2023 Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition

New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s #1 Golf Magazine www.GolfingMagazine.net

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INS ra ve IDE l & Fo Eq r uip m

golfing m a g a z i n e ™

New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition

Union League National

Already One of New Jersey’s Best

New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition Fall 2023

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You’ll feel it the moment you enter the community. The tree lined streets, lush landscaping and brick walkways. With its magnificent Clubhouse as it’s centerpiece, the feeling is traditional and memorable. Then there’s the worldclass Baywood Greens golf course that winds it way through the community, creating backyard vistas like nothing else around. And if that weren’t enough, there are marinas with boat slips with access to Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, beaches, restaurants and shopping all just minutes away.

Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1

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New Jersey Pennsylvania

From The Publisher

Autumn and Golf a Perfect Blend

I

t seems that only yesterday I was writing to you and saying how great it was that spring was upon us and we could get out and play all the golf we wanted for the next eight months.

Well, autumn is upon us.

But that doesn’t mean we have to put the sticks away in the back of the closet. Indeed, autumn is a perfect time of the year for our game. The leaves have begun to turn color, the days still mild and the courses are in superb shape. This time of the year can offer up some of the sweetest days to play golf in our region of the country, especially in our region.

In this issue we take a look at the Troon Golf Management company and give you the rundown on how the industry leader has and continues to grow while telling you about some of its managed properties in New Jersey.

We take a pleasant visit to Union League National Golf Club in South Jersey and let you know all about the unique, challenging and beautiful course.

Brunswick Islands in North Carolina section of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand makes for a perfect getaway this fall and we tell you what’s special about the area.

If it’s autumn winter is a few months down the road but that doesn’t mean you have to stop playing. Thanks to the warming waters of the Atlantic Ocean the area’s golf courses can remain open during the cold weather months, so we take a look at where you can continue to play once the temperatures drop a bit.

If you are looking for a grand trip this fall, why not visit Mesquite located in the Mohave Desert for one very different stay and play. Mesquite is located close to Las Vegas and offers a wealth of golf courses and spectacular surroundings.

And Puerto Rico has quietly become a golfing destination.

We check the island out and give you the lowdown on what makes it a great place to visit with your sticks.

So, enjoy our issue and play as much golf as you can this fall. It’s a super time of the year for our game.

Cheers, Sean Fitzsimmons Publisher

Volume 54

Issue 3

Summer 2023

Company Profile …………………………………………… 10 This month: Troon Golf Management

Private Eyes: ………………………………………………… 20 This Month: Union League National Travel ………………………………………………………… 24 This month: Brunswick Island NC, Mesquite Nevada, Boyne MI, Gulf Shores AL, Tampa FL, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Thailand

Feature ………………………………………………………… 28 Courses That Stay Open all Year Long

golfing m a g a z i n e™

1924 Route 35, Suite 10B Wall Township, NJ 07719 732-449-0515 Publisher Sean Fitzsimmons ph: 732-449-0515 fax: (860) 307-7469 golfingmag@verizon.net Senior Writer John Torsiello ph: (860) 482-9101 jtorsiello@sbcglobal.net

Contributing Photographer Mark William Paul Kerry Weigner Graphic Designer Heidi Dyer

Editorial Contributions should be mailed to above address or emailed to the publisher. Material accepted is subject to revisions necessary to meet requirements of the publication. The act of delivering material shall express a warranty by contributor that material is original and does not infringe on the rights of others. Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Golfing Magazine New Jersey / Eastern Pennsylvania is published four times annually.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Company Profile

Industry Giant Troon Golf Continues to Increase its Footprint in New Jersey By, JOHN TORSIELLO

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ou might say that Troon Golf Management gave birth to the term “country club for a day.” The company says its target audience is the traveling golfer accustomed to having a private club back home or just the average golfer seeking a better golf experience. That strategy says the company, has proven to be “prescient and profitable for decades to come, and all but created an entirely new golf course category: upscale daily fee”.

Troon is a leader in the golf course and private club management industry, claims the company, operating at 825 plus locations throughout the world. The company used its foundation in golf facility management to extend its vision beyond the golf course with a diverse portfolio that includes 12 distinct brands.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon maintains satellite offices in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia, Washington and internationally.

Dana Garmany. with more than 40 years of industry experience developing and operating golf facilities worldwide, founded Troon in 1990, and today serves on the

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Board of Directors, after his retirement as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. His leadership at Troon helped create a company that continues to lead and set standards for domestic and international daily fee, resort, and private golf courses.

Ryan Phelps, Vice President of Operations at Troon, said of the company’s mission statement, “Our approach is centered upon creating extraordinary guest and member experiences by delivering superior service, amenities and playing surfaces. In order to consistently achieve these results and maximize success for each client, we’re dedicated to hiring and training quality associates and providing an unparalleled depth of expertise from our team of corporate resources. When you combine these experienced resources with cost efficiencies through our procurement network and revenue generating power through proprietary strategies, Troon creates a winning formula for success that is cost neutral or accretive to the business’ bottom line.”

In addition to golf management, Troon specializes in the management of food and beverage operations, homeowner associations, private residence clubs, racquet courts,

Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

lodging, aquatic centers, fitness centers, spas, marinas, and more. Supplementing the four primary brands that are focused on full club management (Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports), we are also equipped with specialty brands to support all of our client’s needs. These include CADDIEMASTER, the world’s premier provider of caddie management services; True Club Solutions, offering solutions through a menu of customizable advisory services; Cliff Drysdale Tennis and Peter Burwash International, the leaders in tennis management for resorts and private clubs; Real Food, specializing in building guest and members experiences within the food and beverage industry; Casa Verde Golf, focused on golf course construction and renovation projects of all sizes and scope; and ICON, the leader in amenity and community association management services.

“Troon currently has 23 properties in The Garden State and we are always looking to add to our family of clubs” said Phelps.

“This past year, New Jersey was one of the largest areas of growth for Troon. Troon’s vision is to create unparalleled experiences fueled by a passion for enabling fun. Backed

up by some of our core values that include being consciously kind, infectiously energetic and relentlessly dedicated to name a few.”

Dave Wasenda, Founder and President of Applied Golf Management, based in New Jersey, spoke to the purchase recently of his company by Troon. “We could not have chosen a better organization than Troon to help carry on what we have built over the past 17 years,” said Wasenda. “With Troon’s resources, expertise and growing portfolio of managed properties; it is an exciting time for all of us to become part of the Troon family.”

Wasenda and other Applied Golf Management staff members have transitioned smoothly into Troon. “This is exciting because the Troon purchase allows us to offer additional superb services to our clients,” he said. “It really is a win-win for everyone. It allows us to continue and grow our legacy that we have established during the 17 years we have been in business. We had been approached by other firms but it didn’t seem like the right fit. Troon had everything we were looking for. They have superior senior management leadership,

they are an innovative company, and always put the client first.”

Here’s a brief look at some of Troon’s daily fee portfolio in New Jersey.

MORRIS COUNTY Berkshire Valley Golf Course is located on 600 acres in the picturesque Highlands region of northern New Jersey. The 18-hole, par 71, 6,800-yard golf course presents unique challenges atop the ridge of Green Pond Mountain. The topography and spectacular views of this course make especially pleasing. It is considered a unique golfing experience and a “must-play” for every golfer. www.BerkshireValleyGC.com Flanders Valley Golf Club features two 18-hole layouts to choose from. The Blueto-White is a more traditional layout with very few grade changes and is a par-72, 6,417-yard course. The course is tree-lined on either side and extremely difficult to play in spots. The 379 yard par-four, fifth hole, is a slight dog leg left and is bordered by a pond on the entire left side of the fairway.

The Gold-to-Red, par 72, 6,429 -yard course has a hillier design and the 475-yard, par-four 16th hole may be the hardest of all 36 holes at the club due to the woods on

both sides and the varying conditions. The course garners four stars from Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” and achieved recognition by the Zagat Golf Guide the past four years. Flanders Valley Golf Course was awarded the “Top 100 Must Play Courses”

by Golf Styles Magazine, and the site of the USGA Eastern Regional Qualifying Round-Women’s Public Links tournament. www.FlandersValleyGC.com Pinch Brook Golf Course is an executive length layout designed by the worldrenowned development firm, Rees Jones Inc, and offers the advantage for players who want to get on and off in less time than the championship-length courses.

However, this shorter course is not short on challenges. The 190-yard, par-three sixth hole forces players to hit around a pond, mainly because it is shaped like the state of New Jersey. The par-65, 4,996-yard course gained three and a half stars from Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play,” and “Top 100 Must Play Courses” by Golf Styles Magazine. Water hazards enhance the majority of holes, and elevated, undulating greens are sure to test the skill of the most seasoned golfer. www.PinchbrookGC.com

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Ballamor GC

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Sunset Valley Golf Course is regarded as one of the premier golf courses in New Jersey. It is consistently rated among the best Public Courses in New Jersey with four stars from Golf Digest’s “Best Place to Play,” and one of the “Top 100 Must Play Courses” by Golf Styles Magazine, and recipient of “Top Women-Friendly Courses Award” by Golf For Women magazine.

Sunset Valley, designed by Hal Purdy, has a challenging design and fast greens. The course plays to a par of 70 and is 6,483 yards in length. The final three holes are among the best finishers n the state, according to many golfers. The 16th through 18th holes each present a challenge to even the expert golfer. The 16th is a 555-yard, par-five that goes uphill. The 17th and 18th holes are both par-fours and play 420 to 430 yards. www.SunsetValleyGC.com MIDDLESEX COUNTY Meadows Golf Club boasts improvements made during the prior off-season.

The greens staff has worked hard to improve golf course conditions by adding drainage to areas, working on the second hole tee box and cleaning-up various unsightly areas. The course has seen improvements on both the 5th and 12th fairways, the seventh hole tee complex and bunkers. Golfers will also notice the addition of out of bounds and hazard stakes throughout the course. www.MeadowsGolfLincolnPark.com Raritan Landing Golf Course is a 3,300-yard, par-58, 18 hole track designed

by Stephen Kay and opened on Oct. 1

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1999. It offers players a premium on shot making and accuracy, with small greens and narrow fairways. Raritan Landing provides a true test for all golfers despite its short length. www.MiddlesexCountyGolf.com Tamarack Golf Club features two 18-hole championship golf courses designed

by Hal Purdy. The East (Gold and Blue) course is a 6,226-yard, par-71 course and the West (Red and White) course is a 7,025-yard, par-72 course. Tamarack also has locker rooms, electric golf carts and a superb practice facility. The driving range features 34 stalls, five target greens, tees and tee pads. There are also two large putting greens. www.MiddlesexCountyGolf.com

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

OTHERS Cranbury Golf Club is a classic-style, 18-hole golf course featuring small undulating greens that are well bunkered. Built in 1964 by Gary Rhenn, but recently redesigned to include all new green-side bunkers, the course offers excellent playing conditions. Unique to Cranbury are the six par-threes. From the fourth hole, which plays to a yardage of 225 yards over water, to the 12th hole at 155 yards over the “Bog” players will find some of the best three shot holes in the area. Don’t let the par 70 deceive you because the course still plays well over 6,200 yards. www.CranburyGolf.com

Fox Hollow Golf Club offers a challenging par-70 golf course with extensive practice facilities and a clubhouse that offers an elegant backdrop suitable for any special event or a casual drink or meal after your round. Fox Hollow was voted one of the top Northeast golf courses by readers of Garden State Golf. www.FoxHollowGC.com High Bridge Hills Golf Club is home to championship golf in the British-Irish tradition. The par-70, 6,500-yard course provides golfers an authentic true-links layout on spectacular terrain overlooking the scenic Spruce Run Reservoir. Elevation changes are aplenty, including the dramatic par-three 8th hole with a tee-to-green drop of nearly 100 feet over a natural gorge. www.HighbridgeHills.com Hyatt Hills Golf Complex is a golf haven with a nine-hole golf course featuring bentgrass tees, greens, and fairways, and bluegrass/fescue roughs. A putting and chipping area allow you to work on all short game shots. With a 50 station driving range, including 11 covered and heated, you can always work on your game. There’s also an 18-hole miniature golf course. www.HyattHills.com Royce Brook Golf Club has two championship golf courses. The East Course at Royce Brook is open to both the public

and members of the Club, and is rated “Four Stars” by Golf Digest’s Places to Play, and is rated as one of GolfWeek’s “Top 10 Golf Courses” among public courses in the state of New Jersey. Featuring a 6,946-yard, par-72, parkland-style layout, the course’s wetlands and wild native grasses intertwine with abundant wooded areas, traditional shallow bunkers, and wide fairways.

The West Course at Royce Brook is restricted to member play, and features a 7,158-yard, par-72, rugged links-style layout with open terrain, fescue grass, and dramatic bunkering style. The course is ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 20 Golf Courses in New Jersey, and has received the coveted “Four Stars” as well. www.RoyceBrook.com Seaview Golf Resort’s Pines Course opened in 1929 and was designed by William Flynn and Howard Toomey. Unlike the Resort’s Bay Course, the Pines winds its way through New Jersey woodlands, presenting elevation changes and bountiful doglegs. The course measures 6,800 yards, and it features large bunkers and expansive, sloping greens. The 16th hole was the site of Sam Snead’s miraculous 60-foot chip-in to win the 1942 PGA Championship, his first major.

The Bay Course opened in 1914 and was designed by Hugh Wilson and Donald

Ross. The 6,300-yard layout is less a test of length, and more a test of imagination, accuracy and short game. The Bay Course presents a Scottish-links feel, dramatic seaside views, deep pot bunkers and small undulating greens. It is the current host of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, as well as nine holes in the 1942 PGA Championship. www.SeaviewGolf.com Knob Hill Golf Club is one of New Jersey’s premier semi-private golf club and its members and the public an exceptional club experience. Knob Hill Golf Club is a Mark McCumber designed facility. It is McCumber’s first design in the Northeast.

McCumber has reflected, “It is important to design a course that would showcase my talent in the Northeast. I am tickled about the way Knob Hill turned out.” www. KnobHillGolfClub.com.

Concordia Golf Club is a challenging 6,200-yard championship 18-hole course designed by Brian Ault and Tom Clark.

Concordia boasts three sets of tees, a grass driving range, a practice putting green, a clubhouse, and a newly renovated restaurant.

Accuracy and shot-making is a must at Concordia. www.ConcordiaGolfClub.com

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About Rutgers Golf Course The 18-hole Rutgers University Golf Course is open to the general public and tee times start at 7AM weekdays and 6AM on weekends in the height of the season.

Over 6,300 yards in length, the picturesque, tree-lined, PGA sanctioned course is a par 71 and offers a challenging layout with four teeing areas per hole. Highlights include narrow fairways, fast greens, and water hazards on nine seven holes.

Book a Tee Time Online golfcourse.rutgers.edu

The Pro Shop The Pro Shop offers a variety of Rutgers branded and professional golf merchandise. Speceial orders are welcome. Our selection of name brand merchandise includes:

Practice and Teaching Facility Rutgers Golf Course has a 28-bay driving range and an 11,000 square foot chipping and putting practice area. The practice green is available on the day of play to warm up and cool down. We recently added a new product, AccuRange, that provides GPS measured distances to each flag on the range through an app on your phone!

77 Hoes Lane West Piscataway, New Jersey

848-445-2637 rugolfcourse@ipo.rutgers.edu golfcourse.rutgers.edu

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Play Fox Hollow Golf Club

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Private Eyes

A New National Treasure

Union League National

By, Sean Fawcett

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o call Union League National Golf Club a masterpiece would be an understatement. To put it mildly, Union League National is maybe the very best, most beautiful and fun-to-play golf course ever imagined at the South Jersey Shore.

Golfing a round at Union League National Golf Club is pure bliss.

The newest of the great South Jersey first-class, private golf clubs, Union League National, formerly Sand Barrens Golf Club, a hybrid of New Jersey’s very own Pine Valley, perennially America’s No.1 rated golf course, and Bobby Jones’ Augusta National, is almost too incredible to be believed.

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Built right upon the very bones of the old Sand Barrens Golf Course by its original architect, Dana Fry, with design partner Jason Straka, Union League National is like a phoenix risen from the ashes. It is both awe-inspiringly amazing and incred-

Golfing Golfing Magazine Magazine •• New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

ibly thrilling to get to play. “ The course is totally unrecognizable from when it was Sand Barrens,” said Union League National Golf Club P.G.A. General Manager Jacob Hoffer. “Lakes, ponds and creeks, plus vast waste areas and creative vertical elevation all create so much more drama than there was here before.”

Three Nines named for Civil War heroes, generals Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade and William Tecumseh Sherman make up the brand new Union League National Golf Club. The newest of the Nines, Meade, which opened last year in the final year of a four-year total re-imagining, along with Grant and Sherman, feature breath-taking elevations with desert-like waste areas and lush, green rolling Augusta-

like fairways and large, multi-tiered sloping greens.

One of the very best examples of this is the brilliantly designed, and somewhat intimidating, par four 8th on Sherman.

Teeing over water to a rising fairway guarded with two fairway bunkers, 8 plays straight upward to a plateaued putting surface protected by several strategically spotted sand traps. A terrific Risk-Reward par 4, long hitters will love to try to have a go to possibly putt for eagle or, more likely, chip or play from the greenside bunkers to get up-anddown for birdie.

One of my other favorite holes, and one of several Signature holes is Grant’s No.3.

A pretty and petite par 3 modeled after one of Pine Valley’s most renowned holes, No.10, the play calls for a well struck wedge to maybe an 8-iron over a sea of sand to a postage-stamp, table-topped, two-tiered

green. In a course just chock-full of amazing, shot-maker delights, hitting and holding the green at the beautiful, and puzzling, Grant Third is a victory in and of itself and an absolute joy to go and give it your best shot. “ Grant 3 is just one of the many, many highlights in a round here at Union League National,” said Hoffer. “ It’s an homage to Pine Valley, which is one of the inspirations for the course. It’s a test of great shot-making. love to play it every time.”

A unique, and hard-to-comprehend, and signature feature of Union League National is its nearly 80 foot tall “Big Fill”.

The Fill, created from carving out all of UL National’s new, crystal blue water hazards, based upon Fry’s similar, but smaller, Fill at his Naples, Florida course, Calusa Pines, is home to several super elevated tee boxes for holes from all three Nines like the dramatic

tee on No.9 Sherman.

It’s very easy to forget that you’re in New Jersey when playing Union League National.

Practically isolated from the world, and surrounded by wild woods and acres and acres of sand, players like myself are often, and easily, transported to playing Pinehurst No.2 and many of the other Sandhills golf courses in the “Cradle of American Golf ” in North Carolina. “ The idea was to make a one-of-a-kind, and total immersive, golfing experience,” said Hoffer. “ Dana(Fry) did just an amazing job. When you play here, it’s kind of like being in a different place and time.” “ We are very proud of our work at Union League National,” said Fry. “Union League National will take its place as one of the premier clubs not only on the Jersey Shore, but on the entire East Coast.” www.UnionLeague.org

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JACK FROST NATIONAL E M B R A C E T H E P O C O N O M O U N TA I N S ON THE GOLF COURSE

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Spectacular Views On And Off The Golf Course

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Relax, Drink, And Eat After Your Round At The Pavilion

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Take Golf Lessons Or Shape Up Your Game At The Practice Facility

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Ride The Course On A Finn Scooter

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Host Your Outing At Jack Frost National

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Come join us and play a truly unique and challenging course that features elevated tees, sloping fairways and interesting water hazards. Located on the grounds of an old iron ore mine, and originally constructed in the late 50’s and early 60’s, The Club at Twin Lakes has been fully renovated, complete with course upgrades, new banquet and dining facilities, and the new Wild Turkey Grill.

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Travel

Snapshots from Brunswick Islands North Carolina’s Hidden Gem Golf Destination

By Glen Turk

G

oing to a golf destination with a fully open mind has its advantages. Such was the case when Golfing Magazine recently experienced North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands on a golf writer’s familiarization trip.

Heck, my mind was so open I didn’t even know exactly where the Brunswick Islands was, much like I didn’t know where Villanova, Rutgers, and Temple Universities were until I started following college basketball in the 80s.

As I quickly learned, there is not a specific place named Brunswick Islands, instead the moniker is used to encompass five distinctive islands and surrounding coastal towns including Calabash, Leland, and Shallotte on North Carolina’s east coast halfway between Wilmington to the north and Myrtle Beach to the south. Speaking of south, all beaches in

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Brunswick County face south as the Atlantic coastline juts down from its normal east facing way in the cool island town of Sunset Beach.

What I also learned is no matter which direction you head; you’ll be greeted by another magnificent golf course just around the bend. In fact, Brunswick Islands’ stellar website (www.ncbrunswickgolf.com) boasts the region is home to over 30 courses and 45 miles of pristine coastline. Even more amazing, over 90% of the courses are open to the public, making the area a haven for local and traveling golfers alike. As you’ll see I did a lot of living in a short time in North Carolina.

Day 1 – Booming it on a Fred Couples Signature Design There is Northeast fall warmth and then there is North Carolina fall warmth. Higher humidity and warm breezes off the ocean make 60 degrees feel like 70+. Our first taste of Brunswick Islands was the classy Carolina National, a Freddie “Boom Boom” Couples

Golfing GolfingMagazine Magazine••New NewJersey/E. Jersey/E.Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaSection Section

Signature Golf Facility. The 27-hole layout is divided into the Egret, Heron, and Ibis nines, and all three are visually stunning and really pop during the twilight hours. The course has a certain flow to it, just like the rhythm of its designer’s swing. Plus, the prodigious clubhouse surrounded by a huge porch is the ideal spot for a post-round beverage.

Our home base for the trip was Sea Trails Villas, a posh establishment that features oneto-four-bedroom villas with a host of amenities including an on-site pool and clubhouse restaurant. The 2,600-acre property also boasts three championship caliber golf courses and is only 1.5 miles from the beautiful barrier island beaches. The villas were outstanding as they included a common area and plenty of space to stretch out after a hard day on the links. To book custom golf packages to the area, visit www.seatrailsvilla.com for more information.

Day 2 – Eat What You Caught, and Keep Playing with the Clubs You Brought

A 6:00 a.m. wakeup call was filled with anticipation, as our group was joining the Calabash Fishing Fleet for some epic deep-sea fishing. We proceeded three miles off the coast and let their skilled staff do 90% of the work to give us 100% of the joy of catching Spanish Mackerels, Bonitos, and even a rogue Spinner Shark, which we immediately threw back. The highlight of the morning was heading back to the Waterfront Seafood Shack where they prepared and cooked our bounty into one the of finest fish frys I’ve ever had.

Then it was off to The Pearl Golf Links and their stable of 27 championship holes.

We got to enjoy 9 holes on the East Course and 5 on the North to whet our whistle for next time. The East is dramatically beautiful, especially holes 7 through 9, which typically serve as holes 16 through 18 during their daily routing. The 572-yard 9th is a titan of a par5, with water impacting the hole all the way down the left side. An uphill approach must be calculated to a small green if you’re looking to make a par or better. I personally love 27-hole facilities thanks to the flexible they provide golf groups, so it was cool to play two of them back-to-back in Brunswick Islands!

Day 3 – 36 by Day and World-Famous Grouper Bites by Night After a .2 mile bus ride from our villas to the Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort, our group was “jonsing” to play 36. The resort is home to three championship layouts, with The Maples, and The Byrd 18s rounding out the 54-hole property. The Jones Course is designed by U.S. Open Doctor Rees Jones, hence the name.

The property was far more tree lined than the previous venues and gave off a Pinehurst type of vibe. Jones did an amazing job on the four par-3s with my favorite being the 6th hole, which requires a forced carry from 130 yards over a massive railroad tie. Make sure you have a spotter if you play this hole in the morning, as the low coastal sun was right in our faces.

Our afternoon round was conducted at River’s Edge Golf Club in nearby Shallotte. This is not hyperbole, as River’s Edge was the finest Arnold Palmer designed course I’ve ever played and the experience immediately went into my top 15 of all-time. I will even go so far to say for the price (under $80 for their non-peak afternoon rate) River’s Edge might be the most underrated and affordable course I’ve played in the last five

years. Honestly, the final four holes on each nine belong in a museum.

River’s Edge Director of Operations Jason Monahan hears compliments like that all the time. “The splendor of these holes lies in the land they navigate,” began Monahan. “Sitting along the bluffs and tidal marshes of the Shallotte River, the unmatched scenery and coastal breezes will be a welcomed distraction.

It is part of the River’s Edge experience,” concluded Monahan.

Their incomparable inward nine stretch culminates with “Arnie’s Revenge,” a sinister 540-yard, uphill, massive dogleg par-5 to the narrowest green opening on the course. “Arnie’s Revenge says it all,” began Monahan. “It’s a love it or hate it hole, but none the less playing it will yield a lasting memory! Golfers will want to aim down the left center of the fairway off the tee, carefully calculating the distance to the marsh to ensure optimal placement. The smart second shot should be played toward the bunkers across the hazard leaving the golfer with a wedge to a very narrow, deep green. The

hero may elect the risk reward option, going for the green in two. They should know one of the greatest heroes in golf, Mr. Palmer himself, was not successful in this attempt. Whichever journey you choose will challenge the nerves of even the best,” stated Monahan.

Here is a good place to mention that every night on the trip we had a gourmet meal, mainly at famous fish restaurants right near the ocean. The Boat Landing Restaurant and Sharky’s are two must-stop options when the sun goes down! When at Sharky’s you haven’t lived until you’ve devoured an order of Fried Grouper Bites with their world-famous dipping sauce.

Day 4 – Straight as the Crow Creek Flies Our final day in paradise began with a round at Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash.

I’ve always contended you want your last round of a trip at a fun course that won’t overly beat you up and Crow Creek checked all those boxes.

Trust me, it was no pushover by any stretch, but the trouble was out in front of you and could be navigated through proper aim and strategy.

Once again, like every property before, Crow Creek had an unbelievable clubhouse filled with a bevy of kind, golfloving employees. In fact, everyone we met, from Mitzi York at the Brunswick Islands CVB to the bag drop and beverage cart attendants, everyone wanted our stay to be memorable.

Simply put, when great people and outstanding golf converge in North Carolina, you have a destination that must be explored. For more information on the Brunswick Islands, visit www.ncbrunswick.com or follow them on Instagram @ncbrunswickislands

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ROLL THE ROCK & ROLL THE DICE

14 golf Courses | Beach & Boardwalk | Casinos & Entertainment

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

top 10 golf cities in america Forbes Traveler Fall Golf Trip Packages Available - visit www.atlanticcitygolftrip.com

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Feature

You Don’t Have to Stop Playing Golf in the Winter By, JOHN TORSIELLO

A

bevy of New Jersey courses will stay open during the winter if the weather permits. Even if some snow does fall, the courses may close but will re-open if Mother Nature cooperates. While your buddies are watching football and professional golf tournaments from some warm weather retreats, you can still be knocking it around at a number of courses.

The Atlantic City area is a very affordable year-round golf destination. It is typically warmer down at the shore as the salt air and milder temperatures allow for more golfing days than in Philadelphia, Northern Jersey and beyond. It’s the same Atlantic City experience at a great rate.

While it is true that courses along the coast usually face less severe winters, especially when it comes to long-lasting snowfall, inland tracks

will remain open as long as Old Man Winter doesn’t get too nasty from December through February.

Whether or not a club is open is on a course-by-course or even day-to-day basis.

Some may prefer to not deal with slow days caused by cold temperatures, others may choose to open on selected days, and some keep their fairways open throughout the winter, again, as long as the snow or ice doesn’t pile up and stick around for too long.

Here are some courses that will remain open this winter, again weather permitting.

Call ahead before visiting a course just to make sure it’s open for business, even if the weather seems favorable.

The Seaview Golf Club (www.SeaviewGolf.com) in Galloway features two championship golf courses–The Bay and Pines courses. The links-style Bay Course hosted the 1942 PGA won by Sam Snead and

was designed by Donald Ross.

The Bay Course is loaded with superb holes and, like Atlantic City Country Club, offers cool views of the Atlantic City skyline across the bay. Several of the holes either end or start near the bay or run along it. While not overly long at 6,247 yards from the tips, the course is nonetheless is a good test of course management and proper club selection. Tall fescue grasses line many of the fairways during the warm months and there are ample bunkers and occasional wetlands or water to catch the wayward shot.

The brainchild of the design team of Toomey and Flynn, the Pines Course was carved from woodlands surrounding the resorand features tight fairways and wellprotected landing areas. Longer (6,731 yards from the tips) than the Bay Course, the Pines demands precision off the tee and steady approaches to the ample greens. Three of the

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

four par-fives can be reached in two by big hitters, but there are five par-fours–including the monstrous 468-yard 17th–that play over 400 yards from the tips. The back side features three par-threes, including back-to-back holes on 15 and 16, both of which measure well over 200 yards.

Twisted Dune Golf Club ( w w w . Tw i s t e d D u n e . com) in Egg Harbor is a links-style course that was built in a residential area, but it works well. The course was designed by Archie Struthers in a links style, with the track winding through a “twisted” landscape, and offering dramatic elevation changes and contoured fairways. There are over 100 bunkers on this beast but the fairways are wide and the greens accepting of approach shots.

Shore Gate Golf Club ( w w w. S h o r e G a t e G o l f . com) in Oceanview is both interesting and intimidating. The Ron Fream-David Dale creation has deep greenside bunkers capped off by chocolate drop mounding that often presents a somewhat disconcerting scene when standing on the fairways and preparing to hit approach shots.

McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links (www.

McCulloughsGolf.com), located in Egg Harbor and designed by noted New Jersey-based golf course architect Stephen Kay, is a tribute to famed European layouts, such as St. Andrew’s, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry. McCullough’s 16th hole, for instance, is a replica of the “Postage Stamp” par-three hole at Scotland’s Royal Troon.

McCullough’s, quite appropriately, presents a decidedly Irish-Scottish feel, with wide open fairways, tricky winds, grass mounds, bunkers, natural waste areas and undulating greens.

The Golf Course at Renault (www.RenaultWinery.com) in Egg Harbor City is a piece of a package that includes the Tuscany Hotel, a winery and the “gourmet” Restaurant at the Renault Winery. The course winds its way through and past grapevines

and orchards. The track was designed by Ed Shearon and kept to owner Joseph Milza’s vision of a layout that is challenging for good players but also approachable for visitors of all skill levels.

The Links at Brigantine Beach (www.BrigantineGolf.com) is yet another his-

toric course designed by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, who created some fine courses at the turn of the 20th century. Brigantine has a sense of being a Scottish links layout, with berms, gently rolling fairways that are almost devoid of trees, tall grasses off the fairways, mounds and smallish, tricky greens typical of links courses. Brigantine, opened in 1927, has its own rich golf history. It is said that Walter Hagen and Harry Vardon played at Brigantine to acquire a feel for links courses before setting sail to play in Scotland at the British Open.

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club (www.BlueHeronPines.com) in Cologne is one of Jersey architect Stephen Kay’s best designs. It takes full advantage of the natural

beauty of the area’s pinelands and is a pleasing blend of short and long par-fours, solid par-fives–several of which are reachable in two by big boppers–and great par-threes. There are numerous bunkers that come into play both off the tee and on approach shots to the medium-sized greens.

Cape May National Golf Club (www.CPNGC.com) in Erma is one of the most natural golf courses ever built.

Nicknamed “The Natural”, the course surrounds a fifty acre private bird sanctuary.

Cape May National started a new trend in environmental sensitivity in course design while providing a classic turn of the century golf course that golfers love.

In fact, Cape May National goes back to its roots to the late 1800s and its predecessor, Cape May Country Club. The course surrounds one of the largest private bird sanctuaries in the state of New Jersey. When you play you are immersed in natural beauty from the first hoe to the 18th.

Harbor Pines Golf Club (www.HarborPines.com) in Egg Harbor is a rather open layout that has plenty of water and bunkers. The track feels good and looks pleasing to the eye. Number 12 is one of the most photographed holes in New Jersey and visually a stunner. The tee shot on this 339-yard par-four must clear a large pond and land in a small fairway that sits before the green. The putting surface is protected by bunkers all around and water to the rear. You can make birdie or double bogey here, depending upon your accuracy and length off the tee. It’s an example of a great, short par-four.

Designed by legendary course architect Hal Purdy, Pebble Creek Golf Club (www.PebbleCreekGolfClub.com) in Colts Neck provides golfers with an enjoyable and memorable experience. The unique characteristics and differing landscapes of each hole presents a challenge for accomplished players while remaining player-friendly for begin-

www.GolfingMagazine.net Gassan Khuntan Golf Resort

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OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Golf Digest has given this beautiful, scenic course four stars.

Check out our many Stay & Play options.

Rejuvenate yourself in the beautiful mountains of Historic Wellsboro Pennsylvania and enjoy a scenic round of golf at Tyoga.

Casa de CampoTeeth of the Dog 30

Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

by 759 Route 660 • Wellsboro, PA 16901 • 570-724-1653 • Tyogagolf.com Managed Spirit Golf

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ners. The par-three 188-yard 18th is the easiest hole on the course, giving the players the opportunity to finish strong. The large, undulating green is surrounded by three bunkers that will catch any errant tee shots to the right or left.

LBI National Golf & Resort (www.LBINational.com) in Little Egg Harbor is situated on over 155-acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the pinelands of South Jersey, the newly named LBI National is being re-imagined and revived.

On-site amenities include a 31-room inn, a fully equipped conference center, and an on-site banquet room equipped to handle large-scale events. The first hole I a song 565-yardpar-tfive that lets you loosen up with the driver and fairway woods in your hands. The course plays almost 7,000 yards from the tips.

Ron Jaworski Golf ’s (www.RonJaworskiGolf.com) impressive portfolio of public daily fee courses includes New Jersey properties Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Galloway, Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, Ramblewood Country Club in Mount Laurel, Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove, RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club in West Deptford and Downington Country Club in Downington, Pennsylvania.

Harbor Pines Golf Club

Blue Heron Pine’s signature hole is its 15th. You need to hit a solid tee shot to carry the waste area and if you attempt to keep your tee shot up the left side there is a possibility it could roll out into the pond that runs up the left side of the fairway and fronts the left portion of the green. If you hit a solid tee shot to the middle of the fairway it will leave you with a mid to short iron into a large green. Aim for the middle of the green and walk away with

away a par after two solid putts.

Downingtown CC boasts immaculate course conditions and a welcoming, friendly staff that provides top level customer service that makes all RJG courses places to be. The course has been very busy this year.

Downingtown draws from Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania and has recently been seeing more people coming from Philadelphia, and South

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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Jersey. Number nine on the Red Course is Ramblewood Country Club’s signature hole.

The par-three has a beautiful backdrop and there are bunkers short and long left. A solid tee shot leaves a fair chance for birdie to wrap up the Red Course.

Designed by legendary course architect Hal Purdy, Pebble Creek Golf Club (www.PebbleCreekGolf Club.com) in Colts Neck provides golfers with an enjoyable and memorable experience. The unique characteristics and differing landscapes of each hole presents a challenge for accomplished players while remaining player-friendly for beginners. The par-three 188-yard 18th is the easiest hole on the course, giving the players the opportunity to finish strong. The large, undulating green is surrounded by three bunkers that will catch any errant tee shots to the right or left.

At RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club, course conditions have been outstanding the last two years, a testament to the club’s grounds staff and their hard work and dedication to the property. The signature hole here is number 17. A low-flighted shot is necessary when playing from an elevated tee box right next to the Delaware River, as the wind is always a major factor. Trajectory is everything when playing this short but tricky par-three.

Running Deer Golf Club is a course that will test every level of golfer. The course provides a truly unique experience where membership is accessible to all while retain-

Blue Heron Pines

ing a private club feel. A classic risk-reward signature hole is the third, a short par-four that can play between 300 to 390 yards, depending on which tee box you play. Your tee shot is safe playing to the right and safely played with a shot that will put you between 100 to 150 yards out. An aggressive line with driver can reward you with a shorter approach.

Valleybrook Country Club has expanded the tee boxes on holes one and 10 and there was a redesign of number nine’s green complex. The club also has a new cart fleet.

The par-five ninth is one the course’s signature hole. It presents options of the tee to an undulating fairway. If you find the fairway, your second shot is an intimidating one. At the par-three 12th, you must carry your tee shot to the center of the green to avoid a false front.

Jaworski Golf Mt Laurel, NJ 856-229-9322 www.ronjaworskigolf.com

Renault Resort Egg Harbor, N.J. 609-965-2111 www.RenaultWinery.com

Mays Landing Golf and CC Mays Landing, N.J. 609-641-4411 www.MaysLandingGolf.com

Shore Gate Golf Club Oceanview, N.J. 609-624-8337 www.ShoreGateGolf.com

Seaview Hotel and GC Stockton, N.J. 855-894-8698 www.StocktonSeaview.com

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club Egg Harbor, N.J. 609-965-1800 www.BlueHeronPines.com

LBI National Golf & Resort Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 609-857-5656 www.lbinational.com

Twisted Dune Golf Club Egg Harbor Township, N.J. 888-894-7839 www.TwistedDune.com

McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links Egg Harbor Township, N.J. 609-926-3900 www.McCulloughsGolf.com

Brigantine Golf Links Brigantine, NJ 609-266-1388 www.brigantinegolf.com

Harbor Pines Golf Club Egg Harbor Township, N.J. 609-927-0006 www.HarborPines.com

Cape May National GC Cape May, N.J. 609-884-1563 www.CMNGC.com

Pebble Creek GC Colts Neck, NJ 732-303-9090 www.pebblecreekgolfclub.com

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Escape to 155-acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the Pinelands of South Jersey.

LBI National Golf & Resort is reimagined & revived!

DAILY FEE | PRO SHOP | DRIVING RANGE | MEMBERSHIPS | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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travel

Mesquite, Nevada

Where Golf Meets Perfection

N

estled in the northeast region of the enchanting Mojave Desert lies an oasis of golfing perfection.

Located just 80 miles north of Las Vegas, this hidden gem offers an abundance of world-class golf courses, all set against a backdrop of more than 300 days of glorious sunshine each year. Mesquite’s allure extends far beyond its inviting climate. It’s a destination that boasts designs from legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and endless breathtaking views, prompting even the most camera shy golfer to constantly reach for the iPhone and capture the stunning desert landscape vistas.

“We have most certainly become known for our golf and people come from all over to play our courses,” says Mesquite Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carol Kolson.

“There aren’t many golf destinations that have so many quality courses in such close proximity to each other. Our guests really love the fact that it’s easy to get around and play multiple courses without having to spend much time at all in

the signature tee shot, serving as the highest point on the course at 11 stories, and to get there you must climb 90 granite steps.

Eureka Casino Resort, situated at the heart of Mesquite, provides golfers with the perfect home base for their Mesquite adventure, as it sits within a 10-minute drive of seven Mesquite courses and has an exclusive stay-and-play package deal with Wolf Creek.

This 60-acre resort, with a Coyote Springs Golf Club heated pool area and 214 guest rooms and suites, offers panoramic views of crimson their car going from course to course.” mesas, and a wide range of amenities, including Perhaps, the crown jewel of the entire golf900 of the hottest slot machines, as well as table ing experience in Mesquite in Wolf Creek Golf games, the city’s only Stadium Gaming experiClub, a name familiar to X-Boxers as it was a ence and an inviting William Hill Sportsbook, featured course on the EA Sports Tiger Woods the best venue in Mesquite for watching and and Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR video games. betting on sports after stowing the clubs away.

Wolf Creek, which ranked No. 3 on Golfweek’s Eureka’s signature steakhouse, Gregory’s 2023 “Best Courses You Can Play” in Nevada Mesquite Grill, is famous for its succulent list, doesn’t waste any time getting the blood steaks, kissed by the flames of a Mesquite wood flowing, both literally and figuratively. The grill, and seafood starters, such as the Shrimp 445-yard, par-4, second hole may very well be

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

PGA Oceans4 Course Oasis Canyons “Rockefeller” Style and the irresistible Seared Ahi Tuna.

“It’s not an overstatement to say that we may have one of the best locations in America for golfers looking to stay and play in such close proximity to so many top-tier golf courses,” says CEO Andre Carrier of Eureka Casino Resort, which opened in 1997 and was sold to its employees in 2015, making it the only hospitality company in the country to be 100% employee-owned.

“That said, our team members do everything we can to cater to golfers’ needs so when they come back from their round they have a

Wolf Creek Golf Club

comfortable and friendly atmosphere to hit the tables, play some slots, watch the action in our William Hill sportsbook and grab a meal at our steakhouse that we strongly believe is one of the best culinary experiences in the region.”

Conestoga Golf Club, another awe-inspiring layout within that 10-minute radius of Eureka Casino Resort, ranked sixth on the Golfweek Best-Of Nevada list, which is no small feat considering the quality and quantity of options in the Silver State. The other five courses – The Palmer, Falcon Ridge, The Canyons, Casablanca Golf Club and The Palms – each have their own unique charm and, like Wolf

Creek, can accommodate any level of golfer, as long as you play from the proper tees.

For those that want to venture a bit further away from central Mesquite, St. George – home to five of the most highly acclaimed courses in Utah – is less than an hour drive away to the east. The Championship Course at Sand Hollow Golf Resort was ranked the No. 2 “Best Course You Can Play” in Utah by Golfweek and is known for its rousing back nine, particularly holes 11 through 15. The 230-yard, par 3, 15th is called Devil’s Throat and, trust us, the name is more than fitting.

About 50 miles east of Mesquite, is the Coyote Springs Golf Club, a Nicklaus masterpiece where the red mesa views are replaced by a sea of green valleys. If you are heading to or from Las Vegas when visiting Mesquite, Coyote Springs serves as a fine mid-way point of the journey, or a convenient spot to tee it up on arrival and/or getaway day.

Because of its optimal climate, Mesquite is also a highly sought-out destination for other unique and captivating outdoor activities, including hiking, skydiving, or making a short drive to some of the most iconic spots in the U.S., such as Cathedral Gorge, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, and Valley of Fire State Park.

But above all, Mesquite, once known as “the fastest growing city in America,” has undoubtedly cemented itself as a destination where you want to bring your clubs and enjoy a golf experience unlike anywhere else in the country.

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

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travel

Gettin’ Golf Rich in Puerto Rico

T

he embarrassment of riches that is Puerto Rico golf isn’t embarrassing at all. Enchanting, sure. Enthralling, certainly. Entertaining? Incredibly so.

First, don’t stress digging up that passport. U.S. citizens don’t need one to fly here, and many don’t need to stress on missing a flight connection either, since there El Conquistador Resort are many non-stop options daily to San Juan’s Luis Munoz design, price, and terrain types. They range Airport. from rolling mountain foothills and panSecond, ditch the Spanish-learning app. oramic ocean view settings, to modest valuePuerto Rico is bilingual pretty much wher- priced courses and luxurious high-end resort ever you tee it up or lay your head. And style golf authored by premier architects like those American greenbacks “speak” clearly Rees Jones, Greg Norman, Gary Player, throughout the island.

Tom Kite, and Robert Trent Jones I and Third, make sure you carve out enough II. There’s truly something for everyone. time to go deep into the island’s impressive The bounty begins moments after you golf reserves, because the payoffs in playabil- step off the plane in San Juan, with comity, challenge, hospitality, scenery, value and bined 10 golf courses and 171 holes in and memorability are vast and lasting. around the vibrant capital. Other highPuerto Rico courses are diverse in their quality courses abound in the west and

south – there are 18 total – boasting everything from beachfront to lush green mountain surroundings.

Let’s hit an early high note at The St. Regis Bahia Beach in Rio Grande, home to Robert Trent Jones II’s perfect meeting of verdant fairways, dense vegetation and long, languid beach.

The two finishing holes alone are worth the price of admission, and the community itself is a sustainability trendsetter — to date the island’s only goldcertified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.

Right next door is the Grand Reserve Golf Club, another must-play whether you’re staying at the adjacent Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. Its Championship course features views of sandy beaches and turquoise ocean waves, a stunning

Royal Isabela 40 40

Golfing Magazine • New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

PGA Oceans4 Course

St. Regis Bahai Beach Golf Resort

backdrop to the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Open, which comes around every spring.

The 9-hole International course is perfect for that sunset hour emergency round with mountain vistas, palm trees and water features.

Grand Wyndham Rio Mar Golf & Casa de CampoTeeth of the Dog Beach Resort, Palmas Athletic Club/Wyndham Grand Palmas Resort, Rio Bayamon, and Grand Reserve fill out the close-to-San Juan dance card, and all but Rio Bayamon — a value-priced municipal course that is fun and affordable —are resort courses.

The magic continues as you make your way east 40 minutes to El Conquistador Resort, home to a fine Arthur Hills layout that rocks and rolls over barrancas and dramatic hills. Rack up a couple nights at the hotel itself, take a funicular ride down for a cocktail on the water’s edge, and save some time for a nighttime canoe trip into a nearby bioluminescent bay, where microscopic creatures set the water aglow with every paddle stroke.

Now would be a good time to double back to San Juan. Spend a night or two there soaking up the fun and nightlife including a hand or two of blackjack at one of the city’s casinos, a tour of the Bacardi distillery, some judicious bar-hopping (this is where the piña colada was born and great rums abound), and supping on incredible homegrown cuisine. Consider carving out half a day for a hike among waterfalls and wildlife in nearby El Yunque National Forest.

Heading toward the island’s northwest, the first stop en route is TPC Dorado Beach (East and Sugarcane courses), other Trent Jones II winners that mix holes on the ocean’s edge with others the wind inland through dramatic terrain. (To play at Dorado Beach, golfers must be a member or stay at the property’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve, an award-winning luxury resort.)

Complete your visit to the Northwest by exploring popular public courses like El Deportivo near Mayaguez and historic Punta Borinquen Golf Club, where President

Dwight D. Eisenhower often played, enjoying sea views from almost every hole. Then there’s Royal Isabela, a luxury boutique resort set high above the Atlantic Ocean and some of the most coveted waves in the western hemisphere — 10 world surfing championships have played out there. Royal Isabela’s holes bordering the coast are truly breathtaking. Get your camera, and your best cliff-clearing swing, ready to fire on the incredible par 3 17th hole.

Finally, make the turn to the island’s south coast for some Caribbean-facing fun.

Costa Caribe is a 27-hole layout with a beach club, casino, and a variety of lodging options in Ponce – Pearl of the South – that runs along the ocean, while El Legado is an easy drive east bordering the coast to Guayama. It was originally designed, built and owned by Puerto Rico golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez. www.DiscoverPuertoRico.com

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Simplify The Way You Travel

This Side Up

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

THE GOLF, EPIC. THE TRIP, EASY. BOOKING 2024, EVEN EASIER.

BoyneGolf.com

Getting to BOYNE Golf has never been easier...

Whether flying into nearby Traverse City (TVC) or our newly renovated private 5200’ airport at Boyne Mountain, our 10 magnificent courses are closer than you think. Call 888.673.4150 to plan your 2024 trip today.

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Travel

Boyne Golf

Transforming for the Next Generation

By Scott Kramer

O

ver the past 75 years, BOYNE Golf in Northern Michigan has grown into one of North America’s largest golf destinations – now encompassing 10 courses and three resort properties, including Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, The Highlands at Harbor Spring and Boyne Mountain resort.

Growing up in Michigan, I remember family trips to Boyne Mountain and The Highlands where I experienced the fun variety of golf. Today, both properties still have much of the same ambiance as back then but have begun an exciting new transformation that will carry on its legacy for the next generation.

Everett Kircher, who founded Boyne Resorts in 1947 by acquiring 40 acres with a modest ski hill for $1, has since then built North America’s largest family-owned golf and ski company. A former Michigan state senator said back then, as he accepted the $1 from Kircher for the land - “Anybody damn foolish enough to want to build a ski hill … I’ll give you this property.” A Studebaker salesman from Detroit, Kircher never looked

18th Hole at The Monument Course at Boyne Mountain Resort back. Eventually, he acquired land for The Highlands and expanded into golf, creating summer activities that kept employees working year-round.

As golf exploded onto the scene in the 1960’s, Kircher saw golf demand rise -- warranting a championship layout from renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created The Heather course. It opened imme-

3rd Hole at The Links Course at Bay Harbor Golf Club 44 44

Golfing Magazine • New JerseyJersey/E. / Pennsylvania Edition Golfing Magazine •• New Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

diately as one of America’s top public courses -- triggering the beginning of one of the world’s premier world-class golf destinations.

In 2019, The Heather was named the National Golf Course of the Year. Today, Kircher’s vision has passed on to his son Stephen, who continues to elevate the Boyne experience through several major renovation projects across golf, skiing, attractions, and lodging.

5th Hole at the Arthur Hills Course at The Highlands Just north of Petoskey near Harbor Springs, The Highlands is undergoing significant transformations both on and off-course.

Imagine staying in upscale accommodations reminiscent of an English country estate with Scottish Highlands charm.

The Highlands’ 72 holes collectively offer a perfect golf experience where groups can check into the lodge and never get back into their car during their stay. A major part of the resort’s golf transformation, one that I’m especially excited to see evolve, is at the Donald Ross Memorial -- a composite re-creation of classic holes Ross designed in the early 20th century at renowned courses like Seminole, Pinehurst, Oakland Hills and Aronimink. This was the very first project of its kind creating a tribute course honoring a legendary architect.

Working with Michigan-based architect and Ross expert Ray Hearn, BOYNE Golf ’s team has begun bringing the holes even closer to their originals. Based on those I’ve seen already completed, this is a must-play.

The Highlands also features two other outstanding tracts. The popular Arthur Hills course takes golfers through various landscapes -- reaching a pinnacle on the 13th tee with a 50-mile panorama. And The Moor, widely regarded as a members’ favorite, was renovated -- widened fairways, expanded collection areas around the greens, trees removed, and refreshed bunker sand -- all to create more variety, fun and shot options.

Two years ago, The Highlands added an

expansive TrackMan Range Experience, which combines mind-blowing, state-of-the-art technology golf entertainment venue, that doubles as a top practice facility that’s part of the award-winning BOYNE Golf Academy. The academy houses revered instruction plus a state-of-the-art GEARS Golf system that can fit you into the best-possible equipment.

BOYNE Golf ’s flagship property, located across Little Traverse Bay and along the shores of Lake Michigan west of Petoskey, is the nationally esteemed Inn at Bay Harbor.

Its high-end Bay Harbor Golf Club was designed by Hills, and offers a unique 27-hole combination that takes golfers along Lake Michigan bluffs, through a rock quarry and among the hardwoods. Five minutes away, BOYNE Golf ’s Crooked Tree Golf Club is carved through stands of centuries-old hardwoods, while perched on bluffs overlooking Little Traverse Bay. BOYNE Golf ’s third property, Boyne Mountain Resort, is 20 minutes south of Petoskey. Its lodging options include the Mountain Grand Lodge, condos, and the cool new Chalet Edelweiss located right on the hillside. The two fantastic 18-hole layouts – The Monument and Alpine courses -- offer outstanding mountainside golf and some of Michigan’s most spectacular panoramas.

I’m especially excited to visit again because the resort just unveiled SkyBridge Michigan.

Billed as the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge for pedestrians, it spans

1,200 feet between the peaks of McLouth to Disciples Ridges, 118 feet in the air. Open year round, it showcases panoramic valley views and extensive light displays. You ride the historic Hemlock Scenic Chairlift to the mountain’s top, then venture out onto the bridge BOYNE Golf ’s variety of courses is collectively refreshing, the course conditions are unparalleled across ten courses, and the scenery amazing. Summer-time golfers can easily fit in 36 holes every day and play well into the evening hours -- close to 10 p.m. for much of the summer. Or visit in the fall when the changing leaf colors provide a fall spectacle to behold.

In addition to BOYNE Golf, the region’s Norman Rockwell-like lakeside resort towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Boyne City and Traverse City have long been summertime playgrounds – attracting people from all over the world, including golfers. It’s no wonder, as the area’s outstanding golf offers the perfect buddy trip destination.

BOYNE Golf is easily accessible by car throughout the Midwest. Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport offers non-stops from 17 major U.S. cities during summer, and private aircraft are welcomed at Boyne Mountain’s 5200’ airport that recently received four million dollars in upgrades!

To plan your next great golf getaway visit www.BoyneGolf.com or call 888.673.4150 and let their Guest Experience Agents create your perfect golf vacation.

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Travel

Golf Tampa Bay My Way

By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI

T

ruth be known the only time we spent in Tampa Bay was arriving into and departing from the International Airport. Our destination was pre planned after some advanced scouting of the Tampa / Wesley Chapel area located approximately, 35 miles north of Tampa International. Our golf and accommodations ranged from Dade City in the east across to New Port Richey on the Gulf of Mexico, we did end up with a night and round on the infamous Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort.

The region is known as Florida’s Sports Coast / Pasco County. Google it!!! Our group was a mixture of North American and International Golf Tour Operators who for years had been sending golfers to Resorts such as Saddlebrook and Innisbrook, but unfamiliar with the great golf in between.

We have now created that link of great golf, and I add, these courses are at half or a quarter of the costs to play the resorts.

We also discovered many options on things to do, and a multitude of dining options. www.FLSportsCoast.com Additionally, the chosen accommodations provided a more local flair. The Hyatt Place Tampa / Wesley Chapel right off I-75 proved to be an overwhelming hit. Located right across from the Tampa Outlets gave everyone easy access to a favorite pastime, shopping, plus, dining options. Walk out the front door

Lake Jovita South Course, 9th Green of the Hyatt Place and there is not need to even get in your car as within a 5-to-15-minute walk are no fewer than a dozen bars, restaurants and even more shopping.

A relatively new addition to this space is a most popular bar / restaurant, POPSTROKE, with 2 Tiger Woods designed mini putts for those who just don’t get enough golf.

Within a 10-minute drive or Uber of course are the Shops at Wiregrass, yes there is shopping here too, also, up to 30 bars and restaurants to suite any pallet. One visit here is never enough! www.TheShopsAtWiregrass.com I can’t say enough about the wonderful

and welcoming staff at the Hyatt Place, its cleanliness and amazing breakfast. They just so happen to have a quaint little bar close to reception. Guessing that I must have made some sort of impression last time around, the bar tender poked her head around the corner and said, “Is it almost Bourbon time Mr. DeMarchi?” Gotta love it! And, yes, it was indeed Bourbon time.

First two rounds of this golf adventure took place at Semi-Private, Lake Jovita Golf Club close to Dade City. The first of the 3 golf gems discovered offers up 2 totally different courses, both awesome, and overwhelm-

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

ing hits with the group. The courses were designed by PGA TOUR great Tom Lehman & award-winning Architect Kurt Sandness.

The South Course, considered “the Members Course” is a tighter layout, more of a player’s course, where accuracy is key. There are plenty of dog-legs to deal with, plenty of water, marshes and creeks to deal with and bunkers too! The 9th and 18th holes taking you back to a most impressive southern style clubhouse are most memorable.

The North Course is a wonderful compliment to the South Course, more of a grip it and rip it style, wider fairways, fewer but more strategically placed bunkers and some interesting water plays. Believe it or not there are rolling fairways and elevation changes that come into play in this part of Florida.

Stay & Play is available at Lake Jovita, 1750 sq/ft Villas, only a 2-minute walk from the Clubhouse’s exceptional dining and cozy 19th hole. Villas are fully furnished 3BR/2BA very private locations in a gated community overlooking the 18th & 9th greens and lake with a beautifully lit up fountain. www.LakeJovita.com From our stay at the Hyatt our next golf round at Plantation Palms Golf Club was only 10 minutes away. A solid track, another semi-private club that for 3 straight years has been selected “Best of the Best” by a Tampa Bay Times reader poll.

The links style design was carved from a 400-acre citrus grove that slopes from west to east, providing interesting elevation changes. The course opens up with a welcoming par 5 and then slowly steps up with a mixture of strong par 3s. It won’t take long to notice the attractive framing of fairways and greens with pine trees, water and large snowwhite sand traps. Water is in play on 17 of 18 holes. Greens are elevated with some undulation to take note of, read carefully! You will also want to make Mulligan’s Irish Pub your 19th hole for the day. Lunch and a cold one or 2 are a must. www.PlantationPalms.net The iconic Saddlebrook Resort is also

minutes from the Hyatt, on a 5,623-acre property where you find a gazillion gallon pool, tennis courts, with over 500 condo style units 1-3 bedrooms, once on property there is no vehicle required. Walking distance to everything or call the concierge and they come get you.

Two 18-hole Arnold Palmer Designed Courses on site. We played the links style

Lake Jovita North Course, 4th Hole

Palmer Course. It’s all about course management here. Fairways are generous but stray and there is plenty of water, towering cypress and oak lined fairways to deal with. White sand bunkers protect a variety of greens, medium to large in size with some interesting complexes.

Surrounding the greens, the thick, gnarly Bermuda rough tangles around the club and complicates the soft touch needed to play short pitch shots. Miss the green, and you

face a difficult par. The Par 4 fifth hole is a beauty, my favorite, great watery visuals. www.Saddlebrook.com It was moving day for the group and we were all in anticipation to making our way towards the Gulf of Mexico and a stay at the historic Hacienda in New Port Richey.

The Hacienda is a focal point of New Port Richey’s downtown and located steps from the Cotee River. After settling in, a cocktail or two, we all primed to board a ponton party boat. Cruising up the Cotee and venturing into the Gulf of Mexico before turning around and being dropped off for a fine dining experience, under the stars, overlooking the Gulf at Whiskey Joe’s.

The Hacienda was originally built in 1927 and re opened in 2015, believe me, it is a place you want to stay.

Featuring 40 comfortably appointed rooms, each styled with a classic elegance, reminiscent of the hotel’s original, Spanish-Floridian charm. You will discover the original accents and architecture from the 1920s, complimented by modern amenities.

It doesn’t take long before guests of the Hacienda find themselves whisked back in time to the glory days of New Port Richey and its reputation as “The Hollywood of the East.” The once quaint town quickly became a notorious hot spot for celebrities and dignitaries from across the country, as notable figures made their way to the riverside town to set up homes, but The Hacienda was always the place to be.

Notables included Gloria Swanson and Charlie Chaplin, stars of the silver screen. Bad boy Al Capone, and baseball slugger Babe Ruth hung out, as did the first ever golfer to win all four majors, Gene Sarazan.

Historic Hacienda Hotel in the heart of New Port Richey. www.

HaciendaHotelNPR.com From the Hacienda, Fox Hollow Golf Club is only 20 minutes away.

Another of the Tampa Bay regions gems, a premier semi-private golf courses and one of Robert Trent Jones Sr. last designs, opened in 1994. Any time you set foot on a RTJ Sr. course you should know that this day you need to be on your game, this round will not be a walk in the park.

WOW factor sets in the moment drop your bag off, you can’t help but catch site of the 10th and 18th holes with large water bor

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Travel dering both sides of the fairway.

Central Florida magazine consistently ranks the 18th hole as “Best Par 4 in Florida”. Your visuals are only exemplified when you step foot into the “The Gille” or 19th hole with elevated views of both holes. The Grille is another 19th hole not to be missed. Locals have been known to dine here regularly, golfing or not.

Water comes into play on 11 holes and Jones’ other signature feature – plentiful, profound and penal bunker complexes – abounds. Greens are larges with some undulation to test your skills.

Conditioning here like all others in this collection are always top notch. Fox Hollow has hosted local qualifying for the U.S. Open as well as qualifiers for the Valspar Championship, the PGA Tour event held annually at Innisbrook Golf Resort. www.FoxHollwGolfClub.com To complete our linking of the of this region just north of Tampa with golf gems between Saddlebrook and Innisbrook we spent a night and played a round on the Copperhead Course, host of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort.

The Copperhead Course will challenge your every skill as it does the players on tour, ranked as the Tour’s 7th toughest course.

There are 4 courses in all at Innisbrook offering a number of options and playability.

Striking in both beauty and challenge - The Copperhead Course is a lengthy challenge for even the longest hitters at more than 7,200 yards and is a must-play. You will be navigating your way through pine tree-lined fairways and rolling terrain define the course, and the surrounding lakes and ponds present

Hacienda in New Port Richey water hazards that are also home to abundant wildlife including fox squirrels, bald eagles, alligators, blue herons, and many other types of waterfowl. Striking in both beauty and challenge.

Of course, the anticipation of playing, challenging and surviving the “Snake Pit” make the day most memorable.

Countless PGA Tour events have been won and lost in the Snake Pit. Innisbrook Resort is nestled on 900 acres of rolling hills and lush landscape in St. Pete’s Clearwater / Tampa Bay area. Innisbrook Resort offers an idyllic and private destination. To complement the beautiful natural setting, accommodations are all condo-style, low-rise lodges, arranged in small clusters that blend perfectly into the natural landscape.

Spacious and well-appointed guest rooms and suites feature all of the comforts of home with many featuring separate bedrooms, liv-

ing areas, full kitchens, and private patios or balconies with nature or golf course views. www.InnisbrookGolfResort.com So now you know, “the rest of the story,” just 35 miles to the north of Tampa International Airport in the Tampa / Wesley Chapel area you will find another set of Florida’s hidden gems when it comes to golf, Fox Hollow Golf Club, Plantation Palms Golf Club and Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club. Excellent golf experiences at very very reasonable green fee rates. Combine that with a stay and play experience at the Hyatt Place and The Hacienda and it opens up a whole new world of great golf, dining and adventure.

For more information on the entire Florida’s Sports Coast region visit www.FLSportsCoast.com

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Golfing Magazine • New New Jersey/E. Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Section Section

A Destination for the

! s u o r u t n e v Ad

Florida’s Sports Coast offers a more exciting kind of vacation. With four amazing cities to explore - and countless ways to get out and play - visitors will find there’s much more than just great golf in this area. Whether your fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, paddleboarding through mangrove lined coastlines, ballooning over Wesley Chapel, or enjoying a beer at one of our craft breweries, you’ll discover Florida’s Sports Coast is an unbeatable location for your next trip.

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Travel

Playing that Perfect Trifecta on the Beaches

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI

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azing into the Gulf of Mexico from our luxurious 18th floor Turquois Place condominium, look left, look right and it is miles and miles of white sand beach as far as the eye can see. It was my first time to the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area, the golf was excellent as anticipated, the seaside setting with fabulous restaurants and bars put the entire experience over the top.

The freshest of seafood options, flounder, grouper, red snapper and of course any style of oysters you could want. Steak lovers do not despair, you to will find as we did, some of the finest in the country.

Full disclosure although we played a trifecta of properties, but there was so much more, Craft Farms Golf Club is a 36-hole complex, Peninsula Golf & Raquet Club is a trifecta in itself with 27 holes with Kiva Dunes Resort having 18 holes. All three properties are relatively close to each other as they are to the many options you have for your golf vacation.

It didn’t take long for our group to get settled into Kiva Dues Resort. Of course, once checked into our condos here we are an elevator ride to the Pro Shop and the Kiva Grill where breakfast is awesome and opens up early in the mornings. Also, very convenient for a post round refreshment, lunch or dinner. Minutes from our units we found ourselves overlooking the Gulf of Mexico enjoying dinner at the Kiva Beach Club Restaurant. Margaritas and Chardonay flowed as we indulged into some

Craft Farms, Cotton Creek Course lemon garlic oysters and a red snapper dinner with a sunset backdrop.

Take me to the beach! With its strategic and somewhat secluded location on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile Bay, from our condo perched above Kiva Dunes, 18th green we could see the coastal beaches.

You won’t have to go to beach to get your share of beach time. This links course will give you plenty of that, if your game is not on. While white sand beaches are prevalent throughout, there are plenty of natural dunes and coastal shrubbery to make you want to stay on the

fairways.

Not much more can be said about this course whose layout was created by the property’s developer Jim Edgemon and longtime friend, and US Open Winner Jerry Pate that is not captured within the accolades from, Golf Digest, Golf Pass, Golf Advisor, Golfweek and Links Magazine to name a few. Toping that list of accolades might be, #1 Course in Alabama in 2017 by Golf Advisor. With the Robert Trent Jones Trail running through Alabama, we all know how many great courses there are throughout the State.

Kiva Dunes Resort 50 50 Golfing Magazine • New England New Jersey/E. 50 Edition Pennsylvania Section

Golfing Magazine •

Southington Country Club Southington Country Club

Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club

Winds off the Bay’s add another dimension to your day here. As the locals will tell you, “No two days are the same.” We were rather fortunate on our day to have relatively no wind. Par 3’s offer up great variety with none more challenging than the all over water 17th. Other favorite holes include the Par 4th, 9th where a good drive leaves you a shot over water to a green, protected by water to the left.

Seems to me that I am a sucker for water holes, number 2, might be my Par 5 of choice, 2 good shots leave you a wedge to a green protect by water right. Hole 18, although, the water that lines the right side of the fairway should not come into play, “takes you to the house!” Or in our case, our condo. You tee it up facing a large fairway with a backdrop of a majestic white structure that you to can call home. www.KivaDunes.com Before moving on, I would be remiss if I did not let you know about this must stop dining experience minutes from Kiva Dunes, on the Gulf Coast. Jesses Steakhouse on the Bay, known for there unique cuts of dry and wet-aged steaks, bone-in cuts, you should not overlook the fresh fish that is brought in daily or the amazing setting on the Bay. www.JessesRestaurant.com We got our first glimpse of the Turquoise Place Condominiums from a few miles offshore, our own version of a 3-hour tour, cruising the Gulf of Mexico. A beautiful morning and something that everyone should do at least once!

Little did we know the luxury and panoramic vistas that awaited. They offer up many choices of 3- & 4-bedroom units. Something for everyone.

Whether it’s morning coffee overlooking the gulf and afternoon cocktail or a late-night bourbon it seems like the balcony is always calling. The condos are extremely comfortable and you will want to nothing, beaches, pools and even a lazy river are on site. Location gives you so many options for dining and nightlife. www.SpectrumResorts.com The beach theme continues throughout this adventure with a dining experience minutes from our condo at Coastal Orange Beach a waterfront restaurant over looking white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. Seasonal seafood and indulgent deserts are specialties along with spectacular sunsets.

The Coastal Beach Bar adjacent features live music daily and any cocktail for any state of mind. Have enough to drink and you won’t resist picking up something in their 3,000 sq. ft. retail outlet Coastal Clothing.

This evening continued for us with a special treat, at least for me. I had heard of the infamous bar that straddled the Gulf Shores, Alabama and Florida border. The Flora-Bama Lounge is a beach bar that has been serving up music and good since 1964. No fewer than five stages for live music and features bands of country, rock, dance and beach music. You can relax in any of the areas and select the entertainment of your choice. Feeling a little peckish, you might also slide up to the Oyster

bar or Ole River Grill. If you need a little away time the Flora-Bama has several beach-front bars where you might enjoy a beautiful sunset. www.FloraBama.com The Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club is a trifecta of its own here in the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area. Peninsula is the home to three different nines, Marsh, Lakes and Cypress.

Rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest, each course was designed by the renowned southern favorite, Earl Stone, to give you a dramatically different playing experience on conditions second to none.

Up for us were the Cypress and Marsh nines. Cypress could be considered grip it and rip in style. Generous landing areas off the tee. A number of forced carries make tee selection extremely important for your day. Add in strategically placed bunkers, waste bunkers and water hazards and you find out why Peninsula is a world class experience.

The Marsh nine I would consider more of players course where accuracy and placement off the tee, club selection on second shots are make it, or break as the key to a good round.

Although, the Lakes nine is another 9 here, you will find water in combination with marshes and some awesome golf course bridges on 8 of the nine holes. www.PeninsulaGolfClub.com An option for Stay & Play Golf is the oceanside Perdido Beach Resort, although we did not this time around. It is a very popular spot and they were sold out while we were

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Travel Craft Farms, Cypress Creek Course

there. However, that did not preclude us from an exquisite dinner at Voyages with Executive Chef Brody Olive fresh off his earning the title “King of American Seafood” at the Great American Seafood Cook-Off Championship in New Orleans earlier this year. The combination of spectacular views, an award-winning wine list, local gulf caught seafood and dry aged steaks make Voyagers a unique culinary destination. www.PerdidoBeachResort.com If you are an Arnold Plamer design fan of which I am, then you are in for a real treat at Craft Farms Golf Club with two 4 ½ star Golf Digest rated courses. Both are modern links style courses and in typical Palmer style they offer challenge without intimidation. Semiprivate tells you that the courses are maintained “to the tee” as their members would have it no other way.

Cypress Bend is a perfect complement to its big sister, Cotton Creek, this course has a coastal feel as it traverses a unique system of

cord-grass accented lakes which come into play on nearly every hole. Cypress Bend offers wide fairways, vast landing areas and large undulating greens. For a guy who likes Palmer design and playing around water there is no shortage of favorite holes. The par 3’s offer up great variety but I tend to lean towards Par 5’s and the 18th with water down all down the right hand side crossing in front and to the left of the green makes it #1 for me.

The Cotton Creek course is a fun course to play with numerous risk/ reward opportunities throughout.

Here you deal with more tree lined and rolling fairways and for water lovers do not despair as small lakes, ponds and rivers come into play on 14 of the 18 holes.

The lush course is challenging for low handicap players but with five staggered tee boxes, it is a fun challenge for all. Fun and challenge really comes into play on the Par 4, 6th, small lake down the entire right hand and forms in to

surround the large undulating green, along with some protective bunkers. Bite off as much as you can chew for a short second shot. Maybe???

The Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend courses at Craft Farms are Alabama’s only Arnold Palmer Signature Design Courses. The courses are distinctly different, and both assure a challenging yet playable golf experience. www.CraftFarms.com The Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area of Alabama is an excellent destination whether for a golf vacation or any occasion at all. With the fresh Gulf Coast breezes and warm winter sunshine, Gulf Shores is the hidden jewel of the Gulf Coast. Enjoy nearby shopping, boating, beach, tourist attractions, deep sea fishing and, of course, golf! www.GulfShores.com Looking for the one stop in booking all your Stay & Play Golf Vacation needs? 11 courses in all to choose from, numerous accommodation and custom-built Stay & Play to suite any style or budget. www.CoastalAlabamaGolf.com

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53

Travel

Feasting your way through Greens On and Off the Course

By Michelin Satr Dining in Bangkok, Thailand

P

lanning that trip of a lifetime can be a daunting task at the best of times. It can be that much more challenging if the destination in consideration is on the other side of the world. When a young Canadian golfer, AJ Easton, from Calgary went on his first Asian golf adventure, he had no idea that he would meet the love of his life and set roots down in Thailand. He is not the first and likely will not be the last.

Twenty years later and based in Bangkok with his company Asia Golf Experience’s, AJ has been guiding golfers and travelers as they find their way around Thailand’s great golf and cultural experiences. Previously we have taken you to other parts of Thailand, on this occasion we will keep you in Bangkok, after all it is consistently the #1 most visited city in the world.

Our man with boots on the ground is a bit of a foodie in his own right. Thailand, known as the ‘Land of Smiles’ is famous for many things which makes it a draw for international tourists. One of the biggest of them all has to be the delicious food! Some of the best and most popular dishes in the world. Whether cooked in a 5-star restaurant or on the side of the street in a wok on a 3 wheeled cart, you’re bound to have a good meal every time!

It should come as no surprise that in Bangkok and throughout Thailand that the Michelin Star experience is alive and well. In

Alpine Golf and Sports Club Bangkok, there are an impressive 38 restaurants listed in the illustrious Michelin guide, all making the cut together, given Michelin’s recent introduction of the city to its illustrious guide.

Of those listed, 17 earned Michelin stars. The best part of this is that you won’t have to break the bank to eat here!

Side note: As of 2019, Bangkok has a total of 16 Michelin-starred restaurants, with 11 of them receiving one star and the remaining 5 receiving two stars. At the time Bangkok had the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Southeast Asia, ahead of Singapore (which has 12) and Kuala Lumpur (4).

We, and by that we mean AJ, is going to

give you a taste of what you can expect from a few of his favorites, blend in some golf and where to stay!

First up, the ever-popular Jay Fai located in the oldest part of Bangkok and one of only 6 to receive a 2 star rating, Jay Fai is most popular for her succulent crab meat omelet, curry stirfries and signature drunken seafood noodles.

The queue out the front for this dish got so long that this little restaurant on the corner with just a few tables had to set up a reservations system in order to be able to handle the number of people wanting to try the food. The chef, Supinya Junsuta, is part of the charm with her toque and ski goggles on to make sure she

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Golfing Magazine • New Jersey/E. Pennsylvania Section

Alpine Golf and Sports Club can get through as many of her famous dishes as possible. In addition to the crab meet omelet, Jay Fai has seafood dishes to die for, we love the thick noodles in gravy / seafood combo. Great spot to visit after a round of golf, or on an off day! Just be sure to make a reservation before going.

Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (Petchaburi 30) Located in Central World, this humble chicken and rice stall has drawn a devoted fan base of locals and in-the-know visitors for more than 60 years. The aromatic rice is cooked with chicken oil and perfectly matches the tender and juicy chicken. The soybean with ginger and chili dipping sauce is the flavorful addition.

Another favorite here is the steamed Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce to compliment the Chicken & Rice. There is a choice of steamed rice or oily rice but we 100% recommend to go with the oily rice as it’s much tastier!

Last, but definitely not least, in our top recommendations is a restaurant called Beer Hima, translation, beer snow! The beer at this southern Thai food restaurant is just to the point of being icy and is poured into a pint glass with frozen water in the bottom. The beer comes at a level just below a slurpee, and it is oh so good when coupled with the spicy southern

Thai food dishes. The signature here is the Thai sour curry with grouper, known in the south of Thailand as Gang Som. It is as authentic as it gets and if you really want to eat like a Thai, this should be your choice! Compliment it with the “Moo Koh” and Kale with Crispy Pork.

You won’t be hungry after some time enjoying Beer Hema!

x par 3s, 6 x par 4s and 6 x par 5s. Plenty of WOW factor right from the outset. Varied landscape features, meticulously maintained from tee to green, strategically placed white sand bunkers and plenty of water will challenge even the most experienced golfer.

But the golf is just part of the experience.

The course provides a buffet meal before & after golf, featuring local dishes Jai Fai Crabmeat Omlet such as crispy pork and red pork on rice. It might sound like another foodie experience, and it really is, but on course there are numerous kiosks with Thai snacks such as grilled pork on a stick with sticky rice and grilled meatballs. A nice injection of energy to keep you going through your round.

Alpine Golf and Sports Club Bangkok: One of two Ronald Garl courses that make our list, Alpine Golf and Sports To check out all the Michelin Club is a top-rated course, not only in Bangkok, Star experiences in Bangkok. but within Asia. Elevation changes come into play on this parkland style course. Well bunBangkok’s MICHELIN Restaurants From perhaps some greens on your plate kered and water in play on quite a few holes, we take you to 3 top recommendations of it pays to be straight as the rough is often places to play some world class golf around severe. Members here demand excellence when Bangkok… along with some of the best of the it comes to maintenance and that is what you world class caddie experience that you only find too will find. in Thailand!

An excellent club house and facilities add Nikanti Golf Club is a unique golf experi- to the reputation Alpine has, and is a must-play ence in Bangkok, challenging yet fun with 6 for anyone looking to play the best-of-the-best

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RG Golf City and challenge themselves while in Thailand.

From here, head back into town, drop off at the hotel and head off to Go Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (Petchaburi 30) and satisfy your hunger with some delicious chicken & rice!

The RG Golf City – Dream Arena: Another of the must plays of the Ronald Garl-designed courses in Bangkok, The RG Golf City – Dream Arena is a replica course where the front 9 features a collection of holes from around the world such as The Road Hole, The Postage Stamp, the Church Pews at Oakmont and the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. After the turn, you’ll be heading down hole 10 at August National and continue on to play the entire back 9 at Augusta National. It’s easy to put yourself on those fairways and at Amen Corner and imagine yourself on Sunday coming down to the finish line!

Truly a unique experience and a must play!!!

Where to stay in Bangkok? We have two and preferred distinct areas that we recommend you stay, Lower Sukhumvit or the Riverside.

Lower Sukhumvit is home to most of the nightlife, many different restaurants, the cultural experience, and shopping. The “shop ‘till you drop” saying comes true here! An excellent 4-star option in Sukhumvit, look no further than Mercure Sukhumvit Soi 11. It probably deserves higher than the 4-stars but we can tell 56

you that the price is right. They handle lots of golfers, understand golfers’ needs, and provide spacious rooms with an excellent breakfast!

If you’re looking for something a bit higher, on the 5-star scale, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit is an excellent property set right

along Sukhumvit Road. Recently renovated, rooms are modern and spacious with a nice Thai touch to them (don’t forget to look at the Thai numbers for your room number! A welcoming lobby including a new Japanese restaurant compliments an excellent Belgian themed restaurant on the rooftop, there is lots to eat and drink without leaving the comforts of the hotel.

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The Riverside area, it’s mostly 5-star options and we would recommend the Anantara Riverside Resort. With rooms that back on to the Chao Phrya River it is a very comfortable and top-quality spot to call home for your stay. You will find Thai themes throughout the hotel, and traditional Thai service that always comes with a smile. Consider a dinner cruise on their Manohra Cruise, a luxurious evening dining experience, past the lit-up temples, moving under the many up bridges on a traditional Thai wooden boat.

Bangkok is a city that doesn’t sleep, but one that will tantalize and tingle your tastebuds. It will give you the 5-star golf experience, excellent and safe accommodation as well as endless things to do outside of golf.

If you’re looking to take your first golf trip to Thailand, or looking to come back after some time away, there’s no better time to book than now as the cold weather closes in for winter, and the sunny skies and nice sea breezes come in for the winter in Thailand.

To get more information please contact either AJ or his partner Ian, at Asia Golf Experiences golf@asiagolfexperiences.com They will make sure you have a fantastic and memorable trip. www.AsiaGolfExperiences.com To check out all the rich experiences that Thailand has to offer www.ThailandInsider.com.

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Ka‘anapali: Where The World Comes to Play Hawai‘i’s first master-planned resort remains one of the best

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cclaimed for its warm hospitality, beautiful beaches and an adventurous spirit, America’s 50th state is also “golf heaven” – a plethora of diverse courses featuring jaw-dropping views and fun at every turn.

LOCATION Situated on 300 acres of sacred lands once home to the Royal Chiefs of Maui, Ka‘anapali Golf Courses offers 36 holes of panoramic views of Lana‘i, Molokai and the West Maui Mountains. As part of the Ka‘anapali Beach Resort Association, guests can stay at one of 13 beautiful hotels and resorts. The community is anchored by Whalers Village, a beachside shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum, hula lessons and other entertaining activities.

Three miles south lies the historic town of Lahaina, which translates to “relentless sun” in Hawaiian. The bustling area is filled with shops and plays host to the annual Thanksgivingweek college basketball tournament, the Maui Jim Invitational.

ROYAL KA‘ANAPALI Opened in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Ka‘anapali is renowned for its forgiving fairways, quick undulating greens and trade winds. Beginning at sea level, the course hugs the shoreline before rising into the foothills, where bird’s-eye views are abundant. Arnold Palmer remarked, “The 18th hole is one of the best and most

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challenging finishing holes that I have ever played.”

Royal Ka‘anapali gained international notoriety by hosting high-profile events, including Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1964), Canada Cup (1964), LPGA Women’s Kemper Open (198285), PGA TOUR Champions’ Ka‘anapali Classic (1987-2000) and SKINS Game (200811) and Ka’anapali Collegiate Invitational (2014-2019, 2021, 2022).

KA‘ANAPALI KAI Debuting in 1976 by Arthur Jack Snyder and renovated in 2005 by Hawaii’s most prolific golf course architect, Robin Nelson, Ka‘anapali Kai is an 18-hole, family-friendly complement to Royal Ka‘anapali. The 6,400-yard, par-70 layout boasts an array of strategically placed bunkers, contoured fairways and native flora and fauna. Ka‘anapali Kai famously hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break Ka‘anapali” in 2008.

FOOTGOLF Fueling soccer fan’s enthusiasm from the World Cup, Ka‘anapali is also home to Maui’s only FootGolf Course. This outdoor activity offers a fun combo of golf and soccer. The 9-hole, par 34 layout stretches 1,165 yards along the fairways of Ka‘anapali Kai. The FootGolf Course is open seven days a week from 4 – 6 p.m. Guests can play for just $15. Ball rentals are $5.

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ROCK ‘N RANGE For those who enjoy grooving to good music while simultaneously groov-ing nice golf swings, Ka‘anapali is the place for you.

“Rock ‘N Range is an activity for golfers and non-golfers to come together in a fun, relaxed and lounge-style atmosphere. Paired with happy hour-style Hawaiian food, drinks, music and games, individuals and private groups are treated to a memorable event,” said Susan Havens, Director of Sales and Marketing for Ka‘anapali Golf Courses.

STAFF Hawaiian culture is celebrated for its familystyle (‘Ohana) sense of inclusion. Ka‘anapali is no exception. Over the last nine months, more than half of Ka‘anapali’s new hires have been women and minorities. Anchored by females serving as the Regional Operations Director and Head Golf Professional, Ka‘anapali is a leading club with diversity, equity and inclusion in golf, with a focus on Aloha for all.

PLAN YOUR TRIP Ka‘anapali can be reached via Kahului Airport (OGG) or Kapalua Airport (JHM).

With three miles of white sand beaches and scenic Pacific Ocean views, Ka‘anapali is ready to “E Komo Mai” (welcome) you to paradise in 2023!

To learn more, visit www.KaanapaliGolfCourses.com

Where Aloha Begins...

Boasting the longest stretch of ocean front holes in all of Hawaii, the Ocean Course Hokuala will test your golf and your photography skills as you maneuver through the mango groves of the rainforest terrain and play along the cliffside of the beautiful Pacific on this Jack Nicklaus signature layout.

3351 Ho’Olaulea Way Lihue, HI 96766 www.golfhokuala.com