Yasuda Golf Equipment

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Grand Cayman Golf Vacations

The Cayman Islands are definitely one of the best destinations when it comes to Golf vacations. This trio of tiny islands in the Caribbean is home to some of the world's greatest reefs and walls. Because of its underwater treasures, the Cayman Islands have earned its reputation of being one of the scuba diving hotspots in the worlds. Its temperate and weather the whole year round is mainly attributed to its location in the Caribbean which has protected the islands from storms. And because of its climate, it has been a prime destination for a variety of outdoor activities. Golf is also one of the attractions in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman Golf is increasingly popular because it offers a spectacular atmosphere.

The Grand Cayman is the largest of the trio. The other two islands are the Little Cayman and the Cayman Brac. The Grand Cayman hosts a number of luxury hotels and condominiums fronting the white sands of Seven Mile Beach. There are many destinations here for outdoor lovers, especially for the scuba divers. For Golf enthusiasts, there is the Britannia Golf Club in the luxurious Hyatt Britannia; the 18-hole Links at Safe Haven; the Sunrise Family Golf Centre; and a nine-hole course at the Ritz Carlton.

The people of the Hyatt Regency hired Jack Nicklaus to design the Britannia Golf Club. As a trademark of a Jack Nicklaus design, the course gives any Golfer a challenging but rewarding Golf experience. The course features, rolling dunes, grassy mounds lakes and oversized bunkers that would definitely challenge any Golfer's abilities. One special feature of this course is that it is actually a two in one Golf course. It can be played as a Championship course or as an Executive course. The Executive course is usually offered during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but special arrangements can be made for tournaments and special events. Regulation play is played daily.

Guests of the Hyatt Regency pay $90 for a nine-hole play and $140 for 18-hole play. Public fees are $100 and $150 but memberships may be availed for $1000 a year. Those who own Britannia Villas overlooking the courses may play for free.

Another Grand Cayman Golf course is the Links at Safehaven. It is a 6605 yard par 71 world class course. The course was designed by Roy Case in 1994 and is situated along North Sound Coast five miles from George Town off Seven Mile Beach. The green was built to the rigid specifications of the USGA standards with a total course rating of 75.1. The landscaping utilized native vegetation with lush gardens of indigenous trees, plants and some flowering shrubs. Landing space of and average of 5,000 square feet is great for Golfers.

There is also a private Grand Cayman Golf course, the Blue Tip. The course is exclusively available to the Ritz Carlton guests. It was designed by Greg Norman. The Blue Tip is a Superb nine hole course but officials are talking of adding another nine holes to make the Blue Tip a complete Golf destination. It is easy to see why so many people are traveling to the Grand Caymans for a Golf vacation. The weather is great all year around and there are several top quality Golf courses to test your playing abilities.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of Golf-swing.com">Discount Golf Vacations website at Golf-swing.com">http://www.good-Golf-swing.com Providing great information on the great game of Golf and great Golf destinations including Golf-swing.com/caymanGolf.html">Grand Cayman Golf.

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Traditions of the Masters Tournament

The Masters, held each year at the Augusta National Golf Club, is one of the most tradition bound of sporting events. Dating back to 1934, it originally was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The name was changed to "The Masters" five years later -- in spite of protests by Bobby Jones.

The Course

Unlike the other Majors, The Masters is held on the same course every year -- Augusta National, the creation of the legendary Bobby Jones.

Following his playing career, Jones began thinking about constructing a Golf course. He was both looking for a place where he could play without being mobbed, and for the opportunity to realize his vision of the ultimate Golf experience.

In 1931, he found an available plot of land in Augusta, Georgia. He was immediately taken by the possibilities of the former tree nursery, and hired the game's greatest architect, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, to help him with the design. Together, the two set out to design a course that could be enjoyed by anyone -- regardless of skill level -- and where on each shot, players would be faced by a multitude of decisions.

The club opened in 1933. One year later, the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament was held.

The Green Jacket

Each year, the winner of the Master's Tournament is awarded a Green Jacket to commemorate his victory.

Members of the private club have been wearing green jackets to the tournament since 1937. (Although the original jackets were deemed too hot to wear.) Members purchased their jackets from the Brooks Uniform Company in New York.

The first Green Jacket awarded to a player given to Sam Sneed in 1949. It signified his membership -- for a year -- in the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.

Master's winners must return the jacket to Augusta the following year, where they are stored and made available to the players when they visit. Some past winners, such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have become actual members of the club and presumably are allowed to have permanent possession of their jackets.

Since 1954, the club has awarded crystal for various achievements, such as low round, holes-in-one and eagles. Jack Nicklaus holds a record 61 pieces of Masters' crystal.

The Champions Dinner

Officially known as the Masters Club, the tradition of the Masters Champions dinner was instituted in 1952 by Ben Hogan.

Each year since then, the previous Masters tournament winner has hosted a dinner for the past champions. The event usually is held on the Tuesday prior to the tournament. The winner chooses the menu, and pays for the meal.

The menu has been interesting. In 1988, Tiger Woods chose cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Sandy Lyle, on the other hand, had haggis.

Honorary Starters

The first balls off the tee at the Masters are hit by "honorary starters," a tradition which began in 1963. The first honorary starters were Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod -- two men with ties to Augusta National.

Hutchison won two Major Championships in his Golfing career -- the 1920 PGA and the 1921 Open Championship. He also was the winner of the inaugural Senior PGA Championship (1937), which was held at Augusta; he won that event again in 1947. he started until 1973.

McLeod was a founding member of the Senior PGA, who played in the first four Masters. McLeod started until 1976.

Gene Sarazen performed the duties from 1981 until he passed away in 1999. Byron Nelson served during the same period. Sam Snead served from 1984 to 2002.

There has not been an honorary starter since Sneed's death. Augusta is rumored to be waiting until Arnold Palmer makes himself available.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

What hot dogs are to baseball, the Pimento Cheese sandwich is to the Masters' at Augusta. There are eight types of sandwiches sold at the Master's but the Pimento Cheese is the one to get. Although the exact recipe is a secret akin to the secret formula for Coke, it's made of pimento cheese and many on white bread.

Lifetime Exemptions for Winners

Bobby Jones thought of the Masters as a gathering of his friends, and so extended a lifetime exemption to the tournament to past winners. Most have stopped playing when they felt that they no longer were competitive. However, others have continued to play even though they can no longer really play. In 2002, Master's Chairman Hootie Johnson sent out letters to past champions, asking them to reconsider their participation. That move started a firestorm of controversy, and resulted in Johnson rescinding his request. Past players are only allowed to start if they intend to play at least 36 holes.

The Crow's Nest

The Crow's Nest is the 1200 square foot room in the clubhouse cupola which is made available for the amateur players in the Tournament. The room is divided into four cubicles -- three with single beds, and one with a double. There also is a sitting area. The amateurs eat in the clubhouse for the week.

Azaleas and Magnolia Lane

August National sits on the site of a former tree nursery, and is festooned with azaleas, magnolias, and an amazing variety of other trees. Azaleas bloom in that part of the country at about the same time as the tournament is held.

Magnolia Lane is the 330 yard road that leads to the clubhouse, which is lined by 61 ancient Magnolia trees.

The Butler Cabin and the Eisenhower Cabin

The Butler Cabin is used by CBS broadcast personnel for interviews and the presentation of the Green Jacket. It was first used in 1965.

The Eisenhower Cabin was built in 1953 for the use of President Eisenhower, who so liked the club that he visited 45 times -- twenty nine while in office. He had become a member in 1948. The cabin apparently is US Secret Service certified.

There are a total of ten cabins on the grounds -- although the term "cabin" is only loosely applied, since they are much better appointed than the average.

The Caddies

Until 1983, players were required to use caddies provided by the club. Since then, they have been allowed to bring their own bag carriers -- but they still must dress in the traditional August caddy uniform: white jumpsuits and green hats. Several Augusta caddies have become minor celebrities, especially "Iron Man" Avery, who caddied for all of Palmer's four Masters' victories.

For more on the best of Golf, visit Golfblogger.com">http://www.Golfblogger.com

John Retzer has worked as a professional journalist, photographer, editor, public relations professional and Golf coach. He currently teaches economics, political science and history. In his "spare time" he runs several websites and blogs, including Golf Blogger at Golfblogger.com">http://www.Golfblogger.com

A Palestinian rescue worker inspects the wreckage of  a vehicle after it was hit in an Israeli missile strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, April 19, 2008. One Palestinian was killed and four wounded, according to Palestinian security sources. Earlier in the day, Hamas suicide bombers drove into an Israeli border crossing and detonated two booby-trapped military-style jeeps Saturday, in what a top army commander said was Hamas' most ambitious attempt to target Israelis since Israel's pullout from Gaza in 2005. (AP Photo/Eyad Baba, Pool)AP - Hamas suicide bombers detonated two booby-trapped jeeps at an Israeli border crossing Saturday in what a top army commander said was Hamas' most ambitious attempt to target Israelis since Israel's pullout from Gaza in 2005.

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