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CALIFORNIA GOLF + TRAVEL MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

SPRING 2022 VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2

12

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14

Editor’s Note

Philosophy of Golf 16

College Golf

San Jose Women are on Fire 20

Assembly Bill 1910

Public Golf Endangerment Act 24 Marion Hollins

42

Pioneer and Champion Golfer 28 Greater Zion Amazing Place to Golf 34 Agustin Pizá Multipurpose Golf

GOLF INSTRUCTION HIDEKI’S SWING • JIM NANTZ: THE CALLING

SPRING 2022

GREATER ZION AN AMAZING PLACE TO GOLF

38 Dormie Golf Quality Products, Outstanding People MARION HOLLINS

42 Equipment Shoes and Tech

WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME

AGUSTIN PIZÁ

MULTIPURPOSE GOLF

46 Golf Instruction Check Out Hideki’s Swing

On the cover: Greater Zion’s amazing terrain is a golfers paradise Photo Courtesy: Brian Oar

50 Wine Jim Nantz: The Calling

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EDITOR’S NOTE

A PHILOSOPHY OF GOLF AND LIFE A perfect little Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift, A BRIEF PHILOSOPHY OF GOLF AND LIFE applies the ideas of some of the greatest thinkers of western philosophy to the “game” of golf. Game is in parenthesis because one of my main arguments of this book is that golf is much more than just a game or sport. In fact, golf, far more than any other sport, can provide a reflection of life and a guide for the question: how should one live?

Consider the following: Golf’s Core Values of honesty, integrity, responsibility, courtesy, judgment, perseverance, sportsmanship and respect can help you behave well and develop good character which will help you achieve true happiness both on and off the course, as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle might say.

Golf’s Core Fundamentals requiring rhythm, balance, and power, as well as mental and physical toughness, agility, and strength, can provide a philosophy of life and a guide for the question of how one should live, as Seneca, Epictetus, and the Stoics might say.

Golf’s Rules of Etiquette—playing well with others can be achieved by simply living by the rules of etiquette—including respect for fellow players, respect for the course, and respect for the game—and let’s face it: playing and living well with others is what golf and life is all about as Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau might say.

And golf, of course, is played in nature and sometimes in the most spectacular places on earth. St. Andrews. Augusta. Cypress Point.

Pebble Beach. Words like Majestic, Magical and even Sacred are often used to describe these extraordinary places but no words can fully or adequately capture the true nature of their beauty or the reality of the experience of playing and being there, as Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Sartre might say.

Nature. Reality. Beauty. Being. For these reasons and many more that we’ll explore, golf—just like life and every other sport—can be better understood, and better played, through the ideas of some of the greatest thinkers of western philosophy, and in this book, you’ll learn: How Aristotle Can Help Lower Your Score and Transform How You Perform On the Course; How Epictetus Can Help You Get Over Your Fear of Shanking, Slicing, or Chunking It; How the Stoics Can Help You “Learn Not To Care” About the End Result of Your Swing; How Machiavelli Can Help You Embrace the Idiosyncrasies of Your Swing; How John Stuart Mill Can Help You Maximize Pleasure and Minimize Pain as You Play; How Nietzsche Can Help You Master the “Will to Power” to Pound it Down the Middle of the Course; and How Jean Paul Sartre and Albert Camus Can Help You Embrace the Realities and Absurdities of the Game.

Enjoy your walk, Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D. 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

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California Golf + Travel

California Golf + Travel is published by Golf Lab Media LLC 1224 Village Way, Ste. D, Santa Ana CA 92705 Phone: (714) 542-4653 website: www.CalGolfNews.com California Golf + Travel is published bimonthly and distributed to California golf courses, country clubs, practice facilities, golf retailers, hotels, and resorts Entire contents of this publication is copyrighted Golf Lab Media LLC 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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PHOTO: JEFF GOLDEN

MEN’S COLLEGE GOLF

Dylan Menante of Pepperdine

PEPPERDINE CONTINUES TO PLAY LIKE CHAMPIONS D

efending men’s NCAA champion Pepperdine seems to be gearing up for a run to retain the title. The Waves, No. 2 ranked in the Golfweek/ Sagarin rankings, recently captured the Valspar Collegiate Invitational at Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Florida by 14 strokes over No. 18 Florida State for their second victory of the season, having also won the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in the fall.

Pepperdine finished at 274-266278—818, 34-under-par, while Florida State wound up at 274-285-273—832.

Wake Forest was third at 280-281276—837, followed by Duke at 285276-277—838, third-ranked Arizona State at 272-282-285—839, Ohio State at 276-285-279—840, and fifth-ranked North Carolina at 281-275-285—841.

USC, ranked 100th, finished 14th at 283-293-290—866.

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Dylan Menante, a Waves a junior from Carlsbad ranked 37th in the nation who has finished second on four occasions this season and won the Northeast Amateur Invitational last summer, claimed his first college title by one stroke over Frederik Kjettrup of Florida State.

Menante carded a winning score of 64-65-70—199, 14-under, while Kjettrup of Florida State was second at 64-72-64—200, and Ludvig Aberg of Texas Tech shot 67-68-67—202 to tie for third with Jacob Bridgeman of Clemson, who finished at 67-6372—202.

Jackson Rivera of USC shot 66-6870—204 to tie for sixth, while William Mouw of Pepperdine posted a score of 71-69-67—207 to tie for 10th, and rounding out the scoring for team champion Pepperdine were 63rdranked Derek Hitchner in a tie for

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22nd at 71-66-74—211 and Ian Maspat in a tie for 31st at 72-71-69—212.

The Waves will defend their title in the Western Intercollegiate on April 11-13 at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz.

Stanford, ranked No. 16, led much of the way before finishing third behind No. 7 Washington and No. 43 Nevada in The Goodwin at the Stanford Golf Course in Palo Alto.

UC Davis, ranked 57th, finished eighth, No. 48 San Francisco was in a tie for 12th with No. 65 University of San Diego, while No. 84 California was 15th, No. 87 Long Beach State finished 17th, No. 70 UCLA was 18th, No. 86 St. Mary’s wound up 20th, No. 81 San Jose State came in 23rd and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was 24th.

Peyton Callins of Nevada claimed the individual title followed by Lucas Carper of UC Davis and Sampson Zheng of Cal, while Michael Thorbjornsen of Stanford, ranked 15th in the nation, finished in a tie for eighth.

Other players in the top 100 of the national rankings include No. 17 Thomas Hutchison of UC Davis, No. 45 Karl Vilips of Stanford, No. 53 Joe Highsmith of Pepperdine and No. 55 Joey Vrzich of Pepperdine.

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11/02/2022 4:23:32 PM

WOMEN’S COLLEGE GOLF

NO. 6 SAN JOSE STATE CHALLENGES NO. 1 STANFORD S

tanford, top-ranked in the Golfweek/Sagarin women’s rankings, has a challenger virtually in its own back yard.

Sixth-ranked San Jose State has won three tournaments and finished second once in its first four events of the Spring Season, most recently beating second-ranked Oregon by two strokes in the Silverado Showdown on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa.

Earlier, the Spartans won the Juli Inkster Meadow Club Collegiate by one shot over Stanford at the Meadow Club in Fairfax, and also bested the Cardinal again by three strokes to win the Lamkin San Diego Invitational at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe. “Oregon is really tough, but down the stretch we made a couple of key birdies to hold on,” San Jose State Coach Dana Dormann said after the most recent victory. “We’ve been in this position so many times before, so I knew they had it in them and luckily, it came out our way again.

“This team is strong, free-wheeling and a lot of fun. It’s awesome to watch this happen. The magic continues. I’m super proud of this team.”

It’s been a total team effort as not one of the Spartans have won an individual title during the run.

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Natasha Ondrea Oon, a senior from Malaysia who is ranked 10th in the nation, was solo third in the Lamkin, and tied for 10th in both the Inkster and at Silverado; No. 28 Antonia Malate, a senior from Seaside, was third at Silverado, tied for 16th in the Inkster and tied for 22nd in the Lamkin; No. 40 Kajsa Arwefjall, a junior from Sweden, tied for fifth in the Inkster and tied for sixth in both the Lampkin and at Silverado, and No. 113 Lucia Lopez-Ortega, a freshman from Spain, tied for fourth in the Inkster, tied for 22nd in the Lamkin and tied for 33rd at Silverado.

When the Spartans finished second to Texas Tech in the Mountain View Collegiate, Oon wound up second, Lopez-Ortega tied for third, Louisa Carlbom, a sophomore from Sweden, tied for 18th, and Malate tied for 25th.

Stanford, which won all four of its tournaments in the Fall, also has played well in the Spring, capturing the Gunrock Invitational by 35 strokes over Washington at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, finishing second in the Juli Inkster and the Lamkin, and tying for third in Ping/ASU Invitational.

Top-ranked Rose Zhang, freshman from Irvine, won her first three events with the Cardinal during the Fall and finished second in the Gunrock

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and the Inkster, tied for fourth in the Lamkin, and tied for 10th in the Ping; 11th-ranked Brooke Seay, a senior from San Diego, tied for fifth in the Gunrock and the Inkster; 16th-ranked Aline Krauter, a senior from Germany, tied for fourth in the Ping, tied for 15th in the Inkster, and tied for 16th in the Gunrock; No. 26 Rachel Heck, a sophomore from Memphis, Tenn., who claimed the 2021 NCAA individual title, got off to a show start this season, but then won the Lamkin and Gunrock titles, and No. 93 Caroline Sturdza, a freshman from Switzerland, tied for 16th in the Gunrock and tied for 19th in the Inkster.

In addition, Seay tied for 65th to win low-amateur honors in the Chevron Championship, the first LPGA Tour major of the year on the Dinah Shore Stadium Course in Mission Hills.

Ninth-ranked USC is led by No. 2 Amari Avery, No. 33 Katherine Muzi, No. 60 Cindy Cou and No. 95 Brianna Navarossa, while No. 17 UCLA has No. 13 Emma Spitz, No. 74 Alessia Nobilio and No. 91 Ty Akabane.

Also in the top 100 are No. 51 California, No. 53 San Diego State, No. 66 Pepperdine, No. 68 San Francisco, No. 73 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, No. 75 Sacramento State and No. 93 Fresno State.

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NEWS

PUBLIC GOLF ENDANGERMENT ACT

ASSEMBLY BILL 1910

Story and Photos by SCGA

P

ublic golf courses in California dodged a bullet when a new California Assembly Bill never actually came to a vote in early April.

Assembly Bill 1910, the latest version of a bill originally introduced in 2021 as AB 672, was pulled from the Local Government Committee by author Cristina Garcia, (D-Bell Gardens). The proposed law would turn public golf courses into affordable housing.

The proposed law has been opposed by several golf organizations, including the Southern California Golf Association, Northern California Golf Association, the PGA of Southern California and the United States Golf Association.

“While the reasons for the withdrawal are known only to (Garcia), we have reason to believe that she pulled it because it didn’t have the

SCGA Director of Public Affairs Craig Kessler

SAVE PUBLIC GOLF

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Golf is being singled out

among the state’s open spaces and recreational activities for development.

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SPRING 2022

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California municipal golf courses account for

45% OF GOLF PLAYED

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PRESERVE open space PROVIDE habitat PROMOTE biodiversity SUPPLY groundwater basins

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NEWS

SAVE PUBLIC GOLF

22% 90%

votes to get out of committee today,” the OF JUNIOR, complexes. InCalifornia addition, the bill ignores municipal Act and also the SCGA said in a statement after the bill SCHOOL, the Parks Preservation was pulled from committee. “While it Surplus Landgolf Act. The Surplus Land Act is possible to bring the billAND backDEVELOPMENTAL to the allows cities courses or other municipalities to sell of California OF GOLF Local Government Committee it land but those who will keep thePLAYED land as GOLFwhen PROGRAMS account golf courses are next meets April 20, it’s hard us to see recreational are first in line for the propoccurfor at municipal for facilities. what can beATTACK done betweengolf now and then erty.

UNDER to secure the necessary votes for passage.”

Kessler said that while the bill made The proposed bill was pulled from a it through the housing committee of the committee, signally the end of the latest assembly, he believes that the bill was struggle for what could allow municipal pulled from the local government comgolf courses in the state to be converted mittee because Garcia didn’t have the five into affordable housing. The bill has yet to votes needed to advance the bill. open space receive a full vote from the Assembly.

In addition, Kessler said the SCGA has among the state’s open The bill could have allowed golf courses contacted legislators and talked about spaces and recreational habitat owned by municipalities to be redeveloped how communities want to keep their activities for development. into affordable housing and provided $50 municipal golf courses, putting additional million in state grants for developers. pressure on assembly members biodiversity Craig Kessler, director of public affairs “So we will be watching those things,” for the SCGA, says approximately 22 perKessler said. “But I think it is highly groundwater basins cent of the 1,100 golf courses in the state unlikely.” are municipally owned.

The bill failed to get out of committee in “Put yourself in the position of a politi2021, then made it through two commitcian. Every vote they cast upsets sometees before stalling in the appropriations body,” Kessler said. “But they cast those committee in January. The bill was then votes to upset someone if there is some re-introduced with the new AB 1910 numreal positive good that they believe in. So ber in February. even though an officer holder is commitAB 1910 could be submitted to the local ted to building more houses, they look at government committee again in a few this and say, ‘So I’m going to upset a lot weeks, but Kessler said Garcia needs to be of golfers in exchange for so little housassured that she has the voters she didn’t ing?’ I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” have before the latest proposed vote Golf organizations have said they Kessler added that there is a process believe the bill targets golf rather than known as “gut-and-amend,” in which a bill also focusing on other recreational areas is stripped of all content and refiled with like parks, soccer complexes or baseball unrelated content at the close of session.

Golf is being singled out

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GOLF ICONS

MARION HOLLINS SHAPED THE FUTURE OF GOLF

Bobby Jones, Marion Hollins and Peter Hay Photos By JULIAN P. GRAHAM/ LOON HILL STUDIOS

E

ven though Marion Hollins was finally elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame last year, she remains one of the most unappreciated people in the history of the game.

That might be because Hollins died in 1944 at the age of 51 in Pacific Grove due to cancer and complications from a stroke.

Reading Hollins’ resume up until then, you have to wonder what she might have accomplished had she lived to an old age. “Marion Hollins is most deserving of this honor,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, when she was elected to the Hall of Fame. “She was a principal force of the game, the visionary of some of today’s greatest courses, and I am grateful that her contributions will be celebrated as part of the 2021 Class and thereafter in the World Golf Hall of Fame.”

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(L-to-R) Dr A MacKenzie teeing off the 16th at Cypress Point, his wife and her friend taking photos - 1929

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GOLF ICONS

(L-to-R) Dr. Alister MacKenzie, Marion Hollins, HJ Whigham - Editor of Town and Country, and Robert Hunter Sr. on the future 18th fairway at Cypress point.

Hollins was born on Dec. 3, 1892, in Manhattan in New York City and was runner-up to Gladys Ravenscourt at Wilmington, Del., in the 1913 U.S. Women’s Amateur before winning the title in 1921 by defeating Alex Stirling, 5 and 4, in the match-play final to deny Stirling a fourth consecutive title.

In addition, Hollins served as playing captain for the inaugural Curtis Cup Match for the United States against Great Britain and Ireland at Wentworth Golf Club in England, and led the Americans to a 5½-3½ victory.

In addition, Hollins claimed many amateur victories, winning the Pebble Beach Women’s Championship seven times, the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association Championship in New York three times, the Long Island Championship twice, and the 1920 Griswold Cup Challenge in 1920, among numerous other titles.

In 1929, Hollins and Glenna Collett Vare defeated the legendary Walter Hagen and Johnny Farrell, the 1928 U.S. Open Champion, in an exhibi26

SPRING 2022

tion match at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach.

By then, Hollins had gotten involved with course development, most notably The Women’s National Golf and Tennis Club on Long Island and two soon-to-be renowned courses in California.

Hollins enlisted noted architects Seth Raynor and Devereux Emmet to design the course at The Women’s National Golf and Tennis Club in 1915. The club also featured 22 grass tennis courts and men were allowed only as guests.

Hollins originally wanted Raynor to design Cypress Point, but when he died in 1926, she hired Alister MacKenzie. Hollins was responsible for the redesign of the iconic par-3 16th hole, one that MacKenzie originally designed as a par 4, but later thought might be too difficult for a par 3.

Later, Hollins happened upon the land that would become Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, while riding her horse. Again, she enlisted MacKenzie to design the course, and Bob Jones, after being eliminated

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in the first round of the 1929 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, played one of the first rounds on the layout.

Pasatiempo hosted the 1986 U.S. Women’s Amateur won by Kay Cockerill of San Jose and UCLA, and is the club where five-time USGA champion Juli Inkster honed her skills. Inkster’s childhood home was along the 14th fairway.

“This has been a long time coming,” Inkster told The Associated Press when Hollins was elected to the Hall of Fame. “She was at the forefront for women, not only in architecture but she was an amazing athlete– the tomboy before they knew what a tomboy was. She was very successful, and she was respected, and she had a lot of confidence in herself.”

As the clincher, Hollins convinced Bobby Jones that MacKenzie should be the principal designer of Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters.

To learn more about Marion Hollins, go to www.loonhill.com and check out Marion Hollins, Her California Life in 158 Photos by Barbara Briggs-Anderson.

GOLF & TRAVEL

GREATER ZION

AN AMAZING GOLF DESTINATION L

ocated just 90 minutes north of Las Vegas, Greater Zion is a year-round golfer’s paradise with something for golfers of all abilities. This Majestic land is home to 13 spectacular courses that feature stunning vistas within a 20-mile radius of Zion National Park in the Southwest corner of Utah.

Copper Rock Golf Course is the newest of the courses and is in the budding community of Hurricane, which is noted for its desert landscape and backdrop of sandstone formations. This 18-hole course covers 6,901 yards and will host the LPGA EPSON World Championship Tournament this spring.

Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club is a gated course that winds through lava rock across 7,085 yards and is available exclusively to members and guests of the Inn at Entrada. Originally a Johnny Miller Signature course, it is undergoing a major $7-Million course renovation project led by David McLay Kidd.

Green Spring Golf Course is one of the most challenging courses in Greater Zion with hole Nos. 5 and

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California Golf + Travel

6 rated among the top in the state for difficulty. This Gene Bates-designed course offers incredible views of Pine Valley Mountain and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The Ledges Golf Club sits 900 feet above St. George and has an unobstructed view of Snow Canyon State Park. The back nine is known as the “magnificent nine” for its spectacular scenery. The combination of quality golf and comfortable lodging keeps people coming back year after year.

Sand Hollow Resort’s John Fought-designed 18-hole Championship Course has consistently been ranked as one of Golfweek’s top 100 resort courses and #1 in Utah. The Resorts Links course is a 9 hole, 3,600 yard, par 36 that has the largest greens and fairways in the state. They also have the Wee course, which is Southern Utah’s only Par 3 golf course.

Sunbrook Golf Club provides a combination of scenery, challenge, and quality, that has consistently been named the best course in Utah by Golf Digest.

With the addition of the Black Rock Nine, Sunbrook is the only golf club in southwest Utah to feature 27

f

PHOTO: DAVE BECKER

PHOTO: JAY DASH

N

View of Zion National Park from Observation Point Trail

Tuacahn Amphitheatre

PHOTO: JAY DASH

Sand Hallow Resort, Championship Course

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PHOTO: BRIAN OAR

GOLF & TRAVEL

Coral Canyon Golf Course

championship holes. From bluff tops to black lava rock, golfers will experience 27 unique and challenging holes among the tree-lined fairways.

Bloomington Country Club amenities include golf, pool, tennis and a restaurant. This private country club offers a variety of membership opportunities designed to meet the needs of families, individuals, and businesses. The club created a “Member For The Day” program so you can experience the course for yourself. Call or stop by the club for more details Coral Canyon Golf Course 7,200yard, par 72 layout provides breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon’s snow-capped pink spires in the winter and Zion National Park’s green springtime bloom. In Fall 2020, Z Golf Management group became the majority owner and management company that will continue to provide quality golf, exceptional customer service, and a memorable experience.

Dixie Red Hills Golf Club offers a spectacular red rock setting and is playable for all golfers. It’s a ninehole, par-34 layout that meanders around sandstone cliffs. This golferfriendly course features hundreds of 30

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The approach to hole #14 at The Ledges Golf Club

mature Cottonwoods, Mondale Pines, Mesquite and other trees. If you want to play in the red rocks, you can’t get any closer than this.

Sky Mountain Golf Course is named for the view from the elevated tee boxes and offers more incredible views of Zion National Park than any course. You will find yourself gazing

California Golf + Travel

at the cliffs of Zion National Park and the rim of the Pine Valley Mountains in the distance. Sky Mountain is a public, 18-hole course owned and operated by the city of Hurricane.

Southgate Golf Club is a par-70 layout along the Santa Clara River that golfers must deal with water hazards on eight of the first nine

GOLF & TRAVEL

Entrada at Snow Canyon Country

holes. Fortunately, the fairways on the front nine are wide, so there is plenty of room to avoid the water hazards. The back nine is completely different with narrow fairways and hills that tend to be more challenging than the front nine water hazards.

St. George Golf Club has a been the go-to course for locals for the past 30 years. It’s a par 73 course that can be played from 5,203 to 7,238 yards depending on your skill level. The golf course is also one of the more walkable courses in the area for those who enjoy walking.

SunRiver Golf Club is one of Southern Utah’s great championship golf courses that is consistently in outstanding shape. The smooth greens and well-manicured bentgrass tee boxes keep golfers coming back. SunRiver plays along the Virgin River and is surrounded by some of the most colorful desert landscape anywhere.

In addition to world class golf, Greater Zion is home to four state parks that offer rock climbing, horseback riding and more. Zion National Park also offers 239 square miles of hiking trails including the iconic “Angel’s Landing” and “The Narrows” 32

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The Virgin River inside Zion National Park

and you can tour scenic Zion Canyon on bicycle.

In 2021, Zion was certified as an International Dark Sky Park with its breathtakingly majestic starry skies that are as impressive as the tower-

California Golf + Travel

ing red rock cliffs where you can enjoy golfing below during the day.

For golfers of all abilities and anyone else, Greater Zion has it all.

For more information, visit www.GreaterZion.com.

Congratulations to Brannon Fahrny

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANNON FAHRNY 2022 YORBA LINDA CITY CHAMPION

SHELLY HAYWOOD (157) Women’s Championship Flight GRANT COONLEY (140) Men’s First Net Flight

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GOLF DESIGN

PUSHING CREATIVE BOUNDARIES TO GROW THE

GAME OF GOLF

AWARD-WINNING GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT AGUSTIN (AUGIE) PIZÁ DRAWS NEW OR BEGINNING GOLFERS TO HIS MULTIPURPOSE GOLF COURSES BECAUSE THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE FUN!

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rt had Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist who co-founded the Cubist movement and is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century. His pioneering art approach from Impressionism to Cubism developed an entire new movement, now known as modern art.

Golf has Augie Pizá, a Mexican golf course architect who has received many international accolades for his golf course concepts including a Forbes Magazine recognition as one of the top one hundred creative minds from Mexico. His ability to push past conventional or standard golf course layouts is leading an evolution in golf course design, one that is founded on less resources, less time, more golfers and more fun.

Pizá refers to his design concept as Multipurpose.

Pizá was formally educated at the Edinburgh University in Scotland where he earned his Master’s in Golf Course Architecture. He also has a Bachelor of Architecture in ITESM and is a proud member of both the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) as well as at the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).

“I believe my traditional education and experience provides me the confidence to push past creative boundaries as I know what will or cannot work,” said Augie Pizá, founder of Pizá Golf. “My Multipurpose Golf

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concept is doing out of the box thinking or designs but with a structured strategy.”

The Pizá Multipurpose Golf concept is to design and develop golf courses on a smaller footprint for sustainability and timing purposes. They are much quicker to play. These smaller parcels improve people’s fitness, and social skills as well as introduce nongolfers to the game.

Pizá considers Multipurpose Golf as a way of maximizing the land and attracting a broad range of visitors.

In most cases, the driving range is simply overlooked in the design process. This is an opportunity to create something interesting, different, something aesthetically beautiful but extremely fun to play. A notable example of this is at the Puerta Cortés Resort where Pizá and his team renovated an overlooked driving range into a successful golf facility and academy.

The Puerta Cortés renovated driving range now features a 10-hole pitch-and-putt (with holes varying between 30 and 130 yards) and a new range. The innovative design is fee based and a wide variety of people are enjoying it which has also produced extra income for the client.

This small footprint provided a nice return on their investment but more importantly brought new people to the game. As Pizá likes to state, “Fewer resources can sometimes

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mean more fun,” and no where is this demonstrated more than at the five-star Chablé Resort & Spa near Mérida in Mexico.

Pizá transformed a small footprint, less than five-acres, into a Multipurpose Golf Course which invites guests to connect with the natural elements, including the surrounding Mayan Forest, to promote a sense of wellness.

The concept of blending the experience of well-being with a Multipurpose Golf Course, coined, and registered by Pizá as Wellness Golf TM, captured the Global Future Award, and was highlighted at the USGA Innovative Symposium in Japan and at MIPIM In Cannes, France.

The Pizá layout encourages players to expand beyond the mental and physical aspects of the game and connect on a spiritual, emotional, and environmental level. People can play barefoot to fully experience nature and grounding.

The Wellness Golf Multipurpose Golf Course features nine tee boxes that span up to 200-yards, all which can be played in a variety or multiple ways. Golfers can choose a playing preference, novice or challenging.

Golfers can play any format and will be finished in under 90-minutes.

Pizá does not limited his Multipurpose Golf concept to commercial properties but offers the design to his private clients as a golf lounge, called The Pit. The award-winning golf complex centers around a large green that features multiple pins and surrounded by a variety of bunkers and short grass areas, perfect for the kids to roll around in or make sandcastles. Its name is a nod to the fire pit incorporated into the design. The Pit can also be enjoyed at night, whether

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GOLF DESIGN

playing golf or not as it is equipped with a disco ball, an elite sound system, and mood lighting.

“I want more people playing golf.

I want them to have fun. Creating these Multipurpose Golf Courses on small parcels of land is a terrific way of achieving this,” said Pizá.

Pizá most recently was included in Golf Inc.’s Nine Most Innovative People in Golf. According to Golf Inc., “If he were an auto manufacturer, Pizá would be recognized for “concept cars” – vehicles that showcase imagination and hint of future possibilities. He would be the Elon Musk before the Tesla rolled off the assembly line.”

Recently, Pizá joined forces with PGA TOUR Champion, and Golf Channel Analyst – Brandel Chamblee.

The newly formed partnership will expand the Pizá Golf Branded Collection and their signature Pizá Chamblee golf designs will feature Multipurpose designs and will be available on select projects. The duo is working on projects in both the United States and in Mexico.

For more information on Pizá Golf, please visit the company website: www.pizagolf.com.

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13

INDUSTRY PROFILE

DORMIE WORKSHOP HAS COME A LONG WAY IN A SHORT TIME

S

even years ago, Todd and Jeff Bishop had a lot golf smarts, all kinds of passion and a pretty good backstory.

It included chasing the sun as mini-tour players, giving that up for teaching, starting a golf school, and even doing a start-up golf business featuring glass ball markers. What they didn’t have was a single handmade leather head cover to show anyone.

Humble beginnings don’t get a whole lot more humble.

Buying a small chunk of space at the 2014 PGA of Canada Atlantic Merchandise Show in Moncton, N.B., the brothers put a leather hide on display and told anyone who passed by that if they took a chance on their handcrafted leather head covers, they would not be disappointed.

Chris Billings, director of golf at New Brunswick’s Kingswood Resort, placed Dormie Workshop’s first order.

Halifax’s Ashburn Golf Club came soon after and Cabot Links on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island wasn’t far behind.

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INDUSTRY PROFILE

The Bishop brothers from left to right. Todd, Jeff, and Alex Taking advantage of social media engagement, its unique website, and a network of PGA Merchandise Shows in Orlando, Fla., and across Canada, the small Halifax start-up quickly built a cult following to go along with a growing customer base.

Word of mouth spread fast.

Extending the brand’s reach was widespread media attention. Dormie Workshop’s authenticity and Nova Scotia roots were highlighted by a number of major outlets early on including Golf Channel, SCOREGolf, Golf Digest and Forbes Magazine.

“Quality handmade leather products are always going to resonate,” said Bishop, quick to point out how the material remains one of nature’s most technical fabrics. “The market was there.”

Never lacking are ideas or inspirations for prototypes. The company’s product range includes driver, fairway wood, hybrid and putter covers as well as yardage books, accessory bags, gloves, sweaters, T-shirts and jackets.

Mainstream sporting crossovers have proven advantageous. A chance meeting with the father of Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady led to the development of 40

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Dormie Workshop’s G.O.A.T. 12 and other G.O.A.T head covers.

Through a licensing agreement, the company is the official leather head cover of all 32 teams in the National Hockey League and recently the Bishop Boys closed on a local license that secured them an alignment with the Toronto Raptors through Real Sports.

Golf-wise, Dormie Workshop continues to maintain collaborative partnerships with the PGA of Canada, Golf Canada, PGA of Atlantic Canada, and Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

It has done work for Augusta National Golf Club through an alignment with Foray Golf and is now involved in Jack Nicklaus’ Play Yellow campaign.

Also forged recently was an agreement with TaylorMade Golf in Carlsbad, Calif., for putter covers and limited release head covers.

With youngest brother Alex leading the design process, Dormie has morphed into some pretty elaborate custom work these days. Extending into new features like appliqués, windows, and use of foam to create 3D effects, there’s not much the team won’t try.

Patty Ta

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EQUIPMENT

SHOES with Comfort and Style

By ED TRAVIS

G

olf shoes need to look good, that’s style and color, but the bigger requirement is they must be comfortable while providing the performance needed on the course. Most of us have worn shoes that made 18 holes an agony--not fun, and fun is why we play this maddening game.

Comfort speaks for itself and the four plus miles and four hours we have them on our feet mean the choice of shoe is maybe as important to our game as our choice in driver or putter. Performance covers several factors starting with the traction needed for walking and swinging plus things like water resistance for inclement conditions and breathability when the temperature and humidity are high.

Here are a few models we like and think you will too, so check them out.

Duca Del Cosma Wildcat Women’s Shoes No one ever said golf shoes couldn’t be fun and the Wildcat from Duca Del Cosma is that featuring an eco-friendly construction in a comfortable design from Italy. The insole is made of breathable memory foam and the inner sock is waterproof for overall comfort. The outsole has triangular nubs with a 2-way twist to give the wearer a grip on the ground walking or swinging. Four colors: Red, White, Pink Fluo, Silver. $209

FootJoy FJ Fuel Men’s Shoes The FJ Fuel looks comfortable, and it is with waterproof uppers of quality synthetic material designed for fit, relaxed style and performance with a lightweight foam called Stratolite to provide the cushioning. The outsole is the new Power Stabilizer design FootJoy says will “provide optimal support and control.” The athletic fit includes lots of room in the forefoot with slightly narrow heel. Select from four color combinations. $130 42

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Olukai Kapalua Men’s Shoes Here’s a sneaker-style shoe with features golfers will appreciate every time they are worn either playing or after the round.

They are lightweight and breathable with reinforced lateral support. The spikeless sole gives traction in each direction and the textile upper is treated to be water repellant plus for off course wear there’s a Drop-In Heel. Olukai bills them as “the most comfortable golf shoes you can wear.” $150

Duca Del Cosma Churchill Men’s Shoes The styling is a classic favorite, and this Italian-made golf shoe handcrafted of Nappa leather has an outsole with their spikeless Airplay XI design using 5mm square nubs allowing Churchills to be worn on or off the course. The inner sock system of microfiber is waterproof, and the insole is memory foam plus the heel support is made of recycled cork.

Choose from two colors: Royal Blue or Cognac. $229

True X Linksoul Knit II Men’s Shoes Linksoul and True Linkswear challenge the usual with the Knit II, an all-day-comfort lightweight shoe with a “sock-like” feel in a high-performance design. Constructed for durability the plastic cleat soles give traction regardless of the conditions and the Knit II upper is a blend of polyester (90%) and Spandex (10%). There’s even original artwork on the insoles and each pair comes with a matching shoe bag. $159

New Balance 574 Greens Men’s Shoes The 574 is a popular court shoe, and the New Balance 574 Greens bring similar performance with waterproof protection to the golf course. The upper is a mesh material for flexibility and reduced weight combined with hi-tech microfiber leather and the sock liner is extra thick for added comfort. The outsoles are constructed with increased durability in high wear areas.

Three color choices: white/blue, grey/ white, black. $100

Puma Proadapt Alphacat Men’s Shoes An all-new design, hi-tech materials and premium construction give the Alphacat comfort and performance desired in a spikeless golf shoe. Inside features Adapt Foam for cushioning, energy return and the ground feel players like. The upper has a special TPU film for support and waterproofing. Four colorways are available as is the choice of laced or disc closure. A women’s model will be out soon. $160

Asics Gel-Kayano Ace Men’s Shoes This lightweight shoe has comfort and performance in a forward-looking style.

The Gel inner absorbs foot impact with special stability from the TPU heel cradle. The upper is a mesh material for flexibility and the lining is waterproof plus there is padding around the ankle just like Asics running shoes. The outsole uses a distinct wedge-shaped stud for traction in most any conditions. Select from four color combinations. $170

Adidas Tour360 22 Men’s Shoes Adidas put the Boost midsole in the Tour360 22 model for added comfort and energy return with each step and the 360Wrap design for support while swinging. The leather upper is topped by a padded collar and the cushioned sock liner makes for a comfortable fit. Performance is additionally enhanced by the TPU outsole using six plastic spikes designed for a positive grip of the ground walking or swinging. $210 California Golf + Travel

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EQUIPMENT

“GOLF-TECH” IS HERE TO STAY

By ED TRAVIS

C

hances are, in addition to the clubs in your bag made of “hi-tech” materials like titanium and carbon fiber, which some still think of as exotic, there are one or more items of equipment using sophisticated technology unknown just a few years ago. Whether is the simple measurement of distances, evaluation of our swings or providing pleasant background music the possibilities for “Golf-Tech” are growing all the while. The use of sophisticated technology is evident at every level of the game and has mushroomed with no end in sight, in fact these many of these devices can help every golfer to score better.

Add to that the evolution of affordable launch monitors, game simulators plus video teaching and there’s only one possible conclusion, the age of “Golf-Tech” is here to stay.

Below are a few devices with features we like and can confidently suggest are worth your evaluation should you be in the market to upgrade your personal “Golf-Tech.”

MGI Sureshot Pinloc 6000IPSM Rangefinder This laser rangefinder will give yardages to the flag up to 390 yards to +/- one yard and to help with battery life it shuts off after 15 seconds. Once locked on the target a vibration can be felt and the scan mode, to help with other distances, is effective up to 1100 yards. A built-in slope feature compensates for the terrain and can be turned off for competitive rounds. A magnet in the case holds the device to the cart. $299

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MGI AXS GPS Watch Many like getting shot distances from a GPS readout and the AXS GPS Watch from MGI is a great choice. It’s good looking with easy-to-use button controls, a scratch resistant face and connects to MGI’s Sureshot app on a mobile device via Bluetooth. Yardage to the front/back/center of the green and to hazards is instantly available and a built-in score card is standard. Up to 12 hours battery life in Play Golf Mode. $199

Blue Tees Series 3 Max Rangefinder This golfer-friendly priced laser rangefinder has the features needed to make it invaluable to players of all skill levels. It is water resistant with a quick focus and a distinctive vibration feedback when it locks on the flag. The readout compensates for a shot’s up or down slope with an on/off switch to comply with the USGA regulations plus it adjusts to the lighting conditions and has a magnetic cart mount. $260

Puma PopTop Bluetooth Speaker This PopTop Bluetooth speaker powered by Speaqua Sound Co. brings your music to the range or the course all day with 10 hours of battery life while recharging your phone at the same time. It’s rugged, the outside is made of silicon, and has lots of well thought out features such as dual speaker pairing, a hook to attach to your bag and there’s even a Puma ball marker on the bottom plus the metal ring doubles as a bottle opener. $130

Bushnell Wingman Many of us like to listen to our favorite tunes on the course and the Bushnell Wingman is a quality speaker which Bluetooth connects to a smartphone to play whatever suits your mood. But that’s not all because pushing the button on the remote control it announces the distance to the front, back and center of the green. Other nice touches include magnetic cart attachment and a USB port to charge other devices. $130

Bushnell Launch Pro Launch Monitor A sophisticated 3-camera system coupled with infrared sensors provides critical data on your swing indoors or outdoors. Among the many measurements shown for each swing are carry distance, ball spin, launch angle, clubhead speed, smash factor, and club path. The basic one-year Foresight Sports software package is included. Other packages and simulation software are optional. Basic Launch Pro $3,000

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GOLF TIP

HIDEKI’S POWER AND BALANCE

ONE

TWO

By JOHN BURCKLE Photos GORDON SEAY The start of the downswing could be one of the most important sequential moves in the golf swing.

Unfortunately, most amateur golfers don’t understand the importance of this “magic” move. Let’s look at Hideki Matsuyama’s downswing and learn from his wonderful transition into the ball and through to his finish.

Let’s start from the top of his backswing (photo 1). It helps that Hideki has a fantastic backswing. His legs are stable supporting his upper body and club. His weight is on the inside of his right foot and his head is behind the ball. These are all so important to the transition.

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Now it’s time for that “magic move” (photo 2) the shifting of the lower body to the forward leg as the head stays back. This is a difficult move for most amateurs as they tend to shift their upper body first. We call this hitting from the top. Notice how Hideki has shifted into his left side. This move allows the club to drop to an inside path on the downswing which is why we call it the magic move.

Hideki does an outstanding job of posting up onto his left leg through impact (photo 3), which allows him to maintain perfect balance and maximum extension with his hands and club. His left leg has straightened as he delivers the club to the ball. It’s key that your

THREE knees and hips don’t get in front of your left foot.

Imagine a wall in front of your lead foot and you can’t go through it but instead turn straight up against it.

You can see (photo 4) his body and club have completely unwound into a perfectly balanced finish. He’s completely onto his left side and his back foot has finished onto the toe of his shoe with very little weight on it.

If you can learn to shift the lower body towards the target in the transition from backswing to downswing, a lot of magical things will start to happen in your golf swing.

FOUR

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

IMPROVE CLUB PATH, ANGLE OF ATTACK AND YOUR HYDRATION

By JORDAN KING THOMAS ydration is one of a golfer’s best friends that can keep them in the game longer. However, two water bottles can improve more than just your hydration! There are a few simple drills that can improve your ball striking while you stay hydrated.

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CLUB PATH

The first aspect of how we can improve your golf game with water bottles is the club path.

Whether you are trying to shape the ball from right to left or if you are trying to shape the ball from left to right you can do both if you have two water bottles. If you would like to see the ball move from right to left (for a right-handed golfer) here is the drill for you. To create this training station, we would want to put the first water bottle two inches back and one inch above the back outside quadrant of the golf ball. The second water bottle will go two inches in front and one inch inside of the front inside quadrant of the golf ball (photo 1). The goal in this drill is to avoid the water bottles and swing the club from inside to out effectively swinging the clubhead from 7 o’clock to 1 o’clock as you are coming into impact.

1 2

This will produce the proper club path for a draw with a square club face (for a right-handed golfer).

Now if you are a player that likes to see the ball go from left to right, we simply want to place the trail water bottle two inches behind and one inch below the back inside quadrant of the golf ball and the second water bottle will go two inches in front and one inch above the front outside quadrant of the golf ball (photo 2). This will create an outside to inside club path (for the right-handed golfer).

Here you will be swinging the clubhead from 5 o’clock to 11 o’clock and you’ll see the ball start left of the intended target line and then curve back to the right, with a square clubface at impact.

ANGLE OF ATTACK

Lots of golfers think that they need to help the ball up with their irons and subsequently it will produce improper ball striking. It is with a driver that we want to see an upward angle of attack and we want to see a downward angle of attack with our irons.

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Hitting down on the ball with our irons is the best way to achieve compression and proper ball striking. There are several ways to do this but one of the best that I’ve found is to place a small water bottle 2-3ft behind the intended ball to hit (photo 3). As we go back, we want to make sure that we miss the water bottle. As we are coming down into the delivery position just before impact, we want to hold our lag or radial deviation while we are turning our hip and torso through impact. Avoiding the water bottle will help ensure that the clubhead is making a downward strike into the ball. Remember that the bottom point of the downswing with an iron is 2-4 inches in front of the ball.

Hitting up on the ball with a driver is a great way to ensure the best ball striking and the most distance. With a proper setup and this drill, you will be able to see the ball soaring through the sky. In terms of setup, we want to see your lead shoulder higher than your trail shoulder. This will create the correct spine tilt, that helps with the clubhead ascending into the golf ball at the moment of impact. The next part of the process is placing a water bottle 12-15 inches in front of the intended teed ball to hit (photo 4). The sheer effect of missing the water bottle in front of the teed ball will create an upward angle of attack producing the desired contact and more distance.

These are all great drills for you to improve your ball striking and club path with these simple keys to focus on and all the while staying hydrated. Put proper intent into your practice and you will see more out of the time that you put into your golf game.

At the end of the day practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

3

4

JORDAN KING THOMAS Palos Verders , CA Rick Smith Golf Academy www.pga.com/coach/jordankingthomas

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WINE SELECTION

HELLO FRIENDS OF PINOT:

THE CALLING

By MATT PALAFERRI y the time this article has gone to print, The Masters will have concluded. Tiger may or may not have finished in the top ten after a long layoff. The smooth, never-getsold swing of Fred Couples may or may not have made the cut. I can’t tell the future, but what I can be assured of is that Jim Nantz on The Master’s broadcast has said, “Hello friends” and “a tradition like any other.”

There are so many things that go hand-and-hand when thinking of and watching The Master’s, but being an adult grape juice guy, whenever I hear that mesmerizing voice of Nantz, I think of his wine, The Calling. Every year, I listen and wait for him to all of a sudden do a selfless promotion and say something like, “Hello my cork dork friends, while I have some time, before this guy I’ve never heard of three putts, let’s take a moment and talk about my fantastic Pinot Noir from the Fox Den vineyard.”

I can picture him holding up the bottle, gazing at the label, taking a sip on live TV while Nick Faldo tries to think of how he’s going to turn this segment back into talking golf.

B

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Unfortunately, Nantz is way too professional to ever do something like that on The Master’s telecast. Sigh.

Bummer. Wait!! Perhaps the NFL broadcast with Tony Romo? Romo would totally get the self promotion of a fine wine, right? Yeah, probably not, so I guess I’ll promote it.

I recently tasted the 2018 Fox Den Vineyard pinot noir with winemaker James Macphail and it is tasting fantastic. James describes the wine as “luscious, complex, and robust” and I couldn’t agree more. There’s a ton of red fruit and spice on the nose as well as a long finish that screams for some seared duck or grilled pork chop. The Fox Den is aged 16

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James Macphail months in French oak and the grapes were hand picked, hand sorted and punched down three times a day to enhance the most flavor as it possibly can.

Little history on this Russian River vineyard. It was named for a family of foxes that lived on the vineyard for decades. The conditions are ideal for growing world class pinot with the variations of temperature throughout the growing season. Cool mornings and sunny afternoons help ripen these grapes and give a structure to this wine “unlike any others” in the region. See what I did there?

The Platinum tier of The Calling wines isn’t just limited to the Fox Den. They also have Sunny View, Patriarch, Searby, Promissio as well as a few amazing chardonnays.

James was kind enough to taste them all with me and some friends and they are all different, amazing, and unique in their own way. Keep it up, James. If you keep nailing these wines maybe Jim will take you to Augusta for a round. Ok, Pebble?

Maybe a municipal course? Putt putt?

Buy you a sleeve of balls? Well, next time you come to town, if we can run through them again I’ll take you somewhere! Remember: when you think of The Masters, remember The Calling. Until next time.

You can find these wines at most fine wine shops and online. Ask your favorite restaurant to bring them in.

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