Here Comes the PGA Championship

For all you folks that joke about Minnesota weather, I'm on my way to the course on a drop dead gorgeous day while the U.S. Open is amidst the third day a rain delays!

What retribution - this place is fabulous in the summer. (We won't discuss Minnesota winters!) We're looking forward to yet another PGA Championship here at Hazeltine National Golf Club later this summer and will guarantee great weather!

For you guys that follow me from the southern States, you really should consider coming up here for some "Cool Summer Golf" in the Brainerd Lakes region or along the shores of Lake Superior! There are some great airfare bargains right now. If you're interested, contact me from my Gateway Golf Vacations web site. I can give you some FREE local knowledge. 

Cheers,

Dick 

Pebble Beach Golf is waiting for you!

There are many "price advantages" to this economy for those who can still "get out there"! One of them is NOT the price of golf at Pebble Beach. BUT, there are define "bargains" out there for Lodging & Golf packages!

Take a look at one. You can play all three of the famed courses and stay at one of the Pebble Beach lodges for around $2,600 per person.

I'll add some "tips" for travelers to this Mecca of Golf later.

Cheers,

Dick

It's Spring! Let the lessons begin

OK, so I'm ready to continue my quest for "a game". Just got word that the teaching pro I've worked with the last two summers isn't returning to Bearpath Country Club. I wonder if I am part of the reason!!!!

Thanks to the Blogger who sent me a hilarious clip on Club-Throwing after reading of my escapade last summer. (The link is at the bottom of this post.) For those who missed it... 

Last weekend in the North Woods, I played The Pines on Saturday and was so-so (to be kind). So Sunday, I spent 31/2 hours at the range and really got it going. I was hitting the target green from every distance from 50 yards to 220 yards. Wow, was I pumped!

So Monday, I returned to The Pines and started off alright but by the 16th fairway I was ready for a shrink. After a great drive, I cold-topped three fairway shots in a row (I was playing by myself and taking extra shots), I went to throw my 4-Iron up the fairway and couldn't even do that right... in 90 degree high humidity, the club stuck to my glove momentarily causing the throw to go 90 degrees to the right - directly into the tops of a stand of river birch in a marsh. A scramble had just ended so I was the only one on that nine except for a foursome that, by now, was at least 4 holes behind me. So into the marsh I waded. With muck up to my shoe tops, I searched the tree tops and scoured the ground without any success. Feeling absolutely stupid, after about 12 minutes I started thinking that it is about time I consider a new set of Mizunos! I was starting my way back to the fairway when I found it laying in knee-high prairie grass. 
Returning to my car, my luck changed - I had not lost my car keys!

This has helped me... and I think it will help you! NEW CLUB-THROWING TECHNIQUE

Cheers,

Dick

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Hi from the Gold Canyon Golf Resort!

The Arizona sun is shining brightly and I just wanted to rub it in! I've been sitting in the Minnesota tundra while various friends have called or emailed from sunny places all winter. My Turn!

The courses here are in fabulous condition. The Dinosaur Mountain Course (pictured here) is one of the most exciting tracks anywhere with spectacular elevation changes and dramatic scenery. And the Sidewinder Course is surprisingly terrific... from the clubhouse, it appears to be a mild, parkland-style course but in reality, it is very deserving of it's 4-Star rating. (I would even add that it compares favorably to many 41/2 Star courses I've played.) 

With the economy struggling, the place isn't jam packed. Probably about 80% occupancy but the tee sheets seem to be pretty full - but not crazy-wild. The value here is unbeatable!!! Gateway Golf Vacations has a three night/four round package that is a lower price than you can even get directly from the resort itself... about $650 per person including breakfast daily, club storage, practice facility use, etc. Check this package out! It is the best golf deal in Arizona.

It's tee time... gotta go!

Tiger's Back... and I'm Ready for a Hybrid - Finally!

Do you think the Television Network "suits" are thrilled to have Tiger back? Take a look at the PGA ratings lately for the answer. I've watched a little golf in the last month... more than anything, just to see some green grass!!! Geez, this has been a long winter! And my week in Grand Cayman didn't help all that much. It's like a massage... feels sooooo good while it's happening but the glow wears off in a couple hours. 

I digress.  How many times have you looked at a leader board during Tiger's layoff and wonder if they put the Nationwide Tour stats up by mistake? Good Lord, I've seen leader boards with ONE name that I recognize. Yeah, they're all great golfers, but ya gotta be a purist to appreciate them. I'm really looking forward to the match play with Tiger and the top Europeans in the field this weekend!

And, speaking of purists, I'm one - albeit a high handicap one. I've resisted going the hybrid route until now. But, I've finally seen the light. (Translation: I've finally come to grips with the fact that, to paraphrase a CaddyShack line, I'm not good!)  OK, so I CAN'T hit a 3 Iron. I'm going to break out just one hybrid to replace the 3 & 4 this spring. That damned 190 to 200 yard shot has been killing me.

 There's a certain friend who will laugh hysterically upon reading this. He's been chiding me for 3 years now and would get so irritated at my stubborn resistance. 

Cheers,

Dick

Hello from Grand Cayman

As I was lamenting in my last post, I was only mildly looking forward to my week on Grand Cayman. Sure it was nice to get out of the Minnesota deep-freeze but having just one chance to play a little winter golf, this was not the destination I would have chosen. But our corporate client seems to think they don't need to ask my golf preferences when deciding on the site for their National Sales Meeting.

When their last two Sales Incentive Trips happened to be at Wailea, Maui and Cabo San Lucas (perhaps the two most exciting golf destinations in the world), I might have thought they cared! Oh Well!

As I said in the last post while anticipating this outing, North Sound Club, the only 18-hole regulation course on the island is rather flat and boring - and ridiculously over-priced. Actually, I have been pleasantly surprised (another lesson on the value of keeping expectations low) with the course. It is very well groomed. The fairway turf and the greens are in excellent condition. It clearly shows that someone is making an effort to do the most they can with what little they have.

Water everywhere! Navigating around the wet stuff wasn't too tricky - until the second day when the wind was howling off the ocean. It's a little disconcerting to line up your tee shot directly AT the water hazzard in order to allow the gale to bring it back anywhere dry. The scores were decidedly higher the second day. Round three should be easier!

Well, enough of this since it is unlikely that any of you will ever go to the Cayman Islands for golf. Most of my golf clients are heading off to better pastures throughout this month and next. Still, Grand Cayman is a lovely place for a sun break!

Cheers,

Dick

Good Bye Snow; Hello Surf... if only for a few days!

Now that we have gotten past the holidays it's time to dust off the sticks!

Each year in January, a corporate client holds their Sales Incentive trip giving me a chance to grab the clubs (escorting these groups is not ALL work!) and escape the frozen Minnesota tundra. In a way, it's a cruelty because the 5 or 6 days in the tropical sun goes all-too-quickly then it's back to the frozen swamp. UGH! (One of the more dejecting feelings is to look down to the ground as the plane makes it's final approach into MSP. Nothing but white!)

In the last two Januarys I've told you about the fabulous golf at this company's prior sites - Maui and Las Cabos... indeed, these are two of the most exciting golf destinations in the world!!! Not this year!

Our client chose Grand Cayman for 2009... not exactly an enticing golf mecca. In fact, it sucks! One course on the whole island; and it's flat and boring - and, surprise, overpriced. I know, many of you would love to go anywhere warm and think I should quit bitching. So I'm spoiled!

You can be sure this is not a destination that we recommend to our golf clients at Gateway Express Travel! ... but, I can't stand not taking my clubs anyway. Anything is better than nothing, I guess!

Cheers,

Dick

Is Winter Nearly Over?

Here it is still December and I'm so sick of shoveling the driveway that I could... well, you get the idea!

To make matters worse, as a "seller of golf travel", I have to watch our golf clients pack up and leave for places like Cabo San Lucas, Maui, Phoenix, San Diego, Palm Desert and more! Whatta dastardly trick that is being played on me. As I'm writing this, another client has just emailed an acceptance of our proposal for a Pebble Beach golf trip in late February. I have offered to "escort" these two couples, but...... (well, nice try!)

The good news for those of you not as hand-cuffed to your desks as I seem to be, the prices for golf trips (as with all travel) are very good! Because of the shaky economy, hotels, golf resorts and golf courses in the south have reduced prices and deposit requirements to stimulate bookings. Our #1 trip over the years, the Gold Canyon Golf Resort, (pictured here) is offering our clients 2008 prices for the 2009 season.

A lot of our golf clients who normally "lock in" during the fall have been holding off but are now going ahead. It's a combination of the winter blahs and the realization that they are not as worried about their job status or portfolio status as they were a month or two ago.

As one of them put it (so elegantly), "The hell with it. Life is too short to worry about it. We're going!" If you feel the same, check out my site for some good ideas!

OK, so I gave you the sob story at the top of this... I will be going to Grand Cayman in late January. Not my favorite golf venue... but, I won't be shoveling snow off the greens before putting!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

Well, Midwest Golfers... It's About Over!

It's been a fun summer of golf but now it's time to think about heading south for a winter escape! So many of our clients are planning to do so. With the economy woes, many are putting off their planning for now. But as Newton once said, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction". With bookings being soft hotels, golf resorts, car rental companies and airlines are trying to stimulate sales with some great incentives:

- A World-Class Resort in South Florida is offering a November (including Thanksgiving weekend) "Stay & Play" for about the room cost alone!

- Our #1 resort package (Phoenix) is selling Winter 2009 at last year's price for those that book by December 31.

- Several hotels on our "Golf-Around" packages are offering a 4th night free, room upgrades and other amenities.

- Our principal car rental company is quoting SUV's and mini-vans (required equipment for golf groups) at prices well-below the last few years.

We in the Minneapolis area were treated to the US Women's Open at Interlachen Country Club... some of our local clients will be "seeing the gals" again at the LPGA Safeway International in Arizona - right across the road from where they will be playing when not watching the tournament.

 

After being thrilled by the match between Tiger & Rocco at the U.S. Open, several of our clients will take their turn at Torrey Pines! One of our most popular golf vacation packages at Gateway Golf Vacations consists of 3 rounds at Torrey Pines and 3 nights lodging at the Sonoran Suites at Torry Ridge. 

Check out all of our golf vacations at www.golf-vacation.com and get those travel bags ready!

Cheers,

Dick

Golf in the Dog Days of Summer

Well, kids, this is the time in the season when most of us "peak". For the majority, that means shooting the low numbers but, for me, it has just meant that I've returned to the courses after spending most of the season rebuilding my swing. After some discouraging times, I'm happy to report that it's starting to sink in!!! 

I still get needled over my "throwing my 6-iron into the swamp" a couple years ago but am happy to report that those days are over.  If you missed the story, here it is. By the way, if you missed it earlier, be sure to open the "New Club-Throwing  Technique video at the bottom of that story... every golfer will identify with it!  

I played only my third round of the summer yesterday and played fairly well. Now I'm going to play A LOT for the rest of the season although it is becoming my busy season at Gateway Golf Vacations! Even though it's a very quiet time for booking golf trips, it's the time for putting our 2009 packages together.

I hope you all are enjoying your game and playing a lot!

Cheers,

Dick