Chip Shots

Rumbling Bald Releases Shoulder - Offseason Rates for Popular Golf Packages

LAKE LURE, N.C. – Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole golf retreat on North Carolina’s stunning Lake Lure an hour east of Asheville, has released shoulder and offseason pricing for its most popular golf package, the Hole-in-One, spanning Nov. 15, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

Starting at $283 per player, the Hole-in-One features a two-night stay, two rounds of golf on the Apple Valley and Bald Mountain courses and unlimited range balls at both course’s recently upgraded practice areas. Three nights and three rounds are available starting at $386, and four nights and four rounds for $493. Additional rounds are available by request (subject to availability) for $40.

Lodging options include the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from the first tee. Via its spacious vacation rentals, Rumbling Bald is able to accommodate golf groups of all sizes. Luxury vacation homes are also available for extended stays and golf rounds can be added a la carte.

“The Lake Lure area is a year-round destination with high temps in the high 40s to mid-60s from November through March with plenty of sunshine,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “Golfers can play sweater weather golf by day and relax in a warm, cozy studio, villa or home with friends or family in the evening. As we say around here, there’s nothing ‘off’ about the ‘offseason.’”

For groups of 12 or more, Rumbling Bald offers free golf for group leaders when booking their first trip to the property. The “12+ Comp” is ideal for PGA Professional-member trips, small tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. The shoulder- and off-seasons are ideal for group play, with ample value and typically a faster pace of play than the peak spring and fall periods.

To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072. Golfers are advised to call, email or check the website for course maintenance and closure schedules. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (four players in a two-bedroom villa or two in a one-bedroom studio).

Highland Course at Primland Rises to No. 28 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest” List

MEADOWS OF DAN, VA – The numbers are in from Golf Digest course raters, and The Highland Course at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, has climbed to No. 28 in the esteemed publication’s biennial compilation - “America’s 100 Greatest of Public Courses, 2021-2022.”

Located within the luxury resort’s 12,000 pristine Blue Ridge Mountains in SW Virginia near the North Carolina Border, The Highland Course is revered for its spectacular conditions, scintillating views and a Donald Steel-designed layout that challenges golfers of all levels. Unfurling amid the lush, serene, vast and pristine landscape, the course is the highest-ranked Virginia layout in the newly released list and the only one from the Commonwealth to land in the top 30.

To derive this list of remarkable courses, hundreds of Golf Digest panelists submit detailed reviews for thousands of courses, rating them in seven categories: shot values, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, resistance to scoring, conditioning and ambience.

“Our guests frequently rave about the long-range vistas, wonderful

course layout, and magnificent playing conditions,” said Brian Alley, PGA, Primland’s Director of Golf and Recreation. “This distinction from Golf Digest’s expert course panelists is a wonderful honor and reinforces our guests’ appraisal of The Highland Course.”

Golfers can book a variety of experiences at Primland with individual rounds, golf school instruction, packages, group events and more. There is also a wide array of aftergolf activities and amenities at Primland, such as horseback riding, fly fishing, alfresco yoga and meditation, full-service spa, hiking, sporting clays, RTV trail riding, and stargazing in one of the largest observatories in the Eastern U.S.

The resort offers unique lodging options, including chalet-like Pinnacle Cottages, golf course Fairway Cottages, tree houses perched on the edge of the mountains and luxurious guest rooms and suites at The Lodge.

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is now accepting reservations. For more information, please visit aubergeresorts.com/ primland.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club Set To Unveil Newly Enhanced Iconic Falcon Clubhouse

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Abu Dhabi Golf Club is set to unveil a new look interior within the famous Falcon Clubhouse in November 2021. The famed National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has hosted European Tour events since 2006 boasting the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods amongst others. The iconic clubhouse sits behind greens 9 and 18 of the National Course, and is recognizable across the world.

Following new ownership at the start of 2021, the Club is now led by Club Operations Manager Andrea Faldella, a long-time Troon leader. Andrea commented “We are excited to showcase our newly upgraded Clubhouse to the members, guests, and some of the world’s greatest female amateur players. Having been chosen to host the 3rd edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, we look forward to welcoming all to our stunning new terrace, enlarged golf shop with all the best brands, and our new Falcon Bar which is on the 1st floor.

The enhancement of the Club is just at the beginning, with more areas to be upgraded, including the golf courses (18hole championship course plus a 9-hole floodlit course), the launch of a new Golf Academy, a redesigned swimming pool area and additional leisure amenities. While doing this, we are also working on our digital transformation, which will complement our vision to deliver the best possible experience to our members and guests.

We expect both Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the nearby Westin Hotel to benefit from the numerous upgrades, while continuously driving international awareness to one of the most iconic resorts in the Middle East.”

The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) recently announced that the 2021 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be staged at the Troon managed Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 10-13 November.

Mark Chapleski, Executive Vice-President of Troon International added “We are very enthused about the relaunch of the famed Falcon Clubhouse, an iconic world renowned golf clubhouse. I must commend the new ownership who has invested and enhanced our offerings at the club. It is exciting times ahead at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as an already fantastic facility becomes even better.”

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship has been developed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage and the opportunity to play in two Major golf championships. The third edition of the region’s premier women’s championship will be played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates from 10 – 13 November. The 2021 WAAP champion will earn starts in the AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship as well as an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). For more information please visit www.randa.org/ Championships/WomensAmateurAsiaPacific

MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com Unveils Grand Strand’s Three Most Popular Fall Packages, According to Golfers

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- With the fall golf season upon us, MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com, the Grand Strand’s most comprehensive resource for players planning and booking a golf vacation, has unveiled its three most popular packages.

MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com has enjoyed a record-breaking 2021, and here are the three offers most popular with players through the year’s first eight months. • The “Rewards Package” from Founders Group International again tops the list of Myrtle Beach’s most sought after golf deals. The 4-night, 4-round offer allows players to choose from FGI’s 21 courses, including Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation and King’s North, and it features a $100 gift card and a free night of accommodations at Myrtlewood villas. The gift card can be used for food, drink, equipment and clubhouse apparel. The Rewards Package provides the area’s best combination of quality and value. • The “Waccamaw Golf Trail Package” allows golfers to choose among 12 of the ever-popular South Strand’s premier layouts. This offer provides the chance to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and True Blue, all layouts that have been ranked among the nation’s top 100 public courses. Also available are sterling designs like River Club, Tradition Club and Willbrook Plantation, and golfers love the oceanfront accommodations at Litchfield Resort. It’s not hard to see why the Waccamaw Golf Trail Package is so popular. • Barefoot Resort is one of Myrtle Beach’s premier multicourse facilities, and golfers wanting to enjoy the property’s quartet of layouts, designed by some of the game’s biggest names, are flocking to Barefoot’s “Play 3, Get 1 Free” special. Groups enjoy three nights of on-site lodging and a round of golf on the Norman, Love, Fazio and Dye courses, one of which is free, as part of the offer.

The concept of the stay-and-play golf package was born in Myrtle Beach in the 1960s and nearly six decades later it remains at the heart of the area’s popularity. For more information on all of Myrtle Beach’s golf package offerings, visit www.MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com.

Pound Ridge Readies for Spectacular Autumn Golf Season

POUND RIDGE, NY – Pound Ridge Golf Club – legendary Pete Dye’s modern public marvel in Westchester County – features the ideal setting for spectacular autumn golf highlighted by pure course conditions and a bucolic setting few public facilities in the New York City metro area can match.

Ranked No. 6 in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in New York,” Pound Ridge is Dye’s only Empire State design. Less than an hour drive from New York City, a half-hour from White Plains and less than 15 minutes from both Stamford and Greenwich, (Conn.), the celebrated architect’s acclaimed layout exemplifies his genius for creating exceptional shot values as well as an authentic golf experience to long savor.

This has been a banner year for layouts designed by Dye with the 2021 PGA Championship contested on The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and the 2021 Ryder Cup held on The Straits Course at Whistling Straits. Pound Ridge hosted the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) Public Links Championship this summer. The tournament marked the 73rd rendition of the prestigious MGA event which is the oldest public golf course championship in the U.S.

“It’s such an honor for us to be part of the extraordinary legacy of the great Pete Dye,” says Darren Wang, managing partner of Pound Ridge Golf Club. “We invite everyone to visit us here in Westchester County and play one of Mr. Dye’s classic tests of golf surrounded by the incredible autumn beauty of the Northeast. U.S.”

Named No. 7 in the “Toughest Courses in the U.S.” by GOLF Channel’s Golf Advisor, Pound Ridge sits regally on 172 pastoral acres with dramatic rock outcroppings, streams and wooded, rolling hills converging to create an enjoyable and challenging par-72 course. Five sets of tees range from 5,151 to 7,165 yards providing challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Among its unforgettable holes is the dramatic par-5 13th which is home to “Pete’s Rock,” a giant boulder that rests in the middle of the fairway.

For more information, or to book a tee time, please call 914.764.5771 or visit www.poundridgegolf.com.

St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Named Puerto Rico’s Top Resort By Travel + Leisure Readers

St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico has been named the top resort in Puerto Rico by Travel + Leisure through the publication’s World’s Best Awards. Each year, T+L readers are surveyed on their travel experiences over a three-year period and share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels and resorts were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort scored an impressive 92.80 on the survey with reader’s describing the property as “inspiring and gorgeous…it seems as if you’re in a wonderland.” Set on a former coconut plantation and bordered by a two-mile-long beach, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the only hotel in the Caribbean to be awarded Audubon International’s Gold Signature sanctuary certification.

The 139-room property includes a Troon Golf-managed Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course, a kids’ club, and Iridium spa. Open since 2008, the golf course is Trent Jones Jr’s first design project in Puerto Rico. The course routes through lush tropical foliage including coconut palms and flowering flamboyant trees along two miles of Caribbean beachfront. The course ranges from 7,000 yards from the championship tees to 5,253 from the forward tees, with the additional tee placements, including junior tees, in between. A par-three course is also included in the practice area.

“It is with great pride and excitement that we received the award from the prestigious travel magazine Travel & Leisure,” said St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Chief Executive Officer Rolando E. Padua and General Manager José M. Torres. “We are very proud of the exquisite service at the highest level of excellence our dedicated team strives to maintain making Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club a truly 5 Star 5 Diamond experience. We are also grateful to our members, guests and visitors who have made our resort their favorite in Puerto Rico.”

T+L’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for reader voting January 11 through May 10, 2021. Results of the Top Resorts in Puerto Rico survey were posted on www.travelandleisure.com on September 8, 2021.

For more information on all of the amenities at Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club, visit www.bahiabeachpuertorico.com.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas to Host Latin America Amateur Championship

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences – will host the 2022 Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) on its celebrated Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog layout, Jan. 20 – 23.

Teeth of the Dog – ranked No. 7 in GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” – is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean. The dramatic seaside layout showcases Dye’s design hallmarks: railroad ties, vast waste areas, peninsula greens and tees, hand-sculpted putting surfaces and a unique assortment of pot bunkers. The oceanfront holes are astoundingly beautiful, causing Dye to famously quip: “I created 11 holes and God created seven.”

Founded by the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the USGA, the LAAC was established to further develop amateur golf in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The championship moves annually to top courses throughout Latin America and showcases the game’s rising talent in the region. The 2022 tournament will mark the third time the event is contested on Teeth of the Dog having previously hosted the LAAC in 2016 and 2019.

The LAAC champion will receive an invitation to the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club as well as an exemption into The 150th Open at St. Andrews. The winner also receives full exemptions into The Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible as well as being exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. The runner(s)-up will be exempt into the final stages of qualifying for The 150th Open and the 122nd U.S. Open Championship.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the region’s top amateurs back to Casa de Campo for the Latin America Amateur Championship,” said Andres Pichardo Rosenberg, president of Casa de Campo. “Teeth of the Dog is a beautiful, challenging championship venue, and our team relishes the opportunity to continue our wonderful partnership with the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the USGA and also showcasing the ever-expanding golf talent in our region.”

Participants will have full use of Casa de Campo Golf Learning Center. Residing on 21 acres of “pure grass,” the PGA TOUR-quality facility is highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology. It features two indoor hitting bays for rapid game improvement, yearround training, individual and group golf lessons and schools, expert club-fitting and repair, and multiple practice greens for honing putting and short games as well as a pristine double-sided outdoor range for full shots.

In 2002, 27-hole Dye Fore joined Teeth of the Dog as Casa de Campo’s second course. Its three nines – Chavon, Marina and Lakes – are distinct. Chavon features seven holes running atop cliffs dropping 300 feet, Marina meanders down to a harbor ringed by restaurants and shops, and Lakes is artfully crafted across tumultuous terrain.

Located in the interior of the property is the resort’s third Dye layout, The Links. The moderately hilly track with tall Bahia grass framing bunkers and undulating greens presents spectacular Caribbean views. Slightly over 7,000 yards from the back tees and playing to a slope of 126, it is considered one of the most-forgiving courses Dye has designed and is ideal for players of all abilities.

For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas please call 800.877.3643, email golf@ccampo.com.do or visit: www.casadecampo.com.do/, facebook.com/casadecamporesort, instagram.com/casadecampodr, twitter.com/casadecampo.

The Club at Olde Cypress to Reopen Remastered Golf Course, Updated Clubhouse in November

NAPLES, FL – The Club at Olde Cypress, one of the most vibrant, active and welcoming private clubs in Southwest Fla., will reopen its remastered P.B. Dye-designed golf course and 34,000-square-foot updated clubhouse in November following a multi-million-dollar investment in the club by owner STOCK Development.

The expansive project entailed the resurfacing of all 18 greens, practice green and chipping area with TifEagle Bermuda; enlarging, leveling and re-grassing tee boxes with Bimini Bermuda; installation of a new subsurface drainage system for rapid expulsion of excess water and new high-performance, artificial turf stations on the driving range for use when the grass tees are closed. To complete the project, the course’s 98 bunkers will be refreshed with new edging, contouring and visually-stunning sand.

“Golf’s popularity has soared over the past 18 months and now our course is fully-updated and ready to accommodate our golf members, who are among the most avid players in the Naples market,” says Olde Cypress Director of Golf Joe Conforti. “Director of Golf Course Maintenance Brad Haynes and his team have been instrumental in restoring our outstanding P.B. Dye design to its original grandeur.”

Inside Olde Cypress’ clubhouse, Soco Interiors has transformed the golf shop, welcome area and offices with a contemporary palette of crisp whites, sophisticated grays and layered neutrals with accents of deep blue. The woodwork is painted a cool gray and blends perfectly with new silver and wood-accented pendant lighting and a modern sphere-shaped chandelier. Countertops are adorned with sleek Calacatta stone tops, and display areas for clothing and shoes create a neutral backdrop for displaying latest fashion trends.

“Our staff and vendor-partners have been amazing throughout this transformative project and we believe the members and prospective members are really going to love it,” says Olde Cypress General Manager Ken Lanigan. “We’re excited to unveil the changes this fall and feel like we’re well-positioned for future growth and prosperity.”

In addition to the golf shop, the clubhouse upstairs interiors have also been enhanced and refined. New artwork and accessories throughout mix colorful, contemporary pieces with unique textural elements. The dining and ballroom spaces have been modernized with new lighting and flooring. The library has a lighter look with painted wood architectural details that contrast vividly with the fresh white walls.

“The golf course remastering and clubhouse updates honor Olde Cypress’ legacy, while elevating the experience for members of this exclusive club,” says Brian Stock, CEO of STOCK Development. “The multimillion-dollar investment represents the club’s continued commitment to unparalleled service and member experiences.”

For more information visit www.oldecypress.com.

Puerto Rico Offers Tropical Island Golf Getaways Amid Ideal Weather

PUERTO RICO - Visit Puerto Rico this fall and winter to bask in tropical weather on exhilarating golf courses at vibrant hotels, amenity-rich resorts, and award-winning restaurants overlooking beautiful beaches.

While many of the Island’s 18 courses are near capital San Juan – home to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), air hub of the Caribbean – inspiration beckons throughout Puerto Rico, providing visitors with acclaimed playing options and scintillating after-golf options. From the only rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service, to beaches that have hosted world surfing championships, stunningly beautiful and amazing places greet visitors at every turn.

Home to several of the top-rated course designs in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Atlantic Islands (source: Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play), Puerto Rico’s golf resorts are spectacular, including: • Royal Isabela (18 holes) – Links Course perched on 150-foothigh cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean • El Conquistador Resort (18) – Iconic venue is home to rollicking Arthur Hills course design • Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (36) – East Course ranks as one of the world’s best • Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort (36) – Ocean, River courses diverse yet complementary • St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club (18) – Robert Trent Jones II authored a seaside masterpiece

• Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort (27) – three 9-hole layouts lie between ocean and mountains • Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Resort (36) – golf club on East Coast is an Island favorite • Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico (36) – Championship Course here hosts PGA TOUR event

Many golf packages at Puerto Rico resorts offer buffet breakfasts, complimentary drinks, and other enticements. For those who prefer to stay at a variety of places, there are many standalone golf courses on the Island that are conveniently located, including Rio Bayamon, El Legado, Punta Borinquen, Fort Buchanan, Deportivo del Oeste and Caguas Real.

For U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico is the most exotic and travel friendly destination in the Caribbean; the American territory is bilingual, uses U.S. currency, and requires no passport.

For more information about the Island, its attractions, and its travel guidelines, visit: DiscoverPuertoRico.com.

Troon-Affiliated Facilities Raising Awareness And Funds For Breast Cancer Throughout October

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - In an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention/screening exams and to raise funds for breast cancer research, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Troon®-affiliated facilities around the world. Throughout the month, Troon-affiliated golf properties will be flying pink checkered flags www.golfvacationsmag.com

on their 18th greens to help raise awareness about breast cancer and will have various fundraising events to support PLAY for P.I.N.K.®, a national charity funding breast cancer research.

To help raise funds for breast cancer research, participating courses will hold Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising events, including Par 3 Challenges, Play for P.I.N.K. golf tournaments and golf clinics, and designate Play for P.I.N.K. tee times in which a portion of the green fee will be donated to Play for P.I.N.K. PLAY for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) supports a nationwide network of volunteers who raise money for breast cancer research through sporting and lifestyle events to speed advances in prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship. Play for P.I.N.K. donates 100% of its proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Throughout the month of October, Troon-managed facilities will host golf clinics, virtual events, and fun playing opportunities. Examples of Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising events around the globe include: • Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, Calif. will have pink flags on select holes across the golf course, staff members will be wearing breast cancer awareness pins and guests can purchase $10 raffle tickets to win a free twosome at Monarch Beach with 100% of the raffle proceeds donated to Play for P.I.N.K. In addition, Monarch Beach will be hosting a social media contest on Hole 3 (Ocean hole) giving away a twosome to a lucky winner who posts from that hole with the pink flag in the photo and tagging @monarchbeachgolflinks and @playforpink. • Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa will be selling special pink Hawkeye golf flags for $30 each in the golf shop with 100% of the proceeds donated to Play for P.I.N.K. • Princeville Makai Golf Club in Kauai, Hawaii will be having Play for P.I.N.K. Golf Clinics on Wednesdays throughout October. Clinics will cover putting, chipping and putting, iron play, and driving, and will cost $30 per 45-minute session, with $5 from every participant donated to Play for P.I.N.K. • The Els Club Desaru Coast in Johor, Malaysia will have various charitable activities including RM5 (Malaysian ringgit) of every green fee paid will be donated to the cancer charity fund; 50% of tournament entry fees will be donated to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM); a charity box will be in the golf shop for golfers to donate; Breast Cancer Awareness Pink T-Shirts are available for sale at RM35 a piece, with RM5 donated to NSCM; dining specials include Pink Apple Pie and Pink smoothie for dessert at RM10++; and associates of the Els Club Desaru Coast will be wearing Pink Ribbons. • Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif. had a Play for P.I.N.K. golf tournament on September 28th and raised $13,000 for the cause.

To learn more about Troon’s Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising initiatives, visit www. troon.com. For more information on Play for P.I.N.K., visit www.playforpink.org.