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GOLF RESORT NEWS |
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Scotland
Scottish heather turns purple in the fall in Scotland, the best time of year at the 5-star Fairmont St Andrews. Changes are afoot on The Torrance championship course here. Although it opened as recently as 2001, until early spring of 2009, the coastside, clifftop track will be undergoing an extensive refurbishment in preparation for hosting Regional Final Qualifying competition for the 2010 British Open Championship. Improvements will involve rebuilding every tee and relocating some; irrigation and drainage, revetted bunkering, planting of native flora, and restored and enhanced wetlands and wildlife habitat. The architect in charge, Gary Stephenson is famous for the Talon Course at Grayhawk, Teton Springs, Whisper Rock and other clubs around the world.
Throughout the work on The Torrance, the 7,400-yard Devlin Course at the Fairmont will operate as usual. New in 2002, designed by Bruce Devlin, Dennis Griffiths and Gene Sarazen, the Devlin hugs the coastline, with dazzling views of St. Andrews Bay, the Eden Estuary, the North Sea and the historic town of St Andrews.
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Oregon
Under crystalline blue skies and calm winds along the Oregon coastline in the fall, sited just south of the 18th green on the legendary Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a brand new 39-room lodge, The Inn at Bandon Dunes has golf course, coastal and forest views. The long-awaited new Trails End Clubhouse has also opened, from where diners and celebrants look out onto Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes and the Pacific Ocean. Scheduled to open for play in mid-2010 is the fourth course at Bandon, Old Macdonald, designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. On the property are 3 restaurants and cocktail lounges, a 32-acre practice center and a 1-acre putting green and bunker practice area.
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California
Autumn by the Beach: the exclusive new Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa has set up a unique new aide for guests who want to play at nearby Torrey Pines Golf Course and/or at several other San Diego County courses. After checking out the provided information about the clubs on the Estancia Web site, you can book your tee times online, or the concierge will make your tee time reservations for you when you make your room booking. Besides the monumental Torrey Pines, course choices include Gary Player's Steele Canyon, John Cook's links-style Salt Creek, the stunning parkland track, Maderas Country Club, designed by Johnny Miller, and 8 more top-notch courses.
The 4-diamond-rated, 210-room Estancia resort is a coastal, old California rancho-style property located adjacent to the University of California at San Diego in La Jolla, with 3 restaurants, a wine bar offering an impressive selection of California wines; a full-service spa, glamorous pool terrace with private cabanas, and lush gardens.
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Indiana
Locust trees and redbuds, maples and sassafras are vivid red and gold canopies in southern Indiana in the fall, surrounding the sprawling French Lick Resort. A spectacular new Pete Dye golf course is underway on a hilltop, one of the highest points in the state, with 30-mile views of the countryside. Fearsome bunkers, fescue areas reminiscent of Whistling Straits, large green complexes and skinny fairways are promising to comprise one of Dye's best. The resort's classic 1917 Donald Ross-designed track recently underwent $4.6 million in restoration, including the return of 35 original bunkers with his trademark flat bottoms and deep, gnarly faces, and expansion of greens to their original shapes. A $500 million historic renovation and development program has also transformed the French Lick Springs Hotel, the new French Lick Casino and the West Baden Springs Hotel, two full-service spas and several dining and entertainment venues.
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Washington
Fall weather sparkles in the Cle Elum River Valley, a 90-minute drive from Seattle, where the new 254-room Lodge at Suncadia has opened, riding regally on a 250' cliff with gorgeous views of Cascade Mountains. The Palmer-designed Prospector Golf Course (rated a Top 50 new course by Golf Week in 2007) and the private Doak-created Tumble Creek Golf Course make this a major golf destination. A third golf course, the 7,300-yard Jacobsen Hardy designed Rope Rider, is under construction. In lively Cascadia Village, the architecture and interior of the lodge were inspired by historic national park lodges. Luxurious amenities in guest room, studios, 1- and 2-bedroom units include deep soaking tubs, flagstone fireplaces, cedar hot tubs, kitchens and washer/dryers.
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Ireland
Hidden away in idyllic "Yeats Country" in County Sligo, the historic estate, Castle Dargan, has recently been restored and expanded into a luxury retreat. European Tour PGA star Darren Clarke has laid his second Irish course here, a parkland track on tumbling terrain with magnificent old trees, lakes and burns, around ancient stone walls and castle ruins. 4-star-rated hotel guest rooms, luxury Castle Dargan House suites in the lovely, 18th century estate house, and walled garden suites are outfitted in understated Edwardian Chic style. Après golf, guests head for the full-service Icon Spa.
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