Multimillion-Dollar Silver Course Redesign Underway at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort

    /24-7PressRelease/ - MIAMI, FL, August 21, 2008 - Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort in Miami, Florida, has launched a multimillion-dollar redesign of the 18-hole Silver Course by acclaimed designer Jim McLean. Set to debut January 2009, all greens and holes on the Silver Course will be remodeled and reshaped to ensure improved playability and a greater challenge for players at every skill level. The most significant changes include widened fairways and enhanced visuals of inspiring water features. These improvements greatly increase course length and expand it from 6,557 yards to over 7,100 yards. The greens on the new par-70 course will be conformed to United States Golf Association specifications. Cementing this fruitful partnership, McLean signed a 10-year contract with the famed {url=http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miadl-doral-golf-resort-and-spa-a-marriott-resort/]Florida golf and spa resort[/url], to retain the flagship location of the renowned Jim McLean Golf School at the resort where it has been since 1990.

"We are thrilled to continue working with Jim McLean," said Darrin Helfrick, golf general manager at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort. "As a part of the Doral family for over 18 years, Jim knows every inch of our courses and understands the needs of our guests. His redesign will provide enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels."

Golfers hitting the renewed Silver Course will tee off on what Jim McLean describes as "three of the toughest starting holes in Florida" with three straight par-fours approaching nearly 500 yards (450 yards, 480 yards and 490 yards respectively). The signature 14th hole with an island green presents a uniquely different angle of play as the tee boxes have been moved 80 yards to the right. Adding to the dramatic back nine, the 13th hole features an impressive tee shot that sets up a 240-yard carry over a lake.

"Once completed, the Silver Course will be a championship-ready golf course," said McLean. "Moving the course from a par-71 to a par-70 makes it more challenging from championship and professional tees, while allowing an amateur-friendly course from closer tees. It will provide some of the most memorable holes at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, easily comparable to those on the Blue Monster Golf Course."

Similar to the infamous Blue Monster golf course, Doral's most recognizable course and site of the World Golf Championships - CA Championship for the past two years, the Silver Course will utilize TifEagle greens, considered to be the fastest type of Bermuda grass available. The award-winning Miami golf resort also features The Great White, Red and Gold Courses.

Jim McLean is working with landscape architecture firm Bruce Howard & Associates and Tom Fazio II Designs for assistance on construction of the architectural plan. In order to relay his redesign vision to the course shaper, McLean built sand sculptures to demonstrate the drawing plan for the shaping of the greens. This extra step provides a hand shaped visual needed for the course to flow just as McLean envisions.

The Jim McLean Golf School is recognized as the number one golf school in America. Open year-round, novice and experienced golfers can get tips on how to improve their handicap from world class professionals at the state-of-the-art teaching facility. For reservations, Miami golf package details or additional information, please visit http://doralresort.com or call (800) 71-DORAL or the golf sales office at (305) 591-6401.

About Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort
Situated on 650 tropical acres, the award-winning Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort is one of Miami's premier resorts. All 693 luxuriously- appointed Miami accommodations, including 96 suites, boast individual balconies/patios, guest-controlled air conditioning, direct-dial telephone with two-lines for high-speed Internet or fax access, electronic safes with rechargeable capabilities for your laptop, and more. The European inspired Spa at Doral offers guests more than 100 spa services, 52 treatment rooms, an on-site registered dietician/nutritionist and state-of-the-art exercise center. With over 90,000 square-feet of flexible meeting and function space Doral Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect location for corporate events, meetings, elaborate receptions and unforgettable social events. For dining, guests can choose from five delectable restaurants in Miami including Windows on the Green, The Atrium, Terrazza Restaurant and Caf , Champions Bar & Grill and Bungalou's Bar & Grill. Located only seven miles from Miami International Airport, the hotel also features the acclaimed Arthur Ashe Tennis Center, Jim McLean Golf Center, The Blue Lagoon aquatic recreation area and nine retail shops.

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