Chip Shots

Golfweek just dropped its 2022 list of the “Top 200 Residential Courses in America,” and this annual ranking of the best golf community layouts throughout the country has never been more impactful.

Sales of golf course homes and lots have surged over the past 18 months, a trend no one saw coming as 2020 got underway a couple of years ago. In fact, many mainstream media outlets, the Wall Street Journal among them, declared this once white-hot residential category all but dead, post-recession.

And while the real estate market shows signs of slowing down overall, there’s no end in sight for the demand for living in a golf course community – especially private developments. According to golf club and home matching service Golf Life Navigators, more than 60% of its customers are looking for homes in a gated community.

“Demand for private golf club community amenities and real estate are at all-time highs,” says Jason Becker, Golf Life Navigators co-founder and chief executive officer. “Before Covid hit, the demand was to buy outside the gates of a golf community. But you need people to live on the inside to support the amenities.”

Champion Hills, a “mature” private golf community in Hendersonville, N.C. with a highly-regarded Tom Fazio designed course, moved up 13 spots on the Golfweek’s 2022 list. It’s tied for 51st and up from 64 in 2021 and 70 in 2020. Members, who own the course and club, and Troon, the operator, have remained steadfastly committed to their foothold in the residential golf realm.

“To move up 19 places in just two years without making any architectural changes to the golf course is a testament to Mr. Fazio’s timeless design and the unwavering commitment of our team,” says Dana Schultz, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Champion Hills. “Year after year, Golfweek and its raters continue to have a deep appreciation for the design and conditioning aspects of this golf course.”

Golfweek’s annual selection of the country’s 200 top real estate-focused layouts is determined by its team of more than 850 course evaluators. Each year, the raters survey over 3,600 facilities, grading each in accordance with Golfweek’s 10 strict standards of evaluation.

Schultz says raters who visit are hip to the fact that Champion Hills is Fazio’s former home course and club, and that the legendary golf course architect spared no detail in devising a brilliant routing through the heavily forested hills, deep ravines and cool mountain streams of its Blue Ridge Mountain setting.

For example, Fazio and his team of shapers pulled ridges into valleys and filled hollows to create “playing platforms” providing golfers with level lies amid 350-feet of elevation change. The result is one of the most playable mountain-style courses in the entire region, according to Fazio.

“Six holes play slightly uphill on the entire course, but only six,” he says. “Overall, the majority of holes play downhill. We did it through grading and do it through transition areas from the green to the next tee.”

Like many modern courses, Champion Hills features five sets of tees. But unlike most layouts, Fazio designed three tees rated for women by the Carolinas Golf Association. Additionally, “combo tees” placed 15 to 30 yards in front of forced carries eliminate stressful shots for higher handicap golfers or those with slower swing speeds.

The club offers a variety of golf memberships, ranging from Full Equity and Equity 55 Golf to National and Annual Explorer (a one-year trial). Especially appealing to prospective members, full golf and social memberships are “vertical,” extending the benefits and privileges of golf and social memberships to immediate family at no extra cost. Like many golf communities across the U.S., resale homes are few-and-far-between at Champion Hills as of this writing. But for buyers who aren’t in a hurry to relocate, a wide-array of homesites are available in a variety of different settings and price points. And Champion Hills works with a stable of custom builders that can turn-key the entire process. “Right now, the time frame to build a custom home at Champion Hills is around 18 months,” says Champion Hills onsite Realtor Amber Saxon of Beverly Hanks. “If you have the leeway or patience to wait, the upside is you can get exactly the home you’ve always wanted.” For more information about memberships and real estate, visit www.championhills.com.

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection And Mauna Lani Golf Debut New Unlimited Golf For Two Stay & Play Package

Hawai‘i Island, Hawaii – Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, in partnership with Mauna Lani Golf, has developed a new Unlimited Golf Stay & Play package, combining luxurious ocean view resort accommodations with unlimited golf for two on Mauna Lani’s North and South Courses along with daily breakfast for two. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection is now accepting reservations for the Unlimited Golf Stay & Play package for all of 2022.

Located on Hawai‘i Island and anchored by its storied location along the Kohala Coast, the resort’s dramatic natural setting, paired with an abundance of tailored experiences, including golf, will be the focal point for guests seeking enriching cultural immersion, adventurous outdoor pursuits, unrivaled amenities and the opportunity for a highly personalized itinerary. Experience a golfer’s paradise marked by natural lava bed terrain, kiawe trees and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Stay three nights or more and gain access to daily unlimited golf for two at Mauna Lani’s storied North or South courses, along with daily breakfast. The Unlimited Golf Stay & Play Package includes: • Daily breakfast for two • Unlimited rounds of golf at Mauna Lani Golf Courses, North or South, daily for two • Luxury Accommodations in an Ocean View King Room • Use Promo Code: TROONGP

An Ocean View King Room is a seaside haven where guests can gaze out at ocean views for days, either from behind dramatic floor-toceiling window walls or while enjoying the warm sea breezes from the private lanai. An airy, open-floor plan makes the most of indigenous materials that reflect the area’s natural beauty. The room also offers a luxurious bathroom with dual vanities and a walk-in shower.

Interested travelers should visit https://aubergeresorts.com/ maunalani/experiences/golf for more information and to book the Unlimited Golf Stay & Play Package

Managed by Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee management division of Troon, Mauna Lani Golf’s North and South Courses are masterpieces of design and are stunning examples of what environmentally-sensitive golf course architecture can achieve, with numerous archeological sites, trails, fishponds and ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs preserved throughout the courses. Both the North and South golf courses are recognized as two of Hawaii’s best in Golfweek’s 2021 “Best Courses You Can Play in Hawaii” ranking.

The North Course, a Homer Flint, Raymond Cain and Robin Nelson design, was built on an ancient lava bed, overlaying the rugged brown pahoehoe lava flow and features rolling fairways and runs through kiawe forests. A 230-acre protected archeological district lies on the northern edge of the North Course, while feral goats roam the course, cropping the grass and providing a unique neutral hazard. The par-3 17th is the signature hole on the North Course as a series of elevated tees form a natural amphitheater with the green at the base of a lava bowl.

The South Course, also a Flint, Cain and Nelson design, was built on the 16th century Kaniku lava flow snaking through stark, rugged a‘a lava. A pair of par 3s – the 7th and 15th holes – are Mauna Lani South’s signature holes and are two of the most photographed golf

holes in the world. The South Course was home to the Senior Skins Game from 1990 to 2000.

For more information on Mauna Lani Golf, visit www. maunalanigolf.com or call 808-885-6655. For more information on Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection please visit www.aubergeresorts.com/maunalani. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.

2Nd Annual Copper Cup Set For January 16 & 17 At Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

Maricopa, Ariz. – In-state rivals, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University men’s golf teams, will square off in the second annual Copper Cup, a two-day, four-round match January 16 and 17, 2022 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. The inaugural Ryder Cup-style event held in 2021 was won by Arizona State as David Puig pulled out a singles win to lead the Sun Devils to a one-point victory. Puig birdied the 16th hole, then parred 17 and 18 for a 1-up win over Briggs Duce to clinch a 12.5-11.5-point win.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club and the two universities are encouraging fans to attend the 2022 Copper Cup as stands will be set on the 1st and 18th holes to take-in the action. The Copper Cup will be free to attend. The teams will play four four-ball matches on January 16 in the morning, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon. On January 17, four matches with foursomes will take place, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon to finish. Each match will be worth one point, while ties will be awarded a half-point to both sides. Twenty-four points are awarded, as it will take 12.5 to win the Copper Cup. Selection of pairings for both daily matches will be done live the night before between coaches and made available to all players and public immediately.

“Everyone loved last year’s Copper Cup. What started as a quasiexhibition event, turned into an intense competition that came down to the final holes,” said ASU Men’s Golf Head Coach Matt Thurmond. “I believe all the match play practice really helped us at the NCAA Championship. The second Copper Cup will be even better and we can’t wait for it. Our team is spending the off-season training with the Copper Cup on their mind as it is the first college golf tournament of the spring. We hope to see many Sun Devil and Wildcat fans out there cheering on their teams.”

“The Copper Cup is a major for our team,” said Arizona Men’s Golf Head Coach Jim Anderson. “The tournament provides us so much to debut the championship segment of our season. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes is championship course with conditions, and the speed, firmness, and overall course set up require discipline and smarts. The format, both Match Play and Team, give eight players a chance to score meaningful points, something we see very little prior to the postseason. Of course our opponent too, will have our full attention as we know both programs are poised for success independent of one another. Lastly, the rivalry adds to the week where players and fans on both sides can easily relate. Our team couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to open up at The Copper Cup and we are very appreciative for the staff and community’s efforts to kick off the college golf season.”

“Our goal in 2021, with the inaugural Copper Cup, was to create an event that had such a great feel and buzz that everyone would want to make it an annual event – we accomplished that goal,” said Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club General Manager Brady Wilson. “Now, in 2022, our mission is to take this event to the next level by inviting fans. We want to create a Ryder Cup-like atmosphere for these teams. With the caliber of players from each university, I believe a number of them will be playing in a future Ryder Cup!”

In October 2020, the NCAA announced that Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club will be a host site for the 2026 Men’s Golf NCAA Regionals. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, named a “Top 100 Golf Course You Can Play” by Golf Magazine, will be one of six Regional sites in the U.S. with each site hosting 14 collegiate teams. The top five teams from each Regional will advance to the NCAA Championships to be held in 2026 at La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif. Exact dates for the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Regionals will be announced at a later date, but the tournament is expected to take place in midto-late May 2026.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club was designed by Brian Curley and PGA TOUR veteran Fred Couples in 2002. Originally developed as a private club by private investors, the championship Australian Sandbelt-style golf course sits on 320 acres of land that was once a part of the Ak-Chin’s May 1912 reservation before it was removed by Presidential Executive Order in late 1912. Nearly 100 years later, in 2010, the Ak-Chin Community recovered its sacred land when it purchased the golf facility and opened the course to public play. The course currently boasts several coveted accolades, including being included on Golfweek’s coveted rankings of the “Top 100 Resort Courses” and “Best Courses You Can Play.”

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes has played host to numerous major tournaments and events since opening in 2002, serving as an annual U.S. Open qualifying site, host course for the PING Southwest Section PGA Section Championship and several top collegiate men’s and women’s golf tournaments. The course annually hosts top amateurs in the Tucker Amateur in September and the Saguaro Amateur held in early January. Both events are part of the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series, a multi-tournament series providing high-level amateurs a chance to compete throughout the year.

For more information on Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, visit www.akchinsoutherndunes.com.

Streamsong Resort Announces 2022 Special Events Calendar

STREAMSONG, FLORIDA –Streamsong Resort announced today its full slate of special events for 2022. From family-friendly outings to best ball classics, the 2022 events calendar brings five fun experiences in tournament settings throughout the year. As the resort gears up for a year-long celebration of its 10th anniversary, there has never been a better time to experience Streamsong.

The full calendar is available at www.streamsongresort.com, and online registration is now open for all events. The 2022 special events are as follows (note that pricing includes tax but does not include caddie fees or caddie gratuity):

29, 2022): Kick off the year with this two-person best ball competition. The event includes two rounds of tournament golf (one on Streamsong Red and one on Streamsong Blue), two nights at the Streamsong Lodge, a pairings party and an awards lunch. Pricing starts at $854 per person based on double occupancy for a two-night stay.

2022): Spend Father’s Day weekend at Streamsong and enjoy a memorable family competition. Two-person teams can be made up of family members of all generations and no handicap is required. Groups/divisions will be determined by the age of the youngest competitor, and all ages are welcome to play. The Family Cup includes a first round scramble on Streamsong Red and a second round twoperson best ball on Streamsong Black, two nights at the Streamsong Lodge, pairings party and awards lunch. Pricing starts at $511 per person based on double occupancy for a two-night stay.

23, 2022): A seasonal favorite at Streamsong, this four-ball tournament (two-person best ball teams) includes two rounds of golf (one on Streamsong Red and one on Streamsong Black), two nights at the Streamsong Lodge, a pairings party and awards lunch. Pricing starts at $511 per person based on double occupancy for a two-night stay.

26, 2022): This fourball competition provides a chance to play a tournament round on each of Streamsong’s award-winning courses. Two-person teams will compete in a best ball format across Streamsong Red, Black and Blue, along with three nights at the Streamsong Lodge, pairings party and awards lunch. Pricing starts at $1,258 per person based on double occupancy for a three-night stay.

13, 2022): Close out 2022 with one of the most fun events of the year, where the format changes every nine holes! Two-person teams will play Streamsong Red on day one in a front nine scramble and back nine chapman format, then on day two at Streamsong Black teams will play a two-person best ball on the front nine followed by a shamble on the back side. The event includes two nights at the Streamsong Lodge, pairings party and awards lunch. Pricing starts at $779 per person based on double occupancy for a two-night stay.

Streamsong is home to the only warm weather destination with three courses in the “Top 50 You Can Play” in the United States, and the only destination in the world with three distinct golf courses designed by legendary architects Coore/Crenshaw, Doak, and Hanse/Wagner.

For more information on these special events, or to book a reservation, visit www.streamsongresort.com.

Rancho San Lucas Golf Club Recognized For Environmental Excellence

Los Cabos, Mexico – Rancho San Lucas Golf Club has achieved designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.

The club’s golf and maintenance staff, notably head professional Mario Navarro and superintendent Manuel Felix Rivera, completed an 18-month effort to obtain sanctuary designation for Rancho San Lucas. The club and its Greg Norman-designed course is now one of over 900 venues worldwide to hold certification from Audubon International.

“Rancho San Lucas Golf Club has shown a strong commitment

to its environmental program,” said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. “They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property.

“To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that it is maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas,” Kane explained. These categories include Environmental Planning; Wildlife & Habitat Management; Outreach and Education; Chemical Use Reduction and Safety; Water Conservation; and Water Quality Management.

Opened in February 2020, the Greg Norman Signature course at Rancho San Lucas anchors an 834-acre resort and residential community on the Pacific Ocean 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Known for his ‘least-disturbance’ design approach, Norman built a low-profile layout that spans three different ecosystems and offers sweeping ocean views from every hole. Existing landforms and drought-resistant grasses were integrated in the design, creating an eco-friendly golf experience that flows naturally with the desertmeets-ocean setting.

“Rancho San Lucas is the most spectacular piece of oceanfront property I’ve seen in a long time, so to have the opportunity to build a course on this site was truly once-in-a-lifetime,” Norman said at the club’s grand opening. “My goal was to keep it as natural as possible while showcasing the site’s arroyos, dunes and view corridors. We wanted to build a sustainable course that is playable from all perspectives.” Less than two years after its debut, mission accomplished.

For more information, visit https://auduboninternational.org

New Olazabal 36-Hole Golf Design Project At Costa Navarino Nears Conclusion

José María Olazábal headed to Costa Navarino to play Navarino Hills for the first time as his eagerly anticipated new 36-hole Navarino Hills development at the Mediterranean’s prime sustainable destination approaches its completion.

Olazábal flew to Greece to play his full part in the final preparations being made for the two 18-hole courses he has designed at Navarino Hills – the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the Hills Course.

Both layouts are set to fully open in February next year and, after inspecting both courses, the two-time Masters champion couldn’t be happier as the design project nears its conclusion.

“I’m thrilled with how good the two courses are looking ahead of opening early next year” said Olazábal.

“The setting at Navarino Hills is one of the most spectacular that I have seen. The characteristics of the site are wonderful for golf and it surely ranks among the most beautiful properties we have ever had the chance to work on.”

“The International Olympic Academy Golf Course is the longer and tougher of the two courses that I have designed. It’s more compact and, in style, different to the Hills course, which is set in the valley and has more room, especially off the tee.

“We are spoiled as golfers because there are so many great places to go, but Costa Navarino is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. It is more than just the golf offering here, it is the whole experience that is exceptional – from the nature, the culture and the people with their amazing hospitality to the food, the beach and so many activities to choose from.”

Named as the ‘World’s Best New Golf Development’ at the 2020 World Golf Awards and situated over 125 hectares overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea, Olazábal has inherited an incredible site to pen his designs at Navarino Hills. The unique location affords views to the sea, mountains and valleys, with the two courses measuring 6,366m and 6,280m in length respectively and featuring an average green size of 669m².

In addition, a new clubhouse is under construction and scheduled to be finished by the end of the year located between the two courses. Designed by acclaimed architect Lubomír Zeman and built using local stone materials, it aims to achieve class A+ in energy efficiency and features photovoltaic panels. Nearing completion, the Navarino Hills golf facilities will also include a driving range with a capacity for 60 people and a 15,000m² short game area.

Navarino Hills will provide the ideal complement to Costa Navarino’s two signature golf courses, The Dunes Course (designed by Bernhard Langer in association with European Golf Design) and The Bay Course (created by Robert Trent Jones Jr.).

For more information about Navarino Hills, please go to www. costanavarino.com/navarino-hills.

Pinehurst Resort Announces Carolina Hotel Renovation, Addition of Ryder Cup Outdoor Fire Pits

PINEHURST, NC – While Pinehurst Resort’s charms have been cultivated for over 125 years, it never ceases to evolve and remain relevant to today’s guests. The next iteration of Pinehurst’s continued evolution begins in December with the phase one renovation of The Carolina Hotel’s guest rooms and lobby, as well as the creation of an expanded outdoor seating area with fire pits situated outside the Ryder Cup Lounge.

Much of the project will be completed over the winter months and first half of 2022, while the guest room renovations will take place in three careful stages to ensure only a limited impact on guests’ stays. The remainder of the room renovations will be finished ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open.

“Pinehurst has enjoyed a period of significant enhancements, updates and changes over the last decade,” says Bob Dedman Jr., Pinehurst Resort’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is another opportunity for us to continue to improve on the overall experience.”

Since 1901, The Carolina Hotel’s signature copper cupola has welcomed guests from throughout the U.S. and around the world to “The Cradle of American Golf.” That tradition continues as its guest rooms undergo an expansive transformation, blending modern luxuries travelers have come to expect with Pinehurst’s historic charm and comfort. The refreshed and reconfigured rooms will have brighter interiors, new fixtures, finishes and custom-built furniture, as well as expanded bathrooms, improved lighting and soundproofing.

The Carolina has always evoked exploration, and its lobby floors, walls, ceilings and lighting will be updated to further encourage guests to roam and discover, as will room corridors and the Carolina Coffee Shop. All work within the “Queen of the South” will pay homage to Pinehurst’s past, similar to the resort’s 2019 renovation of another of its historic hotels, The Manor.

“For more than a century, The Carolina has stood as a storied landmark in our area,” says Tom Pashley, President of Pinehurst Resort. “We will draw inspiration from its origins to incorporate into the design of the interior spaces of this grand hotel. It’s important to us that The Carolina serve the needs of today’s guest, but also that its original charm can be felt at every turn.”

The improvements will continue outside as well, none more evident than the Ryder Cup Terrace. For decades, Pinehurst’s guests have retreated to the sweeping verandas circling the Carolina Hotel, soaking in the sounds and pine-scented air that make the Sandhills of North Carolina so unique. Steps off the veranda and adjacent to the Ryder Cup Lounge, the Ryder Cup Terrace will feature cozy fire pits and soft seating, making it the perfect setting to begin an evening with a pre-dinner cocktail, or to wind down after a round.

As the return of the U.S. Open approaches and with the recent acquisition of The Magnolia Inn and Villaggio Ristorante & Bar, Pinehurst Resort continues to evolve.

“As we like to say, ‘It’s always Pinehurst, always better,’” Dedman says. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to give our guests the very best experience they can possibly have at Pinehurst.”

To book tee times and golf packages: www.pinehurstresort.com, 855.235.8507.

U.S. Women’s Open Headed To The Riviera Country Club In 2026

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – Ranked among the top golf courses in the United States, The Riviera Country Club was selected by the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.) to be the host of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open today. It will also mark the club’s centennial celebration.

The Riviera Country Club, designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William Bell and opened in 1926, will host its fourth USGA championship. Ben Hogan won the first of his four U.S. Open Championships in 1948 at Riviera. The club has also hosted the 1998 U.S. Senior Open and 2017 U.S. Amateur as well as the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995.

“We are thrilled and honored to be selected by the U.S.G.A. to host this prestigious event featuring the greatest women golfers in the world,” said Megan Watanabe, President of The Riviera Country Club. “We will be celebrating our 100th anniversary and having the opportunity to work with the U.S.G.A. to showcase a spectacular championship will certainly add to the special year we are planning to have. We would like to thank the U.S.G.A. for the ongoing partnership and look forward to a long and beneficial relationship in the years ahead.”

“Los Angeles has a rich history of hosting the biggest sporting events in the world, and we have used that energy and investment to inspire new generations of Angelenos, and fuel economic growth,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The U.S. Women’s Open will build on that tradition with even more community and economic benefit, and I am proud that we are bringing it to L.A. in 2026.”

“Los Angeles continues to attract the world’s most prestigious sports and entertainment events, thanks to the support of our business community and civic leaders,” said Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission President & CEO Kathryn Schloessman. “This event continues L.A.’s impressive run of attracting top-tier sports events in the decade ahead, including the 2022 MLB AllStar Game, 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, 123rd U.S. Open Championship, and the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games.”

The Riviera Country Club, regarded as one of the best championship venues in all of golf, is the current home of the Genesis Invitational on the PGA TOUR. The rich tradition and history of the club will also be center stage as the home to the world’s greatest men and women golfers in the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The U.S. Women’s Open is one of 15 national championships conducted annually by the U.S.G.A. The championship began in 1946 and its winners include Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Meg Mallon, Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Inbee Park and Michelle Wie West. Showcasing the world’s best players on the greatest stage in the game, the U.S. Women’s Open welcomes the global golf community to participate in and experience America’s national championship.

The U.S.G.A. is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, the U.S.G.A. conducts many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, the U.S.G.A. governs the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules.

To learn more, visit usga.org