Best Golf Resorts of the World

Stanford University course open to Rosewood Sand Hill guests

Stanford University Golf Course is now available to guests at

the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel

The uber-luxe Rosewood Sand Hill hotel in California's Silicon Valley has arranged for hotel guests to play on the acclaimed Stanford University Golf Course, which has previously been open only to Stanford students, faculty, alumni and their guests. Designed in 1930 by  architects William Bell and George Thomas (who also collaborated on such notables as the Bel-Air, Riviera and Los Angeles country clubs), the Stanford course is in the oak studded foothills above the campus, and is consistently rated one of the finest traditional golf courses in the country.

The Stanford Golf Package includes:
• One night of accommodation at the Rosewood Sand Hill
• Two rounds of golf at Stanford Golf Course (cart included)
• $50 breakfast credit at Madera
• Sleeve of Rosewood golf balls
Rates start at $599 per room.

In grand, contemporary California Craftsman style, 123 rooms and suites at the hotel have private balconies or terraces with courtyards or Santa Cruz Mountains views. A zen-like haven on-site, Sense, a Rosewood Spa has 13 luxurious treatment rooms; complimentary private car service if offered within five miles of the hotel.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel at www.examiner.com.

Black Horse and Bayonet stay-and-play packages in Monterey

Black Horse and Bayonet Golf Club, Monterey Peninsula (photo by Joann Dost)

Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Club is extending their stay-and-play packages with Inns by the Sea on the Monterey Peninsula, good through 2010.

in the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Inns by the Sea are comprised of 5 cottage-style hotels ranging from 13 to 35 rooms: 

Candle Light Inn
Carriage House Inn
Dolphin Inn
Svendsgaard's Inn
Wayside Inn

The golf packages start at $249 per night, per golfer, including accommodations, one round of golf daily with cart and range balls, and continental breakfast. This is an unbeatable deal for golf fans considering a trip to the 2010 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Feb. 8-14).

Bayonet and Black Horse underwent a $13 million renovation, re-opening in late 2008. Once the private enclave of the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, the two courses have been transformed into two of the most challenging tracks in California. With dazzling views of Monterey Bay, Black Horse Golf Course is now 7,024 yards long, with a 141 slope and 73.7 rating. Somewhat more difficult--141 slope, 74.8 rating--ranked 35th in the list of 50 Toughest Courses in the U.S., Bayonet Golf Course is 7,104 yards of narrow oak- and cypress-lined fairways, with steep bunkers and the fearsome 5-hole "Combat Corner" series of dramatic doglegs.

More about golf resorts in California.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel at www.examiner.com.

Portmarnock Golf Club in Ireland says "no female members"

Portmarnock Golf Course, near Dublin, Ireland

Iconic golf links just northeast of Dublin, one of the oldest and most renowned courses in Ireland, Portmarnock Golf Club has won a court case that prevents women from becoming full members. According to the Associated Press, the Irish Supreme Court voted three to two in favor of the club, saying its policy was exempt of the equality legislation in the country.

"We feel that as a result of this judgment that the equality legislation has to be changed. It is a bad day for equality and it is a bad day for women," said Joanna McMinn of the Equality Rights Alliance, as quoted on www.irishcentral.com.

From the AP article: "One of the dissenting judges said her colleagues gave too little weight to the reality that golf was no more a 'need' for men than for women, therefore any golf club barring a particular sex as members was breaking the law. She said, 'Portmarnock Golf Club is exactly what its name says: a golf club in Portmarnock. It caters for men and women in different ways,' she said, arguing that this was the essence of discrimination.

"An executive member of the Women's Council, Therese Murphy, said golf clubs were venues for power-brokering relationships important to businessmen and women alike. 'A lot more happens in golf clubs than playing golf. It is about networking and camaraderie, she said.

"Irish broadcasters interviewed an unidentified Portmarnock club member  . . who said he didn't want women on the course because they would slow down the speed of play." (Hmmm. . . my observation has been that female golfers are faster players than men, as women are careful not to be perceived as holding up play. Guys take more time because they usually bet, drink beer, constantly give each other a hard time, and tell jokes. . . same thing in Ireland, trust me.)

Portmarnock is among the most exclusive links in Ireland, with about 1,300 members and visitors' green fees at euro120--200 ($180 to $300), including lunch.

Read more about playing golf on Irish links.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel at www.examiner.com.

Kohala Coast resorts celebrate 50th anniversary of statehood with cost-cutting deals

Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii

On the 20-mile stretch of the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, nearly a dozen luxury resorts are heralding the 50th anniversary of statehood with great packages, good through the end of this  year.

"50 Years of Aloha" at Hilton Waikoloa Village: stay 5 nights and receive the 5th night at $50; plus a $50 resort credit for spa, dining or beach craft rentals, and more. Through December 20, 2009. (In addition, guests turning 50 in 2009 will receive a complimentary entrée at select restaurants.) One of the largest resorts in the islands, the 1,240-room Hilton (within Waikoloa Beach Resort) has a 4-acre, ocean-fed lagoon and pure white sand beach. Among activities are the Dolphin Quest; spectacular dinner show and luau, 8 restaurants; waterslides and waterfalls, the Beach and the King golf courses, and a meandering canal where guests ride in small boats, among other attractions.

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is offering the "Celebrate Hawaii Turning Five-O with Our Statehood Package" that includes 4th night free, room upgrade, $50 resort credit, daily breakfast, special gift and more (through December 24, 2009, rates from $385.).

The 5-star-rated Fairmont Orchid's "Hawaii 50% Off Sale" is a 50% discount off published room rates for new bookings; from $225, through December 20, 2009. Notable at the Fairmont is the gorgeous Spa Without Walls with waterfall massage hale (huts) and oceanfront massage cabanas. Tennis fans head for The Vic Braden Tennis College and the 10 plexipave courts.

One of my favorite resorts on the planet, Four Seasons Hualalai gives you a $1,000 resort credit for staying 4 consecutive nights--at this uber-upscale oasis, this is a fabulous deal! (through November 19, and Dec 5 - Dec 17, 2009). Don't miss the Jack Nicklaus signature Hualalai Golf Course.

Long the standard for low-key atmosphere, tropical elegance and top notch personal service, and the award-winning North and South golf courses, the Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows is offering the Hawaii 5-O Anniversary Special, with dates available through December 23 (so far--book soon).

Get the latest news about Kohala Coast resorts special packages and events at www.KohalaCoastResorts.com.

More about golf resorts in Hawaii.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel at www.examiner.com.