Travel Golf

Central Florida’s Sebring International Golf Resort is the Future of Golf!

February 3, 2021 By admin

Central Florida’s Sebring International Golf Resort is the Future of Golf!

Helmut ‘H3’ Wyzisk III is demonstrating the Future of Golf at the Sebring International Golf Resort!

Meet Helmut Wyzisk III, visit Sebring International Golf Resort, and play “The Twelve” and you can see, feel, and start to experience the Future of Golf!

Known as ‘H3,’ Wyzisk is a dynamic personality, the face of the Orlando family and the Signature H Property Group intent on transforming the 352-acre Sebring International property and in so doing be a showcase for where the game of golf is going—in terms of playing grounds, residential communities and golf tourist destinations, and additional amenities!

CLICK HERE for Video Interview with Helmut ‘H3’ Wyzisk.

The vision is all-encompassing—the transformation of a 45-hole property with so much room one can easily get lost—future residential and commercial development to complement the existing community of 4,500 people.—and future new amenities in terms of sports fields such as Boccee Ball, Shuffleboard, Pickleball to complement the new and present golf course called “The Twelve!”

The Twelve is a short course with front tees ranging from 43 to 101 yards and back tees ranging from 65 to 148 yards. The Twelve reminded me on The Nine at Augusta National Golf Club that hosts the annual Wednesday Par-3 contest to kickoff The Masters competition in most years, hopefully again this year in April 2021!

But The Twelve, unlike the Augusta short course, has some teeth in it courtesy of slopes on and around the greens and runoff areas. Don’t expect every ball hit on the green to come off the back or sideboard and roll into the hole. Bowl-like creampuff hole locations are limited! But as ‘H3’ says in the interview it is a lot of fun to play and there are some hole locations that are surely receptive to an ace! My first shot on the first hole ended up as a gimmie and I have the video and pics to prove it!

CLICK HERE to see Andy nearly ace the first hole on The Twelve!

The Twelve is a course for juniors to learn to play the game or maybe even have a first date on a warm leisurely evening when they crank up the outdoor sound system embedded throughout the course. Seniors will come out swinging to Frank Sinatra too! Play a round in an hour or play around and take a little bit more time between the strokes! This is relaxed, entertaining, and fun golf! Golfer—woman and men or mixed—trips take notice of the onsite lodging and be sure to have a drink with you while playing The Twelve to finish off any unfinished business from an earlier round of 9, 18, or 27 on the remaining Panther and Cougar holes.

So much has been done in such a short period of time since the purchase in 2019!

H3 sharing his vision from the high point of the ‘New Nine’ which is being reconfigured, changed, and upgraded!

Next time you Google Sebring Twelve, The Twelve Holes of Golf are as likely to come up as the Twelve Hours of Sebring on the nearby Sebring Raceway!

What is even more intriguing was the safari-like golf cart tour that took us past one particular large alligator as we seemingly went along all 17 miles of canals on the property to a very special ‘H3’ spot. Upon a high ground that surveys most the acreage, H3 pointed here and there to describe the new championship 9 holes that will be emerging from some of the current tees, fairways, and greens. It reminded me of when I toured the Olympic Golf Course with Gil Hanse and his Merry Man in early 2014. At the time it was a well-designed sand box. The new Sebring Nine is already green, already envisioned, and like The Twelve will become a reality sooner-or-later,

Our time at Sebring International was limited. I was intrigued of talk about the repositioning of a second clubhouse and nine holes for large-scale private parties and corporate events. I look forward to returning to see the Future of Golf as it emerges at Sebring International!

Here is some more background information from the Sebring Internationa l Golf Resort and Signature H websites:

As the resort enters a new chapter, it is being re-branded as the Sebring International Golf Resort. This new name provides the foundation to become the premier golf resort in Sebring, while attaining prominence through the US and internationally. The new logo reflects the natural property’s abundance of trees, waterways and paths. Additionally, the checkered accent pays homage to the impactful racing history established at the neighboring Sebring International Raceway.

Signature H Property Group formed a strategic partnership with XUDE Hospitality, lead by golf industry veterans Mike Miraglia and Jerry Moore, to manage resort operations. The XUDE team has a proven track record in revenue generation, membership growth, operating efficiency, construction and renovation in properties of all sizes – including golf courses, country clubs, resorts, hotels, and real estate developments.

Our fantastic golf courses – 27 holes of championship and the brand new 12-hole Short Course, The Grille and The Pub for your drinking and dining pleasure, the conveniently located villas where you can stay close to all the action, and our friendly staff all combine to make your experience here a memorable one.

Sebring International Golf Resort offers a wide selection of equipment and apparel to compliment your game. Stop by our fully stocked Pro Shop before or after your round and browse through our name brands.

Our friendly staff will help you make start times, rent golf carts, and register you and your guests before each round of golf. An excellent selection of merchandise is sold in the Pro Shop, and golf lessons are available. Contact the Pro Shop for assistance, or to make an appointment for lessons.

Sebring International Golf Resort offers a putting green and driving range for practicing before your round or honing your skills anytime when you are not on the course.

Sebring International Golf Resort has staff available for lessons. What better way to take your game to the next level this year? Make time to perfect your swing and improve your golf game today. Simply contact our Pro Shop to speak with our professional staff and schedule your lesson with our PGA Professional, Craig Bendall.

Weddings & Banquets–a buffet table is sets up for a banquet at Sebring International Golf Resort

Our team at Sebring International Golf Resort is committed to the success of your event. From the planning, implementation and final wrap-up, we are here to serve you. We offer a variety of complete hassle-free event packages to choose from or we will customize one to fit your specific needs.

Sebring International Golf Resort is a 27-hole (9 holes are under renovation) destination resort also including a 12-hole Short Course centrally located in Sebring, Florida.

We are conveniently located within 3 miles of Sebring International Raceway, Sebring Airport, and Lake Istokpoga; the 5th largest freshwater lake in the State of Florida. We are midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and equally close to Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and the Palm Beaches. We currently feature the 18-hole Cougar Trail Golf Course.

A 12 hole Short Course opened in October 2020, as well as another 9-hole championship course currently under renovation. We offer villas with all the comforts of home, so you can stay where you play! Our travel experts are ready to help you plan an unforgettable golf trip.

Golf Packages can be arranged by contacting the Sebring International Golf Resort Villa Rental office. Our privately owned villas are all fully furnished 2 and 3 bedroom units with screened lanais, full kitchens, living rooms, and laundry facilities.

A variety of bedding configurations are available. Some units are also pet friendly. Our villas are within a half-mile of everything you need, The Grille, The Pub, The Pro Shop, driving range, putting green and the golf course.

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Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, East Coast Golf Journey, Featured Experiences, Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Travel Golf

Citrus Golf Trail; Fire Up a Sebring 12 Corvette and Hear Her Roar!

December 8, 2020 By admin

Admittedly I am not a muscle man or a muscle car man! Never been to a professional car race. Always a golf guy that got a thrill out of hitting a drive, iron, or putt on the sweet spot and seeing it fly true and straight on course or rolling true and straight on course before dropping in the hole! Sweet & solid, but rarely straight is what I am trying to say!

But then John Story, Senior Director for Marketing, Business Development & Communication for the Sebring International Raceway, home to the Sebring 12, let me sit in his Corvette and turn of the ignition! WOW! What power! Put me in John and let me race her around the track once or twice! Pretty Please!!!

CLICK HERE to Hear this Baby Get Fired up! Hear her Roar!!!

So I once was a passenger in a Corvette going around the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas (courtesy of a Gino business meeting) and we got her up to 187 miles an hour! The slope on the racetrack was amazing! More severe and gratefully more uniform than the slopes of that buried elephant on the 14^th green at Augusta National.

My second racing story has to do with Watkins Glen International, founded and organized in 1948 by Cameron Argetsinger, not far from my hometown of Binghamton, New York. My high school buddy Mark knew the “Judge,” Mr. Argetsinger’s eldest son, the retired judge J.C. Argetsinger. We spent the day at the International Motor Racing Research Center just talking with J.C. checking out the collections and watching some old videos!

What is most memorable of the day and the funniest thing to me is that at the end of the day J.C. suggested we take a ride around the old yet original 6.6-mile circuit that wind through the streets of Watkins Glen and out into the country a bit. Judge had a pick up truck and I had driven Mark so as fate would have it there I am driving the son of the founder of Watkins Glenn around the race track in my 2008 Honda Accord!

I took it slow as J.C. pointed out all the famous happenings of the race where so-and-so went off the road here and so-and-so passed so-and-so there! If it was golf it would be like walking by the 16^th green at August where Mr. Nicklaus made that putt in the 1986 Masters, then around Pebble Beach where Tiger won the 2000 U.S. Open by 15 strokes, then being on the 18^th green at Winged Foot when Davis Love III won the 1997 PGA Championship, and finally a quick trip across the pond to see Mr. Palmer, a 2-time Open champion, wave goodbye for the last time on the Swilican Bridge on the Old Course at St. Andrews!

Vivid imagination; yes!

I wish I was on the Sebring Racetrack at Sebring when I was revving up John’s corvette!

PS: Mr. Greg Wise would later win the Closest-to-the Pin on the last at ‘The Twelve’ at Sebring International Golf Resort on the Citrus Golf Trail fam trip. His prize? A ride around the track in a corvette, hopefully driving! A master of hitting fairways, let’s all hope (and pray) that he keeps it on the track!

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Filed Under: Featured Experiences, Travel Golf

Heading South to Explore the Citrus Golf Trail in Sebring, Avon Park, & Lake Placid, Florida!

December 7, 2020 By admin

Time to head South and explore the Citrus Golf Trail and the towns of Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid, Florida!

Yes, you read correctly—Lake Placid, Florida; not Lake Placid, New York! They are Sister Cities and have one very important person in common—Dr. Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System for cataloging library books. My kind of guy and my kind of town—Loj – the spelling of Lake Placid in Dewey’s simplified spelling approach. Not that I understand that or could find a book in the library if I had to!

Lake Placid is also the Caladium Capital of the World! And YES I had to look it up too! With common names such as the Heart of Jesus and Angel Wings this is sure to be another one of my Spiritual Journeys too! Large Murals are present as well I hear!

Avon Park—the City of Charm with the authentic taste of Old Florida and the sweet taste of the area’s vibrant citrus industry.

Twelve? Not Race Hours but new Golf Holes! This is Golf Country too!

Sebring—namesake and host city for the 12 Hours of Sebring. Hint it is not a 12-hour round of golf or sleeping in! Sounds like something right up Bill Hughes’s “Alley!” Sebring is also known as “The City on the Circle.” Interested to check that out as I have a sort of Savannah pictured in my mind but with no corners!

I will be staying at the Inn on the Lakes which features stunning views that overlook the lakes and a wonderful gourmet dining experience at Chicanes! I like the address too—Golfview Road…

Other stops include a Distillery and another restaurant called Cowpokes Watering Hole which I know I will love just by the name of it!

Opened in April 2018 by founder Don Davies, Sugar Sand Distillery is an estate-grown sugarcane farm distillery. Don Davies’ Distillery is a true Farm-To-Bottle operation which I hope to make a true Farm-To-Bottle-To-Mouth operation!.

But if you know me it is all about the golf, both historically and futuristically! Five courses in two days! Hey is the Masters cane get it done with limited sunlight in November, Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary can make it happen in December too!

Sebring Municipal GC, a 1925 W. H. ‘Bert’ Way design. Protege from England of Willie Dunn. Love the story where he followed Dunn to Biarritz, France but only lasted through one winter there! Sure to have played Dunn’s Signature Biarritz long par-3, long green hole many times. Then Way finds “his way,” following Dunn to America and introduces John D. Rockefeller to the game of golf, designs Firestone CC, and makes his way South to design Sebring Municipal GC! Way would eventually die in Florida two weeks shy of his 91^st birthday. What a life!

Twelve? Not Race Hours but new Golf Holes! This is Golf Country too!

Futuristically (it is a word, I looked it up), you have Helmut Wyzisk III, President of Signature H Property Group buy the old Spring Lake Golf Resort a year ago. His plan to Revitalize, Rebrand, & Reposition the now Sebring International Golf Resort is impressive! I am excited to see the progress of the transformation of two existing 18-hole golf courses into one 27-hole Steve Smyers designed championship course and to play a newly constructed 12-hole short course!

Also on the rota for thus trip is River Greens Golf Course, a Jack Kidwell 1969 design owned & operated by the Davis Family—Lisa & Rodney! The Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club (love that name!) with its two golf courses—the longer 1976 Don Dyer designed Deer Run GC and the shorter 1999 Charles Ankrom designed Turtle Run GC.

The Grand-Daddy (not me though I am one!) of them all to play (taking my hickory-shafted golf clubs) will be Pinecrest, a 1926 Donald Ross design! Pinecrest was the original host for the first 5 years of the JCPenney Classic (then called the Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome) beginning in 1960 (inaugural won by Jim Turnesa and Gloria Armstrong)

And that is what this Citrus Trail Golf Fam Trip is all about—reviving the golf heritage of the area by re-instituting an amateur version of the Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome. Press Conference on Thursday morning! More details about the Citrus Golf Trail Open Tournament coming soon… Save the Date—December 2-5, 2021!

#CitrusGolfTrail #VisitSebring #CitrusGolfTrailOpen

PS: All COVID Precautions are being taken and will be in place throughout this road trip!

Filed Under: Travel Golf

A Winter’s Walk around Charleston, South Carolina with my Grand Puppy Blue Bear!

November 29, 2020 By admin

What better than an early Winter’s Walk around Charleston, South Carolina with my Grand Puppy Blue Bear!

Nice afternoon walking around Charleston with Blue Bear! He is such a good travel companion! Interested in everybody & everything just like me! TROML Baby (An Exclamation of Joy and Gratitude)!!! (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 11-29-20, with 30 Pics

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Filed Under: Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Travel Golf

Visiting The Waterfall Club Twice in the Fall of 2019: Social Media PLAY-by-PLAY!

October 20, 2019 By admin

Soon to be R&R Time!!! Sooo I have been living in Atlanta for the last 6 weeks working hard assisting my son on a major home renovation… love Atlanta, it’s spiritual fullness, culture, people, & way of life. Sooo what do Atlantans do for for a little R&R, especially this time of year? Head up to the North Georgia Mountains to the Waterfall Club! Purely a tranquil, beautiful, and spiritual place to recharge, reconnect, and revitalize one’s life! Plus there is an unbelievable golf course with bent grass greens! Heart-to-heart, only 2 hours, about 100 miles from the center of Atlanta; northern suburbs are even closer! A little more work, a BIG event, and then off for a “Waterfall Refresher!” TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy & Gratitude)!!!

CLICK HERE for The Waterfall Club in the North Georgia Mountains- Beyond Expectations!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with Article Link; 10-18-19)

Perfect day for golf at The Waterfall Club, could not resist playing! Regulation par on first hole after no golf for last 2 months, hit the ball well! Bright, beautiful, sunny day! Dinner at the Overlook. Bartender Anton used my input & came up with a new drink for me, the ‘Waterfall Refresher!” It was quite refreshing!

CLICK HERE for the Picture Gallery of Sunday at The Waterfall Club!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 pics; 10-20-19)

Spectacular mountain golf at its best! This Scott Pool design has amazing vistas, great shot values, and is a lot of fun to play! Here are the gorgeous 18 holes as you play them. Note the inspiration on the white tees at No. 9! Bill Robeson has it right!

CLICK HERE for the Picture Gallery of Monday at The Waterfall Club!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 pics; 10-21-19)

Went off-property today driving down some beautiful country roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains The fall colors are emerging in North Georgia! Stopped by the Dicks Creek trail head & got a taste of hiking the Appalachian Trial. Who’s game for a 2,200-mile hike in 2020? Headed up to Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain in Georgia, to check out the view. WOW! Then back to The Waterfall Club to watch the sun set over Lake Burton! WOW! WOWIE!!!

CLICK HERE for the Picture Gallery of Tuesday offsite in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 pics; 10-22-19)

I came, I rested, I golfed, I feasted, I explored, I saw the leaves change colors, I was freed, I was revitalized! Thank you Chris Schindler & Jason LeBlanc for hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary! Please rescue my Drone Buddy from the waterfall!

CLICK HERE for the Video of My Drone Buddy’s Ill-Fated Final Flight & Crash into The Waterfall!

I lost a good friend on this visit to The Waterfall Club my Drone Buddy. He was valiantly videoing the namesake Waterfall when due to my pilot error he crashed into the rocky vegetation. Jason LeBlanc $200 Reward for recovering & safely returning my Drone Buddy in ‘as is’ condition to me. Two search & rescue attempts, one from below & one from above by me were unsuccessful. Need someone that can repel down from above. Warning, this video is graphic & not suitable for all audiences. Pilot Note: Mistake I made was piloting from tee above where I had no visual on the drone. Should have been down at the green looking up and watching the drone.

(Andy Reistetter; Two Facebook Post with 1 Pic & 1 Video; 10-23-19)

Where else would one like to go & celebrate knowing this spirited & beautiful woman named Merri for nearly eight years now? The Waterfall Club of course! The right place for golfing & vibrant life embracing guys, gals, couples, & families! Date Days (golf, tennis, spa) & Date Nights (culinary delights, ping pong, & theater room to watch movies) galore! Some pics from our first date at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando! TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy and Gratitude)!!!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 pics; 11-4-9)

Filed Under: Travel Golf

Visit Rochester, New York and You May Never Leave!

July 21, 2019 By admin

Visit Rochester, New York and You May Never Leave!

Rochester, New York is Limitless!

Visit Rochester like I did in July 2019 and you may never leave!

Limitless in terms of pretty much everything- accommodations, restaurants, history, museums, scenic vistas, and yes, of course, golfing opportunities which is what initially caught my eye!

But after experiencing Rochester I would say that what is the most limitless about it would have to be the people I met while visiting—their personalities, their dreams, and their realities!

Of course, I include all people—those living that I interacted with and those that lived in the past that interacted with me- both types spirited, creative, and impactful!

New friends found at the Woodcliff with a view of the Bristol Valley from the 4th tee behind!

Take for interest, Dusty Odenbach, PGA Director of Golf and fourth-generation owner & operator of the Links at Greystone, an impressive Craig Schreiner-designed gem of a links-style golf course. This is a perfect example of a young and new generation taking the family business, the altered family legacy to new heights. Earlier in life the Odenbachs expanded from the mining business to recreational golf business. Now Dusty and the family team is taking the authenticity of this links design to new levels with fields of yellow-tainted fescue heather and revealed expansive golf course vistas as trees are being removed. This golf course takes you back, all the way back to the roots of the game on the seaside links of Scotland!

With Dusty Odenbach after playing The Links of Greystone!

Yes, Rochester lies north of the 42^nd Parallel and experiences a winter season when golf is not possible for the rationally-inclined normal golfers. Albeit those that venture out into the winter wonderland with tethered orange colored golf balls, what is one to do on a golf course in the months of January and February?

Snow Tubing at Greystone!

The ‘hit-into-a-slope’ driving range is being converted to a state-of-the-art tubing facility! With lighting, snow machines, and a tube lift to pull you up the 100 feet to the top, having fun at the Slopes of Greystone will be like tapping in that gimmie for birdie to close out a buddy and win the match!

New friends made at Ravenwood, including Rich from Visit Rochester's who shot a 74 with 3 straight birdies!

New friends made at Ravenwood, including Rich from Visit Rochester (under flag) who shot a 74 with 3 straight birdies!

Kick back and enjoy the 1,000 foot long & slick coast back down to the flat lands of Greystone. Whether you do one run or a golfers’ magic number of eighteen the clubhouse and Stoney’s Pub is sure to be your post-tubing destination! Enjoy the ‘Speedie’ Marinated Beef with House Made Cheese Sauce on a Pretzel Roll like I did. And if you are from Greater Binghamton like I am, let Dusty know that proper spelling is ‘Spiedie!’

The larger-than-life Dusty, the UCONN baseball star pitcher that could have made it on the PGA TOUR in my opinion after playing a round of golf with him, is obviously vibrant and alive. But so too to me was Margaret Woodbury Strong after visiting the Strong National Museum of Play, the Ultimate Play Destination, and the No. 1 Rochester Attraction according to TripAdvisor.com.

Margaret Woodbury Strong finishing her swing in life with grace, power, and meaning!

A kindred spirit and benefactor of children, young and old like me, is Margaret! After seeing a picture of her golfing in style back in the 1930s and experiencing her fascinating legacy museum, I felt like I spent the afternoon playing golf and experiencing life at its essence with her!

Don’t pass by the Merry-Go-Round as you enter without taking a ride (or as you leave but do upon arrival!)! Chip in the dollar to ride with gratitude and hop on a horse or if you are lucky enough ride in the ‘Lover’s Tub’ with your forever valentine. Afterwards, pass by the Bill Gray’s Skyliner Diner if you can, pay the modest admission fee and enter America’s Playland. Be sure to note that Happy Hour at the Skyliner is 2:30 to 4:30 pm every day with milkshakes at half price!

Honored am I to become the 17th member character of Sesame Street!

I had an amazing afternoon at the Strong National Museum of Play! We learned through fun and I learned a lot about myself in a couple of hours. I was honored to become the 17th member character of Sesame Street during their celebratory 50^th year! Then, if that wasn’t enough, I was voted Wegman’s Employee of the Month! Locals know all about Wegman’s and you should too! My play friend Margaret’s collections are amazing! Yes, even Mabel, Margaret’s first doll that started it all, especially my namesake Raggedy Andy (and Ann). The only sad occurrences of the day were when the ride of the Merry-Go-Round ended and the play museum closed at 5 pm. Hopefully you can visit on a Friday or Saturday when they are opened to 8 pm.

My three days visiting Rochester were magical. I did not want them to end!

The Art Deco Suite at the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa.

Accommodations in the Art Deco Suite at the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa were over the top! My first of four rounds of golf was right there on top of Woodcliff Mountain with a view all the way down the Bristol Valley from the 4^th tee. My final round would be in the distance, on the west side of Canandaigua Lake at Bristol Harbour. The Cook Family, in their fourth year of ownership, continues to renew the Finger Lake’s premier golf resort. The historic and renown Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course with so many scenic views never fails to impress the beauty of nature upon golfers and guests from around the world!

My Bristol Buddy Joe and I on the 7th green with the view of Canandaigua Lake behind us!

In between the Woodcliff and Bristol Harbour, I played The Links at Greystone and another gem of the Golf World—Ravenwood Golf Club. Host of the 81^th New York State Men’s Amateur Golf Championship in 2003 and then again the 87^th in 2009, this centrally located golf course is public golf at its country-club-like best. The Robin Nelson-design on gently rolling topography speaks for itself directly into any golfer’s heart. Challenging but not too difficult, this masterpiece is true to its designer’s vision of “If you hit a good approach shot, you should have a chance to make the putt” and walking off the 18^th green you will leave wanting to come back and play Ravenwood again!

As far as culinary delights and satisfactions, my indulgences at Label 7 in the village of Pittsford, Stoney’s Pub at The Links at Greystone, The Cub Room in Downtown Rochester, Genesee Brew House overlooking the gorge-ous waterfall of the Genesee River, Rohrbach’s Brewery & Bitter Honey on Railroad Street, and at the Restaurant at Bristol Harbor were all memorable!

Visit Rochester, New York and You May Never Leave!

Additionally, I visited the George Eastman Museum and Mansion which are beautifully located on East Avenue amidst the most elegant and architecturally sophisticated residential area of Rochester. Founded by George Eastman and Margaret’s father Henry Strong in 1888, Kodak continues to this day along with the Xerox Corporation, another Rochester corporate baby. A Kodak Moment and a Xerox Copy is as American as it gets. Kodak’s legacy and Eastman’s personality are to be found below the canopies of estate trees along East Avenue.

Whether through the lenses of golf, community, or entertainment Rochester, New York is seen clearly as limitless. Visit Rochester like I did in July 2019 and you may never leave!

For more specifics on each Rochester venue I visited, please click here to follow a play-by-play recap of my visit to Rochester, NY!

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf

July 2019 Visit Rochester, New York: PLAY-by-PLAY on Social Media!

July 20, 2019 By admin

Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary is on the move again heading up and over to Visit Rochester, New York! This will be an exceptional trip for sure! Staying at the elegant, historic, and extremely comfortable Woodcliff Hotel & Spa. Golf history for sure as this is where the European & American Ryder Cup teams lodged for their 1995 match at Oak Hill.

Golfing venues will include the fun, but challenging executive 9-holer at the Woodcliff, The Links at Greystone, and Ravenwood Golf Club. Adventure, fun, and history stops at The Strong Museum (of Play now officially), the George Eastman Museum, and an evening on Railroad Street! Culinary pursuits will include The Cub Room, The Genesee Brew House, Rohrbach Brewing Company, and Bitter Honey… Awe, honey is NOT bitter… but their website description says it all for this trip:

“Simply put, we’re a casual neighborhood restaurant serving up elevated and authentic Mexican fare in a family-style setting. In Mexico, meals are a time for sharing good conversation over even better food. We like that philosophy, so we decided to bring it to Rochester and complement it with a mezcal-based cocktail list. Yes, we have other spirits and classic cocktails, but we want to celebrate and share mezcal—Mexico’s indigenous spirit made from agave and a cousin of tequila—with Rochester and beyond. Bitter Honey is about hospitality. We love our guests; it’s that simple. We look forward to welcoming and hosting you soon!”

I am casual, I am elevated (tall), and I am just a kid too! Lucky that I just turned 22 (thou-days that is)! Look out Rochester, New York… here comes Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Pic; 7/16/19)

Amazing start to my Visit Rochester experience! Checked into the Art Deco Suite at the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, played golf in their 9-hole Executive Course, and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Label 7 Napa Eatery & Bar! Given the carpet color & design I think I am staying in the same suite as 1995 European Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher! WOW, two story penthouse, circular staircase, view galore! Fun, yet challenging & tight golf course at times! Pass a residential vineyard on the 3rd hole and a beautiful view of the Bristol Valley on the 4th! Dinner was quite unique, the L.A. Chicken, a Belgian waffle with buttermilk battered chicken with all the extras! Can’t decide where in the suite to watch The Open preview… probably in the whirlpool bath! Sleep well my Facebook friends!

CLICK HERE for 30 Pics of the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, Golf, and the Label 7 Napa Eatery & Bar in Pittsford, New York!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7/16/19)

This video speaks for itself! Note the well-positioned tee shot! Par 4 to finish off a great round! Visit Rochester, The Links at Greystone, & especially my playing partner & PGA Director of Golf Dusty Odenbach; Thank you for hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary!

CLICK HERE for Andy’s Commentary & Approach Shot to the 18th Green at The Links at Greystone!

CLICK HERE for Pics and the “Play-Write” Article on The Links at Greystone!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Video; 7/17/19)

Incredible day today! Honored to be the 17th member character of Sesame Street! WOW! Absolutely taken with Margaret Woodbury Strong! Amazing woman! Likes to have FUN in life and is a golfer like me! So blessed to have met her! What an amazing day spending time and being with her! And then, if that wasn’t enough I was voted Wegman’s Employee of the Month! Only sad thing was that the Merry-Go-Round ride had to end! What a day playing at the The Strong Museum! Life is good! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!

CLICK HERE for 30 Pics of FUN while playing at the Strong Museum!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-17-19)

Strong Museum of Play? I like to play!

CLICK HERE for the Video of riding the Merry-Go-Round at the Strong Museum!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Video; 7-17-19)

Fantastic dinner this evening with Rachel of Visit Rochester at The Cub Room to cap off arguably the BEST day ever for Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary! Some free time in the Art Deco Suite at the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa; golfing with Dusty at the amazing The Links at Greystone, playing and having fun at the Strong Museum of Play!

Great conversation about the ongoing Rochester Renaissance and such wonderful culinary delights- grilled octopus, burrata cheese, sea scallops, and the unimaginably delicious Cub Room S’Mores for dessert!

Story of The Cub Room… a.k.a. the Stork Club, Junior’s Gin Joint… tied somehow to a similar place in New York City back in the day… some great pics for sure!

Another gorgeous Woodcliff Sunset!

Forecast for tomorrow… more of the same! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY & GRATITUDE)!!!

CLICK HERE for 30 Pics of The Cub Room and their Amazing History!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-17-19)

Everyone’s coming to Visit Rochester! Pure coincidence that the SJF group is here! Well then again was that really my friend Phil BOMBING that drive or an imposter! WHAT, no invitation for Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary??? Play well gentlemen!

CLICK HERE to see a Video of my friend Phil bomb a drive off the 1st at Ravenwood Golf Club!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Video; 7-18-19)

Great round of golf at Ravenwood Golf Club with Rich of Visit Rochester who shot a 74 with 3 straight birdies! Thank you to GM Mike Roeder for hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary!

CLICK HERE to see 30 Great Pics of Ravenwood Golf Club!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-18-19)

Great time with Chelsea of Visit Rochester! Genesee Cream & a Beef on Weck took me back to college! High Falls! WOW! Beautiful view! Dinner on the Bridge looks FUN!!!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-18-19)

CLICK HERE to see 30 Pics of the Genessee Brewhouse & the Gorge and High Falls of Rochester!

Andy Reistetter is feeling amazed at George Eastman Museum.

Yeah, amazing!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-18-19)

CLICK HERE to see 30 Pics of the George Eastman Museum & Mansion!

Railroad Street as I Visit Rochester… Bitter Honey… Rohrbach’s Railroad Street Brewery… Almost Queen at Martin Luther King Park… Fun, Tasty, & Entertaining! Wow, Wow, Wow!!!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post 7-18-19 with 30 Pics; 7-18-19)

CLICK HERE to see 30 Pics of Bitter Honey & Rohrbach’s on Railroad Street!

Andy Reistetter is attending a live concert at Five Star Bank Party in the Park Rochester.

Visit Rochester, having a good time!

CLICK HERE to watch the Video of the Almost Queen Concert!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post 7-18-19 with 1 Video; 7-18-19)

‘Buddy Golf” at its BEST at Bristol Harbour on Canandaigua Lake! What a great finish to the AGTD Visit Rochester trip! Bristol Harbour, along with Sabina Ravenwood, and The Links at Greystone are part of the Finger Lakes Golf Trail! Spectacular views, spectacular golf course (Robert Trent Jones Sr. design), and spectacular golf too… at times! JB and I both birdied the difficult par-5 10th hole! The bunkering is spectacular! The clubhouse is spectacular too! Lunch was delicious! The view- WOW!!! My Buddy Drone was grounded due to high winds… YES, “Make Every Moment Count!” TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY & GRATITUDE)!!! Thank you to Tim & Bristol Harbor and Visit Rochester for hosting Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary! More will be written about the golf experience and the visit to Rochester!

CLICK HERE to see 30 Pics of the spectacular Bristol Harbour Golf

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 7-19-19)

Filed Under: Travel Golf

AGTD Experience Kissimmee, Florida: Kayaking at the Paddling Center!

January 27, 2019 By admin

When you are on an Experience Kissimmee, Florida weekend you experience what they want you to experience which is a good thing! I know TPC as the THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach but now also know it as The Paddling Center in Kissimmee!

I knew I would enjoy kayaking but I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did! It’s golf—beautiful, immersion into nature, and good exercise—without ANY stress of performance! Likely due to having a great guide in Alex—properly trained, knowledgeable of and lover of nature, and a great guy too! Case in point when I was going a bit wayward into the brush on the side of Shingle Creek, Alex yelled out “don’t lean!” I didn’t and stayed upright and in the kayak and not the water!

One added unexpected benefit of kayaking in the morning is that my upper body was loose for swinging a golf club in the afternoon ending the day with a Birdie 4 on the difficult 18th hole on the Nicklaus Course at Reunion Resort!

Kayaking at The Paddling Center on Shingle Creek is now on my “Must Do List” for Central Florida! Enjoy!

A BIG thank you to George McNeilly & McNeilly Communications for organizing this weekend with Experience Kissimmee, Florida, Reunion Resort, Reunion Vacation Homes,
Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, and Celebration Golf Club! It was an amazing experience!

Please consider signing up to play in the Kissimmee Family Golf Classic in June!

(Andy Reistetter; 1/27/19; Facebook Post with 40 Pics)

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Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Featured Experiences, Featured Products & Services, Northeast Florida, Travel Golf

Spectacular AGTD Experience: Reunion Vacation Homes at the Reunion Resort Orlando!

January 27, 2019 By admin

This part of our Golf Experience weekend was definitely a bit over the top! If you love the staying at the Reunion Resort Orlando, you will love staying in the Reunion Vacation Homes! We stayed in a 10-bedroom beautiful home on the 12th hole of the Nicklaus Golf Course! With a home theater, hot tub and ten bathrooms too; it was the whole deal! Catered dinner the first night and dinner atop the Reunion Resort at the Eleven at Reunion Resort Restaurant! Wow, what a view and cuisine to match! Chauffeured limousine-like shuttles and the whole nine yards! There are Reunion Vacation Homes and then there are Official Reunion Vacation Homes with complete access to all the amenities like the water park. With a $700- 1,000 daily rate depending on season this is a cost-competitive alternative to hotels and resorts; plus lots more intimate! I have always been close to my GTWA peeps but now we are family! Maybe we should tee it up in the Kissimmee Family Golf Classic in June? Or maybe you should too!

A BIG thank you to George McNeilly & McNeilly Communications for organizing this weekend with Experience Kissimmee, Florida, Reunion Resort, Reunion Vacation Homes, Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, and Celebration Golf Club! It was an amazing experience! (Andy Reistetter; 1/27/19; Facebook Post with 40 Pics)

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Filed Under: Featured Experiences, Featured Golf Resorts & Courses, Featured Products & Services, Travel Golf

Celebration Golf Club to Host Kissimmee Family Golf Classic!

January 27, 2019 By admin

After a great round of golf at Celebration Golf Club, we were introduced to the Experience Kissimmee, Florida organization and learned about the inaugural Kissimmee Family Golf Classic!

The Kissimmee Family Golf Classic June 20-23, 2019 at a lineup of star-studded golf courses including Reunion Resort Orlando’s Nicklaus and Watson courses as well as Celebration Golf Club. The 54-hole team scramble event is open to any combination of family members and will be a celebration of the bonds the game helps create. This is a great deal with substantial savings on greens fees alone! Plus I can tell you that Chris King is part of these so expect a family version of his over-the-top successful
World Am! For more information on the tournament and to register click on this link: http://www.kissimmeefamilygolfclassic.com/