TravelGolf.com: A Halloween Surprise in Virginia
By Douglas Carey,
Contributor
Just in time for Halloween, senior writer Jeffrey A. Rendall has uncovered a real treat in
Williamsburg, Virginia. His three-part series on the Ford's Colony complex reveals
a destination that's thoughtful in layout, excellent in conditioning, and unheard of on
the lips of some golf nuts. His overview begins with a look at the original eighteen,
Marsh Hawk, which is probably the most famous of Ford's Colony three courses, having hosted a
number of notable tournaments in its history. And if you're looking for a taste of Pinehurst,
be sure to check out Rendall's look at the
Blue Heron course, a Dan Maples design (in fact, all 54 holes here were designed by Maples).
Finally, wrap up your Ford's Colony tour with
a visit to the Blackheath Course,
which features plenty of water and a tremendous closing set of par fours.
GolfFlorida.com: Nothing Special in North Port
North Port is one of Florida's largest little cities, with 100 square miles of land and
plenty of charm. It's also home to the
Sabal Trace Golf Club, which is clearly not your best
option in the Sarasota region. According to senior writer Joe Bruno, Sabal Trace does have
its redeeming values (the green fees are ideal), but the negatives outweigh any positives.
"The downside at Sabal Trace is that the greens are not in very good condition,
and that's being quite kind," Bruno writes. That said, the service and the location recieve
high marks, and the price is right. But if you want a little more from your next golf outing,
Sabal Trace might not be your best bet.
MyrtleBeachGolf.com: Great Greens and Creative Golf
With its new greens and its Myrtle Beach National sister courses Litchfield Country Club
and Willbrook,
the River Club has positioned itself at the forefront of South Strand golf.
In this comprehensive look, contributing writer Shane Sharp says the River Club's greens are
simply some of the best at the beach. "River Club is not as pretty a golf course at
Willbrook, but it is more challenging due to its tight doglegs and bunkered
greens," Sharp writes. "If you like a family style atmosphere, you’ll appreciate a staff
that calls you by name and takes care of your every need."
ScotlandGolf.com: Pebble Beach of The British Isles
Senior writer David R. Holland continues his tour of Scotland this week with a look
at the
Westin Turnberry Resort, a west coast beauty on the Irish Sea and the Firth of Clyde.
Probably the most scenic of all the British Open courses, Turnberry's
Ailsa Course is annually ranked among the world's top 20 courses. If you're planning a trip,
Holland has all the information you need here, including overviews of the resort,
local restaurants, area attractions, the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy, and
Connoisseurs Scotland, which can assist you with information on the golf
opportunities at Gleneagles, Turnberry and the Old Course Hotel.
LasVegasGolf.com: A True "Day" of Golf
Occassionally our writers receive an invitation they just can't pass up. Recently senior writer
Guy Torrey was asked to attend an event arranged by the folks who
promote the
nine public golf courses of the Carson Valley, a gorgeous glade
which stretches out under the watchful gaze of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Not surprisingly, he had a blast. "This conglomeration of golf facilities, nicknamed the
"Divine Nine", runs the gamut between good-time tracks and true game-testers, and in sum
represents what a golf destination should be; something to please every skill
level and income bracket."
From the 19th Hole:
Quick Shots from Michigan and More
In TravelGolf.com, Kiel Christianson looks at the the impact of
mental imagery on golf putting performance in novice golfers...
At GolfCalifornia.com, Tom LaMarre offers a
review of the
Talega Golf Club in San Clemente, a nominee for "Best New Course of 2001"
by Golf Digest...At MichiganGolf.com, Kiel Christianson,
reviews the
St. Ives Golf Club (pictured), which is perhaps Michigan's forgotten 5-star course...
Finally, join Shane Sharp at MyrtleBeachGolf.com for a visit to the
Grande Shores Resort, a one-of-a-kind undertaking in the Grand Strand.
From the Rough: Spotlight on Scotland
Are you ready for a world-class vacation in the birthplace of golf? With many travel specials
now available, this may be the perfect time to visit Scotland. Before planning your trip, be sure
to catch senior writer
David R. Holland's report from the historic country. His comprehensive feature story includes
everything from course reviews to lodging recommendations. Not surprisingly, Holland suggests you
begin your tour with a round at the Links at St. Andrews: "With the North Sea and the Firth
of Forth on your right, a steady breeze to your back, the history of golf floods you
when standing on the first tee of the Old Course."
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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