Pictured: The Old Course driving range at The Omni Homestead Resort. Courtesy Photo

Refresh or recharge means something different to different people. But when it comes to golf and spa resorts, there’s one thing professional event planners and their attendees find in common: plenty to revel in — hours of guiding a dimpled white ball across the green or retreating behind the walls of a serene sanctuary spa.

No matter the favored mode of decompression or comforting respites like fine restaurants, pools, salons and staff that attend to attendees’ every whim, golf and spa resorts offer a true reset and ample unique spaces for them to work and relax.

Wanda Woods, CMP, meeting planner and support services coordinator at PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, recently orchestrated an event at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, FL.

“Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has been selected for several reasons,” Woods says. “With the Coastal Ballroom, our group was able to host our general session, breakouts and meals without having to tear down and reset our function space. Also, our attendees noted they like a location with everything under one roof. It allows them the flexibility to run back to their rooms on breaks or during lunch to freshen up, or check on family or guests traveling with them.”

Woods says the fact that facility has on-site dining available for breakfast, lunch and dinner means attendees don’t have to leave the property or be exposed to inclement weather. In addition, a wide variety of amenities are available, from the fitness center and Serenity by the Sea Spa to dining, and shuttle service, and there’s always the added value of being on the beach.

When planning a meeting at a golf and spa resort, Woods suggests a site visit in which you plan an overnight stay to really get the full view of all the services and amenities available at the location.

With exclusive beachfront access, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, features a wealth of activities including fitness classes, spa facilities, watersports and tennis courts. The resort offers more than 60,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including several awe-inspiriting ballrooms for group events, meetings and breakout activities. The resort’s tiered theater is the ideal locale for smaller group presentations and viewings.

Located on the water means that attendees can also revel in the multiple outdoor meeting spaces overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, some with beach access. The beach itself can also play host to smaller gatherings — from evening receptions to team-building activities during the day, such as beach volleyball tournaments, beach Olympics and bonfires.

“Request the same event manager for all your company’s conferences so they learn how you work and strategize as well as helping you learn how and when to provide needed information and preferences,” Woods suggests. “It also helps you build a relationship with them and the facility. Provide as much history and program information from the onset in order to assure all your needs can be met. And reach out to the CVB and use all the resources available through them to enhance your program.”

Golfing at its Best

Imagine a beautiful spring day, with lush turf beneath your feet, glorious fairways lined with vibrant purple heather waving in the cool sea breeze, and an idyllic clubhouse majestically poised in the distance. Incorporating golfing at a company meeting is welcome respite for attendees eager to balance work and play.

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO, features award-winning courses, including the East course, which has hosted eight USGA major championships — soon to be nine when they host the 2025 U.S. Senior Open.

In addition to two championship golf courses, The Broadmoor also boasts award-winning spa and fitness options for those attendees who may not be golf aficionados. When it comes time for recreation, attendees can enjoy some very unique outdoor activities that The Broadmoor offers including falconry, mountain biking, rock-climbing, fly-fishing and Wild West experiences — all set amidst the resort’s 5,000 acres.

For those groups eager to establish a golf tournament as part of the corporate gathering, The Broadmoor can create custom bag tags, scorecards, rule sheets with the company’s logo and custom cart signs — to truly reflect the company’s presence on the course.

When it comes to getting down to business, The Broadmoor boasts over 300,000 sf of event, meeting and convention space, including the 125,000 sf Bartolin Hall, 60,000 sf Broadmoor Hall and more.

If golfing is intended to be the cornerstone of a planned meeting or conference, the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens should be considered. There are six award-winning golf courses, offering attendees a unique experience at each course, with attendees at every level enjoying the opportunity to play amidst stunning golf designs and architecture.

To further appeal to groups, PGA National Resort recently completed a $100 million renovation throughout the entire resort, updating all aspects — from the spa to guest lodging to meeting spaces. The resort’s luxurious indoor and outdoor venue options offer incredible event experiences for attendees.

In addition to world-renowned golfing, the resort recently announced the completion of its new pickleball court complex, which includes 12 state-of-the-art, professionally designed courts. As pickleball continues to take the country by storm, attendees can enjoy this expanded complex which offers ample playing opportunities, regardless of each player’s ability. To make the most out of the pickleball experience, the resort offers personalized coaching, clinics and workshops to help attendees get the most out of their pickleball experience.

Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, TX was recently completed and features two stunning ballrooms boasting nearly 34,000 sf of event space, an indoor/outdoor pavilion, as well as 19 meeting rooms ideal for smaller-scale gatherings. To take advantage of the beautiful surrounding environment of Texas, the resort features nine outdoor venues that offer an array of scenic backdrops. All total, Omni PGA Frisco Resort offers 127,000 sf of event space, as well as 10 private ranch houses for smaller gatherings.

Last fall, Sarah Cruz, meeting planner for a private equity firm, planned an event for over 100 people traveling from all over the U.S. & Puerto Rico at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, SC.

“The Sanctuary was in the perfect location with proximity to the airport and included beautiful beaches, as well as fishing, golfing, biking or relaxing. There was something for everyone,” Cruz says. The New York City based firm wanted to keep things active, so the coordinators at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort worked directly with each individual to curate activities according to their preference, down to the transportation.

“We had a mentalist booked for entertainment our last night, and when the weather wasn’t cooperating, we made the call to move it indoors, where one of the ballrooms was completely transformed to a stage with a gorgeous dinner setting,” Cruz says. “The food was incredible throughout our visit. Our group loved the low country cuisine incorporated into every meal. And golf at the Ocean Course & Turtle Point were seamlessly executed by the wonderful staff at the courses, providing golfers with rentals, carts, a shotgun style for some added fun, and anything else needed.”

Located a mere 21 miles from Charleston, SC, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a luxury beach resort hotel offering 90,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event and conference space. In addition to exquisite spa experiences, attendees can also enjoy a wealth of team-building experiences — ranging from an island-wide scavenger hunt to cooking classes, historic Charleston tours and community service team-building experiences.

Pristine Environs

The right resort location is paramount for planners seeking a venue where their attendees can meet and mellow out.

“The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa stands out as one of the best event venue options in the state,” says Karl Ellis, vice president, marketing at Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. “It’s hard to beat the beautiful Texas Hill Country. When arriving at the resort, our team feels as if we’ve escaped to a retreat away from the rush of everyday life. The staff is always top notch and provides personalized, attentive service resulting in a successful and stress-free event.”

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offers customizable convention, meeting and event spaces, which cover more than 265,000 total sf and were recently revamped to include new wall coverings, light fixtures, furniture, carpeting and an expansive LED panel, which allows organizations to showcase images, sponsor information, agenda lineups and welcome messaging. The resort also includes two expansive ballrooms with multiple breakout rooms for more intimate gatherings.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa also features a 36-hole PGA tour golf facility and the 26,000 sf Lantana Spa, as well as the nine-acre water experience, and seven restaurant and lounge options.

Located just 35 minutes from San Francisco International Airport, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is another idyllic golf and spa option, with over 35,000 sf of flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces, many of which offer ocean views.

“The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is the top choice for Silicon Valley companies hosting corporate events. Event planners often share that our oceanfront resort merges business and leisure in a way other venues cannot. From golf meetings to scenic breakouts, our flexible spaces and attentive staff deliver seamless execution. And with award-winning dining and a central location, we create an elevated yet convenient experience,” says Clodagh Larkin, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay’s director of meetings + special events. Golf lovers will revel in the resort’s location near Half Moon Bay Links courses, the Ocean Course and the Old Course.

The Sagamore Resort, in Bolton Landing, NY, is another favorite golf and spa resort among meeting planners. What makes the resort truly unique is its location on a 70-acre island on Lake George in Bolton Landing, NY. Built in 1883, the resort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has undergone a series of renovations, resulting in the resort offering state-of-the-art conference facilities, including a ballroom, event center and an outdoor canopied venue for smaller gatherings.

The resort’s award-winning, championship golf course will usher attendees to enjoy a day on the links. Others activities on site include a miniature golf course, tennis courts, a rock wall, official wiffleball fields and many recreational games.

The Sagamore Spa offers a wealth of wellness treatments, including massages, stone therapy, facials and body wraps. The separate fitness center provides attendees with an array of exercise equipment and classes to enjoy.

The beautiful surroundings of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain are reflective of the stunning Tortolita Mountains that the resort is set against. With more than 72,000 sf of meeting and event space, the resort is located a scenic 40-minute drive from Tucson International Airport. While the plethora of indoor event spaces are abundant and truly “wow” attendees, the outdoor venues are idyllic options for corporate gatherings, providing scenic views at every turn.

Legendary golf champion Jack Nicklaus took advantage of the high Sonoran Desert setting to integrate strategy, variety and fair shot values into his Signature Design luxury golf course at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain. This is his first Tucson golf course in 25 years.

And while golf tournaments and golfing adventures are fantastic team-building experiences, other team-building options include stargazing, margarita mixology class and sunrise yoga. And when it comes time to truly unwind, the resort’s holistic spa offers a menu of treatment options that will leave attendees refreshed and renewed. Unique treatments include indigenous gemstones to restore balance and ease muscles, and warm basalt stones are incorporated into massages.

Branson, MO is home to Big Cedar Lodge, a golf-spa resort that accommodates up to 1,000 people at the resort’s conference, theatre, banquet and classroom-style venues, many of which feature stunning views of Table Rock Lake. Warm and welcoming, Big Cedar Lodge is truly a place to get away from it all.

And for golf lovers in the group, Big Cedar Lodge offers five majestic golf course experiences. In addition, the resort has developed a series of team-building activities that are favored among attendees as a way to connect with each other. Some of these activities including scavenger hunts, Ozark Olympics, lawn games and chili cook-offs to name a few.

For planners looking for a location for their team to rejuvenate at their next event, a golf and spa resort is a great option no matter which resort is selected. I&FMM.