If you need travel advice, zip him an e-mail at askjoe@golf.com.
Dear Joe,
I'm planning a trip to Nairobi, Kenya. Where would be a safe place to play?—Gilbert Maurer, Bad Axe, Mich.
You didn't specify your safety concerns — are you talking about crime, or wild animals? Either way, check out the secure confines of Karen Country Club (karencountryclub.org, $50), site of the recent Kenyan Open on the European Challenge Tour, won by 2005 U.S. Amateur champ Eduardo Molinari. The track once belonged to Karen Blixen, of "Out of Africa" fame. Another secure bet is Windsor Golf and Country Club (windsorgolfresort.com, $80), a 7,277-yard test where recent on-course guests have included Hugh Grant and Nelson Mandela.
Hi Joe,
I inherited some property in the Smokies (NC side) and I was wondering what are the region's good golf courses, west of Asheville? — Jeff Sords, Westlake, Ohio
Sorry to say that the area's best courses are south and east of Asheville, but 27-hole Waynesville Country Club (828-452-4617, wccinn.com, $31-$60) is pretty pleasant as is Maggie Valley (828-926-6013, maggievalleyresort.com, $40-$75). A good bet is to cross into Tennessee and play the bucolic Gary Player-designed Bent Creek (865-436-3947, bentcreekgolfcourse.com, $39.50-$57.50) in Gatlinburg, just down the road from Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.
Dear Joe,
My wife and I are headed to a wedding this spring near Sacramento, Calif. We'd like to do Yosemite while we're in the area — as well as play a couple of good courses. Any suggestions? — Shane Stevens, Scottsdale, Arizona
Between Sacramento and Yosemite sits one of the Golden State's true hidden gems, Saddle Creek Resort (209-785-3700, saddlecreekgolf.com; $40-$135), in Copperopolis, 20 miles east of Stockton. You'll find fast greens, splashy Carter Morrish — designed bunkers and strong Sierra Nevada Mountain views — plus comfortable bungalows if you need a place to stay. Another good option, south of Modesto, is Stevinson Ranch (209-668-8200, stevinsonranch.com; $65-$85), an Audubon Certified John Harbottle layout that melds seamlessly into the San Joaquin Valley terrain.
Dear Joe,
Love your section every month in the magazine. The wife and I go to the Preakness every year. This year we want to get a round in the day before. Can you recommend a couple of tracks in the Baltimore area? Maybe one higher end and one a little less expensive? Thanks! — Tom Howe, Boston, Massachusettes
I'm partial to cracking multiple crabs with a wooden hammer when I'm anywhere near Baltimore, but if you're looking to crack a few drives, start with Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace (410-939-8887, bullerock.com). Ranked No. 26 in GOLF Magazine's 2006 Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S., it's a true splurge, at $145, but there's nary a weak hole on this rugged Pete Dye track that plays host to a women's major, the McDonalds LPGA Championship. A worthy, less pricey alternative is Beechtree, in Aberdeen (410-297-9700, beechtreegolf.com, $65-$95). Tom Doak, who designed our top-rated course you can play, Oregon's Pacific Dunes, crafted this one with a linksy front nine and a back nine that cruises through hardwoods. It earned a #93 ranking in our 2006 Top 100 Courses You Can Play. If the $2 window is more your comfort zone, check out Greystone in White Hall (410-887-1945, baltimoregolfing.com, $49-$74), a fun Joe Lee layout in the horse country north of Baltimore; Waverly Woods in Marriottsville (410-313-9182, waverlywoods.com, $51-$84), an Arthur Hills course with swift-running greens and The Timbers at Troy in Elkridge (410-313-4653, timbersgolf.com, $35-$62) a good, tight test of driving that's 10 miles or so southwest of the city.
