I always find it more interesting to watch courses on TV that I have played myself. This fall, the PGA Tour will visit several spots that would be ideal for a golf outing, large or small.
As you test these great tracks, you will have an inside look at what the pros face. They are also great vacation spots for any in your party who do not play.
CordeValle
The PGA Tour recently stopped in San Martin for the Frys.com Open at CordeValle. This is a Rosewood Hotel property, offering some of the finest accommodations you will ever see. The options include Fairway Rooms, Bungalows, Villa Suites and Fairway Homes. The Bungalows and Villa Suites are located on a high ridge looking out at much of the course below. They offer the finest in down bedding and state-of-the-art electronics that even dazzle the nearby Silicon Valley crowd. CordeValle has a luxurious pool area and an award winning Spa as well. This is the spot for a retreat or even a romantic getaway, should you want to spoil yourself or someone special.This course always generates a lot of excitement, especially on the closing holes. The drivable 17th is a classic risk reward short par 4. The elevated tee offers views of the entire CordeValle property. A daring tee shot will have to cross the large lake fronting the green and right side of this dogleg right. In the event they use a short tee allowing most pros to go for it but the shot must be well-struck. When Rocco Mediate won here two years ago, he laid up and holed his 100-yard approach. The 18th is also downhill and requires an accurate tee shot to avoid the lateral hazard running across the fairway and down the left side. Most pros use less than a driver here to secure accuracy.
CordeValle is located an hour south of Palo Alto and an hour north of Monterey. It would be an ideal choice if your travels required a stop in San Jose or the Silicon Valley. Might also fit a San Francisco trip, either coming or going. This is worthy of a trip itself and don’t forget to check out the winery online. Visit RosewoodHotels.com for further details.
Sea Island
This weekend, the tour visits coastal Georgia for the McGladrey Classic held at Sea Island. You know these guys really do it in style. Sea Island is the class of the coastal Low Country with two separate hotels from which to choose. The Sea Island Lodge is where the event will be played. Staying here would be a golfer’s dream, with 54 ocean front holes to choose from right out your door. The rooms are upstairs in the clubhouse and have views of the golf and water here at the southern tip of St. Simon’s Island.The Seaside course is where the pros will play. This is a Tom Fazio redesign, with many challenging fairway bunkers. It is ranked in the Top 100 courses by Golf Digest and always in fantastic shape. The Plantation course is the work of Rees Jones, who made extensive changes to the original layout. The Retreat Course is just a mile or so down the road and a Dick Wilson design. He has many great layouts to his credit, including La Costa.
The most popular lodging choice at Sea Island is The Cloister located on Sea Island itself. It does not get any better than this with hundreds of millions spent before it reopened in 2007. The Spanish Mediterranean design could easily fit in California but is right at home here. The property sits on a small tributary, making for peaceful marsh views from most all of its rooms. Guests at The Cloister will cross a gate-guarded bridge to Sea Island, which is home to scores of multi-million dollar mansions. The Beach Club and Fitness Center are just across the street and could easily take up a leisurely day.
The easiest way to get here would probably be through Jacksonville Airport, which is only an hour to the south. The ride in is unforgettable, as you cross the marshes and various suspension bridges. Go to SeaIsland.com for complete details.