For golfers, this is indeed the most glorious time of the year. The Masters. Augusta National. It’s an iconic event, a legendary golf course and memories of grand champions working their magic among the azaleas and pines.
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For golf travelers, however, another modern legend offers a bit of its own magic. Champions Retreat — just 15 miles from “The National” — is the only club in the world with courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. And it opens its exclusive gates for one week a year, during The Masters. On this episode of the “Talking Golf Getaways” podcast, Champions Retreat General Manager Cameron Wiebe joins hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch for a peek inside this most unusual, and sought-after, golf destination — and explains how all golfers can experience its excellence.
You’ll learn what makes Champions Retreat special in addition to its three nine-hole courses designed by the Hall of Fame trio — other amenities that distinguish Champions Retreat from other golf clubs, including 16 luxury-appointed cottages (homes) and a world-class food and beverage team (which piques Darin’s interest big-time).
You’ll also find out about the club’s many different types of eating and drinking activities, such as a five-course meal pared with the best in wine and cocktail combinations. And the “Tour of the South” — a culinary journey highlighting different regions of Southern cooking.
Cameron then details the history of the golf courses at Champions Retreat, beginning with the story of how Player invited Nicklaus and Palmer to join in creating the layouts, drawing index cards for the pieces of land each would use as their canvas. He walks us through the The Island (Palmer), The Creek (Player) and The Bluff (Nicklaus), discussing what makes each nine-hole layout so unique.
Wiebe also explains how anyone can make arrangements to play Champions Retreat during Masters week — and how you can make connections to experience Champions Retreat during the rest of the year. He also goes into the portfolio of courses in the Heritage Golf Group — both private and public — that are available to golf travelers.
Cameron Wiebe and Champions Retreat. A fantastic way to begin our week talking about The Masters and all that it brings to the world of golf.
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Masters Week on “Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch Laurance & Darin Bunch” is sponsored by Tobacco Road Golf & Travel (TobaccoRoadTravel.com) and can be found on GolfNewsNet.com and across the Golf News Net platform. New episodes post daily, five days per week (for the most part), and “Talking GolfGetaways” is also available on audioBoom, iTunes and Stitcher.
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