2016 Let's Golf Directory Let's Golf Directory 2005

2016

ALABAMA • FLORIDA • GEORGIA • KENTUCKY • LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI • NORTH CAROLINA • SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE • VIRGINIA • WEST VIRGINIA WWW.LETSGOLF.COM

’ ® Welcome Golfers

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Fallen Oak at Beau Rivage Casino Resort, Biloxi, MS The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels, WV

Welcome to our 19th annual Let’s Golf® Tr a v e l want to go, how far you want to travel, what you Directory, in which we provide a look at some great want to spend, what kinds of lodging you prefer golf destinations across the Southeastern U.S. and what level of golf you want to play. From the resorts in West Virginia and state park We invite you to visit us at an upcoming golf courses in Kentucky to the exciting casino action in show in your area to gather more information Mississippi; from the perfect climate throughout about these destinations. These winter events, are Alabama and culinary hospitality of SW Louisiana designed to introduce you to new destinations, the to both coastal and inland spots in South Carolina; latest training tools and the hottest equipment. from the golf capital of Tennessee to the coastline Speaking of equipment, we’ve added an of North Carolina; from all around Virginia and equipment and apparel section focusing somewhat suburban Atlanta to America’s “home of golf ” in on your golf travel needs. the Pinehurst area, you’ll be able to find the perfect You can always log onto www.LetsGolf.com for destination for your golf group. more information and direct links to all the great The vast majority of the courses within the states destinations within this guide or find us through in the guide are open year round. The South boasts our various social media outlets. some of the best winter, spring and fall weather for golf anywhere. You just need to decide when you /LetsGolfTravel

TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER: Jones Course at Sea Trail Golf Resort, Alabama ...... 4 Sunset Beach in the Brunswick Islands of NC Florida ...... 10 Georgia...... 11 PUBLISHED BY: Kentucky ...... 12 Louisiana ...... 14 Mississippi ...... 16 North Carolina ...... 18 Publisher/Editor: Pam Shaheen South Carolina ...... 22 Art Director: Mary Beth Gabriel Tennessee...... 28 Virginia...... 30 The Let’s Golf® Travel Directory is published West Virginia...... 32 by Crossroads Marketing, Inc., 404-888-9314, Equipment/Apparel ...... 36 [email protected]. Photos courtesy of golf course Online/Digital Golf ...... 38 and/or advertiser. ©2016 All rights reserved, 50M.

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 3 ’ ® Alabama

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National, Kiva Dunes Golf Club, Gulf Shores Auburn-Opelika ©Jonathan Hoomes, Raycom Media

Alabama is surely one of the most exciting golf Scottsboro. Located on the banks of Lake destinations in the southeast. The Robert Trent Guntersville, this laid-back resort features two Jones Golf Trail, which meanders throughout the 18-hole championship golf courses, cozy lakeside entire state, has paved the way for the unique cottages, a lodge, restaurant, and marina. vacation concept of traveling from site to site. About an hour northeast of Birmingham, near Golf course designers have taken advantage of Gadsden, lies the RTJ Golf Trail at Silver Lakes. all that North Alabama has to offer from fertile The site is made up of three really tough valleys to lush, rolling hillsides. In the northwest 9-hole courses, suitably named Mindbreaker, corner of the state is one of the newest locales along Backbreaker and Heartbreaker. And just west the the 22 year old RTJ Golf Trail. The Shoals golf site city of Cullman boasts three championship courses features two championship courses, the Fighting and Smith Lake Marina and Resort, plus the very Joe course, the first Trail course over 8,000 yards, unique StoneBridge Farms lodging & event venue. and the Schoolmaster course. Central Alabama offers a multitude of Farther east in Decatur, Point Mallard is a challenging and fun golf courses for your pleasure. complete recreational facility, offering outdoor Golf Digest named the Auburn-Opelika area the activities like you've never experienced. Golfers will “Most Golfer-Friendly” city in America in its enjoy the completely renovated 18-hole golf biennial survey of Metro Golf rankings. The two course. It’s almost 7,000 yards long from the tips cities are home to several first rate courses, and offers world-class Bermuda greens. including Auburn Links and the Trail’s Grand Hampton Cove in Huntsville is another Trail National with 54 holes of award-winning golf. Its site in the extreme northern corner of the state. two championship courses, The Links and The Two totally different experiences await at Lake, were named 2nd and 4th Best New Public Hampton Cove. The Highlands is a Scottish-links Courses in the Nation, respectively, by Golf Digest style course and the River Course has the when they opened. The lodging options vary from distinction of being the world’s only Robert Trent convenient limited service hotels to a luxurious Jones design without a single bunker. on-campus hotel and an on-site RTJ Trail resort. Northeast of Huntsville is one of the more Alabama’s Gulf Coast is one of the most exciting popular settings for golf at Goose Pond Colony in golf destinations in the country. Mobile’s premier

4 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM ROAD TRIP No. 18 ÌkÌyÌÏÌAÌåØÌ YAÌÄAkÌAÌÀÌAÎ° When it comes to championship public golf, there’s no better destination than Alabama, where we’re proud to claim three of America’s 50 Toughest Courses as selected by Golf Digest. For starters, there are the 468 holes along the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Stretching from the mountains in the north to the Gulf Coast in the south, these 26 courses will test your golﬁ ng skills as well as your intestinal fortitude. Then there are the many other impressive courses scattered across the state, designed by the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate. Each with its own set of challenges, each with its own set of rewards. And each along an epic road trip to the state of Alabama.

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WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 5 caution. The Falls course features one of the most talked about holes on the entire Trail, the par-five, 570-yard 10th, featuring a waterfall that cascades below the green. magnolias, pines and dogwoods. Marriott’s Grand Hotel and Lakewood Golf Club, plus Earl Stone’s TimberCreek and Rock Creek on Mobile Bay’s Eastern Shore round out the Azalea City’s golf offerings. Jerry Pate’s Kiva Dunes, named by Golf Digest as the 2nd Best New Public Course in the U.S. in 1995 and recently upgraded to celebrate 20 years, leads the way in Gulf Shores. Craft Farms Resort offers 36 holes of Arnold Palmer signature golf. Peninsula is one of the best-conditioned courses in the area with generous landing areas and Add these great layouts to the vast array of accommodations, ranging from 10 bedroom www﹒mobile﹒org blog﹒mobilebay﹒org beachfront houses with swimming pools to facebook﹒com/visitmobile convenient hotels to beachfront highrise condos competely outfitted for your needs, and you’ll see why Gulf Shores is such a great golf destination. golfing facility is the RTJ Golf Trail at Magnolia From the spectacular mountains and lakes in Grove. The Crossings is very hilly, featuring the north, to the gently rolling hills in central numerous pulpit bunkers, huge cloverleaf bunkers, Alabama, to the sugar-white beaches of the Gulf of and undulating greens that still demand extreme Mexico, the state is packed with great golf.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove, Huntsville © Jonathan Hoomes, Raycom Media

6 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM AUBURN-OPELIKA’S ONLY STAY AND PLAY RESORT

Overlooking the award-winning Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Auburn-Opelika Marriott at Grand National is a golf and business retreat on par with the nation's most distinctive facilities. Situated on the shores of Lake Saugahatchee in Opelika, our resort offers luxurious accommodations. Golf packages available by calling 800-949-4444. For reservations, call 800-593-6456 | 334-741-9292 or visit us online at www.marriottgrandnational.com

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 7 TAKE A SWING AT THE TRAIL THREE EXCITING ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL LOCATIONS IN NORTH ALABAMA HAMPTON COVE, HUNTSVILLE

RTJGOLF.COM RTJ GOLF TRAIL PACKAGES AVAILABLE BY CALLING (800) 949-4444 CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ALABAMA’S SWEET SPOT Come experience our legendary hospitality! For golf package information: 1-800-524-6181 • www.DecaturCVB.org

PLAY A ROUND IN CULLMAN Chesley Oaks Golf Course 256-796-9808 • www.chesleyoaksgc.com Cullman Golf Course Tee Times: (256) 341-4925 256-739-2386 • www.cullmangolfcourse.com More Information: www.PointMallardPark.com TP Country Club PRO SHOP ◆ MALLARD GRILLE 256-739-0738 • www.tpcountryclub.com PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center POINT MALLARD GOLF COURSE 256-734-0454 • www.visitcullman.org IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK visit Huntsville ALABAMA Goose Pond Colony The Place to Stay, Play, Relax, and Enjoy.

Goose Pond Colony is a municipally owned resort that will take your breath away. With two beautiful 18 hole championship golf courses, comfortable lakeside cottages, lodge, relaxing waterfront campground, full service marina, meeting facilities, The Docks Restaurant, swimming pool, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail beach area and Lake Guntersville, we are all you need for a relaxing vacation or one day outing. Take a swing as the breathtaking Robert Trent Jones Golf Packages include lodging and unlimited golf Golf Trail at Hampton Cove surrounds you with at Goose Pond Colony or Plantation Courses. sweeping river valley views. Smart, southern and Goose Pond Colony oh so charming. 417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, Alabama 1-256-912-0592 ◆ 1-800-268-2884 ◆ www.goosepond.org huntsville.org @Go2HuntsvilleAL Follow us @: www.twitter.com/goosepondcolony Like us: www.facebook.com/goose.pond.colony HuntsvilleCVB VisitHuntsvilleAL ’ ® Florida

On Top of the World Golf Community, Ocala King & Bear at World Golf Village, St. Augustine

Florida boasts over 1,100 golf courses challenging and some are just fun to play. throughout the state. As a result, from the The Sunshine State offers year round golf, Panhandle to the Keys, golf destinations are retirement/golf communities, golf instruction, abundant. The diversity and uniqueness of the resort and packaged vacations, plus PGA & golf venues are unrivaled. They range from LPGA Tour events. public to private, resort to exclusive homeowner It’s no wonder Florida is the world’s top golf access, expensive to affordable. Some courses are vacation and retirement destination.

10 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM ’ ® Georgia

Atlanta Athletic Club, host to the 1981, 2001, and 2011 PGA RiverPines Golf Course, Johns Creek Championships and home club of golf legend, Bobby Jones

In a quaint, northern suburb of Atlanta, Johns Over the years, the U.S. Open (1976), the PGA Creek has seven championship 18-hole courses Championship (1981, 2001, 2011) and the U.S. and two nine-hole courses in both public and Women's Open (1990) have been played here. private facilities. The courses were designed by With a mild climate, golf is pretty much a the game's best, including Robert Trent Jones, year-round sport in Johns Creek. Along with its Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, convenient location, it is one of the reasons Thomas Fazio, Joe Lee and Arthur Hills. people visit and relocate here.

Leave Ordinary BEHIND Johns Creek, Georgia Where Champions Come to Play

TEE UP FOR A CHALLENGE in Johns Creek

VISIT JohnsCreekCVB.com

We invite you to leave ordinary behind. In a world filled Also, follow us on with mundane experiences, Johns Creek is a place where extraordinary is the only thing that is status quo. With more than 50,000 yards of golf located within 25 miles of #BeTheException downtown Atlanta, getting here is easy. Leaving is a little harder. Johns Creek - be the exception.

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 11 ’ ® Kentucky

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville Dale Hollow Lake State Park Golf Course, Burkesville

Kentucky is famed for bluegrass, bourbon, than any other state. This wealth of resort parks beautiful mountains and thoroughbreds. has given rise to their reputation as “the nation’s Spurred by a renewed focus from the State Park finest” state park system. Kentucky’s resort parks system, golf is now becoming a large part of were developed to bring unexpected comfort and Kentucky’s recreational reputation. Many of the recreational opportunity in the midst of Kentucky State Parks, situated in every region of unspoiled nature. Six of the resort parks offer the state, offer exciting championship play 18-hole courses. They are Barren River, among the pastoral beauty of the countryside. Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley, Pennyrile Each course boasts an outstanding golf Forest, Dale Hollow Lake and Pine Mountain. experience for players of all ages. Four courses, Four other resort parks boast challenging 9-hole which opened in the last ten years, Grayson courses. The golf resorts are family friendly with Lake, Pine Mountain, Dale Hollow and courses that are easy enough for junior golfers Yatesville Lake, have all received national awards but well conditioned and challenging enough for from Golf Digest as a “Best New Affordable adults; great dining experiences; and close Public Course” when they opened. And that’s the proximity to charming cities or towns. level of quality you can expect from all of the If you love to travel to play golf, the Kentucky state park courses. State Park golf package offers the perfect mix of The newest improvement to the Kentucky championship play and escape to the peaceful State Park golf courses is at General Burnside surroundings of the Kentucky State Resort Park Island. The older golf course was totally lodges. With 18 state park golf courses, there is redesigned and is located on an island sure to be something for everyone Packages are surrounded by Lake Cumberland in Somerset. priced just right for groups and include preferred Brian Ault, designer of Dale Hollow and Hidden tee times, a welcome gift card, shared lodging Cove, both recognized by Golf Digest, designed and 18 holes with cart. Plus, as with most state this spectacular, new layout. At 6,394 yards, the parks, other recreational opportunities, such as course features rolling Zoysia fairways, Bentgrass boating, fishing, and incredible scenic beauty are tees and larger Bentgrass greens. available. These state park resorts and golf Kentucky offers 17 state resort parks, more courses are the perfect spot for a golf getaway.

12 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM GETAWAY TO GOLF AT KENTUCKY STATE PARKS

PARTICIPATING COURSES: PACKAGES INCLUDE: Barren River Lake State Resort Park ...... 270-646-2151 • Overnight lodging Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park ...... 270-433-7431 • 18 holes of golf with golf cart Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park ...270-362-4271 • Preferred tee times Lake Barkley State Resort Park...... 270-924-1131 Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park ...... 270-797-3421 For more information, Pine Mountain State Resort Park ...... 606-337-3066 visit parks.ky.gov/golf. General Burnside Island State Park Lodging at Cumberland Falls SRP...... 606-528-4121 Grayson Lake State Park Lodging at Carter Caves SRP ...... 606-286-4411 or Greenbo Lake SRP ...... 606-473-7324 Mineral Mound State Park Lodging at KY Dam Village SRP ...... 270-388-3673 Yatesville Lake State Park Lodging at Jenny Wiley SRP ...... 606-889-1790 or Greenbo Lake SRP ...... 606-473-7324

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 13 ’ ® Louisiana

Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail at Contraband Bayou Golf Club at Gray Plantation, Lake Charles L’Auberge’Auberge CasinoCasino Resort,Resort, LakeLake CharlesCharles

Louisiana’s moniker as a sportsman’s paradise course was designed to preserve the authenticity of is all about golf these days. The Audubon Golf the area as well as provide an unforgettable golfing Trail is a compilation of twelve of the state’s top experience. So, whether you are a novice or a golf courses and resorts. The Trail begins in North seasoned professional, the area courses offer Louisiana with Black Bear Golf Course, located excellent conditions and Southern hospitality. Plus off I-20 in northeast Louisiana and Olde Oaks, the four local casinos provide exciting nightlife near Shreveport. Heading south, Cypress Bend and another sort of challenge. Resort on the Texas-Louisiana border sits on the In this southwestern corner of the state, Gray bluffs above Toledo Bend Lake. Paragon Resort & Plantation is Lake Charles’ Audubon Golf Trail Casino, near Alexandria, boasts the 18-hole offering. It was named the 3rd best new upscale Tamahka Trails course. The area is also home to golf course by Golf Digest, when it opened and is Oak Wing Golf Club, located at England Air cranked on the magazine’s Top 100 Public Force Base. The Island, near Baton Rouge, is an Courses list. Another area course not to be missed 18-hole course carved out of a sugar plantation. is the Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L’Auberge Southeast of there is Atchafalaya at Idlewild. In Casino Resort. It's a unique 7,000 yard, par-71 Lafayette, the Wetlands course name speaks for championship Tom Fazio signature course. The itself. North of Lake Pontchartrain, is Louisiana course boasts new Champion Bermuda greens native, David Toms’ first signature design, Carter and natural vegetation lines eight spectacular Plantation. And finally, New Orleans is home to lakes to challenge golfers of all skill levels. And the the TPC of Louisiana. Pete Dye designed the newest addition to the area is the Country Club at course, which hosts the PGA TOUR'S Zurich the Golden Nugget. Both the casino hotel and golf Classic. Also in New Orleans, the Audubon Park course opened in late 2014 and have received rave executive course offers a delightful challenge. reviews for quality and service. The 7,000 yard Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana feature Todd Eckenrode-designed course features lush scenery that makes the area one of the most miniverde greens and celebration tees, fairways beautiful in the country. The landscape becomes a and roughs. All of the Southwest Louisiana picturesque backdrop while golfers vie for lower courses blend the natural beauty of the region’s scores on six championship golf courses. Each waterways with unique topography.

14 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 15 ’ ® Mississippi

Dancing Rabbit at Pearl River Resort, Choctaw Shell Landing Golf Club, Gautier/Biloxi

Mississippi is the “Birthplace of America’s Club, designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate. And Music.” The state has been instrumental in, not with the introduction of casino gaming into only the birth, but also the growth and popularity Mississippi almost 20 years ago, the state has of musical genres such as blues, country and, of added even more world-class courses. In fact, course, rock and roll, thanks to its most famous Tunica is home to twelve casinos, plus two great musical son, Elvis Presley. Mississippi’s musical courses, River Bend Links and Tunica National. landscape is much like the golf scene. It’s exciting The state’s oldest and most well-known and varied and reflects regional influences. Each golfing destination is on the coast. Golfers have of the five regions of the state offer their own been visiting the area for over 100 years. The unique layouts, as the topography varies from cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, Ocean region to region. The wide open fields of The Springs and surrounding coastal area make up Delta Region roll gently into The Hills Region of the only golf destination in the country to deliver the northeast. The towering trees of The Pines championship golf, over 60 miles of Gulf of Region on the eastern border lead to the Mexico coastline, 10 world class casino resorts, historical and metropolitan settings of The fresh seafood/fine dining, charter fishing and an Capital/River Region. The flowing rivers and endless supply of Southern Hospitality. With streams of The Capital/River Region pour into over 10 world class courses in the area, golfers the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico in The have the choice of classic historic tracts as well as Coastal Region. new championship layouts – golf to fit every skill A few of the exciting golf destinations in level and every budget. Mississippi include Desoto County just south of From the flatlands and blues history of the Memphis with five great courses and a variety of Delta region to the sunny Coastal region, lodging options to package together; Old Waverly Mississippi is packed with top-notch golf. The in east-central Mississippi, a Cupp/Pate design year-round golfing weather, combined with great and host of the 1999 US Women’s Open, which quality courses all at a great price, make was won my Julie Inkster; Pearl River Resort, Mississippi a terrific place to spend a vacation on featuring 3 hotels, 2 casinos and Mississippi’s the links, playing your favorite table games and most awarded courses at Dancing Rabbit Golf slots, or listening to “America’s music.”

16 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM Fallen Oak — Biloxi, MS

Mississippi is home to some of the best courses you can play in the United States according to Golf Magazine. Chalk LWXSWRKRVSLWDOLW\:KLFKDOVRPHDQV\RX·OOÀQGVRPHRI WKHÀQHVWPHDOVGRZQKRPHGLVKHVOX[XULRXVUHVRUWVDQG ERLVWHURXVGLYHUVLRQVEHWZHHQWHHWLPHV7KHJDPHLVQ·W WROGRQWKHVFRUHFDUGEXWLQWKHVWRULHV\RXEULQJKRPH

Check out our golf road trip at visitmississippi.org/golftrip. ’ ® North Carolina

Rocky River Golf Club at Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Spa, Concord Cape Fear National, Leland © Michael Clemmer

The geography of North Carolina ranges from designed by Fred Couples. Crow Creek offers a coastal islands and lowcountry waterways to the challenge for all golfers, with championship tees of sandhills and mountain heights. The course 7100 yards and perfect playing conditions year layouts take advantage of each region’s attributes. round. The Arnold Palmer-designed River’s Edge North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands is also is a scenic gem. And the newest, most exciting known as North Carolina’s Golf Coast—and for course, Cape Fear National, is just south of good reason! More than 30 courses near the Wilmington. It was named the "11th Best Course beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Myrtle You Can Play in NC” by Golfweek. Beach and south of Wilmington, offer a variety of As most avid golfers know, the “Home of designs by world-renowned golf course architects American Golf®” is located in North Carolina. in a naturally beautiful setting. As a coastal locale, The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area Brunswick County and specifically Ocean Isle boasts 43 golf courses. Over half were rated 4-stars Beach, boasts exciting beachfront lodging ranging or better by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play". In from standard hotel rooms to ocean front suites it’s 20th year of the survey, “2015 Top 100 Golf and 4 and 5 bedroom houses. Courses in the State”, a panel of golf industry Brunswick Plantation is one of the most sought- experts in North Carolina named eight Pinehurst after resorts along the whole Grand Strand. With area courses in the top twenty percent, with on-site villas and 27 holes of golf, designed by Pinehurst No. 2 atop the list, as it is every year. Plus Willard Byrd and Clyde Johnston, it’s considered golf's most legendary architects, such as Ellis golf central for the coastal area. Another golf resort Maples, Donald Ross, Dan Maples, Jack Nicklaus, of note is Sea Trail, with three 18-hole courses and Arnold Palmer, and Mike Strantz, have left their on-site villas. The courses at this resort were mark on the Sandhills. designed by Willard Byrd, Dan Maples and Rees As the site of more championships, starting way Jones and their names reflect it. back in 1901, than any other golf destination in the Farmstead features one of the most memorable country, the Pinehurst area hosted two weeks of holes anywhere: its mammoth 767-yard 18th hole, championship play in 2014, with back to back U.S. the area’s only par 6. Carolina National is an Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships Audubon-Certified Sanctuary Golf Course for the first time in USGA history.

18 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM Finding a tee time is a little easier when there are 567 tees.

It’s what you can expect from a place with 120 miles of fairways and 45 miles of beach. Plus, more than 30 championship courses designed by the game’s legends. With a range of playing levels and deals and packages for groups of any size, come play North Carolina’s Golf Coast. Our accommodations complement a four-season golf climate.

Request your free Golf Guide at ncbrunswick.com.

ncbrunswickgolf.com

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 19 Charlotte Motor Speedway, and zMAX Dragway. Located just 20 minutes from the Charlotte International airport and boasting a great variety of dining options, the county is also quite southern, graced with historic homes and charming streets. The Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Spa is the area’s top stay and play resort with 18 holes at the Rocky River Golf Club. Golf groups are racing south to sample this award-winning course, a Davis Love III signature course and other layouts. Tobacco Road Golf Club, Sanford/Pinehurst Area Southern hospitality abounds at Maggie Valley Golf instruction is as integral a part of the area’s Resort, located 30 minutes west of Asheville. The DNA as its historical championships. Both the first 18-hole golf course at Maggie Valley Club driving range and the first golf practice facility were highlights some of Western North Carolina's most invented here. From the beginner hoping to learn spectacular scenery. The front Valley Nine allows the game or a seasoned veteran looking to shave a players to warm up before tackling the significantly stroke or two, the region has a school, a training more challenging Mountain Nine, which features facility or a program for everyone. an elevation rise of 800 feet and panoramas of the For racing fans and golf nuts, Cabarrus County valley. New condos offer private balconies with is an exciting new destination. North Carolina's mountain views and the new clubhouse has a hot spot for horsepower is home to NASCAR, restaurant and fitness center.

Cabarrus County, NC... where the greens are as smooth as the asphalasphalt!t!

$1RUWK&DUROLQD*HP Golf. Fish. Raft. Hike. Bike. Swim. Dine. All within the Great Smoky Mountains.

Maggie Valley, NC CONCORD • HARRISBURG • KANNAPOLIS MIDLAND • MT. PLEASANT 800-438-3861 1-800-848-3740 • VISITCABARRUS.COM www.MaggieValleyClub.com

20 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM

’ ® South Carolina

The Harbor Golf Course at Wild Dunes, Charleston The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort, North Myrtle Beach

A golf trip to South Carolina is on just about and Rock Hill; the historic coastal town of every golfer’s short list. And for good reason, Charleston; and, of course the big daddy of all since there are so many great golf destinations golf destinations, Myrtle Beach. within the Palmetto State, including Santee, the Many exciting courses await in the state’s Pee Dee Region, both located conveniently just “Inland Golf Capital,” Santee, which has been a off I-95; the Mountains to Midlands triangle desirable golfing destination for folks from all from Greenville and Greenwood to Columbia over the Northeast, Midwest and Canada for

22 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM There’s never been a better time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, fabulous restaurants and unmatched hospitality of one of the world’s premier golf destinations.

PlayCharlestonGolf.com

Charleston welcomes the return of the PGA Championship to The Ocean Course in 2021 quite a while. The Santee area boasts some of the Another exciting inland destination includes best-maintained golf courses in the state. Groups four regions from the center of the state to the may choose from among a splendid collection, extreme northwest tip. You can mix and match including everybody’s favorite Santee National, your golf within the regions or you can stay an 18-hole course with rolling hills, and five within the region of your choice. All are strategically situated lakes; Santee Cooper’s 18 neighboring and fairly close together from the holes surrounded by pines, oaks and dogwoods; Mountains to Midlands Foxboro’s forgiving layout and great value; and Myrtle Beach is arguably most golfer’s favorite Lake Marion’s wide fairways, water hazards and destination for its vast selection of courses, its strategically-placed sand traps. temperate climate, its many unique lodging The Pee Dee Region combines great golf with options, its nightly live entertainment, and its gracious hospitality. Located one hour inland from Southern hospitality. Plus its a great value in Myrtle Beach at the junction of Interstates 95 and shoulder seasons. Roughly 90 courses call the 20, the Pee Dee Region is gaining a reputation for Grand Strand home, stretching 90 miles from providing a relaxed, unhurried, affordable golf Pawleys Island, S.C. to the southern edges of opportunity. At the same time, the diversity of the North Carolina. Even beyond the number of great 30 plus golf courses accessible from the region, golf courses - Golf Digest has ranked 13 area offers a quality golfing experience for all skill layouts among the nation's 100 Greatest Public levels. The newest and most exciting tract is The Golf Courses and 51 have earned 4 stars or more Crossings Golf Club, an award-winning Tom in Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” list - what makes Jackson design. a Myrtle Beach golf vacation so popular is the

Discover South Carolina’s Next Great Golf Destination

5 NIGHTS, 5 ROUNDS for under $500 www.M2MGOLFSC.com

Golf Packages of South Carolina 1-888-501-0954 • [email protected]

24 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM SOUTH CAROLINA ® GOLF SANTEE Hosting Golf Groups Since 1989

GOLFERS LOVE SANTEE! But don't take our word for it... “Just wanted to let y'all know that our golf trip was a blast and everything was perfect. Will definitely use y’all again in the future. Once again. Thanks.” N. Putnam, Shelby, NC “Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay the last few years… the place is beautiful and set up perfectly for a group of golfers. Who could ask for more.” J. Terek, Moundsville, WV STAY & PLAY PACKAGES

South Carolina’s Best Value Golf Destination Great selection of 11 championship golf courses. Lodging options include convenient hotels with breakfast, lakefront villas or on-site golf villas. BOOK NOW Check out our Seasonal Specials online. Get Instant Custom Quotes online. 1-800-345-7888 • GolfSantee.com

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 25 diversity of its offerings. There's golf, restaurants worlds most highly acclaimed vacation and entertainment (from vegas-style shows to destinations. Discover world-class golf courses mini-golf) for every taste and budget. But if you’ve situated on breathtaking coastal terrain, ranging never been to Myrtle Beach or want to mix it up a from true links style courses to tight wooded bit on your next trip, making the choices can seem lowcountry layouts. Choose from resort courses, daunting. So, the first thing to do is find a golf such as Wild Dunes’ Harbor or Links courses or package provider who will help decide the best Kiawah’s five championship courses or local course of action for your group. With answers to a favorites, such as Coosaw Creek or Charleston few basic questions and the golf and lodging National. Since the area has a semi-tropical knowledge of the area’s expert golf directors, a climate with typically mild winters and warm custom golf trip can be created. summers, golf is played year round. Quite notably Some notable courses along the Grand Strand the 2012 PGA Championship was played in are Barefoot Resort, featuring signature courses by Charleston, boasting one of the strongest fields in Greg Norman, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio and Davis golf. They competed at The Ocean Course at Love III; the historic Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Rory McIlroy which was refurbished in 2013; Tidewater and prevailing as champion. Grande Dunes, along the Intracoastal Waterway; All of these exciting South Carolina golf Kings North at Myrtle Beach National; the destinations have made a reputation for great Legends five courses; and Mike Strantz’s two quality and variety of golf courses and for their masterpieces, True Blue and Caledonia. unmatched hospitality towards golfers from all Charleston offers exceptional golf in one of the around the world.

26 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM STAY&PLAY SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg & Sumter Counties

Golf in Santee Cooper Country may well be one of the best kept secrets of the sunbelt. Lovers of the Golf the Pee Dee game are well pleased with the variety of courses in Pee Dee Golf has enticed groups to visit again and again. the area. Within a 45 minute drive of Santee, golfers Located just off I-95 near Myrtle Beach, the Pee Dee can choose among 12 championship courses. region offers world-class golf on a variety of courses! From challenging signature designs to friendly, open layouts, there’s a course for every level of golfer in the region. Come stay and play with us and discover a place like no other!

South Carolina Welcome Center For more information, call us at 195 MM Interstate 95, Hamer, SC 29547 1-800-227-8510 or visit us online at 843-669-0950 • Toll Free: 844-669-0950 www.santeecoopercountry.org www.peedeetourism.com or www.santeetourism.com DARLINGTON • DILLON • FLORENCE • LEE • MARION [email protected] MARLBORO • WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 27 ’ ® Tennessee

Stonehenge at Fairfield Glade, Crossville Sevierville Golf Club, Sevierville

Golf courses designers have taken advantage region's natural resources, layered flagstone, of the natural bounty within Tennessee to create along the front of the green. Several other incredibly scenic layouts. Golf groups will be mountaintop layouts in the area make Crossville interested in two distinctive spots in the eastern the best spot for golf in Tennessee. part of the state. Lodging and golf package options in Crossville and Cumberland County easily lay Crossville are as varied as the courses, and the claim to the “Golf Capital of Tennessee.” warm welcome is as genuine as they come. Situated on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, South of Knoxville and southeast of Crossville, 10 championship golf courses await golfers of all the quaint town of Sevierville sits right in the skill levels. Wyndham at Fairfield Glade, middle of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is Tennessee’s famous vacation and retirement home to the Sevierville Golf Club, the most resort offers world class golf on five on-site exciting course in the region, and is conveniently courses, including the top-rated and award located near other top-rated courses in the Great winning Stonehenge. The course, designed by Smoky Mountains. Joe Lee, gets its name from walls of native stone Formerly known as Eagle’s Landing Golf found throughout the course. Rock outcroppings Club, The Sevierville Golf Club features two come into play on several holes. Bentgrass tees, 18-hole championship courses: The Highlands, greens and fairways provide prime playing a par 70 layout that winds through lush, rolling conditions. Another area course of note is The hills and freshwater mountain ponds and The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park, River, a par 72 tract which plays along and across Tennessee’s first Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Little Pigeon River. Eighteen holes were added to It is one of four Jack Nicklaus designed Bear the complex in 2010 and the two layouts were Trace courses at the state parks in Tennessee. The arranged out of a combination of the original 6,900-yard layout features a design that eighteen and the new holes, to create two capitalizes on elevation changes as well as completely new golfing experiences. The first natural features, such as flowing brooks and eighteen holes were designed by D. J. DeVictor clustered, mature pines. The signature 7th hole, (architect of, among other southern layouts, The a 393-yard, par 4, incorporates another of the Walker Course at Clemson University) and

28 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM features incredible views of the Smoky Mountain foothills and some jaw-dropping elevation changes. Both courses are fun, yet challenging. And although the fairways are mostly wide, there’s strategic bunkering, water hazards and HOME OF 10 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES, INCLUDING FAIRFIELD GLADE AND some smallish greens to challenge you. THE BEAR TRACE. GOLF PACKAGES AVAILABLE. The golf courses at The Sevierville Golf Club www.GolfCapitalTenn.com • 1-877-GOLF-TN1 offer two full days of golf. Plus, the clubhouse ACE THE BEAR TR features an upscale bar and restaurant where you can unwind. Plan to play both courses, enjoy dinner and have a great time in Sevierville. DRUID Sevierville also offers an assortment of sports HILLS GOLF AT FAIRFIELD GLADECLUB stores to meet all your golfing needs. Plan a whole vacation around your tee times and choose from a variety of golf packages made available by the outstanding lodging options in the Great Smoky Mountains. Sevierville is located just north of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The variety in Crossville and the scenic layouts in Sevierville make them both truly convenient, value-laden Tennessee golf vacation destinations.

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 29 ’ ® Virginia

Kingsmill River Course, Williamsburg Spring Creek Golf Club, Gordonsville/Charlottesville

The Commonwealth of Virginia truly has area also has numerous quality courses within an everything a golfer could want from beautiful hour’s drive from the oceanfront. The Pete Dye mountain courses in the west, to coastal golf along designed Virginia Beach National, formerly TPC the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Golf Destinations of Virginia Beach, Signature at Westneck and offer it all with courses designed by the game’s best Heron Ridge Golf Club top the list of popular architects including Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, courses just a few minutes from the coast. Bay Jack Nicklaus and many more. Creek Resort and Club, featuring both a Nicklaus Williamsburg is considered the golf capital of and Palmer design, is an hour away across the Virginia and home to fifteen championship Chesapeake Bay Bridge, but it’s well worth the courses. The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club and drive. These are two of the most scenic courses you Kingsmill Resort are two of the middle Atlantic will ever play with fantastic views of the regions premier golf resorts. Kingsmill hosted a Chesapeake Bay. PGA tour event for 22 years and currently Some of the best golf in Virginia is located in the hosts the LPGA’s Kingsmill Championship. The Charlottesville area. Newcomers like Spring Creek Golden Horseshoe has hosted many USGA and the redesigned Keswick Hall course, Full Cry championships and the NCAA men’s golf Golf Club paired with Birdwood Golf Club and championship. Other popular courses include the nearby Wintergreen make for a fantastic golf trip in Mike Strantz-designed Royal New Kent Golf the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Club and Stonehouse Golf Club. These unique Speaking of Mountains, yes Virginia has that layouts are not to be missed. Traveling golfers enjoy too! Along the Interstate 81 corridor great golf can the many spacious condo options available be found in the north around the Winchester and in Williamsburg, as well as the number of facilities Front Royal Area. Further south the Roanoke area with multiple courses on site that make it really has several fun and well-conditioned layouts. easy to replay a different course in the same day. When you talk about golf in Virginia you have to About an hour east of Williamsburg is the mention The Homestead which holds a high place famous Virginia Beach “strip” and boardwalk. among the nation’s most historic golf resorts. Well-known as a popular family destination and Golfers that love to travel will love all that Virginia for its lively nightlife after dark the Virginia Beach has to offer!

30 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM

’ ® West Virginia

Stonewall Resort, Roanoke Pipestem Resort State Park Course, Pipestem

West Virginia’s hills and valleys make Cobb redesigned layout. This park also offers a for a different type of golfing experience: mountaintop lodge and cottages. challenging but fun. Unique golf adventures await Nestled in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains you just about anywhere in the state. The waits are is another highly regarded West Virginia State short, the prices are low, and the pace is leisurely. Park Course. Canaan Valley Resort boasts No matter where you play, the scenery is always comfortable and truly affordable accommodations spectacular, the mountain air is fresh, and your and a variety of seasonal recreational activities. golf clubs will take you away from the stress of life. The resort’s 18-hole championship course is a The Resort at Glade Springs is located in Geoffrey Cornish design. Cornish has designed Southern West Virginia and boasts three over 200 courses around the world. His scenic championship courses. Designed by noted valley course at Canaan Valley Resort boasts a architect George Cobb, the aptly-named Cobb 4 1/2-star rating from Golf Digest. Lodging options Course features rolling fairways framed by mature at the resort park include a 250-room lodge and forest leading up to some of the largest greens and deluxe cottages. bunkers you’ll ever play. The resort’s Stonehaven The newest and most upscale state park resort Course features non-returning nines and some of is located in north central West Virginia. Stonewall the most beautiful landscape around. Resort boasts an 18-hole Arnold Palmer signature Two of the six state parks with golf courses are course, full service spa and fitness center, state-of- also located in the region. Pipestem Resort State the-art conference facilities, a 198-room lodge and Park has two golf courses. The 18-hole course deluxe lakeside cottages. The lodge itself also sits overlooks the Bluestone Canyon and the nine- serenely on the shores of Stonewall Jackson Lake. hole par three course is the perfect spot for an The Arnold Palmer Signature Course at afternoon round. This state park boasts modern Stonewall Resort boasts narrow, tree-lined cottages and the hotel-style McKeever Lodge, fairways to pedestal greens with lots of elevation overlooking the canyon. Nearby is Twin Falls changes in between. State Park in Mullens. Water comes into play on Just up the interstate from Stonewall, 15 of the 18 holes here. Strategy rather than Morgantown is golf-central for the region. It’s strength is called for on the 4-star rated George located just an hour south of Pittsburgh. As home

32 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 33 courses. The resort’s two 18-hole courses are distinctly different. The Lakeview Course offers an intricate tree-lined design, featuring large undulating greens, tight fairways and scenic views. It boasts two signature holes - the 564-yard 7th with a 180-foot vertical drop from tee to green and beautiful views of Cheat Lake and the 620-yard 18th, one of the most challenging par 5s anywhere. The newer Mountainview Course winds through the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, is very hilly and challenging, and its Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa, Morgantown medium-sized greens have some undulation. to seven golf courses and West Virginia University, West Virginia does indeed beckon the golf the town offers lots for golf groups to enjoy, traveler to its mountain heights and valley lows to including nightlife and dining options, mountain experience a wide variety of award-winning biking, rafting and fishing. layouts. Moderate springs, scenic falls, and much Lakeview Resort in Morgantown offers two cooler summer temperatures than the rest of the championship golf courses, a full service spa, two southeast come together with the Mountain restaurants, a 187-room hotel with standard State’s location just a day’s drive from half of the guestrooms and suites, as well as 52 two-bedroom, country’s population to create a convenient and fully-equipped condos alongside one of the exciting golf destination

West Virginia state park resorts feature five 18-hole championship courses. Lodges or cabins. Stay & Play packages. Daily play. Full-service restaurants and much more. For more information, call a resort Pipestem Resort or visit us online at wvstateparks.com. 304-466-1800 • pipestemresort.com

Cacapon Resort Stonewall Resort 304-258-1022 • cacaponresort.com 304-269-7400 • stonewallresort.com

Canaan Valley Resort Twin Falls Resort 304-866-4121 • canaanresort.com 304-294-4000 • twinfallsresort.com

34 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM It’s about time you discovered Southern West Virginia.

Have a week to hit the links? Or just a weekend? Whatever time you have, we have the perfect recipe for your next golf getaway. Scenic mountain courses that are as beautiful as they are challenging. Affordable all-inclusive packages available through our lodging partners. We have it all and it is all closer than you think in Southern West Virginia.

VisitWV.com/golf 800.VisitWV

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 35 ’ ® Equipment/Apparel

MAMMOTH GOLF TRAVEL BAG ASTON GORE-TEX PACLITE JACKET OGIO has created a bag packed with convenient The most important feature of an inclement features and built to endure all kinds of travel weather jacket for golf is its swingability. Galvin conditions. It has a giant main compartment and Green has developed a unique gore-tex paclite an oversized padded top compartment for jacket which is 100% waterproof, extremely protecting club heads. The trademarked lightweight, breathable and flexible for the golf Structural Load Equalizing Deck, or SLED, swing. Plus it looks darn good! Some jackets increases durability and handling by providing a weigh about the same as four golf balls, making it tough shell around the bottom and lower back easy to store in a golf bag. The gore-tex fabric half of the bag. There’s a crush resistant hat guarantees to keep you dry, plus there’s a chest pocket and shoes can be packed in a removable pocket and rain channels at the sleeve ends to pouch. Multiple grab handles, oversized off-road whisk away water from your hands. It comes in a wheels, and four swivel wheels provide easy full zip and a half zip style (picture below). This movement options. Pack your golf gear in the Galvin Green jacket is great to have when Mammoth Golf Travel Bag, and leave the worry traveling for golf, especially when the hopefully of damaged clubs at home. rare and unexpected rains come. Ogio.com MSRP: $299.99 GalvinGreen.com MSRP: $460.00

36 WWW.LETSGOLF.COM GOLF GPS WATCHES GREAT BIG BERTHA DRIVER Here’s the thing: the average golfer rarely breaks Callaway promises that their newest driver is a 100. We all strive to shoot in the 80s and 90s, but technological breakthrough, built to get the most the fact remains that, unless we spend every day at distance. They did this by optimizing the multi- the range, we are going to shoot what we shoot. material chassis to generate more clubhead speed So, I contend that the average golfer has no need through aerodynamics and a wide range of weight for a 100% accurate laser rangefinder. A GPS classes, while also adding adjustable perimeter watch that gives us front, center and back of the weighting on the head for ball flight and pin distances are all we need to keep the game dispersion control with exceptional forgiveness. If moving. I personally use GolfBuddy, but Garmin, you just heard a lot of techno mumbo jumbo, Apple, Skycaddie, Bushnell, and even Callaway you’re not alone. But it’s here to illustrate the all make a clip-on and/or watch style device. The amount of testing and research that goes into the things to consider when buying one are ease of advancements that have been made in drivers and set-up and on-course use, golf course availability, Callaway Golf is the market leader. The bottom features, accuracy and, of course, cost. They range line is this driver can be played by all levels of from $125-$400, plus some have a monthly or golfer with much success. annual service fee. MSRP: Varies CallawayGolf.com MSRP: $449.99

WWW.LETSGOLF.COM 37 ’ ® Online/Digital

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