59 | WINTER 2023�24
LUXURY | LIFEST YLE | GOLF
Cover
KINGDOM EXCLUSIVE
JACK NICKLAUS
On his friendship with Arnie, the future of course design & more
$20 Where Sold
RISING STARS
The LPGA’s exciting future is now
THE KINGDOM LIST
New courses, resorts, gear— our top 2023 picks
GAME CHANGERS From Roger Steele to Stephen Curry
Plus Winter escapes in Panama, Italy, Thailand, Jamaica & beyond
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OFFICIAL PARTNERS OCTOBER 9-11,2023
WE TIP OUR HAT TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2023 JACKSON T. STEPHENS CUP We salute the individual and team winners for their outstanding performance at this year’s tournament. We also congratulate all of the field for their great play on a true test of golf. These young men and women truly represent the future of amateur and professional golf. Many thanks to this year’s host club, Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, who helped make this event a success. Lauren Kim, University of Texas 2023 Women’s Individual Champion
A - Stephen’s Wake Forest University 2023 Women’s Team Champion
The Jackson T. Stephens Cup is the premiere collegiate golf tournament named in memory of the late Augusta National Golf Club Chairman. The Cup features NCAA Division I National Championship-contending men’s and women’s teams and top players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and United States Military Service Academies. The Alotian Club in Roland, Ark., is the home course for the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, and the annual tournament is held at select world-class clubs and golf venues across the country.
Florida State University 2023 Men’s Team Champion
Tiger Christensen ,University of Arizona 2023 Men’s Individual Champion
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59 | WINTER 2023�24 Publisher & Co-Founder
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Kingdom magazine was first available to friends and associates of Arnold Palmer, and members and guests of his designed and managed courses. Now it is available at distinguished private clubs and for discerning golfers everywhere. Printed in the USA
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHAMPIONS Experience the allure of playing our world-renowned, iconic courses. Book your 2024 package to play where memories are made.
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
Keeping Arnold Close It is hard to believe it has now been seven years since Arnold Palmer passed away. I still think of him most days, but at the Kingdom Cup on beautiful Hilton Head Island in September, I could not help thinking, many times each day, just how much Arnold would have enjoyed the occasion. We played the opening round of the 2023 Kingdom Cup at a stunning Arnold Palmer Signature Course— Wexford—and we enjoyed the company of Arnold’s lead architect on that project, Brandon Johnson, to talk us through the design and Arnold’s vision for the golf course, and so Arnold’s spirit was all around. We were also fortunate to have two close friends of Arnold’s at the Kingdom Cup, Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus. These two legends of the game shared some great stories about Arnold—a couple of which I had never heard—and you can read some of them in our interview with Jack in this issue (p106). But beyond these palpable connections to Arnold, the Kingdom Cup was the scene of healthy and spirited competition on the golf course, and it was an occasion at which old friendships were renewed, and new friendships established, and Arnold would have reveled in the good times we shared. As many of you know, Arnold was a person who enjoyed people. Certainly, Arnold was a fierce competitor—as our friend Jack knows just about better than anyone—yet Arnold never failed to show respect and courtesy on
and off the golf course. We welcomed people from varied walks of life to the Kingdom Cup, and Arnold would have loved meeting everyone there, swapping jokes and stories, offering encouragement and a little bit of needling too (certainly to Jack!). This issue of Kingdom is also packed with reminders of Arnold and his colorful life. We touch on Herb Kohler’s terrific legacy to the game, and I recall the time I introduced Herb to Arnold, at St Andrews in 2010, when Arnold was presented with an Honorary Degree by the University of St Andrews, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of The Open. Herb had only recently acquired the Old Course Hotel, and the two men had much in common, including a profound devotion to the Home of Golf. I remain as proud as ever to be Publisher of Kingdom, and to be involved with a small part of Arnold’s far-reaching legacy, and I look forward to sharing many more years of work and play with you all, but for now, let me wish you and your families a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.
Pub Letter
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Thank you for your continued loyalty. I know it meant a lot to Arnold.
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The Kingdom List
Issue 59
67 The Approach
23 24 26 28 33 34 42 44 46 50 53 56 58 61
106
TOC 67
Panther National Seven Canyons Black Desert Sloe Gin Snow Toys Travel Tech Champagne Flutes
90
Tom Lehman The LPGA’s Origins Golf’s Greatest Rivalry The Kingdom Cup Vacation Homes
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The Kingdom List
96
116 102 Annika’s Way
Q&A with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam.
Our panelist and staff picks for the best of 2023. 68 72 76 80 82 84 86
Kauri Cliffs
Hilton Head Weekend
Winter 2023/24
Golf Courses Hotels & Resorts Food & Drink Gear & Style Game Changers Hidden Gems Ones to Watch
104 African Amateur
A new tournament marks a continental shift for the R&A.
106 Jack Nicklaus
Exclusive interview with the Golden Bear on his friendship with Arnold Palmer, the future of course design and more.
Roger Steele
A once-reluctant golfer has become one of the sport’s essential advocates. LPGA on Fire
A dynamic crop of young stars is elevating the tour to new heights.
116
American Classic
How the kindred spirits Herb Kohler and Pete Dye created a new kind of golf destination.
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CONTENTS
124 Travel
120 Jamaican to a Tee
An overlooked golf destination plays at its own pace.
124 Isles Away
Six idyllic, off-thebeaten-path winter escapes. Drinks
130 Holiday Spirits
Our favorite bottles for gifting or savoring this winter.
134 English Effervescence That sparkling wine you’re toasting with this season? Maybe it should be from Sussex.
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Lifestyle
140 New Women’s Wear
TOC
Fresh styles that look good on and off the course.
120
144 Italy on 6 Almonds
A strict wellness retreat in the land of indulgence.
150 Kingdom Clubhouse
Publisher’s picks and other staff favorites for the holiday season. Golf
158 Course Profiles
A Dominican classic, and a Nebraska upstart.
162 Love of the Game
The Golf Channel’s Alexandra O’Laughlin.
158
You think you know, but you have no idea. GOLF GETAWAYS. EVER CHANGED.
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THE APPROACH Now Playing
Panther National, Florida
Promising to redefine the golf-lifestyle scene of South Florida, the new
course at the exclusive and secluded
Panther National opened in November in North Palm Beach. The 8,000-yard course combines championship
golf with “ultra-modern lifestyle”—to
borrow the words of founder Dominik
Senn—and represents a collaboration between Jack Nicklaus and Justin
Thomas, the latter in his design debut. “The best golf courses I’ve done
are where I have had input from other people,” says Nicklaus, who has
designed more than 300 courses
worldwide. “I wanted [Justin’s] input, so then we had to put it all together,
Panther National
make it work, make it flow.”
As for Thomas’s part, the two-time
PGA Championship winner says he
brought a current and competitive eye to the process. “I play on tour each
week, and I might have seen changes in golf courses that Jack might not have seen, in the ways that golf
courses have evolved over the years,” Thomas says.
The result is an entirely new kind
of course for South Florida. “We did not want this golf course to look
like anything else,” Nicklaus says. “We want it to be different, to be
aesthetically pleasing, and we want it to play well.”
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THE APPROACH Legacy Course
Seven Canyons, Arizona
The late Tom Weiskopf, who won
16 tournaments on the PGA Tour—
including the 1973 Open—leveraged a successful playing career into a pursuit that earned him even
greater acclaim. One of his shining accomplishments as a course
designer was the 7,000-yard layout at Seven Canyons in Sedona, Arizona. Weiskopf initially surveyed the
box-canyon site on horseback and,
remarkably, conceptualized the highdesert course without ever putting pencil to paper. Opened in 2003,
Seven Canyons today offers golfers numerous opportunities to take on
heroic risk-versus-reward shots. The
layout is situated at nearly 5,000 feet within the Coconino National Forest
and, as such, winds its way over and around natural arroyos; alongside jagged cliff faces and red-rock
monoliths; and past ancient piñon pines and alligator juniper trees.
It’s a remarkable setting and a
spectacular course—and a suitable tribute to the late, great Weiskopf.
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Seven Canyons
Seven Canyons
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Kauri Cliffs
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THE APPROACH Room with a View
Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand
Kauri Cliffs Golf Club, home to
one of the most photogenic and
dramatic courses on Earth, now has accommodations to match, with
the launch of the resort’s 22 fourbedroom Residences.
The Kauri Cliffs course, designed
by David Harmon—once protégé to
Jack Nicklaus—opened to immediate acclaim in 1999 at Matauri Bay, at
the northern tip of New Zealand’s sub-tropical North Island. With
panoramic views over the Pacific
Ocean, Cape Brett and the Cavalli
Islands, the course is complemented
by a range of outdoor activities in the area, from hiking through an ancient kauri forest to swimming on one of three private beaches.
Each of the new Residences
features a unique interior, shaped
Kauri Cliffs
by renowned Kiwi designer Virginia Fisher, with spacious, flowing living
areas and expansive verandas. The Residences also include private 25-foot saltwater pools.
Once a bucket-list golf course,
Kauri Cliffs has now become a bucket-list destination.
Photo: Nick Wall/Airswing
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THE APPROACH Tour Debut
Black Desert, Utah
Opened in May, the new championship course at Utah’s Black Desert Resort represents the final piece of the outstanding design legacy of Tom Weiskopf.
Weiskopf worked with Phil Smith
on the 19-hole (yes, 19 holes), 7,200yard course located in Ivins, in the southwestern part of the state,
against a backdrop of the majestic
red-rock mountains of Snow Canyon
State Park. The perfect green carpets of the golf course wend through the desert landscape, where dark lava
rock adds to the colorful scene. The golf challenge is all-encompassing,
with wide fairway landing areas for the less accomplished players, yet plenty
of risk and reward and playing options for all levels.
Next fall, Black Desert will welcome
the PGA Tour back to Utah for the
first time in 60 years, when the Black
Desert Championship debuts as part of the new FedExCup Fall series. The
course is also slated to host an LPGA Tour event in 2025.
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Black Desert
Black Desert
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THE APPROACH No. 19
Sloe Going As the cold nights of winter encroach, we reach across to our British cousins for a festive tipple that is rich in flavor and tradition: the enigmatic sloe gin.
Like many spirits of high repute, a good sloe gin is best
appreciated neat, or perhaps on ice. It is clear, deep ruby red, slightly syrupy and to be sipped in small measures, all the better to savor its sweet notes of red berries, cherry and pomegranate, balanced by a sour hint and the dry undercurrent of gin’s juniper berries. The finest blends feature a touch of sugar to draw out the rich, warm flavor on a cold, dark night, yet not too much—or it can tip the spirit’s delicate balance toward cough syrup. Sometimes available as a seasonal special from distillers, sloe gin is more typically home-made by resourceful inhabitants of the British countryside, who pluck this peculiar fruit—when it ripens in the fall—from the country’s ancient hedgerows. The origins of sloe gin lie tangled in the dense vegetation of the old English hedgerows, which have bordered farmland fields for more than 5,000 years. Hedgerows can comprise woody shrubs like bramble, hazel, dogwood and spindle, and often the spikey blackthorn. While brambles produce sweet and succulent blackberries, blackthorn offers the sloe as a counterbalance. The sloe is related to the plum and is plum-colored, yet it is a smaller, firmer, meaner kind of fruit. Tasting a sloe, freshly picked, ripe and unadulterated, is not for the faint-hearted. It does not taste ripe. Its bitterness is eye-watering. It dries
Sloe Gin
the mouth like charcoal, leading one to question how its marriage to gin was ever conceived. Maybe it is because most gins of 17th-century Britain were pretty rough themselves. But if you take a pound of sloes and leave them in a liter of London dry gin to infuse for three months in a jar, some kind of old English wizardry occurs. Filter away the bits and berries, and you are left with a winter warmer of real distinction. Never mix your sloe gin with tonic, but a small measure can liven a flute of dry sparkling wine for a festive toast. Even better, as winter takes hold and the curtains are drawn, serve a large measure of sloe gin into a heavy tumbler—with a garnish of orange peel— and recline by the fire, glass in hand, to contemplate the glowing embers. —robin barwick
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THE APPROACH Great Outdoors
Powder
Players Snow
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Embrace the cold with these hot new toys for winter adventures. By Larry Olmsted
Lunar Cycles
Pair the thrills of motocross with the technology of a snowmobile, and you get MoonBikes (from $3,900). Billed as the world’s first electric snow bike, the two-wheeler is easy to transport and crazy fun to ride, with a front shock that begs to be tested with a few jumps. The French-built bikes are new in the U.S. but have been hitting the powder at Chamonix and other major European resorts for the past couple of winters.
Peak Performance
Snow
Bode Miller is the winningest American male skier of all time, but in the ski industry, he’s also well known as a tinkerer who was never satisfied with the gear status quo. As a post-racing second chapter, Miller co-founded Peak Ski Company, for which he serves as the very hands-on chief innovation officer. “We set out to develop skis that advance the sport by changing the way people ski,” Miller says about Peak, which launched to critical acclaim last winter and recently rolled out its secondgeneration lineup. “Our intense focus on performance and precision are coupled with innovative design features that make skiing fundamentally easier.” Case in point is Peak’s Keyhole technology, which is a base cutaway that creates a change point in the flex pattern to make entering turns and powerful edging easier. The most versatile of the six Peak models, the Peak 98 by Bode ($1,090 without bindings), is meant for 50/50 off- and on-trail, groomed or in powder, crud, chalk or corn.
The new electric snow bikes from MoonBikes and high-performance skis from Bode Miller.
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Thanks to Taiga Motors, the “Tesla of the snowmobiling industry,” adventurers can now experience the thrill of snowmobiling without the sound. The Canadian company’s all-electric Nomad model looks like any other sled, but it is virtually silent, requires no trips to the pump and no oil changes. It also offers a choice of operating modes plus engine options from 90hp to 120hp ($17,490– $19,490). Debuted last year, the Nomad will soon be followed by additional e-models from Taiga.
Snow
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Bespoke Board
Jackson Hole–based Mikey Franco is the Savile Row tailor of shredding. His Franco Snowshapes crafts ultra-highperformance snowboards, often with materials—dyed Kevlar-carbon weaves, patina copper top sheets, epoxy infused with graphene—that go way beyond carbon fiber. Each one-off design (from $4,000) is built specifically for a customer’s physique, ability, riding style and preferred terrain. The level of detail borders on obsessive: Franco will change the thickness of the wood core in the nose, binding platform, center and tail of the board by adjustments as small as .1 millimeter. For the full “Franco Experience,” you can spend a day riding with the designer so he can see what you need in person before his team builds your ride.
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Snow
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THE APPROACH Accessories
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Travel Tech
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THE APPROACH xxxxxxx
Travel Tech Sony
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Morris & Co. x Ettinger Travel Pouch ettinger.co.uk $290
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX Earbuds bang-olufsen.com $399
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THE APPROACH Handcrafted
Glass Menagerie English design, Scottish resort, American Bar, French wine—Richard Brendon’s new Fluted Collection is an elegant amalgamation of good taste.
Richard Bren-Donglasses Dating to the 19th century, the
Portobello Road street market in west London presents a lively melange of antiques, vintage clothing, collectibles, food stalls and bric-a-brac. The vibrant and varied stretch is a perfect fit for Richard Brendon, whose creative hive buzzes just around the corner on Acklam Road. “I wouldn’t say I have a very specific style,” starts Brendon, who founded his namesake pottery and glassware company in 2013. “I appreciate both antique and contemporary styles, and my goal is to create products that seamlessly blend the two.” Brendon’s company began with one brilliant idea. While studying product design, he would walk down Portobello Road on his way to a part-time job in a pub. He would see piles of beautiful, ornate saucers for sale but without their matching teacups. The cups are inherently more breakable, so over time, saucers are
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often left widowed. Brendon’s Reflect Collection—in which cups with reflective surfaces of gilded gold or platinum are paired with saucers featuring traditional patterns—made them whole again. “By making a teacup with a reflective surface and placing this on the saucer, it immediately breathed new life into the intricate and beautiful antique designs,” Brendon says. “Not only that, but it allowed these antiques to live in a contemporary setting.” To create contemporary pottery and glassware with traditional methods, Brendon enlists the best potteries
The craftsmanship of Brendon’s Slovenian blowers is on full display with his company’s new Fluted Collection.
Richard Bren-Donglasses
in Stoke-on-Trent, 150 miles north of London, and some of the world’s finest glassblowers and cutters in Slovenia. “The amazing craftsmen we have up in Stokeon-Trent are making bone China, not by following prescriptive steps written down in a textbook, but by learning the skill and methods which have been passed down from generations before them,” Brendon says. “The same also applies to our glass blowers in Slovenia. There is no need for them to take precise measurements each time they extract the molten glass; it’s an instinct they have and a deep understanding of their materials.” The craftsmanship of Brendon’s Slovenian blowers is on full display with his company’s new Fluted Collection, which was created specifically for the art deco American Bar at the Gleneagles Hotel in
The Fluted Collection [top left]; Richard Brendon; cup and saucer from the Reflect Collection [left].
Scotland. The famed country retreat—which is celebrating its centennial in 2024—combines the finest 21st-century hospitality with classic architecture and outdoor pursuits, making it an ideal setting for Brendon’s designs. The various selections in the Fluted Collection— all of which are mouth-blown in Slovenia—feature understated, parallel lines that reflect the spirit of art deco from a century past. The stemware is light and beautifully proportioned, begging to be filled with a bit of French bubbly. The tumblers are the paperweights; reassuringly heavy yet still elegant. Either way—whether it’s Champagne in a flute or a single malt in a tumbler—drinks served at the American Bar are sure to be savored in style. —robin barwick
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THE APPROACH Weekend Two Ways
Barrier Island Blueprint Whether for a golf trip or a fun-filled family adventure, this is how we weekend in Hilton Head.
Stay: If you’re seeking exceptional golf
on Hilton Head Island, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town is the place to be. The property is understated in its elegance, with 60 guest rooms outfitted with large soaking tubs, walk-in showers and beds swathed in Frette Italian linens. Larger groups—or couples seeking an even more resplendent stay—can book the Fairway Suite, which boasts a spacious lounge and a covered terrace that overlooks the first and ninth fairways of the resort’s most famous course. Play: Sea Pines is home to a trio of championship-caliber golf courses, including Love Golf Design’s Atlantic Dunes. The 7,000-yard layout mitigates the constant presence of water with strategically placed contours and mounding that help deliver favorable bounces—and an enjoyable round for all. The property’s crown jewel, however, is Harbour Town Golf Links, a tranquil
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Hilton Head
though demanding Pete Dye design that has hosted an annual PGA Tour event since 1969—and is just as challenging the other 51 weeks of the year. “This course forces you to play not just where the pros play, but like the pros play,” says John Farrell, the resort’s director of sports operations. “You’ll be challenged in ways that you’re not always challenged, and you’ll hit every club in your bag.”
Harbour Town Golf Links
Photos: Rob Tipton
Golf Getaway
Family Adventure Coast
Indulge: When you’re ready to
celebrate that bucket list round, settle in at Links, an American Grill, inside the Harbour Town Clubhouse, for traditional steakhouse fare. Elsewhere on property, Coast at Sea Pines’ Beach Club blends fresh seafood with Lowcountry staples (think hushpuppies) and an impressive bourbon selection in a spectacular setting. But if you really want to bask in the glow after your round, venture upstairs to the rooftop oyster bar at the Quarterdeck, where you’ll find Southern seafood complemented by sweeping views of the Harbour Town course, the iconic lighthouse and Calibogue Sound. —shaun tolson
Stay: The recently renovated Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is a winner for all ages, with a prime beachfront location, three swimming pools, a full-service spa, multiple dining options and a golf and racquet club. Renting a condo or house at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort—with its marina, three golf courses, miles of biking trails and more—is another great option for families.
Hilton Head
Explore: Paved, flat biking trails are
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Eat: Enjoy a Lowcountry lunch, brunch or dinner at Fishcamp on Broad Creek, set in a historic fishing camp with roots in the local Gullah culture. Head to Skull Creek Boathouse—home to everything from a sushi bar to a general store—for a classically kitschy waterfront dining experience. For a more upscale affair, stroll down to Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana or one of the many other good restaurants on New Orleans Road. —bruce wallin
abundant in Hilton Head, offering an easy way to enjoy the island. But when it comes to family fun, the local vehicle of choice is a boat. Check out Outside Hilton Head for nature cruises, fishing charters and kayaking excursions, and Captain Kidd for catch-and-release crabbing adventures. Aspiring duffers will love Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, while everyone will cherish an afternoon in Harbour Town, with its old wooden playground, lighthouse and nightly, family-friendly concerts by local legend Gregg Russell.
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Charting a New Course At the debut of the Lehman 18 course at Cragun’s Resort in central Minnesota this summer, we sat down with the lead architect, Tom Lehman, to talk course design, retirement and being the parent of a PGA Tour hopeful.
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Tom Lehman
THE APPROACH Full Round
What’s the defining feature of the Lehman 18 course?
I’ve always loved those sandhill courses down in Melbourne, Australia—Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne, Victoria and Commonwealth—and that bunker look with a clean top line is what we wanted to achieve here. It’s a more dramatic-looking face with a big reveal. It gives the course a different look from most courses in Minnesota. Speaking of looks, is there a distinct style or aesthetic that defines a Tom Lehman course?
Everybody kind of has their look—there’s a Fazio look and a Nicklaus look—but I would say we really don’t have a look. Every piece of land tends to have its own little personality, its own kind of soul, and we’ve worked really hard to make sure that they [our courses] don’t all look the same. What we do have is a common commitment to strategy, a common commitment to trying to achieve angles and great shot values and a common commitment to golf being fun. It needs to be fun, or else you’ve really blown it.
What will you miss most about life on tour and what won’t you miss at all?
The travel that takes you away from home by yourself, where you’re missing something that you wish you were home for. I’m not going to miss that at all. What I am going to miss is what I’ve always said about golf—it always provides something to look forward to. In the life of a pro golfer, there’s always the next tournament, there are always restaurants that you look forward to visiting and hotels that you love to stay at and people at tour stops that you love to see again. I’ll also miss the preparation—the reason to get up every morning and get out early to practice or go to the gym because you want to be at your best.
“He can hit all the shots, and he has a way better putting stroke than I ever had.”
Your oldest son, Thomas, earned a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 3M Open. What’s that like for you?
It’s cool. He has the game. I wouldn’t encourage this whole thing to happen if I didn’t think he had the game. He can hit all the shots, and he has a way better putting stroke than I ever had.
Tom Lehman
How is your time split between playing on the PGA Tour Champions and designing courses?
Every year, I probably spend more and more time with design. I really enjoy design work, equally almost to playing golf, especially at this stage of the game. I’m really close to the end of my playing career. What factors are making you contemplate retirement?
I’ll be 65 next year, and this year has had some difficult turns. I haven’t played well and had some injuries that are still lingering. I would like to feel that I have the ability to work hard and play hard and be fully in the zone, in the moment, all the way through my 65th year. Then, after next year, I’ll reevaluate. There’s more to life than golf. You have your own kids who are raising families, and you have grandkids. My wife, Melissa, and I, we’ll have to decide if we want to always be traveling and missing out on a lot of that.
What guidance or advice do you give him?
Unsolicited advice doesn’t usually get taken too well, so it’s better if he asks me. I have to pick my time, and he has to be frustrated enough to want to make a change. If I can make a comment without being critical, like saying, ‘Man, really a bummer about that last tee shot. What were you trying to do there?’ Then he’ll come back later and say, ‘Do you think I hit the wrong shot there?’ Once he comes to me, now it’s a different story. Once you retire from the tour, how will playing golf fit into your life?
I’ve never been a social golfer. I just feel like I get so much more out of my practice if I kind of put my head down and do it alone. But I do enjoy playing golf with the buddies, and that’ll become my golf world— teeing it up and playing for a few bucks with the guys and giving them a hard time for being a bunch of bandits with their handicaps. —shaun tolson
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SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE H O M E TO T H E W I N N I E PA L M E R N AT U R E R E S E RV E aint Vincent College was built on a foundation made up of A - Saint Vincent College the 10 Benedictine Hallmarks: love of Christ and neighbor,
S
prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline, humility, hospitality, community, and stewardship. Created in honor of the late Winnie Palmer, the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve is a 50-acre environmental education center dedicated to preserving the scenic land at Saint Vincent College, but it also provides a space for the Saint Vincent Community to honor our Benedictine heritage. From environmental stewardship to numerous educational classes and programs, the Reserve allows our students to put into daily practice all of the Benedictine Hallmarks, ultimately preparing them for successful, meaningful lives.
98% of recent graduates are employed or furthering their education
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Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College
724-532-6600 | www.stvincent.edu | Latrobe, Pennsylvania Saint Vincent College subscribes to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity and prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. To read the full text, visit http://www.stvincent.edu/legal-info. 3157
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DE FINING MOME N TS
THE APPROACH Scorecard
Racing through the evolution of women’s competitive golf in the United States.
1895
1950
Women are represented within the USGA for the first time when the all-women Morris County GC, New Jersey, is elected as an associate member with full voting rights. Later that same year, the inaugural U.S. Women’s Amateur is played.
The LPGA Tour is established to stage tournaments for professional women golfers (Didrikson Zaharias, Berg and Jameson are among the 13 founding members).
1935 The legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias becomes the first woman to play on the men’s PGA Tour, at the 1935 Cascades Open in Virginia. The Texan would compete in six more men’s tour events, with her best finish being a tie for 33rd in the 1945 Phoenix Open. An outrageous talent, Didrikson Zaharias won double Olympic Gold in 1932, in the 80-meter hurdles and javelin, and Silver in the high jump. She remains the only athlete in Olympic history to win medals in separate running, throwing and jumping events.
1990 The Solheim Cup, contested between the United States and Europe, is played for the first time, at Lake Nona, Florida. The home side wins, and today, after 18 Solheim Cups, the United States has won 10 and Europe seven. Europe retained the cup this year with a 14-14 tie at Finca Cortesin, Spain.
2019
Year in Numbers
The U.S. Women’s Open boasts the largest purse in the history of women’s golf at the time ($5.5. million), and winner Lee Jeong-eun becomes the first woman golfer to earn a first prize of $1 million.
1946
2023
The U.S. Women’s Open—still the pinnacle of women’s golf today—is played for the first time, at Spokane CC, Washington. Competing in a match-play format after a 36-hole qualifier, Patty Berg beats Betty Jameson in the final. Berg’s first prize is $5,600. She ultimately wins 15 majors, still a women’s record.
According to the National Golf Foundation’s Female Participation Study, female representation has never been higher than it is now, and girls under the age of 18 are the fastest-growing segment of the American golf population.
Pioneering women’s golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias (top), after setting a javelin world record at the 1932 Olympics. The victorious U.S. team (left) at the 1990 Solheim Cup.
At the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open, Lexi Thompson becomes the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour. After Didrikson Zaharias, the other five are Shirley Spork (1952), Annika Sorenstam (2003), Suzy Whaley (2003), Michelle Wie West (8 times between 2004–08) and Brittany Lincicome (2018).
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TEE UP AND TAKE YOUR GAME TO NEW DESTINATIONS WITH TURKISH AIRLINES As a longtime sponsor of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup and many other golfing events, Turkish Airlines supports the deep-rooted passion behind the sport. Making it more convenient for golf-lovers to take their passion to new destinations, the airline offers passengers the opportunity to carry their first set of golf clubs and golf equipment, such as golf shoes and a golf bag, free of charge on all Turkish Airlines flights. Flying to more countries than any other airline in the world, Turkish Airlines invites passengers to visit their favorite destinations and discover new horizons with comfort and ease. From its 12 United States gateways, the airline seamlessly connects passengers through its centrally located hub in Istanbul to more than 340 destinations in 129 countries across five continents.
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Award-Winning Business Class Service In addition to having one of the most robust flight networks, Turkish Airlines offers an award-winning Business Class service. Business class passengers enjoy modern full flat seats with a first-rate entertainment system, free WIFI service on all wide body fleet, active noise-canceling headphones by Denon, a Ferragamo special amenity kit, a welcome drink and dedicated bar, turnup service and sleeping kit on long haul flights, a snack bar, Turkish coffee and Turkish delight service, a special menu with gourmet meals, hot towel service, dedicated lavatory with live plants, and more.
New Turkish Airlines Lounge at JFK As of 2023, Turkish Airlines now offers passengers transiting through Terminal 1 of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) an elevated lounge true to the Turkish Airlines experience. The lounge amenities are synonymous with the brand’s comfort and hospitality in the newly renovated and rebranded space. Featuring the famous flavors of Turkish cuisine, passengers can enjoy three meals a day including breakfast, lunch and dinner served uninterruptedly, in a thoughtfully designed mid-century inspired space created for function and comfort.
A Premium Onboard Dining Experience Turkish Airlines offers passengers award-winning cuisine featuring premium menus prepared with fresh ingredients, courtesy of Turkish DO & CO. With a strong commitment for its quality of service and maintaining its status of the airline with the world’s best inflight dining concept, Turkish Airlines launched new inflight menus this year for domestic and international flights. The new menus draw inspiration from healthy nutrition trends and include eclectic flavors from traditional Turkish cuisine and global cuisines, with 80% of ingredients sourced from local producers. Flying Chefs, a unique in-flight chef service offered on all long-distance flights and some short distance flights, offers passengers the luxury experience of dining at a restaurant high above the clouds.
A - Turkish Airlines Stopover Service – Discover the Wonders of Istanbul and Beyond Turkish Airlines offers its passengers the opportunity to discover the world’s connection center, Istanbul, and its unique wonders with its stopover accommodation service for passengers with lengthy transfer times. As part of its Stopover Service, Turkish Airlines provides a two-night stay in a 4-star hotel for economy class travelers and a three-night stay in a 5-star hotel for business class passengers. For travelers looking to extend their stay, Türkiye offers 24 golf courses, 15 of which are nestled together in Antalya in the region of Belek, close to the Mediterranean Sea, and known as the Turkish Riviera. Antalya, notably the Belek resort area, offers luxury hotels and resorts with international standards of luxury, superb accommodations, a gourmet dining and pampering service and features numerous championship courses. Türkiye is a modern country with a captivating blend of antiquity and contemporary and of East and West. The cradle of civilization and center of world history today stands as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world. Its spectacular coastline, majestic mountains, cosmopolitan cities, and quaint villages make it one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
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You can extend your stay with special prices starting from 49 USD per night
THE APPROACH
Arnold Palmer was the first golfer to win the Masters four times
LIVE LIKE A KING
Lessons learned from Kingdom co-founder Arnold Palmer
(1958, ’60, ’62, ’64).
Friends & Foes
Welcoming Rivalry
Jack Nicklaus was the first golfer to win the Masters five times (1963, ’65, ’66, ’72, ’75), and he remains the only golfer to have donned the Green Jacket six times (lastly in 1986).
The rivalry between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus remains one of the most compelling in the history of professional sports, but the two legends never lost sight of a picture much bigger than wins, losses and dollars. No sooner had Arnold Palmer reached the pinnacle of
his career in 1960 than Jack Nicklaus came charging up behind him, clutching at the champion’s coattails. Palmer had won the Masters in 1958 and 1960, but the then-30-year-old’s defining moment came in the final round of the 1960 U.S. Open at Colorado’s Cherry Hills Country Club. Starting the day seven strokes behind the lead, he shot a six-under-par 65 to charge to victory by two. It was Palmer at his electrifying best, but it was the runner-up—a 20-year-old Nicklaus fresh off a U.S. Amateur championship in 1959—who kicked off what would become one of professional sport’s greatest rivalries.
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Just two years later, at the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont, outside Pittsburgh, the tables turned. The local hero Palmer squared off with Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff, and the young challenger out-played and, in particular, out-putted Palmer to claim his first professional victory. “I’ll tell you something,” came Palmer’s portentous and oft-repeated words after Nicklaus won, “now that the big guy is out of the cage, everybody better run for cover.” Palmer would later write in his 1999 autobiography, A Golfer’s Life: “I needed Jack to remind me what my Pap had warned me from the beginning—there was
The Dynamic Duo
For five years, from 1962 to 1966, the Masters became a duopoly.
1963 As champion from 1962, Palmer helped Nicklaus into the Green Jacket in 1963.
1964
always going to be some talented young guy out there who could beat you 10 ways to Sunday, so you’d better never let your guard down. I think Jack needed me to serve as the high standard he was aiming for. If he could beat me, which he ultimately did, he could beat anybody and become the greatest player in the game.” Sports writers in the 1960s would sometimes warp this great sporting rivalry out of its true shape, claiming that the two golfers disliked each other. The truth is that while Palmer and Nicklaus were not close friends at first, they always got on well, liked each other, enjoyed playing in the same group and respected each other enormously. Palmer even paved the way for Nicklaus to sign up with the same management company, Mark McCormack’s IMG, when Palmer had previously agreed to an exclusive arrangement with McCormack. “We’re closer now, in some respects, than we have ever been,” Palmer wrote in “If he could beat A Golfer’s Life. “We share a me, which he golden history and a thousand ultimately did, he memories of laughter and could beat anybody tears…. The simple truth is, I like Jack and I admire and become the him in more ways than I can greatest player in probably express.” “Arnold was always the game.” incredibly kind to me,” chimed Nicklaus in his own book, My Story. “He sort of took me under his wing early on and gave me a lot of great advice…. Most important, I just saw how Arnold handled himself and how he handled people. I learned a lot from being around him.” “On a philosophical note,” Palmer wrote, “I must say I think Jack and I were very good for each other and very good for the game of golf in general. Our rivalry—especially once you add Gary Player to the mix—happened at a time when golf was just beginning to take deep root in the broader American sports psyche, and the intensity of our competition, as well as the distinct differences in our personalities, created tremendous natural drama and a fan interest in the professional game that had never been seen before.” Palmer always knew, as Nicklaus still does today, that if you intertwine friendship and rivalry, the bond is unbreakable.
Welcoming Rivalry
When Palmer won his fourth Masters, in 1964, Nicklaus returned the favor with the Green Jacket.
1965 The swap happened again in 1965, after Nicklaus won for the second time.
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THE APPROACH Giving Game
Cup for a
Cause K Cup - FOH An all-star lineup joined Kingdom readers on Hilton Head Island for a fun-filled tournament supporting an essential organization.
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Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam, Matt Kuchar and a group of Kingdom readers gathered on Hilton Head Island in September for the annual Kingdom Cup golf tournament. The 2023 event—which included two rounds of tournament play at the fabulous Arnold Palmer course at Wexford and the Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club—was a weekend to remember for everyone involved. It was also an opportunity to make a positive impact for an incredible cause. “I had a tremendous time in Hilton Head participating in the Kingdom Cup to benefit Folds of Honor,” Sorenstam says. “I’m a very big fan of the work they do to provide scholarships to the families of fallen servicemen and women.” Long a favored cause of Nicklaus
Kingdom Cup special guests Alexandra O’Laughlin, Matt Kuchar, Annika Sorenstam, Geno Bonnalie, Kasia Kay and (right) Jack Nicklaus
and other tour pros, Folds of Honor was founded by F-16 fighter pilot and PGA professional Dan Rooney. The scholarships the organization provides— which go to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and, as of 2022, first responders—run the gamut from private school tuition for K-12 to grants for master’s candidates and everything in between. The group has awarded more than 40,000 scholarships since its founding in 2007, totaling about $200 million. “It’s such a great cause. Anybody that dies at a young age and leaves behind a family…what an outstanding thing to reach out to and offer assistance for,” Kuchar says. “Folds of Honor touches the hearts of a lot of people.”
Photos: Adam Szafranski
K Cup - FOH “Folds of Honor touches the hearts of a lot of people.” —Matt Kuchar
In its mission to raise funds for Folds of Honor, the 2023 Kingdom Cup also brought out Golf Channel correspondent Alexandra O’Laughlin, caddy Geno Bonnalie, actor Rob Riggle and pro golfer Kasia Kay to Hilton Head. The event kicked off on Thursday evening with a private tasting of Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old, a limited-release blended malt from master distiller Stephanie Macleod. Dewar’s was on
hand throughout the weekend, including serving Lemon Wedges on the courses and donating exclusive bottlings to the prizes for the tournament’s top finishers. Prizes were awarded to the two-player teams with the lowest gross and net. The friendly competition fueled a fun-filled weekend—which also included evening events and exceptional Lowcountry cuisine at the Sea Pines Resort—that was all in the golf-loving spirit of Kingdom co-founder Arnold Palmer. “I knew Mr. Palmer well, and in turn got to know the team at Kingdom, so it’s always nice to see them and experience the great programs they put together,” Sorenstam says. “This was a special event in a beautiful setting that brought it all together.” —bruce wallin
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THE APPROACH Vacation Homes
Dominican The DRRepublic Is In A new residential resort adds to the many second-home options for golfers in the Dominican Republic. By Don Nichols Mountains, jungles, beaches, vibrant Caribbean
culture—the Dominican Republic is much more than a golf destination. But let’s face it: The DR’s golf courses are reason enough for a visit. From Pete Dye’s classic Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo to Jack Nicklaus’s epic Punta Espada at Cap Cana, the country’s 18-hole options are outstanding. For golfers seeking second homes in the Dominican Republic, the possibilities are equally enticing. In addition to Cap Cana and Casa de Campo, residential communities range from the Puntacana Resort &
Club (P.B. Dye’s La Cana course) to the ultra-exclusive Playa Grande (Robert Trent Jones). But it’s a new development at Cap Cana that’s fast becoming a preferred spot for golfers in the DR. Currently under development on 17 beachfront acres, the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort & Residences will feature 70 residences, including 15 that front the first two holes of the Punta Espada course. Developers tout the hotel and real estate project, which is scheduled to open next summer, as the first five-star-branded residential offering in Cap Cana. The market has
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Revisiting a Classic
While the St. Regis Cap Cana is generating buzz as the new project on the scene, the island’s
original residential golf resort is making waves of its own with new real estate listings and recent
enhancements. The 7,000-acre gated community of Casa de Campo Resort and Villas opened in
La Romana nearly 50 years ago and has grown to
include more than 2,500 private homes. Currently,
66 villas, condos and land plots for new builds are on the market, ranging in price from $750,000 to
$55 million. These listings include three villas now
Dominican Republic
under development, as well as six plots in prime
locations on the Dye Fore golf course. The resort has upped its game, too, recently opening a new spa and wellness center and the Premier Club, a
boutique hotel with just 58 suites. (See “Showing Its Teeth,” page 158.)
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responded favorably, with the residences already 50 percent sold, including at least one big-name buyer—the Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jiménez. A five-story tower will house all 70 residences, prices for which start at $1.1 million but climb as high as $25 million. Spanning from one to seven bedrooms, the condos all feature floorto-ceiling windows and terraces, most with Caribbean views. Sweeping sea, mountain and golf course vistas can be enjoyed from the 20,742-square-foot Astor Penthouse, a two-level circular beauty with multiple terraces, a private pool, an exterior shower and a garden. The St. Regis’s residences will come fully furnished and high on glam, with travertine stone flooring and marble bathrooms, plus professional-grade
Dominican Republic The Jack Nicklaus– designed Punta Espada course (opposite) and renderings of the soon-toopen St. Regis.
European appliances and Dekton countertops in kitchens. Owners can put their units into a St. Regis–managed rental pool, and they will enjoy access to all the amenities at the 200-room hotel, which is under construction in an adjacent tower. Those perks include several pools, seven restaurants, a spa, a fitness and wellness center, and a private beach. Sweetening the deal are owners-only amenities such as a game room, movie theater and library. Cap Cana is a draw, too. The 30,000acre gated community includes an expansive marina, one of the Caribbean’s largest equestrian centers, a fun-packed adventure park, pristine beaches and several dining and shopping choices. Because, after all, there’s much more to the Dominican Republic than golf.
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THE KINGDOM LIST
Recognizing the best in golf and the luxury lifestyle, the annual Kingdom List honors our panelist and staff favorites from 2023— from the top new courses and gear to the finest hotels, restaurants and hidden gems.
THE PANELISTS
The Kingdom List
Golf Channel correspondent Alexandra O’Laughlin
10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam Senior golf course architect Brandon Johnson Golf course designer David McLay Kidd PGA Tour caddy Geno Bonnalie PGA National Resort director of golf Jane Broderick Mixologist and bartender Ivy Mix Golf and lifestyle journalist Larry Olmsted
Photo: Ricky Robinson
Golf influencer and content creator Roger Steele
68 72 76 80 82 84 86
Golf Courses Hotels & Resorts Food & Drink Gear & Style Game Changers Hidden Gems Ones to Watch
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The Kingdom List
Golf Courses
From the Caribbean to New Zealand, our favorite new (or renewed) places to play.
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The Lido
Golf historian Peter Flory’s intricate, computer-aided hole re-creations conspired with Tom Doak’s architectural prowess to bring The Lido back from the dead—albeit in central Wisconsin, nearly 900 miles away from its original location on Long Island. Bernard Darwin once described the original New York course as “a wonder of which will never fade.” Resuscitating this classic, in Brandon Johnson’s estimation, is akin to “cloning the wooly mammoth, as it’s not of the era but now exists in our time.”
The Kingdom List Point Hardy Golf Club
With mirroring nines that first climb up onto rolling bluffs before descending back toward the coast, this Coore and Crenshaw design in Saint Lucia was—thanks to the global pandemic—four years in the making. The front and back nines both build to crescendos marked by a series of holes played alongside and over the Caribbean, rivaling the most iconic holes at Pebble Beach. With its grand opening in December, this dramatic course is finally ready for its closeup.
West Palm Golf Park
The new iteration of the once-heralded West Palm Beach Golf Course, the West Palm Golf Park features an 18-hole, Gil Hanse–designed course that can be played in three-, six- and nine-hole loops. More notably, “The Park” fosters an inclusive spirit, with youth programs and other initiatives aimed at growing the game. “The premise of the intent is phenomenal,” says Jane Broderick. “To be a high-end facility in the height of the Florida season and pivot to be accessible to all with programing around the under-privileged should be applauded.” Adds Roger Steele: “It’s one of the coolest golf stories in recent history.”
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Te Arai Links – North Course
Despite featuring seven holes that incorporate the ocean, the North Course at New Zealand’s Te Arai Links is, in its designer’s opinion, a layout most notable for its inland holes. Tom Doak even goes so far as to draw parallels between that landlocked terrain and the topography at Pine Valley. His new course joins the Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw– designed South Course at what is fast becoming hallowed ground for golfers.
Photo: Ricky Robinson
The Kingdom List
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
Originally conceived in 1929 by Max Behr, a contemporary of Alister MacKenzie, this 7,035yard layout in San Diego, California, benefited from a David McLay Kidd–led restoration. As the Scottish course designer explains, Rancho Santa Fe’s Golden Age layout was marred by renovations over the decades and had “lost its core design values.” In Kidd’s estimation, the course has been refreshed back into something Behr would recognize.
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The Chain
The latest golf development at Florida’s Streamsong Resort, this 19-hole short course is one that emphasizes fun. Designed by Coore and Crenshaw, The Chain was created with match play in mind and features free-flowing tee boxes with no par designations. That means holes can play as long as 293 yards or as short as 50, encouraging players to choose their own adventure.
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Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
The Kingdom List
The top new places to stay for golfers, race-car drivers, beach lovers, war historians and everyone in between.
Sensei Porcupine Creek
A special Nobu menu at the golf clubhouse? That’s one way this new resort—built on a previously private estate and golf course in Rancho Mirage, California—caught our attention in 2023. Wellness, however, is the first word at Porcupine Creek, the new sibling property of Hawaii’s Sensei Lāna‘i. Hiking, yoga and an exceptional tennis center help keep you active, while meditation sessions and spa treatments serve to recharge.
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Omni PGA Frisco
One of Mexico’s most stunning coastal sites finally has a hotel to match. Set just north of Manzanillo on the Costalegre, the private 3,000-acre peninsula of Tamarindo is a glorious blend of wild jungle, rugged mountain and soft-sand beach. It has long been home to private residences and an under-the-radar golf course, but the debut of the Four Seasons has secured the peninsula’s spot among the world’s top beach destinations.
PGA of America’s new home in Frisco, Texas, features “36 holes of beautifully designed championship golf, putting and night courses, suites, ranch houses and every amenity imaginable,” says Roger Steele, making it good for “any type of golf or family-style vacation.” Home base for those vacations is a 500-room Omni hotel, which opened in May. It all adds up to “a state-of-the-art home for growing the profession that keeps the game moving forward at the grassroots level,” says Jane Broderick.
Raffles London at the OWO
The most anticipated hotel opening of 2023 lived up to the hype. Set in the Old War Office in Whitehall, the 120-room (plus 85-residence) Raffles is appropriately powerful in its design (by the late Thierry Despont) and respectful of its pedigree (suites named for everyone from Winston Churchill to WWII-era spy Vera May Atkins). Throw in a Mauro Colagreco restaurant and countless nooks, crannies and library-like lounges for a drink, and you have London’s hottest new address.
Passalacqua
Opened in mid-2022, this private estate turned 24-suite retreat on Italy’s Lake Como was already named the planet’s No. 1 hotel in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Hotels awards. The honor is a tribute to the exquisite restoration of the property’s 18th-century villa, stables and other original features, which share this inimitable plot of paradise with seven acres of terraced gardens that spill toward Como’s sparkling shore.
The Kingdom List Slieve Donard
Slieve Donard was already blessed with one of “the most coveted golf locations in the world,” says Alexandra O’Laughlin. A thorough restoration of the 125-year-old Marine & Lawn property—located a five-minute walk from the first tee of Royal County Down Golf Club—has injected new life into this Northern Ireland classic. Think Victorian splendor with a contemporary shine in a sublime coastal-countryside setting.
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Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
Fuji Speedway Hotel
The Kingdom List
Motorsports meet Mount Fuji at this new hotel in Oyama, Japan, developed by the Toyota Group. One side looks straight onto the Fuji Speedway, while the other faces the iconic peak in the distance. Guests can hit the track in a Toyota racecar, but the hotel isn’t just for gearheads. The area is known for its outdoor adventures, farm-totable cuisine, onsen spas and golf courses, including the Kawaguchiko Country Club featured in the movie Lost in Translation.
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A decade after being destroyed by a tsunami, this legendary Big Island hideaway reemerged this summer as a Rosewood resort. While upping the luxury quotient (and price point) significantly, the 81-acre property has not lost its village-like appeal. “I’m so happy to see this amazing spot reopen,” David McLay Kidd says. “I spent a lot of time there when I was building Nanea for Charles Schwab. This location is so incredible—a beautiful beach and private cove, not to mention the incredible history.” Anantara Palazzo Naiadi
The Ryder Cup gave us yet another reason to love Rome, while Anantara’s transformation of two 19th-century palazzos provided our new go-to address in town. On Piazza della Repubblica, a short walk to the city center, the hotel is in a “great location but without the hordes of international tourists,” says Larry Olmsted. While on property, guests enjoy “some of the biggest luxury rooms” and what might be the “best rooftop bar” in Rome.
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Food & Drink
The Kingdom List
Klein Jan, Tswalu Kalahari
From limited-edition bottlings to hard-to-get tables, we present our most tasteful discoveries from 2023. HaSalon, Las Vegas
High-concept Israeli chef Eyal Shani brings his madefor-sharing Mediterranean cuisine to the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and it’s a perfect match. Go for the “vegetable creature” appetizers and hummus topped with lamb ragu; stay for the post-dinner dancing on the tables. Place des Fêtes, Brooklyn
This wine bar opened in the trendy and historic Clinton Hill neighborhood in 2022 and is “one of the best meals in Brooklyn at the moment,” says Ivy Mix. “It is by the Michelin-starred team from Oxalis, but it is more approachable and delicious.”
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A wild dining experience is ensured at this surreal and spectacular restaurant on a 280,000-acre private reserve in South Africa. Michelinstarred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen has created a culinary adventure (complete with a visit to a subterranean “root cellar” buried beneath the desert sands) that is reflective of the remote setting in the semi-arid Kalahari. Expect endemic ingredients, wildlife sightings and very few fellow patrons— the massive Tswalu Kalahari accommodates a maximum of only 40 guests at a time at its three luxury safari lodges.
JNcQUOI Asia, Lisbon “One of the coolest restaurant concepts I have been to. It was like walking into another world. A Christian Louboutin boutique greets you next to the hostess, there’s a DJ in the bathroom most nights, and the menu was a fusion of cultures. I recommend going with a group and ordering an Indian, Thai, Chinese and Japanese dish to fully experience the flavors.” —Alexandra O’Laughlin
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Brewer-Clifton 2021 Perilune Pinot Noir
A master of Central Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, winemaker Greg Brewer has crafted an instant classic with this new-for-2023 release. The Perilune vineyard, in California’s Santa Rita Hills appellation, is highly varied in both soil type and elevation, offering a natural complexity to the wine. Combined with Brewer’s subtle touch, the site has produced a velvety Pinot Noir that pairs well with everything from pasta to pâté.
Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old
Kingdom readers and staff enjoyed an exclusive first tasting of this new blended malt from master distiller Stephanie Macleod at the 2023 Kingdom Cup. “The nose, taste and finish are superb, and it comes with a couple Baccarat crystal tumblers,” notes Roger Steele. “An amazing drinking experience and an elite addition to any whisky collection.”
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Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
Opened last year in an early 20th-century caretaker’s residence, this pint-sized bar quickly earned worldwide acclaim for its cocktails and pub snacks. “It is a fantastic bar … one of the few bars that I have gone to in recent history that I thought was actually worth the hype,” says Ivy Mix. “It’s awesome.”
The Butcher’s Club at PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens
“Far and away the best dining experience I have ever experienced. Service and food were the best I have ever encountered. Celebrity chef Jeremy Ford is masterful.”
The Kingdom List
—Jane Broderick Restaurant Daniel, New York City
Chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship fine-dining restaurant celebrated its 30th anniversary this year—an impressive stretch for a New York City eatery to stay on top. But stay among Manhattan’s best the restaurant does, thanks to Boulud’s diligent updating of its four- and seven-course menus, cocktail program and wine list. The Michelin-starred chef recently created a new bar and lounge area featuring the handiwork of Paris’s Lalique Interior Design Studio.
Stella Bar, Bangkok
In a city bursting with great bars, this new jewel box at the Capella Bangkok hotel stands out for its Chao Phraya–front setting, elegant interior (complete with a life-sized white peacock perched under a dazzling chandelier) and delicious drinks (beef old-fashioned, anyone?) served by velvet blazer–clad waiters. A perfect spot to start or end a night in Bangkok.
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Eastside Golf “The story behind the formation and rise of this company is a testament to human perseverance, dedication and a willingness to open golf up to a wider demographic. Stylish, cool, urban golf wear. Or, in their terms, one of the ‘dopest’ brands in golf.”
Gear & StyleThe Kingdom List
—Brandon Johnson
Abacus Rain Gear
The tools, tech, fashions—and butlers— that pushed our game forward in 2023.
True Linkswear
Golf footwear has made notable strides over the past decade, and not just when it comes to on-course performance. Some of the best examples can handle the fairways and city streets, turning heads in both locales. True Linkswear is leading the way in this hybrid category, and Geno Bonnalie has taken notice. “I wear them both on and off the course pretty much exclusively,” he says of his FS02s. “I am in love.”
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You can make allowances on certain pieces of golf attire, but rain gear isn’t one of them. “Abacus makes the sleekest, high-quality outerwear,” Annika Sorenstam says, adding that it not only looks good but keeps you perfectly dry.
Honma TW757 Vx Irons
In today’s power- and length-obsessed golfing world, anything that’s not pushing the envelope for carry distances tends to be overlooked. Honma’s TW757 Vx irons fall into this category, yet they have the potential to change your game. Made from soft carbon steel, the forged irons feature lightweight club heads and a sleek top line that instills confidence that you can do anything you want to out on the course.
Bushnell Pro X3
Every laser-guided rangefinder manufacturer utilizes its own algorithms for calculating slopeadjusted measurements. Over the years, Bushnell’s have proven to be more precise than the rest; and now, in the Pro X3, the company has introduced an “elements” feature that accounts for temperature and barometric pressure. “Playing as” distances have never been more accurate.
Foresight GCQuad
When it comes to personal launch monitors, the Foresight GCQuad is “portable, versatile, far more accurate and less expensive than Trackman,” says Jane Broderick, who believes every golf instructor should have one. “It’s by far the best measurement tool in golf.” Starting at $14,500, the GCQuad isn’t a kneejerk purchase for most golfers, but in Alexandra O’Laughlin’s opinion, it’s “a splurge that can significantly enhance your practice.” MacKenzie Leather Accessories
Danner Boots
“When I was building Bandon Dunes in Oregon in the winter of 1998, I struggled to keep my feet warm and dry. Then I took a look at what the locals were wearing: Danner boots. The first pair I bought took me through my next half a dozen projects, from Oregon to Hawaii, Ireland to Africa.”
“For decades we’ve been promised straighter tee shots and tighter dispersion for all abilities,” says Larry Olmsted. “Callaway has finally delivered.” Roger Steele concurs: “Driving has always been a conditional asset for me depending on the day, but this season it’s most definitely been a strength of mine. Callaway’s Paradym driver is one of the fastest and most forgiving drivers I’ve gamed.”
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Whether it’s a shoe bag, a valuables pouch, or a head cover, the customizable leather accessories crafted by MacKenzie bring a touch of personalized flair to the course. “Premium custom accessories tell people everything they need to know about what you care about,” Roger Steele says. “I have a few custom shoe bags that turn heads everywhere I bring them.” Ping Hoofer Golf Stand Bag
Callaway Paradym Driver
“Walking is the purest form of playing golf,” says David McLay Kidd. We can’t argue, which is why we love Ping’s Hoofer carry bag. It’s lightweight without sacrificing the storage space that golfers need. Plus, the five-way top bag features robust zippers, reliable retracting legs and easily adjustable padded shoulder straps.
—David McLay Kidd
Golf Butler, Eden Roc Cap Cana
Eden Roc Cap Cana is popular with golf travelers thanks to the adjacent Punta Espada and other world-class courses in the vicinity. This year, the luxurious Dominican Republic resort introduced a “golf butler” program, staffed with specialists who can schedule tee times, arrange private lessons with Eden Roc’s resident golf pro and even manage your club transfers to and from the Caribbean. The one thing they can’t do is make that 12-foot birdie putt for you.
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Game Changers
Stephen Curry
Roger Steele pays tribute: “Steph Curry’s commitment to being an advocate for— and growing the game of golf in—underserved communities is inspirational. He founded the Underrated Tour and funded the Howard golf team, and in doing so created one of the best HBCU golf teams in the country. I believe that this program’s on-course accolades will be completely eclipsed by the players' real-world contributions to the game and beyond once their time at Howard is over. It shows us that when people with status invest in the game, a real impact can be made.”
The people who have made the most significant impact in golf, one way or another, in 2023.
The Kingdom List
Jay Monahan
As the restructuring of the PGA Tour continues behind closed doors, Brandon Johnson apportions game-changing credit to the tour’s commissioner. “Monahan was dealt an impossible situation with LIV Golf,” he says. Some close to tour golf might think Monahan is more reactionary than he is visionary. Certainly, like it or not, he is in the thick of what may become the most significant reorganization of the PGA Tour since its inception.
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Lavinia Biagiotti
In 2023, Biagiotti become the first female golf course owner to host the Ryder Cup. Owner of Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, as well as the Laura Biagiotti fashion house, she was instrumental in the development of Marco Simone into a venue worthy of the international tournament, and she was also key to Italy winning its bid to host the Ryder Cup for the first time. Americans might not like the result in Rome, but there was no doubt about the caliber of the host venue.
Courtney Swaim Trimble
Swaim Trimble is a former Curtis Cup and professional golfer who founded Fore Hire, which is dedicated to creating career opportunities for college golfers. Employers and graduates are brought together at events such as “Women Who Want to Work in Golf.” Says Alexandra O’Laughlin: “This is going to be a huge asset to graduates, but also to businesses, in finding employees with golf knowledge.”
Rory McIlroy
Has there ever been a more striking example of one player becoming the moral compass of tour golf? “I admire the way [he] fought for the PGA Tour this past year,” starts Annika Sorenstam. “The new TGL Golf venture will literally change the way we view golf.” Says Brandon Johnson: “Rory shouldered the load to stand up for the PGA Tour.” Adds Jane Broderick: “And he played well at the same time!”
Michael Block
Block is the PGA club pro who captured the attention of the sports world with his inspirational performance in the 2023 PGA Championship, when, at the age of 47, he finished tied for second. Says Roger Steele: “Block has shown the world what is possible with a positive outlook, belief and consistency. If even for a moment, greatness is attainable. He helps us golfers dream.”
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Yasir al-Rumayyan
Yasir al-Rumayyan is head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the group behind the breakaway LIV Golf, which divided the tour golf community so dramatically. He is now set to be chairman of the new-look PGA Tour, once a new structure is finalized. “For good or bad, the biggest impact by an individual has to be Yasir al-Rumayyan,” says David McLay Kidd. “I have met him a few times. He is as smart as a whip, very personable, and there is no doubt he loves the game.”
Rose Zhang
Zhang was a record-breaking amateur before winning in her debut on the LPGA Tour. “With how talented the competitive landscape is getting, it’s rare to see such a transcendent ability perform and win at a high level,” starts Roger Steele. “Zhang’s transition into professional golf is one of the greatest some of us will see in our lifetime, but what’s better than her playing ability is her character. From her humility to her priorities, she is a great and fitting example of what winners can and should look like.”
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Hidden Gems Personal favorites of our panelists, these lesserknown courses might not grab the headlines, but they deserve appreciation for their own special merits.
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Southern Pines GC opened in 1906 and offers an early Donald Ross design that is open for public play. Claims Larry Olmsted: “This course may be better than Pinehurst No. 2, and is at worst the second-best course in this golf-mad region.”
The Kingdom List
Dunaverty, Scotland
Photo: Robert Westerman
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Sweetens Cove, Tennessee
An innovative nine-holer created by dynamic duo King-Collins (Tad King and Rob Collins). “Tucked away just outside of Chattanooga, Sweetens Cove could be one of my favorite places I’ve ever been,” states Geno Bonnalie. “The course offers different routings which enable you to play from pretty much any tee box to any green. You can play the course backwards, forwards and, who knows, maybe even upside down.” Roger Steele calls it “one of the most fun and unique places that I’ve experienced in golf.”
Dunaverty might take the prize as the “most hidden” on this list, as it lies outside the old whisky-distilling town of Campbeltown, right down at the bottom of Scotland’s remote Mull of Kintyre. David McLay Kidd describes it as: “My favorite little course in Scotland. It is so fun and so quirky, with small square greens, blind shots, the most amazing views, and all for pennies!” Depending on exchange rates, expect to pay around $25 for 18 holes midweek.
The Aiken, South Carolina
Established in 1912, The Aiken is understood to be the first golf course in the United States to add forward tees, on the recommendation of visitor May Dunn, America’s first female PGA pro. Says Brandon Johnson: “With Donald Ross roots and modern Jim McNair efforts, the soul of this golf course has been preserved.” Big Run, Illinois
Alexandra O’Laughlin, who captained the golf team at Lewis University in Illinois not so long ago, has particularly fond memories of Big Run GC in Lockport. “Big Run is an absolute classic, from the clubhouse to the huge oak trees on the course,” she says. “This is the best $48 you can spend in golf.”
Eagle Springs, Wisconsin
Rustic Canyon, California
“Los Angeles can be a difficult golf city if you’re not a member or guest at one of the exclusive clubs,” says Alexandra O’Laughlin. “Rustic Canyon quickly became a favorite for early Saturdaymorning tee times.” Bolingbrook, Illinois
Explains Roger Steele: “Bolingbrook is a links-style course in Chicago’s west suburbs. Not only is it an amazing playing experience, but it’s home to one of the best public practice facilities in Illinois, including a full wedge range for you to practice real shots from 120 yards and in.” Incline Village, Nevada
Incline Village, along the northern shores of Lake Tahoe, is where the Sorenstam family goes for R&R. The village boasts a Championship course and a par-58 Mountain course, which is the highest altitude layout in Nevada. “They are both golf gems and so much fun,” says Annika. “There are so many beautiful holes, and I highly recommend them both.”
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This family-owned nine-hole course is 130 years old, dating back to 1893, and is among the 100 oldest golf courses in the United States. Created with striking variety, including a second hole shaped like a volcano, the course is “truly special,” says Brandon Johnson.
Cornerstone Club, Colorado
A hidden pocket of the Rockies, Cornerstone Club is a private resort community located about 40 miles outside of Telluride. Its Greg Norman course plays through aspen groves and pine forests at an elevation that exceeds 9,000 feet on certain holes. Though reserved primarily for members, the resort, which is now managed by Montage International, features a selection of cabins and homes for rent. Landmand Golf Club
Opened in 2022, this gem is playing a major role in the rise of Nebraska as a golf destination. (See p160 for our full story on the course.)
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The International Club
Ones to Watch People, places and events that we will be talking about, teeing off at and tuning in for in 2024.
Reports are that Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have masterminded a stunning transformation of the Pines course at The International, in Bolton, Mass., which is set to reopen next year. Evermore Orlando Resort
The vacation landscape of Orlando will be transformed next year with the opening of the new Conrad hotel at the 1,100-acre Evermore Orlando Resort. Surrounded by a nature preserve—and bordering Walt Disney World—the resort will soon feature two golf courses, including the upcoming Grand Cypress by Nicklaus Design.
Paris Olympics
The Olympic Games will be held in Paris next summer, and golf will feature for the fifth time. Rounds will be played at Le Golf National, which hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Graybull
“I just finished construction for Graybull for The Dormie Network, in the Nebraska Sandhills. This place will be all about the golf—think Bandon Dunes but without the crush!” —David McLay Kidd
The Kingdom List
Jack’s Bay
This residential golf club on Eleuthera, Bahamas, is set to open late in 2024, with a 10-hole, Tiger Woods– designed short course ready to go. A Jack Nicklaus championship course is scheduled for a 2025 launch.
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Valhalla Golf Club
Alexandra O’Laughlin is impressed with what she has seen at this famous Kentucky club, which will host its fourth PGA Championship in May. “Valhalla is at the top of the list for best renovations,” she says. The course’s update includes a remodel of the 18th hole, new tee boxes and new turf. “Firm, fast and fun is the motto.”
TGL
Team golf will have an innovative look when the inaugural TGL season tees off in January 2024, with a 15-match regular season, followed by semifinals and finals. “I’m really excited about this,” says Roger Steele. “Seeing the world’s greatest athletes competing in a more relaxed and technologically advanced golf environment will make some of our heroes seem more relatable, while at the same time helping us understand how talented they truly are. This will be the talk of the new year.”
The Kingdom List Ludvig Aberg
Sweden’s Aberg, 23, turned professional in the summer, won for the first time in the final qualifying event for the European Ryder Cup team, and earned a captain’s pick to the Ryder Cup, where he shone. “Aberg is the next superstar,” Geno Bonnalie says. Adds fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam: “I look forward to following Ludvig’s progress, having already played in the Ryder Cup before he has even played in a major championship!”
Marcella Jordanelle Ridge
Marcella Club comprises two resort communities—one for skiing, another for golfing—in Utah. The golf component, called Jordanelle Ridge, will include a highly anticipated Tiger Woods–designed course, opening in 2025. Memberships and real estate opportunities are currently available at the club. Tepetonka Club
CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz has called this in-development club “Minnesota’s masterpiece.” Nantz is consulting on the property’s short course, which will complement a links-style layout by OCM Golf. Memberships are available now.
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Landmand Golf Club The Farmer's Golf Club landmandgc.com : @landmandgc : @landmandG : @landmandgc 402-508-2238
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Up Top, we believe in the Buddy System /bedē/ /‘sistem/ In adventurous activities, where buddies are often required, the main benefit of the system is improved safety, where each may be able to prevent the other from becoming a casualty, or failing to putt out for the skin. Thank you for another outstanding season. See you “Up Top”.
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Photo: Christian Hafer
Roger Steele
EVERYONE’S GAME Roger Steele
Growing up in the inner city of Chicago in the ’90s, Roger Steele tried to hide the fact that he played golf. Now, he’s one of the sport’s biggest advocates, working hard to promote the game and the opportunities that come with it. By Shaun Tolson
Roger Steele
On a sun-splashed August afternoon in 2012, with a bag of outdated golf clubs in
tow, Roger Steele walked to an empty hitting bay on the range at The Learning Center at Fresh Meadow Golf Club, located about a 20-minute drive west of downtown Chicago. It had been seven years since he had last taken a swing with any of the clubs that were rattling around in the golf bag slung over his shoulder. But the prospect of playing in a corporate outing—really, the allure of escaping a day spent in his civil engineering office—was all the motivation Steele needed to wipe the dust off of his set of high school clubs and work out the kinks of a golf swing that first took root when he was in kindergarten.
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Photo: Christian Hafer Steele, a Dewar’s ambassador, with Davis Love III at the 2022 Kingdom Cup (opposite), and sharing a laugh with Rory McIlroy (above).
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“Each of us is our own favorite golfer. When it really comes down to it, I am my favorite golfer.”
Roger Steele
Steele’s father introduced him to the game at a young age, and for more than a decade Roger begrudgingly played along. As a boy (and later a teenager) growing up in Chicago during the 1990s, Steele and his friends idolized Michael Jordan and—like so many kids across the country—they all wanted “to be like Mike.” Basketball was king. Playing golf, even if you were good at it, wasn’t something to brag about. “I would try to hide the fact that I played golf,” he remembers. Working against him, however, was the fact that Steele was good. He played well in a handful of junior golf events when he was 13 years old, and his accomplishments grabbed the attention of the Chicago Sun-Times. The newspaper ran a story about Steele and his successes on the course, which his seventh-grade teacher read, cut out and pinned to the bulletin board in her classroom. “I literally hated that it was right there,” Steele recalls.
Reese Moore Photography, right and left bottom
The irony of Steele’s childhood is that Michael Jordan was, and always has been, almost as fanatical about golf as he is about basketball. Had Steele and his friends known this—had social media existed 25 years ago and the personal lives of star athletes been more public knowledge, as they are today (more on this later)—golf may not have seemed like something to hide. Such was not the case during the mid to late ’90s, however, and by the time Steele headed to college, he was happy to leave his clubs behind. Attending the University of Illinois, Steele joined a black fraternity, played intramural basketball and spent his time mostly in the company of other likeminded students. “My black experience in college was the crux of what I did there,” he says, “but when I graduated, I realized that there was so much happening that I hadn’t been exposed to.” Fast forward a few years, and as Steele walked onto that driving range in Hillside, Illinois, he began to realize how
Roger Steele diverse the game of golf was, too. “[When I was younger], I hadn’t really taken the time to notice all of the different types of people to engage with, and this driving range that I went to… man, it was crazy,” he recalls. “I saw people in bus driver uniforms, doctors in scrubs hitting golf balls, women, kids, senior citizens. I was starting to accept the fact that I was a part of this diverse community.” In time, Steele would pivot away from the engineering career that he had pursued after graduating college. Before long, he was seeking out jobs within the golf industry, first in Orlando and later in Los Angeles. An opportunity at Urban Golf Performance in L.A. further introduced Steele to the diverse community of golfers that existed—a collective that included notable professional athletes such as Derek Fisher, Reggie Bush and Golden Tate. “Me being rooted in who I was and then going [back] into the game and realizing that who I was could exist
around all of these different people who are not like me, it was the best way for me to do things,” he acknowledges. “It made me appreciate a lot more who I was within the sport versus just loving the sport because it was something that was forced on me when I was younger.” Today, Steele, at 35, has leveraged his ever-strengthening presence on social media into a number of gigs in the world of golf, not the least of which is Range Talk, a talk show of sorts, produced by Callaway Golf, which shares candid conversations between Steele and notable golf-enthused celebrities. The guest list is eclectic: Steele has talked with tour stars Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, as well as pro athletes from other sports, including Stephen Curry, Larry Fitzgerald and Justin Herbert. On the topic of growing the game— and more importantly, diversifying its audience and those who play—Steele is adamant that social media will be instrumental. In fact, he points to a slew of social media personalities who have larger followings, more traction and more influence than some of the top players in the world. “Historically, if you asked a person who their favorite golfer was, people would have said Tiger Woods,” he says. “But now, what I’m starting to realize is that each of us is our own favorite golfer. When it really comes down to it, I am my favorite golfer. I’m really my number one priority. And I think because of that, we’re all looking for more relatable figures to align with. They give us more parallels that we can actually make decisions around.
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Photo: Christian Hafer
“They have to appreciate the perspective of people that come from places that they don’t.”
Roger Steele “With social media allowing for more relatable figures to have platforms,” he continues, “we’re just going to see these huge growth opportunities coming from regular people who love the game and know how to tell a good story and build rapport with people.” The diversification of the game, in Steele’s opinion, is also casually linked to the broadening array of golf apparel— clothing that makes the point that the golfing lifestyle can and should permeate a vast cross-section of cultures and communities. “Growing up, when I left the golf course, I needed to completely take off everything that I had on and go put on something completely different to go do anything else that I wanted to do,” Steele says. “I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing golf clothes anywhere else other than a golf course.
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“Golf doesn’t stop at a golf course,” he continues. “It shouldn’t stop at a golf course. But the fashion part never spoke to the other facets of people’s lives. To have these brands come in and create these lifestyle pieces that allow them to represent golf in every facet of life, that’s a huge step because they pretty much turn into billboards for golf advocacy.” Steele believes that significant growth is possible for the game—the influx of newcomers venturing onto the range, the course or to establishments such as Top Golf is proof of that potential. But in the content creator’s opinion, all growth isn’t necessarily good growth. To ensure that the game expands in a way that becomes more inclusive and more accessible to people in underserved communities, Steele believes that it will require a concerted effort from both the
people in and around those communities, as well as the movers and shakers within the golf industry. “They [golf ’s influential leaders] have to appreciate the perspective of people that come from places that they don’t,” he says. “Golf has to make people feel like they matter. They have to appreciate the fact that this is going to be a starting place for a lot of different people…. If you want me to respect it, start caring about the experiences that I’m having, being from where I’m from.” At the community level, Steele says the advantages and benefits of golf need to be better communicated. Kids in underserved neighborhoods need to know that opportunities to better their lives, for upward mobility, exist at many different levels within the golf industry. That those opportunities aren’t limited only to the few who can play golf at the highest level. “There’s a lot of professionals, a lot of service people in the golf space, that can demonstrate how beautiful their lives are, the access that they have, the relationships that they have,” he explains. “They can really show kids that whatever they want to be, golf can support that and amplify that. “When I get a chance to talk to kids, I tell them that whatever undertaking they choose to pursue, that their life plus golf is a better life,” Steele continues. “I don’t think that enough kids understand that by just adding this game [to their lives], it moves the ceiling up another 20 floors as far as where their lives can go.”
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Rising Stars LPGA
Clockwise from top: Lilia Vu, Rose Zhang, Celine Boutier and Ruoning Yin
LPGA TOUR Rising Stars
Winning the World Over A diverse and dynamic crop of young stars is elevating the LPGA Tour to new heights. By Lisa D. Mickey
The LPGA Tour has gone global—and the world is taking notice. Like an athletic United Nations delegation, the tour has seen players from 10 different countries hoist trophies in 2023 (at the time of going to press in late October)—at tournaments that were staged throughout the United States, as well as in Thailand, Singapore, France, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. What’s more, examining the LPGA’s five 2023 major championship winners, their average age was just under 25. It all adds up to a highly exciting time on the LPGA Tour. “We are in a great place, and we are super bullish about where we are going,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, commissioner of the LPGA Tour, at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, in June. “There is strong, strong interest in women’s golf, and the talent level and the youth on tour is unbelievable.” Of this year’s major winners, Ruoning Yin of the People’s Republic of China is the youngest, at 20, while Celine Boutier of France—a three-time winner in 2023—is the senior performer at 29. “I feel like I’ve been very steady for a few years, and honestly, you have to stay patient and keep believing it’s going to happen,” says Boutier, who won her first major this year at the Amundi Evian Championship in her French homeland. Boutier’s experience and maturity have catapulted her to a top-5 world ranking this season with 2023 earnings of more than $2 million. But the Thai-
Frenchwoman, who played college golf at Duke University, knows there are plenty of young rising stars eager to stake their claims at the top of the LPGA Tour. This group is led by Lilia Vu of California, who moved into the No. 1 spot of the Rolex World Rankings on the strength of winning two 2023 majors—the Chevron Championship and the AIG Women’s (British) Open—as well as the Honda LPGA Thailand. At 26, the Vietnamese-American—who won eight college tournaments while at UCLA—clinched the 2023 Rolex Annika Major Award as the player with the most outstanding record in all five majors during the LPGA season. She also pocketed more than $2.5 million in 2023 prize money along the way. “I knew she had the stuff to play professional golf at a high level,” says her former coach at UCLA, Carrie Forsyth. “Lilia had an incredible career at UCLA and was the absolute best putter I have ever coached. She just needed to mature her game and allow her natural, competitive nature to shine.” Second-year pro Allisen Corpuz, of Hawaii, was not the player most expected to outlast the field and best handle the rigors of Pebble Beach Golf Links at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open. However, the cheerful Filipino-Korean-American won by a three-shot margin, taking home a major and her first win on the LPGA Tour in the process. She also collected the event’s whopping $2 million paycheck.
Rising Stars LPGA
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Left: Allisen Corpuz celebrates with her caddie, Jay Monahan, after winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Right: The 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin. Below: Rose Zhang competes at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
Rising Stars LPGA
“I had a feeling this could be a good year, but not this good,” concedes Corpuz, 25, who played college golf at the University of Southern California before her 2022 LPGA rookie season, in which she posted three top-10 finishes. “I think the difference in my second year on tour is being a little more comfortable out here, seeing a few more courses for the second time, and just knowing how to prepare a little better.” Corpuz led the LPGA’s money list by the middle of October, with earnings of more than $2.95 million, with five top-10 finishes. In contrast to Corpuz, Yin struggled as a rookie in 2022, missing nine tournament cuts in her first 13 events. But the Chinese player—who grew up watching 10-time LPGA winner Shanshan Feng—turned things around this April, at the 2023 DIO Implant LA Open, becoming only the second Chinese winner in LPGA history. She added a major win at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June, and a third season win at the FREED Group Women’s Scottish Open in August. “After my first win, a lot of friends texted me and said, ‘Congrats,’ and that I inspired them a lot,” says Yin. “That gave me more joy than winning.”
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Another second-year pro, Linn Grant of Sweden, has demonstrated a dogged determination this season that earned her a spot on the 2023 European Solheim Cup team. The former Arizona State University player cracked the top 20 in the world rankings this year with steady play and her first LPGA win at the 2023 Dana Open. “You always hope to be successful, and I think that’s what everyone out here plans to be,” says Grant, 24, who recorded four top-8 finishes during her 2022 rookie season. “But just because you don’t win doesn’t mean it wasn’t a successful tournament.” Australian Gabriela Ruffels made the most of her opportunities as the top performer on the 2023 Epson Tour, the LPGA’s qualifying circuit. Ruffels clinched automatic 2024 LPGA Tour membership with three wins and stepped up again with a tie for 19th when she was invited, in August, to compete in the LPGA’s CPKC Women’s Open in Canada. “I’m so excited that I will be on the LPGA Tour next year,” says Ruffels, 23, who played college golf at the University of Southern California. “[To be able] to play in the tournaments that I grew up watching on TV is such a great feeling.” Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino, 25, has emerged as one of the Ladies European Tour’s (LET) top performers,
moving into the top 100 of the Rolex World Rankings. The former University of South Carolina collegiate player turned pro in 2021, won the 2022 Communidad Madrid Ladies Open by six strokes, and recorded seven top-10 finishes on the LET in 2023. The youth movement in women’s golf also features Japan’s Ayaka Furue, 23, Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, 20, California’s Rose Zhang, 20, Maja Stark, 23, of Sweden, and four-time LET winner Aditi Ashok, 25, of India, all of whom are ranked within the top 50 of the Rolex World Rankings at the time of writing. Few if any players have arrived with such fanfare as Zhang, who won 12 college tournaments and two NCAA individual women’s championships in 2022 and 2023, while at Stanford University. The ChineseAmerican phenom wasted no time in living up to her name, as she won her LPGA pro debut in June at the Mizuho Americas Open. “When I played Mizuho, it was only with the intentions of playing the best I could, and to try to make the cut,” Zhang told Kingdom magazine in an exclusive interview earlier this year. “Obviously the result turned out differently, and I’ve been super grateful for all the experiences that I’ve gained thus far on tour.” Thitikul is another phenom. The Thai golfer holds the world record as the youngest winner of a professional tournament, as she won the 2017 Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur at the age of 14 years, four months and 19 days. She turned professional in 2020 and won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2022, on her way to winning the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award.
Rising Stars LPGA
Total LPGA tournament purses are topping $100 million for the first time.
Globalization
As the LPGA’s profile has grown in fan appeal and media coverage over the last decade, sponsorship and prize money have risen accordingly. In 2023, the LPGA Tour’s scheduled broadcast coverage grew to more than 500 hours, while total LPGA tournament purses for the year are topping $100 million for the first time. That represents an increase of 50 percent since 2021. Two years ago, 15 players topped official prize money earnings of more than $1 million for the season, and that number rose to 27 players in 2022.
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“All those things combine to make the LPGA the leading women’s professional sports property in the world,” claims commissioner Marcoux Samaan. “The LPGA Tour has never had better or more committed partners who see the commercial value in investing in women’s sports and who understand how their partnerships elevate women and girls on and off the golf course. As the home to the world’s best female golfers, the LPGA provides a platform to inspire young girls and women to dream big.” The reach of the LPGA Tour is genuinely global, in terms of the countries that host tournaments—12 in 2023, across North America, Europe and Asia—and the nationalities of its players. On the LPGA Tour’s “Race to CME Globe” ranking so far in 2023, players from 25 different countries feature in the top 100. Young golfers from countries where women’s golf is not as established continue to step up their games and public profiles in 2023. India’s Ashok has both embraced the attention and the opportunity it offers. “I think it’s very important for young kids, especially girls, in India to see golfers that look like them doing well internationally,” says Ashok, who won on the Ladies European Tour earlier this season, before posting five top 10s on the LPGA by mid-October. “Women’s golf wasn’t big in India when I was growing up, and I couldn’t watch it on TV, but now, the game
Aditi Ashok shone at the Rio Olympic Games.
“It is important for me to represent my country, especially with events like the Olympics, where a lot of non-golf fans tune in.”
Rising Stars LPGA
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has gotten bigger for women and a lot more young girls are picking up golf and can maybe see a career in it—playing on the LET or LPGA one day.” Ashok opened eyes at the 2016 Rio Olympics when TV viewers watched a largely unknown woman—from a nation better known for cricket than golf—move into contention among the tournament leaders during the first few rounds. Her Olympic performance prompted her own nation to embrace golf more seriously, spurred the staging of women’s professional tournaments in India, and produced young Indian women players who now hope to follow Ashok to the LPGA Tour. “In a country like India—where golf isn’t the most popular sport—it is important for me to represent my country, especially with events like the Olympics, where a lot of non-golf fans tune in and watch,” Ashok says. “I feel it helps grow the game or at least, the awareness of the sport back home.” Thanks to young stars like Ashok, the popularity of the LPGA Tour promises to continue growing for years to come.
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Annika Profile
Annika’s Way
Annika Sorenstam—the longtime world No. 1 and 10-time major champ—helped pave the way for the LPGA’s current success. Kingdom was privileged to welcome Sorenstam to the recent 2023 Kingdom Cup on Hilton Head Island, and she spoke to Robin Barwick about growing up outside Stockholm, Sweden, where age and gender didn’t figure on the golf course. If you wanted a game, nothing else mattered.
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Sorenstam lifts the U.S. Open trophy for the first time, in 1995 [above]; and at the 2023 Kingdom Cup on Hilton Head Island
INTERVIEW Annika Sorenstam
Were you and your sister, Charlotta, the only girls at Bro Balsta Golf Club?
If there were any others, they really didn’t go out and play, or practice or hang out. I played other sports, but particularly in the summers, the golf club is where we spent all of our time. And you would go swimming for golf balls, right?
That’s right! It was hot in the summer, so we would swim in the lake to cool down, and we would also pick up golf balls. The golf club was our playground. We would be there for 12 hours a day, so we would come up with different things to do, and we would just have fun there every day. I look back on those days very fondly. Did it bother you that there were so few female golfers around?
No, the way I looked at it was: if you want to play, then let’s go. We were always welcome, we always kept up, we accepted whoever else was there and vice versa. I don’t even remember being separated by age. We would just turn up and play. We never saw any divisions. Charlotta and I were very competitive, and if we got beaten by anyone it didn’t deter us; it made us want to get better.
When you were 17, it must have made a strong impression when Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann, just four years older than you, won the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open.
That was a big moment for me, even though I didn’t know Liselotte at that point. Here was a countrywoman winning the U.S. Women’s Open, and it felt close. I knew the golf course that she grew up playing, and I knew friends of hers, and she showed that it was possible for a Swede to win the U.S. Open. She came from a similar background to me, and yet she won the biggest tournament in women’s golf. The morning after Liselotte won, I went to the shop and there was this big newspaper headline: “Lotte Won!” I stood there and stared at this headline. It was just so cool, and that is when I started to dream. From that moment, I knew it was possible.
“That is when I started to dream. From that moment, I knew it was possible.”
It has been 20 years since you played against the men on the PGA Tour at Colonial. What was your motivation at the time?
Annika Profile
Who were your role models?
There was not a lot of golf on TV in Sweden, and there was no social media, but I would see the magazines in the clubhouse. So I wanted to have power off the tee like Greg Norman, I wanted to have the imagination of Seve Ballesteros, the perfect swing of Nick Faldo, the determination of Bernhard Langer, and the charisma of Arnold Palmer! Then there was Jack [Nicklaus], who seemed to have it all! Eventually, I would see coverage of Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan, with her very classic swing. I picked out the best parts of the games of these stars and wanted to put them all together into my own game.
It was an opportunity for me to get better. It was exactly what I needed to push myself a little bit extra. Playing golf with my male contemporaries was nothing new to me. I just thought: let’s go, toughen me up, I don’t mind.
The media built up your appearance as a battle of the sexes. How did you see it?
A woman had not played on the men’s tour for 58 years, but I didn’t go out there to prove that women are as good as men. I had been number one in the world for a while, yet felt I hadn’t reached my full potential. Some people didn’t agree with me playing, but that’s life. It was not going to stop me reaching for my goals. I also know that some people took inspiration from it, and that it helped them to find ways to improve their own situations, and that is so much bigger than a chip and a putt. Sometimes you can turn sport into something much bigger than just trying to score.
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R&A Africa Amateur
Clockwise from top: Leopard Creek will host the inaugural African Amateur; amateur champions will compete for the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 2024; Hideki Matsuyama qualified for the 2011 Masters.
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Continental Shift
EVERYONE’S GAME Amateur Golf
The inaugural African Amateur Championship will complete a worldwide chain of tournaments for elite young golfers. By Robin Barwick
On July 19, the R&A announced the inauguration of the African Amateur Championship. The tournament, which will first be played next February at the famous Leopard Creek Country Club in South Africa, represents the final link in a global chain that has been 15 years in the making, combining efforts from multiple governing bodies in golf. Combined with the British Amateur, U.S. Amateur, Asia-Pacific Amateur and Latin America Amateur, the launch of the new event means that all of the world’s six golf-playing continents have elite championships (with Asia and Australia combined into “Asia-Pacific”). Each of these events produces points towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and they all deliver their victors into the fields of golf ’s majors, forming a talent pipeline that is cohesive, inclusive and aspirational. “It’s a hugely exciting initiative,” says Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A. “[Africa] was the last continent around the world where we didn’t
have our own championship, and we now do. We are focused on the global picture, and especially the pathways for the most talented players to progress through all levels of the game.” The first African Amateur will feature 72 male golfers, with the winner securing a spot in The Open at Royal Troon, in Scotland, next July. There will also be a women’s invitational event running parallel at Leopard Creek. It will feature 20 golfers, so not quite parity, but the international championship offering for amateur women is also progressing. For decades, and throughout the 20th century, the world’s best male and female amateurs had to travel to either the British or U.S. Amateur championships to compete at the highest level. This exclusive, transAtlantic duopoly was only broken in 2009, with the launch of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the Masters champ of 2021, sharpened his game with wins in the second and third Asia-Pacific Amateurs. As a result of winning in 2010, a 19-year-old Matsuyama became the first Japanese amateur to play in the Masters, in 2011. With the launch of the African tournament, a new pool of elite players will have its own route to the top. “We are working closely with the Africa Golf Confederation, Golf RSA and the Sunshine Tour, as well as the national associations in the continent, to make this a success alongside our amateur championships in Asia-Pacific and Latin America,” Slumbers says. “We are creating a world-class platform for the most talented amateur golfers in Africa to compete against each other and realize their ambitions in the sport.”
R&A Africa Amateur
The Amateur Big Five Latin America Amateur Championship January 18–21, 2024 Panama City, Panama
African Amateur Championship
February 21–24, 2024 Leopard Creek, South Africa
British Amateur Championship
June 17–22, 2024 Ballyliffin, Ireland
U.S. Amateur Championship
August 12–18, 2024 Hazeltine National, Minnesota
Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2024 date and venue yet to be confirmed
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Nicklaus at The Sea Pines Resort’s Harbour Town Clubhouse during the 2023 Kingdom Cup.
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Photo: Mike Hrizuk
Jack Nicklaus
PROFILE Jack Nicklaus
Bearing Witness Returning to the site of his first course design project, Jack Nicklaus sat down with Kingdom for an exclusive and candid conversation about golf course architecture, the PGA Tour and his fondest memories of Arnold Palmer—both on and off the course. By Shaun Tolson
Jack Nicklaus
On the final day of the 2023 Kingdom Cup on Hilton Head Island in late September, Jack Nicklaus—the event’s guest of honor—sits in a room named in his honor on the second floor of the Harbour Town Clubhouse. Surrounding him, a collection of framed black-and-white and sepia-toned images hangs on the walls, some chronicling Nicklaus’ early years playing professional golf, others commemorating the two years he spent assisting Pete Dye in the design and construction of what would become The Sea Pines Resort’s flagship course, Harbour Town Golf Links. It’s been more than 25 years since Nicklaus last set foot on the grounds of that monumental course—a collection of holes that, in many respects, catapulted Nicklaus’ future as a prominent designer himself. Yet, the 83-year-old vividly recalls many of the almost two dozen visits that he made to Hilton Head Island to create the course. Moreover, he still remembers the exchange that he had with Dye during the mid-1960s, when the late designer first invited him out to New Albany, Ohio, with the hopes that the then three-time Masters champion could provide an elite player’s perspective on his forthcoming course.
“I told him, ‘Pete, I don’t know anything about golf courses, you know that,’” Nicklaus recalls. But Dye’s response not only refuted the Golden Bear’s opinion, it proved to be prophetic. “You know a lot more than you think you know,” he told Nicklaus, who by then was already three-quarters of the way toward completing a career grand slam. That was the genesis of a consulting partnership between major champion and course designer, a collaboration that spanned half a dozen projects, including Harbour Town, where Nicklaus later won the Sea Pines Heritage Classic in 1975. Despite his eventual success there, the Kingdom Cup’s guest of honor laughs off the idea that he helped Dye to create a course that suited his own abilities. Instead, Nicklaus jokes that he must have had Arnold Palmer’s game in mind, as it was The King who claimed the Heritage Classic’s inaugural victory, in 1969. When it comes to Palmer, the Golden Bear’s memories are equally vast and just as vivid. “Arnold and I were always friends. I never had to fight Arnold,” Nicklaus begins, then smiles. “It was his galleries that I fought. You know, it’s hard to fight an army single-handedly.”
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And with that, golf ’s most decorated major champion dives into his recollections of a life spent playing alongside the dashing player from western Pennsylvania who made professional golf undeniably cool. Their relationship and rivalry officially began on September 25, 1958, a day that the city of Athens, Ohio, declared “Dow Finsterwald Day.” Finsterwald, an Athens native, had won the PGA Championship two months earlier, and to celebrate the accomplishment, the city organized an 18-hole exhibition at Athens Country Club, where Palmer and Nicklaus competed in a better-ball match against Finsterwald and Howard Baker Saunders, an amateur player who led Ohio State’s golf team to an NCAA championship in 1945. Following the match, the four competitors staged a clinic on the first tee, which culminated in a longdrive contest. As Nicklaus recalls, the first hole was a short par-4, not much longer than 300 yards. “Arnold drove it on the green,” he says. “I whipped it about 40 yards over the green. So, my comment to Arnold was: ‘I just blew it by you forever.’ He said, ‘Yeah, but I shot a 63 and you shot a 67.’ That was our first instance of having a rivalry.” While that rivalry is well documented (see “Friends & Foes,” page 56), theirs wasn’t a frosty one. More than three years after that exhibition, Nicklaus and Palmer were paired in the final round of the Phoenix Open Invitational, in 1962. Incidentally, the tournament marked Nicklaus’ sixth professional event during his first year on tour, and it was the first time that Nicklaus and Palmer had played together since the exhibition in 1958. “Arnold was going to win the golf tournament, he was a mile ahead,” Nicklaus remembers. “As we walked off the 17th green, he put his arm on my shoulder, and he said, ‘You know, you can finish second here. You just need to play this last hole smart and make a birdie.’” Nicklaus agreed, and Palmer offered a little extra encouragement. “He said, ‘Just relax and do it,” Nicklaus remembers. “So I did. I made birdie and finished second, but I thought that was an awfully nice gesture. “Arnold and I spent a lot of time together and played tons of practice rounds,” he continues. “He always had my back, and I always had his back. That’s the relationship that we had.” While competitive to the core, the duo were also close friends who joked around with ease. Anyone who attended the many post-round parties at the Bob Hope Desert Classic in Palm Springs during the 1960s and ’70s likely saw evidence of that. With a chuckle,
Jack Nicklaus
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Top: Nicklaus and Palmer walking during a practice round at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in 1965. Above: Palmer, the defending Masters champion, helps Nicklaus put on his second green jacket at the conclusion of the Masters in 1965. Opposite: Palmer and Nicklaus lining up a putt during their four-ball match in the 1971 Ryder Cup.
“He always had my back, and I always had his back. That’s the relationship that we had.”
Jack Nicklaus
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Sitting down with Kingdom staff and guests in the room named in his honor at the Harbour Town Clubhouse.
“There are some guys that just bomb it. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Nicklaus’s fierce competitive nature fueled him throughout his career. In his prime, the Golden Bear was one of the longest hitters on tour. In fact, Nicklaus won back-to-back long-drive competitions at the PGA Championship, in 1963 and 1964, hitting drives of 341 yards and 357 yards, respectively. That he accomplished those feats using a Persimmon head driver and a wound golf ball makes them even more impressive. “My length was always an advantage if I wanted to use it, but I didn’t use it very often,” he says. “Frankly, I preferred shorter golf courses where I didn’t have to hit my driver, courses where I didn’t have to use my length. I used a lot of discipline about how far I wanted to hit it, because I wanted to make sure that it was the right shot for the hole.” As such, today’s professional game, as Nicklaus sees it, is a “different animal” from what he experienced on tour during his career. “I don’t know how I would’ve fared in today’s world,” he acknowledges. “When I played it was probably about 25 percent power and 75 percent strategy or shot-making. Today, it’s probably 80 percent power and not a whole lot of course management. “Some guys today have a lot of discipline,” he adds, referencing a select few players on tour who perhaps remind him of his younger self. “Even though they’re long, they play more like I did. They’re pretty smart how they play the game. But there are some guys that just bomb it. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus recounts one such evening where they found a woman’s wig that had fallen off one of the partygoers. “I don’t remember who picked it up or who put it on who [first], but we switched wigs back and forth,” he recalls of their impromptu dance partnership. “One of us would lead one time and then one of us would lead the other time. We had a great time with that stuff.” Their brotherly relationship continued behind closed doors, too. During one tournament played in Florida, Palmer and Nicklaus adjourned to one of their rooms to watch TV at the end of the night. They hadn’t sat down for more than a few minutes before shenanigans ensued. “I don’t remember whether I kicked him or he had kicked me,” Nicklaus admits, “but then the other kicked back. We sat there and kicked each other in the shins for 10 minutes. We had bruises and blood running down our legs, but neither one of us was going to give up, because we were too competitive.”
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“They might think that big deep bunkers and a wild look is what a golf course should be...”
Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus takes a similar stance on contemporary course design. “I’m not too excited about where it’s going,” he says candidly. “I see an awful lot of guys out there who pretend to be experts on Donald Ross or Alister MacKenzie, but then do stuff that bears no resemblance to what they [Ross or MacKenzie] did.” Beyond those modern-day restoration projects and the new layouts inspired by Golden Age design principles, a slew of today’s new builds have suffered, in Nicklaus’ opinion, from a lack of strategic concepts. In short, he sees visual aesthetics dictating decisions more than golfing acumen. “The guys doing golf course design today—I don’t know how they play, but I don’t think they’re really golfers,” he says. “Pete Dye was a good player. Pete understood the game. I think I understand the game. Tom Weiskopf understood the game, and [Ben] Crenshaw understands the game. But
I don’t know if these other guys do. They might think that big deep bunkers and a wild look is what a golf course should be. I personally thought that it ought to be some golf strategy.” Although Nicklaus’ philosophy on course design hasn’t changed over the years—namely that strategy should be at the core of most decisions—his approach to implementing that strategy has. As Nicklaus explains, he previously designed golf holes starting from the back tees, then appropriately positioned the location of other tee boxes as he moved forward. Today, however, he starts from the members’ tees and makes sure each hole is playable from there. Once he’s accomplished that, Nicklaus then goes back and adds what he calls the “gorilla tees.” As way of example, Nicklaus’ home club in Jupiter, Florida, The Bear’s Club, is currently home to 31 PGA Tour players and recently underwent a comprehensive restoration overseen by Nicklaus himself. When he decided to renovate the course, Nicklaus made sure to keep the fairways wide in the areas where most high-handicap players landed their drives. He also
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Photos: Adam Szafranski Nicklaus still carries the money clip that he was awarded in 1963 for winning the longdrive competition at the PGA Championship.
Jack Nicklaus “It’s a golf course where added dozens upon dozens of shallow fairway bunkers along the perimeter of each hole to catch errant tee shots before they rolled into more penal areas. “I watched for 23 years where people hit the ball and lost their golf ball,” he says. Those new bunkers will now keep average players in the hole, even after they hit a mediocre shot. In Nicklaus’ estimation, the renovated course will play about as difficult as it had previously for the club’s resident pros—“It’s pretty difficult to challenge the pros today,” he admits—but it will likely be four to five shots easier for the average member. That may not be the way that Nicklaus and Dye approached the design of Harbour Town Golf Links more than half a century ago, but the course continues to challenge the world’s best each spring when it hosts the RBC Heritage, and it assuredly forces resort guests to take a calculated approach from tee to green every other week of the year. “It’s not like the modern-day golf
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you’ve got to think about what you’re doing and what is right for you.”
courses that are 7,500 yards long and you stand back and just whack at it,” Nicklaus says. “It’s a golf course where you’ve got to think about what you’re doing and what is right for you. Pete Dye liked to think of golf as a thinking man’s game. He thought that you ought to be rewarded or penalized for putting the ball in a certain place on the course. I basically feel the same way.” The world of golf (and the way the game is played) may have changed significantly since Nicklaus first teamed up with Dye, but some things— especially the duo’s seminal creation—are resolute in their significance. “The golf course,” Nicklaus proudly declares, “still stands the test of time.”
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HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE. EDUCATE THEIR LEGACY.
THE A RT I S T ’ S VISION As Kohler Co. celebrates its 150th anniversary, we take a look at the creative leader who turned the manufacturer—and its hometown of Kohler, Wisconsin—into a major player in golf. By Shaun Tolson
Kohler Anniversary
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FEATURE Anniversary
Situated less than four miles from Lake Michigan, the village of Kohler, Wisconsin, is synonymous today with championship golf and five-star hospitality—something few people could have predicted just 40 years ago. Equally difficult to envision, it would seem, was that a company best known for its bathtubs would be the driving force behind transforming this stretch of the Great Lakes region into a world-renowned destination. Founded by a first-generation immigrant in 1873, Kohler Co. began as a small foundry that casted farm equipment. It soon ventured beyond that space, creating a bathtub that propelled the company toward a new era of prosperity. About a century thereafter, the late Herb Kohler saw an opportunity for his family’s enterprise to diversify further, this time taking an unexpected turn into hospitality. He made numerous presentations in front of the company’s board of directors, lobbying his belief that the Tudor and Revival–style building that once housed immigrant workers could thrive as a luxurious boutique hotel. Eventually, Herb was granted permission to pursue the project, and in short order, The American Club was born. The resort flourished almost immediately, in large part due to Herb’s creativity and his willingness to take risks. For example, in an attempt to spread the word about his new hotel, he persuaded farmers across the state of Wisconsin to let him post signs on the periphery of their fields indicating how many miles away The American Club was from that specific location. “That was our marketing campaign,” Kohler recalled during an interview in 2021, “but by God it worked. We had almost immediate notoriety.”
Kohler Anniversary Fellow artists Pete Dye and Herb Kohler; The Straits course (left).
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Kohler Anniversary Seven years later, in 1988, The American Club and Destination Kohler—an offshoot of Kohler Co. that today manages all of Kohler’s hospitality ventures—bolstered the resort’s reputation even further by creating the first of four championshipcaliber golf courses, all designed by the late Pete Dye. Herb interviewed several architects for the job, but he quickly took a liking to Dye. Kohler learned that Dye’s approach to course design aligned with his own obsession with quality, and he discovered that they both fostered an artist’s spirit. Herb studied sculpture at Yale University, and he saw a sculptor’s approach in how Dye created golf holes. “This man built golf courses like no one else,” Herb said. “He would initially take with him a topographic map, and he’d walk the land—at least seven miles in a day. After a couple days of this, he’d put [on the map] a dot for a green, a dot for the landing area, and a dot for a tee. Eventually he’d connect the dots, and that would be the last time he touched a piece of paper.
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“I thought he was the greatest artist that I’d ever seen.” —Herb Kohler, on Pete Dye
“Other people would take their computers and lay a pre-imagined design on top of this land and then alter the land in such a way as to conform to the design,” Herb continued. “Often they’d end up with a good golf course, but it would have nothing to do with the original landscape. Pete was really married to the land. In his mind, there was always strategy, and the landscape, and how the course was positioned [on that landscape] was very much a part of the strategy. I thought he was the greatest artist that I’d ever seen.”
Kohler Anniversary Left to right: The American Club, Herb Kohler teeing off at Pebble Beach, the 17th hole of The Straits course, and Herb Kohler and Pete Dye celebrating the 2004 PGA Championship at The Straits course. Below: Original Kohler bathtub design.
In the decades that have followed, Kohler’s golf courses, particularly The Straits at Whistling Straits, have hosted prestigious major championships; and today, Kohler Co.’s hospitality ventures continue to grow and evolve. In addition to The American Club, Destination Kohler owns and operates a second, smaller inn just down the street; five standalone cabins strategically located on the outskirts of the village; a destination spa specializing in hydrotherapy; and River Wildlife Lodge—a haven for those who wish to connect with the natural world through fishing charters, canoe and kayak rentals, guided hikes and upland bird hunts. As Destination Kohler makes strides to enhance and expand its resort properties in the future, it will do so by following in the footsteps of the entrepreneur who first made it possible. “You have to establish the core beliefs in your business,” Herb once said. “You have to have the courage of your convictions.”
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Jamaica - Sandals
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TRAVEL Golf Trip
Jamaican to a Tee An underrated Caribbean golf destination plays with its own style and at its own pace.
Standing on the eighth green of the Upton Estate Golf & Country Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, I’m doing my best to stay positive, chuckling as I watch my third birdie putt of the round stall woefully short of the hole. My caddie, Guy, a seventy-something Jamaican who’s worked as a looper at the club for more than 30 years, isn’t as easygoing on the matter. “Come on, hit the ball, mon!” he implores. It seems a basic request, yet executing those orders is harder than it sounds. Simply put, the putting surfaces at Upton Estate are slow. Their leisurely pace is not an oversight but rather a conscious decision that the club has made. The course was acquired by Sandals Resorts in 1992, and since then, the majority of its rounds have been played by guests of the nearby Ochi and the brand-new Dunn’s River resorts. As Upton Estate’s assistant golf pro, Bill Williams, explains, the course would be far too difficult for the average Sandals guest if its diminutive greens were cut and rolled as often—and as low—as they are at most clubs across the U.S. Designed by PK Saunders, Upton Estate harkens back to the way Golden Age courses were routed to take advantage of a site’s natural topography. The 6,404yard layout sits nestled in the hills 750 feet above sea level on the northern side of the island, tumbling over hillsides and sliding into valleys that were previously home to fruit orchards. It was originally constructed as a nine-hole layout in 1951, and later expanded to 18 holes, but it bears a resemblance to classic Donald Ross–designed courses in New England from the 1920s and ’30s.
Jamaica - Sandals
By Shaun Tolson
Half Moon resort’s Robert Trent Jones Sr. course
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The course would be far too difficult for the average guest if the greens were as they are in the U.S.
Jamaica - Sandals
“I love that it can cater to all different types of golfers,” the club’s director of golf operations, Jonathan Newnham, says of the course. “There are minimal hazards off the tee, so it’s beginner friendly, but then it has the challenge of very small greens, so it’s target practice for the better player.” Admittedly, Upton Estate isn’t a destination in its own right—it’s a fun track that allows Caribbean vacationers an opportunity to tee it up and enjoy a leisurely 18 holes in Jamaica. Because the property is owned by Sandals, greens fees are included in guests’ stays (not including caddie and cart), making it about as convenient as possible to fit in a round. Guests at the Sandals properties, of course, have plenty of other options for a round, including a few championship-caliber layouts in the Montego Bay area. When avid golf travelers think of Jamaica’s most esteemed properties, Half Moon resort is likely the first to come to mind. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the resort’s course meanders through a former sugarcane estate and hugs the base of the hills that rise up to overlook the property’s namesake Half Moon Bay. Although modernized by Roger Rulewich in 2005, the 7,120-yard layout still showcases some of Trent Jones’s signature features—namely shallow
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fairway bunkers and notably contoured greens guarded by copious amounts of sand. Less than two miles away, the Cinnamon Hill and White Witch courses at Rose Hall present two equally polished golfing experiences, albeit in divergent packages. “White Witch was the last [project] of the [era of ] golf architecture that was big and loud, where they moved a lot of soil with an overabundance of mounding and shaping,” says Keith Stein, the director of operations at Rose Hall Golf. Set along bluffs perched 800 feet above sea level, the Robert von Hagge design, circa 2000, features 16 holes that overlook the ocean. The 200-acre, 6,758-yard course is vast—no two holes run parallel to each other—and, according to Stein, von Hagge and his crew moved about 1.5 million cubic meters of earth to route all 18 holes through the bush.
Rum Refinement
Fans of the sugarcane spirit will find a happy home
at the Dunn’s Rum Club at the new Sandals Dunn’s River resort. Standout pours at the bar include
Angostura 1787—a blend of 15-year Trinidadian rums that delivers a vegetal funkiness on the nose with flavors of bananas and dried fruit on the palate— and Plantation XO, a sweet and pleasantly spicy
Barbadian rum characterized by prominent notes of candied ginger, vanilla caramels, dark brown sugar
and toffee. Also be sure to sample Blackwell’s Spiced Jamaican Rum, a spirit pleasingly dry and somewhat
savory, elevating it above most other cloyingly sweet spiced rums.
Fourteen cocktails also grace the menu at
Dunn’s Rum Club, led by rum concoctions such as the Papa Doble, a riff on the daiquiri in which
maraschino cordial counterbalances the vibrant and
tart flavors of grapefruit and lime. House cocktails are bolstered by the Blue Mountain Espresso Martini— one that can be elevated with an optional half-
ounce of El Dorado Rum Cream—and the Higgins
Swizzle, an undeniably Jamaican libation crafted with house-made falernum, angostura bitters, lime juice and Appleton signature rum.
Cinnamon Hill, by contrast, is a more historic property that plays around antiquated aqueducts and other weathered edifices, including a residence once owned by Johnny Cash (where the late songwriter recorded several of his albums). Cinnamon Hill’s front nine plays near the ocean, with two holes—the fifth and sixth—running right along the beach. “You can hit your shot and then walk over to the ocean and watch the waves,” Stein says of the par-3 sixth hole’s tee shot. “It’s pretty cool.” Despite the quality of its courses—which also include the semiprivate Tryall Club, on the shores of Montego Bay—Jamaica, in the estimation of Stein, gets overlooked as a golf destination. “I just don’t think that many people think of Jamaica as a place to play golf,” he explains. “They think of Jamaica as ganja and rum and laying on the beach, but we actually do have some pretty decent golf courses here.” Insomuch as rum culture is concerned, visitors will find a refined version of the rum lifestyle back at the Sandals Dunn’s River resort. The property’s Dunn’s Rum Club is a bar devoted to aged sipping rums distilled in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Outfitted with several leather banquettes and wingtip chairs, the swanky cocktail bar makes for an ideal preor post-dinner stop; however, its small bites menu, which includes pepper shrimp in a scotch bonnet butter sauce and braised oxtail sliders, positions the Dunn’s Rum Club as an enticing spot for dinner, too. No matter your preference, the contents of your glass at Dunn’s Rum Club will serve as a fitting end to a day spent in Jamaican splendor. It could even celebrate a birdie or two at Upton Estate—so long as you remember to hit the ball.
Jamaica - Sandals
From top left: A swim-up suite at Sandals Dunn’s River resort; Upton Estate Golf & Country Club; Dunn’s Rum Club; Dunn’s River’s beachfront setting in Ocho Rios.
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TRAVEL Island Escapes
ISLES AWAY Idyllic alternatives to more popular destinations, these six off-the-beaten-path islands offer a true sense of escape.
Koh Yao Yai, Thailand
Winter Beach Escapes
By Gina DeCaprio Vercesi
The sway of a hammock. The rasp of palm fronds. The kaleidoscopic colors of a coral reef. Few vacations offer the feeling of pure escapism we get from visiting an island. But not all island getaways are created alike. For a truly secluded slice of paradise, we present six island retreats where you can leave your cares—and the crowds—behind.
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With its dazzling emerald waters and otherworldly limestone sea stacks, Phang Nga Bay may just be Thailand’s most recognizable destination. Right in the middle, 30 minutes by boat—yet worlds away—from Phuket’s pizazz, is Koh Yao Yai. The name means ‘big long island,’ which accurately describes this narrow spit of land that stretches for 18 miles from north to south. In between, rice paddies, rubber plantations and quaint fishing villages offer a window into southern Thailand’s quieter side. Set on a secluded stretch of golden beach, the luxurious new Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is the only hotel of its kind on the island—and it makes a heavenly home base. Nearby, stroll Hat Laem Haad, a slim triangle of land that tapers into a scimitar-shaped sandbar before disappearing into the sea. Tour the island in a vintage sidecar or hire a wooden longtail boat and spend the day island hopping through Phang Nga Bay.
Winter Beach Escapes
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Lāna‘i, Hawaii
Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, numerous places offer glimpses into old Hawaii. But on Lāna‘i, you’ll get much more than a glimpse, from the rich paniolo (cowboy) history to the warm aloha spirit you’ll feel strolling through Lāna‘i City. The town was founded when James Dole purchased the island in 1922 and established the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Today, most visitors come for the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, which, like the other 98 percent of the island, is owned by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison. Surrounded by lush, botanical gardens overlooking Lāna‘i’s famed Hulopo‘e Bay, the resort
itself is sublime. Take a poke class with the culinary team, snorkel the marine reserve fronting Hulopo‘e Beach or play a round at the spectacular Jack Nicklaus– designed Mānele golf course. But for a full dose of Lāna‘i magic, rent one of the resort’s shiny Jeeps for an island tour. Head north for an off-road adventure through Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), a fascinating, red-dirt landscape full of massive boulders and rock spires. On the southern tip of the island, check out Kaunolū Village, the largest surviving ruins of a prehistoric Hawaiian village and King Kamehameha I’s favorite fishing spot. Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
Tucked into the pristine wilderness of Georgia’s Altamaha River delta about two hours south of Savannah, Little St. Simons Island has long been celebrated for its rustic luxury and enduring commitment to sustainability. In 2015, owners Hank and Wendy Paulson placed the 11,000-acre private barrier island in a conservation easement with the Nature Conservancy, ensuring that its fragile coastal ecosystems, which provide habitat for hundreds of native species, will be forever protected. Amid centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island accommodates just 32 guests in six charming cottages. Days are spent adventuring with LSSI’s naturalists— kayaking the tidal creeks, casting seine nets on the beach, hiking through lush, maritime forest, or searching for alligators on wildlife safaris. In the evenings, guests share stories over cocktails in the 1917 hunting lodge, where three family-style meals crafted from hyper-local ingredients are served daily as part of the all-inclusive experience.
Winter Beach Escapes
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This necklace of lush, volcanic islands remains one of the wildest places in Latin America.
Islas Secas, Panama
Considered a biological hot spot, this necklace of 14 lush, volcanic islands in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí remains one of the wildest places in Latin America. In 2019, conservation philanthropist Louis Bacon opened the luxurious Islas Secas Reserve and Lodge on Isla Cavada, the largest island in the archipelago. Guests stay in one of seven airy casitas, some with roll-up canvas walls, created by global design firm Hart Howerton. Each one features a private plunge pool or soaking tub, a dreamy four-poster bed and stunning Pacific views. An onsite concierge creates personalized daily adventures that showcase the grandeur of the surrounding ecosystem—seasonal whale watching trips, snorkeling and diving excursions, and bespoke marine safaris. When the sun sets, sip craft cocktails and dine on ultra-fresh ceviche beneath the soaring bamboo ceilings of Terraza, the resort’s open-air dining roommeets-gathering house.
Winter Beach Escapes
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Photo: Jonathan Becker
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
Of the 50-odd islands, islets and cays spread throughout the British Virgin Islands, you’d be hard pressed to find a more idyllic hideaway than Guana Island. Since 1934, people have been coming to Guana to live out their castaway fantasies. Although the 18 cottages and villas, all built from local stone and coral, have been updated through the years (including a top-tobottom, post-hurricane renovation in 2017), the resort’s low-key elegance and kitschy charm remain the same as ever. While away the days exploring the 850-acre island, swimming and sunbathing at the seven deserted beaches, wandering through Guana’s Eden-like orchard or fishing for tarpon off the dock. If adventure strikes, take out a paddleboard or hit the island’s trails for a hike to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. Island-hopping day trips to some of the BVI’s bestloved outposts—Virgin Gorda’s Baths National Park, the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island’s Caves— are always on offer should you care to venture farther afield.
Winter Beach Escapes
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Kangaroo Island, Australia
Kangaroo Island’s prolific wildlife and pristine natural beauty have earned it the moniker “the Galápagos of Australia,” and rightly so. More than one-third of the island—located a half-hour flight from the South Australia capital city of Adelaide—is national park or protected conservation land that provides safe haven for sea lions, fur seals, bandicoots, koalas, platypus, penguins and, of course, kangaroos. From late 2019 to early 2020, bushfires razed nearly half of the 1,700-square-mile island, including enormous swaths of Flinders Chase
National Park and the iconic Southern Ocean Lodge. But now, the landscape has begun to regenerate, with new vegetation blanketing the charred earth in lush hues of green. This December, the award-winning lodge reopens following a complete rebuild. Overseen by architect Max Pritchard, SOL 2.0 weaves modern enhancements, including extensive sustainability upgrades, into Pritchard’s nearly flawless original design. SOL’s 25 clifftop suites have been repositioned, giving each one an even more spectacular view of the wild bushland and Pacific Ocean.
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Winter Spirits
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DRINK Winter Spirits
Whether for gifting or savoring, a good bottle goes hand in hand with the winter season. Here, spirits expert Ian Buxton shares a few of his favorites for the holidays and beyond.
Winter Spirits
hisk(e)y lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to great gift sets. Pride of place, however, must go to the magnificently presented Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old blended malt in its minimalist white box, teamed with two fine crystal glasses from Baccarat. Dewar’s highly awarded master blender, Stephanie Macleod, has excelled even her standards with this exceptional dram, contained in a package that would excite the most demanding of connoisseurs. ($1,800) For the Scotch aficionado seeking a single malt, the Kilchoman Machir Bay Gift Set with two etched
tumblers will fit the bill. From Islay’s smallest distillery, the Machir Bay will particularly appeal to fans of peaty whisky who appreciate the use of barley grown on Kilchoman’s own farm. ($75) Old bourbons are increasingly hard to find, but something—anything— bearing the storied Michter’s name is worth hunting for. A particular favorite is the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon ($50), but for those fortunate enough to uncover any bottle from the ultra-rare Limited Production 25 Year Old Straight Rye or Bourbon, buy without any further hesitation (though expect a sticker price close to five figures).
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Bourbon lovers should also consider the latest release of the ultra-premium Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This highly sought-after American whiskey is aged and bottled at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, a watchword for authenticity and quality. ($550) Extra-aged rum does not command quite the premium of rare whiskies, so the Flor de Caña 25 represents exceptional value and an opportunity to taste an unusually old spirit. The distillery is located at the base of the San Cristóbal volcano, the tallest and most active volcano in Nicaragua, where the local microclimate suits extended maturation. The exceptional age and depth show here in the complexity and richness of the palate, and the spirit’s superior elegance and balance. ($215)
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Winter Spirits Rum fans will also rejoice upon receipt of Brugal’s Colección Visionaria, Edición 01, Cacao. Crafted by Jassil Villanueva Quintana—a fifthgeneration descendant of Andrés Brugal Montaner and Brugal’s first female master of rum—this brand-new sipping rum from the Dominican Republic is crafted using an all-new aromatic-cask toasting technique, infusing the spirit with cacao without the rum ever coming into contact with the beans. ($100) Gin has enjoyed quite a global boom, as drinkers have embraced its refreshing, more fragrant style. Accordingly, there has been an influx of American craft gins, two fine examples of which take us from coast to coast. Both San Francisco’s
No. 209 and Philadelphia’s Bluecoat are true, small-batch, handcrafted spirits offering a distinct Yankee twist on the classic London-dry style. Ideal for cocktails, both come in a little higherthan-normal bottling strength (46 percent and 47 percent, respectively, and typically around $30 for a 75 cl bottle). Worth noting: If planning early for April 2024, Distillery No. 209 is the only distillery in the world to produce a craft vodka that is certified kosher for Passover. Celebrity-backed spirits are currently all the rage, so it’s little surprise that Mexican-American pro golfer Abraham Ancer, previously world No. 11, has lent his backing to Flecha Azul Añejo. The tequila is made in the traditional style, expressive of rich maple and caramel but never cloying, as dried herbs and pineapple cream soda keep things vibrant. ($65)
Even more recently, music manager and entrepreneur Dre London has brought his Don Londrés tequila to the party. Contained in a sleek and elegant bottle, the spirit launched with a classic Blanco variant; a Reposado will follow by 2024. ($50) Finally, if mixing your own cocktails feels like just too much hard work this winter, make room for the Via Carota Craft Cocktails gift sets from New York’s storied West Village Via Carota restaurant. Each handsome box contains two appropriately styled glasses, along with two 37.5 cl bottles of ready-to-pour cocktails. Choose from the signature Negroni, Martini or Bourbon set, then chill, pour and raise a toast to the holiday season. ($99)
Winter Spirits Small-batch spirits offering a distinct Yankee twist on the classic Londondry style.
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English Sparkling
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DRINKS Sparkling Wines
English Effervescence Things are heating up in the south of England, literally—just ask the region’s wine producers. One of the results, as Robin Barwick reports, is a newfound interest in, and respect for, the local sparkling wines.
English Sparkling
When the famous Champagne houses are purchasing land in England, you know times are changing. A generation ago, the French would have spat out their Dom Perignon or Louis Pommery Brut in disgust at the suggestion of establishing vineyards on the wrong side of the English Channel, in the land of the “roast beef ”. Yet here we are in 2023, when air temperatures are rising—and viticultural rules are being broken. “The climate in the south of England today is what it was in Champagne 20 years ago,” says Toby Peirce, a former professional cricketer and now proprietor of Quaff Fine Wine Merchant, with two shops on England’s south coast, in Sussex, near the heart of England’s flourishing sparkling wine region. “The climate has moved about 150 kilometers north.”
The shifting climate—and its likelihood to continue shifting—has prompted the likes of Louis Pommery to invest in real estate in Hampshire and the mighty Tattinger to acquire land in Kent. Indeed, while the summers in Champagne are becoming, on occasion, slightly warmer than the ideal growing conditions for the three classic Champagne grapes—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier—the conditions in southern England are ripe for the varietals. “Global warming gives the UK the undoubted benefit of warmer temperatures almost every year now,” claims Dermot Sugrue, an Irishman who boldly set forth to establish his own winery, Sugrue South Downs, last year. “We can push the boundaries over the next decade—if we don’t all get barbecued first.”
Sunshine lights up the Ridgeview vineyard in Sussex, with the South Downs in the distance.
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Ridgeview’s best-selling Bloomsbury and the winery’s Rows & Vine restaurant, overlooking its Chardonnay vineyard.
“The South Downs in Sussex are geologically the same as the hillsides around Riems, in Champagne.”
English Sparkling
Sugrue, who perfected his winemaking craft at the Sussex vineyards Nyetimber and Wiston, sees a promising future for England’s still wines. For now, however, the conditions are just right for sparkling wines—and it is not just the air temperature, either. The chalky ground of Sussex is identical to much of the land that sustains the vines of Champagne. “The South Downs in Sussex are geologically the same as the hillsides around Riems, in Champagne,” says Peirce, who learned the Champagne trade by working for Louis Roederer and its exclusive Cristal label before bringing his expertise home to the UK. “In fact, it is the same belt of chalk that buckles up in Champagne, then dips down beneath the English Channel, and comes up again in the South Downs. It is the same lump of chalk and the same growing conditions. “We have the same soil and the same climate, so if you plant the same grape varieties, the theory
is that you can make the same wine. What we can’t replicate in England is a Champagne industry that dates back 400 years and produces 300 million bottles a year, and Champagne still produces fantastic wines, whereas the English industry for sparkling wines is still relatively young.” Champagne still dominates the premium market for sparkling wine, without question, yet a sign of changing times appeared back in 2010, when for the first and only time to date, the world’s best sparkling wine in the Decanter Worldwide Awards was produced in an unassuming Sussex village called Ditchling. “That was our Blanc de Blanc 2006,” recalls Mardi Roberts at the Ridgeview winery, a family-owned business started by her in-laws, Martin and Christine Roberts, in 1995. Mardi’s husband, Simon, is now head winemaker, taking on the mantle from his late father. “That was when our international growth really kicked off, when we were awarded the world’s best sparkling
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“A really good, Michelinstarred wine list—if it is properly representing world wines—will include English sparkling.” Harvesting at Nyetimber (left); an impressive lineup at Quaff in Hove, Sussex (below).
wine. Literally, the next day our phones didn’t stop ringing with international inquiries.” Ridgeview’s Blanc de Blanc 2004 had been served at Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th-birthday banquet in 2006, and President Barack Obama tasted the winery’s sparkling Fitzrovia rosé at a Buckingham Palace banquet in 2011. “We are really proud of our Royal connection,” admits Roberts. “The wines for Royal occasions are selected via a government panel. We never quite know when our wines are going to be served, but it’s good to know that the wines are chosen on merit.” Says Peirce, who stocks Ridgeview in his wine shops: “Ridgeview is famous for fresher wines, with hints of hedgerow fruits, a little honeyed, but with an acidic, elegant style. This has really become the definitive English style, because we still don’t get quite as much ripeness as Champagne. Ridgeview has set the benchmark.” The International Wine and Spirit Competition named Ridgeview “International Winemakers of the Year” in 2018—another first for England—and it is now sold in 17 countries, including through discerning retailers in the United States. Its Bloomsbury sparkling wine offers a great introduction to Sussex wine. “Our Bloomsbury really is the perfect celebration wine,” says Roberts. “We have a long growing season in England, compared to Champagne, and because our grapes have spent that much longer on the vine, they develop a really lovely, fruit-flavored complexity, and
English Sparkling
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with our cool climate there is also a natural acidity. It has that perfect, complex balance.” Bloomsbury is 60 percent Chardonnay, 20 percent Pinot Noir and 20 percent Pinot Meunier, a balance not uncommon with English sparkling wines. Chardonnay grows particularly well in southern England, and so the style favors the varietal. Other popular English brands include Rathfinny, a high-tech winery outside the Sussex village of Alfriston, as well as Wiston, Court Garden, Oxney, Bolney and Breaky Bottom. “We now sell at least as much English sparkling wine as we do Champagne, if not more,” says Peirce. “It is not just a curiosity; it is core business.” He adds: “We have reached the point when a really good, Michelin-starred wine list—if it is properly representing world wines—will include English sparkling, because it is at that level now, just like a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or an Oregon Pinot Noir. As a proper wine shop, we represent all these regions, and so should a proper wine list.”
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Womens Fashion
Stylish Swing
New women’s fashions have upped the game when it comes to looking good on—and off—the greens. By Samantha Brooks
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Women’s golf attire used to
consist of ill-fitting khakis and polos that served solely to meet club dress codes. A recent influx of new styles, however, means that women no longer need to change out of their golf clothes before meeting friends for lunch. Here we highlight five brands that stand out in combining form and function in highperformance women’s styles for fashion-minded golfers.
LIFE Fashion
Bogner
Just like the skiwear that helped you look sleek while flying through Kleenex Corner on your way to the Little Nell for après, Bogner’s “athluxury” golf attire will turn heads on the course. The Norwegian company offers versatile lightweight down vests, performance pique polos and softshell skirts and pants, all designed for a range of climates. Whether you choose the knee-length shorts, slim-fitting fleeces or chic hats and sunglasses, you’ll look sharp heading up the final fairway toward the 19th hole. bogner.com
Tory Burch
Her Claire Ballet Flats got you through your first job; now, her line of fashion-driven athleticwear is getting you through 18 holes of golf, as well as leisure time in the clubhouse. Like her ready-to-wear line, Burch’s The Tory Sport Collection carries her signature retro-preppy vibe. Look for polos with a 1970s-inspired placket and collar, darling polo dresses and embroidered cashmere cardigans you’ll definitely be wearing away from the course, as well as plaid trousers, visors and tennis skirts for those who enjoy a slightly more liberal club dress code. toryburch.com
Womens Fashion
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Lohla Sport
Founder Lisa O’Hurley has spent most of her life on golf courses. Not only did she play competitively in high school and college (at Baylor), she also spent a decade working for the Golf Channel. Since founding Lohla Sport in 2020, she’s drawn from years on the course to create a chic line of women’s golf wear inspired by European styles. Slim-fitting tops sport stylish accents like ombre colorways and asymmetrical striped sleeves. The best-selling The Very Pant is designed to do for golf what your Wunder Unders did for workouts, playing equally well on the fairways, in your yoga class, or on a long-haul international flight. lohlasport.com
Womens Fashion Fia Green
While everyone else was learning to bake banana bread and binge-watching Tiger King, Los Angeles–based actress and golf lover Julianne Arrieta was founding Fia Green, a golf apparel line that combines California style and sustainable practices. Launched in December 2022, the line includes everyday staples like polos (available in short-sleeve, long-sleeve and sleeveless), as well as dresses, skorts and pullovers. While the styles exude classic country-club sophistication, the materials feature recycled fibers, four-way stretch and moisture-wicking technology for a thoroughly modern experience. fiagreen.com
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G/Fore
The same brand that turned golf style around for many men—with tailored, five-pocket pants in technical fabrics and polos that show off their physiques rather than drown them in dad-bod energy—also offers stylish, physiqueforward staples for women. With one of the most expansive lines of golffocused athleticwear for ladies, G/Fore offers nine styles of pants—everything from moto-inspired to traditional plaid, flat-front trousers—as well as colorful polos, plush sweaters and golf shoes so chic you may be tempted to keep them on after your game. gfore.com
Womens Fashion
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The Italian take on The Ranch’s boot-camp experience is based at the luxurious Palazzo Fiuggi.
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Wellness Travel
LIFE Wellness
A notoriously stringent wellness retreat comes to the home of la dolce vita—and the results speak for themselves. By Esme Benjamin
Wellness Travel
On a balmy summer evening, I sat outside a gelateria,
eating a cup of velvety tiramisu ice cream. If this were a regular Italian vacation, it would barely be worth mentioning. But this wasn’t a regular Italian vacation. I was in the mountain town of Fiuggi, an hour outside of Rome, to visit the new Italian outpost of the luxury wellness boot camp known as The Ranch. The Ranch originated in Malibu, California, and rose to fame in the 2010s as the go-to program for celebrities looking to drop pounds before red-carpet events. As at the Malibu original, The Ranch’s Fiuggibased boot camps are strict multiday retreats designed to make both an immediate and lasting impact on your health and physique. Though no stranger to wellness retreats, I’m more inclined toward the kind where balance is emphasized and nobody raises an eyebrow to an evening glass of red. The Ranch, however, requires an altogether different mentality. Over the next four days, I would forego sightseeing and heaps of pasta for intense exercise fueled by a light, vegan diet, and so here I was, savoring every spoonful of ice cream.
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Food is organic, plantbased and nutritionally dense, with no gluten, dairy, meat or other ingredients that might impede “detoxification.”
Meals at The Ranch are colorful and flavorsome—albeit in limited proportions.
Ranch, including one couple from Texas who were there just a few months prior and had already booked a third visit in the fall. This isn’t unusual; The Ranch claims to have an impressive 50-percent return rate, which says a lot about its effectiveness. As we tucked into a welcome meal of lentil “meatballs” with zucchini “spaghetti,” the retreat staff talked us through the fundamentals of the program. Days begin at 6 am with guided stretching and breakfast, followed by a four-hour hike in the mountains. Then it’s back to the hotel for rest and lunch, so we can gather our energy for a strength session and yoga class. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to recovery, with a one-hour massage and an opportunity to use the spa facilities before dinner is served at 7. Food is organic, plant-based and nutritionally dense, with no gluten, dairy, meat or other ingredients that might impede “detoxification.” That includes alcohol and, horror of horrors, even caffeine. Each day, The Ranch’s guests consume just 1,400 calories in the form of three square meals and two snacks (including the program’s infamous six-almond trail snack, served with black sea salt, aka “Ranch caviar”). Needless to say, one of the most common outcomes of the program
Wellness Travel The other “ranchers” and I congregated for a briefing in a private lounge at the Palazzo Fiuggi, The Ranch’s first permanent location outside the United States. A former palace turned wellness hotel, it offers program participants access to an impressive 65,000-square-foot Roman-thermae spa and a golf course. On the more clinical side, our program also included a blood panel, urine test and ECG, and a consultation with an on-staff doctor to assess the results. All of this, combined with a weighing and measuring session at the start and end of our stay, provided an in-depth picture of our overall health and progress. Our group of 15 Americans and Europeans paid between $4,950 and $10,650 per person, depending on room occupancy and whether they were doing The Ranch Italy’s four- or seven-night program. Several members of the group were alumni of The
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“Health is the ultimate luxury,” she said, pausing to let her statement land. “Without it, we have nothing.”
is weight loss, though our host was keen to emphasize that the goal is simply to improve overall well-being. “Health is the ultimate luxury,” she said, pausing to let her statement land. “Without it, we have nothing.” For me, a big-city dweller, hiking was the highlight. Fiuggi is surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, which offer varied terrain, shaded trails and gorgeous vistas overlooking medieval towns and monasteries. In the program, you hike for time not distance, setting your own pace and turning around after two hours. Some days I stuck with a couple of my fellow hikers, trading life stories and snapping selfies at the top of a mountain or the bottom of a waterfall. Other times I drifted from the group, enjoying my own zone of shady forests or meadows full of strawberries, mint and hundreds of butterflies. When we returned to the hotel, sweaty and aching, it was hard to rally myself for a strength-training session. But the clever thing about The Ranch is that by removing decision-making, it allows guests to apply their willpower where it counts. Simply follow the program laid out for you hour by hour, and you’ll reap the benefits. On the final day, we closed out the program with a group gratitude practice and left with lifestyle guidelines for reentering the real world. The Ranch
Wellness Travel
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Daily four-hour hikes explore the natural beauty and villages of the Apennine Mountains.
was designed as a fast track to transformation—a complete break from the everyday foods and habits that make us sluggish and squishy, and the opportunity to create noticeable change in a week or less. It certainly delivered, although the most profound takeaway wasn’t a more taught body—it was a stronger mind. I even started pushing my limits further of my own volition, setting a new personal best for time submerged in the cold plunge. Did I inhale another gelato that evening before heading to the airport? Absolutely. But I departed Italy with the knowledge that I was capable of more than I gave myself credit for—and had the strength to see it through.
NATURE HEALS— WE HELP
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Continuing the Palmer family’s legacy of supporting children’s health, character, and nature-focused wellness
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KINGDOM CLUBHOUSE Publisher’s picks and other staff favorites for the holidays—whether for gifting, wearing or stuffing in your golf bag.
Kingdom Clubhouse
My family and I visited Coworth Park for the first time this fall, to celebrate a BIG birthday. We had heard great things about this luxury, rural escape, and we were not disappointed. Set in the old golf town of Ascot, near London, Coworth Park feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The 18th-century country house is surrounded by beautiful grounds, with an abundance of country pursuits and activities to enjoy, whether you are staying as a couple or have family in tow. We stayed in the converted stables, where the rooms and suites oozed understated luxury, with brilliant attention to small details, such as chocolates made in the hotel’s own chocolate room. The staff could not have been more attentive or friendly, and the hotel’s two restaurants offer different vibes, with the Barn very relaxed, and the Michelin-starred Woven by Adam Smith perfect for that special occasion. In the neighborhood are some English all-time parkland classics, including Sunningdale, Wentworth, The Berkshire and Swinley Forest. —Matthew Squire
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Annika Sorenstam, a valued friend of Kingdom, has a long association with Rolex, and her model of choice this year is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36. Setting the standard for understated, Swiss luxury and unerring performance, the watch features a case made from extremely strong Oystersteel and is available in a range of watch-face colors, from turquoise to candy pink.
For us, the Kingdom Cup is our major championship, and so I want to turn up on the first tee with everything just right, from shirts and shoes to clubs and bag. The golf bag is the hub of your golf game, and the Vessel Lux XV 2.0 was the perfect hub at the Kingdom Cup. It’s easy to carry, its sleek design looks great, it sits snug on a cart, and it features all the pockets you need. The personalization service also makes it a great gift. —M.S.
Kingdom Clubhouse
The influence of Malbon Golf on golf fashion is growing by the day, and the brand’s first spikeless golf shoe, the Course, perfectly represents how Malbon is offering contemporary twists to classic golf styles. Made from full-grain leather, the Course shoe comes with a removeable kiltie. —David Van Sicklen
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Playing golf in the UK in fall is great, but you can’t leave home without an umbrella, and once you’ve carried the Classic Arnold Palmer Umbrella, no other model will do! Great job, Weatherman! —Robin Barwick
On a recent trip to Kohler, Wisconsin, I was reminded why players on both 2021 Ryder Cup teams used heated hand warmers by G-Tech Apparel. Inside the polyfill-lined pouch, a rod-shaped heating device provides instant, grippable warmth. Once I powered it up on a cold morning at Blackwolf Run, my game heated up. —Shaun Tolson
Kingdom Clubhouse
Daphne’s Headcovers have been the best in the business for 45 years, and CEO Jane Spicer might actually be the nicest person in the industry! Her business was supercharged in 1997, when Tiger started to carry “Frank” the tiger, and I currently opt for a badger and two beavers! —Jon Edwards
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The Penfold Duffle is my go-to bag for the gym or golf course. It is made from waxed canvas and full-grain leather, so it’s as tough as an old Scottish greenkeeper. I love the retro British styling and, for that matter, I enjoy playing the Penfold golf balls. James Bond played a Penfold golf ball in Goldfinger, and if it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for me. —J.E.
Kingdom Clubhouse
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What can be better for the holiday season—or indeed any special occasion—than Hubs Peanuts? They are the most wonderful homegrown, all-American products, from a storied family business in Virginia. The peanut brittle is the favorite in our house—my son, Sam, and I wrestle over the tin every year!
Here’s a little gem of a recommendation from Arnold Palmer’s very own wardrobe: Mr. Palmer liked a needlepoint belt, particularly those by Smathers & Branson. He wore them regularly, even though he was never contracted to do so.
—J.E.
The new Equinox clubs from Grindworks have been an essential addition to my bag. Some equipment brands seem focused on marketing ahead of performance, but Grindworks is a specialist operation focused on performance alone. I am finding the sweetspot with each of the new Equinox driver, fairway wood and hybrid, and that’s all I need for Christmas.
Kingdom Clubhouse
—J.E
My new favorite piece of homeware is the Vestaboard. We experimented with several Vestaboards at the Kingdom Cup, displaying information like interesting facts about our VIPs, tournament scores and weekend itinerary notes. Then I discovered that Vestaboard is just as good at home! It now takes pride of place in our kitchen and brightens everyone’s day, as my family and I can easily send messages to the Vestaboard from wherever we may be, using the mobile app. If I am in Hilton Head and my family is at home in London, we can exchange messages at any time. Best of all, it’s not a digital screen, as you would expect, but an ingenious system comprising thousands of spinning flaps—they are mesmerizing to watch as they fall into place to reveal an incoming message. Brilliant! —M.S.
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Thinking about how golf has evolved over the past 20 years, footwear is where some of the clearest and brightest advances have been made. True has been at the forefront of breaking down the stuffy, outdated footwear code in golf. True’s FS-Slide Slip On shoes are perfect for before and after a round. They are easy to wear, as comfortable as anything, yet also bring sophistication. Love ’em. —Joe Velotta
Kingdom Clubhouse
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Arnold Palmer could have lived anywhere, but he chose to stay—and to raise his family—in his hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His father, Deacon, helped to build Latrobe Country Club, and it was here where Arnie shaped his love of golf and of people, where his character was built and where he launched a life and legacy that inspired an Army of fans around the world.
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The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation is mustering Arnie’s Army to preserve Latrobe’s role in inspiring dreams, building character and leading the game of golf forward. We owe it to Arnie’s legacy to share Latrobe with the world.
SincerelyArnoldPalmer.org
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“Your hometown is not where you’re from; it’s who you are.” — ARNOLD PALMER
Casa de Campo Showing Its
Teeth Pete Dye’s masterpiece has always been the draw at Casa de Campo, but the Dominican Republic resort is unveiling a variety of new reasons to visit.
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COURSE PROFILE Teeth of the Dog
You’d be hard pressed to find a better stretch of oceanfront holes anywhere on Earth.
Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog is one of those timeless golf courses. Much of that has to do with its coastal location in the Dominican Republic—you’d be hard pressed to find a better stretch of oceanfront holes anywhere on Earth. Yet, the course’s sustained significance is also a reflection of designer Pete Dye’s consistent tinkering over the years. In the late 1980s, for example, Dye added championship tee boxes that made certain holes seem absurdly long at the time. “So many of the tees that he built there, we thought it was stupid,” says Gilles Gagnon, then the resort’s director of golf (now the director of golf sales). “He said, ‘Before long they’ll be hitting from here and will only have wedges into the green.’ This was [more than] 30 years ago, and he was absolutely right.” Since Teeth of the Dog debuted in 1971, Casa de Campo’s notoriety has been inextricably linked to the course. The resort, however, has done plenty of tinkering and improving of its own. Earlier this year, Casa de Campo opened its new Premier Club, a collection of 58 luxuriously appointed suites with dedicated butler service and an exclusive-access bar, lounge and reception area. More recently, the resort unveiled an 18,000-square-foot destination spa with 13 treatment rooms (each outfitted with a private garden and outdoor shower) and industry-leading German wellness technology. Casa de Campo also launched its inaugural food and wine festival in October, adding yet another reason to visit this Caribbean retreat. Golfers, of course, have never lacked for reasons to make the trip: In addition to Teeth of the Dog, Casa de Campo is home to two other Dye-designed courses, The Links and Dye Fore. —shaun tolson
Casa de Campo
Teeth of the Dog’s oceanfront 15th and Casa de Campo’s new spa
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Photos: Jeffrey R Bertch
Landmand
COURSE PROFILE
Swing State Landmand Golf Club has made it official: Nebraska is the new mecca for golfers.
Landmand
On seeing Landmand Golf Club for the first time, noted course designer and author Ron Whitten wrote: “Nebraska has suddenly become the hot bed of golf design in America.” Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore brought us Sand Hills, and after CapRock Ranch, Prairie Club and Dismal River (to name just a few of Nebraska’s young pack), now Landmand, in Homer, is taking golf in the Cornhusker State to a new level. Landmand lives up to the Cornhusker nickname, as this boundless, epic adventure of a golf course is laid out over 550 acres of former farmland, much of which was cornfields. “This was the big opportunity that we’d fought and scratched for our entire careers,” says Rob Collins, who is half of the King-Collins design duo, with Tad King. “The land was just on another level.
Everything was magnified: the views, the contours, the boldness and, above all else, the potential. It was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time for King-Collins.” At 7,200 yards from the back tees, the length of the course does not tell the story of generous and inviting fairways, gaping bunkers, vast greens and panoramic views. “Ultimately, we wanted a course with 18 distinctive yet varying holes,” says Collins. “Thanks to the incredibly talented crew who put it all together, I can say that Landmand has exceeded my very high initial expectations. Everyone needs to get out there and experience it first-hand. The pictures don’t do it justice. You just have to go and see it for yourself.” —robin barwick
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LOVE OF THE GAME
The Golf Channel correspondent weighs in on meaningful travel, the importance of short-term goals and life-changing experiences at Topgolf. You’ve been all around the world, covering golf and travel for the Golf Channel. Is there a destination that’s at the top of your bucket list?
I would really like to go to Africa. In a pro-am about five years ago, Brandon Stone, a South African player, was telling me how amazing Leopard Creek is, and I’ve never forgotten that. What’s your strategy for planning a vacation?
I’ll pick a golf course—maybe it’s Leopard Creek—and that’s how I pick where I want to go next. Then I’ll look at the map and work my way outward. It makes things less intimidating, because you have a trip planned with something at the center of it.
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Alexandra O’Laughlin at the 2023 Kingdom Cup
Love of Game How did you first get into golf?
I decided to play golf right before high school. I had read an article that said female golfers could earn pretty decent-sized scholarships to college. My parents found the best junior golf coach in Colorado, and I would just practice every Saturday and Sunday, all day, and it paid off. I think I shot a 72 for nine holes during my first tournament, and then, during my senior year of high school, I shot a 72 in a tournament for 18 holes. That’s quite an improvement! How do you explain it?
I attribute a lot of my progression in golf not only to so much practice, but my best friend was on the golf team. We met through golf, and we had this bond and an accountability to each other to put in the time and the effort.
What motivates you now in your professional career?
I’ve always thrived off of short-term goals. They’re really the best way to stay motivated. When you are giving every job or current moment your all, more opportunities will stem from that. That might go back to golf, too, because with golf it’s important that you stay focused on the hole that you’re on. What’s your fondest memory or experience as it relates to golf?
I met my now husband, a golf instructor, at the Players Championship in 2018. We went to Topgolf that week, and I got a mini lesson from him, and we totally hit it off. We bonded over swing thoughts and the swing plane and just nerdy golf chat. We stayed in touch for three or four years and then realized we’re perfect for each other. That truly changed my life, and it all goes back to hitting those shots at Topgolf. —shaun tolson
Photo: Harden Creative
Alexandra O’Laughlin
A - K Cup 2024 Join us for
Kingdom Cup 2024
The Sea Pines Resort / Rob Tipton
A weekend of world-class golf at The Sea Pines Resort courses, Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point by Pete Dye. SEPTEMBER 12-15, 2024
Learn more at kingdom.golf/cup-2024/
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A - Rolex
ISSUE 59
THE KINGDOM LIST
WINTER 2023/24