http://traveltattler.com Great Golf and Travel Writing Mon, 07 May 2012 21:44:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The last day of a vacation is bittersweet. But what if you make it the first day of your new life? That’s what Boulder, Colorado’s Megan Haertling and her new husband did during the final sunset of their honeymoon. “We loved Hawaii so much we made a commitment right then and there to live in the islands,” says Haertling. The newlyweds flew home, sold whatever they could, quit their jobs, turned around, and went back to their paradise. “My ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/personalities/1193/in-wonderful-wailea-its-easy-to-stay-forever FOOD + WINE 2012 "/> Celebrity chef Todd English had a luxury tent full of food-o-files eating out of his hand during an intimate cooking demonstration, followed by a book signing, at the annual Pebble Beach Food + Wine event. “I love nothing more than preparing a meal for someone. It’s so sensual,” said English, as he whipped up a plate of colorful ginger roasted duck complimented by parmesan risotto with peas and carrots, using unabashed amounts of butter and ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/personalities/1174/a-few-more-courses-at-pebble-beach-ifood-wine-2012i-2 Can you imagine the notion of living and working on vacation with a six-month contract aboard a luxury ocean liner? When Disney Cruise Line sent its’ fanciful new ship named Fantasy on its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida in April, more than 1,500 housekeepers, waiters, stage performers, chefs, lifeguards, laundry attendants, retail clerks, maintenance people and others and more were on board living out their fantasy of life on the high seas. “I love it, ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/library/1144/take-a-long-term-cruise-on-disneys-crew When 54-year old amateur golfer Randy Lewis, from Alma, Michigan, drove up the famed Magnolia Lane leading to the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club, he was a competitor not a tourist, but still he says he drove very slowly in order to take it all in and make it last. He earned a dream invitation to compete inGeorgia against the world’s best and along some legendary players at this week’s Masters Tournament by winning the ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/1088/play-augusta-national-golf-clubs-masters-tournamentsomewhere-else While the glory and beauty of Rome seemed a fantasy, the Eternal City, with its history, art, fashion and cuisine was not a world away. It was just a phone call away. In this era of automated customer service and dismissive and distant telephone representatives, Nita Olson decided she wanted to help make people’s dreams come true. So she went to work for DeltaVacations.com and does exactly that.   I was doubtful when I heard you could ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/library/1067/make-eternal-memories-in-the-eternal-city-an-italian-adventure-in-ancient-rome-and-vatican-city-is-stylish-and-satisfying Dale Jones caddied for 10 years on the LPGA Tour and remembers the first time he looped one of his players to victory. “East Lansing, Michigan. Walnut Hills Country Club. Oldsmobile Classic. 1995. Dale Eggeling,” he says, in a southern drawl through a big smile. He doesn’t remember how much he was paid for the win, but he does remember the course and the town. “Walnut Hills was always in beautiful condition. The crowds in Lansing ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/courses-and-travel/1060/relive-michigan-golf-glory-at-fallen-oak-in-biloxi Robert Louis Stevenson described Pebble Beach, California as “the most felicitous meeting of land and sea in creation.” If he were to be on the Monterey Peninsula in mid April, he may have better characterized Pebble Beach as the most felicitous and delicious meeting of land, sea and wine in creation.” April 12 through 15 the famed golf resort hosts “Pebble Beach Food and Wine,” one of the premier epicurean lifestyle events in America. “It’s crazy. 40,000 ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/library/1057/meet-celebrity-chefs-and-winemakers-and-taste-away-at-pebble-beach   Since its Aug. 2009 opening, the $300 million FireKeepers Casino, in Battle Creek, has successfully operated under a management agreement with Full House Resorts. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi has negotiated a buy-out, four years early, of the Full house contract. As of May 1, 2012, the Tribe will both own and operate the casino resort. Homer A. Mandoka, the NHBP Tribal Chairman, said, “We will continue to develop jobs for our Tribe and the ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/library/1049/firekeepers-moving-foreward Flip on the television in your guestroom at the Marriott Doral Resort and Spa, in Miami, and you will find a channel showing nothing but exciting highlights of five decades of PGA Tour golf events staged on the 650-acre property. Take your eyes away from the TV to look out your sliding glass door and you’ll see, only steps away, the precise spot on the Blue Monster course’s 18th green where the likes of Tour stars ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/courses-and-travel/1043/luxurious-doral-resort-and-spa-puts-the-spotlight-on-you When the Republicans stage their national convention in Tampa late this summer - the event at which they will nominate a candidate for president – two of the area’s renowned restaurants, Bern’s Steakhouse and Columbia (in Ybor City), will be full of conservative delegates. But Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, and the other GOP celebrities would do well to visit Caretta on the Gulf, which has splashed on the four-diamond scene in Clearwater ... ]]> http://traveltattler.com/golf/golf/lifestyle/1036/sparkling-and-still