4 Twenty-five years ago when Robert Trent Jones came to Canandaigua in the western Finger Lakes region, he looked from the hilltop site down to the lake and said, “In all the world and of all the properties I’ve seen, this one has just been waiting for a golf course.” Today this lovely rolling course stands as one of the most scenic in the state. Lying in the midst of a wine region where the rows of grapes from about 100 vineyards march down the hillsides of the Finger Lakes is the rustic yet elegant <a href="/courses/3118.html"><strong>Bristol Harbour Resort</strong></a>, which also happens to be home to Jones’s 18-hole championship golf course. The course lets golfers fully appreciate the beauty of the region while enjoying that full-service resort experience. At Bristol Harbour, play a round of golf, then relax on the patio of the lodge sipping a glass of chardonnay or merlot while the white sails of boats glide gracefully across the water below. The front nine of the Bristol Harbour Course plays like a links track with large bunkers, nasty rough, native grasses, and fickle winds. The hilly back nine winding through woods is tighter and tougher with some dramatic elevation changes. Jack Nicklaus shot a 67 at this course in 1978, playing the back nine in 34—a course record that still stands today. The par 3s are far from ho-hum taking full advantage of natural hazards starting with No. 2. Although just 146 to 184 yards, strong winds sweeping across the landscape can force the use of two or three clubs longer. Back-to-back par 5s on the front nine are especially challenging. The par-5 465-yard No. 6 requires a carry over a large pond to reach the green—don’t overshoot and find the bunkers off the back. No. 7 is a 506-yard uphill climb with a steep elevation change of 60 to 70 feet to another well-bunkered green. One of the most memorable tests, however, is the par-4 No. 14, the 410-yard signature hole. A dogleg left, on the second shot there is a 100-foot drop to green into a gorge while the fairway rolls to the left, threatening to pull the ball into the dense stand of trees. Bristol Harbour offers first-class dining in a rustic tavern setting with views of Canandaigua Lake. Stay at the 31-room Adirondack-style inn with balconies and fireplaces about a chip shot from the first tee or choose from more than 200 condominiums. true 2 2009-12-14T18:00:55+00:00 false 18 1 true 3 2009-12-14T18:00:55+00:00 Nestled in the hillsides of the Finger Lakes region is a true golfer's hideaway.

Twenty-five years ago when Robert Trent Jones came to Canandaigua in the western Finger Lakes region, he looked from the hilltop site down to the lake and said, “In all the world and of all the properties I’ve seen, this one has just been waiting for a golf course.” Today this lovely rolling course stands as one of the most scenic in the state. Lying in the midst of a wine region where the rows of grapes from about 100 vineyards march down the hillsides of the Finger Lakes is the rustic yet elegant Bristol Harbour Resort , which also happens to be home to Jones’s 18-hole championship golf course. The course lets golfers fully appreciate the beauty of the region while enjoying that full-service resort experience. At Bristol Harbour, play a round of golf, then relax on the patio of the lodge sipping a glass of chardonnay or merlot while the white sails of boats glide gracefully across the water below. The front nine of the Bristol Harbour Course plays like a links track with large bunkers, nasty rough, native grasses, and fickle winds. The hilly back nine winding through woods is tighter and tougher with some dramatic elevation changes. Jack Nicklaus shot a 67 at this course in 1978, playing the back nine in 34—a course record that still stands today. The par 3s are far from ho-hum taking full advantage of natural hazards starting with No. 2. Although just 146 to 184 yards, strong winds sweeping across the landscape can force the use...

2009-12-14T18:32:33+00:00

4 When many think of Cooperstown, N.Y., the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum often comes to mind. But there’s more to Cooperstown than just baseball, and one of the major attractions rivals the old ballgame in both history and tradition. Along the shores of Lake Otsego sits the Otesaga Resort Hotel, four stories high with beckoning white columns. Named for the Iroquois term meaning “place of meeting,” the hotel sits on land associated with the glimmerglass of James Fenimore Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales.” It offers 135 rooms and suites, some with lakeside views and a lushness that only a wraparound veranda and imposing Georgian architecture can provide. According to Otesaga’s sales manager Colleen Donnelly, the resort celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009, and one look at photos and drawings from its founding year makes clear that while time may change some things, the face of the 2009 Otesaga Resort Hotel has changed very little since 1909—even the configuration of the hotel ballroom with its floor to ceiling windows. For golfers, Otesaga provides a cornucopia of pleasures, including the acclaimed <a href="/courses/3177.html"><strong>Leatherstocking Golf Course</strong></a>, a traditional parkland layout that first opened when the hotel opened. Twenty years later it was redesigned by Devereaux Emmett and is a solid par 72, playing at 6,401 yards from the tips. There’s also an 11-acre driving range and professional golf instruction available. Other amenities include tennis, croquet, and the Clark Sports Center, which offers fitness classes, squash and racquetball courts, weight-training facilities, a climbing wall, and an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool. For those wishing to try adjacent Lake Otsego, there’s sailing, swimming, and canoeing within sight of the hotel. And what would a total resort experience be without a spa? Only a short walk into Cooperstown village is Essential Elements Day Spa, and the Otesaga guest is certainly welcome. “Our setting is very relaxing,” Donnelly points out. “Once you park your car, you’re set with everything you need.” And that includes a tradition of elegant dining that dates back to the opening of the hotel 100 years ago. The first meal offered caviar canapés and potatoes parisienne, setting off boiled halibut and lamb chops Monte Carlo. A century later a five-course meal, including a varied wine list, continues the sense of elegance. For those with more casual dining in mind, the Hawkeye Bar and Grill is open for lunch and dinner. And the Templeton Lounge offers live music and dancing in the evenings. Commemorating this centennial year, golfers and non-golfers will be treated to great room packages and other special activities. “We want to make the Otesaga experience memorable for everyone,” adds Donnelly. true 6 2009-12-14T17:40:52+00:00 false 17 1 true 3 2009-12-14T17:40:52+00:00 After 100 years, the Otesaga Resort still offers its guests a classic sense of elegance and relaxed stay.

When many think of Cooperstown, N.Y., the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum often comes to mind. But there’s more to Cooperstown than just baseball, and one of the major attractions rivals the old ballgame in both history and tradition. Along the shores of Lake Otsego sits the Otesaga Resort Hotel, four stories high with beckoning white columns. Named for the Iroquois term meaning “place of meeting,” the hotel sits on land associated with the glimmerglass of James Fenimore Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales.” It offers 135 rooms and suites, some with lakeside views and a lushness that only a wraparound veranda and imposing Georgian architecture can provide. According to Otesaga’s sales manager Colleen Donnelly, the resort celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009, and one look at photos and drawings from its founding year makes clear that while time may change some things, the face of the 2009 Otesaga Resort Hotel has changed very little since 1909—even the configuration of the hotel ballroom with its floor to ceiling windows. For golfers, Otesaga provides a cornucopia of pleasures, including the acclaimed Leatherstocking Golf Course , a traditional parkland layout that first opened when the hotel opened. Twenty years later it was redesigned by Devereaux Emmett and is a solid par 72, playing at 6,401 yards from the tips. There’s also an 11-acre driving range and professional golf instruction available. Other amenities include tennis, croquet, and the Clark Sports Center, which offers fitness classes, squash and racquetball courts, weight-training facilities, a climbing wall, and an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool....

2009-12-14T17:49:37+00:00

4 Nine-hole golf courses are often someone’s afterthought, where land was developed into a golf course, but not enough land was available to offer a full 18 holes. A general consensus is that nine-hole courses are a good place to practice, won’t cost an arm and a leg, and offer somewhat of a mini-golf experience. Most of this, however, is inoperative when applied to the nine-hole facility at the Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club near Saugerties, N.Y. “I saw this wonderful piece of land and thought it had great potential,” says Tony Bacchi, who owns Lazy Swan with his wife, Joanne. “I wanted this to be a spectacular golf course, and I think we’ve done it.” Bacchi, who had no golf course experience but a great love for beauty and aesthetics, searched for a golf architect who shared his sentiments. “Someone suggested Barry Jordan,” says Bacchi, “so I looked on his Web site, and I could see immediately he had a fine eye.” Jordan grew up on a Donald Ross golf course and admits to being influenced by the great Scottish golf architect. “I try to work forms like cut bunkers into the landscape just like Ross,” Jordan says. “I like my lines to be as graceful and understated as possible—and no mounding.” Jordan applied Ross’s philosophy to Lazy Swan. “Ross generally set fairway bunkers that seemed easy to carry from the tee but definitely added to course visuals,” says Jordon, noting that Lazy Swan has 15 fairway bunkers spread across its nine holes. And like a Donald Ross design, “the throats of the greens are open.” But if anyone is looking for a signature hole, they won’t find it here. Neither Jordan nor Bacchi feel comfortable singling one out as so many courses do. “I don’t design that way,” Jordan makes clear. Bacchi adds, “It’s the greens that set this course apart.” Yet both mention the No. 6, a 173-yard par-3 uphill with a water carry, as a particular delight. “The prevailing wind is across,” Jordan says, “and in the background above the trees and the green is a beautiful white steeple that’s lit up at night.” While the course has some length, it doesn’t rely on distance to make its challenge. The longest hole is the 530-yard par-5 seventh where water spills out of a rock outcropping giving a waterfall effect, and the fairway skirts adjoining ponds from tee to green. “I try to use water more as a visual than a strategic element,” Jordan adds, but a pushed drive or fairway wood will still find the hazard here. Water does come into play on six holes, and from the clubhouse all greens are visible. “I wanted to create an intimate golf course,” Jordan says. And he did. true 6 2009-12-08T19:52:31+00:00 false 9 1 true 3 2009-12-08T19:52:31+00:00 This Hudson Valley course embodies careful planning, aesthetic development, and serious golf.

Nine-hole golf courses are often someone’s afterthought, where land was developed into a golf course, but not enough land was available to offer a full 18 holes. A general consensus is that nine-hole courses are a good place to practice, won’t cost an arm and a leg, and offer somewhat of a mini-golf experience. Most of this, however, is inoperative when applied to the nine-hole facility at the Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club near Saugerties, N.Y. “I saw this wonderful piece of land and thought it had great potential,” says Tony Bacchi, who owns Lazy Swan with his wife, Joanne. “I wanted this to be a spectacular golf course, and I think we’ve done it.” Bacchi, who had no golf course experience but a great love for beauty and aesthetics, searched for a golf architect who shared his sentiments. “Someone suggested Barry Jordan,” says Bacchi, “so I looked on his Web site, and I could see immediately he had a fine eye.” Jordan grew up on a Donald Ross golf course and admits to being influenced by the great Scottish golf architect. “I try to work forms like cut bunkers into the landscape just like Ross,” Jordan says. “I like my lines to be as graceful and understated as possible—and no mounding.” Jordan applied Ross’s philosophy to Lazy Swan. “Ross generally set fairway bunkers that seemed easy to carry from the tee but definitely added to course visuals,” says Jordon, noting that Lazy Swan has 15 fairway bunkers spread across its nine holes. And like...

2009-12-09T16:20:03+00:00

4 When Allentown native Jason Lenhart started his golf career at Sky Top in the Poconos, little did he know he’d be back in the area two decades later working at a layout located higher than some ski slopes. But as general manager at <a href="/courses/4187.html"><strong>Jack Frost National Golf Club</strong></a>, that’s the case. The course sits above the Jack Frost ski area—the 10th tee, at 2,024 feet, is the highest point—and architect Terry LaGree took full advantage of the unique piece of mountain property. “What sets us apart is the way the course flows,” says Lenhart. “It’s a newer, more modern design, and you’re not distracted by other holes from the one you are on. I really think the elevation movement and the green complexes are also very unique.” Those mostly downhill elevation changes begin on the first tee, which tumbles dramatically to the green and continues on a pair of photogenic par 3s: the third and the 11th, which drops 80 feet from tee to green. There are some notable uphill exceptions however, like the ninth, a long and strong par 5, as well as the 13th and 15th. During last year’s first full season, Jack Frost National hosted approximately 15,000 rounds. “Our superintendent, Bryan Nuss, did an exceptional job getting the course prepared,” adds Lenhart. “There were still some areas that needed to grow in, but we took the time to expedite those, and now it’s ready. The front nine was the first side built, so that was a bit ahead in terms of conditioning, but now we have the full 18 in very good shape.” The course is the latest addition to a roster of stellar area tracks, a number of which have joined together to promote the Poconos as a golf destination. “This year we’re fully loaded,” says Lenhart. “We have the playing conditions where we want them. We’ve removed all the, ‘I can’t wait until this will be great, but when?’ comments. We’ve answered that question now for the most part. It should be a good year.” true 12 2009-12-07T20:59:34+00:00 false 7 5 true 3 2009-12-07T20:59:34+00:00 Offering up some of the best views in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

When Allentown native Jason Lenhart started his golf career at Sky Top in the Poconos, little did he know he’d be back in the area two decades later working at a layout located higher than some ski slopes. But as general manager at Jack Frost National Golf Club , that’s the case. The course sits above the Jack Frost ski area—the 10th tee, at 2,024 feet, is the highest point—and architect Terry LaGree took full advantage of the unique piece of mountain property. “What sets us apart is the way the course flows,” says Lenhart. “It’s a newer, more modern design, and you’re not distracted by other holes from the one you are on. I really think the elevation movement and the green complexes are also very unique.” Those mostly downhill elevation changes begin on the first tee, which tumbles dramatically to the green and continues on a pair of photogenic par 3s: the third and the 11th, which drops 80 feet from tee to green. There are some notable uphill exceptions however, like the ninth, a long and strong par 5, as well as the 13th and 15th. During last year’s first full season, Jack Frost National hosted approximately 15,000 rounds. “Our superintendent, Bryan Nuss, did an exceptional job getting the course prepared,” adds Lenhart. “There were still some areas that needed to grow in, but we took the time to expedite those, and now it’s ready. The front nine was the first side built, so that was a bit ahead in terms of conditioning,...

2009-12-11T16:05:10+00:00

4 In golfing vernacular, hitting it on the sweet spot means everything comes together perfectly in a golf swing: timing, tempo, rhythm, and balance. The feeling at contact is pure and unmistakable. In the highly proficient, this is often the result of a swing that is classic, graceful, and effortless. In the hospitality business, Lake Placid’s <a href="http://www.mirrorlakeinn.com" class="external"><strong>Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa</strong></a> most definitely hits it on the sweet spot. Like a great golf swing, the Mirror Lake Inn is understated and effortless, classic and refined, and the results are equally sublime. To quantify that a bit, the Mirror Lake Inn has received the AAA Four Diamond Award the last 24 years consecutively. Located on seven acres in the village of Lake Placid on the shores of Mirror Lake and within New York’s massive Adirondack Park, the inn has welcomed guests since 1924. With its burnished mahogany wood accents and understated elegance, the inn is evocative of a bygone era. Owners since 1976, Ed and Lisa Weibrecht offer more than 100 rooms and 31 suites, many with fireplaces and Jacuzzi’s, and three restaurants including The View, Taste Bistro, and The Cottage. The View is the more formal dining area with a world-class wine list, The Taste Bistro is the bar offering more casual dining, and The Cottage at the lakefront provides variations on pub fare while offering an outdoor waterside deck, perfect for melting away the final hours of a sunny afternoon sipping your favorite cocktail. Additionally, a 5,000-square-foot spa offers all of the pampering one could ask for. The golf offerings for the Mirror Lake Inn are also classics. The Whiteface Resort Golf and Country Club dates its inception back to the 1890s when Scotsman Willie Dunn laid out the original nine holes. In the 1930s John Van Kleek added the other nine with help from Walter Hagen who consulted. Built before the advent of bulldozers and other large earthmoving equipment, Whiteface is as good an example of the art of designing a golf course to existing terrain as you’ll find anywhere. The course is a delight to play and enhanced by great views of Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain. The modest Adirondack-style clubhouse stays true to the ambiance of the course. If you look closely through the morning mist, you can almost see the dashing Walter Hagen, bedecked in his plus fours, exiting the Duesenberg convertible just before his tee time. While at Whiteface stop and chat with head pro Peter Martin, who has held the job for more than 30 years. Peter is a wealth of information and author of the book, “Adirondack Golf Courses: Past and Present.” In addition to the Whiteface Resort Golf and Country Club, the inn has playing privileges at the nearby 54-hole Lake Placid Country Club, originally dating from 1895, and the Craig Wood Golf Course, which is town owned. Craig Wood (named after a Lake Placid native son who won the Masters and PGA Championship) is a muni in name only. Built in 1925, it is a stunning golf course with splendid Adirondack views. The Mirror Lake Inn offers some very attractive packages that should suit the golfer and non-golfer alike. Additional activities include boating, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, and hiking in Adirondack Park. There are 46 separate peaks of 4,000 feet or more in the park. As a little added incentive, the local micro-brewery, Lake Placid Craft Brewery Co., honors those that have climbed them all with its 46’er Pale Ale. Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1932 and 1980. Many of the venues from 1980 are still maintained, including the Mt. Van Hoevenberg luge and bobsled runs, the ski jumps, and of course, the Olympic Ice Hockey Rink, scene of the U.S. men’s hockey team’s Miracle on Ice where a rag-tag bunch of college kids upset the heavily favored Russian team to win the Gold Medal. For those who witnessed that event, or are familiar with it, just walking into the building will give you goose bumps. A visit to Lake Placid and a stay at the Mirror Lake Inn has it all; like the perfect swing, here everything comes together perfectly. true 8 2009-12-07T20:31:48+00:00 false 6 2 true 3 2009-12-07T20:31:48+00:00 Like the perfect swing, everything comes together perfectly at the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, N.Y.

In golfing vernacular, hitting it on the sweet spot means everything comes together perfectly in a golf swing: timing, tempo, rhythm, and balance. The feeling at contact is pure and unmistakable. In the highly proficient, this is often the result of a swing that is classic, graceful, and effortless. In the hospitality business, Lake Placid’s Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa most definitely hits it on the sweet spot. Like a great golf swing, the Mirror Lake Inn is understated and effortless, classic and refined, and the results are equally sublime. To quantify that a bit, the Mirror Lake Inn has received the AAA Four Diamond Award the last 24 years consecutively. Located on seven acres in the village of Lake Placid on the shores of Mirror Lake and within New York’s massive Adirondack Park, the inn has welcomed guests since 1924. With its burnished mahogany wood accents and understated elegance, the inn is evocative of a bygone era. Owners since 1976, Ed and Lisa Weibrecht offer more than 100 rooms and 31 suites, many with fireplaces and Jacuzzi’s, and three restaurants including The View, Taste Bistro, and The Cottage. The View is the more formal dining area with a world-class wine list, The Taste Bistro is the bar offering more casual dining, and The Cottage at the lakefront provides variations on pub fare while offering an outdoor waterside deck, perfect for melting away the final hours of a sunny afternoon sipping your favorite cocktail. Additionally, a 5,000-square-foot spa offers all of the pampering one could...

2009-12-16T22:55:47+00:00