Travelin’ Joe Passov offers up three ideal buddies trips for avid golfers looking to catch the end of MLB Spring Training in Florida or Arizona.
Palm Beach, Fla.
Play: Host to the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic in late February, PGA National’s Champion course wows with “the Bear Trap,” its watery trio of holes 15-17. pgaresort.com
Stay: Five championship courses, superb instruction, a 40,000-sq.-ft. spa and the burgers at Bar 91 are highlights at PGA National Resort and Spa. March rates from $359. pgaresort.com
Eat: Tiger memorabilia and memorable cuisine are on display at The Woods Jupiter, where the Signature Caprese Salad is major-worthy. woodsjupiter.com
Do: The St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins train in Jupiter. An hour up the road in Port St. Lucie are the 2015 National League Champion New York Mets.
Tampa, Fla.
Play: Following a six-month “restorative enhancement,” Innisbrook’s Copperhead is better than ever. Jordan Spieth will defend at the Valspar in mid-March. innisbrookgolfresort.com
Stay: Ernie Els called Innisbrook, “probably Florida’s best golf resort.” Packard’s Steakhouse, buddy-friendly digs and 72 solid holes prove Els’ point. March rates from $133. innisbrookgolfresort.com
Eat: Tampa’s peerless red meat haunt since 1956 is Bern’s Steak House. A stellar wine cellar and the renowned Harry Waugh Dessert Room complement the beef. bernssteakhouse.com
Do: Close by are Steinbrenner Field (New York Yankees), Bright House Networks Field (Philadelphia Phillies) and Florida Auto Exchange Stadium (Toronto Blue Jays).
Phoenix, Ariz.
Play: The Wigwam’s Gold course is a rugged, handsome, 7,430-yard Robert Trent Jones Sr. parkland classic that enjoyed a 2015 Tom Lehman makeover. wigwamarizona.com
Stay: Dating to 1929, the venerable Wigwam features 331 casita-style rooms, three 18s and the acclaimed Red Door Spa. March rates from $359. wigwamarizona.com
Eat: Litchfield’s at The Wigwam dishes out farm-to-table produce and sizzling Cedar River Farms steaks in a warm, rustic, yet upscale setting. wigwamarizona.com
Do: Within 10 minutes of The Wigwam are Camelback Ranch (Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox) and Goodyear Ballpark (Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds).
