Golf Zoo Upgrades Servers!

Golf Zoo is moving servers to a brand new hosting facility that will provide us with improved performance! During this move, you may find our site inaccessible- this move is scheduled to occur the evening of 10/28. Golf Zoo is growing to serve you, our clients, better than ever for the upcoming season. See you soon!

Will Bill Energize Golf Industry?

Energy regulations signed by President Bush could give the Grand Strand's golf industry a boost, with more evening daylight hours translating into increased revenue at area courses. However, some Myrtle Beach course owners say the tradeoff of one less hour of light in the morning has the potential to hurt their bottom lines.

The Energy Act of 2005, among other things, extends daylight-savings time by four weeks each year beginning in 2007. Some Myrtle Beach area golf leaders say more daylight in the evening will let golfers stay on courses longer. especially during the peak spring season, This will add three weeks to daylight savings time in March and another week in November. While other golf course leaders feel that an extra hour of daylight in the evening means one less hour in the morning and the afternoon business will come at the cost of the higher priced morning rounds. For example- morning rounds between $85-$100 replays are usually a spur of the moment decision by a lot of groups for the cost of a $22.00 cart fee.

Fellow Golfers out there - Let me know: Friend or Foe?

Life in the Trap Golf Comics of the Week

Here are 2 new Life in the Trap golf comic strips this week!:

(click comics for larger versions)

Clubbing It in Scottsdale

I get alot of inquiries as to where to get clubs fixed here in the Valley of the Sun, so I've compiled a listing of local shops as well as information on the Ping Factory located here in Phoenix. The Ping Factory has walking tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays @9:30 AM. Reservations are needed and the tour takes between 1:45 - 2 hours. You can make reservations by dialing 1-800-474-6434. They are located at: 2201 W Desert Cove Ave Phoenix, AZ 85029

Some local shops that do repairs are:

Nevada Bob's - Valleywide
Van's Pro Shops - Valleywide
Hot Stix - 480.513.1333
Golf USA of Scottsdale - 480.862.7779
Golfsmith - 623.412.9901

Golf Zoo opens Palm Springs Sales office!

September 1, 2005 - We are very pleased to announce that Lawrence Heraty has joined the Golf Zoo team to open our new local sales office in Palm Springs, California! Golf Zoo and Lawrence have had a relationship for the past 2 years, with Golf Zoo being the fulfillment company for Lawrence's website: www.golfpackages.com

Originally from Southern California, and being a professional caddy for headliners such as Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin and others, Lawrence brings a wealth of knowledge in the golf travel industry, and he will be responsible for sales, service, and vendor relationships for both Palm Springs, and San Diego.
Welcome to the Golf Zoo Team Lawrence!

Golf Zoo seeks Experienced Golf / Travel Salespeople!

Golf Zoo, one of the fastest growing Golf Tour Providers in America is seeking experienced Golf Travel Salespeople in the following destinations:

• Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona
• Hilton Head, South Carolina
• Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• Williamsburg, Virginia
• Ocean City, Maryland
• Las Vegas, Nevada

These people will be responsible for daily sales and service of customized golf vacations, as well as maintaining relationships with vendors in the applicable region. This is NOT an entry level position - Only those with golf or travel experience need apply. We are seeking enthusiastic and hard working individuals with a strong interest in the golf travel industry. Exceptional communication skills are a must.

Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation plan with bonuses
• Medical and dental plans
• 3 weeks paid time off annually
• Telecommuting
• Discounted travel and golf
• and more...

Join the Golf Zoo team!

To apply, please send cover letter with resume to chris@golfzoo.com

Eagle Mountain - My overall favorite in Scottsdale

Played The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain last week, and it had been quite a while since I tee'd it up there. It only took me getting to the first tee to remember why it is still one of my all time favorite tracks.

#1, a 582 yard par 5 has a gradual slope downward from the tips all the way to the green - a solid tee shot, and you'll have a go at it in two. (I of course got on in regulation, then three yanked for a bogey...) Both #1 and #10 offer extraordinary views from elevated tees - it's worth stopping for a minute to get a photo op here... #10 is a true "3 shot" par 5 with water all the way down the left hand side. The biggest of hitters may have a chance to go at this green, but for me (a 14 handicapper), it's Driver, 7 iron, then wedge. A truly great par 5 - one of the best par 5's in the valley.

Another reason I love Eagle is that course designer Scott Miller was looking out for those of us who can't remember the last time we hit a bucket of balls. Most of the fairways there are "bowl shaped", so that even a seemingly errant tee shot often will bounce back down into the fairway, or at least get caught up in the rough without going OB. I think I actually only used 2 sleeves of balls all day. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time having fun when I get to the 7th or 8th tee, and have already hit 5 or 6 five dollar Pro V-1's into neverland....

In addition to a fantastic layout, and excellent conditions, (even in mid-August), the PEOPLE at Eagle Mountain make all the difference. Alot of the top rated courses like Eagle Mountain often have a "stuffy" feeling in the pro shop, and it seems as if the staff at other courses want you to feel as though you're lucky to be there. This is not the case at Eagle. You're always greeted with a warm smile and a "Welcome" from the guys behind the counter, the restaurant staff is exceptional, and the "Player Assistants" are nice guys who actually there to HELP YOU, rather than scowl at you if you're 7 minutes behind. It's refreshing to see the "Ranger" or "Player assistant" coming up behind you, only to give you a friendly wave as he passes through.

I've been playing alot of golf in Phoenix / Scottsdale since 1999, and I can honestly say that overall, The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain has been my most enjoyable experience of any course in the valley.

If you're coming to Scottsdale, don't leave town with out teeing it up at Eagle.

Life in the Trap Golf Comic of the Week

Here is this week's Life in the Trap golf comic strip:

(click comic for larger version)

Featured Testimonial

"Our trip was amazing. Lori booked us a great room in the perfect location. The courses were wonderful and we really loved the Dinosaur Mountain course- it is a must play again. Lori was great with her recommendations on the courses we should play. The price was great and we love the option of unlimited golf.

Overall this golf weekend was excellent thanks to your company and Lori." -Liz J (vacationed to Arizona).Our clients come to expect the best, and they receive nothing short of the best. If your researching for your golf vacation, give us a chance to show you how a golf vacation is supposed to be. Please visit our Testimonials page for more!

Amelia Island has it all!

Amelia Island offers 1,350 acres of natural splendor. It is nestled between the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the salt marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway. There are a few options too chose from when it comes to accommodations. There is the beautiful 249-room Amelia Inn with private balconies overlooking the Atlantic. There are also numerous one-, two- and three- bedroom spacious condominium villas just minutes from the Amelia Inn.

When it comes to golf , there are 54 holes designed by three of the world's most distinguished golf architects - Pete Dye, Tom Fazio and Bobby Weed. These courses will test golfers of all skill levels. For you golfers that have seen the recent Taylor Made commercials - "own the tee", the 16th tee box on the Ocean Links course is used for that commercial.

The resort also has plenty of other things to keep everyone occupied - shoppes, restaurants, tennis, pools and a spa. Amelia Island Plantation is a wonderful stay and play resort. The golf is unlimited daily!

If your looking to play a lot of golf daily or just a couple of rounds on the weekend - I would strongly advise giving Amelia Island Plantation a shot. For information about golf packages at Amelia Island - please visit www.golfzoo.com or call 888.333.6103