US Airways - December 2012 - (Page 32)

Adventure The besT argumenT ThaT I’ve seen for munIcIpal golf courses Is surely IndIan Wells. of the world’s great painters of golf courses (the charming Scotsman Graeme Baxter). Such was our morning at Silverrock, an Arnold Palmer design that’s one of the longest on the PGA Tour (at 7,578 yards) but also long on fun when played from the “combo” tees at around 6,300. In going around, Baxter taught us to “bluter” the ball — a Scottish term defined as “hit it as hard as you bloody well can.” This advice came in handy on both the very long par 4s (so as to be able to reach them) and the really short par 4s (to have a shot at the green in one). With the possible exception of Ireland’s Tralee, the classic club may be the best Arnold Palmer–designed course anywhere. Although the open- Indian Wells easier but even more dramatic. Many consider Dye’s effort here among the best layouts ever engineered amid rocks and cactuses. The Golf Road Warriors played the course from 6,300 yards — all of them filled with triumph and mayhem, brilliant chip-ins, horrorshow swings, and all the drama that four guys could want from one day. The holes parallel and then crash up into the mountains and canyons, head for greens teetering ominously on tiny platforms, play sharply around water hazards, and demand attention throughout the round. The best argument that I’ve seen for municipal golf courses is surely Indian Wells — home to two perky tracks and a clubhouse worthy of the most private club. We took on the Players course followed by a lunch during which Road Warrior Peter Kessler interviewed “Mr. 59” — Al Geiberger, the first PGA Tour player to break the four-minute mile of golf in tournament play. I had a terrific day at Indian Wells, shooting in the low 80s. If I’d been matched against Geiberger on his record-setting day, he would have beaten me by about 25 strokes, which puts his accomplishment into perspective. The Players Course boasts generous fairways, dynamic bunkering, and some of the best conditioning we tried not to ruin with our lousy swings. The perfect golf round would combine the camaraderie of a quietly entertaining friend like fellow Golf Road Warrior Jay Stuller with the steadying presence of a woman golf pro like Dede Cusimano (whose gorgeously smooth swing made Jay and I look vaudevillian), and the artistic perspective of one Where to Stay While you can’t necessarily judge the quality of a hotel by the quality of its golf course, sometimes it works. We found the lodging at these three hotels to be well over par. JW marrIott deSert SPrIngS reSort and SPa Like the property’s two sporty Ted Robinson layouts, the Marriott wows with tropical gardens and water features, including a lagoon and a network of waterways; you can ride to dinner aboard a gondola. The 450-acre resort has nearly 900 rooms, an eight-story atrium lobby, a TaylorMade Performance Lab, tennis courts, pools, and much more. Rooms were recently renovated for the hotel’s 25th anniversary. desertsprings resort.com Hyatt regency IndIan WellS reSort and SPa Part of the Indian Wells golf facility, the Hyatt offers luxe, spacious, and hip guest rooms and public spaces, a kid’s club, more than half a dozen pools, and the Aqua Serena Spa. Be sure to try a tequila tasting at Agave Sunset. indianwells .hyatt.com renaISSance eSmeralda The Renaissance lies a three-putt from renaissance esmeralda the Hyatt and boasts a boisterous style that’s still somehow laid-back. The resort is filled with secret places to stretch out on a sofa, by the pool, and even on a sandy beach. Or tee up at the Indian Wells courses out back. renaissanceesmeralda.com 32 december 2012 usairwaysmag.com http://www.desertspringsresort.com http://www.desertspringsresort.com http://indianwells.hyatt.com http://indianwells.hyatt.com http://www.renaissanceesmeralda.com http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - December 2012

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: New Year's Eve
Hub Crawl: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Wine & Dine: Holiday Spirits
Wine & Dine: Beaudevin Wine Bar, Charlotte, NC
Adventure: Creek Ranch, Florida
Adventure: Palm Springs Golf
Great Escapes: Universal Orlando® Resort
Gear Up: Gifts for Good
Travel Feature: Into the Yucatán
Mapping It Out: US Airways' Route Planning Department
University Spotlight: University of California, Berkeley
Great Tastes: College Eats
Celebrate Tucson, AZ
Must Read: The Socialstructed World
Special Section: Kentucky
Great Dates
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - December 2012