The guys have finished a round at Pelican Hill Golf Club™ and are checking their scorecards over drinks at Pelican Grill & Bar. Mingling on the terrace with a Pacific panorama as backdrop, they dig into a smorgasbord of appetizers and do that golfer thing: the hole-by-hole recital.
The color commentary is all the more vivid given that this is just the start of the annual boys’ trip.
Instead of disappearing into separate rooms after their round, the friends stroll back to their luxury Villa to relax and freshen up in one of the four private bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. Later, the group enjoys drinks on the terrace, orders dinner in from Andrea and catches a game on the 60-inch high-definition television. It’s just like home, but with a band of brothers — and room service.
“We’ve been coming to The Resort at Pelican Hill® for the last several years,” says Joel Subotnick, an avid golfer from Los Angeles. “I bring 12 or 16 guys down from my club for a three-day excursion every May. After golf, we hang out in the Villas, enjoy the views and play some cards. Some of the guys go out and explore Newport Beach.”
Ironically, Subotnick discovered the merits of a Pelican Hill® buddy trip during a visit to the Resort with his wife. “I thought, ‘this would make a great venue for a buddies golf tournament,’ ” he says.
“It’s got fabulous golf, outstanding lodging, plenty
of great restaurants and attentive personnel.”
Golfers tend to prefer the Resort, with its abundance of sunny days, over seasonal destinations that can be wet and chilly or hot and humid.
“It’s year-round golf weather here,” says Person Garcia, director of leisure sales at Pelican Hill. “That consistency lends itself particularly well to international groups who schedule their trips far in advance,” he adds, noting that it’s easier to commit to a long-distance trip when you can be relatively certain of finding golf-friendly conditions when you arrive.
With three layouts — Pelican Hill’s undulating coastal North and South courses, and the parkland-style Oak Creek Golf Club® — the Resort is ideal for two- and three-night buddy trips. And, between Spa services, swimming pools, seven dining options and nearby beaches and boat excursions, time just about flies.
“Our 128 Villas set us apart, though,” says Garcia, with pride. “The residential layout allows friends or relatives to share common space and then retreat to their private bedrooms. We’re convinced that the panoramic views, the exquisite finishes and the sophisticated comfort of every Villa are a big part of why 65 percent of our buddy groups return year after year. When they repeat like that, we know we’re doing something right.”
Subotnick couldn’t agree more. “It’s a five-star destination all around,” he says. “Anywhere else doesn’t even compare. Pelican Hill is miles ahead.”
For information and reservations, please call 877.624.6035.
