OUR 10th YEAR
THIS MONTH: SweetStuff • Destinations • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS NOVEMBER 2012
PGA VILLAGE
PUTTING A ROUND IN PORT ST. LUCIE
GOLF CHILE ICE COOL PLAY
Plus: CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA • ROAD TO COLORADO www.golfvacationsmag.com
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NOVEMBER 2012
Ice Golf in Chile
GOLF VACATIONS
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ChipShots
14 • Chile: Ice Cool Golf
by Andy Marshall
Chile’s snow-covered peaks are perfect for a growing trend in extreme golf that takes those who dare to the Artic Circle, inner cities and desert sands.
16 • OnThe Road In Colorado
by David R. Holland
Driving the Rockies in search of Colorado’s Western Slope golf gems is a scenic adventure. It might be 90 degrees when you exit I-70 at DeBeque heading south to Cedaredge, in the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope. Gnome-like spires of rock loom over a twisting country road before the terrain turns coniferous again and you begin the climb to the top of Grand Mesa, North America’s largest flat-topped mountain.
20 • Charlottesville, Virginia
by Maya Black
All-inclusive golf vacation packages usually include accommodations, meals, and other recreational activities in a single resort location. While such golf packages allow you to focus on golf, you normally don’t get a chance to experience the full range of things to see and do beyond the resort.
22 • Resort Report: PGA Village
by Andy Reistetter
If you are a golfer and your bucket list does not include a visit to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida then it needs to be updated. The good news is Port St. Lucie is “below the frost line” in Florida and essentially a year-round golf destination. Whoever thought there was a “frost line” in Florida? Nobody probably did, including me until I moved to “frosty at times” Northeast Florida.
26 • SweetStuff 6 Golf Vacations • November 2012
by Terry Ross
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GOLF LEGENDS VISIT PEBBLE BEACH RESORTS FOR CALLAWAY PEBBLE BEACH INVITATIONAL
PEBBLE BEACH, CA – The Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational Presented by EMC returns to Pebble Beach Resorts November 13 – 18, 2012. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the 41st anniversary of golf’s only headto-head competition featuring PGA, LPGA, Champions and Web.com Tour professionals on three of America’s greatest public golf courses free of charge. “The Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational is a world-class showcase of golf’s rising stars, top players and decorated legends,” said Pebble Beach Company Chief Executive Officer Bill Perocchi. “Add the breathtaking, but challenging setting of three of the country’s most timeless public golf courses and it is easy to see why this event has become such a fan favorite.” The four-day event, played on Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Del Monte Golf Course features 81 professionals including former winners Mark Brooks (1992, 2002 and 2009) and John Mallinger (2010), as well as PGA Tour champions Jonas Blixt, Scott Stallings, Bryce Molder and 2011 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am winner D.A. Points. Champions Tour participants include 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championship winner
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Olin Browne, 2011 British Senior Open Championship winner Russ Cochran and threetime major championship winner Fred Funk. Two World Golf Hall of Fame members also return to Pebble Beach. Annika Sorenstam, winner of ten major championships and 72 wins on the LPGA Tour, joins Santa Cruz native Juli Inkster, who amassed seven major wins and 31 LPGA victories in her career. The legendary pair will accompany other LPGA competitors including Mina Harigae, Anna Rawson and Cheyenne Woods, the niece of 2000 U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods. A dynamic field of 324 amateurs will play alongside the professionals for the entirety of the event. Last year’s Callaway PBI champion Harrison Frazar will defend his title after carding a 9-under 279 in 2011, one stroke better than runners-up Matt Bettencourt and Cameron Tringale. Tournament rounds will be played on all three courses simultaneously from Thursday, November 15 through Saturday, November 17, and at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the final round on Sunday, November 18. Spectators are welcome free of charge all days and are invited to walk on the fairways with the players. The Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational proudly supports the local charities of the Kiwanis Club of Monterey and the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association.
SOUTHWOOD CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SouthWood Golf Club - the award-winning Fred Couples / Gene Bates-design owned by The St. Joe Company and managed by Billy Casper Golf - will celebrate its 10th anniversary November 18-19. The celebration includes a number of special events for members and guests in the community. All activities are open to the public with funds benefitting golf programs at area high schools, Florida High and John Paul II. The festivities commence Sunday, November 18 with an evening social at the SouthWood House including food, raffle prizes and awards ceremony. On Monday, November 19 SouthWood will host a noon shotgun golf tournament and putting contest followed by a banquet and check presentation. The entry fee for the Sunday Social at the SouthWood house is $25 (complimentary for members) and $50 for the Monday Scramble Tournament ($20 for members). Sponsorships are available for $50 for families and $100 for corporate. For more information or to sign up, call (850) 942-4652 or email info@southwoodgolf.com.
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PEBBLE BEACH RESORTS CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INN AT SPANISH BAY WITH SPECIAL WINTER OFFER
PEBBLE BEACH, CA. – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Inn & The Links at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach Resorts welcomes guests to enjoy a limited-time package offer including one round of golf and one night of luxury accommodations starting at $525.* The “Spanish Bay Special” includes one round on The Links at Spanish Bay—the acclaimed links course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson and Sandy Tatum—and one night at the award-winning Inn at Spanish Bay, and is valid December 13, 2012 through January 15, 2013. With numerous accolades in publications such as Forbes Travel Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, The Inn at Spanish Bay has been a premier luxury travel destination for travelers across the world
since it opened on November 16, 1987. Only nine days earlier, The Links at Spanish Bay officially welcomed golfers to its rolling fairways and seaside greens. The designers themselves teed it up on that fateful day and it was only fitting that Watson, the 1982 U.S. Open champion at Pebble Beach Golf Links, shot a 5-under 67, a course record that still stands. Today, guests of The Inn & The Links at Spanish Bay enjoy the legendary traditions of the daily sunset serenade by the resident bagpiper, the warm atmosphere of the outdoor fire pits at The Lobby Lounge and, of course, the impeccable dining experiences that bring worldwide flavors to Pebble Beach Resorts. Whether it’s the Hawaiian-fusion tastes of Roy’s at Pebble Beach, the authentic Tuscan favorites of Pèppoli or the casual sports bar atmosphere of STICKS, there is truly something for everyone. Guests are also welcome to enjoy activities throughout Pebble
Beach Resorts, including signature treatments and renowned services at The Spa at Pebble Beach, an oceanside state-of-the-art fitness facility at The Beach & Tennis Club and, of course, the world-class golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, both ranked within the top ten of the 2012 “Top 100 You Can Play” list in Golf Magazine. Whether a first-time visitor or a valued past guest, Pebble Beach Resorts invites travelers to join the celebration and commemorate a special milestone for The Inn & The Links at Spanish Bay. Experience this legendary corner of the world with the “Spanish Bay Special,” the perfect treat this holiday season. To make reservations for this exclusive offer, visit www.PebbleBeach.com for more information or call 800.654.9300. Additional nights, rounds on Spyglass Hill Golf Course and other Pebble Beach Resorts packages are also available upon request.
Tee for the first hole at The Links at Spanish Bay
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PGA NATIONAL’S NEW FAZIO COURSE OPENS NOV. 1
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL. – PGA National Resort & Spa – home of the PGA TOUR Honda Classic – announces its new Fazio Course opens Nov. 1, further cementing the five-course property as one of the great golf destinations in the U.S. “The Fazio” is a complete renovation of “The Haig” – PGA National’s original 18hole course opened in 1980. The Haig was designed by George and Tom Fazio in tribute to five-time PGA champion Walter Hagen. As the third member of the lauded Fazio family to work on The Haig, Tom Fazio II has spearheaded the efforts to modernize the noted shot maker’s layout. With 20 years of design experience, his portfolio includes Quail Valley Golf Club (Vero Beach, Fla.), Eagle Marsh (Jenson Beach, Fla.), Trump National (Bedminster, N.J.), Trump National (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.) and Great River (Milford, Conn.). “We think the appealing aspects of The Fazio are the newly reconfigured greens, tee-boxes and bunkering; achieving that ideal balance where single-digit golfers will be fully challenged while higher handicaps will have a
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layout ideal for a day of enjoyable resort golf,” says Tom Fazio II. “Tom has a wonderful vision for the course with a combination of old- and newschool design concepts,” says Lukus Harvey, director of agronomy at PGA National. “He’s the epitome of a ‘hands-on’ course architect and we’re thrilled to partner with him on this seminal project.” “The Fazio Course adds to the PGA National legacy, which at 30-years and counting is one of the most robust of any golf resort in the world. With legendary player / designers like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and three generations of the Fazio family represented by our five outstanding courses, we have a diversity of layouts appealing to a wide array of player types,” says Joel Paige, vice president and managing director. While the original par-72 routing remains intact, the renovation features the best of classic golf architecture and improvements in modern technology, course design and agronomics, including: Total green surface increased nearly 70 percent from 1.5 acres to 2.5 acres and grassed with TifEagle.
Grass on tees and fairways changed to Celebration Bermudagrass. Tee-boxes reconfigured from circular to square. In response to advances in equipment, total course yardage is now lengthened to over 7,000 yards. In accordance with the popular “Tee it Forward” initiative sponsored by the PGA and USGA, player-friendly tees have been added allowing the course to be played at 5,100 yards. The latest irrigation technology has been installed throughout Says Paige, “For avid golfers, we deliver a TOUR-quality practice and playing experience, including David Leadbetter and Dave Pelz academies and championship level club-fitting and practice facilities. As we complete our multi-million renovation, PGA National also offers a suite of amenities, from spa and tennis to fine dining and relaxing pool-side, comparable to the great luxury golf resorts of the world.” For more information on PGA National Resort & Spa visit www.pgaresort.com, or call (800) 533.9386.
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ESCALANTE GOLF ACQUIRES THE RITZ-CARLTON GOLF CLUB, DOVE MOUNTAIN
FORT WORTH, TX – Escalante Golf, Inc. today announces the acquisition of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, home of the World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship. The acclaimed club opened in 2009 and has since hosted the only match play event on the PGA TOUR schedule. This unique event is one of the four World Golf Championships and includes the top 64 golfers from around the world. The club will be renamed “The Golf Club at Dove Mountain,” and will continue its strong relationship with The Ritz-Carlton hotel, The Residences and the PGA TOUR. It is one of the few PGA TOUR venues with private membership and resort access through its hospitality partner, The RitzCarlton, Dove Mountain. “We are honored to be a part of the exceptional Dove Mountain community and to be stewards of this world-class club,” says David McDonald, President of Escalante Golf, Inc. “We will continue to provide our members and guests the same high level of personalized service and attention to detail that is the standard at Dove Mountain.” The Golf Club at Dove Mountain features 27 holes of championship golf designed by legendary Jack Nicklaus. The layout integrates strategy, variety and the beauty of the Tortolita Mountains to provide a true golfer’s experience. The 45,000 square foot clubhouse features a member’s locker room and grill, a pro shop, outdoor lounges and Cayton’s restaurant. Nearly two decades of planning and commitment by the property’s owner, Tucsonbased Cottonwood Properties, helped create the premier resort and residential golf community in the Southwest. A Tucson company with all of its interests exclusively in the Tucson area, Cottonwood Properties has developed residential communities, resorts, retail centers, office complexes and apartment communities in excess of $800 million. In addition to its development of Dove Mountain, primary among them is the La Paloma resort community in the central foothills of Tucson; 800 acres of residential and commercial development surrounding the Westin La Paloma resort hotel. “We acquired this land more than 20 years ago and carefully planned every aspect of the community,” says David Mehl, President of Cottonwood Properties. “The Ritz–Carlton, Dove Mountain is one of the most highly-regarded in the brand’s family of hotels and resorts and our residential program is one of the most successful in the
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entire region. Now, we are excited to bring in Escalante Golf. As owner and operator, Escalante is committed to the long-term success of Dove Mountain and will be the perfect partner for both the resort component as well as the ongoing residential sales effort.” For more information: call (817) 386-9721 or visit www.escalantegolf.com.
CADDIE PROGRAM RETURNS TO TROON NORTH GOLF CLUB AND THE PHOENICIAN FOR SEASON SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Troon, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, announced the time-honored tradition of caddie services returns for another season at Troon North Golf Club and The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ., beginning November 1, 2012. Managed by CaddieMaster, which oversees similar programs at more than 40 of the world’s most renowned facilities, the caddie services will enhance the already unparalleled experiences at these highly acclaimed golf properties. “CaddieMaster’s high standards and exceptional caddie program fit perfectly with the extraordinary service levels already offered at Troon North and The Phoenician,” stated John Easterbrook, Troon’s executive vice president, operations. “Adding experienced and knowledgeable caddies to each club’s long list of amenities further sets them apart from other facilities in the region.” Golfers will find that the caddies offer exceptional services, which are ideal for firsttime visitors, repeat guests and members alike. By offering in-depth course management knowledge, reading challenging putts, providing precise yardages, locating golf balls, and maintaining the course, caddies quite simply enhance the golf experience. “We are thrilled to partner with Troon to offer our industry-leading caddie services at these two world-class golf courses,” said Dan Costello, vice president, sales and marketing, CaddieMaster. “Since caddies and forecaddies spend more time with guests than anyone else, we believe they have the greatest impact on the golf experience. Our goal is to ensure that our caddies serve as the operation’s best asset and ambassador for the property.” Caddies are currently available at Troon North Golf Club and The Phoenician and are guaranteed when reserved 48 hours in advance. Larger groups of eight or more players require a seven-day notice. Pricing for the forecaddie services are $60 for one player and $30 for two to four players, which are added to each player’s golf fees. Walking caddies are also available for $90 a player. Reservations can be made by calling the golf shops at Troon North Golf Club at 480-585-5300 and The Phoenician at 480-423-2449.
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cHILE
By AndyMarshall
“IceCoolGolf”
C
HILE’S snow-covered peaks are perfect for a growing trend in extreme golf that takes those who dare to the Artic Circle, inner cities and desert sands. In recent years, snow golf has become ‘cool’, as evidenced by the increasing number of tournaments and events that take place in areas better suited to snowshoes and skis than golf spikes. One of these is the Chivas Snow Golf Championship, which tees it up each year in the ski resort of La Parva, (located 50kms from Santiago de Chile) and stands at 2,700 metres above sea level. Last year’s tournament was held from 17-19 August 2006 and attracted over 250 competitors from Canada, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Played on a 9-hole course designed by ex-Danish pro Henrik Bergqvist (a specialist snow golf course builder) and set within a breathtaking backdrop of the Andes mountain range, snow golf is played on fairways which are made of compacted snow, the greens which are ‘whites’ consisting of frozen snow and the balls used are a fluorescent amber colour. Unlike grass golf, the flags are left in the holes (which are around 30cm in diameter) at all times, as they are frozen in. Players are permitted to re-tee every shot (using a tee or pyramid of snow) apart from the putts on the ‘whites.’ Cool golf anyone?
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GOLF VS SNOW GOLF • The greens are ‘white’ and are fashioned from flattened ice. • The ball is fluorescent orange colour. • The holes are twice the size of a normal golf hole. • Steel-shafted clubs are recommended because of the low temperatures. • Trolleys are not permitted as they can ruin the course. • The ball may be dropped within 15cm of where it landed, without a penalty. • The ball can also be teed up on a plastic peg or a shaped pyramid of snow. HISTORY OF SNOW GOLF Ice Golf has its beginnings way back in the 17th century. A painting by the Dutch painter Aert van der Neer (1603 -1677) shows players with a club in their hands attempting to get a ball into a hole in the ice covering a frozen canal in Holland. At that time the game was called kolven. Legend has it that Rudyard Kipling was the first person to experiment with snow golf, when, on one winter’s day back in 1893,
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he painted some golf balls red and whacked them around his estate in Vermont. The game has evolved into a sport which now boasts two international tournaments each year – one in St Moritz Switzerland and the other in Umanaaq, Greenland. The sport is exactly the same as golf except it is, of course, played on snow. On ‘whites,’ an orange ball is more practical than a white one and depending on local rules, after the tee shot, you place the ball either on a tee or a matt for subsequent shots. Putting on ice can be very tricky, but this is somewhat offset by larger holes compared to standard golf. TIPS FROM THE PROS Tip 1: Wear Warm Clothes Snow golf requires warm clothes, which will not restrict your swing. It’s best to go for many layers and ensure that you can rotate your back and torso muscles, bend your knees and properly grip the club. Boots suitable for wearing for prolonged periods in the snow and cold are a must (no golf shoes), and don’t forget your sunglasses and sun block. Tip 2: Higher and Further The ball rolls less on snow-covered fairways, so it’s imperative to play lower clubs than you normally would and also to hit your shots higher. You do this by allowing the club head to overtake the arc of your hands at the point of impact. The club head angle of inclination increases and the ball flies higher. Tip 3: Better Putting To help with aligning putts, draw a straight line around the centre of the ball. Line up this line with the hole and the line marked on most putters. If the line stays visible on the rolling ball, you have hit the putt well. Tip 4: Bring a Cloth The rules in snow golf allow for the ball to be lifted and cleaned prior to each shot and then placed either directly on the snow or on a plastic peg. It is also important to carefully clean any snow off the club head so that the club strikes the ball cleanly.
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On the Road
Bridges Golf & Country Club No. 18 16 The Golf Vacations • November 2012
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d in Colorado By David R. Holland
Heart of the Western Slope www.golfvacationsmag.com
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D
riving the Rockies in search of Colorado’s Western Slope golf gems is a scenic adventure. It might be 90 degrees when you exit I-70 at DeBeque heading south to Cedaredge, in the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope. Gnomelike spires of rock loom over a twisting country road before the terrain turns coniferous again and you begin the climb to the top of Grand Mesa, North America’s largest flat-topped mountain. When you reach the summit at 10,000 feet it’s 58 degrees at the Grand Mesa Visitor’s Center and the lake adjacent is still mired in winter – ice chunks bob in the near-freezing water. It’s mid-June, but the drive has unveiled such massive snowfields that campgrounds aren’t even open – drifts still sweep over picnic tables. Cedaredge Golf Club is just down the Grand Mesa slope in Cedaredge, and award-winning Devil’s Thumb Golf Club is minutes away in Delta. In Montrose look for The Bridges Golf and County Club, The Links at Cobble Creek and well traversed municipal Black Canyon Golf Club. Westward on Highway 50 in Grand Junction is The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, one of the best courses in Colorado, and scenic municipal Tiara Rado Golf Course, with a back drop of The Colorado National Monument. And what many travel golfers don’t know is you can play these courses nine months or more out of the year. Cedaredge is a scenic little town on the southern, sunny downslope of Grand Mesa, making it ideal for orchards and farms. Today’s golfers might be surprised to find Bryan Coker’s 1992-designed Cedaredge Golf Club to be scenic and fun. The front nine, situated at 6,000 feet, makes you dodge ponds, streams and irrigation ditches along a flat, parkland routing. The back nine then gives you a bowling-lane narrow
mountain feel with an up-and-down ride with long-range views of the San Juans and farms. Delta, known for its orchards and farms, is next on your road trip, only 20 miles away. Spend an evening walking its historic downtown, where The Egyptian Theater still offers movies, and there’s even a relic of the past – the Tru Vu Drive In movie theater. When you first see the moonscape that is known as Devil’s Thumb Golf Club, with a backdrop of the Adobe Hills, you might envision a day when dinosaurs once roamed the Delta area at the Dry Mesa Quarry. And Rick Phelps’ strategic design didn’t stay hidden away for long. Golf Digest awarded it No. 2 Best New Affordable Public golf course in America in 2002. Ask Phelps about the course and he says golfers must think before immediately recognizing correct landing areas from the tees. The ninth, a par four of 436 yards, shows you why. Two fairway bunkers protect the sides of this fairway that doglegs slightly to the right. Go too far right and a pond is in play, but a fade will give you the best position to approach that must carry a stream fronting the green. But the real fun here are the downhill tee shots that tease you to drive the green on a couple par fours. Hook on to Highway 50 next and head for Montrose, a growing regional airline transportation and commercial hub just 21 miles from Delta, and home to three golf courses. The Bridges Golf & Country Club, a classy Nicklaus design, is the newest semi-private course to open on the Western Slope. This 7,207yard, par-71 features 10 lakes, various water features and 17 golf cart and covered bridges. Members here will have every possible amenity available at today’s finest country clubs – including swimming, tennis, fishing, fitness center, general store, restaurant, and guest suites in the
Redlands Mesa No. 5 par 5
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23,000-square foot clubhouse. The view from my clubhouse suite deck was simply Rocky Mountain splendor. The fourth hole is a 200-yard par three that plays along the historic Loutsenhizer Canal. This reverse Redan-styled hole has pin placement opportunities tucked behind bunkers on the right but you don’t have to fly the traps if you can scoot a shot through an opening to the green. Early home owners at The Links at Cobble Creek waited 14 years for the back nine to open in 2003 with the unusual layout of three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s. The San Juans provide a backdrop with seven lakes and creeks giving this links layout some character minus an abundance of mature trees. Greens are large and the sixth, a short 276yard par four has water in front of the green and OB, making it a birdie hole or a bogey if your mind really wanders. Montrose’s municipal, originally named Montrose Golf Course got a new name in 2002 -- now known as Black Canyon Golf Club. Its parkland back nine is hilly with mature trees, water and OB. The front nine has an old-style with smaller greens guarded by bunkers. Next, head for Grand Junction where The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa has been an award-winner since opening in 2001 as Golf Digest’s No. 1 Best New Affordable Course in the USA. Today it still remains one of the top 100 layouts in America. This Jim Engh-designed par-72 layout plays at 7,007 yards from the Monument (back) tees where you see shades of green bordered by jagged sandstone boulders, ochre dirt and numerous formations of balanced rock. Eleven holes dive downhill at an elevation of 4,600 feet. It’s challenging, but fair and you won’t soon forget the scenes of rolling mounds, deep squiggly bunkers and cart paths that give you a peek back to the green you just played, framing the pin between the sandstone rocks.
But three putts might be common for the first-timer on this track with Stimp meter readings of 12 common. The guys and gals that regularly play Tiara Rado Golf Course will tell you putts break away from the Colorado National Monument and are befuddling. But this short layout has been known as an ego-booster with great scenery. However, changes by Kevin Atkinson of Phelps Golf Design might give this municipal favorite more bite. Nos. 17 and 18 have been polished up, with 17 getting a big-time facelift with lots of water to avoid. The heart of the Western Slope is mecca for outdoors enthusiasts and vacationers just wanting to experience Colorado scenery. Don’t miss The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, or travel The Unaweep-Tabaguache Trail, which cuts through 133 miles of Uncompahgre Plateau and Canyon, divulging millions of years of geology, including dinosaur fossils. Fishing rules at the Curecanti National Recreation Area or drive The San Juan Skyway or the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Highway. Grand Junction’s rugged landscape was carved by the mighty Colorado River creating a special place to grow fruit and grapes. Winemakers thrive in the area and the peaches grown in next door Palisade are world-class as are the Honey Crisp apples. The five-block North Seventh Avenue Historic Residential District area is lined with trees and is an exceptional stroll for those interested in 100-year-old architecture. Restaurants and shops abound in the historic downtown area. Lodging suggestions on your golf trip includes the clubhouse suites at The Bridges Golf & Country Club, the Comfort Inn in Delta and the Doubletree in Grand Junction.
The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa No. 12 par 3
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Charlottesville By Maya Black
Virginia
Keswick Hall
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A
ll-inclusive golf vacation packages usually include accommodations, meals, and other recreational activities in a single resort location. While such golf packages allow you to focus on golf, you normally don’t get a chance to experience the full range of things to see and do beyond the resort.
the state’s prestigious University of Virginia, is consistently ranked one of the best golf courses in the United States. Birdwood green fees range from $52 to $62, depending on the day of the week. Both Devil’s Knob and Birdwood golf courses feature well-stocked pro shops and fine dining restaurants open for lunch and dinner.
If you’re a golfer with a keen sense of adventure, rent a four-wheel drive and experience a myriad of delights tucked away in the emerald green countryside of Charlottesville, Virginia. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers world-class golf courses with panoramic views, quaint bed and breakfast inns, limitless fine dining options, and a wealth of winery and vineyard tours.
Where to Stay While you can definitely book accommodations at lodging facilities located within walking distance of Devil’s Knob and Birdwood, for a truly unique experience, consider booking a room at a local bed and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts in the Charlottesville area, such as the Dinsmore House, built by Jeffersonian-era architect James Dinsmore, and Afton Mountain Bed and Breakfast, offer an opportunity to view some of the area’s most beautifully restored historic homes up close.
Where to Play The ride up the steep, winding, and narrow road to Devil’s Knob Golf Course is an exhilarating experience, and the arresting view of the mountains and the Shenandoah Valley in the distance never ceases to take my breath away. The course, located in Wintergreen, Virginia, offers the best vistas in the state. Located about 30 minutes south of Charlottesville high atop a mountain range, Devil’s Knob is known for its narrow fairways and memorable foliage displays in the fall. Devil’s Knob green fees range between $39 and $89, depending on the season and the number of holes played, and include carts, balls, and pre-play practice facilities. If you prefer to stay in Charlottesville proper, you can tee off at Birdwood Golf Course at the Boar’s Head Inn. The golf course, affiliated
As a farming community enthusiastic about green practices and sustainability, inn owners have a reputation for serving up good eats made with fresh, organic ingredients. Prices range depending on the bed and breakfast. Things to Do Over the years, Virginia has slowly become a noticeable player on the national wine scene. The Charlottesville area boasts more than 30 vineyards and wineries, collectively known as the Monticello wine trail, and golfers can pull off by the roadside to take in tours and tastings at any one of the facilities tucked along the town’s scenic country roads. Several Charlottesville area wineries host formal pairing and dinner events, and for those, you should make reservations in advance for a more thorough wine-tasting experience.
Devils Knob is especially appealing during fall foliage season.
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RESORTREPORT
PGA of AMERICA More Tha 22 Golf Vacations • November 2012
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA
by Andy Reistetter
Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series this time with a visit to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Masters has Augusta National, the U.S.G.A. has Golf House, the R&A has St. Andrews and the PGA of America has its Village and a whole lot more. In celebration of the recent Ryder Cup at Medinah, join Reistetter as he discovers the extent of the PGA Village and just how much the PGA of America influences the game of golf for this generation and beyond. .
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an A Village www.golfvacationsmag.com
f you are a golfer and your bucket list does not include a visit to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida then it needs to be updated. The good news is Port St. Lucie is “below the frost line” in Florida and essentially a year-round golf destination. Whoever thought there was a “frost line” in Florida? Nobody probably did, including me until I moved to “frosty at times” Northeast Florida. I also never took the time to educate myself about the PGA of America. Having made the visit I now feel like I am a “Village Sage” and recognize the vast influence they have on our golfing life and that of our children for many years to come. The PGA of America is the personal face of golf, the golf professional at your daily fee golf course or private country club. Someone you have likely interacted with in a meaningful way either to improve your golf game or on a social basis. On the professional golf stage you know the PGA of America as the host of the PGA Championship- one of golf’s four major competitions won this year by Rory McIlroy at Kiawah Island. You probably know that they are the organization behind the recent Ryder Cup competition at Medinah CC in Chicago. “The Village, The Village,” my fellow golfers is the ultimate golfing destination. Why? Because it goes to the heart of the game, the essence of the game and will not only revive your interest and dedication but help you become a more proficient player of the game of golf. Improving your game with a PGA Professional whether at the Village or your home course makes playing golf a lot more fun and rewarding especially when the bets are settled with your friends after the round. Gosh, they have nine bunkers with different sands from around the world. So not only are you practicing or learning how to play a bunker shot you do so under various conditions. Please don’t discount this learning experience thinking you will never play 9 different types of sand. The sand at your golf course changes as conditions change- before/after a rainstorm, early/late in the day and early/late in the season. The PGA Village is like the Disneyland of golf- one doesn’t know what they are missing until they hop on the Monorail or I-95 to see for themselves. Okay so I-95 is no monorail! If nine different types of sand are mindboggling, attending a Golf School at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance will really blow your mind. I consider myself knowledgeable in the mechanics of the game since I have read and studied most instruction books ever published. Having said that I now realize that after two days at the Village School I knew less than I thought I did especially in terms of dynamically applying knowledge to my swing and quickly seeing results. Mark Drenga was my instructor. He fitted me with a K-Vest, I hit a few balls and now I know more about my body movement during the golf swing then Houdini did when he escaped from a straitjacket. I still needed help getting out of the K-Vest. My “athletic motion” was completely broken down into three pages of color coated graphs. The position and movement of the pelvis, upper body and spine are illustrated in a kinematic sequence. Sound complicated? It is easily understood when Mark explains it. Plus he incorporated Trackman data of the movement of my club and golf ball. You know Trackman as the glitzy ball flight tracker on television. Club speed, attack angle and dynamic loft. Ball speed, spin rate and smash factor. Wow, quite revealing… In addition Performance Specialist Adam Dunham assessed my flexibility in
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a number of positions and prescribed 10 specific exercises for me to do to improve in key areas. With the combination of knowledge learned from the K-Vest and Trackman along with improved flexibility I am destined to be a better golfer. In addition to the 35-acre, 100 practice stations and 3-hole PGA Discover Golf Course facility in the Village there are four golf courses to choose from- the Jim Fazio designed PGA Golf Club, Tom Fazio’s Ryder and Wannamaker Courses and the Dye Course named after legendary designer Pete Dye. All four golf courses are special but let me tell you that the most special part of the PGA Village is the PGA Museum of Golf. With pictures, words and interactive exhibits you can trace the history of golf like nowhere else due to the extensive archives of the PGA of America. I was fortunate to attend a special Ryder Cup presentation by Jim Ward of Premier Travel. Jim has been attending Ryder Cups
and handling the travel arrangements for the PGA leadership team and the American players since 1991. While Jim thinks travel golf writers are “living the dream” it is really he that is doing so. Onboard the Concorde in 1997 on the way to Valderama he witnessed Brad Faxon stroke the longest putt in history down the aisle a distance of 7 miles while traveling across the pond. In 1993 as he was perfecting how to watch a Ryder Cup (get ahead every three holes and let the players come to you) he turned around to some European fans and said “watch Pavin stiff it here.” Corey Pavin did better holing out a 9-iron at the 5th hole at the Belfry for eagle and then tossing the ball to Ward. The travel czar of the PGA noted an exchange that is all so relevant this year as Davis Love III captains the American team and Jose Marie Olazabal heads the Europeans. At Brookline in 1999 as Captain Crenshaw’s
“good feeling” the night before was going wild, Love won early and sought out Justin Leonard coming off the 10th tee four down to Olazabal. Davis grabbed him, shook him and gave him a little pep talk. Leonard never lost another hole and made that memorable 45-footer on No. 17 to set up the American come-from-behind win. All Olazabal could do was watch, wait and then stroke a putt that did not go in the hole. The Americans, having lost four of five since then need another inspirational leader like Crenshaw and Paul Azinger at Valhalla in 2008. Mr. Love is likely to fill that role. The address of the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida? 1916 Perfect Drive… The PGA of America has been around for a long time. Here’s hoping every drive of yours in perfect and you get the chance to visit the PGA Village sometime soon.
Flat Bottom Bunker with very coarse sand
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Pro Shop at PGA Village
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SWEETSTUFF M A easuring distance has long been one of essential elements for most golfers to shoot better scores. Ranging from the days of trees, posts and ground plates marking distances to today’s high-tech devices using satellites and the latest electronics for measuring not only how many yards to the pin, the chore of “how far” has now been made more than easy—and as accessible as telling the time. Bushnell Outdoor Products, which had been a leader at the cutting edge in measuring devices for golf, has introduced the NEO+ Golf Rangefinder GPS Watch to the list of wrist-mounted devices available to golfers and looks to have produced yet another top product that should be among the category leaders like their laser range finders have been over the past few years. The NEO+ Golf GPS Rangefinder Watch is an easy-to-use GPS rangefinder, with instant measurements for golfers in a simple, lightweight form-factor. It is not only comfortable and no larger or bulkier than a typical sports watch, it is also very stylish, easy to read with large numerals and one of the easiest operating GPS devices on the market that gives very accurate readings to the front, center and back of the green from anywhere on the course. Loaded with measurements from 25,000 preloaded courses (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand), with no membership fees, this is more course information than has have ever been made available via any GPS device, according to Bushnell, and is ready to use right out of the box. It comes with a charging cord, but the battery life is such that you rarely use it because the device allows golfers to play three rounds or over 14 hours without needing a recharge. Additionally, when the product is functioning solely in watch mode, the battery can last over 12 months and is waterproof to a depth of 30 meters. The NEO+ Golf GPS Watch is capable of instantly recognizing courses and has an auto hole advance feature which automatically changes from one hole to the next. This means that the golfer does not have to push another button for the rest of the round. “With the widespread acceptance of the original NEO GPS, we wanted to provide consumers with another exceptional GPS option that would provide extra benefits at an affordable cost,” said Terry Mears, Product Director at Bushnell. “While we may be known for our
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dominant laser rangefinders, at Bushnell we pride ourselves on producing industry-leading products that will give golfers the ability to enhance their game. We know that the new NEO+ watch will be extremely popular.” In addition to being a stylish watch, the NEO+ can also be used as a timer, alarm and an odometer that will show you how far you have walked (or driven), how fast you are going and how much time has elapsed. Many cart-mounted and larger golf GPS units measure shot distance, but with all of these functions on your wrist, this is the easiest way ever to see how long those drives are—or how far you hit particular clubs. This can also be a great game-improvement tool and saves time compared to walking off distances or using laser measuring devices. For more information on Bushnell rangefinders, visit: www.bushnellgolf.com.
n emerging Southern California company may just have one of the hottest new apparel accessories in golf with its revolutionary Nexbelt™ that has been gaining traction in many golf circles from the professional tours down to the occasional player. “The Belt Without Holes”, has an impressive product line of innovative ratchet design belts that provide golfers with maximum comfort and minimum adjustment hassle by allowing the wearer an adjustment pattern of ¼ inch as opposed to the outdated pin/buckle belts of 1 inch. This patent pending ratchet technology dubbed PreciseFit, allows wearers the comfort and style associated with a quality belt that is both reasonably priced and very versatile. Traditional belts of the past century are uncomfortable, and due to their pin/buckle design have a tendency to wear quickly and unevenly. As the wearers waistline changes, it necessitates the creation of unsightly holes in an often uneven manner. As waistlines change every day, now you can adjust the belt to your waistline and not your waistline to the belt. Nexbelt™ has a fashionable streamline appearance while supplying a practical solution to an uncomfortable problem. Allowing the golfer a reduction of up to 15 waist sizes with the same belt, and the forgiveness of a few inches following a hearty meal, PreciseFit Technology provides wearers with a natural feel and greater comfort during activity. Belt sizing issues are nonexistent with this belt and not having to leave it to loose or too tight—and creating an exact fit—is something you don’t experience too often. The Go-In! Golf series belt not only gives golfers the precision comfort of PreciseFit Technology, but also the convenience of a hidden magnetic ball marker located underneath the flip up belt buckle. These belts are available in a variety of colors and buckle styles, providing the golfer with comfort
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SWEETSTUFF F by TerryRoss
and style for every round. The Nexbelt™ Go-In! Golf series belt accommodates waist sizes ranging from 28” to 50” (Std. Size fits 28” to 40” waists and XL Size fits 38” to 50” waists). The Classic Series belts are very stylish for everyday wear or a dressy look, in addition to golf, and offers the classic pin-buckle look on the front but has the same PreciseFit system underneath for an exact fit. For more information about Nexbelt™ visit: www.nexbelt.com.
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raeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open Champion and one of the stalwarts of the past two victorious European Ryder Cup squads, has launched his own golf line along with Kartel Apparel of Dublin, Ireland, and recently unveiled a new collection of vintage-style European clothing styles for 2013 that are sure to turn heads on the golf course.
Kartel, an extremely successful apparel brand and a premier golf brand in Europe since 1947, has created its G-Mac by Kartel Spring 2013 Collection that elevates and redefines the standard in menswear with a full collection of premium sophisticated apparel and accessories that gives a nod to Graeme’s modern vintage style. The continual focus on superior craftsmanship, performance fabrics, innovative design and colors has culminated into a collection of pure artistry. “G-Mac by Kartel is all about me playing to my strengths and harnessing my experiences as a player to create a range that I would want to wear on and off the course” said McDowell, who officially began wearing the collection in
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January of this year. The Spring 2013 G-Mac by Kartel Collection introduces a brilliant color palette that incorporates Irish themes. Vibrant brights are contrasted with more traditional solid colors, each color combination embodying the history and heritage of Graeme and his ancestors. Some of the highlights of this new collection include: The Malone Polo made of luxurious Pima Cotton and 46% Dry Tec polyester. The Malone polo is offered in four colors this season and features contrast color on the buttons, button holes and button thread detailing, as well as subtle contrast sleeve tipping. The Dunluce Polo combines quintessential luxury with high performance results, featuring a herringbone jacquard design with contrast color on the placket. This shirt is composed of double mercerized cotton, and 40% Dry Tec polyester, a breathable fabric created with odor and moisture management technology for the performance golfer. The McZip V is a quarter zip vest that features a leather puller and subtle contrast piping at the inner collar, cuffs and hem. This vest is composed of a baby-soft Cashmere blend, and is also available as a long sleeve knit. The elegant Galgorm Polo is made of luxurious Pima Cotton and 40% DRI-TECH polyester, featuring tailor stitching on the collar, placket and cuff, as well as on the split back yoke. In addition to solids, this season introduces stylish patterns such as the polka dot Gracehill Polo that features a contrast polka dot design and color placket. The micro-striped Rathmore Polo has contrast color on the collar and button placket. All products in the G-Mac by Kartel collection are designed in Ireland with superior Irish craftsmanship. The polo shirts have a UV factor of up to 30, and feature anti- microbial odor management properties. There are two patented moisture management technologies that wick away perspiration comfortably; Dry Tec allows shirt moisture to rapidly evaporate, while Absorbtec enables shirts to absorb and quickly dry away moisture. Knitwear is composed of either 100% pure mercerized wool, or a cashmere blend--both are extremely breathable fabrics that provide optimum outward air circulation for temperature regulation. For more information about G-Mac apparel by Kartel visit: www.kartel.ie
rank Gustafson, one of the leading trainers in the golf-rich Palm Springs area, has been helping get golfers in shape for more than 14 years while working to help them avoid injury and to be able to play longer. Gustafson has experience as a trainer with the for the U.S. Olympic Committee, ultimately becoming U.S. Olympic Committee Crew Chief with an expertise in areas such as rehabilitation, emergency medicine and drug doping. He was part of the medical field staff as Crew Chief for two Olympics, the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games and the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. This month he shares one of his quick, but effective exercises that helps develop a strong core helps you maintain the proper spine angle throughout the golf swing. It also develops core and leg strength while promoting upper extremity flexibility: Arms and Core • Lie on your back, with your knees bent up. • Grip a weight - 5 lbs. - with both hands. • Raise one leg. • Keep stomach tight so your back presses flat to the floor. • Arc the weight overhead keeping the arms straight. • Simultaneously begin to lower the leg. • Lower your leg as far as you can comfortably go without letting your back lift from the floor. • Feel your back staying firm to the floor, as you lift your leg back up. Repeat 10-15 reps/repeat the other side. For more information on Gustafson Physical Therapy and his services, contact: (760) 346-3322.
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