TravelGolf.com: Grand Strand Rebounds with Fall Specials
By Douglas Carey,
Contributor
The tragic terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 have shaken the golf industry, but already many
golfers are finding their way back to their favorite destinations. And many courses
are coming up with new ways to bring golfers back. As contributing writer Shane Sharp
reports from Myrtle Beach, the golf industry is roaring into fall. "The Grand Strand is nothing
if not irrepressible," Sharp writes. "When the going gets tough, the tough
soften up a little bit and lower their fees. While the price of a round of golf hasn't exactly
plummeted this fall, a number of package providers and individual courses have stepped up
with some solid bargains." Sharp's fall notebook also includes news from Ocean
Ridge Plantation and the Barefoot Resort.
OntarioGolf.com: An Unexpected Destination
Credit senior writer Kiel T. Christianson for discovering what is unofficially the longest
golf course name in the world:
Mnidoo Valley Assiginack Wikwemikong Golf Club. Located on Manitoulin
Island in Lake Huron, the course qualifies as one of the most unexpected
and exotic golf destinations in North America. Christianson says Mnidoo Valley reminds
us of the power of the game while bringing championship golf to one of the most pristine,
beautiful, and historical spots on the Great Lakes. While you're there, Christianson
recommends a stay at the
Manitowaning Lodge Golf and Tennis Resort:
"Dollar for dollar, this has to rank as one of the best bargains in Canada."
OldDominionGolf.com: Laying A Solid Foundation
For this week's featured review, senior writer Jeffrey A. Rendall
visited the
Virginia National Golf Club, the life’s project of its owner and creator, Cliff Boyd.
Located in Bluemont (VA.), the property has it all - incredible mountain scenery, wildlife,
the river, and a pretty nice golf course. Come prepared to see a truly beautiful,
peaceful and isolated piece of ground. And the course isn't to be missed, either.
"Its two nines showcase an entirely different personality," Rendall says, "and
demonstrates that Boyd has a keen eye for detail."
GolfCalifornia.com: Panoramic Views and Natural Beauty
Situated in the rolling hills with stately oaks, panoramic views
and natural beauty, Saddle Creek Golf Club
provides quite the setting. Located in the centrally located Sierra Nevada town of
Copperopolis, this is a layout that will test your entire game. Staff writer Jeffrey Weidel
says the rolling hills make for some unusual lies, requiring various
club decisions and some sound technique when addressing the ball.
GolfFlorida.com: Focused on the Future
Staff writer Elaine Gallant heads to Coral Gables this week for a look at
The Biltmore Hotel, a historic destination featuring a
an 18-hole, par 71-championship course designed in 1926 by Donald Ross.
Gallant also offers a look at La Palme d'Or, the hotel's
signature, dinner-only restaurant under the direction of French Chef Philippe
Ruiz. "With its canopied entrance, elevated circular drive, and tailored doorman
ready to provide red-carpet treatment to arriving guests, it's
easy to fall for The Biltmore's charms," Gallant writes.
From the 19th Hole:
Quick Shots from Hawaii and More
In HawaiiGolfGuide.com, Guy Torrey reviews the
The Dunes at Maui Lani, an irresistible combination of outstanding value,
friendly Hawaiian-style service, and an intriguing, unforgettable layout.
...At OldDominionGolf.com, check out Jeffrey A. Rendall's report from the
Michelob Championship at Kingsmill Resort’s River Course in Williamsburg...
...At LasVegasGolf.com, Shane Sharp checks out the exclusive
Shadow Creek Golf Club, a favorite of many celebrities...
Finally, join George Begg at AustraliaGolf.com for a visit to the
Murray Downs Resort, one of Australia’s best country golf courses.
From the Rough: Spotlight on Hilton Head
Regular readers know senior writer Jeffrey A. Rendall as our authority on Virginia golf at OldDominionGolf.com, but
he recently ventured out to Hilton Head and the
Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA Tour's WorldCom Classic.
Rendall says to come prepared for a challenge: "It's a supreme test of golf that puts further distance between
us average golfers and the pros." The challenge won't come cheap, but if you'd like to play a course like
few others, Harbour Town is a great place to start.
As always, if you disagree with our reviewers on a certain course
or just want to sound off about the latest from the PGA Tour, be
sure to visit the GolfBoards.com
website, a series of message boards where visitors can write about
everything from the Myrtle Beach golf scene to new equipment. There's
also a free classifieds section where golfers can advertise that
old set of clubs they've been meaning to sell for years. And if
you haven't checked it out already, be sure to visit the new TravelGolf.com
Pro Shop, a joint venture with The Golf Warehouse. With all
of this at TravelGolf.com, there's no need to go anywhere else on
the Web.
Until next week....God bless America.
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