TWENTY MINUTES FROM Raleigh-Durham International Airport, THE WASHINGTON DUKE INN & GOLF CLUB, on the campus of Duke University in Durham, N.C., is undergoing a $25 million expansion and renovation, to be completed by spring 2005. It will include a new conference center with 16 meeting rooms and a grand ballroom, and 100 new guest rooms and suites, each with views of the Duke University Golf Course. A new golf shop will also be added.
EAGLE CREEK GOLF CLUB, 12 minutes from the Orlando (Fla.) International Airport, is scheduled to open this month. The 7,198-yard, par-73 course was designed by Ron Garl and Howard Swan. Eagle Creek is an Audubon International Silver Signature course, and is the first course in Florida with mini-verde greens, a grass known for its playability and durability.
Destination Hotels & Resorts last year opened the 20-room LODGE AT OCEAN HAMMOCK on the 18th hole of the Jack Nicklaus — designed Ocean Hammock Golf Club in northeastern Florida. The course was chosen by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Ten New Courses You Can Play.” The lodge is between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.
The JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA in Phoenix has 950 guest rooms, including 85 suites. Its Wildfire Golf Club touts two 18-hole courses: The Palmer Signature Course opened in 1997; The Faldo Championship Course opened in 2002.
STARR PASS MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA will open in December as Tucson's first new resort in 18 years. Among the 575-room resort's amenities is the redesigned Starr Pass Golf Club, which originally opened in 1986 and was designed by Robert Cupp. The course, renovated by Arnold Palmer's Palmer Course Design Co., reopened last October. The company is adding nine holes, which will open in November.
In Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, the 500-acre WESTIN RIO MAR BEACH RESORT & GOLF CLUB has added a fleet of golf carts equipped with ParView GPS Course Management Systems, personal coolers, two-way communications, and the ability to order food and beverages from the course. The Ocean Course is getting additional bunkers and improved drainage this year.
THE FINAL, the first Jack Nicklaus — designed course in Wales, is opening this summer on the edge of Carmarthan Bay on the southwest coast. This 7,000-yard, par-72, links-style course will have a clubhouse with spa facilities including sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, and treatment rooms, as well as a restaurant and bar.