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Nice design, big gulps at Arnold Palmer-designed Bog near Milwaukee
June 28, 2010
By: H. Lee Murphy - Chicago Business powered by Crain's"Designer Arnold Palmer had a unique challenge in building fairways atop the marsh, and this creation represents some of the best work he's done in the Midwest."
Posted: June 28, 2010 04:17 PM
Half Moon Bay Golf Links Named to Prestigious 'Top 80 Golf Resorts' List by Conde Nast Traveler
June 22, 2010
Thirty-Six Hole, Oceanfront Golf Resort Ranked No. 4 in Competitive California Region in Reader's Choice Survey(HALF MOON BAY, Calif.) - Half Moon Bay Golf Links -- the world-class, 36-hole golf resort set against the dramatic cliffs of the Pacific Ocean just minutes from San Francisco and San Jose -has been named to Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious list of "Top 80 Golf Resorts."
The rankings were based on the magazine's 14th annual "Reader's Choice Survey," in which thousands of readers cast their votes for the best golf courses and hotels in North America and the Caribbean. Half Moon Bay Golf Links was cited for its outstanding golf course design and location overlooking one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the U.S.
"Conde Nast is one of the most respected and recognized names in world travel," says Mark Kendall, President of Kenmark Golf Management, which operates the golf courses. "The reader's choice ranking is a tremendous honor and validation of our world-class service, strategic golf course design and Tour-level conditioning."
Half Moon Bay Golf Links' two championship caliber layouts are noted for their dramatically different -- yet complementary -- design styles. The Old Course is an American parkland style layout originally designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Ocean Course is an Arthur Hills linksland design nationally renowned for its closing holes perched above the Pacific. The Ocean Course has been enhanced to feature a fast-and-firm playing surface tee through green that adds multiple shot opportunities and fosters short game creativity.
Located 30 minutes from San Francisco International Airport and just 45 minutes from Oakland and San Jose International Airports, Half Moon Bay Golf Links and The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay are easily accessible to the Silicon Valley's numerous corporations, major universities, and research centers. Its enviable location - hard on the Pacific Ocean in the quaint hamlet of Half Moon Bay - is the perfect escape from the area's urban landscapes.
For more information about Half Moon Bay Golf Links: www.hmbgolflinks.com; 650.726.1800.
Posted: June 22, 2010 12:47 PM
Palmer Course Re-Opens in Michigan
June 21, 2010
Manitou Passage, one of Arnold Palmer's course designs in Michigan, has reopened for public play following a recent faceliftThe course at Manitou Passage Golf Club, near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, has reopened for public play.
Laid out by Arnold Palmer as Kings Challenge Golf Club in 1998, the course was bought last year by a group, led by Bob Kuras, president of The Homestead at nearby Glen Arbor, with the goal of creating a destination featuring exceptional playing conditions and unmatched service. The Arnold Palmer Design Company, Peridian International and the Wadsworth Golf Construction Company assisted with the renovation efforts.
“We are very excited about the opening of the new Manitou Passage Golf Club and the new experience that guests will be treated to when they play the new course”, said Kuras. “We adopted a very high goal and are delighted with the contributions that Palmer, Peridian and Wadsworth made toward our achieving that goal. We are looking forward to becoming a destination course and providing the playing conditions and service golfers desire and deserve.”
Manitou Passage now measures 6,700 yards, a few hundred yards longer then before and is now a par-71. Each hole features five new repositioned rectangular tee boxes, a popular style from the classic architecture era of the early 20th century. Other changes include the lengthening of holes, restoration of areas with native grasses, and the clearing of trees and brush to open up vistas around the course. In addition, the green complexes, the pride of APDC, have been enhanced.
Complementing the course renovations, the clubhouse and entrance facilities have also been renovated. The new clubhouse features a beautiful stone and cedar shake exterior with an attractive porch area where guests can view shots into the 18th hole. The inside of the clubhouse features a warm, rich interior design including a stone fireplace, leather sofas and open-air ceilings that expand from the new entrance area, dining area and golf shop. The upgrades also include new locker rooms.
Manitou Passage Golf Club are also offering a variety of golf packages through The Homestead. For more information, call (888) 656-7572, or visit manitoupassagegolfclub.com or thehomesteadresort.com
Posted: June 21, 2010 01:07 PM
Arnold Palmer Visits Fawn Lake
June 11, 2010
To fans, Palmer seems ageless
Fredricksburg.com By: ADAM HIMMELSBACH
HE SEEMED to appear out of nowhere, like a tee shot from parts unknown.
With about 200 people waiting for him at the practice range at Fawn Lake Country Club yesterday, Arnold Palmer came into view as he rode across the course in a golf cart.
He was driven past a cardboard cutout of himself before the cart stopped and the crowd cheered.
Palmer stood at the edge of the course--an Arnold Palmer signature course--and gave a thumbs-up. He waved and bowed, a lock of silver hair falling over his forehead.
There were 80 golf balls at his feet and a bag of clubs at his side.
I wondered how many of Palmer's days are like this one. Wherever he goes, people still want to see him hit a golf ball. Even at 80 years old.
There's something about golf that allows legends to stay forever young in the eyes of their fans.
No one wants to see a retired prizefighter take a punch or a retired running back get tackled.
Yet everyone wants to see Arnold Palmer swing a nine-iron.
Read the full story at Fredricksburg.com
Posted: June 11, 2010 04:36 PM
BAY HILL MAKES GOLF INC MAGAZINE RENOVATION OF THE YEAR FINALIST
June 03, 2010
ORLANDO, FL – Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge has been selected as a finalist in the $1.6 Million-$4 Million project category for the 2009 Golf Inc. Magazine's Renovation of the Year Competition.
The Bay Hill renovation was conducted under the experienced eye of Palmer himself and the Arnold Palmer Design Company.
Bay Hill is Palmer's winter home, corporate office of the Arnold Palmer Design Company and host course of the PGA TOUR event the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, now in it's 33rd year on TOUR.
During the tournament in March, many PGA TOUR players voiced rave reviews of the newly renovated course.
"I like what he (Palmer) did. I really like it." said Davis Love III. "I think it's a much more creative way to play golf. It's a great style for the fans. I think it's more fun to watch."
All the winners and finalists will be recognized in the Summer issue of Golf Inc. Judges for the competition were John Harbottle of John Harbottle Design, Jeff Brauer of GolfScapes and Doc Belitz of OB Sports.
Posted: June 3, 2010 04:43 PM
ARNOLD PALMER INTERVIEW ON PEBBLE BEACH
June 02, 2010
LATROBE, PA - Arnold Palmer discusses the recent changes to the Pebble Beach Golf Links that he and his golf course design company recently performed for the upcoming 2010 U.S. Open.
The primary purpose of the course renovation was to maintain Pebble Beach's historic value.
"It's been a great privilege for me to be on the board at Pebble. And of course my position as a board member is looking after the golf course and the operations that concern the golf course. We tried to really keep it, much as the intentions for maintaining the historic value of the golf course. And of course for me to be doing it, it has been a lot of fun." said Palmer.
"We're extremely pleased to have the Open coming and to work with the USGA. We think it's going to be one of the great Opens of all time."
In looking at old photos of the course, Palmer and his design team "put the golf course where it was when it was beginning." said Palmer. "We tried to restore the greens to their original positions." Play will be shaped in the U.S. Open this year with the changes to the fairways and "will force the players to go closer to the ocean."
The most dramatic hole changes were:
- Hole #1 - Restored green & greenside bunkering to original from 1918 photo
- Hole #3 - Added bunkers on the right side of the fairway; turns hole visually to the left
- Hole #4 - Added a trio of new bunkers short and left of the green
- Hole #6 - Reconfigured bunkering left of fairway to tighten landing area
- Hole #18 - Replaced pine in front of the green with cypress
A total of 4 greens and 16 bunkers were rebuilt, altered or installed. 11 tees were enhanced and 6 holes have new or adjusted trees.
The total length of the course is now 7,014 yards with an average green size of 3,500 sq. ft.
So how will PGA TOUR players fare with the changes at this year's U.S. Open? "I would look for the scores to be pretty good. Moving the hitting areas to the ocean on 9 of the holes is going to have some effect and the fact that some of the greens are smaller will also have an effect. I look for a great tournament. I think the excitement of seeing the guys scoring well at Pebble will be good, but they'll be some disasters too." said Palmer.
[Click here to download a Quicktime of the whole interview. ] Length 20 Min / 48MB
Palmer discusses the Pebble Beach renovation
Courtesy of the USGA
Posted: June 2, 2010 04:51 PM
