Rumbling Bald Announces Availability of Mountain Home and Fairway Villa Vacation Rentals
Spacious, Fully-appointed Lodging Ideal for Golf Groups of All Sizes
LAKE LURE, NC – Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole mountain golf retreat along the shores of scenic Lake Lure, announces the availability of spacious mountain home and Fairway Villa vacation rentals, ideal for golf groups of all sizes.
Mountain homes, just minutes from Apple Valley and Bald Mountain golf courses, range from three to six bedrooms with room for up to 12 guests. They feature full kitchens with modern appliances, washer-dryer, private bed and bathrooms, outdoor living space and grills and highspeed wireless Internet. Several luxury units include additional amenities, such as jacuzzi baths, fire pits, game rooms, projection TVS and more.
Located along Bald Mountain golf course, two-bedroom Fairway Villas accommodate between six and eight guests depending on the bed and sleeper sofa configuration. Villa units have full kitchens, stacked washer-dryer units, flat screen TVS and patios, many of which overlook both the golf course and Bald Mountain. Dining at Legends on the Lake, the Lake Lure recreation area and other amenities are a short walk away.
“Vacation rentals have emerged as the most popular form of lodging amid the ‘new normal’ and with more than 150 units, Rumbling Bald is well-positioned for this long-term trend,” says General Manager Jeff Geisler. “The mountain homes and Fairway Villas are on-property lodging options that offer the ultimate in convenience, amenities and relaxation off the golf course.”
Spring arrives early in this part of Western North Carolina and Rumbling Bald recently rolled out its golf packages for 2021. Starting at $345 per person, the “Hole-in-one” package features a twonight stay in a Fairway Villa or Apple Valley Studio, two rounds of golf on Apple Valley and Bald Mountain, breakfast both days and complimentary, unlimited range balls. Custom golf packages are available with mountain homes tailored to group size, course and tee time preferences.
Paying homage to the 2021 Ryder Cup at Destination Kohler’s famed Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, Rumbling Bald is offering a limited availability “Ryder Cup Package.” Expert golf vacation planners are available to design an exciting, Ryder Cup team formatted event for golf groups in search of an unforgettable experience.
The Ryder Cup Package starts at $589 per person and includes: three nights lodging; three rounds of golf scored and handicapped; complimentary replays on either course; a team shirt and hat; private, one-hour opening reception with wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres and unlimited use of the practice facilities.
For groups of 12 or more, Rumbling Bald offers gratis golf for group leaders upon booking their first trip to the property. The “12+ Comp” is ideal for PGA Professional-member trips, tournaments, or large golf buddy trips.
To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@www.rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072.
THE HIGHLAND COURSE AT PRIMLAND OFFERS SPECIAL RATE FOR WOMEN’S GOLF DAY
MEADOWS OF DAN, VA – In conjunction with the Women’s Golf Day (June 1), the Highland Course at Primland is offering females a special $200 playing rate (including tax) during the week of May 31June 4 (Mon-fri).
“It’s great to see the momentum golf is gaining. The growth in the female demographic is wonderful to see and good for the game. Primland is looking forward to a great week,” said Brian Alley, PGA, Primland’s Director of Outdoor Activities.
Women’s Golf Day is an annual event celebrating girls and women playing golf and learning lifetime skills.
Golf Digest named The Highland Course at Primland, the boutique luxury resort amid 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as the state’s top public-access course in its just-released “America’s Greatest Courses by State, Primland Highland Course and Lodge. jpg 2021-22” compilation.
Designed by Donald Steel, The Highland Course follows three private golf courses in the best-in-state list and was also rated No. 151 – out of approximately 15,000 total – in the national magazine’s “America’s 200 Greatest Courses.”
To arrive at its ranking of Best Courses by State and America’s 200 Greatest Golf Courses, Golf Digest panelists play and score courses on these eight criteria: shot options, challenge, layout variety, distinctiveness, aesthetics, conditioning, character, and fun.
The Highland Course features immaculate conditions, stunning views, no surrounding development, and a masterful course layout by Steel, and Englishman whose design philosophy highlights nature and golf tradition.
Call 276-222-3827 to reserve a tee time. After-golf activities and amenities highlight the spectacular Primland property through fly fishing, shooting sporting clays, riding ATVS, mountain biking, yoga, archery, horseback riding, tomahawk throwing, guided hikes, and more. A full-service spa, astounding Observatory for deep-space stargazing, award-winning food and beverage options, and a variety of lodging options including tree houses beckon.
For more information about Primland, visit Primland.com, or call 866.960.7746.
FIRESTONE COUNTRY CLUB ANNOUNCES LIMITED SUMMER STAY-AND-PLAY PACKAGES
AKRON, OH – Firestone Country Club - renowned as one of North America’s most historic venues for championship golf – announces limited stay-and-play packages ideal for golf buddy trips and staycations this summer. Through Sept. 6, the exclusive stay-and-play packages include overnight accommodations in Firestone’s standard club rooms and rounds of golf. There are 1 Day | 1 Night experiences including golf on the North Course, 2 Days | 1 Night itineraries including a round of golf on the South and North Courses and 2 Days | 2 Nights packages including golf on both courses. Rates for each package will be based on room type, courses, nights and rounds.
Golf and lodging upgrades to the guest villas are available with each package at booking, and additional rounds of golf may be included at a fee. Course replays can be added based on availability, and season demand could reflect an increased rate. Other restrictions may apply, and rates do not include service charges, tax or tips.
Stays and experiences exceeding two nights will be customized by Firestone’s Club Concierge Team. Specializing in providing personalized experiences for any group, the Club Concierge Team handles services such as dinner reservations or curated dining experiences, private event services, tee time scheduling, off-property activity planning, personalized villa stocking and amenities, and individual private golf lessons or group golf clinics.
To book these limited golf packages or for more information, please visit clubcorp. com/clubs/firestone-country-club/stayplay or call 330.245.3280.
For more information, www.firestonecountryclub.com.
SENTOSA GOLF CLUB AIMING TO BECOME WORLD’S FIRST CARBON NEUTRAL GOLF CLUB
Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore – Sentosa Golf Club, regarded as one of the world’s most sustainable sporting venues, has today announced a commitment to become the world’s first ever carbon neutral golf club by 2022.
The announcement comes during Sentosa Golf Club’s hosting of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, dubbed ‘Asia’s Major’, where 69 of the world’s best players are set to battle it out on The Tanjong.
Contributions from golf rounds over the next 12 months will be set aside to support the purchase of certified carbon offsets through regional Forestry or Blue Carbon projects, that will sequester atmospheric carbon while defending against deforestation and fostering conservation of forests, mangroves and reefs.
Sentosa Golf Club is also aiming to join the United Nations’ Race to Zero (carbon emissions) campaign following its pledge to neutralise the Club’s carbon footprint by 2022.
This latest goal builds on the Club’s various carbon mitigation measures over the past few years, including achieving Singapore’s Green Mark (Platinum) certification through enhancing the energy efficiency of its clubhouse, the first in the region to introduce lithium battery golf carts and increasing the efficiency of its irrigation system by deploying some 1,200 water saving sprinklers across the golf courses.
The Club has already undertaken the important first step of establishing its carbon footprint against the Green House Gas Protocol, in conjunction with Sentosa Development Corporation’s (SDC) islandwide carbon profiling efforts and GEO Foundation, the international non-profit dedicated entirely to inspiring, supporting, and recognising sustainable golf.
Moving ahead, the Club will further realise its carbon neutral goal by stepping up its efforts to pursue solutions that will make club operations and grounds maintenance more carbon efficient, including golf equipment and maintenance fleet electrification initiatives and renewable energy sources.
Sentosa Golf Club’s commitment is aligned with SDC’S goals towards sustainability. SDC announced in March 2021 that Sentosa Island would be transformed into a carbon neutral destination by 2030 as a key goal in its sustainability plan, bringing on board some 200 businesses within Sentosa to work towards the collective aspiration of island carbon neutrality.
Having become the first golf club in the world to join the United Nation’s Sports for Climate Action Initiative last year, Andrew Johnston, General Manager / Director of Agronomy and Resident Golf Course Designer at Sentosa Golf Club, commented on the latest pledge saying: “We are excited to set the aspiration to become the first golf club in the world to go carbon neutral. Since joining the United Nation’s Sports for Climate Action initiative in 2020 it has been our goal to become carbon neutral and hopefully inspire others around the world to follow suit.
“The Club is also proud to be aligned with Sentosa Island’s recent commitment to become a carbon neutral destination by 2030 and we are looking forward to working closely with SDC and other businesses on the Island to achieve this goal. Our vision is to deliver a world-class facility of exceptional quality, and our commitment to carbon neutrality will safeguard the Club’s long-term future and allow us to be a model for sustainability in golf worldwide.”
Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer at Sentosa Development Corporation, added “Sentosa Development Corporation is excited by Sentosa Golf Club’s commitment to become the world’s first carbon neutral golf club. Golf can act as a catalyst in the fight against climate change and it is great to see one of Singapore’s premier golf clubs leading the way in reducing carbon emissions. The Club’s sustainability agenda is closely linked to that of the Island’s, and we are looking forward to working alongside the Club as we progress
towards achieving Sentosa’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
This announcement is the latest in a long list of sustainable initiatives and commitments made by Sentosa Golf Club since the launch of its newest environmental campaign, GAME ON, at the 2020 SMBC Singapore Open. The campaign is designed to help educate and illustrate to the wider golfing community how important modern sustainable practices are for the betterment of the environment, acting as inspiration for golf clubs around the world to make changes to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Sentosa Golf Club intends to continue developing its sustainable initiatives in 2021 by installing two food and horticultural waste digesters to limit carbon emissions by grinding down waste on-site and reusing it as fertiliser on its two championship courses.
The Club also continues to explore alternative energy solutions such as solar, as well as other sustainable food produce options, whilst its collaboration with GEO Foundation aims to pioneer new innovative practices and report credible results to share with other golfing organisations around the world.
For more information on Sentosa Golf Club visit www.sentosagolf.com or follow the club on social media:
BOYNE GOLF: THE HISTORY OF DONALD ROSS CONTINUES TO SHINE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN
When the golf course building boom of the mid 1980’s kicked into high gear in northern Michigan, Boyne Resorts was already one of the largest golf destinations in the country with four golf courses at the time (10 today). This all started with The Heather, designed by Hall of Fame architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966. When the time came to develop a fifth golf course, the BOYNE Golf team wanted to create something very different and unique paying homage to the golden era of classic course architecture.
Long before courses like Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes, The South Course at Arcadia Bluffs, or the soon-to-come “Lido” at Sand Valley - all paying tribute to legendary early-century architects like C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor – and even before “replica” courses like Tour 18 came on the scene, BOYNE Golf became the first resort destination to ever create a tribute course in honor of a legendary architect, highlighting Donald Ross.
Ross is recognized as the father of golf course architecture in America, immigrating here from Scotland in 1899 and made his home in Pinehurst. He was by far the most prolific course designer, with an estimated 600 courses to his credit and a member of the Golf Hall of Fame. He often stated – “Golf should be a pleasure, not a penance.” He designed courses that fit into the natural contours of the land; not unduly penal, but strategic and deceptive courses that players of all abilities could love and respect.
The Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands is a composite re-creation of classic golf holes Ross designed in the early part of the century at some of his most renowned courses.
“Our founder, Everett Kircher, had a vision to pay homage to Donald Ross and build a course that included some of his greatest holes from his top courses east of the Mississippi River,” said Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations. “We wanted to also create holes from places that most golfers may not have the opportunity to play, so there was a focus on the private clubs.”
The focus on Ross’ elite private clubs required some effort. Contacting clubs, getting permission, and logging airline miles. Bernie Friedrich and Stephen Kircher, along with architect Bill Newcomb (Boyne’s designer for The Alpine, The Moor, and The Monument courses), as well as long-time golf instruction partner Jim Flick set off on a journey to visit more than 50 classic Ross courses to determine the best holes.
“There was a lot of effort and detail put into the process. We weren’t just picking random holes,” explained Friedrich. “We looked at the land we had and tried to match the best we could to the slopes. If a hole rose by 10 degrees of slope, we would try and find a Ross hole at a club with similar slope. For example, in our routing, we found the perfect uphill slope to fit in the popular 12th hole from Oak Hill,” Friedrich explains.
While it’s difficult to match the land exactly, the Donald Ross Memorial can be referred to as a wonderfully well-designed rendition of great Ross holes. But where BOYNE Golf really excelled was in the green complexes. Ross was known for designing some of the greatest green complexes in the game at places like Pinehurst No. 2, Oak Hill and Seminole.
“The green complexes were an area we spent a great deal of time on,” says Friedrich. “We were able to get detailed drawings and photos for many of the greens, including some CAD drawings. The greens are truly a pure Ross experience.”
In 2021 the BOYNE Golf team, in conjunction with Michigan based course designer Ray Hearn, will perform various renovations to the Donald Ross Memorial. The first focus is the first hole (No. 6 Seminole). To give it more of a Florida feel, they will add large sand waste areas down the left and right sides of the fairway. The waste area on the right side of the fairway will also extend over the 16th hole (No. 10 Pinehurst) and provide a true post-renovation Pinehurst feel.
Accurately representing each hole on the Donald Ross Memorial course has always been a priority for us” explained Friedrich. “Today, through technology, CAD, and Google Earth, we are able to gather photos and dimensions to create an even more accurate reproduction of any updates. It is our long-term plan to continue making key renovations to the course and keeping the tradition of Donald Ross alive here at Boyne.”
The Donald Ross Memorial, which was recognized as a “Best New Resort Course in the U.S. in 1990 by Golf Digest” features classic holes from some of the designer’s iconic venues like Seminole, Pinehurst No. 2, Oakland Hills, Oak Hill, Scioto, Detroit Golf Club, Aronimink, Wannamoisett, Plainfield, and Inverness to name a few.
Make sure to check out this classic golf experience on your next BOYNE Golf trip. Visit www.boynegolf.com.
CHAMPION HILLS FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER RANKED ‘TOP 50 IN U.S.’ BY CLUB + RESORT BUSINESS
HENDERSONVILLE, NC – The Fitness and Wellness Center at Champion Hills – one of Western North Carolina’s premier golf communities – has been ranked among the Top 50 in the U.S. by Club + Resort Business (C + RB), coming in at No. 44 on the inaugural list.
A leading trade publication based in Cleveland, C + RB covers the operations and management staff at country clubs, city clubs, yacht clubs and resorts that operate club-like facilities. Its “Top Ranked” initiative for fitness and wellness highlights properties with the “Top 50 Fitness and Wellness” facilities and programs, as judged independently by a panel of general managers from several top clubs.
“Champion Hills is a lifestyle-focused club that’s committed to our members’ health and wellness, and we greatly appreciate this recognition from a well-respected publication like Club + Resort Business,” says Champion Hills General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Dana Schultz. “We’ll continue to invest in our fitness and wellness facilities, programming and service as a major cornerstone of the club.”
Champion Hills’ Wellness Center and Pool Complex is located within its stunning, mountain lodge-style clubhouse complex overlooking the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Replete with the latest cardio and strength training equipment, it houses a spacious room for yoga, spin, Pilates and other group classes. A hydro spa is also available and popular with members for relaxing their muscles post-workout.
Criteria for inclusion in the Top 50 Fitness and Wellness Center included data on fitness and spa facility size, and the size of retail and/ or food-and-beverage facilities related to fitness/wellness; average member usage, both on a monthly-visit basis and as a percentage of total membership; equipment value; classes and services offered; and staff size (both full- and part-time).
For more information, visit www.championhills.com or call
(828) 696-1962.
FOX CHAPEL GOLF CLUB UNVEILS VINTAGE LAYOUT AND LIMITED-EDITION WINE
PITTSBURGH, PA. – When the restoration of the classic Seth Raynor layout at Fox Chapel Golf Club is unveiled later this month, golfers are sure to be intrigued by one of the most distinctive holes on the course—the 16th—fittingly named “Bottle.”
This par 4, 421-yard hole, is the most strategic complex on the course. The fairway is gradually narrowing on the left and right side with three cross bunkers in the middle of the fairway. Ideal play is far along the right side, the left side is wider, but is a more challenging 2nd shot to the green. There are 13 bunkers on the hole with a short cross bunker in front.
As a hole design, the Bottle was only rarely employed, even in golf’s Golden Age of Architecture. The limited-run wine is just as rare, to be found only at the club. To showcase this hole and commemorate the restoration, Fox Chapel’s General Manager Brian
Higgins worked with Williamette Valley Vineyards to create a different kind of bottle, in this case a limited-run pinot noir.
“This distinctive hole was named long before the course restoration, so it seemed fitting that we celebrate it on a wine label,” Higgins said. He added that the wine will be offered on club menus and for banquets.
The club, located outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., was founded in 1923 and the golf course opened in June 1925. The restoration by Fazio Design was led by Senior Design Associate Tom Marzolf and restored a number of revered Raynor template holes, highlighting the historical significance of the layout.
For additional information, access the club’s web site at www.foxchapelgolfclub.org.
BAHIA PRINCIPE GOLF’S OCEAN´S 4 COURSE BECOMES PGA OCEAN´S 4
This is the second course affiliated to PGA of America in Latin America and the third in the world, outside the U.S., together with Mission Hills Golf & Resort and PGA Riviera Maya.
In addition, it will also be the official headquarters of the renowned association’s first Golf Academy in the Dominican Republic. Encarna Piñero, executive vice-president CEO of the Group, and Jesús Durán, CEO of Grupo Piñero in the Dominican Republic, hosted an event celebrating the course’s change of identity, which follows the company’s alliance with the Professional Golfers Association of America, formalized last January.
The course has 27 holes, 4 of which run alongside the Caribbean Sea, which are fully integrated in the landscape and are maintained in sustainable fashion. Grupo Piñero, a Spanish tourism company with more than 40 years of history, and its Bahia Principe Golf division, continue to advance in their commitment to the American market after the agreement established last January with the prestigious Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America).
An alliance that is now coming to fruition with the evolution of its Ocean’s 4 course, which is now called PGA Ocean´s 4, located within the Playa Nueva Romana residential resort, and will become the newest golf facility in Latin America affiliated with the PGA of America.
The change of identity is part of the evolution of the company’s golf business, which manages four courses attached to its hotels and residential complexes, and also includes the creation of the first PGA of America Golf Academy in the Dominican Republic, which will be hosted by PGA Ocean´s 4. In it, homeowners, residents and golfers will be able to enjoy innovative practices, development programs and exclusive educational content, as well as extraordinary instructors who will provide them with an unparalleled golf experience for all levels of players from one of the most important sports organizations in the world.
In addition, the promotion of this discipline reflects that, beyond being a sport, golf is viewed as an instrument that actively contributes to the development of a region. For this reason, Grupo Piñero and its Bahia Principe Golf division, together with PGA of America, are working together to promote the expansion of this sport. The presentation of the complex’s new name took place at a ceremony attended by Encarna Piñero, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Group, and Jesús Durán, CEO of Grupo Piñero in the Dominican Republic, who were accompanied by the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado.
In the words of Encarna Piñero during the event, “we have lived through very difficult times, due to the health emergency caused by Covid-19 worldwide, but during this time we have focused on coping with the situation with humanity, responsibility and courage, with the aim of adapting to this new reality and continuing with our strategy. This attitude has allowed us to proudly celebrate today this new change of identity, a reflection of the fact that we continue to take steps forward in our alliance with PGA of America, as well as our firm commitment to golf as a vacation attraction”.
For his part, the CEO of Grupo Piñero in the Dominican Republic, Jesús Durán, emphasized that “we are proud of the membership of our Ocean’s 4 golf course by the PGA, one of the most important sports organizations in the world. This strategic alliance undoubtedly represents an exponential growth for golf in the Dominican Republic, while encouraging and promoting its practice.” New Name for an Already Prestigious Course PGA Ocean’s 4 is Grupo Piñero’s newest golf course located within the Playa Nueva Romana residential resort. It has two golf courses, an 18-hole par 72 championship course for intermediate and advanced players, and a 9-hole par 27 executive course.
PGA Ocean´s 4 has an original and entertaining 7,334-yard course that impresses with its variety, diversity and modernity harmonized with various settings that combine the 4 spectacular designs of its “Parkland”, “Scottish Links”, “Desert” and Caribbean-inspired holes, which give it an exuberant beauty that can be enjoyed by both experienced golfers and new enthusiasts of this sport. The course management is focused on sustainable maintenance, which, together with the conservation actions carried out jointly with the Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo, make PGA Ocean´s 4 a sanctuary of biodiversity where we find a great variety of species of flora and fauna that turn the game into a unique experience.
PORTUGAL’S UNDISCOVERED GOLF HAVEN PRIMED FOR THE RETURN OF UK GOLFERS
Cascais, Europe’s most westerly point and home to a group of Portugal’s finest golf facilities, is ready to welcome golfers back to the fairways, as UK families and groups are in search of their idyllic 2021 destination.
Renowned as one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, Portugal is often one of the first European escapes considered by the British people, and this year, it will be the number one choice. Offering an all-year round climate, unrivalled leisure activities and a coastline to match, the warmest of welcomes is just a short flight away.
Undiscovered by many, Cascais presents a collection of unique and picturesque championship golf courses, painted by the panoramic Atlantic Ocean and Sintra Mountains. Each venue showcases a range of traditional and modern golf facilities, with immaculately conditioned championship courses, premium accommodation, exceptional gastronomy, and authentic scenery.
Golfers now have the ability to discover each of the seven golf venues in the region, including two of Portugal’s Top 10, Oitavos Dunes, current host venue for the European Tour’s Golfsixes Cascais, and Penha Longa, former European Tour Venue and the only golf resort in Portugal to feature three Michelin Star restaurants.
The Cascais golf portfolio also boasts a variety of challenging layouts, including Estoril Golf Club, one of Portugal’s oldest and most traditional golf clubs; Belas Clube de Campo, Portugal’s first ever GEO Certified golf course; Quinta da Marinha Golf Club, designed by the world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones; Lisbon Sports Club, featuring picturesque views of Lisbon’s surrounding countryside that have remained unchanged since 1922; and Pestana Beloura Golf Resort, located in the historic World Heritage village of Sintra.
Each venue is located within 20 minutes of the country’s capital, Lisbon, a central hub for European travellers with direct connectivity to 102 major cities. Just a short flight from London, Munich and Paris, Cascais is the perfect way to explore Europe once again in 2021.
Playing Golf in Cascais has never been safer, with each golf venue following strict public health guidelines. Golf Courses, hotels and tourist businesses in the region have all been widely approved by the Portuguese authorities ‘Clean and Safe’ accreditation, whilst Portugal has been approved as a ‘Safe Travel’ destination by the World Travel Tourism Council.
Speaking after Portugal was added to the UK’S travel ‘Green List’, Carla Gomes, Director at Visit Cascais, the region’s tourism board, said “We are delighted to see Portugal added to the United Kingdom’s travel ‘Green List’, it has been a challenging period and our partners in Cascais could not be more excited. All seven golf venues in the region have been hard at work preparing for this moment following strict public health guidelines and are ready to showcase their state-of-the-art facilities, premium accommodation, and stunning natural scenery that each of them offers. With travel restrictions prominent for many months now, we would like to be the first region to welcome back golfers, offering our first-class hospitality and creating unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.”
Oliver Key, General Manager at Penha Longa Golf Resort, added “The team at Penha Longa are ecstatic, it has been the news we have all been waiting for. Welcoming global travellers through the doors of our facilities is the reason we work at such a magnificent venue, from our golf shop assistants to our hotel manager, the first-class service is just a short-flight away.”
The past year has opened the imagination of many golfers, a trip to Europe requires more than just a good golf course. Cascais, traditionally a hotspot for royal families and wealthy individuals, presents award-winning traditional and high-end gastronomy, each with a distinct and personal touch. Fresh produce from land and
sea is locally sourced in a sustainable manner, expertly prepared to the highest standard, all heightened by views indescribable in the world’s most surreal sunset.
The region also offers a relaxing way of life, with an abundance of leisure, wellness, and sporting experiences, painted by historical landmarks and tales of ancient civilisations dating from as far back as 1 AD.
For those that prefer to stay closer to home, there are a variety of bespoke wellness experiences in one of the many sophisticated health centres, including Penha Longa Spa & Wellness, named Southern European Luxury Resort Spa 2020, The Oitavos Spa, and Onyria Quinta da Marinha Spa, that effortlessly complement the region’s on-course offering.
For more information on Cascais visit www.visitcascais.com
WHISPERING PINES GOLF CLUB NAMED BEST COURSE IN TEXAS FOR 12TH TIME
Trinity, TX – Whispering Pines Golf Club has again been recognized as the best golf course in the state of Texas. In the annual rankings released earlier this month, both The Dallas Morning News and Golfweek named the course the best in the state in annual rankings released earlier this month. In addition to the statewide honor, Whispering Pines was also recognized as the No. 19 modern course in America and the No. 55 overall course in the country by Golf Digest.
The course was originally designed in 1998 by Texas golf course architect Chet Williams when he was with the Nicklaus Design Group. In December 2019, Williams returned for the course’s new construction which was strategically planned during the course’s end of season closure. Whispering Pines reopened to members in the fall of 2020.
Under Williams’ guidance, the course was entirely re-grassed with Zeon Zoysia in the fairways and rough and Tifeagle Bermuda on the greens. All of the greens were completely rebuilt, including several that were completely redesigned, and all tee boxes were leveled with several new tees added. The course’s bunkers were also rebuilt with some eliminated and others added.
General Manager Tim Timlin, a 30-year veteran in club management with a track record of creating and delivering unique golf experiences, oversees the operations.
“Everyone at Whispering Pines has worked incredibly hard through our recent course construction to be ready for this year,” Timlin said. “This is the best place in Texas to play.”
The property which encompasses Whispering Pines Golf Club was purchased by local philanthropists Barbara and Corby Robertson Jr. in 1970 for neighboring Camp Olympia, a renowned summer camp. In 1998, the Robertson’s vision for the property broadened when they decided to add a world-class golf course. Williams was asked to design the ‘best course’ in Texas. Twenty months later, in March 2000, Whispering Pines Golf Club opened its doors to rave reviews.
“The experience at Whispering Pines over the years is truly special,” Corby Robertson said. “We are especially appreciative of all our contributors and Spirit sponsors who have enabled its positive impact on the global golf community. We’re also honored that Chet Williams’ creative genius and our Whispering Pines team effort continues to be recognized by the golf community in Texas and around the country. We devoted significant resources to new construction on the course in the last two years, so we’re thrilled to see that we continue to deliver a memorable experience to members and their guests.”
Whispering Pines has been recognized by The Dallas Morning News as the best course in Texas 14 times and has appeared in Golf Digest’s Top 100 five times and Golfweek’s Modern Course rankings every year since 2011.
The property features an 18-hole Championship Golf Course carved through piney woods, creeks, lakes and natural dunes. The nine-hole short course – The Needler – is the best short course in America.
In addition to the Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship (Nov. 1-7, 2021), Whispering Pines is the host course of the Spirit Charity Challenge featuring Spirit alumni and Spirit Hall of Fame Game which features local sports Hall of Famers and celebrities at the course.
MANCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB (VT) INTRODUCES NEW PREMIER JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM
Manchester, VT — Manchester CC (VT), one of southern Vermont’s premier golf courses and family-friendly clubs, is introducing a new Premier Junior Golf Program that will combine professional training, instruction and competitive play.
Led by Manchester’s Head PGA Golf Professional Peter Weatherby, the program is geared toward middle school, high school and college prep players and features top-notch instruction and the ability to transfer learned skills into competitive play situations through weekly clinics and regular (monthly) tournaments.
The Premier Junior Program provides small group and individual coaching so players can learn fundamentals of the rules, scoring, and etiquette of competitive golf as well as skills practice and the ability to compete at the next level.
Starting June 9, the nine-week program which runs through August 15, includes weekly afternoon sessions (Wednesdays 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.) with competitive rounds included once per month.
“Our new Premier Junior Program adds a family dimension to the MCC golf experience,” said Weatherby. “There’s a demand for golfers age 11-18 years old looking for a competitive advantage so we are eager to introduce a fun, welcoming and organized experience where the students can identify their own goals and take their game to the next level,” added Weatherby who brings a modern instruction method. “Young golfers who want to improve their performance with local events or with their course management strategies, or those looking to play collegiate golf and obtain a scholarship, this is a great place to be.”
The MCC Premier Junior Program provides students with top-notch instruction and competitive play situations. Individual instruction and clinics are provided on Manchester’s practice range, chipping and putting areas, as well as Manchester’s championship golf course featuring beautiful vistas, a variety of gorgeous golf holes and outstanding playing conditions. The elevation changes, challenging greens, and bunkers will test a golfer’s skill and reward a player with a plan.
Weatherby has instructed over the past decade and is an accomplished player with first-place finishes at the Vermont Sectional Championship in 2019, The Mountain Lake Challenge in Lake Wales, Florida in 2017, the NEPGA Stroke Play at Montcalm Golf Club in 2018 and NEPGA Stroke Play at Turner Hill Golf Club in 2016. Prior to joining Manchester CC (VT), he was at Ekwanok Country Club (VT), the Jupiter Island Club (FL), The Misquamicut (RI) Club and the Old Sandwich (MA) Golf Club.
Weatherby will also help shape the golfers’ motor skills through a variety of technology offerings including a Trackman launch monitor. In addition to the Premier Junior Program private lessons are also available with the pros. MCC’S Premier Junior Program is open to members and the public. In addition to the MCC *Premier Junior Program*, Weatherby will oversee *Manchester Junior Sports camps which will include golf, tennis, and fishing.
About Manchester Country Club:
MCC is a private, member-owned club situated in the beauty of southern Vermont. The Geoffrey Cornish designed golf course is fair but challenging and readily accessible. MCC offers a social calendar full of member events ranging from golf, tennis, and social gatherings. Open for play since 1970, the course has been recognized as one of the finest in New England. Manchester CC has a proud history of supporting golf on all levels and has hosted prestigious local and regional tournaments including the 2019 US Senior Amateur Qualifier, the Vermont Mid-amateur Tournament, and the 2020 Ver
mont PGA Stroke Play Championship. In 2021, Manchester CC will host the Vermont Senior Championship, the US Senior Amateur Qualifier (2021), and the New England Senior Amateur Championship (2021). The Club also has Har-tru tennis courts and fullservice food and beverage offerings which includes the Tap room offering pub fare, a formal dining room for special events, an outdoor deck with scenic views of the front nine and Mount Aiolis and a casual outdoor bar with lawn games, comfortable seating and a firepit. The Club can host events up to 150 people. Memberships to suit your needs and wants and lessons are available, with golf and tennis clinics and events held throughout the season. For more information call or visit www.mccvt.com
NEW “RANCH” GOLF COURSE INSPIRED BY THE COMPANY’S WELLNESS GOLF CONCEPT
SAN DIEGO, CA. – Pizá Golf, internationally recognized as a world-class architecture and golf course design firm, proudly revealed its inspirational designs for the company’s latest golf course project, known as the “Ranch.” The “Ranch” is a Multi-purpose design that expands upon Wellness Golf at the Chablé Resort but on a larger scale.
Similar, to Wellness Golf, the “Ranch” is developed with the intention of creating an inclusive, multi-use space that promotes health, happiness, and well-being. However, the “Ranch” has more space which allowed the design team to create an inventive and fun 18-hole circuit that mix 3, 9, 12, or 18-holes, all in an area of 25-acres.
“I feel this is one of my most complete designs and epitomizes Multi-purpose Golf. It is strategic, inspirational, artistic, and the par 3s can be penal depending on what format the players choose. I am extremely proud of the ‘Ranch.’ It is quite an accomplishment to design an entertaining 18-hole golf circuit on a 25-acre space that can be played to a 7,000-yard, par 72,” said Agustin Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf.
The “Ranch” has received high praise, accolades, and awards, most recently from Architecture Press Release. They honored the concept with a Global Future Design Award. “I am thrilled their esteemed group of judges recognized the vision, the beauty and the playability of the ‘Ranch.’ It is an innovative design, and it only seems fitting the concept received the Global Future Design Award,” added Pizá.
The “Ranch” plays in a combination of par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s, preferably in two groups of five, playing back-to-back for safety. The 18-hole circuit consists of four distinct greens which are larger than the average due to the multiple pin placements designed for multiple levels of play. For a higher degree of challenge and approach angles, each green measure at a different height.
Pizá Golf is known for their commitment to sustainability, the cornerstone of Multi-purpose Golf. A concept to produce golf courses with a smaller footprint, making them economically and ecologically sustainable. Less area to maintain or water, and the “Ranch” is no exception. To consume less water and preserve the land’s natural beauty, the design team only expended 10-acres for grass, the remaining 15-acres remain in-tact. “During the creative process, the team decided the ‘Ranch’ should appear like it had always existed on the site,” added Pizá.
The “Ranch” features two contemporary comfort stations, one located to the south and the second on the lake. The circuit is bordered with a golf cart and maintenance path that also serves as a professional dirt bike path. The “Ranch” is a private golf facility positioned on a ranch estate in Mexico and the project is estimated to be finished in Autumn 2022.
About Pizá Golf Founder – Arch. Agustin Pizá, MSC:
Award winning architect Agustin has earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from ITESM and a Master’s Degree in Golf Course Architecture from Edinburgh University in Scotland. He is a proud member of both the European Institute and the American Society of Golf Course Architects. For 23 years, Pizá has worked with legends of the game and world class golf developments. His designs are known for delivering quality, aesthetic and strategic golf courses.
Pizá Golf has been recognized with many international accolades and has garnered a reputation for “Re-defining Golf Facilities” with their concepts – Wellness Golf and Lounge Golf. Agustin Pizá was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 100 creative minds from Mexico and Golf Inc. Magazine included him in their Power 2020 issue as an up and coming superstar.
Pizá and the company have worked and have been involved in more than 60 projects on three continents.
For more information on Pizá Golf, please visit the company website: www. pizagolf.com