Golf Exclusives E-Newsletter - April 1, 2003

Editors Note
This newsletter is a little tardy. Like you, I have been tied to the TV for the past month watching REAL reality TV. I'm glad the war is winding down , so that we can get back to what we really love…going on golf vacations. Spring is here, let's get started. Here is a golf joke to get us started: " I'm hitting the woods just great… but having a terrible time getting out of them! " Author unknown.

US Open - June 12-15, 2003
Have you ever attended a "major" If the answer is "No" here is your chance. Come to Chicago in June, and experience a thrill of a lifetime. Here is a preview of the 2003 U.S Open:

The eyes of the golfing world will be on Olympia Fields Country Club in the summer of 2003 as it hosts the 103rd U.S. Open Championship. The best golfers in the world will be playing a golf course that features "tradition with a modern face." Many of the holes on the North Course are unchanged from the original Willie Park, Jr. design. The course has been lengthened and the bunkers have been made deeper with steeper faces to keep up with the skills and technology of modern play, but Olympia Fields Country Club still has the look and feel of a golf course from the 1920's. The North Course stretches some 7177 yards over a topographically diverse piece of real estate with big elevation changes, a meandering creek and hundreds of native oak trees. It will provide a stern test of the best in the business when they come to Chicago in June, 2003.

See our US Open Package at the end of this newsletter

Palm Coast Resort Revisited
Our trip to Palm Coast went off without a hitch. The weather was great, and the golf was very good. The resort met our expectations, and we stayed in one of their NEW 2 bedroom golf villas. Very comfortable surroundings.

One of our associates, Dan Fitzpatrick, has just returned from an Exclusive visit to the newly opened Lodge at Ocean Hammock at Palm Coast Resort, and he filed this report on his stay:

"Every now and then we are afforded the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and find ourselves a small slice of paradise. I had such an opportunity this past weekend at the brand new Lodge at Ocean Hammock. Stunning, spectacular, in perfect harmony among its ocean setting, all describe this intimate resort, located on the East Coast of central Florida. From the moment you enter the reception area, you are immediately drawn in by the open air design, the soothing colors of the beach and sea, and the minimalist décor

The resort has only twenty rooms, each one offering stunning views of the ocean and the 9th or 18th fairways of the Ocean Hammock Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus. All rooms perfectly capture the classic sub-tropical essence of Florida with white wood shutters and bamboo ceiling fans. The luxurious Fretted linens, 20 ounce towels, plush robes, rainwater showerheads and cinnamon potpourri add a touch of elegance. The resort offers flexible dining options either on the veranda, in the dining room or in your room. The quaint bar area is an ideal meeting place for small groups. Add to all this a terrific swimming pool, hot tubs, a gym and the beach right at your doorstep, and you probably won't ever want to leave.

As for the golf - WOW! Ocean Hammock is probably the last true seaside course to be built in America and already some are dubbing it the Pebble Beach of the East. "Only time will tell how it matches up" Jack Nicklaus says. "Ocean Hammock is on a different coastline with different terrain than Pebble Beach. But Ocean Hammock is the kind of course golfers won't soon forget once they have been there."

I can attest to this - from the moment you reach the driving range and the first hole, you sense that you are in for a treat. Long, yet forgiving, undulating greens that roll true and just when you thought it was safe, water will come into play on 12 of the holes. You will be challenged on virtually every hole, with the final four holes dubbed the "Bear Claw" by Nicklaus himself. The GPS on each cart made club selection a breeze - that is, unless the breeze had kicked up, and then you were left to your own devices! My advice - make sure you take in the stunning scenic beauty and bring your camera.

The service was attentive and friendly without being obtrusive. And, because of the resort's intimacy, everyone seemed to know you by name within a few hours of your arrival. I don't know the official number, but it certainly seemed that the staff to guest ratio was one to one. From the moment you pull up to the Lodge, to your arrival at the eighteenth green, there was always someone ready to assist. As for the food - it was five star nouveau cuisine all the way, complimented by a fine selection of wines and spirits.

If it isn't obvious, I was absolutely delighted with my experience and could go on and on about it. If you are looking for the perfect couple's getaway, a unique setting for a corporate retreat or a challenging golf getaway - then I recommend you be one of the first to experience this wonderful slice of Florida paradise.

The Lodge at Ocean Hammock is located only 30 minutes north of the nightlife of Daytona Beach and 30 minutes south of the historic sites of St. Augustine. The area also features five golf courses Within 30 minutes, several major malls and the PGA Hall of Fame.

Before I left I was able to secure exclusive inaugural season pricing from Brad the GM - you can enjoy three nights at The Lodge, full size rental car and three rounds (including Ocean Hammock) for $589.00 PP -- and breakfast is on us! Rate is good for now until August 31st."

See the Lodge at Ocean Hammock package at the end of this Newsletter.

Wanted: Trip Reports
Our newsletter has an audience of over 1000 readers that all enjoy golf trips. If you are a budding thespian, or just like to share, send us a written report on your best trip. We will be happy to include it in a future issue of the newsletter, under the caption: On the Road Again. If your report is used, Golf Exclusives will give you $50 off your next trip with us.

This issue includes an excellent report on Bandon Dunes It was written by Rick Sahli, a past customer. Thanks Rick. I hope you enjoy the report.

On The Road Again
This edition features an insiders report on the fabulous course on the coast of Oregon that we are all reading about. Here is a report from one of our subscribers, Rick Sahli, that has played there. Thanks for your article Rick:

"Hi Mike - I have already had the opportunity to play Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes multiple times (that's why we are going back). The property is actually owned and developed by a man from Chicago and the first course, Bandon Dunes, was designed by David McLay Kidd, a Scotsman. The second course, Pacific Dunes, was designed by Tom Doak, an American. Both courses are in my top 5 golf courses in the world (and I have been fortunate enough to play many great courses). In the past when I raved about the courses to friends I was afraid that maybe I was over-hyping the courses. I don't worry about that anymore because people always say that the experience exceeded their expectations.

First, about the golf courses. They are spectacular visually. Located on the southern Oregon coast, several holes play right along side the ocean. The property is actually elevated way above the beach, so the views are fantastic. Bandon Dunes has wide fairways and huge, fast greens. Pacific Dunes is tighter and more rugged. Both courses were built on the land as it naturally existed. No dirt was moved and there is nothing artificial about it. Both are classic links layouts with a look and feel similar to the great courses in Scotland and Ireland. The big factor in playing there is the weather. It is typically quite windy (that's why the wide fairways and big greens). The wind usually picks up significantly in the afternoon. It can also be rainy, which is unpredictable. Some of the best weather occurs in September and October and I have also had good luck in February and March. I've also played in the rain in August, so go figure. An important thing to remember is that both courses are "walking only". Pull carts are available and they have an excellent caddy program. For first time players, I highly recommend using a caddy. First, it's fun to have a caddy, but more important, you really need the local knowledge the first time you play there. It will mean 5 - 10 strokes on your score, seriously.

There is excellent lodging on the property. There are about 27 or so rooms in the main lodge (which also has a great restaurant, plus the "Bunker Bar" on the lower level along with exercise room, sauna and Jacuzzi). They have additional lodging in the Lilly Pond cottages and I think they have just finished construction on another lodging complex on the property. The rooms are great "guy" rooms, complete with The Golf Channel on TV For the best experience, I would recommend staying in the lodging on the Bandon Dunes property. For lower budget alternatives, there are motels in the city of Bandon and in Coos Bay (a 20 minute drive to the north). Bandon Dunes is about a 4 ½ hour drive from Portland. You can also fly commercially into the town of North Bend, Oregon, which is about a 30 - 45 minute drive from the course. They have a local shuttle service that runs between the North Bend airport and the golf course.

I really can't say enough good things about this place. The weather can be dicey, but that's part of the experience. On clear calm days, it is golf nirvana. At Bandon Dunes I have run into people from all over the country and from other countries. Those of us blessed to live in Oregon with easy access to this place count the days until our next trip. The motto at Bandon Dunes is "Golf - The Way it was Meant to Be", and I couldn't agree more. Have I sold you yet?"

See the Bandon Dunes package below.

Golf Exclusives Specials

The Lodge at Ocean Hammock Special includes:

• 3 nights double occupancy accommodations at the Lodge
• 3 days of UNLIMITED golf per golfer including carts
• Pre-booked tee times
• Daily breakfast
• Car rental with unlimited miles
• Resort taxes

• 3 nights double occupancy accommodations at the Bandon Dunes Lodge
• 3 rounds of golf at resort courses including carts
• prebooked tee times
• unlimited use of the spacious practice facility

• 3 nights double occupancy accommodations at the Hilton Suites Oakbrook Terrace
• Tournament badges for Saturday and Sunday
• Breakfast each morning
• 3 days compact car rental
• All state and local taxes