Chip Shots
LAGUNA Golf Lang Cô, the awardwinning golf component at the Laguna Lang Cô integrated project in Central Vietnam, has become the first fully operational course in the world to be elevated into a new elite category by its designer Sir Nick Faldo.
The British legend, a six-time major winner and prolific course architect, sees Laguna Golf Lang Cô as his flagship layout in Asia. Opened in 2013, the stunning course makes full use of the property’s amazing location sandwiched between the ocean and the mountains, with play incorporating rice paddies, jungle and coastal holes.
The track has earned widespread acclaim over the years, garnering numerous awards and cementing itself as home of the annual Faldo Series Asia Grand Final -- one of the world’s most respected showcases for young players. News that the layout has been named a Sir Nick Faldo Signature course is sure to further enhance its appeal to golfers.
The new Sir Nick Faldo Signature category will only be applied to Faldo courses -- both existing and forthcoming -- that match then maintain their designer’s famously exacting standards across a range of markers including sustainability, conservation, and quality of design.
“Being elevated in status like this really speaks volumes of our ongoing commitment to realising Sir Nick’s vision,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Cô.
A mantra of continual improvement has been ingrained at Laguna Golf Lang Cô under the stewardship of Calver. And it is this philosophy that has helped it secure its position as one of Faldo’s most lauded masterpieces.
Calver and his team have made numerous improvements to the layout in recent times. New tees have been added, providing alternative challenges for golfers. Trees have been cleared on the coastal holes, opening up views of the beach and the East Sea. Also eye-catching has been the introduction and reintroduction of rice paddies on the course, with four hectares of rice fields right in the middle of the course tended to by a family of water buffalo who act as “bio-mowers”.
“From the first time I came here when it was still jungle almost 10 years ago, I’ve always considered it a unique place,” said Faldo. “We knew the course was going to be different and special because you play through different environments. You go through the rice fields to the jungle. Then we’ve got beach and river and rocks. It really is a special course, with a memorability factor that is sure to keep golfers interested.”
Laguna Golf Lang Cô is part of Laguna Lang Cô, one of the most far-reaching integrated resorts in Southeast Asia. The 280-hectare community, which marks the first project in Vietnam for Banyan Tree Group, is framed by jungle clad mountains and a three-kilometre beach running alongside the East Sea.
Laguna Lang Cô echoes the sustainability ethos of Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree’s flagship integrated resort community in southern Thailand. In addition to Laguna Golf Lang Cô, the development includes Banyan Tree and Angsana branded hotels and spas, private villas and residences, convention facilities and a plethora of recreational activities for guests of all ages.
Golf Vacations Magazine Features Writer, 81-year-old Chuck miller, makes two aces in six-hole stretch
To all cursed hackers who have never made a hole-in-one, let this be your sign of hope. On second thought, hide your eyes. Last week 81-year-old Chuck Miller made two aces at the Cortez Course in Hot Springs, Ark. The first came on the 12th hole, a 135yard par 3, the second at the 138-yard 17th. In both instances, Miller used a 6 iron.
“When the first one went in on the 12th hole, I was really excited,”Miller told KARK.com. “It was a great shot over the front bunker onto the green; it bounced once or twice and went into the cup. We all jumped and shouted.”
But—and here’s where we’d advise all “1”-less golfers to avoid sharp objects—Miller conceded the second was “a total fluke.”
“I sculled my tee shot on 17. It never got much off the ground and hit the ground only about 70 or 80 yards from the tee,” Miller said. “Since the ground was dry and the hill sloped downwards, the ball continued to roll. It rolled past the front left bunker guarding the green and rolled onto the green. Once the ball got onto the green, one of my playing partners yelled it’s going to go into the hole – and damned if it didn’t. I was thrilled but couldn’t believe such a lousy shot ended up in the hole. I guess it proved what my dad said to me when I first began playing, ‘it’s not how but how many.’”
Miller is known as the “Traveling Guy” and is a featured writer with this publication, Golf Vacations Magazine. He once visited, and played golf in, every state during a calendar year, writing a book on his journey. According to Miller, he’s had one other hole-in-one in his career, which happened 45 years ago.
If this wasn’t enough, Miller claims to have shot his age two days before his holes-in-one feat. The man is clearly a legend. Or, to some jealous golfers, the bane of their existence.
Bay Harbor, Heather at Boyne Highlands Layouts Ranked Among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses
PETOSKEY, MI – BOYNE Golf, one of the largest and most-lauded golf resort companies in the U.S. is pleased to announce that two of its acclaimed resort golf courses have been ranked on Golf Digest’s 2019 - 2020 list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The Heather at Boyne Highlands Resort joins the distinguished roster for the first time while the 18-hole Links/Quarry pairing at Bay Harbor Golf Club has been a staple on the list since 2003.
Golf Digest uses nearly 1,000 low-handicap male and female golfers on its Course Ranking Panel and asked each to submit ballots based on eight criteria including shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, character, and fun.
The Heather, the 2019 National Golf Course Owner’s Association Course of the Year, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and was one of the courses that put northern Michigan on the map as a premier travel destination. The Arthur Hills-designed Bay Harbor Golf Club opened in 1999 and, according to Golf Digest, was praised as one of the “New Pebble Beaches” along with Bandon Dunes and Whistling Straits. Both properties are must-plays on a northern Michigan golf trip.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized again by Golf Digest,” Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resort’s Senior Vice President of Golf Operations, said. “The Heather and the Links/Quarry combo are two very different courses, but the fantastic variety of unique golf offerings has been our calling card at our Boyne properties, so we’re extremely pleased the Digest panel agrees.”
Boyne Highlands Resort, rated the No. 1 Golf Resort for Value by Golf.com, features 72 holes of premier golf design, including The Heather and Arthur Hills courses (crafted by Arthur Hills). In addition, the resort features the Donald Ross Memorial, which is a rendition of the legendary architect’s great holes from around the country, and the always-fun Moor course. The Highlands is the perfect buddy trip destination for golfers who like to play as many holes as they can during the long summer daylight hours northern Michigan features.
The scenic Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, located along a five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan in northern Michigan, was recognized by the editors as one of the best resorts in the Midwest region.
Complementing the beautiful Inn at Bay Harbor are 45 scenic golf holes overlooking Lake Michigan. Bay Harbor Golf Club (Golf Digest Top 100 Public Course) features 27 holes designed by Arthur Hills, which plays as three different course combinations. The (Links/ Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, Preserve/Links) combinations meander along the bluffs of Lake Michigan, trek through a rugged old limestone quarry, and wander through beautiful northern Michigan hardwoods. Crooked Tree Golf Club is perched on bluffs high above Bay Harbor. The course was sculpted through century-old hardwoods and the back nine opens to breathtaking views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan.
For more information, visit BOYNEGolf.com
The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek Unveils Stateof-the-Art Performance Center
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. – The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek celebrated the grand opening of the Robert C. McNair Performance Center, a high-tech practice facility dedicated to improving members’ golf game and experience. Named after late entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert C. “Bob” McNair, the performance center is part of a recently announced two-year, $6-million renovation plan for the club’s golf course and facilities.
The private golf club is majority-owned by McNair Interests, a private investment and management company founded by Bob McNair, who passed away in November 2018. Bob’s wife, Janice McNair, attended the June 24 grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting, along with son Cal McNair and his wife Hannah and grandchildren Robert, Calhoun, Michael and Hunter Grace.
The new 1,000-square-foot facility features a dedicated putting room, a hitting bay equipped with cameras and top-of-the-line swing and ball flight monitors and a club-fitting room to ensure members are outfitted with the proper equipment. The center also includes a cuttingedge course simulator, which allows members to practice virtually on real courses throughout the U.S.
“The Robert C. McNair Performance Center will allow members of The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek to refine their skills under the direction of top instructors, combining state-of-the-art equipment with personalized training,” said Clint Wood, general manager at The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek.
The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek also announced the hiring of Hank Smith as the Director of Instruction. Smith will manage the performance center and will oversee training. Smith is the former Director of Golf and Lead Golf Instructor at Frederica Golf Club on St. Simons Island in Georgia.
Future club enhancements include the addition of three on-site guest cottages and a total renovation of the club’s golf course, which will take place in spring and summer of 2020, respectively.
July Is “Family Golf Month” At Troon-Affiliated Courses
Scottsdale, AZ – July is “Troon Family Golf Month” at Troonaffiliated facilities around the world. Throughout the month, many Troon courses will feature family-oriented instructional programs, clinics, events and tournaments. Examples of Troon Family Golf Month activities include:
Hiddenbrooke Golf Club – Vallejo, Calif.: To celebrate Troon Family Golf Month, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club will have a Family Golf Tournament on July 24th at 3 PM. The four-person scramble tournament will played from the course’s shorter family tees and will have on-course contests and prizes. Juniors play for free with adults just $25. In addition, throughout the month of July, juniors can play for free any time after 12 noon when playing with a paying adult. Those interested can register in the Hiddenbrooke golf shop or by calling 707-558-0330. Highland Park Golf – Birmingham, Ala.: Throughout the month of July, Highland Park Golf Course will be offering complimentary 30 minute Family Golf Clinics. Clinics are for all ages and skill levels and complimentary junior clubs are available for everyone. Call 205322-1902 or email paul.killgallon@honoursgolf.com to register.
Kahili Golf Club – Waikapu, Hawaii: To celebrate Ohana Golf Month, Kahili Golf Club is offering an Ohana Play Package in which two adults and two juniors can play for $125 after 12 PM in July. For more information, visit Kahiligolf.com. Troon North Golf Club – Scottsdale, Ariz.: Troon North will have a Parent/Child 9-hole golf tournament on Saturday, July 27th at 5
PM. The four-person scramble tournament includes golf, a golf cart, range balls, on-course contests and prizes and a post-tournament burger buffet dinner. The cost is $30 (plus tax) per adult and $10 (plus tax) per junior. Call 480-419-5367 or email bgifford@troon. com to register to play.
Visit www.troon.com/troon-family-golf or call the Troon club nearest you to learn more about specific Troon Family Golf Month programs. For more information on all of Troon’s “grow the game” initiatives, visit www.PlayTroon.com.
Project Golf Expands Its “Introduction To Golf Series”
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Project Golf, a Myrtle Beach-based initiative dedicated to growing the game by increasing access to facilities and quality instruction, is bringing its “Introduction to Golf” series to three more Grand Strand courses this summer.
Barefoot Resort (Mondays), True Blue Golf Club (Tuesdays) and Blackmoor Golf Club (Wednesdays) will each host “An Introduction to Golf,” beginning mid-July and running through the middle of August.
The six-week series will focus on everything from booking a tee time and using the bag drop to on-course playing lessons, laying the foundation for new golfers to enjoy the game. Each session is limited to 21 students and they will be divided into three groups, moving through stations that focus on the short game, putting and the full swing.
“Our team of PGA professionals takes the time to work with each student and ensure they understand key concepts and can execute the golf swing,” said Gene Augustine, the director of Project Golf. “What I really love about the program are the social connections it creates. Project Golf facilitates an enduring relationship between players and the game by cultivating a pool of new-golfers students can play with, by providing discounted tee times, and by creating Project Golf play dates at local courses.”
Each session will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and be led by PGA professionals. The cost of “An Introduction to Golf” is $120 and golf equipment will be provided.
Project Golf launched “An Introduction to Golf” at Arrowhead Country Club and Prestwick Country Club this spring, and the sold-out sessions were a hit.
To register for “An Introduction to Golf” program, please visit ProjectGolf.org/introduction. For more information, contact Gene Augustine at 843-282-2668 or via email at gene.augustine@projectgolf.org.