Golf, spa and 15th century charm in Brittany

by Tom Johansmeyer on

A round of golf and a trip to the spa can make any vacation even better. Now, put both those activities – and you – in Brittany, on the northwest coast of France. It’s even better, right? If this sounds good to you, check out the Hotel Domaine de la Bretesche‘s new “Golf and Spa” package. It runs through the end of the year and can save you more than 35 percent.

For €537 a night, you’ll get a room at Hotel Domaine de la Bretesche, breakfast every day and dinner at the hotel’s le Montaigu restaurant – run by Michelin-starred chef Gilles Charpy. You and your traveling companion will each get a treatment at Spa de la Cour Carree and 18 holes on the hotel’s golf course. Essentially, pay for the spa, meals and golf, and your room is free.

The hotel has only 32 rooms, all in a fortified 15th century estate. Enjoy this old world elegance … and don’t forget to bring your clubs!

Unlimited golf at Samoset Resort in Maine

by Tom Johansmeyer on

At the Samoset Resort in Maine, you can play as much golf as you want. The new program offered by the resort offers unlimited use of its 18-hole golf course. If you get tired of watching hooks and slices, keep in mind that seven of the holes are ocean-side, and 14 offer great views of the shore. At $299 a night, you’ll pick up a savings of more than $100 a night. In addition to the unlimited golf, the package includes breakfast for two, use of a golf cart for two people as they hit the links as much or as little as they choose and a golf-related gift from the pro shop.

The Samoset Resort is located between Rockland and Camden, offering easy access to the restaurants and sights of the former and the rural bliss of the latter. To take advantage of this deal, you’ll need to grab your bags and hit the road by October 31, 2009 (and use the code GCGOLF).

Justin Timberlake opens eco-friendly golf course

by Katie Hammel on

Justin Timberlake – singer, dancer, actor, restaurateur, golfer, and. . . eco-innovator? That’s right, the guy who “brought sexy back” is also responsible for the first Platinum LEED certified golf course in the United States. The course also received the first Audubon International Classic Sanctuary certification in the U.S.

The Memphis, Tennessee golf course, originally called Woodstock Woods, was set to be auctioned off and turned into a development when JT and partners decided to save it. Timberlake, who learned to golf on the course, invested $16 million into features like irrigation systems that use rainwater to keep the grounds lush and electric golf carts powered by the sun.

The course has been renamed Mirimichi Golf Course and opened on July 25.

Los Cabos becomes golf hotspot, per Golf Digest

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Naples, Florida. Bethpage Black. Pebble Beach. St. Andrews. These are the sorts of places that come to mind when you think “top spot for golf.” But, Los Cabos? Mexico? Prepare to have your illusions shattered: Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort – a destination whose name you just can’t say quickly – picked up the #9 spot on Golf Digest’s world hotspots for golf (if you can actually call a place known for golf a “hotspot”).

The golf course and resort with the long name pushed into the top 10 in the magazine’s “50 Best International Golf Hotels Outside of the United States” category. The win was helped by The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, designed by Jack Nicklaus (or at least under his name) and ranked #1 in Latin American. The other attraction, The Desert Course at Cabo Del Sol takes #5 in Mexico, also according to Golf Digest.

Alberto Gurrola, general manager of The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa, is understandably psyched about the Golf Digest honors, saying, “The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort has long attracted guests for its spectacular, idyllic background, where the desert meets the sea as well as its soothing SOMMA WineSPA and, of course, its world-renowned golf offerings.”

Now, I’m not going to say that the spa is a great place to drop the wife when you dash off to play 18 holes, lest I invoke the ire of a commenter yet again. Simply, if I were married to a golfer, I’d run off to the spa while she goes out to chase a little white ball.

Golf discounts abound in Salt Lake City

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Golfers just got a new reason to go to Salt Lake City. The new Golf Salt Lake Super Pass provides some fantastic deals at several golf courses in the city, along with a full 18-hole round for up to four players, carts, complimentary time at the range and a discount of up to 20 percent on rental clubs. And, guests can make reservations for tee times up to 60 days in advance … as opposed to the usual seven.

Golf courses on the list include: Bonneville, Mt. Dell (Canyon), Mt. Dell (Lake); Old Mill, Riverbend; River Oaks; South Mountain; Stone Bridge; West Ridge and Wingpointe. From one to four golfers can play for as little as $45 each (online purchase – $40 when purchased in conjunction with hotel packages).

“This pass provides a great opportunity to play several of the beautifully diverse golf courses Salt Lake has to offer,” said Scott Beck, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Whether you’re in town on business or pleasure, or live here year round, the Golf Salt Lake Super Pass offers a great opportunity to experience our excellent and incredibly affordable golf.”