Seaside Swings

By Andrew Penner

A favourite exercise for couchpotato tourists is the ol’ spin the globe and point game. Wherever your finger lands, well, that’s where you gotta go. True, the results can easily end in disappointment. I mean, if you’re looking for an awesome golf getaway in January, maybe Siberia isn’t really your best option. However, Kauai or the Dominican Republic? Yes, either of those would work nicely. No re-spin necessary.

As far as tropical golf destinations go, it’s tough to top the Dominican Republic. With 26 golf courses to choose from - many that cruise along the surf-crashing coastline - this is Caribbean golf at its finest. In fact, if you cherish holes that sit tight along the water, and if you don’t mind a little swirling sea spray as you swing, then the Dominican Republic should definitely be on your bucket list; a bullseye worth spinning for!

For nearly fifty years now, the Casa de Campo resort near the port city of La Romana has been the granddaddy of golf in the Dominican. Serving up three spectacular courses - all designed by the master, Pete Dye - Casa de Campo is a ‘must’ for the avid golfer hoping to capitalize on some of the best warm-weather golf on the planet. The legendary Teeth of the Dog course is rightfully regarded as Pete Dye’s tropical masterpiece. And if you play just one course in the Dominican Republic, this should probably be the one.

Teeth of the Dog features seven holes that are situated right along the sea. The two par-3s on the front side - especially the diabolical 5th, which features a tiny postagestamp green that’s framed by sand and surf - are legendary.

While the two additional courses at Casa de Campo - the Links and Dye Fore - don’t feature seaside drama like the resort’s showstopper, they are rock-solid courses that should be on your itinerary. Dye Fore, which boasts three distinct nines, parades along the vast and beautiful banks of the Chavón River and is ‘Diabolical Dye’ at its finest. Deep bunkers, do-or-die hero shots over ravines, and wicked greenside contours are just a few of Dye’s many trademarks that are well represented on this creative and difficult layout.

The inland Links course, while beautifully shaped and bunkered, is softer and kinder than the other courses at Casa de Campo. My advice? Play it first as your warm-up round! Not surprisingly, given the size of this three-course community, it will take you some time to map out Casa de Campo’s 7,000 acres. Numerous restaurants, pools, beaches, and bars are peppered throughout the property. But fear not. Your private golf cart (each room is assigned one) will allow for ample exploration. Discounted golf packages can be booked at www.casadecampo.com.do.

If you want to extend your trip to another Dominican golfing hot spot, rest assured, there are other excellent options for spectacular seaside golf. For example, with eight awesome holes that cruise along the coastline, you might want to wear a neoprene golf shirt at the Punta Espada course at Cap Cana. Designed by Jack Nicklaus,

Hole #7, Teeth of the Dog GC

Punta Espada is rightfully considered one of the best seaside courses in the tropics. A few notable publications rank it neck-and-neck with Teeth of the Dog. www.puntaespadagolf.com.

And, situated right beside the Punta Cana International Airport, the Tom Fazio-designed Corales Golf Course is yet another Dominican gem that boasts six holes that skirt the sea. This stunning course has hosted the Puntacana Championship - now a regular stop on the PGA Tour - for the past five years. So, yes, you’ll be challenged! www.puntacana.com.

Kauai is the 21st largest island in the United States. But when it comes to golf, it might just be #1. While most of the Hawaiian islands have, perhaps, one or two awesome seaside courses, Kauai has six! So, yes, If you’re thinking this sounds like the ultimate place to spend a week playing golf, well, you would be correct.

Of course, you can’t go wrong visiting any Hawaiian Island. (Interestingly, there are actually well over 100 Hawaiian Islands, but only seven are inhabited.) But Kauai, dubbed ‘The Garden Isle’, is widely considered the most natural and beautiful of all of them. (At least, the ones that are inhabited.) Having been to a handful of them myself, I cannot disagree!

Another strength here is the fact that there is no clear-cut favourite. The six courses that comprise the Go Golf Kauai consortium are all outstanding. However, if you tallied up all the votes, Princeville Makai on the wave-smashed north shore might eke out a win.

Opened in 1971, this was Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s first solo design. And many would say it’s his best. Stunning white-sand bunkers, gorgeous views of Hanalei Bay, outstanding paspalum greens, and one of the prettiest par-3s on the planet - the 7th, which requires a daring shot over the sea - are just some of the highlights.

The highlights also come fast and furious on the Ocean Course at Hokuala, which boasts the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront golf in all of Hawaii. The dramatic seaside cliffs, the lighthouse, the idyllic cove on the closing run, it definitely makes for a special golf experience. To add to the thrill ride, you can also ‘surf the earth’ on Hokuala’s Golf Boards during your round. Also, the Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, is conveniently located near the Lihue Airport so it’s perfect for your grand finale.

Of course, before you get to the salivating conclusion, you’ve got to plot your way through the main body of your golf story. And that would be rounds at Poipu Bay, Puakea, and Wailua.

Also designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Poipu Bay is yet another Kauai course with a beautiful run of holes that careen along ragged seaside bluffs. Poipu Bay played host to the Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006. So yes, you can expect a world-class golf experience here.

Although further inland, Puakea, designed by Robin Nelson, shouldn’t be missed. The massive ravines and the unique jungle setting (the backdrops here were used for the Jurassic Park series) make for a visually stunning golf experience.

And, finally, Wailua is a decades-old municipal course that’s rock-solid from start to finish. And yes, there are a number of oceanside holes here too! It’s been chosen to host three USGA Amateurs and three US Public Links Championships, so don’t expect a cake walk. In 2020, GOLF Magazine named Wailua one of the “30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America.” Indeed, this could be one of the best fifty buckers you’ll ever play.

Not surprisingly, there are numerous accommodation options for your Kauai getaway. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa at Poipu Bay, Timbers Kauai, and the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort are all can’t-gowrong options. For more information and to book your Kauai golf getaway visit www.gogolfkauai.com.

If you’re an aficionado of the sport, a globetrotting golfer that’s familiar with the world’s best golf destinations, you’ve no doubt heard about the fabulous golf in the Dominican Republic and Kauai. True, it’s always a tough call in terms of where to go on your bucketlist golf getaway. So many choices! Maybe just ‘spin the globe’ and, fingers crossed, you’ll hit the jackpot.

By Kevin Smith

AJ Armstrong remembers vividly the first time he set foot on the grounds of the Sundre Golf Club.

“The first time I ever went out to Sundre was for a McLennan Ross Alberta Junior event when I was 13 or 14 and I had no expectations at all. You think ‘Central Alberta’ and you’re not really expecting too much in terms of a golf course,” admitted Armstrong. “I was shocked at how nice it was, how good a condition it was in, a hidden gem. I remember comparing it to Augusta because of the pine straw and the trees and how well manicured the course was. I remember it having some of the best greens and it’s been in great shape every time I’ve played it.”

Armstrong, raised in St. Albert, was an amateur when he played the Alberta Open at Sundre in 2017. A teenager at the time, he played well finishing in a tie for fifth, four strokes behind champion Dustin Risdon. “In 2017, I remember driving the ball really well and I was able to play pretty aggressively. That course is fairly narrow and tree-lined and it’s not very long, so it gives you some options off the tee", said Armstrong. “Some guys will lay back with irons off the tee but if you’re feeling good with your driver you definitely have an advantage by playing more aggressively.”

The Alberta Open returns to Sundre Golf Club in late June to kick off the 2022 Championship season at Alberta Golf. Scott Shouldice is the director of golf there and says the course doesn’t favour any specific style of play and could produce an unexpected leaderboard.

“It’s a tight tree-lined course; you have to be accurate off the tee. It’s not the longest course in the world but a lot of strategy comes into play with your club selection off the tee and the greens can be quite tricky as well. It’s an all-around good challenge,” Shouldice explained. “It’s not just bomb the ball off the tee and hit it wherever, you have to think your way around the course. There’s a lot of strategy. There’s a lot of different types of players that could compete well at the event.”

Armstrong, who won the Alberta Open in 2020 on The Links Course at Wolf Creek, agrees with Shouldice that Sundre could produce a much more varied leaderboard.

“The Links Course at Wolf Creek, looking at the field before the tournament even started, you kinda know who’s going to be up there near the end. You gotta hit the ball far and it really separates the guys who can hit their long irons well and have distance", explained Armstrong. “At Sundre I think you could get a guy who comes out of nowhere if he’s hitting the ball straight enough and putting well.”

Armstrong’s win in 2020 was the biggest of his career and his first as a professional. The Alberta Open is the only event on the Alberta Golf schedule where amateurs compete with professionals, so the 25-yearold whose 2020 win earned him the $7,000 first place prize, is looking to return to Sundre this summer and compete for more than just pride.

“It’s a nice perk to be able to play for something, not just pride, but mentally not much changes. I’m still playing to win and beat the golf course and my game has come a long way since 2017,” admitted Armstrong. “I’m excited to see how the course is with my game now. I have two more years of college golf and two more years of professional golf so I know a little more what to expect and I certainly have higher expectations.”

Both Armstrong and Shouldice agree that the amateurs in the field love testing their game against professionals and it can lead to some great stories. In 2019, Andrew Harrison, then an amateur, beat everyone in the field to take the Alberta Open title at Trestle Creek Golf Resort. “I think that’s the great thing about this event having a pro side and an amateur side,” said Shouldice. “A lot of younger kids are trying to go off to college and test their game against the best pros in the province.”

Armstrong offered advice for any amateur playing in the event this year.

“Just enjoy it, at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter who you’re playing with or against, you're just trying to put the ball in the hole,” explained Armstrong. “Every big event you can play as a junior is a great experience and you can take a lot from it. Just soak it all in and give it your best shot. You never know, if you play well you can definitely contend.”

This year’s Alberta Open will shine a light on all of the talented players in our province and also give some exposure to how good a golf course Sundre Golf Club is, although that secret may already be out.

“People are now starting to find out about our golf course and how great it is,” Shouldice beamed. “Maybe it’s not a hidden gem anymore, because now that people are finding out about it, it’s been really busy the past couple of years.”

The 180 members at the semiprivate club northwest of Calgary are also excited to welcome the best players in Alberta.

“Oh, the members love it,” Shouldice said. “Last time we hosted we had about 20 to 25 volunteers. Our members came out and helped with scoring and spotting on certain holes. They love being part of the event. They are proud to show off their course and watch the awesome golf as well.”

For AJ Armstrong winning this event again would be awesome.

“The Alberta Open is always a great event to have close to home. Winning it a couple years ago definitely adds a little more excitement to it and I hope to get my name back on the trophy,” Armstrong admitted. “It’s kind of a reunion every year seeing all the guys from Alberta who go different places in the winter; it’s great camaraderie.”

Hole #1 - Sundre GC