Golf Travel News January 12, 2024

Golf Journey Information – January 12, 2024

In golf journey information this week are gadgets from Caledonia and True Blue, Pebble Seaside, Sea Pines, Nemacolin and Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

Caledonia Golf and Fish Membership and True Blue Golf Membership Earn Prestigious Platinum Award from the Affiliation of Golf Merchandisers

Myrtle Seaside, S.C. – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club have earned the celebrated 2025 Platinum Award from the Affiliation of Golf Merchandisers (AGM), marking one other nationwide honor for the 2 golf amenities. The coveted distinction acknowledges the High 100 golf outlets worldwide, celebrating excellence in merchandising, customer support, and retail operations throughout public, non-public, resort, and off-course golf amenities.

The AGM Platinum Awards are considered the top of feat in golf retail. Winners are chosen by means of a rigorous evaluation course of carried out by an neutral panel of judges, evaluating elements akin to merchandising innovation, promotional methods, operational excellence, and buyer satisfaction. The glory displays Caledonia and True Blue’s unwavering dedication to delivering an distinctive procuring expertise for golf fans.

“This recognition is a testomony to the dedication of our groups at Caledonia and True Blue,” mentioned Bart Romano, PGA, Director of Operations for Caledonia and True Blue. “Our mission is to offer not solely excellent golf but in addition a retail expertise that matches the standard of our programs. Incomes the Affiliation of Golf Merchandisers’ Platinum Award and being ranked among the many High 100 golf outlets worldwide is an unimaginable honor and reinforces our dedication to excellence.”

The 2025 AGM Platinum Award winners will probably be celebrated throughout a particular ceremony on the PGA Present in Orlando, Florida. The occasion is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM on The Retreat Stage, Corridor E.

Caledonia Golf & Fish Membership and True Blue Golf Membership are each ranked amongst America’s High 100 Resort Programs by Golfweek and among the many prime 5 public layouts in golf-rich South Carolina. Their golf outlets proceed to set a excessive normal by providing premium attire, gear, and equipment, alongside customized service that enhances the general expertise for gamers.

For extra details about Caledonia Golf & Fish Membership and True Blue Golf Membership, please go to CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com.

Tee Off Behind The Professionals At Pebble Seaside Resorts

Throughout the 2025 AT&T Pebble Seaside Professional-Am (Jan. 30-Feb 2), the world’s prime golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and reigning champ, Wyndham Clark, will tackle the legendary Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks. However this iconic course isn’t unique to the professionals. Think about stepping onto the identical greens proper after them, soaking in the identical breathtaking views and experiencing the identical exhilarating challenges. With the resort’s Fairway Escape Package, golfers can take advantage of their keep and play at Pebble Seaside Resorts.

Accessible for bookings from Feb. 3 to March 31, the Fairway Escape Package deal contains:

• Three nights at The Inn at Spanish Bay
• One spherical at Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks
• One spherical at Spyglass Hill Golf Course
• One spherical at The Hyperlinks at Spanish Bay

As an added bonus, company can take pleasure in unique reductions on prolonged stays, together with 25% off a fourth night time and 50% off a fifth night time. Returning company are handled to much more perks, with a complimentary fifth night time and a $200 resort credit score.

THE SEA PINES RESORT TO HOST ‘LIGHTHOUSE INVITATIONAL’ IN MARCH 2025

High three golf programs on Hilton Head Island featured in newbie crew occasion; open to all golfers

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (Jan. 7, 2025) – The Sea Pines Resort will host its annual Lighthouse Invitational — a two-person crew competitors for women and men amateurs —Sunday, March 2 to Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The match showcases Hilton Head Island’s prime three ranked programs, all a part of The Sea Pines Resort: Heron Level by Pete Dye, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, and top-ranked Harbour City Golf Hyperlinks, residence of the RBC Heritage Offered by Boeing.

Harbour City Golf Hyperlinks, additionally designed by Dye, in session with Jack Nicklaus, is ranked within the prime 25 resort programs within the U.S. by Golfweek and listed amongst Golf Digest’s High 100 Public Programs. Harbour City Golf Hyperlinks locations a premium on finesse, creativeness and shot making. Its’ assortment of par 3s is among the many most interesting on the planet, whereas the 18th gap is taken into account one of the vital feared par 4s in all of golf.

The Lighthouse Invitational will characteristic one spherical at every course, plus unique resort privileges and facilities. Rivals within the Lighthouse Invitational will take part in and obtain:

• Opening night time reception
• Placing contest at Harbour City Golf Hyperlinks
• Scheduled receptions and dinners
• Every day breakfast and field lunches
• Limitless vary privileges with out there apply rounds
• Tee reward package deal
• Awards ceremony following completion of ultimate spherical

The entry payment for every participant is $1,699, plus lodging.

Match individuals are required to remain on the resort for three-nights and can obtain a most popular discounted price per night time for lodging at both The Inn & Membership at Harbour City or a two-bedroom deluxe villa in Harbour City.

“That is actually the final word golf expertise,” mentioned Klinton Talmadge, Golf Gross sales Supervisor, The Sea Pines Resort. “To suppose that the PGA TOUR will arrive right here for the RBC Heritage solely six weeks after the Lighthouse Invitational gives a sign of the standard of this chance.”

Registration for the 2025 Lighthouse Invitational is now open. For extra particulars, or to register for the occasion, go to Lighthouse Invitational, name (843) 842-1864, or electronic mail Klinton Talmadge at [email protected].

Nemacolin’s Mystic Rock Course Boasts Elite Match Pedigree

A big scoreboard looms off to the left of the inexperienced and fairway on the 18th on the Mystic Rock Course at Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxurious golf resort vacation spot. It serves as a reminder that for a number of years a number of the finest gamers on the planet made their means down that fairway in the course of the 84 Lumber Traditional, a PGA Tour occasion that was performed there from 2003 to 2006.

That scoreboard additionally symbolizes that Mystic Rock, the primary Pete Dye golf course to open at Nemacolin in 1995, is at its core, a match venue. Whereas the 7,526-yard structure not phases a PGA Tour occasion, it continues to play host to high-level tournaments, together with prestigious school and professional occasions. It’s a course that can check each a part of your sport, particularly your accuracy off the tee. Nevertheless it additionally will reward glorious play, with loads of scoring alternatives.

Wanting again on the 84 Lumber Traditional (84 Lumber was based by Nemacolin’s late proprietor Joseph A. Hardy III), you possibly can inform that this Pete Dye-designed Mystic Rock was a formidable problem. Within the match’s final two years, the profitable rating was simply 14-under par by Jason Gore and 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis, respectively.

Laid out amongst rock outcroppings on naturally rolling terrain of lakes, streams, and fescue, Mystic Rock has nice move to it, with a few crescendos and a incredible ending stretch. It’s proper in entrance of you, for essentially the most half. And whereas the size jumps out at you, it’s nothing for in the present day’s scratch and plus handicaps, particularly when circumstances are agency. For the remainder of us, there are 4 different units of tees, starting from 4,848 yards to six,831 yards, so everybody can compete on it.

Dye, in fact, was identified for his demanding designs, however he actually offers golfers a handful of breaks at Mystic Rock. The 409-yard first gap, although, no pushover, eases you in with a large fairway. Hit that fairway on this dogleg proper, and you should have only a wedge right into a receptive and comparatively flat inexperienced.

By the second gap, it already begins to get harder. 

“It’s positively more difficult from the again tees,” says Director of Golf Operations Chris Anderson of the 473-yard, par-4 second. “There’s a prolonged pressured carry over a rock ravine or you need to hit right into a slender spot on the left aspect of the golf green. And it’s a powerful second shot with a more recent inexperienced and the bunkers on the left.”

When you get to the inexperienced, it’s not that troublesome, as a result of generally, the greens on Mystic Rock, versus the newer course at Nemacolin, Shepherd’s Rock, are much less extreme. A few of them, nonetheless, are multi-tiered, just like the one on the following gap, the 231-yard par-3 third. Whereas that looks like a great distance — and it’s for many gamers — it’s 178 yards for resort company, which nonetheless poses a problem, in fact.

Talking of size, the yardages on a few the par 5s at Mystic Rock actually stand out. The fifth is 598 yards from the again tees. And the eleventh is 634 yards when you play it from the again, backside tee (which isn’t used that always). The dogleg proper eleventh is a gap that it’s essential play a number of instances to get a really feel for it. The tee shot is considerably blind, and there are two giant fairway bunkers out to proper adopted by a lake that runs alongside the proper aspect after that every one the best way to the inexperienced.

However regardless of the size of these two holes, the par 5s are positively scoring alternatives. School gamers and professionals routinely hit these holes in two photographs.

At this yr’s Falling Rock Traditional at Nemacolin, a Tri-State PGA Part occasion, back-to-back champion Mike Van Sickle (son of award-winning golf author Gary Van Sickle) rallied for the win by eagling all 4 par-5s on Mystic Rock. Anderson believes it is likely to be the primary time that feat has been completed ever in a sanctioned occasion within the Pittsburgh space (which would come with majors at Oakmont Nation Membership). 

One other focal point concerning the par 5s is that the fifth has alternate greens — one on the left subsequent to a pond and bunker, and one perched up on the proper. They modify them on the third and fifth day every week. The best inexperienced was not used in the course of the 84 Lumber Traditional. 

The important thing to surviving the entrance 9, maybe, is getting by means of the 476-yard par-4 ninth, the no. 1 handicap gap. It’s a slender fairway with a blind second shot. You must be correct and lengthy.

The opposite gap with two greens is the par-3 twelfth, which performs solely over water. The 2 greens was one broad inexperienced on the twelfth, however after the primary yr of the PGA Tour occasion, they had been separated to make the targets harder. Nearly all of the pin places can be found on the left inexperienced, Anderson says. And the proper inexperienced has rocks, water, and a pot bunker in entrance of the placing floor. As a result of it’s all carry, each match contestants and resort company can rack up some excessive numbers on 12 in the event that they wind up re-teeing or dropping on a extra ahead tee after discovering the water.

Anderson’s favourite gap, and maybe one of many final nice probabilities for birdie, is the thirteenth. This dogleg proper with water on the proper aspect of the method, is underneath 400 yards from the guidelines and options lovely bunkering within the fairways that actually frames the outlet. 

When you get to 14 and 15, two par 4s that play over 460 yards, it’s essential be enjoying your finest. The sixteenth is a par 5 that’s simply 525 yards from the again tees. It’s gettable in two, in fact, however the higher birdie probability for many gamers is to attempt to play to a brief wedge third shot, Anderson says.

The par-3 seventeenth is likely to be the sixteenth handicap gap, however when the wind is blowing, it’s something however straightforward. With water down the complete left aspect, a inexperienced that slopes to the left, and a bunker proper, this 204-yard gap will be notably intimidating, particularly from the tee on the left, which brings the water extra into play.

Lastly, we’re again to the 18th, the no. 2-handicap gap on the course. The modifications included a collection of bunkers down the proper aspect of the golf green and bunkers that guard the inexperienced. When you don’t know the outlet, you’re tempted to hug the proper aspect of the golf green off the tee to arrange a shorter method on this dogleg proper. However the fairway slopes proper, directing balls on that aspect into these fairway bunkers, which might arrange a troublesome method. The very best guess is to intention left towards the scoreboard off the tee.

So, what’s the important thing to match success at Mystic Rock?

“It’s not solely discovering the fairways, however controlling the place you hit it within the fairway,” Anderson says. “Clearly, you don’t should take the driving force out on each gap. If you’re spraying the driving force, you’re not scoring. There’s an excessive amount of bother on the sides.”

By bother, Anderson means the tough, fescue, fairway bunkers, and naturally, penalty areas. 

How does Mystic stack up in opposition to the remainder of the championship programs within the western a part of the state? It won’t have the historical past, in fact, of Oakmont, nevertheless it’s proper there,” says Anderson.

“I believe we maintain up fairly nicely,” Anderson says. “It’s quiet. You’re within the bushes, the mountains, the rocks. There’s a bit little bit of elevation change, and it’s fairly serene.”

Not a foul spot in any respect, even when you’re not in rivalry. 

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Declares Lineup of Winter Golf Occasions

Choose Spots Stay in Distinctive Roster of Tournaments at Celebrated Caribbean Vacation spot

(LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic) – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – one in all GOLF Journal’s “High 100 Golf Resorts within the World” and the Caribbean’s main luxurious locations – broadcasts its lineup of premier golf occasions and tournaments for the 2025 winter season highlighted by distinctive golf, first-class lodging and unparalleled luxurious facilities.

The legendary seaside resort is residence to a trio of acclaimed Pete Dye-designed layouts: Tooth of the Canine, Dye Fore and The Hyperlinks. Since opening in 1971, Tooth of the Canine is widely known because the No. 1 course within the Caribbean. Beginning in January of 2025, it’s going to endure a restoration mission led by Jerry Pate Design. The mission will contain an entire regrassing, restoring the greens to their authentic measurement, and reshaping bunkers to honor Dye’s design. The course is anticipated to reopen by December 2025. 

All through the restoration interval, the resort’s two different acclaimed programs will come into focus and proceed to welcome golfers. The Hyperlinks showcases Dye’s genius for creating thrilling inexperienced complexes and golf course structure aficionados name Dye Fore “essentially the most underrated course within the Caribbean.”

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s Campo del Drago Restaurant Awarded Second Michelin Star

• Ristorante Campo del Drago turns into one in all solely two eating places in Italy to earn two Michelin stars in 2025.

(Montalcino, Italy – December 10, 2024) Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, has been awarded a second Michelin star for its signature eating venue Ristorante Campo del Drago.

The celebrated award means the restaurant is one in all solely two in Italy to obtain two stars within the MICHELIN Information 2025.

The restaurant is a part of the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco resort, comprising a five-star luxurious lodge, award-winning winery and Italy’s solely non-public golf membership.

The vacation spot, that includes 42 luxurious suites and 11 non-public villas nestled round an historical hilltop village and medieval fort ruins, was just lately highlighted because the main lodge in Golf World’s new High 100 Resorts in Continental Europe rating.

Led by Tuscan-born Govt Chef Matteo Temperini and Maître D’ Maikol Calosci, Ristorante Campo del Drago provides a refined celebration of Tuscany’s culinary heritage. Substances sourced immediately from the property’s natural gardens and surrounding countryside encourage revolutionary dishes that completely complement the property’s award-winning Brunello di Montalcino wines.

Mirko Marchi, Managing Director of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, expressed his gratitude for the accolade. He mentioned, “We’re deeply honored by this recognition. Attaining a second Michelin star highlights the eagerness, dedication, and ability of our crew, who tirelessly try to supply a culinary expertise that’s each authentically Tuscan and uniquely subtle. This award is a testomony to their dedication to excellence.”

Located inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Val d’Orcia, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is a part of a 900-year-old, 2,000-hectare property that mixes world-class eating, winemaking, and leisure. 

The property’s 62 hectares of organic-certified vineyards produce a few of Tuscany’s most esteemed Brunello di Montalcino wines, finishing the immersive Tuscan expertise.

Along with its five-star lodge and vineyard, the property is residence to The Club at Castiglion del Bosco, that includes Italy’s solely non-public golf membership. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, this unique 18-hole course has been ranked among the many High 10 in Italy by Golf Digest and is accessible solely to resident lodge company and membership members.