Go Play A Round

every enthusiast lies a desire to and the sea. The Eden, with a "Nothing contributes more to play The Old Course in St. slightly lower yardage, challenges the popularity of than its Andrews, Scotland, the place where golfers with severe bunkering and almost endless variety. No golf originated 600 years ago. two courses are the same, even though they may be In fact, there are many courses in similar in character; no two St. Andrews open for public play. shots are alike, even though The Old Course is unrivalled for the same distance has to be its history and prestige and is accomplished." synonymous with The British - John L. Low, 19th century Open Championship. Public British golf authority players enter a daily lottery for a tee time and, depending on the Mr. Low was right, of course, day, have approximately a so/so which is why American golfers chance of success. spend in excess of $26 billion a year traveling to an "endless The Castle Course, overlooking variety" of courses. the ancient town of St. Andrews, is set on a rugged cliff and "Golf is the peculiar game of a combines breathtaking views peculiar people. It is the pastime with a memorable golfing of the Scots;' Low also noted. challenge. The "New" Course was set out in 1895. The Jubilee While this is no longer true - Course, considered to be the today the sport enjoys worldwide toughest, is laid out on a narrow popularity - deep in the heart of strip between the New Course

undulating greens. Strathtyrum and Balgove are suitable for more relaxed rounds or beginners and families. (www.staudrews.org.uk)

The St. Andrews Links make up the largest public golf complex in Europe, but the world's largest is Mission Hills Golf Club in , , 30 minutes north of Hong Kong. Here, 12 resort and championship courses were designed by , Pete Dye, , , , David Leadbetter, and others. The complex also features four clubhouses, three spas, a five-star hotel, three golf academies, 51 tennis courts, and Asia's most exclusive residential community.

(www.missiouhillschiua.com) p '-I Today there are more 300 courses and 5 million golfers in China, with the golfing population growing at a rate of up to 50 percent annually.

In fact, there are more golfers in China than the total population of New Zealand, but the two countries share an enthusiasm for the sport. Only Scotland has more courses per capita than New Zealand.

One of the best-known Kiwi courses is Wairakei International near Lake Taupo, where steam from underground geothermal activity sometimes wafts from vents on the fairways.The par-5 has an oversized pine tree in the 30 golf courses - some with 14th hole at Wairakei is one of the middle that forces players to go luxury clubhouses, manicured longest and most challenging in right or left with their second shot. greens, and flawless fairways - New Zealand. At 594 yards, this Once that is maneuvered, the third and all are open to visitors. hole would be a serious test if it shot is to an elevated, kidney- Golf is played year-round in had a straight, open fairway with a shaped green protected in front by the region's mild climate. large,friendly green, but instead it sand traps. Reaching this green in two is next to impossible, and for The beautiful courses at Monte many who take on "The Rogue;' Rei, designed by Jack Nicklaus, At Kauri Cliffs Golf Cours'e in New Zealand, as this hole is called,reaching it include everything a player 15 holes overlook the ocean in three is an accomplishment. would expect. Laid out in (www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz) rolling hills, each hole offers an attractive panorama and a Wairakei is the finest non-coastal combination of challenging course in the country, while Kauri factors. (www.monte-rei.com) Cliffs in the Bay of Islands region is renowned for its sea views. In Scotland is the birthplace of golf fact, six holes are played along a and it's no surprise that former clifftop that plunges into the sea, British colonies have the most and a total of 15holes overlook courses per capita, but now the the ocean. The inland holes wind popularity of the sport has spread through marsh, forest, and well beyond the English-speaking farmland. (www.kauricliffs.com) world.

Kauri Cliffs is on Golf Digest's I'm sure that today's "endless list Of"100 Best Courses In the variety" of courses would please World," as is Monte Rei Golf one Mr. John 1. Low.For additonal Club, located in the Algarve tips on destination golf courses, region of Portugal. In total, the see www.ranchandcoast.com. Algarve is home to more than