The Best In Golf » Hotels

Friendship Cup Report

thebestingolf — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:09 +0000

I don’t care about A-Rod, Manny, or The Jonas Brothers…I don’t care about T.O. or Chris Brown…in fact I don’t even know who the Jonas Brothers are.

What I do know is a first class buddy trip when I see one and there is just no better than The Friendship Cup held at Kiawah Island last week.

What makes a great buddy trip? It starts of course with the golf…how about The Ocean Course with a caddie? It continues with a good place to stay…the five-star Sanctuary is pretty good…but the most important part are the friends.

Here are a few of the teams:

Tom Bair and Blair Leburn- these two are not really here for the golf. Last year I went down to their room to find them toes up watching the match play with the entire contents of the mini-bar dumped out on the bed. That was a pricey afternoon. They played great together this year and probably would have placed really high except for the rogue snowstorm that moved through the whole east coast sending a good part of the field scrambling for home before the last round.

Marty Hackel and Matt Ginella – Mr. Style and Matty G. struggled a tad on the Ocean but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. They led the league in laughs on the patio outside the great new clubhouse though, and that’s what really matters after all.

Leon Leggett and Andy Groves- Andy told Leon at dinner Saturday that he couldn’t carry him up the stairs and all day on the golf course…ouch. These two won a skin, a closest to the pin, and drank 48 and 51 Blueberry Vodka and Lemonades respectively ( and respectfully for that matter)…the true winners.

Geoff Russell and Tom Nolan- the Editor and Publisher of the greatest little magazine in show business, Golf World, were on form and ready to strike again as champions before the aforementioned snow hurricane hit.

The other really cool part of this event is the option to bring your wife. I can tell you from experience the Spa takes away all worries of calling home when the kids are in the bathtub, the phone is ringing, the chicken nuggets are burning, and you just had a steak and a bottle of sporty Cabernet for dinner.

This is the third “Cup” and according to tournament founder and all-around Ayotollah-in-chief Tom Bewley, golf’s 5th Major. The scores might argue this point a little…except for the (cough) net 59 posted on the Ocean Course in the wind and rain…oh well sandbaggers are great travellers what can you say?

Hope you will put the Friendship Cup on your calendar next year…it’s a Best In Golf.

The Best Small Hotels in Golf Part II

thebestingolf — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:31:00 +0000

The Holly Inn in Pinehurst opened on New Year’s Eve in 1895 and was there 3 years before the first golf course…and 5 years before The Carolina, the hotel we all think of when we hear Pinehurst.

On my last post under “what I would pay for ” I would add being at The Holly on opening night…and it would be #1 on the list. Indoor plumbing, electric lights, and hot running water made this place the Four Seasons on steroids in it’s day.

And the best part is it still is…all across the world buildings, neighborhoods, and downtowns are being built to look old…we are going back to a simpler time in America…the only difference is at The Holly Inn it’s real. From check-in you are in 1895…head to the Tavern for some good conversation…if you happen to hate Duke it helps.

If you are with the boys stay at The Carolina for the quick access to the biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon…oh and that bowl of strawberries, cantaloupe, and honeydew you never eat… but if you are with your wife stay at The Holly…don’t forget to sit in the lobby and read the paper with your coffee…no not USA Today…get the Times. It’s all part of the deal.

Part III The Royal Palms

The Best Small Hotels in Golf Part I

thebestingolf — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:53:00 +0000

There are several really great small hotels in golf. Places with 40 rooms or so, diminutive in size but not style.

Most have one or both of the criteria for the category…that of course is a superior bar (and almost always bartender) and good food. And not necessarily fancy food. Some have tuna tartar and prime beef, others gator tail and meatloaf.

Last night I stayed at one of the best. The Inn at Harbor Town as you already guessed, is at Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head. If a great bed, shower, breakfast and view of the famed Harbor Town Golf Links is your style…then this is your spot.

It’s uniqueness comes from a team of interns imported from England, Germany, and other points of the compass. Really neat young people who ask you to sit down while you are checking in and welcome you back after dinner… sort of like walking past your parents…without the worry of getting grounded.

And of course there is Harbor Town itself. When you tee it up here for the first time you’ll wonder how it’s possible the Links can hold the Millionaire Boys Club below 40 under every spring…but not to worry, it won’t take long to figure it out.

So, for a Top 50 day and a half…stay at The Inn, play Harbor Town (with loopers of course), walk over to The Quarterdeck for dinner and prepare to get a good night’s sleep.

Part II – The Holly Inn