Gaylord Golf Mecca Treetops Resort The Masterpiece Gaylord, MI
• Sweet Home Alabama • Maui, HI • Brunswick Islands, NC • Outer Banks, NC • Santee, SC • Hilton Head Island, SC • Lexington, KY • Champions Retreat, GA
BoyneGolf.com
Travel Edition Winter 2025
When courses are this gorgeous, even the rough looks pristine. Grab some friends and plan a trip to play on over 30 championship courses, designed by some of the game’s giants.
Come see coastal golf at its finest, and download your free NC’s Brunswick Islands Golf Guide at ncbrunswickgolf.com.
Style for Miles
Choosing the Gaylord Golf Mecca Course that Suits Your Style
When you play golf in Gaylord, you’ve got options.
At Gaylord Golf Club alone, you can challenge yourself from the black tees at over 6,500 yards or blast away from the orange tees at 3,600 yards. The par-5 17th hole, for example, plays anywhere from 505 to just 241 yards, with blue, white and green tees in between!
Now, multiply that diversity by all 17 Gaylord Golf Mecca courses – including some with gold, red, yellow and silver tees, too – and there’s fun for everyone, from bogey golfers and beginners all the way up to scratch players and pros.
“You can find whatever you want right here in Gaylord,” said J.T. Aude, PGA head professional at Gaylord Golf Club and chairman of the Gaylord Golf Mecca. “You’re not going to find a better collection of golf courses.”
As you book places to stay and play in the Gaylord Golf Mecca this upcoming season, here’s a rundown of courses to help you choose which ones are best for you:
The Showstoppers
For the ultimate mix of challenging golf and northern Michigan scenery, make a tee time at Black Lake Golf Club north of Gaylord off I-75 in Onaway. The treelined course owned by the United Auto Workers and designed by renowned golf architect Rees Jones has been ranked by Golf Digest among the top 100 public courses in the country, and among the top
10 in Michigan. It’s also one of the top 50 courses in America for women.
Even the very best golfers might have trouble keeping their score in the 70s from the tips at Black Lake, but there are several other sets of tees that make the course a joy for the average player, too. Plus, Black Lake is home to “The Little Course,” a 9-hole pitch-and-putt with holes ranging from 54 to 117 yards.
Next on our list is the Jones Masterpiece at Treetops Resort, which has one of the most difficult slope ratings in the entire Midwest. The magnificent course overlooking the scenic Pigeon River Valley was built by the father of Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Legend has it that Jones and Jack Nicklaus had a friendly wager to see who could build the toughest golf course in Michigan. Jones, who designed many courses that have hosted major professional championships and Ryder Cups, came up with the Masterpiece and called it his crowning glory.
The woods and elevation changes on the Masterpiece make it the resort’s most chal-
Indian River Golf Club
lenging course, and also perhaps its most scenic. The view from the par-3 sixth hole, which drops some 120 feet from tee to green, is what inspired the Treetops name.
Equally as stunning as Black Lake and the Masterpiece is The Tribute at Otsego Resort, designed by PGA Tour winner and longtime golf announcer Gary Koch. With viewpoints where you can see for miles high above the Sturgeon River Valley, The Tribute really showcases Gaylord’s overall elevation, which is the highest of any region in the Lower Peninsula.
The Tribute is carved through the forest and plays as long as 7,347 yards from the black tees, making it the longest in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Yet, the course has pretty wide fairways to help keep your ball out of the woods and other tees that play as short as 5,000 yards.
The Resort Courses
While the Jones Masterpiece should be on every golfer’s must-play list, Treetops also has three more great 18-hole courses to experience plus the iconic Threetops 9-hole par-3 course. Both the Signature (designed by Rick Smith) and the Premier (designed
by Tom Fazio) are plenty challenging, yet forgiving at the same time. The Signature has wide, tree-lined fairways with tricky greens and beautiful views, and the Premier has bigger greens and even wider fairways that offer a bit more margin for error. Meanwhile, the Tradition (by Smith) is more of an oldschool, walkable links course with wooden pins, pennant flags and not nearly as many places to hit your ball into trouble.
Garland Lodge & Golf Resort offers diversity, too, with four different courses including Swampfire, with water visible on 16 holes, and Monarch, which is the secondlongest course in the Gaylord Golf Mecca at more than 7,200 yards from the tips. Fountains and Reflections, the resort’s shortest course, each have an unusual layout with six par-fives, six par-fours and six parthrees.
Another amazing resort in the Gaylord Golf Mecca, Otsego Resort, also has nice variety right on site. After playing The Tribute, you can enjoy The Classic, a walkable parkland design that’s one of the original courses in Gaylord and still a fine illustration of the Mecca’s varied terrain and excellent conditions.
Treetops Premier, Hole 11
Walkable Courses
In addition to The Classic and Tradition at Treetops, there are a few other courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca where you can walk instead of taking a cart, if you prefer. Lakes of the North Golf Course in Mancelona features two nines with different personalities, one a traditional links style and the other an “Up North” feel with woods and water. Another is Indian River Golf Club, which recently marked its 100th anniversary and has a layout that combines an open prairie with Northwoods splendor.
Both Michaywé – The Pines and Gaylord Golf Club also permit walking at certain times of the week. The Pines is another one of the original Gaylord Golf Mecca courses, a delightful place to play with immaculate conditions thanks to the surrounding community of 900 homeowners who cherish the course and invite you to experience it. The Pines is challenging enough to have hosted the Michigan Amateur championship multiple times and yet offers yellow discs in the fairway where kids and less-experienced adults can tee off and play at a shorter distance.
Rounding out the 17 courses is Black Bear Golf, a new addition to the Mecca for 2025. Under new ownership, this Scottish links-style course is blended with traditional tree-lined holes and large green-scapes.
Variety. Quality. Quantity. Endless options set the Gaylord Golf Mecca apart to offer the ultimate golf destination, 38 years strong!
www.GaylordGolfMecca.com
Garland Monarch Course
Lakes of the North Golf Course
Brunswick Islands North Carolina’s Hidden Gem Golf Destination
If you’re thinking golf – and we know you are – you should be thinking NC’s Brunswick Islands. This strand of barrier islands is located on the southern coast of North Carolina and encompasses five distinctive islands and surrounding coastal towns including Calabash, Leland, Southport, 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 Brunswick County face south as the Atlantic coastline juts down from its normal east facing way allowing one to view the sunrise and sunset over the ocean during certain seasons.
With more than 25 courses you can play and 45 miles of coastline, you’ll want to schedule multiple trips to experience all the Brunswick Islands have to offer. The area boasts some of the Southeast’s finest courses, including the notable, Arnold Palmer designed Rivers Edge Golf Club, Thistle Golf Club, Crow Creek Golf Club, and Tiger’s Eye Golf Links – one of the 4 Big Cats courses. It’s no wonder the destination has become known by another name: North Carolina’s Golf Coast.
NC’s Brunswick Islands is a place where those who revel in the heritage and the camaraderie of a game, a hole or a shot well-played
can find their fulfillment. The area’s 45 miles of pristine barrier islands delightfully combine with lush maritime forests, expansive marshes and inlets, and the Intracoastal Waterway to create a terrain primed for the most alluring course designs in all of golf. The game’s legends would agree. Palmer, Byrd, Maples, Jones, Cate, Couples, Robbins – they all came and left their footprints on the land.
Volume. Variety. Climate. Terrain.
All the essentials have aligned here to create a nearly endless succession of challenges for you and your fellow golf enthusiasts. The coastal landscape of waterways and marshes
in NC’s Brunswick Islands is the ideal place to reaffirm your love of the game. Mild weather year-round makes for an all-season golf climate where you’ll find playing conditions to your liking almost any time of the year. Good thing, because with over 500 holes, you’ll want to plan a few trips to the coast to meet the challenge.
And while you’re there, don’t be surprised
when you discover that some of the best golf on the Grand Strand is actually in Brunswick County. The destination is perfect for staying and playing. NC’s Brunswick Islands has managed to harness that special something that brings both golfers and families back year in and year out. Whatever you’re searching for in accommodations, from a charming villa right on the fairway to the perfect oceanfront vacation rental home to
welcome a group of any size, you’ll find it in the Brunswick Islands. Stay at one of the area’s two golf resorts – Sea Trail Golf Resort and Brunswick Plantation - for a complete golf experience with onsite restaurants and challenging courses. Sea Trail boasts three memorable 18-hole courses designed by legendary architects, Rees Jones, Dan Maples, and Willard Byrd. The Byrd course is back open after a five-month multimillion-dollar renovation and redesign.
Golf is just one component of a trip to the Brunswick Islands. Apart from some beach time, visitors can opt for some chartered deep-sea fishing where skilled local fishermen do 90% of the work to give you 100% of the joy of catching King Mackerel, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi.
NC’s Brunswick Islands is also known for its many famous seafood restaurants and plenty of waterfront dining options. The Oyster Rock in Calabash and Sharky’s in Ocean Isle Beach are two must-stop options when the sun goes down.
No matter where you stay in NC’s Brunswick Islands, your passion for the game will be reinvigorated and you’ll leave with a love of the people and the place. The place? North Carolina’s Golf Coast.
www.NCBrunswickGolf.com
Carolina National
Thistle Golf Club
All Roads Lead to Golf…. .... in Sweet Home Alabama
By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI
If you are entering the State of Alabama by car it won’t take long before you come across signs along the Interstate that indicate that you are close to a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Golf Course. The fact is, that wherever you are in the State, you are close to one of the 11 Trail sites, 8 Resorts and 26 golf courses all tolled.
While Montgomery, Alabama is the Capital of the State, in my humble opinion the marquis course on the Trail is a little further north, in Birmingham, The Ross Bridge Course. The vibrant city of Birmingham, known as “The Dinner Table of the South.” If there is one thing I love as much as playing golf is a fine meal!
Birmingham is an ideal spot to start any Trail adventure, whether you are driving into the State or flying. This Trail adventure will take us north, culminating in one of the historical music destinations of America, Muscle Shoals.
Other than the Ross Bridge Course, within minutes you have 2 more 18-hole courses at Oxmoor Valley, The Ridge and The Valley, plus The Backyard, a 9-hole par 3 course meant to be played in about an hour by a foursome. All three courses are also fairly close to a very vibrant downtown area, a great place to consider calling
home for a few days would be the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa.
An entertainment hub in the downtown area and in very close proximity to Top Golf, for those who can’t get enough is the Uptown District, 10 or more restaurants to choose from including some rooftops. The Southern Kitchen & Bar being the favorite along with Texas de Brazil and Mugshots for a good old-fashioned burger.
Getting adventurous and a little more upscale dining, some of my favorites include, fine Italian flair at Bottega, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, more than just seafood, and Blueprint on 3rd a casual American brassiere.
Outside of playing golf, a must stop is a visit to Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, there is no place like this in the world. Whether you are a motorsports fan or not you will be amazed by the worlds largest collection of motorcycles, over 1,800 plus the worlds most extensive Lotus collection.
www.BarberMuseum.org
Moving on from Birmingham our first stop was just over an hour northeast to RTJ Golf
Trail at Silver Lakes in the Anniston / Gadsden, Alabama. There are 36 holes in all here, 9 of those being the Short Course a collection of stunning par 3’s around Lee’s Lake.
The Appalachian Foothills are the backdrop to a stunning setting in Northeast Alabama for Silver Lakes. The 36 holes take you through forests, wetlands, grasslands, dramatic elevation changes and yes, the wow factor created by the waters and bridges of Lee’s Lake and Silver Lake.
I am big on the water and bridges adding WOW factor to the course, but, the most notable of the course characteristics are the greens. Large, contoured, quick and usually well protected on the front side. If you can’t hit it high and let it land softly you are in for a long day! We played the Heartbreaker and the Mindbreaker nines and grateful that we ran out of daylight. With my back already broken, I don’t think I could have survived another 9 on the Backbreaker.
We got off Silver Lakes at sunset and with our next round being at Hampton Cove in Huntsville we made the hour or so drive that evening. Minutes from the AC Hotel which
was home for the evening is Campus No. 805 with a smorgasbord of dining options and is recognized as “The South’s Premier Brewery and Entertainment Venue. Not having been the most astute student in my day, I must say that this is my kind of Campus.
Mexican flare at Hops N Guac won over as our dinner choice with their self serve bar that includes 50 Taps of Craft Beer. Around the corner, Rock N Roll Sushi is just as it sounds, Rock’n Roll and sushi…..that will be for next time. A few other options include; good old pub style meals, burgers, fries and wings, inside Ale’s Kitchen. Straight to Ale is Southern Born, Southern Brewed! Founded by local home brewers in 2009, we opened for distribution in 2010 and have grown to be one of Alabama’s largest production breweries. www.Campus805.com
Next morning, and before our round we had to make a stop at another one-of-a-kind attractions, only in Alabama. You may detect a pattern here. There is plenty to see and do in Huntsville: www.Huntsville.org
Have you ever wanted to feel like an astronaut for the day? A visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center can make that happen. After opening its doors in 1970 an estimated 17 million people have toured the center with roughly 650,000 of those visitors being students.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center also serves as the Official NASA Visitor Center, and boasts the most comprehensive U.S. manned spaceflight hardware museum and artifacts in the world.
Its large rocket and space hardware collection is valued in the tens of millions of dollars. From a model of America’s first satellite, Explorer I, to next generation space vehicles like Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, and the Apollo 16 Command Module the museum showcases the past, present and future of human spaceflight. www.RocketCenter.com
RTJ Golf Trail at Hampton Cove is the northern gateway for the Trail, 54 holes of golf and all 3 courses are distinctly different. The Short Course offers up generous landing areas in a links style setting with water in play on 11 holes.
It would appear that while in Northern Alabama that Mr. Jones had no problem in finding water and perhaps, he likes bridges on golf courses as much as I do. The Highlands Course is one of the most picturesque and playable courses framed by rolling terrain, long wavey grasses and of course the aforementioned water. Also, of note here, especially for those of us who like barns on courses, note, the old mule barn on the right side of the 5th hole. Get behind it and the question will be, which wedge to use?
The River Course, a shot makers course and a throwback to the way courses were built long ago, where dirt was merely pushed up to create the greens and tees, leaving all else, including massive oak trees, as is. The course is laid out on former soybean fields in the flood plain of the Flint River. With water on 16 of the 18 holes, and is the only Robert Trent Jones layout in the
world designed without a single bunker. Accommodations here are as close as 2 miles away at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Huntsville / Hampton Cove. Other options in Huntsville (9 miles) include the Hilton Garden Inn, for those looking for a little more upscale, consider 106 Jefferson in Huntsville part of the Marriott Curio Collection.
To the Sights and “SOUNDS” of
Muscle Shoals
Checking in to the Marrott Shoals Hotel and Spa you can’t help but notice the live, Blues Music coming from the restaurant and bar just around the corner. An indication of what this region is all about.
With pizza and Caesar salad on the brain we found a fun music and local theme, little spot, Lost Pizza Co. Excellent pizza and fun atmosphere, it quickly did the trick and it was back to the blues at the Marriott.
Yet another one-of-a-kind experience is where we are off too, to start our day. Ten minutes from the Marriott Shoals, if you are a music fan, Muscle Shoals Sound Studios is a must stop. From a coffin show room, transformed into a music studio in the late 1960s, it turned around the career of the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. The studio interiors still date to the 1970s, with analogue recording equipment, instruments and memorabilia, and the building has recently reopened to accommodate tours.
Ross Bridge Golf Course
The word spread around the world about the quality of music coming out of Northern Alabama, countless Gold and Platinum records. In 1971 The Rolling Stones cut 3 songs that you may recognize, “Wild Horses, Brown Sugar and You Got to Move.” Hundreds of hit songs with artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Dylan, Duane Allman, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Bob Seger, Staples Singers, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, Cat Stevens, Dr. Hook, and Eddie Hinton to name a few.
Today, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is owned and operated by the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation (MSMF), non-profit organization. A cause worth supporting! www.MuscleShoalsSoundStudio.org
To get your taste of the Blues and all else that the Florence area has to offer: www.VisitFlorenceAL.org
RTJ Golf Trail at Muscle Shoals
All good things must come to and end, and what a course to do so on! Here Mr. Jones maintained his use of water and bridges to challenge your game, only here he has the Tennessee River to further enhance the element of WOW! The 36-hole complex sits high above Wilson Lake and the Tennessee River.
Again, you have 2 styles of courses to play, the only similarity is that both are long, one is long and the other is longer. The Fighting Joe Course stretching back to just shy of 8,100 yards gives you the opportunity to grip it and rip it. Wide fairways flanked by grasses and mounds lead you to large and beautifully maintained greens. A good and fun course to play, if you choose the right tees.
The Schoolmaster Course, (named after
President Woodrow Wilson) pick the wrong tees here and you are in detention! Just shy of 8,000 yards, you will find narrow tree lined fairways, more demanding approaches to well protected greens. Regardless of how you play, you will remember the beauty that the 18th hole holds on the high bluffs over the river. Pick the wrong tees here and the locals will say “bless his heart” the rest of us will simply call you a fool!
By now you must have figured out that the State of Alabama is a pretty unique and special place with in my opinion, some of the friendliest people in the south. Believe me, I have spent more time in the south than most.
First off, the golf and the Robert Trent Jones Trail, by far the most successful golf tail in the world. Nowhere can you touch the quality of
the courses and the value, whether on Stay & Play packages or a green fee player. Variety, remember, 11 Trail sites, 8 Marriott Renaissance Resorts and 26 golf courses spread throughout the State. Whether you want to play along the Gulf of Mexico or the or in the foothills of the Appalachians the choice is yours.
Off the course, 3 one-of-a-kind stops: 1.) Barber Motor Sports in Birmingham, 2.) U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville and 3.) Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in the Florence / Muscle Shoals area.
To book your Robert Trent Jones (RTJ Golf Trail) Golf Getaway: www.RTJGolf.com
It must be time to plan your visit to Sweet Home Alabama!
For more information on the State of Alabama in general: www.Alabama.Travel/ Apes Hill
Ross Bridge Resort
NORTH CAROLINA’S OUTER BANKS THE ULTIMATE COASTAL GOLF DESTINATION
The North Carolina Outer Banks is one of the premier golf vacation destinations on the East Coast and home to THE buddy golf trip of 2025. Located at the top of North Carolina’s barrier islands, the Outer Banks divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Currituck and Roanoke Sounds. With so many holes along the waters completely surrounding the Outer Banks, it’s hard to imagine a more picturesque and exciting place to tee it up for your 2025 golf trip! Couple this with 130 miles of the wildest, most natural and undeveloped beaches in the country and you have the perfect getaway.
GOLF ON THE EDGE
Golf around the storied Outer Banks represents an outstanding selection of enjoyable, high quality golf courses. The true barrier island links courses and modern parkland marvels located inland are true memory makers. The challenges presented by our five courses are as spectacular as the views they possess. In short, golf on the OBX is sensory overload. You and your group are in for a real treat!
Three courses are perennially in the Top 100 You Can Play in North Carolina by the NC Golf Panel: The Currituck Club, Kilmarlic Golf Club, and Nags Head Golf Links. These headliners, along with The Pointe Golf Club and The Carolina Club , have helped transform the Outer Banks into an outdoor sportsman’s paradise.
STUNNING GOLF ACCOMMODATIONS
The Golf Village Cottages at Kilmarlic are the Outer Banks’ premier accommodations. Each of the 18 available two-bedroom, twobath Cottages comfortably houses four golfers and features a full kitchen, living room and back deck, complete with BBQ grill –providing the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the view of the putting green and natural pond.
The Golf Village Cottages also surround a 5,000-square foot, lighted putting green and a four-hole short course that is open for unlimited play for Cottage guests, offering a quartet of par-3 holes that play between 27 and 40 yards.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR GOLF TRIP TO FIT YOUR EVERY NEED!
From golf course and accommodations selections to dining and outdoor activity recommendations, our golf travel professionals are ready to assist with your golf vacation plans. Custom golf trips are what we do best, building unforgettable golf vacations that work with every budget and every need. Let us take the pain out of planning your next golf trip, so you can focus on having an incredible visit to one of the most unique golf trip experiences in the country!
For more information visit www.PlayOBXGolf.com or call (800) 916-6244.
The Carolina Club
Nags Head Golf Links
OUTER BANKS WHERE COASTAL GOLF MEETS GETAWAY
A ONE-OF-A-KIND GOLF VACATION
A golf vacation to the North Carolina Outer Banks is unlike any other. Challenge one of our five award-winning golf courses, sink your teeth into our fresh coastal cuisine, and end the day with drinks on the deck at your well-appointed golf cottage overlooking a lighted putting green. Simply put, it’s the perfect golf trip for 2025!
Your group is unique and your golf vacation should be the same. Our local golf travel experts are ready to help you plan every last detail to make it the very best!
KILMARLIC GOLF CLUB THE Currituck Club The Carolina Club The Pointe Golf Club
NAGS HEAD GOLF LINKS
LSantee Cooper Resort, Santee, SC
The All-Inclusive Buddy Golf Trip
et us set the stage for you at the Santee Cooper Golf Resort in Santee, South Carolina, where the ultimate buddy golf trip experience awaits. Picture you and your friends waking up to a hot breakfast in our on-site hospitality center followed by a full day of golf on our two courses, placing friendly bets, sharing lots of laughs and making lifelong memories. Later, enjoy good ol’ southern country cookin’ prepared for your group, followed by putting under the lights on our 35,000 square foot, 18-hole putting course just steps away…and that’s just day one!
Guide. Enjoy classic tree-lined layouts, dramatic elevations, and views of beautiful Lake Marion. As you play your way around Santee, you will notice each and every course has been designed for maximum enjoyment and a thrilling challenge.
All-Inclusive Golf Packages Loaded with Value!
What all-inclusive package pricing means for your group is substantial savings on the things golfers typically pay for once they are here on their trip…replay rounds, range balls, daily breakfast, a dinner out, golf gear, souvenirs, and more.
Our all-inclusive packages include your golf, lodging, shopping gift card, daily hot breakfast buffet, seasonal BBQ and pasta dinners cooked to perfection on-site, discounted replay rounds, unlimited putting on The Palmetto Traverse Putting Course, and complimentary range balls. You just can’t beat it!
13 Championship & Fun-filled Golf Courses Dot the Landscape
The Resort features two fun-filled golf courses. Lake Marion Golf Course is a perennial favorite with traveling golfers and will challenge you with pine tree-lined fairways and bordering lakes. The sister course to Lake Marion, Santee Cooper Country Club, offers perhaps the most scenic round of golf in the area. Set amid majestic pines and native foliage, this well-conditioned layout will test every shot in your bag with its series of beautiful dogleg holes, strategic bunkering and challenging par 3’s.
Guests also enjoy having access to 11 additional courses in the area that can be added to any golf package. Many of these fine courses have been ranked by Golf Digest’s Places to Play
The Fun Extends into the Night with the Largest Putting Course in South Carolina
Santee Cooper Golf Resort’s Palmetto Traverse Putting Course was designed for wild fun, with putts as long as 260 feet possible and over some of the most varied terrain you will ever see in a putting surface. The design is based off the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews, and designed by golf course architect and Donald Ross restoration specialist, Kris Spence. Guests enjoy The Traverse well into the night under the lights with their favorite beverages, settling bets, and sharing many laughs. The putting green is conveniently located steps from Santee Cooper Resort’s golf villa and townhouse accommodations.
Making Golf Trip Planning Easy
Nobody knows golf in and around Santee better than the team of golf vacation professionals at Santee Cooper Resort. We have found customers like you expect expert advice on where to play and where to stay on your golf vacation. With more than 30 years of golf travel experience, our staff will help you plan your trip down to the final detail, while keeping your budget a top priority. More than 85% of our business repeats year after year, which speaks to the level of service received and the quality of the Santee golf trip experience.
For More Information and Golf Trip Reservations, Call (800) 344-6534, Option 2 or visit www.SanteeCooperGolf.com
Palmetto Traverse Putting Course
Santee Cooper Country Club
Play America’s Golf Island Hilton Head Island, SC
Golf’s popularity has never been higher, and there’s no place better to experience this great game than America’s Golf Island. Comprised of a diverse collection of 26 golf courses spread throughout Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort, South Carolina, the region’s breathtaking natural beauty attracted many of golf’s greatest architects: Robert Trent Jones, Rees Jones, Davis Love III, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and George Fazio, just to name a few.
The Golf Island is the perfect destination for any golf getaway, whether it be a buddies trip, family vacation or couples retreat. Golf is played 365 days a year here among the palmettos and live oaks, as the Lowcountry boasts glorious spring and fall weather, mild winters and balmy summers. Off the course, the region is home to world-class beaches, award-winning restaurants and local eateries, and a myriad of activities ranging from deep sea fishing, tennis, pickle-ball and biking along 50-plus miles of public pathways.
Many golfers are already familiar with Hilton Head Island because of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage, an area tradition since it was first played at Harbour Town Golf Links back in 1969. One of the most popular stops on TOUR, the tournament is known for its Southern hospitality, laid back atmosphere and the famed Harbour Town Lighthouse overlook-
ing the 18th green along the Calibogue Sound.
Rounds are best re-lived in the evening over a relaxing chef-prepared dinner with family, card games with friends or sitting a spell on a deck watching the sun drop in the South Carolina sky. Numerous lodging partners oblige with a vast array of accommodations ranging from rental homes, villas and condos to brand-name hotels and boutique inns.
Award-Winning and PGA Tour Favorite
Hilton Head Island has been voted by PGA Tour players as their 2nd favorite stop on Tour and
received Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award as the Best Island in the US for 2024.
Dream and Plan Your Next Golf Trip Online
Planning your entire golf vacation from start to finish is easy at www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com. Browse all of the area’s golf courses, seasonal golf package offers, accommodations options, off-the-course activities and request a custom golf trip quote from our resort partners. With a few clicks of your mouse, your dream vacation can quickly become a reality.
www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com
Harbour Town Golf Links
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Aloha
Love is in the Air at Ka‘anapali and on Maui
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 Thanksgiving-week 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. The opening hole of the Royal Ka’anapali Golf
Course offers a golfing adventure that invites both precision and daring.
Aptly named “E Komo Mai,” which translates to “welcome” in Hawaiian, the hole warmly greets those who enjoy easing into their round.
“E Komo Mai is a great welcoming hole to get out there to make a birdie,” said PGA Teaching Professional Chris Armanini.
One of the three par fives on the course, the first hole offers a couple of different
ways to approach the green – precision players can make three solid shots to get it close, while longer hitters can go for it in two, depending on wind conditions.
Arnold Palmer remarked, “The 18th hole is one of the best and most challenging finishing holes that I have ever played.”
As you journey through the Royal Course, you will notice historical plaques on each tee, sharing the history and stories of K’anapali. The course will take you Makai
Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course
(Oceanside) and then bring you into the West Maui Mountain foothills (Mauka) with stunning panoramic views.
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 (1982-85), PGA TOUR Champions’ Ka‘anapali Classic (1987-2000) and SKINS Game (200811) and Ka’anapali Collegiate Invitational (2014-2019, 2021, 2022).
KA‘ANAPALI KAI
The Ka’anapali Kai Golf Course offers a beautiful setting with views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains. The
course features strategic shots, lush fairways, challenging holes, and stunning scenery, making it a popular choice for both seasoned golfers and those looking to enjoy a shorter round of golf. The Kai Course complements the nearby Royal Ka’anapali Course, offering players a variety of golfing experiences in a picturesque Hawaiian setting.
Along many holes on the Ka’anapali Kai Course lie natural canals, gulches and lava rock boundaries. The course is landscaped with native flowers along the trails like the hibiscus, bougainvillea and plumeria, as well as the Norfolk Pines and coconut trees that border many fairways. These
features are part of what makes the course most enjoyable. Ka’anapali Kai Course was redesigned by Hawaii’s most prolific golf course architect, Robin Nelson. This course focuses on strategy of your round, not necessarily distance or strength, which is why this course is enjoyed by both the beginner and avid golfer.
Ka’anapali Kai Course was originally created as an executive course and was later redesigned by architect Arthur Jack Snyder in 1976. At 6,400 yards, the par 70 course is a more forgiving golf course with subtle, undulating greens that accommodates all levels of play. The land on which Ka’anapali Golf Courses was founded, originally housed a sugar cane plantation.
Once the vacation place of the Royal Chiefs of Maui it was the perfect escape for royalty who enjoyed many games including a form of lawn bowling using stones on what are now the fairways of the K’anapali Kai Golf Course.
Your journey today begins Makai (Oceanside), then takes you into the foothills of the West Maui Mountains (Mauka), offering breathtaking views of our Kai (Ocean) and neighboring islands. Experience K’anapali.. www.KaanapaliGolfCourses.com
Ka’anapali Kai Golf Course
Sip it and Rip It - In Lexington, Kentucky Bourbon and Birdies in the Horse Capital of the World
By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI
Could it be that a landlocked State, with no bordering ocean, I can’t even say that I saw a sizable lake, be considered one of the most beautiful States in the USA. Absolutely, it’s gently rolling and lush pastureland is dissected by roadways, guiding you through sprawling horse farms, some of the most beautiful small cities including Lexington, which in 2024 Conde Naste Traveler Readers Choice Award designated as “ Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S. “ and of course the iconic Bourbon Distilleries.
Our home in Bluegrass Grass country, is the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa, only 10 minutes from downtown Lexington. You can’t help but notice the pyramid of Bourbon Barrels, and for the can’t get enoughers, of all things, a Bourbon dispensing machine with a great selection of regional bourbons and whiskeys including, rare selects such as Pappy Van Winkle. I wonder how many Pappys are bought after hours??? Well, we are on the infamous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a sign of what’s to come!
The Griffin Gate Golf Club tucked in the rolling green meadows of Lexington, is the
home course of the Marriott. A Reese Jones design, a resort-private facility, where guests of the resort are welcomed to enjoy one of the top ranked courses in the State. Looking for the Pro Shop, it is walking distance from the Marriott, look for the historic 19th century mansion with its stately white columns, around back and you are there.
Playing in November was a little chilly but the course was in immaculate condition. A great deal of the credit for the conditions goes to the Reese Jones and his 2015 renovations. Very playable for any golfer, pick the right tees of course. The course features a strong collection of risk reward holes with water and stone bridges prominent throughout the course.
A couple of notable, and memorable holes on the front include, the par 5, 1st where you come across your first stone bridge, the par 5, 3rd with water front, left and right of the green. Those same waters follow you to the 4th although should not really come into play unless you hit it really badly!
Wasting no time on the back side the 10th, another par 5, dogleg left with water flanking the entire left side. The par 4, 18th is a great
finishing hole demanding accuracy off the tee getting you past the slight dogleg for a clean approach to the green.
Done with your round there is no shortage of things to do in the area. With Bourbon on the brain, it was an easy decision to venture down the road to a National Historic Landmark distillery that is ranked top-tier in the world, Woodford Reserve Distillery
One of the finest distillery tours of the many we embarked on; you literally get a taste of a rich history and extraordinary quality of the fine collection of Bourbon Whiskeys produced.
There are a few options for guided tours and tastings, all providing the opportunity to learn about the art of whiskey-making and of course finishing with tastings of Woodford Reserves award winning bourbons and whiskies. It is advisable to book your tour in advance. www.WoodfordReserve.com
Speaking of matches made in Kentucky, we must tell you, about 20 minutes from the Woodford Reserve Distillery is The Woodford Club a semi-private golf club with its pastoral setting, features rolling hills, mature trees, and some of the best
greens in Central Kentucky. It has hosted the Women’s Kentucky Senior State Amateur Tournament in 2020 and 2021, and now home to The Woodford Legends Invitational! www,theWoodfordClub.com
Giddy – UP
When you are in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the World you would be remiss if you did not visit a horse farm and stop into Keenland Racetrack. We did both! Mill Ridge Farm is a sprawling 900-acre horse farm and for Kentucky, it is considered to be one of the smaller ones. But you have likely heard – size isn’t everything!
Founded in 1962 Mill Ridge has a rich history of raising and selling Thoroughbred racehorses and you will need more sets of fingers and toes than you have to count the winners. Since 2000, Mill Ridges has produced 39 world class winners including: Kentucky Derby winner, GIACOMO, 2 Horse of the Year winners, HAVRE DE GRACE, and POINT GIVEN, and 9 Breeders Cup winners. You can see the complete list at www.MillRidge.com
Speaking of fingers and keeping them all, Mill Ridge is a very interactive Farm. At the guidance of your tour guide you may have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Mares, Foals, Yearlings and maybe even Stallions. These horses love their carrot treats and you will have the opportunity to give them such. Listen to your guide as all of these majestic animals have different personalities. You will be shown how to feed them their treats and keep all your fingers.
Getting in on the action with the ponies is no further than a 10-minute drive down the road to Keenland Race Track. So much more than just the home of fourlegged champions. Did you know that the Secretariat movie was filmed here?
Founded By Horsemen: Since opening in October 1936, Keeneland has been unique in the Thoroughbred industry. Only at Keeneland are world-class racing and industry-leading sales united under one missiondriven entity. Today, Keeneland continues to be guided by its original mission, taking a leadership role in the industry to improve safety, promote integrity and strengthen the
sport of racing.
Keeneland is the world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house and hosts world-class racing twice annually during its boutique Spring and Fall meetings. Owners, trainers, riders and fans from all over the world travel to Lexington each year to participate at Keeneland.
The public is welcome to attend Keeneland’s sales and race meets, as well as explore the library and the track’s park-like setting throughout the year. Keeneland is open every day to visitors, and offers guided walking tours. www.keeneland.com
Bourbon Around Every Corner
Trying to get the most Bourbon possible out of our time in Lexington we didn’t have far to go! Lexington is in the heart of Kentucky and the heart of Bourbon County. Seven distilleries within a mile of downtown and another 11 within a 20-to-30-minute drive.
One of Lexington’s exciting hot spots, appropriately named is the Distillery District It was the original home to the histor-
ic James E. Pepper Distillery which began making bourbon in 1879. In 1958 the site was abandoned completely, untouched for nearly 50 years. Fortunately, in 2008 local entrepreneurs teamed up to bring this area back to its former glory and they did not disappoint. Since then, this revitalized piece of Lexington history has become a lively downtown destination.
Here you will find two distilleries, a number of bars and restaurants in a very walkable environment. www.LexingtonDistilleryDistrict.com
James E. Pepper Distillery: Using filtered limestone water from the historic distillery well, this place is oneof-a-kind. Bourbon tours are available at $20 per person and include the story of the historic brand, time in the distillery museum, a tour of the working distillery and a tasting of the award-winning, small-batch whiskeys. www.JamesPepper.com
Our favorite here was the one-two punch of Barrel House Distillery and the Elkhorn Tavern. Barrel House embraces the tradition of old Kentucky distillers by producing quality Kentucky Bourbon with traditional methods. Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday, lasting about an hour. End your experience with a specialty drink at the lounge and taproom. The Elkhorn Tavern, is an intimate lodge-
style bar and restaurant, located right next to Barrel House Distillery in the old barreling house of the historic distillery. An ideal spot to end your tour, begin your sampling. And have bite to eat. www.BarrelHouseDistillery.com
In the region, those 20 to 30 minutes away include a couple of the Bourbon landmarks, some of our favorite; Buffalo Trace, Castle & Key, Four Roses, Wild Turkey and the aforementioned Woodford Reserve.
Buffalo Trace Distillery: Not sure why but I look at this one as the Granddaddy of
Distilleries. It might have something to do with the fact that Blanton’s comes from here. Definitely a Bourbon that is near the top of my list. It is one of America’s oldest continuously operating distilleries, even staying open during Prohibition. Located right on the Kentucky River, Buffalo Trace’s campus is a sprawling brick distillery with a beautiful, scenic background. Most unique here is that you can get on to a tour without a reservation, they do their best to accommodate. Sampling after the tour is complimentary and they have by far the best gift shop of all. You know that when you need to line up to check out! www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com
Castle & Key Distillery: There are plenty of iconic places to drink bourbon in Kentucky. But there’s one experience that might just top them all: drinking whiskey on the castle grounds designed by the man known as the Man who Pioneered the Bourbon Industry, E.H. Taylor. Castle & Key Distillery produces gin, vodka, rye whiskey, and, most importantly, bourbon. Tracing back to Taylor’s original vision of the castle and distillery it serves as a tourism center where people could learn about the region and the spirit. www.CastleAndKey.com
Four Roses Distillery: Located on the scenic Salt River in Lawrenceburg, Four Roses Distillery is headquartered in a unique California Spanish Mission-style building built in 1910. They have been perfecting the art of quality and consistency for years and have used that guiding principle to develop their ten signature recipes.
Apes Hill
Woodford Reserve Stills
Keeneland Spring Racetrack
Admittedly there is always Four Roses in my cabinet in particular Small Batch when I can get it! www.FourRosesBourbon.com
Wild Turkey Distillery: When I bought my first bottle of Wild Turkey, first sips I was not impressed. It grew on me and now you can always find this in my cabinet as well. In 1893, bourbon from this distillery was selected from over 400 whiskeys to represent Kentucky at the World’s Fair. The same fine 101 proof Wild Turkey bourbon is still made today. Visitors will tour the fermentation area and the cistern room where the barrels are filled as well as timbered warehouses to experience the sites, sounds and smells of a working distillery. www.WildTurkeyBourbon.com
OMG there is no shortage of great and fun restaurants and bars in Lexington. Of course, remembering where you are, every one of these is a Bourbon tasting establishment.
Number 1 by far on our list is Carson’s on Main. Upon entering you are impressed by the size and the huge bar in the distance, TV’s above, no doubt a great casual atmosphere to catch some sports while recharging. The drink menu, in particular the wine list was the first hint that looks can be deceiving. The expansive dinner menu has a culinary flare to satisfy any pallet. Don’t even think of having the Sweet and Spicy Rib Entrée, I could barely get through that option as a starter, highly recommended. All classic cut steaks with their signature spice are available but I could not get passed the Filet Medallions, two, 4 oz medallions served on Yukon Gold garlic mashed potatoes with rosemary demi-glace and asparagus; topped with béarnaise. An amazing experience, excellent staff, huge portions, we had to be rolled out! www.CarsonsFoodAndDrink.com
Other dining suggestions Include: Honeywood : Renowned Bluegrass Chef Ouita Michel provides delicious Kentucky cuisine utilizing as much locally grown meat and produce as possible.
The Manchester Hotel : Back to the Distillery District we go, two wonderful and distinctly different dining options. Granddam, is a perfect fit with the luxurious Hotel. This could be your oyster, offering a comprehensive experience for bourbon enthusiasts, Bluegrass inspired dishes and culinary adventures. Also in the Manchester is The Lost Palm, is a tropical, pineapple-
behind. The rolling landscape is dissected by rivers, gorges and lakes, and with the influence of the Appalachian Mountains it is ideal for golf courses.
Other than those previously mentioned, there are 20 courses in the area, below are a few other for your consideration while in the Lexington area.
Gibson Bay: A Michael Hurdzan design playing to 7,100 yards is fairly open off the tee, allowing wind to be a factor in your round. Your scoring will be determined by your play into the greens, as missing the fairways will lead to side-hill lies and an awkward approach shot. Many of the greens are set into hill sides and protected by strategically placed bunkers and mounding.
University Club: Home to the University of Kentucky Wildcats Golf Team, 36 holes of golf designed by Arthur Hills. Whether you play the Big Blue Course or the Wildcat Course you find yourself in a stunning countryside setting of Central Kentucky’s rolling Bluegrass terrain.
Peninsula Golf Resort: Thirty minutes south of Lexington in Lancaster, is a Pete Dye design that has received 4 ½ star Golf Digest rating. Fairways sweep through natural contours with elevation changes producing many breathtaking sights. Stay and Play Villas are available to make this and exceptional golf getaway
To no surprise, they have won numerous awards including:
• Best of Lexington 2024 - Lexington Herald Leader Readers Choice Awards (8 years)
• OPENTABLE’S ‘Diners Choice Award (2017 -2024)
• One of Bourbon Reviews – Best Bourbon Bars of America (2022, 2024)
scented rooftop paradise. The indoor-outdoor drinking parlor features a flamboyant tiki cocktail program and Down-Home Tropical dishes made for sharing — wild stuff like gator bites and short rib sliders. Lockbox: Adjoining the 21c Museum Hotel, it’s a one-of-a-kind atmosphere combining rotating contemporary art exhibits with an amazing dining experience. The restaurants preparations are simple, yet thoughtful, farm to table options that will leave your tastebuds delighted.
Grip It and Rip It …… before you Sip It!
In Lexington, they love their Bourbon, they love their horses, but their golf is not far
Bright Leaf Golf Resort: Another with stay and play option, with both hotel and villas providing true southern hospitality. 27 holes of golf with the 18-hole course offering up generous landing areas for the most part, six holes have water to challenge your decision-making skills. The nine-hole course is target golf in style with water on 7 of the 9 holes.
Whatever your passions might be, Lexington might just be your place to be. A welcoming place to unwind in comfort and style. A place to gather with friends and family, sip a glass of bourbon, mingle with a few horses, make a bet or savor an unforgettable meal. A place where breathtaking natural beauty lives alongside a vibrant creative culture that you’ll want to return to again and again.
For more information on the Lexington area in Kentucky visit: www.VisitLex.com
Apes Hill
CHAMPIONS RETREAT
Built by Champions for Champions
What’s the value of the Golf Vacation of a Lifetime?
Imagine experiencing it in the heart of the Augusta area, where the world of golf converges during Masters Week. That dream can become a reality at Champions Retreat Golf Club—a 27-hole private course just minutes from Augusta, Georgia, crafted by golf legends Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus. With 13 green jackets, 34 major championships, and 159 tournament victories between them, their influence is felt in every hole. The course features nine signature holes designed by each legend, offering a unique and challenging experience that honors their individual visions of the game.
Spanning 365 acres of pristine Georgia pines, majestic hardwoods, and serene wetlands along the Savannah River, Champions Retreat offers three distinct nine-hole layouts: Island, Bluff, and Creek. Each layout is masterfully integrated into the natural landscape,
one of our luxurious cottages, perfect for Masters Week. These elegant 4-to-8-bedroom cottages are nestled among towering pines near the clubhouse, offering privacy and sophistication. With spacious layouts, full kitchens for personal entertaining, and the option to have our chefs prepare custom meals right in your cottage, your stay will be nothing short of exceptional. Each cottage comes stocked with premium beverages, including adult options, and some feature outdoor firepits, patios, or verandas, ideal for relaxation or entertaining after a day on the course.
During Masters Week, our cottages are available for weekly rental, offering the ultimate in comfort and luxury for you and your guests. Whether you’re unwinding around a firepit or enjoying the breathtaking views from your veranda, you’ll have the perfect backdrop for making lasting memories with friends.
with prime steaks, fresh seafood, decadent desserts, and one of the best wine lists in the area.
If you’re looking for something more casual, the Grille House Patio is the perfect spot to relax after your round, offering delicious meals with panoramic views of the golf course. This year, a brand-new menu and large screen will allow you to catch Masters highlights, adding to the excitement.
For an exclusive dining experience, consider booking Bluff Overlook. Perched above the Grille House, this intimate space accommodates 15-40 guests and features a wraparound deck with sweeping views of the course. It’s ideal for a cocktail reception or hors d’oeuvres party. If you’re seeking VIP treatment, the Arnold Palmer and Gary Player private dining rooms offer a customized experience for groups of 12-25, where hospitality
Bluff Course, 9th Hole
starting at $4,000 per foursome. It’s your chance to play on one of golf’s most iconic courses without staying in a cottage.
A Deep Dive into the Golf Experience
Where to begin with the golf experience at Champions Retreat? If I had to pick a favorite among these three legendary designers, it would have to be Arnold Palmer. So, let’s start our journey on The Island. Flanked by the Savannah River on one side and the Little River on the other, this course offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic vistas in golf. The 4th and 5th holes are especially stunning, with wide, welcoming fairways running along the right side of the Savannah River. Take a moment to soak in the natural beauty as you approach the par-3 6th and 8th holes—making par here will leave you with unforgettable memories. The 8th, with its all-carry-over-water challenge, is particularly memorable.
Next, we head to the Bluff Course , designed by the great Jack Nicklaus. Known for its elevation changes, this course offers a different challenge with its doglegs carved through towering pines. What makes this course even more exciting is Nicklaus’s surprise twist—two doglegs to the left, which is rare for his designs. But the standout hole here
is the short, yet memorable, 325-yard, downhill par-4 6th. With trees lining the right side all the way to the green, you’ll want to stay left off the tee. The approach shot is delicate, with a babbling brook running along the left side of the green. Once you finish this hole, take a moment to look back up toward the tee box—this is where memories are made. The finishing holes on the Bluff Course are equally remarkable: the challenging par-3 8th, leaning toward the swampy left, and the par-5 9th, a 579-yard dogleg left that requires a powerful drive and a precise approach to avoid the water guarding the left side of the green.
Lastly, we move to The Creek, designed by the fierce competitor Gary Player. True to his spirit, this course is all about challenge and mental toughness. The first four holes wind through a stunning wetland area, while the remaining holes climb up through native hardwood trees. The 3rd hole, the #1 handicap, is the toughest on The Creek, stretching from 382 to 452 yards uphill. It’s a demanding par 4, but a par here will feel like an achievement. To close out this nine, the 9th hole offers a challenging dogleg-right with water to avoid off the tee and a tricky approach to a narrow green.
Each course at Champions Retreat offers a unique and unforgettable experience, and
Masters Week is the perfect time to join us for the ultimate golfing getaway. Whether you’re tackling the scenic beauty of The Island, the challenge of The Bluff, or the mental toughness required by The Creek, every hole is designed to leave you with lasting memories.
Is it Worth It?
The real question is: Who will you bring with you to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Whether you’re joining us for a memorable golf getaway or treating valued clients to an exclusive Masters Week experience, Champions Retreat is where the golf elite come together.
Limited Availability for Masters Week 2025 — but don’t worry, Masters Week 2026 will be here before you know it. Reach out today to secure your spot!
For more information and booking details, contact Kayla Routson at kayla.routson@ arcisgolf.com.
And who knows? You might just find that you belong to this exclusive community—Champions Retreat offers a variety of membership options for those who cherish the finest in golf, lifestyle, and elegance. www.ChampionsRetreat.net
The Grille House
A Setting Like No Other
A Golf Vacation Like No Other in the Heart of Stone Mountain Park
Imagine that, this setting for the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort & Inn is only 20 minutes from Downtown Atlanta and Atlanta’s International Hartsfield Airport. Thirty-six holes of challenging golf, including the Robert Trent Jones designed Stonemont course are within the 3,200 acres of parkland recreation. For your pickings are water sports in the lakeside oasis, kayaking, paddleboarding or a relaxing cruise. Hiking, biking, a Scenic Railroad ride, or a Summit Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlanta skyline.
I am not sure that in all my years of traveling the globe in pursuit of more golf, that I have ever come across a full-service Resort, a Conference Center with over 64,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, within a park setting. With all the amenities, this is ideal for a family golf vacation, couple’s getaway, girl’s getaway or buddy’s trip.
Two styles of accommodations: The fullservice Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort offers freshly updated comfortable guestrooms with private balconies offering forest, pool, or majestic lake views. A special place for your first coffee of the day, I say. Or, you can unwind in spacious, com-
popular attractions, fishing, hiking, and family-friendly fun. Of course, the resorts properties are both pet friendly.
The 2 courses at Stonemont Golf Club play out of the same Clubhouse overlooking Stone Mountain Lake with majestic views of Stone Mountain.
Stonemont Course: Designed and built in 1969 by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., this masterpiece offers a pure test of golf from all tees. The Course has played host to numerous national, professional events as well as Georgia amateur championships. Laid out over gently rolling and cantered fairways of premier Bermuda grass and greens of immaculate bent grass. The par 70 layout stretches 6,863 yards. Its narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers places emphasis on accuracy and strategic course management as you wind your way along numerous stands of Georgia pines.
Lakemont Course: Georgia native John LaFoy design features incredible views of Stone Mountain and the lake. Complimenting the Stonemont Course but a less demanding target-oriented layout. The front 9 holes wind around Stone Mountain Lake, with six holes having water in play. The back 9 offers beautiful holes with rock outcroppings and four
The dramatic elevation changes offer a unique ambiance that appeals to every golfer. Take note of the short par Par 4, 11th hole. Only 322 tricky yards from the tips, the play here is to play for the middle of the fairway before making the 90 degree turn over a water-filled quarry with spectacular rock outcroppings. The prettiest hole on the property.
Don’t be in a hurry to leave, you will definitely want to have a beverage and/or meal at The Commons Restaurant located in the Stone Mountain Clubhouse. Nestled at the water’s edge with lake views of Stone Mountain, The Commons is a picturesque venue for a memorable meal. Pull up a chair and savor the local flavors from our delectable menu of Southern cuisine favorites.
What are you waiting for, the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort and Stone Mountain Golf Club is listed as:
• Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Georgia Golf Resorts (#6)
• US News and World Reports Best Golf Hotels in Georgia
It might be time to check out what this AAA Four Diamond property within Stone Mountain Park has to offer.
Stonemont Course
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
Three of Hilton Head Island’s Premier Championship Golf Courses and More!
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC features world-class golf that rises above every other golf destination in the Southeast and makes it one of the premier golfing vacation destinations in South Carolina. Palmetto Dunes has a storied history of offering unparalleled golf experiences for golfers and families from across the country and around the world. This fullservice resort is renowned for the excellent quality of its courses, challenging layouts and commitment to customer service.
All three golf courses at Palmetto Dunes — each one distinctively different and uniquely appealing — have been rated an outstanding four stars or more by Fodor’s Golf Digest Places to Play. Since the 1970s, Palmetto Dunes has been a prime example of what a longstanding commitment to quality and customer satisfaction can accomplish. Golf has always served as the heart and soul of the
Palmetto Dunes experience.
The Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, has been rated by readers of Golfweek Magazine among the best courses in the Southeast. Many golfers regard the George Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, the island’s only par-70 course, as Hilton Head Island’s most challenging championship course. The Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes blends the beauty of the Lowcountry with the inherent challenges of the game to produce a unique golfing experience.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a full-service resort that offers more to do than any other resort in the Southeast.
www.PalmettoDunes.com
Grande Dunes Resort Course Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Featuring five holes that play along a bluff overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, the Grande Dunes Resort Course is one of golf-rich South Carolina’s premier public layouts. This Roger Rulewich design combines generous, rolling fairways with some of the Myrtle Beach area’s most creative greens complexes to provide an unforgettable experience. Grande Dunes is also home to the dramatic 14th hole, a par three that plays from an elevated tee box to a green that abuts the Intracoastal. A bucket-list round is capped off by a newly renovated clubhouse that features an outstanding inhouse restaurant - Terrazza 19 - that provides golf course and waterway views that are the perfect complement to a memorable round. www.grandedunesgolf.com
Shangri-La Resort Monkey Island, Oklahoma
Shangri-La Resort, nestled along the shores of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in northeast Oklahoma offers traveling golfers a thrilling and eye-opening experience. The setting is serene and rapturous with the Grand Lake all around, the ideal spot for 45 holes of engaging destination golf. The 27 championship holes play across rolling terrain and afford majestic views of the lake while the 18 par-three course, The Battlefield is a complete stunner with more than 100 feet of elevation change, enchanting water features and a theme that plays touching tribute to World War II heroes. With 119 guest rooms and elevated Southern dining, watersports, tennis and pickleball, add Shangri-La to your must-visit list. www.ShangriOK.com.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Pawleys Island, S.C.
Mike Strantz’s first solo design, Caledonia masterfully blends South Carolina’s Lowcountry beauty with the late architect’s vivid imagination to deliver a course that golfers nationwide make the pilgrimage to. The course is routed through a stunning piece of property, and Strantz maximized the layout’s cozy confines, showcasing the live oak trees draped in Spanish moss the area is renowned for and his own creative genius. On a course filled with distinctive holes, the par-4 18th is Caledonia’s most memorable challenge. A dogleg right, the iconic finisher requires a nervejangling carry over the marshy waters of the Waccamaw Neck to a green that resides in the shadow of the course’s stately clubhouse. Caledonia is a fixture on the game’s various top 100 lists, and from the opening tee shot to the final putt, you’ll see why. www.caledoniagolfandfishclub.com
Giants Ridge Golf Resort A Minnesota Golf Experience
Nestled in the scenic Mesabi Iron Range, this location offers two remarkable courses: The Legend and The Quarry, both designed by Jeffrey Brauer. The courses have their own unique characters and challenges, making them essential stops for golf enthusiasts. While Giants Ridge has two first-class golf courses, it also happens to be Minnesota’s top family resort vacation destination, featuring multiple outdoor endeavors such as fishing, biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
\Whether you prefer the subtle challenges of The Legend or the bold layouts of The Quarry, you’re bound to enjoy your time here. Each round offers breathtaking views and a joyful connection to the sport. www.GiantsRidge.com
Evian Resort Golf Club
Evian Resort is One of the Most Luxurious Golf Resorts in France
World renowned for its architecture and monuments and only two hours from Paris by train, Lyon is well worth the visit. While in the region, Experience the breathtaking vistas of Lake Geneva, climb to highest point in Western Europe - Mont-Blanc mountain - and become one of the lucky golfers to play the only Championship course in continental Europe at the Evian Resort.
Evian Resort hosts the LPGA’s Amundi Evian Championship which has become the fifth major open of the Ladies Tour.
Also, the five star resort with its outstanding services, gourmet food and spa makes this place a perfect spot for golf, well being and luxury services. The course designed in 1904 by the assistant of Robert Trent Jones is like a flourish park in front of Lake Geneva, a true haven of peace.
Voted “Europe’s leading luxury golf resort 2015” at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, the Evian Resort is a golf destination not to be missed.
The stunning setting and special care taken with regards to course maintenance and ensuring the preservation of nature make
the Evian Resort’s golf course one-of-a-kind.
In 148 acres of wooded parkland, it is equipped with an 18-hole course (6 030m, par 72). It is a spectacular course with pace that requires strategic play. It asserts its strong French identity and offers the legendary quality of a championship course. Unrivalled viewpoints of Lake Geneva and the Alpine summits make it one of the most beautiful courses in Europe. It is also one of the oldest courses in France.
All golfers who had been to Evian Resort have great memories of this place and wish to come back again for a new golf and well being experience. Play the course where the LPGA elite play every year and be part of a great tournament where champions like Annika Sorestam, Michel Wie, Helen Alfredsson, Laura Davies, Ai Miyazato et Inbee Park do the show.
www.EvianResort.com
Golf Around Italy
Delve into one of the richest and most evocative cultures in Europe
Since 2010, Golf Around Italy has been designing and implementing golf experiences in Italy, a country their our personal connections run deep. They offer custom-made golf trips on the Italian peninsula, linking you with the country’s finest “links,” while throwing in a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences to round out your vacation.They have carefully selected more than 160 golf courses and the best hotels for you in order to ensure you have an excellent golf experience as well as/and a well-rounded holiday in Italy. They can customize any itinerary to your specific needs (individual and group).
www.golfarounditaly.com
Barcelona Golf Destinations
Barcelona Golf creates an unique tailor made experience, assuring your individual needs, their goal is to provide a one of a kind experience whether you are traveling on business or leisure. They are the experts on the golf courses of Barcelona, the Costa Brava, the Costa Dorada, the Pyrenees, Madrid and the rest of Spain amongst others so if you are looking for help planning your golf vacation or next corporate event; Barcelona Golf is your place to start.
www.barcelonagolf.com
Algarve Tourism Bureau
A year round golfing paradise!
One of Europe’s top golfing destinations, the Algarve has firmly established its reputation as a quality resort among all enthusiasts.
The quality layout of the courses, many of them designed by the very best international architects, coupled with the sheer beauty of the surrounding landscapes, meets the demands of golfers of all levels. Indeed, the region has become a firm favourite among golfers from all around the world.
The pleasant climate, with over three hundred days of sunshine, ensures that golf can be comfortably played all year round.
The excellence of the Algarve’s courses is heightened by the variety of trees and vegetation, the greens, tees and the prevailing silence broken only by the sound of a well-struck shot. Perfect!
www.visitalgarve.pt
La Hacienda Links Golf Resort Cadiz, Spain
La Hacienda Links Golf Resort is located in an unrivalled environment, between the prestigious resorts of Sotogrande and Valderrama and within each of Gibraltar. It is a place which unites style, nature, landscapes with kilometres of almost virgin beaches, restaurants, hotels, year-round properties, safety and the best golf to offer guests in one of the most exclusive spaces in Southern Spain.
There are two magnificent golf courses: La Hacienda Links and La Hacienda Heathalnd, a total of 36 holes with spectacular sea views overlooking Gibraltar and Africa. The two kilometres of beach running parallel to La Hacienda Links golf course and the constantly blue sea create a magnificent landscape, unrivalled throughout the Costa del Sol. www.lahaciendagolf.com