Senior Highlights....

FORE!!

GOLF DESTINATIONS & RESORTS

Every California hacker knows Hawaii has great golf, but many are scared off by high greens fees and resort prices. Howver, lots of west coast duffers don't realize that they can combine cruising and golfing for a value-packed Hawaii hiatus this fall or winter.

While many cruise lines now offer a round or two of golf at various ports, only American Hawaii Cruises (800-765-7000) gives cruising golfers the chance to play on all four major Hawaiian Islands in just one week. It's a perfect combination.

Their classic liner, the S.S. Independence, visits five ports on four islands in just seven days. With their new "Floating Greens of Hawaii" golf program, there are 22 championship golf courses from which to choose on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, and Kaui. Tee times are arranged in advance at the preferred course by an American Hawaii Cruises golf coordinator. Courses include the Waikele Golf Course on Oahu, the Waikoloa Kings and Beach Courses on the Big Island, the Wailea Gold, Blue, and Emerald Courses on Maui, and the Kauai Lagoons Course on Kauai.

Off the links, you get to enjoy a fascinating and convenient vacation on your own Hawaiian "floating island" with American Hawaii Cruises. You're sure to become a "Kama'aina" (one who "knows" Hawaii), as you become immersed in the culture of these fascinating islands. American Hawaii Cruises is the only cruise line offering seven-night cruises through the Hawaiian Islands from Honolulu. There's simply no better way to see so many islands and play so much golf in one week. In addition, if you do the math, their cruise and golf packages are a great value that compare quite well with land-based vacations.

Back on the mainland, California duffers will be heading near and far to find the perfect golf destinations and resorts this fall and winter. But many will be paying too much. As everyone who has hit the little dimpled ball knows, finding inexpensive places to play and stay can be as hard as hitting a hole in one.

But there's good news for hackers hoping to play for less per day. A recent book, Golf On $30 A Day (or Less), may just lead to less expensive tee times and packages for seniors who peruse its pages. If you play golf and travel, you simply must buy this book.

Written by golf guru Jim Apfelbaum and published by Villard Books (800-793-BOOK), the book is billed as a bargain hunter's guide to great courses and equipment. If birdies and eagles could be awarded to authors, then Apfelbaum would break the course record for this book.

Let's start in your own backyard with California, which gets some of the most extensive coverage in the book. Apfelbaum begins with a "Local Knowledge" section that, incredibly, provides leads to other helpful publications and organizations. First off, the California State Automobile Association (150 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102-5279) publishes two regional golf guides each year that are free to members, with lots of charts covering more than 450 California courses. You should also consider contacting the Southern California Golf Association (818-980-3630) and the Northern California Golf Association (408-625-4653) for membership and publication information.

Apfelbaum even recommends other books that specifically cover golf in California, including California Golf and The Ultimate California Golf Guide, both published by Foghorn Press (415-564-4918), and Golfing Northern California (Pelican Publishing, 800-743-1724). A newsletter, Golfer's Guide to Southern California (310-841-4866), receives a "Golden Apfel Award" for Meritorious Service to Apfordable Golf!

Apfelbaum's phenomenal resource list continues with: Golf Today (415-802-8165); Golf Southern California (800-669-6595); Golf Guide & Coupon Book (909-397-5711); Golf Courses of California (713-623-4613); Fore Better Golf (708-893-8672); Desert Discount Card (619-324-4546), with discounted greens fees in the desert; and Golf Reservations of America (800-TEE-TIME), which can book reservations at more than 50 resorts throughout Southern California. Before he even reveals the best deals in California, Apfelbaum has given readers enough leads to save well more than the cost of his book.

Apfelbaum then covers some specific deals in California, including recommendations from Dave Mills, publisher of Golfer's Guide to Southern California (see above). Dave says, "The best value in golf in Southern California is Industry Hills at twilight." The Industry Hills Sheraton Resort (818-810-4653) features two courses that give you a real bang for your buck. Other recommendations from Mr. Mills include: Simi Hills in Simi Valley (805-522-0813); Los Robles in Thousand Oaks (805-495-6421); River Ridge in Oxnard (805-983-4653); and Knollwood in Granada Hills (818-363-8161).

Apfelbaum also gives strong descriptions of other good deals in the state, including: Rancho Park in West Los Angeles (310-838-7373); El Camino Real in San Clemente (714-492-1997); Balboa Park in San Diego (619-235-1184); the Hisperia Golf and Country Club (619-244-9301); Whispering Lakes in Ontario (909-923-3673); Camarillo Springs Golf Club in Camarillo (805-484-1075); Avila Beach Golf Resort near San Luis Obispo (805-595-2307); De Laveaga in Santa Cruz (408-423-7212); Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula (408-648-3177); and the "Pebble Beach" par three Peter Hay Golf Course (408-628-8518). That's a list to keep you on California highways or byways and playing golf for weeks, but you'll return home with something left in your pockets besides scorecards and tees.

Once you pass the state line, Apfelbaum's book is still just as good. His coverage of golf meccas like Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas is straight down the fairway. Along with the extensive state-by-state coverage, there's almost 100 pages of tidbits that will save you money and time, giving you more of both to enjoy golf resorts and destinations. Before you set another tee time, buy this book.

Arizona golf resorts continue to offer good packages, including: Boulders Resort (800-223-7638); Hyatt Regency Scottsdale (800-233-1234); Marriott's Camelback Inn Resort (800-24-CAMEL); and the Scottsdale Princess Resort (800-344-4758). You should also contact the Arizona Golf Association (602-944-3035).

Over on the east coast, the golf meccas of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head were undamaged by Hurricane Bertha. Great Times Out (800-877-5006) is offering cross-country golf specials from the west coast to both destinations, while Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday (800-845-4653) features a wide array of value-packed packages as well. Down in Florida, dozens of Sunshine State deals are available from Golfpac (800-327-0878).

On the other end of the spectrum, if money is no object, PerryGolf (800-344-5257) has the ultimate golf resort and destination package. Next September, you can participate in their 25-day "Around the World" golf trip, with rounds at 11 of the world's finest golf courses and much more. The cost is $36,700. Of course, PerryGolf and sister company InterGolf specialize in less-expensive packages to golf destinations around the world.

From finding the best deals on the mainland to cruising and golfing your way around the Hawaiian islands or flying and golfing your way around the world, you're sure to save some green with these top greens tips.