Tri State Golfer Fall 2022

Northern

®

You’ve worked hard for these carefree days and now it’s time to enjoy them. A day at our continuing care retirement community in Newtown Square might include a session in the floral design studio, a book discussion group, a simulcast opera in our auditorium and a seasonal dinner—not to mention outdoor yoga with new-found friends. Plus, with Philadelphia only miles away, all of the city’s cultural resources are close at hand. There’s always something interesting to do at Dunwoody Village. Contact us today to find out more.

Limited number of newly renovated 1 Bedroom Apartments available

2023 is closer than you think.

...like teeing up for a day of golf, stepping aboard a charter boat, or cracking open a cold one as you relax on the water. Find adventure, relaxation, and camaraderie on the beautiful sugar-white sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

White Clay Creek is a semi private golf club located in Wilmington. Our 18 hole, par 72 public golf course, designed by Arthur Hills, ASGCA/Steve Forest & Associates, features 7,007 yards of manicured greens and breathtaking views.

E C O M E A M E M B E R T O D A Y A T W W W . W H I T E C L A Y C R E E K . C O M

G O L F , D I N N I N G , C A S I N O & M O R E

S E M I P R I V A T E C L U B W I T H D A I L Y R A T E S & T E E T I M E S C U S T O M T O U R N A M E N T S & G R O U P O U T I N G S E X Q U I S I T E W E D D I N G S & E V E N T S A W A R D W I N N I N G F O O D A T T H E R A I L W I N E B A R & G R I L L E F U L L Y S T O C K E D G O L F S H O P

The Talamore Family of Clubs

Membership Has More Privileges

FALL SPECIAL NOW IN PLAY!

A

and

Championship golf at Talamore comes with a unique to the area low country feel as wetlands, graceful lakes and ponds provide a great challenge and stunning backdrop to this highly ranked track. Exceptional private club dining both indoors and outdoors, a resort pool, fitness and tennis and a complete Member’s Social and Golf Calendar of events brings it all together.

Applecross features the area’s only Nicklaus design weaving through the rolling hills of Chester county. It combines natural beauty with playability along with a stiff challenge from the tips. For amenities, there is no equal to Applecross with a state-ofthe-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, basketball, a world-class yoga studio and the new Spa at Applecross.

Membership at Talamore and Applecross certainly has its privileges…but there is MORE as Talamore Family Members can enjoy a dizzying array of Clubs worldwide through special affiliations with Club Corp and Pacific Links. Firestone, Barton Creek, many TPC clubs and top dining Clubs are all part of the unique Membership offerings.

Ross Wilner - Membership Director

ext. 125

r.wilner@talamorefamily.com

www.TalamoreCC.com

Applecross Country Club

Steve Natalie - Membership

ext. 110

www.ApplecrossCC.com

Arnold Palmer

of Pinehurst Area,

Talamore Golf Club by Rees Jones Village of Pinehurst Area, NC

Talamore’s

FROM THE PUBLISHER

GREEN GRASS ACCOUNTS

JOE BURKHARDT

ADVERTISING SALES (PA / NJ / DE

NATIONAL)

JOE BURKHARDT 610.755.8767

tristategolf@gmail.com

Historic Village of Pinehurst Area of North Carolina

ART DIRECTOR

Putters The Future Of Putting Wholesale Travel Save Hundreds On

and Applecross providing a variety of settings with perfect outdoor seating for golfers overlooking the 18th hole, Resort style service at the Pools, special family oriented dining areas, and modern day bars, mixed grills and fire pit patios.

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More Golf

And there’s more! State of the art amenities include fitness, tennis, basketball, indoor and outdoor pools, crossfit,

GARO YEPREMIAN JR. GAROJRDESIGN.COM

TALAMORE

STAFF WRITER

A year round series of Social events tailored for every generation spans the gamut with Scarecrow making and Pumpkin painting, putt putt, T-Rex birdie ball, Brunch with Santa and high end Wine Dinners.

A traditional slate

Where More Is What You’ll Always Get

NATE OXMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

MATT BIONDI

JIM BRINCKMAN

DAVE DAUBERT

MARK HOGAN MIKE MAY WAYNE MILLS

TOM MCNICHOL AL RYDING

ANTHONY THIBODEAU MATT WARD

GARO YEPREMIAN JR.

The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation Raises Funds At Union League Liberty Hill

More Hospitality Included

24 Golf Entertainment

Popstroke Announces The Official Opening Of Orlando, Florida Location

Golf Travel From The Coast To The Capital, Mississippi Golf Is A Winner

Talamore

of Everything

SOCIAL MEDIA MARC BURKHARDT

Like Donald Ross, who spent roughly 30 years fine-tuning his work on Pinehurst No. 2, those at the helm of the Talamore Golf Resort less than five miles away in Southern Pines have spent the last three decades working tire lessly to make its all-encompassing acreage a pure oasis for golf vacationers of all sorts.

STAFF TEACHER

Midland Road Masters Package

Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022

Signature Golf Package

Dates: 4/6/2022 - 5/6/2022

BERTUS WESSELS

CONTRIBUTING ASSOCIATIONS

Its proof of success is in Golf Advisor’s annual Golfers’ Choice rankings of the best golf courses in the U.S. For Talamore Golf Resort, it was total domination, highlighted by its position as the No. 1 public golf course in North Carolina.

Weekday - $1046 per person Weekend - $1204 per person

3 Nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath Mid South Lodge

Play 1 round each at The New Course at

Weekday - $590 per person Weekend - $715 per person

3 Nights in a luxurious 2 bedroom/2 bath Talamore Golf Villa

Play 2 rounds at The New

BIONDI MEDIA

GOLF NEWS NETWORK

To add icing on the cake, Mid South Club, Talamore’s sister course, was just voted the Best Public/Semi-Private Course in the Sandhills. Two #1 golf courses... both under the same umbrella...both at the center of Talamore’s golf vacation paradise.

Mid South

Nate Oxman, Staff Writer - Tri-State Golfer Magazine

KEVIN FRISCH PR LET’S GO GOLF TRAVEL NETWORK LPGA

PGA OF AMERICA USGA

PO

Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of Tri-State Golfer. The information in this issue was accurate at the time of publication. All should be confirmed with the golf facility before making tee times and reservations.

Member golfing events including Member Guests, Men’s and Ladies Golf Leagues,

and Dine and a Ryder Cup between Clubs finishes the active Member calendar.

Hartefeld National

Delivered to You Each Morning Talamore’s BBQ Pavilion Traditional Southern BBQ

Talamore Golf Villas Lodges at Mid South The Palmer Cottage

PHILLY’S

NEW PLAYER

By Jim Brinckman, Contributing Writer

Golf legend and Hall of Famer, Gary Player, typically only deals with numbers of five or less as written on a scorecard.

But it’s the numbers the scorecard doesn’t show that tell the golf legend’s true story.

The 86-year-old South African is one of the greatest players of all time, with 18 major championships to his name – nine on the PGA Tour, including the 1962 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club right here in Newtown Square and nine more on the PGA Tour Champions. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

In a professional career that is about to reach 70 years, Player has, according to his website, piled up over 165 worldwide wins on six continents over seven decades. Although he is retired from competitive golf, he plays regularly. If you’re keeping score at home, he has shot his age or better an astounding 3,045 times, including a record of 16 strokes lower.

A great deal of his appearances these days are philanthropic in nature, including his recent visit to The Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa., where Player and his special guest, Annika Sörenstam, joined generous donors for the inaugural Ambassador Event benefiting The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation. The event featured a team scramble on the golf course, designed by Player in 2003, followed by an exclusive South African culinary and wine experience as well as a silent auction.

The event allowed the Foundation, which operates both in the U.S. and South Africa, to continue to carry out its mission to positively impact the lives of vulnerable and underprivileged children. It benefited the Episcopal Community Services Out of School Time Program in aid of inner city children in Philadelphia and Place of Hope, a non-profit based in Palm Beach County, Florida, designed to end the cycles of abuse, neglect, homelessness, poverty, and human trafficking.

Vivienne Player, left, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in August 2021. Soon after, Player announced the creation of The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation.

Amanda-Leigh Player Hall serves as the Foundation’s president and executive director.

Player’s daughter, Amanda-Leigh Player Hall, serves as the Foundation’s president and executive director.

“One in six children lives in poverty here in the USA. My parents have always been passionate about lifting children out of poverty. Data shows that the best way to do that is through health, housing and education,” said Player Hall.

The three organizations that The GVPF is currently focused on assisting are providing safe places for children to thrive and breaking the bonds of intergenerational poverty.

Annika Sörenstam eagerly accepted an invite to attend from Player, a longtime friend.

“I’m here to support Gary and Vivienne who have been so great to the game,” Sörenstam said. “It’s a great event for the kids and (Player) is an inspiration to me. We’re lucky to be able to make a difference.”

Like Player, Sörenstam is a part of her sport’s Mt. Rushmore, racking up 90 international tournaments as a professional, making her the female golfer with the most wins to her name. She has 72 official LPGA tournament victories, including 10 majors.

Seeing Player in and around the Philadelphia region is not much of an

–Gary Player

anomaly. Player frequents the area to visit his daughter, Amanda, who lives in nearby Collegeville. Player said he spends about a month each year with her and her family.

While Player originates from across the Atlantic, he considers himself a Philadelphian in many respects.

So just how Philly are you, Gary?

Can you pronounce Schuylkill River? Check.

Pats or Geno’s? Non-applicable as Player doesn’t really eat meat.

Can you do the Mummer’s Strut? “What’s that?” Player exclaimed.

Have you ever done the Rocky Run at the Art Museum? Check.

Last but not least, are you an Eagles fan? “Hell yeah,” Player said, emphatically. And while he wasn’t sure how the Birds would fair this season, he said he would absolutely root for them if they got to the Super Bowl.

For a man who has played and won at the best courses in the world, he considers several courses in the tri-state area top on his all-time list.

“The Union League Liberty Hill, Aronimink Golf Club, Merion Golf Club and of course Pine Valley,” Player said. “Pine Valley is the best course in the world.” TSG

The inaugural Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation Ambassador Event was held September 12 at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pa.

“I want my legacy not to be remembered for all the majors and golf titles I have won, but for all the people the foundation has helped.”

The Gary and

Player Foundation welcomes grant requests from organizations or charities that share our vision of a better world for children in need. For information about our grant request process, please

infousa@garyandvivienneplayerfoundation. org, or

Award-winning

Palmer’s

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Birmingham

FUTURE

THE OF PUTTING

By Tom McNichol, Contributing Writer

Michael Little came to golf relatively late, not really getting hooked on the game until he was in his early 20s.

He was a natural, though, and, after going to The Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Little quickly rose through the club pro ranks. He became the head pro at Lookaway Golf Club and twice was the Player of the Year in the Philadelphia Section PGA.

Ball-striking was never a problem for the 38-year-old Little. It was putting, Little realized, that was the difference, not just for his game, but for anybody’s game. Mastering the flat stick became Little’s passion.

“I always struck it good,” Little said from the Bensalem home of Makefield Putters, the company that took the golf world by storm at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show with its new line of putters. “So many times, it’s making putts that is the difference. It can be humbling, but I always thought there had to be a way to putt better.”

Was it the putter? Or was it the way the player hit the putt, no matter the putter he or she was using? Little has found it’s a little bit of both.

Putter cover and adjustment tool

When a couple of engineers, Makefield Putters founder Everett Farr and his partner Michael Fuchs, came looking for a professional golfer to help them with the finishing touches of their new putter, they found a skillful partner in Little, whose title is co-founder and vice president of sales and marketing.

Farr and Fuchs were partners in Lehdrex, an engineering company that focused on developing new products and bringing them to market. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Farr, a lifelong golfer, found himself with some time on his hands.

The engineer in Farr and the golfer in him came together in that moment and sent him on a mission to create a better putter.

During a drive through Bucks County, Farr saw a Lower Makefield Township sign. Hmm, he thought, “make,” that’s what you’re trying to do with the putter, “field,” that’s all the players you’re trying to beat by holing more putts. The new brand was born.

Joe Burkhardt, the publisher of Tri-State Golfer, is a lifelong golfer, as you might expect. He would like nothing more than to see more putts go in the hole.

That’s what brought Burkhardt to Little’s spot in an industrial park in Bensalem to see what all the fuss was about Makefield Putters’ original model, the Makefield V-S, named for Farr’s old friend and mentor, Vince Sullivan, an accomplished professional player and club pro who had passed away at age 86 in the summer of 2021.

The putter head is made of an aircraftgrade alloy that is milled at the Makefield Putters headquarters in Bensalem. The Makefield V-S has a putter head with an adjustable weight system. Locally owned, locally manufactured.

Yes, Little is trying to sell Makefield putters, but armed with Quintic Ball Roll, a computer software that utilizes a high-speed camera that tracks the putter and the golf ball throughout its path, he can show you why a Makefield putter will make you a better putter. Quintic Ball Roll measures the data at 720fps.

“Quintic Ball Roll is used by all major manufacturers and is the most popular device on the PGA Tour used to analyze putting,” Little said.

Yes, Quintic Ball Roll’s data show the true

At Makefield Putters, Little and his partners are engineering a new path to the cup

strength of the Makefield V-S, its location and adjustability of the Center of Gravity. The COG is located in the core of the putter with the V-S, not in the sole, like most putters on the market.

It was interesting to watch how the feedback from the program quickly helped Burkhardt understand the things that were right and, probably more importantly, wrong about his putting stroke.

The Quintic Ball Roll program told Burkhardt that there was too much loft on his putter and was affecting his launch angle right off the clubface.

“I don’t sell putters, I’m just trying to help golfers develop an understanding of the concepts that will help them with their putting,” Little said.

Once Burkhardt tries the new putter, Little is able to help him adjust the weights to give him a better feel. But always, the Quintic Ball Roll program tells Burkhardt whether his stroke was promoting a good roll and if his putter was supporting it.

The focus of the Makefield V-S is on Center of Gravity and the Quintic Ball Roll program indicates that the Makefield V-S is

promoting a more square strike, all while being adjusted to the player’s natural putting stroke. Kind of hard to make a putt if you’re off line right from the start.

When Burkhardt visited the Makefield Putters headquarters, the company was still awaiting word on whether the United States Golf Association would give its approval to the Makefield V-S Slant Neck hosel as a conforming club. But when that happens, Little is quite certain that sales of the Makefield V-S Slant Neck will take off.

“It lets you make adjustments on weights, so some of the issues that come up with other putters you don’t have with this putter,” Little said. “I believe that this is the future of putting.”

The indoor putting surface Little uses to analyze Burkhardt’s putting stroke rolls to the equivalent of a 12 on the Stimpmeter, the device universally used to measure the speed of greens. That’s pretty quick.

Little understands that out on the golf course, green conditions vary and the wind blows and there’s moisture. But, between Makefield’s putters and the Quintic Ball Roll program, Little knows he can make you a better putter.

Little left an established head pro job at Lookaway to join Makefield Putters and he is planning to open a facility in his native town of North Wales that will offer a putting experience. Little is certain that Makefield Putters is the only Quintic Ball Roll facility in the Golf Association of Philadelphia.

You can imagine that if word gets out that there’s a place you can go to improve your putting and understand why you’re a better putter, golfers will be beating a path to Makefield and Little’s door.

Little is still competing in Philadelphia Section events, recently shooting an even-par 72 in the Philadelphia Players Championship, an event he helped launch while he was at Lookaway and that this year was supported by Makefield Putters.

Little believes he can be competitive in the big Philadelphia Section events because everything he has learned about putting from his association with Makefield Putters has made him a better putter.

“I’ve been lipping out a lot this year because I’m so confident that my stroke is good, I’m being more aggressive,” Little said. “Almost every putt I hit at least has a chance.”

When Burkhardt left Makefield Putters that day, he was sure he was already a better putter.

And after being fitted for a Makefield V-S, Burkhardt left Makefield Putters with a new putter because he knew he had seen the future of putting in an industrial park in Bensalem. TSG

For more information:

MakefieldPutters.com

Michael Little

My Ping Answer Putter on left screen, and how my numbers improved with the Makefield putter on right screen

–Joe Burkhardt

Save Hundreds On Your Next Trip!

Readers, we know you love to travel as much as we do! That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you to Bill St. Clair. Bill has been in the luxury travel industry for over 30 years, has worked with the most recognized names in travel, and has had enviable opportunities to circle the globe. Join us as he shares his ‘insider secrets” to luxury travel for pennies on the dollar.

TriState Golfer: Bill, we’re like most people and think we’re saving as much as we possibly can by cutting out the middleman and booking our hotels online ourselves. Are you telling us that that’s not the only way to save on our travel?

Bill St. Clair: Consider this: Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz and all the other Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are in business to make a profit. That means that they’re getting their hotel inventory for less than what they’re selling for. Same with travel agents. They mark up prices in order to make a profit.

TSG: Well, then where are they getting their prices?

BSC: OTAs and travel agents access inventory through private databases that only they can access. Because of their volume, OTAs and travel agents are offered hotels at deeply discounted rates on these databases. The OTAs then utilize extensive advertising budgets to convince consumers to book travel on their platforms.

TSG: Makes sense. But then what’s an individual consumer supposed to do? We don’t buy in bulk.

BSC: True, you don’t. You’ve never had the opportunity – until now. That’s because Strike The Gold has just opened up access to their Private Travel Database, giving you access to savings up to $500 over the prices listed on Expedia, Priceline, and other OTAs.

TSG: What’s the catch?

BSC: No catch. Nothing to join. No blackout dates. No travel restrictions. No timeshare presentations. No gimmicks. Just savings. With over 1,000,000 hotels and resorts worldwide (including 5-star properties), you now have access to the SAME prices the OTAs get.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: First, we DO NOT book travel.  We provide access to our Travel Booking Engine. These are the same properties that the OTAs display. We offer 3 levels of Travel Saving Plans: The $100 Travel Savings Plan guarantees $100 in savings at a cost of $10; save $250 for just $25; save $500 for just $50.

Say you have a trip planned for this year and one for next. If you purchase a $500 Travel Savings Plan for $50 you are GUARANTEED TO SAVE $500 over the prices listed on Expedia, Priceline, and the others. And unlike those OTAs, our prices include taxes. The amount of savings depends on the time of the year, the type of property, and the length of stay. If the savings on your first stay is less than $500, you can continue booking for up to two years to use the remaining balance.

200% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: If you don’t save at least 3 times the cost of the plan that you purchased. In other words, you simply can’t lose!

TSG: How can readers take advantage of this offer?

BSC: Easy! Just use the QR code on our accompanying ad, or go to www.WholesaleTravel.Info/STG.

GOLF ENTERTAINMENT

Popstroke Announces The Official Opening Of Orlando, Florida Location

By Dave Daubert, Contributing Writer

PopStroke Entertainment Group, a national leader in golf entertainment co-owned by Greg Bartoli and Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures, today announced the official public opening of its PopStroke Orlando location is set for Monday, June 13 at 9 a.m. The Orlando location is located at 321 N. Alafaya Trail in Waterford Lakes Town Center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 9 at 10 a.m., hosted by PopStroke along with representatives from TGR Design, Stevens Construction, government officials, and the East Orlando Chamber. This is the first of several Orlando locations planned. Details will be released on future locations later this year.

PopStroke is a technology-infused golf entertainment venue featuring Tiger Woods’ TGR Design team’s one-of-a-kind golf experience with two 18-hole putting courses. The venue features an outdoor dining area with a full menu and craft beer, wine, and signature cocktails along with an ice cream parlor, outdoor

game area, and a playground.

PopStroke’s customized mobile app allows customers to order food and drinks to be delivered directly to them anywhere on the course and earn loyalty rewards.

“Orlando has long been recognized as one of the premier entertainment destinations in the world and a natural fit for PopStroke’s continued expansion,” said Founder Greg Bartoli. “We look forward to being a part of such an exciting and rapidly expanding community as we introduce the PopStroke brand to people of all ages. East Orlando is thriving with young families, college students, faculty, administrators as well as working professionals and retirees making it a perfect fit for all that PopStroke has to offer. We are bringing people together across generations to enjoy the game of golf in an affordable, fun, and competitive environment.”

TGR Design created two 18-hole putting courses entirely with synthetic turf,

incorporating undulations, fairways, bunkers, and rough as seen on traditional golf courses. The Tiger Red Course challenges even the most experienced putters with strong contouring and tricky hole locations. The Tiger Black Course has softened contours to create an ideal course for families and anyone new to golf.

“We are excited to introduce PopStroke to the Orlando community,” said Tiger Woods. “PopStroke is about bringing friends and families together to create lasting memories around the game of golf. We have created two 18hole putting courses that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or skill level. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of players to our unique putting experience at PopStroke Orlando.”

For more information visit: www.popstroke.com

BEST BET FOR A SOUTHERN GETAWAY

From The Coast To The Capital, Mississippi Golf Is A Winner

By Danny Freels, Contributing Writer

Considering that it’s located on the Gulf of Mexico and one of the largest ports in the state, it’s not hard to figure out how the city of Gulfport got its name. After a trip to Coastal Mississippi, however, I’m ready to call it Golfport not Gulfport. Windance Country Club, for example – owned by the Island View Casino Resort in downtown Gulfport – was designed by former PGA Tour player Mark McCumber and opened in 1986. Winding its way through a forest of tall Pines, this very pretty layout features a number of elevation changes, large putting surfaces and plenty of water to the sides of holes and in front of greens. Four tees are available at Windance, measuring between 5,093 and 6,667 yards. Due to many of the holes playing uphill, this fun layout can play longer than its total length. The Island View Casino Resort, by the way, is golf central to the several courses on the western side of Coastal Mississippi. It offers two separate hotel towers – one on the beach! – 974 rooms and suites (smoking and non-smoking), two casinos, 2,600 slots, 49 table games and numerous dining opportunities.

Another fine choice for golf is The Club at Diamondhead, roughly 25 miles west of Gulfport. This 36-hole facility is as playable as it is pretty. The two courses here – The Pines and The Cardinal – were both designed by Earl Stone and both opened in the 1970s. While neither of the fun courses at Diamondhead are considered long, both feature rolling terrain, lots of tall trees, well sloped putting surfaces and enough water and sand to get and keep your attention. The Pine course offers a choice of five tees and a measurement between 4,120 and 6.784 yards. The Cardinal course also offers five tees but is slightly shorter, measuring between 4,084 yards and 6,729 yards.

Now that you’ve gotten a taste of Mississippi-style golf, head north from Gulfport for roughly 30 minutes to the city of Saucier. There you’ll find Grand Bear Golf Club, a gorgeous Jack Nicklausdesigned layout that’s only a “bear” if you play it from the wrong tees. Even though I’m a long-time admirer of the playing career of Mr. Nicklaus, I can’t say the same for some of the courses he’s designed. Grand Bear, however, is both an exception to my

ambivalence and exceptional. Located deep within the magnificent De Soto National Forest, at the end of a long, winding road a few miles from the nearest highway, Grand Bear is nothing less than a golfer’s dream. It’s big, it’s beautiful and – best of all – it’s playable, even for a semi-hack like myself. It’s also secluded, with nary a house, condo or swimming pool anywhere in sight or sound. The clubhouse is pretty spectacular, too. Opened in 1999, Grand Bear offers five sets of tees that measure between 4,802 and 7,204 yards.

If you’ve played your cards correctly and played Grand Bear, I say keep your luck intact and keep going north for about three hours to the Pearl River Resort. Located in the town of Choctaw northwest of the capital city of Jackson, Pearl River is a sprawling facility built on the ancestral lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. In addition to delicious dining to suit almost every taste, Pearl River features the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino (600 rooms), the Silver Star Hotel and Casino (500 rooms) and a 23-acre water theme park. For even more of a good time, head

Sunset from Missy Sippy rooftop bar at Sheraton Flowood Golf Resort

on over to Dancing Rabbit Golf Club. The 36 holes here – The Azaleas and The Oaks – are two of the best and most challenging courses you’ll find anywhere. The Azaleas, designed by Tom Fazio, offers five sets of tees and a measurement between 4,909 and 7,158 yards. Be advised, however, that it also features some serious elevation changes. Equally beautiful but not quite as hilly is The Oaks, designed by Jerry Pate. Slightly shorter but just as challenging, The Oaks has five tees to choose from and a measurement between 5,097 and 7,076 yards.

Just east of Jackson, in the very pretty town of Pearl, is Patrick Farms Golf Club. The work of Randy Watkins, this course was not built to bite your head off or eat your lunch. It’s a fairly wide-open layout that’s also pretty flat. All-in-all, Patrick Farms is about fun not pain. The fairways are wide, the greens aren’t too demanding and there isn’t a whole lot of water and sand. The course measures between 5,032 and 6,907 yards, and there are four sets of tees to choose from.

If you’re in need of one more stay and play opportunity, head over to the nearby city of Flowood. There you can check into the brand-new Sheraton Flowood Hotel & Conference Center, conveniently located

just five minutes from Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. This very fun facility features 200 modern and comfortable guest rooms, over 25,000 square feet of meeting space, and several places to eat, drink and be merry. The Sheraton Flowood’s very cool lobby bar, “Twins”, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus lots of room for lounging. For a bit more quiet but equally great food, take a stroll down to “Rebecca”s, the Sheraton’s all-American

on-site restaurant. Breakfast is served seven days a week, dinner is available six nights a week. But after you check in be sure to check out the The Refuge Golf Course right on the property. Designed by Englishman Roy Case, The Refuge is lined by tall trees that give it a bit of a “northern Michigan” appearance. Over the past couple of years, however, this very attractive layout has undergone a renovation by course architect Nathan Grace that has made it more popular

The View Casino Resorts, Gulfport

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Grand Bear

than ever before. Even though the course is somewhat on the flat side, The Refuge is quite a challenge. The greens are well undulated, there are numerous bunkers, and there’s plenty of water in play that’s not always visible. I’m sure it’s a good test for even better players. Five sets of tees are available at The Refuge, measuring between 4,439 and 7,013 yards.

Trust me: before you check out of the Sheraton Flowood, be sure to spend some time in “Missy Sippy”, the hotel’s rooftop bar. From the balcony – your favorite drink in hand – you’ll have a spectacular view of downtown Jackson that you won’t forget, especially at sunset. Like “Missy Sippy”, the great golf, fine food and fun times available on a trip to central and coastal Mississippi is a can’t miss.

For more information, please go to visitmississippi.org/golf. TSG

MISSISSIPPI

More Information

Visit Mississippi – www.visitmississippi.org/golf

Coastal Mississippi – www.coastalmississippi.com

Visit Jackson – www.visitjackson.com

Where To Stay

The View Casino Resorts, Gulfport – www.islandviewcasino.com

Pearl River Resort, Choctaw – www.pearlriverresort.com

Sheraton The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center, Flowood/Jackson – www.marriott.com/JANSI

Where To Play

Windance Country Club – www.windancecc.com

Diamondhead Country Club – www.theclubatdiamondhead.com

Grand Bear Golf Club – www.grandbeargolf.com

Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – www.dancingrabbitgolf.com

Patrick Farms Golf Club – www.randywatkinsgolf.com

The Refuge Golf Course – www.refugegolfms.com

Where To Eat

Carter Green Steakhouse at Island View Casino, Gulfport – www.islandviewcasino.com

Patio 44, Gulfport – www.patiofortyfour.com/gulfport-ms

Phillip M’s Steakhouse at Pearl River Resort, Choctaw – www.pearlriverresort.com

Rebecca’s at Sheraton Flowood – www.marriott.com/JANSI

Highball Lanes, Jackson – www.highballlanes.com

Dancing Rabbit Golf Club at Pearl River Resort

TALAMORE

Where More Is What You’ll Always Get

Like Donald Ross, who spent roughly 30 years fine-tuning his work on Pinehurst No. 2, those at the helm of the Talamore Golf Resort less than five miles away in Southern Pines have spent the last three decades working tire lessly to make its all-encompassing acreage a pure oasis for golf vacationers of all sorts.

Its proof of success is in Golf Advisor’s annual Golfers’ Choice rankings of the best golf courses in the U.S. For Talamore Golf Resort, it was total domination, highlighted by its position as the No. 1 public golf course in North Carolina.

To add icing on the cake, Mid South Club, Talamore’s sister course, was just voted the Best Public/Semi-Private Course in the Sandhills. Two #1 golf courses... both under the same umbrella...both at the center of Talamore’s golf vacation paradise.

Nate Oxman, Staff Writer - Tri-State Golfer Magazine

Historic Village of Pinehurst Area of North Carolina

More Hospitality Included

Signature

#1 Public Golf Course in NC

Arnie’s Only Design in the Area

Access to 25+ Area Courses

Delivered to You Each Morning

Talamore’s BBQ Pavilion

Traditional Southern BBQ

Talamore Golf Villas

Lodges at Mid South

The Palmer Cottage

Talamore Golf Club Mid South Club Tobacco Road

It’s time for Ireland

Press the Green Button

Because Ireland is more than just a destination, it’s a feeling… Spend time in charming towns and villages, explore wild rugged coastlines, or stroll amongst historic sites, and you’ll feel a warmth, a welcome, a feeling of coming home.

The island of Ireland is famous for its friendly people and rich culture, where stories are woven into the landscape and music comes alive in traditional pubs. Enjoy the thrill of a cliff-top walk, the awe of wandering through medieval monastic settlements, and the buzz of local food markets.

So press the Green Button and discover something new.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare