A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD US that there’s no better way to connect with colleagues than to get out of the office and onto the golf course. Here’s where to go…
Crystal Springs Resort, Vernon
With more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, seven championship golf courses, four different luxury lodging experiences, two spas and a multitude of restaurants, Crystal Springs is the very definition of a full-service resort. “The breadth and uniqueness of our award-winning golf courses, luxury hotels, cutting-edge meeting rooms and world-class amenities cannot be matched,” says Chelsea Vander Groef, senior manager of public relations and social media.
Whether it’s the links-style Ballyowen, playable Cascades, challenging Crystal Springs, family-friendly Minerals, retro-style Great Gorge, popular Black Bear or the beautiful Wild Turkey course you ultimately choose, the on-site PGA event coordinators handle groups ranging from 16 to 360 players. Hosting more than 500 golf events each year, no detail gets lost in the rough.
After a round or two, there are plenty of spots to rest. Grand Cascades Lodge is a luxury hotel with 250 guest rooms, the Reflections Spa and the renowned Restaurant Latour, famous for its 135,000-bottle wine cellar. The Minerals Hotel and Spa features 175 rooms, along with the luxurious Elements Spa, but it’s the seven indoor and outdoor pools that really make an impression. Private parties can also be arranged inside the Biosphere, a tropical pool complex filled with plants and a retractable roof. For a more energetic crowd, book Mountain Creek and its recently added Red Tail Lodge, a three-story Adirondack-style space equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and a terrific setting for meetings and trade shows.
Looking to add some unique activities to your company’s weekend agenda? Why not treat your group to a post-golf visit to the waterpark, zip line, bike park or mountain coaster?
Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Stockton
In business for approximately 100 years, the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club has been hosting group golf events for two decades. “The Seaview is an iconic resort,” says Mike Tidwell, director of sales and marketing. “When you pull up to this gorgeous estate, you know you’re arriving at a place with a rich history and incredible service. At the same time, Seaview is a completely updated high-tech facility that combines all the amenities meeting planners expect with the warmth and personality of a historic building, client list and staff that has been here for decades.”
Home to ShopRite LPGA Classic, Seaview is New Jersey’s only golf resort on the shore. Set on 670 acres, this 296-room resort offers the charm and serenity of a classic seaside retreat, yet remains just 8 miles from the excitement of Atlantic City’s casinos and entertainment.
Seaview can accommodate private golfing events ranging from 12 to 288 players on its two historic courses: the links-style Bay Course and the Pines Course. Experienced staff tailors the outing to your group’s style and budget, including food and beverage menus, lodging arrangements and ways to personalize the golf experience: prizes, sponsor signs, gift certificates, contests and personalized score cards. The on-site Golf Shop, an eight-time winner of Best 100 Golf Shops in America, offers an extensive collection of equipment and accessories.
With 39,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor special event space, including 21 meeting rooms, Seaview is equipped to handle everything from sales conferences for 600 guests to a team-building session for 60. The events staff at Seaview can even arrange a special interactive dinner with local artisans-including shipbuilders, decoy makers, beekeepers and painters-through its relationship with the Tuckerton Seaport Museum.
Renault Winery Resort and Golf, Egg Harbor City
Offering sweeping views of the vineyards, the 7,200-yard championship course at Renault Winery Resort and Golf is just 6 years old, but has quite a following among the New Jersey golf community. “This is a player-friendly course with a difficulty rating of 70.2,” notes Brian Crompton, head golf professional. “It’s pretty wide open, tee to green. The greens are smooth and quick, and they are better than those of our competitors for the majority of the year.” Located in Egg Harbor City in southern New Jersey, this unique golf course shares the property with 1,400 acres of vineyards, two award-winning restaurants, beautifully maintained gardens, two outdoor pools and the newly renovated Tuscany Hotel.
Golf outings at Renault Winery Resort and Golf can accommodate up to 144 players. The resort’s golf outing package covers every detail to ensure a relaxing and productive day: a registration area setup, rules sheets, personalized scorecards, on-course player assistants, a golf bag drop, scoring and more.
After the clubs have been put away, guests may dine at the Renault Gourmet Restaurant and have a wine tasting in a traditionally elegant setting filled with reminders of the property’s winemaking history: old oak casks converted into booths, stained glass pieces, antique furnishings and a large stone fireplace.
“When you walk into the Tuscany Hotel, you will feel as if you were transported to an Italian villa,” says Kevin McCarty, director of marketing. With 50 oversized rooms, each with complimentary Wi-Fi access, guests will be comfortable and well-connected with the outside world during their stay. The hotel also offers four rooms for meetings and events: the Florence Room (accommodates groups of 30-50), Venetian Room (30-50), Vineyard Lounge (10- 20) and the Tuscany House Ballroom (60-170 with entertainment; up to 190 without).
For on-site meetings, the winery has three rooms which can accommodate parties ranging from 35 to 300 guests: the wine cellar or Burgundy Room (60 guests), the Vintage Room (150 guests) and the Renault Ballroom (280 guests).
No visit is complete without a tour of Renault’s 147-year-old winery, where guests can learn about champagne, winemaking and the winery’s operation during Prohibition, as well as enjoy a tasting.
