OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 5
OWL’S NEST RESORT
NEW ENGLAND’S PREMIER FOUR-SEASON RESORT COMMUNITY
+
PRIVATE CLUBS &
Communities
Discover the beauty of the Ozarks with nature’s finest courses at Big Cedar Lodge, designed by some of the top names in golf: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Our five award-winning courses nestled amoung the rugged Missouri Ozarks beckons guests to tee-off with breathtaking views from every course. Discover Big Cedar Lodge Nature Golf and connect with friends and family by connecting to the great outdoors. Welcome to Golf at Big Cedar Lodge. g o l f b i g c e d a r. c o m
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INSIDE OCTOBER • NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 5
COVER STORY
10
Owl’s Nest Resort
The Owl’s Nest Resort provides four seasons of amazing vacation experiences and epic second home living in the heart of the White Mountains.
RESORT-STYLE LIVING
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Private Clubs & Golf Communities by Timothy Branco
THE 19TH HOLE
Pickleball & Golf by Ed Travis
SAVE THE DATE
DESTINATIONS
NORTHEAST GOLF SHOW March 15-17, 2024
Gillette Stadium — Foxboro, MA NortheastGolfShow.com
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Road Trippin’ Around Texas
by Alice & Danny Scott NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OC TOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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FASHION
36
ON TREND
Get Warm This Cool Season With New, Hot Looks
32 INDOOR GOLF & FITNESS
More Than Just a Golf Simulator by Timothy Branco
35 PRO SHOP
Lower Your Score with New Tech
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MOLORI UNPLUGGED
Birdies & Brews in Rhode Island Bristol Golf Park & Vigilant Brewing Company
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FROM THE EDITOR COURSES & COMMUNITIES
Private Clubs & Golf Course Living Communities
“Once you play your life changes in ways you could never imagine.”
G
olf is a sport and game that captivates us all. Once you play that first round and hit a soaring ball in flight toward a target, you begin a lifelong journey in the greatest game ever conceived. Tom Watson once said, “No other game combines the wonder of nature with the discipline of sport in such a carefully planned way, golf frees and challenges the mind.” Once we commit to playing golf and learning the nuances of this great sport, we all seek out a place to play and establish golf friendships and relationships in the game. While we are blessed to have so many public golf courses in America, joining a private golf club provides more opportunities to improve, play more competitively and build lifelong golf relationships in and around the game. The highest percentage of private golf courses in America are in the northeast region, giving golfers here unlimited choices for private golf club membership at almost every price point. Golf is one of the most engaging sports in the world. The great thing about golf is that it’s a sport you can enjoy throughout your life, and it has been found to increase your life expectancy by up to five years. Once you play, your life changes in ways you could never have imagined. For many of us, our life choices align in and around golf with where we live, where we choose to play, and how often we play. The closer you are to a club to play and/or practice, the more you will enjoy the membership and the
amenities. The obvious best-case scenario is to live where you play. Golf course communities today offer vast opportunities for home and living choices and unprecedented amenities to resident members. In this issue, along with our courses and golf communities’ coverage, we begin our indoor golf features on some of the finest indoor golf facilities to keep golf sharp during the winter months in the Northeast. Today many of our private golf clubs have added indoor golf facilities, new fitness centers, and sports bars, making clubs more relevant and open for business year-round. Golf 365 has arrived, so play on!
Submit Your News & More at:
www.Northeast.Golf/Submit 8 O CTO BE R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
Editor Timothy R. Branco tim@nepubinc.com
Creative Director Katrina T. Lallier Editorial Bill Bales Timothy Branco David DeSmith Leigh MacKay Paul Mignosa John Molori Jack Ross Barbara Rowell Greg Sampson Alice Scott Danny Scott Ed Travis Henry Wallmeyer Matt Ward Phil Werz Published by:
Formerly New England dot Media & New England Publishing Group
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For Editorial & Advertising Requests: Editorial: 774.930.1623 - Tim Branco Advertising: 757.621.7494 - Greg Sampson Shows: 508.942.7340 - Rich Castiglione
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Golf Inspired is a community-based platform that showcases the very best of golf and the many passion points that complement the game. © 2023 Home Golf Lifestyle Media LLC. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The articles appearing within this publication reflect the opinion of their respective authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.
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THE NEW
OWL’S NEST RESORT
THE VACATION & LIVING EPICENTER IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
The White Mountains
Famed Pulitzer Prize writer John Steinbeck on his travels to the White Mountains in New Hampshire said, “New Hampshire is a state of mind. It is part of us, even if we have never lived there.” This thought is shared by many, as The White Mountains have a captivating effect on us all, as one of our most treasured places to visit and to live. The White Mountain National Forest is the largest national forest in the East, with over 800,000 acres of protected lands, and is larger than the state of Rhode Island. The park covers most of the north-central region of New Hampshire and is home to thousands of species of wildlife. It plays host to over 6 million visitors each year.
The New Owl’s Nest Resort
The vision that has empowered the redevelopment of this truly beautiful location has been carefully conceived to create the ultimate vacation and living experience in the Northeast for all seasons and all celebrations of life and family; it is a very special place. 10 O CTO B E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
The Owl’s Nest Resort provides four seasons of amazing vacation experiences and epic second home living in the heart of the White Mountains. Not only is The Owl’s Nest the fastest-growing resort in New England, but it is also the perfect serene setting with proximity to all major attractions in the region. The Owl’s Nest expansion and extensive ongoing development and growth have now made the facility the largest four-season destination resort in the Northeast. The resort and living community offer a vast array of amenities for every season and unparalleled choices of rental homes, cottages, condos, hotel rooms, and suites to choose from for couples, groups, and families. There are few places anywhere in the Northeast that offer unprecedented choices for golf, four-season vacationing and living, and extensive amenities and recreational opportunities in every month of the year.
FOUR SEASON FUN AND RESORT AMENITIES Golf Courses
The Owl’s Nest is truly a full four-season resort so there is never
an offseason here at the Nest. The Resort’s golf course was ranked the #6 best Nicklaus-designed course by value worldwide by NBC Golf Pass. The course is the only Nicklaus Design in New Hampshire. The newly acquired White Mountain Country Club has been rebranded as The Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course and is undergoing a complete renovation by golf course architect Robert McNeil. The 18-hole gem is scheduled to open in the spring of 2024 with new dining facilities and expanded teaching facilities. A new 9-hole par three executive course will be added as part of the redevelopment plan as well.
World Class Racquet Sports
The Owl’s Nest is home to 25 racquet courts including 8 clay tennis courts, 13 pickleball courts, and 4 radiant heated platform tennis courts. Annually there are a host of competitions, invitations, and racquet sports events and clinics by some of the top professionals in the game today. The Owl’s Nest is now ranked as the #2 pickleball resort in the world by Tennis Resorts Online. Pickleball National Champions Johan du Randt and Stephen Mitchell, the #1 Ranked Pickleball Team in the World, host clinics and events at the Owl’s Nest throughout the year. Johan and Stephen are highly accomplished tennis, paddle, and pickleball players and are passionate about seeing players of all levels improve. In addition, both Johan and Stephen host SA Racquets Camps at Owl’s Nest so that enthusiasts can come and learn from top instructors at world-class facilities in a fun environment.
Summer Watersports at The Nest
The resort’s Lake Harold is the largest man-made recreational lake in New Hampshire. Fishing, boating, swimming, paddle-
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boarding and other watersports are all offered at the facility. In addition, the resort has added a new heated, saltwater pool and Jacuzzi complex adjacent to the newly completed BoatHouse. It currently features an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, boat rentals, indoor and outdoor showers, radiant, heated decks, locker room facilities, and beach access, with plans to open a poolside bar and seafood restaurant. The BoatHouse can hold up to 80 people and is the perfect event space for any community programs, work retreats, corporate and private functions, rehearsal dinners, and also features an outdoor stage for concerts and entertainment.
Fall and Winter Season Activities & Amenities
Fall may be one of the most amazing times at the Owl’s Nest Resort as foliage paints the hillside with beautiful colors of the season. Outdoor activities such as golf, racquet sports, horseback riding, fitness activities and hiking are always popular. The cool and clean fresh mountain air is exhilarating. As fall turns to winter and the White Mountains take on a blanket of snow, winter sports take the stage. At the Nest, there is snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and of course ice skating. If you are a skiing 12 O CTOB E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
and snowboarding enthusiast, then you’re just minutes away from the best mountain downhill pursuits in the east. You’re just 13 miles from Waterville Valley, 19 miles to Loon Mountain, and 20 miles to Cannon Mountain. Staying sharp with your golf game on state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators, an expansive fitness center means you can have it all in one great location.
Dining Shopping and Entertainment at The Nest
There is something always going on at the Owl’s Nest and this
means great food and lots of entertainment. The resort’s main restaurant is Panorama Six82, rated #1 in the White Mountains by the NH Lodging and Hospitality Association. Panorama Six82’s menu changes seasonally and features the freshest ingredients and creative inspiration from the culinary team. Adjacent to Owl’s Nest’s main dining establishment, the upcoming Slice Pizzeria and Sports Bar will feature two state-of-the-art golf simulators and freshly-made woodfire pizza. Located next to the Sports Nest, the eagerly awaited Butch’s Deli & Provisions will provide local coffee, snacks, deli sandwiches, and other culinary delights. Soon to come, the new venue Hook, inside the BoatHouse, will serve drinks, seafood, and New England specialties. There is also shopping at the SportsNest for apparel, sports equipment, drinks, and snacks. If you have gone electric with your ride, there are 10 Tesla superchargers at the resort for quick charging.
The Owl’s Nest Living Community
The Owl’s Nest master plan organizes the homes around communal outdoor spaces all connected by multi-use trails. Each house is nestled perfectly throughout the resort, giving you spectacular views of the White Mountains. The proximity of the
THE OWL’S NEST RESORT The Owl’s Nest Resort is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, less than two hours north of Boston and one hour from ManchesterBoston Regional Airport. The Nest is situated on 600+ acres with spectacular panoramic mountain and forest views. For more information on Owl’s Nest Resort, visit www.owlsnestresort.com or call us @603.726.3076
Owl’s Nest gives you full access to all the White Mountain’s major attractions and tourist areas while living in a quiet, private resort community. Stay in one of the Owl’s Nest Resort’s four-bedroom vacation homes on your visit here to get a taste of life at The Owl’s Nest. North Lake private homes and South Lake Townhomes are two new carefree neighborhoods ideally located at the Owl’s Nest Resort’s new lakeside community, Waterscapes. These new Mountain homes offer open floor plans, light filled homes, designed with luxury features, and modern conveniences for perfect four-season mountain living. NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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One of the greatest and most popular legends in golf, Arnold Palmer, knew the value of living beside a golf course. When asked about how he learned to play golf Arnold Palmer said, “The most impactful thing in my golf life, was living by a golf course where I could master my skills and play every day. Latrobe Country Club was right in our back yard, my dad was both the greenskeeper and golf professional.” Growing up on a golf course allows unlimited access to learn the fundamentals and nuances needed to embed repeatable golf skills. In a perfect golf world, living on a golf course is optimum, but having your private golf club just minutes away from where you live is great as well. Mark Twain famously described golf as, “a good walk spoiled.” That is, until you become hooked on the game, then it becomes a good walk every time.
New Seabury, Mashpee, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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PLAY & STAY P R I VAT E C LU B S & G O L F CO M M U N I T I E S
Greathorse Golf Club, Hampden, Massachusetts
Greathorse Golf Club
PRIVATE COUNTRY CLUBS In the Northeast and throughout the United States, private golf club membership has had steady growth for the last 3 years and shows no signs of slowing any time soon. The newfound enthusiasm for golf is shaking up the club business after decades of oversupply in almost all markets. Accelerating lifestyle changes among Generation X, Y, and Millennials are driving the market and the rapid changes in club models. Private clubs are evolving into new, open, more inclusive clubs. They are offering more amenities like 16 O CTO B E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts
fitness centers, indoor golf simulators, modified round options, and increasingly eclectic social events for both members and their families. This trend is driving change, in everything from club house design to diverse menu changes and expanded club amenities. Cclubs are reinvesting, reinventing.
GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES Throughout the country there has been an exodus by young professionals and families from major cities to a more rural life with more open spaces and a better quality of life.
Amenities in golf course communities are endless and ever changing with golf, aquatics, fitness, sports, activities, social events. Golf carts which were mostly used for golf have now become the go-to form of transportation within the communities. The demand for personal golf carts is booming nationwide. Boomers are living and working longer, looking for opportunities to connect with others, and stay engaged with kids and grandkids. The market is trending to more multi-generational communities and far less 55 and older facilities. In addition, golf course and themed recreational
PLAY & STAY P R I VAT E C LU B S & G O L F CO M M U N I T I E S
New Seabury, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The Golf Club of New England Stratham, New Hampshire
Warwick Country Club, Rhode Island
communities throughout the country are getting flooded with younger buyers looking to acquire second homes now while they are in prime earning mode in their lives. Golf is on an upswing. Women’s and junior golf sectors are the fastest growing segments right now which will drive more and more interest in golf course communities nationally. We have listed some of our choices for great private golf clubs and golf living communities throughout the Northeast. There are great places to play and live, across all regions. Much like buying a car, a
test drive is the perfect way to see how you feel about a new club or a new community.
an outdoor pool, private spa, fitness center, golf simulators, tennis and platform tennis courts, as well as great dining facilities.
GREAT PRIVATE GOLF CLUBS IN THE NORTHEAST
www.greathorse.com
Greathorse Hampden, Massachusetts
TPC Boston Norton, Massachusetts
You and your family will feel completely at home at this Brian Silva designed club located in the small town of Hampden, Massachusetts. This opulent mountain retreat features world-class golf and unparalleled clubhouse amenities including
Originally designed by Arnold Palmer in 1999, this amazing 10-acre practice facility has been the host of numerous PGA tour events. The course layout was redesigned by renowned architect Gil Hanse and awarded the #1 Best New Private Club remodel in the U.S. by Golf NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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PLAY & STAY P R I VAT E C LU B S & G O L F CO M M U N I T I E S
Digest. Featuring great dining and event facilities, this is one of the PGA TOUR’s distinguished TPC Network of clubs.
www.tpc.com/boston
New England is dedicated to the game of golf. With limited memberships, there are no tee times required for immediate access to the club. The Clubhouse includes a fitness center, lounge, card room, and so much more.
Warwick Country Club Warwick, Rhode Island
www.golfclubne.com
A Donald Ross masterpiece located on picturesque Narragansett Bay offers unparalleled views of the west passage, of East Greenwich Bay, and of the Jamestown and Newport Bridges. With 100 years of rich golfing history, WCC is a remarkable place. The golf course of Warwick Country Club is a very special place for golf, camaraderie, and unbelievable New England beauty.
The Country Club of Vermont Waterbury, Vermont
www.warwickcc.com
www.countryclubvt.com
The Golf Club of New England Stratham, New Hampshire
Boothbay Harbor Country Club Boothbay, Maine
In 2003, Arnold Palmer designed this 7800-yard masterpiece on 450 acres in southern New Hampshire. The Golf Club of
Designed in 1918 by Wayne Styles, this Boothbay Peninsula location was redesigned by Bruce Hepner in 2016. Featuring a
The Country Club of Vermont, Waterbury, Vermont
Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Boothbay, Vermont
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30,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, its world-class club offers rich amenities including 5-star dining, sports bars, luxury locker rooms, and an outdoor pool complex. The expansive range and outstanding practice facilities make this one of New England’s finest courses.
www.boothbayharborcc.com
This spectacular design by Graham Cooke with beautiful vistas of the Green Mountains is one of the top-rated Northeast courses. Club amenities include golf, clay court tennis, and social planned events. Steeped in New England classic traditions, the impressive clubhouse and dining facilities offer sweeping mountain views.
Silo Ridge, Amenia, New York
GREAT NORTHEAST GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES New Seabury Mashpee, Cape Cod, Massachusetts The Club at New Seabury is a premier Private Golf Community, boasting resort amenities with spectacular views of the iconic Nantucket Sound. Membership at New Seabury provides a Cape Cod vacation lifestyle with two championship waterfront golf courses, full-service clubhouse, five restaurants, two beach clubs and beach bars, state-of-the-art fitness facility, sixteen racquet courts, pools, walking trails & more.
www.newseabury.com
PLAY & STAY P R I VAT E C LU B S & G O L F CO M M U N I T I E S
The Aquidneck Club Portsmouth, Rhode Island
center, snow sports, horseback riding, and great year-round music and celebrations.
Nestled along the shores of Narragansett Bay, the Aquidneck Club offers an unprecedented passion for living with world-class amenities including golf, tennis, equestrian, and maritime pursuits. The Championship 18-hole Donald Steel links-style golf course is simply stunning. Located on 300 acres of breathtaking property along the Bay, the Aquidneck Club is the ultimate experience by all standards.
www.owlsnestresort.com/community
www.aquidneckclub.com Owl’s Nest Resort Thornton, New Hampshire The White Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for this spectacular resort, vacation, and living community. The Owl’s Nest in Thornton, NH is home to New Hampshire’s only Nicklaus Design golf course. Owl’s Nest is a full four-season destination with golf, racquet sports, water sports, hiking, fitness
Quechee Lakes Hartford, Vermont Quechee Lakes in the Upper Valley village of Quechee, Vermont, has become one of the most popular four-season, first and secondhome communities in New England. Quechee Lakes offers resort-style living on 5,200 acres of homes and amenities for more than 1,300 families. The adjacent village of Woodstock makes it one of New England’s most picturesque regions.
https://quecheelakes.com TPC River Highlands Cromwell, Connecticut River Highlands is a 220-acre, private golf community located at the edge of the Connecticut River in Cromwell, CT. More than two-thirds of The River Highlands’
220 acres are preserved as unspoiled open space and golf course. Home of the Travelers Championship each year, TPC River Highlands is located at the center of New England in Cromwell, Connecticut, just outside of Hartford, overlooking the Connecticut River.
www.tpc.com/riverhighlands Silo Ridge Amenia, New York The beautiful 800 acres of Silo Ridge are home to numerous celebrities including Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Reese Witherspoon, and many others. With only 300 residences in this quiet gated enclave in the Hudson River Valley, the community plus its exquisite Tom Faziodesigned golf course make this a very special place. Enjoy activities like hunting, biking, paddle boarding, camping, ziplining, skiing and snowboarding, fly fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, and archery, year-round.
https://siloridge.com
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut
Owl’s Nest Resort Community, Thornton, New Hampshire
The Aquidneck Club, Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Quechee Lakes Club, Quechee, Vermont
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Restoring
Yale Golf Course Noted Designer Gil Hanse to Lead Changes of Historic Course
BY JACK ROSS
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PLAY & STAY P R I VAT E C LU B S & G O L F CO M M U N I T I E S
IN THE 1970S, STUDENTS COULD PLAY the Yale Golf Course for a mere $2 greens fee. The challenge was finding the course in the pre-GPS era. The circuitous route through northwest New Haven culminates in a long, wooded private drive into a vast nature preserve with striking rock outcroppings and elevation changes. Although I then had no appreciation of its significance in golf architecture, I fell in love with the Yale Golf Course — even though the demanding test created havoc with my game and probably deflated my G.P.A. While Yale is universally recognized for its academic excellence, many Northeast golfers might be surprised to learn that the university boasts the top ranked collegiate golf course in the country. Preeminent architects Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor created a true masterpiece of design out of the original 700-acre tract immersed with massive boulders, ledges of rock, swamps and wooded areas. Since it opened in 1925, the Yale Golf Course has been recognized as a landmark of golf architecture and has perennially been ranked as a top-100 course. Over the past century, modifications were made to the original design. Other changes – tree overgrowth, green shrinkage, and bunker deterioration -- were wrought by nature. But big plans are now underway to restore the Yale Golf Course to the architects’ original vision. Yale is partnering with renowned architect Gil Hanse to restore the course to its original design. The massive project – funded by Yale alumni -- is anticipated to close the course for up to two years. Hanse’s restoration resume includes work on several other Macdonald-Raynor courses: Sleepy Hollow Country Club, The Creek, and Fishers Island Club. His other projects include Merion Golf Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, and
Hanse
Winged Foot Golf Club. Hanse also worked with the USGA to modify The Country Club in Brookline and Los Angeles Country Club in preparation for recent U.S. Opens. Against that impressive body of work, Hanse puts the Yale Golf Course restoration at the top of the list. “The restoration of the Yale Golf Course is the most significant restoration opportunity we have been entrusted with,” said Hanse. “The tremendous history of the design, the original significance of the course, and the potential that exists within its landscape are truly staggering. Our hope is that when we are finished, we will paint the landscape in the same tones and dimensions that Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor created.” As plans for the restoration were in the works several years ago, Yale hired Peter Palacios to take the reigns as general manager of the course. The tireless and affable Palacios – who might soon transition
from managing tee times to supervising heavy equipment – is excited about the plan. “Gil’s experience, creativity, foresight, intellect, and passion make him the ideal candidate to take on this responsibility,” commented Palacios. “His considerable resume includes restorations of some of the most renowned courses in the world.” Palacios told Northeast Golf that, “the bones of the course are strong and have held true over time.” But over a century, trees have encroached on fairways and greens, “shrinking the scale” of the course. The restoration plan includes the expansion of putting green complexes to their original design and the widening of fairways. All of the greens will be rebuilt to USGA drainage and foundational specifications. Bunkers that were removed will be restored, and a state-of-the art drainage system will be installed. In addition, new championship tees will be added. “This course makes you think from the very first tee shot to the very last shot,” said Palacios. “You can’t fall asleep.” Unique features include blind approach shots; sheer drop-offs to menacing sunken greenside bunkers; enormous greens; the daunting, extremely elevated 10th hole; and the vexing, split fairway par-5 18th hole. But Palacios sees the iconic par-3 9th hole -requiring a formidable carry from an elevated tee over a pond to a Biarritz green -- as the “centerpiece of the template.” (They will be sure to find many of my balls when they dredge the pond.) I look forward to seeing the result of Hanse’s restoration. When it reopens, the course – once limited to golfers with a Yale affiliation -- will adopt a daily fee format that will give all golfers an opportunity to take a step back into golf history and experience this landmark design. Put this on your bucket list for 2025. But it will probably cost you more than $2. NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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ONCE YOU LIVE HERE, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND. When it comes to private country club living, Boca West Country Club sets the standard of excellence. Located in Boca Raton, our award-winning private club has been ranked as one of the top 15 in the world. With our $45 million club expansion nearing completion, this incredible lifestyle keeps getting better. Movein-ready, fully renovated homes are now available.
561-665-5855
|
B o c aWe s t . c o m
A PR I VAT E M E M B E R S - O N LY C O U N T RY C L U B C O M MU N I T Y
LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE. LOVE THE LIFE YOU LIVE. 72 HOLES OF GOLF | 10 DINING VENUES | 27 TENNIS COURTS | 14 PICKLEBALL COURTS | WORLD-CL ASS SPA | OVER 400,000 SF OF CLUB AMENITIES Boca West Country Club is a member-owned private club. Boca West Realty, LLC is not authorized to offer memberships in the Club to potential buyers of real estate located in the Boca West community. Descriptions of the amenities enjoyed by members of the Club are only for informational purposes. Membership in the Club is governed by the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of Boca West Country Club, Inc. To obtain information about Club Membership, Boca West Realty, LLC can assist in scheduling an appointment with the Club’s Membership department. This is not intended to solicit real estate listings. If you are currently working with a Broker, please disregard. Stephann L. Cotton, Licensed Real Estate Broker. *Membership, pricing and dues subject to change.
BOCA WEST BOCA RATON, FLORIDA: Located minutes from downtown Boca Raton, Florida, Boca West Country Club sets the standard of excellence all other clubs are judged against. With four championship golf courses, 400,000 square feet of Club amenities, and over 600 annual events, people might wonder if there is anything more Boca West could provide. Yet they’ve raised the bar once again with the opening of their Lifestyle & Racquet Center. New Amenities Unveiled — The Lifestyle & Racquet Center provides a retreat for all ages. Its core includes a two-story lobby, rooftop terraces, a spa garden, and updated game rooms. The Fitness and Wellness Center features new equipment and core programs within dedicated movement studios. The Aquatics Center boasts five pools, a multipurpose event space, two activity lawns, and more for year-round enjoyment. Staying Innovative — For tennis professionals, 27 Har-Tru Hydro tennis courts and 14 new pickleball courts are filled with social events and lessons by USPTA-certified professionals. The culinary scene is also exceptional, with eight dedicated venues (restaurants, bars, and lounges), a pop-up themed food trailer, and a grab-and-go market. Fifty-five neighborhoods provide a wide range of home styles, including golf villas, luxury condominiums, patio homes, and estate residences. Newly renovated residences are now move-in ready. To preview current listings, visit BocaWest.com or call Boca West Realty at 561-665-5855.
A masterpiece by any measure.
SCAN TO PREVIEW REAL ESTATE OFFERINGS
Experience Tesoro Club, an exquisite private gated golf club community immersed in the natural beauty of Florida’s Treasure Coast, just 30 minutes north of The Palm Beaches. Discover an unparalleled setting where meticulously crafted residences harmonize beautifully with an extraordinary championship golf lifestyle, complemented by unrivaled club amenities. Visit us online to preview our residential offerings priced from the $600s to over $4.5 million.
Dues and fees are subject to change from time to time are application to Florida State Taxes. All community feature, amenities, specifications, Membership Offerings and pricing are approximate and subject to change. RM Tesoro, LLC and its affiliates have no ownership interest in or responsibility for acts or omissions of any homebuilders, all of whom are separate and distinct legal entities.
TesoroClub.com | 772-345-4000
DESTINATIONS TEXAS
One Hundred Holes
in Texas A circuitous road trip
BY ALICE & DANNY SCOTT
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DESTINATIONS TEXAS
10 AT PGA FRISCO’S THE SWING Adjacent to the new Home of the PGA headquarters, Omni PGA Frisco Resort’s The Swing, is a short and sweet story. Ten par 3 holes were co-designed by Gil Hanse and Beau Welling, architects of the 18-hole Fields Ranch East and Fields Ranch West courses, respectively. The Ice House chef applauds golfers who smoke the first green as he tends his BBQ smoker. In the center of The Swing, a blue 50’s truck that was found in the Fields of the property, has been repurposed as Casamigos for refreshments. Swing your partner to the speakers’ music, Pinehurst’s Cradle style, except with all country tunes. Frisco is country from the get-go. After The Swing, you might two-step over to The Dance Floor, a two-acre putting course for $5. Or dial in all your clubs on the driving range with covered access to Toptracer Technology. Eat at the Ryder Cup Grille or head to the Lounge by Topgolf for more fun. Frisco is 30 miles north of Dallas.
www.pgafrisco.com
72 AT HORSESHOE BAY RESORT A horseshoe connotes luck and magic while
sailboats symbolize journey and adventure. Tee boxes at all four golf courses at Horseshoe Bay Resort are aptly marked with sailboats inside horseshoes. Step up and consider yourself lucky. The magic begins upon entering Horseshoe Bay Resort, ideally located in the Hill Country of Texas, right on Lake LBJ. Attentive doormen welcome with a smile and offer luggage assistance to roomy accommodations with luxe lake views. There are three championship courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. rock, literally and figuratively. Slick Rock introduces Texas Hill country vegetation on the somewhat easy front nine and then the super fun begins, leading to the money shot on hole 14. A spectacular, broad, million dollar waterfalls, tumbles below the tee boxes for a mesmerizing scene. Ram Rock sprawls up and over hillsides with challenging holes by RTJ above Lake LBJ. It is particularly gorgeous in springtime with bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush blooms. Number 9, par 5 is one of the prettiest there, with a bridge to walk over a smaller cascade to the green.
Apple Rock incorporates every aspect of the hill country starting from the elevated tee box on number 1, rising and falling through the front nine.Take a big bite on Apple Rock’s 10th tee with a long drive and chew on the scenery - a beautiful woods and lake vista with number 12’s back tees resting on the shore. 18’s dogleg ascends to Cap Rock for a fine finish. Cap Rock’s new “Clubhouse Village” caps it off with an adult pool and waterfalls built into ancient granite boulders for members and resort guests. The concept including pool area, pro shop and pavilion won Golf Inc.’s Clubhouse of the Year. Steps above the cabana pool lead to the iron and stone restaurant with a sense of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. In addition to RTJ’s three Rock courses, Jack Nicklaus designed the exclusive Summit Course for private members only. It commands a much higher price than the main and reasonable, Horseshoe Bay membership for the Rock courses. If you’re lucky to play with a member, it is quite a bonus with stunning scenery and crazy contouring.
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DESTINATIONS TEXAS
Lake Life on LBJ is why, along with outstanding golf, that most members move here or buy a second home. The Marina has expanded with new slips, and a fleet of rentals. Coming soon will be a 90-foot dining yacht and party barge. Horseshoe Bay Resort has numerous dining venues beyond the clubhouses and pools to satisfy all palates, from the Waterfront Bar and Grill by the marina, to J’s Restaurant, located off the lobby and The Market which carries quick grab food items. Whitewater 360 Sports Club has a circular bar configuration with wide sports screens and outside windows to watch players on the surrounding Whitewater 18 hole putting course. This is no putt-putt joke, but a serious, tropical routing with mini doglegs, undulations and skinny and traps along streams and waterfalls. Off premise, find famous Texas BBQ joints and breweries, and the Hill Country wineries are surprisingly good. For culture immersion nearby the resort, cowboys entertain at the rodeo grounds. Horseshoe Bay Resort is just 45 minutes from Austin and 90 minutes from San Antonio airports.
www.hsbresort.com
18 AT TAPATIO SPRINGS Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort, 28 O CTO B E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
affectionately called TAP, was once owned by musician George Strait, so “write this down, take a little note, to remind you in case you didn’t know”- TAP is the place to go. If you are near “San Antone” and not trying to get to “Amarillo by mornin,” exit I-10 at Boerne, where like the mystical Phoenix, TAP has risen from the ashes of a 2017 fire that destroyed the clubhouse and a 2022 fire that melted the spa and pool. Restoration has resulted in a new, bigger and better clubhouse. La Cascada Table and Bar delivers fabulous cuisine with an open view, from the golf course to the palatial
estate high on the distant hill. Patrons may play the gallery role, watching the 9th and 18th greens with cascading falls between. The championship course, designed by Tripp Davis and Associates, is a walk in the woods, climbing to its highest point on number 12 with splendid, panoramic views of the valley. With two swimming pools, several dining options, great golf, and spacious rustic lodging with balconies, if you love hidden treasures on the road, “check yes or no” for “it’s a love without end, amen.”
www.tapatiosprings.com
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LOS CABOS WORLD-CLASS GOLF
Spectacular Golf, World Class Resort Hotels, and More
If your idea of golf heaven is a diverse array of spectacular courses woven into a dazzling seaside landscape, Los Cabos is the destination for you. Situated at the place where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos boasts a mountain-desert-ocean environment unique in the western hemisphere. Only in Los Cabos do emerald, green fairways tumble down from cactus-studded foothills to meet the sea. Only in Los Cabos can golfers tee it up on world-class layouts built by design legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Only in Los Cabos can players enjoy great golf and perfect weather, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and cooling sea breezes prevail year-round. With 18 courses currently open for play and more on the drawing board, Los Cabos continues to dominate the golf scene in Latin America.
did six properties in Los Cabos make the cut, but one of them even cracked the top 3. Los Cabos has continued to become one the top locations worldwide for new golf course openings, and new exclusive luxury resort development. Combined these things have put Los Cabos on the map as one the top luxury golf travel destinations in the world. In the last 5 years, Los Cabos International Airport has become one the fastest growing airports in the world. Today, direct flights to Los Cabos are available from, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Atlanta, and in Canada, Quebec, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. More Americans visit Los Cabos than tourists from any other country in the world. The close proximity means that travel from many states is quick and inexpensive, compared to traveling to many other international destinations.
According to the renowned French publication La Liste, which published a ranking of the 1,000 best hotels in the world, based on their amenities and quality of the service provided, not only
Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur. It’s where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Despite the ongoing
3 0 O CTOB E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
Los Cabos Safety VERIFIED
issues in other parts of Mexico, Los Cabos remains a popular destination for travelers from around the world. It is home to beautiful beaches, luxurious resorts, and an almost endless range of activities, making it an ideal vacation spot for families, couples, and individuals. So, if you are considering a trip to Mexico, don’t let the conflict in other parts of the country deter you. Los Cabos remains a safe and welcoming destination. Los Cabos was named the world’s first VERIFIED travel destination after nearly all of its hotels earned an independent health validation from digital health company Sharecare. The title is the first for the health security of hotels and Los Cabos Tourism is very proud of this accomplishment by all its member facilities.
A True Haven for Golf Enthusiasts
All Inclusive resorts like Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, Pueblo Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort, Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Blanco, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos, and Grand Fiesta Americana, offer unlimited amenities and all-inclusive packages that include golf privileges, luxury golf resorts, include Four Seasons, Montage,
Chileno Bay, One & Only Palmilla and many new openings as well. There are a host of amazing golf facilities, designed by the best of the best in the game today. Greg Norman’s Solmar Golf Links has only been open for a couple of years but already has been ranked by Golf Digest as one of the “Top 3 Golf Courses” in Mexico. Along the Southern Coast, Quivira, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is ranked among the “World’s Greatest New Courses”, and has magnificent ocean side practice facilities. Diamante’s El Cardonal, featuring an “Old California” design motif, marked the architectural debut of Tiger Woods when it opened in 2014. Defined by flashed-faced bunkers, this intriguing layout transitions from sand dunes to rolling foothills edged by desert vegetate and winding arroyos. With its wide fairways and open-entry greens, El Cardonal was designed to appeal to golfers at all skill levels.
www.visitloscabos.travel @loscabostourism
ABOUT LOS CABOS Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile-long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world’s most diverse tourism destinations. Boasting a dramatic desert backdrop nestled by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is home to award-winning resorts and culinary offerings considered some of the finest available anywhere. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-renowned sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities add to the destination’s unmatched appeal. For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, please visit visitloscabos.travel, follow us on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM and visit us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
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SWEET HOME,
ALABAMA
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes northeast of Birmingham
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Sweet Home Alabama is more than just a song or a movie, although they both certainly evoke the spirit of the beautiful state. It’s also a mantra for the hard-working, friendly folks that travelers encounter along the way. From the bagboys and beverage cart girls on the world-class golf courses to the servers and chefs in the award-winning restaurants, visitors are made to feel right at home, ensuring that time spent in Alabama is as sweet as the tea. Sweet Home Alabama is a golfing destination unlike any other, as home to the original golf trail, modern and historic golf resorts, and over 32 miles of sugar-white beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Both the incomparable Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and the Arnold Palmer-designed Craft Farms Resort in Gulf Shores put Alabama on the radar of traveling golf groups more than two decades ago. The ensuing years have upgraded the state’s position on all types of vacation bucket lists by spawning award-winning hotels, spas, and luxurious resorts; exciting craft breweries with medal-quality beers; world-renowned bass fish-
ing events and red snapper rodeos; and a thriving culinary scene, ranging from fresh Gulf seafood and a unique BBQ Trail to James Beard-recognized chefs and restaurants. Just a few of the golf resorts that make Alabama so special are Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, boasting an RTJ Golf Trail golf course, luxurious spa and delectable dining; Pursell Farms just 45 minutes south of Birmingham, which is a unique golf resort with lodging options ranging from a brand-new boutique inn, 4 bedroom golf cottages and an 8 bedroom lodge, along with the award-winning Farmlinks golf course; the century-and-a-half-old Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa on Mobile Bay, considered the “queen of Southern resorts;” and Kiva Dunes in Gulf Shores, Alabama’s only gulffront golf resort offering a Jerry Pate-designed course, clubhouse and fairway condominiums, as well as beach homes to rent. Here’s a snapshot of some of the golfing locales in the state to allow you to create a custom golf vacation to Sweet Home Alabama.
Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence/Muscle Shoals NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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Sky-high Dining overlooking Mobile Bay
Renaissance Ross Bridge Go
Marriott Hotel and RTJ Golf Trail at Capitol Hill, Montgomery/Prattville
Huntsville is a great place to start your Alabama golf journey, as the most northern location of the golf trail and home to the US Space & Rocket Center. But there’s also two more trails to enjoy while in the Rocket City. Wet your whistle on either the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail or the Craft Cocktail Trail, both with ten stops. Lodging options range from convenient hotels near golf to upscale accommodations downtown. Just west of Huntsville is one of the newer locations of the Trail. The Shoals area consists of the river town of Florence and Muscle Shoals, the “hit recording capital of the world.” The RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals offers 36 holes and a luxurious Marriott Resort both located right on the Tennessee River, although on different sides. Music lovers flock to the studios where so many great songs were recorded, foodies enjoy the variety of restaurants, and golfers love the challenge of the courses. Alabama’s largest city, Birmingham is home to two RTJ Golf Trail sites (Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley) and the state’s most luxurious golf resort at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa, plus the Barber Vintage Motor Sports Museum, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, James Beard Award winning/nominated chefs and restaurants, four craft breweries and exciting nightlife options that only a city this size can offer. You can choose to 3 4 O CTOB E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort in Gulf Shores
stay on-site at Ross Bridge, at an historic downtown hotel, a boutique inn, or any number of convenient branded hotels. The sister cities of Auburn-Opelika combine to create the coolest college town and one of the most intriguing small towns in the South. It’s also home to Robert Trent Jones’ favorite location on his trail. The RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National boast 54 holes of scenic and challenging golf along a gleaming lake. These two small towns have an abundance of great eateries too, plus the Red Clay Brewery and the award-winning John Emerald Distilling Company are located in historic downtown Opelika. Your overnight choices include the on-site Marriott Golf Resort & Spa at Grand National, the on-campus Auburn University Hotel and a bunch of hotels and B&Bs scattered around. Once called the Paris of the South, Mobile has long been the cultural center of the Gulf Coast and you’ll find an authentic
olf Resort & Spa, Birmingham
Pool Complex, Marriott Grand National, Auburn-Opelika
U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville
experience like nowhere else in the southern United States. As the birthplace of America’s original Mardi Gras, a good time is easy to find in this port city. Attractions include the USS Alabama Battleship, Bellingrath Gardens & Home, riverboat dinner cruises, the Dauphin Street entertainment district and a couple of craft breweries. Not only is the RTJ Golf Trail’s most southern stop, the 54-hole Magnolia Grove, in Mobile, but there are several other challenging courses to keep you in town a bit longer. And choosing to stay longer will be easier when you stay at either the historic Renaissance Battle House Hotel & Spa or the Renaissance Riverview Plaza, both part of the RTJ Golf Trail collection of hotels and resorts. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to 32 miles of white sandy beaches that line the pristine turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Add the nine premier golf courses to the numerous adventurous activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking and
biking, and you’ll find there’s more to this small beach town than meets the eye. Then, after a full day of fun in the sun you can grab a hearty meal at one of the many locally owned restaurants that specialize in everything from fresh Gulf seafood to sweet Alabama BBQ. And don’t forget to wash down your meal and end your day with a cold beer at Big Beach Brewing Company or an infamous bushwacker (aka adult milkshake) at the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar. At the end of the night, you’ll want a comfy place to lay your head and fortunately Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have an outstanding selection of accommodations from hi-rise condos and colorful beach houses to national branded hotels and resorts. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, with its eight hotels/resorts and 26 courses at 11 sites around the state, and Coastal Alabama Golf, the booking entity for the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area, are eager to put together customized golf packages for your foursome or group.
Check out GolfAlabama.org for more information on how you can make Sweet Home Alabama your next golf destination or visit RTJGolf.com and CoastalAlabamaGolf.com to book today. NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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The Golfman is Back! Revered by passionate players since 1987, Ashworth is The Original authentic golf apparel brand known for pushing boundaries and driving innovation. Designed by golfers for golfers, it’s the Ashworth philosophy that golf is more than a game, it’s a lifestyle, and that many of the truisms of life reveal themselves while walking the course with friends as signified by the iconic Golfman logo. Ashworth again leads the market as a product innovator, creating uniquely engineered, proprietary fabrics that marry high-end natural yarns with advanced performance fibers. With an innate understanding of golfer’s movements, Ashworth creates clothes that deliver a full range of movement and comfort all day while withstanding the rigors of the elements. Fall 2023 introduces polos and tees featuring next-generation innovation fabric including Soft-Tech, Natural Soft-Tech, Pebble Tech, and Dry Release. Each is designed to feel super soft, have strong performance attributes, and elevated style and appearance. The collection features a significant number of prints designed from a distinct Ashworth perspective, subtle and stylish created with discerning club members in mind, meant for golfing, but also for off-course.
Discover more on Ashworth-Golf.com 3 6 O CTO B E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
The Most Advanced Layering System in Golf Footjoy: As the day evolves, evolve with it.
ture changes, you can easily and effortlessly adapt with it.”
FootJoy, the #1 Outerwear brand in golf, continues its commitment to Make Every Day Playable by creating gear to help you play your best in all conditions.
New additions to the ThermoSeries collection include a Fleece Back Vest, a Full-Zip Hoodie and a Heather Brushed Back Mid-Layer. These new additions are lightweight for optimal layering, packed with performance stretch materials designed for the golf swing while providing warmth and comfort.
FootJoy is making it even easier for golfers to effortlessly adapt as weather conditions evolve with new additions to ThermoSeries, FJ’s most advanced collection of layering items designed specifically for golf. This collection of base layers, mid-layers, outer layers and pants is made with materials that move with the golfer providing full range of motion. They are lightweight to reduce bulk and are temperature regulated to ensure maximum comfort no matter how many layers are required. The fabrics are selected for their thermal properties, providing warmth without restriction in cooler conditions and use a DWR finish to protect from the elements. “Anyone that plays golf in varying weather conditions knows that layers are essential,” said Chad Crocker, Director of Product Management, FJ Apparel. “ThermoSeries offers a range of distinct layering pieces that work together, so as the tempera-
The color palette of the complete ThermoSeries collection is neutral, allowing golfers to interchange all of the pieces from the collection to create many different outfit options. “As a leader in performance golf apparel, we want to continue the momentum and support around the importance of layering,” continued Crocker. “ThermoSeries provides a number of different layering options that allow the golfer to extend their season and make every day playable.”
To learn more about ThermoSeries, visit www.footjoy.com or follow @footjoy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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Duca Del Cosma Elevates its Cool Season Line Italian golf fashion brand introduces new eyecatching models in popular golf boot collection The new Cool Season golf boots are handcrafted using the most premium materials. The latest waterproof golf boot line-up offers new designs and two chic colorways applied to two of the best-selling women’s models. The all-encompassing collection is comprised of 31 stylish options featuring ultra-modern golf shoe technologies to deliver top performance. Leading the latest collection is the all-new FRANCESCA women’s and PRATO men’s boots designed to deliver ultimate grip and stability, plus added warmth in the harshest playing conditions. With fashion, sporty and classic styles to choose from, the collection offers striking looks to gain the attention of playing partners on and off the course. Spearheading the stylish women’s collection is the FRANCESCA boot, designed for fashion-conscious golfers who place a premium on functionality and unmatched performance in cooler conditions. Introducing hints of the purest Italian design, the waterproof boot boasts a striking print and soft faux fur ankle cuffs for a subtle touch of luxury. Offering a more sophisticated appearance, the timeless OLIVIA high-top boot will look at home both on and off the course. Handcrafted with a soft premium vintage Nappa leather upper, the boot features fashionable Duca del Cosma detailing down the side and is available in Black and Brown. The Men’s collection seamlessly combines fashion and sport and is bolstered with the introduction of the PRATO model. Constructed using exceptionally soft Nappa leather and the breathable ARNEFLEX® insert sole, this waterproof boot ensures a super stable stance to deliver optimal power in the swing, thanks to the construction of the advanced D-Eva® outsole. With Duca del Cosma branding on the outside of the boot, it’s available in the contemporary Dark Grey and Cognac colorways. Another welcome addition to keep feet warm and dry during the 3 8 O CTOB E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
round is the FONTANA style. The classic boot comes with a soft fleece lining for unrivaled comfort, as well as a soft recyclable microfibre upper. Available in Brown and Navy with contrasting soles. Duca del Cosma sells its premium shoes in 40 different countries and operates from four offices around the world - The Netherlands (HQ), United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa.
For more information on the Cool Season 2023 range, please visit www.ducadelcosma.us
2Putt: Good Quality, Fun Designs, Lower Price Point 2Putt Golf Apparel was created by David and Peter Calcaterra, two brothers that share a passion for golf. Each time they play together, they get frustrated with the high prices of golf apparel and the limited selection of apparel options for men and women. That’s why they decided to create the 2Putt brand. The goal was to keep the same quality and fun designs as the big brands but at a much lower price point. Over the past six months, 2Putt has grown rapidly with new products and expanded into the retail side. 2Putt is in its first pro shop and working on getting into a few more this winter when the buying season starts back up. The 2Putt brand differentiator: they screen print and do embroidery on all their items. They can add logos to shirts for clubs or even groups going on golf trips. Detroit Printing Company, a company Peter owns does all the fulfillment, printing, and embroidery for the brand. 2Putt has had review articles written about the brand from Brobible, Wisco Golf, and Hitting the Golf Ball. They were even in an article comparing 2Putt shirts to Travis Matthew in which they faired very well versus the big brand. Look for new patterns and designs in 2024 from this growing brand!
To shop, visit www.2putt.com
Zerofit’s Baselayers Touted as ‘World’s Warmest’ Zerofit, the Japanese performance apparel brand and manufacturer of the best baselayer products for outdoor activities, offers several baselayers ideal for golfers as temperatures begin to cool off. Zerofit has the world’s warmest baselayers, the Heatrub Ultimate and Heatrub Move. Zerofit’s “Ultimate” is its warmest line of products and allows for total mobility and comfort with unsurpassed warmth. The Boken Institute in Osaka, Japan, tested the heat retention of the Zerofit Ultimate baselayer and it was proven to be five times warmer than leading competitors. Zerofit is trademarked as “The World’s Warmest Baselayer.” The Heatrub Move line of products are ideal for
a variety of active sports like golf, sailing, bicycling, and skiing. They can be worn as a baselayer or an overgarment to provide comfort and warmth with less weight and unrestricted movement.
To shop, visit www.zerofitusa.com NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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Q U A L I T Y. P E R F O R M A N C E. S T Y L E. Made from the highest-grade materials, built to significantly enhance performance, and presented in styles that are as functional as they are beautiful, PXG delivers the world's finest golf clubs and apparel. Lower your scores on the golf course and look amazing while you do it.
S H O P AT PXG . C O M OR VISIT A PXG RETAIL & FITTING STUDIO NEAR YOU.
PXG clubs are only sold direct by PXG. PXG.COM | 844.PLAY.PXG
NOBODY MAKES GOLF CLUBS TH E WAY WE DO. PERIOD.®
PRO SHOP GPS & SHOT TRACKING TECHNOLOGY
Reduce Your Score The lastest tech products to achieve your best game
SHOT SCOPE
G5
Shot Scope, the golf industry-leader in advanced GPS and shot tracking technology, has once again redefined the rangefinder category in golf by introducing the new and improved PRO LX+, the game’s most advanced laser rangefinder featuring the dynamic combination of GPS-powered distances and Artificial Intelligence for personalized performance tracking.
The high-performance G5 GPS Golf Watch features stylish interchangeable color straps that allows golfers to switch up their style for each round. Available at an SRP of $149.99, and with NO subscription fees, the lightweight G5 is sold in either a black or gray base model with the choice of two color strap options: Classic White, Classic Black, Carbon Grey, Steel Grey, Navy, Army Green, Sky Blue, Burgundy, Mint Green, Orange, Pink, and Racing Red. In turn, golfers can opt to purchase additional straps from Shot Scope at www.shotscope.com to enjoy multiple colors that match their style preference. Complementing the color story, the innovative GPS watch provides dynamic yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as to hazards, layup points and dogleg distances, and comes pre-loaded with over 36,000 mapped courses worldwide, enabling golfers to build a strategy for each hole and select the right club.
$149.99 | www.shotscope.com
PRO LX+
$369.99 | www.shotscope.com PTO LX+ provides all of the oncourse technology they need in one system, including three innovative devices which are sold as one unit, the PRO LX+, featuring GPSpowered distances and performance tracking, or individually as the PRO LX Rangefinder and H4 Game Tracker. The key new features of the PRO LX+ include a smaller and more compact design with enhanced stabilization, faster targetlock, a built-in extra strong cart magnet to quickly attach to a cart, and an anti-slip comfort stability grip.
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The Truth About Your Golf Game Get Closer to the Hole with Edison Wedges In almost every major sport in the world, a player’s stats are the standard for measuring performance, skill, and results. Even in youth sports like baseball, basketball, hockey, and many others, stats are kept and used for improvement. In golf, 95% of players in the game today do not keep simple stats on their game. The average amateur golf score for 18 holes in the U.S.A. is “96”, and 98% of players will rarely break “80”. The most telltale stat in amateur golf is the average number of strokes from 100 yards into the hole. The average player uses half or more of their shots here. For amateur golfers, the average amount of putts per round is 35-40. In a typical round, an average amateur golfer will hit 15-20 wedge shots. Most golfers struggle to hit approach shots inside 25 feet of the hole. The likelihood of making a 25foot putt for an amateur is less than 5% but from 5-10 feet away from the hole it increases to nearly 40%. The truth in all this is simple, the most important stroke-saving clubs in your bag are your wedges. Edison Golf makes golf wedges for the average golfer, that deliver better performance, better distance control, enhanced spin, and most importantly more consistent results. For most of us playing tour player-designed wedges with just variable bounce angle choices is just not working. The average golfer needs more, and Edison Golf has created a logical solution for all golfers. Terry Koehler, founder of Edison Golf has been designing golf wedges for over 3 decades. His passion for wedge performance and playability led him to create the new Edison
2.0 lineup for golfers of all skill levels. The unique “Koehler” sole combines two distinct bounce angles into each wedge and defies comparison to other bounce angles and grinds from other brands. Each of Edison’s wedges is custom fit using their online proprietary, Wedgefit Scoring Range Analysis System, ensuring the perfect fit for your game. Edison says you should “fear no shot.” After only two rounds of golf, I have found these clubs to be so much easier to hit, especially on tight lies. They have a very playable ball flight overall and have a great feel as well. Stay tuned for a full upcoming review on Edison Golf Wedges.
https://wedgefit.edisonwedges.com NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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INDOOR GOLF & FITNESS M U LT I - S P O R T G A M E S
THE PASSION THAT SURROUNDS THE GAME of golf for everyone who has caught
and a host of others.
the bug, is pretty much the same. Watching golf on TV is great, and we all love it, but it is for the most part, well, short of the real experience of playing. Golf is a very personal chess game, much like life and it must be played out to complete the experience. Golf simulators have now become more realistic than ever. Simulators are in more homes and business today than anyone could have ever imagined 25 years ago when the industry formerly launched. It was only a matter of time and technology for golf simulators to transition to full multisport and fitness applications. Not only can you play golf and practice indoors yearround, on a golf simulator, but today you have options for a home theater, multi-sport playing and practice, and your own interactive fitness studio that will connect your fitness equipment to online platforms like Peloton, Life Fitness, Tonal, Nautilus
The Expanded Fitness Experience Golf is a game we can play throughout our lives. Walking the fairways late into our years can sometime be a challenge if we experience fitness issues. Today golfers are more fit than ever and from young to old, golf fitness is a primary focus in their game. The opportunity to add fitness capabilities integrated with indoor golf is huge. Having the ability to play golf and practice indoors in any weather, any season, year-round is amazing. Paring fitness options to any indoor simulator means more convenience and better access than a trip to the gym. In addition, the ability to connect live with top golf and fitness instructors worldwide has created a growing number of online personal trainers, group clinics, and instructional seminars for golfers to improve and interact. Imagine waking up to an interactive media simulator wall in your main living area in
aboutGOLF Curve Custom Home System
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your home that can be powered by Alexa with integrated full home entertainment, including TV, music, and offering voice command Google search access as well. Not only could you play golf, games, and other sports, but you could also access online fitness classes, and connect with fitness trainers monitoring all your performance stats through a host of devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch. The possibilities are laterally endless and evolving rapidly as the industry adapts to the ever-changing needs of their clients.
Industry Insights aboutGOLF is one of the most respected brands in the industry today. Ken Reynolds the V.P. of Sales at aboutGOLF said, “We cater to the entire family with multi-media platforms, providing easy access for expanded applications. We do a very good job with our development team of incorporating third-party products, such as Xbox, Apple TV, and plug and play of really any other device.” Reynolds added that their products and technology are 100% “homegrown.” The company’s aboutGOLF’s aG Locker app allows users to track and analyze their performance and connect with other users worldwide. Skytrak is known for its amazing golf simulators and golf accessories. Now, they have come up with a way to get your fitness golf in by combining some of their great products. Skytrak Fitness Golf is a software that runs on the Skytrak launch monitor to provide a fun and interactive way to exercise while enjoying golf. The way fitness golf works is that you can pick any of the amazing golf courses from around the world. Now you can decide how you want to ‘get’ to the ball. You can walk or run (on your treadmill) or even bike to where the ball has landed. The software tells you how far to walk/run or bike and displays your
INDOOR GOLF & FITNESS M U LT I - S P O R T G A M E S
Multi-Sport Indoor Golf Simulator
progress on the screen. This is done using foot pods while walking and bike sensors while biking. It keeps track of your speed and remaining distance. “It’s very important for people to be able to work out on their own time,” said Tom Kracik, co-owner of SkyTrak Golf Fitness, which has been providing golfers with a way to protect their wallet and stay in shape at the same time. “But it’s also very important for people to enjoy it. And if you’re going to go out there and work hard, you want something that’s going to help improve your golf game. Skytrak fitness golf is the only product that can do this. We have our own patent on this technology. This may change how people think about playing golf, exercising, and interacting with a launch monitor all at the same time,” said Tom Kracik. Albatross Golf Simulators have created a fully immersive fitness experience utilizing Trugolf hardware and software. They design dream entertainment rooms that combine, Golf
aboutGOLF Gaming System
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INDOOR GOLF & FITNESS M U LT I - S P O R T G A M E S
simulators and training systems, fitness equipment with interactive connectivity, along with the best audio-visual equipment and home theater setup in the industry. All components work together synergistically creating opportunities to project onto the big screen your favorite interactive scenes, workout and yoga classes, or meditations. Row, bike, or run along with the best. Effortlessly walk into another world within the comfort of your own home. Connect with Peloton and Hydrow experiences even more immersive. Complete systems are pricy but spectacular. HD SportSuite Simulators are the gold standard for elegance, quality construction, and technological integration. Their virtual sports simulator provides users with an immersive experience as if they were playing in person. A multi-sports simulator allows you to play on your favorite course, hit the long ball on a baseball field, or deliver a precise strike on a penalty kick. Whatever you desire, HD SportSuite’s all-sports simulator offers a realistic experience in the comfort of your home or business. Play 30+ exciting sports & games in a single room with HD SportSuite™. Created for commercial use, it captivates a diverse audience with an amazing multi-player user-experience. Adjustable difficulty settings ensure players of all ages and athletic abilities have a great time. There are literally dozens of choices in the marketplace for indoor golf sports entertainment systems. Products range widely in price points and features. The single most important step to finding the right one for your home or business is the ability to understand what will work for you. So, whether for business or commercial use or just great addition to your home, starting with a well-seasoned and wellversed simulator professional is a must. 50 O CTO B E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
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MOLORI UNPLUGGED
By John Molori
tBlend Birdies and Brews There is an undeniable connection between a great round of golf and great food and drinks, and it seems that many entrepreneurs are combining these two passions into a successful business model. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Bristol, Rhode Island where a delightful and delectable slice of birdies and brews resides in the form of Bristol Golf Park and Vigilant Brewing. “Golf, a burger, and a beer just rolls off the tongue,” says Robert McNeil of Northeast Golf Company, owners and operators of Bristol Golf Park (BGP). “Our mission is to offer an experience that certainly marries the fun nature of the Golf
Park with local fare, food trucks, and of course, a cold Vigilant Brew.” Kevin Amaral, primary owner of Vigilant Brewing, is on a similar wavelength. He states, “Golf and beer, is there a better combination? Whether you’re toasting to a great round or sinking the pain instead of putts, we’ve got you. “Vigilant Brewing plays the ‘clubhouse’ role in this partnership. We offer sixteen diverse craft brews, all made in-house. Everyday offerings include IPAs, ales, lagers, seltzers, sours, stouts, and so much more. Our taproom and outdoor beer garden offer a comfortable and fun space for all to enjoy.”
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MOLORI UNPLUGGED B R I S TO L G O L F PA R K A N D V I G I L A N T B R E W I N G
Fun is also a key word at Bristol Golf Park where McNeil and company have created an innovative and enjoyable customer experience. He relates, “What we offer is a new way to enjoy the game. Low pressure, 9 holes in an hour, challenging but fair golf - all integrated into a park setting which includes nature paths, cornhole, and Sunday Bark in the Park where you can bring your dog for a round of golf.” Northeast Golf Company Operations Manager Billy McNeil adds, “It’s all about casual fun. We have daily closest to pin contests, hole in one pool, live music, and food and ice cream trucks. Our goal is to combine recreation and park fun with family friendly entertainment.” Bristol Golf Park is certainly offering patrons one-stop shopping. Meanwhile, with a panoply of craft beers, Vigilant Brewing is offering one stop hopping. “Our hops and grains are locally sourced,” says Amaral. “All of our products are manufactured and packaged in house from scratch.”
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“Our commitment to the craft and community makes Vigilant the perfect partner for BGP. Whether it’s after a round of golf, a weekend brewery trail, attending one of our fun craft nights, or a simple stop for a little libation, you’ll always leave here with a smile on your face.” Adds Robert McNeil, “Players can literally walk up the path from the BGP parking lot directly to the front door of Vigilant Brewing, just a wedge away. Vigilant has also built a beer garden right at the 9th green at BGP, perfect for a post-golf brew, sunshine, and live music to keep the BGP vibe going.” So, just what is the Bristol Golf Park vibe? Robert McNeil responds, “It’s built around simplicity, affordability, and the game of golf. Just think about grabbing a Vigilant brew, clipping your dog’s leash to your golf bag, and playing a loop on a Bark in the Park Sunday afternoon. “You can also bring your soccer team and enjoy footgolf, yes, golf with a soccer ball played within the existing course to 21” cups. BGP is the perfect setting for players of all abilities. We have nine par 3’s ranging from 90 to 207 yards with greens that can be broad with moving contours or postage stamps that require a dart throwers accuracy.”Variety is certainly the shared ingredient in the BGP and Vigilant recipe for success. Says Amaral, “Our customer base is as diverse as our beer offerings. We have local customers as well as those who will travel over an hour to visit. “The brewery community is like a big family and the Golf Park has brought in new customers who have watched the project come together over the last year. We’re excited that we can offer our customers this new experience - a quick and fun round of golf paired with local craft beer. This will help us to promote new business to BGP, while they promote new business to our taproom.” This symbiotic relationship bodes well for both businesses’ future plans. “Bristol Golf Park and Vigilant Brewing will become the community hub for Bristol events,” says Billy McNeil. “Some of our plans at BGP include Night Golf, BGP Shoot-Outs, and partnering with Bristol Parks and Recreation for clinics and teaching. We opened on September 11, 2023, and plan to have a 9/11 Memorial event next year to celebrate our opening day anniversary and give back to the community.” Amaral outlines upcoming goals for Vigilant Brewing, “For starters we’re looking forward to hosting golf leagues and outings and potentially making golf carts available at the
MOLORI UNPLUGGED B R I S TO L G O L F PA R K A N D V I G I L A N T B R E W I N G
brewery. “We’ll also be hosting Paint, Pars and Pints, a paint night theme with both golf and painting sessions ending in the taproom for a pint and a bite to eat. Pizza, Pints and Par Days would be a package deal that offers golf, pizza, and pints for two.” In 2024, BGP and Vigilant plan to collaborate on a series of Birdies & Brews tasting events, combining a round of golf with beer sampling throughout the course, all while raising funds for local charities and non-profits. The linkage of golf and craft beer is growing in popularity with places such as Mayflower Beer Garden at the Pinehills in Plymouth, MA and Tree House Brewing and Golf Course in Tewksbury, MA, not to mention a plethora of indoor golf/ beer/food establishments. Vigilant Brewing and Bristol Golf Park are truly tapping into this market with both links and drinks. Says Robert McNeil, “The brewery industry has garnered a tremendous following over the last decade or so. These people like to have fun, enjoy friends and family, listen to great music, and grab a
little local fare. “The beauty of BGP and Vigilant is that we can introduce golf and well-crafted beer into this lifestyle in a natural and beautiful setting for all to enjoy.” For more information visit: www.bristolgolfpark.com & www.vigilantbrewing.com John Molori is an author and columnist for numerous publications. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@gmail.com. NORTHE AS T.GOLF | OCTOB E R / N OV E MB E R 202 3
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AROUND THE GAME THE 19TH HOLE
The 19th Hole Point of View BY ED TRAVIS
Pickleball and Golf Poink, poink, poink. That’s a new sound at golf courses and it’s the sound of pickleball, a sport exploding in popularity which could turn out to be a benefit for all types of golf facilities. 58 O CTOB E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
This paddle sport gives clubs a low maintenance activity that takes less time than golf, requires less skill to play and like golf is an engaging social activity. Added to this, pickleball can be played indoors as well as outdoors and it is easy to learn with the list of equipment beginning and ending with
a racket and a ball. Players also like the fact simple golf or tennis wear is appropriate. Some golf clubs have found pickleball to be a great attraction for families and guests or those with limited mobility such as wheelchairs and competitive leagues are easy to organize providing club management an
AROUND THE GAME THE 19TH HOLE
ideal marketing tool. Pickleball also has another virtue, it’s the “in” sport right now meaning it is attractive to younger people, those under 35. It’s equally fun for men and women in the largest age group of picklers (yep, that’s what they are called) who make up about 20%, more seasoned citizens 55 and older. Clubs find converting tennis courts to pickleball to be almost ridiculously easy. There’s no difference in the court surface and one tennis court is the equivalent to multiple pickleball courts though net heights are slightly lower. For those interested, standard tennis court lines measure 78 by 27 feet for singles and 78 by 36 for doubles while pickleball lines are 20 by 44 feet. The Club Management Association of America points out pickleball is a more efficient use of space to accommodate the greatest number of members and the low investment and minimal staffing are very good for the bottom line. They say it appeals to a much larger market than golf and tennis thereby creating multiple avenues to pull in new members. And they aren’t kidding. Two events that stood out as I researched the game and its impact on golf facilities, public and private, were “Pickleball Dink, Drink & Dine Event” and believe it or not “Pickle & Giggle.” Pickleball growth has been meteoric from just over 3 million in 2017 to almost 9 million last year. By way of contrast, in 2022 the National Golf Foundation says there were about 25 million on-course golfers. Some in the golf business have accepted pickleball wholeheartedly. At the January 2023 PGA Show the exhibit floor was the scene of pickleball demonstration games. No less than Hank Haney, Tiger Woods’ former coach, has become a vocal pickleball advocate prophesizing that in five years there will be more players than golf.
How Did LIV Players do in this Year’s Majors? It probably isn’t especially significant, but we thought amid all the emotion, injudicious words and just plain anger over the PGA Tour—LIV Golf proposed deal a reasonable question would be how did those who jumped from the traditional Tours to the upstart LIV do in the four majors this year? Would any differences in performance be apparent? Contrasting with the PGAT weekly 72-hole 36-hole cut tournaments, LIV plays 54-hole no-cut smaller-field events with everyone being paid from purses that are rich by any standards. Combined with a season that has fewer events, some are of the opinion even top golfers will have diminished performance if not desire. Many of those jumping from the PGAT and DP World Tour said the reason was they would not have to play as much nor travel as much no to mention the money being spectacularly better. One major performance measure besides just making the 36-hole cut is would LIV players be in the hunt over the weekend, so we looked at the four majors focusing on
the top ten finishers. At the Masters winner John Rahm from the PGAT bested LIV players Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied for second four shots back plus Patrick Reed who tied for fourth. At the PGA Championship Koepka took the trophy home from Oak Hill while LIV members Bryson DeChambeau was in a tie for fourth and Cameron Smith tied for ninth. Wyndham Clark (PGAT) out played the field at the U.S. Open with two LIV members in the top ten Cameron Smith (4th) and Dustin Johnson (T-10). No LIV players were able to finish in the top ten at the British Open but then Brian Harman gutted out a six-shot victory almost lapping the field since he seemed to be the only one with any control of his game in the wind and rain at Royal Liverpool. As I wrote at the beginning, none of this is probably significant but speculating about the performance of LIV golfers when competing in the main arena will continue.
Short Putts Tiger Woods joined the PGA Tour policy
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board apparently as a result of a letter signed by 41 Tour members asking for his appointment. The letter also emphasized long-time concerns about communication and transparency by the Tour centered on the LIV Golf deal. The Model Local Rule took a hit when the PGAT and nine worldwide professional golf associations headed up by the PGA of America came out against it saying it is not in the best interests of the game. The USGA and R&A will institute a rule in 2026 reducing ball performance setting up a battle with the PGAT, the PGA and ball manufacturers on one side against golf’s ruling bodies on the other. Should the Model Local Rule be put in place we could have a shorter ball for the Masters, U.S. Open and 60 O CTOB E R / NOVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
British Open with the current ball teed up in week-to-week events. Whew! Don’t go away, this could be fun! Lilia Vu jumped to number one in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings after three wins this year and the first American in 24 years to win multiple majors. Though she was a standout amateur at UCLA and turned pro in 2018, after an on again off again quest to stay on Tour she gained her card in 2022 and proved her play this year with wins at the Honda LPGA Thailand and two majors, the Chevron Championship and AIG Women’s Open. Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang have got real competition as the best U.S. player. Brian Harman won the British Open, his first major, and Akshay Bhatia, a
21-year-old Californian, took the opposite field event Barracuda Championship for his first PGA Tour victory. Nothing unusual you say. Well both Harman and Bhatia play left-handed, and after a diligent search of the records we could not find another instance of two southpaws winning on major tours in the same week. Korn Ferry Tour member Frankie Capan III received a sponsor exemption into the field of the 3M Open in Blaine, Minn. near his hometown of Stillwater. Both before and after making the cut he keeps well hydrated with his caddie frequently passing him a water bottle for which he says, “Thanks Mom.” Mother Charlynn Capan also was his bag toter at the U.S. Open and carries regularly on the Korn Ferry Tour.
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Panorama Sx82 A Must Visit at The Owl’s Nest
Whether you are staying over at Owl’s Nest or just visiting for the day, visiting Owl’s Nest’s on-site restaurant, Panorama Six82, is an absolute must. Panorama Six82 specializes in crafting specialty food and cocktails, including uniquely curated seasonal menus that are guaranteed to blow your taste buds away. Panorama Six82’s name is derived from the gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains and golf course, along with its 682 feet of elevation. The restaurant is the perfect place to head to for some drinks and appetizers, a full sit-down meal, or for brunch! Not to mention, Panorama Six82 has tons of fun events throughout the year, including everything from Happy Hour to Ladies’ Night to their live music series. Panorama Six82 is the perfect stop for everyone, whether you are stepping off the golf course or simply coming in to enjoy the food, drinks, and ambiance. At Panorama Six82, you will feel right at home in its comfortable and quiet atmosphere, or as some call it, “White Mountain Casual.” When dining in, you can choose to sit inside or outside where you can take in the gorgeous mountain views, feel the refreshing breeze, and enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass. In addition to the menu itself, one of the best parts about Panorama Six82 is the views, including the White Mountains as well as the 18-hole golf course. In terms of the menu, Panorama Six82 offers New American cui6 4 O CTO B E R / N OVE M B E R 2 02 3 | NORTHE AST.G OLF
sine, which is also known as Modern or Contemporary American. The menu focuses on fusion cooking which combines flavors from traditional American cooking techniques with techniques and flavors from other cultures. The Owl’s Nest culinary team offers some of the most creative menu options in the White Mountains, from exciting seafood dishes to great steak, chicken, and pasta dishes. All menu items are prepared from scratch with fresh locally sourced ingredients. There are always new editions and specials weekly that are sure to excite, with appetizers, main selections, and all the most popular favorites as well. The final course is always spectacular at Panorama Six82, with some of the finest deserts and cordials for every pallet. There are many exciting things in store for the menu at Panorama Six82! Panorama Six82 is open Monday – Thursday from 11:00 am9:00 pm EST, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 am-10:00 pm EST, and Sunday from 10:00-9:00 pm EST. If you are unable to make a reservation to dine in, you can also place an order for takeout by calling the restaurant at (603) 726-3076 ext. 2, or by placing online through ChowNow.
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