By Len Ziehm
Despite the problems caused by the pandemic there were three big stories in the world of golf travel in 2020. Two involved well-known destinations, the other a Texas town that is certain to become one.
Back in the day, Ohio’s Firestone and California’s LaCosta were among the very best PGA Tour stops. Firestone, a long-time private club, hosted big tournaments since the 1950s and LaCosta was on the pro tour calendar from 1968 through 2007, before focusing on resort play.
Firestone, now open to non-members, is offering stay-and-play packages, and LaCosta’s 36 holes, will host the NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s Championships for a three-year period beginning in 2025. Gil Hanse, the hottest architect in golf right now will renovate the Champions Course at LaCosta.
In the past, LaCosta hosted 25 PGA Tour events and two LPGA tournaments. From 1968-98 it was the site of the Mercedes Tournament of Champions.
The WGC Accenture Match Play Championship was staged there until 2006, before it moved to Arizona.
LaCosta hosted the LPGA’s Kia Classic in 2011 and again 2012, but then it switched to Aviara, another course in the Carlsbad, California, area.
LaCosta is over 50 years old and the original designer, Dick Wilson, was notable for his steep bunkers. Hanse and his partner Jim Wagner will begin the update, with the NCAA Championships in mind.
Firestone has been the site of the World Series of Golf, three PGA Championships, the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and, most recently, the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship. Its underdoing a renovation, as well, with 18 bunkers being removed from the Fazio Course and the remaining 51 being reshaped to improve drainage.
Jay Walkinshaw, who held management positions at Olympic Club and Pebble Beach, is now the general manager and Tommy Moore is the new director of golf.
Watch an interview with Walkinshaw as he talks about the new ‘Stay & Play’ option at Firestone. 
The PGA’s new facility in Frisco, Texas, with its first two courses designed by Hanse, and Beau Welling, are almost finished, however they won’t open until 2022. They want a full year to allow the courses to mature and proper maintenance practices established.
The projected opening for the courses is June of 2022, with the first tournament scheduled, 2023 the Senior PGA Championship.
Myrtle Beach
There is always a lot of activity in Myrtle Beach. The Myrtle Beach Preseason Classic, a two-man 54-hole team event, will tee off on six courses Feb. 1-3 and the 150-team field is already full.
The March Championship has a new name and is now called the World Amateur Q School.
Three-time World Long Drive champion Sean Fister is now on the staff of the Dustin Johnson Junior Golf Academy.
Mystical Golf, which has three courses, Man-O-War, The Witch and The Wizard, has overseeded its layouts with Ryegrass, which will allow for wall to wall emerald green fairways, rough and putting surfaces as opposed to the usual dormant brown conditions found on most courses during the cold weather months.
STREAMSONG
KemperSports has expanded its role at this three-course central Florida destination and will manage all resort operations. The Chicago-based group has been involved with the Streamsong golf operation, since the resort was launched in 2012.
PINEHURST
The U.S. Golf Association and Kids Golf Foundation both announced they have established headquarters in this golf hotbed. The Dormie Club is getting a 16,600-foot clubhouse, a stand-alone pro shop and 15 cottages to enhance its Bill Coore-Ben Creshaw. Improvements have been made to the course and all projects are to be completed by June, 2021.
BANDON DUNES
Oregon’s very special facility has announced its championship events for 2021. The Bandon Dunes Cup is May 2-5, the Golf Digest Open June 6-9, the Links Championship June 27-30 and the Fall Match Play Oct. 20-23.
