Vacation With the PGA TOUR Pros

Here are five dynamic travel opportunities that also showcase some of the world’s most astonishingly gifted golfers on the PGA TOUR and LPGA TOUR's 2018 season.

5 Fabulous PGA TOUR and LPGA TOUR Tournaments to Experience This Winter

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - PGA TOUR

By Chris Duthie

Last week’s write-up about the Waste Management Phoenix Open proved so popular with Colorado AvidGolfer readers that we’ve received requests to spotlight even more must-see events.

Happy to oblige. Here are five dynamic travel opportunities that also showcase some of the world’s most astonishingly gifted golfers:


AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Feb. 8-11):

The Famed Monterey Bay Aquarium

Few vacation destinations compare to the heavenly surrounds of Pebble Beach Golf Links (pictured atop), and fewer still are so steeped in history. The Monterey Peninsula is equally famed for historic Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the world’s longest running jazz festival, scenic drives to Big Sur, whale watching, deep-sea fishing… and the clown-prince tournament antics of comedian Bill Murray. Hosted by Pebble Beach Resorts. Jordan Speith defends.


The Honda Classic (Feb. 22-25):

PGA TOUR - Honda Classic at PGA National
Former Champions at PGA National: Rickie Fowler (Left, 2017) and Rory McIlroy (Right, 2012)

The PGA Tour starts its sun-splashed Florida swing in Palm Beach Gardens, which in addition to sporting more than 160 area golf courses also offers nearby access to the pristine sand beaches of John D. MacArthur State Park, tours at Lion Country Safari, airboat rides into the gator-infused Florida Everglades, and scuba diving among moray eels at Blue Heron Bridge. Hosted by PGA National Resort & Spa. Rickie Fowler defends.


Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 15-18):

PGA TOUR - Bay Hill - Arnold Palmer Invitational
One of the PGA TOUR’s most iconic finishing holes: The 18th at Bay Hill

Few destinations define a family vacation like Orlando, home to Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios Florida and regional MLB Grapefruit League spring training. Besides Mickey & Co., the area is packed with active pursuits like hot air ballooning, hang gliding, helicopter tours, scuba diving and snorkeling, and SpaceX rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center. Hosted by Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Marc Leishman defends.


LPGA Bank of Hope Founders Cup (Mar. 15-18):

A winter getaway to Phoenix is a joyful occasion, but especially so when it pairs with the shotmaking excellence of the world’s most accomplished women golfers. Regionally the Valley of the Sun boasts more than 160 golf courses, plus mind-bending experiences like indoor skydiving, cowboy colleges, high-performance driving schools, and co-piloting an authentic military aircraft. Hosted by the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Anna Nordqvist defends.

lpga tour pros
Clockwise from top-left: Lexi Thompson (No. 4), Brooke Henderson (No. 14), and Michelle Wie (No. 27)

LPGA ANA Inspiration (March 29-April 1):

Staged in perfect-weather Palm Springs among the rugged San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains, this Dinah Shore-founded event is also the first major of 2018. Enhance your Coachella Valley holiday by perusing the world-famous El Paseo Shopping District, touring the Walk of Stars, riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, visiting the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, viewing the 1,000-strong Palm Springs Windmills, or spying herds of bighorn sheep in Indian Canyons. Hosted by Mission Hills Country Club. So Yeon Ryu defends.


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Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer. Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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