WHAT’S HOT IN SUMMER APPAREL • WINE CHOICES FOR THE SEASON • SUCCESS AROUND THE GREENS
JULY/AUG 2019
OLD TOM MORRIS
GOLF’S MOST SEASONED MAJOR CHAMPIONS TOM OLSAVSKY
MASTERMIND OF COBRA GOLF
ROUNDS TO REMEMBER MICHAEL BLOCK CARDS A 59
EXPERT ADVICE
MENTAL GAME TIPS FROM DR. ALISON CURDT
MAZATLÁN
MEXICO’S HIDDEN GEM
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CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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CONTENTS
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Publisher’s Note The Elders of Major Championship Golf
12
California Champions & Events Recapping a Successful Summer for Top-Ranked Californians & Upcoming Events
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NorCal Notables Industry Veteran Ken Morton, Sr. Inducted Into Hall of Fame
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Rounds to Remember Orange County Club Pro, Michael Block, Cards a 59
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Mexico’s Hidden Gem Mazatlán is An Emerging Destination
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Innovations From Cobra Puma Equipment Engineer Tom Olsavsky Shares Details Behind Cobra Designs
28 JULY-AUGUST 2019 VOLUME 23, ISSUE 4 WHAT’S HOT IN SUMMER APPAREL • WINE CHOICES FOR THE SEASON • SUCCESS AROUND THE GREENS
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Look Good…Play Good Summer Fashion Tips From Our Experts
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Strengthen Your Mental Game Tips From Dr. Alison Curdt – a Golf Instructor and Practicing Psychotherapist
JULY/AUG 2019
OLD TOM MORRIS
GOLF’S MOST SEASONED MAJOR CHAMPIONS TOM OLSAVSKY
MASTERMIND OF COBRA GOLF
ROUNDS TO REMEMBER
32
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Chipping For Success Short Game Tips From Arrowood Director of Instruction, Jason Hong Wine Selection Malene: Rosé Made the Right Way
MICHAEL BLOCK CARDS A 59
EXPERT ADVICE
MENTAL GAME TIPS FROM DR. ALISON CURDT
MAZATLÁN
MEXICO’S HIDDEN GEM
On the cover: An original painting of Old Tom Morris done by Geoff Cunningham, Art Director and Co-Founder of Linksoul Apparel.
Visit us online at calgolfnews.com and be sure to LIKE us at facebook.com/calgolfnews. California Golf + Travel
Immerse yourself in the relaxed luxury of Red Ledges
There are countless ways to engage with nature, with neighbors, and with the things you love to do at Red Ledges. Share a round of golf, take a tennis clinic, zip down the 144 ft pool slide, enjoy an elegant double-date dinner at Juniper Grill, find your Zen with yoga, discover new flavors in a cooking class, breathe the fresh air on a guided hike or bike ride, find your inner cowboy on a guided trail ride, or simply relax by the pool. At Red Ledges, neighbors become friends and activities become passions, and the pace of life is as vibrant or relaxed as you’d like. Learn more at RedLedges.com or call 877.733.5334, and visit to experience the Red Ledges lifestyle.
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California Golf + Travel
JULY/AUG 2019
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
THE OLDEST
MAJOR
CHAMPIONS
I
f Tom Watson had won the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry in 2009, he would have been the oldest major champion by far at the age of 59 years, 10 months and 15 days. So who are the oldest major champions? Julius Boros was 48 years, 4 months and 18 days when he captured the 1968 PGA Championship. Boros, an 18-time winner on the PGA Tour, captured the title by one stroke with rounds of 71-7170-69—281, beating Arnold Palmer and Bob Charles. In 1867, Old Tom Morris became the oldest player to win the Open Championship at the age of 46 years, 3 months and 9 days. Incredibly, the following year, Morris’ son, referred to as Young Tom Morris, became the youngest player ever to win the Open Championship at 17 years, 5 months and 8 days. When Jack Nicklaus claimed his sixth Masters title in 1986, he became the third oldest major champion and the oldest Masters champion at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days. It also tied him with Harry Vardon as the only professional to win one major six times. Nicklaus, who took home his other Green Jackets in ‘63, ‘65, ‘66, ‘72 and ‘75, also became the first player to win three major titles after turning 40. Speaking of his ’86 Masters win, Nicklaus said that it was the most gratifying win of his career. Next in line is Jerry Barber, who was 45 years, 3 months and 6 days when he captured the 1961 PGA Championship, followed closely in age by Hale Irwin, who won the 1990 U.S. Open at 45 years and 15 days. Playing on special
exemption, Irwin became the fifth player to win three or more U.S. Opens, defeating Mike Donald on the 19th hole of a playoff at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. Among Lee Trevino’s most memorable seasons was 1971, when he captured the U.S. Open title, beating Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff. Two weeks later, Trevino won the Canadian Open and, the following week, conquered the Open Championship, making him the first player to win what became known as Golf’s Triple Crown – winning three national opens in the same year. Tiger Woods would later match it in 2000. For his efforts, Trevino was awarded the Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of 1971, and was named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.” After winning the 1974 PGA Championship, Trevino was struck by lightning at the 1975 Western Open. He later underwent surgery to remove a damaged spinal disk, and back problems later restricted his play. While Trevino never repeated his multiple-major wins of the early 1970s, he returned to the game as a leading player winning his sixth and last major, the 1984 PGA Championship, at the age of 44 years, 8 months and 18 days. Rounding out the top 10 of oldest major champions are Roberto de Vicenzo, who won the Open Championship at 44 years, 3 months and 3 days; Raymond Floyd, who, at 43 years, 9 months and 11 days captured the 1986 U.S. Open; Ted Ray, who claimed the 1920 U.S. Open at 43 years, 4 months and 16 days; and Julius Boros, who, at 43 years, 3 months and 20 days won the 1963 U.S. Open. And if Phil Mickelson, who turned 49 in June, wins the 2019 Open Championship, he would become the oldest major champion in golf history. Enjoy your walk, Eric Woods 55 years, 4 months and 5 days
CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL PUBLISHER Eric Woods EDITOR Mark Spinn ART DIRECTOR Long Tran ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mike Stubbs, Suzy Evans, Ed Travis SENIOR WRITERS Randy Youngman, Jim Dover, Tom LaMarre CONTRIBUTORS Ian Leggatt, Ed Vyeda, Leonard Finkel, Tom Stankowski, Ken Lane PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Weinstein, Tom Neas, Mark Susson, Channing Benjamin TRAVEL EDITOR Larry Feldman EQUIPMENT EDITOR Scott Kramer, Ed Travis WINE + GOLF John Finney, Matt Palaferri CONTRIBUTING INSTRUCTORS Eric Lohman, Kris Moe, Perry Parker, Ted Norby, Scott Heyn, John Ortega, John Burckle Accounting Jep Pickett
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California Golf + Travel
California Golf + Travel is published by Golf Lab Media LLC 1224 Village Way, Ste. D, Santa Ana CA 92705 Phone: (714) 542-4653 website: www.CalGolfNews.com California Golf + Travel is published bimonthly and distributed to California golf courses, country clubs, practice facilities, golf retailers, hotels, and resorts Entire contents of this publication is copyrighted Golf Lab Media LLC 2015, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner in whole or in part without the written permission from the publisher. For subscriptions, go to calgolfnews.com and sign up online or send your name, address, phone number, and $20 to Golf Lab Media at the Above address. For advertising opportunities and editorial information: Please call (714) 542-4653 or email to info@calgolfnews.com
DISCOVER THE
FUN SIDE O F GOLF AT LA COSTA.
Home to 37 PGA Tour events, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa offers two championship courses with smooth greens and friendly service in a relaxed atmosphere. Try something new and upgrade your experience with Golfboards or Phat Scooters for a faster pace of play and maximum enjoyment. Elevate your golf game at the Golf Performance Institute Southern California’s most comprehensive game improvement center. Inquire about our membership opportunities and experience all that The Club at La Costa has to offer. Best Golf Resorts in California, Golf Digest
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ROB OGOLFP RO • T RUE SP EC C US TO M C LU B F I T T I N G • DAV E P E L Z S CO RI N G GA ME S C H O O L • G O L F BOA R D • PH AT S CO OTE R
California Golf + Travel
JULY/AUG 2019
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IN THE NEWS
Quakes Shake Up Life for Devon Bling Devon Bling, runner up at 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, is a native of Ridgecrest and has been severely impacted by the recent earthquakes that measured a whopping 6.4 and 7.1 on the Richter Scale. Bling and his family were displaced from their home and haven’t been back since July 5. They lived in their SUV for a couple days before taking shelter with a family member in Northern California. With all this going on, Bling still delivered a strong showing in the SCGA Amateur Championship – where he finished in a tie for fourth with his brother as his caddie.
THEEGALA
Tackles SCGA Am The 120th SCGA Amateur Championship at Lakeside Golf Club concluded on July 14 with Pepperdine senior Sahith Theegala claiming the title. A blemish-free final round of 65 (5-under) allowed the All-American to run away from a stacked field of the region’s best to earn his first SCGA title. In what was one of the most anticipated final groups in recent memory, Theegala headed into the final day with a one-shot lead over Lakeside GC member and course record holder Trip Morris, with USC’s Charlie Reiter lurking close behind. U.S. Amateur finalist Devon Bling finished in fourth. “It feels unbelievable,” said Theegala, the No. 71 ranked amateur in the world. “I’ve played this event for quite a while now, so to have my name etched on that trophy is pretty special. It really hasn’t even set in yet.”
orts
Riverside Resident Sets Final-Round Scoring Record at Girls Jr. PGA On July 12, 15-year-old Amari Avery of Riverside, California, delivered a masterful round on the final day of the 2019 Girls’ Junior PGA Championship at Keney Park Golf Course in Connecticut. Avery’s round of 63 (7-under) catapulted her to a third place finish and set a new record for the lowest final round in the event’s 44-year history. Fellow Californian Rose Zhang of Irvine broke the event’s 36-hole record this years, as well, with a two-day total of 130. Zhang finished in fourth.
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California Golf + Travel
Wolff Pup Howls The 20-year-old Matthew Wolff one-upped Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa to win on the PGA Tour in just his fourth start on the circuit. The Simi Valley, California native was the 2019 Collegiate Player of the Year, and it didn’t take him long to make his presence felt at the pro level. Wolff’s unique swing is easily distinguished from the sea of mechanical and technically sound moves on the PGA Tour. Wolff works with swing guru George Gankas out of Westlake Golf Course north of Los Angeles.
UPCOMING EVENTS • SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship Newport Beach Country Club | July 29-30 • California Seniors Golf Association Championship TPC Harding Park | July 29-30 • SCGA Match Play Championship Omni La Costa Resort & Spa| Aug. 6-8 • 116th NCGA Amateur Match Play Championship Spyglass Hill Golf Club | Aug. 12-16 • SoCal Junior Amateur Golf Championship (Boys) Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet (Champions) | Oct. 19-20 • 28th California Senior Amateur Championship Wilshire Country Club | Nov. 11-13
Along Came Patty Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand became a winner in her fifth professional tournament since leaving UCLA. The 19-year-old closed with a 7-under-par 64 to win the Donald Ross Classic on the Symetra Tour by three strokes on the Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana. Tavatanakit’s victory came a week after she shot 11-under-par 61 with the help of three eagles in the final round to tie for 15th while playing in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic on a sponsor’s exemption.
JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENTS Both the Southern California and Northern California PGA Sections offer ample playing opportunities for junior golfers throughout the summer. The SCPGA Junior Tour is a three-tiered program consisting of the Junior Development Tour, Players Tour, and Toyota Tour Cup – designed to encompass all ages and playing abilities. The SCPGA Jr. Tour holds 275+ tournaments annually. Go to www.scpgajuniortour.com for a full listing of tournaments. The Junior Tour of Northern California runs from August 1 to July 31 each year, culminating in the Tour Championship. Go to www.jtnc.org for a full listing of the remaining tournaments.
California Golf + Travel
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LOCAL NEWS
MORTON MAKES HALL OF FAME he list of 2019 inductees into the Northern California PGA Hall of Fame is dotted with venerable icons. The late Jim Langley left a legacy of excellence that will forever be upheld at Cypress Point, where he devoted 34 years of service to the game. The voice of Ken Venturi is memorialized by his years of broadcasting the PGA Tour – the very playing field where he won 14 times, including the 1964 U.S. Open. The remaining quartet of 2019 inductees (Rick Jetter, Steve Menchinella, Ken Morton, Sr. and Gary Plato) represents a combined 210 years of PGA of America membership. “The NCPGA Hall of Fame was created to enshrine PGA Professionals from the Section in recognition of their significant, enduring accomplishments and contributions to the game and to the PGA of America,” said Len Dumas, Executive Director, Northern California PGA. “This year’s class… are of historical significance to the game of golf and we are proud of their career-long accomplishments while representing the NCPGA.” In this issue of California Golf + Travel, we highlight Ken Morton, Sr., while our next installment will explore the renowned life Jim Langley. Ken Morton, Sr., PGA Master Professional & CEO, Morton Golf LLC, Sacramento, California Ken Morton, Sr. has been called the heart and soul of golf in Northern California. He began his golf career as an 11-year old caddie at the Del Paso Country Club, later working in the shop, repairing golf clubs and picking the practice range. In high school, he won the Northern California High School Championship and later the California State Junior College Championship. In 1958, he began working part-time for fellow NCPGA and PGA Hall of Fame Member, Tom Lopresti, at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex and remains there more than 60 years later.
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COURTESY OF THE NCPGA
T
During his legendary career, he became the most awarded golf professional in the PGA of America’s long and decorated history, winning a record five national awards. In 2005, he was inducted into the national PGA Hall of Fame for his contributions to the PGA, the game of golf and its members. But that’s a small part of the story. To know Ken Morton, Sr. is to know his tireless efforts as champion for those who couldn’t get to the links, providing them access to the game we love. In 1983, he founded SAY (Sacramento Area Youth) Golf, which became a model for today’s successful First Tee program. He also created the California Eagles, the first Special Olympics golf program, and was instrumental in the formation of Saving Strokes, which uses golf as a rehabilitative tool. He was also the architect
California Golf + Travel
NCPGA Executive Director Len Dumas welcomes Ken Morton, Sr. (right) to the Northern California PGA Hall of Fame.
behind the Morton Golf Foundation, which raises nearly a quarter-million dollars annually to help fund dozens of area golf programs for the disabled, underprivileged and disenfranchised. Today, the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex has developed an industrywide reputation as a facility that runs on innovation, dedication and complete professionalism. In fact, the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop has been voted a top 10 golf retail store more than any other, while the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo is the largest annual consumer golf event in the world. Throughout his illustrious career, Ken Morton, Sr. has touched the lives of millions of golfers around the globe.
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ROUNDS TO REMEMBER
Michael Block with his son, Dylan, caddying during the 2018 PGA Professional Championship at Bayonet & Black Horse in Monterey.
LOCAL LEGEND CARDS By RANDY YOUNGMAN
M
ichael Block, the PGA Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, celebrates his birthday and Father’s Day the same week every year. A year ago, he competed in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on his birthday, then flew across the country and competed in the PGA Professional Championship in Monterey on Father’s Day, to qualify for the PGA Championship with his son, Dylan, caddying for him. It doesn’t get any better than that, right? Wrong. Block didn’t qualify for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach this year, so his boys – Dylan, 14, and Ethan, 12 – asked what Dad wanted to do on his birthday. He said he would love to tee it up with them. So the head pro called his golf shop and secured the
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California Golf + Travel
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Block has qualified for 18 PGA Tour events and made four cuts in his illustrious career.
only available tee time at 7:24 a.m. on Saturday, June 15. Michael also called his best friend and occasional caddie, Chris Carey, who agreed to make it a foursome at Arroyo. “Hey, if I couldn’t play in the Open, I guess I might as well do something else, you know,” Block said, laughing. His 43rd birthday celebration turned into something else, all right. The course record. A year after becoming the only club pro in the U.S. to qualify for both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, Block shot a 13-under 59 to shatter his own course record at Arroyo, from the back tees at 7,011 yards. His previous course record was 62 – which he recorded five times. “It was crazy,” Block said. “To do it on my home course, with my boys and best friend, on my birthday, the day
before Father’s Day? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Block’s record-breaking card – it will soon be prominently displayed at the club, as is course designer Tom Lehman’s autographed ball commemorating his opening-day ace on No. 4 in 2004 – featured 11 birdies, one eagle and a course-record 28 on the front nine. Block had a feeling it might be a special day and round when he birdied the first four holes, including a 35-footer from the fringe on the 453-yard second that he didn’t even bother to read. He wasn’t thinking about his score yet, even though Dylan was. But after Michael rolled in 15-footer on No. 6, then piped a driver down the middle on the par-5 7th, hit a 4-iron to 25 feet and drained the eagle putt to go 7-under through seven holes, he admit-
tedly got “major” nervous. (Block has qualified for five major championships on the PGA Tour, so he knows that feeling.) Even so, he flushed a 6-iron on the 188-yard, par-3 eighth, setting up an uphill 5-footer. As he lined up the birdie putt, he heard Dylan whisper, “If he makes this, he’s 8-under through 8.” And he made it. “I’m going, ‘Whoa!’” Block said. (That’s also when Chris took the boys aside and told them not to say another word – same etiquette as when a pitcher is deep into a no-hitter.) Block had never gone so low, so fast. And after he stuck his approach 18 feet above the difficult back-right pin on No. 9, he thought he had made another birdie until his big-breaking putt lipped out. “I had shot 29 a few times, but this was still my first 28 anywhere,” he said.
California Golf + Travel
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ROUNDS TO REMEMBER
Block during the 2019 Dessert Classic.
Even though the back nine is considered easier than the front, Block thought his run was over when he made pars on 10, 11 and 12, though he lipped out an 8-foot birdie attempt on the 12th. “But all of a sudden, I birdie (No.) 13, then reach (the par-5 No.) 14 with a 3-wood and two-putt for birdie,” he said. “Now I’m 10-under. And that was the first time I had ever thought about 59. With four holes to go, I thought, ‘I can do that.’ It’s actually possible.” And he did. Downhill 13-footer for birdie on No. 15: 11-under. Ninetythree yard “skipper” approach on No. 16 that spun back to tap-in range: 12-under. “Oh, my God! I only need one birdie on the last two holes,” he thought to himself. After a 7-iron approach and two-putt par on No. 17, it came down to the 513yard, par-5 18th, with a water hazard running all the way down the left side of the fairway. “With a par-5 left, here’s my opportunity to shoot 59. Or it could be the worse 60 of my life,” Block remembered thinking.
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To dispense with the suspense, Block hit a solid drive down the right side, aimed his second-shot 4-iron “down the cartpath” because of a tree in front of him and found the front greenside bunker, leaving a 30-yard bunker shot. With his boys and best friend each shooting video on their cellphones, Block hit a wonderful explosion shot out of the sand that rolled to a halt two feet from the cup. Tap-in birdie for a 59! “To beat his damn course record on his birthday!” an excited Dylan yelled in his video narration. “What a day!” Block said the day after Father’s Day. In case anyone is wondering, it was anything but a fluke that Block shot an iconic 59. He is, after all, the best club pro in Southern California, with five Southern California PGA Player of the Year awards in the past six years, and leading his section this summer in a bid for POY No. 6. He’s also going for his third consecutive SCPGA Section championship in September. Block has qualified for 18 PGA Tour events during his career, a seven-year streak including two U.S. Opens and
California Golf + Travel
three PGA Championships, as well as four tour stops at Riviera Country Club, three at Torrey Pines and two in the Desert Classic (formerly the Bob Hope). He has proven himself against the world’s best golfers by making the 36-hole cuts at the Northern Trust (now Genesis Open) in 2013 and the Farmers Insurance Open in 2014, the same year he recorded the most prestigious victory of his career by conquering a field of 312 club pros from around the country to capture the 47th PGA Professional Championship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. That put his name on the coveted Walter Hagen Cup along with past winners such as Sam Snead and Bob Rosburg and earned him a berth in his first PGA Championship and six PGA Tour exemptions in the following 12 months. “It’s been amazing; never would I have thought I would play in this many tour events and so many majors in my life,” Block said. Of course, that’s also what he thought about shooting 59 – until he teed it up with his boys and best friend on his 43rd birthday.
Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club is an incredible 240-acre golf club that is ready for you to experience. Enjoy lunch or cocktails at O’Neill’s Bar & Grill. Schedule your special event in our beautiful Trabuco Ballroom that overlooks the 18th hole.
26772 Avery Parkway Mission Viejo, CA 92692 | 949.305.5100 | www.arroyotrabuco.com
GOLF & TRAVEL
MAZATLÁN: MEXICO’S HIDDEN GEM W
ith 20 miles of sandy white beaches along the Pacific Coast of Mexico and three distinct championship golf courses, Mazatlán is the ideal spot to enjoy authentic Mexican hospitality, world-class cuisine and stunning seaside golf. Each course among the trio provides golfers with a distinctly different flair, but there’s one thing they have in common: They’ll leave you wanting to play them again and again, Estrella del Mar Golf Course is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design located 25 minutes from the historic district. This par-72 stretches to 7,015 yards and is a fan favorite in Mazatlán. It’s oceanfront views are accented by six
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greens perched directly on the ocean and 11 lakes. This course hosted the Canadian PGA Championship in 2011, as well as three PGA Tour Latinoamérica Mazatlán Opens. It also offers the best practice facility in the area that is home to the John Jacobs Golf School & Academy. El Cid Golf & Country Club is a 27-hole layout located in the heart of Mazatlán and is attached to the enormous El Cid multi-complex resort. The Marina Course, a Lee Trevino design, is the newest and the most forgiving of the 27-holes – although there’s plenty of water and thatch grass rough to contend with. El Moro, the eighth hole, is the toughest of the
California Golf + Travel
grouping. It stretches 600 yards over a pond to a narrow fairway. Adrian Salum, Director of Golf, proclaims that Lee Trevino made a 14 on this hole before the course’s grand opening. Castilla, a much shorter more strategic nine, consists of smaller greens and less bunkering. It’s a friendly and enjoyable stroll for both your seasoned golfers and beginners. The final nine, the Moro Course, offers a challenging and scenic layout. Tree lined fairways call for demanding tee shots and the eighth hole, known as “The Monster,” is a 611 yard par-5 that requires precision from tee to green in order to make par. The third course in the area is Marina Mazatlán, a David Fleming designed links-style layout built on a relatively flat, lush piece of property with slight mounding on the perimeter to help define holes. The greens are oversized and irregular in shape with mounding surrounding most of them. The fairways are wide and forgiving and the bunkers are big, deep and soft. Overall the course is in fabulous condition, relying on the first generation of eco-friendly salt tolerant Paspalum turf developed. If you pride yourself on being the first among your friends to discover
unique and new vacation escapes, this is for you. Lying across from the tip of the Baja Peninsula on the Sea of Cortez, Mazatlán offers basking in the sun and sea with spectacular sunsets, tempting you to explore its miles of beaches and offshore islands. Numerous sea and land adventures are waiting to be discovered in this natural wonderland. Dive into a bevy of watersports or trek to the top of the world’s tallest natural working lighthouse, run or bike along one of the longest boardwalks in Latin America, try your luck at catching the big one at this sport fishing capital or simply catch up on your sleep under a breezy palapa. However, it’s more than just a pretty beach town. A stroll through Mazatlán’s Centro Histórico, or Historic District, reveals a colonial city proudly steeped in culture and history. As you wander down the cobblestone lanes or take a rest in the gardens of the Plazuela Machado, you may lose yourself to another place in time, recalling the Spanish galleons and invading conquistadors or the French and English pirates greedily lurking offshore. And certainly you will be grateful for the German immigrants who sought their fortunes in the gold and silver mines of Mazatlán while introducing “cerveza,”
or beer, to the region. This gave birth to Pacifico beer and the sharing of German polka tunes that morphed into Mazatlán’s trademark “banda” music. Mazatlán is also the shrimp capital of the world and the only Mexican
colonial city literally sitting on the beach. Its culinary arts are reputed to be among the best in Mexico with gastronomic delights ranging from classic European to a delectable array of regional cuisines that tantalize the
California Golf + Travel
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GOLF & TRAVEL
most discerning palate. Seafood dishes are a specialty with fresh catch just hours away. The 5-mile long Malecón Boardwalk offers spectacular ocean views with multicolored sunsets. You can either take a transportation cart called a “Pulmonia” or one of the public bikes to ride along the bicycle path and admire the many attractions Malecón has to offer. Enjoying any one of the sidewalk cafes and lively bars on the Plazuela Machado will have you feeling like a local in no time. Be sure to set aside time to visit the jewel of Plazuela Machado – the Angela Peralta Theater offering ballets, operas, symphonies and other cultural performances. Days can also be spent exploring the many art galleries, boutiques and arts and crafts stores, or catching the latest exhibits at the Mazatlán Art Museum and the Archaeological Museum. The city market, Mercado Pino Suárez, with its French ironwork modeled after the Eiffel Tower, offers an array of fresh food and local trinkets. Nearby the Cathedral Basilica of Immaculate Conception is a melding of Gothic, Baroque and Moorish architecture and well worth a visit. For literary buffs, tracing the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac as they took inspiration from the raw natural beauty and high adventure that makes Mazatlán a great setting is a must do. Create your own novelette as you navigate your way to nearby Pueblos Magicos and picturesque traditional colonial towns to explore villages revered by the locals
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and visitors alike for their historic treasures and tales. Make your own history by being one of the first passengers on the newly introduced luxe Chepe Express through the Copper Canyon and secure your bragging rights on social media. Wealthy in history and culture, Mazatlán has recently invested significant financial resources to renovate and preserve itself for future generations, at the same time investing in guests and welcoming their warmth and curiosity in the traditions of Mazatlán. You won’t want to wait to book your trip as word continues to quickly spread about the great value a Mazatlán vacation has to offer. U.S. News & World Report voted it among the “The 10 Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2018.” To book accommodations, check out Apple Vacation’s excellent selection of properties. From Southern California, the journey may start with a non-stop flight from LAX to Mazatlán, or a nonstop flight from Tijuana’s International Airport, crossing through the hasslefree Cross Border Xpress in San Diego. Tijuana is a less expensive airport
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option with lower airline fares and lower taxes. Car parking is available on the U.S. side of the border. The weather in Mazatlán is perfect most of the year with sunny days and temperature’s averaging from the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s from July to October. Si Mexico Golf specializes in golf vacations to Mazatlán and other Mexico Destinations. Contact them at (323) 618-0030 for more information.
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INDUSTRY PROFILE
COBRA
GOLF’S GOAL:
LEAD THE INDUSTRY IN REAL INNOVATION By ED TRAVIS
C
obra Golf isn’t the world’s largest club manufacturer. The company’s marketplace positioning is just behind the Acushnet, Callaway, TaylorMade and PINGs of the world. However, that doesn’t mean Cobra is not passionate and focused in its desire to make clubs that break new ground in performance with an emphasis on unique design, materials and construction. The company first hit golfers’ radar in 1975 when its founder, Australian Thomas Crow, came out with one of the first modern utility clubs – the Baffler. It had distinctive rails on the sole to help hit the ball from the fairway and to dig it out of long grass or even mud. The Baffler was enthusiastically adopted by recreational players and as the years went by Cobra continued to grow. Greg Norman bought into the company in 1988 and endorsed the brand around the world, which by 1994 helped push sales to $124 million. In 1996, in what was seen by many as a perfect match, American Brands (name later changed to Fortune Brands) purchased Cobra for $700 million. It became part of their Acushnet golf division – makers of the market-dominating Titleist golf balls. Cobra gave them a “golfer-friendly” line of woods and irons to complement the Titleist lines that targeted “better players.” Acushnet eventually concluded the fit with Cobra wasn’t working and in 2010 the brand was sold to German sneaker maker
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Puma AG. Cobra Puma Golf was created and has become very successful as both a maker of top performing clubs and a lifestyle golf apparel brand. To find out about the modern Cobra brand, California Golf + Travel sat down with the company’s Vice President of Research and Development Tom Olsavsky, the man in charge of all their new club designs. Olsavsky is considered one of the best in the business having begun his career at Titleist then moving onto TaylorMade Golf as Senior Director of Product Creation before taking over his current position at Cobra. Olsavsky’s comments are not the programmed responses from the public relations department. It is obvious he has a deep desire to create better clubs to not only produce added sales for Cobra but to also make this maddening game just a little more fun for the average player. Cal Golf + Travel: Cobra’s share of the club market has improved in recent years. To what do you attribute the gains, a function more of performance, getting the word out through effective marketing or both? Olsavsky: Success comes from all of the above. We made a decision to increase our marketing spend the last couple years and paired that with improved performance and some innovation breakthroughs. We have also had great success in sports marketing with our pros winning with new prod-
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uct – so it all helps. In our highly competitive industry, it all needs to work in unison to succeed. Acceptance by recreational golfers of the Speedback family has been impressive. How have the endorsements by Lexi Thompson, Bryson DeChambeau and Rickie Fowler affected that acceptance? We know that when they win we get more orders immediately through our online channel, and we hear the same from retailers. The nice thing about our staff is they are all in the top 10 on their respective tours. No other major brand can claim that all their players are in the top 10. How do the design and construction of the KING F9 Speedback driver separate it from the competition? We have worked really hard with our teams to come up with improved per-
Tom Olsavsky, Cobra Puma Golf
formance. Starting with our innovation group, through design and development, it’s a team effort to get a product to market. We know that the KING F9 Speedback driver is doing things that others have not done, combining great aerodynamics with lower CG – most aero drivers (drivers with lower aerodynamic drag) in the past had high CGs. This is the main technology improvement that leads to longer and straighter drives. And with the KING F9 Speedback irons, we have combined more forgiveness with lower CG than most irons, so this is another combination for better performance. How will the features of Speedback clubs, especially the driver, be tweaked to further improve performance? We are working on this as we speak. We have very stringent regulations on
face speed and other geometry restrictions (size and MOI) that limit us. So, the focus will be on continuing to make aerodynamic gains for more speed and improve the structure and materials for lower CG and higher MOI. Additionally, great sound, feel and looks are important to golfers. It’s essentially the same problems that the industry has been working on for many years because the performance requirements of distance, accuracy, forgiveness, sound/feel and looks for drivers haven’t changed, and likely never will. Cobra’s ONE Length irons, endorsed by DeChambeau, have been a hot topic of discussion. Pros and cons: What are the primary advantages of ONE Length for average players and for better players? ONE Length irons have been a great success story for us the last three
years, and we have to thank Bryson for everything he has done to develop and promote this idea against all the negativity in the industry. Our initial thoughts were also slightly cautious, but after spending time with Bryson, we knew it was worth a shot. Once we started testing the idea way back in 2016, it was immediately apparent that this concept is very beneficial for many golfers of all skill levels. In fact, outside of our company, some industry media tests have indicated that this concept can benefit between 30-50 perfect of average golfers. So, we know the benefits and more and more golfers are joining the ranks every year. Golf is hard and if we can make it easier to play, than players can enjoy the game more and play better. This is perfectly in line with our mission of “Game Enjoyment.”
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INDUSTRY PROFILE
From left: The Cobra Puma tour staff is led by Lexi Thompson, Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambeau.
When we first met Bryson and saw him hit balls, it was very apparent that he would be a top golfer for a long time. As with many players, it took a little time to get everything working together. He is very passionate about how this concept will help average players play better, much more so than any tour player, so he leads the charge for marketing this idea. The primary advantages are more consistent setup and swings, which we know will improve the quality of impact position. This results in better distance and accuracy. The main thing I have learned in my years in the game, is that focusing on hitting the center of the face is one of the most important things for a golfer for every club, including the putter. ONE Length irons make this much easier and will also make practice and warm-up time much more efficient – for those who get a chance to practice. When Bryson made the switch on his own many years ago, his coach, Mike Schy, said that his practice time was reduced by 30 percent! We have also seen very high satisfaction results from buyers, who rate
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their ONE Length irons better than variable length irons for improving their game. Custom clubfitters are playing an increasingly large role in club sales. How is Cobra taking advantage of this channel? We work with all the top fitters and have seen our custom business grow, as well. For many years, we had higher market shares with fitters (vs. other outlets) since our marketing spend was the lowest of the big five companies, but our performance has always been very good. In a typical year we are usually No. 4 or 5 in metals and between No. 4 and 6 in irons. We don’t get the same love as the other four (major club manufacturers) sometimes, since we aren’t in the putter or ball business, so these reduce our overall dollar sales. Are custom clubfitters specifying ONE Length irons as often as you believe they should? I think we see mixed results, as we believe that every golfer higher than a 9-handicap should at least try them, but we think that isn’t always happening. Sometimes it’s the golfer not wanting to try new or different, sometimes
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it’s the fitter’s bias. We know that so we also make great variable length irons, but we expect that as more golfers have success with ONE Length, then word of mouth will only spread. One of the other things we did with fitters to help the ONE Length concept, is to put ONE Length 5 and 9 irons in our fitting carts to enable a wider ability to easily try ONE Length. This has been very helpful for the fitters to get golfers to give them a try quickly and easily. Most people are very surprised how well they work, since many people don’t really understand what we did to make them successful. How do you see Cobra growing in the future in terms of technology, club lines or new product areas? Always a good question but difficult to give a good answer. Our mission is to lead the industry in real innovation, and we continue to strive every day towards this goal. Speedback technology, ONE Length irons, MIM wedge and many other products from Cobra are true breakthroughs in performance. We know that golfers want better performance so every new product we make has to deliver on that desire.
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SUMMER FASHION
LOOK GOOD… PLAY GOOD By ED TRAVIS There’s no hard data to prove that how we dress affects how we swing and score. However, there’s no doubt of the psychological benefit of looking good. California Golf + Travel won’t go as far to say: “If you can’t play great, you might as well dress great,” but you get the idea. There’s no shortage of fun, attractive and stylish on-course apparel that can keep you looking hot and feeling cool this summer. There’s something for everyone; we’re sure you can find just the right look to suit your style and wallet. Here are some of the latest fashions we found for the summer of 2019.
Linksoul Frond Print Short Sleeve Woven Shirt – $88 The full seven-button front of this woven fabric short sleeve shirt elevates your look with versatile style and color. Several very nice touches, such as the hidden buttondown collar, separate this shirt from the ordinary. Linksoul.com
M E N ’S G/Fore Perforated Skull Stripe Polo – $125 The tech jersey fabric is ultralightweight and breathable, while the narrow body stripe allows for lots of mix and match style combinations. Detailing is impressive with neck and sleeve contrasting while the skull with crossed tees makes for a distinctive look. Gfore.com
G/Fore Core Straight Leg Trouser – $165 This tech twill will become your go-to fabric for slacks and shorts. It has three of the things we all seek in a pant – it’s lightweight, has extreme softness and plenty of stretch. The trouser features a grosgrain detail on the waistband and a modern slim leg look. Gfore.com
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California Golf + Travel
Southern Tide Haig Point BRRR Performance Polo – $95 This striped polo is good looking and offers a choice of four colors in a poly/nylon/stretch mix with UPF 50+ sun protection. Best of all, the jersey fabric has BRRR technology built in to keep you cooler by 2 to 3 degrees. Southerntide.com
Puma Golf X Collection Donegal Polo – $85 A four-button placket and front chest pocket with houndstooth accent detail matched on the inside of the neck are just two of the features that separate this premium, tech fabric Donegal polo from the crowd. Three color choices. Cobragolf.com/pumagolf/x-collection
Linksoul Stretch Comfort Chambray Short – $72 Destined to become your favorite pair of shorts. The flat front look is timeless, and the breathable chambray fabric is 98/2 cotton/Spandex, so it’s wrinkle resistant plus it has a slight amount of stretch for the most comfortable fit. Linksoul.com
RAEN Pierce Men’s Slate Polarized Sunglasses – $175 These aren’t just another pair of sunglasses but a classic square shape with a deeper, masculine silhouette. The CR-39 lens has 100 percent UVA/UVB protection and the frame is handmade from zyl acetate with barrel hinges made for long lasting strength. RAEN.com
Stance Gopher Menace Socks – $20 “In order to conquer an animal, I have to think like an animal, and whenever possible, look like one.” – Carl Spackler. Celebrate Caddy Shack, the best golf movie ever created, with these stylish socks that help your feet stay cool and dry with fusion “quik wick” fabric and mesh vents. Stance.com
OluKai Nalukai Sandal for Men – $100 Sandals are always in style for after the round and we are sure you will like the Nalukai from OluKai with its leather straps and a comfortable soft nylon toe-post plus PU footbed. Wet-grip rubber soles offer traction on slippery beach walks or decks. Olukai.com
G/Fore Saddle Gallivanter – $225 These are the golf shoes you’ve always admired. They feature waterproof full-grain leather in a classic saddle construction. The padded anti-microbial interior and footbed offer sublime comfort and the lightweight sole gives top performance traction. Gfore.com
G/Fore MG4.1 Golf Shoe – $185 Unisex sizing of this shoe is highlighted by the one-piece engineered knit upper with auxetic lattice midsole. The footbed is triple density and the sawtooth traction pattern on the sole means top performance and stability while walking and swinging. Gfore.com
W O ME N ’S Puma Women’s PWRSHAPE Floral Golf Skirt – $75 Featuring a strikingly vibrant floral print, this skirt has a strong stripe and is cut for a figure-flattering style and look. It’s made with a PWRSHAPE waistband that’s 77/23 poly/Elastane and a stretch woven body that is moisture wicking. Cobragolf.com/pumagolf
G/Fore Essential Dress – $185 On-course comfort and functionality says it all for this dress made from a tech-pique fabric. A slimming detail strip runs down each side, and there’s a four-button placket plus a pocket on each hip. Gfore.com
G/Fore Disruptor Ladies Golf Shoe – $185 It looks like a fashion street shoe but the elegant style is perfect on the course. Waterproof smooth full-grain leather upper with washable anti-microbial footbed. And just for fun, “Fore Play” is printed on the bottom of each sole. Gfore.com California Golf + Travel
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INSTRUCTION
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY: TURNING PRACTICE INTO
PERFORMANCE
PGA Master Professional Dr. Alison Curdt is the Director of Instruction at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, California. The 2015 LPGA Teacher of the Year also has a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and is a practicing psychotherapist. She uses her combined expertise to help her students develop strong swing mechanics and conquer the mental aspects of this game. In this issue of California Golf + Travel, she details mental tips that will help you transition your game from the practice range to the course. By DR. ALISON CURDT ractice situations aren’t fully applicable to what you’ll find on the course. On the range things are static. Lies are flat and the elements are contained (wind direction, target placements and distances). The repetition on the range isn’t anything like what we do when we’re actually performing. On the course or in competition we only get one chance, to hit one shot, to one target. But on the range, we have a pile of balls right there and we have essentially a bunch of do-overs. In other words, that practice environment is significantly different from the competition environment and that spurs a different mindset in you as a golfer. There are certain quick things you can do to help practice be more relatable to the course such as switching clubs more frequently, changing targets more frequently, changing lies where there’s some undulation, hitting out of divots, constantly moving and constantly doing something different. Another element is social comparison, or the judgment factor. This is particularly true if you’re a new golfer who doesn’t want to play with experienced players because of a fear being perceived as “less than.” We all have an intention of how we want to present ourselves to the world. If we’re engaged with golf or any sport, we tend to think our performance is somehow a reflection of who we are as a person. That can be very unhealthy.
P
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The healthy way of approaching it is to be able to separate yourself from your golf game. Your score does not reflect to the type of person you are, just the number of times you hit the golf ball. I encourage you to get on the course and practice. Don’t keep score, but instead hit shots from different lies and different situations and drop multiple balls down. This will give you the experience of different factors that are faced during competition. Other sports do this really well. Think about scrimmages in basketball, or preseason games in baseball or football. All other sports create environments of simulated competition. You need to do that as a golfer, as well. Another tip: Try to be cognizant of your personality traits. Are you an A-Type personality that’s confident in everything you do in life, or are you more sensitive and cautious with your approach? These things weigh into how you learn and improve at the game.
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Furthermore, and most importantly for the sake of this topic, understanding your personality will help you evaluate why you may be struggling to transfer your golf game from the range to the course. Is it anxiety based, is it fear based, is it lack of skills? It’s different for everyone, and getting to know yourself will help you determine why you are struggling. Core psychology skills are learnable and can be trained, just like an in to out swing path can be trained. It’s just not as observable for most people. You see instant results when you start to swing from the inside with a square face at impact. You see better drives flying down the range. But with mental training, the influence is a lot slower and takes a longer period of time. You don’t get the instant results. It might come six or 12 months later. It’s important for you to realize that it’s a process and you need to stick with it for the long haul.
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INSTRUCTION
CHIPPING FOR SUCCESS By JASON HONG ven professionals miss the green. In fact, the current GIR (greens in regulation) leader on the PGA Tour has hit 73 percent of the greens this season. That means even the best player needs to get up and down roughly 30 percent of the time to save par and salvage a score. That’s six holes during a round of golf! So as an amateur (hitting far fewer greens), being able to chip the ball close to the hole becomes even more important when it comes to successfully navigating the golf course. That’s why in this installment of California Golf + Travel I’m going to provide you with the chipping fundamentals needed to save valuable strokes.
E
and more consistent chipping motion, and encourages a rotational action where we use our shoulders and big muscles to move the club and not our hands. From there, it’s a simple back and through motion matching the speed
going back with the speed going forward. I encourage my students to hold the finish, just as you would on a full swing. Holding the finish will help you maintain your posture and spine angle throughout the chip – which are key for producing solid strikes.
THE BASICS
Select the club you’re most comfortable with. It can be a 54-, 56- or 60-degree wedge – even a pitching wedge if the lie allows it. Don’t feel like you automatically have to go for the most lofted wedge in your bag because that’s what you see on TV. Go with what you’re comfortable with and then spend additional time practicing with it. Then there’s setup. You should always choke down on the grip when chipping. Personally, I choke all the way down to the line above the metal. Then take a narrower stance with your feet almost touching and the majority of your weight on the front foot – I do 60/40, others prefer as much as 80/20. This setup does a few things: Moves us closer to the ball, promotes a shorter
JASON HONG is the PGA Director of Instruction at Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside, California.
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California Golf + Travel
Ball Position Forward
Ball Position Back
CONTROLLING TRAJECTORY & ROLL OUT
The recent Southern California PGA Teaching Summit featured special guest Phil Mickelson. He revealed that he never chips with the ball in the middle of his stance because it’s an uncommitted shot. The ball is always off his back foot or his front foot – because he’s committing to the type of shot he’s going to hit. Placing the ball in back of your stance will produce a lower trajectory chip with ball rolling farther. Starting with the ball in the front of your stance results in a higher trajectory with the ball landing soft and stopping quickly. When the ball is off your front foot, it’s even more important that you maintain proper weight distribution with up to 80 percent of your weight on that lead leg. The second your weight shifts to the back foot, the leading edge of the club will come up and you’ll blade one over the green. The high, soft chip is a more challenging shot. But like anything, now that you know the technique you just need to spend time practicing to develop confidence. Once you have the confidence and the reps, you’ll be ready to chip high or low from any lie.
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WINE SELECTION
MALENE: A DOMESTIC ROSÉ WORTH EVERY PENNY
By MATT PALAFERRI
I
love rosé. I love it for lunch. I love it for dinner. I love it for any and all occasions, especially when it’s from Provence. But don’t get me wrong, there are some great domestic rosés out there too. And if there’s one better than San Luis Obispo’s own Malene, I’ve yet to find it. The name Malene is inspired by the gem tourmaline, which exhibits a watermelon pink hue. The winery is relatively new, releasing their first vintage in 2016. They have been off and running since. Winemaker Fintan du Fresno has been inspired to elevate rosé and make Malene a distinctive and unique Provence style wine. When you taste a rosé from Malene, you will understand the passion and dedication Fintan puts into making a serious wine for all of us who love that salmon colored little glass (ok, big glass) of grape juice. Many wineries these days make rosé. Well, kind of. Some make rosé the correct way, and some take left over juice, smack a label on the bottle and call it rosé. Rosé wine should be intended from the beginning and not an afterthought. When it’s the primary product, it’s produced with the skin contact method. When black skinned
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grapes are crushed, and the skins are allowed to remain in contact with the juice for a short period of time, usually 2-24 hours. The skins are discarded rather than left in contact throughout fermentation (as with red wine making). Rosé can be made into a still wine (yes please), a sparkling wine (any time of the day please), sweet (meh), or dry (yey!). But hey, to each their own on, whatever style you like to have is up to your personal taste and palate. I do highly recommend a dry rosé though, and if you would like to give Malene a go, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The Malene 2018 Rosé (Grenache, Mourvèdre and a touch of Vermentino) has a nose of stone fruit, citrus and jasmine and on the palate there’s tangerine, melon and white peach. There are so many different foods to pair with this wine including, but not limited to, grilled chicken, pork, cheese plates or even a good fish taco! You can find Malene under $20.00 (bargain) at nicer wine shops and grocery stores, and even some restaurants that know a good rosé. And if they don’t have it, ask for it! Until the next time, drink what you like and like what you drink!
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