Targeting affluent travelers from the northeast, Tucker’s Point in Bermuda is the latest candy-coated feather on an island where pink is a macho color, shorts are worn with jackets and ties and cricket is a national passion not a goofy bug. Bermuda, located 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina, provides idyllic golf weather so it’s no surprise Tuckers Point, a $300 million resort community with its own stunning course, appeals to golfers. Sitting on about 200 acres, Tucker’s Point offers a mix of privately owned residences along with Rosewood Tucker’s Point, an 88-room luxury hotel. Multi-million dollar estate homes and town homes designed in classic British Colonial style with a
tropical twist, cascade down the hillside to the water’s edge. Starting at $295,000 to $3.2 million, Tucker’s Point’s five neighborhoods Ship’s Hill, Shell Point, Golf Villas Residence Club, Harbour Drive and Harbour Court Residence Club saw early brisk sales but deeded fractional ownership and whole ownership waterfront residences along Harbour Drive are still available.
Membership in the Tucker’s Point Golf, Beach and Tennis Club is offered to those who purchase property and to select others as club membership is by invitation. There are several kinds of membership including social and golf. Tucker’s Point golf course, (formerly Castle Harbour) was totally redesigned by Roger Rulewich in 2002 morphing into a world class track with a stunning 29,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. There is also a Beach Club, croquet court, Fitness Centre, spa and Har-Tru tennis courts. tuckerspoint.com.
Rolling with Rolex
Anyone following the LPGA is aware of the Rolex World Golf Rankings, the official list for women pros from the five major tours. Wearing a Rolex as do top golfers like Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, has long been synonymous with the “I have arrived” syndrome. Rolex has been worn by celebrated athletes and the rich and famous since1927 when Mercedes Gleitzer swam across the English Channel wearing an Oyster wristwatch which held up brilliantly throughout the 10-hours swim. In 1967 Arnold Palmer became a Rolex spokesman and Sir Edmund Hillary wore a classic Oyster Perpetual when he scaled Everest in 1953. Besides reliability, people love the self-winding feature of “The Oyster.”
Today, it’s hard to find even a used Rolex on the web for less than $3,000. The price tag for new watches are typically in the $25,000 to $50,000 range while second-hand pieces fall between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on materials used (golf, platinum, steel) and gems like diamonds and sapphires. Ochoa wears an Oyster Perpetual Lady-Date Just with a gem-set bezel in golf and steel while Fowler sports a Datejust made of steel and 18k gold. rolex.com
Putting on the Dawgs
Think Crocs on steroids. Besides attracting attention — “What are these crazy shoes?” Dawgs Spirit Shoes for men, women and kids. With substantial arch and sole support, soft spikes and Velcro straps, Dawgs are super light — they just may become your favorite traveling golf shoe when every ounce counts. They come in a huge array of color combos, are remarkably comfortable and cost about $40. Another plus: if they get yucky, they can be rinsed off under a faucet, dry fast and emerge looking like new. If you are a walker, you’ll especially love them and you can wear them without socks. Saves on the laundry and promotes a better tan. dawgsgolf.com
No pulling the wool over your eyes
Looking for the perfect golf sock, one that is found and worn in all the best places like The Broadmoor, The Greenbrier, and Kittansett Club? What other socks gives you a “blister-free guarantee?” Kentwool can do this because their socks feature a micro-climate system for above and beyond moisture wicking and (ahem) odor control and there is extra cushioning at strategic points. Need we go on. You’ll love them. Just ask Bubba or Kristy McPherson who says they are like, “an adrenaline shot to my feet.” Kentwool.com
Hay There
Celebrate the Annual Killington Hay Festival Sept. 4-Oct. 10 with a hay-mazing lineup of fun things to see and do. Marvel at 40 giant, all-natural animal sculptures made of — what else — hay, participate in a scavenger hunt, Farm to Table food and a wagonload of events. Killington.com
Harbor Lights for the Perfect Package
Sea Pines Resort, the home of Pete Dye’s Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point has a New ‘Golf Concierge Service For Golf Groups. The new “onestop” service makes it easy to book everything from lodging and golf (on 17 area courses) to meals with your own coordinator handling the nitty gritty. Prices for groups are streamlined while your golf vacation is delivered on a platter, hastle-free. golfseapines.com
Solheim Smarts
Antigua, a Scottsdale-based apparel company is busy putting the final touches on the U.S. Solheim Cup Uniforms for the big event to be held September 19-26 at Jack Nicklaus’ Killeen Castle course just outside Dublin, Ireland, Designers have been creating uniforms for multiple days and multiple rounds of competition keeping in mind Ireland’s sometimes irascible weather. (Yes, it can rain in Ireland but then that’s what makes everything so green). A sneak preview reveals the apparel reflects the traditional palette of the U.S. with contemporary accents. You too will be able to purchase U.S. team designs (shirts, sweaters, jackets and bottoms) from selected golf shops and golf retailers starting September 26th. SolheimCup.com; Antigua.com
Count on Abacus
While the U.S. Solheim ladies are sporting Antigua attire, the European team is being gussied up by Abacus, a Swedish company. In introducing the lineup. Abacus’ head designer, Chris Mattsson says, “We’ve followed our graphic and timeless signature and worked a lot with stripes on polo shirts and tops. Wind vests and rain jackets have a sporty touch that underlines the functionality.” The Solheim Cup Collection is based on five stringent color palettes, one for each day. The first training days have their colors, as do the days of the competition. We can share Friday will be green (think green and plum wide stripes) and Saturday a clear sunshine yellow. But Sunday is secret! And it’s not only the players who will be outfitted, Abacus is also dressing caddies, members of the board, players’ guests and the team’s functionaries. Sven-Olof Karlsson, Abacus’ managing director says, “When the players get up on the first tee they must feel that they can conquer the world.” Coming this fall, look for the Abacus Acton wind stop sweater. The Nordic folkloric pattern in a cable knit wool blend, comes with a high collar, large buttons and an inner poly micro lining making it windproof. Lovely stuff on and off the course. ($140) abacus-golf.com
Rain, rain go away
Yes, this year at the Open at Royal St. George’s there were some dreadfully blustery, drenching days. And what did many of the pros wear including the Open Champion himself? Zero Restriction. And did it rain. And rain. Clarke frequently pulled out his jacket as needed, sometimes converting it to a half-sleeve, a versatile feature of the garment. Dependably waterproof rainwear, Zero Restriction is made with Gore-tex(R) technology. And shhh. Did we mention it’s a Pennsylvania company. zerorestriction.com
When you want the wow factor, pull out Chromax
Surprise your pals by playing bright and shiny Chromax metallic balls. They come in silver, pink, green gold, orange and blue and look good enough to wear as jewelry. www.chromaxgolf.com
The Perfect Summer Port
While White Port is not well known in this country except in the Portuguese community where it is prized and it can be refreshing indeed. Produced in Portugal from white grapes and fermented longer than red ports, this pale, straw-colored wine is wonderful served chilled with a twist of lemon or as a tall drink with tonic, ice and mint. I especially liked Fonseca Siroco and Taylor Fladgate’s 1973 Special Reserve Sweet White, a rare vintage wine with a long finish.
WHITE PORT SIZZLER
1 part white port
4 parts Schweppes tonic water
1 slice lemon
Spring mint
Fill glass with ice and add port and tonic water.
Garnish with lemon and mint.
It makes Scents
Annika Sorenstam’s signature fragrance “ANNIKA” marries well with the Perfect Life of private clubs, the great outdoors, yachts and romance. Chanel #5, Coco and White Shoulders are always classically safe scents, but perhaps it’s time to break out of the tried and true with fresh, soft and sweet ANNIKA by SA Fragrances. Ahh the seduction of amber, vanilla, white flower and citrus. ($59.95 for 1.7 oz) Annikasorenstam.com
From the people who brought you Sport Haley
Women have long coveted classic Sport Haley golf apparel. Now it’s your turn, guys. The Haley Signature Line for men will debut this spring with all the usual suspects: taste, tradition, style, comfort and performance. haleysignature.com – Golf enthusiasts looking to travel to Bermuda to watch Darren Clarke, the newly crowned winner of the Open.
About Katharine Dyson
Katharine Dyson is a regular contributor to the New England Golf Monthly column: The Perfect Life.
Related posts:
- Living the World of Perfect
- Fall is the perfect season to play golf at Sankaty Head on Nantucket Island
- NEGM Live From The Masters
- Live From the 2011 US Open
- Perfect Golf Labs.com
