THE HAY: TIGER’S NEW TRACK • NATURE OAKS GOLF CLUB: THE SECRET IS OUT
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CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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CONTENTS
SPRING 2021 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2
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12 Editor’s Note Machiavelli and your Swing 14 The Hay Tiger’s New Track 16 College Golf Pepperdine and USC 20 US Open Olympic and Torrey 26 Native Oaks Golf Club The Secret is Out 30 Monterey Travel Golf Haven 38 Inside the Gates The Saticoy Club 42 Equipment Walk and Putt in Style 46 Golf Instruction Make More Putts 50 Barone Fini Pinot Grigio A Perfect Spring Beverage 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
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EDITOR’S NOTE
HOW MACHIAVELLI CAN HELP YOU EMBRACE THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF YOUR SWING It was 1513 in the Florence, Italy and it was the worst of times for Niccolò Machiavelli. In a swift and malicious reversal of fortune, he was dismissed from his position as a high-ranking diplomat in the Florentine Republic then unjustly imprisoned and tortured for his alleged role in a failed conspiracy to assassinate Cardinal Giuliano de’Medici and overthrow and seize the government by force. Upon his release, things only got worse for Machiavelli. Not only had the republic he had faithfully served for fourteen years fallen under the rule of tyrants, he was now barred from government service (the only career he had ever known), banished from his beloved Florence (a city, he once confessed, that he “loved more than his own soul”), and exiled to the Tuscan countryside with his wife and six young kids. Accustomed to matching wits with cardinals and dukes and other powerful rulers who swayed the destinies of Europe, his life now resembled that of a peasant and he found himself wasting his days engaging in petty quarrels with his neighbors, slumming in local taverns and bars, and playing drunken card games that “sparked a thousand squabbles and angry words.” But even as he wallowed in self-pity, Machiavelli began plotting his return to public life. Facing financial ruin, burning with unfulfilled ambition, and totally bored out of his gourd, he resolved to swallow his pride and write “a little primer on politics” in hopes of gaining favor among the Medicis and obtaining a new government job. And so it was that out of Machiavelli’s intense moment of crisis came The Prince, the most revolutionary if widely-maligned political tract of all time. Some five hundred years after he wrote The Prince, critics still condemn Machiavelli for his political realism, for advocating the preservation of power at all costs, and for being the founding father of modern power politics. His name itself is synonymous with mendacity and treachery. Yet regardless of where the cold, hard logic of his pragmatic realism may lead, most close readers of Machiavelli know that for five hundred years this guy has gotten a bad rap. For one thing, Machiavelli never wrote that infamous phrase, “the ends justify the means.” What he wrote was: “In considering the actions of men, one must consider the final result.” For another, at the height of the Italian Renaissance, when most of Europe was torn by war, Machiavelli claimed that he wasn’t interested in talking about ideal republics or imaginary utopias, as many
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of his predecessors had done. “Many men have imagined republics and principalities that never really existed at all,” he writes, “yet the way men live is so far removed from the way they ought to live that anyone who abandons what is for what should be pursues his downfall rather than his preservation.” This tough-minded realism, as well as the casual, matter-of-fact way in which he presents it, is at the heart of Machiavelli’s political philosophy, and is also what has caused so much vitriol to spill from the lips of his critics. But the larger purpose of his realism is to simply warn men of the dangers of living as fuzzy-minded idealists. Instead, he urges men to live in the real world, where rulers like Cesare Borgia became great through their cunning and ruthless use of power. But let’s go back to Machiavelli’s infamous phrase, “the ends justify the means”—which, as mentioned, was originally written as “in considering the actions of men, one must consider the final result”—and this is where golf comes in when considering the ends, the means, and “the final result” of your swing! Consider Jim Furyk whose extraordinarily idiosyncratic swing is never-theless extraordinarily successful. “Jim Furyk doesn’t have a textbook golf swing, by any stretch of the imagination,”Erik Matuszewski writes in his article, How Jim Furyk Shot A Record 58 With A Golf Swing Like An Octopus Falling Out Of A Tree. “[G]olf analyst David Feherty perfectly captured its essence by describing Furyk’s swing as looking like ‘an octopus falling out of a tree.’ No matter. It’s all about the results.” Yes, it IS all about the results! And with 17 PGA Tour wins, including the 2003 U.S. Open title, Furyk is the first tour player to record multiple rounds in the 50’s and he’s done it with an unconventional swing that drives home the point: “not everybody has to hit the ball the same way. There’s something to be said for trusting your swing, even if it does look like an octopus falling out of a tree.” And there’s something to be said for coming in at #3 at the all-time PGA Tour money leaders with $75,000,000 and counting. How’s THAT for “the ends justifying the means” and embracing the idiosyncrasies of your swing? Ka-ching! Or as Arnold Palmer famously said, “Swing your swing.” And there you have it! On “the Ends Justifying the Means” and How Machiavelli Can Help You Embrace the Idiosyncrasies of Your Swing!! Enjoy your walk, Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D.
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COURSE PREVIEW
PLAY THE HAY! PEBBLE BEACH, THE TIGER WOODS WAY. O
n April 16, Pebble Beach Company unveiled an exciting enhancement to its famed golf portfolio. The Hay, located on the site of the former Peter Hay Golf Course, features a dramatically redesigned nine-hole short course, the resort’s first-ever putting course, and a new restaurant featuring a spacious outdoor patio with spectacular views of the short course, Carmel Bay, and Point Lobos. Created in partnership with Tiger Woods and his TGR Design firm, The Hay is designed to appeal to golfers of all abilities and ages and embraces the legacy of its original creator, Peter Hay, the long-time head profes14
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sional at both Pebble Beach and Del Monte golf courses, who had a passion for introducing newcomers, particularly juniors, to the game. In 1957, Hay developed one of the country’s first short courses on this precious land. That legacy will continue as juniors age 12 and under will play the short course for free, and all golfers will have access to the putting course at no cost. Woods has amplified Hay’s vision for the property by re-routing the short course holes to maximize the magnificent views and celebrate Pebble Beach’s rich history. Every detail lends itself to an unforgettable golf experience for families, begin-
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ners, juniors, corporate groups, and avid golfers alike. Noteworthy features include: Hole #2, an exact replica of Pebble Beach Golf Links’ 7th hole, making one of the game’s most iconic holes accessible to more people. Each of the other eight holes’ yardage corresponds to a significant year in Pebble Beach history, with plaques on each tee telling the story, such as: Hole #4, 47 yards, “Bing”: In 1947, Bing Crosby brought the original Pro-Am tournament to Pebble Beach. The event is now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and is one of the longest-running and most charitable events on the PGA TOUR.
Hole #9, 100 yards, “Tiger”: In 2000, Tiger Woods crushed the field at the 100th U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach. The new putting course, which will rotate regularly through over a dozen different routings, is the perfect place to introduce a beginner to the game, sharpen the skills of an avid player, or relax before dinner.
The new restaurant is behind the ninth green, just steps away from the Pebble Beach Golf Academy and a short walk to the first tee of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This casual indoor and outdoor venue is set to open this fall. For more information and rates, visit the website at www.pebblebeach.com/golf/the-hay or to book, call 866-214-8180.
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MEN’S COLLEGE GOLF
PEPPERDINE MEN BEST IN THE WEST
Joshua McCarthy
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ith the Pacific 12 Conference’s California men’s golf teams all seemingly going through a down year, Pepperdine has stepped to the head of the class in the Golden State. Of course, the Waves always have been able to hold their own against the big boys, winning the 1997 NCAA Championship and being competitive virtually every season under Coach Michael Beard—the 2020 National Coach of the Year and four-time West Coast Conference Coach of the Year. After winning three times and finishing second in its other event during the Fall Season, Pepperdine gained its first victory of the Spring recently in the 74th Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz after placing seventh or better in their previous five tournaments of 2021.
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“We’ve been trending in the right direction and it was great to get out of here with a victory,” Beard said after the Waves beat Stanford by 11 strokes in Santa Cruz. “We were just super grateful and very excited to be able to compete together this Fall (after most of the 2020 season was cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic).” And the Waves have taken advantage of the situation, currently ranked No. 6 in the Golfweek/Sagarin national rankings and placing five players in the top 65 of the men’s individual rankings. Left-hander Joshua McCarthy, a redshirt senior from Danville, somehow is ranked only No. 40 despite having claimed the individual title in the Pasadera Invitational and the Rustic Collegiate Classic, in
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addition to finishing second in the Southwestern Invitational. Dylan Menante is ranked No. 14 nationally for Pepperdine, with Joey Vrzich at No. 16, RJ Manke at No. 47 and Joe Highsmith, another southpaw, at No. 65. Highsmith claimed his first college title in the Western Intercollegiate, finishing in a tie for first before winning with a par on the fourth playoff holes. The Waves also have William Mouw, a sophomore from Chino who was an All-American as a freshman and recently was named to the 2021 United States Walker Cup team. Mouw has struggled a bit this season with only two top-10 finishes in eight events and is ranked No. 118, but is No. 26 in the Men’s World Amateur Rankings. “It’s challenging to pare eight or nine good players down to five, especially heading toward the postseason,” Beard said. San Diego State is second among California schools in the men’s national rankings at No. 24, followed by San Francisco at No. 25, USC at No. 47 and Stanford at No 48. University of San Diego is No. 55, with Loyola Marymount at No. 68, St. Mary’s at No. 73, Long Beach State at No. 89 and UC Davis at No. 91. California is No. 92, with Santa Clara at No. 97, UCLA at No. 98 and Fresno State at No. 100. Among the other California individuals in the top 100, Barclay Brown of Stanford is No. 36, Soren Lind of USF is No. 57, Tommy Stephenson of Fresno State is No. 68, Kaito Onishi of USC is No. 70 and Puwit Anupansuebsai of San Diego State is No. 89.
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WOMEN’S COLLEGE GOLF
COURTESY OF JOHN MCGILLEN/USC ATHLETICS
USC WOMEN IN HUNT FOR NCAA TITLE
USC’s Alyaa Abdulghany
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SC has captured three NCAA Women’s Golf Championships and is in the hunt for No. 4 next month. The Trojans, No. 4 nationally in the Golfweek/ Sagarin Rankings, recently claimed their fourth victory of the season in the Silverado Showdown and finished second in their only other tournament. “That was a really impressive round on an incredibly difficult PGA Tour golf course,” Coach Justin Silverstein said after the latest victory. “We got great effort from everyone in our lineup and that is what it’s going to take to succeed in the postseason.” Allisen Corpuz, a fifth-year senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, has led USC in all five events this season, winning the Lampkin San Diego Invitational and the Gold Rush, while finishing no worse than fourth in the Arizona Wildcat Invitational. Corpuz, a two-time All-American, is No. 11 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings. “Allisen continued her insanely good play and she should be considered one of the favorites for National Player of the Year,” Silverstein said after Corpuz finished second at Silverado. Corpuz is joined in the top 100 of the college rankings by teammates Alyaa Abdulghany at No. 22 and Amelia Garvey at No. 34, and six of the Trojans were invited to the 2021 Augusta Women’s Amateur, in which Corpuz tied for 13th. 18
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No. 24 UCLA has Emma Spitz (who tied for third at Augusta) at No. 15 and Annabel Wilson at No. 93, while Stanford is No. 35, led by No. 39 Rachel Heck, and 52nd-ranked San Diego State is led by Teresa Toscano at No. 8 and No. 45 Sara Kjellker. Spitz, a sophomore from Vienna, Austria, has finished in the top four in five times in six starts this season, including second twice. She has won the Austrian Stroke Play Championship, the Austrian Stroke Play U21, the Austrian International Amateur and the Austrian Match Play. “She is not playing to have a top-five finish–she is playing to win,” UCLA Coach Forsyth said. “She doesn’t need a lot of extra words to push her along because she is very self-motivated.” Said Spitz, who won the Bruin Wave Invitational as a freshman for her first college victory: “I really want to prove to myself that I can do better, so I think that it’s a good feeling of, ‘I know I can do better, and I want to prove it to myself.’” Other California teams in the top 100 of the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings include No. 47 Pepperdine, No. 55 San Jose State, No. 75 Fresno State, No. 79 California, No. 82 Cal State Northridge, No. 87 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and No. 92 Sacramento State. Brigitte Thibault of Fresno State is ranked No. 89, while San Jose State has Kajsa Arwefjall at No. 68.
THE MORE FORWARD THE CG, THE FASTER THE BALL SPEED. THE LOWER THE CG, THE LOWER THE SPIN. THE HIGHER THE MOI, THE MORE STABILITY. BY INCREASING THE DISTANCE BET WEEN THE FRONT AND BACK WEIGHTS WE’ VE CREATED RADIAL (RAD) WEIGHTING UNLOCKING FASTER BALL SPEED WHILE MAINTAINING FORGIVENESS. HOW FAST? DON’T BLINK. California Golf + Travel
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US OPEN
USGA COMING TO CALIFORNIA U.S. OPEN AT TORREY PINES, U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN AT OLYMPIC CLUB 20
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C
alifornia has an impressive history when it comes to U.S. Open golf championships and there’s more to come. The USGA has scheduled the 2021 U.S. Open for June 17-21 on the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, the 103rd U.S. Open for June 15-18, 2023 on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club, and the 107th U.S. Open for June 17-20, 2027 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. And the USGA hasn’t forgotten about one of its favorite venues, the Olympic Club in San Francisco, which will host the 76th U.S. Women’s Open this coming June 3-6.
PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA
Torrey Pines South “We are thrilled to bring the U.S. Women’s Open to the Olympic Club, site of so many significant USGA moments, for the first time,” said Diana Murphy, USGA vice president and Championship Committee chairman. “Eleven outstanding players are enshrined in the USGA Museum’s Hall of Champions by winning at The Olympic Club, and we look forward to adding the 76th U.S. Women’s Open champion to that illustrious list.”
The U.S. Open was first played in 1895, but didn’t come to California until 1948, when it was hosted by Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. The USGA has brought its biggest event back 12 times and the winners include Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson and Billy Casper. Hogan won that first one in 1948, one of his four U.S. Open titles, and his third victory in 18 months at Riviera, which has been known ever since as “Hogan’s Alley.”
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PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA
US OPEN
8th hole at the Olympic Club
It’s obvious that the USGA has its favorites in California, too, as the U.S. Open has been played six times at Pebble Beach Golf Links and on five occasions on the Lake Course at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. That Pebble leads the list is no surprise. “The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach is always memorable,” Craig Smith of the USGA said. “There are always tremendous finishing holes that add incredible drama. There’s just a sense that you’re seeing something great.” And Tom O’Toole of the USGA added: “Pebble Beach is a magical place. “It is one of our most treasured U.S. Open sites.” You can probably say that about every course in California which has hosted the event. When our national championship was played for the first time at the Olympic Club in 1955, again the outcome was memorable, as unheralded Jack Fleck upset the legendary Hogan in a playoff. And in 1966 at the Olympic Club, Casper rallied from seven strokes back in the last nine holes and then won in a playoff over the great Arnold Palmer, who was trying to complete the Career Grand Slam—which incredibly he never achieved. Pebble Beach has its own share of unforgettable moments in the U.S. Open. In 1972, Nicklaus clinched one of his record-tying four U.S. Open titles and 18 major titles by hitting his tee shot to within five inches for a tap-in birdie on the 17th hole at Pebble in the final round
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en route to a three-stroke victory over Bruce Crampton of Australia. When the U.S. Open returned to Pebble 10 years later, Watson chipped in from a seemingly impossible lie on the 17th and beat Nicklaus by two strokes for one of his eight major titles, but surprisingly his only one in the U.S. Open. It was 10 years before the U.S. Open returned to Pebble, and this times Tom Kite made a brilliant chip-in for a birdie on the famed downhill par-3, seventh hole on his way to a two-stroke victory over Jeff Sluman in 40 mph winds. In 2000 at Pebble Beach, Woods claimed one of his three U.S. Open victories, two in California, when he blew away the field by a whopping 15 strokes over Ernie Els of South Africa and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain. Woods claimed another of his 15 major titles the only time the U.S. Open has been held (before 2023) at Torrey Pines, but it took an 18-hole Monday playoff and one more sudden-death hole for him to win an epic battle over Rocco Mediate. Other U.S. Open winners in California include Scott Simpson of San Diego at the Olympic Club in 1987; Lee Janzen at the Olympic Club in 1998; Grahame McDowell of Northern Ireland at Pebble Beach in 2010; Webb Simpson at the Olympic Club in 2012, and Gary Woodland at Pebble Beach in 2019. “This is just a special golf course to win on,” McDowell said after claiming the trophy. “Pebble Beach, it’s such
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PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA
US OPEN
18th hole at the Olympic Club
Front 9 Torrey Pines South 24
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date to September last year at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Bryson DeChambeau of Clovis in California’s San Joaquin Valley claimed the title by four strokes. Because of the state’s courses and golfers, it’s no wonder the USGA keeps singing: “California here we come…”
PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA
a special venue. To join the list of names—Tom Kite, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus — I can’t believe I’m standing here as a major champion.” Even when it’s not played in the Golden State, California can be part of the story in the U.S. Open. When the 100th U.S. Open was moved from its traditional June
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COURSE REVIEW
NATIVE OAKS GOLF CLUB DISCOVER A SOCAL GOLF GEM N
estled in canyons in East San Diego, Valley Center to be exact, Native Oaks Golf Club (renamed from Woods Valley Golf Club in January) is a wellworth-it, short drive from San Diego and Orange County. In this “I’ll drive anywhere to find a weekend tee time” era, the recent improvements to course conditions, customer service and the newly opened Shawii Kitchen (putting out some tasty, innovative food options not always typical of a golf course) makes Native Oaks an interesting, even surprising, find. Owned by the San Pasqual Economic Development Corporation, an entity of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, the new names pay homage to community’s traditions and are representative of the beautiful land they 26
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call home. The new Native Oaks logo depicts a flourishing oak tree, while the new Shawii Kitchen logo (pronounced / sha-wee/ and means sacred corn paste of the Kuumeyaay people, made from the Acorns of the surrounding Native Oaks) features the nut of the oak tree, an acorn. It is a beautiful track that is coming into its own, featuring an extensive, all-grass driving range, very well maintained fairways and greens, and most of all, the serene and beautiful environment typical of this corner of Southern California. The back nine is spectacular, rivaling the best the region has to offer. Against the current trend of ever-longer golf courses that favor the long hitters, Native Oaks GC is a thinking man track. With narrow fairways, deep vegetations near the out-of-
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COURSE REVIEW
bounds areas, and fast greens; local knowledge, and a well-honed wedge game are essential to shoot a good score. General Manager, Eric J. Julian, long-time veteran of Native Oaks’ sister course under OB Sports Golf Management, Monarch Beach in Dana Point, has made certain the best part of Native Oaks GC is the people. Friendly and welcoming faces at every turn, from the cart girl with in-depth knowledge of the track (ask for her tips to save strokes!) to the restaurant staff - to the pro shop crew who are quick with a “welcome” and “have a great day, today.” We consider ourselves a family – we have gotten through a crazy COVID year together, while undertaking a rebranding of the club, major golf course improvements, restaurant renovations and the introduction of several new golf opportunities including the Native Oaks Frequent Player Card. We are just so excited to share with our guests the new Native Oaks Golf Club and Shawii Kitchen. 28
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California Golf + Travel
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR HER ON AND OFF THE GOLF COURSE
ESTI WHITE / RED
The perfect gif t for mother‘s day Give the game you love a giant kick of fun. The Esti is packed with whimsy, from the upper print to the „love“ strap with a handy tee and the big graphic „4“. Of course this handcrafted leather golf shoe is super comfortable too. The leather-topped Arneflex® memory foam insole provides comfort and support, while Duca‘s Airplay 8 outsole offers flexibility and traction. We think you‘ll agree, these golf shoes are going to get plenty of compliments and big smiles.
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GOLF & TRAVEL
MAGNIFICENT MONTEREY, FROM CARMEL VALLEY TO PEBBLE BEACH AND BEYOND
Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course
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California Golf + Travel
By SUZY EVANS, J.D., Ph.D.
CARMEL VALLEY RANCH AND GOLF COURSE: A SPARKLING OASIS
Carmel Valley Ranch is a sparkling oasis in central California’s wine country, just a short drive from Monterey and an hour from Silicon Valley. Here, families, couples, and groups can focus on fun and the finer things—outdoor activities, fresh local cuisine, championship golf, a spa, and even an on-site creamery. At the heart of Carmel Valley Ranch’s 500 acres, winding from the valley floor through the foothills and up to a dramatic elevation, is the spectacular Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course. As the only Pete Dye design in Northern California, the 18-hole, par-70 course features stunning views, friendly wildlife, tactical challenges and playability. Experience championship-level play at a course rated among the “Best U.S. Golf Resorts” by Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Readers’ Survey. In a region known for spectacular golf experiences, Carmel Valley’s unique microclimate warms the course in more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Pete Dye designed this resort course to take advantage of dramatic elevation changes and natural beauty with the course’s two signature holes, 11 and 13, offering breathtaking drops into the tranquil valley. Other holes wind through gorgeous local vineyards, fragrant lavender fields, reflective ponds, and towering oak groves draped in Spanish moss—an ideal natural habitat for meandering families of deer and wild turkey that freely roam The Ranch. A multimillion-dollar enhancement recently restored the course to Pete Dye’s original design, with T1 bent grass, enlarged greens and improved tees. Golf carts are equipped with a state-of-the-art Visage GPS system, and, before and after your round, the spacious Clubhouse Grill offers crackling fireplaces with complimentary s’mores kits, large flatscreen TVs, and an outdoor patio with fire pits and epic fairway views. Carmel Valley Ranch’s Clubhouse Grill
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GOLF & TRAVEL
Quail Lodge Golf Club
QUAIL LODGE & GOLF CLUB: AFFORDABLE LUXURY AT ITS BEST
Just a few miles down the road toward the coast, you’ll find 850 acres of paradise at the charming Quail Lodge & Golf Club. Located in Carmel Valley on the magnificent Monterey Peninsula, the lodge is nestled on 850 acres of lush fairways, majestic oak-studded meadows, and sparkling lakes, and is surrounded by the majestic rolling hills of Carmel Valley. An 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, bocce court, a movie/presentation room, restaurant, bar, expansive meeting and banquet space and extensive nature trails all combine to create a true destination experience. Known for its playability, pristine conditions, and beautifully manicured greens, the championship course was originally designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1964 and refined in 2015 by Principle Designer Todd Eckenrode– Origins Golf Design. Before and after your round, enjoy drinks and lively dining at Edgar’s at 32
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California Golf + Travel
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GOLF & TRAVEL
Quail Lodge, where fresh ingredients are harvested from local organic farms and exquisitely prepared into savory dishes. Relocated to the Lodge, Edgar’s features a casual elegance with indoor and outdoor dining nestled amid a natural backdrop of a sparkling reflective pond and lush gardens. Edgar’s is guided in the principles of sustainability by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and focuses on local farm to table options. Only a few minutes away, you can “enjoy a brief trip to Italy” with Italian country cooking, warm hospitality, and lively traditions at Pèpe’s Little Napoli, Bistro Italiano located at the Corner of Dolores St. & 7th St. in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chef Rich Pèpe opened Little Napoli in 1990 and it has been considered an iconic Italian restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula ever since. Antipasti, pizza, pasta, and risotto are prepared perfectly with the Pèpe family signature recipes. Guests love the authentic, congenial atmosphere, prompting such comments as “Little Napoli is lively as a festa, packing more Italian charm into its cozy quarters than most big city restaurants.” 34
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GIDDY UP AND GO TO PEBBLE BEACH EQUESTRIAN CENTER
From its beginning as a boarding stable to hosting Olympic Team Trials to its presentday rehabilitative programs, the Equestrian Center at Pebble Beach has been a safe haven for horses and riders for nearly a century. With more than 27 miles of marked equestrian trails that run deep through the spectacular Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach Equestrian Center offers a truly remarkable horseback riding experience. Choose from a variety of daily trail tours led by friendly and professional guides while riding along the dramatic Pacific coastline and adventuring through lush forests and sandy dunes with breathtaking views stretching from Big Sur and the Santa Lucia Mountains to Moss Landing in Santa Cruz. About half of the center’s trail horses are treasured rescues. After months of expert medical assistance, nutritious meals, grooming and tender living care from the Equestrian Center team, rescue animals emerge healthy, strong, and ready to traverse the magical Pebble Beach trails. Open daily, guests can book private family rides or small group rides at (831) 622-5985.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY
GOLF & TRAVEL
Hole 17 at Bayonet
BAYONET & BLACK HORSE: SWEEPING VISTAS
Bayonet and Black Horse re-opened in December, 2008 after a $13 million renovation by Bates Golf Design Group. Bayonet, with its narrow playing corridors and steep bunkering, has long been considered one of the most difficult tests of golf on the Monterey Peninsula. The par-72, 7,104-yard course has retained its famous bite after the renovation by award-winning architect Gene Bates, but playability and strategic options have been greatly improved. The uphill, dogleg right, 476yard, par-4 ninth hole exemplifies the course’s significant challenge. Black Horse, a 7,024-yard, par72 layout, features sweeping vistas of the Pacific and is highlighted by fescue-framed fairways, bunkers with distinctive, serrated edges and slicklycontoured greens. The par-3 15th, created during the renovation, faces the bay and is sure to emerge as one of the great holes on the Monterey Peninsula. To plan a great golf package in Monterey, visit Saunter Luxury Experience at www.saunterle.com. 36
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Hole 16 at Black Horse
From the coast to the desert AN D E VE RY WHE R E IN B E T WEEN
RECENTLY SOLD 53372 VIA PISA , L A QUINTA $2,400,000 | Represented Buyer
NEW LISTING 12518 W FIELDING CIRCLE, UNIT 3 PL AYA VISTA $1,395,000
Mark Stanga Realtor® 949.447.0393 mark.stanga@compass.com DRE 01991368 RECENTLY SOLD 1 982 PORT ALBANS PL ACE, NEWPORT BEACH $3,395,000 | Represented Buyer and Seller Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.
INSIDE THE GATES
THE SATICOY CLUB THE BEST KEPT GOLF SECRET IN CALIFORNIA By Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D. ounded in 1921 and nestled in the peaceful rolling hills of Somis, just 30 miles north of Malibu, The Saticoy Club is considered one of the most acclaimed and challenging private golf courses in California. And for good reason. The fairways are undulating and rarely provide an even lie, the greens are severely sloping and speedy, and the classic baystyle bunkering is spectacular and treacherous. Host to multiple USGA Championship Qualifiers and SCGA Amateur Championships, and formally known as Saticoy Country Club, the course was originally designed by legendary golf course architects George C. Thomas and William P. Bell, who also designed the Riviera, Bel Air, and Los Angeles country club, among many others.
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Over its storied history, this exceptional 18-hole championship course has been refined by renowned golf course architects Robert Muir Graves and Tom Doak, and, in 2005, John Harbottle created the classic bay-style capes of bunkers that exist today. In April, 2018, the club was acquired by Saticoy Partners, a new ownership group of five Brentwood Country Club members, which embarked on ambitious enhancement plans, including new bunkers, tee complexes, aggressive tree removal, and improved sight lines. “Aside from the obvious benefits of increased playability and better turf conditions,” Thad Layton, senior golf course architect and vice president at Arnold Palmer Design Company, said, “removing the trees opened up distant views of the mountains and avocado groves, lending context and
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restoring the identity of The Saticoy Club. On a clear day, the Channel Islands are visible from a number of vantage points on the back nine.” In addition to on-course changes, improvements were made to dining spaces (if you’re fortunate enough to lunch at this wonderful club, be sure to order the Putter’s Pride with seasoned fries!), locker rooms, the pool area and fitness facilities. There’s even a charming, state-of-the-art golf training and club fitting studio creatively named “Studio 21” in homage to the club’s founding in 1921. Flash forward a century and this property is as magnificent and exciting today as it was when such “A-List” celebrities as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, and Mickey Rooney enjoyed its pristine fairways and greens.
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INSIDE THE GATES
But if you come prepared for an unsurpassed golf experience, you’ll want to stay for its warm and welcoming management team and staff. Before teeing off perched high above the first fairway, we were greeted by general manager Robert Nagelberg, whose true professionalism and passion for the property is inspired by the affably charismatic Bill Apfelbaum, part owner and managing partner of Saticoy Partners, who we spoke and joked with briefly by video phone. We also met experienced golf course superintendent Tim Paulson, friendly head golf professional Ben Edwards, and the infectiously energetic membership director Missy Carter, who were all quick with easy natural laughs and smiles. Once outside and on our way to the first tee, we were greeted by the charming starter Shad Smith, who “effervescently” said that “bogey feels like par!” and whose home-fermented, 7%-alcohol, mead hard seltzer “might be the only thing more bubbly than his personality,” as The Golfer’s Journal brilliantly put it. 40
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Bottom line: the whole vision and vibe of this magnificent property embodies the literal translation of the word “Saticoy”—from the Chumash village named Sa’aqtik’oy meaning “it is sheltered from the wind”—and provides a tranquil oasis sheltered from
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hectic everyday life and a place to experience golf at its best surrounded by great friends, family, fellow members, fortunate guests, and fairways! For more information, call The Saticoy Club at (805) 485-4956 or visit www.thesaticoyclub.com.
California Golf + Travel
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EQUIPMENT
Golf Shoes – Comfort, Support, Traction, and Style By ED TRAVIS he shoes we wear are critical to enjoying a round of golf. They need to provide comfort, support, and traction but there’s no reason why they can’t look good at the same time and with a touch of style too. Here are some of the latest models on the market we like and think you will as well.
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Adidas ZG21 Here’s a lightweight cleated shoe with a stylish low profile and waterproof upper of Adidas’ Sprintskin synthetic that has 20% of the pieces made from at least 50% recycled materials. The midsole is lightweight and with the laced closure provides lots of rotational support. Another significant feature is the six-cleat Thintech outsole made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Four color combinations are available at $179.99 pair. ASICS Gel-Course ACE Asics through Srixon Golf offers golf shoes for men and women featuring lightweight flexibility and lots of comfort with gel padding in the heel and foam in the midsole. The upper is waterproof and the outsole has a molded spike pattern that provides traction no matter the course conditions. Women’s color choices: glacier grey/pink cameo or white/pure silver. Men’s colors white, white/pure silver or graphite grey. $149.99.
Duca del Cosma Esti This stylish lady’s shoe is fun with a bit of whimsy from the dotted print upper to the “love” strap and tee to the big number “4”. Crafted from Nappa leather comfort and support are built in with a breathable bootie and leather covered memory foam insole. Duca’s logo typed outsole provides enough traction for even the most vigorous swings. Choose from white/red and aqua/white color combinations. $219
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Cuater The Moneymaker Cuater is the TravisMathew shoe brand, and we really like their models. The spikeless Moneymaker has “SweetSpot Cushioning,” a layered design to give support and comfort for even the longest rounds. They are waterproof of course and there’s an ultralight foam midsole. $159.95 per pair and they offer a choice of five colors: Black, Heather Mood Indigo, Heather Microchip and Heather Grey Pinstripe.
Ecco BIOM Hybrid 4 This update of the Hybrid 3 has a new outsole design with extraordinary support for a consistent grip of the turf and Ecco’s popular BIOM anatomical-last technology. The shoe is made from full grain leather, the waterproofing is 100% Gore-Tex and the Ortholite insole may be removed for washing. Stability is enhanced by the sole unit being linked to the laces. Choice of Silver/Gray, White or Black. $199.99 per pair.
FootJoy Hyperflex Yarn BOA The BOA feature, made of Hot Melt yarns, seems to help mold the shoe to your foot and with a rounded toe box, standard forefoot and instep sizing plus a slightly narrower heel the fit of this Hyperflex model ensures comfort. The midsole is made of a new material, StratoFoam for added cushioning while the outsole has Softspike cleats. Three color combinations Midnight Blue, Charcoal/Gray/White and Black/Charcoal/ Silver. $179.99 G/Fore MG4+ This sophisticated shoe has a waterproof upper of course and is a great combination of lightweight comfort and performance using the latest high-tech features such as a molded external heel cup with removable and washable insoles and small nubs on the footbed allowing cooling airflow while the nubs massage your feet. Three choices of colors offered: Raspberry, Nimbus or Twilight at $225 per pair.
LINKSOUL x TRUE Lux Knit A knit sneaker that’s waterproof provides the perfect combination of comfort, performance and looks. Using TRUE’s proprietary tread design the grip-toweight ratio is ideal for those wanting lightweight all-around traction. Custom artwork on the Lux Knit is by Linksoul’s Geoffrey Cunningham and each pair comes in a Lux shoe bag that can double as a shag bag. The color is called Shadow and the price is $189 per pair.
Puma Ignite Fasten8 Puma’s PWRStrap fit system offers outstanding midfoot support having the laces integrated with the shoe’s internal webbing. The upper is a combination of knit mesh and thermoplastic polyurethane giving both breathability and a one-year waterproof warranty while the spikeless outsole is engineered offers lots of grip and traction for any swing. Choose from six color combinations each priced at $119.99. California Golf + Travel
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EQUIPMENT
THE RIGHT PUTTER By ED TRAVIS ne of the quickest ways to improve scoring, as the “master-of-the-obvious” said, is to make more putts. While you can work on improving your stroke sometimes it is better to try a new putter. The balance, weighting, and the look at address can easily rejuvenate your putting game…I should know. Just ask about any of the 40 or so putters in my garage. To start you on your way, here are several new putter models that the California Golf staff like and we think are worth consideration.
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Bloodline Vale Vale is a standup putter allowing the user to stand behind and adjust the face for alignment on the proper line and the high-performance polymer head is shaped to frame the ball and target line. The nylon face insert is infused with tungsten and the ultralight carbon fiber shaft has an EVA grip. The balance point is low for better stability during the stroke. $299
Evnroll ER2 Midbl The ER2 Midblade is shorter than the previous model and weighted in the heel and toe with 22 degrees of toe-hang to help square the face at the ball. The single bend FST stepless shaft is attached directly to the 303 stainless steel head that is CNC milled. The finish of the head is a striking black-armour color providing a contrast for the wide flange and single line alignment aid. $370
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Cleveland Golf Frontline Frontline putters have an expanded lineup of seven head shapes and a choice of hosel types, but each features several important features. Head weight has been pushed forward close behind the face which means the center of gravity can give more stability and the face is designed to give consistent distance on each putt. Each model has their 2135 Technology for proper aiming with any address eye alignment. $200
Bettinardi Studio Stock 18 A timeless head shape, the SS18 is milled from the 303 stainless steel and has Bettinardi’s all-new Roll Control face to get your ball into an end over end roll faster. There is a crowned topline and the entire head has a smooth Diamond Blast finish for confidence-building look at address. The SS18’s low profile body connects with a plumber’s neck hosel and has a 45° toe hang. $450
Mizuno M Craft Type IV Mizuno’s successful introduction of the M Craft line in 2020 has been followed by additional models this year. The Type IV is a large blade shape with medium toe-hang and a slant neck hosel. The head is forged from 1025 mild carbon steel then CNC milled with a finish weight of 355 grams to promote a smooth stroke. Three head finishes and optional sole weights for customization are available. $300
Odyssey 2-Ball Ten The seven models in the Ten series include a version of the familiar 2-Ball head to provide precise aiming in this high MOI design. The Stroke Lab shaft, part carbon fiber and part steel, is a double bend and has been redesigned for added feel while the insert is Odyssey’s Microhinge Star construction. Weighting of the 2-Ball Ten is face-balanced for strokes with little face rotation. $300
Ping 2021 Anser The classic Anser blade shape has been updated for 2021 and features tungsten weighting in both the heel and toe for added forgiveness when ball impact is slightly off center. Anser’s face insert has a soft front layer for short putts and a harder back layer for longer distances. The dark PVD finish if the head with single line alignment aid works best with strokes that have small amounts of arc. $250
Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 The dual prong shape has a slant neck and designed to have a blade-like feel while retaining the advantages of mallet head. The face and body are milled from 303 stainless steel and mated with an aircraft aluminum sole plate that includes replaceable weights. This combination offers users customization for most any preference while increasing MOI and forgiveness. $430
TaylorMade Spider EX The Spider remains a favorite among better players and the latest from TaylorMade, the EX, has been reengineered including a shaft that has a softer section 5 inches from the tip to increase feel and stability. The head has tungsten back weights and steel on the heel and toe locating the center of gravity deep in the mallet shape. The face insert has eight co-molded grooves and alignment is aided by two lines and three dots. $350
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GOLF TIP
SQUARE UP TO HOLE MORE PUTTS By DEVAN BONEBRAKE realize it might be humbling watching PGA TOUR players compete these days, knowing it’s not very likely you’ll be able to hit the ball 370 yards like Bryson DeChambeau or compress the ball like Dustin Johnson, or even move the ball right and left like Bubba Watson. However, there is a skill all great players have that is achievable by amateurs and it relates intrinsically to your scoring. Every golfer can learn to strike putts consistently square in the middle of the putter face. The more consistently you can strike your putts squarely, the more distance control you’ll have coupled with better direction and a higher rate of conversion on your putts. Think about the last time you practiced on the putting green. Did some balls stop one foot short, some go four or five feet long and some miss way right while others missed left? That’s not uncommon, but you would be surprised how easily you can get a tighter dispersion and hole more putts simply by focusing on putting with a square face.
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When I’m working with a golfer on their putting, I really focus on alignment first because where they set up the putter face is going to critically impact where the ball goes. Then, more than anything else, I want them to use their stroke to return the club face to the exact same point where it started. A super-simple drill involves setting two balls side by side on the green and line up with one toward the toe and one toward the heel. If they roll essentially the same direction and distance, the putter face was square. If the lead or trail ball goes significantly farther than the other, you want to practice keeping the face square and probably practicing with even more precise feedback. To that point, I like a device like working with the new Goal Post putting aid from Swing Align (www.swingtrainer.com/products/goal-post). It trains you to putt with the putter face square. If you come through the impact zone with the putter too open or closed, you’re not going to clear the posts that are positioned out in front of the heel and toe of the putter. That instant
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feedback might be frustrating at first, but once you start putting on more of a square path, you’ll see the rewards in the form of better roll, putts that stay true to their intended line and even improved distance control, which is critical to your putting success. You can do drills by simply putting with the Goal Post attached to your putter from three feet, then then six feet, then 10 and so on until you’re really comfortable with using a smooth, a stroke that applies a square strike on the ball. Another nice thing about the Goal Post is that it comes with an attachable Alignment Rod that sits above (and perfectly perpendicular to) your putter face. You can use that to know exactly where your putter is aimed at all times. Again, proper feedback is going to help you train better aim and a squarer stroke. One way to know you can trust your stroke is to hit putts over varying lengths to measure your ability to control distance. I like putting a rod three feet past the hole and two more rods that meet the first road at each end. This creates a shape that looks a little like a roof top, so I call this the attic drill. If you can keep your putts rolling roughly the same pace and inside the “attic” formed by the rods, your pace is making good progress. Makeable length putts should finish about 18 inches past the hole and longer putts are rolling well if they stop 18 inches to three feet past the cup on your misses.
DEVAN BONEBRAKE Director of Instruction at Rolling Hills Country Club, Owner of Southern California Golf Academy Golf Digest “Best Young Teacher” Golf Digest “Best in State”
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GOLF TIP
By JOHN BURCKLE Through the years the Pelz Golf Institute has done research on how golfers putt and, particularly, how the way in which they grip the putter affects their results. Spoiler alert: The conventional grip (right-hand low for right handed golfers) is the putting style that consistently yields the worst results. During their research, golfers employing “unconventional” grip styles tended to perform better than conventional putters because their techniques had less wrist movement and breakdown, and were more repeatable. Let’s take a look at the “Lead Hand Low” style of putting.
PHOTO MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
CAN AN ALTERNATE PUTTING GRIP IMPROVE YOUR GAME?
LEAD HAND LOW Take your conventional stance, ball position and putter length. Grip with leading hand (left hand for righthanded golfers) below the trailing hand on the handle. This puts the trailing hand in a passive position, and allows the lead arm to pull the putter through impact on line and square. ADVANTAGES 1. Eliminates forearm rotation for most golfers. 2. Minimizes wrist breakdown. 3. Encourages the shoulders to be square to the line at address and promotes a square putter face through impact. DISADVANTAGES 1. Takes time to regain touch on long and breaking putts. 2. Stigma of “cross-handed” putting discourages many golfers.
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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Xander Schauffele at the Genesis Open
Y O U R S PA C E T O P L AY
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CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFF I-10 IN PALM DESERT — 75-200 CLASSIC CLUB BLVD., PALM DESERT, CA 92211 www.classicclubgolf.com
Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management.
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WINE SELECTION
BARONE FINI
A Noble Commitment to Quality By Matt Palaferri y friend Grigio. Sometimes I call her Gris, but either way, she’s always invited over on a sunny day to sit on the porch with me and listen to me complain about the days events. Most folks think she came from Italy, because, well, that’s who makes so many of the labels we see now, but it actually originated in France, where its called Pinot Gris. I love this grape no matter where its made. The acidity and freshness that pairs with so many dishes and the ripe flavors and notes of apple and honeysuckle on a hot summer day is just what the doctor ordered. I’ve chosen to talk about one of my go to’s that won’t break the bank, Barone Fini Pinot Grigio. So let’s go to Italy and talk about the Bonmartini-Fini family. They started making wine in 1497. Yes. 1497!! Two families came together in marriage, the Bonmartini and Fini family and began producing wine in Northern Italy. Today, the Bonmartini family, direct descendants of the Fini family still own and continue to operate Barone Fini Winery. I’ve met, ate, and certainly drank with the legend, Giovanni Bonmartini- Fini a few times. Two, I really can’t remember all that well, but I know we had a good time. Speaking with Giovanni about wine and his charisma, passion and loyalty to his family and trade, is something I’ll never forget. Well, ok, you got me, I did forget two times, but hey, we were in Newport Beach California going to every restaurant we could buying and tasting patrons on Fini Grigio! I know we turned several folks that never drink Grigio on to it. You know those guys. The guys that “will never drink Grigio! It’s what my wife drinks.” Well needless to say, everyone that tried it loved it, and said “Why haven’t I drank it before.” Barone Fini Pinot Grigio is one of the all time, patio pounding, perfect party pleasing whites you will ever come across. It’s quality is in the bottle. Fini Valdadige (they make a higher end as well, Alto Adige) is it’s flagship wine. 100% harvested by hand, from the Valdadige region in the Northern Italian Alps. You can share this wine with great dishes from civechi, scallops, lemon chicken and even grilled pork. Or, just sit back and have with a little cheese. Trust me when I say this wine over delivers for the price. You can find this wine at many restaurants, golf resorts and in fine wine shops. and if they don’t’s carry it, ask for it! Remember to drink what you like, and like what you drink. And try new grapes! Salute!
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Your New Escape
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