May 7, 2003 -- Despite the attempts by some clubs to keep the game "exclusive," golf has been a real peoples' pastime for many moons now, a trend backed up by these bargain prices for stay-and-play packages. Here's a sampling of some deals for those who like to beat up on a small white ball for fun:
In the Reno-Tahoe area, there are nearly a dozen such opportunities, with stay-and-play deals starting as low as about $44.50 a night per person based on double occupancy. (All prices here assume sharing a double room.) That's the price for a two-night, three-day package at John Ascuaga's Nugget. The $89 includes one round of golf with cart, free buffet, tee-time verification up to 90 days in advance and 40 golf courses to choose from. Prices vary based on golf course, and the rate is for a room Sundays through Thursdays, with golf on Mondays through Thursdays. Weekend rates slightly higher.
Other deals in the area include a Harrah's Sweet Tea package for two nights at $119 per person, with 18 holes of golf including cart, twofer show tickets, and free breakfast. Other packages run $179 for two nights with the Harrah's Birdie package; $99 per person at the Club Cal Neva; and $109 at the Golden Phoenix. For all the Reno-Tahoe golf packages, check out www.renolaketahoe.com or phone 800/FOR-RENO.
Do you like New England for golf? At the Cortina Inn in Killington, Vermont, there's a golf package for just $109 per person per day, including hotel, greens fee (your choice of 15 golf courses), half a cart and breakfast buffet. Contact them at 800/451-6108 or visit www.cortinainn.com.
Northern Michigan may be your favorite spot after you stay at Treetops, where golf packages range from $69 per person per night and up. This gives you the lodging, 18 holes of golf with cart, and use of range prior to tee-times. There are four more costly packages, up to $136 per night, that include extras such as breakfasts, dinners, and playing all four championship courses. Contact them at 888/TREETOPS, 989/732-6711 or visit www.treetops.com.
On St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you'll want to look at the Bolongo Bay Beach Club's Father's Day promotion, which includes a "Just in 'Tee-Off' Time" rate of $175 per night per room (for two persons), with a minimum of five days with one of those days being Father's Day (June 15). Children 12 and under stay and eat free when sharing a room with paying adults, and you also get a four-hour Nannies in Paradise program with a licensed childcare profession looking after the little tykes. You have to book this at 800/524-4746 or via e-mail at info@bolongobay.com. The golf included in the package is for a round for two persons at Mahogany Run Golf Course with cart and club rentals, roundtrip transport from the resort to the course, and two free cocktails at the 19th Hole. The website is www.bolongobay.com.
If you can make your own hotel arrangements, you should consider Daytona Beach, where seasonal rates are as low as $13.78 per round during their Golf Daytona Beach Summer Golf promotion, running from May 15 through October 31, 2003. More details and information on hotel properties participating can be had at 800/881-7065 or 386/255-0415, plus the website, www.golfdaytonabeach.com.
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