| What's The Status Quo? | | | | comfort level for every player. Resort-style courses |
| There is a new trend in golf today and it is found at | | | | thrive on maximizing guest satisfaction, and the most |
| the resort-style golf course. Such courses are | | | | common way known to man is through warm |
| popping up around established private, semi-private | | | | hospitality. |
| and public golf links already notably apparent for | | | | This reporter actually received a Christmas card from |
| years. In comparison to country club golf for the | | | | Lost Canyons, one of the subjects later to be |
| wealthier, semi-private golf for the privileged and | | | | mentioned in this article. Other features to optimize |
| public courses which cater more to the beginner or | | | | the overall guest experience are forecaddie programs |
| less serious advocates of the sport, the resort-style | | | | which provide club selection, yardage, green readings, |
| golf courses have addressed a new market of golf | | | | strategies and tips during the round, in addition to |
| to take the game to the next level. | | | | golf instruction for juniors, groups and individuals |
| Some of this has been accomplished through | | | | taught by PGA-certified professionals. An avid golfer |
| strategic locations in pristine settings, rolling terrains | | | | with a certain amount of golf etiquette appreciates |
| which follow canyon ridge lines, deceptive panoramic | | | | these new trends. This is especially true since private |
| views, meandering fairways, shots that required | | | | country clubs offer some of these luxuries and |
| carry over arroyos, barrancas and ravines to avoid | | | | semi-private courses may offer other similar benefits, |
| disaster, and picturesque layouts on the edge of | | | | but none will match-up with all these amenities in one |
| rivers, lakes and oceans. Along with adding the name | | | | package without the heavy price and commitment |
| of a famous golf course architect like Pete Dye, | | | | found with membership organizations. |
| Arnold Palmer, Jack Nichalaus, Tom Fazio, Billy Casper, | | | | Jetsetters Magazine Golf MallLost Canyons is a one |
| to name a few, building-in difficultly factors such as | | | | of the newest and most exciting resort-style golf |
| length, fast and angulating putting surfaces, pot | | | | courses to be built. Nestled in the hills of Simi Valley, |
| bunker fairways, and a variety of elevated tees and | | | | California, it has opened the 18-hole Sky Course in Fall |
| elevation changes, the golfer is faced with more | | | | 2000 with the Shadow Course scheduled to open in |
| challenges, thrills, gratification and disappointment | | | | Winter 2001. The 7250 yards, rating of 76.1, Slope of |
| while being given the incentive to perform at their | | | | 149, Pete Dye Design with special consulting by Fred |
| peak. | | | | Couples has already hosted the Playboy Scramble |
| After playing a variety of the resort-style golf | | | | Charity televised on Fox Sports and integrates |
| courses the past year, this reporter identifies this | | | | nostalgia from the long running television show "Little |
| new breed of courses by a few other features not | | | | House on the Prairie" which used this same plot of |
| usually found in the status quo. For instance, first and | | | | scenic land to film the popular series. |
| foremost, the new competition created by the | | | | Golfers are reminded of the famous TV show and |
| progression in this facet of the sport has given birth | | | | years past as they play the course with the sights of |
| to assertive marketing efforts. Sales, marketing and | | | | old, rusty horse and manual-operated farm |
| public relation executives are now prevalent in most | | | | equipment, as well as dilapidated structures of farms |
| resort-style golf operations. Many resort-style | | | | houses and barns held up by weathered wood. Along |
| courses are now associated or owned by a hotel | | | | with memorabilia from the old televisions sets, small |
| enterprise. | | | | creeks with rustic wooden bridges built over narrow |
| Numerous celebrity and charity tournaments, as well | | | | secluded bellows are found, in addition to oak trees |
| as professional tour exhibitions are held at such | | | | and natural shrubbery. Simi Valley, which translates |
| facilities, taking advantage of the appeal and | | | | into "smoke valley" by the origin settlers, the |
| fascination of the courses themselves. Resort-style | | | | Chumash Indians, is part of the Santa Susana |
| golf facilities are usually built with several course | | | | Mountains. Its natural terrain within the mountain |
| layouts. Typically two 18-hole courses are the norms, | | | | range contains tranquil valleys and dramatic canyons |
| but it is quite common to play at a 27-hole facility, | | | | with breathtaking views. Ascending up hills, using |
| utilizing only two-thirds of its holes for a round. | | | | everything you own in your bag to reach the green, |
| Four to five levels of tee boxes are provided in | | | | this course places a premium on accuracy and |
| comparison to the three levels found at older and | | | | positioning. |
| more traditional courses, thus ensuring the right | | | | |