Golf Exclusives E-Newsletter - April 1, 2004

Golf Season is Coming to the Midwest
Those of us in the chilly mid west are itching for the start of a new season. Well it is just about here. So I thought I would start you out with a golf story that I have received this winter . Hope you enjoy it and have your clubs ready for the best season you have ever had.

Why do full-length golf courses have 18 holes, and not 20, or 10 or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out.

Now you know.

A Recipe from Saddlebrook
Each Easter, the Saddlebrook Resort Executive chef sends me a great new menu item to share with our readers. Daniel Desmond wants you to try one of the most popular items from their Poolside Cafe menu:

ROCK SHRIMP CEVICHE

1 pound rock shrimp, 12 limes (juiced), 1 red onion, finely diced, 6 Roma tomatoes, seeded & finely diced, 1 bunch cilantro, washed & finely chopped, 1 (or to taste) Jalapeno pepper, seeded & finely diced, 2 Tsp. Salt.

Mix all ingredients with the fresh lime juice and place in a container so lime juice covers all. Push items down into juice if needed. Chill overnight. Serves four.

Serve in a chilled martini glass with lime wedge garnish. Some accompaniments may include crisp tortilla or taro chips or as served in South America, the origin of this dish, with cooked, chilled and sliced sweet potato or cooked and chilled corn on the cob. Of course, it's perfect with a cold beer or sangria. By the way, the shrimp may be replaced with any flaky fish such as Snapper or even Salmon. Enjoy!

Not surprisingly, I didn't receive the names of any winners this past quarter. But now that the good golf weather is here, I expect a few of you to send in your information. If you or another member of your group has a hole in one, send us the information. It will be included in the next issue of our Newsletter. The golfer will receive a $25 Gift Certificate from Golf Exclusives, good for future golf travel with us.

On the Road Again
In this edition, we revisit a destination we last visited several years ago. Located about 20 miles south of Charleston, and north of Hilton Head is our latest Featured Destination. Then, we didn't have a resource at Kiawah Island to book your trips, but now we do. Visit our website www.golfexclusives.com and learn more about our packages to Kiawah Island. Here is a brief overview of some of the key benefit of a trip to Kiawah.

The newest accommodation on Kiawah, opening in Spring 2004 is the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary offers luxury accommodations and personalized service within the natural setting of Kiawah Island With its 255 gracious guestrooms and suites, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island is the finest oceanfront hotel built on the East Coast in the past 20 years. Each spacious room features luxurious five fixture baths, large marble showers, dual vanities, private water closets, shuttered bathroom windows and ocean view balconies. A private concierge level offers the most exclusive, personalized services and private elevator access, while the concierge club features exquisite food presentations throughout the day.

In addition to The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island Golf Resort also features private, luxury homes and villas available for rental. These unique properties range in size from one through six bedrooms and are located throughout the ten-mile island. The AAA Four Diamond-rated Kiawah Island Inn offers casual, yet elegant accommodations on the oceanfront in West Beach Village. The Inn's 150 guest rooms are conveniently located near many resort amenities. You can walk to the Cougar Point golf club, the West Beach Tennis Center and the Shops at the Kiawah Island Inn. Restaurants and night spots are readily available on the island

At Kiawah Island Golf Resort, golfers tee up against the works of the masters of modern golf architecture Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Clyde Johnston, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. The result is a collection of golf courses as diverse as the architects themselves. The Ocean Course - Host of the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches and the 1997 World Cup of Golf, the 7300 yard course offers the most challenging golf . But with all 18 holes offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it's likely The Ocean Course would have earned widespread acclaim had no tournament ever been played there. Located at the Eastern end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course negotiates along 2 3/4 miles of pristine oceanfront property. According to Pete Dye, "There's no other golf course in the Northern Hemisphere that has as many seaside holes".

Osprey Point - offers water views from every hole, and its new clubhouse encompasses over 14,000 square feet of pro shop and semi-private dining. Designed by the consensus pick as the best contemporary architect in golf, Tom Fazio. At Osprey Point, Fazio used a superb natural canvas to create a masterpiece in playability and variety. The setting for the course features four large, natural lakes, fingers of saltwater marsh, and dense maritime forests of live oaks, pines, palmettos, and magnolias. Into that backdrop, Fazio blended a par-72 layout that takes advantage of its setting. Ranked in Golf Digest's "America's Top 75 Resort Courses," Osprey Point has grown into one of the favorite courses on the island.

Oak Point - a Scottish-American style par-72 course, challenging to both novice and experienced golfer. Located one mile outside the main gate of the Resort, Oak Point is the newest addition to Kiawah's array of courses. This course borders the historic Haulover Creek and the Kiawah River. Wide areas of windswept fairways stretch alongside salt marshlands interspersed with densely forested areas of live oaks. Oak Point was rated among "America's Best" by Golfweek magazine.

Turtle Point - Host to many tournaments including the 1990 PGA Cup Matches, Turtle Point features three spectacular oceanfront holes. The combination of length and accuracy demanded by this Jack Nicklaus design has led to its selection for several important championships including the Carolinas' Amateur, the Carolinas' PGA, and the 1990 PGA Cup Matches, the club professionals version of the Ryder Cup. Opened in 1981, Turtle Point is a low-profile design with fairways and green settings blended into the existing landscape. Nowhere is this more evident than along a spectacular three-hole stretch woven through rolling sand dunes directly along the Atlantic Ocean. With sparkling renovations completed in 2000, the new Turtle Point invites both past and new guests to experience the beauty of the course.

Cougar Point - is a completely new par-72 course, designed to championship standards that will challenge every player. Designed by Gary Player, the par-72 layout features holes playing directly along broad expanses of tidal marsh, offering panoramic views of the Kiawah River and acres of needlerush and spartina grass. Cougar Point is designed to test the scratch player while providing an enjoyable round for all.

Golf Exclusives Specials

Kiawah Island Golf Resort SC
From March through May, 2004.

Test your mettle on 1991 Ryder Cup and 2003 World Cup of Golf championship courses.

Includes:

• 3 Nights Accommodation
• 3 Rounds Golf w/ Shared Cart
• Daily Breakfast
• Daily Range balls
• Rental Mini-van w/ Unlimited Mileage
• 2 Dozen Dunlop LOCO golf balls and camera packs
• Resort Tax and Service Charges (except Van)

Ryder Cup: Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills MI
Dates: September 16-20, 2004

Includes:

• 4 nights double occupancy accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn
• Match badges for Friday-Sunday
• Breakfast each morning
• 4 day compact car rental
• All state and local taxes

• Badge for opening ceremony.
• Gas, tax and insurance on rental vehicle
• Airfare. We can provide airfare if needed.

Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, FL
January 11 through May 6, 2004

Includes:

• 3 or 7 nts Accommodation Deluxe Room
• Breakfast daily
• 3 or 7 days Unlimited Golf with Cart
• Pre-Booked Tee Times
• 2nd round subject to cart fee paid locally and availability on day of play
• 3 or 7 day Hertz Mid-Size Car with Unlimited Mileage (Tax and Insurance paid locally)
• Complimentary Golf Balls and Camera Package
• Tax and Service Charges

PGA National Golf Resort and Spa
West Palm Beach, FL
April 12 through September 30, 2004

Includes:

• 3 or 7 nts Accommodation 2 Bedroom Club Cottage
• 3 or 6 rounds of Golf with Cart
• Pre-Booked Tee Times
• 3 or 7 day Hertz Mini-Van with Unlimited Mileage (Tax and Insurance paid locally)
• Complimentary Golf Ball (12)/Camera Package (1 per 2 golfers)
• Tax and Service Charges (except on rental of Mini-Van)