OUR FIFTH YEAR!
WANT TO OWN YOUR OWN COURSE? I CHINA’S MISSION HILLS GOLF CLUB
GOLF VACATIONS SUMMER 2007
WHISTLER IN SUMMERTIME
COOL OFF CANADIAN-STYLE
THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY A MONTEREY MARVEL
PLUS:
Abaco Club on Winding Bay I Jetting Off to Your Teetime
Golf Unforgettable Place
To integrate quality and style with social and environmental responsibility has been the Gr Questro benchmark for over two decades. In every development the custom designed g destinations have included the involvement of numerous international firms, such as Nick Design and Signature Courses, Robert Trent Jones II Design and Greg Norman Signat Courses. Today, each is a strategic partner to Grupo Questro, producing the pinnacle featur every uniquely master-planned project - ensuring that Questro communities become must-play golf destinations for those visiting or living in Los Cabos.
To reserve a tee time or to find out more about a Questro destination please c Toll free USA: 1-877-795-8727 Toll free MĂŠxico: 01-800-543-2044 Rest of the World: 011-52(624)173-9400
es
www.caboreal.com
www.puertoloscabos.com
Grupo ed golf Nicklaus gnature ature of me the
ase call: www.clubcampestresanjose.com
Š 2007 RCSH All Rights Reserved
- RUTH
Phoenix (602) 957-9600
Pasadena (626) 583-8122
Scottsdale (480) 991-5988
Roseville (916) 780-6910
Anaheim (714) 750-5466
Sacramento (916) 286-2702
Beverly Hills (310) 859-8744
San Diego (619) 233-1422
Del Mar (858) 755-1454
San Francisco (415) 673-0557
Irvine (949) 252-8848
Walnut Creek (925) 977-3477
Palm Desert (760) 779-1998
Woodland Hills (818) 227-9505
Group Private Dining Available Reservations & Gift Cards at www.RuthsChris.com
contents I summer 2007
30 cover
30
stories
Summer In Scottsdale? You Bet! On the course or off, Scottsdale is loaded with kid-friendly, family-friendly summer fun.
32
32
Whistler: A Golf Medal Golf Holiday
41
The Links at Spanish Bay
by Alan Eisenstein
Cool off this season at Canada’s premier summer fun spot. The golf is amazing, the scenery . . . well, you gotta see it for yourself!
by Tom LaMarre
A visit to Monterey isn’t complete without teeing it up at this younger brother to Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.
41
46
Set Sail For Some Real Bahamas Golf by Steve Pike
With a little hand from Ritz-Carlton, British magnate Peter de Savary delivers the ultimate Bahamian golf hideaway.
ON THE COVER: Chateau Whistler Golf Club, British Columbia, Canada
6
46 G O L F VA C AT I O N S • S U M M E R 2 0 0 7
www.gvlinks.com
328 Elegantly Appointed Suites
Escape the ordinary and discover the extraordinary
Spacious One and Two Bedroom Condominiums with Full Kitchens Charming Studio Suites with Kitchenettes Site of the 2000 LPGA Standard Register PING Tournament
18-Hole Championship Golf Course Complete Practice Facilities Sparkling Pool & Poolside Cabana Deluxe Fitness Center Spa Treatments Trail’s End Bar and Grill
1-888-828-FORE www.legacygolfresort.com 6808 South 32nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona
Golf Packages* start at $299 per night Must mention Par-3 package to receive this offer.
* Par-3 package offers a variety of golf courses: Legacy, Orange Tree, The Duke, Longbow, Ocotillo, Silverado & Starfire. Expires 12/31/07
contents I summer 2007
features
26
26 WorldBeat: Mission Hills Golf Club Huge resort anchors booming China links scene.
28 Not Just For John Travolta More golfers are discovering the convenience and ease of jetting off to their next round of golf. by Chris Baldwin
departments
28
15 Chip Shots Updates From The World Of Golf & Travel
54 Resort Report: Fantasy Springs Resort Clive Clark Sculpts Another Beauty
56 Fairway Living
by Chris Baldwin
Owning Your Own Golf Course Not Too Far-Fetched
58 My Turn
by William Wolfrum
Famous Female Golfers Aren’t All on the LPGA Tour
v i s i t w w w. g v l i n k s . c o m
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58 www.gvlinks.com
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz Contributing Writers Chris Baldwin • Alan Eisenstein • Tom LaMarre Steve Pike • Brandon Tucker • William Wolfrum Design & Production Buy Design • J.D. Latorre Features Editor Larry Feldman Copy Editor Mary Anne Pinkston For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 e-mail: info@GVLinks.com
Advertising Representatives Palm Springs, CA • 760-318-6214 Dan Amezcua Scottsdale, AZ • 985-259-0716 Cary Kercheval • Erik Moss Los Angeles, CA • 323-933-5518 Michael Villalpando - Melrose Media Group San Diego, CA • 619-709-4425 Wayne McCollum
Published by
President Jeffrey Diaz 100 S. Sunrise Way., Suite 257 Palm Springs, California 92262 800-940-7816 • fax 760-416-1293
and
Destiny Media, LLC President/CEO James A. Diaz 3877 N. 7th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona 85014 480-451-4777 • fax 602-277-9388
Golf Vacations Magazine is published bi-monthly and is selectively distributed throughout the entire fifty United States. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2007 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. For home or office delivery, please send your name, address, phone number and $18 to Golf Vacations Magazine at the address above.
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G O L F VA C AT I O N S • S U M M E R 2 0 0 7
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experience Palm Springs UNLIMITED GOLF at Classic Club — Specials! May
June - August $ $
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MON-SUN
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(760) 601-3600 www.ClassicClubGolf.com Conveniently located off I-10 at Cook St.
“Voted one of the Top Five New Public Courses in the America’s in 2006 by Golf Digest”
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PHOTOS BY SCOTT AVRA
Additional rounds based on availability. Must present ad at check in. Offer not applicable for groups, special offers or other promotions. Tee-times may be booked up to 7 days in advance. Expires 8/30/07.
Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management.
from the editor . . .
E
Cande’s Golf Getaways Stay & Play • Custom packages • Lodging • Tee times • Tournaments • Transportation • Meeting Services • Banquets • Award Dinners • Personal Service
Golf travel planning without the worry United States, Mexico, Canada and more . . . 866-805-9400 • www.candesgolfgetaways.com • email: candestours@cox.net 12
G O L F VA C AT I O N S • S U M M E R 2 0 0 7
ver wonder what ski resorts do in the summertime when the slopes are parched brown and the only thing rocketing down the double diamond runs are crazy knobby-tired, off-road bicyclists. Well, the smart ones start by taking those slalom sticks down off the mountain, planting them upright in a cup, and proclaiming the golf season officially open. A Canadian classic like Whistler already knows how to treat their winter clientele to luxurious accommodations, fine dining, pampering spa treatments, boutique shopping, music and more. It’s not too far a reach to see how summer golfers would flock to a place that’s known more for their white powdered slopes than for their neatly manicured greens. Our cover story takes you to a mountain marvel that cranks up the family fun in any season. And speaking of white surfaces, join writer Steve Pike this issue as he heads to the powdery beaches of The Bahamas to visit the Abaco Club on Winding Bay and play some truly “secret hideaway” golf. If you’re “California Dreamin” this summer, then our peek at The Links at Spanish Bay out on the Monterey Peninsula will make you quickly forget that missed opportunity to play Pebble Beach or Spyglass Hill. You can still rub your friend’s noses in with the fact that “you were up in Pebble this summer.” Just remember to tell them that your new motto is “Play the Bay.” And if you think summer in Canada seems out of the loop for the usual summer getaway, then get set for the other extreme. Check out what awaits you in the desert heat of Scottsdale. You’ll be pleasantly surprised! Canada, California, Bahamas, Timbuktu. It doesn’t matter where you go. Just go. Get out on the links, play nine with your kid, crack a cold one with your best friend, enjoy the sunshine. Remember, summertime’s here and the livin’ is easy! Thanks for reading.
Jeffrey Diaz executive editor www.gvlinks.com
CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Chris Baldwin carries 13 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 landed the interview that brought out Rush Limbaugh’s first controversial comments on Michelle Wie. Chris 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, two U.S. Opens and plenty of other golf.
Alan Eisenstein is a freelance golf and travel writer and marketing consultant. He worked in the television, cable and advertising industries for 35 years. He has happily played golf for 45 years, starting as a caddie in his native Chicago and been a member of clubs across the country - in Philadelphia, New Mexico and now in Blaine, Washington where he resides.
Steve Pike is an award-winning golf writer and author who helped define golf business reporting in the early 1990s as the first Golf Business Editor for Golfweek magazine and later at Golf World and Golf Shop Operations magazines for Golf Digest. Steve further pioneered this genre as the golf business writer and editor for PGA.com. He started in newspapers more than 25 years ago and has covered all sports including Major League Baseball, the NFL, NHL, NBA. As a travel and golf writer, “Spike’’ has climbed volcanoes in the Canary Islands, ascended the Great Wall of China, teed off in the Austrian Alps, and shared single-malt scotch with Sir Michael Bonallack at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. A die-hard baseball fan, Steve lives in South Florida.
Tom LaMarre has been a sportswriter for some 40 years, including long stints with the Oakland Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. He was the Tribune’s beat writer with the Oakland Raider for seven seasons in the 1970’s and has written two books, “Winning Offensive Football” with quarterback Kenny Stabler and “Stadium Stories: The Oakland Raiders.” Tom makes his home now in the Orlando area.
William Wolfrum is a long-time sports journalist and commentator whose work has appeared in the Boston Globe, Seattle Times, Dallas Morning-News and many other newspapers, magazines and Web sites. William attended the University of AlaskaAnchorage, and currently resides in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Brandon Tucker hosts a weekly golf destination podcast, Sweet Spots on WorldGolf.com, as well as a daily blog. While based in Europe, his travels have taken him to golf courses in Scotland, Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic. A competitive golfer since the age of ten, Brandon served as a reporter and photographer for WTXL, in Tallahassee, Fl. and later become producer of onboard television for Norwegian Cruise Lines. He’s played some great courses around the world but, call it a "home bias", beautiful northern Michigan is still his favorite spot to tee it up.
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • S U M M E R 2007
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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 >>
chip shots
Camp Creek Golf Club
WaterColor Inn and Resort
GEORGIA HAS WATERCOLOR, CAMP CREEK ON ITS MIND
T
here’s an old saying along Florida’s Emerald Coast: "As goes St. Joe, so goes Northwest Florida." Considering the Jacksonville-based company’s course of action over the past decade, the going is pretty good. Savvy have - clubs - will - travel Atlanta residents, with a penchant for coastal living and all the benefits that come with it, have been flocking to the Florida panhandle to take advantage of St. Joe’s tastefully rendered, masterplanned communities. Since shifting its focus from paper to real estate, St. Joe has eschewed the cookie cutter neighborhoods churned out by so many developers in favor of tastefully wrought communities with a "sense of place.” Case in point being two of Florida’s most environmentally sensitive, progressively designed communities: WaterColor in Seagrove Beach and neighboring WaterSound, both located along south Walton County's Scenic Highway 30A on Florida’s northwestern Gulf Coast. WaterColor is a casual chic coastal resort and residential community with pastel colored buildings and traditionally styled homes connected by a pedestrian-friendly sidewalk and street network that effectively serve as text book example of “New Urbanism” design principles. At WaterColor’s core is the internationally-acclaimed WaterColor Inn and Resort; designed by New York artist David Rockwell. WaterColor Inn is ideal for families and couples who enjoy beach vacations, a rasped from the everyday grind or the chance to play at the award-winning Tom Fazio layout - Camp Creek Golf Club. Located six miles east of WaterColor and just a chip shot from WaterSound, Camp Creek has consistently been cited as
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one of Fazio’s best designs since its opening in 2001. With no geographical limitations – St. Joe owns more than 350,000 acres within 10 miles of the Gulf Coast – Fazio was presented with “free roam” of the 1,000-acre site. When the dust settled, Tom Fazio and his shapers had moved over one million cubic yards of dirt. The result, ironically, is a 7,151-yard, par 72, layout that from first tee to final green appears to be an original part of the coastal landscape. Camp Creek boasts what Fazio terms a “dunescape” appearance. The course is known for its large, undulating greens and pristine appearance, but its calling card may be its rustic, native feel. Among the most environmentally-friendly courses in the country, Camp Creek’s extensive wetland system and large swaths of protected area are home to countless varieties of flora and fauna that clearly enhance players’ experiences. Fazio created an incredible golf experience in true JOE style. Recently, WaterColor and WaterSound have set aside a full slate of luxury rental vacation homes for groups of any size. Whether it’s a small party longing to get away to a tony residence with a view of the Gulf, or a large crew seeking a charming coastal cottage, a wide variety of accommodations are offered throughout both properties. Vacation home rentals have emerged as a huge hit with large bands of traveling golfers and families looking for more space and the comforts of home. For those who’d like to turn a visit into a new permanent address, WaterColor and WaterSound offer a full array of coastal real estate options, ranging from multi-family condominium units to single-family custom homesites. www.stjoe.com G O L F V A C A T I O N S • S U M M E R 2007
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SUMMER SAVINGS IN THE LAP OF LUXURY AT BREAKERS PALM BEACH This summer season, value-conscious luxury remains a priority for discerning consumers, as couples and families continue to invest in longer vacations at quality destinations for recreation and relaxation.
New Breaker’s cabanas
cable to The Spa, eight restaurants, golf, and day rental of The Breakers' new Beach Bungalows and Grand Cabanas – among the finest resort cabana experiences in the U.S. Available July 1 - September 30, 2007, this popular Stay Longer and Save promotion makes it even more enticing to extend a vacation, to upgrade to premium accommodations, and enjoy the resort's multifaceted recreational amenities. For reservations or more complete details contact the resort toll-free at 1-888-BREAKERS (2732537) or visit http://www.thebreakers.com.
ARNOLD PALMER’S BAY HILL CLUB ANNOUNCES 2007 PACKAGES
Foreseeing this trend for the past few years, the legendary Breakers Palm Beach will once again offer its vacationing summer guests its Stay Longer and Save reduced room rates, which provide increased savings based on length of stay, plus a variety of value-added incentives and discounts appli-
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Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, site of the PGA Tour’s annual Arnold Palmer Invitational, recently announced rates for 2007 golf, spa and bed & breakfast packages. Each package grants full access to the private club’s amenities, including a world-class spa and salon, tennis courts, fitness facilities, the onsite Arnold Palmer Golf Academy and more. The golf package includes 18 holes of golf complete with cart, range balls, locker room access and club storage, deluxe non-
Hole 14 at Bay Hill
smoking accommodations with daily breakfast buffet and access to all of the club’s amenities, including the full-service salon and spa, fitness center, tennis courts and swimming pool. Golf packages begin at $245 per night, single occupancy, and $361 per night, double occupancy The spa package offers guests the choice of a 60-minute Swedish massage or European facial in addition to access to the salon and spa facilities, as well as a daily breakfast buffet. Spa packages begin at $251 per night, single occupancy, and $353 per night, double occupancy (both persons receiving a spa treatment.) Finally, Bay Hill offers a bed & breakfast package which includes daily breakfast buffet and access to salon and spa facilities. The bed & breakfast package begins at $149 per night, single occupancy, and $169 per night, double occupancy. For reservations or membership information, call (888) 422-9445 or (407) 876- 2429
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GARY PLAYER’S BLAIR ATHOLL GOLF COURSE OPENS IN SOUTH AFRICA
HOW SUITE IT IS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE’S BALSAMS
The golf course at Gary Player's former South African residence, Blair Atholl, was officially opened on Saturday, April 21st, to rave reviews from founding members, media and guests. The Blair Atholl estate north of Johannesburg has been the Player family residence for the past 25 years and, in fact, the Player family has retained the homestead around which the ultra low-density residential golf estate has been developed. The larger-than-life golf course has been designed by Gary Player in such a way that the routing has allowed for 11 water-featured holes. Whether alongside the Crocodile River, which runs through the entire estate, or natural dams, these holes have unique aesthetic appearances and Player has created wonderful features enhancing the playability, shot value and variety. The course length is in excess of 8,500 yards from the back tees, making it the longest course in Southern Africa and will test scratch players, yet still ensure enjoyment for handicap golfers. www.blairatholl.co.za
Families will enjoy fun and togetherness with the added comfort and privacy of a connecting bedroom with The Balsams’ How Suite It Is Package, starting at $289, per suite, per night, up to four people. The package features a two bedroom family suite for up to four people; full buffet breakfast for four in the Dining Room; resort activities, nightly entertainment; homemade cookies; and a stuffed moose for every child. Nestled in the Great North Woods high in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel is a family vacation destination offering outdoor adventure, an 18-hole Donald Ross championship golf course, a wide array of recreational activities, and Camp Wind Whistle, a supervised program for children ages 5 to 10+. Winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 Gold List #1 for Food in The United States, The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel is grand
in every sense of the word. This legendary, 15,000-acre four-star destination boasts 202 individually decorated guestrooms and suites; four dining venues, including the Dining Room, renowned for its sumptuous table d’hote culinary presentations. The Balsams’ famous “Ballot Room” serves as the polling place for the nearly two dozen area residents who are the “first in the nation” to report the results of their voting in national elections. The How Suite It Is Package is available Memorial Day through Labor Day, Sunday through Thursday. For reservations and information, call toll-free at (866) 380-6798, or visit online at www.TheBalsams.com.
Coming Travel Concierge Soon! An exclusive travel service brought to you by Golf Vacations Magazine. Our editors bring you the very best in golf vacation packages with some unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Plus flights, cars, hotels package deals & more! Check it out this summer at:
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • S U M M E R 2007
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BRITISHCOLUMBIAGIMMEES Visit Vancouver Island Golf Trail The Vancouver Island Golf Trail allows the truly dedicated golfer to spend an entire vacation exploring the variety of courses available up and down Vancouver island. Visitors can enjoy six-nights accommodation and six rounds of golf at their choice of Bear Mountain Resort, Olympic View GC, Arbutus Ridge Golf & CC, Cowichan Golf & CC, Duncan Meadows GC, Fairwinds Golf & CC, Morningstar Int’l GC, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, Crown Isle Resort and Storey Creek GC. The Vancouver Island Golf Trail begins at $460. Visit www.golfvancouverisland.ca for more information. Victoria’s Bear Mountain Resort to Open Second Golf Course Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria is scheduled to open a second golf course in 2008. Bear Mountain Resort is currently home to Vancouver Island's only Jack and Steve Nicklaus co-designed golf
course opened in 2003 and the second course will also be Nicklaus-designed. The new golf course will be a par-70, 6,981 yard, 18-hole championship golf course. For more information visit www.bearmountain.ca Cliffs Over Maple Bay Located in the Cowichan Valley, less than one hour's drive north of Victoria, the Cliffs Over Maple Bay is a 300-acre planned community including a Greg Norman Signature Design Golf Course. Scheduled to open in Spring 2008, the 140-acre, 18-hole championship golf course will be a 6,891 yard, par-72 layout. Cliffs Over Maple Bay overlooks the Strait of Georgia and Maple Bay, one of Vancouver Island's most sheltered marinas and charming communities. Cowichan means the "warm land" in the local native language and is home to Vancouver Island's wine country. Visit www.cliffsovermaplebay.com for more information.
Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Canada Coming to Vancouver Island A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is coming to Vancouver Island and has been named the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Canada; a designation assigned to only one club in each country by The Golden Bear. Scheduled to open in 2009, the course will be part of Wyndandsea, a $650million CDN luxury resort and residential development in Ucluelet, four hours and 30 minutes northwest of Victoria on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Set on the Pacific Ocean, the resort will cover 370 acres located next to Pacific Rim National Park and the course will offer a unique sunrise-to-sunset experience. Nicklaus has bought a home in Wyndandsea's exclusive Signature Circle - an enclave of 35 oceanfront estate lots with access to a private putting green, helicopter landing pad and a park. This will allow owners reciprocal privileges at the 25 Nicklaus clubs worldwide with the use of Nicklaus' homes at each course. For more information visit www.marinedriveproperties.com
*By Golf Inc. Magazine
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PERRYGOLF ANNOUNCES WALKER CUP TRAVEL PACKAGE SPECIAL Could the 2007 Walker Cup Match at Royal County Down, Ireland, possibly equal the drama of two years ago when the USA team wrestled the Cup back from the Great Britain & Ireland side by the slimmest of margins at the Chicago Golf Club? "If it gets any more exciting than that, I'm not sure I'm going to be standing at the end," said Colin Dalgleish, cofounder of PerryGolf and the non-playing captain for the 2007 GB&I team. Recognizing the appeal of the prestigious amateur event as the centerpiece of a custom golf tour, PerryGolf has announced a special Walker Cup package, Sept. 8-9, which includes accommodations, series tickets and a reception. "Over the years, a number of our clients have told us how much they enjoy combining a competitive event with their own golf while in the British Isles," said Gordon Dalgleish, who founded PerryGolf with his brother, Colin, in 1984. Royal County Down, Ireland
Ultimate Rail and Golf Safari to South Africa
P
owerGolf is offering an exciting Golf Safari on board the “Most Luxurious Train in the World”. The itinerary consists of golf at some of South Africa's best courses, magnificent scenery, five-star accommodation, elegant dining and fine wines. This special journey commences August 22 and December 5 in Pretoria and travels east towards the spectacular Drakensberg escarpment en route to Nelspruit. Play at Hans Merensky Golf Estate or enjoy a game drive in the world famous Kruger Park followed by lunch. Tee off at the Royal Swazi Golf Club, near Manzini in Swaziland, while nongolfers visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, lunch at the Royal Swazi Hotel followed by a game drive in the Mkhaya Game Reserve.
Then it’s on to Zululand for game viewing in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia Estuary. Play one of South Africa’s finest courses, the Durban Beachwood Country Club, while nonplaying guests enjoy a city tour of Durban followed by lunch at the Golf Club. In the foothills of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains 18-holes await at the Champagne Sports Resort, with a guided tour of the Battlefields a further highlight for non-golfers. Relax as the train travels north towards the magnificent resort of Sun City in the Pilanesberg Mountains. A full day is spent at this world-famous facility before departing for Pretoria where this memorable journey ends. For further information and details contact Alan Hall by email: alan@powergolfsa.com
The GB&I team that Colin Dalgleish sends against the USA team will be trying to avenge a 12 - 11 loss two years ago that ended GB&I's try for a fourth consecutive Walker Cup win. Royal County Down is only the second club in Ireland, after Portmarnock in 1991, to host the biennial contest. In addition to the Walker Cup, PerryGolf's 2007 tour schedule features another high profile event, the 136th Open Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland. PerryGolf's British Open by Sea tour, July 14-23, will combine the Open Championship with golf at Prestwick, Ballyliffin, Royal Dornoch, Royal Aberdeen and Kingsbarns. For information on PerryGolf visit www.perrygolf.com, or call 800-344-5257. www.gvlinks.com
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • S U M M E R 2007
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Barton Creek Resort & Spa
CANDE’S GOLF GETAWAYS HITS HOT SPOTS WITH GOLF PACKAGES
Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin Golf to Your Heart's Content on the #1 and #2 rated resort golf courses in Texas when you request this Fazio Unlimited Golf Package with endless play on the two spectacular Tom Fazio, championship Palmer and Crenshaw courses; accommodations and a hearty breakfast, too. Valid thru August 31, 2007 • $276 The Homestead / Hot Springs, VA Enjoy a round of golf each day on either the Lower Cascades course or the
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Old Course with the oldest tee in continuous use in the world. Fresh mountain air and some of the best golf in the country await you on this Legendary Golf Package which includes lodging, breakfast & dinner daily, use of driving range, one sleeve of Titleist balls per person • $383.50 Stupendous Cabo San Lucas Special Play five (5) glorious rounds at the magnificent Cabo Real, Campo Compestre and new Nicklaus/Norman Course- Puerto Los Cabos. Six (6) nights’ lodging, ocean view room at the luxurious AAA 4 Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort; round trip airport/hotel and golf course/hotel transfers; includes tax. December 1-7, 2007 • $1,995 All packages are golfer /golfer, double occupancy, per person pricing. www.candesgolfgetaways.com
MAGNOLIA GOLF TRAIL COURSES GET CLUSTERED IN RELAUNCH
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism announced that the Magnolia Golf Trail now offers 11 member courses and customized packages (www.magnoliagolftrail.com). Magnolia Golf Trail courses are found in two convenient clusters making it easy for golfers to play many courses with short drives in between. The cluster in southern Mississippi on or near the Gulf Coast includes: The Preserve, The Bridges, Shell Landing, Quail Hollow, and Timberton. The cluster of Magnolia Golf Trail course in the Delta and Hills regions of northern Mississippi includes: Tunica National Golf & Tennis Club, River Bend Links, Mallard Pointe, Big Oaks, The Dogwoods and Kirkwood National. Those visiting from outside the state can access the northern cluster of courses by flying into Memphis, which is 25 minutes from Tunica and its world-class casino resorts and two Magnolia Golf Trail courses. The Gulfport-Biloxi airport on the Gulf Coast is a short drive to the cluster of courses in southern Mississippi.
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LOOKING FOR THE IDEAL FLORIDA GOLF GETAWAY THIS SUMMER? Then head to The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, ideally situated on the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and just blocks from Naples’ renowned shopping districts. Measuring 6,448 yards from the blue tees, the resort’s legendary 18-hole, par-72 course features a pristine natural setting,
RESORT AT SQUAW CREEK SUMMER STAY-AND-PLAY PACKAGES OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. -- With all signs pointing to a banner golf season in the Lake Tahoe region, Resort at Squaw Creek - a perennial AAA Four-Diamond property located in the pristine meadow at the base of Squaw Valley USA - is getting an early start by unveiling its summer stay-and-play packages. Boasting a picturesque Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed links-style par-71 layout, Resort at Squaw Creek has a versatile lineup of packages for 2007 including: Unlimited Golf. Ideally suited for the avid golfer, the package starts at $509 per night or $255 per person and includes lodging and a $100 per day, per
room dining credit. Golf Buddies Creek Challenge. Ideally suited for friends or couples, the two-night minimum package starts at $1,309 per night or $327 per person and includes lodging in a two-bedroom penthouse suite for four adults and a $200 per day, per room dining credit. Putt 'N' Pamper. This attractive package starts at $589 per night or $295 per person and includes lodging , choice of one 50-minute massage, facial or body treatment at Spa at Squaw Creek,. Packages include unlimited golf and a dozen resort-logoed balls per guest. For more info visit www.squawcreek.com.
well-manicured fairways and bunkers, and greens that roll true and fast. The course is consistently named “Best Public Golf Course in Southwest Florida.” The “Golf By The Gulf” package includes full breakfast buffet daily for two; confirmed tee times; greens fees and cart usage per day and a complimentary weekly golf clinic. Summer rates run $220 per night for one golfer/one non-golfer, or from $270 per night for two golfers. The resort’s “Instructional Golf Package” includes accommodations for 4 days/3 nights; full breakfast buffet daily for two; 6 hours of instruction at the resort’s PGA-accredited Beach Club Golf School; video swing analysis and nine holes of play with instructor on the third day. For summer the package is from $870 for one golfer/one non-golfer, or from $1,125 for two golfers. Both packages include range balls and bag storage; afternoon tea and cookies at 4 p.m. daily; beach chairs daily for two; and complimentary access to The Spa and Fitness Center. A “must do” at the resort is to experience the resort’s popular Sunset Beach Bar, consistently named “Best Place To Catch A Southwest Florida Sunset.” For information call 1-800-237-7600 or visit www.NaplesBeachHotel.com www.gvlinks.com
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MAUNA LANI RESORT HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL COUPLES GOLF INV’T Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii will be hosting its 3rd Annual "Mauna Lani Couples Golf Invitational" over Labor Day weekend from August 28 through September 2. Couples can test their golf skills on the famed Francis H I'i Brown North and South Courses as well as enjoy several exciting activities planned throughout the weekend. Room and tournament packages for participating couples start at $3,125. The package includes:a five-night stay at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel Bungalows; welcome Reception; practice rounds; tournament play and a gift from Francis I'i
Brown Golf Course; daily breakfast in Bay Terrace for 5 days; daily lunch in The Gallery Restaurant and a gala awards dinner on September 1st. For hotel reservations, call Mauna Lani at 800-367-2323 or 808-885-6622, or visit www.maunalani.com For tournament information, contact Mauna Lani Golf Club at 808-881-7015 or visit www.maunalani.com
2-DAY JUNIOR CAMPS OFFERED THIS SUMMER AT KIAWAH ISLAND
swing and short game and will feature both on-range and on-course instruction with some indoor lessons as well. In addition to golf mechanics, the on-course and indoor sessions will also feature some instruction on rules and basic game etiquette.” The two-day camps cost $305 and will have at most a 5 to 1 student to teacher ratio. Students can opt for just one day for $165. The camps instructors will come from Kiawah Island’s professional golf staff – the largest of any resort in the
Kiawah Island Golf Resort will offer two-day Junior Golf Camps this year starting in June and running through Labor Day. Camps run twice a week with a MondayTuesday camp and a Thursday-Friday camp, each run from 2:00-5:30 pm. “These camps are geared to the intermediate golfer between the age of 12 and 17,” explained Ronnie Miller, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Director of Instruction. “They focus on both full
U.S. with 17 PGA members and 4 apprentices. For more information about Kiawah Island Golf Resort, call (888) 854-2924 or visit www.kiawahgolf.com.
GOLF IN RIVIERA NAYARIT: GREAT COMING ATTRACTIONS Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along 100 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains which unfolds minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends from the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta to the historic, colonial town of San Blas, including exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. A fascinating work in progress, the golf scene has several more championship courses planned by Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf and Joe Finger. On tap already are: Flamingos Golf Club, Nuevo Vallarta Built in 1978 and playing 6,982 yards with a par-71, Flamingos Golf Club was designed by Percy Clifford, an English designer well known in Mexico for his work on several of the best courses, including the Club de Golf Mexico and Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City. Integrating the natural beauty of the location, the course preserves the tropical greenery, over 1800 palm trees, and a rolling terrain that
makes it challenging but enjoyable. Built in and around a series of natural marshes, lagoons and estuaries that are habitat for local fauna such as deer, hares, crocodiles, turtles and over 100 species of birds, Flamingos is a test of chipping skills and every other aspect of the game. Four Seasons Golf Club At Punta Mita The 7,014-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature course has made Punta Mita a veritable paradise for world- class golfing. Among the distinctive features of the Four Seasons Punta Mita
course is the signature island hole, 3B, the world's only natural island green situated 194 yards away. The hole is known as the "Tail of the Whale," because when seen
Jack Nicklaus Signature
from the air, it resembles the shape of the tail of the Humpback whales that frequent the offshore waters of Punta Mita during winter months. El Tigre Club De Golf, Nuevo Vallarta At 7,239 yards and par 72, El Tigre was designed by Robert von Hagge, the well known Texas based designer who is the most prolific designer in Mexico. Nine bodies of water and rolling hills make it a special gem. Mayan Palace GC, Nuevo Vallarta The Mayan Palace Golf Club is located only 15 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport on the Mayan Palace property in Nuevo Vallarta, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Rio Ameca. Opened in 2001 and designed by Jim Lipe, the course features a par-71, 7000 yard challenge, with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean, the Rio Ameca, and the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains. Visit www.VisitRivieraNayarit.com
SUMMER FAMILY FUN AT HILTON LOS CABOS BEACH & GOLF RESORT The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort announced its “Family Fun Summer Promotion,” ideal for family travelers seeking a unique vacation with options and activities for everyone with room rates beginning at $199 per night. The Family Fun Summer package, available July 1 - October 15, 2007, features amenities for children including a welcome "Cabo Cooler" upon arrival, daily 'Vacation Station' activities with lunch included, special Kid's Concierge service for daily/weekly activity planning, once per week 'Dive-In' movie allowing kids to enjoy a favorite flick while floating in the Hilton's pool with
snacks and refreshments served poolside for the entire family, special children's turndown service of milk and cookies, and a souvenir backpack full of surprises. Hilton Los Cabos 'Vacation Station' additionally offers an assortment of interactive activities for children of all ages. From the Hilton Picasso painting workshop and art exhibition to the weekly Fiesta Mexicana piñata party, the Vacation Station has plenty of activities for children's enjoyment. Additional activities include cooking classes and kids karaoke show. Guests of the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort additionally qualify for discounts including unlimited golf at Palmilla Golf Course for $125 plus tax, per person, per day; 20% off all Cabo Dolphin activities (including new program specifically designed for kids ages 4-9). Guests can additionally enjoy 20% off all Splash activities available at the Hilton's beach (one of few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos) including: wave runners, kayaks, snorkels and boogie boards. For reservations and more information, call 1-800-HILTONS or visit www.hiltonloscabos.com.
PALM DESERT GOLF ACADEMY AT DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT Desert Willow Golf Resort, an award winning 36-hole golf destination in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, kicked off 2007 with the debut of The Palm Desert Golf Academy in January. The extensive academy enables guests to experience firsthand the latest in custom club fitting, private instruction, golf schools/corporate clinics and junior programs designed for kids who are new to the game through those preparing for high-caliber competition. Developed and owned by the City of Palm Desert, Desert Willow Golf Resort features two 18-hole designs, the Firecliff and Mountain View. The Southern California destination, surrounded by the scenic Santa Rosa Mountains, also includes a 33,000-square-foot clubhouse, full-service practice facility as well as fine dining and elegant banquet facilities suited for intimate gatherings or large receptions. Both the Firecliff and Mountain View courses received 4 stars in Golf Digest’s latest edition of “Best Places to Play.” For more information on Desert Willow Golf Resort, visit www.desertwillow.com.
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SWEETSTUFF P
utting is one of those things in golf that looks so sim-
ple and yet can be so difficult. At the highest level in professional golf it is usually the difference maker in winning and being an also-ran.
For the recre-
ational player it may mean the difference in a very
satisfying, perhaps even spectacular round, and wanting to quit the game the next day. But whatever the level, putting is known as the key to scoring well and golfers can spend a lifetime looking for that elusive magic flat stick. The Dandy Putter Company of Fountain Valley, California, and its founder—Allan Strand—have developed a line of putters and packaged a putting system that complements them into a small but successful line of clubs that has an impressive track record over the past few years. Dr. Gil Morgan has registered 12 Champions Tour wins using Dandy putters since 1999, and Vijay Singh used a Dandy
and Jack Nicklaus—the idea of coupling a putter manufactured
to promote a certain style of putting is revolutionary. And it is a simple theory at that. The straight back and straight through technique—as if the putter is on a train track—has been taught for years, while many instructors advocate a rotational or curved stroke with an open backstroke and rotating to a closed face after impact. “The rotational stroke is not as consistent,” said Strand, a PGA Tour putting instructor and the inventor of the Dandy. “Everything about this putter is built to promote the straight back and straight through technique of putting and take the rotation away. It is the first integrated putting system that fits the putter to a particular stroke.” Among the features of Dandy putters is built-in forward press with the shaft that improves setup, putter path and putting stroke for better roll and keeps the hands ahead of the putter and eyes over the ball.
The
onset face, meaning the shaft is behind the face, offers a clearer view of the putter during setup and better balance for a reliable pendulum stroke and immediate lifting and rolling with over-spin. A patented Lifeline Grip also helps the Dandy minimize rotation and left-wrist breakdown, according to Strand, and fits up the center of the hands to further promote a straight stroke. “We’ve tested the Dandy on our machine and found that the balance design of these putters rolls the ball better with to win the 2000 Masters. Shingo Katayama also used a Dandy to win on the Japanese Tour in 2006, giving the company 14 world-wide victories for its clubs. Morgan, who is the second alltime money-winner on the Champions Tour, also has 61 Top 10 finishes since 2002 using this club. Although the concept of putting that Strand advocates is not new—he freely admits that he uses theories advocated by some of the greats such as Bobby Locke, Horton Smith, Bobby Jones
75% less dispersion than some of the leading brands on the market,” added Strand. “For those willing to do the work and use the system and the putter, it will show results.” Dandy putters come in three models—a Blade, a Tour Blade—both models will soon feature 303 stainless steel and a new Mallet design that has been played by several tour players and will soon be available on the company’s website. For more information, check out the web site at: www.dandygolf.com TERRY ROSS
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WORLDBEAT
MISSION HILLS GOLF CLUB I
s the golf industry experiencing a slowdown? Maybe in North America. But Asia doesn't want to hear it.
Golf in Asia has benefited hugely from the continent's emergence in the global market. Corporations from around the world are bringing their business - and their golfing personnel - to the Far East, and world-class luxury golf resorts are sprouting up from Vietnam to Thailand. No country has made a bigger splash in global capitalism, or global golf, than China. Exhibit A is the massive Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, a half-hour drive from Hong Kong. With 10 golf courses open and two more nearing completion, Mission Hills is the largest golf complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The $625 million development is spread out over 15 square kilometers, leaving plenty of room for more superlatives: the world's largest pro shop, the world's largest outdoor kids' playground, Asia's biggest tennis complex (51 courts). There are six driving ranges, and the main clubhouse measures 300,000 square feet. The big numbers continue off course. The Mission Hills complex features four spas, a 315-room five-star hotel and two luxury residential communities, plus, not surprisingly, ample conference and function space for conventions and business events.
Schmidt-Curley: The architects behind Mission Hills golf Mission Hills' courses bear the imprimaturs of a dozen top designers and PGA Tour professionals from nine countries, including China's Zhang Lian Wei. But behind the names stands one design firm: Arizona-based Schmidt-Curley. A recognized force in Asia golf, the firm solidified its international name with the monumental Mission Hills project. "Not only is Mission Hills big, the process of putting the course down on that ground was a huge achievement," partner Brian Curley told WorldGolf.com. "We had to move mountains, literally. It wasn't like plotting a course through dunes."
Mission Hills Golf Club No. 1 Mission Hills Road, Shenzhen, China www.MissionHillsGroup.com
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CHINA
Huge Resort Anchors Booming China Links Scene Curley said the firm did what it could to minimize redundancy among the property's 12 courses. "The most obvious differences between the courses would be in the bunker styles," he said. "The environment itself at Mission Hills, with dense jungle, heavy trees - that's consistent from course to course. The backdrops and frames are mostly the same. "We try and bust it up with landscaping, different grass types, tee shapes and bunker themes." Mission Hills has been the site of more than 30 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge. The Jose Maria Olazabal course is set to host the Omega World Golf Championships through 2018. The Olazabal is the resort's longest course at 7,400 yards, but it's the Greg Norman - densely tree-lined and featuring a rugged look reminiscent of Royal Melbourne in Australia - that has garnered a reputation as perhaps Asia's most difficult golf course. More player-friendly designs include the David Leadbetter, David Duval and Annika Sorenstam courses. The Ernie Els and Jumbo Ozaki courses are outfitted with floodlights that allow play until 2 a.m. The final two courses, the Pete Dye and a par-3 course, are slated to open this summer, rounding out the complex's 216 holes.
Brandon Tucker
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Not Just for John Travolta‌ More Golfers Find Private Jets an Option
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COTTSDALE, Ariz. - The private jets zoom right over golfers' heads, an endless parade of big money, power and influence. At least that's what it seems like to hackers swinging on the ground at the TPC Scottsdale Desert Course, a reasonable Phoenix Valley golf course that plays in Lear Jet fumes. Scottsdale Airport, one of the busiest - and most prestigious - single-runway airports in the world, has landing and takeoff patterns over the nearby TPC Desert. "Just think of all that money that's coming in," Carl Emerick said, stepping off the tee as another Gulfstream rumbled overhead. "I wouldn't mind living that life for a week." Emerick and golfers like him might be surprised by the bank accounts and tax brackets of some of those who do. Private-jet travel is still not the stuff of the masses, but it's not exclusive to the John Travolta/Tom Cruise crowd either. Upper-middle-class golfers are taking private jets to their golf vacations. It's still a luxury, mind you - just not a pie-in-thesky unattainable one anymore. "More and more executives are chartering to get to their golf destinations," said Philip Babbitt, director of sales and marketing at NovaJet (www.novajet.ca), a private-aircraft company based in Toronto. "Especially if they're going to somewhere that's a little remote, someplace that would require a number of connections by commercial air. "This way they can fly right into the resort area." One of NovaJet's most popular golf trips is to Pinehurst. Suddenly, the wonders of No. 2's old-school greens and the resorts' new-age spas seem much closer. No mandatory early check-in, endless wait for luggage or, in the case of a place like Pinehurst, long drive in from the nearest major airport. You can show up 15 minutes before your flight, jump on the plane and land at that much closer small airfield.
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When I took a private plane from Vancouver to the Kootenays - a rather remote spot in the mountains of British Columbia - I was amazed at the change in atmosphere from commercial air travel. No one was tensed out. The pilot helped load our luggage and talked to us the whole flight. You never got the idea that someone would call in the National Guard if you gave a funny look. Golfers are going to pay for that convenience and relaxation - but the costs aren't always as sky-high as you might think. "It's a misconception that private jets are just an expensive, exclusive means of traveling," Babbitt said. "If you have four passengers going down to New York [from Toronto], that's $4,500." That's $1,125 per person - not so far from flying first-class on a commercial airliner. The key to keeping private air travel semi-affordable is keeping the flight distance within a few hours. "Anywhere in a 600- to 700-nautical-mile radius can be very competitive with commercial airfares,"
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By Chris Baldwin
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Babbitt said. "And sometimes less expensive." Of course, those seeking a real luxury splurge can easily blow out the budget - or at least give shareholders something to talk about at the next meeting. An extended long weekend jaunt to Scottsdale for eight people runs about $25,000 on NovaJet. "Instead of having to go through Phoenix [Sky Harbor Airport], it gets you right into Scottsdale," Babbitt said. What's 25 large when you're on Troon North 15 minutes after disembarking? For some people, not that much. The real big-money golf escapes are the weeklong trips to Ireland that NovaJet sometimes puts together. It's not always to play golf, either. Sometimes it's all about watching Tiger Woods and company in style. Masters week is one of NovaJet's busiest,
and it is hardly the only private-jet company beating a path to the land of azaleas and green jackets. "We'll have more than one plane on the ground at Augusta," Babbitt said. Private air travel isn't always about the flash. Sometimes it's a short hop on a tiny prop plane, like NovaJet's popular run from Toronto to Muskoka, a rugged land of high-end resorts where Goldie Hawn and Martin Short have lakeside homes. It takes about two and a half hours to get from Toronto to Muskoka by car. The small plane gets golfers there in less than half an hour. And some pretty regular folks take advantage of this. "It makes the idea of going to Muskoka just for the day to golf a lot more realistic," Babbitt said. Such is life as a private jetsetter. It's your plane - at least for the day. You fly when you want.
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SUMMER IN SCOTTSDALE? ENJOY A SCOTTSDALE GOLF EXPERIENCE OFF THE COURSE THIS SUMMER For golfers who want to advance their game, improve their flexibility and strength, and enjoy a golf experience in a spa, Scottsdale is the place to be. Local resorts are offering innovative ways to stay out of the heat and get a one-of-a-kind golf experience.
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and its FOREMAX Golf Training System is getting golfers off the course and into the cool pool this summer with its Workout in the Water program. Led by Fitness Director Steve Heller, this training regime is specifically designed for golfers to improve accuracy and distance off the tee while building overall fitness, adding increased resistance training with the aquatic version. The water workout promises a more pleasant environment with the resort’s Glacier Pool Cooler, a ground-breaking system that helps regulate pool temperature by lowering the water temperature to the mid-80s. For more information, visit www.KierlandResort.com or call (800) 354-5892.
Avoid tunnel vision on the fairway at The Phoenician this summer with the resort’s Golf Visualization experience. Guests who take part in the treatment will accompany the resident meditation consultant for a personalized visualization session on the course. Players will improve their mental game by envisioning the hole and how to play it. Afterward, retreat from the sun’s rays and relax with unique golf-specific spa services like Yoga and Pilates for Golfers, Golf Massage, and Oasis Golf Facial designed to revitalize sun-damaged skin. For more information, visit
The Boulders Resort
www.thephoenician.com or call (800) 888-8234.
The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North combines golf and spa by offering relief off the course with the Golf Specialty Massage. The treatment incorporates stretching and therapeutic techniques to reduce stress and tension in the muscles. Heated golf balls are rolled across the spine and down the neck to remove tightness in the back. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale or call (888) 207-9696.
The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa is home to a signature Golfers Massage, which is ideal for pre-game conditioning or post-game relaxation. Designed to enhance performance by targeting specific muscle groups, the treatment is a perfect complement to a round of golf. For more information, visit www.TheBoulders.com or call (800) 553-1717. Golf Specialty Massage at Four Seasons Resort
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YOU BET! SCOTTSDALE IS KID-FRIENDLY WITH EXCITING GOLF ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER World-class golf is no longer just for tee-loving moms and dads. Kids staying and playing in Scottsdale this summer can hit the links like the pros at one of the destination’s many championship courses.
Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa is bringing back its Kids Golf-4-Free program, designed to promote the game among youth. Kids 15 years old and younger can play for free after 3 p.m. at the Camelback Golf Club when accompanied by an adult. In addition, children can work on improving their game with free golf lessons when accompanied by an adult who is participating in a training session with one of the resort’s knowledgeable golf instructors. For more information, visit www.camelbackgolf.com or call (480) 596-7050.
The Phoenician Golf Club offers the Family Tee program where parents can play with their kids on the Oasis Nine. Each day after 4 p.m., the holes on the course are turned into a kid-friendly par-three with family “par strokes” – rule of three strokes per hole. Kids also can accompany parents to daily demonstration clinics for hotel guests and discover ways to step up their game from the Phoenician’s Director of Golf, Michael Lamanna. The program is available now through June. For more informa-
ForeMax Golf Training System at Westin Kierland Resort
BOOK A VACATION HOME SURROUNDING SOME OF SCOTTSDALE’S PREMIER COURSES Sonoran Suites boasts an arsenal of high-end one-, two- and three- bedroom condominium-style vacation rentals in Scottsdale. Their condos are conveniently located on more than 50 area golf courses and close to 19th hole pursuits such as shopping, nightlife and restaurants. Guests utilizing their Golf Vacation Package can book tee times up to 120 days in advance of their stay at partner courses including We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, The Boulders Golf Club, Grayhawk Golf Club, Troon North Golf Club and TPC Scottsdale. Those wanting to take a jaunt to a nearby destination can combine their visit with stays in Palm Springs, Las Vegas, San Diego, Tucson and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. For more information, visit www.sonoransuites.com or call (888) 786-7848.
tion, visit www.thephoenician.com or call (480) 423-2449.
Children 15 and under staying at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch are invited to play a free round of golf at Gainey Ranch Golf Club when playing with an adult. The special includes a 15-percent discount for adults off one round of golf and runs from June 10 to Sept. 4. For more information, visit www.scottsdale.hyatt.com or call (800) 233-1234.
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa offers a summer Junior Sports Camp, half-day programs that run Monday through Thursday. Although the primary focus is golf with three hours of instruction dedicated to the game, campers also will delight in tennis matches, supervised swim in the resort’s lazy pool complex, and a complimentary lunch. For more information, visit www.KierlandGolfClub.com or call (480) 922-9283. Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
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WHISTL
A GOLD MEDAL GOLF H
by Alan Eisenstein
LER HOLIDAY
Big Sky Golf Club - 14th hole • photo by John Henebry
T
he Olympics are coming! The Olympics are coming! That’s the mantra in Whistler, British Columbia, as preparations have reached a frenetic pace in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Games. Sharing hosting duties with Vancouver, about a two-hour drive away, Whistler will hold all the alpine, nordic and sliding events. Locals hope that the world will discover what a few already know – this is a world-class four-seasons resort. In warmer weather seasons (May through October) you can experience breathtaking scenery, snow-capped mountain views at every turn, tons of mountain activities for families and thrill-seekers alike, great food and shopping, five-star
resort and spa accommodations, and great golf. Ah, the golf. Recognize these names – Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones. Right you are old-timer; they’re the members of the LA Rams defensive “fearsome foursome” line of the mid-60’s. Well, Whistler’s got a fearsome foursome of its own with a line-up of golf courses from instantly recognizable designers – Palmer, Cupp, Nicklaus, Trent Jones Jr. These aren’t just your garden-variety resort tracks, they can be as mean and aggressive as the Rams’ four were. During your visit, you’ll want to play them all, as each represents a unique slant on the mountain golf experience.
photo by Craig Mutch/insight-photography.com
WHISTLE WHISTLER GOLF CLUB is just steps from the main Village. An Arnold Palmer signature design, it was the first full-size course built in Whistler circa 1982. It’s a sporty layout with tree-lined fairways, doglegs requiring precise lay-ups and enough trouble and water to cost you a sleeve or two. The course’s real defense is severely sloping, undulating greens, a Palmer trademark. My hybrid tee shot on the 188-yard par-3 8th rolled just through the back of the green – four wellstruck putts later, I carded a nice double.
From the tournament white tees, Whistler GC plays somewhat short at 6,168 yards - several par-5’s are reachable in two for the player of average length. Big hitters and single digit handicappers may want to muscle up at the Palmer tee tips weighing in at 6,676 yards – rating/slope at 71.3/131. The signature par-5 16th is only 460 yards, but requires a straight drive of at least 200 yards from a beautiful elevated tee to carry a large lake. The course is very walkable – a great way to take in the magnificent scenery. There are kids’ tees on each hole positioned from 75 to 150 yards out from the greens. All Whistler courses are offering a “kids play free” with an adult program during specified time frames this season. Even your young beginner will enjoy this option at Whistler GC. For sheer drama in a mountain golf setting, CHATEAU WHISTLER GOLF CLUB delivers big time. It’s owned and managed by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel, the Grand Dame of Whistler resort properties, which sits imposingly at the nearby base of Blackcomb Mountain. Cut from the side of the moun-
Nicklaus North - 4th hole • photo by John Henebry
tain, the Chateau Whistler layout sports 400 feet of elevation changes.
You’ll admire incredible views at every turn. None top the postcard picture from the signature Par-4 13th. Staring downhill from an elevated tee with a full view of Blackcomb’s ski runs straight ahead, your wellstruck tee shot feels like it hangs up against the mountain backdrop forever. The course is not killer long, only 6,243 yards, rating 69.6/slope 131 from the regular tees – from the tips it’s 6,635 yards with a hefty rating 71.5/slope 145. Chateau Whistler is also the home of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy – so if you really want to improve your game, sign up for a session while you’re in town. The Whistler course which gets the most notoriety and press is NICKLAUS NORTH. Having hosted several made-for-TV events and boasting many “Best of …” awards, the Nicklaus Signature layout delivers a great overall experience. Typical of Jack’s layouts, there are generous landing areas off the tee but green complexes are tricky and well protected with lots of bunkering. The par-71 layout features five par-3’s – these short holes are the real strength of the course. All require precision in club selection and ball control. The 17th evokes memories of 17 at Pebble Beach, playing 213 from the blue tees with Lake George jutting from the left protecting the front of the green. The tough 16th and 18th, both par-4’s, complete a closing three holes that will destroy many a good round. Both require
R
— Eric Graham Photography
W
photo by Brad Kasselman/www.coastphoto.com
HISTLER well-struck approach shots over water - steely nerves are required to walk away with pars.
strong risk-reward option and a green that’s impossible to hold with anything more than a well-spun wedge.
Several holes on Nick North are lined with magnificent multi-million dollar homes in the northwest craftsman style. You’ll get a glimpse of what Whistler and Nicklaus North have become – a playground for the rich and famous.
A Whistler holiday can be pricey, especially since the recent strengthening of the Canadian Loonie against the American dollar. Because of this, local tourism officials say most properties and activities recognize that many Americans have avoided Whistler lately and are offering promotional values, particularly during shoulder seasons in spring and fall.
Your final Whistler outing requires a little effort. Drive 30 minutes north of town to the sleepy mountain hamlet of Pemberton. Just past town lies BIG SKY GOLF CLUB situated in a valley with the most dramatic views you’ll experience during your visit. The craggy, snow-capped peaks of Mt. Currie loom large over you as you negotiate this Bob Cupp design. Tight fairways, creeks, lakes and fall-off collection areas to rival Pinehurst await. After completing the nightmarish par-5 4th, aptly named Purgatory (you must negotiate a winding creek three times), you’ll finish the front with several more modest holes. The back gets stouter – number 12, The Great Divide, is a long par-4 with a creek diagonally bisecting the fairway. Only big hitters can go left, mere mortals must stay right of the agua and then carry it with a mid-to-long iron into an undulating green protected by collection areas and natural grasses left, the winding creek on the right. The closing three at Big Sky are very tough, The par-4 16th requires a strong drive as a lake protects the entire right side. 17 is a good short hole with a large bi-level green and 18 is a shortish par-5 with a
During your Whistler visit you can play all of the “Fearsome Foursome” at a reasonable price if you do a little advance planning. There are many stayand-play packages as well as multiple-round discounts. Many of Whistler’s fine restaurants (there are 90 dining establishments in all) offer prix fixe value dinners. Choose 5-star accommodations like The Four Seasons or the Fairmont Chateau – or stay in much more affordable motels or private townhouses and homes. Tourismwhistler.com offers an easy to navigate holiday planner worth your time to investigate. Golfwhistler.com offers details on all 4 courses as well as specific golf package ideas. The local Visitors and Convention Bureau sponsor both websites. In any case, if you’d like to enjoy a Whistler golf holiday, there is a nice window of opportunity right now. As we get closer to the 2010 Games, prices are sure to increase and good values will fly south as fast as a flock of Canadian geese in winter.
Whistler Golf Club - 9th hole • photo by John Henebry
Families Discover Summer Fun in Whistler W
Whistler. Over 30 kilometers of paved trails connect all parts of the resort, making it possible to bike, walk or rollerblade almost anywhere you want to go. If you're looking for a little more excitement, Whistler has plenty of that too. Adrenaline junkies of all ages will get their fill of thrills. Check out the Ziptrek zipline. Five steel cables are strung across Fitzsimmons Creek, which runs between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. If that isn't daring enough for you, Whistler Bungee will happily drop you off their 160 foot high bridge. On hot days, they will even let you dunk into the chilly waters of the Cheakamus River. If you need to calm down a bit after your jump, they will take you on a little hike or you can relax in small lake near their base of operations. But maybe you would prefer to keep both feet on the ground. If hiking's your thing, you're in luck. There is a network of hiking trails throughout the valley, including the Cheakamus Lake trail. This 1.5kilometer trail is relatively flat and makes for a great introduction to hiking for little ones. You end up on the shores of a brilliant turquoise mountain lake with glaciers hanging down from the peaks above. You can even cheat a little (well, maybe a lot) and take the Gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain where you get to enjoy the alpine without having to hike to get there. The trails at the top of Whistler are well-marked and well-maintained and they will guide you past glacial lakes, fields of wildflowers and permanent patches of snow. What kid could resist a summer snowball fight? Sometimes the Gondola ride up the mountain can be the most exciting part of
photo by Paul Morrison
photo by Dean Thompson Photography
histler is quickly becoming a very popular summer destination - especially for families. Sure, everyone knows the Whistler is the #1 North American ski destination, but more and more people are discovering that Whistler is the perfect place for a mountain holiday in the summertime, too. First of all, there are the lakes. Five of them, strung along the Whistler Valley floor like brilliant blue jewels. Lost Lake is the warmest for swimming and, despite its name, is easy to find. Just a short hike or bike ride from the village, and you and the kids can frolic on the beach with Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains as the backdrop. Alta Lake is bigger and this is the real centre of water-based fun in Whistler. And Rainbow Park, on the shores of Alta Lake is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on any lake. With lovely green lawns and a sandy beach, this is the perfect spot to relax on a summer day, whether you want to be in or on the water. Windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the lake, especially because no motorized boats are permitted. One of the classic Whistler experiences is a paddle down the River of Golden Dreams. This charming little river lives up to its name as it winds its way from Alta Lake to Green Lake. Canoes and kayaks can be rented on the beach at Alta Lake, then it is an easy paddle through a beautiful natural wetland bursting with birdlife and abundant foliage. If you sign up for the Backroads Paddle & Pedal tour, you can trade your canoe for mountain bikes at the end of your paddle and head back to the Village along the Valley Trail. The Valley Trail is one of the truly great things about
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photo by Andrew Doran/www.coastphoto.com photo by Guillaume Tessier
the trip because you can often spot a black bear or two. The community of Whistler takes good care of their bears. Throughout the valley you will see special bearproof litter bins and lots of signs to educate the public about bear safety. By ensuring that bears don't get used to human handouts, we can all keep bears and people safe. If you've got a young Michelle Wei in the family, they are sure to love the Riverside Greens Putting Course. This 18-hole natural grass course is located next to the Riverside RV Resort and Campground and it offers lots of fun for kids of all ages. It is even lit for nighttime play, so if you can't pack enough into the day, you can play long into the evening. Of course, there are four championship golf courses in the area for the big kids, too Nicklaus North, Chateau Whistler, Big Sky and the Whistler Golf Course. A lot of the fun in Whistler is absolutely free. Of course, the natural beauty comes at no cost, but there is also daily entertainment on the streets of the Village which is free for everyone to enjoy. From fire-jugglers to clowns, magicians to musicians, it is like a non-stop carnival. Wander along the pedestrian-only pathways in the Village and you never know what you might come across. You will definitely find fun in the Blackcomb Adventure Zone at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village. When the snow melts, the fun begins. There is a winding luge track, a challenging climbing wall, NASA-designed gyroscopic ride, trampolines, mini-golf and a real trapeze. Now you know some of the reasons that many Whistlerites came for the winter and stayed for the summer! Summer in Whistler's mountains is an experience not to be missed.
photo by Robin O'Neill Photography
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By Laurie Cooper
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photo by Joann Dost
The Links at Spanish Bay
The Links at Spanish Bay By TOM LaMARRE
hen the Pebble Beach Co. wanted to create a links course at Spanish Bay on the glorious Monterey Peninsula to complement fabled Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course, it assembled something of a “Great Triumvirate.” Golf legends Harry Vardon, James Braid and J.H. Taylor comprised England’s “Great Triumvirate” in the early 1900s, a nickname also used to define U.S. statesmen Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun in the 1800s. Building a great links course on this side of the pond can be a little tricky, but an American expert was easy to find. Tom Watson, who hated links golf when he first played it, went on to capture five Open Championships in the United Kingdom, four of them on Scottish linksland courses. Watson was joined on the design team for the Links at Spanish Bay, which opened in 1987, by
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Northern California golf icon Sandy Tatum, a former USGA president, and noted golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Whatever egos and personalities were involved, somebody got it right. “This was an all-world dream team,” said Rich Cosand, head golf professional at Spanish Bay. “They are all large golf personalities from different fields and I’ve always been curious as to that interaction, how they worked together. “They are three masters in their own fields but they worked together to do something that might seem to be impossible. With Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill nearby, what could you possibly do to rival them. Anything you might do would stand in the shadow of those great courses. “But they were able to create a course that many people believe is the most fun to play of any on the Monterey Peninsula.”
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The Links at Spanish Bay
Relaxing at the Spanish Bay Patio • photo by Joann Dost
The Links at Spanish Bay meanders through typical linksland terrain, through tall Cypress trees and along the rugged coastline where the crew of Spanish explorer Juan Portola camped in 1789 while searching for Monterey Bay. The course is not Pebble Beach or Spyglass Hill, but it’s not trying to be. “Don’t compare the Links at Spanish Bay to Pebble Beach or Spyglass Hill, just enjoy it,” wrote Bill Hogan, president of Wide World Golf. “If it was located anywhere else it would be much higher lauded.” The Links and Inn at Spanish Bay, which have received all the requisite awards from Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Golf Digest and Golf magazine, are a viable alternative to The Lodge at Pebble Beach and what is probably the best links course outside of Scotland. For a lot less money. “Pebble Beach is something every golfer has to do at least once in a lifetime,” Cosand said. “Spanish Bay is the one you want to play again and again. It’s different every time. At Pebble Beach, I pretty much know what I’m going to hit on every tee box. Here, it changes—morning to afternoon, windy or calm, hot and cold, firm or wet. “For me, the beauty of Spanish Bay is that it
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incorporates a little bit of all the other magnificent course on the Monterey Peninsula.” Because of the terrain, the course comes at you in fairly defined segments. The first six holes are typical links golf played near the bay, followed by a three-hole stretch known as “The Bermuda Triangle,” which Cosand calls the most difficult stretch on the course. The first four holes of the back nine play through the trees in the Del Monte Forest before the course comes back toward the shore for five magnificent finishing holes that are classic links golf. “And the way the course was designed, it has a very private feel,” Cosand said. “You don’t see a lot of other people on the course, even when it’s full. It’s like you have the place all to yourself. “You don’t have that at Pebble or Spyglass.” Spanish Bay is a delight to the golfer right from the start, a 500-yard par-five named “To the Sea,” that plays downhill to a slightly elevated green that is perched above the breakers on the Pacific Ocean. The putting surface is guarded by two traps on the left and a marsh to the right, and shots that go long might land on the beach. “It’s a terrific opening par-five which gives you a lot of options,” Cosand said. “The hotel on the left frames the hole, there is some challenge on the drive
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The Links at Spanish Bay
and it you hit the fairway you can usually go for the green in two but you have some tricky lies. “And when you get to the green, it’s right on top of the ocean, which is what you’ve come for. The green is a little elevated, making it not so easy to run the ball up, and there is a lot of slope to the putting surface with a big pocket in the middle.” No. 5, a dynamic par-four of 451 yards called “Risk and Reward,” is exactly that, with three pot bunkers waiting in the right-center of the fairway. Take the long way around to the left or take your chances down the shorter, narrow right side. Second shots, again toward the ocean, that hug the right side will kick toward the green on the hole rated No. 1 on the card. “There is a big fairway to the left and only a little sliver to the right, but it’s a little shorter into the green from there,” Cosand said. “It’s a challenging driving hole because it you hit it into the bunkers you are looking at bogey, at least. “Even if you hit a big drive and are well placed, you’ve got another approach to an elevated green, this one with a false front. It looks like all green from a distance, but if you hit the ball onto the front third of the green it won’t stay on. “It usually plays into the wind but there is a great view of the ocean on that hole.”
The eighth hole, “Marsh’s Corner,” is a gorgeous par-three, 158 yards from an elevated tee, across a large seaside lake to a narrow green. Club selection is key with the wind coming off the ocean to the right. There are any number of holes at Spanish Bay that might be of the signature variety but this might be the most picturesque of all, right across the twolane 17-Mile Drive from the beach. “The tee box is above everything, so you can see and hear the ocean crash, and see the colors and wave patterns in the water because you are right there,” Cosand said. “It’s a tough shot into the wind because you have to carry the wetlands. “Make sure you have enough club but even if you carry the water it’s difficult hold the green because you need a boring shot to get across, not a soft one. There’s a narrow area to hit because of the depression on the green and it’s hard to hold on the edges. “There’s not much bailout area, maybe a little long.” No. 10, known as “Half & Half,” is the first of three par-fives on the back nine, a double dogleg that plays uphill through a chute of trees in the forest, with a demanding tee shot required over a protruding sand dune. The left side of the fairway is the riskiest for the second shot but will reward the golfer with a shorter approach to the multi-tiered green.
The Bagpiper • photo permission of Pebble Beach Co.
Roy’s at The Inn at Spanish Bay • photo by Alex Vertikoff
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Enjoying the spectacular view of the Monterey coast
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The Links at Spanish Bay
“It’s a typical three-shot par-five,” Cosand said. “You have to make sure to drive in the fairway, because of the mounding and dunes right and left can be trouble. There are three pot bunkers up near the green so you almost have to lay up, unless it’s downwind. “Even if you are in good position, the approach is not easy. It’s an elevated, multi-tiered green, one of the most severe on the course. There is a severe hump in the middle and if you are on the wrong side you are in three-putt territory.” Perhaps the best hole on the hill above the dunes is No. 12, a narrow 432-yard par-four called “Cathedral,” that requires a long approach or a prudent lay-up shot to avoid a deep gully 30 yards short of the green. Be careful, even with a wedge shot, to the wide, shallow green because you don’t want to wind up above the hole. “I’ve always wondered why the fifth hole is No. 1 in difficulty and not the 12th,” Cosand said. “You have a big decision from the fairway, which rises on you and seems to always be into the wind. “That carry over the chasm up to the green is a lot to ask. More people should lay up and still have a chance for par rather than making double bogey. But who wants to lay up on a par-four? It’s all about
course management. “That’s another tough green and if you miss one way or the other, you have a big undulation to navigate.” Save something for the big finish, a 547-yard parfive called “Long Home” that plays uphill to a green protected by a large patch of gorse and native grasses that makes the approach a bit of target golf. Try to stay to the right side of the fairway on the first two shots to set up a better angle for the approach to a green guarded by two bunkers on the right. “It’s probably another three-shot par-five and you’ve gotta get off the tee box and not get in the mess,” Cosand said. “Hitting maybe a five-wood or a mid-iron to about 100 yards will give you a chance for birdie or par. It’s not elevated but you have to hit over the wetlands. “The green is very deceiving, with huge undulations that you don’t see from the fairway and it’s angled a little bit. It’s a terrific finishing hole.” Those might be the best, but there are no bad holes at Spanish Bay. Two of the most underrated are the narrow, 307-yard uphill second, and the 200-yard 16th, a deceptive par-three that runs parallel to the beach and is protected from the offshore breezes that push shots toward three bunkers on the right.
The view from Stillwater Bar & Grill • photo by Alex Vertikoff
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The Links at Spanish Bay
Spanish Bay was the first golf course in California to be officially certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, long before golf course architects were forced to seriously consider the effects of the game on the environment. “We have more than 20 fenced off dunes areas with native plants,” said Cosand, who noted that drops are allowed outside those areas. “When these plants are stepped on, they die. So we continually monitor this and protect the areas. We are stewards of this environment.” Golfers and guests at the Inn at Spanish Bay share the property with deer, fox, hawks and other wildlife in this area, which has been called, “The greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” The award-winning Inn, with 253 guestrooms and 17 suites, is surrounded by the golf course on 236 immaculate acres near the Pacific Grove gate to the 17-mile Drive. Each of the contemporary 600-square-foot rooms has its own fireplace, is furnished with overstuffed sofas and chairs, with about half of the rooms facing the ocean. There are plush down comforters on the four-poster beds, Italian marble in the baths and magnificent views of the forest, fairways and ocean from private balconies and patios. For dinner, don’t miss Roy’s at Pebble Beach, which specializes in Asian-Pacific cuisine, or try Pèppoli at Pebble Beach for Tuscan-style seafood, pasta and countrystyle grilled meats. The 22,000-square-foot Spa at Pebble Beach, nestled in the heart of the Del Monte Forest, can be enjoyed by guests at any of the Pebble Beach resorts. It offers an array of massages, body scrubs and wraps, water treatments, skin care, nail care, and hair care. Before, during and after golf, feel the chill in the air at Spanish Bay while gazing at the sea and you might think you are in Scotland. Said Watson: “Spanish Bay is so much like Scotland, you can almost hear the bagpipes.” Actually you can hear them, because a kilted Scotsman strolls the across the Links at Spanish Bay at sunset to signal the end of the day with his bagpipes.
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Sunset at Monterey Marina Historical Marker at Spanish Bay
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Welcome to the REAL Bahamas — By Steve Pike
‌not the over-developed, over-hyped, over-priced Paradise Island version, but the Bahamas the British Loyalists found when they fled here in the 18th century. Descendants of those Loyalists -- and ancestors of the natives before them -- still live here on the islands of the Abacos archipelago. Here 170 miles off the coast of Southeast Florida is cobalt blue water, white sand beaches and fishing to last a lifetime, each in the serene surroundings where time, while not quite standing still, isn't in any hurry to move forward.
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ABACO ISLAND
And it’s here that British millionaire Peter de Savary, has joined them on Great Abaco, largest of the Abaco islands. De Savary's Abaco Club on Winding Bay is the ultimate Bahamian hideaway. With its twoplus miles of white sand beach, 75 Bahamian oceanfront cottages that overlook the bay (and a Bahamian sunset as orange as the rum Blasters at Pete's Pub in Little Harbour) and Donald Steel-designed links golf course, this 520-acre property has taken its place alongside de Savary's other properties, including Cherokee Plantation between Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., Bovey Castle in Devon, England, as one of the best private club retreats in the world. The club’s 12-seat Fairchild Merlin IV-C plane is available for charter. The plane arrives and departs from the Abaco Club’s private terminal that comes complete with its own lounge and customs office. Membership in the Abaco Club on Winding Bay comes with the opportunity to rent cottages near the clubhouse and 21 new cabanas along the fairway. The Abaco Club also allows a limited amount of non-member guests. PGA Tour star Ernie Els is a member of the Abaco Club; and European Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke own property here. De Savary is the multi-millionaire entrepreneur who founded The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle and before that, the St. James Clubs in Los Angeles, London, Paris and Antigua. De Savary, who got his start in the shipping and oil business, sold those properties to finance The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, which he sold to a small group of members in 2003. The $250-million investment de Savary has made in the Abaco Club fits his lifestyle and passion as a world class yachtsman and sportsman. Some of the world’s best bone fishing is found in the waters off the Abaco Club, along with some great diving locations. The Abaco Club has a stable of horses available to its members and guests, as well as a spa located next to the clubhouse overlooking Winding Bay. The Abaco Club golf course reflects the vision of Scottish architect Donald Steel, who along with partner Tom Mackenzie, has designed a textbook links course, meaning it has been built on unsheltered sand on low-laying land by the sea -- in this case the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, most of the Bahama Islands, including Great Abaco, are in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean as many people believe. H.N. Wethered, author of The Architectural Side of Golf, a must-read book for course design fans, described an authentic seaside course as one that "invariably possesses a beauty of quiet and subtle refinement of surface." The Abaco Club, Steel's sev48
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enth course for de Savary, fits nicely into Wethered's definition of a true seaside course, as 14 holes play along the sand dunes and on the bluffs of Winding Bay in the minimalist style the architect seeks in all his work. “It’s such a gorgeous piece of land that I think the golf course enhances the aesthetics of the entire property,’’ said Kenny Gargiulo, the Abaco Club’s head golf professional. “I haven’t played a course outside of Scotland or Ireland that exemplifies the ‘links’ experience like this course. A lot of courses in the States say they’re ‘links’ because they’re close to water, but with the rolling terrain, the collection areas around the greens and especially the rough, this course really gives you that feeling. “You play along the ground here, which is very common of courses in Scotland and Ireland. And the prevailing winds can change at any day.’’ Steel designed the 7,183-yard, par-72 course, with deceptively wide fairways, to play out and back, mirroring some of Scotland's more famous courses, including Royal Dornoch. Steel, by the way, is responsible for the final design of Royal Dornoch's Struie course. The Abaco Club's first seven holes play out, with the back tee box of the 312-yard, par-4, fifth hole seated squarely on the beach alongside Winding Bay. The green, obviously, is reachable for big hitters (the carry is 245 yards over a large dune) but the safer route is down a shallow valley on the right side of the fairway. A good drive requires only a wedge to the green and a good opportunity at a well-earned birdie. Steel steers the course back inward beginning with the eighth hole and crescendo's it with the final four holes. The 388-yard, par-4 12th hole features a green that is 47 yards wide and made even more challenging by the swale that cuts it into two sections – reminiscent of the eight-foot depression Charles Blair Macdonald designed in the famed par-3 ninth hole at Yale Golf Club. The 15th is a 419-yard, par-4 that sits above the first 14 holes for stunning views of Winding Bay and the water sports it offers; the 16th (385 yards, par-4) plays around a rock quarry that will eventually be filled with water; the 17th is a 204-yard, par-3 that overlooks a coral reef; and the 572-yard, par-5, 18th hole begins with a drive into a valley (with the Atlantic on the left) and finishes on a windy, elevated green that's guarded by three nasty bunkers on the right side. You can make birdie or you can make double bogey. It doesn't really matter. The 18th is the perfect end to a near-perfect links course in a setting that has to be seen to be believed. www.gvlinks.com
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The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, British entrepreneur Peter de Savary's newest golf and sporting retreat, has now opened with its stunning design and signature Scottish-style tropical links championship golf course dominating the landscape. Environmentally sensitive with a ‘cast-a-way' flavor, this Bahamian experience is aimed at the discerning few who appreciate a tropical paradise that is easy to reach. Located just 170 miles east of Palm Beach on the island of Abaco, Bahamas, the international private members’ club has the trademark of all de Savary's elegant and diverse private estates, which have included all of the St. James Clubs; the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle; and Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park in England, among others. Situated on a peninsula of more than 500 acres and surrounded by its own 2 miles of deep, powder-soft sand beach and highlighted by bluffs, the property is magnificent. Traveling to the club could not be easier. There are daily non-stop flights into Nassau and Florida and the club’s luxurious plane is available for charter. In addition, the Club’s own FBO with Customs and Immigration is available to members and guests.
Acreage: 520 acres Gatehouse: 24 hour security Club Structure: Private, however anyone is welcome to visit once; Membership in the club costs $75,000. Members who do not own real estate have access to accommodations through the club's rental program. Golf: Scottish-style tropical links championship golf course designed by Tom Mackenzie and Donald Steele. An extensive world-class practice facility, teaching academy, and pro shop rounds out the exceptional golfing experience. Clubhouse: The Clubhouse, octagonal in design and positioned 65 feet above sea level, offers members an infinity pool and a tropical dining experience with spectacular views of Winding Bay, the ocean and the 18th green. Tennis: The tennis program, led by World doubles champion Mark Knowles, includes a full-time tennis pro, private or group lessons and two all weather tennis courts, which are similar in style to a traditional clay court. Equestrian: There are five trained quarter horses that members may ride through an array of unique tropical trails ranging for over five miles, including the Club’s 2-mile pristine, powder sand beach. Beach Club: The hub of the aquatic activities offering sailing, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and diving. Spa & Fitness Center: The European-style spa features Elemis products and treatments. The Spa also provides a fitness and cardio studio with state-of-theart equipment and views of the beach and Winding Bay below. Boating & Fishing: Abaco Island has naturally protected waters and dozens of offshore cays, and is referred to as the boating and fishing capital of the Bahamas. Just a half-mile offshore from The Abaco Club, deep-sea fishermen can find tuna, dolphin, wahoo, blue marlin and more. If bonefishing is your sport, the renowned Abaco Marls make for some of the best bonefish habitat in the world. Children's Programs: Family oriented educational activities for children offered throughout the year including golf, tennis, horseback riding, water sports and a Day Camp Program. Club Cottages: On Ocean Point, 65 feet above Winding Bay, seventy 2 - 4bedroom cottages dot the landscape and cascade down the ridge. There are five styles to choose from, each fully furnished and uniquely designed with generous verandahs and spacious interiors. Priced from $1.75 million to $2.5 million. Lots: Sixty homesites from one to two acres have been set aside for members who wish to design and construct their own homes. Each lot has more than 200 feet of beach, golf course or ocean frontage. Priced from $875,000 to $4.5 million.
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ith more than 900 golf courses in California, and new developments on the horizon, golfers have myriad opportunities for year-round play at internationally-recognized courses in the golden state.
The Shasta Cascade Region celebrated the reopening of the Nakoma Golf Resort in Clio on May 1. Formerly the Dragon at Gold Mountain, Nakoma Golf Resort has undergone renovations and facilities and services improvements. The PGA Tour returns to Fresno in the Central Valley Region this fall for the first time since 1964 for the $4.5 million Running Horse Golf Championship. The tournament is the sixth of seven events in the brand new PGA Tour Fall Series.
On the north end of Lake Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort will offer a variety of golf clinics for children and adults from June - September. In the Central Coast Region, Olivas Links is scheduled to reopen by June 2007 after a complete redesign. Olivas Links is a 200-acre public golf course located along the Santa Clara River and Estuary in Ventura, minutes from the Ventura Harbor. The River Ridge Golf Club in Oxnard recently completed its four-year expansion
CALIFORNIA GOLF OFFERS SUMMER ACTION FOR PLAYERS AND FANS The Sonoma County Tourism Bureau (SCTB) has created Sonoma Swing, a onestop resource for golfers planning a Sonoma Country visit. Travel planners can visit the site at www.sonomaswing.com for hotel information and tee sheets from Sonoma County’s 21 golf courses. The PGA Tour’s top 30 players from the Champions Tour return to the Sonoma Golf Club October 25 – 28, 2007, for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. In Napa, the Chardonnay Golf Club is undergoing extensive renovations to revive the course to the “premier” status it celebrated in the mid-1990s. Since 2005, over $750,000 has been invested in upgrading the facility. at the Chardonnay Golf Club. Saddle Creek Resort in Copperopolis, part of the Gold Country Region, has expanded its practice facility to include Zoysia turf target greens; a 90-yard, par-3 practice hole, additional driving stations and an enhanced chipping and putting green. In the High Sierra Region, the 18th Annual American Century Championship returns to Lake Tahoe’s South Shore July 10 - 15, 2007, for a week of star-studded competition at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Nearly 80 professional athletes, celebrities and entertainers converge for a week of camaraderie, competitive golf and a share of the American Century Championship $500,000 purse. 52
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project, which included the addition of 18 holes, bringing the Club’s total to 36 holes. The U.S. Open Championship will return to Southern California in 2008 for the first time since 1948. Torrey Pines Golf Course, located in the San Diego County Region, will host the prestigious tournament on its South Course June 12 – 15, 2008. Estancia La Jolla has partnered with Torrey Pines Golf Course to offer hotel guests full- and half-day golf clinics. The Full-Day Playing School package, priced from $750, includes one-night Estate Room accommodations and a full golf curriculum. The $495 Half-Day Playing School package includes one-night Estate Room accommodations, 90 minutes of golf instruction, video swing analysis, and nine holes of play. The Crossings at Carlsbad, a $55-million, 18-hole championship public golf course, is scheduled to open by July 2007. The course is named for the five “crossings” that golfers will travel while playing the course. The PGA Tour will return to San Diego October 27 – November 4 for the 2007 Nationwide Tour Championships at Barona Creek Golf Club. The tournament features the top 60 players on the Official Money List who will play for 20 PGA Tour playing cards during the four-day event. For more information and a free California vacation packet, go to www.visitcalifornia.com.
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Estancia La Jolla
Chardonnay Golf Club
Junior Lessons at Northstar-at-Tahoe
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RESORTREPORT
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Clive Clark Sculpts Another Beauty at Eagle Falls Golf Course
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NDIO, Calif. – Eagle Falls Golf Course, the latest creative masterpiece of noted golf course architect and La Quinta resident Clive Clark, is now open for public play at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “Eagle Falls is uniquely suited for the advanced player as well as offering a challenging and friendly golfing experience for the average player,” said Willie Maples, Eagle Falls Director of Golf Operations. Owned and operated by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the 18-hole, Par-72 championship course measures 6,715 yards from the eagle tees with a United States Golf Association and Southern California Golf Association course rating of 72.8 and a slope of 133. Opening green fees are $95 Monday through Thursday and $115 Friday through Sunday and holidays. From the floor of the desert, Clark, a player on the European PGA Tour and a former Ryder Cup player, has sculptured elevated tees and greens, undulating fairways, strategic bunkering, five large beautiful lakes, two dramatic waterfalls and running water features not usually found on a course open to the general public. Eagle Falls is Clark’s 30th course and joins the “Clive” course at The Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta and the new West Course at The Golf Resort at Indian Wells.
Some of the amenities at Eagle Falls Golf Course include the following: 80 E-Z-GO golf carts with the latest ProLink GPS System; Shuttle service to and from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, a Las Vegas-style casino resort featuring a 12-story, 250-room full-service hotel, 2,000 slots, live poker and blackjack, 100,000-square-foot Special Events Center, five restaurants, Starbucks Coffee, a 24-lane bowling center and more; PGA professional golf instruction for individuals and clinics; Ping G5 rental clubs; A full-service golf pro shop; Pristine all-grass driving range with practice putting green; Stay & Play golf packages available at the resort by calling (800) 827-2946 or at www.fantasyspringsresort.com; For tee times and information, call the Eagle Falls Pro Shop at (760) 238-5633 or visit www.eaglefallsgolf.com.
Eagle Falls architect and La Quinta, CA resident, Clive Clark
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FAIRWAYLIVING
by Chris Baldwin
COURSE OWNERSHIP ABOUT A NEW WAY OF LIFE BUTLER, Pa. - Tim McNulty couldn't make it as a farmer. So he opened up his own golf course. Now instead of obsessing over the corn crop, he's mowing his 600-yard par-5 at Strawberry Ridge Golf Club with the same tractor he used in the family farm business. "What's the old saying?" McNulty said, laughing. "Those who can't farm, golf." McNulty is just one of the estimated 15,000 to 17,000 individual owner-operators of golf courses around the country. He's one of the more extreme examples. He designed Strawberry Ridge himself after studying golf course architecture books and moved most of the dirt to build it himself. But even McNulty shares one basic trait with the rest of his fellow small time golf course own bosses. "Those who want to own and operate their own golf courses are a passion buyer,"
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said golf course real estate agent Hilda Allen. "They're often looking for a way out, for a different way of life." That way could be going from the courtroom to the pro shop just as readily as the farm fields to the fairways. Big dreams, small towns Hilda Allen's company, Hilda W. Allen Real Estate Inc., specializes in selling golf courses. She's been turning around golf courses to buyers since 1991 and in those years she's lost track of the number of suc-
cessful folks who just yearn to be running their own golf course instead. "They come from every walk of life," Allen said. "We've had buyers from doctors to dentists to lawyers to football players who are retired and looking for something to do. "The only thing they all share is a passion for golf. We just sold a course to a major corporate officer in Charleston who's looking to retire to golf. "A golf course is unlike any other real estate buy. There's a romance to it." The proliferation and dominance of major golf course conglomerate companies Troon Golf, American Golf Corporation and the like has convinced many that the romance is gone. In reality, there are thousands of golf courses that remain momand-pop operations. They just tend to be in more out of the way places. Hilda Allen is currently pushing a course in Western Kentucky, an Arthur Hills design that includes a farm building that's on the National Register of Historic Places. It's called Lafayette Golf Club at Green Farm Resort. There's also a bed and breakfast being sold with the course. Buying an individual owner-operated course for yourself can cost anywhere from $500,000 to several million. Not chump change to be sure but not exactly crippling for CEOs with corporate stock options, Wall Street bonus collectors or even a doctor who's been in practice for years. Hilda Allen's sold more than 120 golf courses since 1991 with almost all of those going to individual owner operators. Some individual golf course owners are happy to run small time businesses. Some expand and turn their course into a major driving force for the whole community. www.gvlinks.com
Wayne Conley, who didn't buy his course from Hilda Allen, marketed Conley Resort so effectively that the little region of Butler County, Pa., found a foothold as a possible golf destination. Not that everyone in the golf course buying business wants credit. Hilda Allen relates that some of her more famous clients, especially a few exNFL players, don't want it known that they bought a course. "From what I understand, they don't want their friends to be bugging them for free golf all the time," Allen said, laughing. Hilda Allen didn't set out to become
one of the top golf course realtors in the U.S. She started out in real estate in 1978, represented a few golf courses in the early 1990s, and realized she had a gift for these quirky sales. "It's definitely a specialty niche market," Allen said. "You have to look in some unconventional places and really do your research to find a buyer. You can't just put a “for sale” sign on a golf course and expect it to sell." In many ways, Allen's job is to find the dreamers, the guys looking to cash it all in for a try at golf, the investors who can look outside the box to a tee.
Tim McNulty went into golf out of necessity. It's a way for him to support his family while maintaining a similar workthe-land lifestyle to what they had in farming. Other professionals buy a course to escape from the drain of the office life. It's no stretch to call it one of those ultimate luxury buys. Even if the pleasures are sometimes decidedly simple. "Nothing beats lying in the grass and having a beer in the middle of the 13th fairway, looking up at the mountains at the end of a long day," McNulty said.
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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • S U M M E R 2007
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MYTURN by
WilliamWolfrum
From Halle Berry To Jessica Alba, The Most Famous Female Golfers Aren't On LPGA Tour
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ne of the great problems for women's golf is how to get their players more popularity. Professional golf is a winner's world, so most know who Annika Sorenstam is, and you can actually see up-and-comers like Lorena Ochoa starting to get their just due in the press. Then there's the next layer of female golfers who've earned popularity before they've earned victories. The media blitz that accompanied Michelle Wie made her impossible to ignore, while Natalie Gulbis's physique and outgoing personality has put her on many radars in the U.S., Jessica Alba while Sophie Sandolo has used the same winning combo in Europe. But being a female professional golfer and becoming well known is no easy feat if you aren't battling for the 'W' week in and week out. What's the answer? Well, actually, you got us there. We do know one thing, however - the most famous golfers in the world are not professionals. And in many cases they aren't even that good. Because if there's any sport that can get the best of Hollywood to participate, it's golf. From Oscar winners to B actresses, they're out on the links. And those that don't play, want to, and want to be good at it. Recently, Halle Berry let it be known she's ready to let it rip on the course. "I'm not good at it and it eats me that I can't master it. I even had lessons with David Leadbetter," said Berry. "I just want to be a decent golfer and have the guys be happy that I'm with them, not like, 'Oh, damn, here comes Halle.'" Well, you can bet she's heard "Oh damn, here comes Halle," before in a much more positive sense.
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But the once (and hopefully never again) Catwoman, is one of many famous ladies who've taken a shine to the golf course. With her starring turn in the "Fantastic Four," Jessica Alba has shown she's moving right up the ladder of Hollywood's hottest actresses. And at any given moment, you can bet she's one of the hottest things on a golf course. " ... It's clear she has more than a passing interest in our sport. She always mentions golf when asked about her hobbies," wrote golf blogger Patricia Hannigan. "She sometimes even refers to herself as a golf dork." The Michael Douglas & Friends charity golf tournament has been running strong for nearly a decade now, and actresses like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cheryl Ladd, Heather Locklear, Catherine Bell and Teri Hatcher are just a few that have taken part, showing off their golf skills. Heck, even Pamela Anderson once hosted a "Bikini Golf Tournament." What's it all mean? Well, for one, the NFL certainly doesn't have this situation. It's not as though Scarlett Johansson is strapping on her shoulder pads to go play a quick scrimmage. No, golf is unique in this way. Actresses seem to know, if deals are made on the golf course, prime acting parts can also be won there. How can this translate to more popularity for the LPGA? Well, I certainly can't see any sponsor feeling cheated if they sent an exemption Alba's way. At very least, they should check with Leadbetter and see how Berry is progressing. There would definitely be a few golf fans who wouldn't mind muttering "Oh, damn, here comes Halle."
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