Arizona Golf

Scottsdale Concierge Service Takes Golf Vacations to Next Level

Visitors looking to experience the ultimate golf getaway in Scottsdale – without the hassle of actually planning the trip – can turn to Scottsdale Swing, a swanky new golf concierge service that offers professional and personal assistance in every aspect of the golfer’s dream golf vacation.

Owners Steve Gleave and Scott Samele choose the best Scottsdale courses that are tailored to the customers’ needs and deal with all other planning logistics like airport transportation and overnight accommodations. The men behind Scottsdale Swing also have VIP access to the top bars and clubs in the city.

For more information, call (888) 80-SWING or visit www.ScottsdaleSwing.com. For media information only, contact Scott Samele at scott@scottsdaleswing.com or (480) 998-3988.

GOLF Magazine honors 10 Arizona Golf Teachers

In the March 2007 issue of GOLF Magazine, 10 Arizona golf instructors made the list of the “Top 100 Golf Teachers in America,” further reinforcing Arizona’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier golf destinations. To compile the list, GOLF Magazine asked the 41 sections of the PGA of America to recommend the top instructors out of 28,000 eligible members.

Each of the 659 nominees was sent a questionnaire developed by the University of Georgia Sports Instruction Research Laboratory to gain information about their teaching philosophy, experience, continuing education and development, and teaching awards. Jason Carbone, Director of Instruction for the Jim McLean Golf School at The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, was one of only two Arizonans that were new to the list this year. Other teachers included Mike and Sandy LaBauve with the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson with the Legacy Golf Resort, and Peter Kostis and Paul Trittler with Grayhawk Golf Club. For more information on Arizona golf, visit www.ArizonaGuide.com.

Boulders Reinforces Renowned Golf Reputation with $1 Million Makeover

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa is investing more than $1 million in golf course upgrades, which are scheduled for completion in early 2007. The upgrades include an expanded and leveled driving range, offering almost an acre of hitting space, and revitalized sand bunkers on all 36 holes. It also includes new teak outdoor furniture along the range and clubhouse area, as well as a new golf recreation zone at the back-end of the resort where players can enjoy post-play cocktails.

For more information, visit www.TheBoulders.com or call (800) 553-1717. For media information only, contact Debora Bridges at db@bridgesmediagroup.com or (480) 381-7771.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club opened second course in December 2006

The award-winning We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, located in the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, just opened a second course, which was designed by the golf course architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

The team was chosen from among 15 course architects. Coore and Crenshaw also designed Talking Stick Golf Club’s North and South courses on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The new course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, the Saguaro course, is located north of the existing Scott Miller-designed Cholla course that opened in 2001 and was named one of the top 10 new courses in the world by Sports Illustrated magazine.

For moreinformation, visit www.wekopa.com or call (866) 660-7700. For media information only, contact Rob Myers at rmyers@commlinks.com or (480) 348-7540.

Whirlwind Golf Club at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa Announces New On-Site Golf Academy

Whirlwind Golf Club at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has named The Bird Golf Academy as the new on-site golf instructional team offering a wide array of services including personalized coaching, the finest PGA and LPGA professionals, comprehensive packaging and unparalleled customer attention. Promising the “Ultimate Golf Learning Experience®,” the Academy’s unique concepts are the product of many lifetimes of observation, teaching, and research. Their recipe for success is highly personalized instruction coupled with a small student-to-teacher ratio.

Instructors for the Bird Golf Academy include National Head Professional, Sharon Miller, the LPGA’s national Teacher of the Year in 1989 and founding editor of Golf For Women magazine; Mary Mills, US Open and two-time LPGA Championship-winner; and Jim Samsing, a PGA Professional for 30 years, among many other notable professionals.

For more information or to book an instruction session call 877-424-7346; email info@birdgolf.com or visit:www.WildHorsePassResort.com. For media information only, contact Kristen Jarnagin at 520-796-8246 or kristen.jarnagin@sheraton.com.