Posts Tagged ‘New York’
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort: Just Do It.
Posted by Eric Welsh | Filed under Advertising, Culinary, Dana News, Design, Travel, Uncategorized
Last month my girlfriend Kelley and I traveled to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for an extended birthday weekend. With promises of endless golf and peppered steaks I couldn’t resist her advances to travel the almost 300 miles from our NY/NJ area home. The drive during the fall months is captivating. I have heard growing up that the Hudson Valley had the best foliage in the East. I must admit, having seen with my very own 20/20 eyes, the colors of Pennsylvania Route I-70 are a close second, almost leaf and leaf.
Nemacolin is owned by Joseph A. Hardy, III, founder of 84 Lumber. His vision for this resort is clearly defined by his understanding of family, fun, food and relaxation. Sculptures abound from inside the wooded hiking trails to the mountain tops of the golf courses. One in particular of Mr. Hardy himself with his hand to his forehead overlooking a valley is truly symbolic. His mantra, “Nothing is impossible”, is a true testament to what he has created.
- Falling Rock
When you arrive in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern PA, you are greeted by 3,000+ acres of sprawling mountain and amazing landscaping. There are 335 perfectly situated guest rooms and a AAA Five-Diamond boutique hotel on property named Falling Rock. Kelley and I traveled to the boutique hotel to check-in and refresh. One of the amenities that they provide upon check-in is a personal butler to attend to your needs while you are staying with them. Brian, our butler, was intellectual, informed, made wonderful suggestions concerning our dining inquiries and was an overall “good guy”
View of Room (for some reason we got two beds?)
The rooms are large with almost floor-to-ceiling views of Mystic Rock, their Pete Dye designed course. Several of the services the butler provides are covered under the cost of the room. Which is a relief to frequent travelers who know when an added service is really nothing of the sort. Upon request, the butler will draw your blinds each morning and run a bath full of soothing bubbles and candles, provide you an assortment of 8 different pillows each evening, provide complimentary beverages through-out the day, and retrieve the newspaper of your choice and deliver it each morning.
- Bath full of Bubbles!!!
After cleaning up, Miles Blundell (a PGA Professional and their National Sales Manager) gave us a tour of the entire property. Miles is younger fellow with dry wit and an understanding of meetings and events. His hospitality was unparalleled and hotel knowledge commendable. With that being said let me just cover the fun that is Nemacolin quickly with this…
- Woodlands Spa
- Mystic Rock / Pete Dye Course
- 18 Hole Links Course
- Shooting Academy
- Hummer Off-Road Driving Course
- Wildlife Academy
- Multi-million dollar art collection
- Cooking and wine classes each night
- A Zoo (Yes, they have lions, bears, mountain goats and even zebras.)
- An antique car collection and boat museum
- David Leadbetter Golf Academy
Now that Miles has shown us everything under the Nemacolin sun he offered us a round of golf. Knowing full well we weren’t of caliber to play the Mystic River course the following day; we mentioned we might be better off with a few lessons. He obliged with bravado by setting us up with Joe Neoparte (sorry if I botched your last name Joe!) of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Joe, a native of our area, (Westchester, NY to be exact) knew all about Winged Foot Country Club, our grandparents, and even our favorite place for martini’s on a Friday. After a few minutes of chit chat he tee’d us up and put us in front of the camera. While swinging our 7 irons he gave us minor tips on the fundamentals and then sat us down. By videotaping our swings he could put us on split screens mirrored to professionals to point out proper stance, angles and the finer points of completely missing the ball! By digitally comparing us it helped visualize what we looked like from the outside and make adjustments. Personally, I am aggressive and that was reflected in my swing. He broke me down and the stress left. All of a sudden I was almost swinging with ease. Following our lesson we played the back 9 of their Links course and the next day the front.
- 10th on Links
Breathtaking views and challenging holes. Joe, thank you for your time and the wonderful advice. We look forward to meeting up with you next time you travel home.
- The David Leadbetter Golf Academy
That night we drank at the Amber bar with Carolyn our drink specialist. On rare occasions, like my birthday, I am allowed to drink a few Makers Mark Manhattan’s. The three M’s always make me smile! Located just outside Aqueous, the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired restaurant, the Amber Lounge is a perfect start and finish to the night. Good people, entertaining conversation and mouth watering libations. Aqueous is considered an upscale steakhouse, but they have a wonderfully rounded menu. All items are locally raised and it shows in their rich delivery. I had a peppered porterhouse with blue cheese butter. Lautrec, located in the Chateau LaFayette, is Nemacolin’s pride and joy. The AAA Five Diamond for 2008 restaurant boasts table-side food presentations, custom champagne cart and an ingredient driven menu. The experience is one of a kind.
- The Amber Lounge from the lobby.
That Sunday we went to the “The Shooting Academy at Nemacalin Woodlands Resort”. After we got our rifles and 100 clays we proceeded to our golf cart to hit the range. Setting up on multi-leveled platforms with clays firing from left-to-right I took stance. Bob, a wonderfully entertaining old timer who resides just outside of Pittsburgh, taught us “non-shooters” a thing or two about gun safety and overall respect for the sport. After 50 clays (almost missing half) my shoulder and pride were sore. Kelley had hit more clays with her .20 than I had with my .12 gauge. It was memorable to say the least. Bringing a meeting to Nemacolin is a no brainer. There is something for everyone.
- 28/50
To conclude this entry I’d like to offer others in the New York / New Jersey area this advice—
Do not miss out on the beauty of Nemacolin. It may be 300 miles away but that’s alright. If it were in our backyard we wouldn’t appreciate it as much. Take the drive, use your driver on the Pete Dye course, drive a Hummer on the off-road course, drink a Manhattan if you’re from Manhattan and sit back and look around. It’s real, it’s outside of Pittsburgh and its paradise. Miles, Joe, Ian, Brian, Carolyn and Mr. Hardy thank you for the memories.
- Eric
Room with a view... of Mystic Rock.
*Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is NOT a client of Dana Interactive. Nor is this a paid advertisement.
