20 AMERICANWAY
DECEMBER 15 2008
G O L F
FORMOST GOLFERS,
frost can pose a problem
during an Irishwinter, but not at
DruidsGlen
Golf Resort
, an award-winninggolf course only 30
minutes fromDublin. Technology keeps this par 71,
7,046-yardparkland course open year-round, allow-
ingplay despite coldweather.
“We call it an electric blanket,” Denis Kane, chief
executive officer anddirector of DruidsGlen, says
about the heating system installed at holes 8, 12,
and 13 (other holes on the course receive ample
sunlight forwarmth).
“Whatwe have arewarming cables, which are
located 14 inches beneath the surface of the greens.
These cables are in a continuous loop and are
spaced 12 inches apart.”
The heating system, the
resort’s own invention, was installedwhen the
coursewas under construction in 1992.When
the ground temperature falls, sensors activate the
cables, causing heat to rise toward the surface, thus
keeping frost at bay.
So far, DruidsGlen is Ireland’s only course to put
this technology to use.
“Because our proximity is less than onemile from
the IrishSea, DruidsGlen does not suffer from the
extreme cold as other inland courses do,” Kane says.
“The objective is [to ensure] that play is not disrupt-
ed… [if]we get frost.”
—Mary Lu Laffey
Season’sTidings
Go forgolfbut stay tosee
what elsemakes these
coursesspecial.
Winter
Play a course built on
a lavafield at the
Four Seasons
ResortHualalai atHistoric
Ka’upulehu
on theBig Island of
Hawaii, 10minutes fromKona Inter-
national Airport. The course’s design
is courtesy of JackNicklaus, and the
base is the result of 70million years
of volcanic forces from two volcanoes,
Hualalai andMauna Loa, which are
still active and now a part of Hawaii
VolcanoesNational Park. Greens fees:
$250. www.fourseasons.com/hualalai
Spring
Amuseum near the put-
tinggreen? TheWorldGolf Hall of
FameMuseum is situated near two
distinguished courses— the
King&
Bear
, the only design collaboration
fromArniePalmer and JackNicklaus,
and the
Slammer&Squire
, designed
byBobbyWeedwith input fromSam
Snead andGeneSarazen. Less than
an hour from Jacksonville, Florida.
Greens fees vary: $134 to$189.
www.wgv.com
Summer
Celebrate art andgolf
at
CrystalMountainResort
in
northernMichigan.Michigan Legacy
Art Park, less than45minutes from
TraverseCity, lies along the four-box
MountainRidge golf course.
Man In
His Element
, an eight-foot sculpture
from JohnSauvé, overlooks activity
on the 18th hole atMountainRidge.
Greens fees: from$40. www.crystal
mountain.com
Autumn
Be part of U.S. history at
Stonewall Golf Club
inGainesville,
Virginia, nearManassasNational Bat-
tlefieldPark. Ruts from theCarolina
Trail, whichwas used for troopmove-
ments during theCivilWar, were
undisturbedduring the development
of this championshippublic course, a
mere45minutes fromWashington,
D.C. Visible remnants flank several
holes. Greens fees: $59 to$69.
www.stonewallgolfclub.com
(All greens fees are subject to
change.)
ABOUT DRUIDS GLEN
Often compared toAugustaNational, DruidsGlen
was namedEuropeanGolf Course of theYear in
2001 andEuropeanGolf Resort of theYear in2005.
The club has hosted the IrishOpen for four years,
theSeveTrophy, andplayers likeNick Faldo and
SeveBallesteros (yes, theSeveTrophy is named
after him).
DruidsGlenGolfResort, CountyWick-
low, 011-353-1-287-3600, www.druidsglen.ie
Fees throughMay 1
Round of golf: $114
Roundplus breakfast: $127
Roundplus five-course dinner: $166
Lodging
Marriott DruidsGlenHotel andCountryClub,
from$159per night
011-353-1-287-0800, www.marriott.com
GolfRules in ¬reland,
WeatherorNot
