Hilton Head Golf Island Announces 2014 Spring Golf Packages

Selection of Famed Courses, Coastal Resorts, Invite Golfers for Upcoming Season

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI) – a collection of 28 of the Lowcountry’s premier golf courses – announces a diverse selection of stay-and-play packages available through May 2014.

With temperate climates, the azaleas in full bloom and the return of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage, golfers will savor a getaway to the premier coastal Carolina destination. Ranked top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including “Best Courses” and “Best Weather,” Hilton Head Golf Island offers an array of exceptional golf course and accommodation options.

Sample packages include:
Palmetto Dunes – “Spring Stay-and-Play:”  Stay three nights and play two rounds at any of the resort’s championship courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills and George Fazio. Enjoy additional resort activities including tennis, bikes, dining and merchandise discounts. Starting from $139 per person, per night, rate includes all taxes and resort fees. Valid through May 31, 2014. For package and reservation information: 877.567.6507, www.PalmettoDunes.com. Customized stay-and-play packages for groups of 12 or more are also available: Michael Royer at 866-306-4330 or mroyer@palmettodunes.com.

The Sea Pines Resort – “Stay-and-Play Villa Golf Package:” Experience three nights in private villa accommodations and three rounds at Sea Pines’ championship golf courses (Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean Course) with complimentary repeat rounds at Heron Point and Ocean Course based on availability. Sea Pines recently unveiled the new 23,000 square foot Plantation Golf Club and golf learning center at its Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean courses for members and guests to enjoy. This value-packed offer also includes complimentary range balls, 10 percent pro shop discount on retail merchandise and 10 percent food and beverage discount at the resort's restaurants. Packages start at $213 per golfer, per night based on quad occupancy in a two bedroom villa. Valid through May 31, 2014. For package and reservation information: 1.800.SEAPINES, www.SeaPinesGolf.com

Old South Golf Links – “Spring Fling Package:” Just over the bridge in the charming mainland town of Bluffton is the acclaimed Old South Golf Links. Package includes two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn and three rounds of golf including one round each at Old South Golf Links, Hampton Hall Golf Club and the Country Club of Hilton Head. Golfers also enjoy daily breakfast. Starting at $375 per person, price includes sales and accommodations tax. Valid through May 18, 2014. For package and reservation information: 843.837.2610, bonnie@oldsouthgolf.com

The Heritage Collection – “Spring Stay-and-Play:” Enjoy two nights at The Sonesta Resort with daily breakfast included, two rounds of golf at any of the seven Heritage Collection courses and a 20 percent discount card to be used at Heritage pro shops. Based on double occupancy, packages start at $185 per golfer, per night. Valid through May 22, 2014. For package and reservation information: 843.681.1706 or email vcastaneda@heritagegolfgroup.com.

“After a long, harsh winter across most of North America, Hilton Head Golf Island is the perfect destination for golfers to sharpen their skills for the upcoming season,” says Cary Corbitt, President of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association and Vice President of Sports and Operations at Sea Pines Resort.

As one of the nation’s foremost golf locales, Hilton Head is the preferred vacation spot of players seeking a high-concentration of world-class courses. Legendary designers like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player and Davis Love III are represented. The region features an unspoiled natural environment, beautiful resorts and inns, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

For additional information or to receive a quote: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.

Sweetgrass Golf Club Named “Best in Michigan” by Golfweek

(HARRIS, Mich.) – Sweetgrass Golf Club – host course of the LPGA Symetra Tour’s annual Island Resort Championship – has captured “Best in State” rankings by Golfweek for the fourth consecutive year.

An amenity of the Island Resort & Casino, Sweetgrass claims the 14th spot in the national publication’s annual list, among more than 600 regulation courses in golf-rich Michigan.

“With so many playing choices, we’re especially gratified that golfers return to Sweetgrass each season in greater numbers,” says Dave Douglas, Head Golf Professional.  “These continued accolades affirm our commitment to providing premium value and quality playing experiences.”

Situated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Paul Albanese design has been recognized for excellent conditioning, hole variety and overall routing, among other attributes.  Several professional golfers from the Symetra Tour have praised the parkland-style layout for its challenging green complexes and overall playability.

Spring stay-and-play golf deals start at $85 for a round and room at the Island Resort & Casino, and are available from the season’s start through June 5. The Perfect 4-Some Package - with rounds at Sweetgrass and two other top-ranked regional courses, plus two-nights’ stay - starts at $245 midweek.

Golfers can access to the popular casino that features table games, slot machines and a poker room; five restaurants; and a wealth of resort amenities.

Sweetgrass and the Island Resort & Casino welcome the return of the Symetra Tour - the LPGA’s official qualifying tour – June 28-30, 2014.

For more information:  www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or 877-ISL-GREEN.

PGA National to Host Web.com Qualifying Finals

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) – PGA National Resort & Spa announces its Jack Nicklaus-designed Champion Course and acclaimed new Fazio Course will host the grueling six-round final qualifying tournament for playing privileges on the 2015 Web.com TOUR, Dec. 11 – 16.

Now in its 24th season, the Web.com TOUR is the top developmental vehicle to gain coveted PGA TOUR playing privileges. Recent graduates include 24-year-old Russell Henley, who claimed a playoff victory over Rory McIlroy, Ryan Palmer and Russell Knox with a dramatic birdie on the par-5 18th to win the 2014 Honda Classic.

The star-studded field for the first stop of the “Florida Swing” featured seven of the top nine players in the world including local residents Tiger Woods, McIlroy and Lee Westwood, as well as the 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.

Now one of the most popular tournaments on the TOUR schedule, this year’s event attracted a record-setting 193,052 spectators for the week.

Few courses have a golf pedigree as storied as the Champion Course. Its vaunted resume includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship. Last year it was the toughest layout on the PGA TOUR schedule (non-major venues) with an average per round score of 1.318 over par.

The lauded track is most notably known as home to the legendary “Bear Trap” (Nos. 15-17). The daunting trifecta continues to live up to its reputation as one of the most testing in the sport. USA Today called The Bear Trap “one of the toughest stretches in golf.”

The par-72 Fazio Course is a complete renovation of “The Haig” – PGA National’s original 18-hole course. The Haig was designed by George and Tom Fazio in tribute to five-time PGA champion Walter Hagen. As the third member of the lauded Fazio family to work on The Haig, Tom Fazio II spearheaded the efforts to modernize the noted shot maker’s layout.

“The Web.com TOUR is where the journey begins for tomorrow’s superstars to make a name for themselves,” says Joel Paige, Vice President and Managing Director of PGA National. “Our Champion and Fazio courses are ideal venues to test a player’s mettle and see what they’re made of as they vie to compete on the largest stage in golf.’”

For more PGA National Resort & Spa information: www.pgaresort.com or call 561.627.2000.

Historic Tamarack Country Club Marks 85th Anniversary

(Greenwich, CT) — Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, boasts a superb course designed by noted Golden Age architect Charles Banks.  Tamarack, which opened for play in 1929, is celebrating 85 years as one of the premier clubs in the region and one of only a handful of original Banks designs.

Tamarack is enjoying something of a renaissance since the completion of a Master Plan implemented by architect Brian Silva that improved and enhanced the golf course’s playing conditions without altering Banks’ original design intent.  Silva’s work included the enlargement of Tamarack’s putting green surfaces, the leveling and increase in size of all tees with the inclusion of new forward and championship back tees on certain holes, and a comprehensive bunker restoration program.  All existing fairway bunkers were rebuilt and 24 additional bunkers were installed, while a small number of greenside bunkers were rejuvenated.

As one of eight distinguished golf clubs in Greenwich, Tamarack long has been viewed as the club that was content to underplay its pedigree and stature as one of the area’s finest examples of classic golf course architecture.   “While the moniker ‘hidden gem’ may sound somewhat pedestrian today, it is true that Tamarack has been just that,” says president Jeff Young.  “We have a rich history that actually dates back to 1909 at another site, and the club is proud to have hosted some important Met area tournaments.”

Tamarack gained local fame as co-host of the popular Ike Championship during its formative years from 1953 to 1962.   The Ike was named in honor of former President Eisenhower, who personally approved the competition, and many of the top name amateurs of the day who were affiliated with Met area clubs competed for this prestigious title.

Architect Banks learned his craft from his association with legendary designers Seth Raynor and C.B. MacDonald.  His first project was the Yale Golf Course, which opened in 1926.  When Raynor died the same year, he left some 30 unfinished projects which Banks gradually completed over the next five years.  Nicknamed “Steam Shovel Charley” because of his use of the new machine in moving massive amounts of earth to create elevated greens and deep greenside bunkers, Banks left an exquisite signature sandy footprint on Tamarack’s par-5 17th hole aptly named “Big Bertha.”

Also, in continuing the MacDonald/Raynor tradition of adapting famous European hole designs into their projects, Tamarack boasts an incredible number of these recognizable holes, including:  the stunning long “Biarritz” par-3 (the 12th); a “Redan” (the 7th); the “Eden” (the 3rd) and the “Short” (the 15th).  Other famous features found at Tamarack are a “Punchbowl” green (the 11th ), a “Double Plateau” (the 13th), “Alps” (the 6th), “Moat” (the 9th) and a “Road Hole” (the 14th).

Tamarack, named after a species of pine indigenous to the region, has a reputation as a friendly, family-oriented club.  There are many children’s activities such as kids cooking classes, karaoke, tennis, swim meets, junior golf programs, summer day and sports camps, and the annual Family Fun Day.

For more information about Tamarack Country Club, visit www.tamarackcountryclub.com or call (203) 531-7300.

SCOR Golf Launches New Website

(Victoria, TX) – SCOR Golf, makers of the innovative SCOR4161 line of scoring clubs announced the launch of its new SCOR Golf web site at www.scorgolf.com.

“Our new website offers a clear presentation of our revolutionary scoring club technology and the Iron Byron testing that proves our performance superiority,” said Terry Koehler, President of SCOR Golf.   “We’ve proven that conventional ‘wedge’ designs and most new short irons are seriously deficient in forgiveness and accuracy.  We have raised the bar significantly for performance of the high-lofted clubs, and are eager to share the Iron Byron proof that SCOR4161 precision scoring clubs are up to 94% more accurate than conventional wedges and most short irons.”

The new website design was driven by input from SCOR Golf’s existing and prospective customers and is designed to make it easier for golfers to put together the exact set of precision scoring clubs to make their scoring range performance much better.  “Visitors to our web site will find more information about scoring club technology and performance than anywhere else,” added Koehler.  “This is the one place in golf where players of all skill levels can put together the exact set of short range clubs that will improve their scoring.”

The new web site allows visitors to engage in the interactive SCORFit (patents pending) online analysis to determine their optimum set make-up to blend to their irons.  Or they can proceed directly to the SCOR Golf Custom Shop and experience a guided process to build their optimum set.  In addition, visitors can access customer service support from specially trained professionals to assist in custom fitting and building solutions for each individual golfer.  Other features of the easy to navigate site include:

* See the Proof page dedicated to the independent “Iron Byron” testing results showing data that SCOR4161 precision scoring clubs are “up to 73% more accurate than conventional wedges and up to 94% more accurate and forgiving than the current crop of high-tech short irons.”

* See the Technology - This new section explains SCOR’s proven technologies that produce a complete scoring system which will optimize short range performance. It is the industry’s most comprehensive look at scoring club performance and design.

* Get SCORFit - a state of the art interactive analysis which details your scoring range challenges and solutions, and includes a FREE copy of the acclaimed e-book: “The SCOR Method-A simple way to achieve precision in your shotmaking.”

* “Build Now” tab where golfers can engage with the SCOR Golf Custom Shop to spec out their own set of SCOR4161 clubs and have them custom built to their specifications.

Whether ordered with the assistance of SCOR’s customer service professionals who can guide customers through the custom building process or designed online, SCOR4161 Precision Scoring Clubs are custom built one-by-one in the company’s new Fort Worth, Texas manufacturing facility using the tightest production tolerances in the industry.  Once an order has been placed, SCOR Golf’s master club builders create each club and set based on requested specifications and typically ship orders within three business days.

Tripp Davis and Associates to Direct Restoration Work at Jersey Shore’s Rumson Country Club

Northeast Client List Expands Based on Davis’ Golden Age Architects Restoration Expertise

(Norman, OK) — Golf course architecture firm Tripp Davis and Associates has completed a Master Plan for Rumson Country Club.  The Jersey Shore course was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy when flooding damaged several golf holes and some 150 trees were downed on the course.  Originally designed by Herbert H. Barker, the English-born professional at Garden City Golf Club and a disciple of Walter Travis, the course was noted for its unusually shaped fairway bunkers and bunkers in front of greens, as well as water hazards on nine holes.

“Golf Course Superintendent Ben Stover, the golf staff, General Manager Mike Kurtas, the Master Plan Committee and the entire membership have been exceptional to work with as we completed the Master Plan,”  commented Tripp Davis.  “Rumson is a great club with a lot of history and I have really enjoyed uncovering the architectural lineage of the golf course, dating back to the original design by Herbert Barker that opened in 1910.  Barker also was very involved with helping Walter Travis do the redesign of Garden City Golf Club in preparation for the 1908 U.S. Amateur.  The two courses have a lot of similarities and Garden City will certainly be a source of inspiration as we move forward.”

Davis is especially noted for his work with historic golf courses around the country and he is regarded as one of the leading restoration specialists in the United States. His firm currently is implementing a Master Plan for New Jersey’s Spring Lake Golf Club that will restore the character of the course first laid out by George Thomas and later improved upon by the legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast.

Davis’ restoration forte is to make a course more strategically interesting for modern play, so that the end result is to let golfers experience a step back in time.  Davis takes special pride in providing a club with a stronger connection to its heritage after his work is finished. Tripp Davis and Associates recently completed a significant Long Range Restoration Plan for the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk, New York. Other northeast projects include: Engineers Country Club (NY), the Meadow Brook Club (NY) and Deepdale Golf Club (NY).

For more information about Tripp Davis and Associates, visit the website at www.tdagolf.net.

PGA, LPGA Professionals Develop Adjustable Scorecard to Accommodate All Skill Levels

Adjusted pars for beginners boosts confidence and player enjoyment on the course

(SAN JOSE, Calif.) — Two California golf professionals have taken on the intimidation factor faced by new and inexperienced golfers with the creation of a unique, tiered scorecard at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose. The new scorecard includes three different pars based on skill level, allowing every golfer on the course to experience success.

The golf industry has been long-committed to bringing new players to the game, but PGA and LPGA professionals Scot Hathaway and Colleen Henry saw a need to keep beginning players engaged in the sport at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The two developed the Tri-Level scorecard, which is currently in use at the par-3 facility, a City of San Jose course managed by CourseCo, Inc.

The scorecard is designed in such a way that golfers can play each hole as a traditional par 3 or, if desired, at a higher par depending on their playing ability.

“As golf instructors, we are constantly in search of ways to make the game of golf more enjoyable for those taking up the sport for the first time,” shared Colleen Henry, LPGA, who serves as golf operations manager and The First Tee Master Coach at Rancho del Pueblo. “The tiered levels of the scorecard represent the core value of having a ‘personal par’ and measuring yourself against your personal best, not other people’s standards.”

The three distinctive player-level scoring options on the card are Par: Advanced (par 3), Par: Intermediate (par 4), and Par: Beginner (par 5). The goal is for newcomers to start with the beginner par level and, as performance improves, shift up to the intermediate and advanced par levels.

The scorecard has been implemented for the course’s First Tee program for juniors with positive results. The Rancho del Pueblo player development staff has noticed it is also a helpful tool for golfers returning to the sport after an extended absence.    

“The Tri-Level program makes the game more inviting,” explains Scot Hathaway, PGA, general manager at Rancho del Pueblo. “Initially, golf is hard enough on its own, and it can quickly lose its fun factor when a newcomer can’t attain standard par. Fortunately, we’ve been able to provide a solution with our Tri-Level program which allows beginners to experience success early on in the sport.”

To book a tee time or to learn more about Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course & Driving Range and its player development offerings including The First Tee of Silicon Valley, visit www.ranchodelpueblo.com.

To learn more about the PGA of America, visit www.pgamediacenter.com.