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Follow
the sun to a winter golf
getaway
Among
many Canadian
golfers the winter closure of domestic courses triggers an intense
yearning for sunny fairways that never see a flake of snow. Moreover,
there are oodles of excellent venues to choose from in climate-friendly
locations where there's something for everybody from budget friendly
options to getaway spots well worth the splurge.
Dominican Republic
The
Dominican Republic
has 22 courses
(more than any other Caribbean island) with many of them designed by
legends like Nicklaus, Dye, Palmer and Fazio.
Also home to a slew of
all-inclusive resorts, the DR has established itself as a prime golf
destination where fairways often run alongside the ocean and where
inland tracks enjoy a lush tropical environment.
Splurge:
The Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog (ranked among the top 100
courses in the world) is often touted as the best in the Caribbean.
Located on the southeast coast within the luxury Casa de Campo Resort,
greens fees here are in the $200 range.
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Considered
the best course in The Caribbean,
Teeth of the Dog is located within
the luxury
Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic
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One of the best values on the island is the Playa Grande, a track that
skirts north coast cliffs 90 minutes east of the resort town of Puerto
Plata. Designed by Robert
Trent Jones Sr., it features a stunningly
beautiful layout with 12 of its holes rimming the Atlantic. Often
referred to as the Pebble Beach of the Caribbean, the cost to play this
gem is a modest $60.
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Playa
Grande near Punta Cana is one of the Dominican
Republic's 22 courses; 12 of the 18 holes
are along the coast
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Barbados
Barbados does not have an
abundance
of courses dotting its 21-mile-long landscape, however, quantity is
never a measure of quality. Although island tracks have yet to reach
double digit numbers, existing courses embody both challenge and
variety.
Splurge:
The island's most distinguished course is the Tom Fazio-designed Green
Monkey that's part of the exclusive Sandy Lane Resort. Named for
monkeys that came to Barbados on ships from Africa in the 1700s, the
layout features plenty of ocean views and rock quarry holes. Only Sandy
Lane guests can play the Monkey and rooms at this posh resort typically
cost several hundred dollars a night.
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For a round that doesn't break the bank, The Rockley Golf Course
(Barbados oldest) is a viable option. It's a pleasant parkland track
that weaves through a residential development on the south coast and is
nicely set up to accommodate players of all skill levels. Greens fees
are $110.
North Carolina
With
a varied terrain
that includes
mountains and seacoast, North Carolina is awash in courses offering
enormous diversity. From high-end tracks to middling courses, the 'tar
heel" state has something for all budgets and skill levels.
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The
legendary Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina has
8 courses to choose from
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Splurge:
The Pinehurst Resort is ranked among the finest golf facilities on the
planet featuring eight world-class courses. Situated 70 miles south of
Raleigh, it combines a choice of superb layouts with stellar resort
facilities. Greens fees range from $165-$410 depending on which course
is played
Save:
The Cypress Lakes golf club is one of the best kept secrets in the
state. Located at Hope Mills south of Fayetteville, this
championship-style course features impeccable conditioning, Bermuda
grass fairways, bent grass greens as smooth as carpets and greens fees
are $39 with cart.
Daytona
Beach, Florida
The city
that's home to the Daytona International Speedway and arguably
the best beach in all of Florida has more than 20 courses offering
everything from premier tracks to good-value clubs.
Splurge:
The LPGA is headquartered here and its complex features two
championship courses. Both of these trophy tracks (Legends and
Champions) feature exemplary layouts that can be played for $100 or
under depending on season and time of day.
Save: The Daytona Beach Golf
Club is among the best municipal courses anywhere. Two 18 hole layouts
are challenging, interesting and conditioning is above par. Greens fees
are $40 with cart and a mid afternoon rate dips to $25.
Jamaica
Jamaica
was the first
Caribbean
island to aggressively pursue the development of not only golf courses
but an abundance of all-inclusive resorts. Today, a variety of good
tracks, many of them world-class quality, dot the island whose
popularity was largely fuelled by its reputation for one-price,
no-surprises holidays.
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The
elegant Ritz Carlton Rose Hall Spa & Resort in Jamaica
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Splurge: Just east of Montego
Bay, the Ritz-Carlton Resort's White Witch course is a championship
track carved out of 600 acres of tropical vegetation with most of its
challenging holes providing breathtaking views of the Caribbean. Walk
on fees are $130. This luxury resort is Jamaica's only AAA Five Diamond
property.
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The Caymanas Golf & Country Club is one of Jamaica's oldest
courses
dating back to 1957. This well groomed parkland track just outside
Kingston has hosted dozens of high profile tournaments and greens fees
here hover around $50.
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The
spectacular White Witch course in Jamaica
at the Ritz Carlton
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San
Antonio, Texas
The city
known for the historic Battle of the Alamo and its lively
Riverwalk entertainment district has more than 30 golf courses with the
majority of them playing for well under $100.
Splurge:
Among its highest profile tracks is The Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club
consistently ranked in the top 10 golf resorts in the U.S. With 27
holes of championship play, the resort offers stay/play packages and
walk-on greens fees are $135.
Save:
A good value option is the Cedar Creek Municipal Golf Course regularly
rated among the top municipal courses in the country. Located 30
minutes from downtown, its layout offers plenty of challenge but is
still suitable for all skill levels. Greens fees are under $50.
San
Diego, California
Boasting a year-round temperate climate,
the San Diego area has more
than 80 courses spread over a 40 mile radius. The varied inventory has
something for everybody from high-end courses to affordable mid-tier
tracks.
www.visitsandiego.org.
Splurge:
Torrey Pines is among the area's top courses where two 18-hole layouts
hug a stretch of southern California coastal bluffs providing stunning
views of the Pacific Ocean. This is a municipal club where greens fees
are $257.
Save:
The Sycuan Golf Resort has been voted the local favourite for the past
several years. It features two championship-calibre courses, a top
quality golf school, hotel, spa and an adjoining casino. Owned and
operated by the Sycuan Tribal Development Corp., weekday greens fees
are $70.
Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico
In 1994 this
Mexican vacation destination popular among sun seeking
Canadians had only two courses. Today there are seven and each one
offers discount packages and twilight fees.
Splurge:
Overlooking the city, the Vista Vallarta club features two championship
courses that represent the best of Puerto Vallarta golf. Ranked among
the best courses in Mexico, walk-on greens fees are $183 and at least
six city hotels offer stay/play packages.
Save:
The Flamingos Golf Club was the city's first course and its 14-year-old
renovated layout is a top choice for value, challenge and
playability. A half hour from downtown, the track has well
kept fairways lined with tropical fruit trees and the layout has just
enough water to make it interesting. Not overly difficult, it suits all
skill levels. Greens fees start at $75.
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