a decade - The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

SEP/OCT
2011
10TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE:
A DECADE
$50.00
OF LUXURY
14 DAYS
HOLE SEVEN / PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS
14 DAYS OF ULTIMATE GLOBAL GOLF
Born on the seaside links of Scottish dunes, golf is a game best played by the ocean. The vast majority of the world’s greatest courses, both old
and new, from New Zealand to Pebble Beach, Northern Ireland to the Caribbean, sit on the coast. Silence may be golden, but hitting your tee
shot to the melody of lapping waves is priceless on these, the world’s best coastal courses.
1
ARRIVE IN PEBBLE BEACH
Begin your epic journey at America’s most famous golf resort, Pebble
Beach, home to three of the country’s best courses: The Links at Spanish
2
BY LARRY OLMSTED
CLASSIC GOLF
Play Spyglass Hill in the morning, with the most dramatic oceanfront start
in the U.S.: Kicking off right on the first hole, a par-5 that reaches the Mon-
Bay, Spyglass Hill and the Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has hosted two
terey coast. This is just the first of five straight epic coastal holes. If time
different Majors, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Tune up with
or energy is scarce, you can always skip the back nine, as the front nine is
a round at Spanish Bay, arguably the most balanced and best overall of
the resort’s strongest. Grab lunch in the classic Tap Room near the first
the three, in preparation for tomorrow’s big day. Have dinner at Club XIX,
tee of the Pebble Beach Golf Links before tackling the main attraction,
the resort’s French-Mediterranean fine dining choice, before checking in
steeped in history and better than ever after last year’s U.S. Open enhance-
to the estate-like Casa Palmero, the smallest and most luxurious lodging
ments. This course, historically the top-ranked in the nation, has hosted
option on the property. Book the exclusive Palmero Suite ($2,800 a night),
every legendary golfer in modern history, plus an annual slew of A-listers
accessible through a private garden off the main courtyard and featuring
like Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson and Bill Murray. The course hits its
a living room, sitting room and courtyard with outdoor spa, plus two fire-
coastal stride at five, hits the par-3 seventh at the tip of Arrowhead Point,
places and a wet bar. A personal Casa Palmero coordinator will contact
then winds it way along Carmel Bay before finishing back on the coast with
you in advance to make any special arrangements.
the par-5 18th, your literal and figurative last stop before Hawaii.
Pebble Beach Resort: Hotel Manager Julie Weaver, (831) 622-6651;
Pebble Beach Resort Golf Links: Senior Vice President of Golf RJ
weaverju@pebblebeach.com; www.pebblebeach.com
Harper, (831) 625-8568; harperr@pebblebeach.com;
www.pebblebeach.com
110
TEMPLE OF HADRIAN / EPHESUS
14 DAYS
3
ON TO LANAI
The Challenge at Manele has the most oceanfront exposure of any course
in the 50th state. The Jack Nicklaus Signature design plays along the top
4
NEW ZEALAND AWAITS
Golf fanatic and hedge fund guru Julian Robertson’s love affair with New
Zealand began with a house, morphed into a private golf course, and
of dramatic cliffs, with ocean views as far as the Big Island, and few holes
has now become a pair of the most stunning coastal greens on earth:
on earth as jaw-dropping as the twelfth, a par-3 playing over an inlet
Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, each with their own luxury lodge.
that's a 202-yard abyss of roaring surf and black lava rock. The resort also
Fly into Auckland and commute to the original, the remote Kauri Cliffs,
has one of the world’s best sporting clays facilities, Lanai Pine Sporting
via helicopter. The course has drop-dead Pacific views from 15 holes,
Clays & Archery Range. After your round, make sure to visit the beach
with six playing along the edges of cliffs overlooking the stunning Bay
at the Four Seasons Manele Bay, a huge sandy crescent on the resort’s
of Islands National Park. The entire resort spans 6,500 acres, yet has
protected marine preserve. The 3,600-square-foot Ali’i Suite overlooks
just 23 accommodations, each a spacious cottage. Rent Robertson’s own
the bay from an oversized private lanai, with a dining room, pantry and
4,200-square-foot home when he’s not here, complete with private pool,
living room (from $6,500 a night).
hot tub, fireplaces and decks, all overlooking the Bay of Islands as well
Challenge at Manele: Director of Golf Doug Stephenson,
($7,900). You can dine in the lodge, or have a private chef come to you,
(808) 565-2222; dstephenson@castlecooke.com
but either way you’ll enjoy great New Zealand wines from several of
Four Seasons Manele Bay: General Manager Tom Roelens,
Robertson’s own vineyards.
(808) 565-2000; tom.roelens@fourseasons.com;
Kauri Cliffs: General Manager Kerry Molloy, 64-9-407-0010;
www.fourseasons.com/manelebay
kerry@kauricliffs.com; www.kauricliffs.com
ALI'I SUITE / FOUR SEASONS MANELE BAY
HOLE SIX / NEW SOUTH WALES
5
UP TO NORTH ISLAND
Cape Kidnappers, the newer sibling course to Kauri Cliffs, sits on a
namesake peninsula in the heart of New Zealand’s famed Hawke’s Bay
6
SET OUT FOR SYDNEY
New South Wales is one of the greatest golf clubs in the world, occupying
the dramatic headland overlooking Botany Bay, where the first settlers
wine country. You can commute to your round of golf today by helicopter or
landed, and has such a commanding view that the army built gun em-
turboprop, which is a bit faster, though less dramatic. Both are regularly
placements here during WWII to protect Sydney (these remain incorpo-
arranged by the staff at Kauri Cliffs. The course is the work of Tom Doak,
rated into the course as a unique historic feature). New South Wales was
the hottest living course architect and the designer of Pacific Dunes and
the work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, widely considered one of the greatest
Barnbougle Dunes, the top ranked public courses in the U.S. and Australia
course architects in history. Spend the night at the Four Seasons Hotel
respectively. The course reaches the edge of the cliffs—500 feet above
Sydney, well located in The Rocks, Sydney’s most historic neighborhood
the ocean—on the second hole, starting a hard-to-believe six-hole coastal
and just steps from the waterfront and the city’s best restaurants. Dine
stretch that’s highlighted by the third, a par-3 set across the very tip of
at Rockpool, the flagship restaurant of Australia’s leading celebrity chef,
Cape Kidnappers. The resort also spans 6,000 acres with few rooms, so
Neil Perry, where you can book the chef’s table for up to 10 guests and
after your game enjoy a chauffeured drive to one of nearby Hawke’s Bay’s
enjoy a four- or eight-course grand tasting menu with local wine pairings.
many wineries before returning to the Farm at Cape Kidnappers for dinner
New South Wales Golf Club: General Manager David Burton, 61-2-9661-
and a good night’s rest.
4455; admin@nswgolfclub.com.au; www.nswgolfclub.com.au
Cape Kidnappers: Lodge Manager Julia Hausermann, 64-6-875-1900;
Rockpool: Private Dining Manager Vanessa Medeiros, 61-2-9252-1888;
julia@capekidnappers.com; www.capekidnappers.com
vanessa@rockpool.com; www.rockpool.com
DOWNLOAD MORE EXCLUSIVE TRIP GUIDES FREE AT www.elitetraveler.com/14days
111
14 DAYS
7
SYDNEY TO SICILY
It’s a full day of travel today, but before you leave Sydney you have time to
take in one of the city’s iconic experiences, such as a behind-the-scenes
8
ARRIVE IN ITALIA
After a long flight, you'll be very happy to arrive at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, a new Rocco Forte property and Italy’s largest golf resort, located on
tour of the Opera House, or the famed Bridge Climb on the upper levels of
the south shore of Sicily in the island’s best locale for beaches. This is the
the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you’re hungry, try the popular scenic sea-
first of Sir Forte’s resorts to have been built from scratch, and it has Sic-
plane-and-lunch combo to Doyle’s in suburban Watson’s Bay. The flight
ily’s best spa, a huge freestanding affair with a series of thalassotherapy
departs near the hotel and pulls right up to the dock at Doyle’s, the oldest
pools where you can shake off the effects of your trip. Squeeze in 18 holes
seafood restaurant in a nation obsessed with fish (it first opened in 1885).
on one of the resort’s two new championship courses, or put it off for a
The scenery is magnificent in both directions, and all these attractions can
long day of golf tomorrow. Instead you might play the delightful nine-hole,
easily be booked by the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney's stalwart concierge
par-3 course, which winds through orange trees and olive groves, as a
team. Next, you’ll depart for Sicily.
warm up, or visit the nearby Valley of the Temples, one of the country's
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney: General Manager Vincent Hoogewijs,
greatest historic sites and home to more Greek temples than anywhere
61-2-9250-3100; vincent.hoogewijs@fourseasons.com;
in Greece. The 807-square-foot Presidential Suite is Verdura’s largest,
www.fourseasons.com/sydney
nestled into a hillside facing the sea for privacy and views, with three terraces, a private pool and Jacuzzi (from $4,300).
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort: General Manager Luciano Lusardi,
39-09-2599-8001; llusardi@roccofortehotels.com; www.verduraresort.com
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE / VERDURA
GOLF & SPA RESORT
18TH APPROACH / VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT
BRIG O'DOON / TURNBERRY RESORT
9
112
MORE GREAT GOLF
If you didn’t play yesterday, make up for it today with 36 holes, or take in
whatever you missed from the Valley of the Temples or the serene spa.
10
CLUBHOUSE / TURNBERRY RESORT
JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND
Today is a big day: Many consider the Ailsa Course at Scotland’s Turnberry Resort the greatest on earth, coastal or otherwise. It was the site of
Both courses, as well as the nine-hole short course, are the work of Kyle
several dramatic British Open Championships, including Greg Norman’s
Phillips, the genius behind Scotland’s Kingsbarns, widely considered the
epic victory and most recently, Tom Watson’s near-bid to become the old-
greatest modern course in the British Isles. Each features a mix of inland
est major winner in history. Even though he lost, the resort still named its
holes showcasing Sicily’s lush trees, flora and fruits (with some 4,500 or-
poshest accommodation, the 1,238-square-foot Watson Suite, after him,
ange trees and an abundance of olive groves), and a series of holes right
and this is where you will stay, with a huge balcony overlooking the course
along the Mediterranean. On slow days you can play the more seaside
and a cabinet full of wines by famous golfer-vintners (about $995). The
nines of both courses to make an impressive and watery 18, as the East
course features an unparalleled stretch of nine straight coastal holes, 4 to
course has five ocean holes (5 to 7, 17 and 18) and the West has seven (8
12, with views across to Ireland along the crashing surf and jagged black
to 10, 15 to 18). Both close with tremendous finishes, just a few feet above
rock—and just when you think it can't possibly get more dramatic, you
the lapping waves, at the pro shop, which was built around a traditional
catch a glimpse of the signature lighthouse or find the ruins of an ancient
Italian coastal watchtower.
castle alongside the tee.
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort: Director of Golf Niall Cameron, 39-09-2599-8001;
Turnberry Resort: General Manager Jordi Tarrida, 44-16-5533-1000;
ncameron@roccofortehotels.com; www.verduraresort.com
jordi.tarrida@luxurycollection.com; www.westin.com
11
OFF TO NORTHERN IRELAND
It’s just a short flight across the Irish Sea to Belfast City Airport, then a
quick helicopter ride to the top-ranked course in the Emerald Isle, Royal
After flying directly into the private airstrip at Casa de Campo resort, you’ll
trade the cool climate of Northern Ireland and Scotland for the balmy
County Down. Throughout the course you’ll overlook the ocean and gaze
breeze of the Caribbean. Casa de Campo has four Pete Dye-designed golf
up the coast to the mystical Mountains of Mourne—and it’s all accented
courses, but the renowned Teeth of the Dog is the 800-pound gorilla of
by flowering gorse and heather and crashing surf. The views are unique
Caribbean golf, as the only Caribbean course to ever earn a spot in the
and so is the layout, which is the global darling of architecture critics for
World’s Top 100. It is named for the sharp rocks in the water adjacent
its immense variety, truly requiring every club and shot in the bag. It will
to the course, which can be seen up close from the seven coastal holes.
also be the stiffest test of this road trip, as RCD is famed for its difficulty—
While most coastal courses play on cliffs or are separated from the sea by
especially when the wind blows, which is often. Just steps from the club-
beach, this one is very nearly in the Caribbean, with tee boxes bulkheaded
house sits the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, the top lodging in Northern
in stone and splashed by waves (when it’s windy, the salt spray will engulf
Ireland and even more impressive after a recent $25 million renovation.
you on tees and greens). There is no course more intimately involved with
Book one of the fourth floor suites, overlooking the first tee ($800 a night).
the sea than the Teeth, and it is most famous for its dramatic par-3 holes
Royal County Down: Secretary Manager David Wilson, 44-28-4372-3314;
along the very edge of the water. The 7,000-acre resort has a lavish modern
wilson@royalcountydown.org; www.royalcountydown.org
marina lined with high-end shops and restaurants.
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa: General Manager John Toner, 44-28-4372-1066;
Casa de Campo: VIP Specialist Alina Hernandez, (800) 877-3643;
gm@sdh.hastingshotels.com; www.sdh.hastingshotels.com
ahernandez@pwmonline.com; www.casadecampo.com.do
AERIAL VIEW / TEETH OF THE DOG
13
12
CARIBBEAN COURSE
RECEPTION / CASA DE CAMPO
CARIBBEAN TO CAROLINA
Preview the site of the 2012 PGA Championship, Pete Dye’s magnificent
Ocean Course at the 90-hole Kiawah Island Golf Resort. This is the finest
14
AERIAL VIEW / THE SANCTUARY
DEPART CHARLESTON
Enjoy a treatment at The Sanctuary’s sumptuous spa before checking out.
Just a short bridge and some beautiful scenery separates Kiawah Island
public course in the eastern U.S., and it’s even better following a series of
from Charleston, annually voted the friendliest city in the U.S. King Street,
substantial renovations in 2004 to get it ready for the major. You can take
in its historic downtown, bustles with upscale boutiques. If you have time,
carts, but this is built as a walking course, with first-rate caddies, and that's
take a horse-drawn carriage ride led by a driver-cum-tour guide down
the best way to enjoy Dye’s masterpiece. From the longer tees this course
the cobblestone thoroughfares. Lowcountry cuisine is excellent through-
is incredibly challenging—even the world’s best PGA pros called it too hard
out the city: Try an early lunch of shrimp and grits, the regional favorite,
during the Ryder Cup, which earned the nickname “The War by the Shore,”
before catching your flight home.
due to its level of difficulty. The Sanctuary, Kiawah’s luxury hotel, routinely
The Sanctuary: General Manager Vijay Singh, (843) 768-2783;
earns a Forbes five-star rating, and has excellent cuisine, a serene spa and
vijay_singh@kiawahresort.com; www.kiawahresort.com
oozes Southern hospitality. The 3,100-square foot Presidential Suite overlooks the ocean from three different balconies ($4,500 a night).
Ocean Course: Director of Golf Brian Gerard, (843) 266-4008;
brian_gerard@kiawahresort.com; www.kiawahresort.com
113