TOURISM: Visit Puerto Rico for an All-Star Vacation!

March 8, 2014 By admin

With Ingrid Riviera, President of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

: With Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director fo the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

I had the distinct privilege to interview Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. With an extensive background in consumer marketing, she came out of retirement (sorry but it must have been a real early retirement as she looks quite young) to be appointed by Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. I met a handful of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company folks and I can tell you this is not like any mainland government agency you have known. See the video for yourself but Ms. Rocafort is simply a native of Puerto Rico that loves her 5-star island and knows in her heart that Puerto Rico is the “best brand ever.” I counted 27 reasons stated by the head of tourism in the “Land of Enchantment.” The anchor reasons were ones like convenient travel requiring no passport, the people, the weather, the golf, the water, remember it is an island! The subtle and news ones for me were the dry forest, the desert climate in some areas and the paradors (quaint country inns) in the mountains where it can be a chilly 65 versus the automatic year-round 85-degree weather. How many reasons to visit Puerto Rico do you hear in Ingrid’s interview?

Here are my tourist pics from Puerto Rico while visiting during the 2014 Puerto Rico Open presented by SeePuertoRico.com

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Filed Under: Travel Golf

Going to Monterey, California? Stay at the Portola!

February 15, 2014 By admin

With Janine Chicourrat, General Manager of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

As much as I love going to Pebble Beach, I love staying at the Portola Hotel & Spa (& Brewery, see the video to understand!). Located right in the heart of downtown Monterey, on the waterfront with everything close by, it feels like home to me. I love knowing the history of the area and with a helpful and attentive staff, I feel like I am making a little history every time I visit. At least in my own mind, in my own life. I like thinking about Spanish Army Captain Portola discovering Monterey in 1770 and Samuel F.B. Morse developing the Monterey Peninsula and Pebble Beach in 1919. When you come to visit Monterey and stay at the Portola, I am sure you will feel the same natural feelings for the landscape and beauty of the area as others have since time began.

CLICK here for an interesting Video Interview with Janine Chicourrat, General Manager of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

CLICK here for the website of the Portola Hotel & Spa.

Here are some pics from my most recent visit:

[Show slideshow]

Filed Under: Travel Golf, West Coast USA

JTOG Day 86: La Casa Grande is the Place to Stay in Cordoba, Argentina!

January 4, 2014 By admin

La Casa Grande is a sleepy little golf hideaway across the street from the 10th green at Córdoba Golf Club

Is there anything better than staying at a golf resort? I think so because I found it when I visited Cordoba, Argentina to play the home course of Angel ‘El Plato’ Cabrerra and Eduardo ‘El Gato’ Romero. La Casa Grande is right across the street from the par-3 10th green so you know it is within a driver of the beautiful clubhouse at Cordoba Golf Club. It’s a special place–warm, friendly, comfortable–like that 15th club in the bag we always need to be able to make a special shot to complete a special round. While extremely convenient that is not the reason to stay here, it is more the experience! La Casa Grande is the place to stay in Cordoba, Argentina!

Comfortable. you are at home the moment you enter La Casa Grande!

I did not want to leave La Casa Grande, that is for sure!

The swimming pool out back was very refreshing!

Cordoba is a beautiful city with some amazing architecture!

Filed Under: Journey to Olympic Golf, Travel Golf

JTOG Day 49: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

November 28, 2013 By admin

Torch and I were greeted by the General Manager Pascal Forotti and the Director of Golf Randoll Viquez. The GM is in the shorts too!

Crossed another border and arrived at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo in time for Thanksgiving! The views of the golf course and ocean below are spectacular as you drive in. I can’t wait to play tomorrow morning. Torch and I had the best welcome. So blessed this past year and thankful for everyone in my life whether family or friends including my FB buddies. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving! (Facebook Post 10 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 11/28/13)

Right this way…

Yes I like juice and a cool towel!

Personal and tasty greetings are the best!

I have counted three pools so far and one bay and one ocean. Plenty of options for swimming. Yes the water is warm, we are in the Tropics!

This is a very artistic resort. I have already met two artists and this is the first Four Seasons in the world to have a resident artist Carlos Hiller.

Me in front of the beautifully designed clubhouse. Fits perfectly as most ever golfer I know says a prayer or two on the golf course trying to influence a ball that is no longer tethered to anything, not that it ever was.

The clubhouse with the 18th fairway in front. Green to the right protected by the lake.

Tis the Season to be here!

Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, Journey to Olympic Golf, Travel Golf

JTOG Day 16: Playing Panther Trail at The Woodlands Resort!

October 26, 2013 By admin

The entrance to The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center.

My last respite before heading south of the border was a welcomed three-night stay at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center about 28 miles north of Houston. A master-planned community by oil industry investor George P. Mitchell in the mid 70s I first became aware of it at that time in relation to the Shell Houston Open at the Woodlands CC from 1975 to 1984 and then at the TPC at The Woodlands through 2004. This time I was aware of The Woodlands as the place where the Opening Ceremony of The Spirit International were taking place on Sunday night.

I arrived late Friday evening after the day in College Station with Mike Bailey with golf planned on Saturday. After the Spirit festivities I would be driving down to Laredo on Monday and cross the border into Mexico early Tuesday morning. Where I was headed after that who knows but I knew my final destination was the Olympic Golf Course under construction in Rio.

Now completed, a new wing of the resort ,overlooking the dramatic 18th green, was under construction when i visited in October 2013.

The transformation of The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center from a modest 218-room property in 1974 to today’s resort with 406 deluxe rooms and suites, 4 onsite restaurants, 33 meeting rooms totally 60,000 square feet, and 36 holes of championship golf was still ongoing during my visit. The Forest Oasis Waterscape, with lagoon-style pools and a lazy river was completed last summer as planned making the property the region’s premier meeting and vacation destination.

Plus nearby there is shopping, for the non-golfers with complimentary individual transfers offered to Market Street and The Woodlands Mall. But for me it is all about the golf and the golf is very good at the The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center with me being forced to make the difficult choice of choosing which championship golf course to play—Panther Trail or The Oaks? Of course, you will be smarter than me and extend your stay to have time to play both courses!

Only ducks to greet me, not a birdie on the 18th green!

I choose Panther Trail which was originally designed by Joe Lee & Robert von Hagge and completely renovated in 2002 by Roy Case. I liked the gently rolling fairways and undulating greens with outlined by tall Carolina pines on every hole. The finishing hole is a tough par-4 with an island green. I was ecstatic to par that hole nearly missing a 15-foot birdie putt after a near perfect hybrid-4 approach shot. I birdied two holes back to back (the 9th & 10th) to end my birdie drought in Texas!

Here is a video of me happily missing that birdie putt on the 18th green!

With Leeann Sullinger, the Marketing Manager. This is where I would want to have a corporate meeting for sure!

Also originally designed by Joe Lee & Robert von Hagge, the Oaks Course was formerly a private course that was redesigned in 1999 by Jay Morrish & Associates. With lots of oak trees I am sure it is a great test of golf for all golfers. In fact, I have missed playing it two times now with a strong recommendation to play it when I was in town for this year’s Insperity Championship. I am sure that when I return to The Woodlands for the third time it will be charmed with a round on the Oaks,

From the welcoming chips and beer in my room, to a fabulous tour of the resort by Marketing Manager Leeann Sullinger, through the fairways of the Panther Trail Course, my time at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center was full of relaxation, fun and adventure.

An Olympic-like golf competition for collegiate male and female golfers… Charlie Epps was right, The Spirit International was not to be missed for a lot of reasons!

There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee…

I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.

CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.

Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.

There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…

PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.

Thank You!

View of the golf course from the Cannongate Restaurant.

Resort lounge area, well appointed and comfortable, Texas-style!

Everything seemed to be tasteful, exceptional and well-timed, even this inspiration note left in my room.

Everything seemed to be tasteful, exceptional and well-timed, even this inspiration note left for me to find in my room.

Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, Journey to Olympic Golf, Travel Golf

JTOG Day 10: Enjoying the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas!

October 20, 2013 By admin

Day 10 of the “Journey to Olympic Golf” (JTOG) was my first “day-off.”I found that one day in a place was never enough. Two days gave me a chance to look around and take a lot more in. Three days was never enough either because once you are there for three days in places like the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas you never want to leave. Especially if they had golf like the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas Course!

CLICK here for an article on the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at TPC Las Colinas.

The break in Dallas was much needed as I continued to make contacts and plan for the rest of my time in the ‘Texas Triangle’ of Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Then there was Mexico, Central, and South America beyond the Texan frontier. As it turns out it was a 100-day odyssey so I was 10% through. I knew by this time JTOG was going to be an extraordinary experience. In the first ten days I had already visited two Olympic cities, made friends with an Olympian, connected with the spirit of Bobby Jones, played hickory golf where Olympic golfers did in 1904, visited with Jack Fleck and played some exceptional golf courses! That scenario would only progress exponentially in the months ahead.

Where was I headed next? Today was a good day in that I was confirmed to be part of a Bloggers, Breakfast & Birdies at the JW Marriott at TPC San Antonio. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was at this point but it was the next logical stop on my way to Rio. As a bonus the visit included a media credential to the Champions Tour AT&T Championship.

One of the best video insights into what it means to play Olympic Golf was awaiting my arrival in San Antonio. Unbeknown to me, of course. What I did know was that I was enjoying my stay at the Four Seasons in Dallas and I was sure to enjoy my day-off and another night of luxury!

CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.

There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…

PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.

Thank You!

With Vail Tolbert, the Director of Public Relations, who was the host for my visit.

The hospitality for my visit could not have been nicer, from the room, to this view, to the golf, to the food, all quite exceptional!

Thank you Mr. Nelson for the inspiration and insight to the ‘Spirit of Olympic Golf.’

Filed Under: Journey to Olympic Golf, Travel Golf

Ode to Pebble Beach, the One and Only…

September 26, 2013 By admin

Above Stillwater Cove on 4th fairway.

Oh for the love of golf when did our beloved Pebble Beach come into our consciousness?

Was it through the television box as a youngster?

Nicklaus’ one-iron on the 17^th the ball taking a bounce before striking the

flagstick.

Watson’s heroic chip-in at the same 17^th with a finger point and prance around the green.

Was it even earlier through the eyes of Bobby Jones who’s quick exit in the first round of the 1929 U.S. Amateur brought a charm to the east in Augusta National via Cypress Point and Alistair MacKenzie?

How I so loved our Pebble Beach whence my eyes first saw her from the beach at Carmel after a road trip from Southern California to visit friends in the area?

Above the 7th green.

A walk onto the grounds and a visit to the Pebble Beach signed pro shop and first tee. A picture taken and savored for nearly thirty years.

The reality of my life in the early 1980s having to opt for Spyglass at $25 unable to afford a lovely but relatively expensive Pebble Beach at $75.

All these adult golfer years admiring her on the television amongst the spectacular view of the cliffs overlooking Stillwater Cove. The fun and laughter of the celebrity pro-am as if to witness the near end of winter back east just a few months before the spring flowers of Augusta.

Payne Stewart and his love for Pebble Beach frolicking on the wall along the 18^th fairway.

A dream to play my beloved Pebble Beach one day always in my mind.

Then as fate would have it I came close to her, closer than one could ever be without putting a peg into her sacred ground.

Five years of being at the pro-am for the entire week witness a quaternary of rounds each year save Dustin Johnson’s three rounder in 2009. Bill Murray’s Cinderella story in all its beauty. Lots of celebrity and amateur interviews some with tales of love and romance down on the 7^th green.

Another seven rounds watching the world’s best compete in the 2011 United States Open including GMac’s march to victory down the 18^th fairway.

For my love was to be a love admired from afar never to have taken a divot from the turf of my beloved Pebble Beach. Much like my pilgrimage to the Old Course at St. Andrews in the spring of 2000 playing from domed plastic tees to save the turf in preparation of what became the fourth major of Tiger’s quest to surpass Jack’s 18. I never touch either of these beauties with a club head until an invitation to play came after this year’s pro-am.

The home hole… I felt like I was home for sure…

First out in the early morning walking merrily along the fairways of my cherished Pebble Beach. Ah what a grand experience it was. Like Bubba I never dreamt that far thinking I would love her from afar and never bring my imperfect game to her perfection.

I knew her closely and deeply from the practice putting green to the third hole which brought me towards the water with a look at the famous 17^th before playing along the cliffs for the next seven holes. Then taking the high view for another five holes before the 16^th brought me closer to the water once again to the crossroads I had known before.

It would be a beautiful ending to a lovely day with a hybrid to near perfection to Sunday’s hole though the fifteen footer did not drop into the target of the day. A picture off the 18^th tee with clubs on shoulder to remind this humble golfer of the beloved Pebble Beach that I was there, that I lived the dream of walking her fairways, hitting and chasing that little white ball amidst the green tufted cliffs. The walk home up the 18^th to another dream in my golfing life fulfilled.

My beloved Pebble Beach always in my consciousness and now in my golfing heart and soul.

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer and a broadcast assistant for the various golf networks. He spends time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Web.com and LPGA.

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

Embark on a “Journey to Olympic Golf” with Reistetter on October 15th as he travels from St. Louis, Missouri where golf was played in the 1904 Olympics to Rio de Janiero where it will be played again in the 2016 Olympics.

http://www.journeytoolympicgolf.com/

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: "Play-Write" Golf Courses, Travel Golf, West Coast USA

Discover Florida at The Plantation on Crystal River!

June 24, 2013 By admin

Your Florida yet to be Discovered…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjxhjCkZt7A

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter has been a Florida resident now for six years but only recently discovered a true Florida keepsake resort—the Plantation on Crystal River. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere on Florida’s West Coast it is conveniently accessible from everywhere. “Off the beaten path but true Southern Hospitality with Florida Charm,” this is a place you want to experience in all seasons. Join Reistetter as he shares his lifetime experience of swimming with the Manatees and relives his visit to the Plantation on Crystal River.

Pounce de Leon discovered Florida 500 years ago and it seems like it took me longer than that to find the Plantation on Crystal River. I wasn’t lost I just didn’t know it was there. Don’t make the same mistake!

I found it quite by accident, lured to the area seeking to golf at World Woods Golf Club. You know, the Florida Gem with the two golf courses that are like Pine Valley and Augusta National. Now there are two reasons to venture to what I call Golf Area 51 of the State of Florida— great golf and a great resort. But don’t worry about UFOs, those are only off track golf balls whizzing through the air.

_2 Diary Andy Plantation on Crystal River Front

In front of the main building.

The Plantation on Crystal River is located exactly 98 miles from the Orlando airport to the east, 73 miles from the Tampa airport to the south and 63 miles from Gator Stadium on the University of Florida to the north. Either way you come it is some of the most scenic land in Florida. If you come from the west, you will need a boat but that is alright as the Gulf of Mexico leads to Crystal Bay which leads to Crystal River which leads you right up to the dock at the resort.If you are looking for gators you can probably find them but don’t miss the manatees! While they are also found throughout the Gulf and Caribbean Sea, in the Amazon in South America and along the coast of West Africa, Crystal River is the largest concentration of manatees in the world.

It was an amazing experience to put on a wet suit, take a short boat ride literally around the corner to the National Wildlife Refuge and swim with the manatees. One of the aquatic amiable mammals hooked its flippers around my leg and nestled with me as I floated on my back for 20 minutes. It was as if I was burping a baby after mealtime, as it raised its snout above the waterline to breathe every three or four minutes. I thought she (hopefully) was going to kiss me. What a beautiful encounter with nature!

I missed the big boat so had to captain my own to get to the manatees!

While manatees seek warm water and migrate into the sanctuary for the winter November through March months, the scalloping season runs during the summer July through September months. There are other water activities to partake year round at the Plantation on Crystal River including canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing.

Coming off a $3 million upgrade to the rooms, common areas and restaurant, everything looks and feels brand new at the Plantation. While swimming with the manatees was the aquatic apex of my visit, everything else on land at the resort was A-Plus. In fact you can haul in your fishing successes and they will “cook your catch” in the West 82º Bar and Grill. Since I just hugged the manatee and didn’t catch anything I enjoyed Executive Chef Eric Smith’s grilled medley of fresh shrimp, snow crab legs, and mussels. It was delicious!

I think the name of the resort comes from the size of the guest rooms. They are huge, comfortable and well appointed. With nearly 200 rooms, over 13,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and plenty of fun team-building recreation options the Plantation on Crystal River is an ideal location for corporate meetings and retreats.

Par 3 17th on the Championship Course…. great hole!

Although World Woods is close-by, the Plantation has 27 holes of its own right across the street. The Championship Course was designed by Mark Mahannah in 1958 and is Florida style all the way- narrow fairways guarded by palm trees, sand and water and fairly flat though pleasing to the eye. It was frequented by the likes of Tommy Bolt who used it as a warm up to the Masters back in his day. The Lagoons is a short nine-hole course featuring five par-3s and four par-4s which translates to lots of family fun or a quick tune-up for your short game.

Once a small family fish camp, the Plantation has blossomed into a complete eco-friendly resort with an unparalleled level of service due to long service employees. Everyone feels like family and at home while they are on vacation. Be sure to say hello to Starla Hayes for me when you visit. She has been there for 31 years and doesn’t look a day over 40. Tell me if you can figure out that one.

Remember, it’s okay to snuggle with the manatees if they initiate the contact. There is a five-gallon bucket limit per person per day when you are harvesting those scallops from the marsh grasses. However, there is no limit to the fun times you can have at the Plantation on Crystal River.

For more information visit this link:

http://www.plantationoncrystalriver.com/

Can’t make it to Florida this summer? Check out their sister property on Martha’s Vineyard—Harbor View Hotel & Resort:

http://www.harbor-view.co

This is the manatee that came over to me and was so friendly!

Everything is right there for you at Plantation on Crystal River. The DIVE Shop is next to the resort.

There are gators too.. saw this one on the golf course… took the stroke penalty and safely went on my way golfing…

Beautiful Place!

"Southern Hospitality with the personal touch of Florida Charm... This is a place you want to expereince in all seasons..."

The Plantation at Crystal River… “Southern Hospitality with the personal touch of Florida Charm…” This is a place you want to expereince in all seasons…

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

Embark on a “Journey to Olympic Golf” with Reistetter in the Fall of 2013 as he travels from St. Louis, Missouri where golf was played in the 1904 Olympics to Rio de Janiero where it will be played again in the 2016 Olympics.

http://www.journeytoolympicgolf.com/

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Lodge & Club

May 19, 2013 By admin

Bay Hill Lodge & Club, America’s Golfing Treasure

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter started his “Play-Write” series in 2009 playing the course the Monday after tournaments. In this the 46^th and expanded “Stay-Play-Write” article, Andy happily returned to Bay Hill after covering his sixth Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Although he missed Mr. Palmer who headed up to Latrobe, Pennsylvania earlier in the month, he felt his presence and the sense of what the game of golf and golfing fellowship is all about. The best part is that this experience is available to everyone through a reasonably priced Bucket-List-Dreams-Come-True-Package by calling (888) 422-9445 or visiting www.BayHill.com. Come and experience Bay Hill for yourself with family and friends or come alone and meet new ones. If not, enjoy as Reistetter shares the tales and tributes of his recent visit.

On the practice putting green near the Rolex clock in front of the Lodge, the warn andf friendly confines of Mr. Palmer’s Bay Hill!

Bobby Jones, golf’s most famous amateur, once said “There is golf and there is tournament golf, and they are not the same.” The Bay Hill Lodge and Club are and has been a host to a PGA Tour tournament for the last 35 years. One of a select number of “Invitational’s” on tour, it is distinctly Arnold Palmer’s, whether you look at the golf course, the field or how the tournament is conducted. When I drove to the club to play golf (I am not a professional golfer so it was not championship week) it looked different. If you have played a golf course before or after seeing a golf tournament you know what I mean. It is different without the grandstands, galleries and ropes.

Bay Hill looked more alive than ever to me with her open vistas and magnolia trees in blossom. She was beautiful in her nakedness. Although the Bay Hill tournament welcome is as warm as anywhere on tour, the smile and greeting of Khadijah and Ginny at the front desk made me feel like family, I felt as invited as the golf pros in Arnie’s tournament. My room overlooked the putting green and the Rolex Clock it envelops. Looking past the green to the practice tee I did what I always wanted to do- hit some balls, work on my game in the evening, sleep and then again when I woke up in the morning. There is something special about staying on the grounds of a golf course.

I took a walk down the corridors of what is the nicest lodge I have ever seen. I went past a steward as he ran a rag along the top to dust a chair rail. The place was spotless. The accommodations so clean and maintained that one could eat off the light wood floors or sleep comfortable on the rugs of the long corridors. The pictures and artwork were so unique, so Palmer-esque that I knew there was no other place like this in the world.

I enjoyed a great foursome at Bay Hill- two Canadians, me and a muffin!

Heading towards the pro shop I saw plaque of the Past Invitational Champions. I reminisced about coming here for the tournament since 2008. How could Tiger make a 25-foot birdie putt to win by one? Then do it again the following year? That year though a man, I was a kid and hung around the 18^th green a long time after the excitement dissipated. A real kid ran home and came back with a putter and a few golf balls. We tried that same putt 50 times and could not make it even once like Tiger did.

The plaque had more recent Tiger plates; for 2012 when Tiger broke his winless streak on tour dating back to September 2009 and only a few weeks ago when he ascended back to the World No. 1 Golfer. There were his four-in-a-row from 2000 to 2003 making eight the number of times Woods has won a tournament at Bay Hill tying Sam Snead’s eight Greater Greensboro Opens. Of course, if you ask Tiger, this is old news as he won seven times on tour at Torrey Pines, eight if you count his last major won, the U.S. Open in 2008.

The hallways of the Lodge is like a museum with all sorts on interesting golf history.

A trip down the corridors, into the locker room and around the grounds rates right up there with a visit to the USGA Golf House, the PGA Village and the World Golf Hall of Fame. The picture of Arnie in Church- Oakmont’s Famous Church Pews, the cover of the September 1954 Golf World magazine proclaiming “The New Amateur King” and having a quiet reflective moment in Winnie’s Hummingbird Garden were tops on my list of touch points. I wish my dad was alive. I would bring him here in a heartbeat.

Though they did not put it in the name of the Bay Hill Lodge and Club, remember there is a vintage 1961- Dick Wilson designed golf course that was modernized by a hands-on Arnold Palmer renovation in time for the 2010 tournament. Though I did not climb a tree like Sergio did on the tenth hole, I did take a ground level double bogey there on my way to a memorable back nine 39. After hitting some balls on the range I met a new friend and enjoyed an Arnold Palmer (the beverage) and dinner in The Bay Window Room. Though I missed the tennis, spa, salon, pool and fitness center, I can personally certify that the lodge, club, golf course and restaurant are all A-Plus.

Bay Hill opened 10 years before Walt Disney World. Dreams do come true in Orlando, whether at the Magic Kingdom or a few miles away at the King’s magical Bay Hill Lodge and Club.

More visuals from my visit:

Morning view at Bay Hill Lodge and Club from Room 205.

In Winnie Palmer’s Hummingbird Garden.

Played the Yellow Umbrella Tees (6,437 yards), Green Umbrella Tees available if you like at 7,381 yards!

Robert Gamez “walk-In” eagle plaque in 18th fairway from 1990 when he beat Greg Norman by one stroke.

My new friend Chad from Baltimore at dinner in The Bay Window Room.

Tasty hamburger with homemade chips with blue cheese.

Healthy “double-greens” at Bay Hill- broccoli and asparagus!

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf

Innisbrook Resort, Florida Fantastic… Much More than a PGA TOUR Stop!!!

April 17, 2013 By admin

Innisbrook, Much More than a PGA TOUR Stop…

Ever wonder what is it like to experience a championship course right after witnessing an exciting breakthrough victory by a PGA TOUR professional? Golf Writer Andy Reistetter, along with Merri Daniel, played the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook right after Kevin Streelman’s meaningful victory at the Tampa Bay Championship presented by Everbank. With some time to reflect on their golfing experience, Streelman’s victory and their exploration of the resort, join Merri & Andy as they survive the Snake Pit and live to tell their tales and share a few “WOW” moments at Innisbrook.

Photographs courtesy of Salamander Hospitality.

Click for VIDEO of Andy at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course

With a Duke degree in sociology in his mind, Streelman had been close to winning before with twenty Top 10s in 152 starts on the PGA TOUR. Remember Streelman was the strongman from the mini tours who rocketed to the PGA TOUR in 2008 via Q-School bypassing the proving grounds of the Web.com Tour. To date his claim to fame, in the minds of many, was capturing a season-long mishmash of the most photogenic holes on the PGA TOUR. Holes like the par-3 13^th on Copperhead, beautiful to the eye, yet challenging and dangerous to the golfer.

With five solid seasons on tour, but without what Tiger Woods calls the “W,” Streelman came to the 13^th tee on Sunday afternoon not knowing for sure if this would be his day. Seeing the hole located in the far right portion of the green and well protected by water, he knew this was no ordinary test of mind or golf. Taking his 200-yard club, a 5-iron, hitting into a slightly hurting wind, he hit a cut shot that was nearly perfect. With that birdie and another at the par-3 17^th Streelman strolled to a two-stroke victory in his first PGA TOUR win.

Some say us amateur golfers can never duplicate the experience of a professional golfer winning a tournament down the stretch. Having played many other host courses, I would say Innisbrook and the 1974 Larry Packard designed Copperhead Course comes pretty darn close. The golf course is there for all to see and to play. But what makes it memorable and special is the way Packard routes you along the nontraditional Florida hilly terrain. In an almost swirl-like motion, circling outside to inside the course climaxes at the uphill par-4 18^th after many favorite interludes along the way.

One begins with a scenic view off the first tee with a gentle downhill par-5. Then we go left, then right, before we encounter the first straight hole, the par-3 4th. Be careful, as Merri found out with your play, and that of others, in your “fore-some” on this hole. The par-5 fifth is a little more difficult than the first, going up-and-over a hill but no less scenic with a lake to carry and a bunker framing the tee shot. The blind second shot hides the impact of a lone tree in the fairway on the third shot and makes reaching the well bunkered green difficult for the long bombers or quinquagenarians playing it forward like me.

The intervening holes to Streelman’s heroic 13^th with names like Hidden Gem, Hide Away and O’s Alley bring more excitement and fun in the course of playing at Innisbrook. The 12^th has lots of water and a bridge that is impassable for your golf ball so toughen up, play smart and take enough club to carry the green. Don’t miss the view of the signature 17^th from the 12^th fairway with the shrubbed “Copperhead” encompassing the tee.

Packard’s double dogleg par-5 14^th is my favorite. Once conquered in as few of strokes as possible, the green feels like a mountaintop refuge and the view back of the shrubbed “Innisbrook” brings a sense of achievement. The round ends in a flurry with a mix of par-3s, the 15^th downhill and the 17^thuphill amidst two solid par-4s. The Snake Pit begins with the 16^th, with water right and a narrowing fairway, it is one of the toughest holes on the golf course. The 18^th is a majestic uphill hole that between the wind and the sand can bring a terminating tear to yours or Merri’s eyes.

Enough of one golf course, there are three others- the North, the South and the Island; all Packard designs. The Island which we enjoyed playing, hosts the Legends Tour, the official Senior Tour of the LPGA. While couples golf was fun there are many more activities to enjoy at Innisbrook whether you have a day, week or even years to explore and enjoy. Maybe that is why Larry Packard lives on site, enjoys life and recently celebrated his 100^th birthday!

Innisbrook is part of a Floridian diamond necklace assembled by Shelia Johnson, founder of Salamader Hospitality. Like her amphibian namesake, she possesses strength, courage and fortitude bringing Hammock Beach, an oceanfront resort on the east coast, Reunion in Orlando, home to Annika’s Academy and Innisbrook together during challenging economic times. Affectionately becoming known as the “Lady Trump of Golf” she is opening up a new resort in August in the equestrian and wine country of Virginia.

As an amateur golfer, don’t let it take 153 tour events to experience the magic of Packard’s Copperhead and the Innisbrook Resort. Bring along non-golfer friends and lovers as they will surely have an enchanted time too.

Merri’s Marvelous Moments

1. I loved the accommodations. Innisbrook is unique with 28 lodge buildings interspersed among the 800-acre resort. They are named after other famous golf courses and arranged alphabetically from Augusta to Turnberry. We stayed in Baltusrol on the east side of the property. Recently updated, one feels at home, secluded in a natural way, amongst the trees and hills.

2. Okay, so here is what Andy alluded to with our “fore-some” on the 4^th hole. As I waited to hit on the forward tee I leaned back on the windshield of our golf cart to bask in the sun for a moment. Our playing partner Joe hit an errant shot that awoke me from my sunny slumber and struck me in the chest. Thankfully, only a glancing blow and a reminder as to where to position yourself early in the round when unsure of the abilities of new playing partner.

3. While Packard’s steakhouse is great, don’t miss a casual dinner at Market Salamander Grille. We shared a delicious strawberry, arugula and goat cheese salad. Andy had the Pressed Tampa Cuban and I had the Ahi Tuna. Of course we shared that too and savored not only the food eaten but the friendly dining experience.

4. Well this moment is not so marvelous either. A reminder to check the wind direction prior to playing a bunker shot. Greenside, on the last hole, I did not and got a mouth and eye full. It was a tearful end to a great round.

5. To end on a good note- the spa, the spa, the spa is named Indaba which translates to a gathering or meeting place. Where else can one have an outdoor massage in the center of a meditation labyrinth? Perhaps that is what I liked most about Innisbrook- I felt a strong connection with myself, others and nature during our visit.

Reistetter resides within two miles of the PGA TOUR headquarters and the home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it.

Friend Andy Reistetter on Facebook or touch base with him by e-mail at AndyReistetter@gmail.com

Filed Under: East Coast Golf Journey, Travel Golf