Golf Travel News Sept. 4, 2024

Golf Travel News Sept. 4, 2024

In golf travel news this week are items from Gull Lake View, Myrtle Beach, Tamarack, Nemacolin, Sea Pines and Hammock Beach.

• The “All in the Family” Golf Destination
• From California to Carolina: College Golf Teams Converge on Grande Dunes for Tourney
• Tamarack Resort Reopens Osprey Meadows
• Horseshoe Bay Resort’s 19th Annual Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival Returns November 8-9
• Nemacolin’s LaBella Wins Tri-State PGA’s Teacher and Coach of Year Award
• THE SEA PINES RESORT ANNOUNCES GETAWAY VACATION PACKAGE AND FREE NIGHT SPECIAL FOR FALL AND WINTER
• Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa Recognized as Distinguished Golf Destination By BoardRoom Magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide

The “All in the Family” Golf Destination

One of the largest family-owned golf resorts in the country has been building a legacy for more than 60 years

A wildly popular Southwestern Michigan golf destination came about because of one man’s vision. A superintendent at nearby Gull Lake Country Club in Richland, Michigan, for 25 years, Darl Scott decided to tap into his entrepreneurial spirit in the early 1960s. He and his wife, who already owned and operated a nearby motel, set out to build the Gull Lake View West golf course in 1962 on adjacent land. Little did the couple know that the small motel and golf course business would lead the couple to become pioneers in destination golf.

Today, this stay-and-play lake country golf destination is one of the largest family-owned golf resorts in the country. One that offers an affordable value proposition not commonly found with larger multi-course golf resorts. Gull Lake View’s six championship courses offer a special experience for golfers, all while not breaking the bank. Imagine, for the price of one round at Pebble Beach or Bandon Dunes, golfers could experience a three-day, two-night golf package and play up to three or four rounds of golf.

The original Gull Lake View West is depicted by fields, ravines, hills, woods, ponds, and domed greens. In the early 1970s, the couple sold the motel and built Gull Lake View East – which features hilly scenic terrain, lots of unique water hazards, and demands good shot placement. Alongside the East course, Darl built villa-style condos for golf groups to stay in, which was a new experience at the time.

During the late 1980s and 1990s golf course boom, the Scotts’ son Charlie, who had built golf courses for Wadsworth Construction for seven years before coming home to build the East course, designed and built Stonehedge South nearby in 1988. The golf course is set on dramatic, rolling wooded countryside reminiscent of the Carolinas. Then, in 1995, Charlie and his son Jon built Stonehedge North, which showcases dramatic elevation changes and plays roughly five shots easier than the South. At the same time, the family bought and refurbished nearby Bedford Valley Country Club, a local course that had hosted multiple Michigan Opens but fell into disrepair.

“Darl (who passed away in 1999) liked to buy land, and in that spirit, Jon and I looked at the land next to the South course, and it had an Irish-Scottish feel to it with a lot of movement,” recalls Bill Johnson, CEO of Gull Lake View who was the company’s vice president back then. “And that’s how Stoatin Brae came about, which opened in 2017. We were playing at Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes and talked about getting in touch with architect Tom Doak. Within a couple of days, he was here to look at the plans with us.”

Due to a project conflict, Doak handed the Stoatin Brae job to his Renaissance Golf A-Team of designers Eric Iverson, Brian Schneider, Don Placek, and Brian Slawnik. They were responsible for the layout and critical shaping, bringing the Scottish influences alive. They created a minimalist classic links style with architectural elements from golf’s golden design era of the 1920s and 1930s to create a stunning and memorable golf experience. 

Stoatin Brae is only the second course of the six that is not designed by the talented family with landscape architecture backgrounds. And now, the course is ranked in the state’s top 5. Unlike anything else in Michigan, it’s located on one of the highest points in Kalamazoo County and commands sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a special course with a dramatic design that inspires golfers to play their best.

“Most of our guests will spend a whole day at Stonehedge during one of their days visiting, playing the North and South,” says Johnson. “They like to play the East and West together, as well. And then Stoatin Brae, which we’ve done a lot of work on to make it more playable. It’s mature now and it’s beautiful. The views are great, and it’s totally different than any of the other golf courses. And Bedford Valley gives you that old country club feel. And it’s a big golf course that we can stretch to way over 7,000 yards if need be. These six courses have withstood the test of time. They’re just good-quality golf courses. And everybody knows when they come here, they’re gonna get great conditions.”

“We pride ourselves on country club conditions,” continues Johnson. “We’re all about golf, and we have the amenities, restaurants, snack bars, and condos that people love. We’re located right in the middle of Detroit and Chicago, an easy drive from both or from up north and Wisconsin. It’s really grown in popularity.”

For people in the Detroit-to-Chicago corridor, it’s a much shorter drive than going to Northern Michigan, and the golf quality is equally good. What’s really special about all six courses is that they’re playable for all skill levels. Golf has become more about fun, relaxation, and hanging out with friends. That’s what Gull Lake View emanates. You don’t have to be a great player to enjoy your stay. 

As popular as Gull Lake View has become—particularly since the pandemic—ownership is reinvesting roughly $2 million per year into improving the course conditions, irrigation, accommodations, and infrastructure in an effort to keep everything top-notch. They really care about the overall experience. Golfers will likely see that spill over into more rooms available in the near future, as well.

“We’re definitely at lodging capacity a lot,” says Johnson. “In fact, we work with a lot of host hotels, the biggest one being the Radisson in Kalamazoo, that we fill up for weekends because we’re just full. So, by having the six courses, we can spread guests around. As for more golf courses, you never know. I wouldn’t rule that out. We’re always looking at land and continuing Darl Scott’s spirit,” says Johnson.

Going on the fourth generation of ownership since the early 1960s, this simple yet charming golf resort is a fun and rewarding experience for everyday golfers. It is the ultimate destination where buddies can have the same experience and camaraderie without breaking the bank or traveling great distances to high-end or oceanfront destinations that often receive all the attention. Visit https://gulllakeview.com

From California to Carolina: College Golf Teams Converge on Grande Dunes for Tourney

Myrtle Beach, S.C. — Fourteen men’s college golf teams from across the nation are preparing to begin their 2024-25 season at the inaugural MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com Intercollegiate September 8-10 at the Grande Dunes Resort Course. 

The 54-hole event, hosted by Coastal Carolina University, will feature teams from as far away as California, all of them hoping to win an event that will provide an early resume boost as their journey to the 2025 NCAA Golf Championship begins in Myrtle Beach. 

Joining Coastal in the field will be Campbell University, East Carolina University, Elon University, Appalachian State University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Florida Atlantic University, Western Carolina University, University of Maryland, University of Texas at El Paso, Jacksonville University, Santa Clara University and Texas State University.

Among the players headlining the event are Coastal Carolina freshman Drew Dykes, a top 200 junior in Europe, Texas State’s Sakka Siltala, who won the Finnish Amateur Championship over the summer, Daniel Cheng of JMU, the winner of the 2024 Zhengzhou Yellow-River Open, a professional event, and Elon’s Garrett Risner, who earned a spot in the 2024 U.S. Amateur. 

At the heart of the event’s appeal is Grande Dunes, a layout that features five holes playing along the Intracoastal Waterway and has been ranked among the nation’s top 100 public golf courses. Coming off a 2022 renovation project that restored the greens to their original size and specifications and overhauled every bunker on the course, Grande Dunes is better than it has ever been. 

“Grande Dunes is a course people in the business have heard of,” Coastal Carolina head coach Jacob Wilner said. “There are a lot of options for how to set it up … The greens are big, and we will grow the bermuda rough up. I think it’s a world class golf course.”

The expansion of the course’s greens netted an additional 40,000 square feet of putting surface, dramatically increased the number of pinnable areas and setup options available for the tournament. 

For more information, go to www.GrandeDunesGolf.com.

Tamarack Resort Reopens Osprey Meadows

18-HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE FOLLOWING RTJ II RENOVATION

TAMARACK, Idaho (Aug. 22, 2024) — Tamarack Resort has unveiled the Osprey Meadows 18-hole championship golf course, following a renovation by Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) and highlighted by a unique 19th Gambler’s Hole.

While mountain, meadow and lake views remain, the resort and the original course architects from RTJ II reimagined the layout to enhance the playability for members and resort golfers. The course’s picturesque terrain spans lake, streams, meadows, and wetlands, flanked by aspens and stately ponderosa pines.

The course was originally designed by RTJ II and opened in 2006 to high acclaim, capturing a Golf Digest “Best New Affordable Course” award. Sports Illustrated wrote, “The mountain meadows of Robert Trent Jones II’s eighteen-hole golf course almost make you forget you just dumped your ball in the drink.

It closed nine years after opening, however, due to economic setbacks but was purchased by Tamarack Resort in 2021.

“The grand opening of Osprey Meadows is the highlight of our summer, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for players to experience all 19 holes of this beautiful course,” said Scott Turlington, President, Tamarack Resort. “It’s extremely rare to get a second chance to make a first impression. In fact, it doesn’t happen very often, and we’ve got that opportunity now.”

As part of the renovation, the number and length of forced carries has been reduced while fairways have been widened. Although the course has re-opened, refinements will continue to be made.

The 19th Gambler’s Hole is ideal for players looking to settle friendly wagers. The watery par 3’s tee boxes are adjacent to the 18th green, affording a memorable double finish. Depending on the tee box used, the hole plays anywhere from 78 to 193 yards.

The length of the overall course now ranges from 3,197 yards (Bunny Rabbit tee box) to 7,447 yards (Double Black Diamond). The tee box names parallel the difficulty ratings of ski slopes, reminding players of the world-class downhill runs located in the mountains overlooking this scenic golf course and resort community.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reinvigorate the award-winning Osprey Meadows Golf Course at Tamarack,” said Robert Trent Jones, Jr., founder and CEO of RTJ II. “The confidence that the Tamarack ownership has exhibited in the long-term value of this unique golf experience is unprecedented. We appreciate their vision and commitment.”

Jones, Jr. is the 2024 recipient of the American Society of Golf Course Architects’ Donald Ross Award, to be presented at the ASGCA’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 11 in San Francisco. The honor is given annually to a person who has made significant contributions to the game of golf and to the profession of golf course architecture. Jones joins the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as Ross Award recipients and is the third member of his family to earn the honor.

For additional information on RTJ II access the website. For more information on recreation, accommodations and real estate, visit tamarackidaho.com.

Horseshoe Bay Resort’s 19th Annual Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival Returns November 8-9

HORSESHOE BAY, TX – Horseshoe Bay Resort, the premier golf resort destination in the Central Texas Hill Country and part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, will host its 19th annual Wine, Dine & Jazz Festival on Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. Guests may join other foodies, jazz aficionados and wine enthusiasts at one of Horseshoe Bay Resort’s most anticipated annual events.

“We are so proud of this wonderful annual tradition that brings together stars from the culinary world and world-class musicians for an unforgettable weekend experience,” says Managing Director Randy Zupanski. “Our lineup of celebrity and great local chefs, plus nationally touring musicians is a rare combination in the Texas Hill Country. We are really looking forward to this weekend of festivities, with wine tastings from 14 Texas Hill Country Wines, cuisine tastings from 11 exceptional restaurants and some of the finest jazz music anywhere.”

The 2024 Wine, Dine & Jazz Festival features celebrity chefs, jazz performances, and creative culinary experiences throughout the weekend. A seated five-course dinner and wine pairing kicks off the festivities on Friday. Prepared and presented by three celebrity chefs along with Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Culinary Director, Chef Bill Osloond, and Executive Chef Gilbert Moore. Saturday features celebrity chef cooking demonstrations followed by the Wine & Jazz Stroll featuring Texas Hill Country wine tastings, exquisite food samples prepared by notable regional chefs and restaurants, and live jazz performances.

The 2024 celebrity chefs come from Texas and beyond. The Horseshoe Bay Resort Culinary team will be accompanied by Chef Jernard Wells, the James Beard House Honored Chef  and award-winning TV host of “New Soul Kitchen” and “New Soul Kitchen Remix” on CLEO TV; Chef Ali Clem who is the mastermind behind the Texas-style smoked brisket you’ll find at the renowned La Barbecue in Austin; and Chef Jo Chan, former Top Chef contender and founder of Bureau de Poste in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Austin.

Musicians include Peter White who is one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape; Chris Walker who was Al Jarreau’s Musical Director, co-vocalist and bassist for 20+ years; Michael Paulo who has been one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 35 years; prolific Grammy Award-Winning keyboardist Gregg Karukas; and Austin-based soul singer B. Valentine.

The full schedule of events:

Friday, November 8

Wine Pairing Dinner

Reception at 6:00PM | Dinner at 6:30PM

Enjoy live jazz and a five-course wine pairing dinner, featuring dishes prepared by celebrity chefs Jernard Wells, Ali Clem, and Jo Chan along with Horseshoe Bay Resort’s Culinary Director, Chef Bill Osloond and Executive Chef Gilbert Moore. Each course is paired with select Texas Hill Country wines.

Saturday, November 9

Cooking Demonstrations with Celebrity Chefs

Demonstrations From 10:00AM-12:45PM

Watch the celebrity chefs live, as they prepare recipes from their storied repertoire. Each demonstration is followed by a Q&A with the chef.

Wine & Jazz Stroll

1:00PM-4:00PM

Saturday features a curated selection of restaurants and chefs offering the best bites off their menu. Their delicious dishes are complemented with wine tastings from the best winemakers in the Texas Hill Country Wine region. Enjoy live jazz on the lawn while you taste your way through Texas. Performances by nationally renowned musicians: Guitarist Peter White, Vocalist Chris Walker, Saxophonist Michael Paulo, Grammy Award-Winning Keyboardist Gregg Karukas, and Vocalist B. Valentine.

The two-night package for Friday and Saturday Nov. 8-9 includes:

Classic Guest Room Accommodations Friday & Saturday night

Friday Night Jazz & Celebrity Chef Five-Course Wine Pairing Dinner

Saturday’s Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations

Saturday’s Wine & Jazz Stroll featuring wine, food tastings and jazz music

The one-night package for Saturday Nov. 9 includes:

Classic guest room accommodations

Saturday’s Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations

Saturday’s Wine & Jazz Stroll featuring wine, food tastings and jazz music

The hotel package includes admission to all of the activities. Call 877-611-0112 or visit https://www.hsbresort.com/wine-dine-jazz/ for more information on available packages.

Nemacolin’s LaBella Wins Tri-State PGA’s Teacher and Coach of Year Award

Two-time “Best Young Teacher” honoree adds Section honor to his growing list of achievements

Farmington, PA – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxury golf resort destination, is proud to congratulate director of instruction at The Nemacolin Golf Academy, Mike LaBella, on being named the Tri-State PGA Section Teacher and Coach of the Year for 2024.

As a golf instructor, nothing validates one’s work better than the success of their students. And, as a golf professional, nothing is much better than earning the respect of your peers. In LaBella’s case, he has both. As it turns out, the PGA professional who nominated him for Teacher and Coach of the Year distinction, Steve Kusenko, the head professional at Mon Valley Country Club in Perryopolis, Pa., is also one of his students. LaBella is definitely a pro’s pro.

“Mike LaBella is a great young teacher,” said Kusenko, a former competitive player and teacher himself who was looking for help with his own game. “A lot of these young guys talk a lot and say very little. Mike has a great way of communicating. There might be 100 separate ways to say something, but great communication comes from knowing what to say to each student.”

Plus, Kusenko said, LaBella has all the latest technology at Nemacolin, and he knows how to use it. “Part of being a good teacher is knowing how to utilize the gadgets,” Kusenko said. “That’s his passion.”

LaBella – who is 35 years old and has twice been named to Golf Digest’s list of Best Young Teachers – has been working at Nemacolin since 2020.

“It makes you feel good when people like (Steve) come to see you,” said LaBella, who was also a US Kids Golf top 100 instructor in 2015 and one of the top 50 coaches for Operation 36 in 2019.

LaBella’s endorsements, however, go well beyond the pros he teaches. His students run the gamut, from juniors to adults to highly competitive players who are making their marks in junior golf, high school, college, and beyond.

The Penn State graduate’s passion for teaching and coaching started during his high school days when he helped out at junior camps and also worked at the club where he grew up. LaBella’s initial path was to become a head professional, but he soon got hooked on teaching during his third college internship at Catawba Island Club in Ohio. He would later start a junior academy at St. David’s Golf near Philadelphia.

He also counts Brian Jacobs, his junior instructor with whom he would work alongside, as his early mentor. He also credits the legendary Craig Harmon, of Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, as another considerable influence. What he learned is that working with students is about building what he calls a “360” relationship.

“I love the interaction between me and my students,” said LaBella, noting that he continues to adapt his teaching methods and ideas through education and technology advancements. “You see these people on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and you really get to form a relationship with them, and you also get to see them grow as a player.

“I have students who could care less about their score. They just want to see a ball that flies a little better or feels a little better off the face. A lot of people are more interested in the outcome, but just getting those people to reach their goals and forming relationships is what it’s all about.”

For any student who comes in for long term coaching, LaBella puts them through an extensive assessment first. It would include how they hit the driver, 7-iron, wedge, and putting. He also does a mental assessment.

 “So, I’m getting a full 360 of what’s going on,” LaBella said. “Once we’ve figured out what’s going on, we’ll come up with the direction we want to start going.”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that LaBella has the latest cutting-edge hardware that includes the likes of Trackman launch monitors and simulators, Foresight Sports’ GCQuad^TM launch monitor, and Swing Catalyst’s Balance and Dual Force Plates. Knowing how and when to use all these tools, though, is what makes a teacher most effective, and LaBella, who regularly attends coaching summits and seminars, knows these technologies inside and out.

LaBella puts much emphasis on biomechanics, which is where he says technology has really helped in recent years. It’s important, he said, to make sure that methods and instruction match up with each person’s physical capabilities.

“Everybody’s body is different, so we have to figure out how we match up all these bits and pieces to get the person moving,” LaBella said. “How does their body want them to move versus let’s put this person in positions like Adam Scott, for example. That’s my goal. How do we work this around a person’s body versus get this model swing.”

He has also been employing the latest on the mental side of the game, using a biofeedback device called the FocusCalm EEG headband. Collin Morikawa is one of the higher profile tour pros who uses it, and LaBella has been recommending it to some of his more competitive players. FocusCalm helps players train to calm their mind, which is critical in executing on the golf course under pressure.

In addition to his regular students and members at Nemacolin, LaBella also has worked with resort guests, many of whom regularly return to The Nemacolin Golf Academy for follow-up help. LaBella also runs “Premier Schools” at the resort. They often include high profile guest instructors.

Learn more about The Nemacolin Golf Academy at https://www.nemacolin.com/golf/golf-academy/.

THE SEA PINES RESORT ANNOUNCES GETAWAY VACATION PACKAGE AND FREE NIGHT SPECIAL FOR FALL AND WINTER

Value-filled Packages at Hilton Head Island’s Premier Destination

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (Aug. 13, 2024) – The Sea Pines Resort has unveiled its fall and winter packages highlighting the best of Hilton Head Island for couples, friends and families.

The 2024-25 Getaway Vacation Package, which is truly the best fall and winter vacation value on Hilton Head Island, includes a 10 percent discount on minimum three-night stays in a home or villa. This extremely popular vacation package, available from August 30, 2024 to February 21, 2025, includes complimentary meals, discounts, bicycles, preferred golf rates and more.

New this year, the Free Night Home and Villa Special is the perfect opportunity to extend your stay, enjoy incredible savings and take advantage of the beauty of Hilton Head Island at a great time of the year.

The Sea Pines Resort is the ideal venue to enjoy sandy Atlantic beaches, fresh seafood, and a full slate of activities and amenities including world-class golf, biking and walking trails, and numerous outdoor activities designed for all ages.

Getaway Vacation Package. Book a home or villa between August 30, 2024, and February 21, 2025 to receive an abundance of discounts and inclusions. The Getaway Vacation Package starts at $162* per night for a minimum of three nights in a two-bedroom villa in Harbour Town or Harbour Town perimeter.

Package Inclusions:

• 10% off your home or villa rental with a minimum 3-night stay
• Complimentary dinner entrees for two at Fraser’s Tavern (one time only)
• Complimentary lunch entrees for two at Fraser’s Tavern or Harbour Town Bakery & Café (one time only)
• Complimentary bicycles during entire stay for up to two guests
• 10 percent discount on food at Sea Pines Resort-owned and operated restaurants
• One complimentary family portrait session on the beach at the Sea Pines Beach Club by the certified professionals at Memory Lane Portraits and medium-sized digital files with every portrait purchased (minimum purchase required).
• Preferred golf rates at The Sea Pines Resort’s three championship golf courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing
• Enjoy exclusive amenities, including two hours of complimentary tennis per day and reduced rates on pickleball court time at Sea Pines Racquet Club, and access to The Sea Pines Resort Fitness Center and Harbour Town Pool.

To book, call (866) 561-8802 and mention the promotion code, GETAWAY. To book online, visit this link.

Free Night Home & Villa Special  

Guests who book a four-night stay at The Sea Pines Resort this fall or winter (with stays between August 30, 2024, and February 21, 2025), receive a free night.

Package Inclusions:

• Receive fourth night free with a minimum four-night home or villa stay
• Preferred golf rates at The Sea Pines Resort’s three championship golf courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links
• 10% discount on food at Sea Pines Resort-owned and operated restaurants
• Enjoy exclusive amenities, including two hours of complimentary tennis per day and reduced rates on pickleball court time at Sea Pines Racquet Club, and access to The Sea Pines Resort Fitness Center and Harbour Town Pool.

Blackout dates and terms and conditions apply.

To book, call (866) 561-8802 and mention the promotion code, FOURTHFREE. To book online, visit this link.

Hilton Head Island is served by two nearby airports: Hilton Head Island (HHH) Airport—just 8 miles from the resort—and Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) Airport, located only 45 miles away.

The Sea Pines Resort is situated on the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island.  This legendary Lowcountry destination features five miles of unspoiled beaches, 18 clay tennis courts and six dedicated pickleball courts, 14 miles of bike and walking trails, horseback riding, Eco-Adventures, water sports, and the 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve filled with wildflowers, wetlands, and more than 130 species of birds. As the first eco-planned destination in the U.S., The Sea Pines Resort has become the blueprint for numerous beach developments around the country.  Guests can choose from an array of accommodations, including 300 villas, 100 rental homes, and the luxurious 60-room Inn & Club at Harbour Town, a Forbes Four-Star boutique hotel and Preferred Hotel Group member. The resort’s best-in-class collection of golf courses, amenities, meeting facilities, and accommodations makes Sea Pines one of the most sought-after leisure and group destinations in America.

Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa Recognized as Distinguished Golf Destination By BoardRoom Magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide

Palm Coast, Fla. – August 12, 2024 – Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, an oceanfront luxury resort just south of St. Augustine, is proud to announce its designation as a Distinguished Golf Destination ELITE, the Hallmark of Excellence for a golf resort. This designation is merit-based recognizing exceptional golf resorts that exceed expectations in the quality of service and amenities, facilities, and most importantly the teamwork of the staff and management. The designation is awarded by the BoardRoom Magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.

Nestled along the shoreline with views of the Atlantic Ocean, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa features two award-winning golf courses. The stunning Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course winds through pristine wetlands and sparkling lakes, while the Conservatory Course, designed by Tom Watson, showcases waterfalls, babbling brooks, and intricated field stone work.

The Distinguished Golf Destination designation is the highest honor a resort, semi-private, daily fee, or public golf course can attain. Through its Distinguished Golf Destinations program, BoardRoom Magazine shares its extensive knowledge of the golf industry and its comprehensive in-depth study of member experience at private clubs with these types of courses.

“We are honored to receive this impressive distinction and offer our guests an unparalleled golfing experience at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Both of our courses provide unique challenges that showcase the natural beauty of our coastal setting,” said Brad Hauer, Director of Golf at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa.

BoardRoom Magazine is a leading publication devoted to the private club industry that offers insights, trends, and analysis. The magazine serves as an esteemed resource for club managers, board members, and industry professionals highlighting the effective techniques and developments in club operations and management. BoardRoom Magazine boasts a strategic relationship with the PGA of America, a premier organization dedicated to the growth and development of golf, representing golf professionals and growing the sport through education, tournaments, and community initiatives. The Boardroom Magazine developed the Distinguished Clubs program to recognize, share, and preserve the institution of private clubs for many future generations. 

“Congratulations to Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa under the leadership of Brad Hauer for achieving the perfect balance of an exceptional golf experience, quality governance, and top-tier facilities. Your commitment to excellence is a shining example to others in the industry, and your dedication to creating an outstanding environment for your golfers is truly inspiring. Keep up the fantastic work,” said John Fornaro, Publisher and Co-founder of BoardRoom. 

For more information about Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, visit hammockbeach.com or call (877) 586-0180. To follow along on social media, visit Facebook at @HammockBeachResort.