april 2010 trip (8-16 players), some q's on where to go & a poll too! Options

[retep]

Hey folks, So we just had our myrtle trip... Got evacuated at 3:30am due to the fire, as we were staying at Barefoot resort... Anyway, for 2010, we are wondering about where to go, given the weather, etc... in april, seems we need to go south to be sure to get golf in. Wasn't too happy with az, as desert courses were $$$ it seemed there. So folks coming from all over, i built a spreadsheet to estimate costs, please comment am i missing anything???

Another Question... Does it rain every afternoon in April in Orlando???





Thanks, Peter.

Attached File(s)

 golf_trip_2010.xls ( 33.5K ) Number of downloads: 18
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[obsessedgolfer]

I voted Kiawah Island, great courses, beaches, and weather.

[jshel]

What kind of trip are you looking for? What kind of guys are we looking at?

Are we talking about a 36-hole-a-day group? What does this group want to do at night? Casinos? Hard drinking? Strip club? Dinner and go to bed?

One place that isn't on your list and maybe should be is Alabama/RTJ Trail.

[retep]

What kind of trip are you looking for? What kind of guys are we looking at?

Are we talking about a 36-hole-a-day group? What does this group want to do at night? Casinos? Hard drinking? Strip club? Dinner and go to bed?

One place that isn't on your list and maybe should be is Alabama/RTJ Trail.

I should have added that, sorry...
Stay in a villas kind of place and play 18, 4 days in a row, maybe 1 day of 36... RTJ is out because of driving every day is a pain for us. We are pretty mild mannered group, go out, eat, drink, be merry, get out the laptops and irc/ssh/update facebook. So i would say dinner and go to bed/drink/hang out...

[jshel]

I don't think RTJ has to be out, especially if you go to Prattville. Three full courses there and what looks to be a nice Marriott on site.

You could venture out one day and drive somewhere else if you wanted.

[pitch]

My choice would be Orlando and not just because I live there. Anything much north could be iffy weather wise. Much better golf choices in Orlando over Tampa. If cost is not a major factor check out the Ft Myers area.

No on the rain every day in Orlando in April. Weather is typically really good. Over 100 courses in metro Orlando area. Prices aren't too bad because some drop April 1. Lodging is pretty reasonable because the visitor count is down in the area.

Any more questions about Orlando just post them.

[retep]

Any more questions about Orlando just post them.

http://www.orlandogolftrail.com What courses (we need 4) ? we would be in villas/condos 2 to 3 per condo, definitely each guy has their own bedroom due to snoring.
These are listed as the "orlando golf trail"... thanks!

• Celebration Golf Club
• ChampionsGate International
• ChampionsGate National
• Falcon's Fire Golf Club
• Hunter's Creek Golf Club
• MetroWest Golf Club
• Orange County National - Panther Lake
• Orange County National - Crooked Cat
• Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club
• Shingle Creek Golf Club
• Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club

[rblmp32]

Either Kiawah or Sea Pines, no question. Sea Pines if you like to go out a bit (I don't mean clubbing, just hit a bar or two), as there is much more to do on Hilton Head than on Kiawah... you gotta drive to Charleston to do much on Kiawah from a night life standpoint, and that's about 45 min.

Courses... hell. Having played the Ocean Course and Harbour Town, you can't go wrong with either. Imo, for the money, the Ocean Course is more worthwhile. Harbour Town will make you wonder why you shelled out $250 until you get to #16 green. Then you see why. The Ocean Course won't have you wondering much past #4 or #5.

[Bubb]

Here's how I would rank them:

1) Orlando - Above-avg golf, reasonable lodging, great places to eat, great weather. Of those listed on your "trail", I would recommend both OCN courses, Celebration, and Southern Dunes, although it requires a little drive. Falcon's Fire is usually great, but they had some conditioning problems this spring. The Championsgate courses are overpriced. Hunter's Creek is garbage.

2) Mississippi - Good golf and your buddies will love the price.

3) Tampa - You will do alot of driving no matter where you stay, unless you do all your golfing at Innisbrook, which is pricey.

4) Palm Springs - awesome golf, but very pricey

5) Horseshoe - the most expensive on your list??? More than Palm Springs?

6) Kiawah - very, very pricey. Without the history of the Ryder Cup, the Ocean Course would be less noteworthy in my opinion.

7) Sea Pines - don't waste your time. Harbortown is OK and the other courses are crap, especially the redesigned Dye course.

[fore_life]

Look at AZ again, wouldnt be surprised if the rates come down for next year, alot of courses are on the verge of bankruptcy and will have to lower rates to increase teh amount of rounds next year.

[Carolina Golfer ...]

Ok, it's not on this list but let me throw in Pelican Hill and the surrounding Orange County, CA area. In full disclosure, I just returned from a two day visit to Pelican to review it for a local publication. Here are some of the reaons it might fit for you guys.

Weather Fantastic, best weather in the U.S. with the exception of San Diego.

36 holes of Tom Fazio golf all with Ocean Views. While the ocean doesn't come into play on any of the holes like Pebble, it is a beautiful backdrop to just about every hole on both courses.

5 star accomodations, the resort is made up of all large Villas you can easily get 3 or 4 guys in a Villa and have plenty of room. They are pricey but it is like a home on the course for the week. There are several top notch affordable hotel chains in the area if you go that route instead of the Villas. You don't have to stay at the resort to play the course.

Airfare in John Wayne airport now can be had for around or less than $200 from just about anywhere in the country.

There are at least half a dozen if not more top quality courses within a 30 to 45 minute drive of Pelican to play on the other days.

Nightlife is as much or as little as you want. Hit the club scene in Newport or just grab a burger and pint at one of the many local pubs in Huntington Beach or Newport area.

If you have specific questions or anything else you need to know about it, just PM or post.

[johnnylongball]

I've never priced it, but I had no idea that Austin was that expensive. Are you sure that number is correct? You could go to almost any resort in the country for that price, with the exception of Pebble.

[Mikolar]

Personally, Kiawah would be my first choice and the Rtj trail would be second based on value. That time of the year, you could include Ross Bridge in your Rtj itenary and it would be in great shape (preparing for its annual senior tour event).

Austin can be great that time of the year but one consideration is that we have our share of spring storms in April. As someone mentioned earlier, I think your numbers may be a bit high for a trip down this way.

HSBay is running deals now for around $175 a day (room and all the golf you can play) and the courses are in good shape. If 'Austin' means just the Barton Creek resort, your numbers may still be a bit high.

I've not been to Sea Pines but hear great things. However, I think the Ocean Course may be the most enjoyable course I have played.

[mattsam]

Do Mississippi Gulf coast take one day to go into New Orleans play a round at Oak Harbor, have a great meal in New Orleans walk go into the quarter for the night.
Matt

[Santee]

Hilton Head...no contest. Incredible number of excellent courses on the island and in the surrounding area. Plenty to do on the island, and Savannah (the riverfront is worth the trip) is close by.

[nando]

I voted Horseshoe Bay, 3 awesome courses....problem is, not a lot to do in Marble Falls.

[trentuindy]

Definately Kiawah. I will agree with most members here that harbortown is way overpriced for the money. I just went to kiawah for my honey moon. Stayed at the Sanctuary on Kiawah island ( the only hotel on the island) which is a condenost 5 star resort. If you're looking for pure golf enjoyment goto either kiawah or hilton head. Granted kiawah is a more expensive with less courses than hilton but the quality is phenomenal. I've played pebble to st. andrews. And for the money Kiawah is by far where i would spend my money. Excellent golf island. It all depends on price my friend is price is no object then kiawah if price is in consideration definately goto Hilton. my .02