Golf Vacations Magazine July 2010

GOLF VACATIONSGOLF VACATIONSOur8thYear!

GATORS, GUMBO AND GREAT GOLF AUDUBON GOLF TRAIL

GATORS, GUMBO AND GREAT GOLFAUDUBON GOLF TRAIL

ENTER THE “WEAR IN THE WORLD” SWEEPSTAKES . . . PAGE 5

P

JULY 2010JULY 2010

PPLUS:Hickory Stick Golf Course I More Sweet Stuff I My TurnPLUS:Hickory Stick Golf Course I More Sweet Stuff I My Turn

ROMONTORY CLUBARK CITY’S PAINTED VALLEY

ROMONTORY CLUBARK CITY’S PAINTED VALLEY

http://www.stxputters.com

http://www.theprairieclub.com

contents I july 2010

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Promontory: Variety Is The Spice Of Lifeby Larry Feldman

Set in the breathtaking landscape of Park City, Utah, Promontory isblessed with one of Pete Dye’s best layouts, a Jack NicklausSignature tract so tough you better bring your “A-Game” and threemore championship courses slated for construction in the foresee-able future. Now, that’s a country club worth getting excited about.

Gators, Gumbo and Golf In Louisianaby Fred Robledo

“We want everyone to have a great time when they visit Louisiana,”said Eric Kaspar, Director of Golf for the AGC. “Everyone alreadyknows about all of the fine music and food we have in our state. Weare trying to show them we have some pretty outstanding golfcourses, too.”

c o v e r s t o r i e s

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on the cover: President Obama at Farm Neck GC, Martha’s Vineyard

8 ChipShotsUpdates From The World Of Golf & Travel

11 Fashion Forward by Terry Ross

Fairway and Greene’s Modern Approach To Latest Apparel

26 Sweet Stuffadidas Golf, TaylorMade Bags, TR3 Speed Stik/Training Glove

28 DestinationsYour Link To Great Resort Golf Locales

30 My Turn by James McAfee

What’s With The 14th Green At Pebble Beach Golf Club?

d e p a r t m e n t s

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Executive EditorJeffrey Diaz

Associate EditorTerry Ross

Features EditorLarry Feldman

Staff WritersFred RobledoRob Mottram

For Editorial:

call: (760) 774-2655 e-mail: [email protected]

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Los Angeles • 949-279-7801Terry Ross - [email protected]

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Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue.

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS

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James McAfee is a freelance golf and travel writer based in Wylie, TX. He was exec-utive director of the Northern Texas PGA for 17 years and executive director of theDallas District Golf Association for eight years. With editor stints at Golf ShopOperations, Golf Digest and Texas Golfer Magzaine he is currently the director of com-munications for GolfDFW.com. He has been a member of the Golf Writers of Americafor 37 years and was one of the founders for the Texas Golf Writers Association. Playingthe game for 56 years he was recently named to the U.S. Amateur Golf Hall of Fame.

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

Larry Feldman is a nationally published freelance golf journalist of more than17 years. Based in Park City, Utah, his writing has appeared in such high-pro-file publications as Southern California Golf News, Palm Springs Life, Golf Tips,Sports Profiles and Men’s Look.

Fred Robledo has been covering professional golf for more than 30 years. He wrotefor the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and the Los Angeles Times before moving into pub-lic relations where he promoted professional tour events for Brener Zwikel & Associates.He is now semi-retired, traveling the country and reviewing golf destinations for GolfVacations Magazine.

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LEWISTON, N.Y. – Western New York has a new destinationthat the golfing public is sure to notice.

Representatives from the Seneca Nation of Indians, SenecaGaming Corporation and the Town of Lewiston joined togeth-er recently to celebrate the ceremonial opening of Seneca HickoryStick Golf Course, a $25 million public golf course that officiallyopened for play on July 2. The challenging par-72 layout wasdesigned by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

“Today is the dawning of a new era in golf in Western New Yorkand the start of an exciting new venture for Seneca GamingCorporation,” said Kevin W. Seneca, Chairman, Seneca GamingCorporation. “Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course will certainly addto the world-class environment that visitors to our Four Diamond-rated Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel resort currently enjoy andprovide travelers another reason to visit Lewiston, the GreaterNiagara Region and Western New York.”

Located on 257 acres of land, Seneca Hickory Stick GolfCourse features a magnificent layout with significant water fea-tures, five sets of tees on every hole and pristine grounds whichgolfers of every skill will enjoy and appreciate. Among its uniquedesign features are strategically placed bunkers surrounded by tallheather and a double green for the 9th and 18th holes, a layoutmore commonly found in Europe than in North America.

“This is truly a people’s golf course,” said Bruce Charlton, pres-

ident and chief design officer of RTJ2 Golf Course Architects,who was on hand for the opening. “From its public nature to its fairyet challenging layout, Seneca Hickory Stick presents what everygolfer is looking for – a memorable golf experience that you willappreciate and want to enjoy more than once.”

In addition to its significance for Western New York, the proj-ect is also an historic achievement for the Seneca Nation of Indians,marking the Nation’s first off-territory development project.

“The influence of the Seneca Nation of Indians can be seenthroughout Western New York, far beyond the borders of our cur-rent territories,” said Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr.“Our businesses employ thousands of people from across the regionand we do business with many local companies. Our casinos andresorts attract millions of visitors every year. Today, we celebratethe next step in our Nation’s journey and look forward to a long andsuccessful endeavor here in Lewiston.”

Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course is being managed byKemperSports, one of the world’s leading golf management anddevelopment companies, which manages an extensive portfolio ofupscale clubs in 28 states, Puerto Rico and Central America. Thegeneral manager and golf pro at Seneca Hickory Stick is FranRoach, while Gerry Doolittle is the course superintendent.

For course information and tee times, call 716-754-2424 or visitwww.senecahickorystick.com

Seneca Hickory Stick Golf CourseREDEFINES WESTERN NEW YORK GOLF LANDSCAPE

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8 GOL F VA C AT IO N S • JU LY 2010 www.golfvacationsmag.com

Upda te s f rom t he Wor ld o f Go l f & Trave l >> chip shotsPARK HYATT AVIARA RESORTOPENS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts recentlyannounced the opening of Park HyattAviara Resort in Carlsbad, Calif., justnorth of San Diego. A true California

retreat, designed in the Spanish colonialstyle, Park Hyatt Aviara is set off by palmtrees, expansive gardens, rolling hills, andviews of the Pacific Coast.

First opened in 1997, the resort spans205 acres set on the northern shore of theBatiquitos Lagoon, which is one of

California’s most precious, untouched wet-lands with more than 130 species of birdsand 24 varieties of flowering plants.

Four restaurants, ranging from a pool-side café, an airy bistro, a contemporarysteakhouse, and an elegant dining room

serving a regionalItalian menu offerguests exceptionalcuisine. All gue-strooms are beauti-fully appointed andfeature a marblebathroom with acommodious bath-tub. Of the 329rooms, 44 are suitesand all rooms have aprivate balcony or a

landscaped terrace. The resort is perfectly situated for active

and leisurely retreats, as well as social min-gling. A signature spa is 15,000 square feetand includes 20 treatment rooms and fitnesscenter. A year-round destination for golf andtennis, the resort boasts an 18-hole champi-

onship golf course ranked as one of the topcourses on the West Coast.

The course, designed by ArnoldPalmer, features exceptional practice facili-ties and a two-story Spanish colonial club-house. Club-fitting and instruction areoffered at the acclaimed Kip PuterbaughAviara Golf Academy and TaylorMadePerformance Lab. The six tennis courts,managed by Peter Burwash International,include two clay courts and four hard courts.There are 78,000 square feet of indoor andoutdoor meeting and event space.

Park Hyatt Aviara also features a BeachButler who provides complimentary trans-portation to the beach (a 10-minute trip)and all the necessary amenities: chairs,beach umbrella, towels and blankets. TheBeach Butler can also recommend locationsand contacts for kayaking, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other aquatic activities, andbring along ingredients for a morning cof-fee or afternoon picnic.

For reservations and more informationabout Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and Spa,visit www.parkaviara.hyatt.com.

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“SUMMER ESCAPE AND PLAY” ATPGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGANational Resort & Spa -- home of the PGATour Honda Classic -- announced its value-rich "Summer Escape and Play" package, fea-turing spa access for two, instruction at theDavid Leadbetter Academy, and unlimitedgolf on its five championship courses.

Loaded with more than $500 in value-adds, the Summer Escape and Play isavailable through October 15, 2010 withpackages starting at $139 per night (Sun. --Thurs.) and $169 (Fri. -- Sat). Bag storage,range balls, access to tournament-level prac-

tice facilities, breakfast for two, and two-for-one cocktails at iBAR, PGA National's casu-al chic lobby bar, are also included.

"The Summer Escape and Play is per-fect for local and regional golfers whowant to maximize their experience at PGANational," says Joel Paige, Vice Presidentand Managing Director of PGA National."From dawn-to-dusk-golf and luxury spa

treatments, torelaxing pool-side and finedining, thepackage hassomething foreveryone."

PGANational offersa variety ofways to beat

the summer heat. Spa guests can take inthe "Waters of the World," a collectionof outdoor mineral pools from the healingwaters of the Earth's most treasured loca-tions. The resort's zero-entry pool -- locat-ed centrally to the hotel --- is a refreshing,

tropical retreat surrounded by lush palmtrees. The poolside Wave Bar & Grilleserves an eclectic mix of frozen drinks andmesquite grilled favorites.

For more information or to make reser-vations, visit www.pgaresort.com, or call(800) 533.9386. A minimum two-night stayis required; package rates do not includeresort and golf cart fees. A $50 surchargeapplies to play The Champion -- site of theHonda Classic and famous "Bear Trap" --one of the most demanding, three-holestretches on the PGA TOUR.

Complimentary instructional clinicsat the David Leadbetter Golf Academyare available Thursday -- Saturday at 5p.m. as a part of the Summer Escapeand Play Package.

The resort's storied golf historyincludes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup,1987 PGA Championship, and nearly twodecades of the Senior PGAChampionship. In addition to TheChampion, PGA National's award-win-ning golf courses are: The Palmer, TheHaig, The Squire and The Estates.

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TorreTHE CUISINE OF ITALY“Combining Old-World Italian comfort food with personalized service,a congenial atmosphere and an extensive wine list, La Torretta excelsas one of Arizona’s most impressive restaurants” — Dining Out

With a menu that utilizes the freshest and most authentic ingredientsand pasta made fresh in-house daily, the restaurant’s culinary fare isconsistently delicious and refreshing.Their Osso Buco,Taglio del VitelloFarcito con Quattro Farmagio and Veal Piccata have become locallegends and inspired positive reviews from the Scottsdale Republic,the New Times, Guest Informant, TravelHost, and Scottsdale Magazine.

The combination of La Torretta’s sophisticated interior and authenticfood make it a prime candidate for intimate dinners to groupcelebrations of special occasions.

LIVE WELL • LOVE MUCH • LAUGH OFTEN

LA TORRETTARistorante & Italian Steakhouse

16640 N. Scottsdale Rd • SW corner Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale RdScottsdale • 480.991.2000 • www.latorrettaaz.com

Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm • Dinner Daily 4:30-9:30pm

Golf apparel certainly has enterednew territory. Today’s styles andtrends reflect the new era of fash-

ion and fit, with comfort and versatilityamong the primary attributes that both menand woman place high on their priority listwhen it comes to outfitting themselves.

Fairway and Greene, the Shelton,Connecticut-based company that has beenproviding fine golf clothing to country clubsand resorts since 1995, has taken a decided-ly modern approach to their latest lines ofapparel, even though their client-base isone that many would call old school.

The Fairway & Greene Men’s fall 2010Collection includes four distinctively col-ored and styled collections for every tasteand geographic region.

The Monterey Bay Collection, whichincludes knit shirts, Pureformance™,Pureformance™ fleece, classic jersey,sweaters, woven shirts and bottoms—wasinspired from the sky, sand, sea and land-scape of this spectacular, popular Californiacoastal location.

The shirt selections are comprised ofthe company’s original Signature Lisle,which is a 100 percent mercerizedEgyptian cotton shirt and F&G’sPureformance ™, which is a proprietaryblend of cotton and wicking polyester.

The Savannah Collection representsa departure—a new experiment, if youwill—for F&G. The Savannah Collectionfeels more like the islands—or the

Southeast, Southwest or California—thanthe company’s typical Fall color palette.While Savannah’s silhouette is targeted to

attract younger golfers, the collection stillwill appeal to older golfers. There are alsosome vintage, bigger, bolder rugby stripesin the collection, which is a little preppy.

The Savannah category—which comesin marine, flamingo, jade, coral, plum,white and chambray—includes knit shirts,Pureformance™, Pureformance™Fleece, Classic Jersey, sweaters, wovenshirts and bottoms.

The Donegal Collection features thequintessential Fairway and Greene Fallcolor palette, which is very reminiscent ofEurope and, in particular, NorthwestIreland—hence the Donegal name.

The classic, rich menswear colorsspeak to the company’s customers, andplay off on some gorgeous colors such asrich European plaids and paisleys.

The Donegal Collection—which comesin French blue, wine, fir, straw, java andvanilla—includes knit shirts,Pureformance™, Pureformance™ fleece,classic jersey, sweaters, woven shirts, bot-toms and outerwear.

Fairway and Greene has found mostmen consider the golf shop as their ownprivate clothier, and the KensingtonCollection is very reminiscent of theKensington section of London, which rep-resents high society. Kensington is arefined collection, with a very narrowdelivery. Most of the shirts feature self-

fabric collars with luxe fibers. Kensington also takes a trip back to

some vintage heritage pieces, such as babyalpaca vests. Kensington—which comes inmoonlight, merlot, vanilla, cognac andblack—includes knit shirts, sweaters,woven shirts, bottoms and outerwear.

The Fall line for ladies from Fairwayand Greene features versatility, addedBell. “We wanted to have choices that areversatile on and off the golf course.”

For Fall 2010, F &G has introducedthree uniquely colored ladies’ collections.

Fairway and Greene’s very cheerfulLadies’ Coral Gable Collection isdesigned to be fun. Besides petal andstrawberry, the other colors in the CoralGable Collection—which includes bottomsand knit shirts—are white, clover, blackand martini print.

The Highland Collection is namedfor areas that typically see a change of sea-sons. Highland—whose colors includenavy, peacock, white, pomegranate, camel,Skye paisley print and gemma grid print—consists of bottoms, knit shirts, F&G Tech,pima interlock, sweaters and outerwear.

The Sutton Place Collection’s col-ors are reminiscent of New York in thefall—ever changing. The inspiration forthis line is the sights around New YorkCity. The line consists of bottoms, knitshirts, F&G Tech, Pima interlock,sweaters and outerwear.

For more information on Fairway andGreene: www.fairwayandgreene.com

FASHIONFORWARD FAIRWAY AND GREENEby Terry Ross

Monterey Bay Collection

Savannah Collection

Coral Gables Collection


PROMONTORYWhere Variety Is the Spice of Life

PROMONTORYWhere Variety Is the Spice of Life

Ye Spice of Life By Larry Feldman

Ye Spice of Life

Nicklaus Course Hole 12

Dye Course Hole 15

Horsing Around Relaxing At The Alpine Lodge

Why would anyone want toplay the same golf courseover and over again?

Now, if we’re talking Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pine Valley,Muirfield and the like, I can understand it.

But, to join one of the million country clubs in our nation and play thesame 18 holes every week seems a bit lackluster, if you ask me. That’swhy I have always said that if I ever became a member of a country club,it would be a club that would offer me real variety in golf.

Hello Promontory.

Set in the breathtaking landscape of Park City, Utah, Promontory isblessed with one of Pete Dye’s best layouts, a Jack Nicklaus Signaturetract so tough you better bring your “A-Game” and three more champi-onship courses slated for construction in the foreseeable future.

Now, that’s a country club worth getting excited about.

Overlooking Park City and Deer Valley, Promontory is a second-homecommunity consuming 10-square miles of prime land in the WasatchMountain region, with 70% of that land set aside for open space, golf, hik-ing, horseback riding, snowshoeing and mountain biking. Located just 30minutes from Salt Lake International Airport, Promontory offers everyamenity you can think of, from outstanding pro shops and locker area, arestaurant that offers up spectacular cuisine and maybe better views, anOutfitter’s Cabin that headquarters summer and winter member activitiesand a Kid’s-Only Clubhouse. The Ranch Clubhouse provides tennis,swimming, ice-skating, a fitness center and spa facility. Homesites rangefrom one-half acre to 40 acres and are priced from the mid-$300,000’s.

And while the social benefits are many at Promontory, it’s all about thegolf when you get right down to it. With two courses of this magnitude,it’s no wonder that Promontory is one of the most sought-after golf devel-opments in the country.

The Pete Dye Canyon Course checks in at just under 7,700 yardsfrom the tips (remember, there’s elevation) and plays like two separatecourses – one nine through the rugged canyons and the other like taking awalk on a long, winding and beautiful road.

The front nine meanders through sagebrush hillsides overlooking ParkCity, Deer Valley and The Canyons ski resorts and is highlighted by adownhill, dogleg right, 670-yard Par 5. Even with a strong tailwind, thishole requires three shots. In total, the hole drops 134 from tee to greenand, ironically, going long on your approach is like going gone.

Another great hole is the shortest of the bunch on the front side,although at 299 yards, the Par 3 8th hole is anything but short. As pictur-esque as they come, this hole offers safe passage only if you miss right.Miss left and a double stares you in the face.

The final hole on the outward nine brings water into play on this 458-yard, Par 4. A lake guards the entire approach to the green, which iscomplete with undulation one can only find on a Pete Dye putting sur-face. If you’re not close to the pin, three putts are in the forecast.

Tennis Anyone?

Nicklaus Course Hole 15

Family Fun On The Water

GOL F VA C AT IO N S • JU LY 2010 15

Enjoy A Fire At The Clubhouse


The 12th hole is an absolutely fantastic hole that blends the best of what design andnature have to offer. A 433-yard Par 4, this downhill, dogleg left offers an approach toa green that’s not easy to determine whether your putt is uphill or downhill. Take parand run to the next tee.

A classic risk/reward hole is the 15th, a Par 4 measuring 441 yards. The risk is theentire golf hole, the reward the views of Deer Valley framing the green. If you hit agood tee shot, a demanding approach shot still awaits to a long and narrow green.Again, the severely undulating green lends itself to many three putts.

“When I walked Promontory for the first time, I was amazed at how well the landlends itself to golf,” said Pete Dye. It’s a great golf experience that everyone shouldenjoy. The course should land in the top 100.”

The heck with the top 100, Promontory quickly found itself at the top, especiallywhen Nicklaus’ Painted Desert course came into the mix. Promontory has been ratedin the top 100 golf communities in the U.S. for the past four years. The Painted Valleycourse was ranked as a top new private course by Golf Digest, Travel & Leisure andGolfweek magazines. If you thought the Dye was long, that’s nothing compared to thePainted Desert’s nearly 8,100 yards. Good news is that you get to hammer your driverall day long.

Two of the Par 4s are over 500 yards and none of them are under 400 yards. Waterhazards come into play on several holes on the course, particularly on the back nine.The 6th-13th holes play uphill and into the wind and are as tough a test of golf you’llever encounter from the tips.

While the prospect of navigating such great lengths, the most challenging part ofthe course may well be the severely undulated greens that require precision and touchto two-putt, especially when the greens are kept at a slick 10+ on the stimpmeter.With a rating/slope of 78.7/155 from the tips, Painted Valley delivers as one of the mostdifficult tracks in the world.

The Par 5, 12th is the signature of the Nicklaus Signature. At 673 yards, this holetypifies everything at the Promontory course; big, long, and difficult! Big views of thevalley and mountain surroundings abound at this larger than life hole that plays down-hill to the heavily bunkered fairway. The double dogleg hole tips out at 673 yards whichshockingly isn't even the longest par five on the course (the opening hole is 718 yards).But, it’s the most difficult Par 5 on the course as it plays severely downhill from the teeand then back uphill and into the prevailing wind when approaching the green. It is agreat hole that embraces the feel and theme of Promontory.

So, there you have it…hiking, biking, horseback riding, ice skating, tennis, dining, aworld-class fitness center to get your blood going and a spa to sooth those tired mus-cles, all while your kids are being entertained in their very own clubhouse. In short,Promontory has it all.

Oh yeah, and some of the best golf you’re ever gonna play.

PromontoryPark City, Utah

(888) 458-6600www.PromontoryClub.com



Louisiana

GATORS, GUMBO AND GOLFIn A Sportsman’s Paradise

By Fred Robledo


1. Never, under any circumstances, try to hit a golf shot ifyour ball comes to rest near an alligator. You are going to see someof these guys in the lakes and bayous around some of the golfcourses in Louisiana, but stay away from them. You get free reliefand don’t even worry about trying to retrieve your original ball.

2. Always keep track of time when enjoying the nightlife.From the countless restaurants and clubs offering a variety ofCajun and Creole cuisine ranging from gumbo to catfish, to therhythmic bayou sounds of jazz, bluegrass, gospel and blues oozingfrom the open doorways of packed nightclubs, one can eat anddrink oneself into such a stupor, it would be easy to lose track oftime and fail to make your coveted tee time the next day.

3. When selecting a course, always, always play one of thecourses on the Audubon Golf Trail. While there are many out-standing golf courses throughout the state, only 12 are part of theAGT which means that course has been inspected, dissected,selected and certified to meet rigid standards of quality onewould expect to find on a quality golf course.

“We want everyone to have a great time when they visitLouisiana,” said Eric Kaspar, Director of Golf for the AGC.“Everyone already knows about all of the fine music and food wehave in our state. We are trying to show them we have some pret-ty outstanding golf courses, too.”

Golf is the latest tourist attraction to Louisiana and to makesure visitors have a chance to play the finest courses, the stateinstituted the Audubon Golf Trail in 2001. The AGC is analliance of high-caliber, high-value golf facilities that combine golfwith unique Louisiana culture, outdoor recreational opportunitiesand hospitality.

“It’s our stamp of approval,” Kaspar said. “We started with sixcourses, had 13 at one time, and now we have 12. Courses thatare part of this alliance have benefited greatly because they aregetting visitors from all over who want to experience golf on theAudubon Golf Trail.”

Louisiana natives and PGA Touring golf pros Hal Sutton,David Toms and Steve Elkington along with world-renown golfarchitects such as Pete Dye and Robert van Hagge are amongthose who designed the courses.

During a recent five-day stay in the state, I played five of the12 AGT courses and covered 200 miles from New Orleans toLake Charles. Between rounds I stayed at three different hotels,dined at variety of fine restaurants and even took a tour of an alli-gator-infested swamp.

The first course I played was the Audubon Park ExecutiveGolf Course, a gorgeous little layout not far from the French

Quarter. It is unique because it is accessible by streetcar. Theonly course on the AGT exempt from having a minimum par of70, it is also special because golf has been played at Audubonsince 1898 making it the oldest golf course in the state.

The par-62 course is spread over 81 tree-lined acres and theholes meander through and around four lagoons. Recently, thecourse was awarded 4.5 of 5 stars on Golf Digest’s Best Places toplay rankings.

Although it measures only 4,220 yards, the course, designedby Denis Griffith, challenges players of all abilities to make gooddecisions because water comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes.

Some of the holes look tantalizing easy, but on the day Iplayed, the wind was up which brought bunkers and lagoons intoplay. A well-struck shot can balloon and blow into a lagoon orcome up short into a bunker that required only a carry of 120yards.

There are two par-fives on the course – the 9th and 18th –and four par-fours ranging from 282 to 360 yards.

Your ego can receive a boost at Audubon, but even if you playpoorly, you cannot feel bad about your score because you aremesmerized by the beauty of the course which is nestled amonghundreds of majestic century-old oaks and across the street fromthe Audubon Zoo.

On the back nine you will find yourself waving at some of thejoggers who like to use the running trail to stay fit.

On the second day of my trip to Louisiana, it was anothershort drive from the French Quarter to the dazzling TPCLouisiana, home of the Zurich Classic, the only PGA TOURevent in the state.

Located across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, thecourse is a testament what Pete Dye can do with 250 acres ofpristine land that features natural wetlands and stately Cypressand Oak trees.

Steve Elkington and Louisiana native Kelly Gibson workedwith Dye on the design, but make no mistake; this course has allof the earmarks of a typical Dye course – pot bunkers, spectatormounds, lakes and rolling fairways.

With five sets of tees, TPC Louisiana can challenge PGATOUR caliber players from the tips (7,402 yards, 76.6 rating, 138slope) as well as make a round enjoyable for high-handicappersfrom the Club tees (5,121 yards, 69.2 rating, 119 slope).

It really is important to play from the correct tees to get the

There are three things a visitor to Louisiana should know before embarking on a golf vacation.


Places to stay while playing Audubon Golf Trail courses:

New Orleans – Astor Crowne Plaza, 793 Canal Street. Phone: 504-962-0500.Located in the middle of the French Quarter where Bourbon Street meets Canal Street, this is an ideal place to stay while

playing the TPC Louisiana, the Audubon Park Golf Course and The Atchafalaya at Idlewild. This is an elegant 693-room hotelwhich is perfect for business or pleasure with more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and function space. The excitement of theFrench Quarter, whether your pleasure is world-renowned dining or the intoxication sounds of jazz, is right outside your door.The hotel is home to Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House Restaurant and Seafood Bar. There are also nearby attractions likeHarrah’s Casino, the Aquarium of the Americas, Jackson Square, Morial Convention Center, Riverwalk Shopping, the NewOrleans Sports Arena and the Superdome www.astorneworleans.com

Lafayette – Holiday Inn, 2032 NE Evangeline Thruway. Phone: 337-233-6815.Ideally located at the intersection of I-10 and I-49, this friendly hotel is a great place to stay if you are playing the Atchafalaya

at Idlewild or The Wetlands which is only a few minutes from the hotel. This hotel has 242 newly renovated guest rooms and isrecognized for its Cajun restaurant Bistro du Cayenne’s. It is close to the Lafayette Regional Airport and the University ofLouisiana at Lafayette. Free high speed wireless internet and free airport transportation are offered. This also is a full service petfriend hotel with a family fun park that includes indoor pool, tennis, volleyball, soccer, basketball and Kid’s Safe playground.www.hilafayette.com

Lake Charles – La Quinta Inn & Suites, 1201 W. Prien Lake Rd, Phone: 337-478-9889.Located near Highway 210, this is the place to stay if you are going to play Gray Plantation which is only a few minutes away

from the hotel. This hotel also is conveniently located close to dining, shopping, business and area casinos. Free high speed inter-net is available. The sparkling year-round outdoor pool and Jacuzzi offer you a place to unwind after a day of golf. Other hotelamenities include meeting facilities, a business center, and guest laundry facilities, rooms with 42-inch flat panel TVs and freebreakfast and newspaper. www.LQ.com

The Atchafalaya At Idlewild


most enjoyment from this course. A 16-handicap, I played fromthe recommended Tournament tees (6,610 yards, 72.3 rating,131 slope), but probably should have moved up to the Playerstees (6,171 yards, 69.8 rating, 119 slope) because of the strongwind that day.

The fairways are lush and generous, but you will pay a dearpenalty if you miss them because pot bunkers and waste bunkerswill swallow our errant shots.

After a couple of serene opening holes, water comes into playfor the first time at the par-three third hole. There are six bodiesof water and the wet stuff comes into play on seven holes. One ofthe most intriguing holes is the par-four 16th where you mightencounter a 12-foot alligator which likes to roam in the lake thatsurrounds the green.

The signature hole is the last one, a dogleg right par-five thatfeatures bunkers and a lake along the entire right side of the fair-way. It is a risk/reward hole one must make the correct decisionsor pay the consequences.

The TPC Louisiana experience left me wanting to spend moretime on a course that can intoxicate you with its beauty and serenity.

Day three started with a 90-minute drive to play TheAtchafalaya at Idlewild. This course is definitely off the beaten path,but worth the ride from New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Lafayette.

After playing the course, I though Atchafalaya meant water,

water and more water. I was close to being right. It is an Indianword meaning “long river.”

Robert von Hagge designed the course which was named byGolfweek in 2009 as the No. 1 course among its “Best CoursesYou Can Play” list. Twenty years in the making, the course wasdesigned to promote the Atchafalaya Basin region, one ofAmerica’s most fertile and unspoiled areas.

There are five lakes and 10 native wetlands surrounded by 40specious of indigenous flora on the course. Surrounded by all ofthat beauty, von Hagge moved more than 500,000 yards of soil tocreate dramatic elevations and viewing vistas.

The course can play as long as 7,533 from the Gator tees to asfriendly as 5,263 yards from the Otter tees. Water comes intoplay (not only from lakes, but from streams, ditches, ponds andcreeks, as well) on 16 holes.

I played Atchafalaya from the Blue Eagle tees (6,520 yards,71.9 rating, 127) and found it to be fair and enjoyable. The fair-ways were generous and the greens were large with a lot of undu-lation. Although you had to pay attention to all of the water, youcan score on this course if you plan properly and execute yourshots.

The 13th hole was the most interesting on the course. A 473-yard par-five from the Blues, you can put yourself in position togo for the green in two with a drive that clears a bunker complex.

Audubon Park

http://www.ultimatewalkinggear.com/index.php?m=IC0920510


There is water to the right and behind the green, however, andonly the bravest will go for the pin when it’s in the back/right por-tion of the green.

After a round, Cajun fare along with traditional favorites isavailable in the 10,00-square foot clubhouse which also featureslarge flat-screen HD televisions.

The next stop on my journey was The Wetlands, deep in theheart of Cajun country in Lafayette. Designed by Frank Burandt,The Wetlands opened in 2006 and is the newest member of theAudubon Golf Trail.

The first thing I noticed upon arriving at the course was theexcellent practice facility which featured target greens, practicebunkers, a chipping green and a putting green. If you give your-self enough time, you have no excuses for not playing your best atThe Wetlands.

The second thing I noticed was the extremely large finishinggreen that actually is a double green for the 9th and 18th holes.

This is a links-style course with very few trees, but with nativeflora and grasses which gives the course a natural look. There arewide, rolling fairways and large greens, but beware because windis always a factor and water comes into play on 11 of the 18 holes.

The course plays to 7,293 yards from the tips (74.9 rating, 134slope) to 5,015 yards from the forward tees (68.7 rating, 110slope).

With clam winds, you can post a pretty good score on thiscourse. Unfortunately for me, the wind was blowing about 30 milesan hour and turned it into a very difficult day to score. It made adifference of two to three clubs when hitting directly into the wind,but made me feel like a long hitter when it was helping me.

My final stop on Day Five was Gray Plantation in LakeCharles, the fifth largest city in the state.

This was one of the most interesting places on my sojournthrough the southern portion of the state. There is a local legendthat pirate Jean Lafitte buried some of his treasures on the sandyshores of Lake Charles. This legend is celebrated each springwith a two-week Contraband Days Pirate Festival.

When a visitor asks if it’s possible some of that bounty mightbe buried under some of the land at the Gray Plantation, theanswer is always, “Maybe.”

The golf course quickly made a name for itself in 2000 whenGolf Digest ranked it No. 3 on its “Best New Courses inAmerica” list. Five years later, it was named 75th out of 100 ofAmerica’s greatest public courses.

Located on the banks of the Calcasieu River, the course,designed by Rocky Roquemore, features 60 acres of lakes andmoss-draped pines.

The signature hole on the course is the shortest one, the No.6 par-three hole that played to 146 yards into a strong wind theday I played. Did I mention that’s 146 yards over water to thesmallest green on the course?

There is ample water on the course as it comes into play on12 holes. In fact, there also is an alligator that came into play onthe day I played it. The gator was enjoying himself in the sunalongside the lake in front of the green at the eighth hole.

At the end of my final day in the state, I enjoyed the out-standing cuisine and hospitality in the Cypress Grill which over-looked the 18th green. The food was terrific, the views werebreathtaking and the memories will remain forever.

Gray Plantation


The Audubon Golf Trail To be considered for membership, a course must make a

five-year commitment to participation on the AGT. Coursesmust work with the AGT for starting times to be made availablethrough the AGT Reservation System. Courses must play to aminimum of par 70 and have a distance of at least 6,500 yardsfrom the back tees.

Courses must have a minimum of 20 practice stations andpractice balls must be Spaulding or of a similar quality. Coursesmust have a signature hole, drinking water at least every threeholes, restrooms and concessions, and a halfway house if thefront nine does not return to the clubhouse.

The courses are evaluated and rated for course condition,customer service, and esthetics, condition of facilities, coursedesign, challenge and playability.

For reservations to play any of the courses on the AGT, call1-888-248-4652 or call the courses directly.

AUDUBON PARKNew Orleans, LA. Phone: 504-212-5290Holes – 18Slope – 104Rating – 61.6www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/golf

TPC LOUISIANANew Orleans, LA. Phone: 504-436-8721.Holes – 18Slope – 119 - 138Rating – 69.7 - 76.6www.tpc.com/louisiana

THE ATCHAFALAYA AT IDLEWILDPatterson, LA. Phone: 985-395-4653.Holes – 18Slope – 124 - 144Rating – 69.8 - 77.6www.atchafalayagolf.com/

THE WETLANDSLafayette, LA. Phone: 337-291-7150.Holes – 18Slope – 110 - 134Rating – 67.3 - 74.9www.wetlandsgc.com/

GRAY PLANTATIONLake Charles, LA. Phone: 337-562-1663.Holes – 18Slope – 128 - 138Rating – 71.1 - 73.6www.graywoodllc.com/

BLACK BEARDelhi, LA. Phone 318-878-2162.Designed by Bechtol Russell Golf of Austin, Texas, with construc-tion by Weitz Golf International, Black Bear Golf Course lies onapproximately 300 acres atop the Macon Ridge. The Bogzagand Cypress creeks bisect the property and offer significant wet-lands features. The routing of the course generally follows, andthen crosses, the creeks and offers passes through the heavilytreed creek bottoms. The result is a course with varied topogra-phy that weaves from tree lined holes to open holes. Holes – 18Slope – 123 - 145Rating – 67.4 – 75.9www.blackbear-golf.com

CARTER PLANTATIONSpringfield, LA. Phone: 225-294-9855.Designed by David Toms, this course was named among the“Top 10 Courses You Can Play” by GOLF Magazine in 2003.The spectacular 18-hole, 7,050-yard, par-72 course playsthrough three distinct Louisiana landscapes—live oaks, cypresswetlands, and upland pine forests. Great effort has been madeto preserve the plantation’s native wildlife habitats. A double-ended driving range, three practice greens, and practicebunkers are additional features of the course. With outstandingbanquet facilities, a first-rate restaurant, and hospitable serviceat every turn, Carter Plantation offers a great venue for groupoutings as well as individual players.Holes – 18Slope – 119-140Rating – 67.6 - 74.4www.carterplantation.com

CYPRESS BEND GOLF RESORTMany, LA. Phone: 888-256-4366.This course features 10 holes along the water and six withshots across hidden coves and inlets. Surrounding hardwoodforests, undulating greens and dramatic elevation changes addto Cypress Bend’s challenge and beauty. The sunset over #17

The Courses:

The Wetlands


is as stunning as anything you’ll ever see. Cypress Bend GolfResort & Conference Center boasts 96 oversized rooms with anelegant country inn décor, an exceptional restaurant with viewsover the lake, spa facilities and more.Holes – 18Slope – 128 - 142Rating – 68.3 - 72.7www.cypressbend.com/

OAKWING GOLF CLUBAlexandria, LA. Phone: 318-561-0260.OakWing Golf Club, which opened in September 2002,offers a unique Jim Lipe design interwoven throughout its beauti-ful England Air Force Base location. This 7,043-yard, links-stylecourse blends the natural beauty of Louisiana bayous, lakesand towering tree lined fairways with the challenge of rollinghills and undulating greens. Five different tee settings will offera challenge for everyone from professionals to amateurs, andthe classic risk-reward features designed into every hole willrequire everyone to play their best. Holes – 18Slope – 112 - 125Rating – 68.0 - 73.7www.oakwinggolf.com/

OLDE OAKSHaughton, LA. Phone: 318-742-0333.This course features 27 holes over 340 acres of rolling hillsnear Shreveport. It was designed in collaboration with 2004PGA Ryder Cup Captain Hal Sutton, a native of the area.Sutton calls it his first signature course. Five sets of tees andgenerous fairways allow any level of golfer to truly enjoy theirround. For the naturalist, almost every species of wildlife that isnative to this area can be found at Olde Oaks, and many ofthem can be spotted during a round of golf. Holes – 18Slope – 112 - 139Rating – 69.4 – 75.1www.oldeoaksgolf.com

TAMAHKA TRAILS GOLF CLUBMarksville, LA. Phone: 318-240-6300.Natural beauty cloaks an endless series of subtle, surprisingchallenges. Master golf course architect Steve Smyers coupledhis “new school” design with a passionate appreciation ofScotland’s legendary courses to create 18 holes of pure perfec-tion. Its numerous and often massive bunkers evoke a lunarlandscape—and always require strategy. Tamahka Trails offersGPS in all carts. The practice facility includes 50,000 squarefeet of hitting area, a 10,000-square-foot putting green, andpractice greens dedicated to bunker play, chipping and pitch-ing. Holes – 18Slope – 121 - 133Rating – 69.0 - 74.4www.paragoncasinoresort.com

THE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUBPlaquemine, LA. Phone: 225-685-0808This par-72 course measures more than 7,000 yards from itschampionship tees and features 54 bunkers. Recently fea-tured on the Golf Channel and in GOLF Magazine, this160-acre TifEagle© course features nine man-made lakes,and water comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes. Solitudeis the name of the game at The Island. Most times, only ablue heron is around to watch your next shot. The Island Bar& Grill features exceptional Louisiana fare that attracts golfersand non-golfers alike.Holes – 18Slope – 128 - 143Rating – 70.3 - 75.1www.theislandgolf.com/

The Courses:

TPC Louisiana

In most recreational sports, practiceand training attire is readily available.Golf has been the big exception where

all of the major equipment and apparelmanufacturers have pretty much ignoredclothing for practicing and the many hoursthat a lot of players spend onthe driving range--until now.

Adidas Golf, the parentcompany of TaylorMade,researched consumerdemands in the golf marketand discovered there was aneed for an option that golferscould wear when practicing.So it created Rangewear, alightweight, comfortable jack-et and pant combination thatgives golfers performance and style specifi-cally when on the driving range. Similar tothe traditional warm-up outfit, Rangewearis designed for golfers who are practicingand want a little more style and function inwhat they wear.

"When we looked at what people werewearing on the range, we found a gapbetween the recognized, complete golf out-fit and something casual to practice in," saidPatricia Dahan, Senior Director of GlobalApparel at adidas Golf. "It became aboutbeing comfortable and relaxed--andRangewear delivers on all of those promis-es. Golfers can be comfortable and stylishwhen practicing and still benefit from theperformance they would expect from adi-das Golf apparel."

Men's Rangewear consists of a slightly-fitted, lightweight polyester jacket and pantfeaturing 3-Stripes branding. TheRangewear jacket comes equipped with aninternal MP3 pocket with a pass-througheyelet for headphones, giving golfers theopportunity to tune in to music and tuneeverything else out. The Rangewear Pantincludes an elastic waistband with an inter-nal drawstring for comfort and a tee holderon the left pocket.

Men's Rangewear pieces also go wellwith the new ClimaCool T-shirt, 100%polyester CoolMax Extreme jersey, con-tributing to the comfort, performance and

style of the Rangewear concept. Men'sRangewear is offered in one color, black,and available only at green grass accountsand golf specialty accounts nationwide, inaddition to the adidas web site:www.shop.adidasgolf.com

Women's Rangewear featuresClimaLite® technology fabricated with apolyester/Lycra® blend making the fabrichighly-breathable and lightweight to helpwick moisture away from the skin. Bothjacket and pant have a yoga-inspired fit toadd a stylish look and include contrast adi-das brandmarking. Like men's, thewomen's jacket is also equipped with aninternal MP3 pocket with a pass througheyelet for headphones.

The pant also includes an elastic waist-band with an internal drawstring for com-fort and a tee holder on the left pocket.Women's Rangewear is offered in two col-ors-- black and navy.

For more information on adidasRangewear: www.adidasgolf.com

Just like golf clubs, the bags that playersuse these days to carry their sticks inhave made some remarkable advances

in style and technology. TaylorMade Golf,which has been on the forefront in drivertechnology, has spread its innovation intothe golf bag arena in a big way this year withan accent on performance and functionality.

Leading the innovation charge and rep-resenting the biggest leap in functionality isa new TaylorMade bag system called FastAction Snap Technology, a seamless way forgolfers to access important accessories suchas GPS, rangefinders, phones, cigar holders

and other valuables without having to digthrough cluttered pockets during a round.

With the separate purchase of one of sixFast Action Snap Technology cases, golferscan quickly and easily affix these accessoriesonto corresponding rivets which line theoutside of all of the new 2010 bag models.

"The hassle of digging through thepockets of your golf bag for golf accessoriesand personal belongings is over," said JoseMiraflor, TaylorMade's category leader forgolf bags. "The introduction of Fast ActionSnap Technology provides golfers with aneasy solution and is yet another example ofour attention to detail and commitment toengineering the most functional golf bagsin the marketplace."

Other advancements featured in thenew line include lighter bags, convenientlyplaced pockets, and enhanced durability.All bags incorporate full-length internaldividers making it easier and more effi-cient to maintain club organization andprevent grips from tangling deep withinthe cavity of the bags.

A highlight among the TaylorMade golfbags are the Tour Bag Collection—rangingfrom the TMX Staff Bag like the pros carry

SWEETSTUFFby Terry Ross



with a 9 _-inch top and the red, white andblack design, along with two smaller mod-els with the same design and color schemethat includes all the bells and whistles.

The TMX T2 Cart Bag boasts all of thesophistication, feel and functionality of aStaff Bag in a lighter and slightly smallerpackage that fits better on a power cart, butis designed for the the player who appreci-ates the Tour look. It has is more manage-able bag for everyday play with an 8 _-inch,6-way velour top with full length dividersand plenty of accessory pockets.

The third member of this collection isthe Tour Stand Bag featuring the samedesign, but in a 6.8-pound carry bag forthose who like to hoof it. This bag fea-tures five pockets and the FastAction Snaps.

In the Cart BagCollection theMarenello, Catalinaand Monoco bagsstand out with theirinsulated cooler pockets,rugged construction andfunctionality for those that like to ride.

Variety is abundant in TaylorMade’sStand Bags, featuring the Pure-Lite at lessthan five pounds, the R9 and Burner standbags and the Micro-Lite at less than fourpounds.

The Hybrid Bags are designed for play-ers who like to both ride and walk and don’twant to switch out bags, featuring the TMSupreme at less than six pounds that has acooler pocket, expandable side pocket anda quick release shoulder strap.

For more information on the newTaylorMade golf bags: www.taylormade-golfgear.com

Keeping the proper grip and devel-oping a repeatable, quick athleticswing are two areas of golf training

the TaylorMade has addressed with two ofits latest accessory additions.

The TR3 Speed Stik by TaylorMade is aclassic training aid taken to the next level tomatch the needs and expectations of Tourprofessionals, Club Professionals, and aver-

age golfers alike. While the TR3 Speed Stick will accu-

rately measure your swing speed, that isonly the beginning of the gameenhancement features,including strength train-ing, grooving the prop-er swing plane andi m p r o v i n gt e m p o .Updated

a n dredesigned to

be more usefuland more manage-

able, the TR3 SpeedStick is a great training tool

to use at home, in the gym or onthe range. It can also be used as a

stretching pole or warm-up club, sincethe 650 gram Speed Stik overloads the

swing, developing golf muscles for strengthand speed.

It measures swing speeds from 60 to140 MPH delivering instant swing feed-back, and its 46 inch length promotes a flat-ter swing plane that corrects steep out-to-inor over-the-top swings. A new tapering griparea allows for a multi-compound grip thatdelivers maximumtraction under highspeeds. AlignmentArrows allow theSpeed Stik to beused as an alignmentaid while practicing,and the new collapsi-ble design allows foreasy storage in a golfbag, locker, or lug-gage while travelingwith its black ripstopnylon storage pouch.

Another handyhelper on the rangeis the TR3 GripTraining Glove thatcan be a great way totrain your hands tostay in the propergrip throughout the

swing and get the feel of the correct grip onthe club while practicing.

Significant research has confirmed thaterrors in the grip are one of the most com-mon challenges for Club Professionalsworking with students today. With the TR3Grip Training Glove, the correct grip canbe locked into place for hitting full practiceshots, allowing the golfer to concentrate onswing mechanics, and avoid the common"re-grip" problem.

A fully-functional golf glove made withhigh grade materials and quality craftsman-ship, this training aid easily transitions to aUSGA legal playing glove when not in thelocked position.

The performance elastic strap trainingsystem holds your grip in place for improvedgripping position, grip pressure, tempo andmechanics. The AAA grade Cabretta leatherdelivers exceptional feel while the perform-ance 3M Scotchgard enhances durability,stain resistance, and softness after repeateduse. Double sided Velcro closure systemssecure your grip in place.

For more information on TaylorMadetraining aids visit their website at:www.taylormadegolfgear.com

SWEETSTUFFby Terry Ross


DESTINATIONS WHERE TO STAYWHERE TO PLAY

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DESTINATIONS WHERE TO STAYWHERE TO PLAY

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MYTURNby JamesMcAfee

When the U.S. Open returns to Pebble BeachGolf Club, I hope that the green on No. 14 hasbeen renovated.

I'm sure some of the participants in this year's U.S.Open had some choice words about that green, but mostdidn't go on record as telling the media what they reallyfelt. When some of the game's elite, like Ian Poulter, Y.E.Yang, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood, make the numbersthey did, something doesn't seem right or even fair.

The approach to that green may be the hardest thirdshot on a par 5 in golf. In the U.S. Open, only a perfectlyexecuted wedge shot hit within a few feet, difficult evenfor the game's best, would stay on the back of the green.Hit it a little too hard and the ball would roll down theshaved banks, leaving a difficult chip that would roll backto you if not hit hard enough or roll off the front edge anddown the fairway behind the left front bunker if hit a lit-tle too hard.

Even a good approach shot that came up just a little inshort in the center of the green would roll back off the greenand continue until it came to rest in that same position. That'sexactly what happened to Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson in thefinal round, but both did hit good pitches to have chances atpars, but could not drop the makeable putts.

No course architect would ever design a green likethat today, but the real culprit in my opinion was the factthe USGA wanted the greens to roll at 13 on theStimpmeter, which was refined by Frank Thomas back

when he worked for the USGA. We did hear complaints from Tiger Woods about the

poa greens, but not from Phil Mickelson although bothmight have won if they had putted better. Eventual win-ner Graeme McDowell didn't complain and he was theone who made the putts that counted, especially in thefinal round

Other than the problem with the 14th green, Ithought Mike Davis did a great job of setting up PebbleBeach, including making it possible for golfers to reachthe green with their drives on No. 4 and to get home intwo on No. 6 by moving the tees up on some days.

No. 7, even at less than 100 yards for the weekendrounds, was no easy touch . There should be more shortpars 3, and more variety, especially on the PGA Tourwhere they all seem to be 200+ yards.

As I recall from my round there more than 30 yearsago, Nos. 8-10 are three of the prettiest holes you can eversee, but are very difficult where even the pros sometimesfind it hard to make pars. As I recall, my scores werebogey-bogey-double bogey in a round of 80. After keepingmy drive to the right side of the fairway and out of the bay,I hit a lay up to 100 yards and wedged close enough tomake birdie on No. 18, one of the best closing holes ingolf, especially when the tees are up and golfers can takea risk and go for the green in two.

While I would like to go back, I see no way that I canafford the $500 price tag for a round of golf.


14th GREEN AT PEBBLE BEACH

http://www.seapalms.com

Golf Vacations Magazine July 2010

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