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 This Week at TravelGolf.com: June 25, 2009
Nothing beats a golf vacation with your buddies (except maybe a root canal)
We had just teed off on the third hole at the New Mexico State University Golf Course when I got this unexpected comment from the course superintendent who was making his rounds on a golf cart.
"You know, you'd probably swing better if you were wearing a less offensive pair of shorts," said longtime NMSU superintendent Bruce Erhard.
In the background, two members of my foursome sat in another cart, laughing uncontrollably. Then Erhard, whom I just met 45 minutes earlier, fessed up: "Actually, your friends asked me to say something much worse, but I couldn't do it."
I informed Erhard that those two weren't friends of mine; they were enemies. After all, my cart partner and I were locked in mortal combat, playing a death match for $15, and we were already down $15 from the previous day.
This is actually one of many times we've renewed this rivalry. Two "friends" from College Station, Texas (home of the Texas A&M Aggies) vs. the two Houstonians. They're the Maroon team (gimme a break), and we're the good guys.
Golf in exotic places is great. But golf with and against your buddies is what makes golf a four-letter word and takes it to a higher, and sometimes lower, level.
To heck with playing against the course; we want to beat each others' brains out, talk trash, insult each others' manhood, tell nasty jokes, then regale it repeatedly over a pint at a nearby watering hole.
No wives, no girlfriends, no kids. There's a time and place for that - but not on a pure golf trip. This is about getting up in the morning, skipping breakfast, heading to the course and making fun of your opponent's attire in the middle of his first swing. ("Nice shirt. Do they make one in your size?")
These trips are rarely well planned. You set up the golf, find a motel, fill a cooler and wing it. For four or five days, if you're lucky, you act like an 18-year-old, telling a waitress something you probably should have kept to yourself, and you never eat salad.
And in the end you hope it comes down to one final putt, where you drain that 15-foot snake to come out $15 ahead so you can go out and buy another pair of offensive shorts - and maybe some purple socks to boot.
As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.
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 Dates: May 20, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Enjoy 3 nights (FREE Night Included) stay at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and play 2 rounds of golf at Kierland Golf Club including golf cart, practice balls and all taxes/fees, starting from $295, must be booked by June 23, 2009.
Price Range: $295 - $550
For details, call 1-800-767-3574 or click here.
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Phoenix/Scottsdale golf resorts offer a surprising diversity of atmospheres and styles, all of which center around some of the most well-tended, fun-to-play courses found anywhere in the country. Given the outstanding quality of golf here, it is not surprising that 11 million rounds are played each year in Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Review: Troon North's Pinnacle Course
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The oceanfront Meridian Plaza is just minutes away from all of Myrtle Beach's most famous golf courses. Each suite features a full kitchen, private balcony with ocean view, complimentary wireless internet access, private bath, and Cable T.V. The Meridian Plaza proudly features: Indoor and outdoor oceanfront pools, oceanfront hot tubs, wireless internet access, complimentary parking and more. Save 25 percent by using the promo code GOLF!
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Famed golf writer Bernard Darwin once described the view from Gullane No. 1's seventh tee as among the best in golf. It's high enough to see the Bass Rock to the east, Muirfield next door and the city of Edinburgh. That view, of course, varies depending on the weather, but at least one thing is constant about Gullane No. 1: it's East Lothian's top championship test not called "Muirfield."
Also: Planning a trip to Scotland
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 Dates: May 1, 2009 - September 30, 2009
Enjoy 1 Week full size car with unlimited mileage - two nights in each of Victoria, Parksville & Courtenay and play 6 Rounds of Golf at your choice from Arbutus Ridge, Bear Mountain, Duncan Meadows, Olympic View, Pheasant Glen, and few more, starting from $812.
Price Range: $812 - $980
For more information, please call 1-866-992-5566 or click here.
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Host Dave Berner talks to architect Ron Garl about his new, award-winning design in China, The Admirals Club at Nine Dragons Golf Resort. Kiel Christianson talks about the Evans Scholarship program. And PGA Hall of Fame member Gary Wire says focus is the key to good golf.
Blog: Pro golf's for Lazarus stories
My friends, let me say this as calmly as possible: Take all your money out of the banks and head to the hills. We're officially 11 minutes from seeing the entire world meltdown into a Mad Max-like anarchy where only hot dudes on motorcycles prosper. Seeing Tiger Woods' golf mecca in Dubai fall under financial pressures is just too big to ignore.
Also: Golf's top rankings get supremer
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Diversity of Phoenix/Scottsdale resorts brings "desert golf" to life
Book Meridian Plaza Hotel, Myrtle Beach's first true boutique oceanfront resort, and save 25%
Gullane No. 1: East Lothian, Scotland's lofty links on a hill
Ron Garl's Admirals Club in China, the Evans Scholarship program, PGA Hall of Fame member Gary Wiren on focus
BadGolfer.com: Tiger's course design deal in Dubai is put on hold - head for the hills!