Grand Cypress Resort

After spending a few days at the resort, Deegan says there's a lot more than great golf to this vacation spot: "Grand Cypress is hardly one-dimensional. In fact, non-golfers might have more fun than the golfers with all the entertainment options, beautiful facilities and dining experiences."

Even with the numerous entertainment options, most of our readers will be heading to the course before anything else. Fortunately, they won't be disappointed. "An award-winning golf academy, lavish accommodations and 45 holes of golf designed by Jack Nicklaus are just a few reasons why Grand Cypress is so well respected," Deegan writes. "The North-South tournament course, along with the East nine, and the New Course give Grand Cypress a leg up on competition because of the quality and variety of the courses, not to mention their impeccable condition."

If you'd like the Cliffs Notes version of Deegan's reviews, be sure to check out his fact sheet on the resort, which includes all of the key fees and phone numbers.

TravelGolf.com:
Past is Prelude in New Jersey

	Seaview Marriott Resort Bay Course

While some readers believe we ignore the east coast during the winter, nothing could be further from the truth. With an eye toward spring, TravelGolf.com staff writer Tom Robinson offers a review of the Seaview Marriott Resort Bay Course in New Jersey. Aside from the spectacular view of the Atlantic City skyline on the sixth hole, the layout also boasts an equally historic hotel to match the golf course. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1914, the Bay Course is part of a 36-hole combination at the Seaview Marriott Resort. Robinson says it's not too early to start planning your spring trip to this historic vacation site: "Situated about an hour's drive from Philadelphia and a little more than two hours from New York City, the Marriott Resort has succeeded in blending the charm of the facility's past into its current plush setting."

GolfFlorida.com:
A Most Authentic Florida Treat

Related Links • This Week at TravelGolf.com (Feb. 12-18) • Archives: This Week at TravelGolf.com

Staff writer Derek Duncan discovered one of the top ten courses in Florida last week, and he couldn't have been more surprised. The destination was the El Diablo Golf and Country Club, deep in the heart of Citrus Springs. Did we just say Citrus Springs? "Of all the places to build a nationally acclaimed course, this is as unlikely a location as any," writes Duncan. "The secluded El Diablo is shrouded in thick woods, backwoods if you will, with scant few homes or industry to speak of nearby. Neither of the two major roads that lead in provide so much as a glimpse the course." But as Duncan says, don't judge a course by the first impression. A visually impressive golf course, the intricacies of landscape and the richness of modulation will leave quite an impression before you finish your round.

GolfTexas.com:
A Gem in the Hill Country

Located an hour northwest of Austin, Lampasas is just a small dot on the big Texas map. But GolfTexas.com staff writer says it's worth making the trip for a round at the Hancock Park Municipal Golf Course, which offers a variety of hole designs with numerous challenges including water, sand and trees - and more trees. Measuring only 6,029 yards from the tips, Dalton says the layout more than makes up for whatever the course lacks in distance. "Without question, Hancock Park is a great golf course for this quaint little community and a course that will charm you with its unique layout if you ever get a chance to play it," writes Dalton. Apparently, the locals agree. The course plays host to 32,000 rounds per year.

TravelGolf.com:
Some of the Finest Scenery in Britain

	The Lygon Arms

TravelGolf.com staff writer Christian Boulton just returned from the best vacation of his life, so you'll have to forgive him if he sounds a bit carried away about his experience at the "Cotswolds," a series of limestone hills and sheltered valleys at the heart of England. During his stay at the Lygon Arms in Broadway, Boulton also found plenty of time for golf at the Broadway G.C., established in 1895. A challenging and delightful course, Boulton says that "Broadway is without question a fine example of an English parkland course - lush fairways, gentle undulations, and pretty woodlands." Included in this week's travel feature are Boulton's impressions of the Dormy House, which can be found above Broadway and has a reputation for excellent cuisine. Our reviewer has since confirmed that reputation for us all.

From the Rough

	Ancala

In case you missed last week's report, be sure to catch GolfArizona.com senior writer Scott Behmer's visit with Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams, who limits most of his golf to the off-season. "Matt likes to joke with pitchers that since, unlike them, he's a real player, he doesn't get to go out and play golf four out of every five days," writes Behmer. Living in Paradise Valley, northeast of Phoenix, Williams has plenty of options for a round. In this week's spotlight article, Williams talks about a few of his favorite courses, including The Raven at South Mountain (where he often tees it up with former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Roy Green) and the Ancala Country Club in Scottsdale. Both courses should be on your must-play list if you're heading to the Valley of the Sun this month for spring training. Behmer helps out with this description of Ancala: "Set in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, this Pete Dye-designed desert course offers a peaceful atmosphere, picturesque views, lush fairways, and slick, smooth greens." Sounds like the perfect pre-game appetizer.

As always, if you disagree with our reviewers on a certain course or just want to sound off about Tiger's views on the PGA Tour, be sure to visit the TravelGolf.com forum, 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….happy golfing!