Welcome to the third installment in our series on "Women- and
Family-Friendly Golf Communities." As we noted last time, today's
golf communities have increasingly been geared toward programs,
amenities and an overall atmosphere that appeals strongly to
women and families. Knowledgeable homebuyers have been
tracking this trend and keeping tabs on the latest wrinkles.

Member-organized activities, clubs and groups help a community
define itself as friendly to women and families, and the properties
listed here have that base covered well. The trend toward village-
style master plans also helps enhance daily life for women and
families, bringing community members together in casual social contact.

See below for some good examples of women- and family friendly
communities and stay tuned for more news on this important element
of community-building in the months to come.

ARIZONA
=> Starr Pass, Tucson
Thanks to its luxury lodging component, the Starr Pass Country Club
& Spa, this community can offer services and experiences not found
elsewhere. This year its golf program adds special junior golf clinics
and camps. Already the Starr Pass instructors tailor their teaching to
accommodate family groups of four or more learning the game in a
private setting.  

It’s also a caring environment, as shown by the recent hosting of
a two-day junior golf camp for young, hearing-impaired students.
Everyday life at Starr Pass is full of opportunity for relaxation and
personal growth. The community’s 20,000-square-foot Hashani Spa,
its state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis and swimming centers, add up
a healthful stimulation. Click here for more information about Starr Pass!

OREGON
=> Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls
For the first time ever here in 2007, Running Y Ranch made the
Golf For Women magazine list of the “50 Best Courses For Women”
in the U.S. Attributes like “smart course design, impeccable
conditioning and a welcoming atmosphere” are criteria for selection.  

Proof of the community’s overall welcoming (and fun) spirit is its
quarterly Running Y Birthday Celebration for all women residents
who have birthdays in that three-month period. Located in a scenic
alpine setting, the community is enhanced by a small lodge and its upscale
amenities, including the Sandhill Spa and its full-service chic salon.
Click here for more information about Running Y Ranch!

GEORGIA
=> Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro
A perennial honoree in the “50 Best Courses for Women” ranking,
Reynolds Plantation this year climbed all the way up the list, earning a
No. 1 selection for its Oconee Course, one of five golf courses at this
lakeside resort community. While it continues to add high-quality amenities,
Reynolds Plantation is a well-settled place.

There are over 30 self-organized groups and clubs here, a plus for
the women and children from families who purchase property here.
At Linger Longer Park, members relax by the pool, play tennis,
take aerobics class or work out at the fitness center. Kids take part
in the swim team, go on field trips or pursue other interests. Nearby
Madison, Ga., was recently named the No. 1 Small Town in America.
Click here for more information about Reynolds Plantation!

SOUTH CAROLINA
=> Daniel Island, Charleston
Small towns and village squares enrich everyday life for women
and families, and Daniel Island is built on exactly that model. Events
like the annual Daniel Island Wine Festival (to be held this November 10
at the Children’s Park) add style and sophistication. It also benefits an
important cause, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  

The community’s annual holiday festival and tree lighting ceremony
also brings residents together and creates warm childhood memories.
It’s also a convenient shopping opportunity, with merchants displaying
all their seasonal merchandise. Now that Daniel Island has added a
second 18-hole golf course, by Rees Jones, finding flex time for parents
and kids to play golf together is that much easier. Click here for more
information about Daniel Island!

GEORGIA
=> Savannah Quarters, Savannah
Troon Golf Management, in charge of golf operations at Savannah
Quarters, was the first golf management company to sign on as a supporting
partner of the Executive Women’s Golf Association and act in accord with
the organization’s standards for “women-friendly” policies and practices. This
community, with its 18-hole Greg Norman Signature golf course, is laid out in
young-mom-friendly fashion, with a pedestrian village where locals live, work,
play and relax all in close proximity.

The Norman course is outfitted with special junior tees that shorten all
the way up to 5,400 yards. Quality of life stems in part from a diverse
population, and Savannah Quarters bills itself as a golf community whose
“membership consists of many diverse backgrounds, from young
professionals to seasoned executives, recent graduates to retired  individuals.”
Click here for more information about Savannah Quarters!

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