2020 GOLF RESORT
& DESTINATION MAGAZINE by tri-state golfer JANUARY 2020
COASTAL ALABAMA GOLF
Keeps Moving Forward
Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club Gulf Shores, AL
2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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WOMENS GOLF APPAREL
Jofit Hot Toddy January always offers a fresh start. Start the year off with flare dressed in Jofit’s Hot Toddy collection. This collection offers multiple colors, prints, and silhouettes. Jofit strives to have the perfect option for each one of our sisters! The Southwestern inspired Blanket Print is fresh and vibrant. Rosada, Cove, and Spearmint come together in this fun, novelty stripe. The Mosaic Print is full of motion and life. Inspired by coral reefs and ocean swells-Aqua, Spearmint, and Cove swirl together effortlessly in this pretty print. Hot Toddy prints make a statementperfect for our kick butt sisters who are playing to win! My personal favorite is the Cove woven bottoms. This deep, rich color will be the starting point for all my outfits this winter. This gorgeous color pairs with any top from the Hot Toddy collection. The standout piece in this collection is our Cove Mesh Bomber. This jacket was previously offered in white, and sold out immediately. I know you are going to flip for this style in Cove! It’s a remarkable piece with two layers of punched mesh and super soft rib cuffs, collar, and waistband. This bomber is the perfect finishing touch for every Hot Toddy outfit! And it will look amazing with your jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers too! Don’t overlook the core Sand woven skort, pants, and shorts. These classic pieces will be part of your wardrobe for years to come! Jofit is adamant about great fit-a great fitting bottom is the key to any outfit. The fit of our woven bottoms is simply fabulous! Enjoy playing dress up, swinging for the stars, and laughing with friends! We wish we were there.
Cheers! –Jo CEO/Founder
For more information: JOFIT.COM 215 682 7500
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE by tri-state golfer
FROM THE PUBLISHER
JOE BURKHARDT
ADVERTISING SALES (PA / NJ / DE / NATIONAL)
JOE BURKHARDT 610.755.8767 tristategolf@gmail.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN/ART DIRECTION
GARO YEPREMIAN JR. GAROJRDESIGN.COM
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
FRED ALTVATER MARTIN ARMS RYAN BALLENGEE MATT BIONDI MARK HOGAN BRAD KING MIKE MAY WAYNE MILLS TOM MCNICHOL AL RYDING AMANDA RUHL CHRISTINE TERRA GARO YEPREMIAN JR.
CONTRIBUTING ASSOCIATIONS
BIONDI MEDIA GOLF NEWS NETWORK KEVIN FRISCH PR LET’S GO GOLF TRAVEL NETWORK LPGA PGA OF AMERICA USGA
INSIDE THIS ISSUE • JANUARY 2020
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Womens Golf Apparel Jofit Hot Toddy
8 Letter From The Publisher Reflecting On Another Year And Decade
12 Alabama Golf Travel
Think Coastal Alabama For Your Next Golf Getaway
18 Alabama Golf Travel Golf @The Shoals: Alabama’s Awesome & Alluring Attraction
20 Alabama Golf Travel
Highlands @Hampton Cove: A Gateway To The RTJ Golf Trail
21 Florida Golf Travel
22 Florida Golf Travel
Hand, Wrist, Elbow Pain? Tips To Help You Get Back On The Course Quickly
44 South Carolina Golf Travel
The Mid South Club And The New Course At Talamore
42 Philadelphia Hand To Shoulder Center
Talamore Golf Resort In The Village Of Pinehurst
38 North Carolina Travel
Bank On It
36 North Carolina Travel
Membership at The Jersey Shore Has Its Privileges At The Shore Club
34 Outer Banks Golf Travel
Up And Away: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
32 New Jersey Golf Travel
Boyne Golf: Where Golfers Gather For Great Golf
30 Michigan Golf Travel
A Classic On The Maine Coast
26 Michigan Golf Travel – America’s Summer Golf Capital
Naples: Where Golf Is Fun & The Weather Is Beautiful
24 Maine Golf Travel
Innisbrook Resort: One Of Florida’s Best
Palmetto Dunes Stays Ahead Of The Curve
46 Texas Golf Travel
Horseshoe Bay Resort Is Bucket List For Golfers Trips And Families
tristategolfer.com
PO BOX 341 DREXEL HILL, PA 19026 Golf Resort and Destination Magazine is published yearly and is a complimentary magazine that is distributed to 7 different consumer golf shows around the country, distributed thru the Let’s Go Golf Travel Network and their 20,000 email database and view on the Golf (GNN) News Network along with the Tri-State area of Philadelphia, New Jersey and Northern Delaware. 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. 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.
Craft Farms Golf Resort
2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Reflecting On Another Year And Decade
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s we start a new year and a decade, I want to look back and reflect on the past year and a decade of memories. There are many places I’ve visited, many golf courses I’ve played, and new friends I’ve made. I have also reconnected with old friends, loves of my life, and epic moments of happiness with people who have touched my life over the past 58 years with laughter, love, joy, tears, heartache and health issues. The past ten years have been a roller coaster of a decade, but the last half has been great. Starting in 2010, I wasn’t feeling well and learned I was in renal kidney failure. I spent the next four years on dialysis -- three days a week, four hours each day. In March 2014, a special woman in my life with a huge giving heart offered me the “gift of life”-- her kidney. It gave me a better quality of life and I was not on dialysis again I am forever grateful to her for her selfless act of love and support and all she endured in going through that process with me. Learning in 2010 of my condition, I soon realized was nothing to go through after getting a call that summer that my son Joey a month before turning 21 jumped in the ocean down the jersey shore hitting his head in the sandbar and became paralyzed from the neck down. He spent the next six months in Magee Rehab on a ventilator in downtown Philadelphia -- eventually coming home six months later just before Christmas. I will never forget that sinking feeling and the many tears and heartache of knowing his life was forever changed. But through it all, he has shown such courage, endured so much and still, to this day, shows such a positive attitude with a smile on his face every time you see him. He’s taught me a lot about life and what to be thankful for. In 2013, the U.S. Open returned to ‘my backyard’ -- to the Merion East Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. That Open is better known as the ‘boutique Open,’ as Merion is long considered the best course on the tightest acreage in America. Lee Trevino once quipped after winning the 1971 Open there, “I love Merion and I don’t even know her last name.” Jack Nicklaus once said this of Merion: “Acre for acre, it may be the best test of golf in the world.” I’ve played Merion a number of times. It’s one of the best walks I’ve experienced, especially the nerve-racking opening tee shot with everyone watching while eating lunch on the patio next to the first tee. The acreage reminds me of Wannamoisett in Rumford, Rhode Island, where I grew up and caddied, beginning as a nine-year-old. Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw was once quoted as saying this about Wannamoisett: “The best greens I’ve ever putted on.” I also went to Pinehurst, North Carolina for Thanksgiving finding treatment there for dialysis and to the Talamore Resort and Mid South two great golf courses that for all golf travelers with the Pinehurst Village is well worth a buddies trip. In 2014, I also traveled to one of my one of my favorite courses in the country -- to FarmLinks at Purcell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama. I tell anyone who heads down to play the Robert Trent Jones Trail courses in Alabama to be sure to fit in FarmLinks into the schedule. It’s a must-play and you may just find yourself staying and playing there for your entire trip next time you travel to Alabama to play golf. In 2015, I went to Prince Edward Island, Canada for the first time. I have great memories of the beautiful stunning views of The Links at Crowbush Cove. One hole that always stands out is the 13th hole, which is called ‘Stairway to Heaven’ where you have to walk up 47 stairs to get to the top of the tee box. Once you reach the top, it is ‘heaven’ up there and the stunning panoramic views leave you staring in disbelief. You just take it all in and reflect on Mother Nature’s beauty. In 2016, the theme of my golf travels was Michigan. My trip started at Forest Dunes in Roscommon, Michigan, which is now one of my favorite golf courses in America. While at Forest Dunes, I also played The Loop - Red, which was designed by Tom Doak. The Loop opened in 2016 and is located adjacent to Forest Dunes. At the Loop, you can play it one way on any given day and the next day, you play the course in reverse. It’s a wild experience, but my recommendation is go play both versions. After golf, retreat to the clubhouse at Forest Dunes. On the patio, located behind the clubhouse, enjoy the fire pits while having a cocktail and your favorite cigar. While in Michigan, I also played the nine-hole, par three course -- Threetops at Treetops which was fun and memorable. While in Michigan, I also played The Kingsley Club which was outstanding. My first impression at the first tee was jaw-dropping and the little par-3 ninth hole is diabolical. If you miss that ninth green, the up-and-down is impossible. I call it “a beautiful little hole that can turn into a date with the devil.” The Kingsley Club is one place I have to play again in my lifetime. Also in the summer of 2016, I reunited with some old Louisville friends and we attended The Travelers Championship in Connecticut. Then, we headed to play TPC Boston the next day and played Wannamoisett the day after that. My Louisville friends said this was special and if you can get to play there it truly is. I ended that year in Las Vegas with another close friend who invited me to play in his member-guest at TPC Summerlin which is the host of the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Open. 2017 was a trifecta of a year, as it featured trips to Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. After going back to Churchill Downs, home of The Kentucky Derby, I was on my way to French Lick, Indiana to play at The Pete Dye Course and the Donald Ross Course at the French Lick Resort. If you have no reason to visit Indiana, but you are an avid golfer that loves the game and you are looking for somewhere different to travel and play, go to French Lick It’s impressive, pristine and the hotel is fabulous. If you like to gamble a little, they have a casino on site. I can’t wait to get back to French Lick because it’s that good. Later that summer, I visited the Boyne Resort in northern Michigan for the first time. I fell in love with Boyne Golf: Ten Courses. Three Resorts. One Destination. In the summer, you can be on the 18th hole of any course at 9:30 pm and still have enough daylight to finish your round. Northern Michigan’s Boyne Golf Resort and the Bay Harbor Golf Club have 10 spectacular golf courses, a few of which border Lake Michigan. The Inn at Bay Harbor is perfect for a golf buddies trip or for a getaway with your significant other. There’s nothing better than staying at the Inn at Bay Harbor -- perched alongside Lake Michigan -- and sitting out back on the deck, having dinner at Vintage Chophouse, and watching the sun set over Lake Michigan with your favorite glass of wine. After booking a trip here, you will fall in love with this destination. Also, don’t forget tell your friends. It’s that spectacular.
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
It was onto Trump National Bedminster, New Jersey. The golf course was in amazing condition along with a men’s locker room which is so nice that you could have lived there. In all my year, I’ve never been in such a palace of a locker room with the marble, amazing fixtures, cherry wood, and every toiletry you could need. I’ve seen more than a few locker room. This one was over the top. Later that year, I was at Teeth Of The Dog in the Dominican Republic. The ocean views on that golf course and the Punta Espada Golf Club are visually stunning. In 2018, I started the year with 18 stiches in the crown of my head to remove skin cancer. All that golf over the years, and not wearing a hat, had caught up with me. In the spring, I had another media trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan -- a town known for its breweries and some really good golf courses. In the late summer, I attended the BMW Playoffs at Aronimink Golf Club, which is close to my house. That was a highlight to have an inside the ropes media credential and having the freedom to walk up on every tee and down every fairway with Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth on Thursday and Friday. 2019 ended the decade better than it started and I hope to keep that momentum going forward. I visited Muscle Shoals, Alabama where I played a golf course known as the Fighting Joe. The13th hole is a par five which measures 713 yards from the tips. Looking back, I wish I had played it from those back tees. Instead, I played a more forward tee, which was closer to 600 yards. Not being as long as I once used to be, age has caught up with me, but just a little bit! A highlight of the trip to Muscle Shoals was the stop at the FAME Music studio where anyone who’s anyone in the music recording industry has been there. It’s a small place with the old panel on the walls, but the sound and acoustics are perfect. I can see why so many greats in music have recorded there. The only thing I would have done differently before going there was to watch the documentary on “Muscle Shoals.” It’s a tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history and the FAME Music studio. We watched the documentary on the tour bus after leaving and I was glued to it. It was a moving segment. Trust me, it’s worth going on demand and watching. I then revisited FarmLinks. Since my last visit, they have added the Estate-style Inn that is beautiful. Again, those of you traveling to play Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail should include FarmLinks on your list of courses to play. I then went back for another visit to Boyne Golf Resort and stayed at the Inn at Bay Harbor. I’d live and play golf there every summer if I could. In August, I was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I stayed at the Island Resort Casino. Our group played Sage Run and Sweetgrass Golf Course, which are two very good golf courses. I didn’t realize how cold it gets up there at that time of year. We played wearing layers. We had a special tour stop along the way after golf and it was a real treat as we went to Lambeau Field to see the Packers and Chiefs play a preseason game in 73-degree weather. It was warmer in Green Bay at night than it was in the Upper Peninsula during the day. The visit to Lambeau Field was a ‘bucket list’ checked. In October, it was onto Horseshoe Bay Resort, which is about an hour outside Austin,Texas -- in the surrounding hills. I can tell you that’s another place that’s a ‘bucket list’ destination. From the golf to the accommodations, boating, yacht club, and canoeing, Horseshoe Bay is a place not only for golfers but your entire family. The food is delicious. I highly recommend the chicken fried lobster. I ended the year in southern Alabama, which is featured on the (see pages 12-15) cover of this issue. That trip was a phenomenal couples media trip. You won’t be disappointed with a trip to southern Alabama. I’m looking forward to 2020 -- another new year and new decade to see old and new friends. It all starts with the PGA Show in Orlando, January 20-25. I also plan to travel to historic Newport (Rhode Island) County Club in late June (23-28) for the U.S. Senior Open and I will be spending some time at the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (June 23-28) at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Hopefully, I will be in the UK in the fall and will have time to visit new resorts which I will publicize in the 2021 Golf Resort & Destination Issue. I wish you a happy and healthier New Year and New Decade. Cheers! Safe travels,
JOE BURKHARDT Publisher, Golf Resort & Destination Magazine
2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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Think
COASTAL ALABAMA For Your Next Golf Getaway By Fred Altvater, Contributing Writer
Kilmarlic Par 3
Craft Farms Golf Resort
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
ALABAMA GOLF TRAVEL
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ulf Shores and Orange Beach on the Gulf Coast of Alabama have been providing the perfect beach and golf resort for travelers for over 30 years. Gulf Shores was a one-course, sleepy retirement village in the early 1980’s. In 1985, a local sod farmer, Robert Craft was searching for ways to increase his business. He came up with a plan to build a golf course, which would attract more vacationers to the area. Hopefully the warm gulf breezes, white sandy beaches and relaxing atmosphere would entice a few of them to stick around, build a new home and buy his sod for their new lawn. Making a long story short, he contracted Arnold Palmer to build two 18-hole courses at Craft Farms that provided the impetus to change Gulf Shores into the vibrant vacation hotspot and community it is today. Now Gulf Shores annually welcomes
Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club
millions of visitors. With direct flights into the local airport in Pensacola from 20 cities (including Philadephia and Newark), it’s no wonder why. Fantastic golf is also a great draw. It’s available, not only at Craft Farms, but also at Gulf Shores Golf Club, Kiva Dunes and Peninsula Golf Club, which are all highly-ranked and are mustplay courses for golfers visiting Coastal Alabama. The two 18-hole Arnold Palm-
er Signature courses at Craft Farms, Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend challenge all golfers and provide a serene environment with the natural Alabama landscape. The rambling clubhouse is perfect for a quick bite between rounds, or a leisurely repast. Gulf Shores Golf Club is the oldest golf course in the area and open to the public. Its southern charm and plantation-style clubhouse welcome golfers and the course is a treat to play. The course layout is suitable for any skill level and especially welcoming to juniors and women. From the back tees it is a true test for the low handicapper, as well. Golf at Kiva Dunes, one of Alabama’s highest-ranked course, is only one reason to visit. Located on a peninsula, it has over a mile of sugar-white private beachfront, plus the new Kiva Beach Club is a full restaurant with breathtaking views of the Gulf. Plus, you never have to leave
2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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ALABAMA GOLF TRAVEL your beach umbrella. Kiva Dunes is the only coastal resort offering food and drink service on the beach. Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club offers a memorable round of golf and has been rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest. Earl Stone designed the 27 hole layout at Peninsula to maintain a close connection to the local wildlife at nearby Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve. In addition to the challenging golf, gorgeous Live Oaks and Cypress trees, plus alligators, cranes and eagles create a delightful distraction
Fishing
from your golf. Off the golf course and beach, every type of dining experience awaits. The Hangout or The Gulf are perfect for a drink or casual lunch, both located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Fin & Fork will cook up anything you may catch on a fishing trip. Perch at the Lodge at Gulf Shores State Park, the Safari Club at the Gulf Coast Zoo and Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort offer exquisite menus for more serious dining options. Don’t forget to save room for
Drinks at the Hangout
dessert at The Yard. Their quart-size milkshakes come in a variety of flavors and you will want to try all of them, before you leave Gulf Shores. Coastal Alabama and Gulf Shores has great golf, beautiful beaches, fantastic dining, as well as, many other activities to please any family member. For more information: GULFSHORES.COM
The Yard Milkshake, as seen on ABC’s Shark Tank
Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
ALABAMA GOLF TRAVEL
Gulf Shores Golf Club
VARIETY OF LODGING Lodging choices include beachfront homes, condos and hotels; golf resorts; or conveniently located brand hotels. Spectrum Resorts offers two amazing locations - The Beach Club Resort & Spa, located between Kiva Dunes and Peninsula and the luxurious Turquoise Place in the heart of Orange Beach. www.spectrumresorts.com
EASY TO GET TO Daily, non-stop flights are available on American Airlines from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Pensacola (PNS), which is only 30 miles from Gulf Shores-Orange Beach.
IF YOU GO SUGGESTED ITINERARIES – 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS DAY 1: Fly into Pensacola airport (PNS); Head West on I-10 and play 18 holes at Lost Key Golf Club; Drinks at The Gulf and Dinner at Perch at the new Gulf State Lodge DAY 2: Play 18 holes at Kiva Dunes; Afternoon Spa Visit at The Beach Club Resort; Dinner at Safari Club at the new Gulf Coast Zoo DAY 3: Morning Deep Sea Fishing Trip; Afternoon Play 18 holes at Peninsula; Dinner at Fin & Fork, where they will cook the fish you caught in the morning and Live Music at The Hangout DAY 4: Play 18 holes at Gulf Shores Golf Club; Drinks at Big Beach Brewery and Dinner at the original location of Lulu’s, Jimmy Buffet’s sister’s restaurant DAY 5: Play 18-36 holes at Craft Farms; Dinner at Cosmos and Live Music at the world-famous FloraBama, home of the Bushwacker DAY 6: Depart from Pensacola airport (PNS) 2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE
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GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
With award-winning dining experiences, a booming craft beer scene and exceptional year-round golf on courses along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, plus Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes and Arnold Palmer’s Craft Farms in Gulf Shores, from the mountains to the coast, you can take it all in.
www.GolfAlabama.org Daily Non-Stop Flights on American to Birmingham (BHM) and near Gulf Shores (PNS) from Philadelphia (PHL)
2020 Jones | GOLFGolf RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE 17 Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on the Robert Trent Trail, Birmingham
ALABAMA GOLF TRAVEL
Golf @The Shoals: Alabama’s Awesome & Alluring Attraction By Mike May, Contributing Writer
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hile Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail features 11 different locations, 26 different golf courses and 468 golf holes, the one location that may be the best 36-hole championship golf venue on the Trail is the one in the most remote part of the state – The Shoals (990 Sunbelt Parkway, Muscle Shoals, AL; 256446-5111), which is located in the northwest corner of Alabama. While each RTJ Golf Trail venue is wonderfully designed and a thrill to play, there’s something about The Shoals which puts it in a class by itself. It’s the combination of its rural proximity, gently rolling terrain, clever use of penal (but not punishing) lakes, spectacular greens, well-maintained fairways, raised tees, and stunning views of the nearby Tennessee River. And, the genuine Southern hospitality inside the clubhouse at The Shoals is a bonus! The names of the two courses at The Shoals -- The Fighting Joe (opened in 2004) and The Schoolmaster (opened in 2005) – are rooted in history. The Fighting Joe is named after Joe Wheeler. He was a Confederate general in the Civil War who later served as a general in the U. S. Army. Wheeler is the only Confederate general to rise to a similar rank in the U.S. Army, after the Civil War. The Fighting Joe starts with a par five which meanders from left to right. The opening shot is struck from a raised tee box. It’s worth hitting this tee shot from the Orange tees, which improve your chances of admiring the ‘hang time’ of your opening salvo. The Fighting Joe concludes with a rather short par three which overlooks the Wilson Lake on the Tennessee River. When you arrive at the 18th tee, it’s a jaw-dropping perspective. The 18th green is carved into the side of the hill adjacent to the clubhouse. At the 18th, aim left of the pin and enjoy the beauty of the view as you walk from tee and green. Very few courses give you a chance to finish with an ace. In between the first and the last, there are 16
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The Fighting Joe
holes which you will find entertaining, en- is not just one thing. It’s many. It’s the beautiful landscape. There is no bad view at The thralling, and a joy to play. The Schoolmaster was named after Pres- Shoals -- anywhere. Whether you are setting ident Woodrow Wilson who was responsi- up your shot on the 14th tee of Schoolmaster ble for getting the Wilson Dam built on the or having a beer on the veranda overlooking Tennessee River. Presidential history buffs the Tennessee River, you will not be disapwill remember that President Wilson was also pointed. The fact that we have two uniquely styled courses here at one location is anothknown as The Schoolmaster. The Schoolmaster opens with a straight- er huge plus. The staff here is so welcoming away par four – with a ‘twist.’ Your second shot and we want everyone to have fun! That’s our is to an uphill green, which can make club se- goal. Besides golf, there are a ton of other cool lection tricky, especially if there’s a back pin things to do in our area such as eat at the Ratplacement. The ‘home’ hole at the Schoolmas- tlesnake Saloon, tour the Alabama Music Hall ter is a left-to-right uphill par four which gives of Fame, or visit the Helen Keller home. The you another stunning view of the Tennessee list goes on and on. We may be off the beaten River off to your left. In between the first and path, but it’s well worth the extra drive.” the last, there are 16 holes which will confirm why you play the great game of golf. The locals at The Shoals will agree that The Schoolmaster is wooded, rolling, and spectacular, with an emphasis on the spectacular, beginning with the waterfall on the 2nd hole. If you want to succeed at The Schoolmaster, it’s best to do your ‘homework’ on the course in advance of your visit. After playing 36 holes at The Shoals, FAME Recording Studios you deserve to spend the night in luxuIf you happen to have a strong interest ry. The Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa (10 Hightower Place, Florence, AL; 256-246-3600), in music, you should be aware of this area’s located just minutes away, is the luxury that strong musical heritage. Muscle Shoals has you deserve. This property’s major attractions many recording studios which have attractare its stunning views from the balconies of ed a number of talented singers and musiall 200 guest rooms; its poolside (indoor and cal groups over the years such as Cher, Etta outdoor) appeal; the 6,000-square foot world James, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling renowned European-style spa; and the 360 Stones. Those recording artists are still comGrille, which is Alabama’s only revolving ing to Muscle Shoals and the music industry restaurant which sits atop the Renaissance remains vibrant, as is the bass fishing industower at the hotel. Another dining option at try, too. And, did I mention how good the the Marriott is Swampers Bar & Grill. The dé- fried green tomatoes and shrimp ‘n grits are cor inside this restaurant honors Alabama’s in northern Alabama? It might be fair to say that golfers have rich cultural heritage. The food is tasty and ‘FORE’ reasons to visit The Shoals near Musfilling. “I love The Shoals for many reasons,” says cle Shoals: golf, music, bass fishing, and food. Stewart Soto, director of sales & marketing The first tee is awaiting your arrival. And, at The Shoals. “However, I think the appeal don’t be tardy at The Schoolmaster. GRD
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
ALABAMA GOLF TRAVEL
The 15th Fairway at the Highlands
The 8th Green at the Highlands
Highlands @Hampton Cove: A Gateway To The RTJ Golf Trail By Mike May, Contributing Writer
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any inland golf courses claim to have a links-like feel and look to them. And yet, when you play them, you really don’t get that feeling at all. Ahh, but when you play the Highlands Course at Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Alabama, it is everything as advertised and then some. The Highlands Course is one of three 18hole golf courses at Hampton Cove, which is considered the northern gateway to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The other two courses at Hampton Cove are the River Course, which has no sand traps, and the 18-hole Short Course which features 18 par three holes, where water is in play on 11 of the holes. At the Highlands Course, there are liberal landing areas in the fairways for your tee shots, but if your shots stray off into some of the longer, thicker grasses, add a stroke to your score, take a drop, and keep playing. You’ve seen on television how tall and thick that British Open rough can be in Scotland. It’s not coincidental that the name of this course is the Highlands. The first three holes get you in the mood for links golf as trees don’t come into play, but the large mounds on each hole dictate the best route from tee to green. As you play the 4th and 5th holes, look for the big red mule barn. The
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barn doesn’t impact play, but it’s a landmark which you’ll always remember. Very rarely will you play a golf course where the hardest hole on the course is a par four that is less than 400 yards long -- with the exception of the back tees which measure 412 yards. At the Highlands, the 5th hole has a left-toright configuration, is somewhat tight, and has a steam that crosses the fairway at an odd juncture. If your tee shot hugs the left side of the fairway, you probably won’t have a clear shot at the green, which is rather deep and raised, which adds to the hole’s overall degree of difficulty. At the 5th, birdies are rare, pars are exceptional, bogeys are the norm, and double bogeys (or worse) are more common than birdies. That Scottish links theme returns on the 7th and the 8th. The front nine concludes with a somewhat lengthy, uphill par five. The key is to hit an accurate tee shot. If you run into trouble off the tee, it can be a long and frustrating hole. As is the case on many links golf courses, the ninth green is not located next to clubhouse. Instead, it’s out in the country, as they say back in the ‘old country.’ The tee shot at the Highlands’ 10th is the most scenic on the course as it provides an unmatched view of the course. That tee box is certainly perched on one of the highest peaks on the course.
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
While water hazards play a relatively minor role on the front nine, water plays a big role on the back nine as it comes into play on seven of the nine holes. If you can successfully navigate the aqua, then you can post a respectable score. But, one of the more special holes on the back nine is a hole with no water hazards. It’s the left-to-right, downhill par four 13th hole. As you walk from the tee through the fairway to the green, there’s a sense of calm and serenity as you descend into a quiet, sleepy hollow. The ambiance at the 13th hole is simply refreshingly peaceful. It’s a hole which is in a category unto itself. The most penal water hazard is the lake that borders the right side of the fairway of the par five 17th. As you hit your approach shot to the green, don’t let your shot drift right of the pin or else it may not finish on the putting surface. If you don’t play the 17th conservatively and with care, it can put a damper on your first 16 holes of hard work. The 18th hole is no pushover par four. With it being listed as the 4th handicap hole, it requires focus and feel to finish in four. Overall, a round of golf at the Highlands is a memorable way to spend your golfing day and a choice worth repeating when you have a chance. GRD
FLORIDA GOLF TRAVEL
Innisbrook Resort: One Of Florida’s Best By Wayne Mills, Contributing Writer
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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-theart 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 re-
The Copperhead Course
The South Course
quires 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, ju-
nior 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: INNISBROOKGOLFRESORT.COM 727.942.2000 To interact with the resort socially, visit @innisbrook on Facebook and Twitter, as well as @innisbrookresort on Facebook and Twitter.
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FLORIDA GOLF TRAVEL
Naples: Where Golf Is Fun & The Weather Is Beautiful By Mike May, Contributing Writer
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he golf course at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Southwest Florida is not known as the ‘Course That Jack Built.’ But, instead, it could be called the ‘Course That Jack Re-Built.” And, that person named Jack is none other than Jack Nicklaus. In 2016, Nicklaus was hired to redesign The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s championship golf course. This was not your typical redesign assignment for the Golden Bear. When Nicklaus stepped foot on this piece of property, this job assignment triggered a strong childhood memory. Back in 1951, a young Jack Nicklaus played the course – then, just a nine-hole layout – with his father, Charlie, while they were on vacation from their home in Ohio. Young Jack Nicklaus was only 11 years old at the time and he had been playing golf for roughly a year. On that day in 1951,
young Nicklaus broke 40 for the first time over nine holes as he recorded a 37. Back in 2016, when Nicklaus began the $9 million re-design of the course, he still had vivid memories of that round of golf with his father, more than 60 years ago, at the time. “Being back at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is like a walk down memory lane for me,” said Nicklaus. “Returning to the same course where I broke 40, with my father by my side, brings back a lot of very special and very fond memories.” When all was said and done, Nicklaus was pleased with his team’s work on the course in Naples. “I think those who have played The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club before are in for a pleasant surprise,” said Nicklaus. “I believe the golf course has been transformed into a fun, exciting, aesthetically pleasing layout, largely due to hard work
Aerial View of Recently Redesigned Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
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of (golf course architect) John Sanford and our own David Savic. I think the end product is something people will enjoy and have fun with in the Naples area for many years to come.” Golf course superintendent Holden Jones is committed to keeping this course fun and exciting to play every day of the year. “The single biggest key to managing a course in the tropics is to pay attention to the forecast day in and day out,” said Jones. “Mother Nature could be your worst enemy or your best friend. The key for me is prepare each day for the future, not just the following day. Being prepared and on a schedule keeps everything moving smoothly. Surviving day by day in Naples without a plan will drive you up the wall trying to manage a course year round.” It’s worth noting that this original 18hole golf course was opened for play in
1931. When World War II rolled around in the early 1940s, it closed. Then, in 1947, nine holes opened up for play and then all 18 holes were re-opened in 1953. Because the roots of this course date back to the early 1930s, it’s very appropriate that this golf course is now one of the 53 golf courses on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Today, The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is a par-71 layout, which features five tees ranging from 4,800 yards to more than 6,900 yards. For most of the year, the course plays ‘firm and fast’ with gently contoured greens. ‘Fun’ and ‘beautiful’ are words used to describe this golf course which is open to the general public. This course’s Signature Hole is the 16th hole, a par 3. The 16th green is a peninsula with water in front, on the right and behind the green. It’s not a long hole, but it requires accuracy with the tee shot. An interesting aspect of The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is the presence of an orchid greenhouse that sits adjacent to the golf course maintenance shed. According to head golf professional George Willard, orchids are grown inside the greenhouse by the maintenance staff. Those orchids are then used to beautify and decorate the resort throughout the year. Another interesting note to share is that the Everglades Superintendents Association conducts its annual golf outing at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club each May. It attracts roughly 130 players to this
event which is attended by the many superintendents and maintenance staff who keep golf courses in southwest Florida in tip-top shape throughout the year. “Golfers of every skill-level absolutely love the new course, which is now in line with the rest of our AAA Four-Diamond resort,” said Willard. “The course challenges the best players, but also is truly enjoyable for all golfers.” The overall golf experience at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is complemented by the presence of a 300-yard
practice and teaching range. To get a tee time on ‘The Course That Jack Re-Built,’ call the pro shop at 239435-2475 or send an email to: golf@naplesbeachhotel.com. GRD For more information: NAPLESBEACHHOTEL.COM 800.237.7600 239.261.2222
Historical Photos
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MAINE GOLF TRAVEL
A Classic On The Maine Coast By Wayne Mills, Contributing Writer. Photos: Jason Kennedy, Baystate Images
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he coast of Maine with it’s craggy, rockbound shoreline, quaint villages and abundant lobster and other seafood has an almost mythical reputation. The Samoset Resort offers all of that and oceanfront golf too. Set on 230 acres overlooking Penobscot Bay in Rockland, The Samoset has been welcoming guests since the 1880’s in this location. The original hotel burned to the ground in 1972 but the new Samoset opened its doors on September 9, 1974, constructed almost entirely from the beautiful old timbers of a deserted granary, which was once a Portland, Maine landmark.
Samoset Hole #5
Today, the Samoset Resort is once again an award-winning year-round resort and conference center. They have been honored with the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award, ranked among the best golf resorts in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler, and named one of the best family vacation destinations in the world by Travel + Leisure. The Samoset Resort is also a certified “Environmental Leader” for their commitment to eco-friendly practices including water conservation, composting, and resort-wide recycling programs. While the coast of Maine boasts many miles of shoreline, precious little of it is utilized for golf. The Samoset boasts seven direct oceanfront holes, more than any course in New England and views of the Atlantic from 14 of the 18 holes. Originally designed as a nine-hole course in 1902, Samoset Resort Golf Course celebrated its centennial year in 2002 and was also a qualifying event on the former Nike Tour. In 1974, the course was rebuilt as an 18-hole course by notable
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Samoset Hole #2
Samoset Hole #4
architect Robert Elder and the early 1990s, Geoffrey Cornish improved many of the holes including 10, 11 and 18. In 2000, Maine based Bradley Booth was instrumental in redesigning and rebuilding holes 4, 5, 14, 18 as well as the introduction of the practice area. The Samoset’s signature hole, the parfive 4th, plays alongside Penobscot Bay. The hole boasts an impressive stone seawall that encompasses the contoured green with added bunkers and elevation. The 185-yard par-three 5th hole (formerly a par-four), features a demanding uphill
Samoset Hole #5
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slope and a tee box located directly above the seawall on Penobscot Bay, playing to a heavily bunkered bank and front sloping green. With the 520 yard, par-five 18th hole being as strong a finishing hole as you could ever ask for, it’s easy to see why the Samoset is ranked as among the best golf courses in New England. The Samoset Resort is truly a family destination. There is literally something that will appeal to everyone. Soak up the sun from the spectacular 200,000-gallon “zero entry” pool and multi-tiered deck. Indulge in a little personalized pampering at the seaside Spa and salon. Families planning a vacation in Maine will love the tennis, basketball, disc golf and lawn games at our Ultimate Backyard, along with the fun-filled children’s activities at the Samoset Kids Club. The Samoset has it all in a spectacular Maine seaside setting. GRD For more information: SAMOSETRESORT.COM 800.341.1650
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MICHIGAN AMERICA’S SUMMER GOLF CAPITAL
Bay Harbor
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MICHIGAN GOLF TRAVEL
Boyne Golf: Where Golfers Gather For Great Golf By Mike May, Contributing Writer
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olfers dream about playing Pebble Beach, hope to play St. Andrews, and pray for the chance to play Augusta National. Those dreams, hopes, and prayers may never come true, but every golfer who craves a classic and memorable golf getaway can travel to northern Michigan to play Boyne Golf. Located 90 minutes north of Traverse City, Boyne Golf has evolved into of America’s most appealing golf destinations – especially in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Boyne Golf can best be summarized by these three numbers: Ten, Three, and One -- Ten golf courses, Three resorts, and One destination. If that doesn’t excite you, you should probably consider another sport or athletic hobby. It’s not an overstatement to say that Boyne Golf may well be the standard by which all U.S. golf resorts are now measured. When you consider the key components of any stayand-play golf getaway, Boyne Golf checks all the boxes, so to speak, and does so with authentic style. All ten golf courses at Boyne are well designed and are maintained with meticulous attention to detail. It’s also worth noting that the accommodation options are first-class, the weather is terrific, the food is delicious, and the hospitality is genuine and authentic. Another bonus to the Boyne Golf experience is the amount of daylight which is available in the summer. In June and July, you can be on the 18th tee at any of the courses at 10:00 pm and still have enough daylight to finish your round. If you want to play golf from dawn to dusk, you can play at least 54 holes on many days in the summer. Boyne Golf ’s three destinations are Bay Harbor, Boyne Highlands, and Boyne Mountain. Each destination is strong enough to stand on its own as a desirable golf destination, but when they are bundled together into one ‘package,’ Boyne Golf rises to the top of anybody’s wish list. The Bay Harbor Golf Club features 45-holes of golf -- three nine-hole golf courses designed by Arthur Hills (Links, Quarry, and Preserve) and the scenic 18hole Crooked Tree Golf Club. The Inn
at Bay Harbor and the Bay Harbor Golf Club are both set along a scenic five-mile stretch of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The lakeside views from the golf courses are stunning and never get old. You can be excused if you lose your focus along any of the nine-hole treks because you are caught gazing out to beautiful Lake Michigan, especially the lakeside views from the fairway of par five 7th hole along the Links course. Most of the holes along the Links hug the Lake Michigan coastline, just as many of Ireland’s historic links courses cling to the coast of the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. The Quarry course was designed in and around the remnants of an old shale quarry. Most of the tee shots are struck from raised tees. The Quarry finishes along the coast of Little Traverse Bay/Lake Michigan. Playing the Quarry course is a true adventure. The Preserve starts inland in the presence of a hardwood forest, but it concludes with a par three overlooking Little Traverse Bay. When playing the Preserve, you will find more spacious fairways which are surrounded by tall grasses, native wetlands and wildflowers. The 18-hole Crooked Tree Golf Club is situated high on the bluffs overlooking the Inn at Bay Harbor. The front nine at Crooked Tree winds its way through the hardwood forest, while the back nine provides amazing views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Crooked Tree features many creative, undulating greens. The Inn at Bay Harbor is one of America’s most beautiful, iconic hotels. In addition to the trendy and contemporary look to the 111 rooms at the Inn at Bay Harbor, you get unobstructed views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan in the distance. On this property, you can also ‘hang your hat’ in one of 22 modern lakeside cottages. All the creature comforts of home have been incorporated into every room and cottage at the Inn at Bay Harbor. The views of the lake from the on-site restaurant Sagamore’s add to the luster of the Inn at Bay Harbor. The specifics on Boyne Highlands are
impressive – four 18-hole golf courses. Boyne Highlands is not just a good location for a golf buddy trip, it’s an ideal location for a golf buddy trip. Those four courses are The Heather, Arthur Hills, Donald Ross Memorial, and The Moor. The Heather is the oldest course in the Boyne Golf portfolio. It was opened in 1966 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The most recent accolade bestowed upon The Heather speaks for itself: 2019 National Golf Course Operators Association’s Course of the Year. The Heather, which seems to get better with age, concludes with a strong downhill par four where a solid drive is required in order to leave yourself with a negotiable distance to the green, which is protected by a large lake at the front. As you would expect, Arthur Hills designed The Arthur Hills Course. Four of the fascinating holes are the 5th, 10th, 13th, and the 18th. The intentional alignment of the white pine trees that line the 5th is why it should be called ‘White Pine Boulevard.’ At the 10th, because of the height and configuration of the white pine trees that surround the putting surface, there’s a stadium-like feel as you approach the raised green of this short par four. When you stand on the elevated tee of the par-five 13th, you can see at least 4,000 acres of non-inhabited forest in the distance. The par-five 18th at the Hills course hugs the perimeter of a lake. Two strong shots can give you an eagle putt. The Donald Ross Memorial is a creative collection of some of Ross’s finest holes from a few of his classic golf course designs. In all, the 18 holes are replications from 14 of Ross’ courses. Some of the more well-known holes at Donald Ross Memorial are the 6th hole at Seminole Golf Club (the 1st at the Ross Memorial), the 14th at Scotland’s Royal Dornoch Golf Club (the 10th at the Ross Memorial), 16th at Oakland Hills Country Club, South Course (the 18th at Donald Ross Memorial), and the 18th at Inverness Club (the 7th at the Ross Memorial). Do you want to try and replicate Bob
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MICHIGAN GOLF TRAVEL Tway’s bunker shot in 1986 when he holed out at the 18th green at Inverness (Toledo, OH) to beat Greg Norman to win the PGA? Or would you like to replicate Gary Player’s greatest shot of his life, by his own admission, at the 1972 PGA Championship when he struck a nine iron from the right rough, over the willow trees and a small lake, to three feet for what turned out to be a championship-clinching birdie at the 16th hole at the Oakland Hills (Birmingham, MI) CC, South Course. The 16th at Oakland Hills is the 18th at Ross Memorial. The other golf courses represented at Donald Ross Memorial include Pinehurst (NC) CC, #2 Course; Plainfield (NJ) CC; Oak Hill (Rochester, NY) CC, East Course; Scioto (Columbus, OH) CC; Charlotte (NC) Country Club; Illinois’ Bob O’Link (Highland Park, IL) Golf Club; Salem (Peabody, MA) CC; Detroit (MI) Golf Club, North Course; Aronimink (Newton Square, PA) Golf Club; and Wannamoisett (Rumford, RI) CC. In all, the 14 courses which were used to build the Ross Memorial have hosted 14 U.S. Opens, 11 PGA Championships, eight U.S. Amateurs, and five Ryder Cups. The members at Boyne Highlands often rate The Moor as their favorite. Twists and turns are a common theme at The Moor, especially the front nine, which has four left-to-right doglegs. Accommodations at Boyne Highlands range from private cottages on site to comfortable rooms inside the lodge. The buffet breakfast inside the lodge is a firstclass spread. You will never walk away hungry from that breakfast selection. Boyne Mountain features two dynamic 18-hole courses -- The Monument and Alpine -- along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa. Boyne Mountain is a family friendly golf destination in the region with the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, junior golf camps, and various kid golf programs. Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain one of its “Top-10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips.” The Alpine course is affectionately referred to as a place where a good walk is made better. Of course, most people use a cart, but you get the message. The setting for The Alpine course will generate a number of photo ops and selfies. The mountain setting and the wonderful views
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of Deer Lake will bring you back time and time again. Strong play will be rewarded with great scores. Its open layout allows wayward drives to be found which helps with the pace of play. And, the fact that this course is the annual host of Michigan’s Tournament of Champions confirms the integrity of The Alpine’s design. If you have any appreciation for golf history, then you’ll relish the chance to play The Monument course at Boyne Mountain. This course was designed by borrowing the design tendencies and philosophies from great golf course architects like Donald Ross, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, George Fazio, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The course also pays tribute to some of America’s most accomplished and memorable golfers. To date, 13 of the holes are named after wellknown golfers. On those specific holes, a bronze plaque is embedded in the boulders located along each of the dedicated holes. On those plaques, you’ll be able to read the highlights and professional achievements of that player’s career. Your journey around The Monument concludes with a visit to the signature island green on the 18th hole, which is The Sam Snead Hole. Other holes named after wellknown golfers include the 1st (The Byron Nelson Hole), 2nd (The “Chick” Harbert Hole), 3rd (The Peggy Kirk Bell Hole), 5th (The Walter Hagen Hole), 6th (The Paul Runyan Hole), 7th (The Jim Flick Hole), 9th (The J.P. McCarthy Hole), 10th (The Kathy Whitworth and The Glen Johnson Hole), 11th (The Gene Sarazen Hole), 14th (The Bobby Jones Hole), 16th (The Everett Kircher Hole), and the 17th (The Chuck Kocsis Hole). To date, the 4th, 8th, 12th, 13th, and 15th holes have yet to be given a name. On a clear, summer day, the views of Deer Lake from the fairways of The Monument are refreshing and inviting. If the weather is warm enough, you should make time for a swim in Deer Lake at the conclusion of your round! When playing either Alpine or Monument, keep an eye out for Jerri Lee Richards, who is Boyne Mountain’s unofficial Vice President of Fun. She has also been dubbed the Ambassador of Joy. She’s always driving a golf cart filled with drinks and snacks. Without a doubt, Richards is Boyne Golf ’s most energetic cart girl
GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE | 2020
The Heather Golf Course
and most passionate advocate of Boyne Mountain. And has been for nearly 30 years. When she shows up with drinks and snacks to sell, her level of enthusiasm is infectious. She has a tremendous ability to close the deal. By her own admission, Jerri Lee makes the best Bloody Mary’s in Michigan, if not the entire Midwest. And, she loves what she does. “My career has been such a joy,” admitted Richards. “I’m happy to serve the golfers. I love what I do. My ‘office’ is so beautiful – rain or shine. Cups of ice are put in the carts while the golfers continue to play before they ask for it. I also offer to take photos for almost every group to record their memory.” As you would expect for a place like Boyne, which has multiple places to play golf, you can also visit the Boyne Golf Academy to fine tune and improve your game. Since 1986, the Boyne Golf Academy has been one of the top golf schools in the country. One of the Boyne Golf Academy’s latest and greatest instructional programs is the GEARS Golf 3-D Body and Club Tracking System. Try it, you’ll love it! The feedback from the GEARS program will be transformational for your golf game. Again, you don’t have to dream, hope, or pray about visiting Boyne Golf, you just have to pick out a date, reserve tee times, and go play. GRD For more information: BOYNEGOLF.COM
2019 National Golf Course of the Year Awarded to The Heather Best Golf Resorts in America by Forbes.com BOYNE Golf, Pebble Beach, Destination Kohler, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, Kapalua Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses The Heather #92 and Links/Quarry #80 Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Best Golf Resorts in the Americas Bay Harbor Golf Club and Inn at Bay Harbor GOLF Magazine | GOLF.com Top 100 Courses – Double Winner Buddies Trip – BOYNE Golf Luxury – Bay Harbor Golf Club and Inn at Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor Golf Club The Quarry • Hole #9
TEN COURSES. THREE RESORTS. ONE AWARD-WINNING DESTINATION. NORTHERN MICHIGAN
BOYNEgolf.com/letsgolf 866.826.8844 2020 | GOLF RESORT & DESTINATION MAGAZINE 29
MICHIGAN GOLF TRAVEL
Up And Away: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula By Wayne Mills, Contributing Writer
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ichigan’s Upper Peninsula occupies a unique location that sets it separate and apart. The only access from mainland Michigan is over the iconic bridge that spans the Straits of Mackinac. It is also the only land mass that has frontage on three of the Great Lakes; Michigan, Huron and Superior and a longitude well north of the Canadian cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Because of it’s relative isolation the Upper Peninsula tends to be very rural with small towns separated by large expanses of forests and fields. This makes it an ideal place for a unhurried golf adventure on some very good golf courses. First stop should be the Island Resort and Casino in Harris which is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, members of the Potawatomi tribe. The Island Resort can provide golf packages to not only their two courses but to others in the U.P. The Island Resort and Casino touches all the bases for your trip in a rather compact complex including very comfortable accommodations including standard and king sized rooms. Dining gets full coverage from the Coffee and Custard Shop to 5 Bridges Steakhouse to Firekeepers casual to T. McC’s Sports Bar with multiple TV’s and 20 different beers on tap If you like a little gaming with your golfing The Island Resort offers something for everyone on the gaming floor including table games, slots, bingo and poker. The floor is large enough without being overwhelming like many giant casinos. GOLF IN THE UPPER PENINSULA Directly out the back of the Island Resort hotel and casino is the Sweetgrass Golf Club, designed by Michigan native Paul Albanese. The course features a mostly rolling, open prairie terrain with the highlight being the island-green 15th hole. From the front nine all the way through to the 18th hole, you will encounter holes named after traditional Potawatomi clans, villages, allies, medicines and symbols. Sweetgrass hosts a Symetra Tour event each June and the greens are kept at tournament speed all season.
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Sweetgrass Island Resort Hole #3
Also owned by the tribe is the new Sage Run Golf Club, located about 15 minutes away. Sage Run features a large drumlin, which is a long, sloping ridge. It runs throughout the course in different directions, challenging players to interact and move along the course with it. Each hole has a unique character and feel. The course takes golfers through pine scrub areas, open areas and partially wooded areas and is a great contrast to it’s sister course, Sweetgrass. Further north in Marquette located on the shores of Lake Superior is the Marquette Golf Club home to two of the most contrasting golf courses you will ever see; the Heritage and Greywalls. The Heritage is a classic antique where William Langford designed the original nine in 1926 and David Gill added nine in 1969. Not
Sage Run Hole #8
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long at 6,200 from the tips it has small and intricate green complexes. Greywalls is an entirely different matter. Starting at the highest point on the property with long range views of Lake Superior, Greywalls is a rollicking and rolling adventure through massive rock outcroppings with humps and bumps and elevation changes galore. It is a visual delight and strategic challenge. Designed by Michigander Mike DeVries, who worked under Tom Doak, and opened in 2005, Greywalls has met with acclaim being ranked the #2 course in Michigan and Top 100 in the U.S by Golfweek. Southwest of Marquette is Iron Mountain home to TimberStone Golf Club, part of the Pine Mountain Ski Resort. Designed by Jerry Mathews and opened in 1997, TimberStone was carved out of 240 heavily forested acres making for tighter fairways and separate hole corridors. The course takes great advantage of the terrain and elevations particularly on the #1 handicap 6th with a left flanking pond and partially hidden green and the spectacular downhill par 3-17th. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a special place for great golf and laid back fun off the course. GRD
www.islandresortgolf.com • 877-ISL-GREEN
NEW JERSEY GOLF TRAVEL
Membership at The Jersey Shore Has Its Privileges At The Shore Club By Amanda Ruhl
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t’s no secret that the golf industry has experienced challenges in recent years. Even more, to succeed as a private golf club in a seasonal area requires a certain “je ne sais quoi” that most fall short to attain. Yet The Shore Club, located in Cape May County, NJ, has not only found a way to endure its seasonality, the club has embraced it. Over the past two years, The Shore Club has charged forward with its $1.5 million dollar renovation and hasn’t looked back. The club has capitalized on one of its biggest assets, the view. The 18hole championship Stiles – Van-Cleek designed course overlooks the back bays of Stone Harbor and North Wildwood. With the opened-up views from the clubhouse to the waterline, Members enjoy a front row seat to the painted skies of South Jersey over dinner on the patio.
Speaking of the patio, 2020 will see a massive redesign of the club’s outdoor dining space. Equipped with additional seating, fire pits, and cooking area, the new outdoor entertainment area will serve as another highlight to The Shore Club’s already impressive résumé and as an amenity to your summer vacation. In addition to recent dining renovations, the member’s bar, ballroom, men’s and ladies’ facilities, locker rooms and lobby have all enjoyed a recent facelift. However, the true gem of The Shore Club is the course itself. Don’t let the yardage book fool you. The Shore Club provides a true test for golfers of any skill level. A challenging but rewarding experience that will have you itching to get back out there. The Pro Shop’s attentiveness to their tee-sheet and pace of play has member’s playing a round
One of The Shore Club’s newly renovated bunkers
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in under 4 hours. Imagine playing 18 and being back on the beach with family all before noon. Tree removal has also been a major focus, making the relatively narrow fairways less intimidating all while not compromising the integrity of the course. Under the golf architecture services of Tyler Rae Design, LLC, the grounds crew has been working diligently on a bunker renovation project, already completing 19 of the 29 green side bunkers. The redesign does not miss the finer details. Having the ball above or below your feet on an uneven tee box is something no one will endure when teeing up. Plans are in motion to laser level all back, mid and forward tee boxes. If you need to fine tune your game before hitting the course, The Shore Club has you covered. Their 12-acre practice facility stretching
past 300 yards with two practice holes allows novice and experienced players alike to work on every aspect of their game. Looking for an inclusive club where the culture embraces its new membership? Look no further. Joining a new Club can be overwhelming. The atmosphere at the Shore Club is laid back while still carrying the traditional values of a private club. From seniors to the young professionals, and those in between, every member enjoys an ageless camaraderie on and off the course. Families have become the core of the Shore Club membership. Embracing the family atmosphere of the Shore’s peak summer months, the club’s membership offerings are inclusive of spouses and children. The hustle and bustle of a summer in South Jersey provides the Shore Club, which remains open year around, a tranquil Fall and Spring. Some of the best golfing weather comes in the off-season. Members can take advantage of a quick escape to warmer off-season temperatures with a round of golf that can feel like your own personal playground. Incentives to join the club have never been more enticing. Incoming members
enjoy credits back to their account that can reach up to $1,900. The course has a celebrated history of over 100 years and hosted famous professional golfers such as Arnold Palmer and Walter Hagen. However, it’s the promise of the next 100 years that has the golf industry buzzing about The Shore Club. GRD
For more information: MYSHORECLUB.COM
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BANK ON IT
Kilmarlic Par 3
It was supposed to be merely the tune-up trip – final preparations for play on the game’s grandest stage in the British Isles. But a golf journey to North Carolina’s Outer Banks made its own lasting impression. By Martin Armes, Contributing Writer
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recent five-round, four-night golf adventure along North Carolina’s northeastern barrier islands was strategically chosen for its seaside positioning and potential windswept nature. The Wright Brothers came to the Outer Banks hoping for consistently faster winds and higher air density to help lift their “flying machine” off the sandy soil in the early 1900s. And they got them. So, it was only natural that our golf group should seek out those precise conditions in order to prepare for an impending challenge against
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three famed Open Championship venues that exist along England’s northwest coast. Not surprisingly, we got the winds too. As it turned out, the only real surprise surfaced a week later while playing amongst the dunes that defend against the cold, battering winds that typically sweep off the Irish Sea. As rounds persisted across historic Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Royal Lytham and St. Annes, and Royal Birkdale, one couldn’t help but think back to the days immediately prior. Through the chilly British dreariness
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arose memories of warm Atlantic Ocean breezes, sound-side vistas, brilliant sunshine, sweet southern hospitality and quality food. Oh, that Tar Heel food. It’s no secret that the English fare can be dreadful in the pubs and taverns so far away from home. Never before had the words of James Taylor rung so true: “Gone to Carolina in my mind…” It was decided then. Our next golf trip stays on home shores. Granted, the extraordinary linksland, the game’s rich tournament history, and
OUTER BANKS GOLF TRAVEL
The Pointe
those unpredictable elements of nature found in the British Isles (not to mention driving on the “wrong” side of the road) make up and experience that should be on every serious golfer’s bucket list. But for all the quality, ease, accessibility (from the “right” side of the road) and value available much closer to home, it’s not a stretch to say that a memorable golf trip in its own right can also be had along the Carolina coast – specifically, the Outer Banks. But why this particular stretch of beach? Well, because OBX, as it is known as in local parlance, is simply different. Not unlike golf in the Old Country, it’s pure. It’s not the trumped-up, touristy golf destination that has developed over time in other coastal towns. Instead, it is a throwback coastal retreat with a charm that is preserved not only in its distinct culture but across many of its big-name golf designs as well. Arguably the state’s most enchanting tourist destination, the Outer Banks is a true American treasure. The region has always been known as a family-oriented destination, with plenty of sand, sun, sea and saltwater to excite even the calmest of children. In recent years, OBX has begun to assert itself as a true golf destination, with an array of courses that are more closely tied to all of nature’s coastal elements than what you’ll find in other East Coast golf destinations. During our visit, we found two courses positioned on the actual barrier island possessing qualities most closely representing what we would eventually face in the British Isles. Nags Head Golf Links, located on the south end, challenged us
with several holes routed right along the Roanoke Sound with winds that seemingly changed by the minute. The front nine’s fifth and ninth and the back nine’s 15th and 18th holes actually play right along the water in opposite directions, making club selection more art than science. On this day, the back-nine holes played at least one club less downwind while the front-nine holes had us swinging out of our shoes with a few extra clubs. Though not located directly on the water, the well- bunkered, 160-yard, par-3 17th hole (with sound waters lapping just beyond the dunes that surround the green) provided the best imitation of what I would routinely experience the following week in the UK. We also played at the Currituck Club, located 45 minutes north of Nags Head on the top end of the barrier island. There we enjoyed the Rees Jones-designed layout that winds through a premier, gated community in Corolla and features diverse coastal terrain (including sand dunes, wetlands, maritime forests and sound-side shoreline) and glimpses of the Currituck Sound, particularly on signature holes at the par-5 seventh and par-3 15th. Like all the great links courses abroad, the Currituck Club can change complexion according to the wind speed and direction. Play it on three consecutive days and you’ll likely enjoy three different experiences. The three mainland courses included on our itinerary were Kilmarlic, The Carolina Club and The Pointe. Since our group actually stayed in a golf cottage at Kilmarlic and since it is so conveniently situated, we developed a particular affinity for this upscale Tom Steele design. Though more
heavily wooded than the island courses and thus less impacted by coastal breezes, Kilmarlic challenges you with substantially more water hazards. In fact, there are only three holes on the entire course devoid of a wetland or water feature. This forces you to think your way around the layout that stretches a modest 6,560 yards in length. Probably the most memorable hole at Kilmarlic is the 201-yard, par-3 17th. A precise shot over marsh (that runs along the entire left side and then wraps around back of a bulkheaded green) is required to hit dry land. The Pointe, meanwhile, is a traditional design that spreads out across the rural Carolina mainland. Like Kilmarlic, The Pointe’s greatest defense is in the form of water with 15 holes sporting some sort of wet lateral challenge. Since we had heard that it was more player-friendly than the others in the area, we positioned it at the front of our Outer Banks golf agenda. Last but not least, The Carolina Club was played on the way out of town before heading back home north. There we discovered a big, brawny layout (especially in relation to the others in the region) that stretches to within lob wedge distance of 7,000 yards. Designed by popular architects Russell Breeden and Bob Moore, the layout is more open than its mainland brethren making the winds more significant. The signature hole at The Carolina is the 166-yard, par-3 seventh. It showcases an island green that can be difficult to hit when the ocean breezes kick up and penetrate the mainland. As serious golfers, we elected to challenge our games on all the major players in the Outer Banks region – namely Nags Head, The Currituck Club, Kilmarlic, The Pointe and The Carolina Club. But whatever combination of golf courses you choose on your visit, just don’t go there thinking that the trip is going to be a steppingstone to something greater. The OBX golf experience can certainly hold its own against all others – near or afar. GRD
For more information: PLAYOBXGOLF.COM
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PHILADELPHIA GOLF TRAVEL
GILBERTSVILLE GOLF CLUB
Book your 2020 Golf Outings, Leagues and Memberships NOW! 610 323 3222
golfgilbertsvillegc.com
2944 LUTHERAN RD, GILBERTSVILLE, PA 19525
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HAND, WRIST, ELBOW PAIN?
Tips to Help You Get Back on the Course Quickly By David Zelouf, MD Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center
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s an avid golfer, I’ve had my share of golf injuries, as well as general aches and pains. I’ve had golfer’s elbow, painful shoulder bursitis and chronic low back pain from arthritis, hitting too many balls on the range, and just plain old wear and tear. Most golfers have had their share of age and golf-related issues as well, but because we love the game, we play through it. I rarely tell my patients to put the clubs down, since I can’t imagine any extended period of time without my sticks. As an orthopedic hand surgeon with a good understanding of body mechanics, I’d like to share a few thoughts to help you through a few common wrist and elbow issues you may be having, and to let you know when you may need to see an expert. The golf swing is tough on the body, and can take its toll on the back, elbows, and wrists. Golf injuries can be related to pure repetition, or to a single bad shot, such as hitting a shot out of deep rough, or hitting a root unexpectedly (take a drop next time). The most common golf related injuries and conditions that I treat are mostly at the elbow and wrist. Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis is a breakdown or degeneration of the origin of the flexor pronator tendon, which originate from the inside of the elbow. It is not truly an inflammatory problem, but rather a degenerative tendon problem. It is more common in people over the age
of 40. The best way to avoid getting it is to avoid hitting balls off of a firm matt, which is how it started in my case. Once it becomes an issue, it can last a long time and can make each impact painful. For me, stretching my back and my elbow daily has been very helpful, along with shallowing out my swing, and dumping my 130-gram S300 shafts for a 110-gram graphite steel composite, which has been great for absorbing impact but allows for consistency tough to find in a pure graphite shaft. In some golfers, an injection is necessary, but therapy and stretching can often eliminate the need for cortisone. Surgery is typically a last resort, as the recovery period is 4-6 months. Wrist injuries are common as well, and plenty of tour pros have missed extended time because of wrist injuries. The list includes Jim Furyk, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas, along with many others. Common wrist problems include tendinitis, ligament tears and hamate hook fractures that are often undiagnosed for months. Through a combination of physiotherapy, rest and splinting, most wrist pain can be treated successfully without surgery. If the pain doesn’t resolve after taking a week or two off, I recommend you see an expert for an evaluation. And always remember you can still practice your putting, even one handed, which is one of my favorite drills. GRD
Dr. David Zelouf is an avid golfer and board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon with the renowned Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. With more than 25 years of experience treating injuries and chronic conditions of the hands, wrist, arms and elbows, Dr. Zelouf welcomes new patients in his King of Prussia, Paoli and Center City Philadelphia offices.
Call
800.385.7472 to schedule an appointment, or visit
Hand2ShoulderCenter.com to learn more.
SOUTH CAROLINA GOLF TRAVEL
Palmetto Dunes Stays Ahead Of The Curve By Brad King, Contributing Writer
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almetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Equally feted were the resort’s trio of outstanding golf courses designed by architectural legends: the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, the Arthur Hills Course and the George Fazio Course. All three of Palmetto Dunes’ magnificent layouts have been named South Carolina’s “Golf Course of the Year.” Palmetto Dunes is a 2,000-acre resort destination located in the middle of Hilton Head Island, S.C., bounded by 3 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach on one side and a sheltered Intracoastal Waterway marina on the other. Named No. 3 “Best Resort in the South” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards and to the top 25 World’s Best Family Getaways by Travel + Leisure, the resort features vacation home and villa rentals, three world-class golf courses, an award-winning tennis and pickleball center, an 11-mile inland salt-water lagoon system for kayaking and fishing, and Hilton Head Outfitters for bike rentals, canoes, kayaks, fishing and much more. In the Condé Nast poll, Palmetto Dunes catapulted nine spots. The big move places the iconic Hilton Head resort ahead of popular southern enclaves such as Montage Palmetto Bluff (No. 5), The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island (No. 6), Wild Dunes Resort (No. 10) and The Cloister (No. 19). The Mediterranean-style Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina — Hilton Head Island’s largest deep-water marina, located right across from Palmetto Dunes — features waterfront shopping and dining and a wide variety of charters, including nature cruises, dolphin tours, sport crabbing and fishing. Remaining on the cusp of resort innovation, this year Palmetto Dunes introduced a fleet of autonomous golf cad-
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die units. The “Tempo Walk” by Club Car provides golfers with the enjoyment of walking the course, enhancing play, and fostering health and wellness. State-of-the-art wireless technology including GPS yardage and hands-free remote allows golfers the control to maneuver easily around the course. Additional technology features include a USB port and touchscreen tablet along with tra-
Jones Hole #10
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ditional golf car offerings such as a cup holder, cooler, divot repair and sand bottle. Palmetto Dunes has eight units that are available for use at the Jones and Fazio courses. “We are delighted to introduce this enhancement to the Palmetto Dunes golf experience,” said Palmetto Dunes Director of Golf Clark Sinclair. “It’s already generating quite a buzz from our
resort guests.” In addition to the Tempo Walk, golfers can also pedal from hole to hole. The first resort in the Carolinas and along the East Coast to offer the revolutionary Golf Bike, Palmetto Dunes visitors can boost their calorie-burning quotient while teeing it up on some of the south’s most beautiful and challenging courses. The resort has also introduced a new
fleet of nimble BagBoy pushcarts by on all three golf courses to further promote walking. Palmetto Dunes also boasts a state-of-the-art fleet of golf carts produced by Club Car. The fleets at Palmetto Dunes include golf carts equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS), as well as USB ports to charge cell phones and play music devices — all designed to suit a golfer’s enjoyment and functionality.
In addition, Palmetto Dunes offers a dozen four-person golf carts that serve a host of capabilities: Family foursomes playing out of one cart, while also getting in some walking, small corporate outings and scramble tournaments with all four players in the same golf cart, adding a sense of team and relationship building, and more. “We’ve always tried to do things a little different here at Palmetto Dunes,” said Samm Wolfe, the head golf professional and general manager at the Arthur Hills Course. “We have a way of looking at things outside the box. All these things make us unique in the area.” In addition, Palmetto Dunes partners with SwingFit, a state-of-the-art club-fitting technology housed at the Robert Trent Jones clubhouse. SwingFit is a true, custom club fitter and club maker. They are brand agnostic to fit all major manufacturers. SwingFit’s Chris Wycoff became a Mizuno Top 100 fitter in 2014 and has been included on Golf Digest’s list of the 100 Best Club Fitters in America for the past three years. He is also a member of the International Clubmakers Guild and is FlightScope and Gears Golf certified. Most recently, Golf.com named SwingFit among the “Top 25 Elite Clubfitters across the United States.” “It’s a nice honor from the industry,” Wycoff said. “It’s further validation that we’re working down the right path, improving our services to golfers. We’re trying to help people play better and have more fun out there.” Last but certainly not least, one of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort’s popular attractions is the complimentary, interactive Monday golf exhibition and clinic, where participants experience the effective and entertaining style of longtime Director of Golf Instruction Doug Weaver, a former PGA Tour player and member of the Lowcountry Golf Hall of Fame, and the rest of the Palmetto Dunes teaching staff. GRD For more information: PALMETTODUNES.COM 877.567.6513
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HORSESHOE BAY RESORT IS BUCKET LIST FOR GOLFERS TRIPS AND FAMILIES By Ryan Ballengee, Contributing Writer
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TEXAS GOLF TRAVEL
Everyone has their own rubric for these kinds of things, but when I evaluate a resort that leads with golf, I ask one question: Would I take my own buddy trip there? Would my guys enjoy competing for the Greensburg Cup there? I left Horseshoe Bay Resort in the Texas Hill Country — about an hour or so from Austin International Airport — thinking our 12-14 guys would be all about it.
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ou’ll have to forgive me, but I don’t think about Texas much. I don’t know why. So Horseshoe Bay wasn’t really on my radar. However, when I was approached about a media trip to the resort, the prospect of exploring a place with so much golf in one town appealed to me. Plenty of Texans and other well-off folks have discovered Horseshoe Bay, building incredible homes on Lake LBJ and throughout the town. While I flew commercial, there’s a private airport nearby for you Wheels Up members looking to get in and out really easily. As we were checking in, a number of locals donning UT-Austin and Dallas Cowboys gear were rolling in as though this was a place they saw several times per year.
APPLE ROCK PAR 3, 12th HOLE This signtuare hole has been ranked among the most scenic in Texas, with a fairway that stretches along the beautiful shoreline of Lake LBJ.
Horseshoe Bay is a big place, and the base hotel feels like a dot in the bigger picture. Still, the hotel is tremendous, upgraded throughout as part of a large investment into the entire property. The accommodations are modern and comfortable. The showers, in particular, are a great part of the rooms, which have plenty of plugs for all your electronics near the bed. The large pool is open late, and the big hot tub is perfect for some pre-bed unwinding. The staff are friendly, and there are shuttles — SUVs, buses and golf carts of all kinds — to get you wherever you need to go on the property. We played four rounds in three days, hitting up the three courses open to resort guests and the resort’s private club as well. The three public courses are all Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs. That typically conjures images of difficult holes with narrow landing areas and demanding second shots. While the spread of RTJ Sr. courses has holes that scream his vintage, the trio of courses have a resort feel at their core that offers a balance of scoring opportunities and holes where I had to hunker down APPLE ROCK Our group kicked off the trip with a round on Apple Rock, which proved to be my favorite course.
Apple Rock and its sister course, Ram Rock, sit on the same broad plot, and they draw on similar themes to weave throughout their respective 18 holes. Apple Rock asks players to take a leap of faith on the first two holes, with tee shots shaped by doglegs and bunkering. The front nine builds to higher ground after the par-5 fourth, all the way to the tee shot on the par-5 sixth, which lets the golfer stop and take in the full scale of the surrounding land. When the golfer arrives to the par5 10th, they get the best look of the lake they might see all week before pummeling a downhill tee shot. The par 5s are great at Apple Rock, but the par 3s are really the star. They’re all a reasonable length — ranging from a pitching wedge to a 7-iron — with three of the four requiring some kind of shot over water. They can be turning points in a match (in my wallet’s experience, for better and for worse). The inward six holes feel substantially different compared to the first dozen holes. The landscape changes, with tighter tee shots on shorter holes. A skilled player will have to decide whether to trust their longer clubs or lay up to more comfortable landing areas. These holes typically play into the wind, meaning they’re operatively playing longer than the scorecard length. Finishing off a great round
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TEXAS GOLF TRAVEL
RAM ROCK PAR 3, 4th HOLE This challenging hole has treacherous island green. Players must navigate hitting a shallow green completely surrounded by water and sand.
might look easy on paper, and that’s where Apple Rock came come up and get you. RAM ROCK Ram Rock was a more stout test than Apple Rock. In large part, that’s because we played with a stronger afternoon wind, but the course features 10 water hazards, bunkers in the most heartbreaking places and a second nine that tested my mettle. The par 3s are again a star on this course, with a short iron required into the island-green fourth. Maybe the most fun tee shots on the trip came on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes, with a short uphill par 4, a semi-blind downhill par 5 and a
downhill par 3 to a funneling green. After the eighth, the course takes a turn for the next eight holes. The holes get shorter, and the tee shots get tighter. Longer hitters are going to put driver in the bag, including on the two par 5s in this stretch, as the friendliest portions of the landing areas don’t require driver. The tee shots in wooded corridors give way to more welcoming approach areas, but this is where a golfer makes or breaks their round. (It broke me.) Keep hitting the straightest club in your bag off the tee, and the rest will be fine. The finish comes with an uphill climb, including to a 195-yard par-3 17th and the
blind tee shot to the 18th hole. Ram Rock doesn’t ever really let up, but it also feels the most polished of the three courses. From the first tee shot, you’ll know you’re playing the proverbial Championship Course. In a friendly match, there won’t be many halves. Aggressive players can get punished for going over their skis, while meek players can struggle if they won’t commit to their lines. As part of the $90 million renovation throughout the resort, the club has built a new pro shop and indoor pavilion. They’re precursors to what will be a beautiful clubhouse which Apple Rock golfers will play into on No. 18. With lodg-
SLICK ROCK PAR 4, 14th HOLE The breathtaking “Million Dollar” hole is the most photographed golf hole at Horseshoe Bay Resort. Be sure to take a photo from the tee box and frame it.
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ing coming to the property, summertime visitors may be able to play from dawn to dusk and get in 54 or 72 holes in a day. SLICK ROCK The last of the three RTJ Sr. courses in our rotation was Slick Rock. It was the first Horseshoe Bay course when it opened in 1972, and it becomes clear it set the tone for Rocks Apple and Ram. Slick Rock lacks the land movement and variety of the other two courses, but it also asks some tougher questions of golfers in spots. Aggressive golfers can take on a wide range of challenges, including blind landing areas for longer hitters, cutting off corners with bunkers and trees, as well firing along and over water hazards. Slick Rock was renovated in 2016, but its standout feature remains. The par-4 14th is a short-ish hole which curls right, with the player driving over the Million Dollar waterfall (lead picture), a water feature which draws somewhat on Frank Lloyd Wright as an influence in aesthetic and Disney World’s Animal Kingdom safari as an experience. The cart paths throughout Slick Rock get down to water level in places, making for a unique ride in spots that livens up the experience of sitting in a cart. The back nine is the star at Slick Rock, including the par-5 12th hole, which features a friendly tee shot that belies the challenge ahead. Shorter hitters can lay up to the end of the fairway bisected by water, while longer hitters can go for broke with bunkering left and a pond running up the entire right side of the second half of the hole. It’s good enough to be a captivating finisher, but it serves as the back half of an exhilarating one-two punch with the short par-4 11th before it. The course comes to a somewhat gentle landing, with the 17th being a par 3 over marshland to a big green, and the par-4 18th asking the golfers to play to an semi-blind uphill landing area on a dogleg before hitting to an elevated green. Slick Rock is where most golfers are probably going to score the best of the three, but by no means is it a pushover. Polling the group who came on this trip, there was a fairly even spread on votes for a favorite course, which indicated to me there’s a little something for every golfer in the Horseshoe Bay offering.
But there was still one more course on the docket. Summit Rock is Horseshoe Bay Resort’s private club. They bought it away from the original developers whose struggled to bring the project to fruition. Now there are a few hundred members who can take on a Jack Nicklaus signature design that’s one of his best I’ve played. The terrain at Summit Rock is dramatically more rugged than the other Rocks of Horseshoe Bay, sprawling with beautiful cacti, exposed rock and wildlife. It made sense then for Nicklaus to carve around it, making it the star instead of the obstruction. Members have to play over and around the landscape into generous landing areas to set up what’s a second-shot golf course. It’s a great experience I hope the resort considers opening up to guests on a limited basis. RESORT AMENITIES The golf is great, but what really blew me away was the food. There’s no shortage of places to grab a bite at Horseshoe Bay, including two waterfront restaurants at the Yacht Club and the new Waterfront Bar and Grill by the docks. Both offer a refined atmosphere with a great mix of seafood, local meat and a great selection of both Texas beers and, yes, wines. The delicacy at the resort is chicken-fried lobster, which has been a mainstay on the menu for years. It sounds like culinary apostasy, but the dish is really good. Served with a little butter and some requisite gravy for chicken-fried anything, the lobster still stands out with the bonus of some Texas crunch. If you’re looking to play it a little safer, every meat I had was delectable. You can get the chicken-fried lobster at the Yacht Club, where the pool and hot tub offer great views of the lake. The Yacht Club bar is a great place to talk about the day on the course and wind down before the evening. After a long day, guys on a buddy trip are probably looking for a place to have a few drinks, some apps and relax. The Whitewater 360 Sports Club is perfect. Over the bar area is a circle of big TVs, with screens facing in and out to give everyone inside a view of the game of their choice. The Reuben sliders are unbelievable. Get them. Weaving around the Whitewater is an
Chicken Friesd Lobster
18-hole natural-grass mini-golf course. There are no windmills or goofy obstacles, just a really good time. Grab a beer, a putter and a ball and play under the lights to settle some wagers. If you’re coming with your family instead of your buddies, the mini-golf course and indoor kids play zone are great activities for the kids on top of the pools at the hotel and Yacht Club. Horseshoe Bay is my kind of place because it balances a strong volume of golf offerings with great food and accommodations, all with a humble Texas (not Humble, Texas) vibe. It’s a luxury property that doesn’t act like it. That’s why, to me, it makes for a great buddy trip destination: A place where good times are guaranteed, and they can happen at your crew’s pace. GRD For more information: HSBRESORT.COM
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When the world needs to know about a course;
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3rd hole Ozarks National Golf Club Ridgedale, Missouri ©2019 Evan Schiller Photography
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