Fly to Malaga on the Costa del Sol in Spain, then get yourself to Villa Padiernain Marbella. When you walk in the door you will think you are walking into an Italian Villa. Not a hotel, more like someone’s private home, complete with tapestries, artwork and white-marbled sculptures. Then you are greeted by one of many Ritz Carlton employees who seem as glad to see you as though you are an old friend.
This a small hotel compared to the others I have visited this week. The hotel is sold out tonight and to look through the lobby you would think it was nearly empty.
And that’s the beauty of this courtyard style design; public, yet private.
There are 131 rooms and twelve of them are marvelous villas with private entrances. One of these has its own private pool fit for visiting Royals. Even the Saudi Royal Family comes here to book all of the 12 villas. And the going rate is well over a thousand of dollars per night.
I learned today that on Expedia.com, Villa Padierna is rated as the number one hotel in Spain and 28th in the world. In fact, even the hotels’ chef was recently voted best chef in Marbella. I concur with this assessment having eaten a luscious T-Bone steak dinner with seasoned potatoes and crisp watercress and béarnaise. Followed the next night by a Risotto like I have never tasted before.
The Golf Courses
I came here specifically to play golf, and they have two wonderfully challenging golf courses; the Flamingos Course, and the Alferini Course.
Los Flamingos is a par 71 that plays approximately 6300 yards from the tips, but everything here is measured in meters including the distance markers in the fairways, so you have to calculate an additional ten percent to account for the difference into yards. Once you get that down, there is club differential could change all that on this beautiful mountain course with lots of elevation changes and sweeping vistas, with the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.
We teed off on the Flamingos Course immediately after check-in since the driving range was not open.
Most of the fairways have ample driving room and provide a generous roll. Only a few such as number 9 and number 10 give little wiggle-room for a well-hit drive.
The greens are easy to read and are sure to hold your ball on line.
The tee box at hole number 14 is the highest spot on the course with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol and Marbella below. And it gives a player a chance to take in some fresh mountain air rolling up from the Mediterranean Sea. Los Flamingos is surrounded by hundreds of condo developments to take in its generous beauty. The course will host the Women’s’ Spanish Open for the next 3 years.
Adjacent to the Los Flamingos Golf Club is the Alferini Course. And one may say that it is completely opposite in nature to its neighbor.
Built into the highland valley, the Alferini Golf Course delights in solitude and splendor. There is no development, in view, rather, sweeping pastoral fairways and valley walls that frame the beauty in each hole.
The opening fairways sport large meandering gorges that dissect the pathways towards the distant greens. And the player is immediately put on guard to place each shot strategically into segments when calculating their par strokes. Number 3, the first par 3 on the course may have the largest green I have ever seen. It looks like a huge target, until you start thinking about mile long putts.
Midway through the front nine we began our assent into the mountain gorges and were rewarded with ample Bermuda grasses and a teasingly easy par 4 on hole number 6.
But this slight break in challenge is only temporary since it is followed by a nearly 510-yard par 5, a 175-yard par 3 (with a green protected entirely by a large man-made lake), and a 410-yard par 4.
The back nine brings the golfer into a meadowland of mountain grasses and stone-lined cliffs. Back to back par 5’s test your endurance while giving you the opportunity to unleash the “John Daly” within you. And you are reminded why you ever took up this game in the first place.
Midway through the back nine, with its ups and downs, you realize why nobody EVER walks this course! Every player needs all of their strength to blast off each and every shot on this 7000-yard course. The finishing holes fully challenge each player with a tempting par-3 green and a skinny 18th hole fairway for a last chance to lower your score. And while you may not like the total tally, you will definitely want to play this course again.
If you go
www.villapadierna.com
www.ritzcarlton.com
Delta airlines flys non-stop from the U.S to Malaga
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Abama Golf & Spa Resort Canary Islands Spain
The Abama Resort is on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are part of Spain, but are actually located approximately two hundred miles off the coast of Morocco, in the Atlantic Ocean.
This is a very large and luxurious resort, with 476 suites and private casitas. It resembles a Turkish fortress with domed spires and large courtyards housing large tropical ponds complete with rainbow colored coy.
The spa has all of the normal spa treatments, but it has a unique hydro-center that plunges you into a sea of water sensations. It is beyond anything I have ever experienced.
We put on our bathing suits in the changing rooms and entered the dewy center. First up was the “world of showers” with three distinct full body showers. One of these was a large wooden bucket filed with cold water for dousing. Additional showers sprayed fine mists and messaging pellets of water.
The area is complete with a range of steam rooms. One is a herbal steam with healing scents. Another is a bath designed after a Turkish hammam beautifully tiled in silver and green mosaics.
There is also a snow cabin and a cold plunge bath, to activate the circulation. Of course, there is also the super-hot African sauna to cleanse all of your pores.
In the center of the room there is a whirlpool to beat all whirlpools. It had 5 separate sections, each concentrating the water pressure on different parts of your body; lower back, shoulders, neck and even a tube of hard running warm water that can make any knot in your body melt away. The entire hydro-therapeutic experience indulges all of your senses and ultimately leaves you tension free.
Abama, which sits on a bluff above the Atlantic Ocean, has multiple restaurants and seven swimming pools. There is a funicular that takes you down to the main beach where there are several “ocean pools” built into the seaside. The waves naturally bring fresh water into these pools nestled among the rocks. T
hey have almost ideal weather year round here with the temperatures varying only six-ten degrees. Last week we were fortunate to miss a windstorm that arrives a few times a year with intense heat and strong winds. And these storms from the Sahara desert of Africa bring lots of sand in its path. Surely, it is not a good time to be here.
Breakfast has everything you can think of to offer…. Enough said!!!
It is best to save your appetite for one of the gourmet eateries such as El Mirador where you can marvel at the technique of salt-fish cookery.
Over half of Abama guests are families with kids. They have a very active kids club and in their busy seasons (Easter Christmas and August) the club can have 50 to 60 kids doing activities each day. .
Then there is the golf
This golf course was designed by Dave Thomas, who is best known for his design of the Belfry Golf Course in Ireland. It sits on the south face of the Teide Volcana, which is the highest point in Spain. This is a mountain course on a tropical Isle and boasts 22 lakes, streams and waterfalls, and thousands of palm trees. There are views of the Atlantic Ocean looming in every direction. But it is the dramatic elevation changes that define the Abama course.
The first fairway is extremely up hill and it is better if you shoot a shot directly into the rough to prevent your ball from back-sliding to the tee. The next holes continue to climb higher until the course eventually flattens out. From a design point of view, the Par-5’s and Par-3s are the most interesting. On the downhill holes, it’s a thrill to watch your ball hang in the sky with the Atlantic Ocean in the background for several seconds.
Number 5 is probably the weakest hole on the course a short par 4 with a blind second shot to the green.
The greens roll true but with plenty of movement and some are two tiered. The rolling greens are a big part of the challenge here. And one must keep an eye out for the direction of the ocean since it is likely to pull your putt to the sea.
They say this course is walkable but the hills will take it out of you if you are not fit.
The carts have GPS which you can change from meters to yards so you can tell your distances but it is always a club or two different for the elevation changes. There is plenty of bottled water and bananas available everywhere. We used the Taylor made rental clubs and they were the current models and in outstanding condition.
There are many flights here from all over Europe, especially London . Frankfurt, Barcelona and Madrid. There is at least one regular direct flight from the U.S. on Air Europa.
If you go
www.abamahotelresort.com
Email re.tfszr.reservation@ritzcarlton.com
This is a very large and luxurious resort, with 476 suites and private casitas. It resembles a Turkish fortress with domed spires and large courtyards housing large tropical ponds complete with rainbow colored coy.
The spa has all of the normal spa treatments, but it has a unique hydro-center that plunges you into a sea of water sensations. It is beyond anything I have ever experienced.
We put on our bathing suits in the changing rooms and entered the dewy center. First up was the “world of showers” with three distinct full body showers. One of these was a large wooden bucket filed with cold water for dousing. Additional showers sprayed fine mists and messaging pellets of water.
The area is complete with a range of steam rooms. One is a herbal steam with healing scents. Another is a bath designed after a Turkish hammam beautifully tiled in silver and green mosaics.
There is also a snow cabin and a cold plunge bath, to activate the circulation. Of course, there is also the super-hot African sauna to cleanse all of your pores.
In the center of the room there is a whirlpool to beat all whirlpools. It had 5 separate sections, each concentrating the water pressure on different parts of your body; lower back, shoulders, neck and even a tube of hard running warm water that can make any knot in your body melt away. The entire hydro-therapeutic experience indulges all of your senses and ultimately leaves you tension free.
Abama, which sits on a bluff above the Atlantic Ocean, has multiple restaurants and seven swimming pools. There is a funicular that takes you down to the main beach where there are several “ocean pools” built into the seaside. The waves naturally bring fresh water into these pools nestled among the rocks. T
hey have almost ideal weather year round here with the temperatures varying only six-ten degrees. Last week we were fortunate to miss a windstorm that arrives a few times a year with intense heat and strong winds. And these storms from the Sahara desert of Africa bring lots of sand in its path. Surely, it is not a good time to be here.
Breakfast has everything you can think of to offer…. Enough said!!!
It is best to save your appetite for one of the gourmet eateries such as El Mirador where you can marvel at the technique of salt-fish cookery.
Over half of Abama guests are families with kids. They have a very active kids club and in their busy seasons (Easter Christmas and August) the club can have 50 to 60 kids doing activities each day. .
Then there is the golf
This golf course was designed by Dave Thomas, who is best known for his design of the Belfry Golf Course in Ireland. It sits on the south face of the Teide Volcana, which is the highest point in Spain. This is a mountain course on a tropical Isle and boasts 22 lakes, streams and waterfalls, and thousands of palm trees. There are views of the Atlantic Ocean looming in every direction. But it is the dramatic elevation changes that define the Abama course.
The first fairway is extremely up hill and it is better if you shoot a shot directly into the rough to prevent your ball from back-sliding to the tee. The next holes continue to climb higher until the course eventually flattens out. From a design point of view, the Par-5’s and Par-3s are the most interesting. On the downhill holes, it’s a thrill to watch your ball hang in the sky with the Atlantic Ocean in the background for several seconds.
Number 5 is probably the weakest hole on the course a short par 4 with a blind second shot to the green.
The greens roll true but with plenty of movement and some are two tiered. The rolling greens are a big part of the challenge here. And one must keep an eye out for the direction of the ocean since it is likely to pull your putt to the sea.
They say this course is walkable but the hills will take it out of you if you are not fit.
The carts have GPS which you can change from meters to yards so you can tell your distances but it is always a club or two different for the elevation changes. There is plenty of bottled water and bananas available everywhere. We used the Taylor made rental clubs and they were the current models and in outstanding condition.
There are many flights here from all over Europe, especially London . Frankfurt, Barcelona and Madrid. There is at least one regular direct flight from the U.S. on Air Europa.
If you go
www.abamahotelresort.com
Email re.tfszr.reservation@ritzcarlton.com
Monday, June 14, 2010
Life Aboard the Scotish Highlander
European Waterways operates river barge cruses throughout Europe. One of their unique destinations is the West Highlands of Scotland.
We flew to Glasgow and took an enchanting four-hour train ride to Fort William. We spent the night in the lovely Inverlochy Castle Hotel and boarded the barge for our six-day cruise onboard the sixty mile Caledonian Canal. Twenty-two of these miles is completely man- made, with 29 locks to adjust for the various water levels.
The Scottish Highlander is 117 feet long and, several years ago, it was converted into a luxury hotel barge with a capacity of 8 passengers. It travels on the canal at a maximum speed of 7 miles per hour. You can ride, get off and walk, or bike along its towpath and be as active or relaxed as you wish.
The fees are all inclusive: including 3 gourmet meals a day with unlimited wine and cocktails and all the entrance tickets to all the activities. There is a crew of 4 (captain, cook, tour guide, and server) for 8 passengers (however there are only 6 on our trip).
Our travel mates are very interesting; one couple, Andrew and Susan, are from London. He is an author, having written a couple of travel books and she is an interpreter from English to German. The other couple, Steve and Jill, are from Melbourne, Australia. He is a retired Hydrologist who ran a very large consulting company working in the area of water management for governments and mining companies worldwide. They have traveled the world, and it is most interesting to learn so much about water as I have in these few days. Every meal brings stimulating conversation.
The Highlands of Scotland are breathtaking, as I am sure you have seen in many films— Most recently, you may have seen the Steam Train in the Harry Potter film—very nearby.
Sunday
We boarded the boat at 4:00 P.M. after a safety briefing from the Captain and a quick overview of the coming days. We were escorted to our cabins to un-pack and get moved in for the next 6 days. Our cabin has a full bath, king size bed and plenty of storage for our luggage. But not much passing room. So it’s a bit cozy.
This was followed by a tasty dinner of Risotto Appetizer, Roasted Duck, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Hearty Crusted Bread. A fine selection of regional wines, and tortes or pie follow, with a finishing round of local cheeses and fruit to cap off a simply splendid meal. If this is what the food is going to be like on this trip--- its gonna be a gastronomical feast!
Monday
A colloquial breakfast was served at 8:00 A.M. with fresh slabs of Scottish Ham and eggs. At 9:15 we were off in a van to the valley of Glencoe, a lush and green valley of mountains and streams. This was followed by a detailed tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery, maker of single malt scotch whiskey. And by tours’ end, one may want to build a distillery right at home! At 2:00, we pulled away from the dock, headed up the canal, winding our way through glens of heather, rolling mountains, and ever changing cloud formations. Ft. William, and many other Highland towns, is loaded with B&B’s. It often seems that there is a local inn as often as every other home.
Our tour guide, Linda, took us to what she called “Fairy Glen” along a path hidden in the woods where locals have brought many items to create this little secret spot. Its’ primary charm is the fact that this is a secret place that few discover. “Our little secret” if you will. You will not see any thing about this enchanting spot in the tour books, and even if you parked 100 yards away, you still may not find it.
Imagine walking through the woods and coming onto a group of tiny dollhouses. That is not what is here, but that image will give you a taste of what we experienced.
It was probably started by a group of kids from a nearby town, who walked into the woods and left a group of stuffed animals among the trees. Then some other kids not only discovered it but added to it, perhaps a few yards down the path, until you now have a couple hundred yards of pathway decorated with all these little angelic collections. I would describe it in more detail if I could but that would spoil the fun of the discovery.
Tuesday
As things clouded up and a bit of rain appeared, our plan for the day changed. The boat was supposed to move in the afternoon but we moved in the morning in stead. In the afternoon we visited a woolen mill chuck-loaded with colorful Scottish plaids, and then took a gondola ride up the Ben Nevis Mountain.
This gondola is used for the ski area in the winter but last week it was the transportation for the World Cup Downhill Mountain Biking Championships. The views from 2000 feet up are panoramic and spectacular, even as the clouds rolled in and out taking our view from panoramic to almost white-out.
Wednesday
We set sail in the morning, moved through another set of locks and arrived in Ft. Augustus around 10:00 AM. Ft. Augustus is a charming little town hugging the side of the Loch Ness. Its’ streets are lined with stone covered cottages and local inns with flower pots hanging on almost every porch. However, no monster sightings as of yet, but it’s early.
In the afternoon we took a beautiful one-hour drive to the Eilean Donan Castle. Eilean (pronounced Ellen) is Gaelic for island and Bishop Donan was one of the early settlers of the area. Hence the name.
This castle was built in the early 1300’s. It was destroyed a couple hundred years later, then rebuilt and destroyed a second time. Finally, in the 1930’s it was restored to its current glory. For all those years it has been in the MacRae family and continues to be today. There is a private apartment that the MacRae family uses from time to time and the banquet hall is available to rent for weddings.
This is probably the most photographed castle in all of Scotland and has been a location for several movies, including one James Bond film. It is furnished so you can see what life was like in those times. The kitchen is redone to a point that you get a very clear picture of what food preparation was like back then. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Scotland.
Thursday
Its takes almost an hour to go through the four locks that take us 40 feet down to the level of Loch Ness. After lunch, we drove one-half hour to Urquhart Castle. This sits on the bank of Loch Ness and was built in the 1300’s it has been destroyed a couple times, the last time by its own inhabitants. It seems the area was being overtaken and they destroyed it so that the conquering enemy could not use it as a strong hold. Unlike Eilean Donan, It still sits in ruin to this day. But the gigantic trebouchet that sits on the front lawn is sure to delight every child with an imagination.
Returning to the barge, we visited a thrashing waterfall in Invermoriston.
Friday
Our trip is coming to a close. We cruised up the Loch Ness, but still no sightings of the Monster. This is the deepest Loch in the Highlands at nearly 1,000 feet, so there is plenty of room for a monster to hide. This afternoon we visited the 14th century Cawdor Castle famously associated with Macbeth. However this castle was built over 200 years after Macbeth reigned, but the castle owners let the association live in our minds. Unlike the other castles, this one is still inhabited. The dwellers move out each year during tourist season. The gardens here are ripe with bloom and cared for by eight full time gardeners. There is even a maze of holly in the garden. Spectacular! And local residents come to the castle in their own vintage costumes to play around with all of the visitors. It’s great fun to pretend you are a fighting soldier for a Scottish clan.
I’ve made an interesting observation throughout the area: I do not think we have seen a billboard since we arrived.
Motorcycles and bicycles leisurely roam along the windy, narrow roadways.
We flew to Glasgow and took an enchanting four-hour train ride to Fort William. We spent the night in the lovely Inverlochy Castle Hotel and boarded the barge for our six-day cruise onboard the sixty mile Caledonian Canal. Twenty-two of these miles is completely man- made, with 29 locks to adjust for the various water levels.
The Scottish Highlander is 117 feet long and, several years ago, it was converted into a luxury hotel barge with a capacity of 8 passengers. It travels on the canal at a maximum speed of 7 miles per hour. You can ride, get off and walk, or bike along its towpath and be as active or relaxed as you wish.
The fees are all inclusive: including 3 gourmet meals a day with unlimited wine and cocktails and all the entrance tickets to all the activities. There is a crew of 4 (captain, cook, tour guide, and server) for 8 passengers (however there are only 6 on our trip).
Our travel mates are very interesting; one couple, Andrew and Susan, are from London. He is an author, having written a couple of travel books and she is an interpreter from English to German. The other couple, Steve and Jill, are from Melbourne, Australia. He is a retired Hydrologist who ran a very large consulting company working in the area of water management for governments and mining companies worldwide. They have traveled the world, and it is most interesting to learn so much about water as I have in these few days. Every meal brings stimulating conversation.
The Highlands of Scotland are breathtaking, as I am sure you have seen in many films— Most recently, you may have seen the Steam Train in the Harry Potter film—very nearby.
Sunday
We boarded the boat at 4:00 P.M. after a safety briefing from the Captain and a quick overview of the coming days. We were escorted to our cabins to un-pack and get moved in for the next 6 days. Our cabin has a full bath, king size bed and plenty of storage for our luggage. But not much passing room. So it’s a bit cozy.
This was followed by a tasty dinner of Risotto Appetizer, Roasted Duck, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Hearty Crusted Bread. A fine selection of regional wines, and tortes or pie follow, with a finishing round of local cheeses and fruit to cap off a simply splendid meal. If this is what the food is going to be like on this trip--- its gonna be a gastronomical feast!
Monday
A colloquial breakfast was served at 8:00 A.M. with fresh slabs of Scottish Ham and eggs. At 9:15 we were off in a van to the valley of Glencoe, a lush and green valley of mountains and streams. This was followed by a detailed tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery, maker of single malt scotch whiskey. And by tours’ end, one may want to build a distillery right at home! At 2:00, we pulled away from the dock, headed up the canal, winding our way through glens of heather, rolling mountains, and ever changing cloud formations. Ft. William, and many other Highland towns, is loaded with B&B’s. It often seems that there is a local inn as often as every other home.
Our tour guide, Linda, took us to what she called “Fairy Glen” along a path hidden in the woods where locals have brought many items to create this little secret spot. Its’ primary charm is the fact that this is a secret place that few discover. “Our little secret” if you will. You will not see any thing about this enchanting spot in the tour books, and even if you parked 100 yards away, you still may not find it.
Imagine walking through the woods and coming onto a group of tiny dollhouses. That is not what is here, but that image will give you a taste of what we experienced.
It was probably started by a group of kids from a nearby town, who walked into the woods and left a group of stuffed animals among the trees. Then some other kids not only discovered it but added to it, perhaps a few yards down the path, until you now have a couple hundred yards of pathway decorated with all these little angelic collections. I would describe it in more detail if I could but that would spoil the fun of the discovery.
Tuesday
As things clouded up and a bit of rain appeared, our plan for the day changed. The boat was supposed to move in the afternoon but we moved in the morning in stead. In the afternoon we visited a woolen mill chuck-loaded with colorful Scottish plaids, and then took a gondola ride up the Ben Nevis Mountain.
This gondola is used for the ski area in the winter but last week it was the transportation for the World Cup Downhill Mountain Biking Championships. The views from 2000 feet up are panoramic and spectacular, even as the clouds rolled in and out taking our view from panoramic to almost white-out.
Wednesday
We set sail in the morning, moved through another set of locks and arrived in Ft. Augustus around 10:00 AM. Ft. Augustus is a charming little town hugging the side of the Loch Ness. Its’ streets are lined with stone covered cottages and local inns with flower pots hanging on almost every porch. However, no monster sightings as of yet, but it’s early.
In the afternoon we took a beautiful one-hour drive to the Eilean Donan Castle. Eilean (pronounced Ellen) is Gaelic for island and Bishop Donan was one of the early settlers of the area. Hence the name.
This castle was built in the early 1300’s. It was destroyed a couple hundred years later, then rebuilt and destroyed a second time. Finally, in the 1930’s it was restored to its current glory. For all those years it has been in the MacRae family and continues to be today. There is a private apartment that the MacRae family uses from time to time and the banquet hall is available to rent for weddings.
This is probably the most photographed castle in all of Scotland and has been a location for several movies, including one James Bond film. It is furnished so you can see what life was like in those times. The kitchen is redone to a point that you get a very clear picture of what food preparation was like back then. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Scotland.
Thursday
Its takes almost an hour to go through the four locks that take us 40 feet down to the level of Loch Ness. After lunch, we drove one-half hour to Urquhart Castle. This sits on the bank of Loch Ness and was built in the 1300’s it has been destroyed a couple times, the last time by its own inhabitants. It seems the area was being overtaken and they destroyed it so that the conquering enemy could not use it as a strong hold. Unlike Eilean Donan, It still sits in ruin to this day. But the gigantic trebouchet that sits on the front lawn is sure to delight every child with an imagination.
Returning to the barge, we visited a thrashing waterfall in Invermoriston.
Friday
Our trip is coming to a close. We cruised up the Loch Ness, but still no sightings of the Monster. This is the deepest Loch in the Highlands at nearly 1,000 feet, so there is plenty of room for a monster to hide. This afternoon we visited the 14th century Cawdor Castle famously associated with Macbeth. However this castle was built over 200 years after Macbeth reigned, but the castle owners let the association live in our minds. Unlike the other castles, this one is still inhabited. The dwellers move out each year during tourist season. The gardens here are ripe with bloom and cared for by eight full time gardeners. There is even a maze of holly in the garden. Spectacular! And local residents come to the castle in their own vintage costumes to play around with all of the visitors. It’s great fun to pretend you are a fighting soldier for a Scottish clan.
I’ve made an interesting observation throughout the area: I do not think we have seen a billboard since we arrived.
Motorcycles and bicycles leisurely roam along the windy, narrow roadways.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Highlands of Scotland
Take the train from Glasgow Queen Street station to Ft. William, in the West Highlands and you will be in for a truely scenic trip. We boarded the train at 8:20 AM and arrived in Ft William around noon. Soon we were riding along the "bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. But with the scenery of the ride into the Highlands, we were in no hurry for it to end. Alec and Richard, two local Scotsmen, were taking the trip one hour beyond our stop for the day and returning home. They were doing it mostly for the train ride. So were several other people who surrounded us in our car, several of whom had brought an abundance of sausage and ale. It was like a rolling party. Several people on the train were on their way to a hiking trip on “The West Highland Way” which is a 90 miles trek from Glasgow to Ft William. Many choose smaller portions of the hike as well.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel in Ft. William
We are staying here for one night before our departure on a six day barge cruise in the north of Scotland on the Scottish Highlander, but I wish we were staying here longer. It sits on the river Lochy and was built in 1873. Many notables have stayed here including Jefferson Davis (yes the one who was head of the confederacy in the U.S.), and numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Justin Timberlake, Charlene Tilton, from Dallas fame, not to mention the star of the hugely famous Harry Potter film.
This place is luxury personified. Even the hotel car is a Rolls Royce. These rooms are fit for a queen, as they were once fit for Queen Victoria, who stayed here in 1873. Brocaided curtains, antique floral wallpaper, and masterful artwork decorate every nook and crannie. It’s just like you would expect a castle to be except it also has all of the modern amenities; flat screen TV, state of the art in-room stereo and wireless wi-fi. Other than that it takes you back in time with 17 luscious suites. The names include; the Kings Suite,the Queens Suite etc.
get more information at:
www.inverlochycastlehotel.com
info@inverlochy.co.uk
1-888-424-0106 (toll free from the U.S.)
Inverlochy Castle Hotel in Ft. William
We are staying here for one night before our departure on a six day barge cruise in the north of Scotland on the Scottish Highlander, but I wish we were staying here longer. It sits on the river Lochy and was built in 1873. Many notables have stayed here including Jefferson Davis (yes the one who was head of the confederacy in the U.S.), and numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Justin Timberlake, Charlene Tilton, from Dallas fame, not to mention the star of the hugely famous Harry Potter film.
This place is luxury personified. Even the hotel car is a Rolls Royce. These rooms are fit for a queen, as they were once fit for Queen Victoria, who stayed here in 1873. Brocaided curtains, antique floral wallpaper, and masterful artwork decorate every nook and crannie. It’s just like you would expect a castle to be except it also has all of the modern amenities; flat screen TV, state of the art in-room stereo and wireless wi-fi. Other than that it takes you back in time with 17 luscious suites. The names include; the Kings Suite,the Queens Suite etc.
get more information at:
www.inverlochycastlehotel.com
info@inverlochy.co.uk
1-888-424-0106 (toll free from the U.S.)
Penha Longa golf resort Sintra Portugal
The Penha Longa Resort is located 30 miles north of Lisbon, Portugal, in a beautiful city called Sintra. Penha Longa means “long rock” in English and was originally built in 1357 as a Monastery. During the sixteenth century it became the summer residence of Portugal’s’ Royal family. And today it is the site of a luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel and spa.
The hotel, with its 194 guest rooms, was built next door 17 years ago. Ritz-Carlton has made a substantial investment in the renovation of the Monastery and has used the charming aspects of the medieval past for modern day wedding and conventions alike. Even its splendid, marble church has been preserved with unequaled beauty. The monastery itself has retained colorful ceramic tiles, large wooden doors, spacious gardens, vaulted ceilings, and more. It is truly a dream locale for any bride.
The resort itself has two golf courses. One is a 9-hole course called “The Monastery.” The other is a championship course called “The Atlantic”, which is regularly rated in the top 40 in Europe and was designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. In fact, the course was recently renovated to the tune of two million dollars.
The Atlantic Course is sculpted into the high hills of Sintra. One can see for miles and even onto the Atlantic Ocean in spots. The elevation changes are what bring drama and beauty to this golf course.
The fescue fairways are a generous surfacing that seem to hold a rolling ball. They are lined with shading pine trees and occasional water ponds. But the most unique feature is the ancient aqua-duct and sentry look-out post framing the 6th green. These 14th century stone walls may even tempt you to pull out your putter and pretend it’s a sword….ChiChi Rodriguez style. VIVA
The bent grass greens run very true, Often, you will find them elevated and blind,. And well protected by bunkers. So accurate chip shots are a must. A general avoidance of the deep sand traps will surely lighten your scorecard. The back 9 is much more interesting the front, and the two finishing, downhill holes, with the Resort in the background, are a wonderful completion to a beautiful golf course.
The Portugal Open is being played here next week.. so watch for it on TV.
The Monastery course is a 9-hole par 35 course that is both challenging and a fun to play. It is not in the pristine shape of the Atlantic but excellent greens that roll true. The finishing hole #9 a downhill par 4 can rival many finishing holes in all of golf. A drive hangs in the air in such a way it would make an NFL punter proud.
Both courses are fescue and the fescue rough is much more challenging than normal U.S. rough. Thin in parts and thick and knurly in other parts. It’s easy to loose balls in some of the spots.
Distance is a challenge for us Americans too. There are markers for 200,150,100 but its in meters not yards. It would improve if there were more accurate yardage markers on the courses. Even with that minor drawback—I recommend you come and try it
.
Cuisine is always front and center at Ritz-Carlton. And the five international restaurants will satisfy every palate. The assiMassa with its authentic Portuguese flavors, Midori a spectacular, traditional Japanese restaurant, and the ultra contemporary Hole-In-One bar in the clubhouse all have delicious selections and provide spectacular, pastoral views. One should not miss the Butterfish Entrée with Black Truffles or the sporty Club Sandwich with Cracked Egg in two of these locations.
Next door, also housed in a 14th century bldg, is the six senses spa. They offer all the traditional spa services but in quite a unique setting. There are contemporary furnishings combined with antiques in this beautiful historic bldg. A very unique place for a spa visit.
Kids Club at Penha Longa
Ritz Carlton at Penha Longa resort has a kid clubs that will make you want to bring your kids with you on vacation to this luxury resort.
You can put your kids in there for part of or all of a day including evening if you wish. They have 3 activities per day; morning, afternoon, and evening. Each day is different but includes things such as Pastry Arts, golf lessons, visit the horse paddock, gardening, creating puppet shows and even nighttime star and moon observation. It is so popular that kids even ask their parents to bring them back year after year. It’s very affordable. This is a growing commitment at Ritz-Carlton resorts (not all hotels) as they grow their commitment to becoming a destination for the whole family
If you go
Penha Longa Hotel, Spa and Resort
Sintra Portugal
www.penhalonga.com
resort@penhalonga.com .
Greens fees for the Monastery 30 euros
Greens fees for Atlantic approx 90 euros but discounts from travel packagers should be easy to find.
The hotel, with its 194 guest rooms, was built next door 17 years ago. Ritz-Carlton has made a substantial investment in the renovation of the Monastery and has used the charming aspects of the medieval past for modern day wedding and conventions alike. Even its splendid, marble church has been preserved with unequaled beauty. The monastery itself has retained colorful ceramic tiles, large wooden doors, spacious gardens, vaulted ceilings, and more. It is truly a dream locale for any bride.
The resort itself has two golf courses. One is a 9-hole course called “The Monastery.” The other is a championship course called “The Atlantic”, which is regularly rated in the top 40 in Europe and was designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. In fact, the course was recently renovated to the tune of two million dollars.
The Atlantic Course is sculpted into the high hills of Sintra. One can see for miles and even onto the Atlantic Ocean in spots. The elevation changes are what bring drama and beauty to this golf course.
The fescue fairways are a generous surfacing that seem to hold a rolling ball. They are lined with shading pine trees and occasional water ponds. But the most unique feature is the ancient aqua-duct and sentry look-out post framing the 6th green. These 14th century stone walls may even tempt you to pull out your putter and pretend it’s a sword….ChiChi Rodriguez style. VIVA
The bent grass greens run very true, Often, you will find them elevated and blind,. And well protected by bunkers. So accurate chip shots are a must. A general avoidance of the deep sand traps will surely lighten your scorecard. The back 9 is much more interesting the front, and the two finishing, downhill holes, with the Resort in the background, are a wonderful completion to a beautiful golf course.
The Portugal Open is being played here next week.. so watch for it on TV.
The Monastery course is a 9-hole par 35 course that is both challenging and a fun to play. It is not in the pristine shape of the Atlantic but excellent greens that roll true. The finishing hole #9 a downhill par 4 can rival many finishing holes in all of golf. A drive hangs in the air in such a way it would make an NFL punter proud.
Both courses are fescue and the fescue rough is much more challenging than normal U.S. rough. Thin in parts and thick and knurly in other parts. It’s easy to loose balls in some of the spots.
Distance is a challenge for us Americans too. There are markers for 200,150,100 but its in meters not yards. It would improve if there were more accurate yardage markers on the courses. Even with that minor drawback—I recommend you come and try it
.
Cuisine is always front and center at Ritz-Carlton. And the five international restaurants will satisfy every palate. The assiMassa with its authentic Portuguese flavors, Midori a spectacular, traditional Japanese restaurant, and the ultra contemporary Hole-In-One bar in the clubhouse all have delicious selections and provide spectacular, pastoral views. One should not miss the Butterfish Entrée with Black Truffles or the sporty Club Sandwich with Cracked Egg in two of these locations.
Next door, also housed in a 14th century bldg, is the six senses spa. They offer all the traditional spa services but in quite a unique setting. There are contemporary furnishings combined with antiques in this beautiful historic bldg. A very unique place for a spa visit.
Kids Club at Penha Longa
Ritz Carlton at Penha Longa resort has a kid clubs that will make you want to bring your kids with you on vacation to this luxury resort.
You can put your kids in there for part of or all of a day including evening if you wish. They have 3 activities per day; morning, afternoon, and evening. Each day is different but includes things such as Pastry Arts, golf lessons, visit the horse paddock, gardening, creating puppet shows and even nighttime star and moon observation. It is so popular that kids even ask their parents to bring them back year after year. It’s very affordable. This is a growing commitment at Ritz-Carlton resorts (not all hotels) as they grow their commitment to becoming a destination for the whole family
If you go
Penha Longa Hotel, Spa and Resort
Sintra Portugal
www.penhalonga.com
resort@penhalonga.com .
Greens fees for the Monastery 30 euros
Greens fees for Atlantic approx 90 euros but discounts from travel packagers should be easy to find.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Volvos new saftey braking system
I never write about automobiles but I just participated in a demonstration that screams to be written about.
I am at Penha Longa resort near Lisbon and Volvo is hosting this years model introductions for auto journalists from all across Europe. I managed to get a demonstration ride showing their new auto-braking safety feature. It is called
Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection. I was blown away. It is a $2,000 option they are introducing this year on the S-60 and on all Volvos in the near future.
The average person takes 1.2 seconds to react to a danger and initiate an action to avoid it. A substantial distance can be traveled in that time causing a fatal accident. In this demonstration we drove at approx 25 MPH toward a mannequin. When the driver would still have his 1.2 seconds to react and take action, a warning light flashes in the windshield. If the driver did nothing, the brakes were automatically applied and we stopped several feet short of the mannequin. As we approached the mannequin I flinched and it appeared to me that we were much too close to avoid hitting him, but this system is amazing.
If that isn’t enough, it can detect “drowsy drivers,” when they change lanes without signaling and it sounds a warning, and also flashes a light when someone drives into your blind spot. This detection is good at all speeds.
I asked the engineer “ if every car in the world had this, by how much would traffic fatalities be reduced?” Their current estimate is 20%
I am at Penha Longa resort near Lisbon and Volvo is hosting this years model introductions for auto journalists from all across Europe. I managed to get a demonstration ride showing their new auto-braking safety feature. It is called
Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection. I was blown away. It is a $2,000 option they are introducing this year on the S-60 and on all Volvos in the near future.
The average person takes 1.2 seconds to react to a danger and initiate an action to avoid it. A substantial distance can be traveled in that time causing a fatal accident. In this demonstration we drove at approx 25 MPH toward a mannequin. When the driver would still have his 1.2 seconds to react and take action, a warning light flashes in the windshield. If the driver did nothing, the brakes were automatically applied and we stopped several feet short of the mannequin. As we approached the mannequin I flinched and it appeared to me that we were much too close to avoid hitting him, but this system is amazing.
If that isn’t enough, it can detect “drowsy drivers,” when they change lanes without signaling and it sounds a warning, and also flashes a light when someone drives into your blind spot. This detection is good at all speeds.
I asked the engineer “ if every car in the world had this, by how much would traffic fatalities be reduced?” Their current estimate is 20%
Monday, May 31, 2010
A week in Portugal
For years, Annie and I have talked about renting a place in Europe for a few months to get a feel for “living in another culture” rather than visiting as a tourist. We were offered a wonderful rental deal for our home in Minneapolis for an entire year. And some would call this “an offer you just can’t refuse”. So we decided to stay 7 of those months in Phoenix and take off across the ocean for the rest of the year.
On May 25 we flew to Lisbon. We rented a small, one bedroom apartment in the Alfama district of Portugal’s’ capitol for five nights. Lisbon, like Rome, is built on seven hills. In 1755, Lisbon was devastated by an earthquake and the Alfama district is one of the few Lisbon neighborhoods that remains Medieval in nature. This neighborhood is made up of old, twisty, curvy, narrow, cobblestone streets, where stray dogs and feral cats roam the barrio. If there is one outdoor stairwell cutting through this neighborhood, there must be 100.
The culture of this area here has not caught up with 20th century America. Laundry hangs from every window, public telephones mark every corner, local grocers carry simple basics and only the seasonal fruit. Artists paint pictures and ceramic tiles in small groups.
Fada is the music that Lison is known for, and it is performed in the local cafes and restaurants.
Annie and I were lucky enough to stumble upon one such café last evening where all of the staff (waitress, cook, hostess alike) sang the Fada at full volume. Each song is accompanied by two guitars; one being a12 string Portuguese guitar. And the performers are sure to don a fringed shawl with a rose as they bellow out a song of love, passion and beauty. The Restaurant Viela d Alfalma, on Calcada de S. Vicente #26 is a treasure of neighborhood song-birds to be enjoyed with grilled sardines, a fist full of green olives, fried potatoes, mango pudding and sweet cherry wine.
This is a wonderful walking and public transportation city. The trams that run through Alfama and the Bario alto takes you everywhere you want to go. There is plenty to do here just in seeing the city. Bldgs from the 1300’s to bldgs of the 17 and 1800’s. This is a city with lots of history.
Yesterday we visited the Castle of Sao Georg
Today we took the train to Cassias and Estroil, suburban beach communities of Lisbon. Where Lisbon is a protected port on the mouth of a river these communities are directly on the Atlantic Ocean where the wealthy come to play. Its beautiful here and new, quite a contrast to the rest of Lisbon.
On May 25 we flew to Lisbon. We rented a small, one bedroom apartment in the Alfama district of Portugal’s’ capitol for five nights. Lisbon, like Rome, is built on seven hills. In 1755, Lisbon was devastated by an earthquake and the Alfama district is one of the few Lisbon neighborhoods that remains Medieval in nature. This neighborhood is made up of old, twisty, curvy, narrow, cobblestone streets, where stray dogs and feral cats roam the barrio. If there is one outdoor stairwell cutting through this neighborhood, there must be 100.
The culture of this area here has not caught up with 20th century America. Laundry hangs from every window, public telephones mark every corner, local grocers carry simple basics and only the seasonal fruit. Artists paint pictures and ceramic tiles in small groups.
Fada is the music that Lison is known for, and it is performed in the local cafes and restaurants.
Annie and I were lucky enough to stumble upon one such café last evening where all of the staff (waitress, cook, hostess alike) sang the Fada at full volume. Each song is accompanied by two guitars; one being a12 string Portuguese guitar. And the performers are sure to don a fringed shawl with a rose as they bellow out a song of love, passion and beauty. The Restaurant Viela d Alfalma, on Calcada de S. Vicente #26 is a treasure of neighborhood song-birds to be enjoyed with grilled sardines, a fist full of green olives, fried potatoes, mango pudding and sweet cherry wine.
This is a wonderful walking and public transportation city. The trams that run through Alfama and the Bario alto takes you everywhere you want to go. There is plenty to do here just in seeing the city. Bldgs from the 1300’s to bldgs of the 17 and 1800’s. This is a city with lots of history.
Yesterday we visited the Castle of Sao Georg
Today we took the train to Cassias and Estroil, suburban beach communities of Lisbon. Where Lisbon is a protected port on the mouth of a river these communities are directly on the Atlantic Ocean where the wealthy come to play. Its beautiful here and new, quite a contrast to the rest of Lisbon.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Golf At Chaparral Pines
Our day began with a 70 mile drive up hwy 87 from Phoenix. We are climbing 4000 feet in elevation and winding through high sonoran desert with hundreds of Suguarros, followed by stacked boulders and finally reaching the Pine forest of Payson Az.
The Golf Club at Chaparral Pines is a bit of northern Minnesota dropped in Payson Arizona. It was opened in 1997 and designed by David Graham and Gary Panks. It was awarded best private modern design by Golf Digest the year it opened and is consistently ranked #12 in Arizona.
Chaparral Pines is private with an almost completely built out housing development in Payson AZ, just 75 miles north of Phx. It is open year round but its high season is May- Oct just the opposite of Phoenix. That is because it sits at over 5000 ft of altitude (Phx is 4000 feet lower) and in the summer days are 8-12 degrees cooler and the evenings are 20-30 degrees cooler-- You can sleep with the windows open and no AC. Quite the contrast to Phoenix, 70 miles away.
This course winds its way through the mountains, cutting its way through the pine forests of Payson. It has lots of elevation changes and rarely a flat lie or a flat hole. Today was very windy, calling for 2-3 club variations not to mention the club variations based on up-hill or downhill shots. I played with my friend Todd the dir. of golf at Blackstone CC here in AZ and we had a terrific time--- twice today (not just once) Todd drove the green on a par 4 (he 3 putted one and birdied the other)
One fascinating architectural feature is there are 5 par 5s and 5 par 3s which, to me, makes for a much more interesting design because usually signature holes tend to be par 5’s and par 3’s
There are lots of trees, rock outcroppings and water hazards on this course which makes accuracy a premium (a big challenge when its windy)
Number 4 is a par 3 over water with a creek running along the right side, flowing into a waterfall just right of the green. A fantastic hole.
This is Elk country and herds of them inhabit the area. Several of the greens, like # 4, have wire elk fences around them. Many of the greens have deep elk hoof marks from when they come through at dusk and dawn and this damages to the greens.
Hole #7 winds its way down the hill just like #13 at Augusta National, one of the more beautiful par-5’s on the course.
Scenic views are everywhere up here, some that sweep for miles but none better than the tee box at #12, where the yardage book says
“Enjoy the view, now turn around and face the hole” You can see the Mogollon rim stretch for miles.
Even the cart paths are notable because it had to take some imagination, the way they wind their way up and down these mountains. We had to cross many bridges over ravines and washes, so many that I lost count.
This must have taken some imagination to route this course through this terrain, and make no mistake about it its not an easy place There are 7 sets of tee boxes ranging from 7019 yards down to 5197
The tips are rated 73.4 and sloped at 142. That is up there.
There is Tennis, a fitness spa and a beautiful lodge-like clubhouse, and plenty more to do in the area, fabulous hiking thru the mountains
Picnics hunting,fishing and horseback riding are widely available. Payson is even home to the oldest continuous running rodeo in the nation which began in 1884.
For more information visit www.chaparralpines.com
The Golf Club at Chaparral Pines is a bit of northern Minnesota dropped in Payson Arizona. It was opened in 1997 and designed by David Graham and Gary Panks. It was awarded best private modern design by Golf Digest the year it opened and is consistently ranked #12 in Arizona.
Chaparral Pines is private with an almost completely built out housing development in Payson AZ, just 75 miles north of Phx. It is open year round but its high season is May- Oct just the opposite of Phoenix. That is because it sits at over 5000 ft of altitude (Phx is 4000 feet lower) and in the summer days are 8-12 degrees cooler and the evenings are 20-30 degrees cooler-- You can sleep with the windows open and no AC. Quite the contrast to Phoenix, 70 miles away.
This course winds its way through the mountains, cutting its way through the pine forests of Payson. It has lots of elevation changes and rarely a flat lie or a flat hole. Today was very windy, calling for 2-3 club variations not to mention the club variations based on up-hill or downhill shots. I played with my friend Todd the dir. of golf at Blackstone CC here in AZ and we had a terrific time--- twice today (not just once) Todd drove the green on a par 4 (he 3 putted one and birdied the other)
One fascinating architectural feature is there are 5 par 5s and 5 par 3s which, to me, makes for a much more interesting design because usually signature holes tend to be par 5’s and par 3’s
There are lots of trees, rock outcroppings and water hazards on this course which makes accuracy a premium (a big challenge when its windy)
Number 4 is a par 3 over water with a creek running along the right side, flowing into a waterfall just right of the green. A fantastic hole.
This is Elk country and herds of them inhabit the area. Several of the greens, like # 4, have wire elk fences around them. Many of the greens have deep elk hoof marks from when they come through at dusk and dawn and this damages to the greens.
Hole #7 winds its way down the hill just like #13 at Augusta National, one of the more beautiful par-5’s on the course.
Scenic views are everywhere up here, some that sweep for miles but none better than the tee box at #12, where the yardage book says
“Enjoy the view, now turn around and face the hole” You can see the Mogollon rim stretch for miles.
Even the cart paths are notable because it had to take some imagination, the way they wind their way up and down these mountains. We had to cross many bridges over ravines and washes, so many that I lost count.
This must have taken some imagination to route this course through this terrain, and make no mistake about it its not an easy place There are 7 sets of tee boxes ranging from 7019 yards down to 5197
The tips are rated 73.4 and sloped at 142. That is up there.
There is Tennis, a fitness spa and a beautiful lodge-like clubhouse, and plenty more to do in the area, fabulous hiking thru the mountains
Picnics hunting,fishing and horseback riding are widely available. Payson is even home to the oldest continuous running rodeo in the nation which began in 1884.
For more information visit www.chaparralpines.com
Monday, May 10, 2010
Golf in Portugal
Portugal is quickly becoming a sought after golf destination, with all the great golf courses it has to offer and its wonderful weather.
Mostly they are the courses in the south of Portugal (Algrave) but the Lisbon area is a growing golf destination as well, not to mention the island of Madeira.
As the euro drops in value against the American Dollar, Portugal is becoming, more affordable and more appealing to Americans.
Penha Longa, a Ritz Carlton golf resort just outside of Lisbon, in Sintra, is one I am looking forward to playing on my trip there next month. They have 2 courses surrounded by majestic forests and jagged Sintra Mountains. The Atlantic course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. with wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. I will post the details the first week of June
Mariott Praia D’el Rey Golf & Beach Resort about an hour north of Lisbon has an 18-hole par 72 golf course that looks wonderful and has a 5 star Marriott resort on property.
The Island of Madria just off the coast of Portugal has Santo da Serra golf club which has hosted the PGA European Tour for the Madeira Open and Palheiro Golf Club affords fine city views and views over the Atlantic coastline.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. is the credited architect of Santo da Serra golf club. It was built originally in 1937 and redone (quite substantially I think) in 1991 by Robert Trent Jones. But if you look at the credit on their website it says Robert Trent Jones Sr and Mother Nature. That alone says a lot. It is nestled in the mountains and overlooks the bay of Machico… No wonder the pros love to come here.
Palheiro Golf Club has magnificent views overlooking the town and bay and is set within the stunning 200-year-old Palheiro Estate.The 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Cabell Robinson and opened in 1993. The spectacular clubhouse sits in a bluff 1500 feet above the ocean with commanding ocean views. Casa Velha do Palheiro is an exquisite hotel situated right on the course. The best source of information for all of this is golf in Portugal
There are 3 commercial airports that service Portugal. Lisbon being the largest and most central. There is also Faro in the very south and Porto in the very north both of which have many inter-Europe flights of the discount airlines such as Easy Jet and Ryan Air. Of course there is an airport on the island of Madria as well
To find more information about golf in Portugal”:
For more information visit golf in Portugal
Mostly they are the courses in the south of Portugal (Algrave) but the Lisbon area is a growing golf destination as well, not to mention the island of Madeira.
As the euro drops in value against the American Dollar, Portugal is becoming, more affordable and more appealing to Americans.
Penha Longa, a Ritz Carlton golf resort just outside of Lisbon, in Sintra, is one I am looking forward to playing on my trip there next month. They have 2 courses surrounded by majestic forests and jagged Sintra Mountains. The Atlantic course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. with wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. I will post the details the first week of June
Mariott Praia D’el Rey Golf & Beach Resort about an hour north of Lisbon has an 18-hole par 72 golf course that looks wonderful and has a 5 star Marriott resort on property.
The Island of Madria just off the coast of Portugal has Santo da Serra golf club which has hosted the PGA European Tour for the Madeira Open and Palheiro Golf Club affords fine city views and views over the Atlantic coastline.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. is the credited architect of Santo da Serra golf club. It was built originally in 1937 and redone (quite substantially I think) in 1991 by Robert Trent Jones. But if you look at the credit on their website it says Robert Trent Jones Sr and Mother Nature. That alone says a lot. It is nestled in the mountains and overlooks the bay of Machico… No wonder the pros love to come here.
Palheiro Golf Club has magnificent views overlooking the town and bay and is set within the stunning 200-year-old Palheiro Estate.The 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Cabell Robinson and opened in 1993. The spectacular clubhouse sits in a bluff 1500 feet above the ocean with commanding ocean views. Casa Velha do Palheiro is an exquisite hotel situated right on the course. The best source of information for all of this is golf in Portugal
There are 3 commercial airports that service Portugal. Lisbon being the largest and most central. There is also Faro in the very south and Porto in the very north both of which have many inter-Europe flights of the discount airlines such as Easy Jet and Ryan Air. Of course there is an airport on the island of Madria as well
To find more information about golf in Portugal”:
For more information visit golf in Portugal
Monday, May 3, 2010
New Generation takes over the PGA Tour
The PGA tour showed us some fresh young faces this week. Rory Mcllroy, the Irish youngster just a few days short of his 21st birthday, not only won the Quail Hollow but blasted the course record by 2 shots on Sunday shooting a 10 under par 62… WOW. Tiger, was one month younger than that when he won his first PGA tour event. And on Friday Mcllory was one shot above the cut line. He almost didn’t make the cut.
Did I mention that Tiger missed the cut? If you tuned off your TV after Tiger got eliminated, you missed some great golf.
In addition to that Eighteen-year-old Ryo Ishikawa from Japan shot a world record single round low score of 58 (12 under par) for a comeback win on the last day of the Crowns professional tournament in Japan. This kid was causing a stir at the PGA Championship at Hazeltine last fall and now he is causing a stir in the golfing world again.
Did I mention that Tiger missed the cut? If you tuned off your TV after Tiger got eliminated, you missed some great golf.
In addition to that Eighteen-year-old Ryo Ishikawa from Japan shot a world record single round low score of 58 (12 under par) for a comeback win on the last day of the Crowns professional tournament in Japan. This kid was causing a stir at the PGA Championship at Hazeltine last fall and now he is causing a stir in the golfing world again.
Monday, April 26, 2010
La Manga resort on the Med coast of Spain
La Manga is a 15-mile strip of land that sits between the Mediterranean Sea and Mar Menor. It is home to La Manga golf resort located on the southeast coast of Spain.
It is 400 miles south of Barcelona and less than 40 miles from Murcia, its closest airport and approx 80 miles north of Gibraltar.
This 1400-acre resort sits on rolling hills and is home to 3 championship golf courses. It has hosted many international tournaments including the Spanish Open, Spanish PGA Championships, Spanish Junior Championships, Ladies' Spanish Open and Senior Spanish Open. It has also been voted Europe’s Top Golf resorts several times.
La Manga Resort has 28 multi surface tennis courts and a world-class spa… and some of the most consistently sunny weather in Europe.
There are two types of accommodation at La Manga, The, five-star La Manga Club: Hotel Príncipe Felipe or the more private apartments in Las Lomas Village. The apartments and townhouses are like renting a private home, but with all the hotel services avail to you as well. Ya wanna cook your meal. Fine, Ya want room service, that’s fine too.
La Manga is also an ideal place for water sports. There is sailing and windsurfing, and catamarans. The Mediterranean can be enjoyed by those who prefer high waves for windsurfing and there are several ideally suited sites for scuba diving.
The hotel and resort restaurants get high ratings but from the reviews I read, there are some truly outstanding restaurants in the area.
I am going to Europe in a month and now that I know about LaManga, I am going to include it on my trip. Everything tells me it’s a wonderful spot for a golf vacation.
For more information: http://www.yourgolftravel.com/la-manga-las-lomas.html
It is 400 miles south of Barcelona and less than 40 miles from Murcia, its closest airport and approx 80 miles north of Gibraltar.
This 1400-acre resort sits on rolling hills and is home to 3 championship golf courses. It has hosted many international tournaments including the Spanish Open, Spanish PGA Championships, Spanish Junior Championships, Ladies' Spanish Open and Senior Spanish Open. It has also been voted Europe’s Top Golf resorts several times.
La Manga Resort has 28 multi surface tennis courts and a world-class spa… and some of the most consistently sunny weather in Europe.
There are two types of accommodation at La Manga, The, five-star La Manga Club: Hotel Príncipe Felipe or the more private apartments in Las Lomas Village. The apartments and townhouses are like renting a private home, but with all the hotel services avail to you as well. Ya wanna cook your meal. Fine, Ya want room service, that’s fine too.
La Manga is also an ideal place for water sports. There is sailing and windsurfing, and catamarans. The Mediterranean can be enjoyed by those who prefer high waves for windsurfing and there are several ideally suited sites for scuba diving.
The hotel and resort restaurants get high ratings but from the reviews I read, there are some truly outstanding restaurants in the area.
I am going to Europe in a month and now that I know about LaManga, I am going to include it on my trip. Everything tells me it’s a wonderful spot for a golf vacation.
For more information: http://www.yourgolftravel.com/la-manga-las-lomas.html
Friday, April 9, 2010
Par at amen corner
As I was watching the tourn yesterday, my memory kicked in when I saw Tiger hit it close at #12 the opening hole of Amen Corner, cause that is where I got my first par of the day when I played there in my Top 100 quest. More about that in my book A GOLFERS DREAM. I could have tied him on that hole today!!
The Young and the old make a Splash at The Masters
Matteo Manassero is a 16-year-old phenom, not only the youngest player in this year’s event, but also the youngest competitor in Masters history. Manassero shot 1 under par Thursday, to put himself 5 shots behind the leader.
On the other end of that age spectrum sits Tom Watson, 60 years old who shot 5 under to be in second place and was the leader for most of his round yesterday.
But sitting on top of the leader board is Fred Couples, 50 years old. At 6 under par Wow!! Can you imagine a 50 or 60 year old playing at such a highly competitive level in any other major sport? And the news media thinks its a big story that Bret Farve became a grandfather a few weeks ago.
If you are following these interesting characters at the Masters this weekend, keep an eye on Y. Yang, also at 5 under par. This is the man who beat Tiger Woods head to head at the last major Tiger played in, the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Here they are at another major and he leads Tiger by one shot.
There is no need to mention Tiger, cause the whole world is already following him at a mere 4 under. He shot his best ever opening round at the Masters.
Some history is going to be made this year --- keep your eyes open
On the other end of that age spectrum sits Tom Watson, 60 years old who shot 5 under to be in second place and was the leader for most of his round yesterday.
But sitting on top of the leader board is Fred Couples, 50 years old. At 6 under par Wow!! Can you imagine a 50 or 60 year old playing at such a highly competitive level in any other major sport? And the news media thinks its a big story that Bret Farve became a grandfather a few weeks ago.
If you are following these interesting characters at the Masters this weekend, keep an eye on Y. Yang, also at 5 under par. This is the man who beat Tiger Woods head to head at the last major Tiger played in, the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Here they are at another major and he leads Tiger by one shot.
There is no need to mention Tiger, cause the whole world is already following him at a mere 4 under. He shot his best ever opening round at the Masters.
Some history is going to be made this year --- keep your eyes open
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Blackstone Country Club a wonderful private reciprocal experience
Blackstone Country Club
Peoria AZ
If you are a member of a club anywhere in the world, and are looking for reciprocal play in the Phoenix area, then you have to look at Blackstone CC.
Blackstone opened in 2005 and is a private club within the master-planned community of Vistancia. (There is also a public course in the development).
This course was designed by Jim Engh and if you have not heard of him, you certainly will. (http://www.enghgolf.com ) He is getting accolade after accolade for his designs, being named Golf course architect of the year in 2003 by Golf Digest Magazine should be enough to get your attention. Several years ago, on my quest to play the Top 100 I played the Sanctuary just north of Denver and just loved that course, just like I love this one.
My wife Annie and I played today with Todd Cernohous the Director of Golf on one of their busier days of the year with 70 rounds, that is less than 20 foursomes. Just for comparison sake, a public course can send that many off in two hours.
The practice area is wonderful. First of all the range is stocked with Titelist Prov-1’s and the targets are plenty and well marked. Not only that, but as you finish hitting a club on the range one of the rangers comes up and cleans it for you before it goes back in your bag. Now that’s service.!! Right next to the first tee is the short game area and practice putting green and the green is contoured similarly to the course, so you know what lies ahead. Today the greens are running at a speed of about 11, which is quite fast. But I love this speed.
Blackstone is par 72 and can be played anywhere from 7089 to 4738
Yards. I played it from 6400 which was plenty for me.
If you play this course and pay attention to the design, you will know the next time you set foot on a Jim Engh course. There is water on only 2 of the holes, and after a few holes you will see that he loves bowl shaped greens (my wife called them toilet bowl shaped) some of which sit down below the fairway and many of which are surrounded by substantial mounding. Usually this means that if you are just off the green you are going to have a fast running downhill chip. Most of his bunkers are very small, but they are hidden in mounds so they can collect balls from a pretty broad radius. Having said that, there are only 70 bunkers on the entire course.
Jim Engh sets his courses up much differently from a visual perspective than most golf course architects. The landing area are generous, but the mounding and bowling of the greens can trick your eye, Annie called it visual trickery. To me this is what makes this course visually exciting. Jim Engh said “ I know 4 out of 5 players will love this course and the fifth will not like it at all”. It’s that different.
There were a couple holes, that I would design differently, par-5 number 9 a double dog leg, has a short approach to a postage stamp green surrounded by lots of trouble. (although I did get up and down there which Todd later told me was next to impossible) You have to hit your very best shot here. On the par-3 number 17 the entire green surface and the entire flag are hidden from view by high mounds. You have to be careful that the previous group has left the green. At this point Todd told me he has never had a hole-in-one. I said “wouldn’t it be ironic if you get one here and we can’t even see it?” He didn’t get one but his ball mark was 4 inches right of the hole and his ball had come to rest 5 inches left of the hole. It had to roll right over the hole.
On the next hole I asked Todd about the course record. “65 held by Jeff Quinny” but later he sheepishly admitted he has also shot 65 there. I am not sure how many birdies Todd had today but it was a lot.
The 30,000 square foot clubhouse, which they call the Hacienda, is stunning and the food is outstanding. Annie loved the potato chips which are made daily right on premises. It turns out everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh made on site.
Blackstone is also an Audubon certified golf club, which means it keeps use of pesticides and herbicides to a minimum.
It was $75,000 for an equity membership but that was recently reduced to $15,000 and a non-equity membership is $7500 all with monthly dues of $675. They currently have only 66 members so there is plenty of room for you to join, and when the development is built out there will only 200 homes.
They are promoting reciprocal play with other clubs at $125.00 per round. If you are headed to Phoenix, this course should be on your list. Have your head pro call to set it up.
If you go : www.blackstonecountryclub.com
Phone 623.707.8700
They are located approx 45 minutes north west of Sky Harbor airport in Peoria
Peoria AZ
If you are a member of a club anywhere in the world, and are looking for reciprocal play in the Phoenix area, then you have to look at Blackstone CC.
Blackstone opened in 2005 and is a private club within the master-planned community of Vistancia. (There is also a public course in the development).
This course was designed by Jim Engh and if you have not heard of him, you certainly will. (http://www.enghgolf.com ) He is getting accolade after accolade for his designs, being named Golf course architect of the year in 2003 by Golf Digest Magazine should be enough to get your attention. Several years ago, on my quest to play the Top 100 I played the Sanctuary just north of Denver and just loved that course, just like I love this one.
My wife Annie and I played today with Todd Cernohous the Director of Golf on one of their busier days of the year with 70 rounds, that is less than 20 foursomes. Just for comparison sake, a public course can send that many off in two hours.
The practice area is wonderful. First of all the range is stocked with Titelist Prov-1’s and the targets are plenty and well marked. Not only that, but as you finish hitting a club on the range one of the rangers comes up and cleans it for you before it goes back in your bag. Now that’s service.!! Right next to the first tee is the short game area and practice putting green and the green is contoured similarly to the course, so you know what lies ahead. Today the greens are running at a speed of about 11, which is quite fast. But I love this speed.
Blackstone is par 72 and can be played anywhere from 7089 to 4738
Yards. I played it from 6400 which was plenty for me.
If you play this course and pay attention to the design, you will know the next time you set foot on a Jim Engh course. There is water on only 2 of the holes, and after a few holes you will see that he loves bowl shaped greens (my wife called them toilet bowl shaped) some of which sit down below the fairway and many of which are surrounded by substantial mounding. Usually this means that if you are just off the green you are going to have a fast running downhill chip. Most of his bunkers are very small, but they are hidden in mounds so they can collect balls from a pretty broad radius. Having said that, there are only 70 bunkers on the entire course.
Jim Engh sets his courses up much differently from a visual perspective than most golf course architects. The landing area are generous, but the mounding and bowling of the greens can trick your eye, Annie called it visual trickery. To me this is what makes this course visually exciting. Jim Engh said “ I know 4 out of 5 players will love this course and the fifth will not like it at all”. It’s that different.
There were a couple holes, that I would design differently, par-5 number 9 a double dog leg, has a short approach to a postage stamp green surrounded by lots of trouble. (although I did get up and down there which Todd later told me was next to impossible) You have to hit your very best shot here. On the par-3 number 17 the entire green surface and the entire flag are hidden from view by high mounds. You have to be careful that the previous group has left the green. At this point Todd told me he has never had a hole-in-one. I said “wouldn’t it be ironic if you get one here and we can’t even see it?” He didn’t get one but his ball mark was 4 inches right of the hole and his ball had come to rest 5 inches left of the hole. It had to roll right over the hole.
On the next hole I asked Todd about the course record. “65 held by Jeff Quinny” but later he sheepishly admitted he has also shot 65 there. I am not sure how many birdies Todd had today but it was a lot.
The 30,000 square foot clubhouse, which they call the Hacienda, is stunning and the food is outstanding. Annie loved the potato chips which are made daily right on premises. It turns out everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh made on site.
Blackstone is also an Audubon certified golf club, which means it keeps use of pesticides and herbicides to a minimum.
It was $75,000 for an equity membership but that was recently reduced to $15,000 and a non-equity membership is $7500 all with monthly dues of $675. They currently have only 66 members so there is plenty of room for you to join, and when the development is built out there will only 200 homes.
They are promoting reciprocal play with other clubs at $125.00 per round. If you are headed to Phoenix, this course should be on your list. Have your head pro call to set it up.
If you go : www.blackstonecountryclub.com
Phone 623.707.8700
They are located approx 45 minutes north west of Sky Harbor airport in Peoria
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A high end experience at an affordable price
I played Encanterra Golf Club today in Queen Creek AZ a southeast suburb of Phoenix, about 40 minutes east of Sky Harbor airport. I came for the golf but was most impressed by the people and the clubhouse.
The Tom Lehman designed course opened 2 years ago to great accolades, but the clubhouse, which they call La Casa (home in Spanish), made me want to open my wallet and join on the spot. It is 60,000 luxurious square feet that just opened in early Feb 2010. Do you have any idea how expansive 60,000 square feet is?
There is a ballroom that seats 288 with an adjoining brides and grooms dressing room. That was a new one on me, but they intend to be the wedding destination of the SE valley. It is Mediterranean in style; very colorful and warm. It has several private dining areas, a working kitchen to service the restaurants but also a more “public kitchen”/ party room, because everyone at a party wants to gather in the kitchen—the host can cook themselves or have the chef staff do the work.
There is a chef’s table that seats 10, adjacent to the kitchen so you can interact with the chef about what you want to eat and watch the kitchen action closeup. There are four distinct restaurants priced very reasonably so that members will return again and again without breaking the bank. A member can even keep a private wine locker in La Casa. And all the mailboxes for the community are in La Casa making the mail area almost a social gathering place. The elegant locker room has a barber chair, pool table and poker table—a huge spa and state of the art workout room and 3 outdoor pools and two indoors as well…. And it seemed like every room we were in, had walls that collapsed to open to the out of doors. What more could you want in a club.
Then we went to the golf course, first encountering the practice facility which is first class, there is plenty of room to practice every kind of shot and even has pro v-1’s as range balls.
This 2-year-old golf course has already hosted the Gateway tour championship and that event produced the course record of 60, but my game did not put the course record in any jeopardy.
The golf course is not your typical desert style golf course; it’s more like a northern parkland course. It has no desert surrounding the holes and all the homes are around the perimeter of the course.
There is water on over half of the holes and there is real rough, and I mean real rough surrounding every hole. The bunkers were in fabulous condition but make no mistake, they are penal. Quite a challenge. Many of the greens are raised with false sides and fronts and greens running at 11 on the stimpmeter. I loved these greens.
If you are a big hitter you can play it back to 7174 yards but there are 5 sets of tees so every level of golfer will enjoy this course. One thing I questioned was the next two sets of tees were 6734 yards and 6078. That is a big difference, but they told me there will soon be a set at 6350. Did I mention how walkable it is? Nearly half the members walk when they play golf.
I didn’t get to tour the model homes, there will be 2300 homes when the community is completely built out, but they are committed to being a “green development” Every home will have a 3 KW solar electric system which could cut a $400 monthly summer air conditioning bill in 1/2, low e glass windows, solar attic fans and many other green components.
This is a private club but the golf initiation is $25,000 and the dues is only $425 per month. For comparison sake a similar club in Scottsdale will be 4 times the initiation and twice the dues.
There are currently 100 golf members and 122 homes have been sold, so you can still easily choose your neighborhood with prices in the low 200’s to the high 300’s.
More information at: www.enanterra.com
The Tom Lehman designed course opened 2 years ago to great accolades, but the clubhouse, which they call La Casa (home in Spanish), made me want to open my wallet and join on the spot. It is 60,000 luxurious square feet that just opened in early Feb 2010. Do you have any idea how expansive 60,000 square feet is?
There is a ballroom that seats 288 with an adjoining brides and grooms dressing room. That was a new one on me, but they intend to be the wedding destination of the SE valley. It is Mediterranean in style; very colorful and warm. It has several private dining areas, a working kitchen to service the restaurants but also a more “public kitchen”/ party room, because everyone at a party wants to gather in the kitchen—the host can cook themselves or have the chef staff do the work.
There is a chef’s table that seats 10, adjacent to the kitchen so you can interact with the chef about what you want to eat and watch the kitchen action closeup. There are four distinct restaurants priced very reasonably so that members will return again and again without breaking the bank. A member can even keep a private wine locker in La Casa. And all the mailboxes for the community are in La Casa making the mail area almost a social gathering place. The elegant locker room has a barber chair, pool table and poker table—a huge spa and state of the art workout room and 3 outdoor pools and two indoors as well…. And it seemed like every room we were in, had walls that collapsed to open to the out of doors. What more could you want in a club.
Then we went to the golf course, first encountering the practice facility which is first class, there is plenty of room to practice every kind of shot and even has pro v-1’s as range balls.
This 2-year-old golf course has already hosted the Gateway tour championship and that event produced the course record of 60, but my game did not put the course record in any jeopardy.
The golf course is not your typical desert style golf course; it’s more like a northern parkland course. It has no desert surrounding the holes and all the homes are around the perimeter of the course.
There is water on over half of the holes and there is real rough, and I mean real rough surrounding every hole. The bunkers were in fabulous condition but make no mistake, they are penal. Quite a challenge. Many of the greens are raised with false sides and fronts and greens running at 11 on the stimpmeter. I loved these greens.
If you are a big hitter you can play it back to 7174 yards but there are 5 sets of tees so every level of golfer will enjoy this course. One thing I questioned was the next two sets of tees were 6734 yards and 6078. That is a big difference, but they told me there will soon be a set at 6350. Did I mention how walkable it is? Nearly half the members walk when they play golf.
I didn’t get to tour the model homes, there will be 2300 homes when the community is completely built out, but they are committed to being a “green development” Every home will have a 3 KW solar electric system which could cut a $400 monthly summer air conditioning bill in 1/2, low e glass windows, solar attic fans and many other green components.
This is a private club but the golf initiation is $25,000 and the dues is only $425 per month. For comparison sake a similar club in Scottsdale will be 4 times the initiation and twice the dues.
There are currently 100 golf members and 122 homes have been sold, so you can still easily choose your neighborhood with prices in the low 200’s to the high 300’s.
More information at: www.enanterra.com
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Half Moon Bay Award
Half Moon Bay Golf Links -- set against the dramatic cliffs of the Pacific Ocean just minutes from San Francisco and San Jose which I visited recently and wrote about in my previous post -received a "Gold Medal" rating in GOLF Magazine's 2010 edition of "Premier Resorts."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Half Moon Bay come for the ocean stay for the golf
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Memorable golf on coastal bluffs
less than an hour from San Francisco
I am back at that “city by the bay,” as Tony Bennett would sing. Well, almost. I’m actually at Half Moon Bay golf links, just 45 minutes south on Highway 1, but a world away from San Francisco with its soaring pyramid and urban feel. A couple of the holes at Half Moon Bay even run next to a farm.
On bluffs overlooking the Pacific, historic mansions with expansive ocean views line the highway. Surfers come to test their skills at Maverick Point, and the town of Half Moon Bay offers up a cultural hodgepodge of old hippies, good restaurants, coffee houses and eclectic shopping. In the right season, there is even whale watching.
Oh, yes, the golf. Half Moon Bay Golf Links has two courses—the Old course designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Ocean course by Arthur Hills. I played the Ocean Course, a links style layout with stunning sweeping vistas of the ocean and many other holes, which are separated by costal mounding and native fescue. On thirteen tee, I could see so many holes that I had to pay close attention to make sure I aimed at the correct fairway. The greens are poa annua, which most golf courses try to get rid of, but these babies putt straight, true and quick.
Number four is a 481-yard par five that usually plays down wind. It is followed by a 465-yard par four that usually plays into the wind. That made no sense to me till the pro explained that Arthur Hills’ strategy was to make four an easy birdie and five a tough bogie. He was trying to get a birdie-bogie sequence. That was a new one on me, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.
The great holes on the Ocean course are the signature finishing holes—16,17 and 18— that play along a bluff high above the ocean. If you hit it left, reload— you’re probably on the beach, at least a hundred feet straight down the cliff.
I stayed at the Half Moon Bay Lodge, a Best Western that is affiliated with the golf links. The Ritz Carlton down the road is the luxury spot, but it is the Lodge that offers the bargain “stay and play package.” My room was cozy and comfortable. A fire crackled in the real fireplace as I wrote this review. They put an easy to use Duraflame log in every fireplace. Add in the pool and fitness room, and this is a very nice Best Western.
February may not be the best month here. It was chilly and the course was soaked from previous rains, but come fall, spring or summer, it should be fabulous. Half Moon Bay Links hosts about 250 golf events a year—more than any other course on the west coast. All the staff I met were wonderfully helpful, including Al the ranger, who made a point of coming by when I was about halfway around to see if there was anything he could help with. Since he could not, help me with my swing, I declined with a smile.
If you go:
www.hmbgolflinks.com
Rates: $180 weekdays and $205 weekends
Pro shop: 650-726-1800
To organize an event, contact Brett Armstrong, tournament director
Stay and play: www.halfmoonbaylodge.com
Memorable golf on coastal bluffs
less than an hour from San Francisco
I am back at that “city by the bay,” as Tony Bennett would sing. Well, almost. I’m actually at Half Moon Bay golf links, just 45 minutes south on Highway 1, but a world away from San Francisco with its soaring pyramid and urban feel. A couple of the holes at Half Moon Bay even run next to a farm.
On bluffs overlooking the Pacific, historic mansions with expansive ocean views line the highway. Surfers come to test their skills at Maverick Point, and the town of Half Moon Bay offers up a cultural hodgepodge of old hippies, good restaurants, coffee houses and eclectic shopping. In the right season, there is even whale watching.
Oh, yes, the golf. Half Moon Bay Golf Links has two courses—the Old course designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Ocean course by Arthur Hills. I played the Ocean Course, a links style layout with stunning sweeping vistas of the ocean and many other holes, which are separated by costal mounding and native fescue. On thirteen tee, I could see so many holes that I had to pay close attention to make sure I aimed at the correct fairway. The greens are poa annua, which most golf courses try to get rid of, but these babies putt straight, true and quick.
Number four is a 481-yard par five that usually plays down wind. It is followed by a 465-yard par four that usually plays into the wind. That made no sense to me till the pro explained that Arthur Hills’ strategy was to make four an easy birdie and five a tough bogie. He was trying to get a birdie-bogie sequence. That was a new one on me, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.
The great holes on the Ocean course are the signature finishing holes—16,17 and 18— that play along a bluff high above the ocean. If you hit it left, reload— you’re probably on the beach, at least a hundred feet straight down the cliff.
I stayed at the Half Moon Bay Lodge, a Best Western that is affiliated with the golf links. The Ritz Carlton down the road is the luxury spot, but it is the Lodge that offers the bargain “stay and play package.” My room was cozy and comfortable. A fire crackled in the real fireplace as I wrote this review. They put an easy to use Duraflame log in every fireplace. Add in the pool and fitness room, and this is a very nice Best Western.
February may not be the best month here. It was chilly and the course was soaked from previous rains, but come fall, spring or summer, it should be fabulous. Half Moon Bay Links hosts about 250 golf events a year—more than any other course on the west coast. All the staff I met were wonderfully helpful, including Al the ranger, who made a point of coming by when I was about halfway around to see if there was anything he could help with. Since he could not, help me with my swing, I declined with a smile.
If you go:
www.hmbgolflinks.com
Rates: $180 weekdays and $205 weekends
Pro shop: 650-726-1800
To organize an event, contact Brett Armstrong, tournament director
Stay and play: www.halfmoonbaylodge.com
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Superstition Mountain AZ
Superstition Mountain
Apache Junction AZ
We all know that the state of golf today isn’t the greatest. Play is down and memberships at clubs is hurting. Superstition Mountain, which takes its name from the ancient Pima tribes name for the surrounding mountains, in Apache Junction is no exception. But this may be a case where it truly benefits the public golfer who is looking for a private club experience.
Superstition Mountain is located about 25 miles east of the Phoenix airport, brushing against the base of the rugged Superstition Mountains and bordered by the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest. It is a very private, upscale, housing community with 2 Jack Nicklaus design golf courses, Prospector and Lost Gold.
It has hosted 7 Champions and LPGA tour events. So, you may have seen it on TV.
Originally founded by Lyle Anderson, it has fallen on hard times in this economic recession, fell into bankruptcy and has recently been purchased by James Hladky, out of that bankruptcy for $13.5 million. I would guess that the elegant, 50,000 square foot old world clubhouse alone cost over $13 million to build. In 2008 the operation lost over $4 million and in 2009 lost almost $1 million. Mr. Hladky has dropped the initiation fee to $15,000, and hopes to attract enough new members in the next few years to take it back to private.
Part of their plan is to rotate one of the courses into public use every day.
The members keep a private course and the public gets access to a private club. “Everyone wins”, said one of my member playing partners. “At least there is now a plan to get things here back on track.”
I played the Prospector course, today, with my friend Paul Inderbitzen and two resident members from Superstition Mountain. This course has generous, friendly fairways which are in superb condition and large greens with very subtle, hard to read breaks. The greens play fast, which I love. The desert frames many of the holes but a few of the holes resemble Midwest parkland courses with fairways adjacent to each other. There is plenty of room for your tee shots and plenty of challenge once you get up to the greens. It has five sets of tee boxes stretching from 7225 yards to a very woman friendly 5223 yards. We played it from 6300 today which still presents plenty of challenge. The inspirational vistas of the surrounding Superstition Mtns are worth the trip alone.
Number 18 may be the prettiest hole on the course. A slightly raised tee overlooking a par 5 ribbon of green with water down the left side. There are several other beautiful holes some that are framed by the mountain vistas. It’s a wonderful site, seeing your ball soar against a mountain background.
Play late enough in the day to bask in one of their breathtaking desert sunsets. You will be glad you did.
If you go: visit http://www.superstitionmountain.com/
Phone: 480-983-3200
Fees: high season (winter) $165 Mon- Thursday
$180 Fri and Sat
Twilight: $85 and 95 weekends
Apache Junction AZ
We all know that the state of golf today isn’t the greatest. Play is down and memberships at clubs is hurting. Superstition Mountain, which takes its name from the ancient Pima tribes name for the surrounding mountains, in Apache Junction is no exception. But this may be a case where it truly benefits the public golfer who is looking for a private club experience.
Superstition Mountain is located about 25 miles east of the Phoenix airport, brushing against the base of the rugged Superstition Mountains and bordered by the 2.9-million-acre Tonto National Forest. It is a very private, upscale, housing community with 2 Jack Nicklaus design golf courses, Prospector and Lost Gold.
It has hosted 7 Champions and LPGA tour events. So, you may have seen it on TV.
Originally founded by Lyle Anderson, it has fallen on hard times in this economic recession, fell into bankruptcy and has recently been purchased by James Hladky, out of that bankruptcy for $13.5 million. I would guess that the elegant, 50,000 square foot old world clubhouse alone cost over $13 million to build. In 2008 the operation lost over $4 million and in 2009 lost almost $1 million. Mr. Hladky has dropped the initiation fee to $15,000, and hopes to attract enough new members in the next few years to take it back to private.
Part of their plan is to rotate one of the courses into public use every day.
The members keep a private course and the public gets access to a private club. “Everyone wins”, said one of my member playing partners. “At least there is now a plan to get things here back on track.”
I played the Prospector course, today, with my friend Paul Inderbitzen and two resident members from Superstition Mountain. This course has generous, friendly fairways which are in superb condition and large greens with very subtle, hard to read breaks. The greens play fast, which I love. The desert frames many of the holes but a few of the holes resemble Midwest parkland courses with fairways adjacent to each other. There is plenty of room for your tee shots and plenty of challenge once you get up to the greens. It has five sets of tee boxes stretching from 7225 yards to a very woman friendly 5223 yards. We played it from 6300 today which still presents plenty of challenge. The inspirational vistas of the surrounding Superstition Mtns are worth the trip alone.
Number 18 may be the prettiest hole on the course. A slightly raised tee overlooking a par 5 ribbon of green with water down the left side. There are several other beautiful holes some that are framed by the mountain vistas. It’s a wonderful site, seeing your ball soar against a mountain background.
Play late enough in the day to bask in one of their breathtaking desert sunsets. You will be glad you did.
If you go: visit http://www.superstitionmountain.com/
Phone: 480-983-3200
Fees: high season (winter) $165 Mon- Thursday
$180 Fri and Sat
Twilight: $85 and 95 weekends
Saturday, January 23, 2010
SeeMore putter latest stats
In 2009, five players using SeeMore putters on a regular basis on the PGA Tour finished in the top 80 positions on the money list. All told 10 players in the final 125 on the money list used SeeMore's patented and proven RifleScope alignment technology at key times during the season, including 3 victories and eleven top 10 finishes.
SeeMore also had 2 of the top 20 on the final 2009 LPGA Tour Money list use its putters prominently
SeeMore originally became recognized when Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open playing a SeeMore putter. Stewart one-putted the last three holes to win the championship by one stroke. He sunk what's considered to be the longest putt in Open history on the 18th hole to win the tournament. See my previous posts for my review of SeeMore Putters
SeeMore also had 2 of the top 20 on the final 2009 LPGA Tour Money list use its putters prominently
SeeMore originally became recognized when Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open playing a SeeMore putter. Stewart one-putted the last three holes to win the championship by one stroke. He sunk what's considered to be the longest putt in Open history on the 18th hole to win the tournament. See my previous posts for my review of SeeMore Putters
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ritz Carlton At Dove Mountain golf club
RITZ CARLTON AT DOVE MOUNTIAN
It’s luxury personified.
Come for the golf, stay for the elegance, the comfort,
the cuisine—and the desert.
The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain, with 209 guest rooms and 44 casitas, opened for business less than a month ago. This beautiful resort is luxury personified, its design a stunning balance of contemporary and southwestern elements. We stayed on the Club level, where we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the evening, and Guava juice and a pineapple-banana smoothie for breakfast—the perfect way to start the day. If you want elegance combined with an active outdoor lifestyle, topped off each evening with great dining, then this is the place for you.
Golf course
The Ritz Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain is world-class. In February, it will host the Accenture Match Play Championship for the second time. Jeff Ogilvy, the defending champion, told us about changes to the course, a Jack Nicklaus design nestled against the Tortolita Mountains and routed through a forest of saguaro cactuses. (MIGHT MENTION CHANGES HERE—IF THEY ARE IMPORTANT)
In typical Nicklaus style, there are many uphill approaches to elevated greens with lots of undulation and a wide variety of pin placements. They will be a true challenge for the top 64 players in the world, and are a fair challenge for you too—if you play from the right tee boxes. The choices range from 7800 down to 5300 yards. The fairways are firm, so the length is not as harsh as it appears on the scorecard, but watch out for those rolling greens. One thing surprised me—no yardage book and no GPS on the carts, so you have to pay close attention to where you are going and work out distances for yourself. There are actually 27 holes of golf here, but the third nine is not open yet.
Cuisine
There were 14 travel writers on this trip. The first night, we all had dinner at Cayton’s in the golf clubhouse. It may be the most spectacular clubhouse I have ever been in, and I saw some good ones while playing the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. It’s 45,000 square feet of pure luxury. For the second year in a row, I had the short rib sliders, Cayton’s to-die-for signature dish. Short rib sliders?! You’ll be begging for the recipe after the first bite.
The second night we had dinner in Chef Joel Harrington’s Core Kitchen, the hotel’s most elegant restaurant. I had the Sweet Potato Puree, an outstanding soup, and Wyoming buffalo medallions with garlic fries. Never had buffalo before, but this was outstanding. Joel is a creative, passionate and exuberant chef who visits all the tables and explains just why his dishes taste so great. If you didn’t believe in his gastronomical magic before, you will after you talk with him. He even graced our table with a side of avocado fries. New to me . . . but yum!
Spa
The 17,000 square-foot spa and fitness center offers a selection of treatments that reflect Dove Mountain’s peaceful natural surroundings, including wellness counseling, body (IS SOMETHING MISSING HERE?) and anti-aging therapies. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day. I had a massage from Edward, who is strong and specializes in deep tissue sports massage. He dug deep into muscles that were tightening up after a round of golf.
Hiking trip and desert jeep tour
At 7 A.M. we took a one hour hike into the foothills to learn about desert wildlife and see a beautiful sunrise over the Sonoran desert. Our guide was superb.
This was followed by a 90-minute jeep tour through the desert, where we learned about the medicinal values of various cactuses and even tasted some of their flowers. Then our guide found a tarantula, which we held in our hands. That was an experience. I had come for the golf, but the hike and jeep ride are not to be missed
LocationDove Mountain is 30 minutes north of the Tucson International Airport, 80 minutes south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, or 15 minutes from Marana Regional Airport. Just a few miles away is the Pinal Airpark, where the major airlines are parking excess planes as they cut capacity. There are thousands of planes there, but don’t try flying in—unless it’s to deliver a plane for storage.
Oh, did I mention the pools? You will just have to go see them for yourself!
for more information visit
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/DoveMountain/Default.htm?om_a=map
It’s luxury personified.
Come for the golf, stay for the elegance, the comfort,
the cuisine—and the desert.
The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain, with 209 guest rooms and 44 casitas, opened for business less than a month ago. This beautiful resort is luxury personified, its design a stunning balance of contemporary and southwestern elements. We stayed on the Club level, where we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the evening, and Guava juice and a pineapple-banana smoothie for breakfast—the perfect way to start the day. If you want elegance combined with an active outdoor lifestyle, topped off each evening with great dining, then this is the place for you.
Golf course
The Ritz Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain is world-class. In February, it will host the Accenture Match Play Championship for the second time. Jeff Ogilvy, the defending champion, told us about changes to the course, a Jack Nicklaus design nestled against the Tortolita Mountains and routed through a forest of saguaro cactuses. (MIGHT MENTION CHANGES HERE—IF THEY ARE IMPORTANT)
In typical Nicklaus style, there are many uphill approaches to elevated greens with lots of undulation and a wide variety of pin placements. They will be a true challenge for the top 64 players in the world, and are a fair challenge for you too—if you play from the right tee boxes. The choices range from 7800 down to 5300 yards. The fairways are firm, so the length is not as harsh as it appears on the scorecard, but watch out for those rolling greens. One thing surprised me—no yardage book and no GPS on the carts, so you have to pay close attention to where you are going and work out distances for yourself. There are actually 27 holes of golf here, but the third nine is not open yet.
Cuisine
There were 14 travel writers on this trip. The first night, we all had dinner at Cayton’s in the golf clubhouse. It may be the most spectacular clubhouse I have ever been in, and I saw some good ones while playing the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. It’s 45,000 square feet of pure luxury. For the second year in a row, I had the short rib sliders, Cayton’s to-die-for signature dish. Short rib sliders?! You’ll be begging for the recipe after the first bite.
The second night we had dinner in Chef Joel Harrington’s Core Kitchen, the hotel’s most elegant restaurant. I had the Sweet Potato Puree, an outstanding soup, and Wyoming buffalo medallions with garlic fries. Never had buffalo before, but this was outstanding. Joel is a creative, passionate and exuberant chef who visits all the tables and explains just why his dishes taste so great. If you didn’t believe in his gastronomical magic before, you will after you talk with him. He even graced our table with a side of avocado fries. New to me . . . but yum!
Spa
The 17,000 square-foot spa and fitness center offers a selection of treatments that reflect Dove Mountain’s peaceful natural surroundings, including wellness counseling, body (IS SOMETHING MISSING HERE?) and anti-aging therapies. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day. I had a massage from Edward, who is strong and specializes in deep tissue sports massage. He dug deep into muscles that were tightening up after a round of golf.
Hiking trip and desert jeep tour
At 7 A.M. we took a one hour hike into the foothills to learn about desert wildlife and see a beautiful sunrise over the Sonoran desert. Our guide was superb.
This was followed by a 90-minute jeep tour through the desert, where we learned about the medicinal values of various cactuses and even tasted some of their flowers. Then our guide found a tarantula, which we held in our hands. That was an experience. I had come for the golf, but the hike and jeep ride are not to be missed
LocationDove Mountain is 30 minutes north of the Tucson International Airport, 80 minutes south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, or 15 minutes from Marana Regional Airport. Just a few miles away is the Pinal Airpark, where the major airlines are parking excess planes as they cut capacity. There are thousands of planes there, but don’t try flying in—unless it’s to deliver a plane for storage.
Oh, did I mention the pools? You will just have to go see them for yourself!
for more information visit
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/DoveMountain/Default.htm?om_a=map
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)