South Florida at it's Finest

I have been to Augusta National, Cypress Point, Laural Valley and now in Florida we have the same caliber of pampered care. It's name is The Fairmont Turnberry Isle. I had the opportunity to not only play this great course, but also to stay at this world class resort. From the moment of arrival to departure, I can truly say I have never been so spoiled. First let's talk accommodations, from the marble entryways to the custom bathrooms to the scenic views from every window and vantage point - this place exudes class and comfort. Second, the golf experience is second to none on the planet. With its tour-quality caddies and its unmatched manicured courses, it is sure to be a hit with even the most particular golfer. Lastly, the food was a culinary experience with the fork-tender steaks and the unrivaled attention to detail. This is the energizer of all resorts to recharge your battery.

Impressive Golf Course Water Conservation Measures

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – OB Sports Golf Management, management group for Angel Park and The Legacy Golf Clubs, recently completed an ambitious turf removal project designed to limit the amount of out-of-play turf on two of its Las Vegas Golf Clubs. Angel Park Golf Club is a 36-hole facility located in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Its Mountain Course and Palm Course were both designed by Arnold Palmer. The Legacy Golf Club, a true test of golf at 7,233 yards from the back tees, is conveniently located 10 minutes from McCarran International Airport. The 10th hole may be the most recognizable in Las Vegas with tee boxes in the shape of a spade, club, diamond and heart.

The project, conducted in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), removed approximately 70 acres of turf at Angel Park alone, which translates into nearly a 28 percent reduction of turf overall at the 36-hole facility. Angel Park and The Legacy were built in the late 1980’s when water was less of a critical issue, both have always been extremely conscious with efficient irrigation practices. Now with Southern Nevada in a drought, replacing the turf with desert/xeriscape landscaping is the responsible thing to do. Roughly 33 acres of turf was removed from Angel Park’s 18-hole Mountain Course and nearly as much from the 18-hole golf course at The Legacy Golf Club.

The new Southwest Desert look has received rave reviews by the golfers, not only does it look great, but it will conserve a staggering 80 million gallons of water per year. We are impressed with this pro-active measure by Angel Park and Legacy Golf Clubs and encourage more golf clubs to do the same.

Courtyard by Marriott-Rancho Bernardo Golf Packages

What a great location, what a great hotel! Golf Zoo is now offering for San Diego area golf packages at the Courtyard by Marriott in Rancho Bernardo. As good as all Courtyards' are, I have to say that this one is the most beautiful I've seen. Within a short driving distance the golf offerings include Maderas, Rancho Bernardo, Eagle Crest, The Vineyard at Escondido, Mount Woodson and not too far North are CrossCreek and Temecula Creek. What a great selection, what a great package I can put together for you. Head to the wineries in Temecula, the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, the Gaslamp District downtown San Diego, or there's plenty of great dining and nightlife in Rancho Bernardo itself.

Call me for some personal input and I'll be happy to help you plan your golf package.

Lawrence Heraty
Southern California Office
Tel: 888.333.6195 Direct

The Nicer Side of Golf...

We thought this was worth posting:

The following is not intended to offend fans of other sports. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything in its proper perspective. Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and why people who don't even play go to tournaments or watch it on TV?
The following may shed some light:

• Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being honorable people who don't need referees.
• Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.
• Golfers don't kick dirt on, or throw bottles at, other people.
• Professional golfers are paid in direct proportion to how well they play.
• Golfers don't get per diem and two seats on a charter flight when they travel between tournaments.
• Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts, because of another player's deal.
• Professional golfers don't demand that the taxpayers pay for the courses on which they play.
• When golfers make a mistake, nobody is there to cover for them or back them.
• The PGA raises more money for charity in 1 year than the NFL does in 2.
• You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any tournament, including the majors, all day every day for $25 or $30. The cost for even a nosebleed seat at the Super Bowl costs around $300 or more, unless you buy it from scalpers, in which case it's $1,000+.
• You can bring a picnic lunch to the tournament golf course, watch the best in the world, and not spend a small fortune on food and drink. Try that at one of the taxpayer funded baseball or football stadiums. If you bring a soft drink into a ballpark, they'll give you two options - get rid of it or leave.
• In golf, you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a season, like the best baseball hitters (300 batting average) do.
• Golf doesn't change its rules to attract fans.
• Golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.
• Golfers keep their clothes on while they are being interviewed.
• Golf doesn't have free agency.
• In their prime, Palmer, Norman, and other stars, would shake your hand and say they were happy to meet you. In his prime, Jose Canseco wore T-shirts that read "Leave Me Alone."
• You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a tournament.
• At a golf tournament, (unlike at taxpayer-funded sports stadiums and arenas) you won't hear a steady stream of four letter words and nasty name-calling while you're hoping that no one spills beer on you.
• Tiger hits a golf ball over twice as far as Barry Bonds hits a baseball.
• Golf courses don't ruin the neighborhood.

And Finally: Here's a little slice of golf history that you might enjoy:
Why do golf courses have 18 holes-not 20, or 10, or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, a senior member pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out. "TRUE STORY"

Golf / Wine / Art

I've never been a big art guy, but that's all changed. There are two things I really enjoy in life, a good glass of Red Wine and Golf. Now I know that most guys will sit down and have a beer with their buddies after a round of golf - I've done the same. I really think there is nothing more relaxing than sitting outside in the late afternoon early evening with a glass of wine on a golf course.

Well, I met an individual out one night with my wife. We got to talking about what we do for a career and so on. When I told him that I sold golf packages, he proceeded to tell me about his own passion - ART. He has been painting very abstract art in his spare time over that last few years. He told me he painted golf and wine art. I know what your thinking, that's two of my great passions in life.
We proceed to see each other out at local establishments over the next few weeks. We had some people over our house one night and invited him to bring some of his paintings. I was blown away by the paintings he brought. They were basically golf and wine type abstract paintings. The paintings are along the line of Leroy Nieman type - really different and really cool.
I've bought some of his paintings for my house, as some of my friends have. If you enjoy Golf and Wine like I do - you owe it to yourself to check out his website - http://www.cadenliams.com/. You will not be disappointed with the quality and type of art he has. If you have any questions or interest, please call 888.333.6103.
Oh, one last note - remember that one of my passions in golf - so check out our website, http://www.golfzoo.com/, or call 888.333.6103. My email is glen@golfzoo.com
CHEERS!

Torrey Pines - Now offered by Golf Zoo

Golf Zoo now is now proud to offer golf packages at one of the premier 36 hole facilities in all the US at Torrey Pines, San Diego. The South Course is the venue for the 2008 US Open Championship. The North Course I feel is the more scenic of the two, but the South, like the North, is set high above the cliffs over Torrey Pines State Beach and the scenery is simply spectacular. South is tough at the best of times, the North is no slouch but does play easier.When planning your golf vacation package to San Diego, this is a must. As you might expect, it is expensive for non San Diego city residents, but promises to be a memorable experience.

But It's A Dry Heat...

Summer is the best time to golf in Scottsdale. The temps are hot, but the deals are hotter. Here's a few one liners to help you get through it:

It's so hot in Arizona that......the birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground....the potatoes cook underground, and all you have to do to have lunch is to pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper....farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.
...the cows are giving evaporated milk....the trees are whistling for the dogs....you no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water....you can say 113 degrees without fainting....you eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off....you can make instant sun tea....you learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron....the temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly....you've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl....you would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face....you can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top....the 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!...you discover that in July, it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car....you discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window....you notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance....hot water now comes out of both taps....it's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets....you actually burn your hand opening the car door....you break a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m....before work....no one would dream of putting vinyl upholstery in a car or not having air conditioning....your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"...you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

Got Golf?

It's summer time here in Myrtle Beach, which means family vacationers and golfers who would like to sneak in time on the links. Whether you are a single or a foursome, let Golf Zoo pre-book your tee times for you. Play premium golf at off season rates and check out a course your fall or spring group is planning to play. If you are staying in South, Central or North Myrtle Beach, no problem - We Cover It All! So make sure you bring your sticks and we will take care of the rest. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call @ 800-929-7300, Linda and Craig, your golf vacation specialists, will take great care of you!

The Newest Cat in Myrtle Beach

Leopards Chase is the newest course at the now 72 hole facility of Ocean Ridge Plantation. The resort is located in the north end of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand just over the border into North Carolina. Tigers Eye has been their top offering which is consistently on the list of top 100 public courses by Golf Digest. Leopards Chase however was designed to take that top spot and further strengthen the quality of the resort.

The course was designed by Tim Cate, who designed all four courses at Ocean Ridge. Leopards Chase has everything from a man made waterfall to an island green and beautiful landscaping.

When planning your next trip to the Myrtle Beach area give one of our golf specialists a call and be sure to ask out the new Leopards Chase Golf Course.

Taylor Made Performance Lab is Best I've Seen

I've just been to the Taylor Made Performance Lab at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California and what an amazing experience. If you're thinking of buying a new set of irons or the whole set and you don't invest in this great experience first you're missing out and not getting what you need or want in a new set of clubs.Tom Fuller was fantastic, knowledgeable, courteous, professional and a very good player himself. Next time you're planning a golf package vacation to San Diego area, make a point of getting there, it's reasonably priced and offers invaluable insights to your swing, posture, strengths and weaknesses. At the end of your session your club specs are emailed to Taylor Made and your clubs are shipped to your address.
Aviara Golf AcademyFour Seasons Resort – North San Diego, 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92009
(619) 297-8700 Ask for Tom Fuller, he's simply the best.