Contact: Sue Lowry / Melanie Childs 

Magellan Public Relations 

Tel: 020 8875 2850 

Anna Mueller-Stutzer 

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

 Tel: 020 7591 1187

 

Ritz-Carlton and Golf: A Winning Team

 

Whether to learn the basics of the game or to perfect an already impressive swing, golfers will find Ritz-Carlton resorts offer among the best designed courses and teaching staff. From the challenging White Witch in the hills of Jamaica to the natural Florida environment of Tiburon at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf Resort, courses—designed by some of the most famous professional players—are offering the ultimate experience for enthusiasts of the game. 

Opening winter 2001, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf Resort overlooks the greens of Greg Norman’s 27-hole signature course, Tiburon. The course offers a balance between beauty and challenge. Marked by the use of stacked sod wall bunkers, coquina sand and no roughs, the course works well for players at every skill level.  At The Rick Smith Golf Academy, students can take lessons on computerised swing analysis, putting or other secrets to a better game. 

Just minutes from The Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Jamaica sits The White Witch, 18 picture-perfect holes designed by architects Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril. The mountainous terrain, which also overlooks the sea, provides golfers with a range of challenges. As they wend their way through the course, they are aided by Golf Concierges, trained as caddies but offering signature services including after-the-game dinner reservations.  

At The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay on the rugged Northern California coast, two Golf Links courses adjoin the resort, and guests enjoy full privileges.  The Links Course, originally designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer, was recently redesigned by architect Arthur Hills. The 18th hole has been ranked among the 100 best in the United States. The Ocean Course includes water views from every hole. 

Although not a part of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, the desert resort is just minutes from the renowned Doha Golf Club, home of the Qatar Masters tournament. Guests of the resort will enjoy preferred tee times and full privileges at the course, considered to be one of the best in the world.

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation on Georgia’s scenic Lake Oconee includes 81 holes of championship golf, designed by four of golf’s best known architects. Rees Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Bob Cupp have contributed their expertise to the course design.  Opening Spring 2002, the golf resort also offers guests access to The Golf Academy for short and long game instruction. 

Looking ahead, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, opening late 2002, will offer guests some of the best golf in the Western United States at The Southshore and Reflection Bay Golf Clubs. Both award-winning courses, designed by professional great Jack Nicklaus, are sculpted from the desert’s rugged natural contours and framed by the waters of Nevada’s largest private lake. 

In Florida, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes Resort, opening Summer 2003, will include a walk-out, 18-hole Greg Norman championship golf course. The front nine of the 7,210-yard facility will be played among a backdrop of tropical greenery and natural terrain. In contrast, the back nine will follow a more manicured and traditional setting. 

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Note for editors: - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. manages 43 award-winning hotels in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North America.  For information or reservations, please contact The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company on 0800 234 000 toll free in the UK or visit The Ritz-Carlton Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.  Photography available upon request.