Abaco Club has a perfect location on secluded Winding Bay
Old rockers play at the Aruba – one happy restaurant – under swaying palms by the pier, and weekends around here can be quite lively with couples who went out for some crab, lobster and shrimp find themselves dancing to Mustang Sally, then walking on the beach in the moonlight. Centre of everything is the Publix supermarket, an employee-owned operation that does everything right. The people you meet here are a big part of the mix; everyone is on holiday, and from all over. At the Windjammer there are BBQs by the pool where guests sometimes gather wine in hand, and chops on the grill. Drive up to Pompano Beach and there’s Briny’s pub with lots of atmosphere, sport on the TV and good fish and chips. Not far from there, on the south side of the inlet, Italian food lovers are found at a cozy little diner called Ruby’s-by-the-Sea.
Of course if you are eating well you need exercise. Next best thing to swimming in the gentle surf is kayaking on the inland waterway. Golfers can play at Crystal Lake, a Rees Jones course at Deerfield Beach, for $25, while big hitters (and here we’re talking about money) should drive down to Trump National Doral, located next to Miami airport. Trump has spent millions upgrading the course and hotel, making the entire resort a fabulous place to stay. Service is a big thing and each flight has to take forecaddies, which also speeds up the game. Green fees at the Blue Monster can reach $390 plus forecaddie and tip, with cart included. I had the good fortune to play with David Whyte, producer of the top video show Golf Passport (running on Air France and other leading airlines) and Roberto Borgatti, professional to the rich and famous at Longboat Key.
Both were fresh from the big PGA Show, as you can see from this entertaining video: https://youtu.be/2aXpQlz_Amo. A short drive to Miami also puts you on the road to Key West or Gulf resorts such as Sarasota. I had a nice game at University Park Country Club there, whose $100 green fee is good value for this coast. Going farther afield can also be inexpensive if you check websites such as Travelzoo. Recently it had an airfare of $158 Miami to Las Vegas return. For discounted, last minute cruises check VacationsToGo. On one visit we hopped on a plane to Scottsdale, Arizona, home of the famous Boulders golf course and spa. Not next door, but well worth it. And that’s America, which has, as David Southworth might have said, everything money can buy.
The beach goes on forever at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2015 / 137
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