Archives for: June 2009
Livin' large at Horseshoe Bay (golf) Resort near Austin, Texas
Monday June 29, 2009 | 11:15:34 pm 309 words, 4085 views
When you think of Texas golf resorts, Barton Creek in Austin is probably the first place that comes to mind. But the folks at Horseshoe Bay Resort, which overlooks Lake LBJ in the Texas Hill Country, could be making headway in their quest for recognition, and for good reason.
Over the past couple of years, a new team has come on board, and the improvements have been rapid fire. Under COO and president G. Michael Thomas, more than $20 million has been spent on improvements to the golf courses, one of clubhouses and all around the resort. More improvements are on ...
Las Cruces is a pretty cool little New Mexico golf destination
Friday June 26, 2009 | 12:36:19 am 259 words, 3924 views
While Santa Fe and Albuquerque often garner much of the attention when it comes to traveling to New Mexico, you may want to consider Las Cruces in the southern part of the state near El Paso for your next golf trip to the Land of Enchantment.
This week, I played a couple of really nice public courses, sampled some stellar New Mexican food and stayed at a beautiful old hotel that embodies the spirit of Las Cruces.
What Las Cruces lacks in terms of quantity in public golf it makes up for in quality.
The golf course at New Mexico State University ...
Give Lucas Glover his due and Phil Mickelson a pass; U.S. Open was most entertaining
Tuesday June 23, 2009 | 02:30:35 am 461 words, 4088 views
Driving into El Paso, Texas, Monday afternoon, I had a good chance to listen to mainstream media discuss the outcome of the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.
Many of the comments I heard were laughable, including the one that Phil Mickelson choked this one away, that all he had to do was play the final four holes even par to get into the playoff.
Usually, when you hear this kind of stuff it comes from guys who can’t break 120. They don’t get it. Golf at the U.S. Open level is something they can’t begin to relate to. And they have no ...
Nice try, Tiger Woods, but 11 off the pace might be too much at U.S. Open
Saturday June 20, 2009 | 05:21:48 pm 268 words, 3859 views
Has a guy 11 shots off the lead ever got so much coverage? Or how about one who was 20 off the pace?
Watching the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black this week has been surreal. Missing was the usual jockeying of position that you normally see on Saturdays because of this rain-jumbled schedule.
The remarkable and delayed second rounds of former U.S. Amateur champ Ricky Barnes (leader at 8-under; 65 early Saturday) and Lucas Glover (who shot 64 to go to 7-under), were pretty much over as NBC began its coverage on Saturday five hours earlier than scheduled.
What we ...
Satellite subscribers can get plenty of bonus coverage of U.S. Open golf this week
Wednesday June 17, 2009 | 10:04:33 pm 266 words, 3907 views
If you’re planning on being glued to the television set this week for the U.S. Open at 7,426-yard Bethpage Black and you’re a DIRECTV subscriber, then you should be in heaven.
DIRECTV is offering a four-in-one screen HD Mix channel and interactive service all four days. In essence, you can get three extra channels in addition to ESPN’s coverage on Thursday and Friday and NBC Sports’ broadcast on Saturday and Sunday – all available in HD.
Mix Channel viewers will get the home network channel and three special channels. One extra channel will follow a group of golfers, one ...
Valley Course great addition to Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa on Vancouver Island, Canada
Tuesday June 16, 2009 | 09:48:59 pm 287 words, 3794 views
On my first trip to the Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, this week, I played the newly opened Valley Golf Course there first. (I’ll be posting a review soon on the Valley Course.)
The resort, which is where I wrapped up my Vancouver Island Golf Trip today, boasts 36 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. It’s the only resort in North America with 36 holes designed by Nicklaus, although I was told Steve Nicklaus was primarily behind the new course. Had I already played the established Mountain Course first, I would have understood why the ...
Plenty of adventure on Vancouver Island, Canada golf trip
Sunday June 14, 2009 | 12:08:15 pm 460 words, 3852 views
Sometimes you just have to push yourself, which was the case yesterday at a place called WildPlay Element Park in Nanaimo, British Columbia, about 75 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
This is a place for the young at heart. Here you get to experience bungee jumping off a bridge, canyon zipping, the King Swing and something called the Tree Course, which sounds like the most tame of them all.
After a very enjoyable round of golf at Duncan (B.C.) Meadows Golf Course with course owner Ming Hui, I ventured up the road to WildPlay.
I knew I was in trouble upon ...
Travel to Vancouver Island to find a perfect Canadian climate of great golf, fishing and sightseeing
Friday June 12, 2009 | 09:47:23 am 288 words, 3835 views
With its temperate climate, the people here on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, love the outdoors, whether it’s riding bikes, walking, fishing or playing golf. And so far, I’m finding out the golf here is great.
My first couple of days have been at the Inn at Laurel Point, which is located on the Inner Harbour of Victoria, one of the prettiest cities I’ve ever seen. The newly renovated hotel, with its glass walls and balconies, gives up great views of the harbor and the city, which is the capital of British Columbia.
Here, you’ll find great restaurants, other grand hotels, clubs, ...
Catching a sneak peek of the new Old American Golf Club at The Tribute north of Dallas
Tuesday June 9, 2009 | 01:43:43 pm 244 words, 3856 views
Recently, I had the pleasure of playing The Tribute Golf Club in The Colony, Texas (north of Dallas), which pays homage to great Scottish courses across the Atlantic.
Designed by Tripp Davis, The Tribute will let you play all those run-up and wind-cheater shots that you don’t get on most American courses. A review will be published soon on GolfTexas.com.
Part of the trip was also to check out what is now called the Old American Golf Club at The Tribute. The course is pretty much grown-in and should open late this year. Although it will get its own clubhouse, it’s ...
Sushi for breakfast; great golf and dinner in the High Sierras near Reno-Lake Tahoe
Saturday June 6, 2009 | 11:11:03 pm 445 words, 3803 views
Thursday night, we got a little taste of what the Village at Northstar had to offer. Northstar, which is located just outside of Truckee, Calif., is probably better known as a ski resort, but does a pretty bang-up job hosting golfers, too.
So Thursday night, the resort hosted a dining expo. One of the stops was the Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, just a hundred yards or so from where we were staying. There, we were treated to a spread of salmon, shrimp, spicy tuna and a variety of other offerings. Perfect with a bottle of cold sake.
We ...
Golf, life around Lake Tahoe is a spiritual experience
Thursday June 4, 2009 | 03:15:28 am 345 words, 3963 views
This is the part where if you’re an agnostic, you connect with God anyway. You try to figure out your place in the universe, ponder what’s really important in life and yearn to slow down. How could you not as you drive around the western shores of Lake Tahoe?
Wednesday morning, I made my way from Harrah’s Hotel and Casino on the south shore to Truckee, Calif., to play the much-heralded Old Greenwood Golf Club and aptly named Coyote Moon. Along the way, you’re told to stop at Emerald Bay, which Maile said is the second most photographed spot ...
Luxury golf resorts are becoming more affordable in these tough economic times
Monday June 1, 2009 | 01:47:08 am 265 words, 4073 views
If you’ve ever wanted to play some of America’s most spectacular resort courses but didn’t figure you could afford it, well, this might be the time.
It seems everyone is taking a hit in this down economy. Even Pebble Beach Golf Links, I’m told, can be had for half of what it cost to play there a couple of years ago and staying at the Lodge isn’t necessarily a requirement.
Just up the coast from Pebble Beach is another resort that many argue is as special as Pebble – Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Located just 23 miles from the ...
The Accidental Golfer
The Accidental Golfer (AKA Mike Bailey) has spent more than 15 years writing about the game that has brought him unbridled joy and temporary bouts of insanity. Now on staff at WorldGolf.com, Bailey is a former senior editor for PGA Magazine, senior writer for Golfweek's SuperNEWS and Turfnet magazines and past president of the Texas Golf Writers Association. He has covered every facet of golf, including the PGA and LPGA Tours, equipment and course architecture, as well as the bane of his golfing existence: instruction. The last has led to at least 30 different golf swings, which all feel different but appear to his playing companions to be the same.
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