This Week at WorldGolf.com: March 29, 2005:

“Beware: Dangerous Animals. Enter at Your Own Risk.” No, this isn’t a warning to gullible golf travelers to Las Vegas. It’s just how another day on the course starts for our own National Golf Editor Tim McDonald.

He’s settled back safely in America now, still raving about his trip to South Africa where he took in the Skukuza Golf Course, and a bunch more. At Skukuza (pronounced Ska-koo-za), you sign the mandatory indemnity form then head to the first tee where you’re likely hear deep, ominous noises coming from the lake about 20 feet away. Those would be the hippos – i.e. the most dangerous animals in Africa. Try thinking about your backswing, brother, with 8,000 pounds of flesh and teeth watching. Come to think of it, 8,000 pounds of flesh and teeth might just describe our stable of golf bloggers.

Me, I’m settling in here in our first European office, where I’ll be able to stay far clear of the African beasties (unless Tim’s willing to take me along next trip!), and far clear of even more menacing hazards that lurk around the golf business. Whether on four legs or two, we do our best to make sure golfers are duly warned. Let us know what’s on your mind this week. We look forward to your comments!

Jet-setters encounter a whole
new game in St. Tropez

The world's most rich and famous have found escape in St. Tropez for centuries. Icons Bridget Bardot and artist Henri Matisse helped spread word of the unbridled, isolated luxury of France's southern peninsula. All this time, golf in the French Riviera has been an afterthought. No more! With Golf du Gassin, one of the world's most beautiful and glamorous hotspots finally has a world-class golf club to call its own.
Full story | More from Europe

Crowborough Beacon Golf Club
home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle drew inspiration from the view from his home at Crowborough Beacon golf club. Curiously, although he was a golf nut, there's no mention of the game in his work. Perhaps he breathed life into Holmes and Watson -- then left golf as his own private preserve, once he'd put to bed the last chapter.
Full story | Golf trips to England

Blog Central

A round of golf at Pebble Beach on the north side of $400!? asks Doug Carey. You gotta be kidding! At least at Pebble you know you’re getting a round of golf to remember. Gamblers heading to the Las Vegas MGM Grand’s new revamped, revitalized sports book may just blow more cash and come away far less impressed. This place is – well, blah, writes Chris Baldwin. For more excitement, head to the TravelGolf.com online comments where the Rebel Blogger spied Golf Cape Cod/Teeball Golf publisher Tom Martin pulling a con job on readers. The Reb gives Martin seven days to come clean.