DORAL, Fla. – The forecaddie was running his legs off during a marathon dash around Doral Golf Resort & Spa’s (Marriott) TPC Blue Monster at Doral but paused to say, just a smidgen out of breath: “Heck this is nothing, try keeping up with Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor when they play here. I’m worn out by the end of 18.”

But “keeping up” has been no problem for the venerable Miami-area resort since it opened in 1962 and became a favorite of PGA Tour families with the initial Doral Open Invitational, Florida’s first PGA event.

Doral has come a long way since its 2,400 acres, just seven miles from Miami International Airport, were purchased from what was Everglades swampland. One thing is for sure – every golf-loving celebrity and every PGA Tour player legend of the modern era has walked these verdant fairways and tried to avoid its watery hazards, and knocked down shots under its blustery winds and swaying palms.

When Ernie Els won the 2010 CA Championship this March 7-13 it was almost like going back in time – a 40-year-old veteran, loved by many fans, was again a champion (first win in two years) on a course that ranks in PGA lore – only two other PGA stops have hosted continuously run tournaments longer -- The Masters since 1934 and Colonial in Fort Worth since 1946.

And now Doral sits at 49 years in a row but is losing its sponsor for 2011. Most are confident for No. 50 next year.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa was renamed in 1993 and the original Dick Wilson layout (with an assist from Joe Lee), got $30 million dollar redesign by Raymond Floyd, who at one time in his career said the Blue Monster was the toughest course he’d ever played, and renowned golf instructor Jim McLean.

“I think what really endeared the PGA Tour pros to Doral,” said Ryan Hershberger, Group Golf Sales Manager and club historian, “was the fact back in the ‘60s and ‘70s travel to a tour event was different, but here was a place the pros could bring their families and the wife and kids had a multitude of other things to enjoy.”

"Dick Wilson designed a golf course with great balance," says Floyd. "There are as many holes where you have to play a draw as a fade. There are long par 4s and short par 4s. There are long par 3s and short par 3s. There are par 5s you can reach in two shots, and the 12th (603 yards) is just about unreachable -- even by Tiger Woods or John Daly."

One first thinks of No. 18, that 467-yard, par 4 that has been named by Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Holes in the World”. You must thread a perfect drive between water on the left and palms on the right. Then the approach must sneak past another finger of water to a long, narrow green that slopes from back quickly toward the water. Many balls hit left of the green end up in the water and it takes bravery for a player to fire at the back left-hand Sunday pin.

At 7,288 yards from the tournament tees, par 72, it has a gauntlet of strategically placed bunkers, and length – then one must know how to play out of Bermuda rough to score well on this historic course. Also, just try and throw darts into par 3s that are surrounded by water. No. 4 is 236 yards with water front and bailout left. No. 9 is 169 yards of all water carry to the pin.

The charm that comes from Doral is the fact all the legends of the game have played here.

“I remember hearing Tiger Woods in a press conference saying he loved the Blue Monster because it was such a traditional golf course,” said Darrin Helfrick, Doral general manager. “And he appreciated that it hadn’t been tricked up and made harder just for the guys on the tour.”

This “Marriott” resort has 693 rooms, including 96 suites, with balconies or patios and many with views of the course. My view was of the Blue Monster’s 18th. And for its 50th anniversary in 2012 the resort is undergoing a renewal for the celebration.

Practice and game improvement includes the Jim McLean Golf Center. Dinner is tasty at the Latin-inspired Mesazul Steakhouse or the new Bossa Nova lobby bar. Lunch is served at The Champions Sports Bar & Grill or Bungalou's Bar & Grill. Then there’s the Spa at Doral with the Pritikin Longevity Center. Recreation? The Blue Lagoon aquatic recreation area stands out. There are also nine retail shops.

David R. Holland, Author, The Colorado Golf Bible

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