The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Seneca Nation of Indians Open New Golf Course Resort

(LEWISTON, NY) -- Dignitaries from the Seneca Nation of Indians and Seneca Gaming Corporation recently celebrated the ceremonial first drive at the new Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course here in upstate New York. The new championship course, part of the Seneca Nation's casino resort development, was designed by acclaimed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones II.

Bruce Charlton, president and chief design officer for RTJ II, was on hand for the celebration, along with Barry E. Snyder, Sr. president of the Seneca Nation of Indians, and Kevin W. Seneca, chairman of Seneca Gaming Corporation.

At a time when the USGA is affirming the environmental benefits of firm, fast golf courses that encourage play along the ground (they use less water), the RTJ II team designed another eco-friendly dandy just minutes from Niagara Falls. The bent-grass/bluegrass layout stretches to 7,026 yards, playing past five lakes and traditional bunkers set in native grasses.

One of the unique elements at Hickory Stick is the double green at the 9th and 18th holes.

Named for the rare and protected Shellbark Hickory that grows on the site, the course is another example of RTJ II's philosophy of creating environmentally responsible golf courses. Hickory Stick is also the firm's fourth course designed for Native Americans, and joins the ranks of such prominent projects as Kalúhyat Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort & Casino for the Oneida Nation, and Sequoyah National, for the Eastern Band Cherokee Nation. Both of these recent courses are very popular and successful in their competitive marketplaces, and have received numerous awards and accolades from the golf media.

In a year when new golf course openings--especially in the U.S.-- are extremely rare, RTJ II is unveiling eight new layouts and several renovation projects at home and around the globe. These include the much anticipated Patriot Golf Club in Oklahoma; the Castle Course at Bro Hof Slott in Sweden; The Scandinavian in Denmark; and Rainbow Hills in South Korea.

"In difficult economic times many owners see the benefits of choosing a course designer with a proven record of delivering not just quality, but value," Charlton said. "RTJ II has demonstrated over 40 years that we can help our clients earn substantial reward on their investments while creating distinctive courses that also treat the environment with respect in order to achieve long-term sustainability. As the market for new courses continues to evolve, we believe the advantages of our long-established brand will become even clearer. Plus, professional and amateur golfers worldwide agree that our courses are challenging and fun to play!"

In addition to its new courses, Palo Alto, Calif.-based RTJ II has also recently completed major renovation work at Pondok Indah in Indonesia and at the Princeville Makai Course on Kauai. Going forward, the company is currently working on projects in Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Egypt, Mexico Vanuatu, and China.

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Troon Golf Partners on New Golf Course Community in South Australia

Scottsdale, Ariz. (June 30, 2010) - Troon Golf, the world's largest manager and developer of upscale golf courses, recently partnered with The Dunes Port Hughes resort and residential development on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula to oversee the ongoing construction and operation of the project's 18-hole championship golf course.

Located north of the city of Adelaide overlooking the Spencer Gulf, The Dunes Port Hughes is South Australia's largest planned residential and resort development. When complete, the 15-year project will feature more than 2,000 residential dwellings as well as leisure and recreation facilities.

Ryan Walls, Troon Golf's senior vice president and managing director, Australasia division, said the company was pleased to partner with The Dunes Port Hughes to ensure the golf course reaches its full potential.

"The combination of a great design, the spectacular coastal setting and Troon Golf's management practices will ensure the course gains a reputation as one of the finest layouts in Australia," said Walls. "Every aspect of the planning and construction of the course will take into account the region's natural surroundings to develop one of the world's most environmentally friendly golf courses."

The first nine holes of the par-72 course are expected to open next fall. Based on traditional Scottish links layouts, the course will incorporate a mix of beach and formal bunkering as well as variance in the contouring of greens to make each hole visually distinctive.

The Dunes Port Hughes chief executive officer Andrew Martin said the appointment of Troon Golf will significantly enhance the quality of the PGA-standard course currently under construction.

"Securing the services of such a globally acclaimed course-management company in Troon Golf is certainly a huge coup for The Dunes Port Hughes," Martin added. "The company has a proven track record in delivering and managing world-class golf courses so we're very excited to welcome them on board."

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