Packages To The 2014 Masters Available Now

The life of a true golf lover is not complete without a trip to the Masters Golf Tournament. Whether you come with practice round tickets or Masters tournament day badges, those first steps onto the perfectly manicured grounds are surreal. The only surefire way to secure Masters Golf Tournament Tickets are through a reputable tour operator like Worldwide Golf Vacations.

We specialize in the creation of custom Masters Packages that can include: Tickets, Badges, Accommodation in Area Hotels or Private Rental Homes, On-site Program Coordinators, Event Transportation, Rounds of Golf and Hospitality at The Magnolia Manor.

Masters tickets & badges remain the most prestigious ticket in Sport. Access to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta Georgia is cherished by many, yet only a privileged few get the opportunity to walk along the pristine fairways & hallowed grounds of Augusta National.

The only men's major that is held on the same golf course each year is the Masters, which is played in early April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters also includes the fewest golfers of any major; invitations usually are sent to less than 100 golfers based on certain qualifications such as recent winners of certain tournaments and golfers who were ranked among the top 50 in the world for the previous year. All previous Masters winners receive lifetime invitations, although most eventually stop participating after they are no longer able to compete at a certain level.

Augusta National Golf Club was founded by Bobby Jones, the legendary amateur champion, and Clifford Roberts, an astute investment banker in New York. Jones helped design the golf course, working alongside the esteemed British architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie. Jones's popularity within the game helped attract golf's biggest stars to the Masters, beginning with the inaugural event in 1934. Roberts oversaw innumerable details of the Tournament. He tirelessly sought to refine the Masters experience for the patrons and competitors and the wider world of golf.

Secure your place in golf history by attending the 2014 Masters. Contact Worldwide Golf Vacations today! Visit us at www.worldwidegv.com or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.

2014 Golf Vacation Guide Currently Available!!!

The 2014 Golf Vacation Guide is currently available in a page turning format. Hard copies can be mailed upon request. This is a free service provided by Worldwide Golf Vacations that showcases some of the best golf resorts and golf destinations in the world.

This year the cover of our Golf Vacation Guide features the "Legends of Golf Trail" in Florida. Experience 9 incredible championship golf courses at 3 outstanding golf resorts for yourself. The drive between each resort is only 90 minutes. The Legends of Golf Trail includes Innisbrook in Tampa, Reunion in Orlando and Hammock Beach in Palm Coast. These Salamander Golf Resorts & Spas offer accommodations for every sized group ranging from executive suites, spacious villas and high-end private homes.

Don't delay planning your upcoming golf vacation. Contact Worldwide Golf Vacations today!

For more information about the Legends of Golf Trail or our full product line, visit us at www.worldwidegv.com or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.

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Application for 2014 St. Andrews Old Course Tee Times!!!

The Application Date for your chance to play the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Links is September 4th, 2013.

The link below is one of your best chances to play the one and only St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland. Every year The St. Andrews Links Organization offers the Application Process to Golfers around the world for a chance to play the Old Course.

There has been a slight change this year in that application time is from 2:00 PM UK time on September 4th, 2013 which is 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

Set yourself up for success - Years of experience shows that if you are not ready to file the application at 9:00 AM EST and leave it for much more than a couple of hours you may be unsuccessful. Around 2000 requests will more than likely be made within the first couple of days and this will probably be more applications than available tee times.

Please see the following link to the Old Course Application Form

Remember: If you are successful with the Old Course Application, we will build your Dream Scotland Golf Vacation package around the tee time you have secured.

Please contact Worldwide Golf Vacations at info@worldwidegv.com or call 781-944-1123 with any questions. Don't forget to let us know that you were successful and we will get started on your 2014 Scotland Golf Vacation now.

Good Luck!!!

Golf in The Azores: The Golf World's Best Kept Secret

The mild Azorean climate, beautiful scenery and quiet courses make the archipelago an ideal year round golfing destination.

There are currently three golf courses on the islands, 2 with 18 holes and 1 with 27 holes. On São Miguel, Batalha overlooks the sea and is the newest and most challenging course while Furnas (located in the mountains) is sprinkled with lakes and stands of Japanese Cryptomeria. The courses were designed by Mackenzie Ross and Cameron Powell Associates and offer many facilities including, trolley, club and caddie hire, together with clubhouse and training facilities. The Vila Nova course on the island of Terceira is a heavily wooded course close to the UNESCO World heritage site of Angra do Heroismo. The course dates back to 1954 and is well maintained, offering similar facilities to those on Sao Miguel.

We can tailor golfing vacations to suit your requirements with accommodation, transfers, reservations and green fees all included. We can even include an excellent sightseeing package for partners who don’t share the passion for golf.

Getting to The Azores is as easy as possible thanks to our friends at SATA Airlines who offer direct flights from the US East Coast. It's Europe only 4 hours away!

Additional Detail on Each Golf Course

FURNAS

The course is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Sao Miguel set above the Furnas Valley and close to the beautiful Furnas Lake with its famous boiling cauldrons.

The original 9 hole course was completed in 1939 by the designer MacKenzie Ross, who is probably best known for the Estoril Golf Course near Lisbon and for his work in restoring, from near ruin, the world famous Ailsa and Arran Courses at Turnberry in Scotland.

Extended in 1990 - under the supervision of the British Golf Course designers Cameron Powell Associates - the full 18 hole Course is now par 72 with a maximum length of 6232 yards.  We are sure that MacKenzie Ross would be delighted to see that the new 9 holes are so in harmony with the style of the original that it is becoming increasingly difficult to ‘spot the join’.

The course itself - set amid stands of majestic Japanese cedars and with fiendishly contoured greens - is quite gentle in nature but is without doubt a genuine test of skill and finesse.

Facilities - Clubhouse with bar and restaurant, pro shop and TV/video room.  2 putting greens, practice tee and chipping area.

BATALHA

This course is located on the north coast of São Miguel, just 10 minutes from the centre of the capital, Ponta Delgada.

Designed by Cameron Powell Associates, this 27 hole course was opened in 1993.  Its magnificent setting, nestling in surrounding hills with sweeping views to the ocean and its large flowing greens, wide and generous fairways and wonderfully contoured bunkers make it one of the most popular courses on the islands.  It is also deemed the most challenging.

It is difficult to select a best hole - they are all in some way exceptional - but there is a very special feeling when you are standing on the soaring 6th tee on B loop. 

The clubhouse covers over 3,000 square meters and offers a superb range of support services.  With its elevated views, across the course to the mountains and the ocean, there can be very few better places, anywhere, to enjoy a drink, snack or meal… either before or after your round of golf.

Facilities – Clubhouse, social bar, luxury restaurant and Banquet room.  Pro-shop and TV/video room. WiFi access. Driving range for up to 30 players, chipping and pitching area and 2 putting greens.

TERCEIRA

Located just 13km from the World Heritage city of Angra do Heroismo, this rural course is at 350m above sea level, with several wooded areas and 6 artificial lakes.  It is probably at its most beautiful in May and June when the azaleas and hydrangeas are in bloom.

The course was built in 1954 and is par 72 (18 holes), 5886 yards.  It was built by the North American military who are based at Lajes.

Facilities - Driving range, putting green, snack bar/restaurant and pro shop.

For more information about Azores Golfing Vacations, visit us at www.worldwidegv.com or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.

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Iconic Doral Resort Officially Renamed Trump National Doral® Miami by Trump Hotel Collection

MIAMI - August 5, 2013 - TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION™ announced the official renaming of the historic Doral Resort as Trump National Doral® Miami, part of its comprehensive transformation. Purchased by the Trump Organization in June 2012, the iconic property, long recognized for its award-winning championship golf courses, is presently undergoing an elaborate restoration to recapture the resort’s early grandeur infused with the distinguished five-star level of service that is synonymous with the Trump brand. Once complete, the nearly 800 acre property will feature five enhanced and expanded golf courses highlighted by the redesign of the famed Blue Monster; 640 completely remodeled guestrooms; revamped main building, lobby, fitness center, ballrooms, pools and spa; new restaurants and bar concepts; landscaping renewal and technology upgrades to all rooms and meeting and event space.

“With all of the expansive enhancements now underway, it seemed appropriate to launch the property's new name and identity; officially signaling the beginning of the next chapter in the storied history of this iconic resort,” said Jim Petrus, chief operating officer of Trump Hotel Collection.

A key collaborator in the renovation is renowned golf course architect, Gil Hanse, which was retained to work directly with Donald J. Trump and the PGA TOUR leadership team to expand and redesign The Blue Monster golf course and bring it up to the highest standards and levels in the golf industry. Known as one of the most famous golf courses in the world, The Blue Monster has been the home to the PGA TOUR every March since its opening more than 50 years ago. The new redesigned course will be unveiled for the upcoming World Golf Championships -Cadillac Championship in March 2014.

Notable on its own merits, the celebrated resort spa will similarly undergo considerable renovation in 2014, introducing a newly reimagined 48,000 square-foot sanctuary with 33 treatment rooms that will boast over 100 signature spa treatments and services. Adjacent to the Spa reside 48 luxury suites that will also be restyled, providing a ‘hotel within the hotel’ concept allowing guests to indulge in added amenities and services not available with other guestrooms or suites.

Vibrant new restaurant and bar concepts will also be introduced to the property, including a reimagined Champions Bar & Grill, which will reflect the best of the highly touted restaurant offerings from among the Trump global golf portfolio. Other noteworthy changes will include the reveal of a new hotel lobby; a completely revamped pool complex to feature lush landscape and an expansive patio design along with 22 lavish cabanas; a fully redesigned state of the art fitness center: and the restoration and expansion of 100,000 square feet of event space, including the creation of a of beautifully detailed 7,200 square foot ballroom and 8,000 square terrace, located atop the main Clubhouse with a scenic overlook of the resorts signature golf courses.

The property remains open, with the majority of its vast recreation options remaining operational during the renovation.

For more information about the above mentioned resorts or our full product line, visit us at www.worldwidegv.com or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.

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Meet The Newly Rebranded Omni Hotels

Omni Hotels & Resorts announced it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase and operate several distinguished resort properties from entities affiliated with KSL Capital Partners, LLC. The properties will be reflagged under the Omni brand on July 1, representing a significant expansion of Omni’s already-robust Resort Collection. The acquisition extends Omni’s resort portfolio to the West Coast and adds other strategically important locations like the Texas Hill Country.

The iconic resorts are longstanding classic hotels in North America that are distinguished in design, local color and authenticity reflecting their destination – all of which are consistent with Omni’s strategy to provide unique properties representative of their individual local market flavor. The properties are Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX; La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA; and The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA.

“Each of these properties is unique in its own right – rich in heritage and distinctive in their elegance and charm. We would be fortunate to own and operate any single one of these celebrated resorts,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “By purchasing all five of these properties, Omni has significantly enhanced our growing Resort Collection in terms of scope, scale and prestige.”

Barton Creek Resort & Spa: Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the resort combines impeccable service with its own classic brand of casual elegance in a luxurious setting. Heralded as the number one golf resort in Texas, Barton Creek boasts four nationally acclaimed championship courses as well as the state's only Callaway Performance Center. The resort features 318 spacious and beautifully appointed guest rooms, a recently renovated full-service spa, superior dining options, and fine meeting and wedding facilities.

La Costa Resort and Spa: Fresh from a $50 million renovation and nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, CA, La Costa boasts a new look including 611 newly appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, an adult-only pool venue, the Coastal Events Center, an expanded Athletic Club as well as two redesigned signature golf courses. Honored as the #1 Wellness Spa in the Nation by Spa magazine, the 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, café and therapeutic reflexology path. Acclaimed restaurants – Legends Bistro and BlueFire Grill – present an updated take on locally inspired cuisine and culinary delights.

The Homestead: The Homestead is one of America's most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality in a 2,000-acre setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. In summer 2013, the hotel will complete a $26 million renovation that will culminate with its new Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The Homestead is distinguished by 483 luxurious guest rooms and suites, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, a wide array of fine and casual dining choices, championship golf courses that include one of the nation's finest mountain courses (The Cascades), Allegheny Springs, a two-acre family-friendly water attraction complete with lazy river, and water play zone. The resort also offers the South's first downhill ski area, Equestrian Center and show ring, top-rated Shooting Club, Back Country Driving School, off-road Segway tours and a wealth of other recreational attractions.

For more information about the above mentioned resorts or our full product line, visit us at www.worldwidegv.com or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.

Don't forget to sign-up for weekly email specials and your chance to WIN A FREE GOLF VACATION!

Pebble Beach Resorts Adding A New Driving Range

After more than 20 years of planning, Pebble Beach Resorts officially broke ground on the new Pebble Beach Driving Range and state-of-the-art Golf Academy today. The ceremony, led by Pebble Beach Company Chief Executive Officer Bill Perocchi, marked the beginning of the Del Monte Forest Project, a multi-phase development and conservation plan designed to protect native habitat, update and expand resort facilities, improve access, and enhance the overall guest, visitor, and resident experience at Pebble Beach Resorts.

Other components of the project include 100 new guest rooms and expanded group meeting space at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and The Inn at Spanish Bay; improved traffic access near the Highway 1 gate into Pebble Beach; supplementary parking areas at The Lodge and The Inn; 90 residential lots; a new 100-room hotel near Spyglass Hill Golf Course; and the preservation of an additional 635 acres of native habitat.

Located across Portola Road from the current range, the new Pebble Beach Driving Range will be double-ended and nearly twice the size of the existing range. Guests will enjoy expanded hitting bays and target greens, as well as a new, larger putting green, practice bunkers, and chipping tees and greens. Directly adjacent to the range, the new 3,000-square-foot Pebble Beach Golf Academy will feature cutting edge instructional technology, an expanded club fitting area, and a covered hitting bay for lessons. World-renowned instructors Laird Small and Dan Pasquariello - both listed as top teachers in the United States by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine - will continue to provide personalized instruction and custom-tailored lessons. The new range and Pebble Beach Golf Academy will open in January 2014, prior the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The current range will remain open to guests during construction.

Over the next ten years, the Del Monte Forest Project is expected to create more than 200 permanent hospitality positions and thousands more construction-related jobs. In addition, the conservation of an additional 635 acres of native habitat, together with lands previously preserved by the Company, means that 25 percent of the Del Monte Forest will be protected forever for future generations to enjoy. In May 2012, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the plan, calling it a “landmark” project due to its protection for local habitat as well as its visitor-serving and public access components.

“The Del Monte Forest Project speaks to the spirit of perseverance as well as the cooperation between the California Coastal Commission, the County, and the Pebble Beach Company that have allowed us to reach this milestone,” Perocchi added. “We believe guests visit Pebble Beach for the first time because this is a special place, marked by beauty, history, and world-renowned golf. They return year after year because of the world-class service delivered by our employees and of our goal to always ‘Keep Improving.’ This project is yet another step in that direction.”

Visit us at www.worldwidegv.com and select from our full product line or call us at 800-946-5318 and speak with one of our Golf Vacation Specialists.