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contents I november 2010
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stories 14
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Costa Rica, Pura Vida Golf by James McAfee
Several outstanding golf resorts have set up operations here in the past 12 years providing quality courses that rival golf back home.
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St. Regis Punta Mita Resort by Terry Ross
“Golf with a Pro Package” offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with professional golfet Hale Irwin in beautiful Mexico.
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Mile High City’s Must Play Public Golf
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The Oaks At Tan-Tar-A Resort
by David R. Holland
Here in Denver, where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains, a travel golfer can tee up at a multitude of daily-fee and muni courses.
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by Kiel Christianson
This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A Resort, making the Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge design one of the most mature golf courses near the Lake of the Ozarks.
departments 10 ChipShots Updates From The World Of Golf & Travel
26 Sweet Stuff
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by Terry Ross and Tom LaMarre
Bobby Jones Golf, Air Sports Watch, Vari-Break, TourEdge
28 My Turn
by Terry Ross
Golf “Club” Tournament For Those With Special Needs
29 Destinations Your Link To Great Resort Golf Locales
on the cover: Jack Nicklaus Signature GC, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
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S t ut t er in g di dn’ t ben ch Bob Love
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS David R. Holland is a former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, a football magazine publisher and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. Multiple careers best describes this world traveler, who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve, serving during the Vietnam and Desert Storm eras. A former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, you can follow Dave’s travels on www.twitter.com/David_R_Holland.
James McAfee is a freelance golf and travel writer based in Wylie, TX. He was executive director of the Northern Texas PGA for 17 years and executive director of the Dallas District Golf Association for eight years. With editor stints at Golf Shop Operations, Golf Digest and Texas Golfer Magzaine he is currently the director of communications for GolfDFW.com. He has been a member of the Golf Writers of America for 37 years and was one of the founders for the Texas Golf Writers Association. Playing the game for 56 years he was recently named to the U.S. Amateur Golf Hall of Fame. Kiel Christianson has lived, worked, traveled and golfed extensively on three continents. His publications include poetry, political commentary, food and wine reviews, scientific articles, and, of course, golf and travel pieces for the WorldGolf.com Network, as well as Vue Touristique, Western Mass Golf Magazine, Carolinas Golf, Golf Vacations and Michigan Links Magazine. As senior writer and equipment editor for WorldGolf.com, he has reviewed courses, resorts, and golf academies from California to Ireland. Kiel currently resides in Illinois with his wife and their two children.
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 Associate Editor Terry Ross Features Editor Larry Feldman
Senior Writers Tom LaMarre Fred Robledo For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 e-mail: INFO@GolfVacationsMag.com
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U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >> ATLANTIS KONA OFFERS “GREEN” SUB TOUR, MAKALEI GOLF COMBO KAILUA-KONA, HI – Atlantis Submarines Kona has a new “green” package that combines its eco-friendly submarine tour in Kailua Bay with golfing on the spectacular fairways and greens of scenic Makalei Golf Club on the slopes above Kailua-Kona. “We know how much golfers like playing on the Big Island so we’ve created a unique, value-added package that lets them enjoy one of our best and most picturesque courses, and also experience up-close the magic of our marine world while staying dry,” said Mike Stanton, General Manager of Atlantis Submarines Kona. “Our new sub and golf combo is an opportunity for families to enjoy the Big Island’s diverse range of beauty – from a flourishing undersea environment to a tranquil forest in a
mountainside setting,” Stanton said. Atlantis’s sub tour adventure begins in historic Kailua-Kona town where its shuttle boat transports guests to the dive site in Kailua Bay, while providing them with a sweeping view of the coastline and Mount Hualalai rising in the backdrop. The sub tour is highlighted by a magnificent 25-acre coral reef garden that grew on a lava flow of 18,000 years ago, and two sunken shipwrecks that nature has transformed into thriving artificial reefs. An abundance of marine life, featuring brightly colored schools of fish and beautiful, pristine coral are seen 10
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up-close throughout the sub tour. The two sunken shipwrecks are an impressive undersea sight as they have evolved into artificial reefs and become a home for fish to grow, congregate, and replenish, and increase the biomass of marine life in the area. Atlantis supports the use of artificial reefs to enhance marine conservation and has installed artificial reefs at its submarine dive sites off Waikiki Beach and Lahaina, Maui. Atlantis has been offering submarine adventure tours in Kona’s Kailua Bay since 1988 and uses the world’s most technologically advanced passenger submarine – a battery-powered non-polluting vessel that seats 48 passengers comfortably in a spacious, air-conditioned cabin with large, individual viewing ports on either side. Atlantis’s “green” submarine provides a safe, eco-friendly tour that carries guests to
by ancient lava flows, add to the beauty and the challenges of playing Makalei, which offers multiple tees to accommodate golfers of all abilities. A unique feature is the large number of peacocks, pheasants, wild turkeys, and other birds that call the golf course home. The cost of the sub tour and golf combo is $150 for adults and $70 for children, ages 718. Prices do not include 3% harbor fee and 4.166% state excise sales tax. Transportation from area hotels to the sub tour is available for an additional fee. To make reservations or for more information, visit online at www.AtlantisSubmarines.com or call tollfree at 1-800-548-6262. Atlantis Submarines offers four undersea adventure tours daily, departing from the Kailua-Kona Pier. Check-in time is 30 minutes before departure. Children must be at least 36” tall to participate, and all guests
more than 100 feet below the surface and keeps them engaged with an entertaining and informative narrative on the marine life and activities going on around them. Golfers will enjoy Makalei Golf Club, with its panoramic mountainside and coastal vistas and a course design that incorporates the natural terrain and beauty of the surrounding area into the layout. One of Hawaii’s rare mountain golf experiences, Makalei is located on the side of Hualalai range and played on elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,850 feet. Mountain slopes and native forests, as well as lava tubes and cinder cones formed
must be able to navigate a nearly vertical 7step ladder in and out of the submarine. About Atlantis Submarines Atlantis Submarines has nine locations worldwide including Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and Guam. In Hawaii, Atlantis operates five submarines in Kona, Lahaina, and Waikiki. The company also owns Honolulu-based Atlantis Navatek Cruises, offering sunset dinner cruises aboard the high-tech revolutionary Navatek I, along with seasonal luncheon whale watch cruises from December to April. For more information, visit www.atlantissubmarines.com. www.golfvacationsmag.com
orre T U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >>
FAMILIES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB GOLF
From tropical Caribbean fairways and championship Hawaiian courses, to untamed desert settings and greens nestled in natural Florida, Marriott Vacation Club golfers have easy access to hit the links across the extensive resort collection, and beyond, on meticulously maintained courses in nearly every destination. While many of the courses challenge the avid golfer, Marriott Vacation Club is designed with the family in mind. Families are taking advantage of Marriott Golf’s “Kid’s Golf-4Free,” a program allowing those 15 years and under to play for free after 3:00 p.m. when accompanied by a full paying adult. “Kids Rent-4-Free” provides junior golfers with a free rental set of Accu-Length clubs for use during their round at a Marriott course. Combining access to some of the most sought-after golf destinations and courses in the world with the quality, services and amenities of Marriott, golf enthusiasts enjoy a vacation lifestyle tailored to individual golf
and travel desires with Marriott Vacation Club. Below are three courses representing the diversity of the collection, all of which are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. • Named one of Golfweek’s Top 100 “America’s Best Resort Courses,” Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club is set against the Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club
beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, CA. As the first American course designed by six-time major champion, Nick Faldo, the 18-hole course boasts over 350 days of sunshine and blue skies annually. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge is also home to the Faldo Golf Institute by
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Marriott, the highly acclaimed golf school for those striving to improve their game. • In breathtaking Kauai, adjacent to Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club and Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons resorts, golfers enjoy a beautiful Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club consisting of the Kiele front nine and the back nine of the former Mokihana Golf Course. Golf Magazine recently named the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club a prestigious “Gold Medal Golf Resort.” The 7,000-yard course is immaculate, featuring drives through mango forests and a half-mile stretch of oceanfront golf opening in May 2013. • In Orlando, Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club is located at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades among soaring pines, oaks and palms. Named one of Golfweek’s Top 100 “America’s Best Resort Courses,” the course was designed by renowned architect Steve Smyers in partnership with Nick Faldo. Marriott’s East Coast Faldo Golf Institute is conveniently located at the adjacent Marriott’s Grande Vista resort.
THE CUISINE OF ITALY
“Combining Old-World Italian comfort food with personalized service, a congenial atmosphere and an extensive wine list, La Torretta excels as one of Arizona’s most impressive restaurants” — Dining Out
With a menu that utilizes the freshest and most authentic ingredients and pasta made fresh in-house daily, the restaurant’s culinary fare is consistently delicious and refreshing.Their Osso Buco,Taglio del Vitello Farcito con Quattro Farmagio and Veal Piccata have become local legends and inspired positive reviews from the Scottsdale Republic, the New Times, Guest Informant, TravelHost, and Scottsdale Magazine. The combination of La Torretta’s sophisticated interior and authentic food make it a prime candidate for intimate dinners to group celebrations of special occasions.
LIVE WELL
•
LOVE MUCH
•
LAUGH OFTEN
LA TORRETTA Ristorante & Italian Steakhouse
16640 N. Scottsdale Rd • SW corner Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale • 480.991.2000 • www.latorrettaaz.com Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm • Dinner Daily 4:30-9:30pm
U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >> GOLF TOURNAMENT AT STARR PASS SUPPORTS LOCAL CHARITIES Tucson, Ariz. – This year, the Southern Arizona Marriott Golf Invitational is celebrating its 14th year of bringing together golfers and Tucsonans to raise funds for local charities. The event swings into action Friday, November 19, 2010 and ends with the main golf event at the signature Arnold Palmer golf course on Saturday, November 20. The 14th Annual Southern Arizona Marriott Golf Invitational will raise funds for three Tucson charities: Tucson Medical Center’s Children’s Miracle Network®, Tucson Conquistadores and the Autism Society of Greater Tucson. This year’s charity golf event begins with a gala at 6 p.m. Friday, November 19 at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. The gala is followed by dinner, a silent auction and a entertainment provided by great local talent including local celebrity Jeff Lewis Quartet and followed by the Divas. This amazing weekend can be fun for the entire family. A special Nickelodeon Getaway Weekend Rate will be offered to all Golf Invitational participants. While Mom and Dad attend the Friday evening gala, kids can be entertained with Nickelodeon games, movies and all-out fun! While Dad hits the greens the next
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morning, Mom and kids can enjoy a fabulous Character Breakfast with Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. If the Nickelodeon package is not for you, a room rate of $109 per night will be offered for all golf participants and gala attendees. All room packages can be booked at www.golfinvite.com/marriottgolftournament.
Marriott takes pride in its long-held “spirit to serve” philosophy and has a sincere desire to help all the communities where they operate. Marriott International has been a sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network for 28 years and is Children’s Miracle Network’s longest sustaining sponsor. For registration information, please visit www.golfinvite.com/marriottgolftournament or contact Judith Caputo at (520) 670-0301.
chip shots POUND RIDGE GC AND CASTLEON-THE-HUDSON TEAM UP Pound Ridge Golf Club – the nationally-ranked, Pete Dye-designed destination course 40 miles north of New York City – and the world-renowned Castle on the Hudson are teaming to offer golfers the perfect fall foliage, weekend escape. Guests of Castle on the Hudson can book Pound Ridge’s advance tee time rates anytime. The weekday advance rates are $155 and $105 after 3 p.m., and the weekend advanced rates are $195, $150 after 3 p.m. and $105 after 5 p.m. Special room rates are also available for Pound Ridge-bound golfers; for more information call 914.909.3629. “Fall is a spectacular season for golf in Westchester County, and Castle on the Hudson provides a stunning setting and unforgettable luxury hotel experience,” says Pound Ridge Golf Club general manager Todd Leavenworth. Only 30 minutes north of Manhattan, Castle on the Hudson sits majestically overlooking the Hudson River on sprawling acres of manicured gardens and grounds. With over 100 years of history, the Castle is a regal escape to the enchanted days of yesteryear. The Castle’s luxurious guestrooms, suites with wood burning fireplaces and impeccable service, continue to be a favorite among dignitaries and celebrities. For more information, visit www.castleonthehudson.com. For info visit www.poundridgegolf.com, email info@poundridgegolf.com or call 914.764.5771
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U p d a t e s f r o m t h e Wo r l d o f G o l f & Tr a v e l >> ENTICING NEW GOLF PACKAGE AT NAPLES BEACH HOTEL & GC NAPLES, FL – If you are interested in taking a golf getaway this fall, consider taking advantage of an enticing new golf package being offered by The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Southwest Florida. The surprisingly affordable package starts at just $124 per night for single occupancy, or from $149 per night for double occupancy – with no hidden costs or resort fees.
In addition to accommodations in a newly renovated room, this package includes complimentary greens fees and golf cart fees, complimentary tennis at the resort’s Mary C. Watkins Tennis Center, complimentary parking (self or valet), and access to the resort’s spa and fitness center. Want even more reason to visit? The resort just completed the renovation of its 18hole, par 72 championship golf course, which now features new grass on 12 of the greens and on all 18 tee boxes, and new bridges over some of the course’s water features. Designed for both enjoyment and challenge, the course features a pristine natural setting and is consistently named “Best Public Golf Course in Southwest Florida.” Anything else? The resort completed a $22 million renovation in 2010, which included the remodeling and renovation of guest rooms and suites, and the addition of an all-new beachfront pool complex. And, to top it off, the resort is Southwest Florida’s only resort directly on the beach to feature an on-site championship golf course, world-class spa, and www.golfvacationsmag.com
award-winning tennis center. The “New Golf Package” is available through December 23, 2010. To book a reservation, or for more information, call (800) 237-7600 or (239) 261-2222, or book online at www.NaplesBeachHotel.com with the Rate Code: CENTRAL GOLF .
ARIZONA BILTMORE’S UNLIMITED GOLF PACKAGE: JUST $289 FOR 2 PHOENIX, AZ, – Tee off as many times as you like this fall at the Arizona Biltmore with the Unlimited Golf Package, starting at just $289 for two. The Unlimited Golf Package includes beautifully appointed Classic Room accommodations for one night and unlimited golf for two people. Guests may choose The Links or the Adobe course, or play both 18-hole championship courses. The Links, one of the more challenging courses in the Phoenix area, is celebrated for its rolling fairways lined with luscious pines and well-bunkered greens that demand precision shot selection. Adobe, which is Phoenix’s second oldest golf course and among Arizona’s oldest, is a stately and grand course known for its traditional design of lush fairways and spacious layout.
The package is offered through 12/24/2010. The package rate is 25 percent off regular rates for the Classic Room and two greens fees. For reservations call 1-800950-0086, or book online at arizonabiltmore.com and use special offer code P1.
chip shots 9TH ANNUAL VALLARTA GOLF CUP RETURNS TO PUERTO VALLARTA The prestigious Vallarta Golf Cup returns to the championship Vista Vallarta Golf Club in Puerto Vallarta for its ninth year November 14th. The Cup features play on the 18-hole Tom Weiskopf course set amongst a dramatic jungle backdrop and many attractive prizes, such as $100,000 cash, new cars, jewelry and other luxury amenities.
In celebration of the tournament, Velas Resorts is offering value-packed packages at the oceanfront family-friendly Velas Vallarta, AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and Casa Velas, a luxury boutique hotel and ocean club situated on the spectacular greens of Marina Vallarta’s 18-hole golf course. Velas Resorts’ Golf Club Packages include registration in the Cup, a welcome cocktail hour, snacks during the tournament and an awards lunch for golfers. Non-golfers will be treated to a $100 spa credit per suite per stay at the respective Velas Resort. The Velas Resorts’ all-inclusive rates also include plush suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a choice of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24 hr in-suite service, fitness center, kids’ club, evening entertainment, activities for adults and children, taxes and gratuities, and more. Packages are valid from November 13th-16th at $240 per golfer per night at Velas Vallarta and $260 at Casa Velas. Non-Golfers are priced at $225 per night at Velas Vallarta and $245 at Casa Velas. For reservations, please call 1-866-847-4609 or visit www.velasresorts.com. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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Golf Takes It’s Place Amid Nature's Splendor co-tourism, where visitors get to experience nature in its most pristine state, remains the No. 1 reason to visit the small Central America country of Costa Rica, but golfers haven't been overlooked either as several outstanding golf resorts have set up operations here in the past 12 years to provide quality golf courses that rival those back home along with superior places to hang your hats at night.
E
Country Club, which carried the banner as the best course in Costa Rica for many years after being built in 1975. George Fazio did the design and nephew Tom Fazio built it on an old coffee plantation. Short by today's standards at 6,500 yards, it's no pushover with tall pines bordering most fairways, putting the premium on straight drives. Otherwise, chipping back to the fairway is sometimes your only option.
Most visitors still enter through the capital city of San Jose, located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, with cooler conditions than those along the coast. It's only a few minutes to the Doubletree Hilton Cariari, formerly the Melia Hotel Cariari, where I spent numerous nights during my 30month tenure as the director of golf at what was then the Garra de Leon Golf Course at the Melia Playa Conchal.
Approach shots must be accurate also as the greens are guarded by well-placed bunkers, waiting to catch errant shots. Cariari has hosted numerous international events over the years and should definitely be on your must play list. One thing I always enjoyed was that you could walk and have a caddy, who could be very helpful on the tricky greens.
You can walk over to the Cariari
If time permits, another viable golfing options 20 minutes away is the Parque
Valle del Sol where architect Tracy May renovated an original nine holes and built another nine holes between 1997 and 2001. It can be stretched to 7,017 from the tips, but you have more room off the tees as the trees aren't as big yet. You have great mountain views. It was the first course in Costa Rica to gain recognition as an Audubon Bird Sanctuary. “If you are suffering from winter rust, it's a great place to work out the kinks,” added Landy Blank of Costa Rica Golf Adventures. In less than two hours by car you arrive on the central Pacific Coast and the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort. The centerpiece of this ocean-front resort is the La Iguana Golf Course, designed by Ted Robinson. The course rests between the ocean and a tropical rain forest, giving golfers a chance to view lots of the native wildlife. Adding to experience, each group is accompanied by a forecaddie, who also serves as a guide to identify what you are
by JamesMcAfee
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seeing and to help find your errant golf shots. It's a shoemaker's course with some spectacular settings for the greens. It's a long hike by car over roads that sometimes are a little rough around the edges to Guanacaste where there's more great golfing opportunities. You can also get there on small planes from San Jose to Tamarindo, but many airlines now offer flights directly to the Liberia Airport in northern Costa Rica that allow you to skip San Jose. The closest course to Liberia is the Arnold Palmer design at the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. This spectacular 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed with the resort golfer in mind. Spanning over 50 hectares (125 acres), this beautiful piece of property sits
Reserva Conchal
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort
on the tip of Peninsula Papagayo, nestled in the mountainside along the Pacific Ocean. Twelve holes feature spectacular views of the ocean. The course plays 6,788 yards from the championship tees, but is accessible to golfers all all levels with four other sets, including the forward tees at only 4,880 yards. “Keep in mind you have to stay at the resort in order to play the golf course,” Blank noted. My favorite course is now called Reserva Conchal at the all-inclusive Paradius Playa Conchal. I probably played the original 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., more than 600 times. A few years back, the course was reduced to a par 71 when some property next to the ocean was used for a beach club and spa, resulting in the loss of the par 4 16th and the old tee box on the par 3 17th.
new tees on the other side of the water. “It's even better now,” added Blank. The 18th is one of the best risk/reward finishing holes I've ever played, Water comes into play down the entire left side.
Cariari Country Club
Four Seasons Resort
A new par 3 was added, now the 15th, and a new routing for the last six holes resulted. You now play to the 17th green from
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There's “mucho agua” to avoid in other places of the course, too, and a lot more elevation changes than you might expect, including a 200-foot drop from the 12th tee to a narrow fairway with woods on the left and a lateral hazard on the right. Just over 30 minutes away is Hacienda Pinella, a Mike Young design built on an old cattle ranch amid a dry tropical forest. You have plenty of room off the tees with wide fairways, but the real test is getting your approach shots on the bunker-guarded greens, including some pot bunkers like the ones you might see in Scotland. The wind adds to the challenge. “It can be coming off the ocean one minute and switch out of the south the next one,” said Ken Moss, a former teach-
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Four Seasons Resort
ing professional in Costa Rica. A magnificent view of the ocean awaits from the tee on the par 3 15th hole. You can stay in villas near the course and a new J.W. Marriott Resort offers luxurious accommodations down by the beach. There are also accommodations 10 minutes away in Tamarindo. Four Seasons Resort
To get the most out of a vacation to Costa Rica that includes golf, Landy and Susan Blank are your best sources, operating from their Costa Rica Golf Adventures offices in San Jose. Throwing caution to the wind after a visit 17 years ago, the Blanks sold their restaurant in Charleston, SC and moved down there. Costa Rica Golf Adventures can put together customized packages that offer you the best deals on lodging and golf along with other side trips for rafting, fishing or visits to the Arenal Volcano. The Blanks operate two pro shops and a golf store and stay current on what's happening on the golf scene through all their many local contacts.
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One word of warning about going to Costa Rica, deserving of its title as “The Happiest Country in the World”: It's nice to experience “Pura Vida” or the pure life. The locals, or Ticos, are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet and most of them working in the resorts speak English. “Once you visit Costa Rica, you'll go back again and again,” said Blank.
ONLINE RESOURCES www.golfcr.com www.reservaconchal.com www.haciendapinilla.com www.laiguana.com Four Seasons Resort
www.parquevalledelsol.com www.marriottcostarica.com www.fourseasons.com/costarica
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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WORLDBEAT
ST. REGIS PUNTA MITA RESORT “Golf With A Pro” Aficionado Package
Underscoring its commitment to custom-tailored guest experiences at the best addresses in the world, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort debuts its latest St. Regis Aficionado package, “Golf with a Pro,” offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with professional golfer Hale Irwin and receive personal consultation during a round on the famed 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Bahia Course, which opened alongside The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in November 2009. Irwin is considered one of the greatest American professional golfers of all time and was a world leader on the golf scene for much of the 1970s and 1980s. He is one of the few players in history to have won three U.S. Opens including Winged Foot in 1974, 1979 and 1990. Irwin was also winner of the U.S. Senior Open in 1998 and 2000. In 1992, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Guests participating in the exclusive “Golf with a Pro” package, taking place November 11 – 14, 2010, will also enjoy an intimate group dinner with Irwin at Carolina, The St. Regis Punta Mita
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Resort’s signature restaurant; a 90-minute Golf Clinic in a private area of the driving range; and a second round of golf at the renowned 19-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Pacifico Course with its famous three-par “Tail of the Whale,” the only natural island green. The “Golf with a Pro” package includes three nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, lunch at Sea Breeze, which overlooks the beaches of Bahia de Banderas, and the signature Champagne Ritual in the Altamira Lobby Bar. Rates for the “Golf with a Pro” Aficionado offering begin at $770 per night in a Deluxe Garden View Room for two players based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made by calling 877-250-8871 or by contacting Ms. Carolina Monsalvo at carolina.monsalvo@stregis.com using rate code SRSSA2. “As neighbor to two exceptional Jack Nicklaus courses, worldclass golfing is one of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort’s greatest appeals and we are excited to further enhance this offering by providing guests and locals an exclusive opportunity to play and enjoy
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By TerryRoss
the company of one of the finest professional golfers of all time,” said Jean-Pierre Sorin, general manager of the hotel. “The ‘Golf with a Pro’ package with Hale Irwin is perfectly suited for aficionados looking for a bespoke, all-encompassing golf experience.” Irwin commented, “The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is a spectacular golf destination. Its neighboring Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses provide a challenge for all levels while allowing players to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the Riviera Nayarit coastline, which is never more than a few steps away. I look forward to an unparalleled weekend of golf and leisure and invite golfers who share a passion for the game to join me.” Ideally located in the exclusive enclave of Punta Mita at the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers guests modern sophistication, unparalleled luxury and bespoke service at one the best addresses in the world. Designed by Roy Azar of Roy Azar Architects, the hotel/resort features 120 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, St. Regis’
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Riviera Nayarit, MEXICO
legendary Butler Service, a signature Remède Spa, 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities. www.stregis.com/puntamita Through exclusive partnerships with some of the world’s most acclaimed influencers and brands, including Chef Jean-Georges, architect David Rockwell, Asprey, Veuve Clicquot, PGA, NBA and Fendi, the St. Regis brand has created a series of unprecedented events and experiences tailored to its most discerning guests. While visiting any St. Regis hotel or resort worldwide, the St. Regis Aficionado program invites guests to engage and delight their passions for Speed & Sport, Fashion & Design, Food & Wine, Art & Literature, Society & Philanthropy and Spa & Relaxation. Events and experiences are scheduled at St. Regis properties around the world, are open to all St. Regis guests and are reserved on a first come basis at stregis.com/aficionado, or by contacting travel professionals. For more information on The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit the new www.stregis.com.
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BEST Of DENVER
Mile High City's Must-Play Public Golf Courses By David R. Holland, Senior Writer/TravelGolf
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D
ENVER -- The 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club brought together three modern golf legends: Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Palmer surged to victory, driving the first green en route to a final-round 65. But that final afternoon on the back nine, three generations shined. Hogan's final hope for a fifth U.S. Open title disappeared when his wedge to the 17th green spun back into a pond. And a burly amateur named Nicklaus showed glimpses of future greatness, even leading after 12. His hopes disappeared when he missed a 20-inch tap-in on 13 over an old ball mark he neglected to repair. Here in Denver, where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains, a travel golfer can stage his own bit of Colorado golf glory at a multitude of daily-fee and municipal golf courses. Most likely, you won't get on Cherry Hills, but nearby sits Wellshire Golf Club, where two greats made their mark on Colorado golf: Donald Ross charged a design fee of $1.50 per hole here in 1926, and Hogan won the Denver Open in 1948. What golf historian wouldn't check out this place? So make sure you research the many older municipal golf courses in Denver, but my first choice is to head for the golfboom venues of the 1980s, '90s and early 2000s. There exist an abundance, spicing up the Denver golf scene.
Here's a list of my favorites: Riverdale Dunes Golf Course, Brighton Pot bunkers, railroad ties, mounds, marshes, and the South Platte River. It might remind you of Lahinch in Ireland, but this is Brighton, just north of downtown Denver. Designed by Pete and Perry Dye, Riverdale Dunes Golf Course is a walkable golf course void of houses. According to Riverdale Dunes, this is Pete Dye's first public golf course west of the Mississippi River, combining a links style with stadium golf. It hosted the 1993 U.S. Public Links Championship as well as the 1996 and 1997 Nike Colorado Classics. Riverdale Knolls, its sister course, is adjacent. Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Denver Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, home of the Colorado Open, is a Perry Dye gem. Big, bold prairie golf at 7,241 yards, it includes an oasis -- old cottonwoods and wetlands -- to make things interesting. Six holes, sculpted around the protected, native areas, offer strategic shots. End your day with a monolithic, big-boy hole of 643 yards. If you par it, celebrate. Dense growth encircles No. 10, a 417-yard par 4. Other holes present open prairie tests along a ridge. This is a true test of your approach shot with wide and inviting fairways, but you can find trouble if you're not on target.
CHERRY HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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BEST Of DENVER FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB
Murphy Creek Golf Course, Aurora Originally named The Homestead at Murphy Creek because of its farm-style clubhouse and the land's heritage, this Ken Kavanaugh layout provides a premium test for even today's long hitters. Murphy Creek Golf Course measures a brawny 7,456 from the black tees. The prairie-links style, with generous fairways and more than 80 deep bunkers, features a huge sand-waste expanse on the par3, 205-yard No. 5, which also includes lakes and a waterfall. Wiry, thick Canadian fescue, sometimes cut at five inches, surrounds the bunkers, and some of these hazards sit right in the middle of the wide fairways. Be sure to spend some time in the clubhouse. Dine in Murphy's Tavern and view the other buildings. The 1920s farmhouse decor includes white siding with steep-pitched green roofs. The cart barn is a replica of a real barn, and you'll find the rangeball machine in a silo. Old, rusting farm equipment sits among former alfalfa fields, a horse-drawn wagon and an original barn. Saddle Rock Golf Course, Aurora Talk about a dynamic duo. When Saddle Rock Golf Course took Golf Digest honors in 1998 and Murphy Creek followed in SADDLE ROCK GOLF COURSE
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2000, it distinguished Aurora as the only city in the country with two facilities to make the elite list of best new golf courses. Designed by Dick Phelps in 1997, Saddle Rock is another prairie-links style dotted by large, native areas and plenty of wildlife. Piney Creek and Saddle Rock Gulch move through the back nine with large, undulating greens, hilly terrain, cactus, yucca, wild grasses and some pines. A climb to the highest point of the front nine ranks as its highlight, providing a view of the entire Front Range -- from Pikes Peak to the south and Mount Evans to the north. Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden Jim Engh designed Fossil Trace Golf Club in the shadows of Table Mountain, within sight of the Coors Brewery, and it only takes one stroke to notice the history of this land. The chimney of a brick kiln remains in the middle of the fairway on the par-5 first hole – right in the sightline of your second stroke. Examine the 20-foot pillars of sandstone positioned in the fairway of the par-5 12th, and then determine how to clear them on your journey to the green. This hole serves as a reminder of the property's quarry history. Clay-mining equipment remains where, 64 million years ago, bird tracks, palm fronds and tricer-
GREEN VALLEY RAN
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BEST Of DENVER WELLSHIRE GOLF COURSE
atops footprints froze into history. A split-rail fence near the green leads to a viewing area for the fossils. Engh's 6,831-yard, par 72, provides another example of the top-shelf municipal golf courses built today. Keep your shots away from the 10-foot-deep squiggly bunkers, encircled with muscular mounds and thick rough. The Heritage at Westmoor, Westminster Audubon International was so impressed, it named the Heritage at Westmoor golf course as the second Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary in Colorado and the 40th in the world. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry designed this golf course as less intimidating than its sister course, The Legacy. But it retains the views, wetland bird sanctuaries, natural prairie grasses and groups of cottonwoods. The Heritage has wide fairways, large greens and multiple tees, stretching to a hefty 7,345 yards. Open spaces adjacent to the golf course are sometimes abundant with three-foot high wheat. You'll face some tricky pin placements, forced carries or meadows in gently rolling terrain. Even more impressive about this Best of Denver list, most
NCH GOLF CLUB
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are very affordable. OK, what's missing from this inventory? The Ridge at Castle Pines North and Red Hawk Ridge in Castle Rock, for sure. Then there's CommonGround, Fox Hollow, Arrowhead Golf Club, plus many municipals. President Eisenhower played at Fitzsimons Golf Course, next to the former Fitzsimons Army Hospital, as he recuperated from a heart attack suffered while playing Cherry Hills. Where to Stay When you come to Denver to play golf, don't miss a night at its oldest hotel, The Oxford in Lower Downtown, within walking distance of Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. For more information, visit www.theoxfordhotel.com or call (303) 628-5400. When you head for the golf courses on the plains near Denver International Airport, try Hyatt Summerfield Suites Denver Airport. It offers complimentary wireless Internet, full kitchens, evening social with food and a full breakfast. This is a bargain. For more information, visit www.denverairport.summerfieldsuites.hyatt.com or call (303) 628-7777. RIVERDALE DUNES GOLF COURSE
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SPOTLIGHT
OAKS GC AT TAN-TAR-A
LAKE OF THE OZARKS CLASSIC OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – The Lake of the Ozarks formed between 1929 and 1931 with the construction of the Bagnell Dam on the Osage River. Not long after the largest man-made lake in the Midwest came into being, vibrant tourism emerged along its shores. The first major vacation spot built on the lake, Tan-Tar-A Resort, turned 50 years old in 2010 and continues to go strong.
banked turns at Talladega Superspeedway. "There are also some nice elevation changes, and a few long drives between tee and green," Leahy said. The latter feature makes for difficult walking. It is allowed, but greens fees include cart. As with many golf courses around the Lake of the Ozarks, the yardage isn't intimidating -- just 6,003 yards from the middle and 5,317 from the forward tees. But unlike several other area tracks, The Oaks actually feels longer than the yardage would indicate. Take, for example, the tee shot on the 399-yard, par-4 second, where, from the tips, golfers face a 180-yard carry over water to an uphill landing area bordered on both sides by thick trees. Even when a good drive hits the hill on the other side of the water, it
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A Resort, making the Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge design one of the most mature golf courses near Lake of the Ozarks. The Oaks course, a par-71 layout, also rates as one of the most challenging, despite playing only 6,432 yards from the back tees. Dense woods, multiple water hazards and a near-complete lack of flat lies demand precision from tee to green.
How The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A Resort plays Paul Leahy, director of golf at the 850-room Tan-Tar-A Resort, said its isolated holes undulating fairways characterize the Devlin"There are not a lot of level lies out there," Leahy said. When you get to the 372-yard seventh, you'll see what he means: Standing in the middle of the fairway feels one of the 24
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stops dead -- or rolls backward -- to leave a blind, longish second shot to the green. That is, if you're not too far to the sides of the fairway and blocked by tree limbs. Or check out the 423-yard, par-4 18th, on which the tee shot must carry a stream-filled ravine to the top of a hill that sits 10 to 20 feet higher than the tee box. Throughout the golf course, the elevation changes make for lots of challenges and some memorable holes. The 365-yard fourth features a sharp elevation drop from tee to fairway, which runs into a water hazard. The second shot plays into a postcard-perfect green complex with water and a railroad-tie revetment to the right. The approach into the green at the 528-yard, par-5 ninth ranks arguably as one of the prettiest shots on the lake. Players, dependwww.golfvacationsmag.com
By KielChristianson
ing on their drives and lay-up decisions, face anywhere from a 6iron to a wedge shot some 40 feet down over two waterfalls to a small, kidney-shaped green. The 414-yard 13th must be a local favorite, with its tight driv-
Lake Of The Ozarks, MO on the fairway edges. The greens on few of the holes -- like the 12th and 16th -- could be framed more attractively with bunkers or even flowerbeds. As with all zoysia fairways, the ball seems teed up, making for good contact. But the Bermuda rough grew so lush it was possible to lose your ball while standing just a few inches from it. In fact, we found a dozen balls from previous groups nestled into the thick rough just off several fairways. With rates topping out at just $55 during peak season, The Oaks is a highly recommended stop for golfers visiting the Lake of the Ozarks. Tan-Tar-A Resort includes 850 rooms, numerous shops, eating venues and recreational activities for guests and non-guest visitors. Try the 90-minute Tropic Island Cruise. It costs $16 and provides an excellent and educational way to unwind after your round of golf. For more information, visit www.funlake.com.
ing corridor into a fairway guarded on the right by trees and a babbling brook. A marina on the lake serves as backdrop to the slightly elevated green and makes the hole so visually pleasing that I almost forgot my anger at losing a ball in the aforementioned brook. The Oaks at Tan-Tar-A Resort: The verdict Like many of the 13 golf courses found around Lake of the Ozarks, The Oaks at TanTar-A Resort is not overly long, but the dramatic elevation changes call for careful club choices and precise shot-making. The zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens appeared in generally good condition for my visit, though some hardpan patches existed around a couple greens and
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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SWEETSTUFF T
he year 2010 has seen the great debate when it comes to the new groove regulations mandated by the United States Golf Association on the professional tours. For everyone else who plays the game—including recreational golfers who make up the bulk of the sport’s participants—it has been a non-issue since they can continue to play clubs having the deeper square grooves that have been popular for years now. But the second part of the USGA mandate will take effect in January when club manufacturers are no longer allowed to produce conforming clubs with these larger grooves that create more spin and thus more control out of the rough. Amateurs can still play them until 2024, but they will only be able to purchase them as long as supplies last from those that came out of factories in the current year. Whatever is in the retail channel can be sold after January 1, 2011, but no new product under the current rules can be produced. One golf club company—Bobby Jones Golf—is heavily promoting its wedge sets that have one of the most durable grooves on the market as an answer for players who want to play the old grooves as long as possible during the next 14-year grace period before having to change over to less forgiving clubs. The Pelz Wedge Collection by Jesse Ortiz features square grooves with the high-tech German alloy Cronidur 30 face material – a remarkably wear-resistant metal alloy that maintains both face friction and groove integrity far longer than conventional wedges, thus providing consistently high backspin longevity. “Why spend money on cheaper wedges that will wear out in one season?” asks Ortiz. “After next year, golfers will not be able to find square-groove wedges on the
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market, and their inexpensive wedge will be costing them strokes. Their pro shop will only be carrying low spin V-grooves. The Pelz Wedge Collection from Bobby Jones Golf will deliver years of high-spin performance. They are the best investment a golfer can make in their short game for years to come.” Using a proprietary design technique, theses wedges provide the ideal combination of soft-feeling shots and extremely low-face wear to produce a superior-performing wedge, season after season. By applying heat and pressure to a special structural bonding membrane, Ortiz facilitates the release of an epoxy resin, which—upon cooling—creates a bond between the club’s stainless body and face material that is stronger than welding. Upon curing, the membrane returns to its slightly spongy state, thus creating a soft forged-like feel to each shot. The Bobby Jones Golf Pelz Wedge Collection by Jesse Ortiz includes the 48degree Wedge; 52-degree Gap Wedge (available with fourdegree bounce; the 56degree Sand Wedge (available with 10degree or 14-degree bounce); the 60-degree Lob Wedge (available with a 4-degree or 8degree bounce) and the 64-degree Extra-lofted X Wedge (available with 4-degree bounce). Custom sole grinding options are available upon request, and are produced directly within the Jesse Ortiz Design Studio. More information is available at BobbyJonesGolf.com or by calling (866) 858-5522.
O
ne of the more unique time keeping accessories for golfers-- that combines the functionality of simply keeping time with some of the newer “ionic technology” that is said to have a positive impact on health and well being through
magnetic properties-- has come on the market in the form of the Air Sports Watch. Made of Tourmaline and Germanium infused Silicon, this lightweight yet durable watch is as light as a feather, small and unobtrusive for the wearer and sells for less than $20. Many people don’t like to play
golf or other sports with a watch on, but the Air Sports Watch takes care of this problem since you don’t even notice its ultra-light 10-gram weight while wearing it. The Air Sports Watch is ionic, water resistant and helps improve balance, flexibility and range of motion with negative ion therapy that is said to improve circulation, mental alertness and strengthen the immune system while reducing stress. Like many of the ionic bracelets, some wearers have said it speeds up post-recovery time, and its light weight, medical grade silicone design is perfect for any occasion. The watch comes in multiple colors to choose from in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L and XL. It is also water proof up to 30 meters. To learn more visit www.airsportswatch.com.
M
ost accomplished golfers will tell you that putting proficiency is the key to lower scores, but finding the time and a suitable place to practicing this delicate art is often the challenge for many who aspire to become better players. Finally there is a relatively inexpensive and portable way to practice putting like you would find on an actual golf course green. The new Vari-Break Putting Green developed by SKLZ solves that problem with its oversized true-roll putting mat that acts like an actual putting green, complete with the ability to vary the distance, speed
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SWEETSTUFF and break of putts very easily with. The putting surface can be manipulated with versatile, movable foam wedges for all kinds of practice--not every putt in your round is perfect, flat and straight--so your practice should not be either. The True-Roll surface closely simulates real green conditions, including down-grain and against-the-grain putting. In addition to coming with two foam break wedges the Vari-Break Putting Green includes the horseshoe-shaped SKLZ Putt Pocket, which fits in a standard golf hole to reduce its size for higher precision practice as well as practice putting to the high side of the hole. The weighted Putt Pocket can also be moved around the green for more putting scenarios and for fun putting competitions with friends and family. The oversize green measures 11 feet long by 3 feet wide and has a Stimpmeter rating of 10 on a firm rug, and 11 on linoleum surface for downgrain. Against-grain rates a 9 on a firm rug. "When you play a round of golf, rarely is a putt perfect, flat and straight, so your practice putting routine shouldn't be either," said Greg Shoman, vice president of mar-
keting for SKLZ. "Now golfers finally have a practice putting mat that acts like an actual putting green, which will help improve putting on virtually any type of lie." Priced under a hundred dollars, this unique practice tool is one of the more unique of its kind on the market because of its larger size for longer putts and the many breaks that can be manufactured for those valuable hours of practice. Noted instructor Rick Smith had adapted it into his training and teaching regimen for both amateurs and Tour players. More information is available at www.SKLZ.com by Terry Ross
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M
att Kuchar has had a breakthrough season on the PGA Tour and he's done it with something of a secret weapon in his bag. Kuchar is paid to play Bridgestone products, but he also uses a 16.5-degree CB2 three-wood that his part of Tour Edge Golf's family of Exotics fairway woods. It's a bit of a secret because Tour Edge is not exactly Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade or even Bridgestone. The CB2 helped Kuchar lead the PGA Tour money list this season with $4,910,477, earning a five-year exemption on the circuit, and he also posted an adjusted scoring average of 69.57, best on the tour, which will earn him Vardon Trophy. Kooch led the PGA Tour with 11 finishes in the top 10 this season, wound up second in the FedEx Cup standings, posted a 1-1-2 record in the Ryder Cup and climbed to No. 10 in the World Golf Rankings. Since Kuchar is not officially with Tour Edge, the company cannot use his name, or that of any other pros who play with its products, to publicize its clubs and accessories in press releases. So when Kuchar captured the Barclays, first event of the PGA playoffs, with a birdie that beat Martin Laird of Scotland on the second playoff hole, the first paragraph of Tour Edge's release read like this: "The Exotics fairway woods were in the bag of the winner and third place finishers at the PGA Tour’s Barclays tournament at Ridgewood Country Club," also referencing that Kevin Streelman tied for third using an Exotics three-wood. When Kuchar tied for third two weeks later in the BMW Championship, Andy Harris, Tour Edge's PGA Tour representa-
tive, was quoted in another release saying, "We are proud of our staff players and this week's top-10 finisher has had an outstanding year as the PGA Tour's leader in money earned, and the current FedEx Cup playoff point leader. This marks the 22nd Top-10 finish of the year for Exotics." Of course, the best endorsement that Tour Edge receives is that several pros who are paid handsomely by other companies to play their products, also use the Exotics without compensation. Others on that list include Luke Donald, Zach Johnson, Ryan Moore, Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke and David Duval. Top of the Exotics line is the XCG-3, the first fairway wood to combine a titanium cup-face and crown with a tungsten sole. The Tour Edge press release argues that all of the latest generation of drivers are made with titanium, so why not fairway woods? Newest of the line is the Exotics Trilogy Rail fairway wood, which is all about forgiveness and is packaged at a lower price of $199, or about $100 under the price of the other Exotics. And Tour Edge offers a guarantee that any golfer cannot afford to at least investigate, that all of Exotics fairways woods will be 20 yards longer than whatever equivalent club you have in the bag. Other Tour Edge products include the Geo-Max drivers, the Exotics XCG-3 Irons, the Bazooka Iron/Wood, the Xtreme Spin Wedges and a full line of junior products made from the same highquality components. You can visit Tour Edge on line at www.exoticsgolf.com or by visiting www.touredge.com or call (800) 515-3343. by Tom LaMarre
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • N O V E M B E R 2010
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MYTURN
by TERRYROSS
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH GOLF Golf “Club” Tournament For Special Needs
C
rossWoods Indoor Golf and Tavern has been touted for getting many back into the “swing” of golf. But for one Gilbert young man, learning to play golf indoors truly brought forth a hidden talent as well as ignited a new passion. His favorite new pastime is also a continued practice of both focus and teamwork. Justin Searle has special needs, which consists of ADHD as well as sections of his brain that never developed. He is about to turn 21, but socially and mentally is about 15-16 years old. When he came to CrossWoods, Justin’s enthusiasm for the game was sparked and his innate talent shined. It all started when Justin and his mom decided to check out Crosswoods one weekend, looking to try something other than miniature golf. While neither had ever played, Golf Pro John Hyer guided them in a friendly and helpful manner. He and Justin immediately clicked, with John giving him both pointers and highfives when Justin made a great shot.
Justin continued to take lessons from John at CrossWoods and thanks to the staff there, even has his own set of used clubs which he cherishes. Those lessons inspired Justin, so much that he wrote an essay entitled “One Day In My Life” stating, “I like to play golf and want to continue playing golf throughout the rest of my life.”
Learning to play golf was so empowering for Justin, that The Tavern at Crosswoods staff, his coach John and Justin’s mom are working to put a Special Needs Event and Tournament together. This will help open the course to the often considered “exclusive” sport to those who are wheelchair bound or just want to learn the skills. Golf teaches focus and is rewarding both in the game, culture and social aspects for both children and adults with special needs. This event or league, will help others with various special needs to have an opportunity to learn something new. Through Justin’s story, Crosswoods would like to raise awareness of this through the media, in an effort to recruit those who may want to be part of an ongoing program for those with special needs. The Tavern at CrossWoods Indoor Golf is the perfect family friendly venue to host such ongoing events for children with special needs. The Tavern at CrossWoods Indoor Golf Centers are located in Chandler, Arizona (just west of Kyrene on the north side of Chandler Blvd). The new “tavern” concept will also be implemented at their Gilbert, Arizona (just east of Higley on Baseline) later this year.
Visit: www.crosswoodstavern.com • www.crosswoodsgolf.com
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DESTINATIONS
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WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO PLAY
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