luxury travel

OMNI LA COSTA RESORT & SPA WELCOMES ROBOGOLFPRO® TO THE GOLF PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE CURRICULUM

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CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 27, 2017) — Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is excited to announce the addition of RoboGolfPro®, the only swing training system that allows golfers to discover their ideal swing.

RoboGolfPro® is a revolutionary device that allows golfers to instantly feel their perfect swing by taking them through the correct movements with the help of video and mechanical training. Omni La Costa is the robotic training system’s only location in Southern California.

“The technology that goes into the RoboGolfPro® system is an essential element to the holistic approach to game improvement that is fundamental to the Omni La Costa Golf Performance Institute,” said AJ Avoli, director of the Omni La Costa GPI. “There is nothing else like the RoboGolfPro®.”

The RoboGolfPro® swing trainer was developed by Scot W.R. Nei, who has been successful as a tour player, equipment designer and instructor. The robot-like arms on his RoboGolfPro® take the student through the motion of the perfect swing, creating the “aha moment” by combining the feel and understanding of what the swing should be.

“RoboGolfPro® allows the instructor to get inside of the golfer’s mind, to create cognitive development and motor learning patterns that have instant success,” said Nei, who has joined the Omni La Costa GPI staff as a guest instructor. “It is ideal for RoboGolfPro® to be part of the curriculum at Omni La Costa, where so many exciting things are happening in golf instruction.”

Led by Avoli, one of Golf Digest’s “Best Young Teachers in America,” the Omni La Costa GPI offers a combination of physical, mental and high-tech programs designed to help golfers of all levels improve and gain a better understanding of their games. Among the other technology on hand is state-of-the-art computer technology that aids in visual learning, along with proven teaching tools such as the mySwing 3D Motion Capture System, Trackman and FlightScope launch monitor systems.

An eight-acre practice facility has recently been renovated for the resort’s Golf Performance Institute, and features both grass and high-quality mat hitting surfaces. The short-game area boasts both an 8,000-square-foot target green and 10,000-square-foot putting green.

This summer the Omni La Costa GPI will debut a golf-centric psychological program being developed for the resort by the world-renowned Chopra Center, which is also located on property.

One of 11 Omni golf resorts coast-to-coast, Omni La Costa is recognized as one of the historic golf destinations in the country, with two distinctive courses. The Champions Course and Legends Course were renovated in 2011 and 2013, respectively, by Pascuzzo & Pate Golf Course Design, adding length and enhanced strategic values, while upholding the integrity of the original 1960s Dick Wilson layouts.

For more information about RoboGolfPro® and the Omni La Costa Golf Performance Institute, visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa/golf/academy or call (760) 804-7431.

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About Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa embodies “The La Costa Lifestyle” with programs and offers that pay homage to the resort’s storied legacy as the country’s original wellness destination and playground of choice for Hollywood’s jet set. Nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, Calif., the resort boasts more than 600 guestrooms, suites and villas, an adults-only pool and cocktail venue, 110,000 square feet of meeting and event space, an Athletic Club, exhilarating waterslides and 36-holes of golf on two distinctive courses. Honored as the #1 Wellness Spa by Spa magazine, the 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, waterfall showers, café and therapeutic reflexology path. Acclaimed restaurants – Bob’s Steak & Chop House and Bistro 65 present coastal California cuisine with a focus on sustainability and seasonality in partnership with local farms. Also home to Premier Fitness Camp and the worldwide headquarters of The Chopra Center, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa offers continually evolving health and wellness programming. For more information, call (800) 854-5000 or visit www.omnilacosta.com.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. With over 20 world-class golf courses and award-winning spa retreats, to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants and unique wellness options.  Known for its distinguished, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications and was ranked “Highest in Upper-Upscale Segment Guest Satisfaction” in the J.D. Power 2016 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Omni’s loyalty program is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Committed to reducing hunger, Omni is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to help provide more than 18.2 million meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

OMNI GOLF RESORTS HONOR AMERICA WITH NATIONAL STARS, STRIPES AND EAGLES HOLE-IN-ONE CONTEST

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(DALLAS, Texas, June 28, 2017) – Nothing sparkles like fireworks on the golf course more than a hole-in-one, and so to honor America, each of the 11 golf destinations in the Omni Hotels & Resorts collection is participating in the summer-long “Stars, Stripes & Eagles” Hole-In-One Contest.

Kicking off on the 4th of July and continuing through Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 4, 2017), Omni golf resorts from coast-to-coast will designate a par-3 for the daily Stars, Stripes & Eagles Hole-In-One Contest.

The hole will be marked with a special “stars and stripes” flagstick and golfers who are staying at the resort on a golf package will have the opportunity to win with a “firecracker of a shot.”

So the whole country can celebrate if a hole-in-one is made, golfers must post a video of their “eagle” that day on social media – tagging it #OmniGolf – to be eligible to win.

Guests who make a hole-in-one on the Stars, Stripes & Eagles Contest will receive their current stay complimentary (up to two nights), including their portion of the golf package, tax and resort charges. Additional guests are still responsible for their charges. Guests must be staying at the resort on a golf package to redeem prizes, which are non-transferrable and cannot be redeemed later. Some restrictions may apply.

Located at some of the country’s most beautiful resorts, Omni’s golf courses were designed by award-winning golf architects, many also legendary champions of the game.

Omni golf destinations offer challenges for golfers at all levels of play, so pros, amateurs, and their families can find courses to enjoy while creating memorable golf experiences.  Every Omni golf resort also features luxurious accommodations and superior service, on and off the course.

Golfers can participate in the Omni national Stars, Stripes & Eagles Hole-In-One Contest at the following destinations:

For more information about the Omni Golf Collection, visit https://www.omnihotels.com/destinations/golf/stars-stripes-eagles or call 1-800-The-Omni (1-800-843-6664).

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About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business and leisure destinations across North America. With more than 25 iconic golf courses and 16 award-winning spas featured in dynamic locales nationwide, every Omni proudly opens its doors to share the true spirit of its destination. Reflected through local color, personalized service, unique wellness options, signature restaurants and creative culinary offerings, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every guest and a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance, Select Guest is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Omni is committed to reducing hunger and is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to provide millions of meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. For information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

TEETH OF THE DOG NAMED #9 “BEST CARIBBEAN GOLF COURSE” IN USA TODAY’S 10 BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

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Teeth of the Dog Golf course

TEETH OF THE DOG NAMED #9 “BEST CARIBBEAN GOLF COURSE” 
IN USA TODAY’S 10 BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 
The Pete Dye Designed Course at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is 
Consistently Ranked Among the Best Courses in Latin America
 
LA ROMANA, D.R. (February 15, 2017) – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is in good company after Teeth of the Dog was named the #9 “Best Caribbean Golf Course” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards after the Pete Dye designed course was nominated by Caribbean golf experts and ultimately voted on by USA TODAY readers.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote in various categories. Experts Liliana Erasmus (10Best), Alan Hale (GolfThere), Melanie Reffes, and Larry Olmsted (Forbes.com) were chosen based on their expertise of golf travel and the Caribbean region.
Opened in 1971, Teeth of the Dog was the first Dominican Republic course to use the sea to dramatic effect, putting it on the global golfing map. Its name derives from the jagged rock formations jutting into the Caribbean on which Dye placed tees and greens. Three of its four par-3 holes play over waves to the greens. In total, it has seven holes next to the sea and 11 with ocean views.
“We’re incredibly proud to be named amongst the best Caribbean golf courses by the experts and readers of USA TODAY,” said Andres Pichardo, president of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. “Casa de Campo takes pride in its collection of three golf courses designed by famed golf architect Pete Dye, especially Teeth of the Dog, which is consistently ranked as one of the best in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Up next at Teeth of the Dog is the 13th Annual Spring Shootout, an annual favorite at Casa de Campo and en event that has become the most popular spring event in the Caribbean. The tournament is a 54-hole stroke play tournament using Stableford Scoring with net and gross divisions in each flight. The Shootout will be played on the Teeth of the Dog, the remodeled Links and Dye Fore. The men’s field will be divided evenly into five flights and the ladies will do battle within three evenly divided flights according to handicaps. A minimum of 20% of the players in each flight including the net and gross winners will compete in a shootout on Saturday afternoon. The shootout will be played on the Teeth of the Dog. A number of players will be eliminated on each hole until we end up with two men and two ladies. These four players will play number 9 on the Teeth of the Dog until we crown an overall man and lady champion.
All Readers’ Choice winners can be found at 10Best.com – a standalone travel media site – that is promoted across USA TODAY Travel Media Group’s digital and mobile products. The website provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. 10Best.com, acquired by USA TODAY in January 2013, averages 5 million visitors per month.
Additional information about the Casa de Campo Resort & Villas golf program can be obtained by calling the Golf Department Offices at 809-523-8115, seding an email to golf@ccampo.com.do or  golfevents@ccampo.com.do, or by visiting www.casadecampo.com.do.
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Follow Casa de Campo: 
 
About Casa de Campo Resort & Villas 
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – attracts affluent travelers with the offering of spacious hotel rooms, suites and luxury villas. Expect gourmet cuisine and fine wines and spirits throughout the destination’s restaurants and bars, a 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terraza Tennis Center and 245-acre Shooting Club. Spanning 7,000 tropical acres on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, this luxury Caribbean destination is also home to three of the game’s most difficult courses all designed by Pete Dye, including Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and Links. Casa de Campo is also home to Altos de Chavón – an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th century Mediterranean city with boutique shops, museums and a 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater inaugurated by Frank Sinatra in August of 1982.
For ease of arrival, La Romana International Airport (LRM) is five minutes from check-in and serviced by JetBlue Airways (now with direct flights from JFK three times a week) and seasonally by American Airlines (non-stop service from MIA). A short drive away, Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ) operate daily direct flights from all major U.S. airports. For more information, please call 1-800-877-3643, or visit www.casadecampo.com.do.
About USA TODAY
USA TODAY, the nation’s number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of more than 1.6 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 6.6 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than 16 million downloads on mobile devices. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc.

Manele Course at Four Seasons Resort Lānaȉ Honored Among Top 20 Golf Resort Courses in the Country

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Manele Course at Four Seasons Resort Lānaȉ Honored
Among Top 20 Golf Resort Courses in the Country

LĀNA‘I CITY, HI, November 15, 2016 – The ultimate in must-play golf experiences, the Manele Course at Four Seasons Resort Lānaȉ has been listed among the Top 20 resort courses in the United States for 2017 by Golfweek magazine.

The breathtaking Jack Nicklaus Signature golf design is ranked No. 18, a remarkable jump up the list from last year, when it was No. 36. Manele also is one of only two Hawaii courses in the Top 20 of Golfweek’s annual ranking of the 200 “Best Resort Courses.”  Kapalua’s Plantation Course on Maui is No. 13.

One of the elite venues in the game – yet still very much untouched and uncrowded – the breathtaking Manele layout is built on lava outcroppings and features three holes along rugged oceanside cliffs. The course offers heavenly views of the Pacific on all 18 holes.  Its signature hole is No. 12, a par 3 where the tee sits 150 feet above the crashing surf. Five sets of tees ensure a fair, fun challenge for every golfer, but do-or-die shots over natural gorges and ravines must be precise.

“Playing the Manele Golf Course is something magical no golfer will ever forget,” said Scott Ashworth, Manele’s PGA director of golf. “Golfers always want to come back for more. It is challenging and so enjoyable, even though the stunning views make you take your eye off the ball.”

Manele joins other world-class golf resort courses in the Golfweek rankings that include Pebble Beach Golf Links (California), Pinehurst No. 2 (North Carolina), and Bandon Dunes (Oregon).

“It is an honor to join this significant list of world-class golf resorts,” said Tom Roelens, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, “and we welcome the opportunity to share our stunning ocean view course with avid golf travelers from around the world. We know when they visit us they will enjoy a trip of a lifetime.”

Located on a pristine island, Four Seasons Resorts Lāna‘i reflects a simpler pace of life and the spirit of old Hawai‘i, offering unique cultural adventures, a myriad of air, water and land activities that complement its world-class golf.

The Four Seasons Resort Lanai features 213 guestrooms, lobbies and seating areas for contemplation, multiple dining experiences such as the signature AAA Four Diamond rated ONE FORTY restaurant and NOBU LANAI, the Spa, luxury retail boutiques, tennis complex and a complimentary activity program. A resort with its own island to explore, guests can enjoy upcountry adventures on horse or UTV, fly on helicopter tours, snorkel, sail or scuba dive, explore heritage sites or simply relax on secluded beaches.

For more information, or to make a reservation, please contact Four Seasons at 1-800-321-4666, visit fourseasons.com/lanai/or join our online communities at Facebook @FourSeasonsResortsLanai, Twitter @fslanai and instagram @fslanai.

JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA LAUNCHES TWO ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIPS FOR GOLF AND SPA ENTHUSIASTS

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JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA LAUNCHES TWO ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIPS FOR GOLF AND SPA ENTHUSIASTS

 Unlimited golf on two championship courses, monthly treatment and access to Southern California’s largest luxury spa, complimentary room nights, and discounted services; purchase by December 31, 2016 to receive special rate and incentives  

(Palm Desert, CA; November 15, 2016) – Beginning November 2016, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers two new membership deals for those looking for year-round tranquility and access to limitless golf. The Palm Desert resort, recipient of the 2016 Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice: Top Southern California Resorts, allows guests to take advantage of the award-winning facilities with an Epic Golf and Resort Membership ($950 per person annually when purchased by December 31, 2016) and a Spa Wellness Membership (starting at $1,500 per person if purchased by December 31, 2016).

Epic Golf and Resort Membership

 

Designed by esteemed architect Ted Robinson, Desert Springs’ two 18-hole championship golf courses offer premier conditions for professionals and entry-level players. PGA golf professionals are readily available for professional private and group lessons.

The 12-month membership includes:

·         Unlimited golf ($30 per round) on two championship courses

·         14 days of advance tee times

·         Complimentary use of the driving range, two putting greens, and GPS-equipped golf carts

·         Access to the tennis program and hard, clay, and grass courts

·         Access to the Oasis Pool (restricted to the public)

·         15% discount on resort’s gourmet restaurants (alcohol not included)

·         20% discounts on spa services, retail products, and hair salon services

Membership is available for $950 per person if purchased by December 31, 2016 ($2,000 after) and includes two complimentary room nights in a Signature View Guest Room.

Spa Wellness Membership

 

Surrounded by Venetian-inspired waterways and the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Spa at Desert Springs is a serene and scenic destination for wellness experiences. The 38,000 square-foot facility offers 48 treatment rooms, a salon, a saltwater pool, and treatments incorporating ancient healing methods.

The tiered membership offers the following:

·         Access to the spa for use of the relaxation lounges, eucalyptus and lavender steam rooms, aromatic hammam, whirlpools, saltwater lap pool, fitness center and classes

·         One 60-minute treatment per month

·         Access to daily fitness classes and wellness lectures led by certified Biggest Loser Resort Palm Desert trainers

·         15% discount on Spa Bistro and resort’s gourmet restaurants (alcohol not included)

·         20% discount on spa services, retail products, and hair salon services

Membership is $1,700 for six months per person and $3,000 annually per person. An introductory rate of $1,500 is available for six months and $2,500 annually if purchased by December 31, 2016. Additionally, early bookers receive a complimentary Signature View guest room and an InBody body composition analysis, proving a comprehensive view of balance of body fat and lean mass, intracellular, extracellular, and total body water, and a segmental lean analysis.

For more information on each of these memberships, guests can contact Esther Fuller at 760.837.1276 or esther.fuller@marriott.com.

About JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, located in the heart of California’s Coachella Valley and framed by three majestic mountain ranges, is a sprawling oasis offering a remarkable contrast to the stark beauty of the desert. The AAA Four-Diamond property is one of the largest resort and convention complexes in the southwestern United States. The resort’s recently refreshed 884 guest rooms and suites are located in wings surrounding swimming pools, lakes, verdant fairways, lush gardens, and manicured lawns. Guest rooms are spacious and include separate tubs and showers, iHome audio systems, and private balconies. Featured dining options include Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, The L Bar, Oasis Bar & Grille, Fisherman’s Landing, Rockwood Grill, and Blue Star Lounge. The resort boasts an award-winning 38,000-square-foot-spa and recreation facilities that include two recently-renovated Ted Robinson championship golf courses, an 18-hole putting course, 20 tennis courts, basketball courts, lawn croquet, badminton, biking, and more. For more information, follow the resort on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.haveitalldesertsprings.com.

CASA DE CAMPO RESORT & VILLAS HONORED AT 3RD ANNUAL WORLD GOLF AWARDS

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CASA DE CAMPO RESORT & VILLAS HONORED AT 
3RD ANNUAL WORLD GOLF AWARDS 
World-Renowned Golf Program Named Caribbean’s Best Golf Hotel
 
LA ROMANA, D.R. (November 17, 2016) – The golf program at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas was recently named the Caribbean’s best Golf Resort 2016 at the 3rd annual World Golf Awards.  The luxury resort’s three legendary Pete Dye-designed courses, along with professional facilities and luxury amenities, have long been a top priority for guest satisfaction.
With 90 holes of awe-inspiring golf for hotel guests, including the legendary Teeth of the Dog and the Links and Dye Fore courses, Casa de Campo offers a mix of play that is challenging for both the highly skilled golfer, as well as the casual weekend player. Created to be a unique test of golf, each course varies and offers a different and unique guest experience: Teeth of the Dog, ranked as one of the world’s best, has long been considered the #1 course in the Caribbean; the 27 holes at Dye Fore play along the cliffs above the Chavón River and around several inland lakes on the Lagos nine; and the recently renovated Links offers tight fairways, small greens, and tall native grasses nestled amongst the luxury villas of the 7,000 acre resort. Although each course is unique, they all play on lush green fairways and have stunning views of the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The latest update to the resort’s golf amenities is the new golf facility. The space features 48,000 square feet of teeing room, 13 target areas, and a 400 yard driving range – allowing for more golfers to improve their game at a variety of distances. Located just south of Teeth of the Dog course, the facility includes a dedicated, short-game practice area with pristine bunkers, challenging grass mounds, and unforgiving depressions will be designed to simulate true course play on all three exemplary courses at Casa de Campo. In addition, the putting green has been planted with fresh Paspalum grass, the same type of grass found on the courses – allowing for continued consistency from practice to play.
With a total of three trophies, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas rose above other highly acclaimed hotel brands and golf courses throughout the Dominican Republic. The resort’s honors included:
Caribbean’s Best Golf Hotel 2016: Casa de Campo
Dominican Republic’s Best Golf Hotel 2016: Casa de Campo
Dominican Republic’s Best Golf Course 2016: Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo
The World Golf Awards is a dynamic awards program designed to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate excellence in golf tourism. Voting methodology is simple; votes are cast by professionals working within the golf travel and tourism industry – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media – and by the public. Votes are submitted online at World Golf Awards website. The World Golf Awards is the sister to event to the World Travel Awards.
For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas and its award-winning golf program, please visit http://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/.
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Follow Casa de Campo: 
 
About Casa de Campo Resort & Villas 
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – attracts affluent travelers with the offering of spacious hotel rooms, suites and luxury villas. Expect gourmet cuisine and fine wines and spirits throughout the destination’s restaurants and bars, a 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terraza Tennis Center and 245-acre Shooting Club. Spanning 7,000 tropical acres on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, this luxury Caribbean destination is also home to three of the game’s most difficult courses all designed by Pete Dye, including Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and Links. Casa de Campo is also home to Altos de Chavón – an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th century Mediterranean city with boutique shops, museums and a 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater inaugurated by Frank Sinatra in August of 1982.
For ease of arrival, La Romana International Airport (LRM) is five minutes from check-in and serviced by JetBlue Airways (now with direct flights from JFK three times a week) and seasonally by American Airlines (non-stop service from MIA). A short drive away, Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ) operate daily direct flights from all major U.S. airports. For more information, please call 1-800-877-3643, or visit www.casadecampo.com.do.
About Teeth of the Dog
Opened in 1971 and renovated in 2005, Teeth of the Dog is one of four Pete Dye’s designs at the Casa de Campo resort at La Romana on the southeast coast, and was the first Dominican Republic course to use the sea to dramatic effect, putting it on the global golfing map. Its name derives from the jagged rock formations jutting into the Caribbean on which Dye placed tees and greens. Three of its four par-3 holes play over waves to the greens. In total, it has seven holes next to the sea and 11 with ocean views.
About Links 
Dye’s encore, built five years after Teeth of the Dog, was an authentic links-style course hauntingly reminiscent of the British Isles. Recently renovated and planted with Paspalum greens, Dye originally referred to the 6,900-yard Links course as La Barranca or “the little hill.” Situated inland, water comes into play on five holes, while grass roughs and multiple sand traps keep players on their toes.
About Dye Fore 
Dye Fore is visually intimidating with seven cliff-side holes that drop a staggering 300 feet to the Chavón River below — challenging players with up to 40 mph gusting winds. Par three holes, #12 and #15, are two of the greatest in the world and the entire course offers 360 degree views of the Caribbean Sea, Dominican mountains (the highest mountains in the Caribbean), Chavón River, Casa de Campo Marina and Altos de Chavón artists’ village. The course was renovated in August 2014 with Paspalum greens.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Receives Prestigious Designations from 2016 World Golf Awards

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LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Receives Prestigious Designations from 2016 World Golf Awards

NAPLES, Florida (November 15, 2016) – LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort – a Noble House Resort located on the idyllic Naples beachfront – is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the World Golf Awards as “Florida’s Best Golf Hotel 2016” and “North America’s Best Golf Hotel 2016.”  Based on a voting system for golf tourism professionals and consumers, the World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses, and golf destinations.

 “We are thrilled to receive this esteemed recognition for our resort’s golf program,” said LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort’s Managing Director Marco Perry.  “Naples is a golfer’s paradise, and our Robert Cupp-designed course is one of the best in the area.  LaPlaya guests have the best of both worlds at their fingertips – a beautiful white sand beach and a world-class golf course.”

 Presented annually by the World Travel Awards, which is currently celebrating its 23rd anniversary, the World Golf Awards received 1,132,849 total votes this year from 216 countries and territories.  Operated on a public voting system, votes are casted by professionals working within the golf travel and tourism industry – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media professionals – in addition to golf tourism enthusiasts.

About LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Nestled on the picturesque beachfront in Naples overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is the ultimate vacation destination for locals and travelers alike.  The resort boasts 189 guest rooms and eight suites; a 4,500 square foot SpaTerre with salon and spa services; a state-of-the-art fitness center with rotating classes; beach butler service; private poolside cabanas with cold towel and sorbet service; BALEEN Restaurant and Tiki Bar; sophisticated meeting and event spaces, and much more.  For more information about LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, please visit www.laplayaresort.com.

About LaPlaya Golf Club
Centrally-located in North Naples, Florida, the LaPlaya Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 72 Robert Cupp-designed course that features a natural look and offers challenging yet approachable holes.  Fourteen holes feature picturesque water hazards and more than 3,000 stately palm trees grace the course.  The Clubhouse boasts an Old World Florida décor that is casually elegant throughout and replete with a wraparound veranda, grill room, golf shop, and full practice facilities.  The LaPlaya Golf Club is available for LaPlaya club members, in addition to guests staying at the nearby LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort.

About Noble House Hotels & Resorts

A privately held company for more than 30 years, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by owner Patrick R. Colee as a commercial property development group, transitioning in 1994 to a hotel ownership management company.  Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., the corporation owns and manages an upscale portfolio of 18 distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the U.S.  From luxury resorts in Seattle, Wash. to Jackson Hole, Wyo. and the Florida Keys, each property maximizes and showcases its physical setting.  Noble House is continuously growing, operating 45 hotel restaurants, bars and lounges, showcasing local culture and inspiration from local surroundings.  With a philosophy that emphasizes “location, distinction and soul,” Noble House Hotels & Resorts exemplifies individuality, dedicating itself to creating and managing exceptional properties that contribute to their communities, staying true to local history, culture and ambiance. www.NobleHouseHotels.com.

 

About World Golf Awards

World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world class courses, and golf destinations.  Golf tourism constitutes a vital segment in the global travel and tourism marketplace.  An estimated 60 million golfer visits will take place in 2016 to the 32,000 golf courses and resorts worldwide.  The 2016 World Golf Awards will focus on the leading 130 nations who are shaping the future of this dynamic industry.  While celebrating and rewarding excellence across golf resorts, courses, and the golfing destinations throughout the world, World Golf Awards strives to ultimately raise the golf tourist customer experience and stimulate both the domestic and international golf tourism market.

The voting works on a first-past-the-post system to ensure impartiality and independence. Votes are submitted online via the World Golf Awards website.  The winners of each national category go head-to-head with the winners of the other countries before the unveiling of the World Winners.

RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT SELECT OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS GOLF DESTINATIONS

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Omni Cascades
Omni Cascades

ON AND OFF THE COURSE RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT SELECT
OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS GOLF DESTINATIONS

DALLAS, Texas (November 17, 2016) – Three courses and one clubhouse in the Omni Hotels & Resorts Golf Collection are undergoing improvements as part of Omni’s commitment to its premier golf destinations coast to coast, including two of Omni’s most historic properties — the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va. and Omni Bedford Springs in Bedford, Pa.

A new clubhouse will be unveiled at Omni Bedford Springs in summer 2017 which will feature an architectural design that reflects the integrity of the resort, a National Historic Landmark established in 1804. The 5,000-square-foot clubhouse will be home to a restaurant, golf shop, and both indoor and outdoor viewing areas overlooking the Old Course, an American classic designed by Spencer Oldham (1895), A.W. Tillinghast (1912), and Donald Ross (1923).

The Omni Homestead is enhancing its Cascades Course, regarded as the finest mountain course in the country, designed by architect William S. Flynn in the 1920s. Most of the work will involve tree removal in key areas to expose the creeks running along several fairways while affecting strategy and shot selection throughout the layout.

The project is underway, now that the resort’s golf courses have closed for the winter. The Omni Homestead also is home to the Old Course, completed by Flynn in 1892 and home of the nation’s oldest first tee in continuous use. Both courses are scheduled to reopen on April 7, 2017.

The first of two course renovations is finished at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, home to two championship Greg Norman-designed courses and the world headquarters of The Leadbetter Golf Academy. The International Course has reopened for the winter season after undergoing a complete restoration of all 18 greens and greenside bunker complexes, returning them to their original sizes, look, and feel.

Under the direction of the Greg Norman Golf Course Design group, these were the first enhancements to the coastal-links-style International Course since it debuted 16 years ago. Changes to the turfgrass have produced firmer and faster playing conditions, more consistent greens, better weather tolerance, and exceptional playing conditions for years to come.

Next up, the National Course, also at Omni Orlando, is set to undergo a similar restoration project in spring of 2017. The upgrade is part of a multi-faceted, $40 million expansion of the luxury destination. The resort renovation will include building 93 new guest-room complexes ideal for golf groups, buddy trips, and families, and will include new amenities such as a mini-golf course.

Located in some of the country’s most beautiful destinations, Omni Hotels’ 12 golf resorts offer a total of 25 courses designed by award-winning architects, some of whom are also legendary champions of the game. Each golf resort is complete with luxurious accommodations and superior service, on and off the course.

Omni golf destinations offer challenges for golfers at all levels of play, so pros, amateurs, and their families alike can find courses to enjoy, creating distinct golf vacations in prime locations on legendary fairways and greens.

For more information, visit www.omnihotels.com/destinations/golf or call 1-800-The-Omni (1-800-843-6664).

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About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. With over 20 world-class golf courses and award-winning spa retreats, to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.  Known for its distinguished, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications and was ranked “Highest in Upper-Upscale Segment Guest Satisfaction” in the J.D. Power 2016 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Omni’s loyalty program is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Committed to reducing hunger, Omni is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to help provide more than 18.2 million meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club Named IAGTO Sustainability Award Winner

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village-at-mach-dunesMachrihanish Dunes Golf Club Named IAGTO Sustainability Award Winner
Scottish Course Recognized for Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf
(ARGYLL, Scotland) – It was announced today that Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club in Machrihanish, Scotland has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf Award by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), in partnership with GEO (Golf Environmental Organization). This IAGTO Sustainability Award was given to Machrihanish Dunes in recognition of its “outstanding and inspiring work as a minimal-impact golf course, in harmony with its natural environment.”

In announcing this discretionary award, GEO noted that it was given in recognition of Machrihanish Dunes’ “exemplary and ongoing commitment to sustainability, and highlights the exceptional contributions or actions which have been brought to GEO’s attention through certification, media coverage and other award entries.”

Machrihanish Dunes was the first 18-hole golf course in the United Kingdom to earn GEO certification, an honor that it achieved in 2010. The 18-hole links golf course located on the west coast of Scotland was designed by David McLay Kidd and is sited on an environmentally protected Site of Special Scientific Interest. Of the 259 acres upon which the course sits, only seven were modified during the creation of the course—just greens and tees—with no heavy equipment or inorganic materials used. Throughout the course-creation process and in all the years since, Machrihanish Dunes has worked hand-in-glove with Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure that the site’s fragile ecosystem (and in particular its protected species of rare orchids and moths) is managed and nurtured in the most sustainable way possible.

Among its many other on- and off-course efforts, the club’s rough-management program to protect the orchids, manual removal of invasive weeds, careful management of ragwort to safeguard the health of moths, and commitment to increasing the percentages of perennial grasses in fine turf areas are just a few examples of the programs that Machrihanish Dunes follows to safeguard its coastal environment—as is the distribution of nesting boxes around the course for the benefit of the visiting wheateater population. In addition, Machrihanish Dunes has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to community. The club focuses at all times on the use of local suppliers and is a key contributor to area environmental and charitable efforts. It believes in holistic sustainability that touches upon every aspect of its place in the Kintyre community, and through its charitable arm, The Kintyre Club, has had a positive impact on dozens of worthy causes and thousands of area residents’ lives.

“Machrihanish Dunes have, from the course’s inception through to today, worked in harmony with the natural environment,” explained Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of GEO. “In many ways the Machrihanish Dunes project represents golf’s turning point back towards stunning, highly naturalised courses. Their commitment and actions to use natural resources efficiently and provide positive community value also factored into our desire award them this significant recognition.”

IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton commented: “Machrihanish Dunes have been an IAGTO member for 10 years, were the UK’s first GEO-certified course and have been nominated every year since our inaugural Sustainability Awards back in 2012. It is courses like Machrihanish Dunes and their management that are driving sustainability forward in new and innovative ways and they are enormously deserving of the special accolade bestowed upon them this year.”

“We are thrilled to have received this special award from GEO and IAGTO,” said David Southworth, Founder and CEO of Southworth Development, the parent company of The Village at Machrihanish Dunes. “Our company places great importance on being good stewards of the environment, and Machrihanish Dunes has shown that it’s possible to provide an even more elevated experience to visitors by putting ecological responsibilities at the forefront. We consider ourselves privileged to have the opportunity to stand watch over this precious shore land, and to make it possible for so many people to come to Machrihanish and enjoy it. It’s a responsibility that we welcome—and one that we also take very seriously.”

Each year, IAGTO, in partnership with GEO, celebrates the outstanding sustainability efforts and accomplishments of golf facilities, resorts and destinations around the world. Currently in its fifth year, the IAGTO Sustainability Awards are presented at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) annual gala dinner. In addition to the Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf Award given to Machrihanish Dunes, awards are also given to a Sustainable Destination of the year and individual facilities in three key areas: Nature, Resources, and Community. The 2017 IGTM gala dinner was held at Son Amar in Palma, Mallorca, Spain. For more information about the 2017 IAGTO Sustainability Awards and to download high resolution photos and logos, please visit: http://www.iagto.com/awards

About The Village at Machrihanish Dunes
The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, voted “Scotland’s Best Experience” by readers of Bunkered Magazine in 2013, is a world-class seaside resort featuring a U.K. Top-100 links golf course, four-star accommodations, casual and fine dining options, a boutique spa, plus a host of other resort amenities, all located in one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.  The Ugadale Hotel & Cottages in Machrihanish offer 22 rooms and suites plus 8 luxurious two-bedroom cottages which are also offered for sale on a freehold fractional basis. The Royal Hotel, with 23 rooms all overlooking Campbeltown Harbour, is located in downtown Campbeltown, a mere 5 miles away.  The resort is ideally suited for golfers, non-golf visitors, golf group visits, family reunions, corporate meetings, events and retreats, weddings and other social functions, and more.  The course, the first 18-hole course in the U.K. to earn certification from the Golf Environmental Organization, is consistently ranked as one of the most ecologically-friendly courses in the world.  Designed by David McLay-Kidd, it opened in 2009 on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the first course ever to be built on such a site and also the first to be built on the west coast of Scotland in over 100 years.   For more information on The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, visit www.machdunes.com.

About Southworth Development 
Founded by David Southworth, Southworth Development LLC is a privately held company specializing in the development of residential resort and hospitality-branded real estate communities. Southworth’s expertise includes master-planned community development, real estate asset management, golf course construction management, and resort and golf operations management. Southworth’s award-winning communities include:

The Village at Machrihanish Dunes – a celebrated historic project on the west coast of Scotland consisting of a U.K. Top-100, 18-hole, David McLay Kidd-designed seaside links course, two historic Scottish hotels, single-family residential home sites and fractional ownership golf cottage units. www.machdunes.com

Creighton Farms – an exclusive residential golf community located in Virginia’s prestigious Loudoun County and featuring a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, 964 acres of beautiful Virginia horse-country home sites for the community’s elegant Legacy Homes and Villas, a majestic 34,000-square-foot clubhouse and a host of other wonderful amenities. www.creightonfarms.com

Meredith Bay – a luxury residential gated community with single-family home sites, townhomes, condominiums and a wide range of other community activities and amenities located on New Hampshire’s famed Lake Winnipesaukee. www.meredithbaynh.com

Renaissance – a private golf club whose course was named the U.S. national “Course of the Year” in 2012 by the New England Golf Course Owners Association, Renaissance consists of an 18-hole Brian Silva Signature championship golf course a spectacular American Shingle-Style clubhouse, and many other club amenities. It is located on Boston’s North Shore. www.renaissancema.com

The Abaco Club on Winding Bay – A spectacular tropic club and community on Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas, The Abaco Club offers the No. 1-ranked golf course in The Bahamas, 2.5 miles of pristine beach, a wide variety of oceanfront and oceanview homes and home sites, and much more. Home to 2016 European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke, the club will play host to a Web.com Tour event in 2017: The Abaco Classic. www.theabacoclub.com

Willowbend – Created in 1992 by Paul Fireman and David Southworth, Willowbend has earned a reputation as New England’s premier private club community. Featuring 27 holes of award-winning championship golf, luxurious estate homes and villas, a world-class tennis facility, Olympic-sized pool, state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa, plus elegant gourmet dining, Willowbend has long been considered Cape Cod’s most prestigious and exclusive private enclave. www.willowbendcapecod.com

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Southworth Development LLC, through its affiliated companies, is the primary owner, developer and manager of Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club and luxury accommodations in both Machrihanish and Campbeltown, Scotland.

Editor’s Note:
Grants to the restoration of the Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish and The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown in cooperation with: Highland and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding support; the Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Project (Argyll & Bute Council), a special grant to the Royal Hotel by the Scottish Ministers, through Historic Scotland under the Historic Environment Regeneration Fund.         

Los Cabos Wins IAGTO Award as 2017 Latin America & Caribbean Golf Destination of the Year

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los-cabos-iagtoLos Cabos Wins IAGTO Award as 2017 Latin America & Caribbean Golf Destination of the Year

Prestigious award honors excellence of Mexico’s premier golf getaway

Mallorca, Spain –  November 18, 2016 – The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), a global trade association of the golf tourism industry, has named Los Cabos, Mexico as the ‘Latin America & Caribbean Golf Destination of the Year’ for 2017 in recognition of its exceptional golf courses and unique geographical setting. The announcement of this benchmark accolade was made at a gala awards dinner at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) held this year in the city of Palma, Mallorca.

Slos-cabos-e1397692687447ituated at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, at the place where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos boasts an extraordinary mountain-desert-ocean environment where the game’s top designers have crafted some of the world’s finest courses.

Set back from the shoreline’s sun-drenched beaches and sparkling waters are more than a dozen exquisite layouts built by luminaries such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Tiger Woods. With two courses on GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses in the World” list and seven of the top 11 courses in Mexico based on Golf Digest’s  “Planet Golf” report, Los Cabos is the undisputed golf capital of Latin America.

“We are delighted to accept this prestigious award from the world’s leading association of golf travel providers,” said Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “Dating back to the early 1990s, we have welcomed some of the most spectacular golf facilities in the world. The recent addition of several outstanding newcomers has raised the bar of excellence and taken the Los Cabos golf scene to the next level.” He added that approximately 180,000 rounds of golf played each year in Los Cabos, with visiting golfers generating significant tourism revenues for the destination.

Esteban Toledo, a multiple winner on the PGA Champions Tour, serves as the official golf ambassador for the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “As a touring professional, I’ve been privileged to play all the top courses throughout North America,” said Toledo, a native of Mexicali, Mexico. “For beauty, challenge and variety, the golf courses in Los Cabos are in a class of their own.”

Led by several ‘gran turismo’ 5-star hotels and complemented by some of the best sport fishing and off-course adventures in the world, Los Cabos has in the span of 25 years established itself as a hotspot for avid players in search of an unforgettable golf experience. Only in Los Cabos do rolling, verdant fairways circulate players from rugged desert foothills to the turquoise-blue sea.

Add 340 days of sunshine and cooling sea breezes, and Los Cabos – or Cabo, as everyone calls it – emerges as a flawless getaway unique to itself. As a family-friendly “lifestyle” destination, with activities ranging from whale-watching cruises to desert jeep tours, Cabo has what everyone wants. Great weather. Superb dining. Sumptuous spas. Dawn-to-dusk nightlife. And the friendliest welcome in Mexico.

IAGTO’s tour operators generate more than 85 percent of the world’s golf vacations. Its nearly 600 members, hailing from 61 different countries, selected the 2017 winners. Judges nominated the best golf destinations based on the different experiences of their customers as well as criteria such as customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodations, price, professional conduct of suppliers, support of the local tourism industry and accessibility of tee times.

For more information about Los Cabos, visit www.visitloscabos.travel.

For more details about the 2017 IAGTO Awards and to download high-resolution photos and logos, visit: www.iagto.com/awards

About Los Cabos:

Situated at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is home to award-winning hotels, resorts, championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas and world-class sport fishing. With a unique landscape of dramatic desert and dazzling beaches, Los Cabos is an exotic escape favored by celebrities, couples and families within easy reach of most U.S. and Canadian cities. For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, visit www.visitloscabos.travel, follow us on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM and visit us on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

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