Moments Matter: Two for the Road

Whirlwind Hole number 14 with water on the side

NATIONAL TROON CARDHOLDERS HIT THE HIGHWAY

Three years ago, Wendy Perry and Lyle Hansen stood on the tee of the par 3 15th at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail course in Phoenix, Ariz. The talk, naturally, turned to a potential hole-in-one. That became a reality seconds later when Lyle’s tee shot rolled into the cup.

He’s a 5-handicap who has carded aces before, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected. But it was his first on a Troon course. That was the stunner, since these Canadian retirees have played more than their fair share of Troon courses using a National Troon Card.

“The great thing about that day was that we were paired with another Troon Card couple,” said the 65-year-old Lyle. “We had never met them before, but we shook hands on the first tee and went out to have a great day. That’s kind of our mantra every day when we play golf — who will we meet and how much fun can we have?”

They also search for good value, a theme ever since the couple met in 2009 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “If you play inexpensive courses, the conditions aren’t always the best,” said Wendy, a 62-year-old Ontario native. “The value of the Troon Card was a big thing. They give you top-quality courses at prices where you can still have a great dinner after your round.”

The couple, who first purchased a California Troon Card in 2015, usually make the long drive south from their lake home in Saskatchewan to the U.S. every October and then spend the next four to five months traveling around the country and Mexico playing as much golf as possible. They’ve even detailed their adventures on a blog (www.OurBoomerLife.net) and on Instagram (#100DaysOfGolfTrip).

“Once we played Troon courses in California, we decided to buy the National Troon Card the next year,” said Wendy. “That really opened up the doors for us. We’re always dreaming about where we will go next, and the first question is ‘Where’s Troon?’”

Among their favorite Troon courses are Maderas Golf Club in San Diego and Classic Club in Palm Desert, both in California; and The Westin Kierland Golf Club and Troon North in Scottsdale, Arizona. The most pleasant surprise was the 18-hole, par-3 North Course at Shadow Hills Golf Club in Indio, Calif.

“I usually shoot in the 70s and was thinking I don’t really want to go play a par 3 course because it wouldn’t be fun for me,” said Lyle. “But it’s a good workout for the irons and I have never been so impressed as I was by that course.”

Leading their list of Troon portfolio courses still to play are Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida; and Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.

“If you are spending X amount of dollars on average golf, you can enjoy the Troon Card more,” said Lyle. “The 2-for-1s are incredibly priced, and even the daily value on Troon courses is comparable to what’s on the golf apps out there.” ▪

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