Tag: International
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If the Okanagan Valley of Canada’s British Columbia is considered the
best place in the country for winemaking, then consider the golf in the
area to be the perfect filet mignon. Located just an hour by air from
Seattle with the beautiful town of Kelowna serving as its anchor, the
Okanagan Valley has become a wonderful retreat for both fans of
exciting golf and delectable wine.
Combining two distinctively different experiences into one that the consummate golfer and traveler will appreciate is a difficult challenge. Then again, this describes The Grove so naturally, you’d assume anything is possible… 
For most folks who journey across “the pond” to play golf, chances are
pretty good they’ll want to play in Scotland at courses like St.
Andrews, Turnberry and Royal Dornoch. While those courses and the
enchanting towns they inhabit are steeped in history, those wanting a
more diverse and dramatic golfing experience should consider Ireland,
in particular its southwestern quadrant.
From the windswept dunes of Lahinch, Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Doonbeg
and Waterville to the spectacular cliffs of Old Head and the rolling
parkland of a former earl’s estate at Adare Manor, Ireland supplies
golf that can’t be found anywhere else. In fact, if you ask most
golfers who’ve vacationed in Scotland and Ireland which place they
prefer, you’ll get a conflicted answer. While Scotland often gets the
nod for pure historical significance, the traveling golfer frequently
gives Ireland the nod for sheer diversity and its dramatic landscape.
No one here would ever blame you for opting for that second 18, but if
you’re looking to add a little adrenaline to your next golf trip, check
out these exotic locales and the thrills they can serve up.
You know you’ve always dreamed of it—navigating your way around the
hallowed humps and hillocks of the Old Course at Saint Andrews. The
history doesn’t just accent the Old Course experience. It defines it.
Seek out the Elysian Fields. Avoid the dreaded Hell Bunker, where Jack
Nicklaus took five shots to escape in 1995. Take the bold line over the
hotel at the Road Hole and face the dreaded approach, which has struck
fear into the hearts of the likes of challengers from Old Tom Morris to
David Duval.
Golf in Mexico isn’t as storied as it is in Scotland or Ireland. It
isn’t as sexy as it is in Hawaii or as dreamy as its Caribbean
counterpart. But this much is true: South of the border, the game and
all of its resort trappings attract more American and Canadian golfers
than any other international golf destination. In 2003, nearly
three-quarter-million determined duffers made their way to first tees,
from Los Cabos to Cancun.
Golf in Ireland, obviously, has existed for quite some time, and it
continues to flourish in a pure state. Walking is the preferred mode of
transportation; scores are more often measured by Stapleford scoring
and matches than stoke play. Par is relative to the wind and weather
conditions of the day, not the number on the card. Here, traditions are
revered and respected. Unfortunately, most visiting golfers don’t spend
enough time in one place to get to know the area’s history let alone
its unique flavor.
The lure of the Caribbean islands is strong. Prospects of warm weather
and a needed respite from the perils of modern living make the region a
fine escape. Pair that with a geography exceedingly tropical and
seemingly remote, despite the fact that the islands can be reached via
a twin prop from most Eastern cities, and you have a bona fide vacation
winner. Now, throw in golf far better than most people have ever
imagined, and you have the incentive to start packing immediately,
especially if your itinerary includes Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the
Bahamas.
