6/15/2007: Stephen Has Completed "Dream Vacation"

Ok this is a golf vacation primarily. So I will need a foursome. Ideally I could take my dad and brother, but knowing their time commitments with other stuff, they would never be able to take off for a vacation like this, though I don't think I would either. I would take Tyson, Braiden, and my cousin Nathan along.

Pregame: Edwin Watts Charlotte (June 30)
We start off by driving to Charlotte. We all buy our dream set of clubs and about 20 dozen golf balls each. I also must include gas in the cost.Estimated cost: $2500 per person for clubs/balls + $20 gas = $10020

First Stage: Kiawah Island Ocean Course (July 1-July 3)

Why not start off the trip with one of the hardest courses in the world? We will be purchasing this package: Villa Championship Summer Golf Packages
Starting from $323
Enjoy your stay in one of our spacious villas and play one round on the world renowned Ocean Course and two rounds at any of the resort’s other championship courses (based on a three night stay). Green fees, cart fees, range balls, daily breakfast and dinner at any resort restaurant that serves dinner, are also included.
Estimated Cost: $323 per person for golf + $40 gas = $1332

Stage 2: TPC @ Sawgrass (July 4-July 7)

Who can resist the chance at the island green? There are many packages with varying amenities, but I preferred this one, for the forecaddie experience.
THE PLAYERS Package
3 ROUNDS, 3 NIGHTS
From $886.00 /person
Book now and receive a FREE arrival round on Dye's Valley Course and a 1-hour lesson at the TOUR Academy TPC Sawgrass. (Tyson will need this badly before we continue any further ;P)
THE PLAYERS Package includes 3 nights accommodations at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa; Two rounds on THE PLAYERS Stadium course and one round on DYE'S Valley Course. Forecaddie experience included on Stadium round and seasonal on DYE's Valley Course.
After our free arrival round at the Valley Course, we will take a little trip to Disney World for some f--king awesome fireworks. Then we will head back and go Stadium, Valley, Stadium the final 3 days.
Estimated cost: $886 per person for golf + $112 per person for Disney + $80 gas = $4072

Stage 3: The Coves At Round Mountain (July 8)

How can we break with tradition? After finishing up on the 7th, we catch a jet home. I will pay some transient to drive my car back for me, part of the money now, most of the money later. We will be paying off the course's owner to have the course at our disposal and will be playing a twelve man captain's choice: Me, Tyson, Braiden, Nathan, Dad, Michael, John, Brandon W., Ray A., Brandon F., Mark P., and Scott M. We will all be in one group, it will take all day, and we will shoot better than 55 or suicide will be committed.
Estimated cost: $28 per person for golf + $5000 to buy the course out for the day + $340 per person for first class flight = $6696

Stage 4: The Pinehurst Experience (July 9-July 14)

Pinehurst? Why not? We will start with a drive down to Asheboro for Tot Hill Farm ($39 pp) followed by heading on down to Sanford for Tobacco Road ($59 pp). Days 2 and 3 would be Mid Pines and Pine Needles 2 times each ($270 pp). Days 4-6 would be Pinehurst #'s 4, 8, and 2 ($1235 pp). That package also comes with caddies, lessons, spa massages, etc. Altogether, a pretty expensive week!
Estimated cost: $6412 per person for golf + $80 gas = $6492

So just for the pregame and the first four stages the total cost is: $28,612

If I really had it my way, I would just keep on going until we hit about every course that I've ever wanted to play.
Bethpage Black, Blackwolf Run, Bandon Dunes, Couer D'Alene, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point, Poppy Hills, Spanish Bay, TPC @ Scottsdale, The Prince Course, Kapalua, Carnoustie, St. Andrews, etc. etc. Then it would be entirely likely that I'd never want to play golf again or not for a couple of days anyways. So, I think, for now, I'm just gonna stick with the shorter vacation. That would be awesome.

6/14/2007: Stephen Accepts "Dream Vacation"

Obviously this is going to be centered around playing golf. Obviously.

6/14/07: Allison Assigns "Dream Vacation" to Stephen.

Stephen, your task is to tell us all about your dream vacation. Go online and plan your dream vacation. Find out prices for airplane tickets, hotel reservations, car rental, tours, etc. Be extravagant; money is no object in your dream vacation. Tell us where you'd go, what you'd want to see, and what you'd want to buy while you were there. If you can, give us a rough itenerary and a breakdown of how much you're going to spend. Have fun with it!