,995 for
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two players, is available at the clubhouse. Memberships to PGA Golf Club will continue to offer access to four courses – the Wanamaker, Ryder and Dye Courses at PGA Golf Club, in addition to the new St. Lucie Trail Golf Club, which is located at 951 SW Country Club Dr., in Port St. Lucie. PGA Golf Club will also remain open for both public and resort play. For more information and reservations, call (800) 800-GOLF or visit PGAVillage.com. For more information on the PGA of America, visit www. PGAMediaCenter.com.
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KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT ANNOUNCES GOLF OR GOURMET ESCAPE PACKAGES
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Kiawah Island Golf Resort today announced special fall and winter “stay-and-play” or “stay-and-dine” packages. Kiawah’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages” provides great deals for staying at the resort and either playing golf or dining in its award-winning restaurants with up to a 45% savings over peak season rates. “Whether you’re a golfer or a gourmet, this fall or winter is the time to get away to Kiawah Island Golf Resort,” said Tom Bewley, the resort’s Sales and Marketing Director. “Guests can pick their passion with the Golf or Gourmet Escape allowing a choice of luxury golf or culinary experience while staying on Kiawah Island Golf resort in a private Villa or the luxurious Five-Star Sanctuary hotel. To make this deal even sweeter, guests staying in The Sanctuary will receive valuable resort credits, room category upgrades, late checkouts and arrival amenities for three or four night stays,” explained Bewley. From November 9, 2014 to February 27, 2015, guests on the resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Package” have their choice of accommodations (Sanctuary Hotel or luxury villa) plus either two rounds of golf, two dinners, or one of each. Guests have the option of the “Champions Choice” or “Players Choice” packages depending on their taste in restaurants or courses.
Champions Choice Nightly accommodations and your choice of either: Two rounds of golf at any golf course (including The Ocean Course) or Dinner for two at any restaurant (including The Ocean Room or The Atlantic Room) or One round of golf (any course) and one dinner (any restaurant) Sanctuary $400/night* Villa $300/night* Players Choice Nightly accommodations and your choice of either: Two rounds of golf at Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point or Dinner for two at Jasmine Porch, Tomasso or Cherrywood BBQ or One round of golf (Turtle/Osprey/Cougar/ Oak) and one dinner (Jasmine/Tomasso/ Cherrywood) Sanctuary $300/night* Villa $200/night* EXTEND YOUR STAY AT THE SANCTUARY AND RECEIVE**: 3 night stays receive a one-time $100 Resort Credit. 4 or more night stays receive a one-time $200 Resort Credit, a two room category upgrade based on availability, a late checkout (3pm) and an arrival amenity. 20% Spa discounts also available. Please call for details. For more information on Kiawah Island
Golf Resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages,” go to www.GolforGourmet.com or call 800-654-2924. Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island Golf Resort was recently named the No. 1 golf resort on the U.S. Mainland by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The publication also named Kiawah as the No. 3 overall resort on the U.S. Mainland. TennisResortsOnline. com named it the No. 1 tennis resort in the in the world for six of the last eight years. Kiawah Island is also known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S., and its beach was named one of the 10 best beaches in America by famed “beachologist,” Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach. In addition to Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa, the resort manages close to 400 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 PGA Championship. For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com. Visit www. kiawahgreen.com to learn more about Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s environmental commitment.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
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MISSISSIPPI GOLF COURSES HONORED AGAIN BY GOLF MAGAZINE JACKSON, MS – Mississippi’s Fallen Oak and Dancing Rabbit Golf Club/Azaleas have been ranked No. 30 and No. 32 respectively on GOLF Magazine’s prestigious “2014 Best Courses You Can Play” in America – a biennial list of 100 public-access courses. Using a team of national course raters, GOLF Magazine recognized five Mississippi courses overall in its “2014 Best Courses Near You” by state list, found in the September, 2014 print edition. No. 1: Fallen Oak in Biloxi No. 2: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club/Azaleas Course in Choctaw No. 3: Grand Bear Golf Course in Saucier No. 4: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club/Oaks Course in Choctaw No. 5: Shell Landing Golf Club in Gautier “The state of Mississippi is honored to once again see its golf courses earn this critical distinction,” said Malcolm White, Visit Mississippi Director of Tourism. “We hope these rankings encourage people to visit our state and experience the optimal year-round weather, variety of courses and array of popular
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Fallen Oak
after-golf activities.” Fallen Oak is open exclusively to guests of the renowned Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. The Tom Fazio masterpiece sits adjacent to the DeSoto National Forest and each spring plays host to the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, a Champions TOUR event won in recent years by Fred Couples and Tom Lehman. Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas and Oaks courses are amenities of the Pearl River Resort, which is owned and operated by the Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians. Meandering through hundreds of acres, the two 18-hole championship courses are isolated among ancient pines, set alongside lush fairways.
Grand Bear Golf Course, an amenity of Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino, Hotel and Spa, is perennially named one of the top casino courses in the country. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course features deep bunkers, secluded fairways and manicured greens. Located less than a mile from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Davis Love IIIdesigned Shell Landing Golf Club winds through bayous, marshes and tall pines, showcasing a layout all skills of golfers enjoy. For more information about these courses or for a list of value-laden Mississippi stay-and-play packages visit http://www.visitmississippi.org/ sitepages/golf or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.
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World-Class Golf on Hilton Head
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Reso
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Island
s ort
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H
ILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Before they became two of golf’s greatest champions, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson made their mark at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the venerable home of great golf on Hilton Head Island. It was the the mid-1990s when Stanford’s rising star, Woods, hit what he referred to as one of his greatest shots ever en route to an eagle on the par-5 13th hole of Palmetto Dunes renowned Arthur Hills Course, which for years played host to the prestigious Golf World/Palmetto Dunes Collegiate Invitational. A few years earlier, Arizona State’s Mickelson had driven the green at the dogleg-left, 380-yard, par-4 17th, a hole crisscrossed by a lagoon left of the fairway and short of the green. Woods, on the other hand, made a quadruple bogey eight on 17 — one of the toughest golf holes on Hilton Head Island — in one of the few lowlights in his illustrious two-year college career. Indeed, while Hilton Head Island is a four-season golf getaway for families and buddy trips alike, during the Fall months the resort overflows with reasons to play golf. And just to play, period. A 2,000-acre resort stretching across three miles of Atlantic Ocean beach, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort features three world-class golf courses and an award-winning tennis center, plus an 11-mile lagoon, an Outfitters Shop and one of the best beaches on the eastern seaboard. In addition, the resort’s Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina provides some of the island’s finest waterfront shopping and dining, along with seasonal entertainment and water sports and activities for the entire family. “The three Palmetto Dunes golf courses receive a lot of attention, not just from golfers but from the professional staff which keeps them immaculate,” said Brad Marra, Vice President of Resort Operations. “All the courses twist and turn among lagoons and marshes. It’s not a stretch to say that you have to see it to believe it.” Palmetto Dunes recently scored a rare three-peat as its George Fazio Course was named South Carolina’s “Course of the Year.” All three Palmetto Dunes courses have now received this prestigious honor. The Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course has been rated by readers of Golfweek magazine among the best courses in the Southeast. Its signature hole, the dramatic par-five 10th, offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and is widely considered one of the most spectacular holes in the United States. One of only two oceanfront holes on Hilton Head Island, the course’s legendary 10th delights golfers of every skill level. In addition, the Jones course is a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” for its commitment to providing a sanctuary for wildlife. The George Fazio Course, the island’s only par-70 course, is regarded by many golfers as Hilton Head Island’s most challenging championship course. Designed by George Fazio, whose name it proudly bears, the Fazio Course has been ranked among America’s Top 100 Courses. The Fazio layout, which recently underwent a complete greens replacement, demands a combination of long play and precise golf shots. From its 432-yard 1st hole to its 462-yard 18th hole, the Fazio Course plays 6,873 yards from the championship tees. The aforementioned Arthur Hills Course, where Tiger and Philly Mac honed their talents takes full advantage of the natural beauty of this South Carolina sea island. Named the 2009 Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, this spectacular layout represents a careful blend of beauty and challenge. Stands of palmetto trees line the graceful fairway. Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort caters to golfers of all level, having installed permanent junior tees on its Robert Trent Jones golf course, while the George Fazio course caters to juniors with markings of 150 yards or less. In addition, kids play free at the Robert Trent Jones Hilton Head golf course and the Arthur Hills golf course after 4 p.m. with an adult paying regular rate. There are free club fittings performed by Rod Thompson and golfers can play the latest demo clubs from TaylorMade, Nike, Titleist and Cleveland. Hilton Head Island is world-renowned for its golf and its beaches, and Palmetto Dunes has both in abundance. It also has Doug Weaver, a former PGA TOUR professional and the highly respected director of instruction for Palmetto Dunes. Doug Weaver knows golf – and Hilton Head golf – as well as anyone and his free Monday golf exhibition every week is a popular attraction. Palmetto Dunes proves a most popular group golf destination given the variety of its courses, accommodations, amenities and special programs ideal for the golf buddy getaways or corporate outings. The Ryder Cup Group Golf Package is available for groups of 12 or more and includes three rounds of golf, breakfast, three nights stay, team shirts and more and starts at $589 per person. The resort also offers a variety of other golf, accommodations and activities packages. Three-round stay-and-play packages start at $135 per person per night (quad occupancy) and drop to $108 for two rounds over the three nights. The Monthly Golf Membership provides guests with a 30-day golf pass for all three championship golf courses, along with discounts at the golf pro shops, golf grills and more starting at $650 for a single and $1,080 for a couple. Hilton Head Outfitters offers month-long bike passes starting at $49.99, as well as weekly passes for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The Monthly Stay & Sports Membership puts everything together by offering 30-days of accommodations, 30 days of unlimited golf, 30 days of bike rentals, two 2-hour kayak rentals and two hours of tennis court time daily. Rates start at $1,434/per person per month. For more information about Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and its many different fall golf packages, call 877-567-6513 or visit www.PalmettoDunes.com.
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HAWA
GOLF VACATIO
14 Golf Vacations • November 2014 Olamana Golf Links
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AIIAN
ONS HAVE IT ALL By Chuck Miller, “The Traveling Guy”
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Makaha Valley Golf Course
I
n 1932, the Matson Navigation Company’s S.S. Lurline began carrying passengers between California and Hawaii. In 1939, Hawaii Calls began the first of its thirty-six years on radio broadcasting Hawaiian music live each week from the courtyard of the Moana Hotel on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach. Today, millions of visitors from all over the world travel to Hawaii to relax on its stunning beaches, swim in its warm waters, eat at its world famous restaurants, take advantage of its wide variety of shopping opportunities, enjoy its beautiful weather, and play golf on its sensational golf courses. In December 2012, I was one of those visitors. I was playing golf in the last state on a 50-week, 50-state golf odyssey that had me visiting and playing golf in every state. It was a marvelous way to finish my golfing adventure as Hawaii is an incredibly scenic state with golf courses that are truly spectacular. I had the opportunity to play three totally different courses during my week long stay in Hawaii, Kapolei Golf Club and the Royal Hawaiian on Oahu, and The Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui. Kapolei, which opened in 1995, is located a short drive West of Honolulu’s international airport. Designed by Ted Robinson, it is a walkable championship course situated on 190 rolling acres on the site of a former sugar cane plantation. From 1996 to 2001 it hosted the LPGA Tour’s Ladies Hawaiian Open and for the past three years has been the site of the Champion Tour’s Pacific Links Hawaii Championship. Known for its beautifully landscaped floral gardens, lush Bermuda contoured fairways, and coconut palms that sway in the trade winds, it has 80 bunkers, five lakes, and water that comes into play on eight holes. Although mostly flat with wide landing areas off the tees, quality approach shots are needed because of the breezes, the coconut palms
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and its numerous elevated greens, some of which are bounded by the course’s five lakes. With four sets of tees ranging from 5,490 yards to 7,001 yards, Kapolei offers enjoyable play for amateurs and pros alike. Locals and visitors find it an excellent choice for a day on the links as witnessed by its recognition in 2010 as the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s People’s Choice Award for the “Best Course on Oahu”. The second course I played, the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, also just a short drive from downtown Honolulu, is in an area where Hawaiian royalty once lived. Formerly known as Luana Hills Country Club, it was created in 1993 by Pete Dye and his son Perry. The front nine meanders through a gentle valley while the back nine is bordered by jungles with native birds and ancient trees that tower up to 100 feet tall. Because of its unspoiled tropical surroundings, the course has earned the nickname “Jurassic Park”. Its incredible back nine got my vote for the most spectacular nine of any nine on the 141 courses I played while on my 2012 year-long golf tour. I felt I was actually in the real life Jurassic Park where extinct dinosaurs used to roam. Although relatively short at just under 6,200 yards from the back tees, its hilly terrain, numerous ravines, ponds, and bunkers, and fast small to medium size bentgrass greens made it a challenging course. While in Honolulu, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, and at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, two of the numerous Honolulu and world-wide properties managed by the Outrigger Enterprises Group. Both hotels were conveniently located less than a par 5 distance from Waikiki Beach and just a long birdie putt from world-class shopping, dining and entertainment.
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18th hole at Kapalua, Plantation Course
The 25 story, 496 room Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, home to Jimmy Buffett’s Restaurant & Bar at the Beachcomber, the Honolulu Surfing Museum, and the Magic of Polynesia show starring illusionist John Hirokawa, is a modern and recently renovated resort hotel with spectacular ocean and city views. The Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk is an upscale 396 room all-suite resort with one and two bedroom suites each with a separate living room and mini-kitchen. The kitchen in my room was seldom used, except for nightly glasses of wine and light hors d’oeuvres, as I took advantage of the hotel’s complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts and the nightly manager’s receptions. Both hotels had pools, restaurants, shops, entertainment, fitness centers, Wi-Fi and wired Internet which made my stays very comfortable.
In my mind, no visit to Honolulu is complete without boarding a Navy launch which takes you across the hallowed waters of Pearl Harbor to visit the Arizona Memorial, the final resting place of 1102 of the 1117 sailors and Marines killed on the Arizona on December 7, 1941, “the day that will live in infamy”.
The island of Oahu and the city of Honolulu have an amazing and wide variety of things to do and places to see. I found it impossible in four days to see or do all the things that are recommended in guide books, by tour operators, or by locals who want to share information about their island.
The third course I played was the Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui where the PGA Tour’s winners-only Tournament of Champions Tournament has been played for many years. Ranked #1 in Hawaii in 2011 by Golf Digest, the course had the widest fairways and the largest and quickest greens of any of the previous 140 courses I had played on my 50-week, 50-state golf odyssey. I particularly enjoyed playing the downhill, dog-leg left 18th hole, which if played from “the tips”, measures out to a long 685-yards. Having watched pros on TV regularly hit 350-yard drives during the tournament on the course’s most memorable hole, I was anxious to see what I could do. After slicing my ball into the left rough (I’m a lefty), l connected with a five-iron shot that put me well past the 350-yard mark…nothing to be proud of however as I was playing from the Resort tees which gave me a 125-yard advantage off the tee.
Whether you have been to Honolulu previously or will be making your first trip, be sure and visit the Waikiki area. It’s upscale and relaxing all in one. You can shop and people watch along Kalakaua Avenue, dine at casual or elegant restaurants just feet from famed Waikiki Beach, or simply sit and enjoy a Mai Tai while watching the sun slowly sink into the blue Pacific.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed the course which has been certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. It is a beauty that should be on every golfer’s Bucket List. Two hints, if at all possible play in the morning to avoid the afternoon winds, and by all means, take time to enjoy the gorgeous ocean views the course topography has to offer.
Other recommendations for things to do and places not to be missed on Oahu include swimming, surfing, paddle boarding or just plain relaxing and sunbathing at Waikiki Beach; window shop…or actually buy something in one of the luxury stores on Waikiki’s Kalakaua Avenue; taste the delicious cookies at the Honolulu Cookie Company located amidst the luxury stores on Kalakaua Avenue; sip a scrumptious pineapple smoothie, walk through the gardens and ride the Pineapple Express Train Tour while visiting the Dole Pineapple Plantation; spend the day at Hawaii’s favorite attraction, the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can visit seven island villages representing seven different Polynesian cultures. At the Cultural Center be sure and attend the wonderfully entertaining evening show “Ha:Breath of Life” featuring fire knife dancing, special effects, animation and superb surround sound. If members of your family are water enthusiasts, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, although touristy, offers great snorkeling opportunities.
While at Kapalua, I stayed in a fully equipped one bedroom Bay Villa at the resort where I enjoyed the view of the nearby island of Molokai, was able to walk just a few hundred feet to observe crashing waves that pounded the rugged coast line, and found the villa a marvelous environment in which to relax prior to dining in one of the resprt’s outstanding restaurants.
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My week-long stay in Hawaii was a glorious way to end 50 weeks on the road. I can heartily recommend the three courses I played and the three resort hotels I stayed at during my week in Hawaii. As I boarded my plane back to the mainland, I said Aloha and vowed to return because “Hawaiian Golf Vacations Have It All”. For more information about Hawaiian golf, hotels, dining, shopping and things to do and see in Hawaii, visit www.Hawaii.com.
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Cabo Del Sol and Sheraton Hacienda D join forces in the
Resort Reopens Offering ‘Odile to
L
OS CABOS, MX – Less than a month after one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in Los Cabos, the area’s leading resort golf facility, Cabo del Sol, has teamed up with onsite hotel partner, Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, Los Cabos, to create an unprecedented offer for the golf community. Together the two have created a weather guaranteed golf package that ensures visitors an uninterrupted golf vacation. The five-day, four-night Odile to Ideal: Weather Guaranteed Golf Package ensures all guests whose round of golf is disrupted by unfavorable weather be invited back to Los Cabos at a later date at no additional charge, including guest room accommodations and a round of golf.
accomplish amazing things in a relatively short period of time,” said Cabo del Sol Director of Golf, Gregory Tallman. “Together with the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, we are excited to let guests know that the hotel, the golf courses and the town are ready to welcome them back to Los Cabos.”
The package will be available beginning November 1, 2014, upon the reopening and renovation of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar following the wake of Hurricane Odile, as well as the reopening of all 18 holes at The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol. The Desert Course at Cabo del Sol will also offer the package beginning November 23, following the final round of the annual Taylor Made Invitational Pro Am slated to run November 16-22.
Accommodations for the Odile to Ideal: Weather Guaranteed Golf Package include four nights at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar in either a garden or ocean view room, single or double occupancy, as well as a round of golf at either The Ocean Course or The Desert Course at Cabo del Sol. To make reservations through the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar, guests may email Berenice Reyes at berenice.reyes@sheraton.com or Humberto Garciar at humberto.garciar@sheraton.com. Offer valid through May 13, 2015. Blackout dates apply. For more information about the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar’s Odile to Ideal: Weather Guaranteed Golf Package, please visit the resort online at www.sheratonloscabos.com or by calling 52-624-145-8002.
“From the golf course and the hotel staff, to the incredible reaction and assistance of the federal government, the response to this disaster has been inspiring. Everyone has rolled up their sleeves to
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“We are happy to be among one of the first resorts in the Los Cabos area to complete renovations after the hurricane,” said Renato Mendonca, General Manager of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort. “Although many of our renovations were cosmetic, we can’t wait to showcase the refreshed splendor of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar along with Cabo del Sol’s revitalized golf courses.”
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Del Mar Golf & Spa Resort e wake of Hurricane Odile
About Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort Perched on 28 acres overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Golf & Spa Resort with 270 guest rooms, each featuring the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, is located in an environment that is reminiscent of an upscale seaside village. The sprawling, Hacienda-inspired resort is home to five restaurants and six bars, four pools, the acclaimed Cactus Spa and Fitness Center (part of the Starwood Spa Collection), and a broad selection of outdoor activities. More than 18,018 square feet of function space welcomes meetings and special events. For more information, please visit www.sheratonloscabos.com or call 52-624145-8002. About Cabo del Sol Cabo del Sol, located on the tip of Baja California, is ranked by GOLF Magazine as number 97 of the “Top 100 Courses In The World” and features both an ocean and desert course. The ocean course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, stretches for more than a mile along the coastline while the desert course offers golfers dramatic mountain and ocean views.
Ideal: Weather Guaranteed Golf Package’
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SWEETSTUFF comfortable in cool climates without impeding movement. As technology has advanced to make wind-resistant fabrics lighter, thinner and softer for both comfort and flexibility, these advancements also offer unique design opportunities to add features and garment functionality that weren’t previously available. With the new half sleeve wind shirt Skill, the process of bonding a thinly constructed micro-membrane behind and against the filament knit interlock outer face, and sandwiching it with an additional inner layer of filament interlock, gives the appearance of one singularly constructed layer of fabric. This one-piece, multi-layer, wind-resistant fabric eliminates the need for an additional garment lining.
Due to its shell construction, Skill functions as a wind-resistant garment while also keeping golfers dry from rain based on its high-quality inner membrane. It’s embellished with elastic outer garment seam tape that mimics the irregular neutral stripe effects in this collection’s polos, giving it a unique aesthetic design appeal. For more information on Antigua’s new designs: www.antigua. com and shop.antigua.com
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ighter, thinner--with better functionality—these are the key elements of Antigua’s new line of outerwear that has just been introduced for the spring of 2015. As one of the nation’s leading designers and marketers of lifestyle and golf apparel, with license agreements with the PGA TOUR, LPGA and the PGA of America, Antigua has continued to use some of the latest advancement in fabrics with designs for on and off the course. “The Spring 2015 Men’s Golf Outerwear Collection is the focal point of Antigua’s ever-expanding lightweight golf outerwear category,” noted Ron McPherson, President and CEO of Antigua. “Technology advancements have included new lightweight functional fabrics, making the design potential limitless. And golf outerwear has been crossing over to daily wear use, which has helped grow the category.” The new styles include half-zip pullovers like Asset are available in a range of deep-yet-colorful heather shades complemented with brighter tonal sleeve taping and contrasting placket zippers. It can easily become a cool weather every day wear garment, given its wide range of color options. The versatility of lightweight outerwear styles adds to their popularity. They’ve been designed with the intent to be worn as standalone garments, or worn over a tee shirt or performance polo or under a heavier weight outerwear piece. Each of these lightweight outerwear styles can be utilized to perform these multiple garment functions. Crux, for instance, is constructed using a mid-weight, double knit neutral heather interlock that’s contrasted with deep palette color shades and outlined with seams covered in bright color contrast cover stitching. It is appealing as a casual look and as a new-color classic. Haze demonstrates the subtle simplicity of a tonal irregular yarn, constructed into a lightweight, lightly brushed half-zip pullover that is
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lmost all golfers know that keeping ones clubs and balls clean is not only good for cosmetic reasons, but also serves a functional purpose in the performance of these tools. Golf balls are a complex and sophisticated example of aerodynamics. Under proper circumstances, a golf ball can fly through the air further than any other similar object of the same size and weight launched under the same conditions. And those dimples on the balls aren’t just cute; they can affect the amount of lift and the trajectory. Just one dirt-laden groove can affect contact with the club (poor impact or backspin), flight in the air, distance and speed of the drive and shot accuracy when putting on the green. Even when the golf ball looks clean, it probably isn’t. In addition to obvious dirt, grass and sand, golf balls are magnets for small air particles that can adversely affect the ball’s weight and its center of gravity. As an alternative to the traditional moist towel to keep these implements clean, LaGila Sports has developed and marketed a new product called simply “Golf Wipes” that are the only pre-moistened, dual sided
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SWEETSTUFF S by TerryRoss
pikeless golf shoes are hitting new levels of popularity these days as manufacturers are increasing their products in this category that has become a staple of the golf shoe industry. New Balance, which made its name with running shoes, has crossed over into golf shoes and is using some of the innovations and styling from its solid reputation in that field to hit the market with a new spikeless offering that looks and feels like a running shoe. The new 574B spike less golf shoe is built on the same New Balance last used in its popular 574 lifestyle running and cleated golf shoe. The 574B is designed for golfers looking for a modern classic style with a spikeless outsole. It features a mesh upper with no-sew Fantom Fit technology for ultralight support and fit, an Ndurance® rubber outsole for maximum durability in high-wear areas, and a REVLite® 10mm drop* midsole for lightweight cushioning and premium responsiveness. Golfers will enjoy the same style, comfort, and fit they are accustomed to from New Balance footwear, plus performance technologies designed to help enhance their golf game. “The 574 golf shoe has been one of our top selling shoes in the current line,” said Bruce Schilling, General Manager of Golf and Tennis at New Balance. “This model has tremendous appeal to the younger golfer who is already wearing our classic suede 574, and the mesh upper and spikeless outsole of the 574B will increase the appeal of the shoe to even more players. We have also expanded our widths to 2E and 4E in select styles based on initial feedback we received on the 574.” The Fantom Fit is a skeletally engineered upper that provides ultralight support and fit by fusing two extremely thin materials with a no-sew process. On the outsole, the Ndurance® is a rubber compound that is used for maximum durability in high wear areas while the Midsole features a REVlite® a foam compound that provides the same responsiveness and durability of foams 30 percent heavier. REVlite® provides a very lightweight ride without minimizing construction or sacrificing underfoot cushioning or stability. The NBG574B comes in men’s styles in white-grey, yellow-navy and navy-orange color ways in sizes ranging from 8 to 15. These shoes are available in golf shops, golf specialty stores and on-line. For more on New Balance golf shoes: www.newbalance.com
disposable wipes designed specifically for golf balls and golf clubs. Moistened with an effective, skin safe and pleasant smelling cleaner that leaves no residue, LaGila Golf Wipes have a soft texture on one side for quick, light surface cleaning and a non-destructive abrasive side for a deeper and more thorough cleansing. Packaged in flow packs of 18, LaGila Golf Wipes can be tucked easily into a golf bag. The abrasive side of the wipes leaves no need for club brushes, making the wipes more convenient, more accessible and easier to use on the tee or the green. Since they are disposable, they can simply be tossed after use, with no messy towels to take home to be laundered. They are very effective for removing stubborn dirt and grime—probably more so than wet towels--and being disposable is a real bonus. LaGila Golf Wipes can be purchased at the website at www.LaGilaSports.com
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