Golf Resort & Travel Ideas

Hilton Sedona Golf Resort and Spa

2008-02-20T00:43:00.001-05:00

The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa hotel is amidst the spectacular beauty of the magnificent red rock formations surrounding Sedona, Arizona, and offers guests the opportunity to experience Sedona The Most Beautiful Place in America. The hotel is just 90 minutes north of Phoenix with the Grand Canyon two and a half hours away. . The hotel is within minutes of shopping, dining, hiking, mountain bike trails, and over 40 art galleries. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, take a jeep tour or even drift through the turquoise blue skies in a hot air balloon.

Sports enthusiasts visiting the hotel can take advantage of the onsite 18-hole championship golf course with the award winning clubhouse, or can enjoy tennis, fitness classes, salon services, and body treatments at the Hilton Spa. This resort features over 20,500 square feet of meeting space, two ballrooms, and four new state-of-the-art executive meeting rooms. Guests at the hotel can enjoy great Southwestern specialties at the Grille at ShadowRock or poolside at the Blue Water Cafe, open seasonally. One can rejuvenate with a light breakfast, lunch, or an energy snack at the Compass Cafe in the Spa.

Playa Azul, Golf, Scuba, SPA Hotel

2008-02-20T00:41:00.001-05:00

On the Northern Shore of Cozumel lies Playa Azul Beach and Golf resort, a moderately priced vacation destination located approximately ten minutes from the Cozumel International Airport and three miles from downtown. The white sands of the beach are right at the resort's doorstep. The inviting outdoor pool beckons guests to cool off in its sparkling waters. The hotel also has a hot tub, free snorkeling equipment, bike/moped rentals, and tour arrangement. Just across the street is the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course offering hotel guests FREE UNLIMITED GREEN FEES.

For cool drinks, the Playa Azul offers La Palapa Bar located at the beach. Enjoy a FREE BREAKFAST at the oceanview Palma Azul restaurant which is also an ideal setting for lunch. Chan Kaan is the resort's indoor, air-conditioned dining room. To suit guests' needs, the hotel offers laundry services, a gift shop, library, bike rentals.

Every room features Mexican decor, air-conditioning, private telephone, hairdryer, television, and balcony. Most of the rooms offer a view of the ocean.

Barcelo Bavaro Golf All-Inclusive

2008-02-20T00:39:00.001-05:00

Barcelo Bavaro Golf All-Inclusive is one of the five properties that comprise the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort complex, located on the Southeast coast of Bavaro Beach, approximately 15 miles from Punta Cana International Airport.

Resort dining throughout the five-property resort includes the four buffet restaurants, Los Pinos (Italian a-la-carte restaurant with oceanview and roofed-over terrace), Mexico Lindo, Steakhouse, La Uva (a grill with a palm-tree roof, directly on the beach), and La Fuente (Spanish a-la-carte gourmet restaurant; not included in all-inclusive-package). In addition, the resort area has four pool- and two beach-bars, two takeaway pizza stations, and hamburgers and sandwiches outside the international Disco Bavaro. Other facilities throughout the complex consist of theaters, casino, bingo, two discos, beauty center, spa, medical center, and the Plaza Dominican shopping center.

Specific to the hotel are the two restaurants, children's and adult pools, kids' disco, shops, jeweler, game room, ATM, barber/beauty shop, barbecue grills, breakfast service, Internet cafe, laundry facilities, pool table, private beach, kid's club, full-service spa, and par-72, 18-hole golf course with clubhouse, cart, club, and shoe rentals, caddy service, club storage, pro shop, practice range, and a clinic. Hotel services include 24-hour front desk service, currency exchange, babysitting, free parking, limited room service, medical services, porter, and concierge. The all-inclusive rate covers all meals at applicable restaurants (some gourmet venues are not included), snacks at poolside bars, local drinks, lounge chair and towel service, and daily/nightly activities programs for children and adults. Also included are free entrance to the three discotheques and the Tropicalisimo Show, access to all hotel facilities, and free shuttle around the five hotels via Bavaro Express mini-train.

All rooms have balconies, two bathrooms, complimentary toiletries, desk

Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort All-Inclusive

2008-02-20T00:38:00.002-05:00

Located on Cancun's south shore, approximately 5 miles south of Cancun International Airport, this all-inclusive resort houses a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, 2 oversized swimming pools, 6 outdoor Jacuzzis, 2 fitness centers, 6 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, mini-golf, 10 restaurants, late night snack bars, 7 bars, including 4 swim-up bars, disco and a Golf House with 2 restaurants & outdoor pool.

The resort's all-inclusive package includes all meals and snacks, unlimited domestic & imported beverages, non-motorized water sports, daily & nightly entertainment, 24 hours room service and taxes and gratuities. Guests may also use the facilities at other Palace Resort properties; a free shuttle operates daily from Moon Palace to Cancun's hotel zone.
Guestrooms have double whirlpool tubs, balconies, coffeemakers, mini-bars, hairdryers, safes, telephones, satellite TV and liquor dispenser.

The all-inclusive golf package includes one round of golf daily, round trip transportation to and from hotel, snacks & beverages at the course, and shared golf cart. Suites located in golf course don't have ocean view.

Georgia Golf Resorts: The Frog

2008-02-20T00:34:00.001-05:00

Less than one hour west of Atlanta is where you’ll find one of America’s purest golfing experiences. Welcome to The Frog Golf Club, designed by famed course architect Tom Fazio, who has created an unspoiled masterpiece remarkable for its pristine bentgrass greens.

Recognized among the top golf courses in Georgia, The Frog has earned four and a half stars from Golf Digest, and has hosted many notable events including the Georgia Open, CEO Jaguar Tour, The Five Star Celebrity Classic and the John Smoltz Celebrity Players Tournament.

Reserve a tee time at The Frog Golf Club.

Camelback's Escape Golf Package

2008-02-18T00:54:00.001-05:00

Scottsdale, Arizona

Details
Test your mettle! Challenge your game on one of Camelback's two championship golf courses while enjoying the luxuries of Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa. The Escape Golf Package includes a casita style room, $25 dinning credit(s) and 18 holes of golf for two players at Camelback Golf Club. Rates vary depending on dates of reservation.

Booking
Please call 1-800-835-6205 or go to www.camelbackinn.com and click on Specials and Packages (promotional code GOF).

Terms & Conditions
Rates and rooms are subject to availability and restrictions may apply. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Other restrictions may apply.

Valid Until
12/31/2008

Escape Golf Package in Marco Island, Florida

2008-02-18T00:50:00.001-05:00

Naples, Florida

Details
The Rookery at Marco Golf Club, a recently redesigned 18-hole executive golf course where golfers can experience a world-class stay and a supreme golf experience on the Gulf of Mexico.

Package includes:
Deluxe coastal view guest room with balcony
Breakfast for two
One or two rounds of golf per stay including golf cart
Complimentary range balls for the driving range
Golf gift

Booking
Be sure that the promotional code GOF appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-438-4373 in the US and ask for promotional code GOF. For toll-free numbers outside the US please click here.

Terms & Conditions

Valid seven days a week through 12/31/08. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions may apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations.

Valid Until
12/31/2008

California Golf Resort: Winchester Country Club

2008-02-13T19:49:00.001-05:00

MEADOW VISTA, Calif. –Winchester Country Club, a private, equity-based golf and country club located just east of Sacramento, was recently ranked #54 nationally in Golfweek Magazine’s Top 100 Best Residential Courses for 2007. Winchester ranked ahead of other notable clubs including Reynolds Plantation - Great Waters (#66), Desert Mountain - Chiricahua (#64), Old Greenwood (#67), and Desert Highlands (#70), to name a few.

Winchester Country Club is no stranger to such accolades having garnered an impressive list of awards since its opening in 1999. For example, the clubhouse placed first in Golf Inc. magazine’s 2006 clubhouse competition in the over 22,000 square-foot category. It made Golf Magazine Living’s (sister publication to Golf Magazine) list of the “50 Best Golf Communities in America” and has also repeatedly been selected by Links magazine’s as one of “America’s 100 Premier Properties.”

Winchester Country Club unfolds over a densely forested pocket of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The 385 estate homesites range in size from one to six acres, making for a low-density, spacious community that preserves Winchester Country Club’s tree lined high-country experience. Also available are 24 custom cottages with every amenity, ranging from 2,500 sq ft to 4,500 sq ft adjacent to the clubhouse which provide another exciting life style choice for those who are often on the move. At the community’s centerpiece is an 18-hole championship golf course co-designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. So seamlessly integrated are the golf course and dwellings with the forested property that it prompted Jones, Jr. to say, “At first glance, it was obvious that the golf course would take on a natural look and feel. The trick was to marry the fairways and greens to the surrounding terrain, and, much to our delight, we accomplished this goal with flying colors.”

For more information about Winchester Country Club call 530.878.3000, or visit www.winchestercountryclub.com.

Winchester Country Club is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success. OB Sports currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300.

California Golf Resort: Indian Wells Golf Resort's Players Course

2008-02-13T19:34:00.001-05:00

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – The John Fought-designed Players Course opens for public play on November 27, 2007. The 18-hole, par-72, 7,376-yard, golf course is the second of two new golf courses (Celebrity Course opened November 2006) to be built at the Indian Wells Golf Resort located in Indian Wells, California.

“We are simply thrilled with the upcoming opening of the new Players Course,” said Roger Behling, General Manager. “As the Players Course comes together, it is obvious that it will not only meet our expectation, it will exceed them. With its complete package of golf and hospitality offerings, Indian Wells Golf Resort certainly will provide an ideal golf experience to vacationers looking for a premier destination golf resort.”

Conceived in the spirit of a classic American design style, The Players Course features wide playing corridors, traditional rectangular tee boxes and sculpted bunkers. Most of the holes are oriented to take full advantage of jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountain ranges and majestic Eisenhower Mountain to the south. As a “core golf” layout, no roads or homes intrude into the golf courses, and each hole is designed to be somewhat sheltered from the others to elicit a feeling of solitude. Uniquely, Fought was able to utilize many of the mature trees found on the original East Course property to impart the feel of a venerable facility while at the same time delivering a modern approach to golf course design. But to be clear, the mature tree cover and geographical location are about the only two things that the original East Course (opened in 1986) and the new Players Course have in common. By design, the Players Course is completely different than the original golf course.

“The Players Course has an interesting classic strategy developed in harmony with a host of wonderful aesthetics,” said John Fought. “The sand face bunkers are reminiscent of the work of George C. Thomas at Riviera. The mature trees, the California barrancas and stunning mountain views all combine to compose one of the finest new courses in the western United States.”

The Indian Wells Golf Resort has been a popular golf travel destination for nearly 20 years, offering two golf courses and four hotel/resorts (Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas & Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Miramonte Resort & Spa and Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa). The City of Indian Wells, owner of the golf resort, decided to invest in the future of the resort by embarking on an ambitious facility-wide project that has already yielded two new golf courses. Plus the spectacular Douglas Fredrikson-designed clubhouse (IW Club), lighted putting course, sprawling practice facility and a host of other amenities will soon follow in the spring of 2008.

For more information about Indian Wells Golf Resort call 760.346.4653 or visit www.indianwellsgolfresort.com.

Although the opening of the Players Course is certainly creating a buzz in the golf world, many eyes will be on the Indian Wells Golf Resort’s Celebrity Course, as it hosts the 2007 LG SKINS GAME. Clive Clark's much-anticipated Celebrity Course, which opened in November 2006 to rave reviews, features many risk/reward challenges that will set up well for the distinctive Skins format. Clark’s design will require tour players (Fred Couples, Stephen Ames, Brett Wetterich and Zach Johnson) to think their way around the golf course instead of simply overpowering it. For more information about the LG SKINS GAME, visit www.indianwells.com/lgskinsgame.

Indian Wells Golf Resort is professionally managed by OB Sports Golf Management, a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success. Orrin Vincent, the CEO and Founder of OB Sports, had this to say about the new Players Course. “The new Players Course will provide a unique contrast to the already popular Celebrity course and create two must plays for golfers visiting Indian Wells,” said Vincent. “The courses are different in both style and substance - both in the way they play from a strategic standpoint, and in how they are presented visually for the golfer.”

OB Sports currently manages 30 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States and Mexico. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com or call (480) 948-1300.

Vietnam Golf: Dalat Palace Golf Club

2008-02-13T18:21:00.002-05:00

A French architect imagined this layout in 1922, but it took stimulation from the country’s most prominent golf supporter (Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam) to spur its ultimate construction later in the decade

Today, it’s the top-rated course in Vietnam — for its classic design chops, for the incredible rise and fall of its terrain and for its flawless bentgrass conditions. Indeed, Dalat Palace is one of the few bentgrass layouts in SE Asia, thanks to Dalat’s cooler, 1,500m-high climate.

The course itself, measuring 7,009 yards (6,409 meters) from the tips, is an uninterrupted string of inventive, demanding golf holes. Its twists and undulations are breathtaking and the landscaped outlying areas are a flower maven’s delight, with bougainvillea, red salvia, impatiens, mimosa and hydrangeas.

The course was abandoned after WWII and revived in 1959. In early 1966, several months before he beat Arnold Palmer to win the U.S. Open at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, Billy Casper played the course on a tour of Vietnam organized by the U.S. State Department. The course was abandoned again in 1975, after the reunification of Vietnam, and initiated its second comeback in 1993 with a multi-million dollar restoration and expansion by a group of American investors.

Through four consecutive surveys (2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007), Golf Digest has hailed the Dalat Palace GC as the top course in Vietnam in its world renown Planet Golf Survey. Asian Golf Monthly, in its 2007 survey, recognized the course as one of the top-10 in all Asia. The club is also a member of the Finest Golf Clubs of The World (London).

A full practice facility complements the golf course, with an open 290-yard driving range, a putting green and practice bunkers.

Click here to view the article “The Story of Dalat Palace Golf Club - One of the oldest golf clubs in Asia” by Premier Golf Magazine.

Nationally recognized Bird Golf Academy selects international golf destination, The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, as its exclusive Las Vegas location.

2008-02-11T20:55:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort (The Paiute), an international golf destination composed of three Pete Dye original courses, and The Bird Golf Academy, a nationally recognized golf academy with corporate offices in Phoenix, Arizona, today announced that their golf school, known as "the ultimate golfing experience®," will bring its private, individual instructional strategies exclusively to this Las Vegas international golf destination. In addition to Nevada, The Bird Golf Academy offers their customized clinics in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Director of Instruction for The Bird Golf Academy, Jay A. Ewing, details why The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort was chosen as the exclusive location for Las Vegas stating, "Bird Golf is thrilled to announce its new partnership with The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. We have been looking for the perfect site for our students in Las Vegas, and we feel that The Paiute fits that description in each requirement we desired. With three spectacular Pete Dye signature courses, superb practice facilities, and their attention to the player's experience including their customer service, Bird Golf feels that The Paiute is the ideal location for our golf school students."

With other golf schools a student might be in ratios of 4 or more to each instructor. The Bird Golf Schools provide private, individual instruction for 60 minutes of each hour in either a 1 student to 1 instructor or a 2 student to 1 instructor ratio. The six or eight hour per day sessions allow students to take advantage of one-on-one concentrated instruction. Bird Golf teachers are world-class, widely-recognized golfing professionals who have a combined 400 years of teaching experience, hold Tour titles and are members of various Halls of Fame.

General Manager of The Paiute, Pat O.Hara, emphasizes the depth of instruction Bird Golf provides noting, "seven members of their staff are in one or more Halls of Fame. The Bird Golf instructors include a US Open winner and two-time LPGA Championship winner, the founding editor of Golf For Women magazine, PGA Master professionals the 1989 LPGA Teacher of the Year, and several multiple LPGA Tour winners."

Head Golf Pro at The Paiute, Greg Wickensimer, states .in my experience no one student or person has the same goals or needs when it comes to their golf swing. To learn this difficult game, players would benefit from personal one-on-one time with some of the best instructors in the world. The Bird Golf Academy allows students that rare experience, whether their focus is the short game, putting, full swing, or course management, through individual lessons that cater to a player.s personal game. Improving your golf swing and lowering your handicap is a near guarantee..

When students create their individual clinic through the academy at The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, they will enjoy accommodations following a day's instruction at The JW Marriot in Summerlin, which features deluxe rooms with whirlpool bathtubs, separate showers and luxury beds. The resort also has a Spa, seven restaurants on property, two 11,000 square foot swimming pools, shops and a casino.

For more information on The Bird Golf Academy including creating a customized, personalized clinic at The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, please visit www.birdgolf.com. For additional information on The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort and these events, go to www.lvpaiutegolf.com.

Falls Village Golf Club Wins 2008 Maggy Award

2008-02-11T20:48:00.000-05:00

Durham, NC, January 29, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Marc Reynolds, general manager of Falls Village Golf Club (www.fallsvillagegolf.com), has announced that the club has received a Maggy Award for Best Golf Course. The Third Annual Maggy Award competition gave the community an opportunity to vote for the “Best Of” in more than 80 categories. The 2008 Maggy Award winners will be featured in the January/February issue of Cary Magazine and on CaryMagazine.com. Falls Village, an 18-hole championship golf course, is carved through scenic Carolina pines and offers a challenging golf experience for players of all abilities.

“We are pleased to announce that Falls Village Golf Club has won the 2008 Maggy Award for Best Golf Course,” said Reynolds. “It is an honor to be recognized by the community.”

About Falls Village Golf Club:
Falls Village Golf Club opened in 1999 and its 18-hole championship course is nestled in between scenic Carolina pines. The course stretches 7,072 yards with 48 white sand bunkers and rolling terrain that offers both beauty and challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. The course is easily accessible with its location just north of Raleigh-Durham Airport between I-40 and I-85. For more information, please call 919-596-GOLF (4653) or visit the Web site at www.fallsvillagegolf.com

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

Grande Pines Golf Club

2008-01-07T19:09:00.000-05:00

Renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers has designed one of Central Florida's most dynamic new golf courses. In partnership with six-time major champion Nick Faldo, Smyers created each hole of Grande Pines Golf Club to be a strategic challenge that will bring out the best in each player's game.

Nestled among lakes, tall pines, oaks and palms, Grande Pines Golf Club peacefully coexists with the native flora and wetlands. The course is committed to environmental stewardship, and is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Reserve a tee time at Grande Pines Golf Club.

Grande Pines Golf Club is ideally situated right off Orlando's International Drive, next to Marriott's Grande Vista Resort, and close to all the exciting attractions, finest restaurants and the Orlando Convention Center. Discover more about the elegant villa accommodations and recreational amenities of Marriott's Grande Vista Resort.

Orlando Florida Golf Resort: Hawk's Landing

2008-01-07T19:04:00.000-05:00

World-class golf in the heart of Orlando.

Meandering over 220-acres of lush grounds, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club is the perfect escape from a busy day in the theme parks or a hectic day of meetings in Orlando.

Designed by noted golf course architect Robert Cupp III, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club is a scenic blend of native Florida wildlife and tropical vegetation. Soaring Queen Palms, sand pines and Southern Magnolias combine with fresh beds of flowering azaleas and fragrant jasmine to provide an inspiring golf setting. The course features the latest in modern architectural technique and is fun and challenging for all levels of play. Reserve a tee time at Hawk's Landing Golf Club.

Hawk’s Landing Golf Club wraps around three sides of the Orlando World Center Marriott, and is Central Florida’s only walk-out-the-front-door-of-your-resort golf experience. It is also convenient for the golf enthusiast staying anywhere in the Orlando attractions area.

Discover more about all the amenities of the Orlando World Center Marriott.

Punta Cana Resort: Golf in Paradise

2007-12-15T09:59:00.000-05:00

In early 2001, after creating courses around the world, P.B. Dye returned to the Dominican Republic invited by Frank Rainieri, owner of the PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB. Rainieri and partners, labor mediator Ted Kheel, famed couturier Oscar de la Renta and singer Julio Iglesias wanted Mr. Dye to design a world-class beachfront golf course.

The result of P. B. Dye's first solo effort in the Dominican Republic La Cana Golf Course at PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB definitely belongs on your “must play ” list. Getting here is a snap! American Airlines, US Airways and Air France, who recently, began direct non-stop service into Punta Cana International Airport from New York (JFK), Philadelphia, Charlotte, Miami and Paris.

PUNTACANA Golf Club course is innovative, challenging, beautiful and fun. It's long playing to 7,152 yards from the tournament tees but the rewards include four superb holes playing directly along the Caribbean Sea and 12 holes with magnificent sea views.

The Dye pot bunker is ever present. As noted earlier, hole seven boasts a cluster of 21. P.B. jokingly refers to this area as “Hecklebirnie” a type of golfer's purgatory according to Scottish lore.

To help you master this course and put all the odds on your side, it might be wise to take a lesson with Kim Jensen, the golf pro of the "PuntaCana Golf Academy. " Or, if you have some time left, sign up to one of the 5-day clinics available every week.

And there's much more to PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB. The resort features 420 newly decorated beachfront hotel accommodations, including the elegant TORTUGA BAY, with interiors designed by Oscar de la Renta himself. Add to that, three miles of white-sand beach, the longest in the Caribbean, a beachfront clubhouse overlooking the 18th green, water sports, horseback riding, tennis, nature reserve, children's activities and evening entertainment. A full-service health spa will open later this year in the clubhouse. Meetings and banquet facilities are also available.

You simply must dine at "Cocoloba" restaurant a new gourmet restaurant serving Caribbean nouvelle Cuisine and "La Yola" a romantic site overlooking the marina, specializing in seafood and pasta.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes

2007-12-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

Orlando, Florida. The Premier Orlando Golf Resort... Imagine a golf experience so innovative and personal, only one place in the world could even dream of providing it. Be our guest at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club®, Orlando, Grande Lakes where our Caddie Concierge Program is the first of its kind at any golf resort in Central Florida. Extending an unparalleled tradition of Ritz-Carlton service from tee to green, this innovative program accompanies each group with a knowledgeable, professional attendant to enhance the overall golf experience. Each Caddie Concierge offers a host of services to ensure your enjoyment.
Course Characteristics

* Designer: Greg Norman
* Yardage: 7,122
* Par: 72
* Slope: 139
* Rating: 73.9

Shadow Ridge Golf Club - Palm Desert, California

2007-12-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club is set against the beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, California. Located in the Coachella Valley, Shadow Ridge Golf Club enjoys over 350 days of sunshine and blue skies every year. This beautiful and peaceful valley is often referred to as the "golf capital of the world" because of its ideal playing conditions and abundance of courses.

Shadow Ridge Golf Club's designer is what makes it unique from all the rest. Nick Faldo is the winner of six major championships and the all-time points leader in Ryder Cup history. His vast international experience and passion for detail is clearly evident on every spectacular hole of Shadow Ridge Golf Club. Reserve a tee time at Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

A golf experience like this deserves more than one day of play. Consider a stay at the adjacent Marriott's Shadow Ridge, a favorite resort destination for those who enjoy luxurious accommodations and outstanding recreational choices. Discover more about all the amenities of Marriott's Shadow Ridge.

Desert Springs Golf Club - Palm Desert, California

2007-12-15T09:53:00.000-05:00

Two stunning courses in a Mediterranean paradise. Imagine two 18-hole championship golf courses set among towering mountains and sprawling lakes. This is no desert mirage, but Desert Springs Golf Club, where its Palm and Valley courses offer the ideal setting for group or individual play.

Highly acclaimed architect Ted Robinson, who is called the “King of Waterscapes,” designed both courses at Desert Springs Golf Club. True to his signature style, the two courses offer golfers beautifully landscaped waterways and rolling fairways to challenge their skills, with exceptional views of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance.

To book a tee time at Desert Springs Golf Club, click on the Marriott Golf link on the right.

Desert Springs Golf Club is adjacent to Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, providing stylish surroundings, fine dining, sizzling nightlife, and expansive pools. Discover more about all the luxurious amenities and recreational opportunities of Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa.

Golfers Invited to Start Celebrating 10th Anniversary of the Course at Wente Vineyards

2007-12-09T20:11:00.000-05:00

In anticipation of its 10th anniversary celebration in 2008, The Course at Wente Vineyards is holding its “10 Days of Christmas” special.

From Dec. 15-24, all merchandise in the golf shop will be available at 10 percent off, and diners in The Grill can enjoy a 10 percent discount as well.

“We have several events and special golf packages planned for 2008, all in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Course,” said Christine Wente, fifth generation winegrower and vice president of lifestyle marketing at Wente Vineyards. “Of course, the year is even more special to us, since it is the 125th anniversary of the winery.”

The Greg Norman-designed course, which opened July 15, 1998, is the site of the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship. The Course has earned national attention for being ranked the toughest golf course on the Nationwide Tour, each of the past two years.

During the rest of the year, golf is enjoyed at a far more manageable level on the Greg Norman-designed course, which remains in peak condition. Lush fairways, intriguing greens and the relaxing countryside that route through the historic Wente vineyards provide unparalleled pleasure in every round.

Tee times and more details about the “10 Days of Christmas” are available at www.wentegolf.com and by calling the golf shop at (925) 456-2475.

About Wente Vineyards
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. Owned and managed today by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, the winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of estate vineyards located in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco regions of California. A global wine brand, Wente Vineyards exports wines to more than 50 countries. The Wente Vineyards Estate Winery is located at 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550. For more information, call (925) 456-2300 or visit www.wentevineyards.com.

About The Golf Course at Wente Vineyards
Opened in 1998, The Course at Wente Vineyards is one of California's finest golf destinations, laid out along the Wente family estate vineyards in Livermore, 45 minutes east of San Francisco, where 18 championship holes play through the vineyards, rolling hills, and scenic valleys. Bentgrass greens, rye grass fairways, classic-style bunkers and water hazards add to the challenge of the par 72 that includes more that 200 feet of elevation change. The clubhouse is modeled after an Australian station house, reminiscent of Greg Norman’s childhood in The Outback. The Course is located at 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550. Contact the golf shop at (925) 456-2475 or visit www.wentegolf.com.

Bedford Springs Old Course Exclusive VIP Club

2007-12-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

Bedford Springs Resort is accepting a limited number of applications for its new VIP Club at the Bedford Springs Old Course, ideal for the avid golfer on anyone’s holiday gift list.

The 2008 golf program allows “Very Important Players” to enjoy complete access and priority to the meticulously renovated Old Course, which reopened this summer following completion of a project that retracted the footsteps of three revolutionary American golf course architects -- Spencer Oldham (1895), A.W. Tillinghast (1912) and Donald Ross (1923).

This unique and historic collaboration of golf holes stretches across the foot of the Allegheny Mountains along Shobers Run creek, a tributary of the Juniata River, weaving amid the 200-year-old oaks, serene meadows and marshes of picturesque Bedford Springs Valley. The par 72, which ranges from 5,050 to a maximum of 6,795 yards, features bentgrass greens, fairways and tees, with rough consisting of bluegrass and fescue.

The exclusive VIP Club at the Bedford Springs Old Course includes:

- Full, unlimited use of golf course and practice facility prior to play
- 10 percent discount on all golf shop merchandise
- Specially priced golf cart rates of $20 for 18 holes, $10 for nine holes
- One complimentary night’s guestroom accommodation at the Bedford Springs Resort
- Special invitation to exclusive events including guest days and tournaments
- Complimentary monthly golf clinics for junior players within the immediate family
- Benchmark Preferred Membership (exclusive discounts on golf, spa treatments and accommodations at other participating Benchmark Hospitality International properties)

The annual fee for the VIP Club is $2,495 for an individual, with a family option available for $3,795. Also, each VIP Club golf program purchased before Christmas will include a bonus 13th month for the price of 12.

The Old Course is open to the public, with preferred tee times reserved for VIP Club individuals and families, and resort guests. For information about the Bedford Springs Old Course, tee times and the VIP Club, call (866) 623-8168 or visit www.bedfordspringsresort.com.

Bedford Resort Partners, Ltd. is the owner and developer of the Bedford Springs Resort project. The Resort is managed by Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally. For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

Give the Gift of Golf in Northeastern Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains

2007-12-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

Four-county Golf Destination Offers Variety of Golf Memberships, Stay-and-Play Packages

What do golfers in the Northeast crave this holiday season? Spring. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau suggests placing the gift of golf under the Christmas tree this year with 2008 golf memberships and stay-and-play packages to any of the myriad courses in the four-county region. Memberships range in price to include everything from scheduled weekday play to unlimited golf at public courses or private clubs.

"While golfers love unwrapping a dozen golf balls or this year's hot new gadget that promises to improve their game, what could be better than opening a card that promises a season's worth of golf?" asks PMVB Executive Director Robert Uguccioni. "The Pocono Mountains offer championship courses that will challenge the best golfer as well as options that are both economical and kind to the less-skilled player."

The Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf's Great Destination Secret, are home to hundreds of holes of golf from legendary designers such as A.W. Tillinghast, Donald Ross and Jack Nicklaus. With classic designs that feature tight fairways and small greens, to expansive resort courses and modern gems, the four-county region has something to satisfy every taste.

Various stay-and-play packages are available for gifts as well. These are as varied as the courses themselves, such as an early-spring overnight to enjoy the budding flowers or a ladies day at the course with a trip to the spa after 18 holes of championship golf.

A complete list of Pocono Mountains golf courses and links to individual web sites can be found at www.poconosgolf.com. The venerable destination, with the brand campaign and slogan, "It's Time for the Pocono Mountains," also provides the ideal backdrop for corporate outings and meetings. If it's an overnight stay, a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, people are increasingly discovering the convenience and proximity of the Pocono Mountains properties and value-laden packages.

In addition to the many golf options, the mountain destination is blessed with numerous lakes and rivers, miles of marked and unmarked trails for hiking and biking, fine dining, shopping and historical site seeing. Gaming has come to the Pocono Mountains, as well, with Mount Airy Casino Resort introducing slot machines earlier this fall.

For more information on the area, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

About the "Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf's Great Destination Secret"

The Pocono Mountains has long been known to avid travelers and mountain aficionados for its lush, relaxing family-friendly ambiance and romantic setting, as well as its fall foliage, winter skiing, spring-summer outdoor recreation options and natural beauty. Numerous lakes, parks and other environmental wonderlands are found throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region.

Discerning golfers are well aware that the Pocono Mountains are home to golf courses designed by renowned architects such as Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast. Pocono Mountains golf properties and value-laden golf packages are available on www.poconosgolf.com, which allows players to enjoy majestic mountain-view scenery, the area's natural splendor, year-round amenities and unequaled value and variety.

Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:

Home to hundreds of golf holes at numerous clubs, many located close to one another:
Two NASCAR races held annually each spring-summer
Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast
Golf, lodging and resort accommodations at all price points, from luxury to value
Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities
Attractions, festivals and other special events
Meeting and conference facilities
Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants
Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts
Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Circling Raven Golf Club Constructing New Amenities Set to Unveil in Spring 2008

2007-12-06T21:32:00.000-05:00

Circling Raven Golf Club and the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel - distinguished properties owned and operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe - today announce that construction on a new Events Pavilion and state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly Cart Storage Building are being built and planned for a Spring 2008 debut.

The Events Pavilion is a 3,800 square foot structure which features full kitchen, full bath, fire pit, wood slat ceiling, stone-covered walls, wood-framed windows surrounding the building, and a one-of-a-kind 4-inch thick "Green Roof."

The roof is composed of live growing native grasses which will blend with the natural surroundings, something the CDA Tribe holds sacred and which it has steadfastly ensured on its land.

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Circling Raven will use this building for various golf tournaments, catered events, weddings and groups.

"We are committed to enhancing our operations and amenities in order to provide our guests with everything they need to make their visit enjoyable and exceed their expectations," says CDA Casino Resort CEO David Lasarte. "At the same time we don't undertake anything unless it works well with our land and minimizes impact."

In addition to the Events Pavilion, a cart storage building is being constructed adjacent to Circling Raven's 25-acre practice facility. This building measures 8,000 square feet and will house a brand new cart fleet beginning spring 2008.

Both buildings were designed by Mithun, a leading national architecture and planning firm which specializes in sustainable design. Mithun integrates an innovative blend of design, technology and nature to create places that excel in beauty, spirit and performance, something of critical importance to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

"When people visit our resort and our golf course, they know they're in Indian Country," says CDA Casino Resort CEO Lasarte. "They discover the hospitality, the great golf and they see what can be achieved in concert with a vast and beautiful piece of land."

Such proactive, strategic endeavors and leadership are the hallmark of CDA Casino Resort and Circling Raven, which is the reigning PGA of America Inland Empire Chapter Merchandiser of the Year.

Designed by Gene Bates, Circling Raven continues to accumulate best-of awards. Recent honors include being named to:

Golf Digest Magazine's "Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. - 2007" (No. 4)
Zagat Survey's "America's Top Golf Courses 2007-08"
Golfweek Magazine's "Best Resort Golf Courses in the U.S. - 2007"
Golf Magazine's "Top 100 You Can Play - Courses to Watch (for the 2008 ranking)"
Fairways + Greens Magazine's "Best Resort Courses in the American West - 2007"
PGA of America Northwest Section Golf Shop "Merchandiser of the Year"
Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d'Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor

For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort & Hotel call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com or www.cdacasino.com.

About Circling Raven Golf Club

Owned and operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and convenient to Spokane (WA) airport, the resort and golf club are nestled on a reservation covering 345,000 acres of mountains, lakes, old-growth forest and farmland. The resort spans the western edge of the northern Rocky Mountains.

Tribal history also tells us that Circling Raven was a spiritually powerful leader, his name coming from his close relationship to the raven, who helped guide him on his journeys, warn him of danger and show him where to find fish and game.

Circling Raven was created amid a unique blend of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. At 7,189 yards, the par 72 championship layout meanders through 620 acres, only 100 representing cultivated ground. Wildlife is abundant, including elk, deer, moose and an occasional black bear. In fact, the opening was delayed due to damage on two greens by migrating elk.

Golf Course

Yardages: Gold, 7,189; Blue, 6,578; White, 6,108; Red, 5,389; Green, 4,708
Total Acreage: 670 (including practice area, practice green and clubhouse)
Amenities: The clubhouse is 6,500 square feet, including the Twisted Earth Grill and full service bar. Both locker rooms include showers and lockers. The practice facility covers 25 acres; separated into areas for wedges, sand play and all clubs in the bag. The resort adjacent to the course includes 202 hotel rooms, casino, events center, buffet, and restaurant, off track betting and conference/convention facilities.
L93 Bent Grass Greens
Bluegrass tees, fairways and rough
Golf Carts: Equipped with a Global Positioning System

Saddle Creek Resort Named One of 'America's Best Residential Golf Courses' by Golfweek for Fourth-Straight Year

2007-12-05T20:49:00.001-05:00

Saddle Creek Resort - the gated, 900-acre Castle & Cooke community located in the scenic foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains - has been named to Golfweek's prestigious list of "America's Best Residential Golf Courses" for 2008, marking the fourth-straight year the Carter Morrish-designed course has appeared in the rankings.

In selecting Saddle Creek, Golfweek cited the course's relationship to the overall community plan, the variety, conditioning and playability of the layout, and "how pleasing and interesting the course is as an experience."

The residential ratings are derived directly from Golfweek's annual list of America's Best Courses, published each March since 1997.America's Best Golf Courses are ranked by more than 350 raters throughout the country, who judge on the basis of 10 evaluation criteria. Rankings are calculated using a statistically rigorous process.

"To be recognized by Golfweek in such a competitive category is an honor for our staff, residents, members and resort guests," says general manager Bill Troyanoski. "The architectural integrity of Saddle Creek's residential component actually adds to the overall golf experience."

Adds long-time head professional Chris Bitticks, "Saddle Creek is the ideal blend of strategy, challenge and enjoyment. It hosts the storied Northern California Open featuring the state's best players, but also hosts thousands of resort and member rounds, annually. It is this balance, in addition to the harmony between the golf course and residential components, that we believe appeals toGolfweek raters."

Situated in the rolling foothills of the Central Sierra region, golfers are afforded stunning vistas of the towering Sierra Mountains to the east, while an ethereal collection of shimmering lakes, native trees, indigenous grasses and 100 bunkers provides a challenging, thought-provoking experience from tee to green. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other.

Saddle Creek's thoughtful design, challenging-yet-fair setup and sublime conditioning have led to numerous state-wide and national accolades including:

Golf Digest, "4 1/2 Stars"
Golf Digest, "Best New Upscale"
GOLF Magazine, "One of America's Most Underrated Courses," 2007
Golfweek, "Best Residential Golf Course," 2007
Golfweek, "Best You Can Play" No. 8 in California
T+L Golf, "America's Best 100 Courses for $100 or Less," 2002
Fairways & Greens, "Top Golf Experiences of the West"
ZAGAT Survey, "America's Top Golf Courses," 2007/08

The course has lauded in golf and lifestyle publications from coast to coast, including Private Air, Calabasas, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune, San Jose Magazine, Gentry, Southland Golf and more. For more information about the Saddle Creek Resort and the community visit www.saddlecreek.com or call 800.611.7722

About Saddle Creek Resort - a Castle & Cooke Community

Saddle Creek Resort's diverse and award-winning real estate blends resort and residential atmospheres. Custom homesites start just under $300,000 and residential opportunities range (home and lot) from the $600s to more than $1 million. Boasting views of small lakes and oak-covered hills, these picturesque homes serve as countryside retreats and make for the ideal escape for residents in the Bay Area, San Jose and Sacramento -- all between 1.5 and two hours away.

Each neighborhood at Saddle Creek is carefully planned to complement and augment the golf course. Architectural design guidelines ensure each home is unique and blends with the overall residential theme. Recent real estate releases include: Quail Creek, estate and custom homesites with beautiful views of the nearby hillsides and valleys (from just under $300,000); Luxury Custom Homes, offered by Castle & Cooke and Vista Homes with elevations available upon request (from the low $1,000,000s); and Copper Glen - The Foothill Collection of Country Homes, featuring six plans and 19 elevations (from $650,000 to just over $800,000) with club membership incentives.

Residents and guests of Saddle Creek can also enjoy the beauty of the Quail trail with miles of hiking trails and mountain biking and nearby skiing, snowmobiling, and the nearby Lake Tulloch. Also of interest are the sports club, featuring a 3,000-square-foot facility offering yoga and aerobic classes, a large pool, kids' wading pool and a Jacuzzi spa. The Lodge at Saddle Creek features a fully-stocked bar and an extensive wine list, stunning vistas and the nationally-recognized culinary operation at the acclaimed Copper Grille.

Castle & Cooke, in their goals of enhancing the overall communities where they have ongoing developments and operating facilities, are adding to the Saddle Creek Resort experience. Currently in development, Copperopolis Town Square will bring an exciting new dimension to Copperopolis with its traditional town square, specialty shops, boutique art galleries, restaurants and businesses that will create a retail-focused, mixed-use "country town" set alongside a beautiful creek and lake. Castle & Cooke recently introduced 15 luxury "Town Lofts," offering unique town-living overlooking the vibrant retail element of the town square. Each loft is individually designed to take advantage of sight lines and surrounding vistas. Units range from 1,000 to just over 2,000 square-feet. For more information about the Town Lofts and pricing, call 866.276.4235.

Saddle Creek Resort, as well as Coyote Creek Golf Club outside of San Jose, is owned and operated by Castle & Cooke, Inc. that, along with its affiliated companies, has operations in over 24 states. The company's diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and ownership of public warehouses. The company's real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, LakeSherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, and Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California. The company also owns two of the world's highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana'i in Hawaii.

Creek Club Ranked Among World's Elite New Layouts

2007-12-03T21:24:00.001-05:00

The Creek Club at Reynolds Plantation has been ranked by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine among the top 10 new golf courses in the world for 2007.

In its November/December 2007 issue, T + L Golf Magazine recognizes eight courses in the United States, one in New Zealand and one in Canada to comprise its latest in an annual series of newcomer awards, recognizing excellence in golf course design world-wide.

Located on Lake Oconee at one of the world's renowned golf resort communities, The Creek Club was listed No. 7 overall and is the only course selected from the Southeast. Designed by Jim Engh, The Creek Club opened this summer as the first member-only golf course at Reynolds Plantation.

"The Creek Club immediately set itself apart from every other course in the region," said Bob Mauragas, vice president of golf operations at Reynolds Plantation. "Jim Engh's reputation for superior design and shot values are evident virtually every step, from tee to green. The visual aspects of each hole and the use of this unique piece of property will be regarded as remarkable, now and in the future."

One of Engh's first course designs east of the Mississippi and the first in the southeast, The Creek Club at Reynolds Plantation is a fun and challenging layout where the echoes of traditional Irish design weave throughout the course. Its features include Engh's signature rolling bunkers, Zoysia grass fairways and tributaries of Richland Creek, whose waters come into play on 14 holes. A par 72, the course plays to a maximum of 7,079 yards.

In the magazine's synopsis, The Creek Club's wide, welcoming fairways and sometimes accommodating slopes on the greens are noted. "There are several risk-reward shots, most notably at the par-5 12th, with its alternate fairway," adds writer Steve Eubanks. "But the real risk on this course is hitting approach shots short. Make that error and you'll be blasting from deep, steep bunkers or facing an epic putt over a five-foot swale."

The Creek Club is the newest complement to the year-round golf lifestyle at Reynolds Plantation, which boasts an ultimate collection of world-class golf courses by world-class designers, which include the Plantation (designed by Bob Cupp), National (Tom Fazio), the Oconee (Rees Jones) and Great Waters (Jack Nicklaus). Other Linger Longer Communities include Reynolds Landing on Lake Oconee, with an award-winning Bob Cupp-designed course and Achasta, in historic Dahlonega, Ga., with a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.

The T + L Golf Magazine list of Top 10 New Golf Courses in the world:

Chambers Bay, Tacoma, Wash.
Golf Club At Ravenna, Littleton, Colo.
Stonebrae Country Club, Hayward, Calif.
The Home Course, DuPont, Wash.
Promontory (Painted Valley Course), Park City, Utah
The Golf Club of Cape Cod, Falmouth, Mass.
The Creek Club at Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Ga.
Kinloch Club, Kinloch, New Zealand
Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Cobble Beach Golf Links, Owen Sound, Canada

About Reynolds Plantation

Reynolds Plantation is a Linger Longer Community providing an award-winning lifestyle with world-class amenities. Named the "Best of the Best" Golf Community by Robb Report and the community with the "Best Golf" by GOLF MAGAZINE Living, Reynolds Plantation, located between Atlanta and Augusta, is a golf and lake community with more than 80 miles of shoreline on Lake Oconee. The community features 99 holes of championship golf from designers Bob Cupp, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Jim Engh, who designed the community's first members-only course. Reynolds Plantation is also home to The Reynolds Golf Academy, as well as the TaylorMade Performance Lab and The Kingdom at Reynolds Plantation. The community offers members a variety of dining options, swimming pools, pedestrian trails, three full-service marinas and The Lake Club Wellness Campus and Tennis Center. Golf Digest and Golf for Women chose Reynolds Plantation as the site of the 2007 Signature Home, their first-ever "ultimate home for a golfer," and Southern Living unveiled its Idea House there in the summer of 2007. Reynolds Plantation is also home to the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Ritz-Carlton Lodge, a 251-room lakefront resort and spa ranked No. 5 in the "Top 100 Golf Resorts" worldwide by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. Linger Longer Communities is also the developer of Reynolds Landing and Achasta. For more information, call 800-800-5250 or visit www.reynoldsplantation.com .

Stellar 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup Caps Off Banner Year at World's Largest Collection of Golf Courses

2007-12-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

Mission Hills Golf Club -- the world's largest collection of premier golf courses with 12 layouts designed by many of the greatest golfers and golf-course architects from five continents -- today announces that an unforgettable week at the 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup capped off a year to remember at the club.

Scotland, represented by the duo of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren, defeated the American team of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum on the third extra hole to secure the $1,600,000 first prize. It was Scotland's first World Cup victory since the event's inception in 1953. Fittingly, the region widely regarded as the birthplace of golf won in the country that holds much promise as the game's newest frontier.

"The World Cup is one of the most venerated titles in all of golf," says Dr. David Chu, Chairman, Mission Hills Group. "The tournament's rich history, combined with its founding principle of promoting international goodwill through golf, is what makes us so honored to have Mission Hills named the host through 2018."

And while the club has 12 world-class designs to choose from as host, the plan is for the tournament to remain on the Olazabal Course for the foreseeable future, according to Tenniel Chu, Executive Director, Mission Hills Golf Club.

"We have the luxury to play on a different course each year, but at the same time, what we want to try and create is somewhat similar to what Augusta has done," he says. "Every year, same course, same venue, same time. For the audience watching around the world, they will grow familiar with it and become emotionally attached to it."

Mission Hills' and the Olazabal Course's emergence on the international golf scene is emblematic of the game's meteoric growth in China, a fact not lost on Dr. Chu.

"Mission Hills' selection as host for the next 12 years is proof that the golf world realizes the integral role that we can play in the fantastic opportunity that China presents to grow the game," he says.

While the inaugural OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup was a great success, it was hardly Mission Hills' only noteworthy accomplishment of 2007.

Pete Dye and Zhang Lian Wei Courses Open to Critical Acclaim

This past summer, the club broke its own world record when it opened its 11th and 12th courses from legendary designer Pete Dye and Chinese golf hero Zhang Lian Wei, respectively.

The Pete Dye Course, his first in China, offers a marked departure from the property's other 11 designs. Dye trademarks are all present and accounted for throughout the 6,800-yard layout, including small pot bunkers, long tee-to-green waste areas, railroad ties used as sleepers and walkway steps framed by tall native grasses to provide a sharp, visual contrast. Dye and collaborating architect Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design routed the course through dramatic, rolling hills, where the course is serviced by the recently-opened Mid-Valley Clubhouse.

The Zhang Lian Wei Course, on the other hand, is the first par-3 course in China. Designed by Schmidt-Curley in conjunction with Wei, the first Chinese golfer to compete in the Masters, it features design elements and greens borrowed from many of the world's most famous golf venues. Architecture aficionados will discover a history lesson of quirky designs such as the Postage Stamp green from Royal Troon, the Road Hole green at St. Andrews and Donald Ross-style "turtle back" green complexes.

"We are excited to add our 11th and 12th courses and to present our members and guests with 216 holes of outstanding, world-class golf," said Dr. Chu at the time. "It is an honor to have Pete Dye and Zhang Lian Wei represented at Mission Hills and we look forward to a lasting relationship with both gentlemen."

Mission Hills Golf Academy by Cindy Reid

In September, Mission Hills celebrated the opening of the Mission Hills Golf Academy by Cindy Reid. Vijay Singh, one of Reid's prized pupils, visited Mission Hills to mark the occasion.

Formerly the Director of Instruction at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Reid has worked with Singh as well as several other PGA Tour players over her twenty-five year career, including Jim Furyk, Fred Funk, Davis Love III, and Rocco Mediate. She is widely considered to be one of golf's premier teachers and is known for her ability to communicate and inspire her students. Reid is a Golf For Women magazine Top 50 instructor, is a regular contributor to The Golf Channel's "Academy Live," and is a contributing instructor writer to Golf For Women and PGA TOUR Partners Magazine.

The Cindy Reid Signature Golf School features an Elite Golf School and a Women's Elite Golf School in two and three day packages. The Elite Golf School is an intense program that caters to serious golfers who seek to improve their tournament play, while the Women's Elite Golf School focuses on basic fundamentals for female players. The Cindy Reid Signature Golf School also offers a Three Day Elite Short Game School geared toward experienced players. These schools are each highlighted by personal instruction from Reid.

"It is an honor to have Cindy Reid and the Cindy Reid Golf Academy here at Mission Hills," Dr. Chu said upon the academy's launch. "Over the years she has established herself as one of the game's great teachers and true ambassadors. Her instructional methods and philosophies further our goal of growing the game in China by introducing and retaining players through sound fundamentals."

Mid-Valley Clubhouse Opens to Service Dye, Nick Faldo Courses

This year Mission Hills also completed construction of the third clubhouse on its property.

The Mid-Valley Clubhouse is marked by its Spanish-style tile roof and Southwestern décor. It services the Faldo and Pete Dye Courses and features Chinese, Asian and Western cuisine in its Sunrise Café; the club's fourth spa, offering couple treatment rooms, a foot reflexology center, and spa retail boutique; men's and women's locker rooms, featuring 238 and 90 lockers, respectively, as well as saunas and steam rooms; a fully-stocked pro shop; and three banquet rooms with capacities between 60 and 120 people.

"The Mid-Valley Clubhouse, like its predecessors on the Shenzhen and Dongguan sides of the club, offers a multitude of amenities and is a paragon of luxury and opulence," says Dr. Chu.

He continues: "Mission Hills has always prided itself on offering the finest service in the world. Our guests will enjoy every aspect of their stay, from world-class golf and exceptional dining, to soothing spas and exemplary personal service from our devoted staff. It is these things that make the Mission Hills experience so unique and gratifying."

Faldo Series Asia Showcases Local, Regional Golf Talent

From December 12 - 14, Mission Hills' Faldo Course will host the grand final of the Faldo Series Asia.

The Faldo Series Asia features an annual schedule of tournaments in different territories across the region. Over 60 players qualify for the Faldo Series Asia grand final, hosted by the six-time major winner on his namesake course at Mission Hills.

Combining experience with education, Faldo Series Asia tournaments give talented young golfers, male and female from ages 11 to 21, the chance to benefit from top-level competition under strict tournament conditions and receive expert advice from guest speakers on golf related topics. Simultaneously, younger children gain access to golf at the tournaments through a program of grass-roots activities and the chance to watch the competitors in action. Results from the series count toward the R & A's World Amateur Golf Rankings.

"The growth of the game in China cannot be fully achieved without reaching out to and fostering interest among children and young adults," says Dr. Chu. "This is why our association with the Faldo Series Asia is of paramount importance to us and our efforts to spread golf throughout China. It is our hope that the program will help to identify the next generation of Chinese professionals who will one day vie for major championships on the game's grandest stages."

About Mission Hills Golf Club

Since opening in 1994 and hosting the World Cup in 1995, Mission Hills Golf Club has emerged as one of the world's leading venues for international golf events, hosting more than 50 international tournaments including the 2001 Tiger Woods China Challenge. In a resounding statement about its place in the pantheon of international professional golf, Mission Hills and the Olazabal Course will be the permanent home of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup through 2018. In addition, Mission Hills has firmly entrenched itself as the epicenter of golf in China, one of the fastest growing markets in the world for the construction of new golf courses and grass roots growth of the game via junior golf programs.

Mission Hills seeks to create 'International Goodwill through Golf.' The Club occupies over 4,500 acres of land (the size of five Central Parks) and boasts 12 signature courses designed by golf legends from five different continents: Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Zhang Lian Wei, David Leadbetter, Greg Norman, Jumbo Ozaki, Vijay Singh, Annika Sorenstam and David Duval. Each course is reflective of the designers' style, offering unique risk / reward challenges to the player. As a complete golf destination, the Club houses a five star hotel and world class spa and was voted Best Golf Resort in Asia by readers of Asian Golf Monthly in 2006 and Golf Resort of the Year in the Rest of the World category in 2005 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). In May 2004, the Club was accredited by the Guinness World RecordsTM as the World's Largest Golf Facility, making a name for itself in the world of premier golf through its exceptional ability to deliver an unsurpassed level of service excellence.

The Chu family, true ambassadors for the game of golf, have also invested heavily in practice facilities and instructional academies in order to promote the sport through retention of players. There are three practice ranges on site -- all with state-of-the-art amenities and TOUR-level conditioning. And Mission Hills has the rare distinction of having two teaching facilities from renowned instructors in the same location: the David Leadbetter Academy and the Mission Hills Golf Academy by Cindy Reid. In conjunction with international golf star Nick Faldo, the club hosts the "Faldo Series Asia" grand final. The Faldo Series provides the best young golfers in Asia with grass roots level access to the game through a series of goodwill competitions.

About the World Cup

The 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup launched a new and exciting era in the history of the event. John Jay Hopkins, a noted Canadian industrialist, founded the event in 1953 as a way to promote goodwill among nations through golf. Initially named the Canada Cup, it became the World Cup in 1967 and is scheduled to be played at Mission Hills Golf Club through 2018. The 2007 OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup offered a purse of $5,000,000. It was a four-day team event that featured a four-ball (better-ball) format on days one and three, and a foursomes (alternate shot) format on days two and four. The Scottish team of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren defeated the American team of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum on the third extra hole to claim the $1,600,000 first prize.

Getting There: Mission Hills Golf Club is a short drive north of Hong Kong International Airport, www.hongkongairport.com. Flights on most major airlines from most major cities are available into Hong Kong. From the airport, Mission Hills transports golfers in luxury shuttles across the border to the resort hotel.

For more information about Mission Hills Golf Club, visit www.missionhillsgroup.com, email info@missionhillsgroup.com, or call (852) 2122 1616 (Hong Kong) - (86 755) 2802 0888 (Shenzhen) -- (86-769) 8728 8888 (Dongguan).