If you're sick and tired of the constant drumbeat of gloom and doom economic news, I hope I can remedy that problem for you.
Finally, here's some good news about exciting happenings in the golf travel world in 2014:
Slated to debut early 2014 is a luxury 210-room main lodge at Streamsong Resort in Polk County near Lakeland, Florida. Amenities will include three restaurants and two lounge areas, an indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool, fitness center, full-service spa with multiple treatment rooms, retail shopping, hiking, birding tours, sporting clays and lakefront fishing complex with guides, outfitters and boating equipment. Situated 53 miles from Tampa and 69 miles from Orlando, Streamsong is home to two of golf's more celebrated new courses that opened in 2012. Set on formerly mined land, the courses incorporate hills, dramatic land forms, sweeping sand dunes, ridges and vistas. The two 18-hole courses were designed by Tom Doak and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup matches, will debut 10 new luxury lodges in 2014, which is part of a planned development of 60 lodges. The large, multi-bedroom log cabins will be named Hunter Lodges. Offering views of the Usk Valley, the lodges will be situated near Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course.
The $3.5 billion Baha Mar mega-resort in Nassau's Cable Beach area (Bahamas) will open its 1,000-room casino hotel in December 2014. Opening late this year or early next year is the property's Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Baha Mar.
An 18-hole putting course at Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Resort in Oregon is scheduled to open in May 2014. Designed by Tom Doak, the highlights of "The Punchbowl Putting Course" include 15 to 20 feet of elevation change and a 100-foot downhill roller coaster putt.
Expected to open late 2014 is the 444-room Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Set in Disney's ultra-exclusive, luxury master-planned Golden Oaks community near the Tom Fazio designed Osprey Ridge Golf course, the $360 million hotel will be dripping with luxury amenities.
PGA Village Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida has committed to a course conditioning and enhancement program that will significantly improve the overall golf experience at the resort's four golf courses. Veteran superintendent Dick Gray was hired to raise the quality of maintenance and conditioning to unparalleled levels for 2014 and beyond.
The Trump National Doral Miami (formerly named Doral Golf Resort & Spa) is undergoing a massive $250 million renovation and enhancement program. Slated for completion in fall 2014, the transformation will include refurbishment of guest rooms, extensive renovation of the clubhouse and redesign of the "Blue Monster" by architect Gil Hanse. The new "Blue Monster" is scheduled to be ready by early 2014, just prior to the 2014 World Golf Championship/Cadillac Championship in March.
The Indura Resort and Spa on the northern coast of Honduras is scheduled to open early 2014. One of the highlight amenities is an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player and managed by Troon Golf.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Streamsong Resort. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Streamsong Resort. Tampilkan semua postingan
Senin, 14 Oktober 2013
Senin, 04 Februari 2013
The Golf Travel Guru T.V. Is Launched
You gotta see it to believe, right?
If a picture tells a thousand words, then a video tells much more.
The Golf Travel Guru has launched a new Youtube channel, The Golf Travel Guru T.V., where you can see phenomenal footage of great golf courses, resorts and other golf related entities.
I cordially invite you to check out my new channel where the fun has just begun.
If you missed the click two lines up, here's another to The Golf Travel Guru T.V. channel.
If a picture tells a thousand words, then a video tells much more.
The Golf Travel Guru has launched a new Youtube channel, The Golf Travel Guru T.V., where you can see phenomenal footage of great golf courses, resorts and other golf related entities.
I cordially invite you to check out my new channel where the fun has just begun.
If you missed the click two lines up, here's another to The Golf Travel Guru T.V. channel.
Rabu, 30 Januari 2013
Streamsong Resort Review
Step onto the back terrace of the Streamsong clubhouse, and the scene in front of you doesn't look like Florida.
The wild, exotic sand mounds-- some as high as 75 feet-- conjure up images of Ballybunion in Ireland or the somewhat bizarre Tobacco Road in Pinehurst. The unusual terrain looks ominous, but it's definitely an inviting setting for golfers.
You're in Florida, alright. Smack in the middle of nowhere.
Streamsong is an 80 minute drive from Orlando and about an hour from Tampa. Set in Polk County near Fort Meade, the resort is still a 40 minute drive from the nearest possible hotel options in Lakeland.
That said, there's a phenomenal clubhouse on site, which sleeps 16, and an upscale bar and steak restaurant.
The Golf
Streamsong has 36 holes of golf set on terrain that was previously used as a phosphate strip mine. While the miners have packed up and left the site, what they left behind is soaring sand mounds, lakes and vegetation that are a something to behold.
Developed by Mosaic, the company that has owned the land for more than five decades, Streamsong has been called by some writers as Bandon Dunes South. From a golf standpoint, I'd say it's right up there with Bandon, but I'll reserve judgement on the overall experience till its open for a couple of years and we see if the service level on and off the course stays consistent.
Two of the most respected design teams in the world were recruited to fashion the land into world-class golf courses.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's team built the Red Course and Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design group did the Blue Course.
On my visit, I played the Red Course, but did not have time to play the Blue. However, I took an extensive cart tour of the layout.
A couple of things I really like about both courses are the wide, very generous landing areas off the tees. It makes them more playable and helps speed of play.
If you play the correct set of tees for your game, you can score well on both layouts when playing well.
The Red Course has several large green complexes for roll-offs, which I like, and Coore and Crenshaw offer numerous opportunities for bump and run shots. They also limit the carries over water to par 3's. With few large trees, the wind comes into play often and you'll need a good ground game to do well.
On the Blue, the first thing you'll notice is the gargantuan elevated first tee, the highest point on the property. The greens are large on the Blue and it appears to have deeper bunkers than the Red. There are also more forced carries over water.
Favorite Holes
One of the great things about the Red Course is that no two holes are even remotely alike. It's difficult to single out some holes as being better than others and my choices are very subjective.
First, let me say, I'm a sucker for short par 4's and Crenshaw and Coore have provided a couple of doozies on the front nine.
My absolute favorite is the 312 yard (from back tees) no. 9. With a good poke off the tee you can find the green. From the black tees it's 271 yards and from the silver it's 257 yards. The green is gigantic so even if you reach it, the chances of a three putt are high. The 330 yard (from back tees) no. 4 is another superb short par 4.
For a par 3, you won't find a better one, in my opinion, than no. 16, a 208-yard (from back tees), 184-yards (Black) and 160 yards (silver). A stunning view from an elevated tee and undulating green complex with a bailout area to the left dominate this great golf experience.
Clubhouse
The sleek, minamalist design clubhouse has the avant-garde appearance of something you might see in L.A., not the wilds of Central Florida.
It has 12 private guest rooms, a veranda overlooking a lake, a golf shop, bar and three meal/steak restaurant named Fifty-Nine.
Appointed with plush leather chairs, design carpeting and rich wood fixtures, the ambiance of the clubhouse is decidedly upscale.
10 Little Things I Like About Streamsong
1. The bye hole, designed by Tom Doak, near the clubhouse, which is great for settling bets.
2. Small chunks of railroad track used as tee markers.
3. The fast greens are among the best I've played in Florida.
4. The frosted beer glasses in the bar.
5. The great selection of quality beers on tap like Goose Island 312 and Smithwick's.
6. The minimalist design of the clubhouse and the elegant, sophisticated furnishings.
7. The emphasis on using a caddie and walking.
8. The phenomenal practice putting green.
9. No home anywhere on or within miles of the golf courses.
10. The spectacular views from the elevated tee boxes on no. 7 and no. 16 on the Red Course
It Remains to Be Seen
Streamsong Resort had been open only a few weeks before my visit in late January (2013).
You have to be very careful on evaluating a golf course facility in its embryonic stages. Who knows if the eager beaver, overly friendly staff of the first few months will lose their enthusiasm and the service level drops. We'll have to wait and see at Streamsong.
One of my concerns is what the experience will be like playing in the torturously hot months of June, July and August. With virtually no shade on the courses, it might be somewhat of a death march, especially if you're walking.
In conversation with staff members, several said they had to travel more than 30 minutes from their homes to Streamsong. Hopefully, they won't tire of the commute and the service level will stay up.
Slated to open in late 2013, the 216-room lodge looks like a luxurious gem if the developers follow through on their promises. It will include a spa, guided bass fishing and sporting clays range.
Presently, the best hotel options are a Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott in Lakeland, about a 40 minute drive.
Important Information if You Go
* When you drive out to Streamsong, be aware, there is very little signage for the resort. To be sure, don't look for any large billboards because there aren't any. There are a couple of little road signs (see below), but beyond that, not much.
* I found the cell phone service in the area to be hit and miss, so you can't always rely on your GPS, which is annoying.
* The county roads are not well marked, either, especially County Road-630, which is the main arterial to Fort Green Road, which leads to Streamsong.
To Play
The main number at Streamsong Resort for tee times is 863-354-6980.
Premier Golf, a highly respected golf travel company, has a special "Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue Package" starting at $495 per person that includes one night of accommodations off site, breakfast off site, 2 rounds of golf with cart, all taxes and special golf and lodging benefits for PGA Professionals. Call 888-258-4653 or click www.premiergolf.com
The wild, exotic sand mounds-- some as high as 75 feet-- conjure up images of Ballybunion in Ireland or the somewhat bizarre Tobacco Road in Pinehurst. The unusual terrain looks ominous, but it's definitely an inviting setting for golfers.
You're in Florida, alright. Smack in the middle of nowhere.
Streamsong is an 80 minute drive from Orlando and about an hour from Tampa. Set in Polk County near Fort Meade, the resort is still a 40 minute drive from the nearest possible hotel options in Lakeland.
That said, there's a phenomenal clubhouse on site, which sleeps 16, and an upscale bar and steak restaurant.
The Golf
Streamsong has 36 holes of golf set on terrain that was previously used as a phosphate strip mine. While the miners have packed up and left the site, what they left behind is soaring sand mounds, lakes and vegetation that are a something to behold.
Developed by Mosaic, the company that has owned the land for more than five decades, Streamsong has been called by some writers as Bandon Dunes South. From a golf standpoint, I'd say it's right up there with Bandon, but I'll reserve judgement on the overall experience till its open for a couple of years and we see if the service level on and off the course stays consistent.
Two of the most respected design teams in the world were recruited to fashion the land into world-class golf courses.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's team built the Red Course and Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design group did the Blue Course.
On my visit, I played the Red Course, but did not have time to play the Blue. However, I took an extensive cart tour of the layout.
A couple of things I really like about both courses are the wide, very generous landing areas off the tees. It makes them more playable and helps speed of play.
If you play the correct set of tees for your game, you can score well on both layouts when playing well.
The Red Course has several large green complexes for roll-offs, which I like, and Coore and Crenshaw offer numerous opportunities for bump and run shots. They also limit the carries over water to par 3's. With few large trees, the wind comes into play often and you'll need a good ground game to do well.
On the Blue, the first thing you'll notice is the gargantuan elevated first tee, the highest point on the property. The greens are large on the Blue and it appears to have deeper bunkers than the Red. There are also more forced carries over water.
Favorite Holes
One of the great things about the Red Course is that no two holes are even remotely alike. It's difficult to single out some holes as being better than others and my choices are very subjective.
First, let me say, I'm a sucker for short par 4's and Crenshaw and Coore have provided a couple of doozies on the front nine.
My absolute favorite is the 312 yard (from back tees) no. 9. With a good poke off the tee you can find the green. From the black tees it's 271 yards and from the silver it's 257 yards. The green is gigantic so even if you reach it, the chances of a three putt are high. The 330 yard (from back tees) no. 4 is another superb short par 4.
For a par 3, you won't find a better one, in my opinion, than no. 16, a 208-yard (from back tees), 184-yards (Black) and 160 yards (silver). A stunning view from an elevated tee and undulating green complex with a bailout area to the left dominate this great golf experience.
Clubhouse
The sleek, minamalist design clubhouse has the avant-garde appearance of something you might see in L.A., not the wilds of Central Florida.
It has 12 private guest rooms, a veranda overlooking a lake, a golf shop, bar and three meal/steak restaurant named Fifty-Nine.
Appointed with plush leather chairs, design carpeting and rich wood fixtures, the ambiance of the clubhouse is decidedly upscale.
10 Little Things I Like About Streamsong
1. The bye hole, designed by Tom Doak, near the clubhouse, which is great for settling bets.
2. Small chunks of railroad track used as tee markers.
3. The fast greens are among the best I've played in Florida.
4. The frosted beer glasses in the bar.
5. The great selection of quality beers on tap like Goose Island 312 and Smithwick's.
6. The minimalist design of the clubhouse and the elegant, sophisticated furnishings.
7. The emphasis on using a caddie and walking.
8. The phenomenal practice putting green.
9. No home anywhere on or within miles of the golf courses.
10. The spectacular views from the elevated tee boxes on no. 7 and no. 16 on the Red Course
It Remains to Be Seen
Streamsong Resort had been open only a few weeks before my visit in late January (2013).
You have to be very careful on evaluating a golf course facility in its embryonic stages. Who knows if the eager beaver, overly friendly staff of the first few months will lose their enthusiasm and the service level drops. We'll have to wait and see at Streamsong.
One of my concerns is what the experience will be like playing in the torturously hot months of June, July and August. With virtually no shade on the courses, it might be somewhat of a death march, especially if you're walking.
In conversation with staff members, several said they had to travel more than 30 minutes from their homes to Streamsong. Hopefully, they won't tire of the commute and the service level will stay up.
Slated to open in late 2013, the 216-room lodge looks like a luxurious gem if the developers follow through on their promises. It will include a spa, guided bass fishing and sporting clays range.
Presently, the best hotel options are a Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott in Lakeland, about a 40 minute drive.
Important Information if You Go
* When you drive out to Streamsong, be aware, there is very little signage for the resort. To be sure, don't look for any large billboards because there aren't any. There are a couple of little road signs (see below), but beyond that, not much.
* The county roads are not well marked, either, especially County Road-630, which is the main arterial to Fort Green Road, which leads to Streamsong.
To Play
The main number at Streamsong Resort for tee times is 863-354-6980.
Premier Golf, a highly respected golf travel company, has a special "Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue Package" starting at $495 per person that includes one night of accommodations off site, breakfast off site, 2 rounds of golf with cart, all taxes and special golf and lodging benefits for PGA Professionals. Call 888-258-4653 or click www.premiergolf.com
Senin, 14 Januari 2013
10 Hot Golf Travel Destinations in 2013
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| Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic |
Are you in search of new golf getaway frontiers in 2013?
Here are ten hot golf travel destinations where adventurous golfers will congregate this year:
1. Puerto Rico--This picturesque island with its great beaches, tropical rain forest, excellent rum and well designed golf courses has always been a bit underrated as a vacation destination. With the opening of the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotel in Dorado Beach and Royal Isabella golf course, Puerto Rico will become even more attractive to visitors. Stretching along rugged cliffs in the northwest region of the island, Royal Isabella, located about 75 miles from San Juan International Airport, will immediately take its place as one of the Caribbean's best layouts. Other popular places to play include Bahia Beach Resort & Club, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Trump International Golf Club.
2. Biarritz, France--"Tre bien" messieur, the golf in France is indeed, very good. The unofficial French golf capital is Biarritz, on the Atlantic coast in the southwestern corner of the country, which has 10 golf courses. Among the top layouts are Biarritz Le Phare, the second oldest course in France (1888) and Seignosse, a Robert von Hagge design with wildly undulating terrain.
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| Kauai, Hawaii |
3. Kauai, Hawaii--It's the road less traveled in Hawaii. While tourist throngs gravitate to Oahu and Maui, Kauai offers a more sedate environment with stunning scenery and an impressive menu of golf courses. You run out of adjectives describing the island's garden-like beauty and course designers have taken full advantage of the exceptional terrain on the island to build picturesque and challenging layouts. Top places to play, include Kauai Lagoons, Poipu Bay, Pukea, Princeville and Wailua Municipal.
4. Ireland--A year-long celebration called "The Gathering" is designed to entice an estimated 70 million people who claim Irish ancestry to the Emerald Isle. The recent decrease in the Value-Added Tax from 13.5% to 9% is added motivation for tourists and American, Aer Lingus and United are gearing up more service to Ireland. Flying to Dublin and Shannon is convenient and a good value. For golfers, the emergence of Irish golfers Rory McIlroy-- the number one player in the world-- and Graeme McDowell has given Ireland lots of notoriety in the golf world. Among the courses on most must-play lists are Ballybunion, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Waterville, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Doonbeg and European Club.
5. Belek, Turkey-- On Turkey’s southern coast, the beach destination of Belek has 14 golf courses with designer tags like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, David Feherty and Irish golf designer David Jones. There are more than 30 four-star and five-star hotels in Belek. In 2012, the region took center stage in the golf world when it hosted the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final at Antalya Golf Club (Sultan Course).
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| Turning Stone Ayunote Course |
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| Corales at Puntacana |
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| Cabot Links |
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| Streamsong Resort |
10. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania--Site of the deadliest and most influential battle of the Civil War, Gettysburg is one of our nation's most important historical sites. In 2013, it will commemorate the 150th anniversaries of the Gettysburg Address and the bloody Civil War battle. Key events will take place in June and July. The undulating terrain, dense woodlands and winding streams that made Gettysburg such a torturous place for advancing armies to attack, have provided an excellent topographical pallette for innovative golf course designers. Some of the more popular courses in the area are the Links at Gettysburg, Bridges Golf Club, Penn National Golf Club and Carroll Valley Resort.
Minggu, 30 Desember 2012
Golf News You Need to Know January 2013
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| Streamsong Resort in Polk County, Florida |
A Look Back at 2012 and Predictions for 2013
The World's Looniest Golf Course in China...
Seven Courses That Made a Difference in 2012
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| Cabot Links in Nova Scotia, Canada |
New Photos of Rory's Palatial Florida Mansion
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| Greg Norman AKA The Great White Shark |
The 2013 World Golf Hall of Fame Class
Should Colin Montgomerie be in the World Golf Hall of Fame? You decide...
Review of Streamsong Resort in Polk County, Florida
5 Emerging Golf Destinations in 2013
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| Casa de Campo in Dominican Republic |
Faldo Course in Vietnam Now Open
Wine and Golf Make a Good Pairing
Major golf development in London slated to open in 2016
Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2013
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| Golf at Gleneagles |
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| Front entrance to Gleneagles Resort |
Who the heck is Gil Hanse?
The Antidote to Tricked Up Courses
10 Disturbing Trends in Golf
Graeme McDowell's Nona Blue Tavern Opening This Month in Orlando
Why Tom Watson Got The Ryder Cup 2014 Captaincy...
Golf's Greatest 19th Holes...
More Great 19th Holes...
2005 Byron Nelson Classic Champion is a Sales Rep for an Amazing Car Company...
2013 Champions Tour Schedule
Senin, 17 Desember 2012
Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2013
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| Gleneagles Resort Front Entrance |
2. New World U.S. Golf Destinations--Golfers seeking exceptional designs and golf in its purest form are flocking to innovative destinations that aren't located near major urban centers. Among the more popular are Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast, The Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska and the newly opened Streamsong Resort, which is situated in rural Polk County, Florida between Orlando and Tampa.
3. Golf Travel Specialists--Tired of sitting in front of a computer screen trying to piece together a golf trip? It's tedious and frustrating and many golfers are realizing the experts can do it quicker, more efficiently and probably save you a few bucks and lots of headaches in the process. Remember, these guys drink a few pints and single malts with the honchos at the best resorts and courses and are well connected to negotiate great deals and develop itineraries you can only dream about as you point and click your way on the Internet.
4. Dominican Republic-- Selected as the Golf Destination of the Year 2013 for Latin America/Caribbean by the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO), the D.R. is on a roll. Expansive, luxury resort complexes like Casa de Campo, Puntacana and Cap Cana feature courses by the biggest names in design, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus. Besides the adroitly designed layouts, stunning picturesque golf course views and fantastic weather, an added bonus is you can enjoy a fine Dominican cigar during or after a round.
5. Nova Scotia, Canada--It's the biggest thing to originate from Canada since Wayne Gretsky, Michael J. Fox and LaBatts Blue beer. Cabot Links is Canada's answer to Pebble Beach. This phenomenal links layout on the western side of Cape Breton Island in the town of Inverness in Nova Scotia is a wonderland of stunning ocean views, deep pot bunkers and swales. Opened in June, Cabot Links was developed by Mike Keiser, who created Bandon Dunes in Oregon. A second course, Cabot Cliffs, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, is scheduled to open in mid-2014.
6. South America--The announcement of the 2016 Olympic Games to be staged in Rio de Janiero with golf to be included as a sport has put the focus on Brazil as well as other countries appealing to golfers like Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Golf course architect Gil Hanse was chosen over design teams headed by Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and others to fashion the Olympic golf course. As the course begins to take shape, the excitement will increase and more golfers will consider South America a viable golf vacation destination.
7. Off-the-Beaten Path U.S. Value Destinations--If you've already played Myrtle Beach and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, you're probably looking for some new budget-happy golf frontiers. The value menu, please. Among the destinations promising affordable golf and well-designed courses are Crossville, Tennessee, Brainerd, Minnesota, Branson, Missouri, Gulf Shores, Alabama, Mesquite, Nevada, St. George, Utah, Brooksville, Florida, Flathead Valley in Montana, Santee, South Carolina and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
8. Ireland--The number one player in the world, Rory McIlroy, hails from Northern Ireland and golfers are increasingly considering Ireland as a golf vacation destination. Ya gotta think, everytime McIlroy hoists a trophy (and that's a lot these days) Northern Ireland gets a public relations boost. Top courses in that part of the country include Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. Other Irish gems favored by visitors include Ballybunion, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Waterville and Doonbeg.
9. Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen, Scotland--I've read reviews and heard reports about this course that are all over the map. The environmentalists keep railing against it for a variety of reasons and some critics claim the fairways are too tight and the frequent high winds will make it extremely penal for the average bogey players. Moreover, the course has more than 100 different tee boxes, which makes for some long walks and long rounds. That said, the setting is stunning and Donald Trump has spent millions on making it a course golfers will travel long distances to play. Check out this video of Trump International Golf Links and I guarantee, whether you're a Trump fan or not, you'll want to play this course.
10. Experiential Golf Travel on Social Media--More golf travel companies are using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to post information and images of trips around the world. If you don't have the time or money to travel to say, Scotland, New Zealand or South Africa, you can experience vicariously the exploits of others enjoying an adventurous golf excursion in different parts of the world.
Jumat, 07 Desember 2012
Golf News You Need to Know December 2012
THE GOLF TRAVEL GURU scours the Web to find golf news you can't afford to miss:
Top 10 Golf Travel Trends 2013
Donald Trump is bullish on golf...
Tom Watson and Tiger: No Bromance Here
Top 5 PGA Tour Moments of 2012
"It's not easy being Tiger"--Hank Haney talks...
The Ten Best Walks in Golf
Is Cabot Links the new Scotland?
Streamsong Florida Golf Resort--Best Day Play Golf Packages
2013 British Open Golf Packages (5 nights and tickets) to Muirfield
Great Golf of Scotland's Golf Coast
Top 10: 2012 Shots of the Year
Rory McIlroy buys $10.9 million in Florida
Tom Watson will be U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 2014
Golf and Gaming in Florida
Graeme McDowell's Upcoming Nona Blue Tavern
World's 17 Best Golf Destinations
Thaw Out, Play Golf: Where to Go
Best Buddies-Trip Destinations
Caddies Fight at Australian Open...
Book Online: St. Andrews Links Trust
Michael Jordan and Cargo Pants on the Golf Course
5 Most Annoying Golf Resort Practices
Changes to St. Andrews Old Course
R & A Chief Executive Peter Dawson is positive about Old Course changes...
Process to Old Course changes feels rotten, Bradley Klein writes...
Are you ready for the new John Daly cocktail? Check this out....
Tom Watson Says Golf Has No Place in the Olympics
Top 25 Newsmakers of 2012
McIlroy Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year
Could this 9-year old from Northern Ireland be the next Rory?
10 Disturbing Trends in Golf
5 Simple Ways to Better Corporate Golf Performance
Jack Nicklaus' Plan to Snag the Kids
Whatever your reason for visiting Florida, there's an Orlando golf resort for you...
Bye Bye Mickey, Donald and Goofy: Disney No Longer Part of PGA Tour...
Phil Mickelson tapped to renovate Torrey Pines North
Dinosaurs on the golf course? Check this out...
 |
| The King at PNC Father/Son Tourney |
Donald Trump is bullish on golf...
Tom Watson and Tiger: No Bromance Here
Top 5 PGA Tour Moments of 2012
"It's not easy being Tiger"--Hank Haney talks...
The Ten Best Walks in Golf
Is Cabot Links the new Scotland?
Streamsong Florida Golf Resort--Best Day Play Golf Packages
2013 British Open Golf Packages (5 nights and tickets) to Muirfield
Great Golf of Scotland's Golf Coast
Top 10: 2012 Shots of the Year
Rory McIlroy buys $10.9 million in Florida
Tom Watson will be U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 2014
Golf and Gaming in Florida
Graeme McDowell's Upcoming Nona Blue Tavern
World's 17 Best Golf Destinations
Thaw Out, Play Golf: Where to Go
Best Buddies-Trip Destinations
Caddies Fight at Australian Open...
Book Online: St. Andrews Links Trust
Michael Jordan and Cargo Pants on the Golf Course
5 Most Annoying Golf Resort Practices
Changes to St. Andrews Old Course
R & A Chief Executive Peter Dawson is positive about Old Course changes...
Process to Old Course changes feels rotten, Bradley Klein writes...
Tom Watson Says Golf Has No Place in the Olympics
Top 25 Newsmakers of 2012
McIlroy Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year
Could this 9-year old from Northern Ireland be the next Rory?
10 Disturbing Trends in Golf
5 Simple Ways to Better Corporate Golf Performance
Jack Nicklaus' Plan to Snag the Kids
Whatever your reason for visiting Florida, there's an Orlando golf resort for you...
Bye Bye Mickey, Donald and Goofy: Disney No Longer Part of PGA Tour...
Phil Mickelson tapped to renovate Torrey Pines North
Dinosaurs on the golf course? Check this out...
Senin, 09 Juli 2012
Florida's Next Great Golf Resort
(Click Here to check out an amazing video of Streamsong.)
The new Streamsong Resort in Central Florida will feature two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses at a, shall we say, off-the-beaten path location between Orlando and Tampa in Polk County. It's a 60 minute drive from Tampa International Airport and 90 minutes from Orlando International Airport.
Streamsong is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but very close. Upon completion, it'll definitely be worth the drive.
The courses, designed in a unique collaboration agreement by Coore & Crenshaw (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw) and Renaissance Golf Design (Tom Doak) are scheduled to debut in mid December (2012).
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| Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw |
Among Coore and Crenshaw's more notable designs are Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas, Sand Hills in Mullen, Nebraska, Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona and Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve at Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Oregon.
Topping Doak's impressive portfolio are Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort in New Zealand, Pacific Dunes and Old Macdonald Golf Links at Bandon Dunes Resort and Ballyneal Golf Club in Holyoke, Colorado.
The courses are built on spectacular terrain that legend has Hernando Desoto and his army camped on in 1539. Massive sand dunes, dramatic, undulating landforms and lakes dominate the golf experience. Interestingly, the land was formerly mined for phosphate, which is a key ingredient in fertilizer.
Doak's "Blue Course" will measure 7,200 yards from the back tees, while the shorter Coore/Crenshaw "Red Course" will play about 7,000 yards from the tips.
While both courses take full advantage of the impressive terrain, the most noticeable differences between the courses will be the contours of the greens and bunker design styles.
The clubhouse, which will also open in mid December, will have 12 guest rooms, a restaurant with a steakhouse theme and 4,000 square feet of conference space.
Things to know
Location: Approximately 5 miles west of the town of Ft. Meade, near the Polk-Hardee County line on the south.
Hotel: Overlooking a large lake, the 216-room hotel, slated to open in the fall of 2013, will be comparable in ambiance, class and style to resorts like Keswick Hall in Virginia and Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.
Hotel architecture: Highlighted by stone, wood and glass, the hotel will seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape with lakes on its sunrise and sunset sides. Without city lights to hinder the starlight views, guests can use the rooftop veranda for a superb scenic observation area.
Hotel Amenities: Three-meal/steak restaurant, lounge/bar, rooftop veranda, 18,500 square-feet of meeting space, full-service spa with private treatment rooms, fitness center, indoor spa pool, shooting range, fishing facilities and personal enrichment classes and programs.
Kamis, 19 April 2012
Coming Attractions: 3 Great New Golf Courses
Later this year, three exceptional layouts will take the golf world by storm.
Here's a sneak peek at this terrific trio:
Cabot Links (Nova Scotia, Canada)--Let me introduce you to the world's next phenomenal seaside course. Developed by Mike Keiser, the founder of Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Cabot Links, designed by Canadian Rod Whitman, is a walking-only layout with undulating fairways, swales, deep pot bunkers and fabulous ocean views. (opening June 29, 2012)
Streamsong Resort ( Polk County, Florida) -- Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are working in concert with Renaissance Golf Design (Tom Doak) to create 36 holes of spectacular golf on thoroughly interesting terrain formerly mined as phosphate land. The firms are leveraging their many years of experience to design two distinct yet intersecting courses. Massive sand dunes, dramatic landforms and lakes will dominate the golf experience. (opening fall 2012).
Trump International Golf Links (Aberdeen, Scotland)--Like him or despise him, when Donald Trump builds golf courses everyone takes notice. When he builds one in Scotland the "buzz" is off the charts. (opening summer 2012) Check out this stunning video of Trump International Golf Links
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