Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Best Stay and Play I've Ever Experienced


Being in the golf travel industry for almost 13 years now, I've had the privilege to stay and play at some of the most premier golf resorts in the world - The Boulders in Scottsdale, Reunion Resort in Orlando, Kapalua in Maui, Barton Creek in Austin, La Quinta in Palm Springs, and of course, Pebble Beach to name a few.

Sorry fellas, but move over - The Resort at Pelican Hill is simply the best I've ever experienced.

It started last Thursday with a quick flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles where we picked up a convertible, put the top down and took our time on the the hour drive south down the Pacific Coast Highway to Newport Beach. You can get there faster by taking the highway, but the views from the PCH are worth the extra time... Being a villa guest allowed us to skip the hotel lobby and go right to the Villa Clubhouse to check in. Within 10 minutes, we were back in the car, went around the corner and were greeted in our driveway by our personal butler Jarek. He had us settled in and on the back patio with champagne on ice within 15 minutes, and all was well with the world.

The 2500-square-foot, 3-Bedroom oceanfront villa is, in a word - ridiculous. Beautifully decorated, sub-Z refrigerator, every amenity you could think of... Even a "flick of the switch" fireplace, but the truth is you probably won't ever sit on the couch. It's all about the back patio. Enormous with lounge chairs, a table for 4, and directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the back patio is where we spent the majority of our time. Click below for a video of our villa. Had dinner at Andrea with the girls and was intimidated by the wine list, but somehow managed to struggle through.




Friday - Dropped Abby at Camp Pelican for a half-day to tee it up. There are 36 holes onsite- the Ocean North Club, and Ocean South Club - and the 18-hole Oak Creek Golf Club, about a 20 minute drive inland. All Tom Fazio designs, and all impeccably maintained. I played the Ocean North course in the morning, and then drove the South course in the afternoon. Being a desert guy, I was surprised at the elevation changes at both Ocean courses, as I thought Oceanside golf would be more flat and traditional. Greens were fast and true, and playing with a forecaddy makes a nice difference. The traditionalist will love the Oak Creek course, but I'm an Ocean North guy. Had an awesome lobster sandwich afterwards, sitting on the back patio at the Pelican Grill. Called our butler before going back to the villa to deliver a bucket of ice with champagne and a Scrabble game for the evening's entertainment. Michelle beat me as usual, but I managed to squeak out a win over my 8-year-old whiz kid. Took Abby to the private Villa Pool for late-night swimming, and alternated between the salt water pool and Jacuzzi.

Saturday - Drove the girls inland to check out Oak Creek, and then headed to Balboa Island and took the auto ferry across to endure Boardwalk-type festivities and ice cream for the kiddo while dreaming of the back patio at our villa... Ordered room service and had the sea bass with veggies, which was fabulous on the back patio - with you guessed it - more champagne. Went a different direction on this night, having our butler pick all three of us up and take us to the Coliseum Pool - taught Abby a new word to describe it... decadent. One feature that I didn't think I would use much, but ended up using A LOT, was the complimentary Mercedes coach transportation. Call your butler, and they're there within 5 minutes to take you wherever you want to go, which was super-convenient and safe.

Sunday - Sadly had to leave, but made it to LAX in about 50 minutes going highway this time. Was back at home in Phoenix in time to watch the final round of the Match Play with a big ole smile on my face.

What a weekend. What a place.
Contact Chris Parcell with any other questions at 888-867-6911, and I'll email you a customized itinerary for your own Pelican Hill trip.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Canada's Priced Gems: Whistler and Banff


Canada has many scenic sights and natural charm, which makes this unsurprisingly one of the most famous vacation destinations in the world. 

Ranking among the top favorites in Maple Country is the majestic Canadian Rockies. Tow of the most famous destinations in the Canadian Rockies are Whistler and Banff. These tourist towns are well know for being Canada's top golf vacation destinations!! 

Whistler
Whistler is known as a resort town north of Vancouver and the fun never ceases throughout the year. When golfing in Whistler you will enjoy an endless panorama view of snowcapped mountains, glistening natural lakes, the best greens the world has ever seen, the biggest names in golf, and the most unforgettable golf vacation ever!! Some of the most famous golf courses in Whistler carry the names of top golf course designers such as:


Banff
The town of Banff is large, tall, and extremely beautiful. This resort town is listed as having the second highest elevation in Canada an is the largest town in Alberta, Canada. Banff is surrounded by majestic scenery. The golf courses here are beautiful and awe striking. Banff's courses have earned no less than 4.5 star ratings from Golf Digest and are perpetual entries into the "best" list of countless golf magazines. These courses are:


Contact Our Golf Zoo Travel Specialist And Book A Vacation 
To Golf Courses in Whistler or Banff Today!! 
Please Call: 800-929-7300!!

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Scenic Golf In Oregon


If you are looking for a premier Oregon golf destination, look no further than Sunriver Golf Resort!!

Featuring Oregon's finest golf, Sunriver Golf Resort is a golfer's paradise and an ideal choice for a Northwest Golf vacation. Each of Sunriver Resort's three golf courses were designed by an acclaimed architect. These courses are graced with carefully preserved wetlands, forested meadows, and sparking waters, Sunriver Resort offers 63 holes of the best golf in the West!

With their aesthetic grace, holes bordering the meandering Sunriver, and gramatc use of directional and for bunkers, the golf courses at Sunriver Resort serve up great challenges for golfers of all skill levels.  The three courses at Sunriver Resort are The Crosswater Course, The Meadows Course and The Woodlands Course.

Designed by Bob Cupp, Sunriver Resort – Crosswater Course got its name from the fact that it crosses over the Little Deschutes and Deschutes rivers as often as seven times in each round. Opened in 1995, this 18-hole, par-72 course features 7,600 yards of golf that has five different tee placements for each hole, bent grass fairways, and greens. It is a recipient of several National Golf Awards. In 1999, it was designated as a certified Audubon Sanctuary.

Meadows Course
Paying tribute to the classic American courses of the 1920s and 1930s, the layout of Sunriver Resort – Meadows Course features the dramatic use of directional bunkers that serve up challenges for players of all skill levels. Each hole is lined with tall pine trees and harbors water. Most of the time, the water serves as amusing scenery more than a nuisance feature, but it can come into play particularly on the front nine and par 5 eighteenth. The white sand traps are the source of trouble because they are positioned along every hole and green. This 18-hole course has played host to a number of events like the USGA, NCAA, AJGA, and PGA. Playing on this course is a good way to test the players’ course management skills.

Woodlands Course
Debuted in 1981, Sunriver Resort – Woodlands Course is regarded as Oregon’s finest championship golf course because of its outstanding conditioning and lovely setting. It is a local favorite because it gives a challenging game to every player. This par-72 course features 6,913 yards of golf. It consists of tree-lined corridors and very tough greens. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the Woodlands Course offers many picturesque views of Mount Bachelor that adds to the visitors’ fantastic golf experience.

Contact Our Golf Zoo Travel Specialist and Book A Vacation To A Golf Course In Sunriver, Oregon Today!! Please Call: 800-929-7300!!