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CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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CONTENTS
FALL 2021 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 4
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14 Editor’s Note Thomas Hobbes and the Rules of the Game 16 College Golf Stanford Golf Teams are on Fire 20 Golf News California’s Anti-Golf Bill AB 672 22 Golden Year for California Golfers Californian’s Shine in 2021 30 Inside the Gates Red Hill CC 100th Anniversary 32 Travel Hotel Paseo, TPC Las Vegas, San Vicente Resort 38 Holiday Gift Guide New Golf Clubs, Tech, and Fashion 44 Golf Instruction Xanders Fundametals 48 Award Winning Tequila Tequila Comisario 50 Holiday Wine Sinegal Cabernet and Lanson Champagne
California Golf + Travel
42 CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL PUBLISHER Eric Woods EDITOR Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D. ASSISTANT EDITOR Laird Hayes ART DIRECTOR Long Tran ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mike Stubbs, 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 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 2021, 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
Cover: Ryann O’Toole’s Break Out Year Photo: Courtesy of the LPGA
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EDITOR’S NOTE
ON THOMAS HOBBES AND THE RULES OF THE GAME It’s time for more philosophy of golf so let’s get right to the action with Thomas Hobbes, the great seventeenth century English political philosopher, who, like Machiavelli, had a very dark and pessimist view of human nature and believed that people were generally greedy, hypocritical, and deceitful and driven by a desire for their own personal wealth and gain. We all know that there are some bad apples out there. But Hobbes tells us that we’re all selfish and that it’s only the rule of law and fear of punishment that keeps people in line. He clarifies this by saying that if society breaks down and plunges into chaos, we would live in “a state of nature” where, without rules or laws, we would be forced to steal or worse to stay alive. In a world where everyone is desperate for basic daily staples, you could argue, as Hobbes and other rationalist philosophers do, that it would even be rational to kill if it was necessary to survive. On this point, Hobbes famously wrote in his 1651 book Leviathan that life in a state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” Sounds bad, I know! But he leaves us with a slight glimmer of hope and says that the solution to this chaos would be to put a powerful sovereign or leader in charge and that we would have to agree to enter into a “social contract” and give up some of our freedoms for the sake of safety and security and living in a wellordered political state. So what does this have to do with golf? A lot! But let’s quickly dig in a little deeper here to get to the heart of the matter. In Leviathan, Hobbes says that to maintain order and stability for the safety and security of his subjects, the sovereign would have the absolute power and right to punish anyone who breaks the law. This might seem so obvious that you dismiss it. But, for Hobbes, it was extremely important and this is where golf comes in because golf, like all sports, has its own set of principals and rules to protect and maintain the honor and integrity of the game. Right? Either way, the origins of the rules of golf can be traced back to Scotland in 1744, when, according to the USGA and historians, a code of “Articles & Laws in Playing at Golf” was drafted by The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith for a single day of competition on the Leith links. Some three hundred years later, the principles established in those rules still fundamentally describe the same game that is played around the world today. There’s more to the story, of course, but the point is that if we want to live and play well together, both on and off the course, rules and laws are needed to maintain the safety and security of a civil society and the honor and integrity of the game. Which brings us to golfing great Bobby Jones, who, after calling a penalty shot on himself that eventually cost him the 1925 U.S. Open, an act that earned him universal praise, famously said, “You might as well praise me for not robbing banks.” Hobbes would also praise Jones for even though he lost the tournament, his honesty in following the rules earned him an even greater glory and prestige among the people than had he simply clinched the title. And there you have it—Thomas Hobbes and the Rules of the Game! Enjoy your walk, Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D.
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MEN’S COLLEGE GOLF
Stanford’s Michael Thorbjornsen’s two Top 10 finishes has him ranked 3rd in the nation.
PEPPERDINE STARTS STRONG THEN STUMBLES D
efending NCAA champion Pepperdine has started the season strong with three finishes in the top 10, including a victory in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate, but the Waves might have run out of gas trying to defend their title in the East Lake Cup. Only day after winning at the Golf Club Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga., the Waves went right into the East Lake Cup at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and captured the stroke-play title by shooting 5-under-par 283, with Arizona State second at 287, followed by Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in a tie for third at 292. However, after Pepperdine beat Oklahoma in both the East Lake Cup finals and the NCAA Championships in head-to-head matchups last season, the Sooners got a bit of revenge with a 3-1-1 victory over Pepperdine in the semifinals of match play to determine the champion. “We were 2-0 with them starting today, so now we’re 2-1,” Coach Michael Beard of Pepperdine said. 16
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“They were ready to play. They came out ready and firing. We got down early in three matches and it was just hard to come back. They’re a great team.” Pepperdine, No. 9 in the Golfweek Men’s College Rankings after finishing in the top 10 of their first two events, came back to salvage the Consolation at East Lake title by beating Arizona State, 3-2. For some reason, Joe Highsmith of Pepperdine isn’t getting much respect in the rankings even though he played a big role in the Waves winning the NCAA title last year and gotten off to a strong start. Highsmith, a senior from Lakewood, Wash., claimed his second individual college title in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate and tied for ninth in the Colonial Collegiate Invitational, but was ranked only 104th . Joey Vrzich, a Pepperdine redshirt senior from El Cajon, was at No. 43, and Derek Hitchner, a senior from Minneapolis, at No. 45, but
Pepperdine and Highsmith are too good not to move up. Stanford is highest California team in the rankings at No. 3 after winning the Colonial Collegiate Invitational among three finishes in the top 10 in as many tournaments, with Michael Thorbjornsen, a sophomore Wellesley, Mass., third in the nation after two top-10 results; Henry Shimp, a senior from Charlotte, N.C., at No. 15, and Karl Vilips, a sophomore from Australia, at No. 56. San Francisco is ranked 29th in the nation, with Alex Chin, a redshirt senior from Pleasanton at No. 84 in the individual rankings; UC Davis is No. 56, with Thomas Hutchison, a senior from San Jose at 38th in the rankings, while San Diego State is No. 60, UCLA is No. 63 and the University of San Diego is No. 74. St. Mary’s is No. 75 with Mikey Slesinski, a graduate student from Fremont, ranked 55th, while San Jose State is No. 78 and Loyola Marymount is 97th.
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WOMEN’S COLLEGE GOLF
TOP-RANKED STANFORD OFF TO BRILLIANT START
F
reshman Rose Zhang and the Stanford Cardinal have been the story of the women’s college golf season thus far. Zhang, the top-ranked women’s golfer in the world and already No. 2 in the Golfweek Women’s College Rankings, won her first three starts while leading the No. 1 Cardinal to victories in the Molly Collegiate Invitational, the Windy City Intercollegiate and the Stanford Intercollegiate. “For me, I learn so much by watching a player of that caliber,” Stanford Coach Anne Walker said. “Her patience is unreal and obviously she has put in many hours of work so she doesn’t make many mistakes. When she gets her opportunities, she makes the most of them with her patience and mental fortitude.” Zhang, from Irvine, hasn’t done it all by herself of course, as Aline Krauter, a senior from Germany, is ranked No. 8; Caroline Sturdza, a
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freshman from Switzerland, is No. 19; Brooke Seay, a junior from San Jose, is No. 27; defending NCAA champion Rachel Heck, a sophomore from Memphis, Tenn., is No. 40, and Angelina Ye, a sophomore from China, is No. 44. UCLA checks in at No. 10 after finishing in the top 10 in four straight tournaments, including a ties for second in the Molly Collegiate Invitational and the Blessings Intercollegiate Invitational, and third in the Stanford Intercollegiate. Alessio Nobilio, redshirt freshman for the Bruins from Italy, is ranked No. 25 after finishing second in the Blessings for her second top-10 result, while Emma Spitz, who won the NCAA Louisville Regional last spring, is No. 36 after a tie for 11th in the Blessings and a tie for 15th in the Stanford Invitational. San Jose State is ranked 11th in the nation after runner-up finishes in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire
Cardinal Women Won Three Straight including the Molly Collegiate Invitational at Bayonet/Black Horse in Seaside, California. L-R: Rose Zhang, Rebecca Becht, Calista Reyes, Aline Krauter, Caroline Sturdza, Sadie Englemann, Yu Wen Lu Invitational, the Molly Collegiate and the Stanford Intercollegiate led by No. 24 Andrea Oon, a senior from Malaysia who tied for second in the Molly Collegiate, and No. 35 Antonia Malate, a senior from Seaside who tied for fourth in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational. Third-ranked Cindy Kou, a freshman from China, has led the way for No. 23 USC by finishing third in the Annika Invitational and a tie for fifth in the Windy City Collegiate; California is ranked 31st, Sacramento State is No. 63, Fresno State is No. 69. Pepperdine is No. 72, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is No. 73, San Diego State is No. 76 and San Francisco is 92nd.
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NEWS
Anti-Golf California Bill AB 672
PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA
Proposed Legislation Returns in January
Torrey Pines South
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roposed California Bill AB 672 (Garcia; D– Bell Gardens), which has been deemed the most damaging bill for golfers in the last generation, died in committee in Sacramento on April 30 of this year. However, AB 672 came back to life at the end of the 2021 California legislative session recently and somehow will be back as a twoyear bill in fewer than four months from now when state legislators return to session in January. AB 672 in its initial version, which has been identified as the most anti-golf bill to be filed in more than 25 years, proposed to remove the California’s municipal golf courses from the protections provided by the Park Preservation Act, Surplus Land Act, California Environmental Quality Control Act, and local zoning prerogatives–all for the purpose of redeveloping them into housing tracts. “It’s all indicative that municipal golf has for 100 years, is today, and will continue to be to the degree to which it survives, the growth and sustainability engine of the game’s much larger ecosystem,” said Craig Kessler, director of governmental affairs for the Southern California Golf Association. “And without the feeder, at some future stage, the top disappears. “While this bill is an example of clumsy, legislative overreach—which is why it never even got to committee—it does get to the heart of
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the challenge to municipal golf. And that is its encumbrance of large tracts of land in places where there’s incredible competition for use of that land. In this case, it was housing. And the truth is that if you closed every course in the state and turned it into housing, it wouldn’t even put a dent in the problem.” According to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, 480 California course employees —namely superintendents—made contact with 92 legislators across the state in opposition to AB 672. AB 672 not only poses a direct threat to golf’s key feeder system, but the bill also evidenced a legislative lack of comprehension about the game’s communal, recreational and environmental benefits. “Why are we in their gunsights?” asked Jim Ferrin, past president of the California Golf Course Superintendents Association and current president of the California Golf Alliance. “It doesn’t make sense. “When you’re trying to take something away from a local community and put it under the umbrella of the state, what was once yours is no longer under your jurisdiction. It’s under the ownership of the state to do what they want.” California golf officials again will be battling to defeat AB 672, introduced in early 2021 by California Assembly member Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), come January.
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CALIFORNIA GOLFERS
GOLDEN YEAR FOR CALIFORNIA GOLFERS
PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
Collin Morikawa
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Xander Schauffele
PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
alifornia golfers have had a big 2021, particularly on the PGA Tour, as four of them have spent most of the season in the top 10 of the World Golf Rankings. Collin Morikawa of La Canada Flintridge is ranked No. 2 behind top-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, while Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos is No. 4, Xander Schauffele of La Jolla is No. 5 and Bryson DeChambeau of Clovis is No. 7. Here is a rundown of what these four Californians accomplished this year: The 26-year-old Morikawa, who graduated from Cal in 2019, finished in the top 10 eight times and in the top 25 in a total of 11 events, highlighted by his twostroke victory over Jordan Spieth in the 149th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Kent, England. It was Morikawa’s second major victory, as he also won the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. In addition, Morikawa won the 2021 Workday Championship at The Concession and lost out in a playoff to Cantlay at The Memorial on his way to finishing 26th in the FedEx Cup standings. Morikawa also closed with a
63 in the Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside Tokyo and lost out to C.T. Pan of Taiwan in a seven-man playoff to determine the winner of the Bronze Medal. Morikawa posted a 3-0-1 record in the Ryder Cup, including a tie with Viktor Hovland of Norway in singles, which provided the United States with the half point that clinched the victory to regain the Cup for the United States. Patrick Cantlay, 29, who earned the 2009 Haskins Award after winning four times as a freshman at UCLA, capped a brilliant 202021 season by winning the final two events of the playoffs—the BMW Championship in a playoff over DeChambeau and the Tour Championship by one stroke over Rahm—to capture the FedEx Cup. Cantlay also won the 2020 Zozo Championship at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks and the 2021 Memorial in a playoff over Morikawa and was selected PGA Tour Player of the Year. He claimed four victories while finishing in the top 10 a total of seven times and
PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
Phil Mickelson
Twenty-eight year-old Bryson DeChambeau has changed his body gaining 25 pounds of muscle. He seems to be changing the game as well with his analytical approach to hitting the golf ball farther and farther. In 2015 DeChambeau, who played his college golf at SMU, became the fifth player to win the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Amateur Championship in the same year. The beefed-up DeChambeau is now a completely different player
Bryson DeChambeau
PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
in the top 25 on 17 occasions during the 2020-21 wraparound season. Cantlay also had a 3-0-1 record to help the United States regain the Ryder Cup, including a victory over Shane Lowry of Ireland in singles. Xander Schauffele, 27, who played at San Diego State, didn’t add to his total of four PGA Tour titles this year, but he did win one of the biggest tournaments in the world when he claimed the Gold Medal in the Olympic Games by one stroke over Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside Tokyo. Schauffele posted a score of 68-63-68-67—266, getting up-anddown for a par from a greenside bunker on the final hole. Even though he didn’t win on the PGA Tour during the 2020-21 season, Schauffele finished second three times among his eight top-10 finishes and recorded 16 top-25 results while finishing fifth in the FedEx Cup standings. Schauffele obviously is comfortable on the big stage, because in addition to the Olympic Games he had victories in the 2017 Tour Championship, the 2019 WGC-HSBC Champions and the 2019 Sentry Tournament of Champions. He lost his title defenses in the WGC-HSBC Champions and the Sony Tournament of Champions in playoffs to Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas respectively.
than he was just a few years ago. He captured his first major title by a whopping six strokes over Matthew Wolff of Agoura Hills in the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot also winning the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational during the 2020-21 season to give him eight victories on the PGA Tour. He had nine finishes in the top 10, including second in the BMW Championship and fifth in the Tour Championship to wind up seventh in the FedEx Cup standings. In addition, DeChambeau went 2-0-1, including a singles victory over Spain’s Sergio Garcia, to help the U.S. regain the Ryder Cup. A few days after that, DeChambeau competed in the Professional Long Drivers Association World Championships at Mesquite, Nev., and finished a respectable seventh, a mere six yards short of making the final round, against players who do this for a living. He hit five drives of 400 yards or more during the competition. And lest we forget 51-year Phil Mickelson who became the oldest winner of a major championship when he beat Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa to win the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. That gave Lefty 45 PGA Tour victories, including six major titles, but he remains a U.S. Open short of the Career Grand Slam. And that wasn’t all as Mickelson played in four PGA Champions Tour
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LPGA
CALIFORNIA GOLFERS
events winning three times: the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National, the Dominion Energy Classic in 2020 and the Constellation Furyk and Friends. Mickelson also was a vice captain for Steve Stricker as the United States regained the Ryder Cup. Joseph Bramlett of Saratoga and Stanford University captured the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and was one of 25 players who earned their PGA Tour playing cards for this season. Others in the Final 25 included J.J. Spaun of Los Angeles and San Diego State, Sahith Theegala of Chino Hills and Pepperdine, John Huh of Los Angeles and Cal State Northridge, Patrick Rodgers of Avon, Ind., and Stanford, and Kurt Kitayama of Chico and UNLV. There also were several players from California who performed well on the LPGA Tour: Danielle Kang of Westlake Village and Pepperdine didn’t play quite as well this year as she did in 2020, when she won the LPGA Drive On Championship and the Marathon Classic on consecutive weeks in August. However, Kang finished in the top 10 on seven occasions and in the top 20 a total of 10 times, including a playoff loss to top-ranked Nelly Korda in the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. Kang, who recently fell out of the top 10 in the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings for the first time in more than a year, also tied for 20th in the Olympic Games in Japan. Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand, a two-time All-American at UCLA, claimed her first victory 24
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LPGA
Danielle Kang
Patty Tavatanakit
California Golf + Travel
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LPGA
CALIFORNIA GOLFERS
on the LPGA Tour in the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage last April after winning three times on the Symetra Tour in 2019. The 22-year-old Tavatanakit has finished in the top 10 eight times and in the top 25 on 11 occasions this year, in addition to tying for 23rd in the Olympic Games. Tavatanakit is third in the Race to the CME Globe. Ryann O’Toole of San Clemente and UCLA toiled on the LPGA Tour and lower tours for 12 years without too much success overall, although she did win three times on the Futures Tour in 2010 and 2011. The 34-year-old O’Toole was on the verge of quitting the game several times, including recently, before she broke through to win the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open by three strokes over Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand in August. Her first LPGA Tour victory came in her 228th start on the circuit. Lizette Salas of Azusa and USC is another player who considered retirement, but recently she opened up about her bouts with depression. She’s since had a resurgent season. The 32-year-old Salas, whose only LPGA Tour victory came in the 2014 Kingsmill Championship and has lost twice in playoffs during her career, has finished in the top 10 four times this season, including second in the AIG Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She also has five other finishes in the top 25 this season and has finished second five times in her career. In addition, Salas this year played on the U.S. team in the Solheim Cup for the fifth time, posting a 1-2-1 record and is 7-8-3 in her career, including 3-1-1 in singles. In college golf, it was all about Pepperdine’s men’s team and Stanford’s Rachel Heck, who earned the 2021 Annika Award as the best player in NCAA Division I: The Waves, coached by Michael Beard, captured their second NCAA Division I Men’s Championship by defeat26
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PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
Ryann O’Toole
ing Oklahoma, 3-2, in the match-play final at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. Pepperdine was No. 1 in the nation in 2020, but didn’t get a chance to play for the national title it also won in 1997 because much of the season was canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Clay Feagler, a redshirt senior from Laguna Nigel, provided the Waves with the winning point when he pulled out a 1-up victory over Ben Lorenz of Oklahoma by halving the 18th hole with a four-foot par putt. Left-hander Joe Highsmith, a junior from Lakeland, Wash., gave Pepperdine a 4-and-3 victory over Garret Reband, and William Mouw, a sophomore from Chino, beat Quade Cummins, 4 and 3. Rachel Heck, a freshman from Memphis, Tenn., claimed her fifth consecutive victory and sixth of the season by becoming the first Cardinal to capture the NCAA Division I Women’s Individual Championship when she beat Emma Spitz of UCLA by one stroke at Grayhawk. Heck, a five-time AJGA Rolex All-American and two-time USA Today High School Golfer of the Year, posted a score of 69-67-70-74—280, 8-under-par, while Spitz, a Bruins sophomore from Austria, finished at 72-70-71-68—281. Angelina Ye, a Stanford junior from China, was third at 77-69-65-71—282. In the women’s amateur ranks, there was no one better than Rose Zhang of Irvine, the top-ranked player in the world who keeps adding to her accomplishments. The 18-year-old Zhang won the 2021 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship after claiming the 2020 U.S.
Lizette Salas
COURSE REVIEW
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Anna Davis
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE AJGA
PHOTO: COURTESY OF STANFORD PHOTO
CALIFORNIA GOLFERS
Eric Lee
Women’s Amateur Championship, becoming the eighth player to claim both those titles. Zhang has moved on to Stanford and it’s been more of the same as she captured the Molly Collegiate Invitational, the Windy City Collegiate and the Stanford Intercollegiate, leading the Cardinal to the team title each time. This is nothing new, as Zhang won the Toyota Junior World Cup, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational and Rolex Tournament of Champions in 2019. Twice she was named winner of the McCormack Medal winner as the world’s top women’s amateur golfer, was a two-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year and played in the Curtis Cup four times. Stewart Hagestad of Newport Beach and USC captured the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship for the second time in September, beating Mark Costanza of Morristown, N.J., 2 and 1, in the 40th edition of the tournament at Sankaty Head Golf Club in Siasconset, Mass. The 30-year-old Hagestad, who also won the U.S. Mid-Amateur title in 2016, has a 20-3 match play record in this tournament. Hagestad also captured the 2021 George C. Thomas Invitational. And there were stars in California junior golf, as well: Anna Davis, 15, of Spring Valley won the 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship, the PING Heather Farr Classic, the eBob Junior Championship and the Tiffany Joh Junior Championship, and is No. 2 in the American Junior Golf Association Girls Rankings. Eric Lee of Fullerton is No. 4 in the Boys Rankings after finishing in the top 10 four times in five events, and Jackson Koivun of San Jose, who won the Jack Burke Jr. Invitational, is No. 8. 28
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE AJGA
Rose Zhang
PURE HERITAGE. PURE GOLF.
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INSIDE THE GATES
Red Hill Country Club Centennial Celebration
Red Hill CC hole #16 and original Clubhouse
Still Going Strong at 100 By RANDY YOUNGMAN Red Hill Country Club, a private club born in 1921 in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The centennial celebration was supposed to be marked by a series of events throughout 2021, but the ongoing pandemic changed those plans and instead led to a 1920s-themed “Centennial Gala” over a weekend in late October. The festivities featured two days of golf competition for past and present members, a formal dinner with Great Gatsbystyle décor and costumes, as well as exhibits from Red Hill’s storied history. A book on the club’s 100-year history written by Julie Walke also was distributed. “This has been an exciting time for our members,” said Michelle Lindley, a third-generation member who was chairperson of Red Hill’s Centennial 30
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Committee and whose home overlooks the front nine. Renowned architect George C. Thomas designed Red Hill’s first nine holes in what was then a sparsely populated agricultural area bordering land incorporated as Upland in 1906 and became part of a city incorporated as Rancho Cucamonga in 1977. The second nine was designed by William P. Bell in 1947, completing an 18-hole championship layout that remains as picturesque as it was a century ago, with Mount Baldy’s 10,000-foot peak looming it its backdrop. Thomas and Bell, of course, were among the biggest names (along with Alister MacKenzie, Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast and others) who helped usher in the so-called “Golden Age” of golf course architecture beginning in “The Roaring Twenties” by designing some of the country’s best and most famous courses.
Construction began on Red Hill in the spring of 1921, and it officially opened for play as a nine-hole course on March 18, 1922. (Interestingly, Red Hill was Thomas’ first original design in Southern California, coming five years before he and Bell had collaborated on Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, which opened in 1927.) “A lot of us consider Red Hill the big brother to Riviera, and I liken our 18th to the finishing hole at Riviera,” said John Mack, Red Hill’s current club president and a member for the past 16 years. (No. 18 at Red Hill, considered its primary signature hole, is a 408-yard, dogleg-right par-4 that plays uphill toward the clubhouse. Sound familiar?) One hundred years after it opened, Red Hill remains a traditional or “classic” course, featuring tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, doglegs that require you to work the ball
RHCC’s new Clubhouse
both ways, penal rough, and small, fast-paced greens reminiscent of so many vintage courses from the “Golden Age.” Though the course is considered short by modern-day standards—it plays 6,575 yards from the back tees—it’s still a shot-maker’s course that demands the use of all of the clubs in your bag. PGA Tour star Kevin Na, an honorary member like tour veteran John Daly is, had the course record of 62 until 23-year-old Derek Castillo, a first-year tour pro from Yorba Linda, shot an iconic 59 this past July. And, unquestionably, the best amateur player in club history was Dr. Frank “Bud” Taylor Jr., winner of 11 club championships, two California Amateur Championships, runner-up in the 1957 U.S. Amateur and fourtime qualifier for the Masters (including a 13th-place finish in ’57). Happy birthday to Red Hill Country Club, still going strong at 100 years old.
Red Hill CC #4
RHCC’s second Clubhouse built in 1950
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GOLF & TRAVEL
THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER AT TPC LAS VEGAS
TPC LasVegas #18
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true gem situated off the Las Vegas strip – just close enough to the action but far enough away to quiet escape the hustle and bustle - TPC Las Vegas, owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, is “desert elegance” on display. From the stunning backdrop of Red Rock Canyon to the rugged natural landscape, the public course offers a test to the most seasoned of golfers, making it a regular destination for celebrities and PGA TOUR players alike including Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Na – it’s no wonder the course has been heralded by Golf Digest as one of the “Best Places to Play.” Surrounded by lush greenery and made of Bermuda grass, the par-71, 7,104-yard championship golf course was designed by acclaimed architect Bobby Weed and World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd. Named as “The Best of Summerlin” and No. 6 in Nevada according to GolfPass, TPC Las Vegas’ signature holes are No. 2 and No. 14 – while the course’s back nine is especially tricky to navigate. Known as “Death Valley,” hole No. 13 is a 423-yard par-4 offering riskreward that best captures the spirit of play at TPC Las Vegas. Hole No. 14 is known as the “steeple hole” – which gets its recognition from players aiming their tee shot at the steeple of the church in the distance 32
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TPC LasVegas #4
– and has a reputation for being quite a challenge. Between its challenging design, course clout, impeccable conditions and being just short drive from California, TPC Las Vegas acts as the ideal near-cation for golf enthusiasts. Whether a quick weekend visit or an extended getaway, after playing at TPC Las Vegas players can retreat to a peaceful oasis at the on-site JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. A luxurious escape, the JW Marriott offers elegant accommodations with
a wide range of fine indoor and outdoor dining and an expansive fullservice spa. Following a round of golf, kick back and relax poolside in a cabana – overlooking the waterfall and grotto. With regular packages and offerings for individuals or groups, visit www.tpc.com/lasvegas to learn more and book your vacation now. For the most up-to-date news on the TPC Network, visit Twitter (@PlayTPC), Facebook.com/TPCNetwork or Instagram (@PlayTPC).
COURSE REVIEW
SAN VICENTE GOLF RESORT IS BETTER THAN EVER
Classic San Diego Course Undergoes 10-Month, $2.9 Million Renovation
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olfers who enjoyed playing the course at San Vicente Golf Resort in Ramona in past years are really loving it now. That’s because the classic course originally designed by Ted Robinson and opened in 1973 underwent a 10-month, $2.9-million renovation, with the goals of improving green consistency, turf quality, drainage and overall agronomic health of the facility. “In 2019, we hired one of the best architects in the United States, Andy Staples,” said recently retired General Manager Mario Trejo of San Vicente Golf Resort. “His vision and passion for doing things right are very impressive.” San Vicente Golf Resort reopened in May to rave reviews.
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In fact, Golf Inc. selected San Vicente Golf Resort as the winner of its national 2021 Renovation of the Year award for a public golf course. In its announcement, Golf Inc. wrote that “the goal of its renovation was to create a unique and interesting design that improved playability and sustainability.” Obviously, it was “mission accomplished” by the San Diego Country Estates Association, an HOA which owns and operates San Vicente Golf Resort. The property also includes two restaurants, a bar, lodge rooms with a private patio and deck, plus an outdoor swimming pool. The renovation of San Vicente Golf Resort’s inland links-style course included the reconstruction of 19 putting greens, 56 new and updated sand bunkers, re-grassing throughout the layout and the addition of a set of family-friendly scoring tees on each hole. There also was additional beautification of surrounding vegetation, improvements to some cart paths and increased drainage of fairways. A few trees were removed to increase sunlight and improve air circulation
around the course. “Wonderful to see a project achieve all the goals of improved infrastructure and ease of maintenance but still deliver on the aesthetic appeal and strategic interest,” wrote Matthew Dusenberry, one of the Golf Inc. judges. “It has the feel of golden age (George C.) Thomas or (Alister) Mackenzie in 1930s California.” Officials of the San Diego Country Estates Association say the renovation has given them the ability to market the course to a wider audience, which may bring new golfers and new homeowners who golf, Resulting in increased revenue. San Vicente Golf Resort’s course plays to a length of 6,822 yards and a par of 72, but there are five sets of tees which make the course playable for golfers of all abilities. The course winds through gorgeous scenery that includes impressive oak trees, waterfalls and ponds. Golfers can stay and play, as the San Vicente Golf Resort Inn features spectacular views from every room and is only steps away from all the amenities. Visit sanvicenteresort.com for more info.
the people’s open is back r espect the play e r s
r e sp e c t t h e gam e
r e sp e c t e ac h o th er
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GOLF & TRAVEL
PALM DESERT’S NEWEST LUXURY HOTEL H
otel Paseo debuted in March 2018 and is the first newly constructed luxury hotel in Palm Desert, CA in over three decades. Nestled in a vibrant central location, the property is steps away from upscale shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife on El Paseo, known as “The Rodeo Drive of the Desert.” The boutique hotel is an ideal starting point for guests to find their path exploring nearby Palm Springs and the beautiful Coachella Valley, as well as the property’s exciting on-site amenities. The hotel features 150 guest rooms, including nine specialty suites and a beautifully restored 1950 Airstream Trailer. Designed by Kay Lang + Associates, the property effortlessly blends the natural beauty of a desert oasis with midcentury modern design, and from the moment of arrival, guests are energized by a curated experience that is quintessential California cool. The hotel’s rooms and suites are bathed in soft gray, white, and light blue tones, complemented by colorful local artwork, with opaque modern barn doors opening to serene, spainspired bathrooms. Most rooms have private balconies with magnificent views of the San Jacinto Mountains and a valley of palm trees. If guests feel like highlighting their desert experience while staying at Hotel 36
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Paseo, check out the “Billiards Suite”, which includes a pool table, wet bar, lounge area, and a Shinola Runwell record player with a collection of old and new vinyl. Or for a truly unique experience, consider an overnight stay in the vintage 1950 Airstream Trailer. While finding their path to comfort, guests can also enjoy the backyard area at Hotel Paseo, which includes a putting green and lawn games. After that, head over to the Lemon Drop pool bar to grab some sips while enjoying the outdoor beauty all around you. Additionally, Hotel Paseo is home to Larkspur Grill, which offers a classic twist on modern California cuisine, highlighting local and fresh ingredients supported by area farms. Featuring comfortable, relaxed seating indoors, a full bar and a spacious outdoor patio with stunning views of the San Jacinto mountains.
After taking in the comfort of the guest rooms, the fun of the backyard, and the sips and tastes throughout the hotel, it’s time to find your path to relaxation. Palmera Spa & Wellness awaits for guests to indulge in the newly reimagined space; featuring seven intimate treatment rooms with results-oriented options to choose from which include organic facials, couple’s massages, full body treatments, and more. When it’s time for a round of golf, take advantage of the hotel’s courtesy shuttle and head over to their partners at Desert Willow Golf Resort, which features two championship Southern California golf courses designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Guests can test their skills against the natural hazards and myriad water features of the challenging Firecliff Course or play a smoother, more relaxing round on the magnificent Mountain View Course.
EQUIPMENT
By ED TRAVIS inding just the right gift for a golfer can be a tiresome task so the staff at California Golf + Travel thought a good approach would be to share with our readers a few items we like and would be happy to find under the tree. They cover a range of prices so you will be sure to find something to put a smile on your golfer’s face.
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Sureshot Axis GPS Watch An idea many golfers like is wearing a watch to measure distances using a GPS link and the Axis watch comes preloaded with 38,000 courses plus a builtin scorecard. The stylish Axis has metal buttons and several display options including yardage to the center, front and back of the green and a separate display mode showing the green layout plus of course the time. Priced at $199 it also offers shot distance measuring.
Blue Tees Series 3 Rangefinder Cutting edge software, top quality construction and a weatherproof hard-shell carrying case make the Blue Tees Series 3 Max Rangefinder a favorite. It adjusts for uphill and downhill shots with an on/off switch to make it tournament legal plus it vibrates when the laser locks on the pin. The unit itself is water resistant with a magnetic strip to keep it handy between shots on your cart and the price is golfer-gift friendly at $259.99.
Sureshot PINLOC 6000 Series Rangefinders There are three models in this series from MGI Golf all with 6x magnification and a magnetic case with improved battery life. The basic 6000iM is $229 with a scan mode and the 6000iPM adds a tactile pulse feature to let the user know when it has locked on the target. The 6000iPM is $259. The 6000iPSM is priced at $299 with all the features of the other two in the series and the addition of on/off slope measurement. MGI Zip Navigator Electric Caddy The Zip Navigator ($1,495) from MGI is a battery powered electric caddy with a remote to control forward or reverse direction and also allows the user to match the unit’s speed to his or her walking pace. Featuring patented gyroscope technology, the Zip Navigator safely hauls clubs up or downhill and over uneven terrain. Designed with a fourth wheel for added stability that folds out of the way when not needed, the Zip Navigator weighs 35 lbs. and it folds to fit in any car trunk. 38
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EQUIPMENT
By ED TRAVIS very golfer is thrilled to find new clubs under the tree and here are a few clubs that the staff of California Golf + Travel has selected and that we are sure your linkster will appreciate.
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Cleveland Golf Launcher XL Driver This update of the Launcher line of drivers selling for $400 has a 460cc head with very high resistance to twisting with the best MOI values Cleveland has ever made. The frame has stiff areas and flexible areas to hit the ball farther and retain ball speed. The shaft is counterbalanced with an 8-gram weight and the hosel adjusts loft from 9° to 12° in ½° increments. A 1” shorter shaft “accuracy build” without butt weight is available.
Bettinardi Studio Stock 17 Putter Always on the short list of premium putters, the models from Bettinardi’s workshop bring together the latest design, engineering, and manufacturing techniques with the SS17 ($450) as a perfect example. This slant neck model is milled from 303 stainless steel with a diamond blast finish and heel toe weighting. It makes use of their Roll Control Face milling, an asymmetrical design for a true roll every time without a face insert.
Cleveland Launcher XL HALO Irons Players with slower swing speeds can gain distance with lighter clubs so they can swing faster, and Cleveland’s HALO irons do this with a confidence-building head that look like a hybrid. The larger head of the HALOs are very forgiving and easy to hit with the lower lofts having rails on the sole to improve contact with the turf and the short iron soles V-shaped for improved ball striking. A set of seven irons is $900.
KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Shaft It has been said the shaft is the engine of a golf club and the Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype shaft from ($199.95) certainly can be described that way. Based on KBS’s popular Tour steel shaft it offers the familiar KBS feel throughout the swing. It encourages aggressive swings with built-in performance for hybrid clubs with added control and consistency. KBS says it offers a smooth transition from hybrids to irons. 40
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The Classic-Walnut Greenwood Putter The “wow-factor” of The Classic-Walnut from Greenwood is apparent to everyone not just from the looks but also how it feels striking the ball. Made from North American black walnut this beauty lists for $349.99 and will make the user the envy of the foursome. The putter head is weighted to a convenient 340 grams with zero loft and comes with a Grip Master midsize leather grip.
XXIO Prime Driver Golfers with moderate swing speeds will like the very lightweight (just 254 grams) XXIO Prime driver, $899.99, since lighter means faster. The draw bias cup face has lots of rebound and the construction tends to retain ball speed on miss hits. The interior frame is a star configuration supporting a thin sole and redistributes the club’s weight. XXIO has included brass and rubber weights in the shaft butt-end for added distance.
Tour Edge Golf Pro 721 Fairway Wood Designed for better players the Pro 721 fairway woods from Tour Edge ($299.99) have a deep face and a “Ridgeback” crown with two carbon panels that saves weight compared with all metal crowns. The face has 61 mini-trampoline shapes on the interior for more distance and forgiveness for off center impacts. Sole weights, one near the heel and one near the toe, help provide the best trajectory for distance and control.
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EQUIPMENT
Golf Apparel For Gifting By ED TRAVIS ooking good on the course with apparel that is comfortable and designed for performance is a key to enjoying a round of golf. Here are some of the items we like and are sure you and your golfer will too.
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Ashworth Original Innovation Interlock Polo Ashworth has updated their original performance polo shirt featuring the iconic banded sleeve and striped collar. While the original was made from 100% Pima cotton performance blend the new version wears with even more soft comfort and has added 30% micro polyester. This new polo (On sale at $70.40—choice of three colors) has outstanding performance such as a slight stretch and moisture wicking and of course it’s easy care. Linksoul Wyeth Shirt Jacket Often in wintertime the weather is cool. Not so cool a jacket is required but a bit cooler than just a sweater and the solution is donning a Wyeth Shirt Jacket ($110) from Linksoul. It’s warm and has some stretch so your swing can be free and easy. Made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and Spandex it is machine washable and available in a choice of six colors.
Salt Sunglasses “Mundo” Sunglasses are a must on the course, and you’ll like the Mundo model from Salt. This premium optic is distinctively styled with quality construction that includes a strong seven-barrel hinge for stability. Priced at $460 per pair, select from Black with a polarized CR39 black lens, Woodgrain—polarized CR39 G15 lens, Mohave—polarized CR39 brown gradient lens or Matte Asphalt Grey—polarized CR39 grey gradient lens. 42
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Asics Gel-Couse Ace Golf Shoes Lightweight, comfortable and performance enhanced make the Gel-Course Ace golf shoe ($149.99) a great choice for any golfer. A mesh upper with waterproof lining allows heat to escape while holding the foot firmly in place for even the most vigorous swings. Support and shock absorption are provided by Asics FlyteFoam inner sole. Three colors are available: white, graphite grey and white with pure silver accents.
Linksoul Stretch Cords On or off the course cords are a staple of any wardrobe and Linksoul Stretch Cords ($130) are a must-have. Made from a blended fabric of 65% cotton, 33% poly Coolmax/ Thermolite and 2% Spandex they are comfortable, warm and retain their shape throughout the round. Take your pick from five colors: Bark, Nutria, Charcoal and Oak. Stretch Cords have a long-lasting quality construction and are washable.
Ashworth Chino Twill Ash Trucker Print Hat Ashworth has updated the classic trucker cap with the structured front made from a chino twill fabric prominently showing their golf logo and the back is an open mesh to dissipate heat. Proper sizing comes from the snapback closure and the hat band is moisture wicking for added comfort. Available for $38 in Grey with white mesh, Navy/white mesh, Grey/silver mesh or Charcoal/black mesh.
Duca Del Cosma Women’s Bellezza Golf Shoes Any woman golfer will love the Duca Del Cosma Bellezza white golf shoes for their athletic construction and classic looks. Priced at $229 per pair they are made with an Italian nappa leather outer and offer interchangeable kilties to spice up their color. The waterproof interior sock is recycled microfiber as is the covering of the breathable, comfortable insole. Heel support is provided by recycled cork padding. California Golf + Travel
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GOLF TIP
PHOTO MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
LEARN FROM XANDER’S OUTSTANDING FUNDAMENTALS
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By JOHN BURCKLE Photos MICHAEL WEINSTEIN A great way to improve your swing is to learn from the best players in the world. With the help of his father Stefan, Xander Schauffele has built one of the best swings on tour that’s been able to produce quality shots under the most extreme pressure. Let’s take a look at four different sequences in his swing and point out the things he does that you can learn to do to improve. In our first photo we see Xander at the completion of his backswing. What to look for? Number one is his full 90 degree shoulder turn while getting his head behind the ball without swaying. To achieve this position you’ll need to use your hips and feet correctly. Notice how Xander’s right hip is inside his back foot and his right
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TWO leg is balanced and supporting his weight. His legs are stable and balanced. To get to this position you’ll need to learn a few things. As you start your backswing teach your right hip to turn behind you. Most amateurs sway the hips moving the weight to the outside edge of the back foot which compromises balance and restricts the shoulders from turning properly behind the ball. Next step is to make sure to get your head and chest behind the ball. If you draw an imaginary line up from the ball at address your head should be behind the line so you only need to turn your right hip which will allow the shoulders to rotate properly and transfer weight into your athletic and balanced back leg. Learn how to use your shoulders and hips correctly and you’ll be off to a great start.
PHOTO MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
PHOTO MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
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This second photo is a beautiful example of how to start the downswing. If you look closely you’ll see Xander’s left knee and hip have started to shift into the forward foot. The shoulders and arms are soft letting his core and legs do the work. You can see how little his shoulders and arms have moved from picture 1. Notice how balanced his feet are as the right foot is still grounded. Most poor golfers start their downswing with the shoulders or arms which we call hitting from the top. Let that lower body do the work while the arms and shoulders stay patient. This will allow the club to be delivered powerfully and properly to the ball. The fundamentally sound positions from the previous two photos allow the sequence of photo three to take place. Xander’s timing is fantastic, his legs, arms and golf club are delivered to the ball at the perfect time. You can see his foot work is dynamic using the ground to push off his back side with his legs. Most importantly his head stays behind the ball allowing his arms and hands to release the club head freely through the ball. Look how long his eyes stay down as his arms and body continue to move through impact. If your head or body get to far ahead of the ball before impact a free release is almost impossible. One last thing to
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look at and very important is the posting of the forward leg. We call this finishing against the wall. His left leg straightens through impact not allowing the knees and hips to slide or move latterly. Want to hit further? Post up! The Finish is an accumulation of everything that precedes it. It’s fairly easy to get to a balanced finish if the backswing is fundamentally sound. I was always taught you’ve got to get behind the ball to get through it. Xander has super extension through the ball because of what has occurred in his backswing. His backswing allows his body to move correctly and finish in a perfectly balanced position. Of course he’s young and flexible but you also can achieve similar results if you can learn from Xander’s wonderful fundamentals.
JOHN BURCKLE – Director of Instruction at GolfLabAcademy.com • 25 Years Teaching Experience • 80 Professional Wins •6 X Golden State Tour Order of Merit Champion
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GOLF TIP
Golf is 100% Mental – 3 States of Mind By RANDY CHANG hy is it that you can get your student to do whatever you want when the ball is not there making a practice swing on the driving range, then when you put a ball there or get them on the course, they struggle performing the same physical task? We have identified that there are 3 different states of mind that effect your ability to communicate to your player what you want them to do physically:
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HIT THE BALL MODE
RANDY CHANG PGA Director of Instruction Journey at Pechanga & Randy Chang Golf Schools www.randychangpga.com
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First state of mind is Hit the ball mode, where your mind is focused solely on one thing which is hitting the golf ball. This is where all of your new and beginner players are mentally at and gets in the way of getting your player to do what you want physically. This is the worst state of mind as it inhibits accelerated learning, but every new student is in this mindset because that’s what they’ve been told, and it makes natural sense. The biggest fallacy in golf is that in order to be able to hit a golf ball, you need to have good hand-eye coordination. You MUST keep your eye on the ball and your head down. We all know that is not true as evident when you see swings such as Annika Sorenstam, David Duval or Dustin Johnson. The object we’re attempting to hit is NOT moving! All that is required is to return the club back to where it first started, and we all have our individual ways of teaching how to accomplish this task. The process of making physical adjustments will always be a challenge if we continue to stress the importance of focusing on the ball.
Second state of mind is Target mode, where your mind is totally engrossed with where and how you want your ball to go. The great Harvey Penick stressed this mindset to his players as “take dead aim.” This is a great mindset to be in and we spend the hours on the range doing repetitions to be able to play golf in this ultimate state. This is when you have practiced enough to get feels and develop keys that frees your mind to visualize a desired outcome and your body just responds. But, if your ball is not doing what your mind is envisioning, then you can’t be in target mode. For most average and beginning players they end up going back to hit the ball mode. Target mode is emphasized when working with your more advanced players. Third state of mind is called Swing mode. In this mindset, there is no ball we’re worrying about striking or a target we’re trying to hit. In this mental state of mind, you can only have 2 thoughts. A thought going to your backswing and a
TARGET MODE
SWING MODE
thought to your follow through. Basically, it’s what you do when you are making a practice swing without a ball, focusing on a specific physical action. The conflict takes place when the ball or a physical target surrounded by trouble is added which adds another thought and automatically changes your mindset and NOT allowing you to think yourself through the initial action. This is one sport that you can actually “think” yourself through a specific motion because you’re not reacting to anything! Unlike baseball, hockey or tennis where there is no time to think and must be prepared to react through physical repetition. Once you can convince your student to let go of hitting the golf ball, not worry about a result and get into swing mode, you can train the body to make the physical changes immediately. For your better player, understanding swing mode gives you a mental fall back when you lose the feels and keys that have worked for you temporarily and target/feel/reaction mode isn’t complying! California Golf + Travel
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LIFESTYLE
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TEQUILA COMISARIO
equila Comisario is created from a recipe that dates to the 18th century in Mexico when King Charles III of Spain, who ruled Mexico, banned tequila because he was concerned that its popularity would dramatically impact the sales of Spanish wine and liquor. Undeterred by this prohibition, the Mexican distillers secretly began to produce tequila in the mountains around Los Altos, the highland region above Guadalajara, where numerous distilleries were hidden. These factories in the Highlands of Jalisco were protected by the local Commissioner, who must have loved his tequila, because he would alert the distillers when Spanish soldiers were patrolling the area. As a tribute to the Commissioner, the distillers created a very special drink they named Tequila Comisario, and its recipes recently were discovered and re-created to make three types of this award-winning tequila from the Highlands of Jalisco. Blanco is the base product, and Tequila Comisario also has its Reposado and Añejo tequilas. “Another company developed the Tequila Comisario brand in 2012, but we officially purchased the business about four years ago, acquired the brand right,” said David Gene White, part owner of the business who works in advertising and promotion for Elite Beverage International based in Anaheim. “We currently sell about 99 percent of our product in the United States, and we are just starting to make inroads overseas. We sell Tequila Comisario in about 40 states, so we are not just a regional brand.” Tequila Comisario is
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a 100 percent pure ultra-premium tequila, with an incredibly smooth taste and agave fruit nose, made to be enjoyed with your favorite meals. And Tequila Comisario has quickly made itself as a leader in the field, as its distillers stick with process of their predecessors and create this tasty drink from agave plants located in
Tequila Comisario has won 10 gold medals and 10 double gold medals the highlands of Los Altos in Jalisco, Mexico, at 8,000 feet in elevation. With its unique approach to fermenting, Tequila Comisario has quickly become a favorite of tequila connoisseurs. The agave plants go through standard harvesting of up to eight years and the slow-cooked process of 18
hours focuses on the fermentation and distilling of each plant, with the emphasis on quality and not quantity. Throughout the distilling process, Tequila Comisario also focuses on a unique extraction process of separating the juice from its impurities for a unique tasting experience, which creates a beautiful mixture of flavors and nodes to accentuate the middle of the batch spirit. When the extraction process is finished, each batch is then placed into a steel tank for 36 hours of oxygenation. Once this final step is completed, Tequila Comisario completes the final process based on its unique flavor of tequilas. Blanco serves as the base to conclude the process for the Aged tequilas. The Reposado spends seven months in an American Whiskey barrel while the Añejo is aged in the same barrels for 23 months with the last four in a California Cabernet barrel to add just a touch of complexity. Tequila Comisario purposely buys 2 year or older barrels for aging the Tequilas to achieve a soft impact of the wood notes (vanilla, cream, nougat, and of course wood notes) thus blending (not overpowering) beautifully with the agave notes of pepper, spice and earthiness. “Our tequila is smooth and easy to drink, it goes with all meals and even with a cigar,” White said. “In competition with other tequilas in recent years Tequila Comisario has won 10 gold medals and 10 double gold medals. “All of our tequilas are great for sipping, but our Blanco has been rated No. 1 for Margaritas.” So, think Tequila Comisario the next time you have that craving to sip a little tequila or make a visit to Margaritaville.
CHRIS MILLER
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WINE SELECTION
TREAT YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT. By MATT PALAFERRI he holidays are for reminiscing. Family. Friends. Giving. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we all have heard that toast before at the holiday table. Sometimes it’s ok to be a little selfish. Sometimes its ok to spend a little extra on yourself and if you want to share, well good on ya! I’m going to give a couple suggestions for the holidays that will make you smile and realize life’s too short to drink wines that don’t put a happy face on the mug the good lord gave you. You can find some luxurious wines that will cost a bit more than the average Tuesday night wine but won’t break the bank either. Sinegal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a true expression of a Napa Valley Cabernet. Many cabs you find these days don’t let the weather and the soil do their natural thing. What I mean by that, wines change from vintage to vintage depending on natural things like rain, temperature and so on. They shouldn’t taste the exact same every vintage. Thats what’s unique about wine, no two bottles are the exact same. The 2018 Sinegal was a superb vintage with a nose of blueberry pie, stewed blackberries, baking spices with notes of dark chocolate, black fruit and soft tannins. It is one of the best wines I’ve tasted this year, with a retail price of around $85.00 depending on where you buy it. This is a perfect wine for your prime rib roast and would even go really well with pork and other roasted and or grilled meats.
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FALL 2021
California Golf + Travel
If you are ever in Napa Valley, visit the winery, it’s beautiful and they treat you like family. I recently had dinner with David Sinegal, and the passion he has for his winery is second to none. They go above and beyond to over deliver on every wine they bottle. Give any of their wines a try! They won’t disappoint. If you want a little bubbly in your holiday season, give champagne Lanson black label a go. This amazing champagne is from a selection of the finest Cru’s in Champagne. It’s aged for 4 years (more than many other champagnes on the market that cost twice as much) and the result of the finished product is something you will certainly be pleased with. When you open the bottle (twist the bottle not the cork when opening any sparkling wine) and pour it in a glass, you will first notice the brilliant clear color and the small fine bubbles making its way to the top of the glass. The nose has this toasted brûlée thing going on with lemon and lime zest freshness. It’s so nice on the palate that you will just want to sit and enjoy it and not be bothered. But if you do want to share it, grab some fantastic potato chips and top it with caviar and a tad of cre’me fraiche. Trust me on this one! You can find this wine at some grocery stores and most wine shops for around $50.00 retail. It’s well worth every penny. Whatever beverage you choose over the holidays, enjoy it. You deserve it. Drink what you like and like what you drink! Salute.
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