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HIT THE SLOPES AND FAIRWAYS I “GOLF MY WAY” AT HAWAII’S KA’ANAPALI
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GOLF VACATIONS WINTER 2010
FLORIDA’S MUST SEE ATTRACTION WORLD GOLF VILLAGE AND HALL OF FAME
ASPEN APPEAL AT SNOWMASS
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Casino Golf Links: Cha-Ching! I Mexico’s Paraiso Del Mar
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contents I winter 2010
cover
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stories
Casino Links: Cha-Ching!
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by Jen Voss
Like peanut butter and jelly, “Golf” and “Casinos” have entered the lexicon as an ideal combination. Las Vegas excluded, below are the five best casino golf course destinations we’ve played in the USA.
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World Golf Village and Hall Of Fame
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SnowMass Appeal
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Hitting The Fairways and The Slopes
by Tom LaMarre
For vacationers headed to Florida, the venues on the must-see list are too numerous to list. But No. 1 on the agenda has to be the World Golf Village and Hall of Fame near St. Augustine.
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by Larry Feldman
For years, my best friend in the world has been telling me that Snowmass not only was the best mountain he ever skied, but also had some of the best golf around. Well, he just may be right!
by Shane Sharp
Temperatures are dropping, snow is falling and ski season is here. But before the slope-hugging set can say “Black Diamond,” it will be time to trade in the skis and poles for drivers and putters.
departments 8 ChipShot “Golf
by Brandon Tucker
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My Way” in Ka’anapali
9 Destinations Your Link To Great Resort Golf Locales
22 Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross and Tom LaMarre
TaylorMade, Bushnell, SunMountain and more!
24 My Turn
by James McAfee
Paraiso Del Mar: Leading the Charge to Baja Sur
on the cover: World Golf Village and Hall Of Fame, St. Augustine, FL
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destination You know what will make your wedding day perfect. We know where you’ll find it. DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT
866-621-9461 www.desertwillow.com Located at Desert Willow Drive off Country Club between Cook Street & Portola Avenue in Palm Desert.
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Larry Feldman is a nationally published freelance golf journalist of more than 17 years. Based in Park City, Utah, his writing has appeared in such high-profile publications as Southern California Golf News, Palm Springs Life, Golf Tips, Sports Profiles and Men’s Look. Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
James McAfee is a freelance golf and travel writer based in Wylie, TX, who has extensive experience as a writer, editor and golf administrator. He was executive director of the Northern Texas PGA for 27 years and executive director of the Dallas District Golf Association for eight years. With editor stints at Golf Shop Operations, Golf Digest and Texas Golfer Magzaine he is currently the director of communications for GolfDFW.com. He has been a member of the Golf Writers of America for 37 years and was one of the founders for the Texas Golf Writers Association. Playing the game for 56 years he was recently named to the U.S. Amateur Golf Hall of Fame.
Associate Editor Terry Ross Online Content Editor Bruce Binder Features Editor Larry Feldman For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 • e-mail: JD@GVLinks.com
Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
Regional Advertising New York • 518-789-3005 Jon Meigs - jon@meigsmedia.com Chicago • 630-871-9417 Patrick Keane - patkeane@comcast.net
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 in Orlando
Atlanta • 770-971-1616 John Reock - reock@mindspring.com San Diego • 619-889-7706 Bob Black - bobblack@cox.net San Diego • 619-709-4425 Wayne McCollum - wayne@gvlinks.com
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Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2010 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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CASINOS LINKS: CHA-CHING! Bet On These Top Five Golf/Gaming Combos
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ike peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, tea and crumpets, Sonny and Cher, Lennon and McCarthy, Brooks and Dunn, Tarzan and Jane, Donald and Daisy, David and Goliath, “Golf” and “Casinos” have entered the lexicon as ideal combinations. Las Vegas excluded, below are the five best casino golf course destinations we’ve played in the USA. 1. Turning Stone (Verona, NY, www.turningstone.com, 800.771.7711) – The site of a PGA Tour event (Turning Stone Resort Championship) so this course has to be good! Located in Central New York, it’s a quick trip from all major Upstate cities (Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Watertown) and minutes from the New York State Thruway. Turning Stone boasts three 18-hole courses over its 1200-acre property including designs by Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones Jr. Beginner golfers have the option of two nine-hole courses. 21 restaurants dot the premises but out-of-towners can visit one of the several Wegmans’ grocery stores in the area. The famed grocery store chain began in Rochester and locals know it’s one of the tastiest and more affordable places (think – you can spend more money on the casino floor) in Central New York! 2. Sweetgrass Island Resort (Harris, MI, www.islandresortandcasino.com, 800682-6040) – If awards equated rankings on this list, then the Sweetgrass Golf Course – part of the Island Resort & Casino – would surely be higher. In just more than a year of existence, the course placed on Golfweek’s “Best to Play in State,” “Best New Courses” and “Best Casino Courses” lists. 24/7 Vegas style gaming – including tables games, a poker room and more than 1,400 slot machines – abounds on the property with its brand-new Island Resort Showroom that welcomes musical guests like Foreigner, Rick Springfield and Huey Lewis and the News. Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it’s worth making a trip to play this brand-new Paul Albanese designed course which subtly incorporates the area’s Native American heritage. 3. Circling Raven (Worley, ID, www.cdcasino.com, 800-523-2464) – This Gene Bates design in the Idaho panhandle has garnered scores of awards since its first full season (2004). At the top are two prestigious, biennial awards – Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses 2009-10” and GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses
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You Can Play 2008-09.” The western-themed Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel abuts the course and both are tribally owned by the Coeur d’Alenes. The casino offers 1,800 slot machines for play, computer table games like Blackjack, off-track betting for horse and dog races, highstakes bingo, and name entertainment and sporting events. The resort is regularly voted the most popular casino in the Inland Northwest. Throw in the glorious beauty of the Pacific Northwest and you’ve hit the golf-and-gaming jackpot. 4. Mississippi (www.visitmississippi.org, 866-801-8551) – The thirdlargest gaming destination in the U.S. – thanks to many casino resorts and courses in Tunica (up north), Biloxi on the Gulf Coast, and various points in between. Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, an amenity of the Pearl River Resort in Central Mississippi, has 36 holes designed by Tom Fazio-Jerry Pate, two casinos, three hotels, and a slew of other resort amenities. On the Gulf Coast, The Preserve (Jerry Pate, Palace Casino Resort), Grand Bear (Jack Nicklaus, Harrah’s Grand Casino Biloxi), Windance (Mark McCumber, Island View Casino), and majestic Fallen Oak (Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Fazio) are excellent options. Tunica, in the northern part of the state, is home to an array of fine casinos and courses, including the Links at Cottonwoods (Hale Irwin), an amenity of Harrah’s Grand Casino Tunica; Tunica National Golf & Tennis Club (Mark McCumber), and River Bend Links are located near 10 Vegas style casino hotels. 5. Mount Airy (Mount Pocono, PA, w w w. m o u n t a i r y c a s i n o . c o m , 877.MTAIRY1) – Just 90 miles from Manhattan but a world away in this resort nestled in the lush, tranquil Pocono Mountains. Why fight the New Jersey traffic to Atlantic City when you can play the challenging yet fair championship course at Mount Airy and still enjoy the high-rolling lifestyle with more than 2,500 slots, poker, Blackjack and roulette? Live it up at the one of the four bars / lounges on-site or relax in the indulgent spa. If you prefer to play – golf that is – more than 30 additional courses proliferate the four-county region of the Pocono Mountains. A.W. Tillinghast, Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones designed gems are all within an hour’s drive.
by Jen Voss • Special to Golf Vacations Magazine
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • W I N T E R 2010
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CHIPSHOT
HAWAII
“GOLF MY WAY” IN KA’ANAPALI
GOLF COURSES INTRODUCE PACKAGE DEAL FOR THE CASUAL HAWAII GOLFER such as parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing. "Parents can play a few holes in the morning, spend the rest of the day doing family activities and come back later during their vacation to finish the round," Kageyama said. Royal Ka'anapali and Ka'anapali Kai The Golf My Way package is available on both of Ka'anapali's golf courses. Royal Ka'anapali is the championship course of the two, playing 6,700 yards and has hosted the Champions Tour Ka'anapali Classic for 14 years. A Robert Trent Jones Sr. design built in 1962, the course underwent a $13 million renovation between 2005-2006 and has since been rated a 4.5-star golf facility by Golf Digest.
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ne of golf's greatest barriers to play is the time it takes to play 18 holes. In Hawaii, where the pace of life is decidedly slower to begin with, one resort on Maui is offering an innovative alternative: Stretch your 18-hole round of golf for days.
The Ka'anapali Golf Resort, home to two 18-hole golf courses, has introduced the "Golf My Way" program for 2010, which allows golfers to book an 18-hole round but play at their own leisure, whether that's over the course of a day or throughout their stay. While serious sticks are going to be playing 18 holes (or even a second twilight round) in one day, casual golfers who just
want a taste of Maui resort golf can spread out their round over the course of their stay. This means you could play six holes one day, resume on the seventh the following day and finish up - or stretch it out even further. Hawaii may be one of the world's great golf destinations, but it's under a lot of competition from the islands' other attractions. Ka'anapali sees its share of family vacationers, and when you've got family in tow, a four-hour round of golf might not edge out the resort's other options. Ed Kageyama, PGA General Manager at Ka'anapali says its family-friendly resort means that sometimes golf isn't always priority No. 1, when there's beach activities
Ka'anapali Kai, while still an 18-hole, fulllength play at 6,400 yards, will play a bit easier for the casual player, but is every bit as scenic, with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, as seen on Golf Channel's "Big Break Ka'anapali." The Ka'anapali Kai course is especially family friendly with its "kids play free" program and junior set of tees available in the afternoon during the summer months. Each summer, 1,500 juniors tee it up at Ka'anapali. "Our goal at the resort is to provide activities to keep families together during their vacation," said Kageyama. For more information, see www.kaanapaliresort.com. By BrandonTucker courtesy TravelGolf.com
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DESTINATIONS
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WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO PLAY
Southern California
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Story by Tom LaMarre
WORLD GOLF VILLAGE and HALL OF FAME 10
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or vacationers headed to Florida, among the venues on the must-see list are Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, Everglades National Park, Key West and Miami Beach. There also are plenty of options for golfers, but No. 1 on the agenda has to be the World Golf Village and Hall of Fame near St. Augustine, which holds its own claim to fame as the oldest city in the United States. "If you love golf, you've got to go," is the motto of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a line uttered by legends Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw in television spots since the home of golf history was moved from Pinehurst, N.C., in 1998. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 250,000 people enjoy the World Golf Hall of Fame experience every year, according to Jane Fader, communications direction for the World Golf Hall of Fame and the First Tee, which is based in the World Golf Village. The highlight of 2009, not counting the additions of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lanny Wadkins, Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain and Christy O'Connor of Ireland at the annual induction ceremony in November, was "Shanks for the Memories," an exhibit dedicated to comedian Bob Hope's love of golf. Originally scheduled to run through December, the popular exhibit now will be on display throughout 2010. It features not only artifacts from Hope's involvement with the PGA Tour as host of the Bob Hope Desert Classic dating to 1965, but items from his long career in show business.
"We were excited to get an extension from the Hope family in the Fall," Fader said. "That was great new because so much work goes into an exhibit of that magnitude. We want as many people to see it as possible, and having it run for another year will do exactly that." The World Golf Village and Hall of Fame is more than simply a beautiful place where golfers and fans can enjoy a nostalgic trip back through the annals of the game to its roots in Scotland. It is the venue for a complete stay-and-play weekend or fullfledged vacation, which includes golf on two world-class courses, the King and the Bear designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, and the Slammer and the Squire, named for Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. "For the avid golfer, I would think it would almost be a requirement to visit the World Golf Village and Hall of Fame," said Clare Simpson of Reno, Nev. "Our visit to the World Golf Village was a great experience, from the hospitality at the Renaissance Resort, to the history at the Hall of Fame, to the great golf on two courses. "For me, it was especially interesting to see Patty Sheehan's locker in the Hall of Fame, because she is a friend of mine and a member at my club in Reno. That made it a little extra special, but for any golfer, a trip to the World Golf Village is a chance to
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experience some of your best golf memories all over again, and make some new ones with your friends." Some of the artifacts on exhibition at the World Golf Hall of Fame are: • An R-30 Gene Sarzaen sand wedge, designed by Sarazen, who invented and used the first sand wedge. The wedge is on display in an exhibit honoring Sarazen and Snead at the Slammer and Squire clubhouse.
• Charlie Sifford's first PGA Tour card, issued for 1959-60, when he broke golf's color barrier. • Teaching pro Harvey Penick's briefcase full of handwritten notes that eventually became the "Little Red Book," which is considered perhaps the best teaching manual ever written. • Annika Sorenstam's scorecard from the day she became the first and still the only player in LPGA Tour history to shoot 59 in the second round of the 2001 Standard Register Ping at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix. • Johnny Miller's MacGregor bag and the clubs that he used to shoot eight-under par 63 in the final round to win the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont. • Payne Stewart's first endorsement bag and clubs as a pro. • The shirt that captain Ben Crenshaw of the United States wore during the final day of the Ryder Cup matches in 1999 at Brookline, when the Americans staged an unlikely rally to stun the Europeans. • Byron Nelson's driver from the 1945 season, when he won 11 consecutive tournaments and 18 overall, both PGA Tour records. • Lloyd Mangrum's purple heart, dog tags and half of a dollar bill he carried with him in the Invasion of Normandy in 1944. Mangrum and a friend tore the bill in half before leaving England and vowed to reunite later, but his pal sadly did not make it. Mangrum captured the 1946 U.S. Open, the first one contested after it was not held during U.S. involvement in World War II.
• Jack Nicklaus' MacGregor bag and clubs from a round he played with President Gerald R. Ford, Player and Palmer on the occasion of the inductions of the Big Three to the Hall of Fame in 1974 at Pinehurst. • Babe Zaharias' harmonica and a 1953 vinyl record released on the Mercury label, which features the LPGA Tour great playing as Betty Dodd sings "I Felt a Little Teardrop." On the flip side is Zaharias' harmonica solo of "Detour." G O L F V A C A T I O N S • W I N T E R 2010
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Among the items in a display in Shell Hall honoring the four newest members of the Hall of Fame include: • The TaylorMade driver and spoon used by Olazabal when he captured 1994 Masters, becoming the first player to win at Augusta using metal woods. • All nine of Lanny Wadkins' golf bags from the Ryder Cup matches and a $4 check from Ben Hogan, Wadkins' winnings from a friendly match with one of golf's greatest champions. 12
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• President Eisenhower's Green Jacket from Augusta National Golf Club, where he was a member from 1948 until his death in 1969. • Dozens of clubs and trophies, including the 1962 Harry Vardon Trophy, that O'Connor earned during a career that spanned four decades, and included 24 victories on the European Tour and 10 Ryder Cup appearances. "There are 130 lockers full of artifacts, one for almost every player in the Hall of
Fame except Willie Anderson and Alan Robertson," said Mark Cubbege, manager of collections and research, noting that there is not much available from those two early champions. And don't miss the chance to have your picture taken on a replica of the Swilcan Bridge, with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in the background behind the 18th green on the famed Old Course. Before and/or after visiting the Hall of www.gvlinks.com
Fame, golfers can try to make a little personal history of their own on the World Golf Village's two outstanding courses. Built in 2000, the King and the Bear course is the only layout on which Palmer and Nicklaus have collaborated. The par72 course plays to a distance of 7,279 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 75.2 and a slope of 141. "Both courses are very good and in excellent condition," said Simpson, the visitor from Nevada. "I thought the King and the Bear was a little better because it is a little more challenging. "But the Slammer and the Squire is perfect for the high handicapper and the beginning golfer." The King and the Bear hosted the Champions Tour for the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in 2001 and 2002, and a match between Palmer and Nicklaus that was televised on Shell's Wonderful World of Golf match in May of 2000 to mark the opening of the course. The King and the Bear is a parkland course, with wide fairways on the front nine lined by lolly pines, and 200-year-old live oaks along the winding fairways on the back nine. The course features sparkling lakes lined with coquina rocks. "After competing with Arnold for so many years in different areas, it's a lot of fun to collaborate with him on this project," Nicklaus said. "Because it is the Hall of Fame and for the game of golf, we are here. Under different circumstances, I don't think we would have necessarily been interested in this project. "Arnold and I have varying styles on how we do golf courses. The course reflects both of our styles." The par-72 Slammer and Squire course, opened in 1998, measures 6,939 yards from the tips, with a with a rating of 73.8 and a slope of 135. The layout, which was designed by
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Bobby Weed with Snead ("The Slammer") and Sarazen ("The Squire") acting as consultants, is set among native wetlands, hardwood hammocks and old-growth pine trees. The Slammer and the Squire has hosted the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, the PGA Tour Qualifying School and Champions Tour Qualifying School. "I’ve been involved in many golf course projects but nothing to the magnitude of this project," said Sarazen, who passed away in 1999. "Giving my input on the Slammer and Squire, and being associated with the World Golf Hall of Fame, has been a real thrill." There's plenty more to do after putting out on No. 18. Also on the property at the World Golf Village are the PGA Tour Golf Academy, the PGA Tour retail center, an IMAX theater, and plenty of other shops. Walk down the street to the Murray Bros. Caddyshack Restaurant, themed after what is considered to be the best golf movie ever made. Instead of baseball and football jerseys that line the walls of most sports bars, Caddyshack displays the caddy bibs of famous golfers. Or simply relax and enjoy the amenities of the Renaissance Resort, the Latera Resort and Spa, or the Grand Villas at the World Golf Village. All three properties offer excursion packages for attractions along Florida's "First Coast," including Jacksonville and historic St. Augustine, which was visited by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513 as he searched for the Fountain of Youth. Visit early in May and witness history in the making in the Players Championship at nearby TPC Sawgrass, with its notorious island green on the 17th hole. There you will see players on their way to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
G O L F V A C A T I O N S • W I N T E R 2010
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SNOWMA
ASS Appeal
Story by Larry Feldman
So, I was wrong! For years, my best friend in the world has been telling me that Snowmass not only was the best mountain he ever skied, but also had some of the best golf around. As a resident of Park City, which boasts three of the nation’s Top 15 ski resorts and five world-class golf course communities, I was flat-out skeptical. Well, he may be right. After years of urging, I finally paid a visit to Aspen/Snowmass and found the best of both worlds. In one corner, you have the fastpaced lifestyle of Aspen, full with ritzy shops on every corner and some of the finest dining this side of Manhattan. In fact, take Manhattan and pop it smack into a mountain range and you basically have Aspen. In the other corner, you have this charming, little ski town called Snowmass with one of the biggest mountains you’ll ever ski and one of the nicest, most-picturesque golf courses you’ll ever play in Snowmass Village Country Club. The winner? You. That’s because Aspen and Snowmass are just 15 minutes apart, so if you want fast-paced, stay in Aspen. If you need to get away and chill, stay in Snowmass.
Personally, with the recent fact that I’ve hit the ripe age of 50, I give the nod to Snowmass. Don’t get me wrong, there’s something about Aspen and all its glory. To be able to walk the streets of Aspen, take in the plethora of top-notch shops and restaurants and glance at the “beautiful” people who can appear on any street corner, Aspen is truly special. In fact, I rubbed elbows with Megan Fox at a local bar one night…thought I was going to die and go to heaven! But, in the end, dying and going to heaven means skiing long runs of deep powder and hitting 300 yard drives and Snowmass has it all. Sorry, Megan. For starters, Snowmass Village has gone through millions of dollars of building and re-building over the past five years. What was once really just a sleepy, little ski town now pops with high-end resorts, condos and first-class restaurants, just on a much smaller scale than Aspen. Oh yeah, and one big mountain. As a lifelong skier who has schussed down most of the nation’s top slopes, Snowmass might have them all beat. With runs that can take 20-30 minutes in some spots and a bigness that spreads everyone out on the mountain, Snowmass is a skier’s dream-cometrue. While my three resorts in Park City should never feel any shame, if you gave me one day to float through powder-covered runs, Snowmass would get my vote.
Walking through downtown Aspen
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Viceroy Lounge
The pinnacle of living starts with the Snowmass Club. Members are rewarded with an exclusive lifestyle and a private playground in the mountains. While it is private by most standards, public play opportunities allow the visiting guest the chance to conquer the Irish links golf course after 12:30 p.m. on most days. A $1 million renovation now invites members and their guests the chance to unwind with a variety of relaxing spa services, including salt scrubs, facials, body peels and massages to help increase energy flow and loosen those exhausted muscles, whether it was making turns on the slopes, cross-country skiing on Snowmass’ 70 kilometers of trails or from the 72 swings (we’re assuming you’re shooting par) on the magnificent Jim Engh-designed layout. Three outdoor hot tubs, a four-lane, 25-yard lap pool and several family pools help complete the perfect day. A 19,000-square-foot state-of-the-art athletic club where floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Mt. Daly, is also available if you still have the energy. Of course, these demanding fitness routines call for a more-than-satisfying meal. Refuel and excite the palate at Sage Restaurant and Bar, Snowmass' mainstay dining spot. Serving up classic and creative dishes like the Colorado Mixed Grill staging Venison Sausage, Buffalo Tenderloins, Lamb T-Bone with Mashed Potatoes, Chef Randall Baldwin incorporates Colorado's finest organic and local ingredients in an elegant, yet cozy dining experience. A decadent finish to a delicious meal is in order, but it's hard to choose between treats such as Croissant Bread Pudding with Date Ice Cream and Nougatine or the Chocolate Sampler with Dark Chocolate Mousse, Pot du Crème and Chocolate Ganache Cake. Or simply unwind at Sage Bar with a refreshing Colorado microbrew, www.gvlinks.com
glass of wine or one of Sage's signature specialty winter drinks while sitting by the fire. As you can imagine, it was only a matter of time before a highend resort moved in and that distinction belongs to Viceroy Snowmass. Unveiled on opening day of the 2009-10 ski season, Viceroy Snowmass if the first mountain resort operated by the prestigious Viceroy Hotels & Resorts line of five-star hotels. Bringing the Viceroy brand’s signature fusion of glamorous style, provocative design and innovative culinary experiences to the mountains, Viceroy Snowmass features the prime ski-in, ski-out location at Snowmass’ new Base Village, location of the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center and the home of Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. Viceroy Snowmass, designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, offers 173 residences ranging from stylish studios to expansive four-bedroom units with galley or full kitchens, stunning mountain views and Jean-Michel Gathy’s contemporary, alpine décor. The hotel’s amenities include Eight K, a dramatically designed fine-dining restaurant with a glimmering display kitchen, private dining rooms, and an 87-foot-long glass-topped après-ski bar; a plush lounge designed around a double-sided fireplace; slopeside ski valet services operated by Four Mountain Sports offering complimentary ski and snowboard transfer to any of the area’s four ski mountains; a full-service spa; fitness room; Nest, the Kelly Wearstler-designed pool café and bar; the slopeside pool terrace with permanent cabanas integrating fire design elements; a stylish boutique; and 9,000 square feet of flexible and stylish conference and event space. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • W I N T E R 2010
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Snowmass Village Country Club
The new Snowmass Base Village also features new dining and entertainment venues, including, Sneaky’s Tavern, The Sweet Life ice cream emporium and diner and a modern Japanese tavern Buchi from Jeffrey Klein, the founding partner of Matsuhisa (Aspen’s outpost of Nobu). Base Village shopping is highlighted by Aspen’s renowned Performance Ski as well as Aspen Sports, a North Face Concept store, Generation Snowmass and more. Detailed information regarding all of the new openings and real estate sales opportunities within the new development are available at www.SnowmassLiving.com If you do want to stay and play in Aspen, Hotel Jerome not only offers up sheer elegance for the most discriminating taste, but should you traveling with your favorite four-legged companion be a must ala Paris Hilton, then they’re invited too. Hotel Jerome has been Aspen's crown jewel since 1889, providing guests a timeless blend of luxury and casual sophistication.
Spacious, elegant accommodations http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/guest-rooms/descriptions.asp welcome guests the moment they step into the grand lobby. The hotel has a longstanding tradition of culinary excellence and it’s showcased in its variety of dining options—from its Garden Terrace http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/gardenterrace.asp, to the ever-popular J-Bar http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/j-bar.asp, to the relaxed Library http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/library.asp - all of which, in the tradition of RockResorts, reflect a deep and abiding respect for the environment through their innovative, locally inspired menus, sustainable cuisine, and use of the freshest organic, natural and seasonal ingredients. Hotel Jerome is in the heart of downtown Aspen, so it’s just footsteps from the many world-class galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and the mountain gondola that have made Aspen one of the most celebrated mountain resort destinations in the world.
Hotel Jerome
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But, this is a golf magazine, so let’s talk golf. Snowmass Village Country Club is a gem of a course, plain and simple. Jim Engh, who is the only man to win the prestigious Best New Course Award from Golf Digest four times, has created a truly spectacular layout with views that rival anything from Pebble Beach to the coast of Ireland. And, it’s that Irish influence that dominates this links-style course. At just over 7,000 yards, Snowmass Village twists around its Rocky Mountain landscape and the result is a tract that possesses majestic views, challenging landscape, all the while being sensitive to the precious land it sits on. With five sets of tee boxes, novices and pros will find a challenge ahead of them. On the front side, the fun starts on No. 1 with a Par 5 that is the perfect risk-reward way to begin. At 595 yards, this magnificent hook-shaped dogleg right offers water up the entire right side and bunkers left as you tee off with the mountains staring you down. With a good drive, you’re still facing 225 yards home over the water…make it and you may make your round…miss it and you may want to double-back to the bar. No. 11 frames Mt. Daly and is the course’s most scenic hole. At 564, this Par 5 is a bomber’s delight. But, with an extremely long green from front to back, you could be facing a putt of over 100 feet. So, birdie is not guaranteed by any means, especially if you putt like me. Snowmass finishes with a bang on its closing three holes. The 16th hole is a great, drivable Par 4 that measures 353 yards (306
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from the white with elevation). But, the hole features water right and a nasty bunker front-left that almost ensures bogey if you get caught in it. The 17th is a tremendous hole. Measuring 211 yards, this Par 3 consists of nine pot bunkers that will catch any shot hit a little fat. The long, undulating green invites three putts all day long if you don’t put the tee shot on the correct level. The old adage of “Tee it high and let it fly” really depicts the finishing hole at Snowmass Village. The 18th, a 581-yard, Par 5, offers sweeping 360 degree views of Snowmass. But, if you get caught up in the scenery, this dogleg right might ruin your round if you don’t keep all three shots left. With trouble down the right on the tee shot and water front and right on the approach, take your par and run to the clubhouse. The experience you’ll get from Aspen/Snowmass is certainly unique. Summer. Winter. Spring. Fall. In short, it has it all. And, you can hit ‘em both on one trip. So, while Park City is home to me and my family, I know exactly where I’m going next!
Visit These Links For More Information www.aspensnowmass.com www.hjerome.com www.viceroysnowmass.com
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Hitting The Fairways And The Slopes
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emperatures are dropping, snow is falling and ski season is here. But before the slope-hugging set can say “Black Diamond,” it will be time to trade in the skis and poles for drivers and putters. The resorts and locations below – noted for skiing, snowboarding and winter sports – might pleasantly surprise golf-and-ski aficionados with world-class golf courses design by legendary architects. All five boast amazing natural scenery, standout accommodations and are easily accessible from major cities and airports. Canadian Rockies golf-and-lifestyle consortium (www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca, 877.323.3633) – A country with skiing facilities and winter sports so spectacular that it has hosted two Winter Olympics (1988 Calgary, 2010 Vancouver), the Canadian Rockies boast six world-class Alberta properties with more than 135 holes of spellbinding mountain golf. The Canadian Rockies consortium (CRG) includes The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Silvertip Resort, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, Kananaskis Country Golf Course and Canmore Golf & Curling Club.
hiking, raft, explore the mountains and national parks, horseback ride, watch the abundant wildlife, take in the stunning scenery or pamper themselves at internationally-renowned spas, restaurants and wine bars. Sun Valley Resort (www.sunvalley.com, 800-786-8259) – The “American Original” has been home to literary greats (Ernest Hemmingway) and playground for Hollywood legends and political royalty.
Shawnee Islands - Poconos
Opened in 1937, Sun Valley has been dubbed “the nation’s first ski resort.” The moniker doesn’t overshadow White Clouds and Trail Creek golf courses, 27 holes of championship golf stationed in one of the most dramatic settings in the U.S. Designed by Donald Knott – Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s lead-architect during the 1970s – White Clouds offers dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views of the breathtaking countryside. Dubbed “Alpine Links” for its wide open and rolling terrain, Trail Creek weaves its way through mature forest and crosses its namesake creek on nearly every hole.
Raven Three Peaks largest collection of ski bums. And why not? The cozy little burg located just off of I70 on the west side of the Eisenhower Tunnel, is just 30 minutes from Vail, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone. As of 2001, Silverthorne and Summit County also lay claim to one of the highest-ranked golf courses in the state, Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks. Designed by Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Tom Lehman, Raven Three Peaks is a true destination golf facility easily worth the trek from points east and west. Once there, golfers can soak up its 9,000-foot-plus perch in the Front Range of the Rockies.
Arnold Schwarzenegger at Sun Valley Resort
The collection of highly-acclaimed courses features a mix of traditional, Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones Senior-designed layouts, and contemporary and modern landscapes from regional architects like Les Furber. With daylight extending to 11 p.m. in the summer, visitors have plenty of time to heli20
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Off the course, Sun Valley offers outdoor ice skating with world-renowned stars performing throughout the summer, gun club, horseback riding, award-winning tennis and much more. Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks (www.ravenatthreepeaks.com, 970.262.3636) – Time was, Silverthorne, Colorado was ground zero for Colorado’s
The golf course serves up scenery, strategy and 18 positively unforgettable holes, all in climate that is up to 20 degrees cooler than Denver (70 miles east) and its environs during the summer months. That’s right, sweater golf in the summer is a true possibility at Raven Three Peaks. Pocono Mountains (www.800poconos.com, 800.POCONOS) – Less than 90 miles from Manhattan, you can find celebrities hitting the slopes and links all year long. Nestled in the picturesque Pocono Mountains, this four-county www.gvlinks.com
orre T A REALITY AT THESE DREAM DESTINATIONS by Shane Sharp • Special to Golf Vacations Magazine
destination finds itself in close proximity to many major East Coast hubs, but a world away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
iconic Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited part of America’s national park system. Located just minutes away, Olde Mill -- a magnificent master planned resort, club and residential community -- is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation.
For those in search of a family getaway, romantic couples’ weekend, or a girls’ or guys’ night out, the Pocono Mountains feature more than 30 courses and numerous accommodation options for vacation customization. Golf courses range from early Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast designs to nine-hole options where beginners can play with confidence.
With its lush, old growth forests and dramatic elevation changes, visitors will have trouble focusing on the golf ball when playing Olde Mill’s 18-hole, par 72 layout. An Ellis Maples original that was recentlyremodeled by son Dan and grandson, Bradley, the course features design elements inspired by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross.
Championship-caliber golf is only a portion of the offering in the Pocono Mountains. There is a little bit of everything for everyone: antique shopping, oldtime theater, Vegas-style gambling, the Pocono Raceway, fine dining, water and mountain sports and plenty more. Blue Ridge Mountains / Olde Mill (www.oldemill.net, 800.753.5005) - The
Banff Springs Devil’s Cauldron
The course, which bobs and weaves around a 54-acre lake, is the centerpiece of the 850-acre resort. Guests also have access to tennis, a fitness club, swimming, fishing, biking, hiking, a brand-new restaurant menu and elegant mountain-craftsman style housing; all cloaked in peaceful mountain serenity.
THE CUISINE OF ITALY
“Combining Old-World Italian comfort food with personalized service, a congenial atmosphere and an extensive wine list, La Torretta excels as one of Arizona’s most impressive restaurants” — Dining Out
With a menu that utilizes the freshest and most authentic ingredients and pasta made fresh in-house daily, the restaurant’s culinary fare is consistently delicious and refreshing.Their Osso Buco,Taglio del Vitello Farcito con Quattro Farmagio and Veal Piccata have become local legends and inspired positive reviews from the Scottsdale Republic, the New Times, Guest Informant, TravelHost, and Scottsdale Magazine. The combination of La Torretta’s sophisticated interior and authentic food make it a prime candidate for intimate dinners to group celebrations of special occasions.
LIVE WELL
•
LOVE MUCH
•
LAUGH OFTEN
LA TORRETTA Ristorante & Italian Steakhouse
16640 N. Scottsdale Rd • SW corner Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale • 480.991.2000 • www.latorrettaaz.com Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm • Dinner Daily 4:30-9:30pm
SWEETSTUFF I
f anything in golf has undergone a revolution over the past decade or so, it has been the golf ball. With the improvement in clubs and shafts and the premium put on spin and how it can impact distance, the old balata balls of yesteryear have given way to lower spinning but harder balls to increase distance for better players. Even though most of t o d a y ’s l o w e r spinning balls are softer than the o l d “rocks” that many of today’s players grew up with and allow more feel, they still haven’t been able to match the soft touch of balata and the spin around the greens that those balls offered—until now. TaylorMade Golf has just introduced the first five layer golf ball designed to give a balance of performance in the five key areas of shot-making—driver, long irons, middle irons, short irons and around the greens. The newlyreleased Penta TP (Tour Preferred) was designed by the engineers at TaylorMade following three years of research primarily with tour players, but it is a ball that will fit the game of all levels of players. Penta TP is the first tour ball with five solid-layers, according to TaylorMade, with each layer engineered to optimize performance in the five key shot categories that skilled players need. The five layers include the core, inner mantle, middle mantle, outer mantle and cover, and each one plays a critical role in optimizing the performance of each of the five key shots. The extremely soft, low-compression core is the most critical layer to promoting high launch and low spin off the driver, which are well known to be the launch conditions that promote maximum carry and distance. Visit www.taylormadegolf.com.
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E
ver since the USGA opened up the use of distance-reading devices for tournament play three years ago, manufacturers of laser rangefinders and GPS yardage instruments have ramped up their efforts to entice golfers to invest in one methodology or another to get their yardages and distances while on the course. Bushnell, which has been a pioneer in the golf industry for more than a dozen years with its laser rangefinders after decades as one of the leading manufacturers of binoculars and other optical products, has two of its newest and most accurate distance-finding devices on the market with the Pro 1600 Tournament and the 1600 Slope Edition. According to USGA rules, rangefinders can be allowed in tournaments if they measure only distance to the pin or other objects, such as with the Pro 1600
Tournament Edition that was developed for both recreational and professional golfers as Bushnell’s top of the line range finder with its state of the art optics. For those that aren’t concerned with using the rangefinder in tournament play but want additional information for casual rounds that can still be recorded for handicap purposes, the 1600 Slope Edition is exactly like the tournament edition but adds a built-in inclinometer to provide the golfer with a compensated distance based upon the degree of incline or decline. This means when you are aiming at an up-hill or down-hill target, the Pro 1600 with Slope +/- will adjust the yardage reading for the angle and distance to help golfers with accurate club selection. Visit www.bushnellgolf.com.
T
he enormous popularity of the R9 driver by TaylorMade Golf with its Flight Control Technology (FCT) that allows players to adjust the head characteristics – face angle, loft and lie—has carried over successfully to two other types of clubs. The company has expanded the R9 franchise into the fairway wood and Rescue hybrid categories that have proven to be just as popular both with professional tour players and recreational golfers alike. Adjustable drivers and woods have proven to be one of the more beneficial gameimprovement options for the average player who doesn’t have the luxury in most cases of customisizing the loft and face angle like the pros, who have Tour vans that come to tournament sites to work on player’s equipment. How does FCT work? It starts with a small metallic sleeve positioned over the tip of the shaft. The shaft is secured to the clubhead with a specially made bolt in the bottom of the clubhead. The sleeve, made of high-strength 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, is r i n g e d around the bottom with small teeth, which tightly mesh with a second ring of matching teeth within the hosel. You can change the clubhead's characteristics (face angle, loft, lie) by loosening the FCT bolt, removing the shaft from the head, rotating the sleeve and
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SWEETSTUFF shaft into a specified position, and then locking them into that position within the head with the FCT bolt. The R9 fairway wood offers eight clubhead positions. Changing from one position to another is easy and takes only a matter of seconds. It's important to recognize that as the face angle closes, the loft increases; and as the face angle opens, the loft decreases. Thus R9 fairway woods are engineered to promote trajectories that are 1) increasingly higher, long-carrying and which move from right-to-left; 2) increasingly lower, more controllable and which move from left-to-right; or 3) neutral, relatively straight ball flight of a mid-level height. The design of the R9 fairway wood features TaylorMade's "new classic" shape, which combines traditional and contemporary lines to create a clubhead that's particularly easy to aim and which sets up cleanly and beautifully behind the ball at address. The Center of Gravity location (CG), meanwhile, is more than 50 percent lower than the similarly sized r7 fairway woods. That's a dramatic difference that helps make R9 fairways easier to launch. The new Rescue is a perfect complement to the R9 series of fairways and also incorporates the FCT technology in the TP version with the ability to dial in one of eight different club head positions and customize the club for the first time in a hybrid. This club is the perfect marriage of long irons and fairway woods because of its versatility in many different conditions and the ease of hitting compared to a long iron. Visit www.taylormadegolf.com Terry Ross
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ith college football heading into the bowl season and college basketball heating up, Sun Mountain Sports is giving golfers a chance to display their school colors on the course. The outdoor sports equipment and apparel company based in Missoula, Mont.,
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has forged licensing agreements with 53 major universities -- from Alabama through Wisconsin -- around the United States and is offering two of its quality golf bags adorned with the colors and logo of your school of choice. And more schools are expected to be added to the list.
Sun Mountain's Superlight 3.5 bag, which weighs under four pounds, is the model for the college logo lightweight stand bag, which includes its patented 9.5inch six-way top and seven pockets, including water bottle pouch. The popular Superlight 3.5 bag, which features wider shoulder straps which make it easier to carry clubs around the course, also is available in nine color combinations with the Sun Mountain logo. Also available with any of the college logos is the Sun Mountain C-130 cart bag, one of the most popular in the company's diverse line. The C-130 boasts a 14-way, individual club divider system and 10 pockets, including an insulated beverage compartment and two velour-lined pouches, plus two full-length clothing pockets. The C-130, a Hot List selection by Golf Digest the last three years, is the Cadillac
of the Sun Mountain line. It comes in eight color combinations when purchased with the Sun Mountain logo. The stand bag with college logo sells for a suggested retail price of $239 and the cart bag with college logo retails for $269. "In the past, golfers had to pick between a top quality golf bag and a golf bag in their college colors," said Ed Kowachek, president of Sun Mountain. "Now, folks can have it all -- quality, performance, cutting-edge design and college colors." Sun Mountain has long been committed to supporting high school and college golf teams through its School Program, which offers quality and affordable equipment to programs around the country. To learn more about Sun Mountain's School Program, college coaches may call 1-800-457-6306 and high school coaches can phone 1-800-227-9224, or visit www.sunmountain.com/information/pr ograms.asp.
More than 600 coaches purchase Sun Mountain products with embroidered school logos for their golf programs every For the entire line of Sun Mountain products, visit the company's website at www.sunmountain.com. Tom LaMarre
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MYTURN
PARAISO DEL MAR:
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a Paz, the 471-year old capital of Baja California Sur, is truly a rare pearl in this fast paced world . It's a place where vacationers come for an easygoing lifestyle that soothes the soul as you might expect since “paz” translates into peace in English. It doesn't feel touristy as its neighbor, Los Cabos, just over two hours away. It's home to more than 200,000 residents with all the amenities needed for a happy life. Situated at the gateway to the Sea of Cortez, called “the world's aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, it offers spectacular sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports on beautiful beaches that are great places to swim unlike most at the tip of the peninsula. The malecon (boardwalk) offers a great place to view the beautiful sunsets. It's sunny more than 340 days a year with temperatures ranging from 75 to 95 degrees—yes, it's hot in the summer. What was missing? Golf resorts and communities with world class courses like in Los Cabos. Grass just didn't seem to grow here and water was in short supply, reportedly because the water wells were poorly managed. The region also gets only about four inches of rain annually. However, developers found the answer thanks to desalinization and the introduction of a less water-hungry turf called paspalum that also was tolerant to salt water. Paraiso del Mar, an ambitious real estate and resort development on 1,700 acres of unspoiled sandy land on a peninsula called “El Magote” across the Bay of La Paz, became the first to open a golf course in the spring of 2009. Unlike some golf communities, there's no need for a gate. The best way to get there is by a five-minute water taxi ride, although there is a long land route over the desert that can take up to an hour from the airport as three other writers and I found out when our driver did not get the right information. On a site that Arthur Hills and design partner Brian Yoder called one of the most natural that they had ever seen, a links style course emerged that will remind some of the ones in Scotland and Ireland, especially when the paspalum turf has a chance to mature and golfers will have to resort to keeping the ball on the ground more. “Creating a course here was like throwing down a tablecloth in one sense,” said Yoder, “We employed a very light touch (only 70,000 cubic yards of earth were
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moved) as they did when creating the classic links of Scotland. We did it this way to preserve the existing natural beauty and, from a golfing perspective, we did it because so much of the existing terrain was dramatic enough the way we found it.” Fitting for a links course, most of the greens are large with bold contours. This is especially true on the par 3 No. 6 where a natural bowl has been incorporated into the green itself that bumps right up against the fore dunes that separates the course from the beach. I had to sink a five-foot putt to avoid four-putting. Putting the cup at the bottom of the bowl makes things easier as all balls roll down there. In another nod to St. Andrews, there is a double green shared by Nos. 4 and 7. More than 70 bunkers, most of them pot like the ones in Scotland and Ireland, add to the challenge, leaving golfers with little chance to do more than just get the ball out of them. There's really no rough to speak of as the wide fairways end where the sandy dunes and desert await errant shots. If you can not find your ball, these desert areas are played as lateral hazards, allowing golfers to drop a ball where it entered and take a one-stroke penalty. This will spend up play. However, we didn't have to worry about the pace of play the day we played as there was only a father and two of his sons playing. We got around 18 holes twice in less than three hours each time, but I evidently did not get
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La Paz, Mexico
LEADING CHARGE TO BAJA SUR
by JamesMcAfee
enough liquids as I got dehydrated and had to spend the night in the hospital, as nice as any back in Texas.
destination as two other courses are scheduled to open within the next year.
While the homeowners will enjoy golf memberships, other visitors may opt to rent one of the condos and play the golf course or just take the water taxi ride over to get in a round. The green fees are about half what they are in Los Cabos.
Costa Baja, a master planned resort community on 550 acres, will open a Gary Player design, featuring a desertby-the-sea landscape, in the summer of 2010. Beach front residences, condominiums and hillside homes will be offered. Costa Baja also has a state-of-the-art 250-slip double-basin marina. The Costa Baja Beach Club will serve as the community's social hub, but I missed out seeing it because of my stay in the hospital.
The first phase of the Paraiso del Mar (“Paradise of the Sea”) resort community consists of 294 luxurious Mexicanstyle two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes and more than 400 condominiums with prices ranging from the $200,000s to more than $1 million. Additional high-rise condo buildings stand ready to be added when the need arises. More than 800 acres on the secluded peninsula have been set aside for wildlife sanctuaries, mangrove preserves and a biological corridor. It will not be long until La Paz is considered a true golf
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Architect Tom Doak's first design in Mexico is scheduled to open soon at Bahia de los Sunes (The Bay of Dreams) about 45 minutes southeast of La Paz. Americans, who missed out on opportunities at more mature developments such as the ones in Los Cabos, definitely should consider looking into investing in one of the La Paz golfing communities before less savvy travelers find out about them.
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