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GOLF RESORT NEWS |
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Mexico: #1 in the World
Readers of Condé Nast Traveler have awarded the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, just north of Puerta Vallarta, the title #1 Golf Resort in the World. Open only to resort guests and property owners, the Jack Nicklaus Signature course is draped voluptuously along the ocean. The 19th hole par three "betting hole", called Tale of the Whale, plays to a sea island green (http://www.fourseasons.com). Fringed by white sand beaches on Bahia Banderas, the Four Seasons is a secluded retreat a half-hour's drive from Puerto Vallarta. A St. Regis Resort and Residences is under construction at Punta Mita with an early 2008 completion date. |
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Ireland: St. Andrews Fairmont
Two miles from the home of golf, St. Andrews, the Devlin, a Bruce Devlin layout, and the Torrance Course, designed by the late Gene Sarazen and Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, are the stars at St. Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has taken over management of the resort and will preside over a $40 million refurbishment, even though the luxury resort is only five years old (won "Scottish Hotel of the Year" in 2005). Guest rooms, suites and manor homes, five dining establishments and a full-service spa are understated in their traditional elegance (http://www.st.andrewsbay.com). Within a short drive of the resort are another 20 golf courses, including some of the most venerated in the world. |
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Arizona: New Wigwam
Celebrating a 75th anniversary, the historic Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Phoenix is fresh from a multi-million dollar renovation and the addition of a new Red Door Spa (a là Elizabeth Arden) and a huge new golf practice and learning facility (http://www.RebirthOfALegend.com). Robert Trent Jones, Sr.'s 1960- era Gold Course was improved with reshaped bunkers, expanded greens and lengthening to 7,400 yards—it's now called "Arizona's Monster." The Blue Course was upgraded, too, now with an island green. High handicap golfers like the Red Course, a pretty, shorter layout. A coup for the resort is the establishment of a Jim McClean Golf School.
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British Columbia: Westin Bear Mountain
Opened this year, the Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort and Spa on Victoria Island is built around the new Jack and Steve Nicklaus co-designed championship course; a second Nicklaus course and a Nicklaus Golf Academy are in the works (http://www.bearmountain.ca). It's all brand new: the full-service Santé Spa, the Mountainside Athletic Club and a master-planned community of town homes, condos and fractional ownership properties. |
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Dominican Republic: the Dog Bites Again
A year-long renovation has greatly enhanced Pete Dye's legendary Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo (http://www.casadecampo.com.do). Travel & Leisure Golf and other media have long awarded it "#1 Course in the Caribbean". Now, it's longer and more challenging, with new greens and bunkers, and other upgrades. Opened in 2003, the Dye Fore has a higher course rating and is said by some to rival the Dog. A third Dye design, the undulating Links course, is a favorite of high handicappers. Spacious golf course villas have private gardens and swimming pools, maids and butlers, a private lounge and concierge, and special amenities. Along the calm waters of private Minitas Beach, Casa de Campo is a sprawling vacation Shangri-la with equestrian and tennis centers, a new Golf Academy headed by LPGA pro, Patty Bucher; a marina and yacht club, polo, shooting and tennis, fishing and every kind of water sport. |
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Virginia: Cascades Facelift
Reopened this spring at the historic Homestead Resort at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains in Hot Springs, Virginia, the #1 course in the state, the Cascades is currently getting a dramatic upgrade to 21st century standards and restoration of original bunkers created by William Flynn more than 80 years ago (http://www.thehomestead.com). Also here, Donald Ross' wonderful, circa-1913 Old Course was redesigned by Rees Jones, and the Robert Trent Jones layout, Lower Cascades, remains in fine shape. Renovated by the Pinehurst Company in recent years, guest rooms in the traditional, Georgian-style hotel are sumptuously outfitted; some have wood-burning fireplaces and sun porches. |
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Idaho: Nicklaus at Tamarack
At 4,800 feet in elevation in Idaho's Payette River Mountains, Tamarack Resort on Lake Cascade is the first all-season luxury resort to open in the United States in 24 years (http://www.tamarackidaho.com). The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. signature championship golf course here, Osprey Meadows, was named "America's Best New Public Course $75 and Over" for 2006 by Golf Digest. Jones laid the fairways and 100 bunkers between lovely marshlands and grassy meadows, groves of birch and Douglas fir, creeks and ponds, within sight of 21-mile-long Lake Cascade. Fairmont Hotels manages the luxurious new Lodge at Osprey Meadows, and the 2- and 3-bedroom cottages and homes. |
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Florida: Fazio at the Ritz
Tom Fazio has done it again in Florida, with his stunning, just-opened new tropical design for the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Sarasota, which is available for play to members of the private club and to guests at the Ritz (http://www.ritzcarlton.com). A knowledgeable Caddie Concierge accompanies each foursome. The practice facility is in operation and a new clubhouse will open in 2007.
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