Passport Newsletter, v.2.6 March, 2010 - Golf on the Mind

Golf on the Mind
Green grass is finally replacing the snow in the Go-Girls’ Midwest town, and that brings thoughts of golf. The golf traveler believes a trip isn’t complete that doesn’t involve a bogy, birdie and beer cart. If fact, this traveler is happiest out on the green sporting Nike apparel armed with putters, drivers, irons and woods. Following in the footsteps of golf’s legendary players, the golf traveler wants to experience the finest PGA- and LPGA-tournament courses. Location is everything – Augusta, El Dorado, Pebble Beach – this traveler is looking for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a round in a golfer’s paradise. 

Featured Destination
Pebble Beach, California  

Time to play with the big boys! With its famous championship golf courses, Pebble Beach is hailed as a mecca for golfers, hosting a variety of world-class golf tournaments including the U.S. Open and the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am. Accessible by the spectacular 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach provides one of the most scenic settings for golf and recreation in the world. Its stunning coastline includes Cypress Rock, Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed landmarks on the California coast. The Monterey Peninsula is also home to some of the best shopping and dining in all of California.

Learn more about Pebble Beach.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach
The Lodge at Pebble Beach offers luxurious accommodations in this golfer’s paradise. Here guests may indulge in exquisite dining and a soothing spa, and enjoy four championship golf courses, tennis, equestrian and hiking trails, and much more. Caddies, golf professionals, clinics and tournaments are all available onsite, and guests enjoy special booking privileges for golf reservations. Most of The Lodge’s guest rooms include a fireplace and patio or balcony with stunning views of flowering gardens, oceanside fairways or magical sunsets over Carmel Bay.

Designed by Arnold Palmer, Pebble Beach Golf Links will host the 2010 U.S. Open Championship. Accolades include: 2010 Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels; 2010 Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Four-Star Award;and 2009 Golf Digest #1 Top 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America.

Learn more about The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

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March 25 | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM, ET
Topic: U.S. Domestic  
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What's the Buzz
More Airports Allow Paperless Boarding

American Airlines will begin accepting paperless boarding passes at 19 additional airports around the country, adding to the eight airports already in the program.

Source: MSNBC (3-11-10)

Lake Las Vegas Casino in Bankruptcy Proceedings 

The Casino MonteLago closed Sunday in Lake Las Vegas, and the Ritz-Carlton plans to close on May 2. The 3,600-acre development, located 17 miles from Las Vegas, is in bankruptcy proceedings.

Source: Las Vegas Sun (3-15-10)

Travel Writer Describes 14 Memorable Hotels   
A Los Angeles Times travel writer describes the 14 most memorable hotels he has stayed at during 18 years of traveling.

Source: Los Angeles Times (3-14-10)

Ritz-Carlton Ranked No. 1 in Survey's Deluxe Level    

Ritz-Carlton earned top honors in the U.S. Hotel Chain Survey's deluxe tier after a year luxury hoteliers called the most challenging in the tier's history.

Source: BTNonline (3-8-10)

MGM Mirage: Does CityCenter Steal Business from Other Hotels? 

MGM Mirage’s executives attempt to address questions that have dogged them since the recession began: With tourism down, would CityCenter steal business from the company’s other Strip hotels rather than attract additional customers to Las Vegas?

Source: Las Vegas Sun (3-8-10)

Deals and Steals

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i is offering No Attrition for 2010 & 2011 programs! And they are offering special concessions:

• 10-50 rooms per night – Choice of 2 concessions
• 51-100 rooms per night – Choice of 4 concessions
• 101-150 or more per night – Choice of 6 concessions

Learn more about this offer from Four Seasons Resort Lana'i.

Shopping Shuttle 

Gear up for a day on the links with these golf accessories.

Spyder Stomp Jacket - Men's Spyder

 Great for layering on chilly mornings and has a hood if you are caught in the rain. 

Brooks HVAC Infiniti Mesh Cap, White
Love my Brooks running hat, I wear it all the time.

Wilson Hope 12 Ball Ladies Golf Balls Wilson (Jan 25, 2007)
Cute pink golf balls - for a great cause! 

Golf Digest (1-year), Conde Nast Publications
Keep your golf game up-to-date with this subscription.

Ralph Lauren Golf Classic Fit Women … Ralph Lauren
Great to wear as the weather warms up.

Women's Nike Air Brassie II Women' … Nike Golf 
Love my Nike golf shoes.

Callaway Big Bertha 2008 Womens Driver…Callaway (Mar 1, 2009) 
Get into the swing of things with Big Bertha!

Tumi Alpha Stand Golf Bag 022188DH … Tumi Luggage  
Great golf bag to travel with.

Travel Tips

• If your group requires a private beverage cart, request that it be provided complimentary. Some courses will charge to make a public cart private or add additional bev carts for a group.
• Ask about the brand and the number of rental club sets are available. Determine the number of left-handed, right-handed and junior sets available from the course and what your group needs.
• On the day of play, go into the pro shop and make sure the clerks know what your players are allowed to bill to the master.
• Some courses do not allow anyone driving a cart on the course who is not playing or who is not a course employee. Make special arrangements ahead of time for your travel director to be able to use a cart to get around and check on your various foursomes.
• When transporting to the golf course, it is best to ship clubs out to the course ahead of the players (and not on the same conveyance). If the clubs arrive prior to the group, it is easier for the golf course to put the clubs directly into the appropriate golf cart.  

Upcoming Events

International Pow Wow
U.S. Travel Association 
May 15-19, 2010
Orlando, Florida

U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel.

For more information ...

Open Mic
Do you like to be heard? Open Mic is your opportunity to voice your opinion or share your expertise on travel-related topics. To submit an article for Open Mic, send an email to dcondron@zipsetgo.com.