Photo by Aidan Bradley

Take a golf vacation from your regular golf course during ClubCorp's Charity Classic.

What's so special about October 19, 2007 and why is it a good day for a golf vacation?

That's when ClubCorp, an owner/operator of private clubs, is marking its 50th year in business. To celebrate, the company is holding its ClubCorp Charity Classic, what it calls, "the world's largest one-day charity golf and dining event" at its 94 golf and country clubs in the United States. Did I mention many of them are private?

So, if you've ever wanted to play one of these private golf courses, but you didn't have an "in," here it is. Granted, there aren't too many top-100 candidates on the list, but there are some standouts, such as Ohio's Firestone Country Club (which has hosted the PGA Championship several times); and many in golf vacation hotspots, such as Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Arizona, Indian Wells Country Club in California, The Golf Club at Indigo Run on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Las Colinas Country Club in the company's home state of Texas.

All you have to do is pony up $150, which covers your golf and dinner (it can be more at a few select courses), and show up on time. Sure, it's pricey, but it's for a good cause. All proceeds benefit four worthy charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research organization.

ClubCorp's list of participating courses spans 25 states, so there's a good chance there's one near you. Hey, nobody said a golf vacation had to involve airfare.

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