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Fractional May Benefit from a Conservative Consumer
Bob Waun
Fractional ownership may actually be a beneficiary from consumers who become more fiscally
conservative. Consumers are seeking value and lower costs, and owning a fractional is much less
expensive than a whole ownership second home. I found this article that does a pretty good job of
making the case further:
Fractional Ownership Beats the Credit Crunch
Neil Robertson
One area of the real estate market is bucking the generally negative trend, with values and sales
volumes up. Fractional ownership of luxury real estate has been slowly gaining in popularity over the
last 10 years or so, but now seems set to reach a tipping point and become a mainstream concept.
What is the Credit Crunch?
In case you’ve been living in the wilderness for the last year, a short history of the credit crunch! It all
started with a relaxation of lending criteria, both with regard to the size of loans compared to income and
the credit rating of the borrowers. People who 10 years ago wouldn’t have been able to get a mortgage at
all were offered large loans with very little proof of income. These loans were then packaged up by
“clever” bankers and sold on to financial institutions around the world. This fueled a boom in asset
valuations and while this continued everything appeared OK ‐ if people couldn’t afford to pay their
mortgage interest they simply rolled up the interest into a new loan. The party ended when interest rates
in the US were raised and some of the more ridiculous deals that had been sold (balloon/deferred interest
schemes) started to go wrong. Bring on a period of falling real estate values (both in the US and in the UK)
and panic in the banking world. Some of the losses for individual banks on mortgage‐backed securities are
truly amazing, running into tens of billions of dollars.
What Effect is it Having on Real Estate Values?
Whilst all the chaos has been going on in credit markets banks have been unwilling to grant new
mortgages without the security of large deposits. This is continuing to this day, with rates on mortgages
increasing (in the UK) whilst the official rate charged by the Bank of England falls. Sales of homes are
forecast to be down 40‐50% in 2008 compared with 2007, with the decline in prices being put at between
5 and 10%. All connected with home sales are feeling the effects, and there is no end in sight to the crisis.
Why is Fractional Ownership Different?
Fractional ownership so far seems to be less affected by the problems in the credit market, and is still
growing in popularity. This seems surprising, given that the main selling point of fractional ownership is
that you own a fraction of the real estate ‐ an asset that is declining in value. There are however
genuine reasons for the continuing success of fractional ownership:
1. Many purchasers of fractional ownership have been “cash buyers” and are therefore not dependent
on getting a mortgage. If they do need to raise mortgage finance against their primary home, they
probably fall into the category of consumers that banks are still willing to lend to (large amount of value
in the home, and a perfect credit record).
2. The people buying fractional ownership are not (or should not) be motivated mainly by investment
concerns. Whilst it is true that the value of fractions over time should increase, and should be much
better than timeshares, it is still not primarily an investment. People should regard fractional ownership
as a life investment.
3. Fractional ownership is growing from a relatively small base. Market penetration is still small when
compared to timeshare. The negative effects of the current credit crisis are more than offset by the
rapidly increasing reach and acceptance of the fractional concept.
A Real Example
Steve Navaro runs Paris Home Shares LLC, a company specializing in fractional developments in Paris.
After a recent article in the New York Times featuring his developments, Steve was overwhelmed with
enquiries and quickly sold out one development. Steve admits that the exposure from the article made a
big difference, “I think that if the product is done well, and priced fairly, it will sell, but only if there is
plenty of exposure. Up until the article, things had been pretty slow”. Interest has continued at a high
level, and Steve’s next Paris development is 50% sold out even though the renovation is not complete.
This example supports the idea that the limiting factor for fractional ownership sales is market awareness.
The fractional market looks set for more years of growth whatever the fate of the wider economy and real
estate market.
ROG COVER STORY OCTOBER 2008
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Harris/Decima looks at Canadian Condo Buyers
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TORONTO—So who is buying all those vacation condos going up in places like Canmore, Whistler,
Kelowna and Collingwood?
A Harris/Decima study in the recreational real estate sector, conducted last month, found that of the
1,004 people included in the survey, 14 per cent currently own some type of recreational real estate
asset. Within this group, 57 per cent are sole recreational property owners and 43 per cent have invested
in shared ownership assets, including timeshare or fractional ownership properties.
Owners of recreational real estate are predominately high income earners ($100k plus) and over 40 years
of age.
The survey also found that 36 per cent of those who are sole owners purchased their property prior to
1990, whereas 43 per cent of timeshare investments are fairly recent and occurred in the 90’s while
fractional ownership investment is even more recent with most acquisitions made since the year 2000.
Canadians who own recreational real estate tend to be much more frequent travellers than those who do
not. While one third (31 per cent) of Canadians travel nationally only once per year the trend is higher
among those who expressed interest in owning recreational property.
As many Canadians (30 per cent) take one trip per year on average to the U.S., however, owners of shared
recreational real estate properties (42 per cent) and those interested in shared ownership travel to the US
more often.
A group of 300 respondents (or 30 per cent of the total population in this representative survey) indicated
they are interested in purchasing a recreational property. Peak purchase interest among these potential
recreational real estate buyers is predominantly focused on sole ownership assets: 71 per cent are
interested in acquiring sole ownership properties; 15 per cent are interested in timeshare; and 14 per
cent are interested in fractional ownership.
Though visiting family prompts many Canadians to travel, vacationing for pure leisure and enjoyment is
quickly catching up.
The beach, sun and sand reign supreme when it comes to desirable amenities that can close the deal.
Half the owners (48 per cent) in the survey prefer to be near the beach and almost as many (46 per cent)
want retail facilities nearby.
An Executive Summary Report containing further findings from this study will be available at the Canadian
Resort Investment Conference on October 14th and 15th 2008 in Kelowna, British Columbia.
BuyWithFriends.com
While the study found that only 14 per cent of those surveyed were interested in fractional ownership, it
also found that fractional ownership is a relatively recent phenomenon, with most fractional owners
purchasing their properties since the year 2000.
Gary Carter of Resort Owners Group (ROG) has come up with a model of
fractional ownership that should solve some of the problems of fractional
and residential ownership.
It’s called “assembled ownership”, and is also known by the catchier title
of ROG’s website, “BuyWithFriends.com”.
Carter, an avid skier and golfer, came up with the concept back in 1992
when he and a group of seven other friends decided that instead of
renting a place when the eight of them went on the annual “guy’s week”,
they should look at buying one. They bought a golf villa together in
Scottsdale, AZ.
Then Carter came up with the deal that set the stage for ROG. He said
that he would manage the deal, if each of the friends gave him a week
Gary Carter of Resort Owners Group and a half of their time. The deal separated ownership from time, and
allowed Carter to rent out his extra weeks.
Clearly shared ownership made it very affordable, plus the developer had arranged conventional
mortgage financing adding to the affordability. All of the owners shared the normal operating costs, with
Carter managing the process.
Fast forward to today. The Resort Owner’s Group has invested $3 million in legal, operations and
alliances to grow the model globally, and says it is the only non developer resort home ownership
platform with national sales alliances, multiple resort locations and flexible ownership options.
The concept offers a number of advantages, says Carter. “You have the pride of ownership since you own
the whole home. You have the added benefit of knowing that in one to five years it is easier to sell the
whole home through Real Estate MLS systems.”
But the biggest advantage is ROG’s stacking feature, which allows all BuyWithFriends owners in one
home to get several homes during the same week when they want. This is made possible by ROG’s
inventory of exchangeable weeks.
Each owner is free to use, rent (optional) or exchange their weeks within ROG’s three expanding exchange
networks. The three exchange networks include ROG managed locations, Intrawest’s R2R locations and
Group RCI locations in over 60 countries.
For developers, ROG is a fractional ownership solution provider, providing a “complete turnkey” fractional
ownership selling solution model that includes the front‐end, middle and back‐end asset management of
every resort home.
ROG PROFILED DECEMBER 2007
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Canadians find a place in the sun
'Assembled ownership' in Port St. Lucia, Florida
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SHELLY SANDERS GREER
December 14, 2007
This year, Tony Piccinato and his wife will drive from their home in Windsor, Ont., to their condo in Florida
to spend Christmas with family. In order to accommodate their son, daughter and grandchildren, Mr.
Piccinato has traded two of his 10 weeks for two additional units.
The Piccinatos own a two‐bedroom condo through the Resort Owners Group (ROG), a Canadian company
that has created "assembled ownership," a combination of whole and fractional ownership. From their
office in Toronto, Terry Lynch, president, and Tom Siklos, chief operating officer for ROG, explain that this
combination is a better real estate value than traditional fractional ownership.
"All of our properties, including the PGA village called Castle Pines, where the Piccinatos bought, are split
into one‐eighth ownerships," says Mr. Lynch. "When people are not using their property, they can rent it
out, trade it for another location or stack it like Mr. Piccinato is doing at Christmas. And if you decide to
sell, because you have full ownership, you get 100% of the unit's value. At other resorts, you don't really
own the equity so if you leave, you only get about 80% of the value; there are no ownership options. We
don't know of any other resort with options like ours."
Mr. Piccinato says he likes the fractional owner aspect because he pays a maintenance fee for each week
he owns, and doesn't have to worry about furniture or getting things fixed. And he likes the full ownership
because he can pass it along to his kids.
"We did not buy this as an investment to make a profit. We bought it to share with family and friends.
And we donate a week every year to the Make a Wish foundation."
The Piccinatos chose Port St. Lucia for the warm weather and the golf courses, and they find the location a
reasonable hour from Orlando and Ft.
Lauderdale. Plus, they've been able to go
much further afield by trading spaces.
"Friends of ours bought five weeks at a cottage in northern Ontario through fractional ownership," says
Mr. Piccinato. "I spent a third of what they spent, have 10 weeks and can trade into their cottage."
Resort Owners Group: 1‐866‐8 OWNERS; 416‐534‐1916; resort ownersgroup.com.
ROG PROFILED JANUARY 2008
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FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP
Time‐share Transformation
Perception is changing of vacation home ownership, which is now within reach for many
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ROBERTA AVERY
January 26, 2008
Fractionals, assembled fractions, vacation clubs, interval ownership and private residence membership:
These are some of the concepts that evolved from the time‐share model, which originated in the French
Alps in the 1960s and reached North America in the early 1970s.
But proponents these days are careful not to use the "t" word.
"Time‐share" has negative connotations related to high‐pressure sales tactics. It's a reputation that in
many cases was once well‐deserved. Lured by the promise of a free or cheap vacation, prospects were
told they were under no obligation to buy – all they had to do was attend a short presentation.
When they got there, sales reps tried wearing potential clients down by promising them close to anything
as long as they agreed to "sign on the dotted line."
But the vacation home ownership industry has worked hard and is now earning a good reputation, says
Gloria Collinson president of the Toronto‐
based Canadian Resort Development
Association.
The industry supports the Ontario government's Consumer Protection Act, which came into effect in
2005, Collinson says. The act aims to protect consumers from overzealous sales pitches by calling for a 10‐
day "cooling off" period after a purchase agreement for a time‐share or vacation club has been signed.
That doesn't mean the industry is now squeaky clean – yet.
In October, St Catharines‐based Fun for Life Club International was charged under the act after the
provincial government received written complaints from people alleging that they could not cancel
contracts during the 10‐day "cooling‐off." These consumers also complained that false and misleading
statements were made to them during sales presentations, and that certain services and facilities
promised as part of their agreements were not delivered.
Even though the allegations have not been proved, Collinson, says such cases taint the reputation of
companies that offer good value for money. She urges consumers to do a lot of research before buying.
Collinson, who has been marketing fractional ownership since it was first introduced to Ontario in 1999,
says that many purchasers prefer the format because they get a deeded share in a property and not just a
right to use it for a week, as in many time‐share properties.
Fractional ownership also offers some real opportunities for capital appreciation, says Collinson, who
estimates that one‐tenth shares in Chandler Point, near the village of Haliburton, have more than doubled
in value since the project was launched in 1999.
But unlike time‐shares and vacation clubs, fractional ownership doesn't come under the Consumer
Protection Act, says Alan Cairns, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Affairs.
"Fractional ownership is true ownership that is registered on title ... In essence, fractional ownership is
property ownership," Cairns says.
That's exactly how Bob and Cora McDonald of Brantford see it. Two years ago they paid $120,000 for a
one‐tenth share in a three‐bedroom, three‐bath luxury home at the Muskokan that gives them five weeks
of use a year – one week fixed at the end of August and the other four weeks selected on a rotating basis.
"We just love it, especially knowing that there are 10 owners or less, as some people own multiple
fractions, which means that there are not hundreds of people using your unit, like in time‐share," Bob
McDonald says.
As a one‐week time‐share owner in St. Petersburg, Fla., for about a decade, he should know. "That unit
gets a lot of use, literally hundreds of people use it," he says.
With one‐tenth shares at Muskokan now being sold for around $150,000, the McDonalds have already
seen a significant capital appreciation, but the same hasn't been true about their Florida time‐share,
which is still changing hands for about the $3,000 they paid in the late 1990s.
The majority of vacation home ownership schemes, including fractionals, offer consumers the opportunity
to trade their time in one unit for a stay in other locations around the world. In the McDonalds' case, they
say they love Muskoka winters and have never tried to trade their winter weeks. "Although there may be
more interest in a stay in Muskoka in the summer months, quite a few of the owners have successfully
traded their winter weeks at the Muskokan for somewhere down south," Bob McDonald says.
However, the ministry's website cautions it can be difficult or impossible to arrange a swap for a popular
area for a particular time.
Club Intrawest members Denise and Garth Annisette of Windsor admit that it can be challenging to get
the exact vacation they want, but say that through persistence, dedication and some flexibility, they
usually succeed.
At 9 o'clock promptly on the morning of April 10, the Annisette household hits the phones in hopes of
snagging a stay for the next March break at their favourite Club Intrawest resort, which is an 89‐villa
development in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, near Ixtapa.
"We get everyone dialling to get through, because by 9:05, they are fully booked; but by being quick off
the mark we get the dates we want," says Denise Annisette, who notes Club Intrawest takes bookings
from members 11 months ahead.
"For March break, Easter or Christmas you have to be the first to call, but for the rest of year there is
plenty of availability," she says.
The Annisettes have been club members for about seven years and have spent about $60,000 on enough
club points to give them and the last two of their seven children who live at home, ages 10 and 12, about
four weeks of club vacations a year. Their goal is to accumulate enough points by the time Garth cuts back
on his work in about 10 years, to spend two or three months a year travelling on Club Intrawest points.
The Annisettes decided to join Club Intrawest because it was a division of Vancouver‐based Intrawest.
"We wanted the assurance of quality that came with a brand name," says Garth Annisette, 54, an
orthopedic surgeon.
Club Intrawest, which has 560 vacation homes in eight resorts across North America, guarantees to buy
back club points for whatever any of the 38,000 members paid when they joined, but doesn't pay current
market value, says Club Intrawest's Chad Garrod, vice‐president of marketing strategy and planning. Since
Club Intrawest was founded in Whistler, B.C., in 1995, Intrawest points have increased in cost to about
$185 each from around $110. It takes about 150 points to get a week's stay in a prime location.
Members who want to cash out may get more by selling on the open market, but they may not acquire
the full selling price because they aren't able to offer the incentives that Club Intrawest gives to
purchasers, Garrod says.
Garrod agrees with Annisette that it's important for consumers to consider a company's reputation before
buying into vacation club ownership.
"It's important to be anchored to a strong brand well‐known for service and a reputation for standing by
their customers such as a major hotel chain," he says.
One well‐known hotel chain that's offering an unusual opportunity for fractional ownership is Fairmont
Hotels at its newly launched Fairmont Heritage Place, Kingdom of Sheba in Dubai. There, a one‐tenth
share in one of 50 homes that offer "uncompromising luxury" starts at around $164,000 (U.S.)
Fractional ownership purchasers at Toronto‐based Resort Owners Group (ROG) have the flexibility to
trade their weeks of use for multiple units should they want a vacation for the whole family, says
company president Gary Carter. That means, for example, that if purchasers want two extra units for a
family vacation at the Florida condo they purchased through ROG, they can trade two of their weeks
during the rest of the year for extra space during the family vacation.
Another new concept being offered by ROG is "assembled ownership," which is designed for multiple
friends, families and business associates who want to own together and have the option to vacation
together, Carter says.
Bringing a group of purchasers together results in 5 to 10 per cent lower costs for each fraction and each
purchaser gets the assurance of knowing who is using the home, Carter says. Mortgage companies, which
don't finance fractional ownership, will advance funds on assembled ownership for up to four families.
ROG is already selling one‐eighth fractions in two‐bedroom villas at the PGA Village at Castle Pines Port St.
Lucie, Fla., for $37,500 and is lining up seven other locations across North America including Las Vegas,
Canmore, Alta., and Mont Tremblant, Que., with prices yet to be determined.
ROG owners will be able to trade their weeks between the different locations and participate in exchange
programs.
As most vacation homes stand empty for up to 312 days a year, Carter has come up with a solution, which
he says is revolutionary in the industry. Owners keep 100 per cent of their fractional equity in the
property but allow ROG to put their home in a rental pool for 20 per cent of the time. In return, ROG
oversees the year‐round management of the property and offers a selling price for each fraction that,
when added together, comes to only slightly more than the real estate value of the home.
ROG PROFILE NOVEMBER 2007
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Blackmont Capital: Building Business
This Canadian wealth management firm focuses on helping its investment advisors build their own
businesses
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LIZ JONES
November 2007
When Bruce Kagan joined Blackmont Capital two and a half years ago, the firm had roughly 200
investment advisors handling $5.5 billion in client assets. Today, 175 investment advisors manage $9.5
billion. “Roughly 65 individuals with an average business of $17 million left the organization, while 40
individuals joined with an average business in excess of $80 million,” Kagen said.
The CEO credits the shift to an increased effort over the past two years to
find talented investment advisors and capital markets professionals,
predominantly from bank‐owned brokerage firms.
It’s no secret that the recent acquisition of Blackmont Capital by CI
Financial Income Fund is making it even easier to find talent. A Canadian‐
owned wealth management company with approximately $96.5 billion in
fee‐earning assets as of September 30, 2007, CI purchased Blackmont
Capital earlier this year with the acquisition of its parent company,
Rockwater Capital Corp.
Although several other companies made public bids, the chemistry between Blackmont and CI was right.
“CI is a great fit for us because it is already entrenched in the wealth management industry through a
financial planning business. It also brought a tremendous amount of stability and credibility to the table,
thanks to its size,” said Kagan, adding that 36% of CI is owned by Sun Life, one of Canada’s leading
insurance companies. “Our clients are comforted knowing their capital is safe.”
CI found Blackmont attractive because of its highly successful wealth management division, which helps
individuals achieve their long‐term financial goals and objectives, and its capital markets division, which
serves retail and institutional clients. At the time of the acquisition, CI had operations in similar, but not
identical, niches. “Their strengths complement ours.”
Kagan noted that CI allows Blackmont tremendous latitude to run its business while providing
unparalleled support. “We have an executive committee at CI and at Blackmont. If we make any major
decisions or investments, we always involve our partners,” he said.
Support system
Although it is backed by a large firm, Blackmont remains a small company compared to its primary
competition (bank‐owned brokerage firms), and that’s just the way Kagan wants it. “First and foremost,
we are a brokerage firm. At the bank‐owned brokerage firms, brokers are simply another avenue for
distribution—our investment advisors are our only channel. Because of that, we spend a tremendous
amount of time helping our advisors build their businesses,” said Kagan.
And that starts with the right training and career development opportunities. In addition to fully
reimbursing employees for receiving industry certifications, Blackmont offers its branch managers and
branch administrators professional development through external trainers. Next year, the company will
launch a program for its investment advisors, their assistants, and head office employees.
“We have identified certain areas where we think our people need to focus, but we ask for their
feedback because sometimes they want training in areas we’ve overlooked,” Kagan said.
Blackmont Capital also has a boutique marketing group that works with advisors one‐on‐one to develop
tailored marketing programs. For instance, it creates brochures, PowerPoint presentations, scripts, Web
sites, mailers, and other customized marketing pieces according to an advisor’s specifications. In
addition, the marketing group assists advisory groups (three or more individuals who wish to form their
own small practice within Blackmont) with logo and brand development.
The marketing group at Blackmont consists of three individuals and a host of freelance designers and
writers. Its clients (Blackmont advisors) are responsible for printing fees, as well as some design and
writing fees, but the account management services are free of charge.
“We don’t want to tell our advisors how to grow their businesses, so we provide them not only with
standard marketing pieces, but also customized solutions. They know their customers and their
businesses best,” said Kagan, noting that the marketing group works with about 90% of the company’s
advisors and manages at least 80 projects on any given day.
“New recruits are always looking to get to the next level, so they run out and hire a freelance writer or
Web site designer, but they often learn the hard way that not many people have the ability to bring all
the pieces together. That is what our marketing group does best,” said Kagan.
Stoking the fire
As if their own ambitions aren’t enough, in addition to commission, Blackmont offers its advisors a well‐
rounded bonus program based on deferred equity. Senior‐level employees also receive a portion of
their bonus payment in deferred equity, so as the company grows, so does their investment.
The Blackmont Elite, an advisor recognition program, further stokes the entrepreneurial fire. As part of
Blackmont’s 2007 advisor compensation plan, 15 advisors will be named to the Blackmont Elite at the
end of the year. In addition to achieving stellar annual gross production, nominees must consistently
demonstrate sound business judgment and high ethical standards. Those given elite status will be
rewarded with a trip to the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. in February 2008.
“We are supporting our investment advisors and capital markets professionals any way we can because at
the end of the day, this business doesn’t belong to Blackmont Capital or CI—it belongs to them,” Kagan
concluded.
Corporate Spotlight
Resort Owners Group has the business model that could change the trillion‐dollar resort home industry.
Blackmont Capital recognized that and financed our pre‐IPO round. Unlink anything in the industry today,
busy executives, SMEs, and boomers can now own and enjoy a fully managed whole‐resort home with
improved flexibility and affordability at popular resort destinations across North America, Mexico and the
Caribbean.
PGA VILLAGE
JANUARY 2008
PROFILED
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Experts Take Questions on Golf Travel Destinations
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DISCUSSION WITH BRIAN KENDALL AND LORNE RUBENSTEIN
January 31, 2008
Longing to get away this winter? If golf's your game, you're in the right place.
Golf experts Brian Kendall and Lorne Rubenstein were online Thursday to take your questions on all things
golf ‐‐ from the best travel destinations to where to find instructional schools to what to look out for in
this winter's pro tournaments.
Toronto‐based writer Brian Kendall does most of the golf travel writing for The Globe and Mail and
contributes to golf and lifestyle magazines around the world. Mr. Kendall is also the author of six books,
including Northern Links: Canada From Tee to Tee (RandomHouse), which describes his adventures in
Canadian golf.
Lorne Rubenstein has written a golf column for The Globe and Mail since 1980. He has played golf since
the early 1960s and was the Royal Canadian Golf Association's first curator of its museum and library at
the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario. Mr. Rubenstein, who has written nine books on golf, was
inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in June, 2007.
David Leeder, Sports Editor, Globesports.com: Hi Brian and Lorne. It looks like it's going to be a busy
hour. Let's get right to the questions.
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Bruce McCallum from Toronto writes: I am going to be in the Florida panhandle in a few weeks. I'm
aware of the Hombre course at Panama City Beach. Are there any other notable courses in the area?
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Your best bet is probably to try the Bay Point resort. It has two courses, one
that Jack Nicklaus designed, called, not surprisingly, the Nicklaus Course, and another course called The
Meadows. The Nicklaus is the tougher of the two. Check the courses, and the resort, out at
baypointgolf.com. Bay Dunes is another course in the area you might want to try. It's 6,600 yards long
from the tips, and very playable. The website is baydunes.com. Have fun. And don't forget to spend some
time on the beaches in the Panhandle.
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Bruce. Definitely worth checking out is the Bay Point Marriott Resort in Panama
City Beach. The recently renovated Meadows Course is a strong Willard Byrd design dating from 1973.
Better still is the Nicklaus Design Course, which opened in the fall of 2006. Both tracks are carved through
the scrub oaks, pines and saltwater marshes unique to the Panhandle.
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Patrick Dicerni from Toronto writes: Hi Brian and Lorne, I'm looking to plan an extended golf weekend in
early April. In recent years I've been to Pinehurst and the Robert Trent Jones Gold Trail in Alabama. I'm
hoping you can suggest some alternatives, I'm interested in quality courses ‐ hoping you can help!
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Patrick: How about a long weekend in Austin, Texas? Great weather, superb Tex‐
Mex dining, a new international airport, and more than 50 courses within a 70‐kilometre radius. Barton
Creek Resort is a great place to hang your Stetson. The resort offers two Fazio‐designed courses‐‐ Fazio
Foothills, and the even better Fazio Canyons, which weaves through a series of deep limestone canyons.
Also on the property is Crenshaw Cliffside, a more traditional design by Ben Crenshaw. Other top local
courses include the Golf Club at Star Ranch, ColoVista Country Club and Willie Nelson's Pedernales Golf
Club.
Lorne Rubenstein writes: You can't go wrong by teeing it up within an hour north of West Palm Beach, or
a short distance south. Fly into the terrific airport there and play the following courses, all of which are
quality tracks.
Lots of places to stay in West Palm, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, Stuart Links at Madison Green;
madisongreengolf.com. John Sanford designed this course. He should be better‐known. The course is both
challenging and has a lot of variety in the holes. A short drive south and west of West Palm.
Delray Beach Golf Club: delraybeachgolfclub.com A muni that Donald Ross designed in 1923. Lots of fun.
Cool atmosphere around the clubhouse. Neat bar. Cheap and cheerful. Just south of West Palm.
Polo Trace Golf Club: polotracegolf.com. Fairly swanky, always in great shape. Just south of West Palm off
the Turnpike.
West Palm Beach Golf Course: wpalmbeachcounryclub.com. Dick Wilson designed the Royal Montreal
Golf Club's Blue course and he did this as well. Also cheap and cheerful.
North Palm Beach Country Club; muni that Nicklaus redid. Big, rolling greens, plenty of chipping areas
around the greens, right off U.S. 1. (561) 691.3433
Abacoa Golf Club, abacoagolfclub.com. In Jupiter, right off I‐95 at Donald Ross Rd.‐yup, a road named for
the great architect. Joe Lee designed the course. Best greens around, plenty of instruction available from
some super teachers. Fifteen minutes north of West Palm.
Champions Club at Summerfield, championsclubsummerfield.com, Stuart, 45 minutes north of West Palm.
Excellent Tom Fazio course, tough, lots of wetlands.
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Richard Emery from Calgary writes: Brian and Lorne: For spring break, we would like to do a family golf
vacation with our 10‐year old. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on USA golf locations (for us in
Alberta, Arizona or California are easy to get to) that are particularly good at catering to family golf
vacations and yet, not have to each pay $200 for a round. I've heard that some courses even have kid's
tees in addition to the regular adult tees which makes it really fun for everyone.
Lorne Rubenstein writes: I'd look into We‐Ko‐Pa in Fort McDowell, Arizona, near Scottsdale. The resort
has two really good courses. Scott Miller designed the first, called Cholla, while Ben Crenshaw and Bill
Coore designed the second, Saguaro, which opened in December 2006. They're both very good. I
particularly like the Crenshaw/Coore course because of all the shot options that the holes present. There's
a tremendous practice facility if you want to work on your game, and it's also a full family resort. Sure,
there's a casino, but there's also tons more to do besides golf and gambling. I saw many families with kids
when I was there.
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Richard: One South‐west destination becoming increasingly popular with
Canadian golfers is Tucson, Arizona, which is generally a little cheaper and less crowded than Scottsdale‐
Phoenix. Check out the stay‐ and‐play packages offered by the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa.
The resort hosts an annual PGA Tour event on a lush parkland‐ style course designed by Robert Bruce
Harris in 1960. Two other nines, including a new desert‐style track by Tom Lehman, are found at a 167‐
room resort where golf and a 13,000‐square‐foot spa are twin attractions.
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Andrew Wolch from Toronto writes: My friends and I are planning on going to Orlando in a few weeks for
4 intense days of golf. What courses are the 'must plays' and which ones offer fantastic value for money?
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Orlando is full of golf, as you know. I'd say that the must‐plays include the
courses at the Ginn Reunion Resort‐‐and you can even book a session at Annika's Academy if you want to
work out and work on your game. Then there's ChampionsGate, with two courses and the David
Leadbetter Academy. You could stay there and golf, golf, golf. If you want to go a little ways out of
Orlando, you couldn't go wrong with the Mission Inn Resort and its two courses in Howey in the Hills.
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Andrew: More than 30 courses have opened in the Orlando area in the past
decade, making it difficult for golfers to keep up. But definitely make time for ChampionsGate. The 36‐
hole facility features two courses by Greg Norman, whose design work grows stronger with every outing.
Another must‐play is Grand Cypress Golf Club, a 45‐ hole, mostly links‐style complex designed by Jack
Nicklaus at the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort.
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Craig Cyr from the United States writes: My father is a golf nut and looking at places in Florida or Ariz to
spend the Canadian winters golfing. I'm hoping to convince him to also consider non‐US locations. Any
suggestions?
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Craig: Your golf nut Dad might not want to stay the winter, but, among Caribbean
destinations, it's hard to beat the Montego Bay area in Jamaica for superior golf. Located in an enclave of
high‐end resorts just east of Montego Bay are three courses that rank among the Caribbean's best: Three
Palms Ocean Course, White Witch Golf Club, and Half Moon Golf Club. And a short drive to the west of
the city is Tryall Golf Club, famous as the former home of the Johnnie Walker World Championship.
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Craig, so your father's a golf nut and he wants to get out of Canada. Send him to
any of the many resorts around Orlando or Tampa‐‐Ginn Reunion Resort, ChampionsGate, Disney World,
Saddlebrook, Innisbrook. There's also course after course after course in and around Scottsdale, Arizona.
Fly into Phoenix and go to the TPC Scottsdale where this week's PGA Tour events is being played. Or try
the We‐Ko‐Pa resort in Fort McDowell, near Scottsdale.
I just recommended this to another Canadian. It's very good, with two courses. For something different,
have him try two excellent par‐three courses in south Florida. There's the Palm Beach par‐three course,
which plays between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Very cool.
Check it out at golfontheocean.com. Then there's the really good Jupiter Dunes par‐three courses in
Jupiter, Florida, a short iron from the ocean. He can walk both courses and get some exercise and fun golf
that's also challenging, and he'll feel good in the ocean air at the same time.
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D S from Toronto writes: What do you think of the PGA Golf Club (Tom Fazio and Pete Dye courses) at the
PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, FL??
Lorne Rubenstein writes: DS, I like the PGA Golf Village. It's about an hour north of the West Palm Beach
Airport, and has three solid courses. The Dye has coquina shells in the bunkers, but hey, you can play off
them. Tons of tiny, strange bunkers as well. Entertaining, to say the least. You might also try the
astonishing practice area‐‐of course, this is a PGA place, right? It's gigantic, and you can hit balls all day for
a reasonable price. The practice area also has bunkers of different styles‐‐pot bunkers, waste bunkers,
conventional bunkers, and so on. Then there's the MATT system that you might want to try. That's Motion
Analysis by TaylorMade. It's not cheap, but you'll learn everything you need to know about your swing as
you're hooked up to computers while hitting balls in the indoor lab. I'm not saying you'll learn things you
want to hear about your swing‐‐I didn't like what I learned‐‐but at least I came out a better‐informed
golfer knowing what I needed to work on.
And make sure you get into the nearby city of Stuart for meals .... super seafood everywhere you look.
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Mike Aymer from Toronto writes: I'm thinking of a one week or so, golf vacation in February. I will be by
myself, so booking tee times for a high handicap, single golfer could be a problem. I would consider a golf
resort where I could get group or individual lessons. I would like to have the choice of walking the course,
or taking a power cart. Looking for a mid‐price resort, if possible, and not a 5 star resort. I haven't
travelled to the states for 30 years, so I have no experience in any kind of travelling to speak of. Thinking
of Arizona. Any suggestions? Any other good locations?
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Mike, this is a tough one, because you want the option to walk in Arizona or
another resort somewhere. Unheard of. That's sad, isn't it? But most resorts in Arizona, Florida, California
or elsewhere don't let you walk‐‐at least not ones I know. Some allow you to walk after 2.
I'd say being a single golfer could be an asset. You should always be able to find a game, even just by
showing up at the first tee. You should also be able to get on with a booking. If you're looking for a resort,
so that you can say on property, you could look into the PGA Golf Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida
(pgavillage.com).
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Mike: For a single guy on his own, I can't think of a more golf friendly ‐‐ or more
beautiful ‐‐ destination than Pinehurst, North Carolina. Pinehurst Resort offers eight courses, including the
famous No. 2 course designed by Donald Ross. But you'll probably get a better deal at the nearby sister
resorts Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club and Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club. Both feature gorgeous Ross‐
designed layouts. All told, there are more than 43 courses in the area, so you'll be able to shop around for
cut‐rate deals.
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Johnyboy Frolix writes: Where is the best and easiest stay and play all‐inclusive where they just let you
play and play and eat and crash and play some more?? We are decent golfers who don't need a perfect
golf course (i.e expensive) just a decent one.
Lorne Rubenstein writes: You're looking for all golf all the time, are you? You could go to the PGA Golf
Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Three courses, hotel, Sam Snead Tavern, great practice facilities, West
Palm Beach airport an hour south.
Innisbrook and Saddlebrook near Tampa will also give you want you want. I've suggested the Mission Inn
Resort in Howey in the Hills, Florida, 90 minutes or so from Orlando. It's out in the country and it has two
good courses and solid restaurants. Play, eat and crash‐‐just want you want. If you want Arizona golf, I'd
look into Ventana Canyon. A bit pricier, but two super Fazio courses in the canyons and arroyos, excellent
practice facilities and nifty accommodations. Food's great, too.
Look it up at thelodgeatventanacanyon.com
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Peter Daly from Toronto writes: Hello Lorne and Brian. My group will be visiting Orlando the first week of
April. We're staying at the Ginn Resort in Reunion and thinking about playing Harmony Preserve, Highland
Reserve and Diamondback courses. Do you have any additional recommendations in that area that we
may be able to get out on for $50.00 /‐ each per round? Incidentally, do you think Ian Poulter's recent
comments demonstrate the urgent need for comprehensive drug testing among golf professionals?
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Peter, I don't know of courses in the $50 range in the Orlando area. That's not
say they don't exist. I'm just not aware of them. I'd bet that your best chance would be municipal tracks,
or maybe you can get some twilight rates at that number.
As for Poulter, well, he's an over the top guy who certainly has an exhibitionistic streak in him. I don't
think that photo of him will sell many magazines, though. Then again...could become a collector's item.
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Graham Hanlon from Brampton, Ont., writes: My questions are addressed to both writers: The
marketing trend in the golf industry has been aimed at selling golfers the latest and greatest technology
that money can buy. Considering that golf is close to a $200b industry in North America, why isn't more of
that money being spent on, or promoting lessons, to actually learn how to swing a golf club properly?
Second, it's been my experience this last ten years, that fewer and fewer young people are taking up the
sport of golf, due in part to other interests and the cost factor. Where, if anywhere, do you see the growth
of golf coming from in the next few years?
Lorne Rubenstein writes: The equipment companies have the biggest marketing budgets, so that's why
you're so aware of them. The PGA of America does a pretty good job of promoting the game with free
lessons for a day in the U.S. at various times of the year. Golf publications also have a lot of information
about golf schools and instruction. Publishers continue to put out instructional books. As far as juniors go,
the trick is to get them out to courses. They don't need expensive clubs, and there are plenty of
inexpensive courses away from major cities. But as you say, kids have a lot of other interests, and golf's a
tough game to master. I don't know if the game will grow much in the next few years. That's a challenge,
and maybe growth, if any, will come through more public player programs, kids getting into golf via some
of the school programs, and, one would hope, an effort by towns and cities to maintain and build decent
and affordable courses. They don't need to be 18‐hole course, either.
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David Leeder, Sports Editor, Globesports.com: Unfortunately, we've run out of time. Thanks to everyone
who participated today. Let's leave the last question to Joel Price from Ottawa. He asks: "Value for money
wise, what would you consider the best North American course and/or facility?"
Brian Kendall writes: Hi Joel: Last June I wrote an article for The Globe and Mail in which I listed several
great golf bargains across Canada. I think it would be difficult to find a better deal anywhere than the $56
weekend green fee at Newfoundland's Twin Rivers Golf Course. Situated at the southern end of Terra
Nova National Park, 223 kilometres west of St. John's, Twin Rivers boasts a wild and woolly setting rivalled
by only a handful of North American courses. Two whitewater salmon rivers define a 6,546‐yard layout
(designed by Robbie Robinson and Doug Carrick) that skirts the Atlantic Ocean before winding through a
coniferous forest teeming with moose and bald eagles. Perfection!
Lorne Rubenstein writes: Joel, tough question. The best value for money will always be at one of the
public/municipal courses. They're all over the place. I'm in South Florida as I write, and golfers down here
love their public golf in West Palm Beach, Tampa, Miami, etc.
As far as the best value for money at a resort, well, I have to go for Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Oregon. It's
not cheap, not by any stretch of the imagination. But if you're willing to chance golf out there in the
winter‐‐and the weather can be quite good then‐‐you'll find three tremendous courses, fantastic practice
facilities, lodges and cabins to stay in, some of the best grub I've ever eaten at a golf resort, and a get
away from it all atmosphere on a remote part of the Oregon coast.