Whaley, recently elected as the first woman President of the PGA of America, is recognized as one of the country’s top instructors. She was an LPGA Tour member in 1990 and 1993. Most notably, she qualified for and took part in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, becoming the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA TOUR event. She is the PGA Director of Instruction at Suzy Whaley Golf in Cromwell, Conn.
The four-day / three-night stay-and-play is all-inclusive and starts at $1,899 per person (double occupancy). The many highlights include unlimited green fees on all three of the resort’s classic Pete Dye-designed courses and personal instruction by Whaley for the attendees at the resort’s new state-of-the-art, PGA Tour-quality Golf Learning Center highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology.
Also featured are three nights’ Elite Room accommodations (with one cart golf per room); breakfast, lunch and dinner in all resort restaurants (SBG and Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant excluded); unlimited drinks in all hotel bars, restaurants and Oasis bar as well as beverage carts out on the courses; one massage at the Casa de Campo Spa; souvenirs; and complimentary transfers from La Romana, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana airports.
Taxes and service charges are additionally included. For more information, call 809.523.8115 or email m.leonardo@ccampo.com.do.
“When I turned 50 two years ago, my husband surprised me with a trip to Casa de Campo and had our two daughters and a number of my friends meet us down there for one of the great vacations of my life,” says Whaley. “The property is incredible, the golf is outstanding, the setting is breathtaking, and the service is impeccable.”
“It’s a true honor for us to partner with Suzy,” says Jason Kycek, Casa de Campo’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We invite women to join Suzy and us for this wonderful event and discover first-hand why we’re one of the premier golf resorts in the world.”
Casa de Campo is home to three Pete Dye-designed gems: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links. Since opening in 1974, Teeth of the Dog is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. Golf course architecture aficionados call Dye Fore “the most underrated course in the Caribbean.” The Links showcases Dye’s genius for creating interesting putting surfaces and green complexes.
Pining for the golf vacation of your dreams while helping kids get involved with the game we love? Once again, some of America’s top athletes, both from within the game and from other sports — ranging from three-time NBA champion Steph Curry to golf legend Tom Watson — are supporting an online Youth On Course auction Nov. 11-15. Proceeds benefit an organization that provides tee times to its member kids ages 6-17 at some of the nation’s top courses for $5 or less per round. To date, 45,000 members have played 10 million holes on 900 courses, in 26 regions of the U.S.
By visiting the Youth on Course website, you can bid on a variety of sports and entertainment experiences. Some of the auction items include rounds at courses from top 100 and 200 courses such as Sand Valley in Wisconsin, Winged Foot in New York, Crystal Downs in Michigan, Baltusrol in New Jersey and Reflection Bay in Nevada. Also on the auction block is The Institute, part of Golf Advisor’s “10 Insanely Private Golf Courses You Will Never Get to Play.”
The details for the Youth On Course auction:
Bidding is done 100% online
Auction opens Sunday Nov. 11 at noon PST
Auction closes Thursday Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. PST
All proceeds from the auction go towards providing the more than 40,000 Youth on Course members with $5 golf
Follow @yocgolf on social media for the latest news and updates regarding the YOC National Online Auction — including item highlights and updates during the auction. Followers can use the hashtag: #YOCauction18
You know a famous golf place is on a strong track when you just feel at home there, in a close and natural way, as if you’d lingered a few decades exploring its every mystery though, in reality, you’ve spent a few all-too-brief days enjoying a few rounds with friends old and new. With the opening of the new Pinehurst No. 4 after a year-long renovation under the direction of architect Gil Hanse and his longtime business partner and lead shaper Jim Wagner, the “Home of American Golf” mystique is magnified, deepened and elevated to a realm reserved for royalty — St. Andrews-Long Island-Monterey Peninsula royalty.
After spending a flawless fall afternoon on the new Pinehurst No. 4 — which occupies some of the sprawling Pinehurst property’s most dramatic real estate, right next to No. 2 — I couldn’t get over how much more alive the entire enterprise feels compared to my previous visit nearly a decade ago, when the nation was in the throes of near-economic collapse and many destinations were struggling to find their way forward.
A few sights and feelings flowed through me:
A surge of fresh energy
The fading away of old-school stodginess in favor of golf for fun’s sake, while maintaining a clear connection to a past as rich as there is in American golf
The way young men and women are flooding Pinehurst’s tees, practice ranges, restaurants, bars and Hanse’s other two recent contributions — an absolute blast of a par-3 course dubbed The Cradle (which he called his “practice” for No. 4) and a rollicking putting course playfully named Thistle Du (as in “this’ll do!”), complete with drink holders on each tiny tee
How Pinehurst ownership and management has confidently invested in an inclusive future while playing up elements of an exclusive past. President Tom Pashley and owner Bob Dedman, Jr., did their homework on what 21st century golf travelers want, and they aced the exam
In short, I felt a fresh magic in the Sandhills. That’s not overstated, it’s just what is there, wafting among the pines, and in part we can thank a bunch of Cavemen for it.
Hole 4, the 14th green and 15th tee on the new Pinehurst No. 4
SHAPING THE FUTURE
“The Cavemen” is Hanse’s nickname for the handful of skilled sculptors and tenders of turf who turned his and Wagner’s vision for Course No. 4 into roiling, rangy, championship-caliber reality. Under the direction of Wagner and superintendent Kevin Robinson, the Cavemen transformed what had been wall-to-wall turf and trees, originally laid out by Donald Ross but tweaked over the decades by Tom Fazio and others, into a glowing necklace of swooping, heaving holes that, like Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s careful reworking of Ross’s No. 2 masterpiece next door, bring the Sandhills’ original golf look back to the fore.
“The most underappreciated people in golf are the superintendents, the guys that take care of the golf courses,” Hanse said before hitting a ceremonial opening tee shot, after which I and other fortunate media got to preview No. 4 before it opened to the public the following day. “The architects get to stand up and take the bows, but those are the guys who make it work. You’ll see a golf course that doesn’t feel like it’s brand new. A lot of that was the work through construction — flipping the existing sod, leap-frogging it throughout the course so it’s mature. It was a challenge. Storms threw everything they had at us, but [the Cavemen] put the course back together. There’s a lot of exposed sand out there, a lot of slope, but what they’ve done is phenomenal.”
More Pinehurst Secret Golf’s Steve Elkington visits Pinehurst #2 and Tobacco Road Golf Club in North Carolina, and reunites with legendary caddies, Willie Miller and the late Willie McRae.
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Their work, and Hanse’s, also stands starkly apart from Coore and Crenshaw’s in flow and feel, though at first glance they appear quite similar — tight fairways bleeding into rough-edge “blowout” bunkers and waste areas, which blend into primary rough punctuated by tufts of tall wire grass, which finally give way to the loblolly pines that have given this place its golf identity for more than a century. While the “new” No. 2, which reopened in advance of the back-to-back men’s and women’s U.S. Opens in 2014, builds its power via individual “set piece” holes, No. 4 offers more collective visual drama. Parts of 15 holes are visible from one of the course’s high points, the cliffhanging green on the par 3 sixth hole; a deep bunker separates the putting surface from the large lake that most fully illustrates how different No. 4 truly is from its famed sibling, though Hanse credits No. 2 for his chief inspiration.
“With Course 4 we tried to reconnect the landscape,” Hanse said. “When we looked across at No. 2 and what Bill and Ben were able to do, that’s what started this. Bill tells the story that prior to the start of Course No. 2’s restoration, some mythical figure popped out of the mist and said to him, ‘Don’t F this up.’ He knew how important Course No. 2 was to this community, this resort and this population. They did as good a job as anyone in the world could do. For us to walk through their work, their interpretation of what Ross did, that was really a great opportunity.
“I told my guys to look at something on Course No. 2 every day — the features, the subtleties, how the fairways bleed into the wire grass, which then bleed into the trees. With that as our template, we set about one of the bigger earth-moving projects we’ve ever had [400,000-500,000 cubic yards]. Hopefully you won’t know we even did it. We just put the ridges and valleys back where they should go, tied into the treelines, made this feel seamless as it transitions from Course No. 2. We looked at old aerial photographs and tried to take some of Ross’s bunker placements, glean his strategies and thoughts. So it’s a tiny bit of restoration wrapped around a giant renovation, with a couple new golf holes. We looked at it as a new golf course. We hope what we’ve done is not only a complement to No. 2, but that it becomes a must-play alongside it.”
THE PERFECT ANSWER TO NO. 2
No argument here. No. 4 is now an absolute must, and the reasons are legion. It’s is more player-friendly than No. 2, especially on and around the greens. Hanse lowered them to be more in harmony with the terrain while Wagner shaped them to be more “accepting” rather than “rejecting,” as Ross’ greens often are to stirring (and sometimes frustrating) effect. Bunkers are bigger, bolder and wilder, pushing into and across fairways to create more definitive aim points and broaden strategic choices — as on the stout par-5 ninth and the “gettable” par 4 15th, which yielded one of two birdies on my card. The other came at No. 11, the third of four gorgeous par 3s; No. 14, meanwhile, is the lone lakeside one-shotter, the perfect follow-up to the Cape-styled par-5 13th.
From the opening sharp dogleg-right to the slightly uphill, left-moving 18th, No. 4 unfolds in this way, maintaining a firm rhythm throughout even as Hanse works in pleasant grace notes and surprising shifts in tempo. For me the round reaches its crescendo at the straightaway par-5 17th, which moves beautifully through a shallow valley with two bunkers jutting sneakily into the lay-up zone. I went driver, 8-iron, 8-iron to get home in three, then goosed a downhill birdie putt to leave a wicked comebacker, which I missed. Too bad I couldn’t go back and play that instant classic again to atone, but I can’t complain — Hanse gave me a clear and friendly shot at glory there and several other times during the round. I felt both welcomed and challenged.
To me, that’s the clearest difference between No. 4 and No. 2: The former is a credentialed bucket-lister that tends to take no prisoners, leaving the average golfer bloodied but feeling blessed to witness Ross’ genius in the flesh. With its friendlier greens, wider driving lanes, new-but-old charm and epic, inviting scale, No. 4 begs for an immediate replay. It also puts Pinehurst as a whole onto a path of come-one, come-all popularity that, from where I stand, has no end.
The Deuce, which overlooks the 18th green on No. 2.
BEYOND NO. 4: BEER, BITES AND BEDS
While No. 4 starts racking up the accolades on the Pinehurst golf front, there’s plenty of new activity elsewhere at the resort, especially if you like to eat and drink.
Overlooking the 18th green of the No. 2 course is The Deuce, a cut above most golf grills in that, well, it’s next to the most famous course in North Carolina, and also happens to be stuffed with images and memorabilia of the area’s deep golf history. The burgers, appetizers, salads and entrees offer Southern flair in getaway-friendly abundance, and its bar’s taps — as with all of Pinehurst’s saloons — pour one or two local and regional microbrews.
Speaking of which, the Pinehurst Brewhouse opened in mid-October in a former steam house that dates to 1895 and provided heat and electricity to the Holly Inn just up the road. The handsome, impeccably restored brick building immediately filled to the brim with golfers, other vacationers and thirsty Village folk. Pinehurst management lured master brewer Eric Mitchell away from Heist Brewery in Charlotte, where his IPA, Citraquench’l, was a perennial Top 10 award winner; he’s now putting his talents into producing killer pale and brown ales, witbiers and blondes in Pinehurst’s 10-barrel facility. The restaurant’s barbecue dishes are smoked in-house, and most herbs — used in food and some of Mitchell’s concoctions — are grown onsite. There’s a year-round heated patio, beer garden and plenty of frothy mirth to go around.
Of course, Pinehurst offers its traditional charms, too — the intimate and historic Holly, the stately Carolina Hotel with its unbeatable breakfast buffet, the Manor Inn, a full-service spa and a wealth of pubs, and restaurants and shops in the Village. And, oh yeah, a few world-class golf courses.
KEEPING UP THE PACE
During the busiest seasons — which is just about every season at Pinehurst these days — pace of play is an issue. Or was. In keeping with Dedman’s commitment to modernizing the resort on all fronts, Pinehurst has partnered with Tagmarshal to install its sophisticated geo-tagging and pace algorithm software into its marshaling and player tracking system. More than 200 golf courses across nine countries use these small “tags” clipped onto golf bags or installed on carts to identify slow groups so on-course marshals can take care of pace challenges before they get serious. Pinehurst is seeing a 15-17 minute decrease for each round on every course, including on Nos. 4 and 2, so you can keep that magical Sandhills rhythm going.
He saw me before I saw him. But then he had the edge — I was on his home turf, playing golf in Costa Rica. The biggest iguana I have ever seen sat motionless 25 yards to my left while I stood on the tee of the par-5 closing hole at Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa.
If only I had mimicked the focus he exhibited while staring at me, my drive might have found the fairway. And that would have led to a better second. And maybe my approach would have landed on the green, rather than in a pond fronting the green (a shot that’s more uphill than you think). And then my scorecard might not have ended with a bogey.
Fortunately, by then I had embraced the country’s informal national motto : “Pura Vida,” or pure life. It’s only golf, after all.
The hole was a challenging ending to an enjoyable course in a country I knew little about prior to a trip there last year. I heard (but never actually saw) the famous howler monkeys singing their song from trees around the property, drank a new favorite beer (a lager called Imperial), fished in the Pacific thanks to Yellowfin Charters, rode a horse through the countryside and tasted the best fried chicken of my life. But more about that later. First, the golf.
Reserva Conchal has the only Robert Trent Jones II design in Central America, and it’s good enough to have hosted the PGA Tour Latinoamerica Costa Rica Classic the past two years. The inaugural tournament in 2017 — the country’s first PGA TOUR event in more than 30 years — was won by Jose Toledo of Guatemala, while Florida native Tyson Alexander eagled the fifth playoff hole to capture the title this past May.
Set on Costa Rica’s northwest coast in the Guanacaste Region, Reserva Conchal is an hour’s ride from the airport in Liberia (the country’s main airport, in the capital city of San Jose, is approximately five hours to the southeast). A variety of accommodations, ranging from villas, condos and vacation residences to the all-inclusive Westin Golf Resort & Spa Playa Conchal, are available. The latter comes with numerous themed restaurants (the Italian offerings at Faisanella were my favorite), multiple pools, fitness center, spa and beachfront access. Construction is also currently underway for a new W Costa Rica hotel expected to open late this year with 151 rooms and suites in multiple buildings.
Don’t be surprised to hear American accents down there either; the country is a favorite destination for retirees from the U.S. Approximately the size of West Virginia with a population of five million, Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. There’s no daylight savings time, the average temperature on the coast is 80 degrees and the Costa Rican colon (named after Christopher Columbus, who discovered Costa Rica in 1502) offers a good exchange rate.
Soccer remains the favorite sport in the country (the national team, which reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2014, failed to advance out of their bracket in 2018) but the course at Reserva Conchal, built in 1996, goes a long way to making golf more visible.
“At that time there were no resorts in Costa Rica,” said Robert Trent Jones II, chairman and master architect at his namesake company. “It was known as an eco-tourism place, one of the first actually. It’s very peaceful, has no army, and a lovely climate. There’s fishing, golf, and friendly people.”
The layout he and his team created exhibits just the right degree of fun and challenge.
“One of the things I like most about the course is that it has a nice rhythm to it,” said Bruce Charlton, president and chief design officer for Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects. “They gave us a very nice canvas to create the best golf holes. We were able to route the course in the way we wanted to.”
A room at Roble Sabana
Unlike his father whose motto was easy bogeys and hard pars, Trent Jones II employs a different philosophy. “We’ve always used a ‘listen to the land’ golf architecture approach,” said Charlton, who noted the company’s design team first roamed the property on horseback. “That means listening to our clients and understanding who will be coming to play the course. You’re on vacation, so why not have some fun?”
Carlos Rojas Soto has been watching guests do just that since taking the job as director of golf at Reserva Conchal in 2007. His favorite hole is the fourth, a 592-yard par-5 that climbs uphill to a green that offers Pacific Ocean views. But it’s not the hardest, especially for the pros.
“That would be the second, a 442-yard par-4,” said Rojas Soto. “The landing area is very narrow with hazards on both sides of the fairway, and the green is protected by a Guanacaste Tree and two deep send traps.”
I’d be happy enough just playing the five par 3s myself, especially the trio on the back nine, which is topped off by the 210-yard 17th requiring a carry over water to a wide but somewhat shallow and well-bunkered green. Speaking of the Bermuda Tifdwarf greens, take careful note of where you are in relation in to the Pacific Ocean to read those properly.
Reserva Conchal was the first course in Costa Rica bestowed certification by Audubon International. In fact, Charlton returned in recent years to focus on water conservation concepts by reducing turf and helping enhance the irrigation system. Various bunkers throughout the course have also been worked on as well.
As for that fried chicken? First my group of travelers took a quick shuttle to a nearby ranch where Casagua Horse Tours, run by an ex-pat American from Michigan, provides horseback rides. After moving slowly and carefully through the countryside and into a local village, we dismounted at a no-frills, town hall-type building without a hint of any restaurant.
A promise of delicious fried chicken sent quizzical looks throughout our group. Here, we wondered? No way. While we waited, a cold Imperial beer hit the spot. Then paper plates full of the promised meal were placed on the wooden picnic tables. One bite was enough to know this was a promise fulfilled, even in the most unlikely of places.
There were smiles all around, and still more golf to come at Reserva Conchal. Pura Vida indeed!
Costa Navarino, one of the world’s premier golf destinations, has forged a partnership with two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup legend, José María Olazábal, to design two new Greek golf courses in the region of Messinia.
The two new 18-hole courses at Navarino Hills will overlook The Bay Course and the historic Bay of Navarino, set high above the coastline offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Ionian Sea.
Stretching over 150 hectares of garrigue landscape typical in the region famed for its natural beauty, the Navarino Hills property will allow two courses of the highest international standards that will complement and adequately expand the renowned quality golf offer at Costa Navarino.
Work on Olazábal’s signature design, his 20th course construction, has just begun and is expected to open for play by 2021.
Costa Navarino, voted “European Golf Resort of the Year” for 2017 by IAGTO, is already home to one of the world’s premier golf destinations with two multi-award-winning courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, designed by Bernhard Langer and Robert Trent Jones II, respectively.
The Navarino Hills development will bring the total number of signature golf courses at Costa Navarino to four, all under the same management, establishing it as one of the few upscale golf destinations around the world which combine such characteristics. The development further enhances the destination, which due to its ideal climate, lush seaside landscape and direct access, is a unique place to visit throughout the year.
Stephanos Theodorides, Vice-President & Managing Director of TEMES — Developers of Costa Navarino — believes partnering with Olazábal, who has placed a sustainable development strategy at the heart of the design, will enhance Costa Navarino’s position as one of the world’s most distinctive environmentally-friendly golf destinations.
He said: “This announcement represents a milestone moment for Costa Navarino and the region. We are excited to introduce our plans for Costa Navarino’s evolution. Our vision for the destination development always included Navarino Hills as an instrumental component, based on the principles of an eco-retreat. José María Olazábal stands for passion, integrity, and quality. These are principles very close to our hearts and made the decision an easy one to partner with him for this special project.”
Added Olazábal, “What TEMES has created in Costa Navarino is extraordinary and for us to have a chance to play our part in the destination’s legacy fills us with immense pride. The Navarino Hills property is spectacular and the views are simply breath-taking, particularly on the northern edge where you will find it almost impossible to take your eyes off the striking Bay of Navarino, famous for its naval battle history.
“The rest of the site will also quickly win the hearts of golfers with extended views over rolling hills. For us, it is a privilege to have the chance to design not just one but two golf courses and we will do everything to do this incredible land justice and deliver a golfing experience you will want to return to over and over.”
Costa Navarino already features two luxury hotels, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort; private residences; five-star services and facilities; and a range of authentic experiences, with an infrastructure set to grow even further through the addition of new hotels, real estate and further sports and leisure facilities.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation has announced that the new Bobby Jones Golf Course will re-open for public play on November 5, 2018, after a year-long renovation period. The course, located in the heart of Atlanta, first opened in 1932 as a tribute to Atlanta’s most famous athlete, Bobby Jones. The new Bobby Jones Golf Course was the last design of renowed architect Bob Cupp before his passing and will offer players an entirely new golf experience and expanded facility.
The cornerstone of the redevelopment is the course’s unique and revolutionary reversible design. The new design features large, double greens and multiple tees that will enhance enjoyment and playability. In addition to the revolutionary redesign, the redevelopment includes a new driving range, state-of-the-art indoor instructional building, short game practice area, and a 6-hole short course named the “Cupp Links” in honor of Mr. Cupp. The most current industry standards have been employed to construct an environmentally friendly and sustainable golf course and facility.
The new Bobby Jones Golf Course will boast the latest in innovative and cutting-edge technology, taking a contemporary approach to the classic game of golf. Indoor bays will offer technologically enhanced instructional and monitoring features for players to mold and enhance their golf skills. The new course will also be one of the first in Atlanta to offer Shark Experience golf carts, which provide players with connectivity and entertainment including music streaming, live TV, GPS yardage tracking, digital scorecards, Bluetooth capabilities, and more. While many courses charge extra for use of the carts, the Shark Experience will be standard on every Bobby Jones Golf Course cart at no upcharge. The course will continue to serve as a test facility for new equipment and industry technology with the goal of sharing golf and the Bobby Jones story with the greater Atlanta community and the entire state of Georgia.
“The Foundation is very excited to reintroduce the new Bobby Jones Golf Course to the public in November,” said Marty Elgison, President of the Foundation. “We are especially thankful to our donors for helping make our vision a reality. We are excited to honor them, Bobby Jones, and Bob Cupp by giving back to the Atlanta and Georgia golf communities.”
Junior golf and growing the game are two of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course’s major focus areas. The Foundation is working with the Georgia Section of the PGA, Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA), and U.S. Kids Golf to design instruction and programming for junior players. A major initiative of the new Bobby Jones Golf Course is to foster interest in the game by partnering with youth organizations, including the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, to expand its reach. The Cupp Links are designed specifically for junior golfers. The Foundation has also partnered with the GSGA and the Shepherd Center, a local nonprofit hospital providing medical care and rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neuromuscular limitations, to create a state-of-the-art program for adaptive golfers.
The golf course will become the new home of the Georgia State University (GSU) women’s and men’s golf teams. The Foundation will work with GSU to construct a second instructional center and practice area that will be used by the golf teams throughout the school year and by the Foundation during the summer for junior golf clinics and lessons.
Farmington, New Mexico, is an ideal destination for golf trips. The area features four incredible courses, breathtaking scenery and temperate weather throughout the year, making fall the perfect time to plan an affordable and memorable golf vacation.
“Whether you’re planning an extended trip with all of your golf buddies or wanting to enjoy a day of golfing as an addition to your vacation, Farmington has options for every type of golfer,” said Tonya Stinson, Executive Director of Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Additionally, with over 300 days of sunshine per year, Farmington provides the perfect fall golf trip. It’s a great opportunity for golfers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Four Corners Region and explore some of the best public golf courses in the nation after the summer crowds have left.”
San Juan County is home to multiple golf courses, including Piñon Hills Golf Course, Civitan Municipal Golf Course, Aztec Municipal Golf Course and Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland, as well as San Juan Country Club—a private, challenging 18-hole golf course.
The 14th hole at Piñon Hills
One of only six public courses in the nation to receive a 5-star rating, Piñon Hills Golf Course is a true gem of Farmington, and has received acclaim from Golf Magazine, Golfweek Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the top public courses in the nation. The affordable and accessible course has received awards as “America’s Best Golf Bargain,” and offers year-round afternoon and twilight specials.
Civitan Municipal Golf Course offers a variety of options for beginners or those looking for a quick afternoon golf game. The 9-hole, Par 3 course also offers footgolf. For those looking to include additional courses in their trip, both Aztec Municipal and Riverview courses are a short drive up the road. Both are 18-hole courses set among incredible landscapes.
“Best of all, a trip to Farmington will provide you with an amazing golf trip without breaking the bank,” added Stinson. “Piñon Hills has been named ‘America’s Best Golf Bargain,’ and much like all of our lodging, restaurants, and activities, it certainly fits the bill. In Farmington, you can get away, relax, and enjoy a world-class trip on a budget.”
After a day of golfing, visitors can enjoy great beer and food at Three Rivers Eatery & Brewery or taste local wines at St. Clair Winery and Bistro or Wines of San Juan. Farmington also offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures—including water sports, fishing, hiking and off-roading—as well as cultural attractions and National Park sites.
Visit here for more information on golf courses in Farmington, or to plan your visit, go to www.FarmingtonNM.org.
Planning a trip this autumn and saving room in the trunk or on the airplane for your sticks? Check out these fall golf getaways around the U.S. and the Caribbean.
OMNI ORLANDO
Ever wanted what it’s truly like to play like a pro, or at least learn like one? Got 50 grand burning a hole in your 401(k)? Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate wants to help answer these questions. Now through November 30, golf enthusiasts around the country can book one of the most elaborate golfing experiences ever.
The offer includes three-night accommodations in the Presidential Suite, two rounds of golf and a private clinic with golf pro David Leadbetter. Not enough? How about you fly in style via your own private jet, before being escorted from the airport to the resort via black car service. In addition, the package includes daily reserved poolside cabanas, daily spa treatments and numerous culinary experiences.
Pricing starts at $50,000 per person based on double occupancy and the offer goes through Nov. 30.
FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR
Canyon to Coast Golf Package – Play two of San Diego’s top-rated golf courses, The Grand Golf Club and Torrey Pines Golf Course, while enjoying the beautiful setting and wonderful amenities of Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The Canyon to Coast Golf Package features two nights’ accommodations, one round of golf at The Grand Golf Club and assistance in booking tee times at Torrey Pines. Torrey Pines golf fees must be paid separately and directly to Torrey Pines. Rates start at $529 per night, double occupancy.
FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS
A little-known secret is that from November through January is the very best time to play TPC Scottsdale’s acclaimed Stadium Course. During this time preparations are being made for the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, and guests enjoy the unique experience of playing as the numerous grandstands and viewing areas are being constructed. This includes the iconic 16th hole, where players enter through a tunnel and hit tee shots while surrounded by the hole’s infamous colosseum. Perhaps the best way to enjoy this PGA TOUR-style experience is through Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Championship Golf Package. The package includes accommodations, one round of golf per adult per paid night (double occupancy) at either TPC Scottsdale or nearby Grayhawk Golf Club, transportation to and from the golf courses and assistance by Fairmont’s golf concierge service.
A Tahoe view room at Edgewood’s new lodge.
EDGEWOOD TAHOE
In 1968, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course opened to become the Sierra’s first and only public course with holes directly on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Since then, Edgewood has established itself as the region’s leading golf resort, garnered numerous awards and praises by industry experts, and played host to nationally recognized tournaments and some of golf’s greatest players. This packages help them celebrate 50 years of operations.
Special package is now available all days for stays between Sept. 16-Oct. 14 and includes first-class accommodations plus two rounds of golf with cart. Starting at $499/night for stays Sunday – Thursday and $599/night for stays Friday – Saturday.
Reservations for this package are only available by phone at (775) 588-2787 or (888) 881-8659.
OCEAN CLUB RESORTS
Ocean Club Resorts, a set of paradise resorts located on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, allows golf enthusiasts to putt-a-round for less.
Located right along the award winning Grace Bay Beach and within a short walking or driving distance from Provo’s 18-hole championship golf course, Ocean Club Resorts is able to offer golfers an unforgettable experience for less with their new “Pick Your Promo” offers including:
Buy one night and receive the second night 50% off (six night minimum)
Save 20% off total stay (four night minimum)
The two all-suite resorts come complete with breathtaking views in each deluxe accommodation, three different onsite restaurants between both locations and a special reduced rate for golfers of all ages/levels of experience just for being a guest at Ocean Club Resorts. You must book by Nov. 30.
PGA National Resort & Spa has released a value-packed “Fall Escape and Play” package for unforgettable South Florida getaways.
PGA National is a golf lover’s dream. The legendary locale offers 90 holes of high-caliber golf on five courses including the famed Champion Course, home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and past host of the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and several Senior PGA Championships. The Champion underwent a recent renovation and reopens for play in mid-October. The resort’s superb Palmer Course reopened last November to rave reviews after undergoing a renovation.
Perfect for players of all abilities, the exceptional Fall Escape and Play package features premier accommodations with new luxury bedding, full breakfast daily in the Palm Terrace, one round per day (with cart) on the resort’s superb Fazio, Squire and Estates courses. For those wanting to tackle the mighty Champion Course, there is a $75 surcharge for November and $125 surcharge for December / January. The Palmer Course has a $50 surcharge.
Complimentary replay rounds are included daily and are confirmed on day of play. There is a $50 surcharge for replays on the Champion Course. A $40 cart fee is applicable for replays. The offer also features unlimited range balls and complimentary bag storage. Resort fees and taxes are added on all packages.
“Fall is a glorious time to visit us here in South Florida to enjoy our incredible courses, outstanding accommodations and full array of resort amenities,” says Greg Saunders, Vice President, Managing Director. “We invite everyone to let us showcase our outstanding customer care and discover firsthand why we’re at the pinnacle of U.S. golf destinations.”
Resort guests can also enjoy the new high-tech 33,000-square-foot Sports & Racquet Club featuring a wide array of fitness activities and classes, including pickle ball and tennis on the 18 Har-Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play). Not to be missed is the striking zero-entry pool, chef-driven Ironwood Steak & Seafood restaurant and chic iBAR in its glamorous lobby.
Located in South Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens and fresh off a comprehensive multimillion-dollar revitalization, PGA National Resort & Spa is a world-class vacation and meetings destination. It presents 90 holes of championship golf on five courses, including the famed Champion Course, home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and legendary “Bear Trap” three-hole stretch.
Convenient to major Florida population centers, the AAA Four Diamond resort is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and 90 minutes from Miami International Airport.
The tournament itself features a round of golf at scenic Edgewood Tahoe, a Golf Digest Top 100 Course hard along the shore of the Lake. There’s a $40,000 Toyota 4-Runner for an ace on No. 17, courtesy of CardinaleWay of South Lake Tahoe; $10,000 for aces – split with the B&GC on the other three par 3s; along with breakfast, dinner, beverages, raffle prizes, tee prizes and camaraderie.
Playing spots for foursomes at $800 and individuals at $225 are going fast, a major savings considering seasonal green fees and the numerous perks. Various hole sponsorships for the community and business-minded are also available.
For golfers or travelers looking for unbelievable gifts, a variety of trips combining golf and lodging are available including a Masters Golf Tournament experience with tickets, lodging in a private home; a Caribbean visit to Puntacana Resort & Club; Southern California, Phoenix, and the Bay Area, a Sonoma Wine and Dine trip, as well as lodging packages at major properties in South Lake Tahoe and Reno.
Golf at private courses include The Olympic Club in San Francisco; the California (Cal) Club in South San Francisco; Clear Creek Tahoe, near South Tahoe; Stone Eagle Golf Club in Palm Desert; and Winchester Country Club in Meadow Vista near Auburn. The Tahoe-Truckee-Graeagle area’s most popular courses are offering foursomes at Old Greenwood, Gray’s Crossing, Tahoe Donner, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Grizzly Ranch and Nakoma Resort.
Major one-week vacations from two of the world’s leading hospitality and vacation ownership groups, The Ridge Resorts, and Diamond Resorts are both offering travelers a choice at their member properties around the world. It’s memorable destinations, countless activities and opportunities to recharge, reconnect with family or friends.
There’s also a private, secluded, two-night stay at Sidney Peak Ranch House, a working ranch and upscale community near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where views of the stars and Steamboat Mountain are unforgettable.
In addition to golf, Clear Creek is delivering an intimate look at its private lifestyle with an overnight stay for four in a two-unit cottage overlooking the 18th fairway and the Carson Valley, along with dinner at the Clubhouse Grille & Pub. Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo is partnering with its nearby Hampton Inn to provide two packages for a foursome with overnight accommodations and two rooms for four. ARCIS Golf is providing foursomes at three of its Phoenix area courses: The Raven, Stonecreek, and Ancala Country Club. The Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel is providing a two-night stay and there’s four tickets to neighboring Disneyland.
South Lake Tahoe’s resort/hotels have stepped-up as usual with Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel gifting three nights in a balcony suite, private dinner prepared by Chef Sal, free parking and complimentary breakfast daily. Harveys/Harrah’s, Hard Rock and MontBleu all donating two-night stays with restaurant dining credits. Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa, the all lake-front property a mile west of the state line will put two folks on the beach in a two-bedroom condo, along with a spa treatment and bottle of wine to watch the sunset.
For Reno fans, there’s a two-night golf package at one of The Row Hotels: Silver Legacy, Eldorado, or Circus-Circus, $100 dining credit, two show tickets, two bottles of wine, Callaway golf balls and golf caps, plus a round of golf for four at private Somersett Golf and Country Club. The Atlantis Hotel Casino will host a two-night visit as well.
The San Francisco Giants are also sending various memorabilia – if a 60th anniversary bobblehead doll of legendary Hall of Famer Willie McCovey and an autographed jersey from first baseman Brandon Belt will add to the collection, get online soon! For college basketball junkies, there’s a game at Stanford for four, attendance at a pre-game afternoon shoot-around and a chance to meet the coach and players.
For visitors to Tahoe looking to capture the local vibe, Tahoe Tastings is taking four guests on a wine cruise to Emerald Bay with 8 flights of wine; Heli-Tahoe is hovering with a birds-eye view above the water with a surreal helicopter tour; and Heart Rock Herb & Spice Company is providing some Tahoe-themed spices in a special gift basket sure to continue the memories long after a visit to the Lake.
To improve play, sets of three Wilson Staff wedges are available courtesy of the American Century Championship.
In addition to a memorable day and auction, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. For the 25th consecutive year, Edgewood Tahoe is donating the course – waiving green fees and providing meals and beverages for free to the Club to help generate maximum funding. For visitors with early arrivals or late departures, the Lodge at Edgewood, voted the No. 1 hotel/resort in the United States in a poll of Travel & Leisure readers, is offering a special overnight accommodations rate. Opened in June 2017, 154-room resort and spa sits 50 yards from the Lake with spectacular sunsets and sunrises.
For information to participate with the tournament via sponsorship, playing spots, auction, donations or for more details about the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe and its mission, please visit us at www.BGCLT.org or call (916) 542-0838. The Boys & Girls Club helps make a difference to the youth of the community by serving more than 800 children a year, providing them with homework help, enhancement education, fun activities and experiences, and a free snack and hot meal daily.
FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR
