2022 GOLF RESORT
& DESTINATION MAGAZINE by tri-state golfer F E B R U A R Y 2022
More Than You Could Have Ever Dreamed Of Doing In One Vacation Stay
Award-winning dining, a booming craft beer scene, luxurious resorts, and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail await you in Alabama. Plus, with Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the mountain lakes to the Gulf Coast you can take it all in. DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM Philadelphia to Birmingham & Pensacola/Gulf Shores
www.GolfAlabama.org Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Birmingham
®
You’ve worked hard for these carefree days and now it’s time to enjoy them. A day at our continuing care retirement community in Newtown Square might include a session in the floral design studio, a book discussion group, a simulcast opera in our auditorium and a seasonal dinner—not to mention outdoor yoga with new-found friends. Plus, with Philadelphia only miles away, all of the city’s cultural resources are close at hand. There’s always something interesting to do at Dunwoody Village. Contact us today to find out more.
Limited number of newly renovated 1 Bedroom Apartments available Pet Friendly
CONVENIENT TO MAIN LINE GOLF COURSES!
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE • FEBRUARY 2022 8
Letter From The Publisher
The Golf Boom Of 2021
by tri-state golfer
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Village of Pinehurst Area of North Carolina GREEN GRASSHistoric ACCOUNTS JOE BURKHARDT
14 Nemacolin
Golf Wonders Never Cease More At Nemacolin
TALAMORE
ADVERTISING SALES (PA / NJ / DE / NATIONAL)
New Course at Talamore
Mid South Club
Tobacco Road
18 Tania Tare
More Is What You’ll Always Get “The Trick Shot Girl” JOE Where BURKHARDT More Hospitality Included 610.755.8767 tristategolf@gmail.com 20 Talamore & Applecross Talamore’s Family Of Clubs ART DIRECTOR #1 Public Golf Course in NC
Arnie’s Only Design in the Area
Access to 25+ Area Courses
Talamore’s Family of Clubs
GARO YEPREMIAN JR. GAROJRDESIGN.COM
STAFF WRITER
NATE OXMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Like Donald Ross, who spent roughly 30 years fine-tuning his work on MATT BIONDI Pinehurst No. 2, those at the helm of the Talamore Golf Resort less than five miles away in Southern Pines have spent the last three decades working tireMARK HOGAN lessly to make its all-encompassing acreage a pure oasis for golf vacationers of all sorts. MONICA MALPASS Its proof of success is in Golf Advisor’s annual Golfers’ Choice rankings of theMIKE best golf courses in the U.S. For Talamore Golf Resort, it was total MAY domination, highlighted by its position as the No. 1 public golf course in North Carolina. WAYNE MILLS To add icing on the cake, Mid South Club, Talamore’s sister course, was just voted the Best Public/Semi-Private Course in the Sandhills. Two TOM MCNICHOL #1 golf courses... both under the same umbrella...both at the center of Talamore’s golf vacation paradise. AL RYDING Nate Oxman, Staff Writer - Tri-State Golfer Magazine GARO YEPREMIAN JR.
SOCIAL MEDIA
MARC BURKHARDT STAFF TEACHER
BERTUS WESSELS
ACC - Hole 9
Variety is the very spice of life.”
“
Delivered to You Each Morning
TCC - Hole 18
Talamore’s BBQ Pavilion
Traditional Southern BBQ
- from the poem by William Cowper in 1785
22 Boyne Golf Special Feature More of Everything Ten Courses, Three Resorts, One Unforgettable Experience New
Members enjoy four Talamore owned Clubs with Talamore and Applecross in the Philadelphia area and the Talamore Golf Resort and Mid South Club in the venerable Pinehurst area of North Carolina. Add into the mix a special relationship with Club Corp whereby Talamore’s Philly area Members can enjoy special privileges close by at Hartefeld National, Cherry Valley, North Hills, French Creek and the Pyramid Club.
ACC GOLF CLUBHOUSE OPEN!
Talamore’s Members that travel are treated to a dizzying array of Private Clubs and resort options. From Firestone CC to Barton Creek as well as a slate of Clubs in the Pacific Links network (that includes many TPC Clubs) there are high end private Clubs throughout the country and around the world for Talamore Members to enjoy.
34 Talamore
Where More Is What You’ll Always Get
The collection of world class golf is matched by exceptional dining Talamore facilities at Golf Talamore and Applecross providing Villas Lodges at Mid South a variety of settings with perfect outdoor seating for golfers overlooking the 18th hole, Resort style service at the Pools, special family oriented dining areas, and modern day bars, mixed grills and fire pit patios.
The Palmer Cottage
Midland Road Masters Package
Signature Golf Package
Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022
Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022
And there’s more! State of the art amenities include fitness, tennis, basketball, indoor and outdoor pools, crossfit, yoga, pilates and even Zumba! A year round series of Social events tailored for every generation spans -the gamutper withperson Scarecrow making and Weekday $1046 Pumpkin painting, putt putt, T-Rex birdie ball, Brunch with Santa and high end Wine Weekend - $1204 perDinners. person
Weekday - $590 per person
Weekend - $715 per person 36 Course News 3 Nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath Talamore Golf Villa Daytona Beach’s Three Most Popular Golf Packages Driving Interest in 2022 Affiliate Clubs Play 1 round each at The New Course at Play 2 rounds at The New Course at Talamore
3 Nights a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 A traditional slate of Member golfing events including Member Guests,inMen’s and Ladies Golf Leagues, bath 9 and Dine and a Ryder Cup between Clubs finishes the active Member calendar. Mid South Lodge
Membership Inquiries:
Brian Peterson Talamore Country Club Membership Director 215.641.1300 ext. 127 brian.peterson@talamorefamily.com Steve Natalie Applecross Country Club Membership Director 484-692-1010 ext. 110 steve@applecrosscc.com
Talamore, The King’s Course at Mid South, Mid Pines & Pine Needles
and 1 round at The King’s Course at Mid South
*Package rate is based on quad occupancy and included ALL lodging fees, green fees, cart fees, and applicable taxes. Offers are subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers, and does not apply to existing bookings. Advance reservations are required. Daily breakfast delivered to your door and southern pig pickin’ are only offered seasonally.
37 Golf Travel Toll Free: (800) 552-6292 • www.TalamoreGolfResort.com One Guy’s Top Mecca Golf Holes – Selected From Michigan’s Gaylord Golf Mecca
Pyramid Club - Philadelphia, PA
Hartefeld National - Avondale, PA
Cherry Valley - Skillman, NJ
North Hills CC - Glenside, PA
38 Course News
Sweetgrass Named 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year
CONTRIBUTING ASSOCIATIONS
BIONDI MEDIA GOLF NEWS NETWORK KEVIN FRISCH PR LET’S GO GOLF TRAVEL NETWORK LPGA PGA OF AMERICA USGA
39 Golf Equipment
Honma Reports 40.7% Sales Increase in North America 41 Golf Travel
Innisbrook Resort – One Of Florida’s Best
tristategolfer.com
PO BOX 341 DREXEL HILL, PA 19026 Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or Golf Resort & Destination Magazine by Tri-State Golfer. The information in this issue was accurate at the time of publication. All should be confirmed with the golf facility before making tee times and reservations.
Mystic Rock at Nemacolin
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Golf Boom Of 2021
A
year ago, I wrote to you and reflected back on the crazy 2020 golf season, one in which 20 million rounds were washed away in the spring alone due to COVID-19. We can thank our non-golfing governor for that after he included golf courses in his shut down of non-essential businesses that lasted from March 19 through April 30, 2020.
He stated the following in early April during that shutdown after he gave trout fishing, but not golf, the green light.
“The idea (with trout season) was that, that’s something that people can do individually, unlike golf, where you actually have to go and pick up your cards, and maybe actually congregate with other people,” Wolf said at the time. Doesn’t that sound exactly like something a non-golfer would say? How many of you follow that rule? I would bet there’s not a single one of you who would turn down a round of golf simply because you couldn’t pick up a scorecard beforehand. That’s just silly. Thankfully, Wolf and company woke up, realized how safe golf was, and allowed the game to go through the boom that we all enjoyed so much! From June through October, 70 million rounds were played in the U.S. Thanks to a beautiful November in the northeast, 16.5 million of those came in the last month of the golf season for most of us up here in the tri-state area. Although we didn’t get the same summer-ish November in 2021 (rounds dipped about 16%), as of mid-January, the National Golf Foundation expected the number of rounds in all of last year to to increase by about 25 million from 2020. We like the sound of that! I also wrote to you last year about how golf equipment sales during the heart of our golf season (July through September) soared over $1 billion for the first time since Golf Datatech started recording this in 1997. A little more than two months ago, Co-Founder of Golf Datatech, John Krzynowek, projected golf equipment sales plus apparel sales to total around $5.6 billion. Included in that is a record $1.56 billion in the women’s golf market. How great is that? I wrote to you about how the pandemic wreaked havoc on golf resorts and urged you to take a golf trip (or two) in 2021. Hopefully, you did just that. In our last issue, I detailed our buddies’ trip down to the Pinehurst area–the home of American golf. It’s a fabulously-affordable golf destination with a great mix of classic courses designed by Donald Ross like Pinehurst No. 2, Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Pine Needles, which will host the U.S. Women’s Open this June, as well as modern marvels like Mid-South Club, The New Course at Talamore, and Tobacco Road. Be sure to consider it when planning your 2021 golf getaway. Last year, I wrote about how disappointed we all were when it was announced that two professional events right in our backyard: the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic down the shore at Seaview and the KPMG Women’s LPGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square would be held without spectators. It was tough to have to watch those events on T.V., but thankfully, we should have some opportunities to more than make up for it in 2022. After being held the last two years in October, the ShopRite will be played June 6-12. The pro-am and practice rounds offer free admission, children 17 and under get in for free all week, and weekly passes start at just $30. Back across the bridge during that same week, the Curtis Cup will give you a chance to get up close and personal, not only with the best female amateur players in the U.S. and Great Britain & Ireland, but with Merion Golf Club, ranked No. 6 in Golf Digest’s list of America’s Greatest Golf Courses. The competition, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for June 10-12. It will be the 42nd staging of the Curtis Cup matches. Coincidentally, the 42nd staging of the U.S. Senior Open will take place two weeks later (June 23-26) at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem. This will be the eighth USGA event held at Saucon Valley CC. Visit usga.org to purchase tickets, register to volunteer, or get more information about the championship. The spotlight will be on the greater Wilmington, Del. area August 16-21 when the BMW Championship comes to Wilmington Country Club. The tournament will be the first for the PGA Tour in the First State. All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. Visit bmwchampionship.com to purchase tickets or for more information. While Wilmington CC, which has hosted six USGA events of its own, is private, we encourage you to explore the exceptional Wilmington area golf courses that are open to the public. The original site of Wilmington Country Club is the home of Ed Oliver Golf Club, named after the professional golfer from the 40s and 50s who grew up caddying at the club. Rock Manor Golf Club dates back to 1921 and received a full makeover by Lester George about a decade ago. George’s work was recognized by the American Society of Golf Course Architects’ Design Excellence Recognition Program. And then there’s White Clay Creek Country Club adjacent to Delaware Park. Golf, plus horse racing, plus the casino, plus sports betting, plus plenty of dining options make for one heck of a day trip just a short drive down I-95.
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
Finally, we poked a little fun at Tom Brady in last year’s look-back after he shot a million in The Match that May. It’s safe to say in doing so we provided TB12 with some bulletin board material because all he did was go on to win his seventh Super Bowl title and his fifth Super Bowl MVP award in 2021, and then most recently dismantle our Eagles’ defense by going 29 of 37 for 271 yards and two touchdowns and posting a very Brady-like passer rating of 115.2 to begin another potential playoff run in 2022. But that’s what Tom Brady does, at least on the football field. After all, he lost again in The Match IV back in July. We hope what you’ll do this year is find as many ways as possible to enjoy this great game. Whether it’s a destination golf trip, tee times at local courses you’ve yet to see, spectating or volunteering at some of the aforementioned events, or all the above, we here at TSG hope the game is kind to you in ‘22. And I hope to see you in my travels. Safe travels,
JOE BURKHARDT Publisher, Golf Resort & Destination Magazine by Tri-State Golfer Magazine
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Please visit our new website for amazing imagery, www.baywoodgreens.com and please visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/baywoodgreens 2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
9
Kimberton Golf Club
Built In 1961 By Famous Golf Architect George Fazio– First Design, Par 70
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610 933 8836 162 Ridge Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 Present this ad to receive a free Coke & hot dog w/18-hole purchase!
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NEW
2022 Blacktop Golf Paths Throughout Golf Course!!!
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Book Your 2022 Golf Leagues And Outings Now! For more information, contact Jason at golflandiscreekgc@gmail.com
Visit Landis Creek GC – the One Stop Shop for Everything Golf, Entertainment, and Banquets. 610.495.6945 • LandisCreekGolfClub.com 765 North Lewis Road • Limerick, PA 19468
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
11
GILBERTSVILLE GOLF CLUB
GILBERTSVILLE GOLF CLUB
610 323 3222
golfgilbertsvillegc.com
2944 LUTHERAN RD, GILBERTSVILLE, PA 19525 12
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
Inniscrone is calling... BOOK YOUR NEXT TEE TIME ON-LINE AT INNISCRONEGOLFCLUB.COM
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Hole #11, Par 3
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
13
COVER STORY
Wonders Never Cease At
5th Hole at Shepherd’s Rock
By Joe Burkhardt, Publisher
N
emacolin, in the picturesque Laurel Highlands about one hour southeast of Pittsburgh, is the kind of resort destination that reminds you why you travel in the first place: to escape the everyday and immerse yourself in experiences that are unlike anything you’d find back home. This larger-than-life resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains is home to Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock, two imaginative championship courses designed by the legendary Pete Dye that take full advantage of the area’s vast,
14
rugged topography, lush terrain and majestic sweeping vistas. Just down the road from architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s acclaimed masterpiece Fallingwater and Fort Necessity National Battlefield (site of the opening action of the French and Indian War in 1754), Nemacolin is making its own distinctive brand of history in those nature-rich Laurel Highlands. Owned by the visionar y Hardy family who founded and operate 84 Lumber, Nemacolin takes the concept of “having it all” and elevates it to having more than you could have ever dreamed
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
of doing in one vacation stay. Nemacolin has amenities and attractions to indulge every taste and most every whimsy, including a diverse and internationally acclaimed art collection, The Cigar Bar, The Tea Room, general store, Michelin-caliber dining at Lautrec, the superb and satisfying Rockwell’s steakhouse, Italian (at the family-style Barattolo) and luxe seafood (the chic Aqueous) restaurants, luxury shopping boutiques, a cozy tavern and even a 1950s-style ice cream parlor. Beyond golf, outdoor adventurers can
Falling Rock Hotel’s infinity pool
Dining at Lautrec
enjoy The Nemacolin Field Club; Wildlife Adventures that features everything from safari tours to dog sledding; The Peak adventure center (complete with zip lines and climbing wall, paintball field and cosmic bowling); and Jeep Off-Road Driving Academy, fly fishing as well as antique auto and aircraft collections. You’ll find artwork and sculptures at almost every turn at Nemacolin. It’s a feast for the senses that somehow fits seamlessly along with the 2,000-acre resort’s breathtaking natural surroundings. Nemacolin offers guests 318 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, suites, townhouses and private upscale homes, including Falling Rock, a AAA Five Diamond boutique hotel with rooms overlooking the Mystic Rock course. The first sight that captivates your attention once you enter the resort property is The Chateau, a stunning, palatial structure inspired by The Ritz Paris. It’s fun to roam its hallways and enjoy the art, shopping and numerous places to sit and enjoy the setting. The Lodge, a classic English Tudor-style hotel and townhomes and luxury vacation homes are also available, giving Nemacolin one of the most versatile overnight accommodation offerings in the region. I came to Nemacolin for the golf I’d
heard so much about and now I’m the one telling everyone about my experiences on Mystic Rock, Shepherd’s Rock and all the state-of-the-art toys inside The Nemacolin Golf Academy. The all-season entertainment and game improvement space is a great place to play and learn on TrackMan or get a lesson or custom fitting from director of instruction Mike LaBella and his team. Teeing it up at Nemacolin means being ready to tackle the crafty Pete Dye and walk in the footsteps of the PGA Tour players
TrackMan at Nemacolin Golf Academy
who competed in the 84 Lumber Classic from 2003 to 2006, including champions like Vijay Singh Open Championship winner Ben Curtis. Mystic Rock is a sterling example of a more subtle and cerebral side of Dye. He lets the rolling land dictate the routing and shot values here with ample landing areas, walkability and serene sight lines. There are very few daunting forced carries, but endless risk-reward scenarios and plenty of ways to make the round more complicated than it needs to be. Positioning off the tee and hitting to the correct parts of the green comes into play routinely as Dye plays with angles, misdirection, false fronts and greens that run off the sides or back if you mis-club. There’s a great mix of short par 4s like the first hole, the sneaky-long, uphill fourth - which is one of the few holes that asks for a tee shot to carry water – and more humbling long holes like the daunting 476-yard ninth with water left off the tee and a narrow, sloping green. You can gain momentum early in the round with manageable par 5s at the fifth and eighth holes and a wedge-shot par 3 at number seven, but the geometry Dye throws at you on holes like nine, the winding, 439-yard par-4 10th and the long,
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
15
COVER STORY
dogleg-right uphill par-five 11th. After a satisfying stretch of par fours at 13, 14 and 15. Nemacolin closes with a fun riskreward par 5, a long, challenging par 3, with water lurking left, and uphill par 4 that demands solid strikes and respect of the angles of play. Mystic belongs in the conversation with some of Dye’s best work. At Shepherd’s Rock, the mischievous side of Pete Dye and his associate Tim Liddy come out to play. You’ll find yourself playing shots 40 feet from the hole to allow Dye’s slopes to (hopefully) do their work and you’ll come to respect false fronts that can send even well struck shots that look pin high back down the front edge of the green and toward the man who hit it. What you probably won’t figure out on the first try is the wildly sloping greens or the ideal angles into those greens. Our group saw putts roll 15 feet by the hole and on to the fringe, down the wrong side of slopes and farther from the hole than they began and, most often, sliding past the hole due to sneaky-swift speed. That said, there’s a great collection of beautiful holes that rise up hills and plunge down valleys. The crafty and postcardworthy 11th is one of the handsomest holes on the property while views from
fifth, seventh, 16th and 17th holes are extraordinary places to enjoy the nature around you. The 18th hole is a terrific and memorable par 4 that demands a strong drive that is safe from ponds and marshes right and trees left. The waterfalls and majestic setting near the green will inspire you to return for another challenge. The resort’s entertainment and adventure offerings are so creative, you can’t help but feel the Hardy family’s personal touches all over the grounds. It’s like they’ve invited you to hang out at their estate and let your hair down for as long as you like. Set in an area steeped in rich American, architectural and agricultural history, Nemacolin is carving out its own distinctive legacy in the nature-rich Laurel Highlands. GRD
9th Hole at Shepherd’s Rock
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
To learn more about this one-of-a-kind destination, visit NEMACOLIN.COM or call 855 595 4837
Perfect Your Game Play the game of your dreams at Nemacolin’s two award-winning, Pete Dye-designed courses, and perfect your swing with custom club fittings, multi-day camps, and more at The Nemacolin Golf Academy. Swing big and save big with our Stay & Play package, and make the most of your time on the course
nemacolin.com
855.595.4837
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
17
SPOTLIGHT
T
he Trick Shot girl. A Kiwi with a twist. Call her what you want, but this New Zealander is flipping and bouncing her way through the golf world. 32-year-old phenom Tania Tare has multi-year contracts with Adidas, PING, Mercedes, OnCore, 2nd Swing, TROON and Audemars Piguet. ESPN & SportsCenter post her trickshot videos. She’s been on Tosh.0, the James Corden Show, and Mario Lopez. She’s done a commercial for Honda. Sounds too good to be true. But it wouldn’t have happened if not for a freak accident that left her arm dangling by a tendon. SHATTERED GLASS, SHATTERED DREAMS
Tania
TARE
“The Trick Shot Girl” By Monica Malpass, Contributing Writer
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
She was just 11. Tennis, not golf, was her first game. “I first picked up a tennis racket when I was 1 1/2 years old. My whole family played tennis,” Tare explains. She had natural talent and determination. By 10 years old she had won several club championships and a national title in New Zealand. She dreamed of going pro. But fate intervened. Tare and her brother were horseplaying at home when she fell against a closed window, shattering it and severely slicing her left arm. Surgeons at Children’s Hospital of Auckland said her arm needed amputating. “I went under thinking I’d wake up with one arm. It was the first time I ever saw my mom cry,” Tare says. She woke up post-surgery in a haze and instinctively reached over to feel her amputated nub. “I couldn’t believe it! I still had a left arm. My mom had pleaded with the doctor and somehow they had saved it!” Tare says. But her left hand was frozen open like a claw. Still she didn’t give up on tennis. As a right-handed player, her swing remained strong. She did two years of therapy to rebuild her left hand. It was better, but not perfect. The determined 13-year-old signed up for a tennis tournament. But it took seven tosses per serve to get the ball up. She laid down her racket. It was over. Tare was crushed. She stepped away from sports for a full year. “My mom told me not to dwell on the past but to ‘Enjoy the Now. You’ll figure out a new life,’” Tania recalls.
GOING TO AMERICA
HOW ABOUT GOLF?
Then one day, her half-siblings’ dad talked her into hitting golf balls. He had bought her clubs years before but she thought it was a sport for older men. The only thing that had piqued her interest was Tiger Woods’ Nike ad doing a trick shot. “It was the first time I looked at golf and said, ‘well that’s cool.’” The 14-year-old had a natural swing. A coach in the next bay saw her potential and offered to teach her twice a week for free. She signed up. “I became obsessed! Four months later I played my first round of golf and shot 106. Then I’d set other goals. I’d break 90, 85, 80. I got down to a single handicap in 6 months,” Tare says. By age 15 she was a scratch golfer. At 16 she won her first amateur tournament. “I didn’t realize how fast that was,” she says. “I guess I didn’t get into bad habits, and I had strong muscles.” Her high school didn’t have a golf team, so Tare played on her own. By age 19, she was given an exemption and invited to play in the New Zealand Women’s Open. It’s her favorite golf memory. “My first tee shot at the New Zealand LPGA event…that was really exciting for me! I missed the cut but that was still a big one!” Tare says. She’s also competed twice against Lydia Ko, 12 years old at the time, in the New Zealand Amateur and the North Harbour Amateur. Tare won one, Ko won one. She was named The 2008 Auckland Golfer of the Year and ranked the secondbest women’s golfer in New Zealand. Those accolades led to scholarship offers to play college golf. Tare ultimately chose Florida International University, a Division I school in Miami.
Although Tare was ranked #1 on the FIU golf team thanks to routinely practicing 40 hours a week, she had mixed results. The pressure took a toll on her body and mind. “I need a relaxed mindset, I need to have fun,” Tare says, looking back, “Now I know your golf swing doesn’t have to look a certain way… as long as you [are able to] put a score in.” Then she broke her wrist from overusage during a tournament as a sophomore. After graduation, Tare played several tournaments in 2017 and 2018, winning on the Cactus Tour in Arizona. She had several other top-4 and top-5 finishes. But she was dogged by more injuries, requiring a second and third wrist surgery.
JOKING AROUND
Before her third surgery, Tare started joking around by doing golf tricks on video to send to her family in New Zealand. “They always thought golf was so lame,” Tare says. “But they liked watching my tricks.” A friend posted one. Then Tare set up her first social media page. Her videos went viral. Overnight she got inundated by golf sites, TV shows and interviews asking for more. She was dubbed “The Trick Shot Girl.” “I couldn’t believe it! OK, I guess I’m her,” Tare admits. Traditionally, trick shots had been dominated by guys, but Tare was breaking that mold. She started inventing new tricks, often putting in 20 hours in order to perfect a trick. Golf became fun again.
TRICKS AND DREAMS
Today, Tare lives in the U.S. and has a repertoire of tricks. There’s the Club Flip (her favorite), the Flip Cup 2.0 and 3.0, the Bounce & Hit Mid-air. And don’t forget the impressive Neck Stall, just to name a few. Now Taria does up to 15 paid events per month, both nationally and internationally. She had to hire an agent just to keep up. She has taped trick shots at Times Square and Niagara Falls. She has traveled to Switzerland and Japan. She’s done a snowboarding trick shot with her friend Possum Torr. Tare’s social media following is 315,000 and counting. She’s had 20 million views on Facebook. Alex Rodriguez and Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban complimented her. The respect is mutual. “They’re high on my list,” she says. Tare is still a scratch golfer who dreams of reaching the LPGA Tour. “Ideally, I’d like to be a professional golfer who does trick shots, rather than the other way around.” But she’s also realistic. “I think with eight years of dealing with my wrist problems, the dream is harder. I’d need to heal my wrists to make it on the tour,” she says. She actually needs a fourth wrist surgery now, but so far has resisted. STAYING POSITIVE AND GRATEFUL
Amazingly, she’s not bitter. “There’s always, like a slight silver lining in a lot of bad stuff. I probably would credit a lot of my success to having been injured,” Tare says. So despite it all, what has golf meant to her? Everything. “Basically every opportunity I’ve had, every job, every reason for why I’ve been able to do a lot of the great things, is somehow connected to someone I met playing golf.” And she’s thrilled to think people are taking up the sport because of her trick shots. “It’s exciting for me that someone can watch my videos and get inspired!” GRD 2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
19
Talamore’s ACC - Hole 9
Variety is the very spice of life.”
“
- from the poem by William Cowper in 1785
Members enjoy four Talamore owned Clubs with Talamore and Applecross in the Philadelphia area and the Talamore Golf Resort and Mid South Club in the venerable Pinehurst area of North Carolina. Add into the mix a special relationship with Club Corp whereby Talamore’s Philly area Members can enjoy special privileges close by at Hartefeld National, Cherry Valley, North Hills, French Creek and the Pyramid Club.
New
ACC GOLF CLUBHOUSE OPEN!
Talamore’s Members that travel are treated to a dizzying array of Private Clubs and resort options. From Firestone CC to Barton Creek as well as a slate of Clubs in the Pacific Links network (that includes many TPC Clubs) there are high end private Clubs throughout the country and around the world for Talamore Members to enjoy. The collection of world class golf is matched by exceptional dining facilities at Talamore and Applecross providing a variety of settings with perfect outdoor seating for golfers overlooking the 18th hole, Resort style service at the Pools, special family oriented dining areas, and modern day bars, mixed grills and fire pit patios. And there’s more! State of the art amenities include fitness, tennis, basketball, indoor and outdoor pools, crossfit, yoga, pilates and even Zumba! A year round series of Social events tailored for every generation spans the gamut with Scarecrow making and Pumpkin painting, putt putt, T-Rex birdie ball, Brunch with Santa and high end Wine Dinners. A traditional slate of Member golfing events including Member Guests, Men’s and Ladies Golf Leagues, 9 and Dine and a Ryder Cup between Clubs finishes the active Member calendar.
Membership Inquiries: Brian Peterson Talamore Country Club Membership Director 215.641.1300 ext. 127 brian.peterson@talamorefamily.com Steve Natalie Applecross Country Club Membership Director 484-692-1010 ext. 110 steve@applecrosscc.com
Family of Clubs TCC - Hole 18
Affiliate Clubs Pyramid Club - Philadelphia, PA
Hartefeld National - Avondale, PA
Cherry Valley - Skillman, NJ
North Hills CC - Glenside, PA
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
Ten Courses, Three Resorts, One Unforgettable Experience BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP HERE!
P
ondering the natural scenic splendor of northern Michigan and how to describe it adequately, I’m reminded of a standout line from an early season of Mad Men: “You have everything… and so much of it.” From mile after mile of humblingly beautiful Lake Michigan coastline to towering sand dunes, from idyllic small towns to deep hardwood forests, from vast serene lakes and meandering rivers to breathtaking elevations and long summer days, northern Michigan is as uncannily pure as they say and as enchanting as any golf destination in the country. With 10 acclaimed golf courses sprawling across three separate and distinctive resort properties and an abundance of packages to accommodate a broad array of itineraries, the folks at BOYNE Golf have been curating their destination in northern Michigan for more than 50 years. You can’t go wrong putting your next golf trip in their hands and getting there has never been easier. INN AT BAY HARBOR Once you lay eyes on the red-roofed Victorian-style Inn at Bay Harbor near Petoskey, the adjacent yacht club and the beaming shoreline it sits next to, you start to get what those who dubbed the property “The Pebble Beach of the Midwest” were fussing about. The Inn at Bay Harbor is a Marriot Autograph Resort and features 116 guest rooms and suites and 35 two- and three-bedroom cottages at the Lakeside Cottages and Cottages at Crooked Tree. All provide views of the area’s famous milliondollar sunsets. BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB The club offers 27 dazzling holes designed by Arthur Hills that are played in three 18hole combinations (Links/Quarry, Quarry/ Preserve and Preserve/Links). With its thrilling views and excellent shot values, Bay Harbor’s Links/Quarry routing has been a staple on Golf Digest’s biannual list
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The Links nine is full of memorable holes, with the reachable 490-yard, par-5 seventh providing big-time thrills and a shot at glory if you hit a big drive into a narrow landing area. The Quarry nine is full of fantastic holes, including the eighth and ninth holes. They play into and along the gorgeous lakeside setting and offer one of the most picturesque finishes in the country. While more understated in its routing, The Preserve nine plays up to the lofty standards of The Links and Quarry. It winds extensively through the hardwoods, a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan for much of the nine. A very short drive away, scenic 18-hole Crooked Tree Golf Club delivers stellar panoramic views and an underrated stretch of quality, finely maintained golf holes. THE HIGHLANDS RESORT Resembling a Scottish country estate with its deep wood accents, tartan plaids and massive fireplaces, The Highlands is a cozy escape just 15 miles north of Bay Harbor. It is home to BOYNE Golf ’s first golf course and offers a multi-course template many resorts have replicated. With four different courses, The Highlands is perfectly suited for golf buddies’ trips. The timeless parkland allure of The Heather (the original BOYNE Golf course by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966) and the natural beauty of the Arthur Hills course, which features a 10 story drop from the tee at the par-5 13th, stand tall as must-plays on a visit to northern Michigan. In 2019 The Heather was named the National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Course of the Year. The Donald Ross Memorial is an extremely well-executed tribute course comprised of holes inspired by famous Ross designs that have hosted three Ryder Cups, eight U.S. Amateurs, 11 PGA Championships and 14 U.S. Opens. The Moor course has recently undergone subtle but significant updates to improve approach angles and
allow for additional shot selection choices around the greens. BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT Just south of Petoskey Boyne’s southernmost resort, Boyne Mountain Resort offers the walkable and fun allure of a European alpine village. The 4,500-acre property includes a variety of accommodations and two outstanding courses that offer tremendous views of nearby Deer Lake. The Monument and The Alpine both zigzag through tree-lined hills before winding down to tamer, rolling terrain. Both courses begin with a scenic 10-minute cart ride up a ski hill to their respective first tees. BOYNE GOLF BOYNE Golf meets all of the requirements for our great golf vacation and was recognized by FORBES.com as one of the Best Golf Resorts in America, along with Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straights, Kapalua, and Pinehurst. Several scenic Lake Michigan beach towns are close by, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed to round out the total experience. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, local wineries and breweries, waterfront dining, and so much more in the nearby towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City. GETTING THERE Golfers looking to fly into northern Michigan can access Traverse City (TVC) via Delta, United or American, and Allegiant with direct service to 17 major U.S. cities. Private planes can also land directly at Boyne Mountain’s 6000’ private airstrip. For more information on BOYNE Golf, and to plan your summer golf adventure, visit BOYNEgolf.com 855.998.9366 CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB Links/Quarry Closely following the shoreline, The Links is meant to evoke the feeling of a Scottish style course and highlight the magnificence of Lake Michigan. While the ruggedness of an existing quarry was preserved to give The Quarry a rough, industrial edge designed to finish in a dramatic style. Pictured: Hole #7
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB Quarry/Preserve The ruggedness of an existing quarry was preserved to give the Quarry a rough, industrial edge designed to finish in a dramatic style. On the back nine, The Preserve showcases the thrill of nature, as if you were golfing through an actual nature preserve. Pictured: Hole #8
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GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || 2022 2022
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB Preserve/Links The Preserve showcases northern Michigan at its finest. Designed to allow golfers to experience the thrill of nature. Golfers will then closely follow the shoreline on The Links, which is meant to evoke the feeling of a Scottish style course and highlight the magnificence of Lake Michigan. Pictured: Hole #3
2022 2022 || GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
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BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
THE HIGHLANDS The Heather Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1966, The Heather was the first BOYNE golf course and its challenge is absolutely timeless. The course is widely considered to be one of the finest championship courses in the nation. Pictured: Hole #6
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GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || 2022 2022
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
THE HIGHLANDS Arthur Hills The Arthur Hills course bears all the markings of the master designer. This deceptively challenging course provides sufficient variety and complexity to test even the most experienced golfer. Pictured: Hole #5
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BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
THE HIGHLANDS Donald Ross Memorial The Donald Ross Memorial is a “greatest hits” compilation, selecting from some of the designer’s best-known holes from the most renowned courses in his portfolio to create an unforgettable golf course. Pictured: Hole #8
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GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || 2022 2022
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
THE HIGHLANDS The Moor The Moor course at The Highlands serves as a favorite for those looking for a true test of game, and is regarded by many as the most challenging among BOYNE’s ten golf courses. Pictured: Hole #10
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BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
BOYNE MOUNTAIN The Alpine With its spectacular mountainside setting and panoramic views toward Deer Lake, The Alpine’s setting is every bit as breathtaking as its legendary design. Pictured: Hole #15
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GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || 2022 2022
BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
BOYNE MOUNTAIN The Monument Designed with nods to the distinct design philosophies of a “who’s who” list of legendary golf course architects, The Monument course never stops surprising players of all levels. Pictured: Hole #11
2022 2022 || GOLF GOLF RESORT RESORT & & DESTINATION DESTINATION MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
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BOYNE SPECIAL FEATURE
CROOKED TREE GOLF CLUB Arthur Hills and his team of golf course architects recently completed a range of developments to Crooked Tree Golf Club’s finishing holes, enhancing the charm and playability of an already amazing course. Pictured: Hole #9
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YOUR LOVE AFFAIR
WITH
GOLF DESERVES THE PERFECT SETTING With 10 magnificent courses, and non-stop flights to TVC from 17 popular destinations, why wait? Lock in your 2022 golf plans today. Go to BOYNEGolf.com or call 855-998-9366 2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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Historic Village of Pinehurst Area of North Carolina
TALAMORE Where More Is What You’ll Always Get
Like Donald Ross, who spent roughly 30 years fine-tuning his work on Pinehurst No. 2, those at the helm of the Talamore Golf Resort less than five miles away in Southern Pines have spent the last three decades working tirelessly to make its all-encompassing acreage a pure oasis for golf vacationers of all sorts. Its proof of success is in Golf Advisor’s annual Golfers’ Choice rankings of the best golf courses in the U.S. For Talamore Golf Resort, it was total domination, highlighted by its position as the No. 1 public golf course in North Carolina. To add icing on the cake, Mid South Club, Talamore’s sister course, was just voted the Best Public/Semi-Private Course in the Sandhills. Two #1 golf courses... both under the same umbrella...both at the center of Talamore’s golf vacation paradise. Nate Oxman, Staff Writer - Tri-State Golfer Magazine
More Golf New Course at Talamore
Mid South Club
Tobacco Road
#1 Public Golf Course in NC
Arnie’s Only Design in the Area
Access to 25+ Area Courses
More Hospitality Included
Delivered to You Each Morning
Talamore’s BBQ Pavilion
Traditional Southern BBQ
More of Everything
Talamore Golf Villas
Lodges at Mid South
The Palmer Cottage
Midland Road Masters Package
Signature Golf Package
Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022
Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022
Weekday - $1046 per person Weekend - $1204 per person
Weekday - $590 per person Weekend - $715 per person
3 Nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath Mid South Lodge
3 Nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath Talamore Golf Villa
Play 1 round each at The New Course at Talamore, The King’s Course at Mid South, Mid Pines & Pine Needles
Play 2 rounds at The New Course at Talamore and 1 round at The King’s Course at Mid South
*Package rate is based on quad occupancy and included ALL lodging fees, green fees, cart fees, and applicable taxes. Offers are subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers, and does not apply to existing bookings. Advance reservations are required. Daily breakfast delivered to your door and southern pig pickin’ are only offered seasonally.
Toll Free: (800) 552-6292 • www.TalamoreGolfResort.com
COURSE NEWS
Daytona Beach’s Three Most Popular Golf Packages Driving Interest in 2022
HERO AND SENIORS RATES! Central Bucks Location 1-1/2 miles from Rt 263 & York Road Intersection 440 Almshouse Rd, Jamison, PA 18929
www.neshaminygolf.com • 215.343.6930
TEE TIMES ALL DAY LONG NO WALK ONS • TEE TIMES ONLY
CALL 215-343-6930 - or BOOK ONLINE ON OUR WEBSITE Daytona Beach is one of Florida’s fastest rising golf destinations, combining nearly 20 courses with the area’s abundant off-course attractions to lure players to the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” As group leaders plan their 2022 trip, Daytona Beach is an idyllic winter and spring destination, offering players the promise of great weather, an array of golf options, and good times. As tee sheets begin to fill, here are three of Daytona Beach’s most popular golf packages. -- LPGA International is Daytona Beach’s most acclaimed facility and many players in search of a stay-and-play package gravitate toward a 3-night/2-round offer from the LPGA Holiday Inn. Located just minutes from LPGA, golfers enjoy a round on the Jones and Hills courses, in addition to a complimentary breakfast buffet, starting at $397. The convenience of staying so close to LPGA, combined with a myriad of restaurant options within a well struck 5-iron of the hotel, make this one of the area’s most popular deals. -- The allure of the beach is powerful and the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort offers golfers the best of both worlds. Groups can stay in one of the area’s most prominent hotels, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and play the Hills Course at LPGA and Spruce Creek Country Club, which is home to America’s largest private fly-in community. The package starts at just $308. -- The Shores Resort & Spa allows golfers to build their own package, pairing one of the area’s finest accommodations properties with courses such as Daytona Beach Golf Club, home to 36 holes, including the Donald Ross-designed South Course, the Club at Pelican Bay, Oceans Golf Club and more. The qualities that make the area so popular with leisure travelers one of the nation’s premier beaches, Daytona International Speedway, outstanding local cuisine and abundant cultural and eco-activities help enhance the Daytona Beach golf experience. For more information on a Daytona Beach golf trip, visit DaytonaBeach.golf.
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
GOLF TRAVEL
One Guy’s Top Mecca Golf Holes By Greg Johnson I’ve played all the Gaylord Golf Mecca courses, some several times, some just a few times, in 40 years of writing about golf in Michigan. Nothing beats the collection of 17 golf courses located at 9 properties that make up the Gaylord Golf Mecca, and nothing beats the fun you can find. In the spirit of fun and in a twist on ranking lists, I picked my favorite hole at each of the 9 Mecca properties. It wasn’t easy. The initial list was long because I have a lot of favorites on 17 courses. I leaned toward fun more than difficulty in most of the choices, but some of these holes are difficult. Sometimes difficult is fun, too. All of these holes are fun for me. This is my current 9 in no particular order, subject to change the very next time I play a Mecca course, which will be very soon. Join me, Greg Johnson, by visiting gaylordgolfmecca.com or calling 800-345-8621.
Treetops Resort, Signature – No. 15, par 5
Black Lake Golf Club – No. 15, par 5
Lakes of the North – No. 8, par 4
It might be the signature hole on a course called the Signature. It doglegs left a bit off the tee and then you have to go uphill. The long two-tiered green is especially tough and protected by some big trees. Club selection is a large factor because straight is important as well as distance control into the green. It’s really fun when the hole position is in the back.
It’s a great par 5 with a small lake that gets involved on the left near the green. It’s the No. 4 handicap hole, largely because of distance, but play up at four other tee choices and it’s simply fun. It was my only birdie on each of my first two trips around this course, and that’s a big reason it’s my favorite. I haven’t made birdie on it since, but I keep trying.
It’s the middle hole of what I consider the best three holes on the course, 7, 8 and 9. It’s a what you see is what you get from the tee, and then you have to play a second shot over a good-sized pond to the green. The green is large, but not deep and it angles away to the right. Make sure of your yardage on that second shot.
Otsego Resort, The Tribute – No. 3, par 4
Gaylord Golf Club – No. 8, par 4
Michaywe’ The Pines – No. 17, par 5
It’s not a hard hole. It’s just a lot of fun and that’s after you have been wowed by the 20-mile views from the tee. After going uphill at No. 1 and having to navigate No. 2, swing away here and get roll in the fairway. The Tribute has a bevy of more challenging holes, but this might be the one that is the most fun. Remember to hit at least one club less on the approach shot because of the slope.
I’m not usually a fan of blind tee shots uphill, but there is more room than appears and a plateau at the top. Then you look down through a great stand of trees and see a green set naturally on a ridge above a pond. It’s a pretty hole, and a pretty tough hole. Don’t get caught looking at the pond and miss it to the right.
It’s the longest par 5 on the course at 535 yards and twists lightly to make you think about your angles among the trees. The Au Sable River crosses in front of the green. The green is a traditional design perfect for the end of a long hole. It’s always a three-shot hole for me in the prettiest part of the course. I had a hard time picking a favorite. I like a lot of the holes on The Pines.
The Natural – No. 18, par 4
Indian River Golf Club – No. 15, par 4
Garland Lodge & Golf Resort, Monarch – No. 12, par 3
It’s the finishing hole and it is a tough, but beautiful finish. It doglegs to the left a little bit so play that draw accurately. Then the second shot gets interesting over a large and intimidating wetland. The green setting is beautiful with three bunkers and tall pines. There is bailout room if you need, and I’ve needed it after a poor tee shot. Par feels like a birdie on this one.
It’s a great dogleg hole to the right with a well-designed risk-reward option. Go long and carefully over the bunker with the tee shot right and you will have a wedge for the second shot. The tee shot left gives you a big landing zone, and you can hit a mid-iron at a good angle. Hitting it good – go right. Having a tough day – play left.
Visually intimidating, especially left, but like a lot of holes on the Monarch course, there is more room to hit your golf ball than meets the eye. If you don’t like sand, this hole is for you. If you don’t like water in your view, then not so much. I love the stand of trees to the right. Good mid-iron par 3 hole on my favorite of the four courses at Garland.
2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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COURSE NEWS
Sweetgrass Named 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year
Brian Walters Photography Island Resort & Casino’s original course, Sweetgrass, has been selected as the 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA). One of two courses at the Upper Peninsula resort 13 miles west of Escanaba in Harris, Sweetgrass opened in 2008 to rave reviews and is the annual host course for the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship. “We are very honored to have our Sweetgrass golf course be selected as the Michigan Golf Course of the Year by the MGCA,” Tony Mancilla, general manager at Island Resort & Casino said. “To be recognized by our peers and this wonderful organization is a testament to our staff who has done an exceptional job of operating Sweetgrass at an extremely high level since its opening, as well as our community who has supported us with the Symetra Tour and allowed us to give back and support them. This is a community wide recognition.” The MGCA Course of the Year Award honors a member course that meets four criteria: unique characteristics of the course; exceptional quality of ownership and management; outstanding contribution to its community; and significant contribution to the game. Jada Paisley, executive director of the MGCA, feels Sweetgrass hits the mark. “The MGCA is thrilled that Sweetgrass is the course of the year,” she said. “It’s just the second time an Upper Peninsula course has been chosen, and it fits all the criteria and more for this award. Island Resort & Casino provides a wonderful golf experience to its guests and with the Hannahville Indian Community has made an incredible impact.” Island Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe. Paul Albanese, a Michigan-based designer, created with Sweetgrass an open layout with a variety of classic green structures and strategic holes. An island green, a double green and par-5 finishing holes on each nine are memorable features for the golfer. In addition to hosting the Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship, Sweetgrass has been ranked by Golfweek, GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest in various best-courses lists. Its name refers to an aromatic herb and sacred plant used in Indian peace and healing rituals that is planted throughout the course.
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
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Hickory Valley
GOLF EQUIPMENT
Honma Reports 40.7% Sales Increase in North America
Golf Club
Growing Brand Awareness Converges with Increase in Golf Participation
Pennsylvania’s Best 36 Holes
Iconic equipment brand Honma Golf, leader in holistically-crafted premium golf clubs, reports the company’s North American sales demonstrated an increase of 40.7 percent in the six-month period ending September 30, 2021. Globally, Honma saw net sales of $106.8 million during this period, representing an increase of 31.1 percent and 12.1 percent, as compared with the same periods in 2020 and 2019, respectively. In Asia, where Honma is among the most revered and played equipment brands, all product categories – including Honma’s “complete golf lifestyle experience” of golf clubs, golf balls, apparel, and other accessories – recorded double- to triple-digit growth. Thanks to enhanced brand awareness of the company and a postpandemic increase in golf participation, Honma North America has also added 100 (net) points of sale (POS) from April-September of 2021. “It’s energizing to see golf consumers connect with our dedicated approach to bringing them finely crafted, premium golf equipment to improve their games and enjoyment of golf,” says Janeann Lanning, Chief Operating Officer of Honma North America. “As we continue to overcome worldwide supply chain challenges, we’re excited about future growth on the strength of the quality and diversity of Honma’s expertly designed equipment offerings to golf-savvy consumers in North America in 2022.” Lanning cites numerous factors that have contributed to the brand’s robust sales in North America, including the growing market penetration of Honma’s flagship ultra-premium BERES line. Sales have also been strong for the performance-enhancing GS series, released earlier in 2021, which targets golfers of 8-20 handicaps, and the TR series, which targets lower-handicap golfers. Honma North America’s plan to build awareness of the Honma brand through traditional channels —such as getting product into the top 1,000 green grass pro shops as well as non-traditional avenues like direct-to-consumer advertising that drives traffic to Honma’s own ecommerce platform — further establishes Honma’s premium position in both performance and product design. For more information about Honma Golf visit: https://honmagolf.com 2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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610.754.7733
1921 Ludwig Rd Gilbertsville, PA 19525
HickoryValley.com
COME PLAY THE FIELD Plan Your Next Round Of Golf At Linfield National Golf Club ALL NEW Technology for Golf Simulators • Book Indoor or Outdoor GREAT CONDITIONS • GREAT STAFF • GREAT EXPERIENCE Robert Kleckner – PGA Professional Of The Year, 2017
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
66 CHURCH RD, LINFIELD, PA 19468
GOLF TRAVEL
Innisbrook Resort One Of Florida’s Best By Wayne Mills, Contributing Writer
T
he State of Florida, with over 1,100 golf courses, is blessed with many great golf resorts and Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor is certainly one of the best the state has to offer. Nestled deep into 900 wooded acres of rolling hills in the Tampa/St. Petersburg/ Clearwater area on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Innisbrook not only has all the amenities a visitor could ask for but it is served up with mellow and relaxing hospitality. While many resorts overwhelm visitors with all the “service” being given to them, Innisbrook delivers all you need without overwhelming. It all starts at the top with CEO Sheila Johnson of Salamander Resorts, probably the sharpest businesswoman Florida has seen since old Bertha Palmer bought up most of Sarasota County in the early 1900’s. Salamander, which also operates Hammock Beach near St Augustine, Half Moon Bay in Jamaica, the Hotel Bennett in Charleston, SC, the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida and the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, Virginia has a policy of hiring people who are outgoing and have the right attitude. As Johnson says, “We can teach them how to do a job but we can’t grow them a personality.” The sprawling property at Innisbrook features 72 holes of championship golf, 550 spacious guest suites and rooms, four restaurants and three bars, the Innisbrook Golf Academy, 11 tennis courts, the luxurious Salamander Spa with 12 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art Fitness Center, six heated swimming pool complexes, a nature preserve and three conference halls with 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The golf is just outstanding. Lead by The Copperhead, a Top 100 course in America, and home of the PGA Tour’s Vaspar Championship, Innisbrook also features the Island, North and South Courses. All four of the courses were designed by the late Larry Packard, a Chicago native who fell in love with the area enough to spend the last 40 years of his life there. Much like Donald Ross did with Pinehurst #2, Packard refined the Copperhead over the years to make it his
masterpiece. To play the Copperhead is to see true design genius where every shot requires thought and will require every club and shot in your bag. Oh, and no bad shot goes unpunished. The course underwent a six-month restorative enhancement in 2017 including the regrassing of all fairways and roughs, the rebuilding of each green and the reshaping of the bunkers to stay true to Packard’s masterful design. Fifteen new forward tees were also added to enhance the experience for players of all skill levels, but the length remains challenging for tour professionals. An additional tier was added to the driving range and a new practice green was also added, which may very well be necessary to prepare for an experience Innisbrook describes as “the Copperhead Bites Back.” The Island Course features six holes bordered by beautiful Lake Innisbrook and lateral water hazards that require pinpoint accuracy on tee shots and approaches. Similar in terrain to the Copperhead Course, the North Course is known for its daunting par 3s, well-bunkered greens and recent course enhancements including additional yardage to selected par 4s and 5s. The par 71 South Course is reminiscent of a links-style design and has become a favorite for its rolling hills and breezes sweeping in from the Gulf of Mexico, just minutes away by property-shuttle. The North Course, (sometimes known as Little Copperhead) recently reopened with all new TifEagle putting surfaces. Apart from golf, the property invites guests to stay active at the Innisbrook Tennis Center, home to 11 Har-Tru® courts, a fully stocked pro shop and three racquetball courts. The resort regularly customizes programs for players from beginner to advanced levels and offers daily resort clinics, match play arranging, junior clinics and summer camp programs. The family-fun never ends with Innisbrook Resort’s six heated swimming pools scattered around the 900 acres of property grounds. The favorite of the resort is the enormous Lochness
Monster Pool. There’s an activity for everyone with two sand beach areas, a 15-foot waterfall, two winding water slides, water volleyball, a separate plunge pool with bubbling jets and fountains, sunbathing areas, sand volleyball and a monster-sized spa that seats up to 36 people. During the summer months and holidays, the younger crowd is sure to enjoy the many poolside games and family activities put on by Innisbrook’s friendly staff. For those who wish to just sit back and relax on their vacation, Innisbrook’s newly remodeled Salamander Spa takes the art of healing to an elevated level. The destination begs to be explored with spots like Honeymoon Island State Park. A resort shuttle drives nature lovers right to the edge of the white sands of the Gulf Coast’s most romantic beach. With strong currents along the island, travelers who enjoy scouring for shells will have a particularly good experience, as there is an incredible variety that gets deposited on the shore. GRD
For more information, visit INNISBROOKGOLFRESORT.COM or call 727.942.2000 To interact with the resort socially, visit @innisbrook on Facebook and Twitter, as well as @innisbrookresort on Facebook and Twitter. 2022 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2022
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