America does everything big-malls, Texas, Big Gulp and golf course brands. Pinehurst, Bandon, Pebble and Kiawah. They are bucket list category and golfers pant when they hear these words. But what about playing in those regions less heralded like St. George’s, Utah, Tucson, AZ, Bend, Oregon, Austin, TX or even Nebraska? When constructing bespoke golf…
Planes, Trains and Automobiles was a terrific movie starring our beloved Canadian comedian John Candy. Why not create your own flick by flying into Calgary Airport, drive to a base hotel like Banff or Jasper for memorable golf and then experience a grand finale by taking a two-day Rocky Mountaineer train to beautiful Vancouver and…
Put on your critical thinking cap when viewing golf course lists. Recent GOLF Top 100 Courses in the World definitely have a U.S. and UK slant. No. 2 Canada and No. 3 Japan are given short shrift and have 5 total. These two countries combined have 4600+ courses. No Banff Springs. Come on! Devil’s Cauldron,…
Cabot-the Bandon of the East is one reason. Next swing west to get your Rocky Mountain high in Banff, Canmore and Jasper, Alberta. How about desert golf with wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley, BC. where I live? Yes, the Napa of the North. Whistler is more than skiing with four terrific courses. Ferry to…
When I was volunteered to make a three minute speech on behalf of global golf tour operators to Japanese tourism boards and suppliers earlier this month at JGTM, it forced me to crystallize my thoughts on the country’s benefits. How about the beautiful golf courses that offer remote control buggies and/or a female forecaddie and…
How about staying in 800 year old accommodations near Aberdeen where the Knights Templar met? Enjoyed the Himalayas putting green while golfers play the Old Course around you. Compete with Scotscraig members and then have dinner with them. Playing 9 holes at Dumbarnie Links near St Andrews before it is officially open was fantastic. Trump…
They both won in Tokyo, Japan recently. Tiger disposed of Hideki and other contenders. Stuck in a pizza shop because of a typhoon couldn’t stop the resurrected one. South African Springboks broke the English hearts in winning the World Rugby finals. And next year the Olympics returns to Tokyo with Justin Rose defending his golf…
I listened to the clacking of my clubs and the sounds of different bird calls. I admired the sea, a duck and the castle. There was no conversation but a fist pump was allowed. The wind whistled as we walked down the Castle Stuart fairway in Inverness, Scotland. My first experience of the silent hole…
I reeled in the prize but it was for winning a golf tournament and not a fishing competition. The last victory for me at this esteemed “Major” was in 2005 and my drought was kaput. Draining a 30 footer on the last green at Windermere in front of my peers put an exclamation point on…
The distinct Australian band’s song rumbled out of the Bose speakers hanging on the power cart starting on No. 2 at my old home course of Craigowan. The Commish and traditionalist usually frowns upon this intrusion. But being with my friends and playing a favourite course of mine, I took it in stride. The future?…