TOUR Wife Travels: The pleasures of Palm Beach

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Hello and welcome to TOUR Wife Travels! My name is Erin and I am the wife of PGA TOUR player Jimmy Walker. My husband and I make it a point of exploring every city we visit, whether it's our first visit or our 10th, and finding new places to eat, shop, stay and explore has become our hobby. And now, TOUR Wife Travels would like to share those spots with you. If you ever find yourself in one of our "TOUR Stop Cities," I want to give you the insider information on all the places the pros, their wives and kids enjoy while they are in town.

Walker

I graduated from the University of Colorado in 2003 with a B.A. in Journalism and I am very excited that I am finally able to put my education to some use while traveling with my husband.

Jimmy and I met in 2004 in my home state of Utah, where he was playing a Nationwide Tour stop and I was a tournament volunteer. I am an avid sports fan and thought that volunteering would be a great way to see the pros in action. I had absolutely no intention of meeting, dating, then marrying a golfer but six years later it obviously was meant to be.

I don't travel on TOUR every week, as I am also a competitive horseback rider that takes me around the country, but I promise to give you as many fun and useful tips as I can when I am on the road. Visit my site tourwifetravels.com and follow me on Twitter @tourwifetravels for all up to date tidbits from me and other golf families.

It was quite the four weeks on the West Coast for the Walker family. These past few weeks were our first of 2011 traveling together as a family and staying in our bus -- highlighted by some fantastic golf from Jimmy. I must admit, it felt wonderful to be together and great golf was just the icing on the cake, especially since it's the beginning of the year and the West Coast has not typically produced Jimmy's best finishes in years past. Those darn mutating greens can be quite tricky but as Jimmy's putting stats indicate, they didn't get the best of him this time around.

From west to east and bent to Bermuda, after a much-needed week off Jimmy heads to Florida and The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA National. The "small one" and I are enjoying my passion (hunter/jumper horse competitions) for the next few weeks, and I am sad to be missing this stop as WPB has everything I enjoy.

EAT

Located in southern Jupiter you will find Leftovers, one of the Brett Quigley family's favorite restaurants. (451 University Blvd, Jupiter, (561) 627-6030) Leftovers is a wonderful family-friendly place with fabulous "sub-tropical" dishes where fresh fish is the highlight of the menu. The specials change daily but always aim to please and they do just that. The atmosphere is light and casual but get there early as they don't take reservations and the locals know how great this place is.

Café Chardonnay is another gem of the area, located in Palm Beach Gardens. (4533 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, (561) 627-2662) An amazing wine menu paired with creative American cuisine makes Café Chardonnay a perfect spot for adults wanting (or needing) a romantic night out.

Lastly, for an upscale twist on an old favorite, try Vic & Angelos Coal Oven (4520 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, (561) 630-9899). Vic & Angelos pizza is a favorite among Jupiter residents Will MacKenzie and Rickie Fowler, but the menu offers up a lot more succulent Italian dishes than just pizza. From one gnocchi lover to another, Vic & Angelos Ricotta Gnocchi is one that should not be missed. It's a happening spot especially during the tournament week and MLB spring training, so reservations are recommended.

SHOP

Suggesting an indoor mall isn't usually my style, but because of its proximity to PGA National, The Gardens Mall located on PGA Boulevard is my pick for the week. Whether it's rain in the winter or heat in the summer that drives you indoors, there are over 160 shops and restaurants to tempt you. So don't feel guilty if shopping is the reason you stay indoors. The beautiful Gardens Mall is retail heaven.

STAY (AND GOLF)

The Honda Classic in West Palm Beach is one week that truly spoils us on TOUR. If you are going to make a trip to the area, there is no better place to stay and play than PGA National Golf Resort & Spa. There are not many weeks where we get to stay at the course but this week is an exception -- and exceptional it is!

With five courses to please players of all levels, PGA National is the perfect choice for a golf vacation. Feeling confident with your golf game? Be sure to play the Champion Course, the same course the TOUR pros play during the Honda Classic. This formidable course boasts three of the most challenging consecutive holes in golf known as The Bear Trap, named after designer Jack Nicklaus. When TOUR pros pray each day to the golf gods for even par through The Bear Trap, you know you are in for a challenge.

ETC.

For an opportunity to watch the world's best in my favorite sport, equestrian stadium jumping, drive 30 minutes south to Wellington. Every winter equestrian athletes at the peak of their sport gather in south Florida. Friday (March 6) is the Nations Cup Grand Prix, a team competition consisting of four riders from each country battling it out over massive 5-foot jumps with big money and bigger bragging rights at stake. It's a great competition that even non-horse lovers will respect and admire.

Golf, horses, wine, food, shopping. The Palm Beach area has everything this TOUR Wife could want and I hope you enjoy the spots I have shared with you.

Cheers!