Golf Vacations Magazine May 2012

www.golfvacationsmag.com Golf Vacations•may20121

OUR 10th YEAR

THIS MONTH: S w e e t S t u f f • D e s t i n a t i o n s • C h i p S h o t s

GOLF VACATIONSGOLF VACATIONSMAY 2012

FINDING YOUR TRUE SOUTH IN MISSISSIPPI

PARK CITY’S JEREMY RANCH

FINDING YOUR TRUE SOUTH IN MISSISSIPPI

PARK CITY’S JEREMY RANCH

GOLFING THE GREAT NORTHERN CATSKILLSGOLFING THE GREAT

NORTHERN CATSKILLS

Plus: UNITING NATIONS CUP • GOLF ACADEMIESPlus: UNITING NATIONS CUP • GOLF ACADEMIES

2 GolfVacations•may2012 www.golfvacationsmag.com


GOLF VACATIONSGOLF VACATIONS

MAY 2012PalmasDelMar•PuertoRico

9 • ChipShots

10 • Uniting Nations Cup by Dave McKibben

The Uniting Nations Cup was dreamed up a few years ago to highlight the alliance between the U.S. and Mexico beyond the countries commercial and cultural ties. In just one year, tournament director Vito Berlingeri said the UNC exceeded all expectations.

14 • Golf The Great Northern Catskills The Catskills of Greene County are known for their majestic natural beauty and family friendly atmosphere. Nine golf courses are set like green jewels among the mountains and valleys of the Great Northern Catskills, each offering unique experiences and incred-ible value. Here, you’ll find a number of championship courses with PGA Pros throughout.

18 • Jeremy Ranch by Larry Feldman

Most people know of Park City, Utah for one thing. Skiing. You know, the greatest snow on Earth. Well, it’s all that and more if bullet-ing down black diamond runs is your thing. Holding the 2002 Winter Olympics here was a no-brainer.

22 • Elite Golf Academies by JD LatorreGolf’s a game of peaks and valleys. Ups and downs are inevitable. Plateaus, however, are frustrating; when you can’t shave that stroke or two it takes to finally break 80, 90, or 100. But help is out there. On the following pages is a list of elite instruction programs with a reputation for taking students’ performance to the next level.

28 • Finding Your True South In Mississippi by Andy Reistetter

Mississippi “packs the punch” when it comes to a golf and coastal life style. Yes its 44 miles of coastline is far less than that of Florida (1350) and California (840). So too is the number of golf courses- Mississippi (124), Florida (1218) and California (906).

32 • SweetStuff by Terry Ross


CANADIAN ROCKIES GOLF BEST 2012 VACATION PICKS

Canadian Rockies Golf (www.canadian-rockiesgolf.ca) – a group of best-in-CanadacoursesandresortslocatedincentralAlberta– unveiled its 2012 signature golf packages,including a 144-hole, five-day golf extrava-ganza,orarelaxedgolf-and-flyfishingorspatrip,beginningthisMay.

GolfvacationexperiencesinBanff,Jasper,CanmoreandKananaskisCountryareinclud-ed in the group’s varied offering, with ratesstartingat$174CADperperson,pernight.

Herearefivetravelpicksworthreviewing:15-hour Daylight Golf Marathon: Visit

theCanadianRockiesnear the Summer Sol-stice,andexpectthesuntoriseat7amandfallaround10pmdaily–making36holesadaynot onlymanageable, but easy. Try the IronMan Golf Package, including eight roundsand five night’s stay, starting at $1,439CADperperson.Youmightactuallyfitinthreefullroundswiththismuchsun.

Canmore and the Calgary Stampede: The famed Calgary Stampede will celebrateitsCentennial inearlyJuly. Enjoythepopu-larChuckwagonRacesandthendriveaquickhour west to the hip and fresh Canmore,playing themeaty Silvertip or StewartCreek

mountain courseswiththe laid-backCanmoreGolf & Curling Club.May Canmore pack-agesstartat$174CADperperson,foraroundandanovernightstay.

Drive and Fly(Fish-ing, That is): GolfersandanglerswilllovethePins and Fins package,combining two days ofgolf with a full-day fly-fishing excursion withguideandequipmentin-cluded.Stayfournights,starting at $979 CADperperson.

CelebrateourBirthdays:Twocoursesarecelebratingbirthdaysin2012:

•VisitinMay11-17tocelebrateKananas-kis Country’s 30th Anniversaryandenjoy$20rounds(aflashbackfrom1983).Packagesstartat$249CAD/fortwonightsandtworounds.

•TheFairmont JasperParkLodge is cel-ebrating their 90th Anniversary with theirJasper Great Golf Getaway, including threenights, two rounds, golf lessons, privateScotchtasting,flyfishingandlakesidebarbe-cue,startingat$3,125CADperperson.

Golf Magazine Gold Resorts: The Fair-mont Jasper Park Lodge and The FairmontBanffSpringswerenamed2012GoldResortsbyGOLFMagazine, andGolfDigest’s 75TopGolfResortsinlate2011.Stayandplayboth,andenjoyabonusnightatTheFairmontCha-teauLakeLouise,throughtheFairmontClassicPackage, a seven-day excursion through bothNational Parks and the famed Icefields Park-way.Mayratesstartat$1469CADperperson.

Allpackagescanbebookedthroughwww.canadianrockiesgolf.ca, and includeall taxes,gratuitiesandservicechargeswereapplicable.

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

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

www.golfvacationsmag.com GolfVacations•may201211

Bag pipes won’t be played during opening ceremonies, steak pie won’t be served in the clubhouse restaurant and the competi-tion won’t be televised internationally. But the Uniting Nations

Cup--matching amateurs from the United States against a team from Mexico--might be just as culturally significant as those matches between the U.S. and Great Britain that began in 1927.

The Uniting Nations Cup was dreamed up a few years ago to high-light the alliance between the U.S. and Mexico beyond the countries commercial and cultural ties. In just one year, tournament director Vito Berlingeri said the UNC exceeded all expectations.

“We utilized golf as an ambassador,” he said. “What developed was way beyond our expectations. Golf brought the two countries together.”

The countries will come together again May 17-20 at the Mayan Pal-ace golf resort, which sits alongside the tranquil Sea of Cortez in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. The U.S. won last year’s inaugural event, but Mexico’s Rodrigo Del Corral said the results were insignificant compared to the goodwill that was fostered between the neighboring nations.

“Because of the nature of a foursome, golf is a sport where you can develop unique bonds with your competitors,” said Del Corral, who has also represented Mexico in international badminton and volleyball com-petitions. “The competition was fierce. But after it was over, I exchanged emails and phone numbers with my American competitors so that we could play again sometime.”

But building camaraderie between the bordering countries wasn’t the only objective Berlingeri had in mind when he created the UNC

with Andrew Gilchrist, the Mayan Palace’s director of golf. By bringing an international golf event to the seaside resort, Berlingeri and Gilchrist are hoping to bring some much-needed attention to the town of Puerto Peñasco and the golf resort. Located an hour south of the Arizona bor-der, Puerto Peñasco and the Mayan Palace have been rocked by the global economic recession in recent years.

Most of the players and their families will be staying at the Mayan Palace, a luxurious family-friendly beach resort and spa that features a variety of fine dining options, a 300-foot swimming pool, miles of pris-tine beaches and 80-degree ocean temperatures.

“We wanted to make the Mayan Palace a place that the players and their families keep returning to year after year,” Berlingeri said. “We also wanted to make the tournament a wow factor, so that everyone would like to come back and play year after year.”

Along with 10 professionals and 40 amateurs from each country, last year’s opening ceremonies were attended by several dignitaries, in-cluding Guillermo Padres Elias, Governor of Sonora, Mexico and Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucson.

“You knew it was going to be a special event when you saw a convoy of cars lined up for a quarter mile during the practice rounds,” said Gregg Hayes of Phoenix, who played in last year’s UNC. This year’s competition won’t include professionals, but 48 amateurs from each country will play in the three-day Ryder Cup style tournament, which is organized by the Arizona Golf Assn.

Despite the lackluster economy, the tournament has received gen-

Uniting Nations Cup

Uniting Nations Cup

By DaveMcKibben


erous backing by a number of big name sponsors, including Bose, Zagas, Johnson Controls and the Puerto Peñasco Tourist Board.

The Mayan Palace’s six-year-old Peninsula de Cortez course has landed a few big tournaments, including the Pac-10 women’s champion-ships in 2009. Vidanta Golf, which operates the Peninsula course and four others in Mexico, plans to have the UNC on its calendar every May.

“Our strategic plan is to lift the tournament’s profile in each subse-quent year,” said Jesus Torres, director of Vidanta Golf. “We have high hopes that the Uniting Nations Cup tournament will be entrenched in the future as one of the most desirable events in the region.”

John Brambert, an amateur from Phoenix who’ll be playing in his first UNC, isn’t sure what he’s more excited about: representing his country or playing Peninsula de Cortez for the first time. The Nicklaus-designed course’s 7,100-yard, par 72 layout is one of the most challeng-ing and breathtaking in Mexico. In typical Nicklaus fashion, golfers will see the good in seven seaside holes, the bad in sloped greens, uneven fairways and thick rough and the ugly in blind shots, pot bunkers and stiff breezes.

“My friends have just raved about this course,” Brambert said. “You don’t get too many desert courses that are built right on the water. I’m hoping I don’t get too caught up in the scenery, so I can keep my focus on golf.” Brambert said he is looking forward to getting to know a few of his Mexican competitors, even if he doesn’t speak their language.

“I’ve played in a lot of golf tournaments over the years,” he said. “But never one that has the diversity and uniqueness of the two cultures like the Uniting Nations Cup.”

Brambert said he doesn’t foresee any problems with the language bar-

rier. “A lot of communication in golf is non-verbal anyway,” he said.

Tony Rubino, who plays out of Avalon, N.J., said he is looking for-ward to little friendly competition.

“I want to encourage conversation and I’ll definitely be giving high-five to my Mexican competitors for great shots,” he said. “But I’m also a competitive guy. I absolutely want to win.”

Special:The Mayan Palace resort offers three nights lodging, four days of

unlimited golf and all meals for under $400 per person. A two-night package is priced under $300.

For more information and details, please email: [email protected]

For current tournament information, visit http://unitingnationscup.com


This season, golf the Great Northern Catskills’ scenic terrain and find un-crowded courses in a gorgeous setting close to home. Just two hours north of New York City and 3.5 hours west of Boston – Greene County’s golf courses are a golfers dream. Challenging links, incredible scenery and unhurried tee times provide the perfect weekend getaway. The Catskills of Greene County are known for their

majestic natural beauty and family friendly atmosphere. Nine golf courses are set like green jewels among the mountains and valleys of the Great Northern Catskills, each offering unique experiences and incredible value. Here, you’ll find a number of championship courses with PGA Pros throughout.

For added adventure, golf “The Catskill Seven,” a series of courses along the Rip Van Winkle Golf Trail. From April through October, these courses offer a great respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The Catskills Seven Blackhead Mountain Lodge and Country Club’s 18-hole par 72 championship course is located in the town of Round Top. A tucked-

away gem, Blackhead’s golf course was designed by Nicholas Psiahas – a famous golf course architect who also designed courses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The course, carved into Blackhead Mountain’s terrain, offers a majestic layout, challenging sand, water and two-tier greens. Enjoy an on-site restaurant, conference facility and a bar for relaxing after a game.

Golf the Great Northern Catskills

of New York and Save All Season Long

Blackhead Mountain Lodge and Country Club’s


Christman’s Windham House offers an 18-hole championship 7,072 yard mountain course in Windham. The Mountain Course provides tournament conditions every day, spectacular scenery and USGA rated handicaps. The parkland layout is perfect for golfers of any skill level and families with young golfers will enjoy the 9-hole Valley Course. Multiple putting greens offer plenty of space for you to perfect your swing. Home of the Ben Sutton Golf School, Christman’s specializes in golf getaways for families and groups. Resort facilities include classic Catskill lodging, 1805 Tavern restaurant and family friendly activities.

Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course in Greenville is known for its challenging 18-hole course, with a par 66 on 300 acres of panoramic views of the Great Northern Catskills. Perfect your game at the driving range and visit the pro shop, then enjoy lake and picnic facilities. Sunny Hill offers a family friendly getaway for golfers and non-golfers alike. Find all-inclusive golfers packages, live entertainment on Friday nights and golf tournaments.

Christman’s Windham House

Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course


Thunderhart at Sunny Hill offers an 18-hole, par 72 championship course over 6,800 yards long in Freehold. Enjoy a 250-yard driving range, fully staffed clubhouse and relaxing in the outdoor pavilion. Golf the championship and resort-style courses, set against the scenic beauty and challenging design. Special events, tournaments and an online tee-time booking system offer guests a unique Catskills golfing experience.

Windham Country Club has been awarded 3.5 stars by Golf Digest Magazine. This 18-hole, 6,024 yard par 71 champion-ship course is located in the town of Windham. Designed by Len Raynor, the course offers scenic yet challenging terrain and PGA Pro Brian Lowe oversees a knowledgeable staff. The County Club offers everything you need to enjoy golfing in Greene County, in-cluding a new clubhouse and restaurant, a five-acre driving range, putting green and an award-winning pro shop.

Rainbow Golf Club in Greenville offers an 18-hole USGA regulation championship golf course and driving range. Five sets of tees and a picturesque location add to the Rainbow’s golf expe-rience. One of the Catskills’ best kept secrets, Rainbow provides a challenging layout and one of the region’s only island greens. Fly in to the Club’s on-site airport and enjoy an overnight stay in one of their comfortable suites.

Rip Van Winkle Country Club in Palenville incorporates a Donald Ross design for a beautifully scenic course. The 9-hole course offer 3,120 yards, and par 36, while the 18-hole course offers 6,006 yards. Exceptional facilities offer the perfect spot for your next golf outing. Enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restau-rant, plan a group getaway and enjoy nearby Catskill attractions.

The Greene International Golf Association’s nine participating courses now offer mid-week, two-for-the-price-of-one green fees to Greene Card Holders. Participants include the Catskills Seven, as well as the Catskill Golf Club and the Colonial Country Club. Sign up for a free Greene Card online at www.greatnorthern-catskills.com/greene-card and receive buy-one, get-one green fees and passes to additional Catskill Region attractions.

Thunderhart at Sunny Hill

Windham Country Club


Catskills Stay & Play Golf Packages Christman’s Windham House offers early season unlimited golf packages. Book two

nights and enjoy three days of unlimited golf with cart and guaranteed tee-times. Package in-cludes two breakfasts, is interchangeable with play at any other participating Greene County golf course. Starts at $235 pp based on double occupancy, and weekend packages start at $300 pp, based on double occupancy.

Rainbow Golf Club is currently offering two package options for spring. Mid-week spe-cials start at $300 pp. Package includes four nights’ accommodations and four 18-hole rounds of golf with cart. Weekend Packages start at $175 pp and includes two nights’ accommoda-tions and two 18-hole rounds of golf with cart.

Windham Country Club’s Golf Getaway package includes one night’s accommoda-tions at the Hotel Vienna, golf for two and breakfast. Mid-week rates start at $157 pp/pn and weekend rates start at $213 pp/pn.

Blackhead Mountain Lodge and Country Club offers a mid-week Golf Getaway package which includes accommodations, golf with cart and breakfast, starting at $100 pp/pn. Package available on non-holidays from April 23 through Sept. 26.

Thunderhart at Sunny Hill’s 2 day Getaway Package offers unlimited championship golf with cart, accommodations, breakfast and dinner. Packages rates start at $198 pp.

Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course offers a mid-week all-inclusive Golf Special starts at $198 pp with a 3 night minimum. Package includes accommodations, free unlimited golf, and 3 meals per day, activities and excursion transportation. Weekend packages start at $238.

Additional information about stay and play packages can be found at www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

Rainbow Golf Club


It’s the only place I know where you can drop down and get to Heaven.

Most people know of Park City, Utah for one thing. Skiing. You know, the greatest snow on Earth. Well, it’s all that and more if bul-leting down black diamond runs is your thing. Holding the 2002 Winter Olympics here was a no-brainer.

But, as a lifelong skier, summer in Park City just didn’t register. Well, put simply, I was mistaken.

Not only did my wife and I fall in love with the sheer beauty and charm of Park City, we ended up building our dream home where we now live. It was the greatest decision of our lives.

In short, Park City is hands-down one of the hippest yet quaint towns I’ve come across in quite some time. Whether you are schuss-ing down some famous Park City powder or teeing off from the tips with the Wasatch Mountains staring you down, Park City is a must visit for everyone at least once.

Dining is a marvelous experience in Park City. My suggestion is to walk up and down Main Street. You’ll satisfy your taste without starting up your engine, plus there’s nothing better than finishing a good meal, then strolling the streets on a crisp summer’s eve, puffing on a cigar and spending a few bucks in the local shops.

Of course, a major criteria for yours truly is the golf. The region is blessed with a plethora of great golf courses, but the diamond in the rough may well be The Jeremy Golf & Country Club.

When Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay designed the course in 1981, golfers from all over the world have fallen in love with its charm. And, it’s easy to see why.

Arnie and his army designed the course in one of the most beau-tiful settings in the West, the high foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. Using beautiful East Canyon Creek as both a companion and, oc-casionally, an adversary, the sprawling, gently rolling course offers a diverse challenge for every level of golfer.

JEREMY RANCHby Larry Feldman


No matter what the handicap you play to, you’ll quickly agree on one thing…The Jeremy is a championship test of golf in the truest sense.

The Jeremy is one of the most challenging courses in the state with the Blue Tees rated at 73.6. The fairways are dressed in pine, aspen trees and low brush, with almost every hole well-bunkered.

The course generously rewards accuracy from the tee, but isn’t too punishing if you miss a fairway or two. The lush bent grass greens are slightly larger than average in size, however you’ll need to consider their diabolically placed bunkers when you get close.

The front nine eases you nicely into play with a chance to get off to a good start. Then, comes No. 4 and 5, a Par 3 and Par 4 that

hits you between the eyes if you’re not careful.

The fourth hole measures 193 yards and has an elevated tee some 150 feet above the putting surface. Club selection is key. Miss left or long and you’re toast. Miss short and good luck getting up and down for par. Great hole.

The fifth, which checks in at 460 yards, offers another elevated tee and demands an accurate drive in order to set up the approach. You then must softly land a downhill, traditionally downwind second shot to a green that runs away. Take par and run for the hills, which surround you on both sides.

The front side ends with a great risk/reward Par 5. A good drive


sets you up with a hybrid or long iron into a green flanked on the front, left and right by the river that runs throughout the most of the course. Find the putting surface and you could throw two circles around a number on the scorecard. But, find the water and the dreaded box will show up on your card.

The back side has a great mix of holes, one being the Par 4, 12th at a mere 458 yards. A good drive is a must, but the approach must be accurate or one of the three massive bunkers that surround the green will swallow it up. Par is a great score here.

At 515 yards, the Par 5, 16th is reachable in two, but trouble is every-where. Water down the left on the drive, down the right on the second and five bunkers guarding the green are calling your ball’s name. You might want to tackle this one with three shots.

Finally, the 18th at The Jeremy is possibly the toughest hole in all of Utah. Uphill and usually into a prevailing wind, the 442-yard, Par 4 plays more like 490. A good drive is a must and it’s doubtful an iron will be in your hand for the second. Four bunkers guard a tiered green that slopes from back to front.

All in all, The Jeremy Golf & Country Club is where it’s at. And, if you’re in Utah or visit Park City often, the club is running a screaming deal on member-ship. For as little as a $1,000 initiation fee, you can play this marvelous tract all summer long.

It’s the deal of a lifetime.


Elite Golf AcademiesGolf’s a game of peaks and valleys. Ups and downs are inevitable. Plateaus, however, are frustrating; when you can’t shave that stroke or two it takes to finally break 80, 90, or 100. But help is out there. On the following pages is a list of elite instruction programs with a reputation for taking students’ performance to the next level.


ANNIKA Academy at Reunion Resort Orlando, Fla.Annika Sorenstam is known as the greatest female golfer ever. Her Academy offers instruction from the very same coaches who helped her win 89 professional tournaments (including 10 majors), more than $22 million in prize money and eight “Rolex Player of the Year” awards.

The state-of-the-art, “boutique” teaching facility blends golf and fitness. Sorenstam’s long-time personal coaches, Henri Reis (lead swing instructor) and Kai Fusser (personal trainer) provide students with simple techniques allowing them to transfer energy and power to the golf course.

One of only 15 certified Callaway Performance Centers in the country, the Academy provides custom-tailored corporate packages, individualized golf instruction, personalized fitness programs, club fitting and even opportunities to play with Annika. With a student body that’s about 70 percent female, it is the perfect place for executive women and recreational players to learn the game in an inviting atmosphere.

For more information: www.theannikaacademy.com; 888-266-4522

Old American Golf Club’s Marius Golf School The Colony, TexasMarius Filmalter is golf’s leading short game technician. He’s worked with the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh. Marius and his team have measured and analyzed more than 54,000 professional and amateur putting strokes and discovered the 10 characteristics shared by all great putters.

Marius Golf School covers putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play. Golfers learn a basic technique for each discipline, enabling them to play a “stock shot” that can be applied in all circumstances.

More information: www.mariusgolf.com, www.oldamericangolfclub.com; 972-370-4653


John Jacobs Golf School and Academy at Black Diamond Lecanto, Fla.Black Diamond is one of the most exclusive golf experiences in the country. Earlier this year, the community teamed with the storied John Jacobs Golf School and Academy to provide elite instruction to its members and visiting golfers.

John Jacobs Golf Schools (two- and three-day) cover every facet of the game from full-swing video analysis, to short-game tech-nique, to trouble shots and uneven lies. The Academy offers a variety of customized programs tailored to students’ needs.

Non-members interested in attending the John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies can reserve a guest home in the community.

More information: www.jacobsgolf.com, www.blackdiamondranch.com; 800-472-5007

Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy Hilton Head Island, S.C.Hank Haney is renowned as one of golf’s greatest teachers. His list of students (past and present) includes household names like Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Ray Romano and, recently, Sugar Ray Leonard. However, Hank is more actively involved molding the future stars of the game.

The Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (Hank Haney IJGA) is the world’s only academy to combine training, competi-tion and academics for serious junior golfers (ages 10-18). Each day, students receive instruction in full swing, short game, course management, fitness training, mental preparation and college placement from Hank Haney certified coaches. Every 4-6 weeks, Hank personally works with them on the development of their swing.

In addition to the full-time regimen, Hank Haney IJGA also offers weekend and summer training, or juniors can design their own program for one to 365 days.

More information: www.ijga.com, 800-791-8229.


Dave Pelz and David Leadbetter Academies at PGA NationalPalm Beach Gardens, Fla.Home of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic, PGA National Resort and Spa houses two of the premier golf instruction programs in the entire country.

The Dave Pelz Scoring Game Golf School focuses on a combination of the short game and putting. Research from instructors shows golfers lose almost 80 percent of their shots to par within 100 yards of the hole. At Dave Pelz Scoring Game Golf School, the instruction focuses on distance wedges, pitch-ing, chipping, sand play and putting.

The David Leadbetter Golf Academy, opened in 2008, offers everything from full swing analysis to putting. The Academy has four classrooms outfitted with the latest in V1 Golf swing analysis computer technology, the SAM PuttLab and K-Vest, all of which deliver precise measurements in minimal time.

More information: www.pgaresort.com, 800-863-2819


Finding your True South in Mississippi

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter continues his exclusive “Play-Write” series on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On a recent golf travel assignment he was introduced to four golf courses- The Bridges, The Oaks, The Preserve and Fallen Oak where the Champions Tour’s Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic is held in March. Join Reistetter as he not only plays golf in some very special places but enjoys true Southern hospitality in some unusual places.

One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi … I played four Mississippi golf courses in four days!

Well almost, the most anticipated fourth round playing with Nick Price in the pro-am at Fallen Oak was cancelled due to an overnight rain storm. Any other golf course, any other day we would have played but preserving the condition of the golf course is of paramount importance when you are scheduled to host a Champions tour event the next day. The Tom

Fazio design looked spectacular on television as Fred Couples won yet another championship. I can’t wait to return to the Magno-lia State to play Fallen Oak.

Mississippi “packs the punch” when it comes to a golf and coastal life style. Yes its 44 miles of coastline is far less than that of Florida (1350) and California (840). So too is the number of golf cours-es- Mississippi (124), Florida (1218) and California (906). If you look at the ratio of golf courses to coastline miles Missis-sippi (2.8) has three times the intensity of Florida (0.9) and California (1.1). The bottom line is once you arrive, don’t expect to drive far to play a variety of golf courses and enjoy the coast as well.

I explored the coastal region of Missis-sippi from west-to-east. I played The Bridges and stayed at the Hollywood Casino Resort in Bay St. Louis the first day. Where there are bridges there are water hazards. This Arnold Palmer signature design is a fair test of golf in a tranquil and scenic setting.

On the second day I headed over to The Oaks in Pass Christian where Golf Channel’s Trip Isenhour set the course record with a third round 64 on his way to victory in the 2000 Buy.com Mississippi Gulf Coast Open. This is where the eye of Katrina passed over yet many oak trees remain to challenge your course management skills. With Hooter Girls as beverage cart attendants this must be a favorite of John Daly as well.

Heading east my last stop was a few nights at the smoke-free Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi. The name of the Head Golf Professional at the resort’s Preserve Golf Club- Chris Champagne says it all when it comes to the quality of this golfing experience. Throw in Golf Superintendant Stephen Miles and his trusted Golden Retriever Tucker on the golf cart and you know the playing conditions are pristine and memorable. Jerry Pate the 1976 U.S. Open and inaugural PLAYERS at TPC Sawgrass champion is the golf course designer. You won’t forget his par-3 16th hole with its scraggly-edge bunkers and sweeping green.

I highly recommend lunch at The Preserve in the Sweet Bay restaurant. I had the seafood gumbo, hardwood smoked brisket drizzled with Jack Daniels BBQ sauce and the sweet potato nuggets. The meal was so good that I would go back with only a table

by Andy Reistetter

Preserve Golf Course Hole 16


and no tee time reservation.

As good as lunch was, dinner at Mignon’s in the Palace Casino Resort was even better. After sampling a variety of appetizers including BBQ shrimp, fresh oysters and crab cakes I feasted on the namesake filet.

The dinner was hosted by Lisa Quirch who man-ages public relations for the resort. She’s been there 16 years, starting the day before it opened. Perfect for the job since she likes meeting people and people like meeting her. The three story barge casino that Katrina put out of business on August 29th is now located on the first two floors of the 236 room and suite 11-story hotel. Lisa help put 500 people back to work before the end of the year and it is those people, their hospitality that is hard to find elsewhere.

Since the fourth round was a rainout I took a quick shuttle over to the Coast Nightclub at the Beau Rivage to catch Las Vegas regular Dian Diaz’s show. Talk about an up close and personal experience. Great club, great show!

Though I was disappointed we did not get to play in the pro-am honestly the day off the golf course was more fun. I recom-mend adding another off-day to any golf trip visiting Mississippi. Lunch at The Phonecian and a walk around Ocean Springs was the perfect respite from golf.

Ocean Springs is the Cabot Cove of Mississippi. I met Laurel Luckey by chance the new editor of the Gazette. With a name like that I wanted to take her to the casino with me. She went to Ole Miss and came back via New York City and will likely add even a bit more zest to her hometown. Another nice young lady named Mabelle gave me a ride over to the Walter Anderson Mu-

Biloxi Lighthouse from steps of Visitors Center


seum of Art. I could have moseyed except for the brief rain shower. I was mesmerized by the biographical video of the mysterious, Rod Serling like artist. He ventured out to Horn Island to renew his youth and in the process created some artful renditions of birds and their habitat.

Then I met Carla Beaugez of the Biloxi Tour Train who took me on a private tour that I will never forget. For sure she is the Angela Lansbury of Biloxi. While there was no murder to solve she revealed the mystery of Biloxi by noting at the start that “it is the humblest of humanity, not a melting pot.” Hurricanes have a way of bringing the strengths of people to the forefront. Carla lost the original train engine in Katrina and now makes due using her jeep to pull the passenger cars for her tour.

Her tour wasn’t what I expected, it was so much more. “If you ride with Carla you are a celebrity,” sound-ed like a cliché but isn’t. Yes you get the basics such as “the original Biloxi Lighthouse was made in Baltimore, Maryland and shipped in pieces by barge.” But you also get the personal insider view when she pulls over in front of the Old Biloxi Schooner restaurant and Tabitha and Inga come out on the sidewalk to chat with you for a while and offer you a Barq’s Root Beer.

The Weather Witch of Biloxi is still there since1896. “Yes, Katrina aged our sails a bit,” Carla emphasizes, “but there is lots of love on my tour, both ways.”

Whichever way you go in Mississippi I think you will find the warmth of its people and understand why it is also known as The Hospitality State.

What is great about the state of Mississippi is that the Coastal Region is only one of five tourist sections. The four other regions are the Capital/River, the Pines, the Hills and the Delta. Did you know that the Mississippi River is the entire western border of the state? I did not realize that and look forward to returning to explore the rest of Mississippi someday very soon.

For more information on golfing in Mississippi go to the website http://visitmississippi.org/golf/ where you will be able to access complete information about the golf courses throughout the state, including stay-and-play packages.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Spot-ter, Research and Broadcast Assistant for The Golf Channel,

NBC and CBS Sports. He spends time on all four major Ameri-can golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and

LPGA Tours. A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing

his passion for the game of golf and. Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook to enjoy daily updates on his GolfWriter59 page. Or

contact Reistetter by e-mail at [email protected]

The Bridges Golf Club at Casino Magic

Tabitha & Inga outside Ole Biloxi Schooner

Andy Reistetter Mr Hickory Golf Pairing Party Champions MS Gulf Resort Classic


SWEETSTUFFContinuingwithitsforayintoafulllineof

performancegolfapparel,FootJoy isex-pandingitslineofnewofferingswiththe

debutthissummerofitsFall,2012collectionledbyfourall-newcon-

temporarycolorcollectionsandthatfeaturenewand exciting performance pieces for all stylepreferencesandplayingconditions.

Featuringcontemporarycolorsandpatternsinavarietyofstyleandperformancefabrics,thedesignfocusforFJperformanceapparelistotallyongolf--andinthisregardthistraditionalleaderingolfshoesandglovescanclaimabirdiewithsomeverystylishnewarrivals to theirgrowinglineofclothing.

Thefall,2012colorcollectionswillbesup-plemented by a core range of Essentials shirts,rain and outerwear pieces and accessories, in-cluding: CAPTIVA - a vibrant collection fea-turing Navy, Sky, Raspberry and White colorcombinations; SEDONA - this desert-inspiredcollection features Slate, Orange, Khaki andStone; BARHARBOR - this classic collectionusesthestrong,traditionalcolorsofBlack,Roy-al,SteelandWhite;ADIRONDACK-thecolorsof Navy, Burgundy, Gold, Hunter and CreamgiveAdirondackatrue,Autumnfeel.

In addition to the fashion collections andbasedonconsumerdemand,FJwillalsoexpanditsEssentialsshirtstoincludeanumberofPencilStripeProDryPerformanceLisleshirtsandwillalsointroduceanewProDryPerformanceLisleSolidwithaknitcollar.

The FooJoy shirt line sports an especially

flattering full-cut thatoffersampleroomintheshoulders and an extra-long back shirt tail forastylish,elegant lookonoroffthecoursewitharich,silkyfeelingblendedProDry®fabricthatismoisturewicking.These shirts also are anti-microbialwith an easy care fabric anddouble-stitchedseemandlockstitchedhems.

Moving to the outer layer, FJ will debut anewPerformanceLightRainJacketwithzip-offsleeves,new four-way stretch fabric, a two-wayfront zipper and enhanced overall waterproof-ness.Inaddition,tocomplementthesuccessfulPerformanceLinedpullovers,anewlineoffineMerinoWoolSweatersandVestsisalsoontap.

ThePerformanceHalf-ZipPulloverisagreataddition to a golf wardrobe as amid-layer for a variety ofweatherconditions.Availableinsevencol-ors, theHalfZipPullover offers agenerous cut that will look greathaving cocktails but won’t inhibityour swing on a cool day withfull-cut shoulders. The four-waystretchfabricprovidesUVsunpro-tection;breathabilityand theelas-ticknitcollarandsleevecuffsgivethispulloverasmartlookandfeel.

For those warmer days, theFJ Performance Shorts, availableinfivecolors,offeracountry-clublengthcuttothekneeswithaflat-tering,trimcutinadurableblend-ed fabric that wears well. The FJPerformancePantsareavailableinfourbasiccolorsandalightfabricblendwithathleticcutthatgivesasharplookonoroffthegolfcourse.

Formoreinfo:www.footjoy.com/apparel

Withsummerrightaroundthecorneranyoneenjoyingoutdooractivities—especiallythoseplayinggolf—willbe

looking forways to staycoolandrefreshed. Anew solution to this problem called Cool Off®wipes is an ingenious new product that comesasasmallsealedtowelettethatresemblesababywipe,butdoessomuchmore.

InitialtestswiththermalimagingrevealthatCoolOff®,ifusedcorrectly,canlowertheuser’ssurfaceskintemperatureupto12degreeswith-in5minutesandmaintains thecoolness for60minutesormore.

Theseportable,mintowelettesareperfecttoputinagolfbagorsimplyinyourpocket.Lessbulkythanagymtowelandeasytopackandgo,

CoolOff® naturalminiwipes quickly cool youdownbyusing coolingherbs,moisturizingbo-tanicalsandessentialoils.

Theseareaperfectwaytocooloffmid-waythroughpracticeorinatournamentandmakeiteasytorenew,re-energize,andrefresh,anytimeinaconvenient,pocketsizedpacket.

The product team behind Cool Off® care-fullyresearchedtheherbsandbotanicalstofindthe best combination possible.While there areno medical claims, the ingredients are knownnatural ingredients that promote a therapeuticreactionwhenappliedtotheskin,suchasWitchHazel, Aloe Vera, Arnica, Sea Weed Extract,ChamomileFlowerExtract,LemonPeelExtract,RedClover,St. John’sWortExtract,OatKernelExtractandFlaxseed.TheproductalsocontainsWhiteTeaLeaf,anaturalanti-bacterialplantthatiseffectiveasanenergy-booster.

Withconvenienceapriority—especially forthose that travel—these small packets of cool-ingcanmakeallthedifferenceduringthosehotsummerdaysonthecourse.

Formoreinfo,visit:www.thequickchill.com


SWEETSTUFFJust as playing golf takes the right equipment,

traveling also requires theproper accompani-mentsandhavingluggageuptothetasktohelp

withanenjoyabletripisprobablyasimportant—ormoreso--thangolfgearwhenitcomestobeingcomfortableintheair,ontheroadandinhotels.

ClubGlove, theHuntingtonBeachdesignerandmanufacturer of premium luggage and golftravelbagshastakentheartofpackingandtrans-portingtravelers’valuedclubsandbelongingstoanotherlevelwithsomeinnovativenewadditionstotheirlineupin2012.Itisnowonderthatmorethan 90 percent of PGA Tour and ChampionsTourplayersandsixRyderCupcaptainshavecho-senthisbrandofluggagefortheirtravel.

The TRS Ballistic line of ultra-premiumluggagetopsthecompany’snewlineandisspe-cifically crafted to redefine the first-class travelexperience for those golfers seeking the mostdurableandstylishluggage.TheTRSBallisticsetconsists of a carry-on; check-in andXL check-in--andisalsoavailableasaset.

Made-in-the-USAandspecificallycraftedtocomplementthefirst-classtravelexperience,theTRSBallistic line showcases a sleek, amazingly

functionaldesignandthemostdurablematerialsused in the luggageworld today.All pieces areconstructed from U.S. woven INVISTA COR-DURA®1050denierNylonBallisticfabric,whichoffers double the abrasion resistance and fourtimestheresistanceofotherpremiummaterials.

“When we launched TRS Ballistic, our goalwastocreatetheabsolutebestluggageontheplan-et,”sayscompanyfounderJeffHerold.“Ourorigi-nalall-blacklinewassopopularwithglobetrottingcelebrities,businessexecutives,leisuretravelersandPGATourstarsthatwerecognizedadefiniteneedtointroduceevenmorecoloroptions.”

Additional featuresof thisnewline includepatented, ultra-durablewheel base and retract-able handle – engineered to provide ideal bal-ance and convenience; premium zippers, easy-to-open flap, internal webbing with superiortensile strength and packing modules for theperfectcompartmentalizationofclothing,toilet-ries,shoesandotheritems.

Another innovative creation from ClubGlove is theTrainReaction™ System, a patent-pending method for drastically reducing theeffort needed to pull or push gear by creating

a perfect center of gravity to make bags feelweightless.Thisallowsforthreepiecesandover90poundsofluggagetoberolledwithjustonehand with an assembled luggage “train” thatself-balances without toppling over—such as aRollingDuffle,Gear Bag andBurst ProofwithWheelsgolfcover—enoughforaweek-longtrip.

This is accomplished with the Train Reac-tion™plasticconnectorthatsecurestheluggagepieces together tobepulledasone.Thenewly-releasedJ-Hookisanalternativemethodofcre-atingaluggagetrainsystemandcentersuponanewattachmentpoint.Simplyfastenthedevicetothefullyextendedhandleofacarry-onpieceandplacethecarrygripofaLastBag®XL,LastBag®orBurstProofw/WheelsIIinthehook.

“This amazing method allows avid golfersalreadyusingClubGlovetravelgeartoduplicatetheeffectofourpatentedTrainReaction™Systemwithouthavingtoupgradetheirluggage,”addedHerold.“Theensembleself-balances,isreadytorollinsecondsandsoeasytotransportthatevenasix-yearoldcaneasilypull100poundsofgear.”

FormoreinformationontheClubGlovelineofluggage:www.clubglove.com

by TerryRoss

Golf Vacations Magazine May 2012

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Transcript of Golf Vacations Magazine May 2012