Both golf and tennis are widely played sports that attract many vacationers to places that have exceptional facilities. Many resorts develop these courts and courses to become “signatures” of their property.

Golf

There are approximately 26.4 million American golfers. There are 16,000 golf courses in America with 1,300 that are part of a resort. Many resorts have multiple courses, such as Pinehurst in North Carolina. This 100+ year-old resort boasts eight signature courses. Many resorts will offer golf packages that will include a reduced room rate and course fee (13).

Golf is known to attract people of all ages. Young people are picking up the sport and older people are perfecting their skills. Resorts are often successful in offering golf clinics.

Golf Course Design

Many things need to be taken into consideration when designing a golf course. Here is a list in order of importance according to Robert Christie Mill (12):

• Safety – to golfers and passersby
• Flexibility – different lengths of tees to handle golfers of varying abilities
• Shot value - variety of shots, lengths and targets
• Fairness – placement and severity of hazards
• Progression – sequence of holes
• Flow – movement of golfers around the course
• Balance – distribution of par
• Maintenance costs – long-term and short-term
• Construction planning – cost-benefit analysis of major design features
• Aesthetics – harmony, proportion, balance, rhythm and emphasis
• Tournament qualities – ample yardage and spectator facilities

Major Golf Resorts (13):

• Greenbrier, West Virginia
• Kiawah Island, South Carolina
• Doral, Miami, Florida
• Hilton Head, South Carolina
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Tennis

Like golf, tennis is a sport enjoyed by people of all ages. Unlike golf, tennis can be played in shorter time incriments and may also be played in various styles. Today, many resorts boasts clusters of tennis courts available for guests to use. Many resorts become hosts to tournaments, bringing fans of the sport and someimtes national attention.

The original surface of tennis courts, dating back to the 11th century, was grass. Currently, there are 14 types of different surfaces (13).

Tennis Court Design

The following considerations in tennis court design are vital (13):

• Orientation – avoid looking into the sun
• Surface - porous or non-porous
• Type of court – hard surface, clay or grass
• Support facilities – pro shop, snack shop
• Capacity – six courts per acre, 30 – 60 members per court

Major tennis resorts (13):

• Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
• Colony Beach & Tennis Club, Longboat Key, Florida
• Naples Bath & Tennis, Florida
• Tops’l, Destin, Florida

Some of Mobil Five-Star Award Winning golf and tennis- based resorts of 2005 are (8):

• The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs,Colorado
• Woodlands Resort & Inn, Summerville, South Carolina
• The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island, Georgia