Travel

Close To Home

The 18th at We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro Course_Ê challenges golfers to keep the ball out of the “kitty litter.”_Ê

During the fall and winter months, a handful of warm-weather destinations attract avid golfers, retirees and professional golf tours. And this year, with energy prices near all-time highs, it’s safe to say more people will postpone their overseas dream vacations to stay stateside and not only visit them but play golf, too. While we’re not all fortunate to live in these warmer climates, many are only a short plane ride away. So this fall, if you’re itching to extend your playing season, and save money in the process, we suggest you consider teeing it up at one of these “go-to” areas.

Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, S.C., has one of the country’s most diverse golf experiences, and with more than 100 courses, it’s easy to see why. Consider Sea Trail Resort in Sunset Beach, N.C. It boasts three golf courses, each named for the architect who designed it (Robert Trent Jones, Dan Maples and Willard Byrd), and a variety of accommodation options, including family homes, townhomes and villas.

Golfers in search of southern hospitality, but not necessarily the all-inclusive resort experience, should try their hand at some of the Waccamaw Golf Trail’s dozen courses. Located at the southern end of the Grand Strand, around Georgetown, S.C., the Waccamaw offerings include the Tour-tested TPC of Myrtle Beach and two Mike Strantz creations: Caledonia and True Blue. Many Waccamaw courses were built on former rice
and indigo plantations and feature plenty of the wet stuff.

The Arizona Desert
Dry weather, never-ending sunshine and spectacular scenery greet golfers who tee it up in the Arizona desert. We-Ko-Pa’s newest gem is the Saguaro Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and, when combined with its sister Cholla Course, it creates a golf experience you shouldn’t miss. Other standouts in the Phoenix/Scottsdale region include Longbow Golf Club in Mesa and the player-friendly Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills.

Two hours south, in Tucson, a couple of must-play experiences include Tucson National, which sports 36 holes of Tour-caliber golf (it’s the former site of the Chrysler Classic of Tucson) and Arizona National.

Go-Tos
Other domestic sure bets this fall include Hawaii (see page 82 for some insight into its picturesque Kohala Coast) and the Palm Springs area. Standouts in that California desert include Indian Wells Golf Resort, which cut the tape last year on its Players Course. The popular resort boasts four hotels and, this past September, opened its new space-aged clubhouse, the IW Club.

Speaking of clubhouses that make you go “wow!” we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention TPC of Sawgrass in Jacksonville, Fla. Its massive (77,000 square feet) Mediterranean-style clubhouse opened its doors just in time for last year’s Players Championship. But of course, the real attraction there is Pete Dye’s course.

The 7th hole at the Tradition Club in Pawleys Island, S.C. features an island green.

Focus On: Greater Phoenix


Whirlwind Golf Club (left) in Chandler boasts two Gary Panks-designed courses, while Gold Canyon Golf Resort (right) is home to two courses as well. The Dinosaur Mountain Course is shown.

With more than 100 golf courses, the Phoenix-Scottsdale area has enough variety to satisfy golfers of all skill levels and budgets.

That’s one of the reasons why it’s arguably the country’s most golf-mad city. (The 325 days of sunshine doesn’t hurt either.)

However, be warned, the region is vast (from downtown Phoenix to north Scottsdale is over 25 miles), so if you plan to visit either Phoenix or Scottsdale without prior planning, you may find yourself spending more time in your rental car than your golf cart.

So what’s the best way to plan your trip?

We suggest you first pick the golf courses you want to play and then select a corresponding accommodation option. Or, better yet, opt for a “stay and play” package at one of the area’s many golf resorts.

For ease of use, we’ve broken down our roundup of the valley’s best courses by region. Choose one, settle down for a few days and enjoy the great weather and even better golf.

Where To Stay

Savvy Internet users should navigate golfarizonaresorts.com, a website devoted to providing users with the best accommodation options during their stay in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. Three strategically placed resorts cover a large swath of the region and make it possible to stay and play at the same place. Consider the Westin Kierland Resort in north Scottsdale, with 27 holes on the premises and a 38-acre “commons” that features dining, retail and entertainment. Plus there’s a lazy river at the Adventure Water Park—perfect for the kids._Ê A little over ten miles from Sky Harbor International Airport, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort features two 18-hole championship golf courses in the Sonoran Desert. Plus, there’s a full-service spa, swimming pool, jogging trails and a casino nearby. On the west side, 20 miles from Phoenix, the Wigwam Resort and Golf Club boasts 331 casita-style rooms and 54 holes of golf (two courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.), not to mention a tennis center. Oenophiles can indulge at the Wigwam Wine Society, a social wine-and-food club geared toward wine lovers.

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Other Reasons To Visit

The PGA Tour The Tour swings through the area twice a year with stops at TPC Scottsdale with the always-exciting FBR Open in late January and the more subdued Frys.com Open at Grayhawk in mid-October.

The Cactus League We’re talking baseball, and in 2009, three more teams (the White Sox, Indians and Dodgers) will call the Phoenix-Scottsdale area their spring-training home. In all, twelve teams—including the Cubs, Rangers and Mariners—spend their spring in the Valley of the Sun.

The Weather We’ll keep this short and sweet: 325 days of sun, average high temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit in November.

Where To Play

North Scottsdale
Troon North’s 36 holes of championship golf wrap around Pinnacle Peak. It’s now better than ever, after recent renovations by designer Tom Weiskopf. At Legend Trail Golf Club, Rees Jones designed 18 holes that wind their way through the Sonoran Desert. After a four-month hiatus, the course reopens this October with 18 new greens. Grayhawk Golf Club is home to the PGA Tour’s Frys.com Open and boasts 36 holes of tough desert golf. The Tom Fazio Raptor course features tricky greens, while Gary Panks’ Talon course is routed around canyons. Ride a Segway and play golf? If you dare. At Kierland Golf Club, golfers can ride one of these self-balancing vehicles for a futuristic golfing experience. And you can play 27 holes of golf. The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is home to the wild and crazy FBR Open. Joining it is the new Champions Course, a Randy Heckenkemper design that debuted last year on the facility’s old Desert Course._Ê

Mesa
About 20 miles southeast of North Scottsdale is Mesa, Ariz. More than just the Chicago Cubs’ spring-training home, it’s also a major golf destination. The player-friendly Longbow Golf Club features many contours, hazards and spectacular mountain views. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Las Sendas Golf Club, a challenging course with majestic red mountain views. Another 25 miles east, Gold Canyon Golf Resort is home to two courses routed around Dinosaur Mountain. The Sidewinder Course snakes its way through arroyos and cholla cacti, while the highlights of the Dinosaur Mountain Course include its elevation changes.


The unspoiled We-Ko-Pa (left) features 36 holes of championship golf; Stonecreek GC (right) is just a few miles down the road.

Fountain Hills
In the northeast quadrant, great golf in unspoiled environs abounds, including two courses at We-Ko-Pa. Its recently opened Saguaro Course was designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, while the Cholla Course was designed by Scott Miller. The front nine at Sun Ridge Canyon Golf Club plays downhill, while the back nine goes uphill—really uphill. The player-friendly Eagle Mountain Golf Club is just a short drive away.

The Westside
Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear has two golf courses. One is the Palms, a regulation-length Arthur Hills design. The other, the Lakes, is an executive-length Hale Irwin design. Native grasses are the dominant feature of Gary Planks’ Trilogy at Vistancia, a 7,259-yard layout that promises its guests a quick pace of play. John Fought’s Raven Golf Club at Verrado opened in 2004 and is an affordable desert-style course.

The Wigwam Resort and Golf Club is 20 miles west of Phoenix. It features 54 holes of golf (36 designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.) and 331 casita-style rooms.

How To Book Your Vacation

According to a recent Neilsen survey, 72 percent of Americans now have access to the Internet. And it’s a safe bet that many of them have booked part of a recent vacation online too.

Of course, there are many advantages and disadvantages to this. Consider the person saddled with the dubious honor of coordinating a trip’s minutiae, the so-called “group leader.” “They draw the short straw,” says Jeff Hamilton, President of Golfpac Travel, whose GolfpacPhoenix.com website seeks to “alleviate the group leader’s headache.”

How So?

By devoting an entire password-protected area to your travel group. In addition to booking hotel, tee times and rental cars, site users can download driving maps and read unbiased course reviews, which, according to Hamilton, prove to be a wonderful tool. “It helps the consumer experience the course before he gets there.” And because of the website’s stringent policy, bogus reviews are impossible to post. “Many sites allow you to review courses before you play the course. With our site, reviewers can only be people who’ve played the course before.”

But perhaps the best thing about GolfpacPhoenix.com is its cost: nothing. And, that’s Internet shopping at it’s finest.

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Insider Tips

Pack warm clothes and shorts. Cool mornings quickly turn into warm afternoons.

Book early tee times. Winter brings shorter days, so book your tee time before noon so you don’t finish in the dark.

Eat a light lunch. With so many great restaurants in Scottsdale, you’ll want to save some room.

Play in Sedona. Two hours away and a bit cooler than the Greater Phoenix area, Sedona offers jaw-dropping views of the red rocks. We suggest Sedona Golf Resort and Oak Creek.

Watch the FBR from the 16th hole. Every year, half a million people attend the tournament, and many of them camp out here, on the “Loudest Hole in Golf.”

Focus On: The Pinehurst Area

The second hole at Hyland Hills Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen
It’s easy to confuse the Pinehurst area with Pinehurst Resort. After all, Pinehurst Resort is home to one of the world’s most famous courses (No. 2) and hosts numerous USGA championships (including the U.S. Open). People often lose sight of the many other great golf experiences the region offers. From Pine Needles (site of three recent U.S. Women’s Opens) to the former sand quarry aptly named “The Pit,” the Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen area has enough golf to keep you swinging for nearly a month and a half straight.

Of course, great golf isn’t the only reason to visit this part of the country. For starters, southern hospitality is alive and well here, so it’s the perfect getaway from hectic city life, and although August and September may be the dog days of summer, now’s the most affordable time to visit this kid-friendly area with your family. Regardless of when you go (or whom you go with), to not visit would be to miss out on one of the country’s best golf destinations.

Golf
The Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen region has 43 golf courses in a 15-mile radius, including eight courses at America’s largest golf resort, the Pinehurst Resort. Legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross designed a number of courses in the area including Pinehurst Resort’s No. 2 (he lived off its 3rd hole), Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, and Mid Pines. The late Mike Strantz had a reputation as a “Maverick” designer. See why at his Tobacco Road, a challenging, jagged swath of land that tempts golfers from all over the world. Like to walk but don’t want your caddie to help you read greens? Hire a llama (yes, a llama) at Talamore Resort, where you’ll find a limited number of these pack animals to lug your sticks around the course. Is it a novelty? Maybe, but the course holds up; it was designed by Rees Jones.

The Country Club of Whispering Pines is an Ellis Maples design.

Golf Schools
Attending a golf school in the Pinehurst region is almost as popular as playing golf. The area boasts five different highly reputable schools including Peggy Kirk Bell’s “Golfaris” (“an expedition for golfers who want to improve their games and have fun”) at Pine Needles, and the recently opened Pinehurst Golf Academy with its indoor hitting bays, putting studio and covered practice area. Other schools include facilities at Longleaf Golf & Country Club, Pinewild Country Club and The Pit Golf Links.

Greenlight Specials
Country Club of Whispering Pines Play three rounds of golf on your choice of five different courses. Includes cart, two nights in villa lodging and continental breakfast. From $219. Valid thru September 14, 2008. For more information, call (800) 334-0589 or (910) 949-4323, or visit www.whisperingpinesnc.com.

Pine Needles/Mid Pines Summer Golf Special. 36 holes of Donald Ross-designed holes. Pine Needles greens fee: $125, Mid Pines: $80.00. Good thru September 3, 2008. For reservations, call (800) 290-2334.
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Pinehurst Resort Summer Escape Package. Either one round of golf or two spa treatments for each night booked. Accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily. $329 per person, per night. Call (800) 487-4653 to make reservations.

The 18th hole at Mike Strantz’ tough Tobacco Road.

Accommodations
Just about every type of accommodation is available in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area, including bed-and-breakfasts, motels, hotels, condominiums and luxury resorts. If you like to stay at “all-inclusive” resorts with golf, dining and other amenities just a short walk away, then it’s hard to beat Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles and Mid Pines Inn. If you plan to explore the area, then you might want to stay at one of the area’s many historic bed-and-breakfasts.

Diversions

July 30-August 3, 2008
U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and World Cup
The world’s best little linkers tear it up on Pinehurst Nos. 3, 5 and 8 as well as five other area courses. Visit www.uskidsgolf.com

August 2-3, 2008
29th Annual Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment
It’s “1781,” and the “Tories” and “Whigs” are duking it out_â”again. For more info, call (910) 947-2051.

August 18-24, 2008
U.S. Amateur Championship
The world’s best amateurs converge on Pinehurst Nos. 2 and 4. Visit www.pinehurst.com/amateur-2008.asp.

August 29-Sept. 1, 2008
20th Annual Labor Day Wine Festival
Located at Pinehurst Resort, this festival promises to please oenophiles and gastronomes alike. Call (800) 487-4653 for more.

September 13, 2008
Oktoberfest at the Fair Barn
The German tradition comes stateside, and a month early, at the Pinehurst Harness Track. Call (910) 295-0166 for more info.

September 27-28, 2008
Pinehurst Fall Dressage Show
Horse handling at its finest. Pinehurst Harness Track. Call (910) 693-1769 for more information.

Contact Information
A number of online resources contain great information on the area.

www.homeofgolf.com

www.sandhillsgolf.com

www.pinehurstgolftrips.com

www.donaldrosssociety.org

www.tuftsarchives.org

Scotland

Amazing panoramic views of Machrihanish Golf Club.

If you go to Scotland, everyone will later ask if you played the Old Course at St. Andrews (standrews.org.uk, 01334-466666), and for good reason: It’s golf’s most famous course and a surreal experience to play. So if you’ve never been there, be sure to book it. Unfortunately, it’s not like you can call the pro shop and reserve a tee time. Even locals have to enter a daily lottery to get on. For a premium, you can book a round and hotel through the Old Course Experience [oldcourse-experience.com, (888) 552-5632], which is a St. Andrews-based golf tour operator staffed with people who know their stuff. They can secure tee times, shuttle you from the airport, arrange dinner, etc. And they’re locals, so they’re loaded with connections. It’s like having a best friend in town. At the Old Course, hire a seasoned caddie who knows all the course nuances and history. Afterwards, explore the charming, three-street town of St. Andrews, which is a five-minute walk from the course, and Kohler-owned Old Course Hotel (oldcoursehotel.kohler.com, 01334-474371).

The Carrick boasts elevation changes, plenty of water and outstanding course conditions.

Next, it’s time to try the brand-new Castle Course at St. Andrews, which is destined to be among the world’s top-rated and most difficult courses. Part of the St. Andrews Links Trust, it sits on 220 beautiful acres on a cliff above the North Sea. There’s plenty of elevation changes and hidden fairway undulation along its 7,118 yards, as well as huge greens that roll slower than they look. Views are spectacular. The strong gusts will surely make this a challenge for all golfers, even considering the wide fairways. There’s only one tree on the entire course—out of play behind the first green. The stunning 17th and 18th holes look as if they could be cut and pasted to become Pebble Beach’s 19th and 20th holes: They’re dramatic, susceptible to wind and require shot precision to avoid sailing into the water. Your final shot descends to a double green (shared with No. 9), a tribute to the Old Course’s similar feature.

DeVere’s Cameron House is a 200-year old manor offering five-star accommodations.

While there are other famous courses to play in Scotland—including Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Muirfield—some lesser-knowns are worthy of playing and easier to get on. One not to miss is Machrihanish Golf Club (machgolf.com, 01586-810277), an “Old Tom” Morris design established in 1876. Lying along the Atlantic, the Spartan course dishes out all you can handle. Perpetual winds swirl along the narrow, undulating fairways leading to small, multitiered greens. Miss the fairway (and you’re bound to), and you’ll need to negotiate shots from the thick and long grass (or is it wheat?) that locals call “rough”—if you can find your ball. Beware: The rough is so thick that you can easily hurt your hands on your downswing as it stops your swing on a dime. Another warning: Getting to Machrihanish is a journey. You can either drive the several hours along the very street for which Paul McCartney wrote “The Long and Winding Road,” or you can hire Loch Lomond Seaplanes —a pricey yet worthy endeavor—to fly the 30 to 45 minutes from many Scotland locales. Is Machrihanish worth the travel hassle? Brad Faxon slept in his car out front, just to get a chance to play it several years ago (then scored a remarkable 65).

The Castle Course at St. Andrews is bound to be a classic.

An ideal place to close out your trip is at The Carrick (devere-hotels.com, 0845-375-2808), an 18-hole gem that opened last summer near Loch Lomond. The outstanding 7,082-yard layout was designed by Canadian Doug Carrick, and features flowing terrain, elevation changes and some water. The lake views are mesmerizing, and the course is meticulously maintained. The clubhouse boasts a state-of-the-art spa and casual restaurant/bar, and is a five-minute shuttle from DeVere’s deluxe Cameron House, which is a recently upgraded 200-year-old manor with five-star service, food, bars and accommodations. And it’s just a 15-minute cab from the Glasgow airport, to boot.

Scott Kramer is a veteran golf writer located in Dana Point, Calif.

Discover Golf Mexico

Twenty-Six Million Americans play golf, and many of them travel each year to tee it up, but only about 500,000 of them do so in Mexico. This troubled Carlos Kviat, the President of Discover Golf Mexico, a new website (www.discovergolfmexico.com) devoted to making travel south of the border efficient and worry-free. “We [Kviat and founders Marcelino Barrenechea and Luis Velazquez] detected the five most important destinations that attract the most international golfers.” In doing so, Kviat created what he calls the “first premier Mexican golf tour operator.”

Discover Golf Mexico works directly with the Mexican Tourism office and allows users to book accommodations, tee times and other activities. “We want you to come down here with everything scheduled and confirmed,” he says. By the looks of Discover Golf Mexico’s website, that shouldn’t be too difficult._Ê

Mexico’s Best Golf
With more than twenty golf courses to choose from in five premier locations, Discover Golf Mexico offers many of the country’s finest layouts designed by the game’s best architects, including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Tom Weiskopf. West Coast favorites like Palmilla (Los Cabos), Vista Vallarta (Puerta Vallarta) and El Tigre (Riviera Nayarit) can be booked through the website as well as beloved East Coast courses like Moon Palace (Cancun) and El Camaleon (Riviera Maya)._Ê_Ê_Ê

One-Stop Shopping
Discover Golf Mexico boasts relationships with 60 hotels and more than 20 golf courses. While navigating the site, users can book their entire vacation, including length of stay, party size and desired activities. “We’re inviting golfers to come through our site, but our service doesn’t stop there,” says Kviat. “We’ll receive them here as well.” Meaning simply that once you land in Mexico, you’ll be taken care of.

Discovering Mexico
“We want people to come to Mexico,” says Kviat, “to enjoy the golf, the food, the people, the archaeology—everything.” Activities off the links abound in the areas served by Discover Golf Mexico, from canopy tours and jeep safaris to sailing and snorkeling excursions.

Visitors can even spend the day as a dolphin trainer. Each activity affords members of your party the opportunity to discover another side of Mexico. And they’re easy to book. After you’ve selected your region and the length of your stay, the Discover Golf Mexico site lists available “off-site” opportunities that you can add to your package.

“A confirmation comes back to you in 48 hours, and if something isn’t available, you can choose something else,” says Kviat. Clearly, Discover Golf Mexico’s motto, “Come Feel the Warmth of Mexico,” applies to both the country’s golf and its varied culture.

Money-Saving Packages
Discover Golf Mexico makes it easy to create your own vacation or save money via three package options: 4 days/3 nights, 7 days/6 nights and 10 days/9 nights. “As long as you desire,” says Kviat. Simply select your destination (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerta Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit or Los Cabos), date of check-in, number of travelers in your party, who’ll be playing golf and how many rooms you need. Then click on your preferred package. Discover Golf Mexico does the rest, giving you a list of hotels, golf courses and other activities to choose from. www.discovergolfmexico.com
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Hawaii’s “Garden Isle” Is Pure Paradise

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Towering above the island of Kauai is one of the wettest places on earth, Mt. Wai’ale’ale. It’s the island’s second tallest mountain peak, and with 460 inches of annual rainfall, boasts lush rain forests, vibrant flowers and waterfalls that cascade down Kauai’s steep mountain cliffs. It’s a beautiful thing to behold,especially when you’re miles away on a dry golf course.

Kauai is an ecological oddity; while rain pummels its interior, the coast remains relatively dry and temperate, making it a year-round golf paradise.Visitors have long taken advantage of the island’s dramatic, rugged landscape to parasail, hike, take helicopter rides and swim in the Pacific Ocean’s temperate waters. But there are also plenty of adventures on its golf courses, including Princeville’s very challenging Prince Course, routinely ranked as Hawaii’s best course.

Outside of its verdant landscape, what makes Kauai so special is its size—or lack thereof. Kauai isn’t big—its square mileage isn’t much more than New York City—and with a population of just under 60,000, it’s easy to carve out your own slice of heaven. Plus, there’s only one major road on the island—Kuhio Hwy—a semi-beltway that serves the island’s major golf courses.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club
www.kauailagoonsgolf.com
Although its most scenic nine holes (the Kiele Course back nine) are currently being renovated, 18 holes of this Jack Nicklaus design remain open for play, including the Kiele’s front nine. The challenging 5th hole, a 219-yard par-3 is a standout that asks golfers to hit their tee shots over a mango tree forest. (The cart ride from the tee box down into the jungle and back up to the green is worth the green fee alone.) Kauai Lagoons is a great track to play when you first arrive (or just before you leave), as it’s only a few minutes from Lihue Airport.

Kiahuna Golf Course
www.kiahunagolf.com
Like Poipu Bay and Princeville, noted architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed Kiahuna Golf Course, and despite not having the dramatic elevation changes and ocean views of some of Kauai’s other courses, Kiahuna features a number of water hazards, views of Mt. Wai’ale’ale and ruins of historic buildings throughout the course.

Poipu Bay Golf Course
www.poipubaygolf.com
Former home of the Grand Slam of Golf, Poipu Bay once yielded a 59 to Phil Mickelson. For the first 14 holes, this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design may appear benign from tee to green, but don’t be fooled, managing the powerful trade winds can be challenging. Don’t be surprised if your drives sometimes only travel two-thirds their normal distance. And if the wind blows your ball into an ancient Hawaiian “heiau,” or place of worship, take a drop. The course is tough enough without disturbing the golf gods.

Finally, on the 15th tee, there’s a sign informing golfers that they’ve turned the corner and are heading downwind. Elevated high above the ocean with waves crashing below and kite surfers launching themselves into the stratosphere, your drives will double in length.

Princeville at Hanalei
www.princeville.com
Wind or no wind, the Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed Prince Course at Princeville is one of the world’s most difficult courses. Carved out of some of the most rugged terrain on Kauai’s north coast, the Prince Course challenges golfers early and often. Players are frequently forced to lay up short of wide ravines on their drives and play long irons or fairway woods into well-guarded greens. It’s a toughie, bring your A-game.

Puakea Golf Course
www.puakeagolf.com
Ground broke on this course in 1991 but was halted a year later when Hurricane Iniki devastated much of the island. The course (designed by Robin Nelson) finally opened in 1997, but financial troubles limited it to 10 holes. That’s when AOL founder and Hawaii native Steve Case bought the property, asked Nelson to add eight holes and opened it for play in 2003. Although Puakea doesn’t border the ocean, there are great ocean views from the 11th tee. And its signature hole, the par-3 sixth, drops 75 feet from tee to green over a large ravine. Still, Puakea ranks as Kauai’s most player-friendly course.

Movie buffs might recognize the 14th and 15th holes, even if they’ve never been there. Those two fairways were used to film portions of Jurassic Park. Like Kauai Lagoons, Puakea is just minutes from Lihue Airport.

Out Of Bounds
Go shopping in Old Koloa Town, Hawaii’s oldest sugar plantation; snorkel just off shore at Kee Beach and Haena Beach Park or off Nukumoi Point at Poipu Beach Park; explore the sea on any number of SCUBA outings; hover close to one of Kauai’s many waterfalls on a helicopter tour; kayak on the Wailua or Huleia Rivers or the Poipu to Port Allen ocean course; get pampered at any one of Kauai’s spas; mountain bike on cane road between Kealia Beach and Anahola. www.kauaidiscovery.com.

Florida: Reunion Resort

When Jack Nicklaus’ Tradition Course opened at Reunion Resort in late 2006, it joined two other championship courses designed by living legends. Arnold Palmer’s Legacy Course and Tom Watson’s Independence Course_Ê were already on site and had received critical acclaim, not to mention the honor of hosting the annual Ginn Open, one of only a handful of LPGA tournaments televised on network TV.

Now Annika Sorenstam has joined the legendary trio with her “Annika Academy.” The 5,400-square-foot facility opened its doors in early 2007 and is surrounded by private chipping and putting greens. In addition to being headed by Sorenstam’s instructor Henry Reis, her personal trainer, Kai Fusser, has implemented a curriculum focusing on “athletic training” suitable for golfers of all ages and physiques. It’s clear that for golfers who like to be surrounded by the game’s greatest players, there’s no better place than Reunion Resort.

Where To Play
The Legacy Architect: Arnold Palmer. 6,916 yards, Par-72. Green Fee: $200 Disney World is a short drive away, but at times the Legacy feels like you’re on one of its roller coasters. Its fairways are the opposite of the flat ones typically found in the Sunshine State. And with housing only on its perimeter, the course retains a wide-open feel. Like to gamble? The par-4 13th measures just 283 yards from the members tee and practically begs you to go for it.

The Independence Architect: Tom Watson. 7,154 yards, Par-72. Green Fee: $200 Watson’s first Florida design is a traditional parkland course with a windswept, natural appearance. Standout holes include numbers two through six that border the Davenport Creek Preserve, a heavily wooded area dominated by palmetto, pine, live oak and cypress trees.

The Tradition Architect: Jack Nicklaus. 7,300 yards, Par-72. Green Fee: $150-$200 This Jack Nicklaus Signature Course opened for play in November 2006 and was built in a bird sanctuary, making it not only a serene setting, but a bird watcher’s paradise. Wild turkey, heron, egret, osprey, red tail hawk, eagle and owl are regularly spotted on the course.

Where To Practice
The Annika Academy Annika Sorenstam’s 5,400-square-foot facility opened last spring and provides students with a first-hand experience of what it’s like to practice, train and play like the LPGA’s all-time Money Leader. The academy is staffed with Annika’s cadre of coaches and companions, including her long-time instructor, Henry Reis. Among the amenities are a modern fitness room, two large hitting booths, video analysis and Callaway clubfitting. There’s also a driving range, oversized green and short game area.

Greenlight Specials
Sunsational Summer Golf Package Unlimited golf each day on one of Reunion’s three Signature golf courses. A replay round only costs the price of your cart. Prices start at $159 per person, per night. (800) 554-9569, reservations@reunionresort.com

Ultimate Summer Family Package Starting at $90 per person, per night, this package provides accommodations for five days and four nights in one of Reunion’s luxurious homes. Also included is two days admission to one of Orlando’s theme parks, credit toward any resort amenity, complimentary access to Reunion’s five-acre water park and much more. (866) 582-3877

Out Of Bounds: Ginn Open
Every April, just after the Masters, Reunion hosts the 72-hole Ginn Open. Attracting the LPGA_â__ðs top players, including Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, the Ginn has quickly become one of the Tour’s most prestigious tournaments, in part because of its large purse and venue. The 2008 Ginn Open boasted the third largest purse on the LPGA Tour at $2.6 million. Disney World is just 15 minutes away in nearby Orlando. Hammock Beach, Ginn’s sister resort, is located a little over 100 miles away and features a Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson course.

Golf Clubs Away!
www.golfclubsaway.com
Tired of lugging your sticks with you on vacation? You’re not alone. If there’s one thing that can ruin your golf vacation, it’s the anxiety that comes with hauling your precious clubs with you._Ê

A New York City company is hoping to allay golfers’ fears with a new service called GolfClubsAway.com. Just log on to their website either before or during your vacation, and select a set of Callaway, Cobra or Nike clubs (left-handed available). Golf Clubs Away will send them to your hotel, and when your vacation ends, all you have to do is give them to the hotel staff and they’ll do the rest. You don’t even need to bring balls or tees with you, they come with your rental.

Shipping is free and clubs only cost $35 to $45, depending on your brand preference. Nike golf shoes are also available for just $6.50 a day.

Service is currently available only in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties—perfect if you’re heading to the Orlando area to play Reunion, but more destinations are on the way, including South Carolina.

Best Of The Southeast

Don’t worry Augusta isn’t the Southeast’s only exclusive layout. If you crave manicured fairways and first-class facilities (that are open to the public), then tee it up on one of these top-notch Southeast resorts. After all they’re just a short drive from Augusta National and a heck of a lot easier to get on.

Georgia

Reynolds Plantation
www.reynoldsplantation.com
(800) 800-5250

The Golf: Reynolds boasts five pristine courses (four of which are open to the public) designed by some of the game’s most talented architects (Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp to be exact). Many holes border Lake Oconee, including nine on Nicklaus’ Great Waters course. Fazio’s “National” layout features 27 holes routed through thick forests.

Accommodations: Guests can stay at either the Ritz-Carlton Lodge (voted one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay”) or at one of the Plantation’s fully appointed cottages.

Golf School: Reynolds Plantation is one of only seven facilities to host a TaylorMade Performance Lab. Students are exposed to the latest in swing analysis technology and clubfitting. In addition, the Reynolds Golf Academy, headed by Charlie King, sports a 6,550-square-foot facility.

Diversions: The award-winning 26,000-square-foot spa at the Ritz Carlton offers more than a dozen massage treatments, including the “Up-to-Par Sports Therapy,” designed to treat injuries.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 79 Miles

Sea Island
www.seaisland.com
(888) SEA-ISLAND

The Golf: There are three championship golf courses on the premises, including the Retreat, designed by Sea Island resident Davis Love III. The Seaside Course underwent a renovation by Tom Fazio in 1999 and Open Doctor Rees Jones operated on the Plantation back in ’98. Traditionalists will love the nod to Merion, as wicker baskets sit atop its pins.

Accommodations: Sea Island boasts three options, including the 80 year-old Cloister (rated one of the Best Hotels in the World), Lodge (with 40 guest rooms and suites) and Cottage rentals (one-third of Sea Island’s 500 homes are available to rent).

Golf School: Sea Island’s nine-person instruction staff, headed by Davis Love III’s coach Jack Lumpkin, offers clinics, schools and individual instruction.

Diversions: Take a ballroom dance lesson with dance instructor Audrey Wood, ride horses at the 13-acre Sea Island Stables or enroll in an etiquette class taught by Jennifer Daniel, graduate of the Washington School of Protocol.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 211 Miles

South Carolina
Sea Pines/Hilton Head
www.seapines.com
(866) 561-8802

The Golf: Anyone who watches golf on television is familiar with Hilton Head’s Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus Harbor Town Course and the iconic striped lighthouse behind the 18th green. The 1969 toughie has hosted the Verizon Heritage Classic since it first opened. What viewers don’t see are the resort’s two other courses: the Ocean Course (the first ever layout in Hilton Head) redesigned by Mark McCumber in 1995 and Heron Point by Pete Dye, formerly Sea Marsh.

Accommodations: Guests can choose between three accommodation options, including the 60-room Inn at Harbor Town, one- to four- bedroom private villas and rental homes ranging from one to seven bedrooms.

Golf School: Golf Academy of Hilton Head Island at Sea Pines. For more information visit golfacademy.net.

Diversions: It’d be hard not to take advantage of the Stan Smith-run Sea Pines Racquet Club, one of the nation’s best tennis facilities. It features 23 clay courts.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 185 Miles

Kiawah Island
www.kiawahresort.com
(800) 654-2924

The Golf: Kiawah boasts five golf courses, including Pete Dye’s Ocean Course, home of the 2012 PGA Championship. Recently instituting a “walking only” policy before noon, The Ocean features panoramic views of the Atlantic on every hole—and challenging conditions on nearly every shot. Kiawah’s other four championship layouts were designed by a quartet of standout architects, including Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus.

Accommodations: Options abound as guests can stay at either the Five Diamond seaside Sanctuary Hotel (reminiscent of a 19th century mansion), one- to four-bedroom villas and three- to eight-bedroom homes.

Golf School: The Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center is located at the Turtle Point course and offers an indoor/outdoor teaching experience.

Diversions: Kiawah features the “Second Best Tennis Resort in the U.S.” as ranked by Tennis Magazine.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 201 Miles

North Carolina
Pinehurst Resort
www.pinehurst.com
(800) ITS-GOLF

The Golf: The largest golf resort in the U.S. features eight championship golf courses, including Donald Ross’ No. 2 (host of the 2005 and 2014 U.S. Opens).

Accommodations: Guests can stay at the Carolina (220 rooms), Holly Inn (82 Four-Star rooms), The Manor (45 rooms) or at one of Pinehurst’s villas and condos.

Golf School: The recently opened Pinehurst Golf Academy features a high-tech putting studio, clubfitting facilities and dedicated short game area.

Diversions: The Spa at Pinehurst offers a menu filled with many relaxing treatments, including a combination hot stone/Swedish massage that helps relieve muscle tension.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 239 Miles

Pine Needles/Mid-Pines
pineneedles-midpines.com
(800) 290-2334

The Golf: Two Donald Ross-designed courses, including Pine Needles, site of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open.

Accommodations: Two accommodation options await guests, including The Lodge at Pine Needles & the Georgian-style Mid Pines Inn.

Golf School: LPGA founding member Peggy Kirk Bell started “Golfari” a Safari of Golf that’s geared toward golfers “who want to improve their games and have fun.” Students receive 15 hours of instruction and on-course sessions in this four-night package.

Diversions: The Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen area has 15 spas, a number of freshwater lakes and an equestrian center, among many other recreational activities.
Distance to Augusta National Golf Club: 237 Miles

Head To The Water

The par-3 14th hole at Doonbeg (above) leaves no room for error.

Say “island golf” to someone and they’ll probably picture Hawaii or some other tropical destination. But the word “island” doesn’t always equal swaying palms and surfers hanging ten a sand wedge away from the fairway. After all, golf was invented on an island where weather is anything but balmy.

Regardless of the weather conditions, island golf does conjure up images of seaside golf courses. From the dramatic dunescapes of Irish links courses to the wave-crashing Paspallum-seeded courses of the Dominican Republic, many of golf’s greatest (and most photogenic layouts) incorporate Mother Nature’s largest water hazards into their routing.

With summer just a month away, it’s time to seriously consider which island to spend your golf vacation on.

Ireland
The Skinny: Ireland has fantastic golf courses, many of which are located along its coast. If you’re planning a short trip, divide the country into sections; travelers in for a long stay might consider circling the island (including Northern Ireland and its fine layouts).
Standouts: Lahinch, Old Head, Ballybunion (Old), Portmarnock and The European in Ireland. Royal County Down and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland are phenomenal.
Island Time: The best time to visit is from late spring to mid fall. The weather is unpredictable, so pack accordingly.
Deals: Log on to openfairways.com to purchase a Golf Passport to Ireland. Also try golfadventureguides.com for money-saving tips.

Dominican Republic
The Skinny: The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular golf getaways for people on the East Coast
and continues to grow its reputation with new premium offerings.
Standouts: Jack Nicklaus’ new masterpiece, Punta Espada, redefines seaside golf, while Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore Courses are two of the island’s most challenging layouts.
Island Time: Nestled in the tropics (and sharing an island with Haiti), the DR, as it’s nicknamed, has warm weather and minor temperature changes throughout the year. Expect rainy days from May to November and the possible hurricane in the autumn months. Winter is the ideal time to visit, especially when coming from a cold climate.
Deals: Visit casadecampo.com.do for rates and specials.

Puerto Rico
The Skinny: There are fewer than two-dozen golf courses on the island and many of them were designed by top-notch architects, including Gary Player, Greg Norman, Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Many boast ocean views and are susceptible to its breezes. A number of new courses are expected to open over the next few years, including the recently announced Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico.
Standouts: The Hyatt’s Hacienda del Mar has four championship golf courses, each designed by Robert
Trent Jones, Sr.
Island Time: Like its neighbor, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico is in the tropics and is susceptible to hurricanes in late summer and early fall. Its wet season is the summer months.
Deals: Golf packages are available at hyatthaciendadelmar.hyatt.com and external travel websites like golfpactravel.com.

The South Course at Mauna Lani Resort cuts through lava flows and offers both ocean and mountain views. The striking 15th hole (above) is one of the most photographed in all of golf.

Hawaii
The Skinny: Hawaii’s islands have more than 90 golf courses and many of them feature ocean views, lava outcroppings, jungle ravines & the world’s largest water hazard, the Pacific Ocean.
Standouts: Kohala Coast: Mauna Lani Resort’s Francis H. I’i Brown North Course and South Course are both championship-quality tracks that offer enjoyable playing experiences and plenty of great ocean and mountain views. Waikaloa Beach Resort’s distinctive Beach and Kings’ courses can be a load of fun as well, particularly the Kings’, a Tom Weiskopf and Jay Moorish links-style design. Also check out the well-known Mauna Kea Golf Course, which is currently being renovated by Rees Jones. Kaua’i: Princeville’s Prince Course is arguably the most challenging in all of Hawaii, while Poipu Bay Golf Course offers a final four that you’ll never forget.
Island Time: There really isn’t any bad time to visit Hawaii, as temperatures remain perfect throughout the year. Average highs range from 80 to 88, while lows average about 65.
Deals: visit kauaidiscovery.com

Daufuskie Island
The Skinny: Located between Savannah, Ga., and Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island is an intimate, historical oasis that claims a mere 429 full-time residents. There are three golf courses on the island, but only two are open to the public.
Standouts: Daufuskie Island Resort is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses: Jack Nicklaus’ Melrose Course (named one of S.C.’s Top 25 tracks) and the Tom Weiskopf/Jay Moorish-designed Bloody Point.
Island Time: Summer months are hot and humid (but benefit from off-shore breezes). Autumn months are susceptible to hurricanes. Late fall and into late spring are the best time to visit.
Deals: A number of specials and packages are available. Check out daufuskieislandresort.com for vacation and golf packages.

Islands Less Traveled
Australia We admit, it’s a pretty big island (so big, in fact, that it’s a continent). If you’re visiting, make sure you check out Tom Doak’s Barnbougle Dunes, one of the world’s best public courses. www.barnbougledunes.com.au
Newfoundland The River Course at Humber Valley Resort opened in 2006 and was designed by Canadian architect Doug Carrick. The course boasts spectacular views of Deer Lake and Humber River. www.humbervalley.com
New Zealand Another Doak standout, Cape Kidnappers Golf Club is located in Hawke’s Bay about 10 hours south of David Harman’s excellent Kauri Cliffs Golf Club and Lodge. www.capekidnappers.com & www.kauricliffs.com.

The Gem State

Osprey Meadows is a tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout.

In recent years, new golf courses have sprung up in non-traditional destinations. Consider Bandon Dunes in Oregon, which opened in 1999. It (and its sister courses, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails) turned an otherwise sleepy Oregon coastal town into a golfing mecca.

Inspired by the same “If you build it, they will come” philosophy, new courses have opened in other four-season areas like Maine, Colorado and North Dakota. Perhaps golfers want an alternative to palm trees and cacti, or maybe it’s just that really good courses are springing up in the most unlikely of places. Whatever the reason, we’re no longer surprised to hear golfers get jazzed about visiting remote areas.

Recently the Gem State of Idaho has emerged as golf’s newest hot spot. Despite being better known for its skiing and wintertime activities, its undulating, unspoiled terrain and dramatic backdrops have presented architects with an opportunity to shape land into some of the country’s best new courses.

Play at one of the following standouts, and you’ll understand why they’re worth the trip.

Circling Raven Golf Club
Worley, Idaho www.circlingraven.com
The Golf: With unspoiled views and plenty of land (it’s built on 620 acres), it’s not unusual for golfers to go 18 holes without seeing another foursome.
Diversions: Go fly-fishing up the St. Joe River, America’s highest navigable river. Empty your pockets into one of the 1,800 gaming machines at Coeur d’Alene Casino.
How To Get There: Nine major airlines fly into the Spokane, Wash., airport, including Delta, Southwest and United. The airport is 45 minutes from the course.

Coeur D’Alene is home of the famous floating green.

Coeur D’Alene Golf Club
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho www.cdaresort.com
The Golf: Expertly manicured with the famous floating green, what Coeur d’Alene lacks in size it makes up for in conditioning. (Although two recent visits by GT staff revealed lackluster green conditions.)
Diversions: Take a boat ride around the pristine Coeur d’Alene lake, fly-fish on the Clark Fork River or go whitewater rafting.
How To Get There: Like Circling Raven, Coeur D’Alene is less than an hour from Spokane International Airport.

The Idaho Club
Sandpoint, Idaho www.theidahoclub.com
The Golf: Home of Idaho’s first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, this new, private community sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake. (Opens April 2008)
Diversions: Plans call for a Club Spa and Fitness Center, Lake Club & Marina and “Kids Camp.”
How To Get There: The Idaho Club is located in Sandpoint between Coeur D’Alene and the Canadian border. The nearest major airport is Spokane International, roughly 75 miles away.

Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort
Donnelly, Idaho www.tamarackidaho.com
The Golf: This tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course demands careful placement off the tee and pinpoint accuracy on approach shots.
Diversions: Take a boat ride on Lake Cascade.
How To Get There: Eight major airlines serve Boise International Airport. Chartered car service or shuttle service is highly recommended, as Tamarack is two hours north of the airport.

Whitetail Club and Resort
McCall, Idaho www.whitetailclub.com
The Golf: A pristinely manicured, private course featuring many holes routed through dense forests of pines. Reciprocal deals are available with the nearby Osprey Meadows.
Diversions: Raft, fish and hike down the Salmon River.
How To Get There: Like its neighbor, Osprey Meadows, one of Whitetail’s charms is its remoteness. It’s about two-and-a-half hours from Boise.

When you play Circling Raven there isn’t a house in sight.

Off The Fairway
Want to get away from it all?
Try one of these remote beauties.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bandon, Ore.
Play here, and you’ll swear you were in Ireland. Visitors fly into the tiny (but expanding) Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. www.bandondunesgolf.com _Ê

Hawktree Golf Club
Bismarck, N.D.
Designed by Jim Engh, this course debuted in 2000 to great acclaim. Be on the lookout for black coal slag in the bunkers, native grass and mounds on the 7,085-yard layout. www.hawktree.com

Predator Ridge Golf Club
Vernon, British Columbia
27 challenging holes designed by Canadian Les Furber, Predator Ridge is located in British Columbia’s central plateau just minutes from the Kelowna Airport. www.predatorridge.com