Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Par for the Course
|
||||
 Relaxing poolside, great golf and fine dining are all part of the experience. While it’s nice to get away for a while, a sinking economy and skyrocketing gas prices have put the brakes on a number of people’s Labor Day Weekend travel plans. Not to worry. A great and relaxing time is right around the corner at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach and Pelican Hill Golf Club as part of their Sky’s the Limit package. ISLAND HOTEL: As the valet parks your car and you enter the former Four Seasons Hotel at Fashion Island, imagine experiencing a tropical paradise without having to take a five-hour flight. The orchid sprays and exotic flowers throughout the lobby tell your senses that you’re checking in to someplace special. When your walk-around goes poolside, you’ll wander through a rainforest archway with the pool visible in the distance. On the far side of the pool is the hotel’s signature fireplace, where visions of an after-dinner drink and cigar easily come to mind. Many of the rooms in the 20-story hotel have balconies with views of the coast, canyon or Back Bay, and our 42-inch high-definition television was hooked up to a Bose audio system. Cocktails and dinner aren’t part of the golf package, but the reputation of the Palm Terrace restaurant and executive chef Bill Bracken made it a must-visit. Bracken describes his cuisine as “whimsical, American-style, emphasizing California ingredients.” From the first course through dessert, many of the dishes are offered in “small bites,” so if there are two or three items on the menu you want to try, you can, for about the same price and overall portion size of a regular entree. PELICAN HILL: Transportation to the golf course is provided by the hotel, and isn’t arriving by limousine the only way to go? I always thought Pelican Hill was as good as it gets, but the Irvine Company (which also owns the Island Hotel) had much bigger plans for the two Tom Fazio-designed courses, which reopened last November after being closed two years for renovations. Although most of the work on the course was functional, such as replacing the irrigation system and changing the sod, there also were course improvements. While it’s hard to improve on perfection, the course was in fantastic shape. The most stunning part of the project is The Resort at Pelican Hill, which looks awesome. If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to play a private course such as Shady Canyon in Irvine or Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, go to Pelican Hill. The service, clubhouse and amenities are on par with anything, anywhere. And that includes the driving range and practice facility, where players can hit an unlimited supply of Nike One golf balls. The Irvine Company’s portfolio has always included resort real estate, but now they’re bringing the management of some of their crown jewels in-house. Mark my words, when the resort opens later this year, it will become as popular an international destination as Pebble Beach. Perched on a hill overlooking the courses and the craggy Newport Coast, the resort will include 204 bungalows and 128 villas for rent. A huge gazebo in front of what used to be the golf clubhouse is also being built. The venue, with its unbelievable view, will now be used for weddings and other special events. Take advantage of playing as much golf as you like with the Sky’s the Limit package — and bring a camera. The double-green on the 13th hole of the South Course is a photo opportunity of monumental proportions. My buddy summed up our golf experience like this: “I don't know why they named it Pelican Hill and not Pelican Shores, Pelican Cliffs, Pelican Retreat or Pelican Forest. Pelican Hill doesn’t serve its description at all.” I ended my 36-hour escape by heading back to the hotel and doing one more thing that wasn’t part of the package but was calling my name nonetheless. The Island Hotel also features a world-class spa with a 90-minute post-golf stretch and massage on the menu. After taking on the 36-hole Pelican Hill challenge, my body needed it. SG THE SKY’S THE LIMIT GOLF PACKAGE Available from August 31 to September 3: • Accommodations for two at the Island Hotel. • Unlimited golf at Pelican Hill Golf Club. • Valet parking at the Island Hotel and Pelican Hill. • Use of the practice facility. • Laser Link GPS on every golf cart. • Yardage guides for each course. • A $25 credit toward purchase in the Pelican Hill Golf Shop (with a minimum $75 purchase). • Golf bag storage, engraved bag tag, shoe service, locker and bottled water on the course. The rate starts at $595 per night, based on double occupancy. Call (866) 554-4620 or visit islandhotel.com. |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Wow, your post makes mine look feelbe. More power to you!
| Comment at 8/19/2011 |
Jn2jTj , [url=http://bioexqywbcha.com/]bioexqywbcha[/url], [link=http://xyocxuyqwaog.com/]xyocxuyqwaog[/link], http://sfinpvysjsav.com/
| Comment at 8/23/2011 |
l9McwS , [url=http://jclvhyxgonis.com/]jclvhyxgonis[/url], [link=http://ldogneasciqy.com/]ldogneasciqy[/link], http://nckgsduoeiqt.com/
| Comment at 8/31/2011 |
