Golf Vacations Magazine - August 2013

www.golfvacationsmag.com GolfVacations•August20131

OUR 11th YEAR!

THIS MONTH: S w e e t S t u f f • G o l f T r e n d s • C h i p S h o t s

GOLF VACATIONSGOLF VACATIONSAUGUST 2013

AUSTRIAALPINE PARS AND SPASAUSTRIAALPINE PARS AND SPAS

Plus: RESORT REPORT I LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSINPlus: RESORT REPORT I LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

BATTER UP! TEE IT UP!BASEBALL AND GOLF A MAJOR LEAGUE COMBO

BATTER UP! TEE IT UP!BASEBALL AND GOLF A MAJOR LEAGUE COMBO

2 GolfVacations•August2013 www.golfvacationsmag.com


GOLF VACATIONSGOLF VACATIONSAUGUST 2013

Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith Golf Club, Austria

9 ChipShots

12 Golf Trends: Practice Makes Perfect by Terry Ross

14 Austria: Alpine Pars & Spas by Andrew MarshallA new world of golf awaits you in western Austria, a region destined to become one of Europe’s most exciting golf destinations. Ski in the morning, play 18 holes in the afternoon, then indulge in a relaxing massage or bubbling spa - a golfing trip for the mind, body and soul.

20 Batter Up! Tee It Up! by JD LatorreIf you’re planning a road trip to catch some Major League Baseball this summer, don’t forget to pack your clubs. Some of the country’s finest golf destinations are a short drive from MLB’s most recognized ballparks.

24 Resort Reports: Lake Geneva WI by JD LatorreArguably one of the top golfing locations in the Midwest, Lake Geneva is known for its 22 beautiful courses that combine lush landscapes with inspirational challenges and earned bragging rights. Nowhere else in America’s Heartland is this outstanding variety and easy accessibility available almost year-round.

26 SweetStuff by Terry Ross


Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.

JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling South Florida his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Cabo San Lucas, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Spotter, Research and Broadcast Assistant for The Golf Channel, NBC and CBS Sports. He spends time on all four major American golf tours and resides near the PGA TOUR headquarters and TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Andy is a lifetime golfer and enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS, while pursuing his passion for the game of golf. He can be reached at [email protected]

Executive EditorJeffrey Diaz

Associate EditorTerry Ross

Features EditorLarry Feldman

Senior WritersJD Latorre

Andy ReistetterFred Robledo

For Editorial:call (760) 774-2655

e-mail: [email protected]

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Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801

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Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS

Andy Marshall Born in England, Andy has been a professional freelance travel writer for the past 20 years. During that time, he has traveled to over 50 countries, including Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Barbados, Panama and Indonesia to cover a diverse range of travel-related features for various magazines around the world. He regularly works with his professional photographer brother, Paul, on different projects, particularly golf, food and drink features. Visit his work at www.bogey.se


NATIONAL GOLF MONTH GETAWAYSIn honor of National Golf Month in

August, golfers can venture outside their usual 18 holes for one last summer vacation at these top golf destinations around the globe. With one-on-one lessons from golf celebrities, challenging world famous courses and awe-inspiring natural beauty, travelers will chip away at their golf scores and won’t even mind returning home with a fresh golfer’s tan.

The Farm at Cape KidnappersHawke’s Bay, North Island New ZealandDesigned by legendary golf architect Tom

Doak and ranked 33 in the world by Golf Magazine, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers’ par-71 golf course challenges golfers of all skill levels. Several golfing packages are available including the “Ultimate Golf” package featuring a three night stay in a Ridge Suite, two rounds of golf, rental equipment and an electric cart. Package rates start at $9,837 NZD (approximately $7,774 USD) per person and include pre-dinner drinks, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, lunch, full breakfast, complimentary mini bar and use of all lodge facilities.

The Lodge at Kauri CliffsMatauri Bay, North Island, New ZealandDesigned by David Harman and ranked

80 in the world by Golf Magazine, Kauri Cliffs’ 18-hole, par-72 golf course features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and beautiful inland holes that wind through marsh, forest and farm land. Its newest package, “Fish ‘N Chipping,” incorporates several famous New Zealand pastimes including fishing excursions, cooking classes and of course—golfing adventures—into an action packed three-night stay. As part of the package, guests enjoy a round of golf and a private lesson with Kauri Cliffs’ resident golf pro. Package rates start at $2516.12/night.

Crystal CruisesIn 2013, ultra-luxury cruise line Crystal

Cruises increased its golfing vacation opportunities by 25 percent with new themed cruises devoted to golf. This September,

guests can sail on Crystal Serenity’s “Autumn Grandeur” sailing, a New England/Canada journey (September 16-26). The journey features on-board workshops with 51-time PGA winner Billy Casper and PGA pro John Clark. Once ashore, golfers can hit some of the world’s most renowned courses, such as Granite Links in Boston, ranked one of Golf Digest’s “50 Best,” with rolling fairways and greens elevated to nearly 300 feet above sea level.

New in September 2014, Crystal Cruises will combine golf with its Food & Wine Festival for the first time on Crystal Serenity’s “Trans-Atlantic Traditions” sailing from London to Boston. All-inclusive rates start at $3,840 per person.

Golf at One&Only PalmillaMexicoRanked as one of the Top 100 Great Golf

Resorts of the World, One&Only Palmilla is dream destination for professionals and leisure players alike. The 27-hole layout is Jack Nickalus’s first signature course in Latin America and consists of three nines – Arroyo, Mountain, and Ocean – and more than 7,000 yards of stunning fairways with views of the Sea of Cortez. The “Classic Golf Package” includes three nights accommodations with full breakfast and dinner, three days of unlimited golf, Callaway irons for rent, and a gift of His and Her Palmilla golf shirts, cap, visor, and golf balls from the Mexican Hacienda-style golf shop. Package rates start at $3,360 for an Ocean Front Superior Room and includes complimentary roundtrip airport transfer.

CUISINART GOLF RESORT & SPA TO HOSTANGUILLA FALL GOLF INVITATIONAL

ANGUILLA, B.W.I. – CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa will host the inaugural Anguilla Fall Golf Invitational from Nov. 7 – 11, 2013. The event is open to all players with a certified handicap and will feature a Stableford competition, with prizes awarded in several categories.

The custom package includes roundtrip transfers from/to St. Maarten (SXM) on a

private boat, four nights’ beachfront Junior Suite accommodations, three rounds of golf with box lunch, four breakfasts, two cocktail parties, two dinners with open bar and entertainment, and one spa treatment. Price is $3,969 for one golfer and one non-golfer; $4,300 for two golfers. Rates are inclusive of tax and service charges.

Fronted by a dazzling two-mile stretch of white sandy beach, the resort sits adjacent to CuisinArt Golf Club and its Greg Norman-designed golf course. A splendid layout woven through sea grape, thatched palm and mangrove thickets, the 7,063-yard, par-72 course features an 80-foot elevation change and panoramic sea views.

With its tidal lagoons, numerous ponds and onshore breezes, the course is firm in its demands, but generous bail-out areas accommodate players of lesser attainment. Framing the 18th green is a handsome, bleached-white clubhouse, its sun-splashed terrace and superb Italia restaurant overlooking the fairways and sea.

CuisinArt recently completed a major refurbishment of its accommodations, pools and restaurants. The resort’s 93 rooms and suites, contained in low-rise buildings spaced above the beach, feature custom-designed fabrics and furnishings. Each guest room has a lovely view of the sea and the rugged coast of nearby St. Maarten.

Renowned for its cuisine, the resort uses fresh herbs and vegetables grown in an enclosed 18,000-square-foot hydroponic farm to produce exceptional dishes in its stellar line-up of restaurants. This relaxing getaway also features a full-service spa, a salon and fitness center, tennis courts, bike rentals, complimentary water sports and other activities.

Cradled on the waves of one of the Caribbean’s most tranquil islands, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa is proud to host the inaugural Anguilla Fall Golf Invitational. www.CuisinArtResort.com.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS

CuisinArt Golf Resort


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS“GET SCHOOLED & STAY COOL”AT MARRIOTT GOLF ACADEMY THIS SUMMER

ORLANDO, FL – As golfers seek alternatives for summer fun, the new Marriott Golf Academy, with locations at Marriott’s Grande Vista resort in Orlando, Fla., and Marriott’s Shadow Ridge resort in Palm Desert, Calif., debuted “Get Schooled & Stay Cool” at Marriott Golf Academy, available now through September 30, 2013. This 3-day summer golf school package, which includes lodging, provides avid golfers and golfing families with a golf instructional experience at two of the finest golf and resort destinations in the U.S.

Each resort features luxurious and fully equipped one- or two-bedroom villa accommodations, access to refreshing pools, and a fully air conditioned indoor swing studio, to help all golfers beat the heat. Further, golfers and families seeking to extend their trip will receive preferred rates at each location.

Marriott Golf Academy℠ offers a wide range of expert instructional programming for golfers of all skills levels, from low-handicap elite golfers seeking a competitive advantage to newcomers seeking an introductory golf experience that is matched to their needs. The “Get Schooled & Stay Cool” at Marriott Golf Academy℠ 3-day summer golf school is taught at a maximum 4-to-1 ratio to ensure each

student receives the dedicated attention he or she deserves and includes 12 hours of golf instruction where you’ll learn techniques for your full swing, essential areas of the short game and practice techniques to help you successfully transfer your skills to the golf course.

Additionally, the 3-day golf school includes a Club Fitter’s Workshop™ equipment evaluation, unlimited access to championship golf and practice facilities, video swing analysis with access to the web-based Alumni Clubhouse, and daily lunch with the golf instructor.

The Orlando based location, adjacent to Marriott’s Grande Vista resort, boasts a 35-acre instructional facility offering full swing and short game areas, a 9-hole golf course, Swing Analysis Studio, Club Fitter’s Workshop™, and is adjacent to Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, which provides the perfect 18-hole championship golf experience for students. The Marriott Golf Academy℠, located just minutes away from the family attractions exclusive to Orlando, serves as the ultimate family vacation destination.

Marriott’s Shadow Ridge resort is located in the scenic Coachella Valley, a popular international destination for golf aficionados set against the beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, Calif.

The golf resort, which boasts luxurious villa accommodations and unmatched amenities for the whole family, is complemented by a world-class practice facility, a state-of-the-art swing studio, Club Fitter’s Workshop™ and an 18-hole championship golf course. This beautiful and peaceful valley is often referred to as the “golf capital of the world” because of its ideal playing conditions and abundance of courses.

In addition to the “Get Schooled & Stay Cool” package, consumers can take advantage of introductory pricing and additional discounts on 3-day golf schools without lodging, 2-day golf schools with or without lodging and 3-hour sessions.

For information on the “Get Schooled & Stay Cool” at Marriott Golf Academy℠ summer golf school package, and other programs at Marriott Golf Academy℠, please visit http://www.marriottgolfacademy.com/get-schooled-introductory-pricing.html or call 855-642-2369.

OSAGE NATIONAL GOLF RESORT MAKING GOLF MORE AFFORDABLE IN THE MIDWEST

Osage National Golf Resort will offer lower rates effective August 1, 2013. “Missouri’s only Arnold Palmer golf course has always been known for consistent quality throughout its 27 unique holes,” said Steve Belton, general manager, Osage National Golf Resort. “We


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTSnow offer consistent rates for the price-conscious golfer—same low price every day throughout the year.”

Osage National Golf Resort’s new weekday rate is $65—down from $70. The new weekend rate is $80—down from $94. “Golfers will no longer have to contend with wildly fluctuating prices,” said Belton.

Osage National Golf Resort is located in the Osage River valley with 27 stunning holes. Golfers can choose between the Mountain nine, River nine and Links nine. “From elevated tee blocks and elevation drops to links style golf, there are challenges and opportunities for every golfer,” concluded Belton.

Additional information on Osage National Golf Resort can be found on their website at www.osagenational.com and their facebook page at www.facebook.com/OsageNational.

CANADIAN ROCKIES GOLF LAUNCHES SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST

Canadian Rockies Golf – the collection of elite mountain golf courses in Western Alberta – has launched a social media photo contest for guests who visit the destination this year.

Through August 24, golfers who visit any of the Canadian Rockies Golf course partners and post a photo of their round to either the Facebook or Twitter page feed using the hashtag #CanRockiesGolf, will be entered to win five rounds of golf for two people that can be used through the rest of the season.

Courses include Canmore Golf & Curling Club, The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Silvertip Resort and Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club.

“Canadian Rockies courses provide some of the most stunning scenery in Western Alberta with mountains, lakes and wildlife all steps away from the greens,” said Alan Carter, Director of Golf at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. “This is a great way to show future visitors our beautiful courses and awe-inspiring surroundings.”

In its current edition, ScoreGolf released its list of “The Most Beautiful Courses in Alberta,” which were wholly comprised of Canadian Rockies Golf courses: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (No. 1), The Fairmont Banff Springs (2), Kananaskis Country (3), Stewart Creek (4) and Silvertip (5).

ScoreGolf also published its list of the “Top 59 Canadian Public Golf Courses” list, of which The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge ranked the No. 1 course. The Fairmont Banff Springs (No. 3) and Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club (12) were also recognized on the list.

For more information: www.canadianrockiesgolf.net855.835.8484

PAR & SPA IN THE GOLF CENTER OF THE ALPSThis summer, a golfing holiday to the

world-famous Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulm.com) is all the more appealing thanks to the opening of the £8-million Kulm Spa St. Moritz, where golfers can indulge themselves with a personal training session designed specifically for golfers, a signature Alpine herb stamp massage to ease tired muscles after a challenging round of golf or a long soak in the outdoor hot tub with panoramic Alpine views.

The Engadine, where St. Moritz is located, is known as “The Golf Centre of the Alps”, a name it acquired over 120 years ago, in 1891, when the first golf course in Switzerland was opened in Samedan. Not long after, the 9-hole Kulm Golf St. Moritz course was built, nestled among trees in the high Alpine landscape with spectacular views of Lake St. Moritz, thereby creating a unique golfing experience.

Set within the hotel’s grounds, Kulm Golf St. Moritz also boasts a driving range (with 16 practice bays) and two practice putting greens. For those who wish to heighten their golf experience, there are two 18-hole golf courses (Samedan and Zuoz) within a 30-minute drive of St. Moritz for which the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz can arrange green fees.

And now the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has also upgraded its wellness areas, bringing them right into the 21st century by launching the 2,000 sq m, £8-million Kulm Spa St. Moritz. This innovation is taking St. Moritz back to its roots, for the resort was known – 3,500 years ago – for its healing spas and in the 19th century became popular among the British, who made the long journey over the high mountain passes to spend the summer enjoying a little bit of R&R in the crisp, therapeutic mountain air and glorious sunshine.

The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has combined these two great traditions of the Engadine into a three-night package that includes a lavish buffet breakfast, gourmet “Dine Around” half-board at three of the hotel’s five restaurants, one night cap, one green fee for either Samedan or Zuoz, one relaxing 50-minute full body massage, unlimited access to the Kulm Spa St Moritz , a wellbeing sports programme that changes daily, unlimited use of the 9-hole Kulm golf course, practice facilities and tennis courts, and unlimited use of all open mountain railways in the Engadine/St. Moritz region and public transportation in the valley (bus and Rhaetian railway).

Rates for the Golf Break start at CHF895 (approx £620) per person and the package is available till 7 September 2013. Reservations can be made by phone +41 (0) 81 836 80 00 or by e-mail via [email protected].


How would you like to prepare for your next golf trip by practic-ing all the shots you need on the exact course you will be visiting—without ever leaving your home?

The folks at Full Swing Golf, a San Diego company that has been producing world-class golf simulators for 27 years has been doing this for not only recreational players but PGA Tour players with some of the most advanced simulator technology and installations you will find.

Although simulators are most often seen at professional events, in multi-family recreation rooms, business establishments, sporting goods stores and golf learning centers, Full Swing Golf has quite a large clientele of home users--including such notables as European Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and PGA Tour winners Mark Wilson and Hunter Mahan.

Now mind you this not for the average home. First of all, you need a pretty good-size space. Full Swing’s Vice President of Sales Chad Coleman notes that the average home installation is in a 10,000-square foot dwelling or larger, although some have used their garage to house these in. And the price tag begins at around $45,000.

But for those with the resources, one of these simulators can be a game-altering experience. Being able to pick one of 80-top courses and play in the comfort of your own home in about 45 minutes and even be able to dial up the wind-speed for a shot s can be a great way

to get ready for a golf excursion before leaving—and a nice way to remember it after returning as well.

Full Swing utilizes infrared technology that measures ball speed, launch angle, and direction at the speed of light. Their proprietary Ion Performance Cam measures ball spin characteristics such as back spin, side spin and spin axis without extra markings on the ball. This camera also captures extensive club head data such as speed; club path and face angle. The 3D lifelike graphics makes the course come alive with a virtual reality as trees blow, waves crash, rivers run, birds chirp, and the sun sets. Up to 80 courses are available, including Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Kapalua, Bethpage Black and many more.

“The great thing about having one of these things in your home is that you don’t have to get ready and go somewhere to practice or work on your game if you have a few extra minutes,” said Coleman. “You can practice for 10 minutes if that is all the time you have while doing other things and have your own interactive practice facility.”

While one of these simulators just completes the ultimate Man Cave, in a large den it can have all sorts of family uses. The Full Swing Golf simulator can also be used for high-end home theater, video gam-ing, web browsing, and other simulation experiences.

Coleman also noted that some users play a virtual tournament with friends either on the same machine or in different places at the same

GOLFTRENDS by TERRYROSS

Practice Makes Perfect


time with on-line tournaments and leagues, including Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contests.

In addition to the homes of world leaders in business, politics, athlet-ics and entertainment, Full Swing Golf simulators are also featured in the PGA Center for Learning and Performance; the Hank Haney Academies--home of The Golf Channel’s Hank Haney Project; in the ‘Dan’ Cave, home of NBC’s The Dan Patrick Show and in over 200 Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy stores.

For those wanting to get real serious about developing their swings using the simulator, the company also offers Swing Catalyst that comes with a balance plate that measures weight shifts, detailed pressure points and stance width to give real-time feedback on weight transfer and foot pressure. This software stores and organizes all swing data from shots and has drawing tools and side-by-side comparisons and fully synchro-nizes ball flight data and visual representations.

The Swinguru Pro training system can also be added and combines full body 3D visualization with simple interactive feedback featuring multiple views and angles for motion capture. This program can actually let you know about swing faults such as swaying and then suggest fixes and drills to eliminate them. These are great tools for teachers—or a real student of the game who wants to work on their own.

For more information: www.fullswinggolf.com

GOLFTRENDS


A new world of golf awaits you in western Austria, a region des-tined to become one of Europe’s most exciting golf destina-tions. Ski in the morning, play 18 holes in the afternoon, then

indulge in a relaxing massage or bubbling spa - a golfing trip for the mind, body and soul.

After picking up our hire car from Munich airport and successfully negotiating the German autobahn’s frenetic traffic, we motored over the border into Austria - a land of world-class skiing, the birthplace of Mozart and quaint wooden chalets crouching in the foothills of soar-ing snow-capped peaks.

For golfers looking for something different from the well-tramped fair-ways of Spain and Portugal, two of the country’s key golf areas, Zell am See in Salzburgerland and Kitzbühel in the Tyrol, both within a short drive of each other, have all the right ingredients: chic ski towns, top-class restaurants, friendly locals, spa and wellness treatments, a multi-tude of outdoor activities and invigorating stress-free golf.

From quirky nine-holers to championship-class designs, the golf courses are mostly quiet, the green fees affordable and because of the altitude, well struck shots can fly an extra 10 percent of distance through the crisp clean air. But, the absolute essence of Alpine golf is the breathtak-ing scenery and the panoramic vistas that unfold as you play.

AUSTRIA Alpine Pars & Spas


by ANDREW MARSHALL

Golf and SkiOur Austria ‘Pars and Spas’ trip began with Golfclub Zell am See at Kaprun in the Salzach Valley, not only the largest golfing facility in the Austrian Alps (with two 18-hole courses, a well-stocked proshop, driving range and excellent teaching professionals), but with the snow-capped mountains of the National Park Hohe Tauern rising to 3,797 meters in the distance, it’s one of the most picturesque in Europe, too.

It was a sunny June morning and Karl Bauer, Events Manager and two times Club Champion was joining us to tackle 36 holes (the Kitzsteinhorn and Schmittenhöhe courses). He got proceedings underway by expertly splitting the fairway on the 357-metre Par 4 1st of the Kitzteinhorn course.

“On a beautiful day like today, I like to have breakfast, take the cable car to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier to ski, come back down, take a swim in Lake Zeller, then finish off with a round of golf in the afternoon. For me, it’s a perfect day,” Karl told us as we strolled the vivid green fairways lined with wildflowers.

Designed by Donald Harradine, the two parkland-style courses are situated beside each other on the valley floor, and feature water on several holes, huge bunkers and distinctive old hay barns that dot the fairways. The Kitzsteinhorn course is worth playing just for the stun-ning view from the wooden bridge that leads across a lake from the

AUSTRIA Alpine Pars & Spas

Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith Golf Club


10th tee to the 11th green. We could have spent all day gazing at the reflected vista of the green and glacier-swathed mountain behind set off by a towering fountain.

“The Schmittenhöhe is the most difficult of the two courses and re-quires more club management, especially with the final two greens be-ing so well protected by water”, said Karl, as we headed for lunch at the club’s patio restaurant, having completed our first 18 holes. Karl’s girlfriend joined us after mountain biking in the surrounding hills.

Glowing from her exercise, she’s a typical example of the local commit-ment to an active life in this part of the world. Whether its teeing off in the valleys, paragliding in the sky, snow-boarding the slopes or wind-surfing on the lakes, it seems just about everyone we met was involved with some kind of outdoor activity. Only that very morning the petrol attendant had told us he was off bushwalking after finishing work.

“This is a great area for outdoor sports and we host all kinds of events including the World Mountain Biking Championships and the ‘Aqua

Alpine Cup’, which is a combination of skiing and waterskiing,” said Karl, as we turned our attention to the varied menu offering a wide range of dishes. Many were typically Austrian ones: such as ‘Wiener Schnitzel’,‘ Black pudding with mashed potato and onions’ and ‘En-trecote (local beef) with mustard sauce, tomato and garlic vegetables and potatoes’. “Of course, to finish you’ll have to try my apple strudel,” said head chef and ex-judo champion Ludwig Karl, who reckoned he was better in the kitchen than on the golf course. The country’s sig-nature dessert certainly hit the spot before we tackled the Schmitten-höhe course in the afternoon.

Spa For The CourseAustria more or less invented the spa town, and indulgence by the rich and fa-mous made these resorts some of the most famous in Europe. In an attempt to cure his deafness, Beethoven was a regular visitor to Baden bei Wien, while Princess Sophie proclaimed that the waters of Bad Ischl were a boost to her fertility. The popularity of the treatments has led to the rise of over one hundred Wellness Hotel complexes scattered throughout the country.A comfortable and convenient base for golfers in Zell am See, near the

Rasmushof Golf Club


shores of picturesque Lake Zeller is the five-star Hotel Salzburger Hof, which like many other wellness hotels, offers special golf and spa packages that include reduced green fees and a variety of therapeutic treatments.

“When we first opened in 1967 we were one of the first places to offer massage, cosmetic and facial treatments. We always try and find a selec-tion of the best and latest for our guests,” said owner Gisela Holleis. “ For example we are now offering the Hawaiian massage ‘Lomi Lomi’, which goes deep into the psyche, and can help release tension and anxi-eties. In fact, it’s perfect for golfers.” “We have plenty of golfers staying at Hotel Salzburger Hof and it’s great for couples. The wives are very happy because they can stay at the best address in town and take all the treatments, while the men go off golfing for the day. Everyone wins,” said Gisela enthusiastically.

Men are certainly welcome to take the treatments too, but whether you go for ‘La Stone’, (where hot and cold stones are placed alternately onto your energy centre) or ‘Agyptos’ (where you are wrapped in bandages that have been steeped in a mixture of Egyptian Vital Earth and salt

from the Dead Sea), there can be no doubt about the stress-relieving qualities of a bubbling spa that can work wonders for the mind, body and soul after 36 holes of Alpine golf.

Golfing CentreAbout an hour’s drive over a mountain pass to the north-west of Zell am See, is the medieval town of Kitzbühel - a cosmopolitan ski resort in winter and another excellent base for Alpine golfers in the months of May to mid-October. In fact, Kitzbühel markets itself as the ‘Golfing Centre of the Alps’ offering four courses, while another nineteen all lie within an easy drive.

A few kilometres out of town is Golf Club Schwarzsee where a Brit-ish professional and his team operate a friendly service to allcomers. Opened in 1989 with an exhibition match between Bernard Langer and Payne Stewart, the first few holes of the par-72, 6,642- meter test are reasonably forgiving parkland. One standout hole is the challenging 187-metre par 3 9th, which requires a solid and accurate strike over a lake from the elevated tee blocks. From here on the course climbs the


hillside through the pine trees and becomes more challenging.

Golf Club Schwarzsee’s 19th hole is a lovely sunny terrace with magnifi-cent views of the Astberg, Rauherkopf and Wilder Kaiser Peaks. Here we ordered a couple of frosty beers that went down as smoothly as a top-class skier. If you hear a local player talking about the 20th hole, what insiders are referring to is the nearby Schwarzsee Lake, a wonder-ful spot for relaxing, swimming and sunbathing before or after a round.

For some casual golfing action closer to town, we headed for the quirky nine-holer attached to the Golf Hotel Rasmushof. The course has the distinction of being Austria’s only rated par-3 course; such is the degree of difficulty. Situated above Kitzbühel town, not only does it offer stunning views (especially from the 7th, 8th and 9th tees), but also it is positioned at the bottom of the world famous ‘Hahnenkamm’ downhill racing trail. It takes an ace skier just under two minutes to negotiate the 2.5kms of glittering ice cliff at close on 140kmh in the annual ‘Hahnenkamm’ Downhill Race that is the ski-ing equivalent of the British Open.

Rasmushof Golf Club is also part of June Golf Week, six days of non-stop golfing action that sets the benchmark for the rest of Austria - of-fering pro-am competition, a 100-hole marathon (eleven rounds at Rasmushof), Longest Drive on the Streif and a taste of its top courses including Golf Club Schwarzsee and Golfplatz Eichenheim.

Within close proximity of Golfplatz Eichenheim, is the Sports & Well-ness hotel Bichilof that makes an excellent golf base for the Kitzbühel region. “We offer special golf and wellness packages and guests have

the use of our golf carts so they can drive directly to the course,” said owner Andrea Hopfner as we checked in. “You open the gate with an electronic key and go in the back way, its only five minutes away.”

Designed by golf architect Kyle D. Phillips (whose impressive portfolio of layouts includes Kingsbarns in Scotland and The Grove in England), championship-class Golfplatz Eichenheim is highly rated in the top courses in Austria and is a must play. The 5,944-meter track presents a stern test for golfers of all standards, with superbly manicured greens, rollercoaster fairways, meandering water hazards and regular elevation changes, to produce a truly memorable experience. After playing our approach shots through a cut in the rocks, at the par-5 first, Paul and I looked at each other and knew it was going to be something special - the emerald green is on the same level as a snow-capped mountain range in the distance creating one of the most photogenic vistas in Austrian golf.

Other golfing options in the region include the spacious 27-hole Wilder Kaiser course with its craggy backdrop, Mittersill Golf Club with its signature par-3 island green right in front of the sunny clubhouse ter-race and the 9-hole Schloss Kaps course that boasts more single-figure handicap members than anywhere else in the country.

Packing away our clubs on our last day, we were already discussing a re-peat journey - with images of the stunning scenery and wellstruck drives soaring towards a backdrop of pine-tree clad mountain slopes. One fa-mous Austrian who spent some time in spa-golf country sums it up the best - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s entry in the Golf Hotel Rasmushof’s Guest Book simply says: “I’ll be back.”

Golf Eichenheim


WHERE TO PLAYZell am See • www.golf-zellamsee.atGolf Eichenheim • www.eichenheim.atGolf Club Schwarzsee • www.golf-schwarzsee.atRasmushof Golf Club • www.rasmushof.at

Special deals: The Golf Alpin Chip Card gives you the opportunity to choose among 31 Golf Alpin partner clubs in the SalzburgerLand and in Tirol. www.golf-alpin.at

WHERE TO STAYHotel Salzburgerhof /Zell am Seewww.salzburgerhof.atSchwarzer Adler Wellness-Spa Hotel / Kitzbühelwww.adlerkitz.atBichlhof Sport & Wellness Hotel / Kitzbühelwww.bichlhof.atRasmushof Golf & Ski Hotelwww.rasmushof.at

OFF-COURSE ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES• Enjoy scenic cable car rides to the summits of two mountains in the Kitzbühel region - the ‘Hahnenkamm’ (at 1712 meters) and the higher of the two local mountains the ‘Kitzbühler Horn, which rises to 1996 meters. Adventurous types have the option of descending the Hahnenkamm summit by booking a tandem para-glider flight, with a highly qualified instructor, to the bottom.

• Treat yourself to some relaxation and pampering at Aquarena, a swimming, spa and health center in the heart of Kitzbühel

• Kitzbühel has around 80 excellent restaurants, cafes and mountain huts or inns that serve wonderful delights, among them traditional Tirolean specialties, exotic 5-course dinner menus or hearty snacks including a selection of typical cold cuts. Specialties to try include: Frittaten Soup (clear soup with strips of pancake) , Vi-ennese Schnitzel with Parsley Potatoes, Cheese Dumplings and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes with raisins and sugar) .

USEFUL CONTACTS & WEBSITESAustrian Tourist Office: www.austria.info

Zell am See

Hotel Salzburgerhof Zell am See


New York Yankees / New York MetsPound Ridge Golf Clubwww.poundridgegolf.comThe Empire State is one of the most golf-rich states in the U.S., as

it is home to many of the most storied venues in the country. And you won’t find a more diehard lot of duffers in the contiguous 48, a cohort willing to brave the elements in the name of the ancient game.

Nowhere is this more evident than at Pound Ridge Golf Club, the only Pete Dye designed golf course in the state. Until 2008, Dye didn’t have a single layout in New York. That changed when Ken Wang, a M.I.T. graduate and brother of fashion designer Vera, commissioned Dye to create Pound Ridge Golf Club an hour north of Manhattan in Westchester County. Wang specifically sought out Dye, comparing his courses to “standing in the middle of a giant math problem conjured up by a master of geometry.”

Dye didn’t disappoint, transforming 172 acres of craggy cliffs,

streams and wooded hills into one of the most visually stunning golf experiences in the U.S. Playing 7,165 yards from the back tees, with a par of 72 and a slope of 146, Pound Ridge is a true “player’s course.”

Crystal Springs Resortwww.crystalgolfresort.comNestled in the Kittatinny Mountains of northern New Jersey –

just one hour from the bright lights of Broadway – 4,000 acre Crystal Springs Resort is the best-kept secret in golf features seven golf cours-es, three hotels, two world-class spas and numerous other amenities and activities.

There are championship and resort courses (Ballyowen, Black Bear, Crystal Springs and Wild Turkey), a 27-hole complex with a retro theme (Great Gorge), a nine-hole layout for families and juniors (Minerals), and another nine-hole track (Cascades) emanating from the lavish Grand Cascades Lodge.

The resort is a nationally-recognized leader in golf innovation and growing-the-game initiatives. They include family golf on the

New York’s Pound Ridge Golf Club

BATTER UP! TEE IT UP!If you’re planning a road trip to catch some Major League Baseball this summer, don’t forget to pack your clubs. Some of the country’s finest golf destinations are a short drive from MLB’s most recognized ballparks.


By JD Latorre

BATTER UP! TEE IT UP!

nine-hole Cascades and Minerals Courses featuring four-person carts and two holes cut on each green (one eight inches in diam-eter); a “Fast Track” program that guarantees golfers finish in less than four hours; a pay-per-hole playing option; “Swing N Sip” wine-tasting events and more.

Texas RangersOld American Golf Clubwww.oldamericangolfclub.com Old American, about 40 miles north of Rangers Ballpark in Arling-

ton, is the work of acclaimed designer Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR

star and hometown hero Justin Leonard. Inspired by the ‘Golden Age’ of golf course architecture (1911 - 1937), Old American’s natural con-tours, hazard styles, native grasses and green shapes were influenced by such masterpieces as Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Prairie Dunes and Crystal Downs.

The course is quickly becoming known as “the place the pros play.” Thanks to a 7,000-yard-plus layout with the chops to host a TOUR event, Old American is a regular stop for many DFW-based pros. Nathan Green, winner of the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, holds the course record. Green fired a 4-under-par 67 in February, breaking the previous record of 68 held by Leonard and K.J. Choi. Other pros

New Jersey’s Ballyowenat Crystal Springs Resort


playing Old American include Y.E. Yang, Rod Pampling, John Senden, Steven Bowditch, and Paul Stankowski.

Bear Creek Golf Clubwww.bearcreek-golf.com True to Texas’ “bigger is better” bravado, Bear Creek Golf Club boasts

36 holes of North Texas’ finest golf. Two distinct layouts – the East and West Courses – pack a one-two punch that has earned it a place among Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Resort Courses in America” and The Wall Street Journal’s “10 Great Places to Golf.” Bear Creek has played host to PGA TOUR qualifiers and the Texas State Open. While the golf may be bigger, the prices are not. Bear Creek is located a pitching wedge away from TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, making accommodations a breeze.

Miami MarlinsPGA National Resort & Spawww.pgaresort.comFew destinations have a golf pedigree as storied as PGA National

Resort & Spa, located about 90 minutes up I-75 from Marlins Park. The vaunted resume of its Champion Course includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship. Currently, it hosts The Honda Clas-sic, one of the PGA TOUR’s premier events and the first stop on its “Florida Swing.”

Additionally, PGA National boasts four other superb layouts. The Palmer is an Arnold Palmer signature course with a subtle nod to the game’s Scottish roots. The Squire is a tough test of accuracy and preci-sion, and dubbed “the thinking man’s course.” The Estates, designed by Karl Litten, is a quick drive from the resort grounds and is flat-out excellent.

A recent $100 million renovation included a complete remodel of “The Haig” – the resort’s original 18-hole layout – by Tom Fazio II. Other enhancements include floor-to-ceiling makeovers of its 379 guest rooms and total overhaul of the 19th hole bar and grill now called “Bar 91.”

PGA National Resort & Spa


Beautiful Place!

San Francisco Giants / Oakland A’sSaddle Creek Resortwww.saddlecreekresort.comSituated in the rolling foothills of the Central Sierra region less

than two hours from the East Bay, Saddle Creek Resort is located in the heart of the Copper Valley in Copperopolis. Golfers will dis-cover stunning vistas of the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east, while an ethereal collection of shimmering lakes, native trees, indigenous grasses and 100 bunkers provides a challenging, thought-provoking experience from tee to green. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, golf course architect Carter Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other.

Saddle Creek jumped six spots in Golfweek’s 2013 “Best You Can Play” rankings and now sits in the top 10 with iconic layouts Golden State layouts like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Pasatiempo and Torrey Pines’ South Course.

Seattle MarinersSalish Cliffs Golf Club at Little Creek Casino Resort www.salish-cliffs.comOpened in September 2011 and named to Golf Digest and Golf-

week “best of” lists, Salish Cliffs is a little more than one hour from Safeco Field. Privacy abounds at the Gene Bates design, as 16 of 18 holes are set among lush forestry. Channeling an Old World vibe, the ninth and 18th holes share an expansive, 15,000 sq. ft. double green. A sparkling lake and wetland preserve separate their respective fairways.

Salish Cliff is an amenity of Little Creek Casino Resort owned and operated by the Squaxin Island Tribe. In 2012, the resort added to its long list of amenities by unveiling a new spa (Seven Inlets Spa), full-service RV Park, and the Skookum Spirit Cigar and Wine Lounge.

Texas’ Old American Golf Club


RESORTREPORT

LAKE GENEVA . . .It’s Always Been the Place for Golf


by JD Latorre

More than 20 premium courses enrich summer, fall and spring getawaysLAKE GENEVA, WI – Arguably one of the top golfing locations in the Midwest, Lake Geneva is known for its 22 beautiful courses that combine lush landscapes with inspirational challenges and earned bragging rights. Nowhere else in America’s Heartland is this outstanding variety and easy accessibility available almost year-round.

“When it comes to golfing, Lake Geneva is an unmatched destination for three of four seasons of the year,” said Grace Eckland, marketing & PR director, Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We uniquely accommodate serious players and competitors, as well as beginners, women and kids with various courses, lessons and special opportunities.”

Championship courses in the Lake Geneva Area were designed by some of the most prominent names in the game, including Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, Trevino, Dye and Cupp. And Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler each have named several of the area’s courses among the best in the region and the country.

Golfers can choose from two tournament-quality 18-hole courses at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, or hit the links at any or all of the three championship courses at the Geneva National Golf Club. Abbey Springs Golf Course and Hawk’s View Golf Club, with a 4-1/2-star rating by Golf Digest, showcase rich, wooded beauty and mature vegetation.

Located among 275 tree-lined acres, Lake Lawn Resort’s championship golf course in Delevan is a historic masterpiece, first opened in 1921 and then spectacularly re-engineered in 1990 by renowned architect Dick Nugent, known for his work at Kemper Lakes.

The 27-hole public course at Evergreen Golf Club has been recognized as an outstanding value, and Country Club Estates, once a private golf course, facilitates a quick game over its nine hole, par 35 wooded, hilly terrain. And beginners, families and kids can enjoy a walkable par-3 experience on the Barn Hallow Course at Hawk’s View, or tee up on the 18-hole miniature golf course at Paradise Golf Park alongside cascading waterfalls.

Many courses also offer clinics, lessons and special tee times to meet the needs of individuals or for group outings. And when golfers hit the 19th, or 37th or 73rd hole, they can take advantage of the multitude of nearby accommodations, dining options and attractions that make up the Lake Geneva area.

Golf courses are open in summer, fall and spring to maximize playing time and take advantage of seasonal highlights.

About Lake GenevaNestled on the northeastern shores of Geneva Lake in southeast Wisconsin, Lake Geneva has been a resort community since just after the Civil War when wealthy Chicago families discovered the site and began building summer homes there. Today, the elegant, often historic estates still ring the lake and can be viewed from the water or by foot via the 21-mile walking path that circles the lake.

Lake Geneva boasts a wealth of dining options and lodging choices with the latter ranging from luxury spa resorts to rustic inns to lovely B&B’s. The area also offers pristine nature areas and a wealth of attractions. For information on Lake Geneva, honored as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, visit www.lakegenevawi.com or call (800) 345-1020.

LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

LAKE GENEVA . . .It’s Always Been the Place for Golf


SWEETSTUFFGPS rangefinders are one of the hottest “must-have” items for golf-

ers these days, and with the advances in the technology, GPS en-abled watches have taken over a large share of the market.

Bushnell, which for years has been a leader in laser range finding devices, has introduced its latest GPS golf watch called the NeoX, which comes with more pre-loaded golf courses and more features than the company’s previous models.

Ready-to-use out of the box with 30,000-pre-loaded courses (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand), with no mem-bership fee, this latest design from Bushnell is lighter, more comfortable and even has new modes for showing the distance to hazards and the end of the fairway, as an ex-ample. Not only can you measure the distance for any shot—an especially nice tool for seeing how far you actually hit those drives—it also tracks how long you have been on the

course and how far you have walked (or traveled in a cart). This is a nice feature that runs in the background while giving you distance to the middle, front and back of the green with its accurate GPS tracking.

This watch is very light and comfortable and one of the thinner mod-els of the current generation of GPS-enabled watches, with a longer bat-tery life than most with at least three rounds—or 16 hours of playing time-- between chargings. Used simply as a stylish sport watch the bat-tery life increases into many months. It also features course and hole recognition and accurately advances with each hole.

The simple toggle switch operation is easy to use and can also activate the stopwatch, timer and odometer functions in addition to the tee-time start and GPS-off functions. This watch is legal for tournament play as are most rangefinders these days according to USGA rules.

For more information on Bushnell rangefinders, visit: www.bushnellgolf.com.

One aspect of traveling that is often taken for granted when traveling is shaving—that is until you need to do it and you don’t want to fill up an overnight kit or bag with any gear larger than necessary.

For those that want something quick, small and easy to travel with, a new cordless electric shaver that fills all of those needs called ShaveTech could be just the solution. It is a handy USB powered electric razor for anyone on the go. Not only is it perfect for a gym bag or traveling, it’s small enough to keep in your pocket in case you missed a spot and didn’t notice before leaving home. This shaver, which is smaller than a cell phone is great for both men and women alike.

This new shaver offers a sleek, lightweight design that gives users a convenient USB charging option that will save them not only space but also the aggravation of finding a free electrical outlet. It can be charged

from a computer via the USB port, from a wall outlet with a handy adapt-er or from a car.

It used to be that the man who wanted a smooth face while on the road had one of two options, neither one of them very appealing. Either he had to carry around a bulky electric shaver and its cumbersome and space-hogging electrical charger, or he had to resort to dry razors and all the bulky essentials that go with it. And if he chose the former option, he also had to worry about finding a free electrical outlet before he could even begin.

According to ConsumerSearch, an online product review and re-port provide, only 30 percent of men currently use electric shavers. That mindset is in exactly why the developers of ShaveTech hit the market this summer with a product that can be charged easily in a variety of ways and is exceptionally small and handy—it literally takes up less space than most cell phones. The ShaveTech can be powered up by plugging it directly into any USB port. When not in use, the USB plug flips back inside the shaver for streamlined, pocket portability. If traveling outside of the U.S., ShaveTech has the added benefit of not needing an electrical converter, simply charge it up while passing layover time on a laptop. A single full charge holds for 30 minutes of shaving.

ShaveTech is available for purchase online at www.shavetech.com and at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada. A wall adaptor is also avail-able for the shaver that comes in both black and white color options.


SWEETSTUFFCustom golf shoes have always had their place among the more

treasured accessories for any player. The ability to pick your color combinations, sizing and styling has both an aesthetic and

comfort benefit that can both be seen and felt.FootJoy, which has enjoyed success over the years with its Custom

Shoe Program called MyJoys®, has now added its top-selling spikeless shoe to the program with over 1.5 million ways to customize its Contour Casual shoe.

According to a recent independent Golf Datatech survey, Contour Casual is the #1 spikeless golf shoe in both the on and off course retail locations and trails only FJ’s cleated Contour Series in total overall golf shoe sales.

The versatile Contour Casual golf shoes utilize super-soft premium leathers, lightweight underfoot comfort, waterproof protection, indus-try-leading size options and world-renowned fit. Now available in the MyJoys program, Contour Casual will also deliver 1.5 million possible customization options through four areas that can be colorized, includ-ing: base color, contemporary swept-back saddle, underlays on either side of the saddle and a second accent for a pop of color around the toes, tongue, and heel areas.

“These shoes are an ideal option for the golfer who enjoys the convenience of wearing the same shoes from the golf course to the grill room but still demands the premium materials, comfort, style and fit that FootJoy is known for,” said Mike Foley, Director of Marketing, Footwear. “With the addition to the MyJoys program, you now have the additional versatility to make them truly unique.”

In addition to dozens of popular colors, animal prints and patent leathers, custom logos can also be added on the heel of each shoe. You can choose to support your favor-ite Major League Baseball or collegiate team with licensed logos, show your national pride with a flag, or pick from one of 98 novelty logos to give your shoes that special one-of-a-kind look.

Overall, the MyJoys® pro-gram by FooJoy offers con-sumers over 2,500,000 ways to customize their golf shoes, including exotic print leathers, personalization, country flags and MLB and Collegiate logos. Men’s and women’s cleated and spikeless options are available. Size options range from 4 XN to 17 XXW.

For more information: www.myjoys.com

by TerryRoss

Golf Vacations Magazine - August 2013

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