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Return to TurnberryThe renovated Ailsa Course once again welcomes the British Open
When the event returns to Turnberry in July, Padraig Harrington will be seeking his third consecutive Open title. The Irishman is an ace, no doubt. But with Tiger Woods rearmed and dangerous, Phil Mickelson gunning for the No. 1 world ranking, and young European Tour stars like Rory McIlroy taking dead aim at a major victory, there's no telling who'll succeed Watson, Norman, and Price as the next great champion at Turnberry. One thing is certain, however. The Ailsa Course will be in tip-top shape. In the hands of new owners, the Ailsa and Turnberry's iconic 218-room hotel — which opened in 1906 —have undergone more than $40 million in renovations. Both reopen to the public on July 20. The course changes are subtle and include restored bunkers as well as new championship tees, which extend the layout to a daunting 7,224 yards. Greenskeepers are now grooming the course like a thoroughbred before a Triple Crown race. "The fairway turf and the greens are spotless," says Stephen Walker, Turnberry's director of sales and marketing, noting that the course was closed all winter for repair and maintenance. "Of all the Open championship courses, the Ailsa isn't the toughest or the longest, but it's the most beautiful, far and away. You can see the sea from nearly every spot on the course. It's inspiring." — Joe Bargmann
Local FavoritesStayTurnberry Resort. The Turnberry features 218 refurbished rooms in a luxurious hotel, plus three restaurants and a spa. The grand white building on a hilltop offers sweeping ocean views. (Reopens July 20.) 44.1.655.331000, turnberry.co.uk Lochgreen House Hotel. This intimate, 42-room boutique property feels more like a country estate than a hotel, with its excellent restaurant and a comfortable study perfect for enjoying a dram (or two) of Scotch. 44.1.292.313343, lochgreenhouse.co.uk EatMcCallum's Oyster Bar. The seafood at this dockside restaurant comes right off the boats streaming into Troon Harbour, which diners see through the big wall of windows. 44.1.292.319339 Souter Johnnie's Inn. In the little town of Kirkoswald, this recently renovated roadside restaurant with a thatched roof features classic Scottish pub fare and authentic ambience to match. 44.1.655.760653, souterjohnniesinn.co.uk Other CoursesKilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club. Founded in 1887, Barassie offers 27 holes, with severe doglegs, blind shots, dramatic contouring, and impeccably conditioned greens. The club cohosted the 2001 British Amateur Championship and will serve as an Open qualifying venue in July. 44.1.292.313920, kbgc.co.uk Western Gailes. Also a 2009 Open qualifying site, Western Gailes sits on a sliver of land between Irvine Bay and the railway - both of which come into play because the layout is never more than two holes wide. The par-5 sixth hole is famously quirky, with a blind approach shot to a green nestled in a grassy hollow. 44.1.294.311649, westerngailes.com
Deals & DiscountsWestin Stonebriar Resort French Quarter Inn TPC Louisiana Cleveland, Ohio  The Greens, Eggs & Ham Package at Fairmont Banff Springs, just over an hour's drive into the Canadian Rockies from Calgary, Alberta, offers accommodations, breakfast, and golf on 27 holes, including the highly regarded 18 designed by Stanley Thompson in 1928. From $729 for two golfers, through mid-October. 866.540.4406, fairmont.com/banffsprings The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge Fossil Trace Golf Club Editor's note: Some Deals & Discounts are subject to availability and restrictions. Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Golf” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your trip, visit Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.
Photographs: Courtesy of Turnberry Resort; courtesy of Faimont |
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