This Week at TravelGolf.com: July 11, 2007

U.S. Senior Open gladiators are gone, Midwest again safe for golf travel

It's finally safe to travel to the Midwest again. Sure, almost everyone's heard about the wildfires and crazy high temperatures that have wreaked havoc in the West recently.

But the good old American heartland's been under an even more insidious assault.

The guys who wear Depends, have entourages schooled in early-bird specials and swing golf clubs for a living descended on normally peaceful Kohler, Wis. This motley crew came for the U.S. Senior Open, otherwise known as the tournament that good odors forgot.

Now, normally Kohler is a fine place to visit, especially if you're looking for a spot to golf - and, well, golf. My colleague Brandon Tucker recently left buzzing over more than just the famous Whistling Straits course.

Tucker wasn't crazy enough to be anywhere near Herb Kohler's playground when the seniors were in town, though.

Faced with a choice of seeing the Hell's Angels roar down your main street, or the senior golf pros amble down it very, very, very slowly, you should take the motorcycle gang every time. They might bust up a few bars, steal a few women and leave you choking in tailpipe fumes, but at least you won't be subject to geezers who make Danny DeVito look athletic trying to call themselves Champions.

At least, the United States Golf Association calls the Never Have Beens on this hypocrisy. They're "Seniors" in USGA events, not Champions. Too bad the title doesn't come with more dignity.

Know how this year's latest legendary U.S. Senior Open winner, Brad Bryant, celebrated?

He went to a sports bar with 20 friends from that hip hoping senior town of Lakeland, Fla. and chowed down on chicken wings. Is that not how all world-class athletes do it?

Lance Armstrong surely hit the neighborhood wing joint after every Tour de France.

This is how it goes on this tour of beer truck drivers and failed used-car salesmen.

"I'm not in their league," Bryant said on joining the fraternity of U.S. Senior Open winners.

No, really, sadly you are, Brad. With this "champion" moving on to chicken wings, Kohler and its four Pete Dye golf courses are safe plays again. Though personally, I prefer a great town with outstanding golf like San Diego rather than a town that only has golf.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Glendale, Ariz. boasts top antique shops, plus golf at Verrado, Wigwam, Vistancia

The overlooked golf city of Glendale offers a whole different atmosphere than the well-known Arizona golf havens. One of the most unique towns in the sprawling Phoenix-Scottsdale golf resort corridor, Glendale is also one of the easiest to miss. It's an antique shopper's dream and is as relaxed as a small Midwestern town, yet some of the best golf courses in the world are mere minutes away (along with Scottsdale's too-cool-for-the-room vibe).

Also: Phoenix courses save business travelers' time

Playing John Deere Classic host TPC Deere Run, find a caddie anywhere, and reviewing Q-Link's golf pendant

Podcast host Dave Berner talks to Kiel Christianson about playing TPC Deere Run, where the PGA stars tee it up this week at the John Deere Classic. CaddiesToGo.com can get you a caddie on any U.S. golf course. And TravelGolf.com blogger T.R. Massey's wondering about the Q-Link golf pendant.

Also: Subscribe to the podcast via RSS

Ardglass Golf Club: A hidden gem in County Down, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has two renowned giants in links golf: Royal County Down, which will host this year's Walker Cup, and Royal Portrush, the isle's only British Open venue. But just north of Newcastle sits a can't-miss hidden gem: Ardglass Golf Club. Sitting on a rocky perch overlooking the Irish Sea, Ardglass Golf Club is a must play. If you leave Northern Ireland without seeing this unique links course, you haven't really seen all the north has to offer.

Letter: A reader ranks the 10 best courses in Scotland