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TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

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The pro-tournament that draws the largest crowd attendance in all of the world finds its home in a golf course surrounded by the Sonoran desert and the McDowell Mountains in Arizona. Every year, a huge following of golf fans flock the TPC of Scottsdale’s Stadium Course to cheer and jeer for their favorite pros for the FBR Phoenix Open. The Stadium Course, along with its sibling course, Champions, make up the 36-hole Tournament Players Club (TPC) of Scottsdale operated by PGA Tours. The Stadium Course, because of the Phoenix Open fame, also draws so many golf trip enthusiasts during post tournament season.

Pro- or not, the Stadium Course‘s par-3 16th hole never fails to make a lasting impression and a heart-wrenching impact. Course designers Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish have intended the hole as just a bridge from the 15th to the 17th, but it’s simply the most exciting hole there is on the course. The holes at the Stadium seem easy, like the 17th, but could break any champion’s heart if taken all too easily. The golf vacation destination was made exactly with the FBR Phoenix Open in mind and so the level of difficulty should never at all be surprising.

The best thing about the Stadium Course is its perfect, unparalleled views of the Sonoran desert and the McDowell Mountains. Anyone who visits the course is treated to such breathtaking vista all the while enjoying a fun round of golf or any of the course’s amenities while being serviced by its excellent staff. With or without the tournament, the Stadium course will, without a doubt, be a best seller in golf vacations because of its unique offer of desert golf – complete with a challenging layout and the best of desert scenery.

The Boulders South Course

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The Sonoran desert is beautiful, there’s not an iota of doubt in the truthfulness of that. Many of Arizona’s top golf vacation destinations have parts of the Sonoran desert in the picture. In the high desert, where millions of years old boulder formations surround, one golf course stands majestically – a rare breed of ruggedness and beauty that is now known as one of the best, most scenic courses in Western United States – The Boulders South Course.

The Boulders South Course is one of the two world-class Jay Moorish designed courses in the Boulders Golf Resort. The 18-hole par-72 championship golf trip spot’s signature shot is the 5th hole that requires a shot over an enormous rock formation. Getting past it definitely takes off a boulder-like lump in any golfer’s throat, all the while anticipating the coming shots that may be the same or even more difficult than that. All the challenging layout of Moorish’s design, plus all the drama of the naturally rough desert terrain, set against even more beautiful Sonoran desert views will surely take any golfer’s play to the next level.

There is no doubt, therefore, as to why the Boulders South Course has bagged such honors as a Platinum Medal from Golf Magazine, one of the “Top 25 US Resorts” by Golf Digest and “Top Five – Best in the West” by the Links. It has all the classical elements and definitions of desert golf in all of its 18 memorable holes. Not to mention, the Boulders Resort offers the best amenities and services including a top of its kind spa treatments at the Golden Door Resort making the best golf vacations better than it can possibly be.

The Boulders – North Course

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The beautiful Sonoran desert has been made even more beautiful by the many tourist destinations built here. Countless golf resorts dot the area all making use of the stunning golden sands of the desert and its many splendor of mountains and natural vegetation. One of the more famous golf vacation destinations in the area that stands out among the others is The Boulders located at the foothills of the Black Mountain. The Boulders is home to two of the most scenic golf courses in all of Arizona, the North Course and the South Course. The Boulders North Course combines a challenging layout that follows nature’s dictates to bring out a top-caliber golf course like no other.

The Boulders – North Course, like its sibling course, is designed by  Jay Moorish. It is an 18-hole, par 71 course that is considered to have one of the most demanding layouts in the Southwest. The course is accommodating to golfers of all handicaps, and they shall each be afforded a different sort of fun-challenge. The North Course is surrounded by huge desert boulders and the most beautiful view of the Sonoran desert, both serving for aesthetic as well as playability purposes. The course and the entire resort were designed to bring out the best in desert golf without doing too much intervention on the natural desert terrain. Golf trips here would bring the visitor in union with nature while playing their favorite sport.

The Boulders Golf Resort completes the golf vacation experience. World class golfing at the Boulders North Course, a relaxing session or two at the famous Golden Door Spa, and an even more pristine communion with nature, viewing the golden sunsets at the Sonoran desert – there is nothing more a nature-loving golfer would want.

Golf in Jamaica

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The Caribbean Sea is home to some of the world’s most beautiful island paradises. These islands are blessed with beautiful cerulean waters crashing fine powder beaches, and a rich ancestry, history and culture that make them truly unique. One of the Caribbean’s precious gems is Jamaica.

Jamaica literally means “Land of Wood and Water”. It has a long history of colonization and slavery from the Spanish and English invaders. The invasions and the trafficking and importing of slaves from Africa and Asia, have helped mold Jamaica into the culturally diverse island nation that it is today. It is now the seat of reggae music, and the home of famous athletes, world-class natural tourist destinations and some of the world’s best and most beautiful golf courses.

Montego Bay on the northern coast is the second largest city in Jamaica, next to Kingston, the capital. The sight and sounds of Montego Bay are a perfect breed of nature, culture, and history. Here tourists will find centuries-old homes, new amenities, and world-class golf courses. The best golf courses here are designed by equally renowned artists and the designs are hailed by the golfing community for its breathtaking Caribbean scenery and challenging but fun golf offerings. Three of the most notable golf courses on Montego Bay are: Cinnamon Hill Golf Club, Half Moon Golf Club, and the tale-filled White Witch Golf Course.

The Cinnamon Hill Golf Club The Cinnamon Hill Golf Club is cradled between the lush Jamaican Mountains on one side and the crystal blue Caribbean waters on the other. It sits on 400 sprawling acres at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club. This 18-hole championship course was designed by Robert Von Hagge for the resort player, with the equally relaxing and challenging plays of the wind and traps giving that perfectly satisfying play. The caddies at Cinnamon Hill Golf Club are ranked as one of “The Best in the World” by Golfer Magazine.

Half Moon Golf Club An original Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, the Half Moon Golf Club was recently renovated under Roger Rulewich’s watchful eye. How good it was in its original design has just gotten better with the new improvements on the course. It still has the same elements of challenge and fun in every hole for both the beginner and the advanced golfer, that has made it famous for the last 25 years, only better. It is named the Best Caribbean Golf Resort by Caribbean World Magazine, and is a member of the Jack Nicklaus “Great Golf Resorts of the World”.

White Witch Golf Course  The White Witch could perhaps be one of the most interesting courses on Montego Bay. It is named after the famous tale derived from the life and death of a rather infamous Jamaican character, Annie Palmer or “The White Witch”. Stories has it that Annie Palmer has murdered so many of her husbands and brutalized her slaves until she was murdered.

The site of the White Witch Golf Course is the site of Annie Palmer’s sugar plantation, thus the course’s creators, Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril, thought of naming the course after her. The 18-hole par-71 course features a view of the Caribbean from 16-18 holes and an even more challenging play of the wind and its mountainous terrain on 6,859 yards.

The Caribbean waters are so blessed with an undeniable and unequalled natural beauty, made more beautiful by the beauty of its people. No wonder the even more beautiful golf courses belong here as if it were made along with everything else.

Arizona Grand Golf Course

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Arizona is home to many fine golf courses, some of which rank among the best in the country. The desert terrain, scenic mountains, and the glaring Arizona sun provide some of the best setting for premiere golf vacation destinations. On the top list’s top list, the Arizona Grand Golf Course holds ground. For two decades now, the golf course has been known to provide challenging games and excellent resort services.

The Arizona Grand Golf Course is situated in the luxurious Arizona Grand Resort, right in the protected natural desert preserve of South Mountain Park. Designed by Forrest Richardson, the course features links style set on desert landscape. The result is a challenging course layout of many twists and turns, and an escalating challenge that is only revealed one hole after another. Golfers of all handicaps can enjoy the 6,331 yards of golf and its rolling fairways and dramatic elevation changes. This 18-hole par-71 golf vacation favorite offers the most scenic views of the mountains surrounding it and of the Sonoran desert.

Coupled with excellent service and world-class amenities, these superb playing conditions of the golf course make the Arizona Grand Golf Course a favorite among its counterparts. Players and golf publications alike all praise the golf trip haven in unison, as is proven by the following awards: “Greens of Distinction” & “Golden Links Award” from Corporate Incentive Travel Magazine; Gold Tee Award from Meetings & Conventions; “Top 35 Courses in Arizona”, “Best Golf Hole”, & “Best Service in Golf” from The Arizona Republic; and named among the nations Top 50 “Great Service” facilities by Golf Digest. It also holds 4 diamonds from AAA, and 4-stars from Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”, and an “Excellent” rating from the Zagat Survey. Justifying its rank won’t be so hard to do. A single visit to the course is all it needs and no trace of doubt shall remain: this is definitely among the best.

Whirlwind Golf Club – Devil’s Claw

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The older of the two sibling courses at the Whirlwind Golf Club, the Devil’s Claw Course has been, for the most part, the inspiration of the younger Cattail Course. Both courses were designed by Gary Pank and were meant to provide a golf vacation destination that both provides a good and challenging layout at the same time preserve the cultural heritage of the Gila River Indians of the area.

The Devil’s Claw Course at the Whirlwind Golf Club plays on 7,017 yards at the tips for a par of 72. The 18-hole championship golf course features sweeping elevation changes, dramatic bunkering and multi-tiered greens. Just like the Cattail Course, this golf trip haven has had minimal landscaping to preserve the natural contours of the desert terrain it stands on. Like its sister course, the Devil’s Claw has five sets of tees to accommodate players of various handicaps.

What makes the Devil’s Claw Course at the Whirlwind Golf Club stand out, apart from the obvious superb playing greens and fairly challenging layouts, is the excellence in conditioning and maintenance of the course. The management has successfully combined that with outstanding service from their brood of friendly and knowledgeable staff – the exact same philosophy applied in the newer Cattail Course. All that and the natural beauty of the area and the interesting Native American heritage woven tightly into the design and golfing principles make the course a favorite for golf vacations. And as with every passing year, there is no doubt the golf facilities at the Whirlwind Golf Club – both the Devi;’s Claw and the Cattail courses – are getting better and better.

Whirlwind Golf Club – Cattail Course

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The brains behind the creation of the Whirlwind Golf Club had one thing in mind:FLEXIBILITY. They wanted a golf course that goes beyond the usual scenic, slightly challenging course layout. What they wanted was a golf course that can accommodate players of various handicaps whilst providing the most scenic vistas and the best of services and amenities – a complete and top of its kind course both for the resident golfer and the golf trip enthusiast. And they got that with the Cattail Course of the Whirlwind Golf Club.

Located in Chandler, Arizona, its designer Gary Panks did very minimal and mild intervention to the natural desert terrain of what now holds the Cattail Course of the Whirlwind Golf Club. The golf vacation destination boasts of 5 sets of tee areas, each offering a different golfing experience for the determined player. It stretches to almost 7,300 yards at the championship tees. The Cattail course meanders through natural Arizona wetland areas and canyons that provide natural hazards for the game. The holes at the course have names on the scorecard, written both in English and in Native American language of the Gila River Indian tribe to pay homage to the heritage of the land it belongs to. Twice in the past has the Cattail hosted the Gila River Nationwide Tour Classic – in 2003 and 2004.

Another feature of the Cattail Course of the Whirlwind Golf Club are its superb quality service and world-class amenities. The staff of the course are all friendly, knowledgeable, and bears the same accommodating stance of the course. Every visiting golfer will feel easily at ease at the course and enjoy the wonderful clubhouse and all its many offerings that are even more wonderful. This place makes for the perfect golf vacations for anyone and everyone.

Rancho Mañana Golf Club

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The question of whether a golf course is beautiful or not is not answerable merely by the scenery of the course. Neither is it based on its playability alone. It must be a little of both, and the factor of being able to deliver an unforgettable game of golf, making every golf trip worth taking. Rancho Mañana Golf Club has all that – and more. And for the big names in golf course reviews to recognize that, there’s no way for it not to be true.

The Rancho Mañana Golf Club has been voted on Golf Digest as having one of the most scenic layouts, and listed by the same as one of the top 50 courses IN THE COUNTRY for women. Ranking Arizona ranked it in the top 10 courses in the state. These merits alone are enough to answer the question on whether or not the golf vacation destination is beautiful or not. It has got the most beautiful desert vistas in the state and one of the most challenging, dramatic elevation changes. Golfers could enjoy the heart of Sonoran desert, whilst being treated to captivating views of the Camelback Mountain, Mummy Mountain, Squawk Peak, Black Mountain, and South Mountain, as well as that of the Tonto National Forest. The elevation changes are very prominent, rising on each hole on the front nine. The back nine treats golfers into a very tricky water hole and the most awe-inspiring views.

The course was designed by Bill Johnston, maintaining the natural beauty of the land, following its natural contours and placing the balls perfectly to capture the best sights. It’s a perfect combination of scenery, challenging desert layout, and always a memorable golf vacation for anyone. The Rancho Mañana Golf Club has, no doubt, all the necessary requirements to call it a BEAUTIFUL COURSE.

Sanctuary Golf Club at Westworld

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The Sanctuary Golf Club at Westworld is indeed a sanctuary. It is – for desert wildlife and flora, as was certified by the Audubon International when it awarded the club its Audubon Signature Status – the first one in Arizona, and the 17th in the world. But to golfers who want everything easy breezy, and get a good scorecard without so much as raising an arm, the extra challenging desert layout of this golf course is just not for them. There is just nothing pretentious about desert golf in this golf vacation destination. It’s difficult, it’s hot, it’s real. IT’S FUN.

Its course architect, Randy Heckenkemper, worked on the Bureau of Reclamations’ Storm Water Retention area to come up with the Sanctuary Golf Club. The 6,624-yard, 18-hole, par 71 Sanctuary Golf Club is built on the western slopes of the McDowell Mountains adjacent to the Westworld equestrian center. Heckenkemper followed the natural topography of the land, thus creating a purely desert landscape of large saguaro cacti and desert washes. The most prominent feature about this golf vacation spot is not the scenery though, it’s the multiple forced carries off the tee. There’s just no other way to get past the thick desert vegetation.

Nothing is so ordinary about golf trips at the Sanctuary Golf Club. The layout is too challenging to be that. But not to worry, the golf club’s staff will compliment the difficulty with their superb and friendly service. For the real toughie of a golfer, who finds spells fun with C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E, then this is indeed, a sanctuary.

Legend Trail Golf Club

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If it isn’t a classic and a legend already, the Legend Trail Golf Club is definitely on its way there. The 18-hole Championship facility in Scottsdale, Arizona is becoming known as one of the best ones in the state, and in the country. Of course, if the layout was designed by the Rees Jones, nothing less is to be expected. Naturally, it is a premiere and top-of-the-rank golf vacation destination.

The Legend Trail Golf Club is in North Scottsdale, near the Carefree/Cave Creek border. It is set in the very beautiful golden dunes of the Sonoran desert, with all the most spectacular views of the Pinnacle Peak and the nearby desert hills that seem to glisten under the glaring Arizona sun. The golf trip hotspot features a course that simply winds through the wide desert following the natural contours of the desert terrain. Golfers will play on seemingly endless acres of a former desert ranch that now features flawless fairways, perfectly manicured greens, small bunkering and island greens. The course plays on four different tee boxes, and the Long Trail which stretches to 6,845 yards and the Short Trail of 5000 yards may be enjoyed by players of all handicaps.

With its rare breed of quality service, captivating scenery, and challenging layout, the Legend Golf Trail has earned a reputation among its guests, and 4 ½ stars from the Golf Digest’s Places to Play. It is also one of the best, most favored venues for golf vacations, as it is conveniently located just 40 minutes from downtown Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Without a doubt, it has all the makings of a legend.