Golf Resorts International, the acclaimed television series showcasing the world’s premier golf destinations for the last ten years, is proud to become a platinum level corporate partner of The First Tee, a youth development organization that has impacted more than 6.5 million young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

“We are proud to help the First Tee reach their goal of 10 million young people,” says David Camp, Executive Producer and host of Golf Resorts International.

For more information about The First Tee organization, visit the link below.

www.TheFirstTee.com

Golf Resorts International is entering its 12th season with CBS and will kick off the season June 2013. A total of 8 resorts will be selected displaying a new location each week. In each episode host, David Camp and the resident PGA professional will show you the golf course and will provide specific tips on how to play these beautiful layouts. In addition, 6 time major winner Nick Faldo will host a series of golf tips in each episode from the Faldo Golf Institute by Marriot and Faldo Academies Worldwide.

We have included up-close and personal interviews with some of the greatest architects and designers of our time including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio to name a few. Some past resort destinations in the Golf Resorts International lineup include: Mission Hills Resort, China and The Four Seasons Manele Bay on the beautiful Island of Lanai, Hawaii. Golf Resorts International selected these destinations based upon the overall quality of the courses and resorts.

Although golf is the focus of the show we will bring to the viewer other resort activities as well that will appeal to the avid golfer and the interested traveler to obtain the best possible resort experience. Golf Resorts International is more than a golf show it’s a show about these beautiful resorts as they literally come to life on screen. We are pleased to have found a way to bring these luxurious resorts into your living room and to provide travel recommendations and golf strategies all in one.

What would have been about a one-hour helicopter ride ended up being a 6-hour drive for us. The nice thing about driving, though, is that you get to see such beautiful countryside. You can also stop along the way and even visit the little towns, which are all very charming. After making several wrong turns, we had finally made it: out of nowhere, the Doonbeg Resort appeared and what a sight! I couldn’t believe how secluded it was. The first thing I noticed as we were winding our way along the entrance road to the resort was the way it fit in so well with the surrounding, natural landscape. It looks as if it has been there for hundreds of years, but it’s actually only 4 years old. The golf course officially opened in July, 2002 and the lodge followed in May, 2006. It’s a breathtaking piece of property located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean with miles and miles of beach. The contrast was absolutely beautiful with the lush, green, rolling hills of farmland meeting the ocean. We even saw some surfers out catching waves. The accommodations were definitely first class and the guest services were some of the best as well. The food was first rate while the resort even has a local fisherman who brings in the fresh catch of the day.  The main part of the resort offers ocean view suites and courtyard suites that surround the property. The film crew stayed in a 3500 sq. ft. suite adjacent to the first hole. Everywhere you looked displayed of an amazing amount of attention to detail.

After settling in, I was excited to play the golf course. While uncertain of what the weather was going to be like the following day, we were happy when we woke up to sunshine. The course looked amazing with high dunes on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other – just beautiful!  Designed by Greg Norman and measuring close to 7000 yards, the course certainly plays longer than you first think. In any case, you’ll love the way he kept the natural landscape so intact. The course is definitely trying, but that is what links style golf is all about. I would highly recommend getting a caddie, while walking is the way to go. It is very interesting the way Norman designed the course. With 9 holes going out and 9 coming back in, you will be challenged all day by the wind off the ocean – not to mention the rapidly changing weather. You will use every club in your bag and will especially need your bump and run shot.

The resort itself offers some excellent food choices. You can enjoy a meal in a casual setting at Darby’s Pub or the formal dining area know as the Long Room, both named after the owners, Buddy Darby and Leonard Long. I would highly recommend having dinner in the town nearby at Morrissey’s, a local favorite!  It’s only a 15-minute drive from the resort, which is definitely worth it. Also, have the concierge arrange a day of horseback riding at the West Clare Equestrian Center. It’s a great way to take in the Irish countryside.

Definitely put this on your list of places to explore and experience. We spent a total of 7 days at this location and it was sunny most of the time.

Our last stop was Dunsany, County Meath, Killeen Castle located just 20 minutes outside of Dublin. The Castle dates back to over 800 years.  We were scheduled to tour the property and interview Rossi Jones, the Captain of US Team for the Solheim Cup that is to be played there in Sept. 2011.

When you pull up to the gate, the guard comes out to greet you. You continue up this country road for a few miles and then the Castle appears. At first it doesn’t look real, but the closer you get, you see it’s an actual Castle.

Jack Nicklaus designed the course and really did a fantastic job. The golf course is a Par-72 and measures 7,700 yards.  I just love the Irish countryside with its lush, green, rolling hills as far as you can see. All together, the property covers about 350 acres.

The course feature some truly amazing views, especially when walking up the 18th fairway with the Castle situated right in front of the green.

In 2011, they plan to open the Castle with guest rooms.  We spent two glorious days there, a great way to end our trip. Without a doubt, I would revisit – especially to stay in the Castle.  Just don’t forget to make your reservations early.

We finally make it and what a beautiful layout. I was surprised at how wonderful the lake and surrounding property actually is as it falls on a peninsula-shaped piece of land with lakes everywhere! The property blends in very nicely with the natural landscape. I recommend spending an entire day taking in all the sights. You can visit the town of Enniskellen, or perhaps book a boat ride cruise that allows for great sight-seeing opportunities as well as some spectacular castle views.  You can also take a ride on a sea plane, which happens to land right out in front of the hotel. The resort accommodations are top-of-the-line in luxury travel and the guest services are some of the best — definitely 5-star. Resort guests can stay in the main hotel or in one of the turrets. “Turrets,” essentially the hotel suites, are these cone-shaped buildings that look a bit unusual from the outside, but are beautiful and reveal no sense of their awkwardness once inside.  One aspect of the resort I found interesting was the Thai Spa. Of all places, you wouldn’t expect this in Ireland, but what a wonderful experience, especially after a nice round of golf. From what we were told, there are plans to open a Thai Restaurant as well.

The golf course was superb. I loved the layout. It can play as long as you’d like it to depending on which tee’s you decide to play.  The continual change of the unpredictable Irish weather makes for a constant challenge, so be very prepared. Designed by Nick Faldo, the course is a par-72 measuring 7,167 yds.  With amazing views on just about every hole, the fantastic layout brings you back for more.  Local PGA tour star Rory Mcilroy is the course touring professional, how cool is that? I met him while we were there filming; nice guy with a very bright future.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach offers its guests 161 rooms and suites of relaxed elegance and stately architecture alongside a glorious ocean side setting. Guests in ocean view rooms enjoy panoramic views of Pebble Beach Golf Links’ famed 18th hole/fairway.

The Inn at Spanish Bay presents a luxurious enclave of 269 guest rooms and suites and is situated between the Del Monte Forest and the Pacific shore among groves of tall Monterey pines.

Enchantingly picturesque, Casa Palmero is an elegant Mediterranean-style enclave located along the first and second fairways of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links. All 24 spacious rooms and suites set exquisite standards for guest comfort and personal service.

Over the course of 85 exciting years, Pebble Beach golf courses has proven time and again that it can define champions and champion moments.  Hugging the rugged coastline, the courses provide wide-open vistas, cliff side fairways and sloping greens that supply picturesque, elevated tees. The beautiful fairways roll through sandy seaside dunes and majestic pines, all of which should be gracefully experienced by golfer seeking both beauty and challenge.

Designed by architect George C. Thomas, the resort golf course has found a very natural home in the valley and ranks as one of America’s premier championship courses.  Since 1923, the course has been sculpted from the natural terrain and remains one of the first great golf courses in California. Thomas claimed to have this in mind in the making: “… that the average golfer could enjoy his round without too great a penalty, and that a test must be afforded requiring the low-handicap man to play fine golf in order to secure pars.”  In seven decades, the course has established itself with famous guests and PGA tours and continues to be a breathtaking course open to any golfer seeking an incredible playing experience.

Set against the backdrop of the spellbinding Mountains of Mourne, the Championship golf course appears to be heaven sent for golf, as there are few more incredible places to enjoy the game.  Designed by Old Tom Morris, the course is remains etched on the list of the most desirable courses anywhere in the world.  As Open championship legend and links golf master Tom Watson once said, “It is a tremendous test of golf and the outward half, especially, is just as fine a nine.”