Texan package a really big `Shoe

SPORTS PULLOUT
The Calgary Sun n Tuesday, September 21, 2010
15
BackSwing
Texan package
a really big ’Shoe
TODD SAELHOF
Calgary Sun
highly decorated with slope
ratings over 130 as part of the
Douglas Jaffe-owned propThey say everything’s bigger erty which has been ranked
in Texas.
among America’s best golf
And Horseshoe Bay Resort resorts by Golf Magazine.
is living up to that billing with
“ These are superb golf
a huge golf getaway that’s sure courses,” Parker said. “Robto shoot down the
er t Trent Jones,
winter blues.
Sr., said of all the
Jack Parker, also
courses in the
known in the golf
world that these
industr y as ‘The
three are in the top
Canadian Connec1%.
tion,’ has a Texas“I’ve lived in
sized deal for
Las Vegas and I’ve
Canucks to spend a
played in Phoefew days at Horsenix, and I’ve never
shoe Bay, 45 minseen golf courses
Jack Parker,
utes west of Austin,
as good as this,”
‘The Canadian
Texas.
Parker continued.
Connection’ on
For US$200 a
“A n d I’v e n e v e r
Horseshoe Bay
night, two people
seen a package as
get green fees and
good as this.”
a power cart to play one of
St ay a n o t h e r n ig ht f o r
three championship courses $200 and play another of the
designed by legendary archi- courses with the same packtect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., age.
and accommodation in luxDo it again and again and
ury resort rooms.
again for the same price per
The tracks are Ram Rock, night.
Apple Rock and Slick Rock, all
“You Canadian golfers are
“I’ve never
seen golf
courses
as good as
this.”
courtesy of The phoenician
Looks can be deceiving, but The Phoenician and its Desert nine are in downtown Scottsdale.
Troon courses score strong
on Scottsdale golf map
Kierland Golf Club
If your passion is golfing
under the sun, there’s probably no better place in Arizona
to start a trip than at Kierland
Golf Club.
The 27-hole Kierland,
managed by world-renowned
Troon Golf, is arguably the
best club in Scottsdale to
shake off the rust, given its
player-friendly fairways.
If your tee-shots are a little errant after a few months
away from the game, Kierland’s high-banked sides can
help keep your ball in play —
whether you’re playing the
Ironwood nine (3,539 yards),
the Acacia nine (3,435 yards)
or the Mesquite nine (3,478
yards).
Because of that, it’s a very
playable course for all golfers.
“From the time they wake
up in the morning at the
resort to their last shot of the
day on the golf course, guests
will encounter impeccable
conditions every step of the
way,” said Kierland’s director of golf, Kipp Bates. “We’re
about the quality of the experience.”
For more on Troon North,
Kierland and The Phoenician,
visit calgarysun.com/sports/golf
Troon North
‘Pure. Desert. Classic.’
That’s the motto of one
of the most revered clubs in
the region, and it rings oh-so
true, given its setting.
Troon North is truly what
you signed up for when you
thought about playing golf in
Arizona.
Under the desert sun,
it’s an epic 36-hole journey
through the rugged natural
ravines and foothills home
to cacti, snakes, giant rock
formations and a few Scottsdale residents whose Santa
Fe-design houses are built
into the landscape of the
course. The backdrop ranges
from miles and miles of barren land to high peaks in the
Sonoran desert that remind
you how amazing it is to
be playing a game in such
unique conditions.
It’s a visual sensation and
a can’t-miss experience.
The Phoenician
It ’s g o l f i n d ow nt ow n
Scottsdale — a finely manicured mix of traditional and
native tracks amid the uptempo pace of a luxury hotspot.
That means desert adventure with a touch of Vegas
appeal at The Phoenician.
Thanks to its championship 27-hole layout designed
by Homer Flint and Ted Robinson, Sr., what the five-star
resort gives you is variety.
The once-named Oasis
track, revamped in 2009 and
200-250 yards longer than its
sister loops, is the traditional
nine with a tropical feel.
Then it’s back to Sonoran
golf, with similar challenges
on the Desert and Canyon
layouts.
— Todd Saelhof
Golf
Aces
Hole-in-ones around the area
NANCY INLOW Sept. 10 with
a 4-iron on the 150-yard 4th
hole of the Lakes course of the
Glencoe Golf & Country Club.
BARRY LYNCH Sept. 11 with
a 9-iron on the 145-yard 14th
hole of Sirocco Golf Club.
CHRISTINA RUSSELL Sept.
4 with a 9-iron on the 107-yard
12th hole of Sirocco Golf Club.
BiLL BUIE Sept. 6 with a
6-iron on the 132-yard 9th hole
of the Bridges course of the
already going somewhere in
the winter months,” Parker
said. “It’s not as convenient
to come to Austin by plane as
it is to other golf destinations
like Phoenix or Palm Springs,
so we’ve made this deal so
good that it’s going to be hard
for Canadians to resist.
“And really, the travel isn’t
too bad. From San Antonio to
Calgary, it’s a six-hour flight —
with one change-over.”
The deal is available only to
Canadians from November to
February.
Further golf specials are
slated for March and April.
The special also includes
shuttle service to and from
the course, a same-day replay
rate of $25 and one round
of putting per person on the
Whitewater Putting Course, a
multi-million-dollar, 18-hole,
par-72 putting adventure.
For reservations and information, contact Parker at 830537-4989 or [email protected].
[email protected]
Glencoe Golf & Country Club.
TYLER BRILL Sept. 3 with a
pitching wedge on the 147-yard
3rd hole of the Bridges course
of the Glencoe Golf & Country
Club.
Send hole-in-one information
to [email protected]