http://theduncanlist.com Great Golf and Travel Writing Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:13:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One of the first impressions I had playing The Cascades in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia was to think how this kind of course would never be built today. Actually that thought came to me around the fifth hole, a big par five that traverses a sidehill fairway and then rises blindly over a shoulder of the same hillside. Most contemporary architects would cut the hill down and use the fill to level the fairway ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/golf/1542/how-elite-is-the-cascades Reynolds Landing (nee Port Armor) was the first course built on Lake Oconee in Central Georgia and for a while Bob Cupp had the only two courses on the lake after he followed it a few years later with the first Reynolds Plantation course. The Reynolds development completed acquisition of Port Armor in 2009, renamed it, and have made some minor upgrades to the course and rebuilt the amenities. You wouldn’t say the course rests lightly ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/southern-players-guide/1530/an-oconee-original-reynolds-landing 1. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye, California (Rye Beer, 6.6 ABV)--The grassy, peppery notes of the rye come through on the finish, but before that there's a wonderful show of malt sweetness-piney hops interplay and a light, spry mouthfeel. Incredibly, dangerously drinkable.   2. 21st Amendment Bitter American, California (American Pale Ale, 4.4 ABV)--There's a ridiculous amount of flavor and depth to this beer for only being 4.4% alcohol. The bitter, citrusy hops are predominant, but there's also ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/taste/1554/january-27-2012 Old Weller "Antique" Original 107 Brand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 107 Proof, Buffalo Trace Distillery It took me a while to wrap my head around wheated bourbons. To my old way of thinking, if it was going to be taken seriously a bourbon should have a hefty dose of rye in it. To give it that spicy punch. To make it burn a little. To put hair on your chest. Replacing wheat for rye in a blend ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/taste/1545/bourbon-review-old-weller-antique   You could say Ponte Vedra Inn & Club's Ocean Course had been remolded, mended and re-mended so many times over the years—by Trent Jones, Robert Walker, possibly Joe Lee, grounds crews and who knows who else—that it ended up an utterly broken mess. The course's popularity peaked in the 1930’s when it was selected for the 1939 Ryder Cup (which was never played) while considered one of the toughest and best courses in America. For the ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/uncategorized/1532/a-strong-sense-of-return-at-ponte-vedra-inn   Someday we’ll be able to talk about Ballyneal in the northeastern corner of Colorado without referencing Sand Hills, as I’ve already just done. It’s kind of like how it took about 10 years for every violent, ironic new crime movie not to be viewed through the lens of Pulp Fiction. Such is the advantage of being first—you get to set the terms of the debate. But a fact of life for the intermediate future is that ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/southern-players-guide/colorado/1509/ballyneal-gravity-rides-everything Of the two courses at Orange Country National, Crooked Cat has more appeal to me than Panther Lake. Both courses are built in former citrus groves west of Orlando over nice natural topography and very little tree cover. The soil is arid and sandy and with no development anywhere near it lends a rustic, country aura to the entire establishment. Crooked Cat does a better job of playing to these strengths. The architecture is less polished—that ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/southern-players-guide/florida/1502/crooked-cat-no-second-fiddle-at-orange-county-national 1. Avery "Old Jubilation," Colorado (Winter/Old Ale, 8.3% ABV)--Superb combination of citric hops, sweet malts and finishing spices. 2. Scaldis "Noel," Belgium (Winter Amber/Strong Dark Ale, 12%)--For many, the ultimate Belgian Christmas beer. Count me in. 3. Goose Island "Sofie," Illinois (Saison, 6.5 ABV)--Though it's slightly out of season, I had this gorgeously floral saison recently on draught at Gramercy Tavern and cannot get it out of my mind. 4. Anchor "Our Special Ale" 2011, California (Winter Ale, ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/taste/1511/december-16-2011   It's one of the most frequently asked questions in golf. Whether for a conference, convention or family vacation, you're going to find yourself there, eventually asking it: "Where should I play golf in Orlando?" There's no clear cut answer, which is why it so frequently comes up. Orlando and its surrounds account for some of the most abundant and affordable public and resort golf in America. Unlike vast swaths of the Northeast (or South Florida, for ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/golf/1412/bringing-the-sticks-golf-in-orlando At first glance it might look like Team Norman mailed this one in. There doesn’t appear to be much to the course, especially compared to the size and pedigree of the Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott that overlook it. Granted, Norman didn’t have great material to work with--basically a flat, soggy wetland preserve in south Orlando’s Shingle Creek basin--but everything you’re used to seeing from Norman predictably shows up. There are the low, slinky holes. There ... ]]> http://theduncanlist.com/golf/southern-players-guide/florida/1485/into-the-wilds-at-grande-lakes-orlando