From Ryder Cup Watcher to Wales Golf Vacationer

The breathtaking finish of the 2010 Ryder Cup was matched only by the scenery of this very special course. 

After being glued to the TV (or telly, as you will) to watch this nearly century old rivalry, I came away with renewed admiration for US Open Champ,

Graeme McDowell, who led his European team to victory on the last day with an absolutely unforgettable putt.  

I also came away with a new fascination for the host country.  I am definitely moving

Wales onto the “must do” list of golf trips. The Twenty Ten Course just blew me away with those “risk-and-reward” dilemmas that makes the game as great for us amateurs as it is for the pros.

It is the first course to be built specifically for the Ryder Cup, with a par of 71 and 7,493 yards off the back tees.  Punctuated by water hazards and six signature holes, the course offers a both a links-like feel with some long rough and greenside swales. 

Of course this is only one of the courses to be tackled at the Celtic Manor Resort.  Colin Montgomerie, the European captain, designed one which is named in his honor as well.  A living golf legend, Monty shows his traditionalism in design, adding deep pot bunkers to give a links feel.  Panoramic views abound, as do dramatic tee shots and downhill shots.

The Roman Road course rounds out the world-class offerings at Celtic Manor.  Golf Monthly named it the top inland course in Wales as soon as it opened, which tells you something about the level of design and management that can be expected.

Luxury accommodations can also be expected, including two spas with all the trimmings, from spa treatments and plunge pools to the latest in fitness equipment with instructors on hand.  While working on your putting, why not work on your image as well at the award-winning salon?

There’s no doubt that the Ryder Cup spotlight has changed Wales tourism.  Now that the championship crowds have died down, golf vacations without the hubub will be the rule there.  With castles, beaches, mountains, and of course the rolling countryside, Wales offers great opportunities for exploration. 

That’s one of the great things about the game, eh?  Golf gives us a chance to enjoy the sport as well as virtual or actual golf trips

to some of the most beautiful spots in the world.  And from what I saw during the Ryder Cup, Wales definitely is one of them!

Golf and Snorkel Year Round in the Sunny Bahamas

As autumn leaves swirl, it’s time to plan golf vacations where the sun shines all year round.  Just 55 miles of the east coast of Florida lies a golfer’s paradise:  the Bahamas.  With an average winter temperature of 70 degrees, the skies are nearly always blue, the grass is always green, including on the golf courses. 

While there are 700 spectacular islands in the Bahama chain, the major golf attraction is on Grand Bahama Island, which beacons to golfers from all around the world.  Great golfing can be found in Freeport, the “second city” in Bahamas, after Nassau.  This island city was transformed just 50 years ago from swampland to international resort by a wealthy Virginia lumberman.

 The result is a unique blend of cosmopolitan world-class resorts, historical charm, and tropical easy going manners.  In addition to fabulous golfing, visitors stream to Grand Bahama Island to enjoy water sports on endless beaches with emerald green waters. 

The best way to see the variety of marine life is up close and personal by snorkeling and diving, of course.  You can take a short catamaran ride to a shallow coral reef and feed tropical fish right out of your hand!  Tropical gardens and quaint fishing villages make island touring fun—and a photographic delight.

Freeport boasts two championship golf courses, both integrated into the luxury resort, Our Lucaya, considered number one in the Bahamas by LINKS magazine and named one of the top 100 golf resorts by The Golfer.  The Our Lucayan Course, designed by Dick Wilson, is a lush, tree-lined course with tropical greens and doglegs that will get you to hone your swing.  The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. sculpted the Reef Course which opened in 2000.

When golfing a la Freeport, it is easy to transform golf packages into something-for-everyone vacations, from spas to casinos, water sports to shopping and dining.  The 7.5 acres of soft sand beaches offer a different kind of sand trap for the dedicated golfer, as does hopping island nightlife.  You are likely to be tempted. 

Finally Freeport offers the opportunity to combine golfing travel with weddings and honeymoons.  Why not get married right there on the beach--and enjoy a round of golf in the afternoon?  Of course this is best advised for golfing couples!