Golf Vacations Magazine - November 2018

OUR 17th YEAR!

THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots

GOLF VACATIONS NOVEMBER 2018

LAKE TAHOE

BRINGING OUT YOUR INNER CELEBRITY

SHARKS IN SCOTTSDALE

DYE-NASTY

HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS

WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA Golf Vacations REBIRTH • November 2018 1 Plus: COLORADO’S CORNERSTONE CLUB’S

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GOLF VACATIONS NOVEMBER 2018

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona

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Chip Shots

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Lake Tahoe: Bringing Out Your Inner Celebrity

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by David R. Holland

There he was in all his radiant glory. Tony Romo, cat-eating glue grin and all, was strolling down the 18th fairway at Edgewood Tahoe, within minutes of winning the 29th American Century Championship and hoisting a trophy he had lusted after for years.

Harbour Town Golf Links - A Dye-nasty Begins

by Tim Cotroneo

In 1968, two of golf’s fledgling superstars converged on Hilton Head, SC, to discuss designing a new 18-hole course. One phenom was at the beginning of his Hall of Fame architectural career. The other was making headlines as golf’s hottest new superstar.

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Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

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Sweet Stuff

by David R. Holland

Frustrated reloaders will smile more at Kierland Golf Club. It’s traditional, minus forced carries, player friendly, has immaculate conditions and challenging holes with sweeping views of Mummy Mountain, Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak and the McDowells give the layout an attractive panorama.

by Terry Ross

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Tim Cotroneo is a Mineapolis-based freelance writer specializing in Caribbean travel, business, and golf.

Tim is a long-time contributor to Tee Times Press and he’s also the Travel Writer for American Business Magazine.

Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz

David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. “Multiple careers” best describes this world traveler (visited 35 countries), who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve. Holland splits home time in Colorado and Texas. He has written for GolfWeek’s Superintendent News, Colorado AvidGolfer, Midwest Golfing Magazine, South Central Golf Magazine and Fairway to Green. He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, UPI and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Follow Dave on Twitter @David_R_Holland.

Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.

JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling the Pocono Mountains his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Tenerife, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.

Associate Editor Terry Ross

Features Editor Larry Feldman

Senior Writers JD Latorre David R. Holland Dave McKibben

For Editorial:

call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com

Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com

Published by

S

tony Creek Media

President Jeffrey Diaz

3 Lehigh Avenue, #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774-2655

and

Cimarron Communications President/CEO James A. Diaz

Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue.

Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2018 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

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Colorado’s Cornerstone Club’s Rebirth

By David R. Holland

W

hen this Greg Norman course opened near Montrose, Colorado in 2008 some proclaimed it as the best highaltitude golf course in the nation at 9,200 feet Award-winning Cornerstone Club golf course in the mountains of Southwest Colorado is undergoing renovation to re-open in summer 2019 as part of the relaunch of the Cornerstone Colorado community development. Matt Dusenberry and Dusenberry Golf Course Design are working with the ownership to renovate the golf course.

It was named #1 Best New Private Course in Colorado and #2 Best New Course in the U.S. by Golfweek in 2008. The club closed in 2014 after several ownership changes. But the 4,800 acres of the Uncompahgre Plateau, with views of surrounding aspen and pine forests and the West Elks, Cimarron Ridge and San Juan mountains, was just too special to not be given a second chance.

The golf course renovation began in autumn 2017 with the practice facility and short course. That practice facility opened to members during the 4th of July holiday 2018. Substantial completion of golf course construction is scheduled for early September 2018. Cornerstone Colorado is one of the top private golf and four season recreational communities in the United States. Located fifteen miles southwest of Montrose, CO and 40 miles north of Telluride, Colorado.

Cornerstone encompasses approximately 4,800 acres atop the Uncompaghre Plateau offering stunning vistas of the surrounding aspen forests, West Elks, Cimarron Ridge and San Juan Mountains.

“This is an exciting opportunity to revive one of my favorite golf course projects anywhere in the world. It’s an unforgettable playing experience that combines exceptional golf with a stunning

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mountain site. Most people equate mountain golf with playing on the steep uphill, downhill, or side slopes. That’s not the case at Cornerstone Club. For a high altitude site, the property is subtle by mountain standards. The routing of the course flows effortlessly over the plateaus and across the natural ravines of the site resulting in a very playable and fun course. You walk off the 18th green and want to go straight back to the 1st tee.” said Matt Dusenberry.

The scope of work is targeted to tees, bunkers, approaches, and greens. “In working with the client we established eight principles that guide all of our decisions during the renovation process” said Matt Dusenberry; 1. Improve strategy 2. Improve playability 3. Improve memorability and player enjoyment 4. Improve ease of maintenance 5. Improve aesthetics 6. Moderate the capital costs of the renovation 7. Reduce water use long-term (reduce irrigated turf) 8. Maintain the core Cornerstone Club identity and design characteristics from the original design “Our approach to the project is to utilize a hybrid self-perform of the renovation and construction of the features. A local golf course contractor is executing finish work while myself and my design partner, Jim McKenna, are shaping the features. This is in keeping with our philosophy of full-time on-site supervision and participation in the construction process to give the client the most creative and cost-effective results.” said Dusenberry.

Golf Course Data · “Low mow” bluegrass fairways and rough · Bentgrass tees, greens, and approaches · Hole 1 tee is over 9200’ in elevation · Tees play from 5300 to 7800 yards – Par 72

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Golfplan’s Ugandan 18 debuts along headwaters of The Nile LAKE VICTORIA, Uganda — Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, now a fully fledged, 18-hole design from the hand of Golfplan’s Kevin Ramsey, celebrated its official grand opening 6-8 October by hosting the inaugural Serena Johnnie Walker Open, an event claimed Ugandan professional Phillip Kasozi who carded a 54-hole total of 222 over the 7,262-yard, par-72 course.

Kasozi’s victory (and a 200-member proam staged the next day) capped a development process some 10 years in the making. This slow road has nevertheless produced the finest course in the diversifying tourist region of East Africa.

“The first nine at Lake Victoria took 7 years start-to-finish; the last nine took just 2,” said course architect Ramsey, a partner with Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Golfplan (www. golfplan.com). “In new golf markets like this one, flexible timelines are the way to go. It serves no one to artificially advance a project according to arbitrary schedules. It’s better to get things exactly right.”

Kasozi was certainly impressed. He called the design “brilliant”, adding that these 18 holes at Lake Victoria Serena will advance the game in Uganda: “On behalf of the professionals I thank all who have made this possible,” he said.

According to Ramsey, who was on site for the grand opening festivities, first among those is resort developer Katrick Halai, CEO of the Kenya-based contracting firm Cementers. The architect also singled out project manager Theodor van Rooyan and the artistry of Phase II shaper Joe Smith.

But surely some credit should be reserved for Ramsey himself, whose design Van Rooyan and Smith followed, and whose development savvy helped realize Uganda’s first international-standard course.

Formed in 1972, Golfplan has brought proper golf facilities to more new markets than any course architecture firm in the game, having created more than 217 original designs in 32 different countries (if renovation and master planning are considered, make that 85 countries). This fall, in addition to Lake Victoria Serena, Ramsey christened the first international-standard course in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia (Tabori Hills GC) and the back nine at Samsun GC, Turkey’s first course on the Black Sea coast.

Half a world away, the week of 18-21 October, Ramsey’s partner in Golfplan, David Dale, watched the world’s top players tackle his much feted design, The Club at Nine Bridges. Reigning world no. 1 Brooks Koepka topped that field, at the U.S. PGA tour’s CJ Cup, with a winning total of -21.

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“New course development in South Korea and Uganda can’t get much further apart, geographically and logistically, but the commonality here is getting things right — no matter how long it might take,” Ramsey said.

“In a mature market like Korea, where we’ve done two dozen original designs, no course takes 10 years to complete. In Uganda, it’s a different exercise: We essentially created the development standard from scratch. And that would not have happened, ever, were it not for the commitment and passion of our developer, Mr. Halai, who ensured that not a single corner was cut. His commitment to quality never flagged. We deployed all the best materials, Toro irrigation, and the perfect turfgrass for this climate and site, Sea Spray Paspalum, which, like most everything (including bentgrass, for the putting surfaces), required importation.

“As a result, we have a thoroughly compelling golf course in a singular setting — with course conditions the equal of any in Africa. And I include South Africa in that assessment.”

The environment at Serena is naturally dominated by mighty Lake Victoria, a presence on all 18 holes but particularly the start and finish. Ramsey’s design made elegant use of an enormous, man-made lagoon that divides holes 1 and 9 from 17 and 18 — and accommodates the property’s sparkling new marina.

“I’m not sure that’s ever been done,” the architect said. “Those are wonderful water holes, the 1st especially — once you reach the landing area, all of Lake Victoria spreads out before you. The 18th is another picturesque par-4, a sexy little finishing hole that plays

to an island green. But it’s something quite special to have a gallery of pleasure boats shuttling in and out of this marina, as the round begins and ends.

“It’s a pretty flat piece of ground there at water’s edge, but those are some of the most beautiful lake-side holes we’ve created as a firm — I’m really pleased with the way our wispy, native-grass areas aesthetically complement the papyrus reeds we preserved at lakeside. At the same time, several holes at Serena play up into natural grasslands dotted with acacia trees that remind me of mesquite trees from the American west. It’s a distinct environment up there, and the long views — over the course, to Lake Victoria beyond — are even more stunning.”

The extended development timeline at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa worked out quite strategically. Located south of the capital, Kampala, the Serena property is today highly convenient to several million urbanites thanks to the newly completed Kampala-Entebbe highway. Kampala is also the point of entry for much of the country’s safari tourism industry.

“Uganda needs diversified tourist attractions and this resort definitely fits that bill,” said Ramsey, who added that his18 holes at Serena are an exotic wildlife tour in their own right. “There are dozens of exotic bird species on course, the Ugandan Crane being the most spectacular. That’s the national bird but the most a massive bird is the strikingly ugly Marabou Stork, which looks like a pterodactyl! There are some lovely monitor lizards out there, too. There used to be a python living in the papyrus reeds along no.

9 — but I don’t go out there looking for him.”

Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa

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tees, create an unparalleled experience.

Holes play from 60 to 200 yards. The golfer will not only get to use an array of clubs, but also complete 18 holes in just a few hours - a respite to golfers in the Arizona summers and bonus for guests looking to get a round in before a day of resort relaxation or desert exploration!

Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, AZ

Balsam Mountain Preserve Unveils First Palmer Practice Park

The Mountain Shadows Open Returns Dec. 19, 2018 Cap off 2018 by teeing off on The Short Course at Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, Ariz. with the return of the worldclass Mountain Shadows Golf Open on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

The Mountain Shadows Golf Open is making an appearance once again as one of the Valley’s most action-packed tournaments with breathtaking views and competitive play. The tournament’s $500 entry fee includes a 9:00 a.m. morning shotgun, lunch at Rusty’s at The Short Course – boasting a stylish lounge and outdoor shaded patio overlooking Camelback Mountain – and an afternoon shotgun followed by an awards reception on Camelback Overlook.

Mountain Shadows Golf Open tickets can be booked at www.outlawtour. golf/18mountainshadowsopen and guests can even make a night (or weekend!) of it by enjoying luxurious accommodations between Dec. 17-21 for a special Open rate starting at $169 plus resort fee.

Originally designed by Architect Arthur Jack Snyder in 1961, The Short Course at Mountain Shadows quickly became a favorite among Hollywood celebrities and socialites. As the new Mountain Shadows rose from the dust in 2017, renowned golf course architect Forrest Richardson (who worked with Snyder) redesigned the course by combining its storied heritage with modern features. The Short Course at Mountain Shadows is the only 18-hole, par-3 course in Arizona.

With an emphasis on fun for the casual golfer, as well as the serious player, the newly configured and fully rebuilt course

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combines more difficult Diamond Tees, intermediate Square Tees and easier Circle Tees to be selected by the golfer to form their personal course layout. Views of iconic Camelback Mountain begin to cascade into the round of golf. At the final destination, the course spills into the resort as if it were a ski slope winding down from the mountain above. The course is playable in under three hours, leaving time for beers and bites at Rusty’s.

Par-54 – 2,310 yards, 2,065 yards, 1,735 yards.

About Mountain Shadows: Mountain Shadows debuted April 1, 2017 as the new boutique resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz. set in the shadow of Camelback Mountain. The resort just marked the completion of fully furnished luxury resort condominiums, which come with serious perks – from full access to the upscale independent boutique resort and high-tech wellness center to Arizona’s only 18-hole, par-3 golf course, completely redesigned by Forrest Richardson, acclaimed golf course architect. The resort features timeless modern design, 183 guest-rooms, a restaurant with an exhibition kitchen, two pools, a hightech fitness facility, a fully revamped short course with a golf grill and lounge, an art gallery, and 37,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.

About The Short Course: Set in the shadow of Camelback Mountain, the course is in serene Paradise Valley, adjacent to Scottsdale. Hallmarks of the course are the exceptional greens surfaces and distinct holes, each with stunning mountain views. These, combined with the intense flexibility of

SYLVA, NC – Balsam Mountain Preserve, a conservation-oriented residential community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, recently unveiled Palmer Practice Park, a new state-of-theart golf practice facility designed by Arnold Palmer Design Company. The facility is located just steps away from Doubletop Village, an upcoming mountain hamlet of 23 new residential cottages, dining and recreational amenities all currently under development and scheduled to open in early 2020.

The uniqueness of the Palmer Practice Park stems from its cutting-edge design, which represents golf’s evolving nature by providing a richer, more interactive golf experience compared to standard one-dimensional driving ranges. The new Park also opens up the game to golfers of all ages and skill sets with the built in flexibility to play as a par 3 course or a “choose your own adventure” pitch and putt.

“Arnold Palmer’s mission was to share his love for the game in hopes of growing the sport,” says Thad Layton, Vice President and Senior Architect for Arnold Palmer Design Company. “Balsam Mountain Preserve is staying true to that mission with the new Palmer Practice Park. As one of the few golf courses implementing this radical design, it is leading the charge in introducing golf to a whole new generation.”

Palmer Practice Park will provide Balsam residents an exclusive, one-of-a-kind golfing experience in an unparalleled natural setting.

Sitting at 3,400 feet above sea level, the park is centrally located between the 10th hole and the new village center and will overlook the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course and Plott Balsam Mountain Range. Spanning five acres, the practice facility will feature six unique greens, 3 bunkers and multiple teeing grounds, creating an unlimited number of ways to set the course up day to day. This variety will insure the course never plays the same way twice, while also promoting a low-pressure, smaller-scale game that will appeal to golfers of all abilities. Players will still have the option of a practice range with a full length of 260 yards, in addition to the par 3 and pitch and putt course options.

To learn more about the Doubletop Village visit www.balsammountainpreserve.com.

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Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Showcases Fall Golf Events

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – showcases a trio of fall golf events ideal to enjoy its myriad amenities and three marvelous courses.

The legendary resort is home to Pete Dye-designed gems Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links. Since opening in 1974, Teeth of the Dog is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. Golf course architecture aficionados call Dye Fore “the most underrated course in the Caribbean.”

The Links showcases Dye’s genius for creating interesting putting surfaces and green complexes.

To be held Nov. 14 – 18, the 54-hole Casa de Campo Pete Dye Celebration ProAm honors the amazing career and legacy of Dye. Teams consist of one professional playing alongside four amateur partners

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for the flighted event. Stay-and-play packages start at $2,919 per player (double occupancy) and include two rounds on Teeth of the Dog, one round on Dye Fore, Elite room accommodations, awards banquet and much more.

The 13th Annual Twosome Championship, scheduled for Dec. 2 – 8, is a mainstay on Casa de Campo’s annual roster of popular tournaments. Accepting entries from both professionals and amateurs, the 90-hole handicap event includes rounds on Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links.

The all-inclusive six-night package starts at $2,709 (per person, per night) and is loaded with extras.

The Casa de Campo Women’s Getaway with Suzy Whaley is a four-day / three-night event taking place on Dec. 7 – 10. Whaley – a former LPGA Tour member, renowned PGA Professional and one of the game’s top instructors ­– will host. The stay-and-play is all-inclusive and starts at $1,899 per person (double occupancy). The many highlights

include unlimited green fees on all three courses and personal instruction by Whaley at the resort’s new state-of-the-art Golf Learning Center.

For more information on all events, call 809.523.8115 or email m.leonardo@ ccampo.com.do.

Belfair’s East Course Reopens Following Four Month Enhancement Project BLUFFTON, SC – Belfair, a private golf club community in Bluffton, South Carolina, recently reopened its award-winning East Course following a four-month enhancement and bunker renovation project. The East Course renovation is part of Belfair’s longterm strategic plan which will reinvest more than $20 million into the club and community over the next ten years.

Enhancements on the Tom Fazio-designed East Course included updating green complexes to their original size by utilizing GPS coordinates gathered from Fazio’s

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS caddie program. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, They have awarded 222 students with scholarships totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support. The current Youth on Course scholarship retention rate is ninetyeight percent, with 53 students already graduated.

Belfair East

Silverado Resort And Spa Unveils New Experience Stay & Play Package

original design. Greens were resurfaced with Tif Eagle grass, while fairways, tees and collars were resurfaced with Latitude 36 Bermuda grass. Bunker renovations included updating the drainage in all greenside and fairway bunkers utilizing a new capillary concrete bunker system. The new bunkers are filled with G-Angle bunker sand.

Belfair’s Director of Agronomy, Keith Einwag and Troon’s Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development, Ron Despain oversaw the project, with Maryland-based McDonald and Sons serving as the general contractor.

“The West Course at Belfair already ranks as one of the ‘Top 100 Private Residential Courses in the US,’” said Ray Pilch, President of the Belfair, POA. “With this renovation and enhancement, we are hopeful of achieving similar recognition for the East Course as well.”

Belfair will host the 2019 PGA Professional Championship, the world’s largest allprofessional event, April 28-May 1. The 312-player field will be comprised of players who advanced from the 41 PGA Section Championships, along with past champions.

The low 20 scorers at Belfair will earn a berth in the 2019 PGA Championship to be played May 16-19, 2019 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. All four rounds of the PGA Professional Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.

For more information on Belfair, visit www.belfair1811.com or call (843) 757-0701.

Youth on Course Offering Individuals a Chance to Win "Bucket List" Golf Experiences PEBBLE BEACH, CA — Youth on Course – the non-profit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, paid internships and a

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caddie program – will conduct its annual online auction November 11-15, with all proceeds used to provide junior golfers across the country with rounds of golf for $5 or less.

Supporters will have exclusive access to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including a round of golf and dinner at The Institute (one of Golf Advisor’s “10 Insanely Private Golf Courses You Will Never Get to Play”). Other sought-after destinations include five-time U.S. Open host Merion Golf Club, Old Tom Morris-designed Lahinch Golf Club, Winged Foot, Riviera, Sand Valley and many more which cater to a variety of enthusiasts. The auction also consists of family travel packages and allaccess passes to sporting events.

“We think it’s an added value to bidders knowing that they are getting an opportunity to check a bucket-list item off their list, while also supporting the dreams of our members,” says Youth on Course Executive Director Adam Heieck. “Thanks to the generous support from bidders in 2017, we raised $115,000 to continue our mission of providing life changing opportunities for kids through golf. To build off that momentum, we’ve increased this year’s goal to $150,000.”

Operating in every U.S. region, Youth on Course has more than 45,000 active members with access to 18 holes of golf for $5 or less at 900-plus courses across 26 states. Since 2006, juniors have completed 750,000 rounds while the organization has helped generate nearly $5 million in tee-time revenue reimbursed back to individual golf courses.

In addition to subsidized rounds, Youth on Course also facilitates college scholarships, paid internships and a

NAPA, CA – Following an exciting finish to this year’s Safeway Open in which Kevin Tway won in a three-hole playoff, Silverado Resort and Spa – the host property for the PGA TOUR tournament – has unveiled their new Silverado Experience Stay & Play package.

• The Silverado Experience Stay & Play package starts at $360 per person, per night and includes: • Three nights in a two bedroom suite • Two rounds of golf per person • A delicious daily breakfast in The Grill • One 50 minute Silverado signature spa treatment • A golf amenity per person Silverado Resort and Spa is Napa Valley’s only 36-hole golf resort. The 7,166yard, par 72 North Course annually hosts the Safeway Open, while the 6,612-yard, par 72 South Course is a favorite among resort guests. Both courses were designed by golf legend Johnny Miller. In addition to two 18-hole golf courses managed by Troon Golf, Silverado features 360 guest rooms, a full service Spa, 10 tennis courts and 10 swimming pools, all in close proximity to Napa Valley’s 540-plus wineries.

Just hours after the conclusion of the 2017 Safeway Open, the Atlas Peak fires erupted destroying or damaging more than 800 structures in the area. Thanks to fast-acting first responders and a bit of luck, Silverado Resort and Spa survived the devastating wildfires. Safeway Open tournament officials committed to donating 100 percent of ticket sales from the 2018 Safeway Open to rebuild Napa Valley and the ongoing fire relief efforts in the area.

“On the heels of a terrific Safeway Open and a great performance by Kevin Tway, we invite golf fans to experience Silverado Resort for themselves,” said resort owner Johnny Miller. “This historic property is truly a special place.”

For more information on Silverado Resort and Spa’s Silverado Experience Package, visit www.silveradoresort.com.

For more information on the Safeway Open, visit www.safewayopen.com.

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Club De Golf Alcanada Makes It Eight In A Row

Club de Golf Alcanada has secured its position as Europe’s favourite course after being voted the best on the continent by visitors to www.1golf.eu for a remarkable eighth year running.

As part of a recent survey by the popular German website, the participants were asked to name their three favourite courses in Europe, with the totals added accordingly.

With more than 1000 people surveyed, 84 per cent were from Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while the remaining 16 per cent were from 34 different countries.

Among the world-famous courses throughout the continent, the course which bears the name of the famous Alcanada lighthouse shone the brightest once again as the acclaimed Mallorcan layout, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, beat more than 28,500 rival European courses.

It’s the latest in a long list of awards carried off by Club de Golf Alcanada, since its opening 15 years ago. And those awards should continue to stack up into 2019 and beyond with a €600,000 revamp of all 18

greens and further upgrades planned as part of the works. The new greens will be in play early next year, which will improve the Alcanada experience to an even higher level.

Kristoff Both, director of Club de Golf Alcanada, said: “To win any award like this is a great privilege but to win the same award for eight years running is a remarkable achievement, especially when it is voted for by our valued guests.

“It shows the popularity and attraction of our course and we look forward to welcoming more visitors once again in 2019. With the new greens and further improvements, we are certain that the experience will be even better for them.”

Audubon Country Club Completes Golf Course Renovation NAPLES, FL – Audubon Country Club recently completed the renovation of its 18-hole Joe Lee-designed golf course under direction of golf course architect, J. Drew Rogers, ASGCA and golf course superintendent, Kenyon Kyle, GCSAA. During a six-month closure, Glase

Golf Construction completely rebuilt and recontoured all 18 greens with Tif-Eagle Bermudagrass and installed new greens irrigation surrounds. Other improvements include an enlarged and enhanced shortgame practice area, a new brick paver golf cart staging area, and additional native landscaping, elevating the beauty of the natural surroundings. The green renovation project was a culmination of improvements to the golf course completed over the past three years during which time fairways and tees underwent a grass conversion from #419 Bermudagrass to Celebration Bermudagrass in two phases in 2015 and 2016. The refinements made to the greens this summer paired with past modifications to tee complexes and bunkers have improved playability of the course and reflect the Club’s mission to provide and maintain a first-class, memorable golf experience.

“Our members have found the new greens to be challenging and more fun to play,” said Rick Bintzler, Green Committee Chair at Audubon Country Club. “This was a well-planned, phase renovation that demonstrates the Club’s commitment to

Club de Golf Alcanada

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Kissing Tree Golf Club Opens In San Marcos, Texas

PGA Golf Club Dye Course

continuously improve our facilities.”

Audubon Country Club is a wellestablished, private, low-density golf community with natural preserve area along all 18 holes. Whether seeking championship golf or other recreational and lifestyle opportunities, Audubon offers an array of amenities and an extensive social calendar for an active, healthy, and social lifestyle.

For more information on Audubon Country Club, please call 239-592-4000 or visit www.audubonccofnaples.com.

Pga Golf Club Nearing Sell-Out Of 2018-19 Premier Seasonal Memberships PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – PGA Golf Club announces a limited number of 2018-19 Premier Seasonal Membership products designed around championship golf, exclusive offers and myriad social events at the PGA of America’s premier 54-hole facility.

The Premier Golf Membership benefits include unlimited golf, Member exclusive dining with food and beverage discounts, private cart Member access discounts for all Member-owned registered carts, and accompanied, unaccompanied and immediate family guest rates. Non-refundable Initiation Fees start at $15,000 plus annual Dues, with no Member assessments and no minimum spend requirements. All Memberships include a spouse or significant other, and any children 25 years of age or younger living at home, in school or in the military.

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Ideal for the seasonal golfer, the Premier Seasonal Membership features unlimited golf valid November – April, use of PGA practice facilities, 30-day advanced reservations, complimentary registration to the GHIN Handicap System, and Member discounts on food and beverage, merchandise and golf instruction. Members can also play as an accompanied guest six times per year at the applicable guest rate during the period when their Membership is not active.

The Premier Meridian Membership provides Member playing privileges after 12 p.m., and all the other Member benefits as above at a discounted Initiation Fee and annual Dues rate.

Designed for Members under the age of 50, the Premier Executive Golf Membership offers all the Member benefits of the other Memberships, and allows those under 50 years of age to pay half of the regular Initiation Fee and annual Dues.

Other Memberships offered at PGA Golf Club include the Premier Sports Membership and the Premier Social Membership.

“Our premier Memberships offer a unique opportunity to enjoy our awardwinning golf courses and amenities, all at one locale,” says PGA Golf Club Director of Golf Jeremy Wiernasz. “At PGA Golf Club, we are committed to providing current and prospective Members a dynamic experience that aligns with their passion for golf and life.”

For more information about PGA Golf Club Memberships, visit www.pgavillage. com/membership.

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (October 1, 2018) – Kissing Tree Golf Club in San Marcos, Texas, opened for daily-fee play on Monday, October 1st. Managed by Troon Golf, Kissing Tree is the first new public, 18-hole golf course to be built in Texas in the past six years.

Designed by renowned golf course architect and Texas resident, Gary Stephenson, the course enhances the natural character of the land’s footprint in the Texas Hill Country, bringing the slopes and contours of the landscape into the fairways and greens.

The 6,600-yard, par-72 golf course offers multiple sets of tees for golfers of all abilities to enjoy. To provide golfers with pristine and consistent year-round playing conditions, Tifway 419 Bermuda grass has been used on the tee boxes, fairways and rough, while greens are TifEagle Bermuda grass.

As good stewards of the environment, Kissing Tree Golf Club has already earned certification as a Signature Program facility with Audubon International. The Audubon Certification Program for Golf is an awardwinning, environmental and conservation assistance program created to help golf courses protect the environment, including wildlife and habitat management, and adhere to comprehensive sustainable resource management principles.

“Kissing Tree Golf Club puts true Hill Country golf right in local golfers’ backyard,” Dirk Gosda, president at Brookfield Residential Texas, said. “As our residents who have already been previewing and playing the course can attest, the views and topography provide a challenging, yet accessible and enjoyable, golf experience for everyone. The natural beauty of the property really shines through, and the greens are pristine. We can’t wait for the public to join our residents on the links.”

Following the natural movement of the land, golf holes at Kissing Tree offer wide playing corridors, with green complexes accepting shots from various angles. In addition to the 18-hole golf course, Kissing Tree Golf Club also features a short game practice facility, an extensive practice range and a practice putting green.

Kissing Tree is the first baby boomercentric community designed specifically for the spirit of Texas, with the lifestyle, homes and amenities geared toward the active adult lifestyle of those 55 and better. Homes range from approximately 1,400 to 3,400 square feet and prices range from approximately $285,000 to $500,000.

For more information on The Kissing Tree Golf Club, visit KissingTreeGolfClub.com or call 512-749-1250.

Golf Vacations • November 2018 15

Lake Tahoe

Bringing Out Your

Inner Celebrity 16 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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By David R. Holland

photos by Rod Hanna and Chris Carlson www.golfvacationsmag.com

Golf Vacations • November 2018 17

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TATELINE, Nev. – There he was in all his radiant glory. Tony Romo, cat-eating glue grin and all, was strolling down the 18th fairway at Edgewood Tahoe, within minutes of winning the 29th American Century Championship and hoisting a trophy he had lusted after for years.

All week he had told everyone who would listen he was dying to win this championship and that he thought his game was ready. He had finished second three times from 2009 to 2011.

Romo, retired Dallas Cowboys QB and now 38, was feeling comfortable on one of the most beautiful layouts in the USA. He said he would rely on fundamentals and he believed he was mentally tough enough to win.

Just the week before the NFL analyst for CBS Sports won the Racine Tri-Course Amateur Championship by nine strokes.

“Obviously I’ve practiced for several months for this. My putting was solid and I made some big putts. Sometimes that’s the difference,” Romo said.

Edgewood Tahoe is one of those few courses where you can watch celebrities tee it up before TV cameras every summer and imagine you too are on the shores of Lake Tahoe. I know the dozen times played here I’ve had a blast and addressed many shots that I’ve seen guys like Romo line up and execute. This is a fun, must-play golf experience.

Don’t miss it.

And by the way, Edgewood Tahoe is celebrating its 50th with golf/ lodging packages and a variety of celebrations. The new Lodge at Edgewood, 154 rooms on the lake and ninth hole, will be bringing them in for the next 50 years.

Lake Tahoe has been home to countless celebrities and actually hosted the 1968 U.S. Men’s Olympic Track Team – one of the USA’s most iconic Olympic track teams that prepped for the altitude of the Mexico City Games at South Lake Tahoe. Bob Beamon, Tommy Smith, John Carols, Lee Evans, Dick Fosbury, Bill Twomey, Bob Seagren, Jim Hines, Willie Davenport, Al Oerter were all here.

Not to mention Squaw Valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.

DIVERSITY IS THE RENO-LAKE TAHOE AREA The mixture of topography and variety of golf is significant here. Within minutes one can play High Sierra 70-degree golf among the Ponderosa pines and granite boulders at Coyote Moon, Old Greenwood, and Gray’s Crossing in Truckee or descend into the foothills and be challenged by ruggedly beautiful arroyo-forced carries and sagebrush rough in 90-degree weather at Somersett Country Club in Reno and Genoa Lakes in Carson City.

Pick from noted golf architects of the modern era – Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr., George Fazio, Tom Fazio, Robin Nelson, Arnold Palmer, John Harbottle, Peter Jacobsen, Johnny Miller, Fuzzy Zoeller, Hale Irwin, Dick Bailey and Robert Muir-Graves.

Edgewood Tahoe No. 16

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Genoa Lakes Ranch Course No. 15 at sunset

Here’s a capsule look at some other favorites: Tahoe Donner Golf Course, Truckee, CA: Loved this old-style and narrow course with tall pines, creek crossings and elevation changes with beautiful views. Tahoe Donner is the highest-elevation golf course in Tahoe and at 7,002 yards is challenging.

Greens are quick and huge.

Lake Tahoe Golf Course, South Lake Tahoe, CA This is one of the more affordable golf courses in the area -- located in a natural mountain meadow just minutes from the southern shoreline of Lake Tahoe and the golf course is located in Lake Valley State Recreational Area. This William Bell design has photo ops throughout, including the Truckee River, natural habitats and a mountain backdrop.

This is a great layout for the entire family.

Incline Village Golf Courses, Incline Village, NV Incline Village has two golf courses on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

The Mountain Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is fun for the entire family. The Championship Course was originally designed

by Robert Trent Jones Sr., but Kyle Phillips did the $4.5 million 2003 facelift. My first round of golf here was memorable – Joe DiMaggio was standing on the first tee box.

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Old Greenwood, Truckee, CA Old Greenwood, originally a private club, could be the most playable Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf design I’ve ever played. The golf course is the centerpiece of a premier four-season resort community in North Lake Tahoe. Situated near the historic town of Truckee on 600 acres of towering pines and blue-sage covered hills, the public can play it and also select lots for custom-built homes and fractional residences. It’s also home to the Golf Academy at Old Greenwood.

Grizzly Ranch in Portola, CA Grizzly Ranch was originally a private course, but now this Bob Cupp gem is open to the public. Cupp was given a thousand acres to route this No. 1-ranked course in the Sierra Nevada by Golf Digest (2014).

Golfers love the endless combination of shots and it is bordered on two sides by protected federal land. It’s part of a low-density private gated community.

The Dragon at Nakoma Resort, Clio, CA This Robin Nelson design has been softened somewhat after its original owners called on Nelson to build the most difficult course imagined.

The Wild & Scenic Feather River can be seen in a canyon left of the fourth fairway, but views are at every turn. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Nakoma teepee design makes a must-visit clubhouse with incredible restaurant.

And the 42-room Lodge at Nakoma is all new and comfy.

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Incline Village Championship Course No. 12

Genoa Lakes Golf Club, Genoa, NV There are two courses at Genoa Lakes – the Lakes and the Ranch – and both of them are fun and different. John Harbottle III and Peter Jacobsen designed The Lakes Course, with the Carson River coming into play on 14 holes. The Ranch, formerly Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch, was designed by Johnny Miller and Harbottle. Over 300 feet of elevation changes, more than 100 bunkers, unpredictable mountain terrain, afternoon breezes and a waterfall challenge players.

PRIVATE COURSES Gray’s Crossing, Truckee, CA Jim Hardy and Jacobsen designed this mountain meadows beauty in the shadow of Mt. Rose. This semi-private gem was opened in 2007 and Old Greenwood is its sister course. Conditioning is top notch with a lengthy 7,466 yards but the par-4 sixth is a short, fun, 304 yards you can drive from an elevated tee.

Somersett Golf & Country Club, Reno, NV Elevation changes, forced arroyo carries and panoramic views of Reno and surrounding alpine vistas can be seen from this private desert-like course designed in 2004 by Tom Kite, Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell.

It rolls out at 7,252 yards at par 72 with five sets of tees, seven lakes, 62 white sand bunkers and 400-foot wide landing areas from the tees.

Schaffer’s Mill Golf & Lake Club, Truckee, CA Even though Schaffer’s Mill (formerly Timilick) is private there are some Monday tee times open for the public. This fun and scenic Johnny

20 Golf Vacations • November 2018

Miller and John Harbottle III design has two distinct nines. The back nine displays mountain holes with elevation changes of 400 feet and the opening nine takes you through a beautiful meadow.

Clear Creek Tahoe, Clear Creek, NV After consulting with the usual suspects, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore were selected to build their first alpine setting golf course on a 1,600 acres parcel of land. It’s in the eastern shadows of the Carson Range with rugged white-sand bunkers, elevation changes and slopes that will confound you.

The first time I hit the middle of a green with an approach and watched it trundle off the green I knew – beautiful and deadly. Clear Creek is located in the center of the fictional “Ponderosa” of Bonanza fame, and has been utilized for over 150 years by various cattle operations.

DINING SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR RENO-TAHOE GOLF ADVENTURE JT Basque Restaurant; Wild Bill’s BBQ, Incline Village Mountain Course, Incline Village, NV; Edgewood Restaurant; The Lodge Restaurant & Pub at Tahoe Donner Golf Course; and Nakoma Resort Wigwam Room Restaurant.

LODGING SUGGESTIONS The Lodge at Nakoma, Clio, CA; Hampton Inn & Suites, Truckee, CA; Twilight Ridge in Dollar Point, Tahoe Luxury Properties Vacation Rental, Tahoe City, CA; Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno, NV; Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Minden, NV; Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV.

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Edgewood - Tahoe

Tahoe Donner

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Golf Vacations • November 2018 21

Harbour Tow

A Dye-nasty Begins 22 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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wn Golf Links

By Tim Cotroneo www.golfvacationsmag.com

Golf Vacations • November 2018 23

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n 1968, two of golf’s fledgling superstars converged on Hilton Head, SC, to discuss designing a new 18-hole course. One phenom was at the beginning of his Hall of Fame architectural career. The other was making headlines as golf’s hottest new superstar.

When Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus met with Sea Pines Resort’s real estate developer Charles Fraser to discuss plans for what would be Harbour Town Golf Links, both had yet to gain national acclaim as course designers. At the time, Dye had designed fewer than a dozen of his eventual 100 plus golf courses. During this Hilton Head meeting of the minds, Nicklaus had yet to design even one of his now 410 courses worldwide.

Fraser, a real estate visionary and the pioneer of planned community development, was eager to attach Nicklaus’ name to his new golf course. At the peak of his golf game and earning power, the then 28-year-old Nicklaus told Fraser he would assist with the project, but that the innovative Dye should be the person to orchestrate what would become one of the top layouts on the planet.

24 Golf Vacations • November 2018

DYE DESIGNS, PALMER WINS Dye, Fraser, Harbour Town, and Sea Pines Resort aligned to evolve into one of golf’s most enduring love affairs. Dye took what he learned during a seven month visit to Scotland and incorporated these across the pond elements into Harbour Town’s design. Scotland‘s impact on Dye’s South Carolina masterwork is evident in touches that include pot bunkering, swollen contours, and configuring massive oak trees into a golf journey holding an architectural vice grip on shot making.

When Harbour Town debuted on the PGA Tour in 1969, Heritage Classic winner Arnold Palmer discovered a petite 6,600-yard layout that featured narrow fairways, hanging trees, and a design element that would become a Pete Dye trademark, railroad ties buttressing sand traps.

Fast forward to a half century later, and Harbour Town continues to earn the respect of the best tour players, as well as a far-reaching amateur audience seeking a bucket list experience. Unlike many golf tracks that have gone long to combat missile-launching drivers and

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techno-infused golf balls, Harbour Town has flourished by literally staying the course on Dye’s mantra which places a premium on positioning and next shot anticipation.

GOLF MECCA Today’s Harbour Town thrives as one of the toughest tests on the PGA tour. Decades of national television coverage and rave reviews from professionals and amateurs alike have transformed Harbour Town and its sister courses Atlantic Dunes and Heron Point into a golf haven welcoming almost 3 million visitors annually. One of the ultimate tributes to Harbour Town is that generations of professional golfers have stepped forward to request that Dye’s creation resist changing its look, feel, and challenge.

Director of Golf John Farrell and Superintendent Jonathan Wright take immense pride in keeping Harbour Town’s conditions, pace of play, and true greens intact for a layout that now plays at 7,099-yards from the tips. Bigger isn’t necessarily better for this fan favorite boasting RBC Heritage Tournament greens that are the smallest on the PGA Tour.

One of the best ways for a newcomer to experience Harbour Town is to tap the services of a forecaddie. The forecaddie offers uber insights into strategic shot making, as well as the ability to track down your shots on the fly. A Harbour Town forecaddie assists each player in your group with precise yardages, what to avoid from a landscape standpoint, and expert green reading.

LISTEN FOR JAWS Once you’re ready to roll on the 392-yard, Par 4 first hole, it’s time to get inside the mind of Mr. Dye and embrace the challenge of taking on this South Carolina Lowcountry tradition. The smart golfer realizes that a bombers ego should be parked back in the iconic clubhouse. A more forward-thinking strategy means avoiding surprise second shot obstructions like an imposing Spanish Moss tree branch, the wrong angle to a guarded green, or even the occasional alligator frequenting Harbour Town’s plentiful ponds and lagoons.

You can almost hear the bass beat soundtrack from the movie “Jaws” emanating from the Atlantic Ocean as you prepare for Harbour Town’s final six holes. On the Par 4, 373-yard 13th, Dye ups his game by deferring to Alice, his wife and alter ego, in the design of a dogleg left that precedes a huge horseshoe sand trap encompassing an elevated green.

For the bold or perhaps crazy golfer who chooses to play the Par 3, 192-yard 14th hole from the tips, realize from this distance you are contending with one of the hardest holes on the PGA tour. This is an all-carry shot over a lagoon with a slight bail out area to the left.

The 14th approach culminates with a postage stamp green featuring a severe drop-off to the water on the right.

LIGHTHOUSE CALLING The Par 3, 174-yard 17th hole is like stepping into the Weather Channel’s version of golf. That’s because the wind is suddenly supercharged off the waters of the Calibogue Sound. The visual of the water and sand combined with the schizophrenic wind plays mind games on golfers trying to gauge the proper distance. Lean on your forecaddie for selecting the proper club, and then trust your swing.

That brings us to the Granddaddy of South Carolina golf, the Par 4, 472-yard 18th hole. From the tee box you can see the 90-foot red and white striped lighthouse towering to the right of the green. To the left you see the ocean. Look straight right and you’ll drool at the widest fairway on the PGA Tour.

A fat fairway feeling of relief is exactly what Dye had in mind about the time he places the hook in your mouth. That’s because relief evaporates in an instant when viewing your second shot to the 18th green. This narrow window is enveloped by a tier of sand traps, followed by rows of native marshes, and then ocean. This switch from good Pete to bad Pete grips even the steeliest golfer’s nerve on this treacherous iron shot.

YOUR OWN STORY After you putt out, realize that a legion of golfers before you have stopped to photograph the 18th flag with the candy-striped lighthouse in the background. This selfie moment is something you’ll now share with golfers through the ages. The 18th at Harbour Town is the exclamation point following the signature on one of the game’s legendary courses. You’ve added your own page to a story written by stars that were born during a 1968 meeting of the minds. www.seapines.com/golf/harbour-town-golf-links.aspx

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Golf Vacations • November 2018 25

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

by DAVID R. HOLLAND 26 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- It’s a scene repeated daily on the target-style desert courses in Arizona.

A high-handicapper addresses his ball, knees are wobbly as he peers at the 185-yard forced carry over a natural desert dry wash filled with rocks, cactus, hiding places for rattlesnakes and the spiny-branched ocotillo.

He swings and immediately reaches in his back pocket.

Reload.

Frustrated reloaders will smile more at Kierland Golf Club. It’s traditional, minus forced carries, player friendly, has immaculate conditions and challenging holes with sweeping views of Mummy Mountain, Camelback Mountain, Pinnacle Peak and the McDowells give the layout an attractive panorama.

Today, the landscape is even more 21st century. A huge 300-foot HDTV named Skyview greets patio visitors and golfers playing holes that are in front of the 750-room hotel.

But “fun” concepts are everywhere, including an incredible Lazy River complex for the kids and the golf club’s introduction of several ways to experience the 27 holes.

Kierland Golf Club Introduces TurfRiders and The Shark Experience Kierland’s TurfRiders join a fleet of unique golf vehicles. Segway Golf came in 2002 and now you can try golf bikes, GolfBoards, and four-seater golf carts.

TurfRiders have golf bags situated at the back of two-wheel scooters,

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and golfers can cruise the course both on and off the cart path, thanks to their light weight and large, turf-friendly tires that create no damage to the fairways. In addition to adding fun to the game, the battery-powered scooters also add speed with an 18 mph setting recommended for getting around the course and climbing most hills.

Nancy Dickens, Director of Golf at The Westin Kierland Golf Club, said the addition of the scooters to the fleet rounds out its “quartet” of fun: “The scooters provide a fun, exhilarating golf experience. They are easy to ride but something most golfers have never experienced,” she said. “They continue our tradition of creating a unique and different golf experience at Kierland.”

And how about The Shark Experience? “For the past four years I’ve been working on something called the Shark Experience,” Greg Norman explained. “Club Car is building 50,000 carts with Bluetooth-enabled screens that can stream music, sports, news – whatever applications the world can imagine – through speakers designed, by the shape of the cone and its angle of mounting, to keep the sound within the cart. To grow golf in these times you need to give people the choice of staying connected.”

The Golf Experience Scott Miller, formerly a senior designer for Jack Nicklaus, designed the three nine-hole layouts -- Mesquite, Acacia and Ironwood. They are named for the trees that decorate Kierland. There a few forced carries and none you can’t master. Miller designed many of the America’s finest courses including Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course in Idaho and WeKo-Pa Golf Club in Arizona.

Most agree that the Acacia-Ironwood nines are the best 18-hole combination at Kierland. Acacia’s strength is its elevation differences,

Golf Vacations • November 2018 27

while Ironwood is dotted with lots of tall grasses and water features. The Mesquite nine is pretty much straightforward, but all three have interesting and challenging finishing holes.

“Kierland is my favorite layout in the Valley,” said John Harkins of Phoenix. “Conditions are great all the time. The service is superb, you can hit all the warm-up balls you want and it is not target golf. You can play without losing a dozen golf balls. I like that the most.”

It is managed by Troon Golf, the best management company in the business.

Ironwood’s signature No. 9 is a possible eagle par 5. It’s only 495 yards from the back, but water travels the entire right side You will have to negotiate a huge trap that crosses the fairway 100 yards out, but most solid drivers of the ball can reach the green in two.

Acacia’s finishing hole has a backdrop of the new hotel, a downhill tee shot with a lake left and hilly slope bordering the right fairway boundary. It’s 531 yards from the back and has a two-tiered green.

Mesquite’s No. 9 is 427 yards from the back, a par 4, and is fronted by a large lake carry on the approach with six sand traps guarding the front entrance to a diagonally-placed putting surface.

28 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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Dickens, who began her career as a superintendent, says the most challenging part of scoring here are the swales that sometimes engulf the putting surfaces. “I encourage golfers to putt from the swales, but the bunkers can be tough, too.”

And she like to say that 17 acres of turf were removed from behind greens in 2013 and 12 more acres since then making Kierland a steward of the environment.

Acacia’s finishing hole has a backdrop of the hotel, a downhill tee shot with a lake left and hilly slope bordering the right fairway boundary. It’s 531 yards from the back and has a two-tiered green.

Mesquite’s No. 9 is 427 yards from the back, a par 4, and is fronted by a large lake carry on the approach with six sand traps guarding the front entrance to a diagonally-placed putting surface.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in a Word: Awesome You want packages? Well, Westin Kierland has many to pick from -- Golf Escape Package, Hit the Links Golf Package, Agave Spa Soothe Package, Stay 3 Nights, Get 4th Night Free, 5th Night Free and $100 Resort Credit, “Bundle of Joy” Babymoon and “Indulge” Romance Package.

You’ve always envisioned your vacation to be perfect on every level, but never imagined a staff so accommodating and facilities so revitalizing and distinctively different. That is The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa experience. So come, wander the grounds of this desert oasis.

Leave behind your hectic lifestyle to relax and renew.

The AAA Four Diamond Resort features accommodations that will sooth and stimulate from a full-service spa and world-class golf to award-winning dining and upscale shopping. Intuitively designed to celebrate Arizona’s rich history and diverse culture, The Westin Kierland offers a sanctuary of opportunity and ambiance.

The Resort pays tribute to the state’s Scottish immigrants each evening with its “Scottish Pipes at Sunset” series. Guests are encouraged to gather around the fire pit at the Dreamweavers Canyon to enjoy the Scottish bagpipes played by Master Bagpiper Michael McClanathan.

Dining I picked deseo – meaning desire in Spanish – showcases Contemporary Latin cuisine, a pairing of traditional Latin American ingredients and contemporary culinary style to create unique, fresh and flavorful dishes that include a range of mouthwatering ceviches, grilled and roasted fish and shellfish, and a selection of skillfully prepared meats all with tantalizing South American-inspired marinades, sauces and sides. Complementing the menu is deseo’s extensive list of South American wines.

At the heart of deseo lies “The Rail” which holds the 12 best seats in the house.

Guests are invited to sit at The Rail and overlook the open kitchen while chefs prepare intricate ceviche dishes and delectable desserts.

A day at Westin Kierland can be exhaustive. So when you get in to the Heavenly Bed waiting for you in your spacious room there will be plenty to dream about.

As you explore the Resort, you will find details of Arizona’s rich history and those who had an important role in shaping it. Discovery Hall, Expedition Hall and Visionaries Hall are named as such to honor those who created the Essence of Arizona, from river explorers such as John Wesley Powell to Native American tribal chiefs and heads of state. With these efforts, we hope to carry on the spirit of those who came before us – visionaries who made Arizona what it is today.

Your kids are gonna love this One of the Resort’s biggest attractions is its Adventure Water Park, which offers a 900-foot lazy river ride, a 110-foot waterslide and our very own Kierland FlowRider. Rent a family-friendly poolside cabana to relax in shaded luxury or soak in one of our two hot tubs.

Also check out the adult pool, Aguamiel, Kierland FlowRider, The OK Corral, and Dreamweaver’s Canyon.

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Golf Vacations • November 2018 29

SWEETSTUFF ProCheck

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veryone who plays golf enjoys hitting it as far as they can.

While there are many factors that go into helping every player to maximize their own abilities in hitting the golf ball, one ingredient that is often overlooked today is golf ball compression.

While changes in modern ball and club technology have made compression an almost overlooked topic today, the amount of compression that a golf ball has still helps determine how far it will fly.

“A golf ball’s compression has a significant impact upon how far it will travel, with the golfer’s ultimate goal being to match ball compression with swing speed to achieve maximum distance. The correct compression causes the ball to have the optimum degree of flattening at impact to create a trampoline-like energy transfer and greater distance,” notes John Donahue, President of Golftek LLC, the company that manufactures ProCheck®, a hand-held device that can measure any golf ball’s compression in seconds.

Small enough to fit in an average golf bag, the ProCheck® has several noteworthy features that make it a valuable tool in evaluating golf balls and getting the right fit for each player. A chart comes with the unit that recommends the compression you should use to maximize results. Once you have tested several makes and models of balls to check their compression, you can use the chart to find your average driver distance and match that with the recommended compression that is displayed on the LED screen shown by the ProCheck® unit.

In addition, the unit can be used to check out those older balls in the bag to see if they still have any juice in them by checking the compression of the old balls with new ones to see if they have lost compression.

Most modern golf balls are essentially made of a rubber-like substance (elastomers) and the forces required to compress the ball can change over time or with temperature. ProCheck®’s accurate force measurement detects this change and displays this information

30 Golf Vacations • November 2018

to the golfer as bars on the LED screen.

Donahue designed the device after conversations with an avid golfer who complained that with the new, more durable covers, old tired balls still look like new, but their compression had changed. He suggested that the game needed such a device. The ProCheck® was issued a United States patent in May 2017 and rivals the top golf ball manufacturers’ highly sophisticated compression testing equipment.

In laboratory tests, the ProCheck® produced the same compression measurements as a device costing tens of thousands of dollars that is commonly used in the industry.

ProCheck® measures the force over a selected time interval to get an accurate force value with a high speed micro-processor that captures the force for a tested golf ball, processes the information and displays an accurate reading of its compression to the user.

“Callaway has long understood that compression plays a key role in optimizing the performance and consistency of golfers. We at Callaway have tested the ProCheck® golf ball compression tester and found it to be an excellent tool for the consumer. Its readings can help golfers determine the right ball for their game,” stated Jason Finley, Director, Brand Management, Callaway Golf.

In a study of 250 players conducted by the Brand institute Inc., on behalf of ProCheck®, 90% of respondents indicated there is a need for a product to check ball compression.

Golfers with slower swing speeds (under 80mph) should use lower compression balls, while golfers with faster swing speeds (over 100mph) should use higher compression balls to achieve maximum distance.

More information is available at: www.procheckgolf.com

Swiftwick

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wiftwick, which has built a reputation over the past few years as one of the better sock choices for golfers, is celebrating its 10year anniversary in the compression-sock space by featuring a new 2018 Fall-Winter lineup that is built around the newly designed PURSUIT™ performance sock line.

Some of the new features include a new reinforced heel and toe, along with an extended heel pocket for better durability. Made with U.S.-sourced merino wool, the sock wicks moisture to keep you dry and comfortable year-round, and it combines its latest technology with a channeled upper for ventilation and breathability. A seamless toe eliminates friction in the toe box, and half-density weave in the

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SWEETSTUFF

by Terry Ross

flex zones prevents bunching. The PURSUIT™ comes in six cuff heights with medium cushion and moderate compression, and is made for running, cycling, golfing and snow sports.

Made in the USA, Swiftwick’s signature olefin fiber requires less energy to produce than most synthetic fibers and their merino wool is sourced from the U.S. These socks are also incredibly durable, which reduces the need for consumption, and Swiftwick recycles scrap material into blankets for those in need. Most importantly, they’re incredibly comfortable, wicking sweat better than anything on the market.

These socks are designed to support the contours of the feet with no voids, bunching or blisters. All their performance socks are constructed with arch band support, breathable channels and y-heel contours that move with your foot.

Made of 74 percent Nylon, 23 percent Olefin and 3 percent Spandex, these socks have a light but snug feel that is important in preventing blisters. The chemical free wicking performs every time and delivers the ultimate dry-fit while the advanced knit patterns with structured Olefin and Merino Wool fibers pull sweat off the body and repel moisture.

Swiftwick also employs natural odor fighting technology that helps keep the socks fresher for a longer period. The extreme colorfastness of these socks derives from being “solution” dyed instead of chemically dyed. This process is also environmentally advantageous since it produces no waste.

In addition to playing golf, these socks are great for travel and many other activities since they help prevent swelling in feet and ankles while sitting or standing, either at work or for example on long airline flights, making them ideal for a number of people.

For more information on Swiftwick golf socks: www.swiftwick.com

Proven Insect Repellent

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here are few things that are more bothersome—and sometimes dangerous-- when playing golf than biting insects. Mosquitos and ticks especially are annoying and can carry diseases that are especially dangerous to some segments of the population—such as older people.

Insect repellent can be as necessary on the golf course as sun screen, but, just like in the case of sun protection, using something with safe chemicals and avoiding toxins is the better way to go—not

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to mention a product that is easy to use and non-greasy.

A company called Provenâ Repellent has introduced a new range of health conscious and highly effective insect repellent sprays and lotions for those that spend a lot of time outdoors—especially those that play golf. The product line utilizes the active ingredient Saltidin (Picaridin), which is recommended by the EPA, Word Health Organization and CDC as an effective repellent against mosquitoborne illnesses. With a 20% concentration of Saltidin, Provenâ is more effective and longer-lasting than higher concentrations of DEET— but non-toxic. Made in the USA by EPA-approved factories, Provenâ provides 12-14 hours of protection against disease-carrying insects without the concern of harmful side effects.

Provenâ repellents have been tested to effectively repel mosquitos, ticks, black flies, biting flies, stable flies, ants, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and no-see-ums. Recently there has been warranted concern about certain varieties of ticks and mosquitos known to carry deadly and debilitating diseases. Provenâ repellents protect from species carrying Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Powassan Virus and tick-borne Encephalitis.

“We understand that many people prefer all-natural products when available. However, if they aren’t effective, the tendency is to return to DEET,” said Emily Dix, Operations Manager at Provenâ. “In the current environment, when insect-borne illnesses are on the rise, we wanted to come to the table with a truly effective repellent that was still mindful of health. Something we would want to put on our own bodies and our children’s. When we began developing Provenâ, we kept coming back to the idea of ‘worry-free outdoor enjoyment’.

Remove the worry of disease, remove the worry of toxic exposure, remove the worry of being pestered and eaten by annoying insects, if nothing else. Enjoy the best parts of being outdoors. The testing and proven efficacy of these products are so solid, and we feel proud and excited to be able to offer this effective alternative to consumers.”

Available in odorless or gently scented formulas, Provenâ insect repellent sprays and lotions are sold at Meijer, Westlake Ace Hardware stores and select Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. The repellents can also be purchased online in a range of sizes—including handy travel sizes as well.

For more information, visit: https://provenrepellent.com

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32 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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The Best Gift Of The Year!

Enjoy a vicarious trip with Chuck Miller “The Traveling Guy” as he reflects on his incredible, fun and amazing 50-week, 50-state golf odyssey. Golfing The U.S. makes for a delightful and inexpensive birthday or holiday present.

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Golf Vacations • November 2018 33

34 Golf Vacations • November 2018

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