Golf Vacations Magazine September 2017

OUR 16th YEAR!

THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots

GOLF VACATIONS SEPTEMBER 2017

THE RETREAT & LINKS AT SILVIES VALLEY RANCH GOLF’S NEWEST FRONTIER

www.golfvacationsmag.com Golf Vacations • September 2017 1 Plus: A TALE OF TWO CITIES: BOGATA AND CARTAGENA

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GOLF VACATIONS SEPTEMBER 2017

The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch, Senaca, OR

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Chip Shots

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The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch

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by David R. Holland Silvies Valley Ranch is rugged, dusty, hay rich, sagebrush covered and expansive. It is filled with wild critters and domesticated animals. It has towering Ponderosa pines, starry skies, trout-filled ponds and the Silvies River. It has chuck-wagon dining and a Lodge with gourmet meals. It even has a runway for private air traffic.

A Tale of Two Colombian Cities

by Rosanne Zinniger As one of the largest South American countries consisting of multi-climate regions, bio-diverse terrains, including RAMSAR declared wetlands, a host of UNESCO parks and reserves containing a large variety of wildlife, there is fantastic opportunity for spectacular golf courses flanked by those backdrops. First popularized in 2001 when local hero Camilo Villegas won the Colombian Open as an amateur, golf has become more popular in a country more accustomed to footballing exploits.

Sweet Stuff by Terry Ross

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS 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.

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.

Associate Editor Terry Ross

Features Editor Larry Feldman

Senior Writers Rosanne Zinniger is a photo journalist and U.S. Correspondent for Golf Vacations Magazine’s international edition. She is based in Southern California and travels the United States and Europe to report and photograph choice resorts, golf, spa, culture, and attractions that appeal to the upper-class readership. Roseanne worked for Titleist Golf USA, an international golf travel and events agency and traveled internationally as a business manager to a legendary performer prior to her journalism career. Her love of life, desire to experience new places, and her exuberant nature fuels her pursuit for creativity and new adventures. In 2016, Roseanne launched GolfVacationsforWomen.com geared to the needs of single women golf travelers.

JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling South Florida 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.

JD Latorre Andy Reistetter Fred Robledo

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

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portsMedia publications

President Jeffrey Diaz

455 NE 5th Avenue, Suite D-151 Delray Beach, Florida 33483 (760) 774-2655

and

Destiny Media, LLC 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 2017 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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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS News & Notes from Fairmont Golf Properties As summer draws to a close and the days begin their slow but steady turn towards milder temperatures, here’s what Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ warm-weather golf destinations have in store for autumn: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess The New Gold Standard: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess recently refreshed its 69 Fairmont Gold Junior Suites with new Southwest chic furnishings which give the rooms a modern feel with clean lines in a cream palette. Nestled in a secluded enclave of the resort, the rooms are popular with golf travelers as many overlook the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, host site of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, and offer private check-in, a dedicated concierge

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and an exclusive lounge serving breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres daily.

Play Like a Champion: The resort’s Championship Golf Packages, gives guests a chance to live out their PGA TOUR fantasies. The package includes overnight accommodations and one round of golf per adult guest, per paid night at TPC Scottsdale, home of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, or Grayhawk Golf Club, former host of the PGA TOUR’s Frys.com Open. Plus, Fairmont’s President’s Club Members receive complimentary one-day admission to Well & Being Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for two adults. The package is valid yearround and based on availability. Rates are based on season and subject to change. For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/ scottsdale/special-offers/hotel-offers.

Fairmont Mayakoba More Beach: Not only is Fairmont Mayakoba one of the host resorts of the PGA TOUR’s OHL Classic at Mayakoba, it also is home to one of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean, and that beach just got better. Through the implementation of a coastal rehabilitation project, the resort’s beach has nearly doubled in size, making it one of the largest beaches in the region.

To enhance its beauty and strengthen the coastal dune, the beach, which borders two holes on the famed El Camaleon Golf Course, has been reforested with 70 mature palm trees and more than 22,000 endemic tropical plants. From a guest perspective, the beach now has 60 percent more beach chairs available (approximately 320) and is adding more water sports and beach activities

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS to Fairmont Mayakoba’s entertainment program. The resort also will be enhancing its environmental programs, fortifying the coral reef and conducting turtle releases, as well as other educational experiences.

Play Ahead of the Pros: The PGA TOUR’s OHL Classic runs Nov. 6 to 12, but fans can get a taste of the action ahead of time with Fairmont Mayakoba’s Golf in Riviera Maya package. It includes accommodations and one round of golf per room, per night on the El Camaleon Golf Course. Rates start at just $345 USD per night, based upon availability and season.

Guests may also customize their visits by adding an all-inclusive meal plan, airport transfers and more when booking the package. For more information, visit www. fairmont.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya/ special-offers/hotel-offers

Fairmont Southampton Bermuda Shorts Weather Guarantee: It’s always “Bermuda-shorts weather” at Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda. In fact, they’re guaranteeing it. If the temperature doesn’t reach “Bermuda-shorts” weather from November to March (71F in Nov and Dec. & 63F in Jan through March) the guest’s hotel room is free that night.

Golf Around Bermuda: For a small island nation, Bermuda has a tremendous selection of golf courses, including some of the very best in North America. Fairmont Southampton’s Golf Around Bermuda Eagle package gives travelers access to all of these, including the famed Mid-Ocean Golf Club. The package can be tailored for stays of three to 10 nights, and includes accommodations, daily breakfast, and golf at Mid-Ocean, Turtle Hill and the guest’s Fairmont Southampton

choice of Port Royal, Tuckers Point and Belmont Hills. The number of rounds and the rate are dependent upon season and length of stay. Golf course access is based upon availability. To learn more visit www. fairmont.com/southampton-bermuda/ special-offers/hotel-offers Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Tee for Two: Fall is a great time to experience the warmth and charm of California’s spectacular Wine Country, and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is the perfect home base for exploring all this famed region has to offer. Not only does the elegant Spanish Mission-style inn feature one of the world’s top-rated spas, complete with natural thermal mineral springs, but it also provides guests exclusive access to Sonoma Golf Club. The resort’s Tee for Two golf package provides accommodations, breakfast for two each morning and one round of golf for two players at Sonoma Golf Club. Rates start at $669 per night, double occupancy. To learn more, visit www.fairmont.com/sonoma/special-offers/ hotel-offers Fairmont Grand Del Mar Canyon to Coast: San Diego is one of the most geographically diverse regions in North America. From coastal mountains topping more than 4,000 feet in elevation to stark deserts and the spectacular Pacific Coast, itself, few places can match the variety and natural beauty of San Diego. Because of this diversity, San Diego is also one of the nation’s top golf destinations, offering players nearly every setting and ever challenge imaginable.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar and its acclaimed Grand Golf Club have capitalized on this by partnering with Torrey Pines Golf Club to create Southern California’s premier golf vacation package.

The Canyon to Coast Package offers accommodations for two nights at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, TripAdvisor’s #1 Luxury Hotel in the United States and two rounds of golf – one at The Grand Golf Club and one on Torrey Pines’ famed South Course, host of the 2008 US Open as well as the upcoming 2021 US Open. Rates for the Canyon to Coast Package begin at $525 per night with a two-night minimum.

This includes accommodations at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, golf at The Grand Golf Club and access to tee times at Torrey Pines. Fairmont Grand Del Mar provides concierge booking service to guests at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Green fees for Torrey Pines are paid directly to Torrey Pines Golf Course and range from $140 to $186 per player. To learn more, visit www. fairmont.com/san-diego

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Lagardère Sports Becomes New Tournament Operator of the CareerBuilder Challenge

La Quinta, Calif. – Desert Classic Charities, the charitable entity that has operated the Coachella Valley’s PGA TOUR event since its inception in 1960, has reached an agreement with the PGA TOUR and Lagardère Sports for the global sports agency to manage all aspects of the CareerBuilder Challenge PGA TOUR event. The Board of Directors at Desert Classic Charities will continue to oversee the charitable donations made to local non-profits from the proceeds of the tournament.

The event will be managed by the Lagardère Sports Golf Events division, which has a successful track record of growing and adding value to professional golf tournaments. Along with this new role with the CareerBuilder Challenge, Lagardère Sports also manages the Safeway Open PGA TOUR event in Napa, Calif., and a series of Web.com Tour and charity golf tournaments. The agency has been successful at increasing charitable contributions for its tournaments, including generating $125 million for charity through its golf events over the past 28 years.

Lagardère Sports previously served as management consultant firm for the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge and brought 42-time PGA TOUR champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member Phil Mickelson on board as Tournament Ambassador. Mickelson will continue his role as Ambassador, and expand his involvement in the 2018 event. Jeff Sanders, Executive Vice President of Golf Events at Lagardère Sports, will be the new Executive Director of the CareerBuilder Challenge.

Sanders also serves as the Executive Director of the Safeway Open.

“We are honored to be named the management company for the CareerBuilder Challenge and look forward to taking an active role in the future of this iconic event by working together with the team at Desert Classic Charities and the PGA TOUR,” Sanders said. “As a former Bob Hope Desert Classic PGA TOUR participant, and resident of La Quinta, this is a dream come true for me. We look forward to implementing our golf entertainment model at PGA WEST, and enhancing the tournament experience for the fans, players, sponsors, and volunteers.”

The 2018 CareerBuilder Challenge will be played January 17-21 in La Quinta. A field of 156 amateurs and 156 PGA TOUR professionals will tee it up on three courses – the Stadium and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST, and La Quinta Country Club. Tickets to the tournament will be available in October. For more information, please visit www.CareerBuilderChallenge.com.

South Korea’s Whistling Rock CC

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Fallen oak at beau rivage to host vga national championship oct 8-11

PINEHURST, N.C. – For the second consecutive year, the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) will host its National Championship in Biloxi, Miss Oct. 8-11 at Fallen Oak, the Tom Fazio-designed championship course ordinarily reserved exclusively for guests of MGM Resort International’s renowned Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. The tournament features a field of regional winners that qualified over the course of the year for the opportunity to play for the title.

The 2017 VGA Tour included more than 200 tournaments at military, public and private courses, with more than 2,500 veteran golfers participating. Like the tour events, the VGA National Championship features three divisions of competition: Veteran, Combat Wounded and Family.

Within each division are four handicapped flights and an open handicap Women’s flight.

The championship tournament at Fallen Oak is expected to have the same emotional impact as last year’s event in Biloxi, once again putting the service, sacrifice and patriotism of its participants in the competitive, national spotlight. Wounded veterans and Purple Heart recipients will make up nearly half the field, and competitors will range from enlisted personnel to three-star generals.

“MGM Resorts International and Beau Rivage are very honored once again to host the VGA National Championship for military veterans who will travel here from all over the United States,” said Fallen Oak Director of Golf Rick Gehr. “For these players, this tour championship is more than a game or friendly match. Rather, it’s about the benefits they derive from the camaraderie and sportsmanship of competition, and we’re proud that our award-winning golf course and resort here in Biloxi continues to be their destination of choice.”

“The regional qualifiers provided an exciting run-up to the championship with numerous playoffs, narrowly eliminating some excellent golfers” said VGA President Joshua Peyton, a retired Army Captain and Army Ranger. “Just qualifying to play in this year’s championship at Fallen Oak is a significant accomplishment for our fellow veterans.”

Founded in 2014, the VGA is a national non-profit organization offering U.S. military veterans the opportunity to enjoy competition and community through golf. Membership is open to all U.S. veterans – wounded, nonwounded, disabled, active duty and retired – as well as to their families, including parents, siblings and dependents who are at least 18 years old.

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The VGA’s mission is to enhance the lives of veterans and their family members through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf.

The VGA also focuses on Post Traumatic Growth initiatives to help veterans and families cope with combat-related injuries.

Using golf as an alternative activity, these veterans can choose a more productive way to deal with the challenges that impact their everyday lives.

More information on the 2017 tour and championship event is available at www. vgachampionship.org

Whistling Rock Country Club Named No. 1 Course in South Korea Chuncheon, South Korea – Whistling Rock Country Club has been named the No. 1 course in South Korea by Golf Magazine Korea (also known as SEOUL ECONOMY Golf Magazine). Whistling Rock, a private club which opened in 2011, is located about one hour northeast of Seoul in the foothills of the Gangwon Provincial mountains.

Whistling Rock is known for its challenging, naturalistic design and rugged mountain environment. The 27-hole course, originally designed by architect Ted Robinson, Jr., was recently refined by Eric Iverson, Senior Associate with Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design of Traverse City, Michigan. Iverson’s work focused on softening the greens and finding more pin positions, but he also improved the overall playability and strategy of the course from tee to green.

The project was completed in April 2017 and 15 holes were modified. Six holes received significant alterations in the renovation, including changing hole 8 on the Temple course from a par 3 to a par 4 and hole 9 from a par 4 to a par 3, resulting in a more strategic short par 4 and a beautiful and challenging one-shot finishing hole. Other holes had fairways reshaped and widened, bunker positions changed, and fescue areas enlarged, all to enhance strategic play. Seven holes had greens reshaped, resulting in more pin positions, with some bunkers removed and new chipping areas introduced. Two holes received minor adjustments to tees and fairways, with all the changes designed to increase enjoyment and variety.

The composite of the Cocoon and Temple nine-hole layouts was recognized with the No. 1 distinction.

“Korea’s Top 10 Courses” recognition has been conducted every two years since 2003 by Seoul Economy Golf Magazine to inform the world of the courses in Korea and to present the standard by which golf courses in South Korea are evaluated. A panel of 55

professionals is comprised of golf industry, academia, course designers, and media. From February to May, evaluations by panelists are submitted and combined with public surveys. In 2017, 351 courses were eligible to be evaluated in nine different categories: shot value, fairness, sense of rhythm, course conditioning, aesthetics, safety, facility, staff hospitality, and ‘contribution to the golf industry.’ Panelists’ votes account for 90% of the total and the public vote for 10%.

For additional information about Whistling Rock Country Club, access the web site at www.whistlingrockcc.com.

Caledonia Golf Vacations Unveils Golftoberfest Stayand-Play Package Pawleys Island, S.C. – As the fall golf season approaches, group leaders that want to enjoy the game’s best combination of top 100 golf and value are flocking to the Golftoberfest package offered by Caledonia Golf Vacations.

The three-night four round deal features golf at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, a pair of Mike Strantz designs that are ranked among America’s top 100 public courses by Golf Magazine.

The deal, which includes accommodations at True Blue condos, allows golfers to enjoy the pair of premier courses in any combination they would like starting at $639. October is the heart of the Myrtle Beach area’s peak fall season when temperatures are ideal – the average high is 77 – and the South Carolina humidity has receded.

Caledonia, which is equal parts art and architecture, plays through a stunning piece of lowcountry land that was once home to a thriving rice plantation. The live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the marshy waters of the Waccamaw Neck, and Strantz’s architectural brilliance combined to make Caledonia one of America’s premier public golf experiences.

Golf Channel’s travel guru Matt Ginella wrote of the course, “I could never imagine a trip to Myrtle and not heading down to Pawleys Island to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.”

A round at True Blue, while completely different from a design perspective, is no less captivating. Everything about the 7,126-yard layout is big – the fairways, the greens and most of all, the fun.

Strantz used waste bunkers, which frame many of the course’s fairways, to craft a layout that is among the area’s most visually stunning.

For more information on Caledonia, True Blue and Caledonia Golf Vacations, go to www.FishClub.com.

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Troon International Releases New App and Website for Simpler Tee Time Booking

Troon International, the leader in upscale golf course management, has launched a new tee time booking app, which will ensure the company continues to set the benchmark for standards and service across its portfolio of venues.

The app will initially concentrate on offering opportunities to secure rounds at Troon International venues within the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and India, with plans to eventually encompass all 44 Troon International managed facilities across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

The app, titled ‘Troon International’, will allow the golfer a quick and easy method for booking tee times and will help grow the reputation of Troon’s service quality and impact within key markets, offering a simplified process and an instant comparison across the different venues the

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company has to offer.

Mark Chapleski, President Troon International, said: “We are extremely excited to release this new app, which will allow golfers in the UAE and beyond a simple and straightforward way to book their

tee times with us at one of our outstanding golf courses. Considerable thought has gone into this and we are very happy with the end result.

In addition to the app, Troon International has also launched a new website at international.troonteetimes.com which offers easy functionality and allows golfers to book multiple rounds at Troon International courses in one basket. In order to plan their golfing itineraries, website users are able to filter Troon International managed golf courses by course name, location, nearby hotels and book play and stay packages.

Each course includes a full description on the site, providing detailed information on the layout and local attractions that surround it, along with an extensive list of general amenities that each one offers, from the delivery of corporate events to the quality of practice facilities available.

Further courses from the Troon International portfolio will be added over time.

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Pinehurst To Open The Cradle, Its New 9-Hole Short Course

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. – Upon seeing the first golf course built in Pinehurst, founder James Walker Tufts was struck by how naturally the game fit into the landscape in front of him. “Golf experts and all those who cherish the hope of becoming such will find excellent opportunity to indulge in the game at Pinehurst,” Tufts remarked wistfully in 1898.

On September 30, nearly 120 years after golf arrived at Pinehurst, the historic resort will open The Cradle, a nine-hole short course that even the newest to the game can enjoy.

Designed by golf architect Gil Hanse, The Cradle, at 789 yards, features holes ranging from 56 to 127 yards. Mere steps from the Resort Clubhouse, it is the same area where, in 1898, Dr. Leroy Culver carved the first nine holes out of the sand at Pinehurst. Over the next century, Pinehurst came to be referred to as the Cradle of American Golf.

“Pinehurst’s place in golf goes back almost as far as the time the game was first introduced in America,” says Pinehurst Owner and CEO Bob Dedman Jr. “As we embark on the latest era at Pinehurst, it’s symbolic that our newest course sits on the same ground as the original first holes of golf at Pinehurst. We look forward to watching players of all ages and all abilities enjoy golf at The Cradle.”

Hanse’s design incorporates the native

sandscape and wiregrass common to the original courses of Pinehurst. With holes that meander along the rolling terrain, The Cradle’s greens subtly blend into the surrounding landscape and are protected by rough-hewn bunkers, all features that have long been hallmarks of Pinehurst golf.

“The beauty of golf at Pinehurst is that it is very natural, traditional and classic, especially architecturally,” says Hanse, whose restoration credits include projects at The Country Club, Los Angeles Country Club, Merion Golf Club and Oakland Hills Country Club as well as the original design work of The Olympic Golf Course in Brazil. “That Pinehurst character, we believe, permeates through The Cradle. These nine little golf holes are on a historic piece of land, and we feel like each hole has its own identity that fosters the creativity golfers have enjoyed here for more than a century.”

Greens fees for The Cradle are $50 this fall, and will vary seasonably. Kids 17 and under play free when accompanied by a paying adult, and resort guests may book tee times in advance. Public tee times are available 24 hours in advance. Tee times can be made by calling 1-800-ITS-GOLF. Bordering The Cradle will be Pinehurst’s expanded putting course Thistle Dhu, which surrounds the Putter Boy statue. At 75,000 square feet, the new Thistle Dhu is four times larger than the original putting course built in

2012, with rolling hills and sweeping valleys sure to delight golfers of all kinds. Thistle Dhu, which will open in early October, will be free to play.

The Cradle logo features the Golf Lad, an iconic figure featured in original advertising for the resort and most recently used in the logo for the U.S. Opens and U.S. Amateur Championships at Pinehurst. In the Cradle logo, the Lad is shown resting comfortably in the nook of the letter “C”.

“Like the Putter Boy, who now overlooks play on The Cradle, the Golf Lad has been a lasting symbol of the genuine joy and passion for golf at Pinehurst since the game arrived,” says Pinehurst President Tom Pashley. “We hope golfers will share those same feelings on a short course designed to be fun and challenging while at the same time inspiring others to take up the game we all love.”

The opening of The Cradle and expansion of Thistle Dhu are two elements of a multiyear plan Pinehurst unveiled in November 2016.

Following the successful opening of the Deuce, a new tavern overlooking the 18th hole of Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst announced it hired Hanse to build the short course and begin a redesign of Pinehurst No. 4. Hanse will break ground on the No. 4 redesign in October.

For more information and high-resolution images of The Cradle and its logo, please visit PinehurstMedia.com.

The Cradle at Pinehurst

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The Retreat & Links at

Silvies Ranch #12 Craddock #5 Hankins green

Golf’s Newest Frontier, Reversible Golf 14 Golf Vacations • September 2017

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t Silvies Valley Ranch

BY DAVID R. HOLLAND

S

ENECA, Ore. – Silvies Valley Ranch is rugged, dusty, hay rich, sagebrush covered and expansive. It is filled with wild critters and domesticated animals. It has towering Ponderosa pines, starry skies, trout-filled ponds and the Silvies River. It has chuck-wagon dining and a Lodge with gourmet meals. It even has a runway for private air traffic.

“Today the ranch is made up of 140,000 acres of deeded and leased National Forest and BLM lands in and surrounding Silvies Valley. Of the more than 60 square miles of deeded property, there are 6,000 acres of mountain meadows, 14,000 acres of Ponderosa pine forest, 20 miles of the Silvies River, over 20 named creeks and drainages, goats, cattle and horses, as well as a rapidly growing population of native wildlife,” said owner Dr. Scott Campbell, a born and bred Oregonian, veterinarian, entrepreneur, job creator, rancher, Scotch lover and visionary.

The Ranch is bigger than Singapore.

So what makes it ever better? Easy answer – a golf course, nope, scratch that. In this case a version of four golf experiences. The Hankins Course, Craddock Course, Chief Egan par-3 layout and the yet to be finished McVeigh Gauntlet, a seven-hole course that will perch greens on knobs or hills minus fairways.

But the main attraction gaining world-wide press is the second reversible 18-hole golf course in the USA. Architect Dan Hixson, author of awardwinning Wine Valley in Walla Walla, Washington, and Campbell, a nongolfer, decided on the reversible nature after discussions back in 2010.

Campbell wanted an Oregon designer, and he had two formidable choices – the other being David McLay-Kidd.

After a whirlwind of media visits this summer I asked the Silvies Valley Ranch golf-course architect what question he hasn’t heard yet about his “reversible” design.

“I think the discussion that has not happened concerns what is the future of reversible courses,” Hixson mused. “Here in the USA there’s only two – mine and Tom Doak’s – The Loop at Forest Dunes in Michigan. Most golf purists know that The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland can be played as a reverse course, but no one really knows if reversible courses are going to be a trend or not.”

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The benefits seem to be impressive. “First, you get two golf courses for the price of one,” Hixson said. “Second, you can have one crew maintain it instead of crews for two 18-hole courses. Third, environmentally, you only use 100 acres instead of 200. And, fourth, you have the opportunity to do something truly unique.”

So what are the challenges? Picture a typical golf course with bunkers that flash up or

present a low point and a high point going toward the green. Well, in a reversible course, you must envision bunkers that you can easily see and play from going both directions.

“I was fascinated by the bunkers in a reversible design – it just presented so many ways to be creative,” said Hixson. Bunkers on The Craddock, 7,035-yard, par-72, and Hankins Course, 7,075-yard, par-73, are played

“through the green” meaning you can ground your club and take practice swings that pass through the hard-packed native sand.

Also one distinct difference in Silvies and The Loop (opened in 2016) was the fact the Michigan course is on flat land. Hixson had elevation changes. So instead of a downhill hole becoming an uphill trudge going the opposite direction he decided to go with 27

Hankins 18, from behind the green. photo by Brian Oar

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Hideout Clubhouse at end of Craddock No. 18

greens instead of 18. That way he became more creative and able to skirt having too many uphill holes. The layout plays to nine shared greens and nine separate greens.

Both layouts are named for the original pioneers who homesteaded the land in the 1800s.

Another impressive amenity is that you are issued your own golf cart to navigate The Retreat. Most are “hunter” camouflage, but the staff and owners are mostly Oregon State Beaver fans or grads so if you show up wearing a Oregon Duck golf shirt you’ll get a pink golf cart.

“The Hideout”, a hilltop clubhouse, is powered by solar panels and features three garage doors that open to an outdoor patio overlooking the 18th hole of the Craddock 18. The nine-hole par-3 Chief Egan course is also in the panorama. The clubhouse also has food and drinks along with typical pro shop hats, shirts and logo items.

Lodging and Dining The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch is a 36-room resort with a conference center, full-service fitness center, pool and spa opening in summer 2018. Flexible guest room plans allow for customized configurations, creating social living spaces for groups large and small. The private retreat provides the ideal location for family reunions, buddy trips, and gatherings.

The centerpiece of the Hideout is an antique golf club piece of art that hangs from the highest point of the clubhouse. Tygh Campbell, an accomplished metal worker designed it along with the bunker rakes each with different golf sayings or phrases. He also heads up the Ranch’s haymaking business.

Adventures away from the golf courses

Who would not love the “log cabin” two-bedroom units with view of Otter Lake and pasture that was having night-time hay bailing activity under a full moon. The units have wifi, a bedroom at the entrance, then a living room complete with fireplace, TV viewing, and kitchen conveniences, and another bedroom at the far end. There’s also a hot tub on the deck and large picture windows to take in the ranch panorama.

As exciting as any roller coaster ride, Dr. Campbell and Colby Marshall took my group of journalists on a RA Polaris RZR Razor off-road terrain tour of Silvies Valley Ranch, showing us dips, swales, pastures, rugged hills, Ponderosa forests, an old homestead, and wetlands.

The bathroom had skylights, metal work everywhere with symbols of the old west, animals, and golfers (done by Tygh Campbell). The copper bathroom sinks and rain showers were perfect.

We walked among the South African Boer goats (tasty chevon we enjoyed at the Lodge), and made friends with the Border Collies and Great Pyrenees. The wildlife you can see includes antelope, bald eagle and the usual suspects of elk and deer are also abundant.

We also stopped off at the Pistolero Range and fired the Colt Peacemaker – the six-shooter that tamed the old west. But there’s also the Rifleman Range and the Sharpshooter Range, where you can experience long range buffalo hunter-style shooting.

Other activities include goat herding, biking, hiking, fishing at Otter Lake in front of the The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch.

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Other units aimed toward golf foursomes will be ready by fall. Eventually the ranch will offer 34 guestrooms with a real estate phase also planned.

As much as possible construction material has been recycled from the ranch lending a smaller carbon footprint.

Dining options at Silvies Valley Ranch include The Dining Room, The Gun Room, and The Porch at the Lodge, as well as The Hideout.

In-suite dining and outside catering are also available, as well as numerous Grizzly Ranch entertaining spaces for rustic, gourmet picnics and gatherings. Perhaps the most unique dining option is the full-service chuck wagon, available both day and night for special occasions. All on-site restaurants serve

Golf Vacations • September 2017 17

Don’t miss the centerpiece of the Hideout Clubhouse. Tygh Campbell created an antique golf club piece of art that hangs from the highest point of the clubhouse.

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western-inspired fare, including Silvies Valley Ranch Certified Organic “Heritage Naked Beef” and chevon (tasty goat).

How’s this for a dining experience – ranch-made sourdough bread, French mushroom bisque, smoked salmon cake, cucumber mint gazpacho, dill crème fraiche, citrus roasted chicken with grilled artichokes, nicoise olives, lemon jus, dijon chevon rib chops with apricot mostarda, browned butter cauliflower potato puree, garlic braised kale and Swiss chard and to end flourless chocolate cake. Are you kidding?

This is a 134-year-old ranch.

A Family Success Story This story could be endless. Dr. Campbell has extensive research of the ranch’s history dating back to 1883 and even ancient historical thoughts.

He gives homage to the Paiutes, U.S. Calvary, the early homesteaders and more recent ownerships that went bust.

Dr. Campbell, whose extended family dates back to 1863 in Oregon, bought roughly 140,000 acres in 2007 after cashing in his stock of the Banfield Pet Hospital, where, as company CEO, he oversaw growth to more than 700 clinics in several countries and many which are located in PetSmart stores.

Living room at The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch

And the entire family pitches in – mom Sandra heads up the goat herding operation, son Tygh does metal work and heads the haymaking and son Rand does anything and everything along with getting his law degree.

The operation also wants to be known for its eco or green stance in improving the environment. Four thousand bird and bat houses were hung to attract birds who will dine on insects and mosquitoes. Ponds were stocked with trout and stream improvements include 300 artificial beaver dams to restore waterways. River otters have returned and more than 600 miles of fences repaired.

The family has been busy as beavers (and once upon a time SVR’s acreage had 200,000 beavers before 1820s trappers came through).

If you are looking for an upscale boondocks escape this is it. It’s a threehour drive from airports in Redmond (near Bend) or Boise, Idaho. Take some advice from me and my driving companion. Fill up your rent car on the way to the ranch.

Whew, I’m tired just thinking of all the incredible work that went into this special place in the boondocks of no-cell tower eastern Oregon.

Tygh Campbell’s metal art is everywhere at The Retreat

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Golf Vacations • September 2017 19

A TALE OF T

by ROSANNE ZINNIGER

20 Golf Vacations โ ข September 2017

A visit to Bogotรก and Cartagena, two cities that c

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TWO CITIES

characterize Colombia

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Bogotรก, Colombia

Golf Vacations โ ข September 2017 21

A

s one of the largest South American countries consisting of multi-climate regions, biodiverse terrains, including RAMSAR declared wetlands, a host of UNESCO parks and reserves containing a large variety of wildlife, there is fantastic opportunity for spectacular golf courses flanked by those backdrops.

First popularized in 2001 when local hero Camilo Villegas won the Colombian Open as an amateur, golf has become more popular in a country more accustomed to footballing exploits.

Predominantly Spanish-speaking, Colombia’s prosperity is derived from tourism, manufacturing, textiles, and agri-business. And out of the lot, two popular regional cities - Bogotá and Cartagena, of the Central Andes and the Caribbean Coast respectively, stand out.

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CAPITAL CITY BOGOTÁ At first, Bogotá, which is also the District Capital City of Colombia, appears to be one of the busiest cities in South America and with a population of over 8 million, it can be hard to find a quiet spot in this high altitude city 8,675 feet above sea level.

Visitors should acclimatize themselves to the thin air before indulging in strenuous activities to avoid high altitude sickness and fainting spells so I spent some time resting at the luxurious J.W. Marriott hotel, located in the historic centre of the city and just some 20-minutes from the airport.

Later in the afternoon, I walk around and gradually become warmly acquainted with the ancient architecture of the houses, the buildings of the La Candelaria neighborhood nearby, the grid formation of stone streets, and museums with art depicting the struggles of yesteryear,

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especially the acclaimed Fernando Botero collection.

Known for the robust proportions of his characters, many of Botero’s paintings tell the story of colonisation by the Spaniards from AD 1538 to 1539. The Botero Museum, located next to the oldest museum in South America, the National Museum of 1823, also displays collections of paintings and sculptures by Pablo Picasso and other famous artists.

After visiting both, I decided that this is a good day to walk and from there, trekked to one of the oldest sanctuaries atop Monserrate Mountain. There is a funicular, or cable car as it is more commonly known, built in 1928 and installed in 1955, and I get in, taking in the glorious sights from up high, including the 17th Century Santuario de Monserrate and the pilgrims strolling in and out in search of miracles and healing.

Deciding I needed one, especially with the golf looming

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ahead, I walk in as well.

The surrounding grounds are adorned with many religious sculptures imported from Italy and a beautiful wooden sculpted piece called the Señor Caido (Fallen Lord) that overlooks the land below.

This is where most make a pit stop to enjoy lunch at the San Isidro Restaurant, housed in the Santa Clara House that is built in the 1900’s, and try the traditional Colombian appetiser, Aborrajado, a deep-fried plantain filled with cheese, washed down with a cup of some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.

Colombia’s top export, as I would discover, is coffee and there are few that would rival the variety at San Alberto Coffee estate. Located in the Armenia region, San Alberto’s five-step selection process involves picking cherry beans at their ripest, followed by a threshing process with another sifting before the final roast.

LEFT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Botero Sculpture; Bogotá streets of the historic area; Señor Caido (Fallen Lord).

RIGHT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Santuario de Monserrate; Meat Stuffed Empanadas; Chicharrón; San Alberto Coffee Expert brewing coffee.

Golf Vacations • September 2017 23

24 Golf Vacations • September 2017

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“

This is where most make a pit stop to enjoy lunch at the San Isidro Restaurant, housed in the Santa Clara House that is built in the 1900’s, and try the traditional Colombian appetiser, Aborrajado, a deep-fried plantain filled with cheese, washed down with a cup of some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted.”

San Alberto Coffee is available for purchase at their kiosk in the Gold Museum in Bogotá, where the largest collection of gold in the world resides, and the most affordable San Alberto Coffee can be imbibed.

From there, I feel about warmed up and ready for my first round of golf.

SAN ANDRÉS COUNTRY CLUB San Andrés Country Club is a private club on the outskirts of Bogotá, about 20 minutes to the community of Funza. One of the oldest 18-hole golf courses in the area, the 72-Par, 7,145 yard course was built on rich agricultural land in 1945 by architects Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones.

Since the golf club opening in 1947, the original course design has deviated slightly due to damage to trees and flooding from unpredictable weather.

Despite these challenges, the grounds are impeccably maintained by greenskeeper, Camilo.

While on a tour of the course, he said, “The land the course was built on was one of the largest producers of potatoes in the area. Our 67-year-old colonial clubhouse was established by the English and is the original building.”

One of Camilo’s favorite hole is the Par 3, 6th, stating that, “it is a beautiful hole with water to the front, and sneaky bunkers on the back side.”

But some of the most scenic holes are on the back nine, especially Hole 11, a Par 4 where the fairway runs along an irrigation canal that is home to beautiful water fowl and the blue-naped Chlorophonia, a brightly coloured blue, green, yellow bird local to the region.

ZIPAQUIRÁ, THE SALT TOWN A free afternoon is perfect for a countryside drive to the town of Zipaquirá. Visit the mystical and ancient salt mine located within the hills by descending more than 180 metres below the surface to the reverent Salt Cathedral.

The easy stroll downward will lead to centuries old mystical salt carvings, including a jaw-dropping majestic hand-carved 16-foot-high cross located behind the main altar of an underground Roman Catholic church. Venture through tunnels that lead to more salt filled caverns containing more crosses carved of salt and sculptures of Italian marble.

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LOS LAGARTOS GOLF CLUB Fully acclimatised to the climate and culture, Los Lagartos Golf Club in Cundinamarca is next.

This sprawling property that recently celebrated its 80th anniversary contains two 18-hole, par 72 golf courses, named David Gutierrez Course and oddly, Korea Course.

The championship Gutierrez layout was redesigned

by Scott Miller in 2012 and is considered the most scenic course in Bogotá. Rolling hills and changes in elevation challenges from the first to the 13th, with scenic views of beautiful flora, trickling creeks, waterfalls and duck-filled ponds along the way.

While there are many doglegs throughout this course, the par 5, 13th has a uniquely shaped fairway named the “Foot of the Duck”. Tee off to a narrow fairway that jogs left and right – the heel of the foot - and then straightens to the pin with trouble to the left and back.

Greens on this course are groomed fast and fairways are seeded with Kiku grass that grabs the ball when wet for even greater precision play.

CITY OF CARTAGENA From there, an hour and half flight takes me to Colombia’s northern city of Cartagena. Heat and humidity juxtaposes the high-altitude dryness and cold of Bogotá here along the coasts of Caribbean Sea. Known as Cartagena De Indias, the city was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia. There is a charm to this lively city contained by a 20-metre-thick limestone wall that stands as a reminder of pirate attacks and battles of centuries gone by.

While strolling through the Plaza Trinidad Getsemaní, I overhear a local tour guide explaining to a group of tourists, “The port, Castillo de San Felipe fortress, and group of monuments were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, and the Colombian government has deemed these sites, Cultural Heritage of the Nation status.”

Perhaps seeing that I am a lady, he directs me to the renovated 23-vault military barracks turned shopping area called the Las Bovedas. I happily lapped the stereotype in and weave through arch-lined rows and hearing shop owners follow shouting offers for souvenir arts, crafts and artisanal jewelery, stylish hats, colorful clothing and unique sculptures.

LEFT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Los Lagartos GC Hole 18 with view of the city in the background; San Andrés GC Hole 11 tee to right to avoid water to left; Cartagena at night; View of Cartagena beach; Salt Cross in front of open mine shaft; San Andrés GC Hole 6 Tee off over water.

Golf Vacations • September 2017 25

“

While there are many doglegs throughout this course, the par 5, 13th has a uniquely shaped fairway named the “Foot of the Duck”. Tee off to a narrow fairway that jogs left and right – the heel of the foot - and then straightens to the pin with trouble to the left and back.”

TPC Cartagena at Karibana a look back toward 12.

Retail therapy done, I scoot over to the world famous resto-bar franchise Café del Mar to catch an early sunset and enjoy their famous coconut lemonade, made fresh. Their eclectic beats rifts through the air while I take in the view of “Little Miami” and the Caribbean off in the distance from my vantage point atop the city wall.

Then as darkness sets in, the charm of a horse drawn carriage beckons to ride in a magical journey across the streets watching locals playing Zydeco music and vendors selling hot a traditional Colombian corn flour cake called “Arepas”.

Tourists and locals alike fill the plazas - some dancing to the music while others simply strolling along with contented smiles on their faces. But as soon as I draw near to my cosy boutique stay, the Movich Hotel, I decided to call it a night, knowing that more golf await the next day.

At night, I dream of strangers dancing along a never-ending street of reverie and wonder if I should ever wake up.

THE KARIBANA TPC CARTAGENA But I do, of course and gladly so as I discover one of the most exhilarating golf courses in the world here in Cartagena. The Karibana TPC Cartagena championship golf course is set next to the Caribbean Sea and is the first TPC property in South America.

Also on property is the new Hilton Conrad Hotel with luxury condos and a beach club.

Camilo Villegas and his brother Manny enjoy this Jack Nicklaus

26 Golf Vacations • September 2017

design and hosted the 2016 Karibana Skins Game, a first in Colombia, here.

“Colombia is a great country and I miss it a lot. It’s one thing to read about it, it’s another to visit. There is an energy here in Colombia that all should experience,” enthused the four-time PGA Tour winner.

The Skins Game on that Saturday of December 17 between Villegas, Angel Cabrera, Ernie Els, and Bogotá native Sebastian Juan Munoz. While it was a close battle, the host, perhaps due to his intuitive understanding of his home course, managed to edge out friend and rival Els in the end.

While on a brief tour of the golf course, I ask director of golf Juan Felipe Raigoza what makes this golf course so unique. He pointed to the variety on every hole: “The front nine are surrounded by a spectacular natural forest with six man-made lakes, and the back nine runs along sensational ocean front.”

While all these beautiful courses are limited to privileged few, foreign visitors are be able to get a teetime via a reputable tour agent who can also arrange for transportation. Jaime Enrique Acosta of Voyage Colombia Golf is one such operator.

“Why not golf one day, and take an excursion the next to a coffee bean plantation? We can even arrange for cooking lessons and additional tours to nearby regions,” offered the jovial Acosta, whose advise I duly concede to be well taken. www.colombia.co/en

www.procolombia.co/en

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Golf Vacations • September 2017 27

SWEETSTUFF Upstep

G

olf is a game played from the ground up. Most swing instructors will tell you that and stress the importance of footwork in initiating the swing.

But in addition, golf is a sport where walking and standing are just as important and starting with your feet, comfort and the correct posture can impact your body all the way to the top.

Correct shoe inserts are a key ingredient to this end, but virtually all golf shoes come with a “one size fits all” insert--and most of the after-market inserts that are available are not custom fitted to each foot and therefor lack all the ingredients to truly fit and correct any structural problems that an individual may have.

A new service called Upstep solves this problem with a true medical device—custom made orthotics— that are custom fitted with a mold and then designed by a top podiatrist. Upstep was founded by Israeli entrepreneurs who wanted to specialize in orthotics for sports enthusiasts and have concentrated on the golf market and what players of all levels want—better performance and more comfort.

Better yet, the service can be accessed on-line or at select retailers--and the costs are considerably below what custom orthotics usually run. Upstep was founded by Limor Katz, Aviad Raz, and Oren Raz, with an investment of $3 million. Delivery is quick and the service guarantees full customer satisfaction.

To expand its foothold in the golf industry in the United States, Upstep has appointed Oren Geri as its in-house golf expert. Geri is a former Israeli golf champion who is familiar to the American

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public thanks to his participation in two seasons of the reality show, The Big Break.

“As an innovative custom orthotics company operating in the United States, we saw early on that we were winning significant business volume from the golf community,” said Limor Katz, co-founder and marketing manager at Upstep. “To penetrate this market, our chief podiatrist, Phillip Wells, carried out comprehensive research that included feedback from players and coaches on the pro circuit. As a result, we gently inserted golf enhancing elements into our design, while maintaining the comfort and customization platform. Upstep’s golf enhancing elements help deal with common physical problems related to the swing, allowing players to feel more comfortable in their shoes, experience greater energy, and improve their game.”

The process the company has set up is simple. You can order on-line and answer some basic questions about your shoes and feet to help their staff in the design; a mold kit is sent out and it only takes a few seconds to get an impression that is shipped back to the company with a mold of your feet. Within 12 days the orthotics are sent back.

Not only do these well-made custom orthotics help with the overall experience of walking, hitting shots and bending, they also serve to help in maintaining balance and stability through the swing with their low profile yet carefully designed features that are custom made for every foot and facilitate better function.

For more information on Upstep: www.upstep.com

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SWEETSTUFF

by Terry Ross

Cobra F-Max

A

new driver built with plenty of performance features but designed for the average player has been introduced by Cobra Golf as the company continues to hit the market with innovative products this year.

The F-Max driver, designed for players with moderate clubhead speeds and to increase distance—does all of that in an attractive, easy to hit package.

Extremely lightweight with a 50-gram Cobra Superlight shaft (45-gram for women) and an overall lighter head, this is a club that many players will find is easier to hit than some of the products currently on the market. The sleek and comfortable look at setup is a plus and the overall lighter weight will produce higher swing speeds and more distance because of it. Excellent control for working the ball is possible, despite the many game improvement features of this club.

Although the stock shaft provides very stable performance and feel, Cobra also offers many custom shaft options for this club as well as an offset and straight hosel options. The Lamkin REL grips that come on the club makes it easier to swing for a large segment of players and have a nice soft feel.

Other features of the F-MAX include a forged titanium face for

more ball speed; a larger effective hitting area; internal weights near the heel for a less slices and a straighter, longer flight and a new alignment aid on the crown for more accurate set up. The offset hosel creates a higher trajectory with a draw bias to help players turn the ball over, and the forged Ti-6-4 titanium face insert delivers excellent ball speed.

“When it comes to the super game-improvement category, it can’t be overstated how important lightweight construction is to this category of player,” said Tom Olsavsky, Cobra’s vice president of research and development. “With the creation of F-MAX, we have focused on the concept that lighter means easier to hit, and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that even our components deliver superiority when it comes to reduced weight.”

The F-MAX comes in 9.5-degree, 10.5-degree, and 11.5-degree lofts for men and 15-degree for women.

For more information: www.cobragolf.com

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Golf Vacations • September 2017 29

SWEETSTUFF

Bridgestone Golf Ball Lineup

B

ridgestone Golf made a major splash at the beginning of the year by signing Tiger Woods to play its golf ball and endorse it worldwide. But even with the iconic Tiger sidelined with injuries, the company has enjoyed record sales and popularity with its golf ball lineup that is being used by many of the world’s top professionals.

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For the everyday player, Bridgestone goes the extra mile to make sure that they fit each player to the proper ball that it produces.

Earlier this year, Bridgestone introduced its proprietary BFIT golf ball fitting launch monitor app for smartphones, designed to help players quickly identify the Bridgestone ball best suited to their games. It is based on the company’s proprietary Ball Fitting system that uses data gathered to drive research and development.

This real-world understanding of players’ needs has been responsible for numerous technological breakthroughs.

“Innovation is part of everything we do, not only creating the best product, but how we market it to help customers realize the benefits inherent to our golf balls,” said Angel Ilagan, President and CEO of Bridgestone Golf. “While we’ve read many reports about golf’s decline, Bridgestone has proven that by focusing on innovation and the needs of consumers we are able to thrive and grow.”

Bridgestone is well-suited to offer an array of choices of ball features for players from the tour level to those that struggle to get out of triple digits. The company started making golf balls in 1935 and, as the world’s largest tire manufacturer, leverages its 900 rubber polymer science engineers worldwide to produce highperforming products. Customer swing and related data, captured through its popular, nationwide ball-fitting program, advises continuous advancement of ball technology.

All the golf balls that the company produces have the greater feel and spin characteristics that today’s players look for around the greens, but each model has its own formulation that addresses the needs of a segment of the golfing public and their tendencies.

For instance, the Extra Soft, built for higher handicappers,

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SWEETSTUFF

by Terry Ross

accents soft feel on all shots and long distance with a straighter ball flight. Extra Soft is the perfect ball for all-around performance.

Its two-piece design features a softer core that gets firmer from center to the perimeter to help produce higher balls speed and lower spin to maximize distance.

For the e6 Soft and e6 Speed, Bridgestone developed a ball for your average mid-handicapper using data gathered from more than 2 million in-person and online ball fitting sessions. The e6 series is the company’s most popular ball because testing proves it is 9 yards longer and 31% straighter than leading competitors. The new models improve upon this heritage and offer players the choice to select a feel that suits individual preference. The e6 SOFT provides wonderful feel throughout the bag, reduces driver spin for longer distance and optimizes launch with irons/wedges for superior stopping power. The e6 SPEED delivers explosive initial ball velocity for incredible straight distance. Both models feature new Delta Dimple Technology, minimizing air resistance to further enhance distance and accuracy.

The Tour B330, B330-S, Tour B330-RX and B330-RXS are designed for a variety of players and have varying characteristics that increase ball speed and feel. This fall, however, Bridgestone is supplanting these models with its new and improved TOUR

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B lineup, which are premium models and represent the most innovative offerings from the company yet.

The new series includes four models--TOUR B X, XS, RX and RXS-- provide increased feel, accuracy and distance over competitors. As with all Bridgestone models, the company utilized data from more than 3 million in-person and online ball fittings in the R&D process to determine how specific characteristics would benefit different players. In addition, they used white label surveys to gauge and fulfill exact needs of customers.

TOUR B X and XS are designed for low handicap golfers looking for exceptional feel. Compared to the B330 and B330-S predecessors, the X and XS provide more spin and greenside control due to softer urethane cover formulation, while increased distance comes from enhanced aerodynamics and improved 330 Dual Dimple design. The X is for those players looking for more accuracy off the tee while the XS provides extra length.

The RX and RXS are for mid-to-low handicappers, delivering explosive distance and optimized trajectory thanks to high repulsion construction and new 338 modified Dual Dimple design. The RX will help players hit more fairways while those looking for unmatched feel will gravitate toward the RXS. More information is available at: bridgestonegolf.com

Golf Vacations • September 2017 31

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32 Golf Vacations • September 2017

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34 Golf Vacations • September 2017

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