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224 USA: The golfing holiday of a lifetimeGolfPlanet Holidays

USAThe United States of America couldbe called an association of 50countries, not 50 states. The USA isvast and every state offers differentgeographies, atmospheres andqualities.

We’ve travelled the length and breadth of theland (and lost a lot of golf balls in the process!)and come up with the finest USA golf holidayprogramme available.

Every golfer’s tick-list includes courses likePebble Beach, The Ocean Course at Kiawahand The Boulders in Arizona. For those inthe know, the list would also featureCordeValle and the Seaside at Sea Island.We’ve got all these and many other top rankingcourses and hidden gems. It’s a golfing feast!

Whichever destination you choose, it’s quite along journey so you’ll probably be going onholiday for at least one week. And when you’reaway from home for more than a few days, youwant your creature comforts and may well belooking to spoil yourself and/or want a littleflexibility and a bit more space...Our choice ofaccommodation features the finest golf resortsin the USA and a couple of brilliant self-catering options too – whatever your choice,you’ll be delighted.

We’ve secured exclusive and very specialrelationships and all our USA partners arelooking forward to meeting golfers from “theother side of the pond”. Added to these valuesand the warm welcome (and warm weather!),we’ve sorted special transatlantic airfares.

We Ko Pa Cholla Golf Course, Arizona (page 234).

CaliforniaAn 11 hour flight takes you to another world.California is home to 60m people and takestwo days to drive from bottom to top. We’ll flyyou into Los Angeles or San Francisco and wesuggest a two/three-centre tour over a coupleof weeks to sample the beaches, exciting tours,incredible countryside, the vineyards and themyriad of tourist attractions.

The hotels are among the best in the businessand several of the courses are listed among theworld’s finest.

As with all our holidays, we can create anitinerary to fit your time, criteria and budget –from a touring “adventure” to a lively one-week break, a luxurious holiday of a lifetime toa golf-mad escape with your pals.

Five of our team know the USA very well soyou’re assured of experienced andknowledgeable service. As usual, we know theright people, have the right deals and offeronly the right places.

www.yourgolfholidays.com

The finest resorts in the USA…Championship golf courses…Spectacular and surreal scenery…

GolfPlanetholidays

225USA: The golfing holiday of a lifetimeGolfPlanet Holidays

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Los Angeles

New York

CANADA

MEXICO

Houston

Las Vegas

Chicago Washington

New Orleans

Seattle

Atlanta

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Gulf of Mexico

San Francisco

Phoenix

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

GEORGIA

SOUTHCAROLINA

Los Angeles

San Francisco

San Diego

MEXICO

Pelican Hill North

Pebble Beach

CordeValle

NEVADA

A

CALIFORNIA

O

Pacific Ocean

Hotel locationMain townGolf Club

100 miles

Spanish BaySpyglass Hill

Del Monte

Pelican Hill South

1

3

3

Tel: 01277 824100

What the price includesOur prices are based on an exchange rate of $1.7/£1.Should the exchange rate decrease or increase, we willquote your holiday at the commercial exchange rate ofthe day.

All our prices are ‘’all-inclusive’’ and there are NO hidden extras. The “From” price is based on mid-weekand low season, and the “To” price is based onweekend and high season. The prices include:n The accommodation and board as detailedn Fly-drive via UK – US based on scheduled flights

costing £500 per person n Four-in-a-large hire car with GPS and all insurancesn The selection of courses in the example itineraryn Taxes and service chargesn A comprehensive Holiday Information Packn The knowledge and experience of our teamn ABTA and ATOL bonds so you know your money is safen Past Client benefits depending on your holiday spend

Please contact us on 01277 824100 for the exact price foryour preferred holiday dates as prices can vary week-to-weekand we may have received a relevant special offer.

Pebble Beach Golf Links (page 227). © Joann Dost.

Suggested Itineraryn Fly-drive from UK to Los Angeles

n Two-in-a-mid-size hire car with GPS

n Six nights’ room only at the five-star Resort at Pelican Hill

n Three rounds at Pelican Hill

n Five nights’ room only at the five-star Lodge at

Pebble Beach

n One round each at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Links at

Spanish Bay

n Three nights’ room only at the five-star CordeValle Resort

n Two rounds at CordeValle

n Return flight from San Francisco

Price From £4450

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Temperatures & Rainfall

How to get thereHere’s a list of the most convenient ways to get to your holidaydestination.

For further information and the latest news, please call us on01277 824100 or visit www.yourgolfholidays.com

Planen Several UK Airports – San Francisco or Los Angeles (11 hours)

GolfPlanet holidays

No currency surchargeWe guarantee that the holiday price quoted to you when you

pay your deposit is the holiday price you will pay. We havetaken steps to avoid any possibility of surcharging our clients

for currency fluctuations and any other holiday cost.

226 USA: CaliforniaGolfPlanet Holidays

Pebble Beach ResortWe all know it and we all want to go there. But Pebble Beach is a lotmore than just a famous golf course – there are three more courses,three hotels (The Inn, The Lodge and Casa Palmero) and a wonderful“gated-community” feel, as well as the beautiful Carmel Beach with itsgalleries and brasseries. If ever there was an American dream, this is it.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach ***** Pebble Beach 1

This special hotel is the one yousee on the television every year…Either during the AT&T PebbleBeach Pro-Am or the US Open.

It runs along the famous 18th fairway andtakes in the clubhouse as well. There are 161bedrooms – smaller than the rooms at The Innbut with fantastic views and an obviouslyconvenient location for the golf course.

There are four restaurants, a spa and theresort’s tennis and beach club is a gentle walkaway. There’s always a buzz about at TheLodge.

At a glancen Preferred access to golf coursesn Fantastic viewsn World-class spa

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill,Spanish Bay & Del Monte £2975 £2975

Single room supplement per night on request

Courses within 30 minutesn Pebble Beach (on site) n Spyglass Hilln The Links at Spanish Bay n Del Monte

JET SET SPA £££££

GolfPlanet Holidays bonusesn Group deals available for eight or more peoplen Buggies included in all green fees

The Inn at Spanish Bay ***** Pebble Beach 1

This impressive hotel has 269bedrooms – all large, good five-star standard, freshly renovatedand with views of the gardens,course or ocean.

Guest rooms feature a private patio orbalcony and a cosy fire place.

There are three very popular restaurants (keepan eye out for the celebrities) and an outdoorsunset bar. The hotel has a busy feel to it and‘ticks the boxes‘ for golfers.

At a glancen Preferred access to golf coursesn Stunning ocean viewsn Relaxed atmosphere

RESORT SPA £££££

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill,Spanish Bay & Del Monte £2795 £2795



GolfPlanet Holidays bonusesn Group deals available for eight or more peoplen Buggies included in all green fees

Email: [email protected]

Courses within 30 minutesn The Links at Spanish Bay (on site)n Pebble Beach n Spyglass Hilln Del Monte

© Joann Dost.

© Joann Dost.

© Joann Dost.

© Joann Dost.

GolfPlanetholidays

227USA: CaliforniaGolfPlanet Holidays

Par 72. 6422 yards. Slope 129.n Pacific Ocean viewsn Fun test of golf

LINKS

The Links at Spanish Bay

The lesser known of the PebbleBeach courses, Del Monte is over100 years old and actually the

Par 72. 6365 yards. Slope 127.n Great warm-up coursen Exceptional value

Del Monte

This is a beautiful golf coursesituated between the Inn at

oldest course west of theMississippi.

The fairways are lined with pine and oak treesand the well-protected greens are on the smallside.

A very pleasant and perhaps less challenginground at exceptional value.

This is arguably the best course ofthe resort and one of the finest inthe world.

Par 72. 6534 yards. Slope 144.n One of the finest courses in the worldn Clifftop holes

Spyglass Hill Every hole is named after a Treasure Islandcharacter but this is no fairytale affair. It’stough, it’s beautiful and it’s brilliant.

The understated clubhouse belies the majestyof the design but the clubhouse staff treat youexpertly and you’re soon on the way to playingone of the best courses in the world. The firsthole cuts through towering pines and thenyou’re out onto meandering links and forestand heath-like terrain. Every hole is a treat.

PARKLAND CREME DE LA CREME

An iconic golf course, this hasseveral superb and history-filledholes and you come off the golfcourse with a big grin on yourface…Irrelevant of your score!

Par 72. 6348 yards. Slope 137.n World classn Spectacular views

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Around the turn and towards the end are ourfavourite parts of the course as they run alongand towards the coast and the views only addto the brilliant design.

Overall, the course mixes parkland with linksand some of the lesser-known holes areamong the most difficult – not least becauseof the small greens. A must play for any golferand the service and ambience add thefinishing touches.

Tel: 01277 824100

Spanish Bay Hotel and the PacificOcean.

It is quite Scottish-like in its links appearancebut the rough is not too penal and theweather is somewhat warmer!

The course is sculpted rather than natural butit’s a rather nice, fun test of golf. A very finecomplement to an exceptionally strong regionfor golf.

© Joann Dost.

© Joann Dost.

© Joann Dost.© Joann Dost.

CREME DE LA CREME

GolfPlanet holidays

228 USA: CaliforniaGolfPlanet Holidays

The Resort at Pelican Hill ***** Newport Coast 2

An impressive, no-expense-sparedresort with world-class facilitiesand a convenient, ocean frontlocation about an hour south ofLos Angeles.The resort boasts two championship Fazio-designed courses, a tranquil, refined spa. 204beautifully appointed “Bungalows”, 128 two,three and four-bedroom villas, all with PacificOcean views. Five restaurants offering classical fresco dining settings. The staff anticipatesthe every need of each guest and have beenbrilliantly trained. The resort sits on 504 acresoffering expansive views of the Pacific Oceanfrom every location.

The resort accommodations are spacious ineveryway, 16ft high ceilings, private terraces,fireplaces, sitting areas, 42 inch flat screenTVs, Bose sound systems, wet bars, Italianlinens and lavish bath robes. Public areasinclude a 136 ft circular “Coliseum Pool”sealed with over one million imported glasstiles surrounded by private luxury cabañas. ThePelican Hill spa boasts 22 treatment rooms

At a glancen World-class facilitiesn Ocean viewsn A brand new golfing resort offering the ultimate in relaxing treatments

and state-of-the-art fitness area andmovement studio. The villa guests enjoy theservices of a butler and house staff, privatevilla clubhouse, pool, Jacuzzi and cabañas.

For food, there’s plenty of choice on site or youcan get to many beachside brasseries andtrendy nightspots within ten minutes’ drive.And for longer drives (and shopping), you canvisit Los Angeles or take the magnificentcoastal highway down towards San Diego(with golf at Torrey Pines if you fancy).

With such a set-up, team and location it won’ttake long for Pelican Hill to gain a fabulousreputation.

A big course in every possiblesense. Generous fairways lead tocontoured and super-quick greens

North CoursePar 72. 6323 yards. Slope 131.n Features “One of the Best Holes in the World”

as awarded by GOLF Magazinen Ranked as one of the country's top courses

where the lines are true but thepace often catches you out.

There is a fine mix of holes where you can“force the issue” and holes where you have tothink. Every approach shot offers great viewsand exciting shots and there are a few whereyou have to swing, keep your head down andpray! A beautiful course with some show-stopping holes.

CREME DE LA CREME

LUXURY SPA £££££

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Pelican Hill (three times) £2045 £2250

Single room supplement per night n/a n/a

Courses within 30 minutesn The North and South courses of Pelican Hill

This course reminds us of theprettiest Algarve courses – tall pine

South CoursePar 71. 6563 yards. Slope 129.n Designed by Tom Fazion Sensational Pacific Ocean views

trees, small greens, not too longand very easy on the eye.

It’s an ideal loosener after a long flight orwhen you’re just looking to stretch your legs.Saying that, it’s not easy and you have to haveyour wits about you in order to score well.

CHAMPIONSHIP


GolfPlanet Holidays bonusn Book by Mar 31 and receive free American

breakfast and a welcome amenity


holidays

229USA: CaliforniaGolfPlanet Holidays

CordeValle ***** San Martin 3

A Rosewood resort, this is a truehidden gem only about 90minutes inland from Pebble Beachand one hour from San Francisco.

At a glancen Stunning surroundingsn Trent Jones course

ART DE VIVRE SPA £££££

One of the best courses we’veplayed and presented brilliantlyby Tom Gray, the much-respected,two US Open-hosting CourseSuperintendent.Each and every hole is shaped perfectly –showing you how to play the hole and where

Par 72. 6703 yards. Slope 134.n Robert Trent Jones Jr designn Wine-tasting by the 7th fairway!

to put the ball – all you have to do is hit theright shot! The landing areas are quitegenerous but do make sure you play off thetees suitable for your game as some carriescan be daunting. The greens are typical TrentJones – large, undulating and well-protectedand the fairways and trees are perfectlyinvolved in the design.

Other attractions to the course are the wine-tasting by the 7th fairway, the wildlife and thetasty food and chilled drinks in the clubhouse.

A rising star.

Set in stunning, sprawling meadowlands inCalifornia’s wine-growing region you areguaranteed tranquillity and beautifulsurroundings. It’s also warmer than the coastal resorts.

CordeValle is well-known among US golfingconnoisseurs and will delight any Europeanwho stays and plays there. The resort featuresa Trent Jones course which he says is the besthe’s designed and we can only agree.

There are two restaurants and the 45bedrooms are exceptional – each with largeliving spaces, great bathrooms and a privateterrace. Staff are attentive, helpful and friendly.

A place to “chill out” and enjoy the scenerybut watch out for the bobcats and eagles!

CordeValle

Tel: 01277 824100

Suggested add-on From ToThree nights’ room only, golf at CordeValle (twice) £875 £1015

Single room supplement per night n/a n/a


CREME DE LA CREME

GolfPlanet holidays

230 USA: ArizonaGolfPlanet Holidays


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Planen Several UK Airports – Phoenix (101/2 hours)

CALIFORNIA

MEXICO

Phoenix

NEW MEXICO

ARIZONA

The BouldersTroonTPC StadiumGrayhawk

We Ko Pa

80 miles


1

2

Grayhawk Golf Club.

The Boulders (page 232).


ArizonaThe home of true desert golf, warm weather, amazing scenery and 1001 nationalities, Arizona isthe best “hot” destination we know. Just a nine-hour flight from the UK, the golf is of a very highstandard and truly unique and you’ve got the choice of nightlife and amazing nature. Theaccommodation covers all the suitable bases and the people and food are the finishing touches toa brilliant golf holiday.



costing £500 per person n Four-in-a-large hire car with GPS and all insurancesn The selection of courses in the example itineraryn Taxes and service chargesn A comprehensive Holiday Information Packn The knowledge and experience of our teamn ABTA and ATOL bonds so you know your money is safen Past Client benefits depending on your holiday spend

Please contact us on 01277 824100 for the exact price foryour preferred holiday dates as prices can vary week-to-weekand we may have received a relevant special offer.

GolfPlanetholidays

231USA: ArizonaGolfPlanet Holidays

Gainey Suites **** Scottsdale 1

The Gainey Suites offers high-quality, freshly-renovated andcentrally-located apartments thatsleep from three to six people ingreat comfort.

A lot of thought has gone into thepresentation and facilities – such as:n Free evening drinks and nibbles for guestsn Well-equipped kitchensn Laundry servicen Location: next to a stylish shopping,

brasserie and fitness mall and near goodnight life

n A smart communal pooln All sorts of room types to satisfy various

group sizes.

At a glancen Central locationn Great value

COMFORTABLE ££

And in addition to the facilities, the service isfriendly and helpful. If you’re after theconvenience and flexibility (and very keenprices!) of self-catering, the Gainey Suites isthe best answer in Arizona.

With rock-music coming out of‘rock speakers’ on the puttinggreen and practice ground, this isquite a “hip” place to play.

Par 72. 6593 yards. Slope 137.n A real test of golf

TARGET

Grayhawk It’s smoothly-run and, as usual for the courseswe’ve selected, in great condition. The courseis very good, with a superior mix of “thinkingman” holes and very well-protected greens.The back nine is slightly more open than thefront nine so there is always a chance to saveyour card if you’ve taken a few holes to getyour game going.

Managed by Troon Golf – the“Four Seasons of golfmanagement”, the service isundeniably good and the course

Par 71. 6268 yards. Slope 130.n Pretty settingn Challenging test of golf

Troon North itself is impeccably presented anda fair but challenging test of golf.

The fairways vary in width and the rough istypical desert hazards lined by villas a fewmore metres back – it all makes for a prettysetting.

The course is fair because it asks questions ofyour game and, if you deliver, you’ll be puttingfor points.

TARGET

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ b/b, golf at The Boulders, Grayhawk,TPC Stadium & We Ko Pa £1175 £1745


Tel: 01277 824100


Courses within 30 minutesn The Boulders n We Ko Pan Grayhawk n TPC Stadiumn Troon

GolfPlanet Holidays bonusesn Buffet breakfast includedn Free evening drinks and nibbles

GolfPlanet holidays


The Boulders *****Scottsdale 2

The icon of desert golf, TheBoulders is nearly 25 years oldand has matured into a superbdestination.

The Boulders’ well-equipped Casitas sitamong the 1300 acres of unsurpassed beautyof the Sonoran Desert and are maintained toa very high level by the resort’s ultra-efficientstaff.

The three restaurants range from snack tocordon bleu and the two courses are perfect“desert-golf” layouts. However, what makesthe Boulders so unique is its surroundings...Spiritual, peaceful and relaxing.

As well as the golf, there’s a tennis club,Golden Door Spa, pool and lots of desertactivities such as hiking, star gazing andgetting some real sunshine in your tiredbones.

One of the most enjoyable destinations in ourentire programme.

At a glancen A world-famous hoteln Unique location and ambience

RESORT SPA ££££

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Boulders (twice), We Ko Pa, Troon and TPC Stadium £1395 £2475




Courses within 30 minutesn The Boulders (on site) n We Ko Pan Grayhawk n TPC Stadiumn Troon

GolfPlanetholidays

233USA: ArizonaGolfPlanet Holidays

This is a tight course but not verylong so take your favourite cluboff the tee and play sensibly!

Boulders NorthPar 72. 6293 yards. Slope 131.n Tight coursen Stunning set-up

However, the green beckons and it’s astunning set-up so who cares if you lose a fewballs in the quest of birdies?!

This is a great holiday course with a manicuredlook and there is nothing nicer than nippingout for 18 holes as dawn breaks in the desert.

Tel: 01277 824100

Boulders SouthPar 71. 6246 yards. Slope 140.n Spectacular viewsn Variety of holes

This is an even better course thanthe North as it offers a greater

variety of holes and morereasonable landing zones.

Beautiful to behold and with countless cactiand boulders and great views to take in, theSouth gives you a chance to get a few birdieswhilst still enjoying desert golf. The greens arequite small by modern standards but they, andthe rest of the course, give you no excuses.

TARGET

TARGET

GolfPlanet holidays


Wow! This is an absolute stunnerfrom the first time you see thecourse to the post-round glass ofwine on the terrace.

Not a house (or anything!) in sight except thegolf course, the desert and the mountains. Anygolf course would be good given the scenerybut the design is brilliant too. Wide fairways,penal “rough”, well-placed bunkers andintelligent hole lengths…Priceless.

Par 72. 6436 yards. Slope 128.n Spectacular viewsn Sensational design

We Ko Pa Cholla

Wow and wow again! On thesame “golfing estate fromHeaven” as the Cholla course,both courses are owned by NativeAmerican Indians and they mustbe delighted at the result.

The Saguaro is even better than the Cholla asthe design is more detailed and the variety ofchallenges is even greater. Slightly shorterthan its sister course, you do have to thinkyour way around and look at least one shotahead. This is a must for any golfer who trulyloves the game.

Par 71. 6252 yards. Slope 124.n Detailed designn Variety of challenges

We Ko Pa Saguaro

Photographs of We Ko Po courses: © 2008 Lonna Tucker

Par 71. 6525 yards. Slope 129.n Host to the USPGA tourn Water, water everywhere...

TPC Stadium The course is not particularly long but theholes are good to excellent and there is always“that stadium feel”. Plenty of water hazardsprovide decisive moments/shots to cherish andthe clubhouse, caddies and heritage of theclub are the framework to a great golf day.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Host to the USPGA Tour everyyear, this is an experience tosavour.


TARGET

GolfPlanetholidays

235USA: Georgia & South CarolinaGolfPlanet Holidays


13 14 18 22 25 29 30 30 27 23 19 14

89 76 114 76 102 152 178 178 135 76 64 76

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Sea Island Plantation course (page 237).

Georgia & South CarolinaGeorgiaGood ‘ole Southern hospitality, warm weather and spectacular scenery and nature. Georgia willalways be “on your mind” once you’ve been there. The next state up from Florida, it is vastlydifferent from the bright lights and man-made tourist attractions of the Sunshine State, for Georgiais unspoilt, very laid back and beautiful. It is also home to the Number 1 Golf Resort in theUSA…Read on or call us for the low down on Sea Island.

South CarolinaFamous the world-over for its quantity and quality of golf, South Carolina also treats you withgood food and perfect golfing weather. Fly into Atlanta or Charlotte (eight hour flight) and it’s afascinating four-hour drive to Kiawah Island that sets you up nicely for the holiday ahead.

South Carolina is a very pretty and friendly part of the east of the USA – beautiful white beaches,untouched lakes and rivers and grand old towns such as Charleston and Savannah combine tomake South Carolina ideal for relaxing, golfing “like crazy”, exploring or having a great party.

Sea Island and Kiawah are only two hours apart so they make for a great two-centre combination.As always, we tailor-make to suit your ideal requirements.

Sea Island

Atlanta

Charlotte

Charleston

Kiawah Island

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

NORTH CAROLINA

ALABAMA

TENNESSEE

Atlantic Ocean

G


100 miles 1

2

Tel: 01277 824100



costing £500 per personn Four-in-a-large hire car with GPS and all insurancesn The selection of courses in the example itineraryn Taxes and service chargesn A comprehensive Holiday Information Packn The knowledge and experience of our teamn ABTA and ATOL bonds so you know your money is safen Past Client benefits depending on your holiday spend

Please contact us on 01277 824100 for the exact price for yourpreferred holiday dates as prices can vary week-to-week and wemay have received a relevant special offer.



Planen Several UK Airports – Charlotte, Atlanta or Orlando (61/2 hours)

GolfPlanet holidays

236 USA: Georgia & South CarolinaGolfPlanet Holidays

Sea Island Resorts ***** Sea Island 1

With two beautiful hotels (TheLodge and The Cloister), villas,and cottages for rent, threesensational courses, a beach club,equestrian centre, miles of privatebeach, “gated community”assurance, one of the finestrestaurants in the USA, andsublime service, Sea Island isdeservedly ranked No.1 GolfResort in North America.

It will delight even the most discerning clientand its distinctive ambience will want youcoming back for more. For 80 years, Sea Islandhas been quietly building its reputation andthe all-new Cloister Hotel and Beach Club, aswell as the updated leisure facilities, bring it tothe attention of new groups of fans.

And the golf…Seaside is outstanding in everyrespect and vies for being my favourite course– anywhere. Plantation is a delight withseveral gorgeous holes and Retreat, designedby local boy, Davis Love III, offers target-golfsupreme.

At a glancen World class

LUXURY SPA £££££

The Cloister is a grand affair and the focalpoint of the actual resort. It has 175 guestrooms and suites – all beautifully furnishedwith wood and white linens and the latest ingadgets. There are three restaurants in thehotel, including the Georgian Room, one ofonly 17 restaurants in North America with theMobil Five-Star Award. Within a very shortwalk, you have the excellent spa, professionaltennis club and the outstanding Beach Cluband beyond that you’ve got the resort launchfor river cruises and there’s also fishing andshooting by the river. It’s got everything a“man with everything” could wish for!

The Lodge, under ten minutes’ drive away, is inthe heart of all three courses and looks outtoward the Atlantic Ocean. It’s got a “clubby”atmosphere with oak-panelling and fine diningmixed in very nicely with a relaxed ambience.The 40 bedrooms and suites are perfect –spacious and with all the mod-cons and a lotof elegance.

For longer stays or when you need even morespace, we can organise a Sea Island cottage orvilla – this is self-catering in style or you canpop along to the Beach Club or The Cloisterfor breakfast to start the day. Many cottagesand villas have a private pool and they are a

great way to enjoy Sea Island Resorts at veryattractive rates. And talking about rates, SeaIsland is not a cheap destination in any senseof the word but the value it offers isunmistakable.

A fabulous resort for any age and length ofstay.

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Seaside, Plantation & Retreat £2195 £2650




Courses within 30 minutesn Seaside n Plantationn Retreat

GolfPlanetholidays

237USA: Georgia & South CarolinaGolfPlanet Holidays

This takes the mantle of being thebest-presented course we’ve everseen…Amazing.

Hole after hole is a delight of perfect designand condition and the river views andwhispering grasses and marshes are amagnificent frame for a golf course.

Par 70. 6323 yards. Slope 133.n Well-presented coursen Excellent conditions

Seaside The layout starts off in the woodland near theclubhouse where a couple of Par-fours warmyou up for the challenge ahead. A long Par-three gives you a preview and then it’s allaction with every hole featuring all sorts ofhazards but, as with every fine golf course, thehazards are only there if you hit a bad shotand should, when you are playing well, just bepart of the picture.

The holes around the turn deserve specialmention as do the last few. In fact, it’s abrilliant round of golf.

This is slightly longer than

Par 72. 6326 yards. Slope 130.n Tree-lined fairwaysn Excellent holiday course

Plantation Seaside and features tree-linedfairways and small, raised greens.

It’s a super holiday course with a little bite andsome real beauties towards the end. Get onthe last hole in two and you might as well turnPro (or at least toast yourself with a well-earned beer).

Designed by ‘local boy’ Davis LoveIII, Retreat has several spectacularholes and, instead of the breezesthat affect Seaside and Plantation,this inland course features a lot ofwater and large, undulating greens.

You can hit it hard on this course and getaway with “iffy” swings but poor shots to thegreens will be penalised.

Par 72. 6318 yards. Slope 124.n Designed by Davis Love IIIn Inland course

RetreatCREME DE LA CREME

PARKLAND

TARGET

Tel: 01277 824100

A good addition to Sea Island Resorts and it’srare that three courses so close together are sodifferent in character and yet still all verygood.

GolfPlanet holidays

238 USA: Georgia & South CarolinaGolfPlanet Holidays

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort***** Charleston 2

This is a world-class golf resortand much more besides.

There’s a superb hotel on the Atlantic Beach,an impressive spa, a top tennis academy,perfect villas for rent and plenty of shops andrestaurants…All wrapped up into a “gatedcommunity” where everyone is relaxed andhaving fun. And of course, Kiawah Island isthe scene of the famous 1991 “War by theShore” Ryder Cup.

The Sanctuary is a five-star hotel with 255 topbedrooms – all but 18 of which look out ontothe beach. The hotel has two restaurants – afine dining experience and a superb brasserie.Breakfast is ideal and there’s even an ice-cream parlour should you fancy a treat. Thethree restaurants, Piano Bar and terrace arevery classy and there’s a quality choice ofboutiques too. A very elegant and welcomingaffair.

At a glancen Winner of the IAGTO 2005 Golf Resort of the

World (Rest of the World) awardn Sensational facilities and friendly service

We also have a high-quality choice ofapartments and villas to choose from so if youwant even more space or a little moreflexibility, the villas are ideal and save a fairamount of money. The apartments are stillquite spacious and decent and are a steal.Please ask for details.

Lastly, Kiawah Island fits very nicely with atwo-night add-on in the historic and lively city

RESORT SPA ££££

Par 72. 6744 yards. Slope 139.n 1991 ‘War on the shore’ Ryder Cup venuen World Top 100 course

Ocean Course

The Ocean Course is deservedlyrated in the World Top 100 and hashosted no fewer than five USPGATournaments and is also the venueof the 2012 US PGAChampionship.

It’s tough but well worth the ego-bashing. It’s

beautiful, there are several challenges on everyhole and, off the back or even the middle tees,it’s long.

Our advice is to swallow your pride, play offthe forward tees and take a hip flask for yournerves! What a course. The front nine is alittle inland but the waste bunkers and thingreens offer little hope. The back nine is a truelinks layout with narrower fairways, smallerbunkers and larger greens.

Play Matchplay, listen to your caddie and justhave fun. A great golfing experience.

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of Charleston…Under an hour away and afascinating insight into the development of theUSA as one nation and the abolishment ofslavery. Charleston is excellent by day andbrilliant, with its fine-dining and bars, by night.

Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ room only, golf at Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point,Oak Point & Cougar Point £1675 £2050




Suggested itinerary From ToSeven nights’ self-catering in a two-bedroom Scenic Deluxe Villa, golf at Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point, Oak Point & Cougar Point £1245 £1675

Single room supplement per night n/a

Courses within 30 minutesn Ocean Course n Turtle Pointn Osprey Point n Oak Pointn Cougar Point


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Designed by Jack Nicklaus, TurtlePoint is a favourite of betterplayers (who’ve had enoughpunishment on the Ocean Course!)

Par 72. 6503 yards. Slope 136.n A top-class layoutn Excellent Clubhouse

Turtle Point With narrow fairway corridors, small greensand strategically-placed water hazards, thecourse calls for intelligent play. It’s quite longtoo so a decent short game is needed whenyour woods let you down. The best “play” isto read the hole’s design and hit to the rightlanding areas to get the best angles into thegreens.

Our favourite holes are on the back nine –particularly the stretch along the ocean. Theclubhouse is super and the hearty food idealfor a post-round “game analysis”.

Par 72. 6450 yards. Slope 135.n Abundance of wildlifen Terrific value

Oak Point

Designed by Gary Player, this is asuper course with attractivepropositions lined up on everyhole – driver or play safe, over thewater or around it, go for the flagor just the green?...

Par 72. 6503 yards. Slope 127.n Designed by Gary Playern Well-protected greens

Cougar Point The Par-fours are where you make or breakyour card as some are short and “birdieable”and others are very tough. The Par-fives aregenerally quite generous once you’ve got agood drive away but the Par-threes are whereyou can walk away with no points as thegreens are usually raised and very well-protected.

As with all the courses at Kiawah Island,Cougar Point was recently awarded a near-perfect score in Golf Digest’s “Best Places toPlay” readers’ poll. We’re great fans of GaryPlayer courses and this one lives up to his highstandards.

Originally designed as a members-only course, any decent golfer cannow enjoy this low-country gem.

The elegant clubhouse is one of the finest in theregion and we consider the design to be No.2after the Ocean Course.

Osprey is very pretty, involves some quitefrightening drives and offers a great variety ofdesign taking in natural lakes, saltwater marsh,thick forest and beautiful flora. Off the backtees, some of the tee-shots – even on the Parthree’s – are mouth-wateringly nerve-wrackingbut you come off the course, whatever yourresult, with a smile.

Par 72. 6502 yards. Slope 133.n Several daunting holesn Very pretty

Osprey Point

LINKS

Tel: 01277 824100

Located about ten minutes’ drivefrom the resort gates(complimentary transfers), OakPoint deserves to be far moreplayed than it is.

It’s a lovely, quite British (apart from the gator-filled ponds and lakes!) course with rollingfairways, tall oaks and smallish greens.

Built on a former tomato and indigo plantationand overlooking the Kiawah River andHaulover Creek, there is an abundance ofwildlife to enjoy so remember your camera.

The ability to put the ball on the right side ofthe fairway is very important at Oak Point. It’sa friendly round of golf at terrific value soinclude a couple of rounds here to keep yourholiday within budget.

The simple clubhouse is a delight and you can

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enjoy the grill or just sup a beer on the creek-view terrace.

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