Tee
Times
Andrea DaRif
St. Regis Monarch Beach
The
St. Regis Monarch Beach, located midway between Los Angeles
and San Diego on a seaside stretch of the California Riviera,
is the perfect venue
for a luxurious Pacific sojourn. Everything about the resort,
from exotic treatments at Spa Gaucin to the singular culinary
pleasures found at restaurants like Aqua and Motif, exudes glamour
and sophistication. Whether cruising the Pacific Coast Highway
in a
cherry red Thunderbird, touring the historic Spanish mission
at San Juan Capistrano or experiencing the wonders of the ocean
on a dolphin safari, the wealth
of activities offered by St. Regis Monarch Beach are sure to
thrill guests of any taste.
The Monarch Beach
Golf Links is one of the quintessential golf experiences in
the Golden State. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the layout
is distinguished by superb conditioning all year long and ample
strategic challenge for even the best of golfers. Each season
the course hosts a stop on the PGA Tour, the Hyundai Team Matches.
Playing atop dramatic bluffs and along a pristine stretch of
the resort’s private beach—with the sweep of the
ocean in view on no less than 13 holes—the links is a
work of sheer beauty. A post-round cocktail on the patio of
Club 19 in the Tuscan-inspired clubhouse, is the perfect place
to cool off while watching the sun set over Catalina Island
and the Pacific. www.stregismb.com.
Four
Seasons Great Exuma
The
largest of over 300 islands that make up the
Exuma archipelago in the Bahamas, Great Exuma has
long been known for its
tranquil beauty and superb bonefishing. Now, with the opening
of the Four Seasons Great Exuma at Emerald Bay, there is a bigger
fish in its waters. The Great White Shark, golf legend Greg
Norman, was brought in to design an 18-hole championship layout
along scenic Emerald Bay, and the result is a spectacular oceanfront
course destined to make a real splash in the region. Featuring
paspalum, an environmentally friendly seashore grass, the course
has two distinctly different looks. The front nine winds through
a mix of seaside dunes and mangrove preserves, while the back
nine runs along a rocky peninsula that affords a dramatic vista
of the ocean. Played from the tips, it has real teeth, challenging
low handicappers with narrow landing areas that are well guarded
by tropical rough or water. The other tees offer more open fairways,
yet still test accuracy, and players of all abilities will find
the breathtaking views and the variety of holes make for a memorable
round.
The resort itself offers all of the luxurious amenities and
services that are synonymous with the Four Seasons name. The
spa, staffed by therapists from Bali, offer a variety of relaxing
and rejuvenating treatments with an Asian influence, along with
homeopathic treatments that use local salts and indigenous herbs
and flowers. A wellness program, including yoga and meditation,
complements a fitness center and tranquillity garden. A wealth
of water sports are also available, and the range of dining
options showcase both local flavors and a sophisticated blend
of international cuisine. www.fourseasons.com
