Golf Travel News July 13, 2025

Golf Travel News July 13, 2025

In golf travel news this week are items from Nemacolin, Caledonia and True Blue, Dunedin, Carlisle CC and Horseshoe Bay.

Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock Courses at Nemacolin Honored in Golf Digest’s 2025-2026 Golf Course Rankings

Both courses land on “Best in Pennsylvania” List, Mystic Rock ranks 64^th among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses”

Farmington, Pennsylvania – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxury golf resort destination, is proud to announce that both of its awarding-winning golf courses have been honored in Golf Digest’s coveted biennial golf course rankings for 2025-2026.

The Mystic Rock course, home of the 84 Lumber Classic from 2003 to 2006, was ranked 64^th on the publication’s ‘America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses’ list and 11^th on Golf Digest’s “Best in Pennsylvania” rankings. The inimitable Shepherd’s Rock course was ranked 21^st on the “Best in Pennsylvania” list.

According to the venerable publication, Golf Digest‘s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses “provides a biennial snapshot into the state of affairs of public and resort golf course architecture. It also, increasingly, offers a peek into the wider world of golf development… The ranking, based on tens of thousands of evaluations submitted by our traveling course-ranking panelists, is a reflection of the architectural merits of each course. And by that measure, the level of excellence continues to be impressive.”

Golf Digest has been publishing a Best in State ranking every other year since 1977, making this the 25th edition. Deploying its trained panel of more than 1,700 low-handicap golfers to continually assess the courses of this nation is a mission whose main obstacle is daylight. “We have completed our regional rollout of our Best in State rankings. These rankings were based on more than 80,000 evaluations over a 10-year cycle from our panelists, who assess candidate courses based on the following criteria: Shot Options, Challenge, Design Variety, Conditioning, Aesthetics, Character and Fun (though Fun isn’t currently used in our formula),” the article announcing the coveted rankings said

Until you have experienced the eclectic wonders of this larger-than-life resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains (about one hour southeast of Pittsburgh), it’s simply hard to describe. Imagine a wonderland where one could spend their days luxuriating with world-class spa treatments, relaxing with afternoon tea, admiring breathtaking works or fine art, and taking in a hands-on Italian Cooking Class. Then, another guest could play 36 holes a day of championship Pete Dye-designed golf and use their off time to take a challenging ropes course, go whitewater rafting, jeeping, or clay-target shooting. After all that, they can have a world-class dining experience followed by a visit to The Casino at Nemacolin or enjoying a signature Whiskey Tasting or a fine cigar in The Hardy Room.

To learn more about the incomparable golf vacation experience at Nemacolin, visit Nemacolin.com/golf.

Golfweek Ranks Caledonia Golf And Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club Among South Carolina’s Top 5 Courses

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, two of America’s top 100 resort courses, have added another accolade to their long list of honors. Golfweek has released its annual list of the “Best Courses You Can Play,” a ranking of the best public designs in each state, and Caledonia and True Blue were near the top of golf-rich South Carolina’s best. 

Golfweek ranked Caledonia as the Palmetto State’s fourth best public course, followed immediately by True Blue at No. 5. The only three courses above the duo – Kiawah’s Ocean Course, Harbour Town Golf Links, and the Dunes Golf & Beach Club – are regular hosts of PGA Tour or major championship events. 

The prestigious list, compiled by Golfweek’s nationwide team of course raters, evaluates public-access layouts based on criteria such as course conditioning, memorability, shot values, and overall design quality. The recognition is a testament to the continued excellence of the sister courses, both designed by legendary architect Mike Strantz.

“Being ranked among the top 5 public golf courses in South Carolina is an honor we take great pride in,” said Bart Romano, PGA, Director of Operations for Caledonia and True Blue. “Mike Strantz’s vision and artistry live on in both layouts, and we understand our responsibility to maintain that legacy. We’re delighted that Golfweek’s raters continue to recognize what traveling golfers have experienced for years – that these courses offer something truly special.”

Located adjacent to one another in Pawleys Island, Caledonia and True Blue offer distinct but equally memorable experiences. Caledonia, Strantz’s first solo design, is renowned for its Lowcountry charm, moss-draped oaks, and a dramatic finish along the Waccamaw River. True Blue, meanwhile, showcases a bolder, more expansive style, with wide fairways, sprawling bunkers, and dynamic green complexes.

Both courses have consistently earned national acclaim, including Golfweek’s recent ranking of both among America’s top 100 resort courses and Golf Magazine’s longstanding recognition of Caledonia as one of the nation’s top 100 public layouts.

For more information on tee times, stay-and-play packages, or the latest news from each course, visit www.CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or TrueBlueGolf.com.

Dunedin Golf Club Awarded Renovation of the Year by Golf Inc.

Iconic Central Florida Muni design gets recognized as the top public course renovation

Dunedin, FL – Dunedin Golf Club, the historic Donald Ross-designed course owned by the City of Dunedin (just north of Tampa), has been awarded “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc. in the public course category. Through the guidance of golf course architect Kris Spence, a leading Donald Ross expert, and a $6 million course restoration, the course has been restored to its roots of the Golden Age of Architecture.

“Being recognized by Golf Inc. as the top public golf course renovation is very exciting, especially for a municipal course,” said Blair Kline, General Manager of Golf Operations. “This recognition is a testament to the support we have received from the City of Dunedin, which had the vision of how a restoration of this magnitude can impact the local community, along with the work that Kris Spence did in bringing back the greens and bunker complexes that Donald Ross originally intended.”

Dunedin Golf Club was built in 1926 and opened for play on January 1, 1927, under the name Dunedin Isles Golf Club. At the time, Ross referred to it as “his masterpiece” and attributed it to its ideal combination of rolling hills, waterways, and other natural hazards that made it possible to achieve his idea of course perfection. In 1939, the City of Dunedin took ownership of the course, and in 2024, it took over the management operations.

Over the years, several renovations took the course further away from what Ross had created. This included the green complexes shrinking 35-to-50 percent, taking away from the strategy Ross intended. In 2014, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, thanks to this latest and meticulous restoration of the green complexes, bunkers, fairways, and tees, every golfer can experience the course as Ross intended – right down to the actual greens Ross originally created.

In 1944, the PGA of America moved its headquarters to Dunedin from Chicago and renamed the course PGA National Golf Club – leasing it from the city. Eventually, the PGA moved out, but the site hosted 18 consecutive Senior PGA Championships – as well as the original PGA Merchandise Show in 1954.

Dunedin Golf Club is now widely considered one of Florida’s top municipal courses, along with the Winter Park Golf Course in Orlando and The Park at West Palm Beach. Rates for 18 holes range from $85 to $130, depending on the season, and there are discounted green fees for local residents.

Golf Inc. annually recognizes the Best New Golf Course Developments and Renovations. This year’s winners focused on restoring original designs and making old things new again.

“Sometimes the theme of a particular crop of competition winners is difficult to pinpoint, but this year’s is a no-brainer: What’s old is new again,” said Golf Inc. “The common thread was the desire to go back to how things used to be. Obviously, any golf course renovation is trying to change things up, but this year, most of the winning venues also sought out the original designs of their courses and followed them as closely as possible. Sometimes the old ways really are better.”

Carlisle Country Club Announces Multi-Million Dollar Clubhouse and Golf Course Renovations

New ownership group plans significant investment, positioning the 100-year-old club for the next generation.

Carlisle, PA – Carlisle Country Club, one of central Pennsylvania’s most historic golf clubs, announces a multi-million-dollar renovation project under its new ownership group. This transformation will include comprehensive upgrades to its clubhouse and golf course, enhancing the overall member experience, and positioning the club for the next generation of membership.

Founded in 1924 and celebrating its 100^th anniversary, Carlisle Country Club was recently acquired by a group of local businessmen led by entrepreneur Mark Toigo.

Carlisle Country Club will begin its capital improvements and master plan development over the next 24 months. The clubhouse, which is the original barn that’s been on site for 100+ years, will receive a comprehensive remodel to create new spaces like a robust sports bar, golf simulators, and fun outdoor areas that enhance the membership experience and better position the club with current trends in the private club space. In addition, the golf shop will be relocated inside the main clubhouse from its current location on the opposite side of the parking lot and be remodeled with a fresh interior design with more space and fixtures.

The golf course will also be undergoing immediate renovations, as well as a long-range plan with ongoing changes.

“First and foremost, the somewhat antiquated and fractured irrigation system will require a full retrofit to restore the course conditions to the club’s high standards,” continued Toigo. “Adding course enhancements will be fun for members and create a new challenge. It’s a beautiful, walkable course with stunning views.”

Carlisle Country Club has retained Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design to consult on ongoing renovations, which aim to enhance the overall playability and member experience while preserving the club’s legacy.

Horseshoe Bay Resort Launches Lady Bird II Dining Yacht – A Premier Event Venue on Lake LBJ

HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS — Horseshoe Bay Resort, part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes collection, nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is proud to unveil its newest luxury experience: the Lady Bird II Dining Yacht, an elegant floating venue designed to host unforgettable events while cruising the constant-level waters of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (Lake LBJ). From holiday parties, wedding celebrations, and milestone anniversaries to corporate events, Lady Bird II offers a distinctive setting in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.

The ultimate post-golf attraction for small and larger groups, this opportunity to set sail and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds Horseshoe Bay Resort is one of the newest ways to enhance golfing getaways to this scenic Texas Hill Country destination.

The 85-foot yacht accommodates 30 to 85 guests and features customizable gourmet catering and entertainment choices to suit a range of events from seated dinners to lively reception-style parties. Outfitted with a licensed captain and full crew, the dining yacht is designed to offer seamless service and elevated hospitality.

“Floating on Lake LBJ, the Lady Bird II Dining Yacht will be a signature addition to our luxury venue collection,” said Lacee Jordan, sales director of Horseshoe Bay Resort. “The yacht features two gathering spaces, the upper deck where guests can enjoy the fresh air or a gorgeous Texas sunset with cocktail service from the built-in bar, while guests on the lower deck can relax or dine in an enclosed, climate-controlled space. This unique venue offers a truly memorable experience.”

The yacht was christened Lady Bird II in honor of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, a Texas native and wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Lady Bird II Dining Yacht is poised to become one of the most distinctive venues on property for group gatherings and special occasions at Horseshoe Bay Resort. To celebrate its debut, planners can take advantage of the resort’s limited-time “End the Year with Savings” offer—available for events booked by Aug. 31 for events in October, November and December 2025. The offer includes a 5% rebate on actualized room revenue off the master bill and a waived 2-hour dining yacht cruise fee. A minimum two-night stay with at least 30 rooms per night is required.

For more information, please visit www.hsbresort.com.