Golf Vacations Magazine Spring 2009 by Golf Vacations Magazine

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HEADING WEST FOR AN IDYLLIC GETAWAY I MY TURN I TRAVEL CHIP SHOTS

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GOLF VACATIONS APRIL 2009

OUTDOORSMAN GOLF IN WOLVERINE STATE NATURE SHOWS OFF IN MICHIGAN’S U.P.

PETE AND PERRY DYE’S BLACK PEARL GOLF CLUB

AT ROATAN’S PRISTINE BAY RESORT

PLUS:

Tee Party in Alabama Gulf Shores I Sin Chow From Vietnam

“Best Overall Golf Experience” – VegasGolfer “Golf’s hidden treasure” – Sports Illustrated cascatagolf.com

Tee Times / Stay & Play Packages Call 1.888.727.4427 or visit us online at harrahsgolf.com For groups of 16 or more call 702.294.2010

Cut out the middleman. Reserve directly with the golf course and hotel operators. Choose to stay at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Paris & Rio in Las Vegas and play at Cascata, Rio Secco, or one of over 12 other fabulous golf courses.

Check availability and pricing, and reserve the entire package online at www.harrahsgolfonline.com

“

Many of my friends were diagnosed with cancer. My own breast cancer diagnosis heightened my awareness further and compelled me to work toward a cure. Our country club along with Rally for the Cure is influencing other golf clubs in the area about this cause and that is very rewarding. -Vangie Butler Rally participant

”

Ending breast cancer forever starts with you. Schedule a closest-to-the-pin contest today and make a difference! Join Rally for the Cure® and the thousands of women and men who spread the life-saving message of early detection and breast cancer awareness through our sporting and social events.

Call 800.327.6811, email info@rallyforthecure.com or go to rallyforthecure.com.

Rally for the Cure is a registered trademark of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

contents I april 2009

cover

stories

Heading West For A Golf Getaway

Paradise Awaits at Pristine Bay Resort

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

A Tee Party in Alabama

by David R. Holland

Check out some of the must-plays of the Wild West and discover why these courses have earned a reputation that makes them special.

by Terry Ross

Pete and Perry Dye are creating an entirely new golf destination in Roatan, Honduras. Nice work if you can get it. Even nicer if your plans call for visiting this tropical Eden.

by Brian Oar

The Upper Peninsula – affectionately nicknamed the U.P – features a troika of world-class golf courses, Sweetgrass, Greywalls and TimberStone, reflecting the area’s Indian heritage.

by Chris Baldwin

Need a break from your usual golf destinations? Then head to the Alabama Gulf Shores for golf, beaches and parties galore!

departments

20 10 Chip Shots Updates From The World Of Golf & Travel

26 Personal Postcard

by Bill Cannedy

Sin Chow From Vietnam

28 My Turn

by Ray Tennenbaum

Top Golf Cities In America

on the cover: Le Meridien Moscow Country Club

24 G O L F VA C AT I O N S • A P R I L 2 0 0 9

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S â&#x20AC;˘ A P R I L 2009

REACH A MILLION GOLFERS!

FOR ONLY $2.50 PER 1,000 EMAILS! Golf Vacations Magazine Has Exciting News! We’ve gone 100% digital and we’re delivering our next issue to over 1,000,000 (Yes, One-Million) golf travel enthusiast’s inboxes.

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GOLF VACATIONS WINTER 2008

GOLF VACATIONS W W W. G V L I N K S . C O M

M A G A Z I N E

FIND YOUR RHYTHM AT THE ST. KITTS MARRIOTT RESORT

CALYPSO GOLF BETWEEN TWO OCEANS

MOUNTAIN VIEW AT DESERT WILLOW

GET A PEACEFUL EASY FEELING

PLUS:

Soul Of A Bentley I Pack For The Isles I Winter Reading

DON’T MISS OUT! CALL TERRY ROSS AT 949-279-7801 or email Terr yRoss@cox.net today!

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Chris Baldwin carries 15 years of journalism experience, seven in the competitive New York market. He’s played more than 120 golf courses for reviews in the last year alone, been issued a personal challenge by Donald Trump on a Top 10 rankings story and won six national AP Sports Editors awards in six years at the Asbury Park Press. He's covered four World Series, three NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals and two U.S. Opens. Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz Associate Editor Terry Ross Online Content Editor Bruce Binder Features Editor Larry Feldman For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 • e-mail: JD@GVLinks.com

Advertising Representatives Los Angeles • 949-916-2720 David Kukuk - dkukuk@gvlinks.com New York • 518-789-3005 Jon Meigs - jon@meigsmedia.com

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. His final Pentagon assignment took him to Monterey, California, where he started thinking about his next move – travel golf writing. Bill Cannedy is co-owner of Cannedy Quest, a Palm Springs area company specializing in worldwide golf travel packages. With 25 years in the hospitality and travel industry, Bill has traveled extensively from South America to the South Pacific and the Far East to Morocco. A freelance photographer and former Pro-Am Champion of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Bill serves as the Tournament Director of the always popular Desert Expedition Golf Classic. Brian Oar The images I create are as close to the heart as it comes. Golf is in my blood, and images of grass-covered masterpieces wander through my mind incessantly. As a passionate golfer, photographer, and writer, I strive to create the most provocative images and stories, which inspire others to seek the enjoyment of golf.

Chicago • 630-871-9417 Patrick Keane - patkeane@comcast.net Atlanta • 770-971-1616 John Reock - reock@mindspring.com Dallas • 972-991-4994 Phil Ganz - phil.ganz@gmail.com

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.

Hawaii • 760-774-1752 Bruce Binder - bruce@gvlinks.com San Diego • 619-709-4425 Wayne McCollum - wayne@gvlinks.com Inland Empire, CA • 951-237-5042 Tony Smith - tony@gvlinks.com Mexico/Latin America • 949-547-7728 Emilio Pedral - emiliopedral@execs.com

Published by

President Jeffrey Diaz 100 S. Sunrise Way., Suite 257 Palm Springs, California 92262 1-800-940-7816 • fax 214-889-3667

and

Destiny Media, LLC President/CEO James A. Diaz Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2009 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. www.gvlinks.com

G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

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 >>

chip shots activities and crafts to the personal journeys explored in workshops at the Artist's Cottage & Apothecary, the Inn and its 220 acres are the perfect setting to relax and rejuvenate family-style. To book the Family Golf Promotion, call Ojai Valley Inn & Spa reservations at 888697-8754, or visit www.ojairesort.com

EDGEWOOD TAHOE GOLF COURSE OPENS MAY 1 FOR 2009 SEASON

OJAI VALLEY INN PUTS THE COST OF A VACATION BELOW PAR OJAI, CA - Need an idea for a family vacation this year that doesn't break your budget? Looking for a getaway you and your kids can enjoy? Then visit the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa for their Family Golf Promotion an incredible value with hours of playtime for everyone. Since 1923, vacationing guests have sought the tranquil pleasures of the historic inn, a AAA Five Diamond property located 35 minutes south of Santa Barbara

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and one hour north of Los Angeles. • Two-for-one-rooms: One for you, one for them at the price of one; after a day on the course, relax in separate guest rooms. • Three night minimum stay. Available in all suite and room categories. Rates starting at $605. • Complimentary family golf lesson from one of the Inn's PGA Golf Professionals. • Unlimited play on the 18-hole championship George C. Thomas-designed course. • One spa treatment at the #1-rated Spa Ojai. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a retreat for all ages. From its kids' programs of outdoor

Award-winning Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course will open for its 41st season on May 1, 2009 and feature outstanding Stay & Play packages for golf enthusiasts looking to experience all that springtime has to offer in the Lake Tahoe region. Since first opening in 1968, Edgewood has established itself as one of the premier golf courses on the West Coast, offering unparalleled views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and picturesque Lake Tahoe. Conveniently located within blocks of the major South Lake Tahoe resorts and casinos, Edgewood will offer special packages and early season rates for its worldclass course, and Edgewood’s own exclu-

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chip shots per golfer for one night’s stay and primetime round of golf midweek, twighlight rates and one night’s accommodations during the week begin at $179 per golfer, and weekend rates which include two nights and one round of golf begin at $388 per golfer. Visit online at www.edgewoodtahoe.com or book tee times and packages by calling 866-761-GOLF(4653).

FRENCH LICK RESORT OFFERS SPRING TUNE UP PACKAGE sive lakefront lodge, Twin Pines, is available for lodging as well. The May 2009 Edgewood Tahoe Packages include one night accommodations during the week, and two nights on weekends, as well as 18 holes of golf at one of the nation’s top courses. Harvey’s Lake Tahoe rates for a single golfer and one night stay begin at $155 for primetime tee times during the week, and $125 per golfer for twighlight rates during the week, while weekend rates for two nights and one round of golf start at $289 per golfer. The Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort packages start at $209

French Lick, IN - French Lick Resort, located in southern Indiana, announces that its 2009 Spring Tune Up Package is now available for booking. The French Lick Resort Spring Tune Up Package starts at $757.00 per person and includes three nights lodging and three days of top golf instruction lead by Director of Instruction-Mike Kerby and a staff of PGA professionals. The instruction package will cover all facets of the game from the full swing with irons and woods, to short game with putting, chipping,

pitching, and bunker play, as well as the mental side of the game. The package also includes video swing analysis and will be limited to 20 students per school with a 4:1 student/PGA teacher ratio. In addition, the package will include unlimited golf on the historic Donald Ross course and the popular Valley Links course. Students staying at the West Baden Springs Hotel on the package will also have access to the new spectacular Pete Dye course which opens this spring. The resort's combination of historical atmosphere, world-class golf, top notch instruction, world-class dining, and gaming is a fun and exciting way to escape and learn the game of golf.

For more information or to book one of the spring tune up packages, visit www.frenchlick.com or call (888) 936-9360.

Corporate Golf School & Individual Golf Lessons Available • Schools range from 1 to 3 days • Room accommodations at one of six Harrah’s properties • Ground transportation to and from school included

acations Magazine –

• Limited Availability – call today for details

Please call (702) 777-2444 or visit us online at www.butchharmon.com.

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

access granted…

and now for something completely different…

to famed secret retreat of the rich and famous

tranquil desert oasis, Two Bunch Palms has long been a well-guarded secret offering a private and peaceful sanctuary, seemingly worlds away from the frenetic pace of daily life. Acquisition of the property a few years ago by new owners has let the secret out, making the property more accessible, plus adding Day Spa Packages as part of the improvement and expansion plans. Any changes being made strive to maintain the original magic of the property. Located just north of Palm Springs approximately 120 miles east of Los Angeles means easy access, this 56-acre sacred environment is marked by natural mineral hot springs, fountains, waterfalls, ponds, wildlife, majestic mountain views, star-filled evening skies and no human voice above a whisper. Having lived in this area for almost 20 years, it was a real treat to experience, and finally locate, this gem.

Long before the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans were bathing in the warm mineral springs to promote physical health and spiritual well being. Legend has it that for nearly 10 years during the 1920’s, famed gangster Al “Scarface” Capone and his cronies built and presided over the desert fortress, until the surrounding community’s growth threatened the security of the hideout, resulting in the abrupt disappearance of its clandestine proprietors. The heart of Two Bunch Palms, the legendary natural hot mineral springs grotto is a signature attraction. Lithium-rich waters are drawn up from private artesian wells, cooled to soaking temperatures of 99 and 104 degrees, and cascade into two adjoining rock-lined pools. The first recorded scientific analysis and critique of the water at Two Bunch Palms began in 1936 with an Austrian scientist, Dr. Augustus Broue. The waters were found to be “extraordi-

narily pure, with composition and properties so unique and rare, no waters in the world could compete.” Taking the waters in the grotto is truly an extraordinary experience, especially at night. You may even spot one of the white owls on it’s nocturnal hunt. The grotto is a very lushly and naturally landscaped, peaceful retreat. While the grotto is its heart, the spa is Two Bunch Palms’ soul. The award-winning treatment center provides balance and wellbeing through touch with its more than 40 world-class treatments, many of which are exclusive to the property. The experienced staff is encouraged to use all of their talents, taking into careful consideration unique client preferences and needs. Both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms are available. The intimate Casino Dining Room, with spectacular views of the San Bernardino Mountains, offers lunch and dinner with selections to delight the mind, body and soul. Ritz-Carlton trained Chef Michael Hutcheon creates fabulous gourmet cuisine for the traditional and health-conscious diner. A complimentary breakfast buffet is also provided. The 52 guestrooms, suites and villas offer unique and spacious accommodations while still maintaining the intimate, natural feel of this wonderful “secret” retreat. two bunch palms resort & spa 67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 (800) 472-4334 www.twobunchpalms.com

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S â&#x20AC;˘ A P R I L 2009

Golf Buddies, Empty Nesters Heading West For An Idyllic Getaway

SilverRock Resort

ack in the days of 20-cents-a-gallon gasoline, many families made it a summer ritual to load up the turquoise 1955 Buick Roadmaster and point it toward the vast western United States with its incredible sunsets set against rugged mountains, deserts and the Pacific Ocean. Kids couldn’t wait to leap into the swimming pool after a long day fidgeting in the car.

Today, a western golf vacation is idyllic for golf buddies, empty nesters and just plain avid golfers. Check out some of the mustplays of the Wild West and discover why these courses have earned a reputation that makes them special.

SilverRock Resort Located in ritzy La Quinta, Calif., near Palm Springs, SilverRock Resort opened in 2005 as a municipal golf course that’s one of the home venues of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Measuring 7,578 yards from the tips, it is the longest layout in Palm Springs and one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour. What makes it distinctive is its location. Situated right at the base of Santa Rosa and Coral Mountains, it’s closer to these mountains than any other public course in the Palm Springs area. Until now, those coveted sites were reserved for the exclusive private courses of La Quinta. ”We had lots of positive comments about SilverRock from the PGA tour pros,” said general manager Randy Duncan. “This course has some more traditional looks than many of the desert courses around Palm Springs, but even when you see the native areas encroach on the fairways, there’s still plenty of room to find grass from the tee box.” SilverRock works with the Coachella Valley Water District to maximize water conservation. Its state-of-the-art irrigation system fea-

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by David R. Holland

Torrey Pines Golf Course

tures a computer that knows when it has rained and calculates when to irrigate. These “weather stations” team with sophisticated pump stations and desert horticulture that includes non-water-hogging desert plants, native areas and decomposed granite that helps control erosion and dust.

Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles Perhaps there’s never been a more fascinating history to the birth of a golf course than Trump National, built on the Palos Verde peninsula in San Pedro, perched high above the serrated California coastal cliffs. Incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island can be seen from every hole, but it wasn’t easy building this beauty. Born as Ocean Trails Golf Club, it was being prepared for the grand opening when a landslide on June 2, 1999, sent its 18th fairway sliding into the Pacific. Donald Trump purchased it from bankruptcy and spent more than $250 million on it, making it the most expensive golf course ever built. Pete Dye designed the original layout, but today’s finished routing is called a Donald J. Trump Signature Design. Go right ahead and savor the views and the serene location of this challenging side hill layout. White sand lines the walls of the enormous bunkers, lakes front contoured greens and Trump’s signature waterfall features cascade down stone, adding to the experience.

Torrey Pines How many times in a golf season do you get to stand on a municipal golf course green where Tiger Woods has made history and imagine yourself making that same big putt for a major championship?

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Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

Whether it’s in the PGA Tour’s Buick Open or the 2008 U.S. Open, when you reach the 18th green at the Torrey Pines South Course, you are on celebrated ground. Located in La Jolla, near San Diego, Torrey Pines is only the second municipal golf course used for a U.S. Open. The other, Bethpage Black in New York, was won by — who else — Tiger Woods. In order to land the coveted U.S. Open, architect Rees Jones beefed up the South Course with a $3.2-million facelift completed in 2002. The facelift stretched the layout to a brawny 7,607 yards at par 72, more than 500 yards longer than before the makeover. And its bunkers went from 44 to a bountiful 72, distancing the course from the original layout designed by William Bell Sr. in 1957. The North Course at Torrey Pines is a favorite of locals and considered even more scenic.

Loews Ventana Canyon The scenes are desert-rugged with saguaros standing guard amidst a backdrop of Tucson’s beautifully stark Catalina Mountains. The Loews Ventana Canyon Mountain and Canyon Courses designed by Tom Fazio present one photo op after another. Elevation changes present challenges in picking the right distances, but these beauties can play like a parkland layout that also demands forced carries on the fringes of the desert. What makes this course stand out from others are holes like the third on the Mountain course. The hole is only 107 yards over a canyon filled with huge boulders, but this target looks tiny, sitting on a rocky ledge. Little wonder professional photographers think this is one of the best holes in the American West. "The marshal told my foursome that everything breaks away from the mountains, and boy was that correct,” said Bill Hilliard of Erie, PA. "I think this was the toughest day I ever had putting and chipping around the greens. I had lots of problems getting the ball close — even when I hit the ball short of the green, many times it went to the back and then I was facing a downhill impossible putt."

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Trump National Golf Club - Los Angeles

book it now SilverRock Resort 79-179 Ahmanson Lane La Quinta, Calif. 92253 760-777-8884 www.silverrock.org Golf rates: $55-$165 depending on season, time of day, day of week

Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles One Ocean Trails Drive Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., 90275 310-265-5000 www.trumpnationallosangeles.com Golf rates: $75-$375

Torrey Pines Golf Course 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, Calif., 92037 877-581-7171, select option 6 www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com Golf rates: Residents pay $20 to $49 Visitors pay $219-$259 on South Course, $149-$172 on North Course

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort 7000 N. Resort Drive Tucson, Ariz. 85750 800-234-5117 www.loewshotels.com Golf rates: $63 to $195

G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

I by TerryRoss

want to

PRISTINE BAY RESORT and The Black Pearl Golf Club

be here!

Roatanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Golf Course - a Pete and Perry Dye design

t may be hard to fathom in today’s digitally-wired, been-theredone-that world, but more than 500 years after Christopher Columbus first sailed his fleet into the Caribbean there remains a tropical island amid this azure body of water that is largely undiscovered.

Roatan, located 35 miles off the coast of Honduras and part of the Bay Island archipelago, boasts uncrowded sugar sand beaches that bump up against the world’s second-largest coral reef. If you’ve been there, you’re likely a member of the scuba tanktoting set. There’s an old saying among divers: you’ve either been to Roatan, or you’re planning on going. The “biggest” name resort on the island is Anthony’s Key, which is to divers what Pinehurst and Pebble are to golfers. Have-clubs-will-travel types, however, can officially (as of this writing) put this Central American sexy meets Caribbean charm destination on their radar. World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Pete Dye and son Perry are designing the island’s first golf course, The Black Pearl, at the 400+ acre Pristine Bay Resort on the island’s postcard perfect north side. The par-72, 7,057-yard layout, Dye’s first project in Honduras, is scheduled to open later this year. Roatan’s first golf course starts at the ocean’s doorstep with the first tee located just a smooth wedge from the planned marina. After a stretch of holes that ease golfers into the round (read: fairly flat and flat-out fair), The Black Pearl rises into the island’s rolling foothills, where the majority of rounds will be made or broken. The trip back takes golfers on a wild, predominantly downhill

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return to the seaside clubhouse. The Black Pearl will feature one of Dye’s signature island greens (here’s a hint: the putting surface will be even smaller than Dye’s famous 17th at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course). Fourteen of the 18 holes will offer stunning vistas of the ocean and the Meso-American Barrier Reef. And armchair agronomists take note: the entire layout is grassed with Paspalum turf, a revolutionary salt water tolerant grass that the Dyes pioneered many years ago at Caso de Campo on the Dominican Republic. “The Black Pearl will be scenic, strategic and playable, and is laid out on one of the best canvases we’ve worked with,” says Pete Dye, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008 for his immeasurable impact on the modern game. Unlike many resort golf projects, however, Pristine Bay Resort and The Black Pearl will place a strong emphasis on game improvement. A full service range including driving stations, multiple putting greens and a dedicated short-game area will be available to guests and members for honing their games. Resort officials are also in the process of sourcing a golf school and/or name instructor and stay-play-instruction packages will be offered. In short, Pristine Bay Resort takes its golf seriously, yet will cater to both the low handicap and recreational golfer segments. But golf alone isn’t the only (pardon the pun) pearl offered to lure golfers from the familiar fairways of the U.S and Canada to Pristine Bay Resort. The 120-room, five-star Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay is scheduled to open along with The Black Pearl later this year. Operated by boutique maestros, the Lancaster Group (think Jefferson Hotel in D.C.), the luxury property will set the gold stan-

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dard for customer service on the island, according to resort officials. Guests will have access to a beach club as well as the oceanfront Bay Village at Pristine Bay with boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment options. And a 155-slip full-service marina located near The Black Pearl clubhouse will provide deep-water access for an array of sea-going vessels. Pristine Bay Resort developers aren’t just focused on reinventing the island as a golf destination; they’re sold on Roatan as a viable second and vacation home location for affluent Americans and Canadians. And why not? The island offers low property taxes and no sales and import taxes (see sidebar about living in Roatan and Pristine Bay Resort). Crime is virtually non-existent, and title insurance -a major concern, historically, in Mexico and other Central American countries -- is readily available.

Pristine Bay Resort offers a variety of residential products including bay view and golf course condominiums, two-, three-, and four-bedroom villa units and one-quarter-acre custom home lots, many with unobstructed views of the ocean. Villas start at $600,000 and range up to $1 million; lots start at $230,000 and range up to $460,000. For more information, visit www.pristinebayresort.com or call (786) 315-8657/ (323) 203-0623. Getting There: Roatan is surprisingly accessible via flights from the U.S. and Canada. Roatan International Airport (RTB) is served by nine weekly, non-stop flights from the United States (Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Newark) on Continental, Delta and TACA. Other major carriers offer service into San Pedro Sula, with continuing service to Roatan.

Planning Your Dream Move To Pristine Bay Resort, Roatan Healthcare Costs? Doctor’s visits cost $15, and prescription drugs are 30 to 50 percent less than what they’d cost in the U.S. Most doctors were trained at American medical schools. There is one hospital on the island and several clinics. Income Taxes? American citizens are not subject to Honduran income taxes on foreign-earned income. Only income earned in Honduras is taxed at a rate from 5 to 20 percent. Americans are also exempt from paying U.S. taxes on the first $80,000 of income earned in Honduras. Property Taxes? Foreigners, as individuals, can own up to .75 acres. To own more, one must form a Honduran corporation. It will cost $1,500 www.gvlinks.com

to hire a qualified attorney to draft and file the proper paperwork. Property taxes are exceptionally low. Expect to pay approximately $3.50 for every $1,000 of assessed value (i.e. property assessed at $100,000 will annually cost $350 in taxes. Political Climate? Honduras has a democratically-elected, stable government that wishes to promote tourism. Roatan’s regional government is similarlyinclined. There is a very large American and Canadian presence on the island and English is the predominant spoken language. Location? Surrounded by the world’s second-largest coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, Roatan is 35 miles off the coast of Honduras. It’s only a twohour flight from Miami and a 1.5-hour flight from Houston. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

By Brian Oar

hen the Island Resort & Casino unveiled Sweetgrass Golf Club in July 2008, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula transitioned from an outdoorsman’s paradise with a few quality golf courses to a formidable golf destination with a bevy sporting options to please the palate of all levels of golfers.

The Upper Peninsula – affectionately nicknamed the U.P – features a troika of world-class golf courses, Sweetgrass, Greywalls and TimberStone, which maximize the region’s natural splendor and reflect the area’s Indian heritage.

Sweetgrass www.islandresortandcasino.com • 800-682-6040 ext. 2251

Like its namesake plant used in Indian calming and healing rituals, the aesthetics of the Sweetgrass course – windswept fairways and undulating greens – are sure to relax the mind and body and please the eye. But golfers shouldn’t get too comfortable with the flowing fescues, peaceful waterfalls and acres of unspoiled earth, the Paul Albanese designed course challenges even the most skilled golfers.

Transforming an Outdoorsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paradise

TimberStone #10

Inspired by the tribe’s heritage, Albanese incorporated Native American legend throughout with areas of terrain reminiscent of long-forgotten fortress ruins and tricky bunkers named after tribal elders. The aforementioned, aromatic Sweetgrass is sprinkled liberally on the 18 which stretches a lengthy 7,300 from the tips and has five tee boxes per hole. Novices will find forward tees that sweeten the course to a beginner-friendly 5,000 yards. On a course filled with memorable holes, the 15th – a challenging par-3 – is considered the signature with an island green surrounded by rock formations. A similar landscape awaits golfers on the 17th. The next-to-last hole, a difficult dogleg par-4, features a tee shot over water with a large boulder serving as the target in the middle of the fairway. In addition, a pair of majestic waterfalls split the fairways of the ninth and 18th holes, bringing the round to a breathtaking close. After the 18th golfers have the option of Las Vegas-style gaming at the resort’s recently renovated Island Casino, dining at the world class Beachcomber Restaurant or relaxing with a drink and a concert from one of the top names in show business at the Island Showroom.

TimberStone www.pinemountainresort.com • 877-553-7463 TimberStone Golf Course – an amenity of Pine Mountain Resort – has been named one of Michigan’s Top 10 courses by Golf Digest and sits less than an hour from Sweetgrass making 36 holes a feasible option in one day.

Carved from a dense forest with abundant rock outcroppings, the Jerry-Matthews designed course features four sets of tees and measures just under 7,000 yards from the tips. During the winter, The Pine Mountain Resort doubles as one of the area’s top ski destinations and the golf course winds its way up and down the mountain. One of TimberStone’s signature holes – the par-3 fourth – is known as “Miner’s Trick” with a skull and crossbones marking the spot on the scorecard. Nearly 200 yards from the back tees, the “Pit from Hell” showcases a devastating grass bunker that upon further review is actually a leftover cavity from the area’s long-forgotten mining days. The elevation change, generally subtle throughout the design, becomes fairly evident as you play down Nos. 9 and 18 to a shared green. The ninth is the course’s longest par-4, measuring an intimidating 471 yards, but the wide fairway and downhill approach make the outward finishing hole less daunting. Saving the best for last, the 18th hole challenges golfers with its 625-yard layout. The aptly-named “Double Black Diamond” boasts a pair of tiered rock walls that dissect the fairway and golfers gladly take their par into the clubhouse on this course-capper. New for 2009, TimberStone will unveil a pro shop, “Timbers on the Green” in the spring, as well as a short-game practice area.

Greywalls

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Greywalls www.marquettegolfclub.com • 866-678-7171 Nestled in the Michigan highlands, Greywalls comprises half of the UP’s lone 36-hole facility – Marquette Golf Club. Opened in 1926, the semiprivate club has expanded to include The Heritage, the original course designed by William Langford (later expanded by David Gill) and nationally-ranked Greywalls, designed by Mike DeVries and opened in 2005. DeVries insured that golfers enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Superior during their rounds as the course weaves through majestic forests and granite pillars overlooking the largest of the Great Lakes. The course takes players through a wild ride over diverse but flowing terrains: tumbling fairways, boldly contoured slopes, dramatic elevation changes, rolling and bunkered links land, and spectacular panoramic aquatic views. Golfweek named Greywalls the “No. 2 Course You Can Play” in Michigan and upon its opening, was included in the Top 10 Best New Course listings of several major golf publications.

Off the Golf Course While golf and the great outdoors define the UP, look no further than the Island Resort & Casino, located adjacent to Sweetgrass for around-theclock entertainment. The resort features Las Vegas-style gaming, an expanded floor with 500 newest slot machines, the chic Club Four One nightclub and the Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar with exotic specialties.

MICHIGAN’S

A highlight of the Island Resort & Casino’s multi-million-dollar expansion is the new Palm Tower – 162 spacious, well-appointed rooms and luxurious penthouse suites – adjoining the existing Sun Tower, for a total of 320 living spaces.

UPPER PENINSULA Additionally, the resort boasts the 1,327-seat Island Showroom which has hosted national acts as the Blues Brothers, Martina McBride, Huey Lewis and the News and Gretchen Wilson. Whether searching for championship golf, hunting for game or gaming, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is up the alley of outdoorsman, athletes and golfers of all skill levels.

How to Get There The unspoiled beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula may seem to be a world away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, but Sweetgrass Golf Club, TimberStone and Graywalls are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette, Michigan, as well as the Austin Straubel International Airport in nearby Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

Gulf Shores Brings Design Thrills And Beach Parties by

ant a break from the usual golf destinations like Scottsdale, Hilton Head or Palm Springs? Then head to the Alabama Gulf Shores for excellent golf courses such as Kiva Dunes.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - After a while, planning a golf vacation spot for you and your buddies can take on a tedious familiarity. It becomes like ordering from that same neighborhood restaurant you go to every Friday, the one that changes its entrees less often than Cuba switches leaders.

Glenlakes Golf Club

Let's see ... Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, maybe Orlando. Which one will it be this year? No one's saying those destinations aren't great. A man can get bored of even superb steak after having it day after day though. Or in this case, golf trip after golf trip. You may find yourself asking if there's not something different out there. There is, and you just may find it by looking to Alabama's beaches. That's right, Alabama's world-class beaches. "We're not as under the radar as we used to be as a golf destination," Kiva Dunes Resort General Manger Mark Stillings said. "We've made a lot of strides. At the same time, I think there are a lot of people who still don't even realize Alabama has beaches. "For some reason, Alabama sort of gets lost in the beach discussion. You'll hear people talking about the beaches in Florida of course. Texas even gets a lot of beach talk with South Padre Island. We're overlooked even though we have better beaches than all of them." You'd find these distinctive white sugar sand beaches in the Alabama Gulf Shores along with everything else you need in a golf 24

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destination. That's the thing about the Alabama Gulf Shores: it's not one of those haphazardly clobbered together want-to-be poser golf destinations. The Alabama Gulf Shore's courses are close together, providing a real sense of being in one distinct destination. In other words, you're not going to spend half the trip in the rental car. "You drive a lot less here than you even do in Myrtle Beach," first-time Alabama Gulf Shores visitor Mike Howe said. "I like that. Makes it more relaxing." The courses measure up to what you want from a top-flight golf escape too. Alabama Gulf Shores includes arguably the best course in Alabama, a seaside links look you have to play to believe, a few Arnold Palmer designs and other courses with unexpectedly high hills or unexpectedly postcard worthy water holes. "You really can't go wrong with almost all of the better courses around here," said Haymes Snedeker, the older brother of Masters breakout Brandt Snedeker and an All-SEC golfer himself at Ole Miss who grew up in Nashville and has played throughout the world. The party's at Lulu's on Alabama Gulf Shores Of course, like any self-respecting golfer, Haymes Snedeker likes to have a good time after the round, and he's found an easy place to do that. The Alabama Gulf Shores is full of bars with local flavor. Many are on the water, including Lulu's, the most famous bar in several states. Down on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, everyone you play with seems to tout Lulu's too, even though it's a state away. It's owned by Jimmy Buffett's sister. Food's served, it occupies several openair buildings, there are three different big bars and nightly music acts get booked by a guy who knows musical talent well enough to have managed the entertainment at New Orleans' House of Blues. There's also a gigantic sand area where kids Kiva Dunes can play while their parents enjoy an adult beverage just a few feet away. Who says you can't party just because you have toddlers? On the week of my visit, a group of St. Louis golfers racked up a tidy $10,000 bar tab. "If you can't have fun at Lulu's, something's wrong with you," Haymes Snedeker laughed. www.gvlinks.com

IF YOU GO . . . Alabama Gulf Shores Nine golf courses 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches Tel.: (888) 815-1902 Web: www.GolfGulfShores.com Lost Key Golf Club

It helps that Lulu's and the Alabama Gulf Shores in general draws a big spring break crowd, including plenty of lovely Southern co-eds from places like Ole Miss (the school that produces the most Miss Americas in the country) - and a good share of aggressive Cougars too. It helps that Lulu's Assistant General Manger Johnny Fisher (the guy who books the bands) is a golfer who appreciates other duffers. It helps maybe most of all that you'll have played a good golf course earlier in the day. One that will leave you with some extra cash for the bar. Maybe even 10,000 bucks extra if you're in the right tax bracket. Kiva Dunes - Alabama's best course - maxes out at a $99 high season greens fee. That's the highest priced course on the Alabama Gulf Shores. Craft Farms the facility that brought Arnold Palmer to a then largely unknown beach region and essentially started the high-class, reasonable price movement on the Gulf Shores charges $82 prime times for its two Palmer signature designs. And it only goes down from there. Rock Creek Golf Club - an Earl Stone design with rollicking, rolling hills and zany brainy design features like the wood wall wrapped behind the second green - sets a golfer back just $69. "It's important for us for people to feel like they got a good deal and a lot of service for their dollar when their trip's over," Todd Edwards, general manger at the 27-hole Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, said. "That's how you build the destination and keep golfers coming back." The Alabama Gulf Shores is like a fine restaurant that's still trying to impress, as opposed to that long established giant dining institution that knows its customer base is guaranteed. "The thing I like is that the people around here - the guys in the golf shops, the folks at the hotel front desks - really seem to want you to be happy," first-time visitor Jerry Harrington said. "Do you think anybody in Orlando really cares if I'm happy? "There I'm just a number." No numbers on the Alabama Gulf Shores. Unless it's your hole, beer or beach babe count. Kiva Dunes Golf Club

Cotton Creek at Craft Farms 3840 Cotton Creek Circle - Gulf Shores, AL (251) 968-7500 Toll Free: (800) 327-2657 www.craftfarms.com Cypress Bend at Craft Farms 3840 Cotton Creek Circle - Gulf Shores, AL (251) 968-7500 Toll Free: (800) 327-2657 www.craftfarms.com Glenlakes Golf Club 9530 Clubhouse Drive - Foley, AL (251) 955-1220 www.glenlakesgolf.com Kiva Dunes Golf Club 815 Plantation Drive - Gulf Shores, AL (251) 540-7000 Toll Free: (888) TEE-KIVA www.kivadunes.com Lost Key Golf Club 625 Lost Key Drive - Perdido Key, FL (850) 549-2160 Toll Free: (888) 256-7853 www.lostkey.com Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club 20 Peninsula Boulevard - Gulf Shores, AL (251) 968-8009 Toll Free: (800) 391-8009 www.peninsulagolfclub.com Rock Creek Golf Club 140 Clubhouse Drive - Fairhope, AL (251) 928-4223 Toll Free: (800) 458-8815 www.rockcreekgolf.com Soldiers Creek Golf Club 12096 County Road 95 - Elberta, AL (251) 986-T-OFF (8633) www.soldierscreekgolf.com The Golf Club of The Wharf 520 Clubhouse Drive - Gulf Shores, AL (251) 968-7366 www.wharfgolfclub.com TimberCreek Golf Club 9650 Timbercreek Boulevard - Daphne, AL (251) 621-9900 Toll Free: (877) 621-9900 www.golftimbercreek.com

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PERSONALPOSTCARD

in Chow (xin chao) means hello in Vietnamese. Cam on means thank you. Those were the only 2 phrases I learned on our trip to Vietnam but they went a long way. People really appreciated when you tried to speak a little of their language. By the way, the Vietnamese love Americans. I had many people want to talk to me about America, especially kids. I was told by one person that the reason they like Americans because “Americans are fun.” We were in Vietnam to check out the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail, a collection of Vietnam’s best golf venues with some of the most remarkable, luxury accommodations in the world of golf. The caliber of golf in Vietnam is world class. Following the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail is more than a golf vacation. It is an over-the –top exploration of golf, history and culture that reveals tropical Vietnams for what it is – one of the most dynamic, affordable, safe destinations on Earth. Our travel arrangements were made by Exotissimo Travel. Exotissimo is one of the longest established tour operators in South East Asia specializing in customized, luxury travel. Our tour guides could not have been more knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. 26

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Our first stop was Ho City Minh City. Most locals still call it Saigon. It is the largest city in Vietnam with almost 9 million people of a total population of 81 million. 75% of the population of Vietnam is under 35 years old. 15 years old or younger account for 30%. After the “American War” (that is what they call it) ended in 1975, Vietnam became a closed communist society. Visitors and investment was not welcome. The people were starving and very unhappy. In 1992 the society opened up and things have been getting ever since. Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. What really amazed me was the amount of motorbikes in the city. There are thousands of them and they all seem to be honking their horns. The divider lines on the road mean nothing. Crossing the street is a real adventure. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. There is a trick to it though. You wait for a slight break, and walk slowly and deliberately across. Whatever you do, don’t stop once you have started. The motorbikes will circle around you. We stayed at the fabulous 5 Star Caravelle Hotel in the center of the city. It was once the gathering spot for wartime journalists at the famous Saigon Rooftop Bar. The hotel has been totally renovated

and a new tower added. We stayed on the Signature Level. The food and accommodations are only surpassed by the service. The Cu Chi Tunnel System was the site of several major battles during the Vietnam War and the launching site for the Tet Offensive in 1968. It is 40 miles northwest of Saigon and was on the top of our list of places to visit. Starting in 1948 the Viet Cong built a series of connecting tunnels in Cu Chi that by 1965 totaled over 125 miles. Some of the tunnels ran up to and under American bases. The tunnels were used by the VC as hiding spots during combat as well as serving as living quarters and communication and supply routes. Many of the tunnels were on 3 different levels and included barracks, kitchens, food and weapon storage, hospitals and even theaters. Today the Cu Chi tunnels are a war memorial park. It is a major tourist attraction. Visitors are invited to crawl around (I passed) in the safer parts of the tunnels. After two fascinating days in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) we were off to the mountain retreat of Dalat, Vietnam. Dalat is located 190 miles northeast of HCMC in the central highlands. Dalat’s elevation is 4800 feet so the air is crisp and the humidity is low. Dalat was spared during the Vietnam www.gvlinks.com

SIN CHOW FROM VIETNAM by Bill Cannedy

War. The North Vietnamese agreed not to attack, in turn for the Americans to adopt a hands off policy on the North Vietnamese vacation spot in the north. Dalat is called “Le Petit Paris” because of the heavy French influence. It is a favorite vacation and honeymoon spot for the people of Vietnam. There is a cool climate, even during the summer, lakes, parks and even a replica of the Eifel Tower. Dalat is the “flower capital of Vietnam.” We stayed at the 5 Star Sofitel Dalat Palace. The hotel was built in 1922 and has under gone a full luxury renovation maintaining the original 1920s style and charm. I have never stayed in a hotel quite like it. The hotel has 38 rooms and 5 suites. It is surrounded by a superb 12 acre park and is located just minutes from central Dalat. The hotel features a gastronomic restaurant, Larry’s Piano Bar and a spa. The management is European and the staff is friendly and attentive. Everything is “just so.” I was told that if you are going to only play one round of golf in Vietnam then be sure to play Dalat Palace Golf Club. The course was built in the 1920s for the last Emperor of Vietnam. It is a classic design with incredible rise and fall of its terrain and flawless bentgrass conditions. The www.gvlinks.com

course is a breathtaking uninterrupted string of inventive, demanding golf holes. One night in Dalat and we were off to Hanoi, the capital and cultural center of Vietnam. The city of 3 million has a 1000 years of history. We stayed at the brand new InterContinental West Lake. It is a great hotel built by the largest lake in Hanoi. Part of the hotel is actually built over the lake. It has all the amenities you would expect of a 5 Star hotel. I always recommend that you upgrade to the Club Level. For just a few dollars more you get a full breakfast in the morning and appetizers and cocktails at night. On our first day we visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh, or as he is called by many, Uncle Ho, is revered in Vietnam. He is considered the “George Washington” of Vietnam. Thousands of people queue up 5 days a week to view Ho Chi Minh’s body. It is very well organized and the line moves quickly. The Mausoleum is closed two months a year when the body is sent back to Russia to be restored. Food in Vietnam is more than a necessity, it is an art. There is a strong French and Chinese influence. All the ingredients are fresh. The fast food of Vietnam (There are no McDonalds in Vietnam) is pho, which is a beef or chicken

noodle soup. We ate at a pho restaurant where Bill Clinton ate when he visited. One of the highlights of our trip was an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is a World Heritage Site and is about a three-hour drive from Hanoi. We boarded the Ha Long Ginger with its 10 cabins and unrivaled luxury. The wooden junk measures 125 feet in length and houses 3 decks that contain an elegant but casual restaurant, 2 bars, a small library and a massage room. The trip starts off with a nine course lunch of fantastic Vietnamese cuisine. There is a bar-b-q on deck in the evening. We relaxed as we viewed some of the most amazing scenery in the world. On our return from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi we played the spectacular ChiLinh Star Golf Club. ChiLinh is one of the premier courses in Vietnam and is located on 800 acres in a magnificent valley with a large lake and many water features. The modern clubhouse occupies the highest point of ChiLinh Star and has a commanding view of the entire course. I highly recommend you put Vietnam on your list of exotic places to golf. The International Association of Golf Tour Operators selected Vietnam as the “undiscovered golf destination of the year” in 2007. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

MYTURN

Top Golf Cities In America From Sin City to Chicago, Great Links Are Never Far

oing on a business trip to a big city? Consider bringing your golf clubs. Golfers accustomed to traveling to resorts and remote golf enclaves should remember that golf courses are part of the layouts of many a metropolis that came of age during the boom eras of the late 1890s and 1920s, when golfing was all the rage. Even New York City has some architectural gems hidden in its outer boroughs, and now the most recent upsurge in golf course construction has created some beautiful and challenging tracts in suburban areas, bringing more great urban golf to the city slicker.

For the lowdown on the fairest fairways, we consulted with leading golf editors and writers and local experts. First question: What makes a great golf city? To Paul Rogers, senior editor at Travel & Leisure Golf, "it starts with the concentration of courses—great golf cities have at least several good public courses along with private clubs that have history and some kind of golfing soul." Golf Magazine senior editor "Travelin'" Joe Passov singles out his kind of golfing town: "A place like Chicago has both great public and private courses, and a great tournament history—and it's a just great sports town, period. Enjoying the golf there is another way of enjoying the city." Passov lives in Phoenix, which perennially leads every golf city list. "Brutally hot as it is in the summer, it's still a 12-month golf destination. You've got the volume of courses, the number of top public courses—and then it's got a great golf vibe. It's got the best-attended golf tournament in the world, the Phoenix Open, played at a public course [TPC Scottsdale]." Traveling to a great golf city gives you a unique sense of a place, whether it's seeing the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco's Lincoln Park, or savoring the chowder at the turn in Myrtle Beach's Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. "It's an immersion experience," says Rogers, "Enjoying a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich at Cog Hill in Chicago as you're listening to the locals talk with pride about where the pros scored double-bogeys is part of a

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great golfing experience. These courses are places where you don't run into tourists very much." Certain reassuring patterns seem to emerge. Often the best golfing cities boast one or two good private-turnedpublic clubs that somewhere along the line were taken over by the local government, which runs them as a muni, usually charging bargain greens fees as a service to local residents. While such courses can be crowded and sometimes a bit rough around the edges, a course like San Francisco's Presidio has played host to numerous regional tournaments and sectional qualifiers in its history. Some “urban” areas aren’t exactly cities: For example, you might not go to Myrtle Beach except to golf or enjoy the surf, but as far as golf courses go, the Grand Strand pretty much defines "critical mass." As Passov notes, "Myrtle Beach mastered the art of the golf package, and because it's within driving distance of virtually every population center back East, for me, that's the supermarket of golf." And having stepped up its efforts to appeal to the upscale traveler with first-class accommodations to match the better courses there, we couldn't leave it out. Then there are the "sleeper" cities, where great golf has crept in under the radar over the past few years. A couple of these missed our cut, but just barely: Birmingham, Ala., is home to Ross Bridge, the flagship of the great Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, along with three other Trail courses in Oxmoor Valley; Hurdzan/Fry's Farm Links; and Jerry Pate's Limestone Springs up in the Appalachians, a half an hour north of the city. Despite its short golf season, Minneapolis/St. Paul has a solid lineup of excellent courses, including Chaska Town, just down the street from Hazeltine. Tacoma put itself solidly on the city golf map with the spectacular new Chambers Bay course, a muni designed and slated to host the U.S. Open in 2015. Good golf burgs, all. Instead of heading for the hills for your next golf vacation, you might want to go to town instead—or at least take along the sticks should business or family obligations take you there.

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DESTINATIONS $99 rd

Standa

$65ht

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THROUGH APRIL 12

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WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO PLAY

Southern California

$79/$5 5 $89/$6 Standa 0 rd/Tw

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APRIL 13 thru May 31

G O L F V A C A T I O N S • A P R I L 2009

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