California Golf + Travel Fall 2022 OC

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In Other News: A Brief History of the Annual White House Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon

There are competing claims about when the annual White House tradition of “pardoning” a Thanksgiving turkey began. Some say it dates back to the 1860s, when Abraham Lincoln’s young son Tad begged his dad to spare the life of a wild turkey named Jack that had been sent to the Lincolns to be part of a holiday dinner.

Others claim that the tradition began during Harry Truman’s administration. Although it’s true that the National Turkey Federation has been providing holiday turkeys to the White House since 1947, when Truman was in office, there’s no evidence to prove that this story is true.

While John F. Kennedy spared a turkey’s life on November 19, 1963, just three days before his assassination, he didn’t use the word “pardon.” Instead, the bird had a sign hanging around its neck that read, GOOD EATING, MR. PRESIDENT! which prompted Kennedy to quip, “Let’s just keep him going.”

The first president to use the word “pardon” in reference to a holiday turkey was reportedly Ronald Reagan, who deflected questions in 1987 about pardoning Oliver North in the IranContra affair by joking that he would also pardon a turkey named Charlie, who was already heading to a local petting zoo.

Which brings us to George H.W. Bush, who was apparently the first president to intentionally “pardon” a turkey. At the National Turkey Presentation Ceremony in 1989, Bush light-heartedly remarked: “Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy - he’s granted a Presidential pardon as of right now - and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”

Although no one knows exactly when

this White House tradition began, we do know where some of the turkeys have been sent after receiving their presidential reprieves. From 1989 to 2004, the fortunate fowls were sent to live at Frying Pan Farm in Virginia.

The venue changed in 2005, however, when Disneyland was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. That year, a lucky turkey named Marshmallow and his alternate Yam were taken by police escort to the airport and then flown first class to California.

According to the Associated Press: Marshmallow became the Grand Marshal of Disneyland’s Thanksgiving parade and the sign above his float read “The Happiest Turkey on Earth.” The turkeys then retired to a coop at the park’s Big Thunder Ranch. Disney World in Florida got the birds in 2007, when they arrived on a United Airlines flight renamed “Turkey One.”

In 2010, the venue changed yet again. Instead of being sent to Disneyland, the 21-week-old turkey that Barack Obama pardoned was sent to live out the rest of his life at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia. Upon its arrival, it was driven to his pen in a horse-drawn carriage and greeted with trumpet fanfare.

A spokeswoman for Mount Vernon said it was appropriate that the turkey go to Washington’s home since he was the first president to issue a national Thanksgiving Proclamation and he raised wild turkeys at Mount Vernon.

So what does this have to do with golf? Nothing! Except to say that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest golf day of the year—so book your tee time early then tee it high and let it fly!

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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We all engage in the great sport of criticizing the weathercaster. We know it’s hard to predict weather in a place where the weather comes off the largest ocean in the world, but we can’t help it. They get it wrong; we make fun.

But we can only hope that they have it wrong this time, because the meteorologists are predicting a 4th year like the last three – another La Niña pattern set to bring the American Southwest another dry year and another dry year in a climate sufficiently warmer and drier to produce less runoff from whatever meager snowpack we do get in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain Ranges. An 80% chance of persisting through January for the 3rd year in a row say the meteorologists.

A “three-peat” La Niña is rare. It has happened only twice before since record-keeping began. Of course, “record-keeping” encompasses only a 140-year data base, less than a nanosecond in geologic time. La Niña occurs when ocean temperatures in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are below normal, which shifts the storm track that California depends on northward.

Add to the dismal predictions about the precipitation year that began October 1 a few more disquieting realities, and the picture is not pretty. The Colorado River, which during the 2012-2016 drought was sufficiently robust to provide relief, is in critical condition today. California has already announced that it is ceding 9% of its current Colorado River allocation, and it is virtually certain that this was but a down payment on more in givebacks the 1st quarter of 2023.

A feature of both traditional La Niña’s and even more so the conditions that prevail under warmer, drier conditions is the “atmospheric river” – deluges that drop inordinate amounts of rain in quick bursts on an infrequent basis, providing most of a year’s precipitation in two or three storms. The problem: The infrastructure required to capture that rain and store it does not yet exist. Less snow that yields less water per snowflake in conjunction with less rain that falls less frequently that cannot be captured before running out to sea; that’s what the weathercasters are telling us to expect.

We can only hope that they have it dead wrong. Our laugh will be one of relief, not derision. Golf can deal with the first four levels of drought declaration. It can manage the 5th level for a time. Beyond that, golf and much else are in for a rough ride.

And so, we wait and hope – in the short term, that is. Longer term, we must recognize that California cannot simply conserve its way out of what is increasingly looking like permanent drought.

Conservation will always be a crucial tool to be sure, but it cannot be the only tool. An effective toolbox must include the water capture and conveyance technologies consistent with a 21st century weather pattern far different from the conditions that existed from 1880 to 2000.

Craig Kessler Director of Public Affairs for the SCGA Chair of the Coachella Valley Golf & Water Task Force

IS GOLF RECESSION PROOF?

I once asked a wise economist if we were headed for a recession.

“We’re not in one, are we?” he responded, before pausing for dramatic effect.

“Then we’re headed for one.”

The golf business has weathered eight recessions over the past 50 years. And, once again, we’re headed for another. That is, if we aren’t already in one. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the official arbiter of recession status, has yet to declare the current stretch as such, even though this year started with two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

Each time a recession looms, the question arises, “Is Golf Recession Proof?” Put simply: No, we’re not.

I was first asked this question in the late 1980s and it’s continued to crop up over the years, as this 1990 cover of “Golf Shop Operations” attests.

That said, we do have some things going for us. We enjoy a generally affluent customer base, 47% with household income above $100,000. Unless the recession is broad and deep, consumers with this level of income generally keep on spending. On the other hand, 53% of U.S. golfers have a household income of $99,000 or below. Many of these customers feel the pinch of a recession sooner and more acutely than more-affluent golfers.

Knowing another recession is inevitable, we were recently asked to share our advice with golf course operators who, for the most part, have enjoyed a notable bump in business the past few years.

The question: How do you prepare?

Our answer: Strengthen the customer experience.

NGF’s ongoing engagement with the most successful golf course operators and management companies reveals a common thread: ambition to create consistently memorable experiences using a recipe that combines good people and good product. Particularly in the face of a looming recession, it’s about focusing less on hard-dollar initiatives and more on creating happy customers.

Improving the customer experience is neither a new nor novel idea, and yet for most businesses it remains exactly that: just an idea. Meanwhile, those who’ve made it part of their culture and strategies continue to outperform the competition. Think of companies like Apple and Chick-Fil-A, or businesses where “good people” help to elevate an otherwise undifferentiated product. Southwest Airlines, maybe?

There are a number of approaches to try to ensure the golf experience is a memorably positive one. You can find eight of the best practices here.

Here’s one idea. Send an anonymous friend in to “secret shop” your facility. Secret shopping is not being “sneaky,” it’s customer experience research.

Great businesses do it regularly, and a few take it to an extreme, like those who appear on “Undercover Boss.”

You’ll learn what kind of an experience you’re offering and whether you think people will choose to play golf at your facility in the middle of a recession. You might be surprised what you discover – good or bad.

But you can’t take steps to improve any shortcomings unless you know about them first. Mark Twain put it this way: “It’s not what you don’t know that kills you, it’s what you know for sure that ain’t true.”

Beditz

President / Chief Executive National Golf Foundation, NGF.org

Joseph

BIG WIN FOR STANFORD MEN

The fifth-ranked Stanford Men’s Golf Team is trying to make like the Cardinal’s top-ranked Women’s Team, which is defending NCAA Champion.

The Stanford men came from six strokes down in the final round to win the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate on the Lakeside Course at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga., against some best team in the nation after winning the Fighting Illini Invitational about a month earlier.

“Getting big wins early in the season is a huge momentum boost for everyone,” said Coach Conrad Ray, who led the Cardinal to the 2019 NCAA Championship. “We realize there is a ton of golf to play, but it’s always good to compete strongly in one of the top fields in college golf on a U.S. Open venue. Top teams make winning a habit and that is what we

are hoping to try and establish early on this season.

“Everything was first class and a big thanks to the Golf Club of Georgia staff for all of their efforts. The course was in phenomenal shape and the tournament was run super well.”

Michael Thorbjornsen, a Stanford junior from Wellesley, Mass., is ranked second in the nation after winning the Fighting Illini Invitational and the Golf Club of Georgia Invitational individual titles, in addition to finishing third in the Stephens Cup and seventh in the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational.

Stanford also has No. 33 Karl Vilips a junior from Australia who won the Gold Medal in Boys Golf at the 2018 Youth Olympics and who recently was in the hunt in the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship before fading to a tie for 11th, plus

No. 56 Ethan Ng and No. 92 Barclay Brown. No. 16 Pepperdine, the which claimed the 2021 NCAA Championship under Coach Michael Beard, is ranked No. 16 and features No. 10 Derek Hitchner, No. 50 William Mouw and No. 136 Sam Choi.

San Diego State ranks No. 22 in the nation behind No. 61 Shea Lague and No. 171 Youssef Guezaale, Long Beach State is No. 60 with No. 6 Ian Gilligan, while USC is No. 65 thanks to No. 120 Mahanth Chirravuri and No. 152 Jackson Rivera.

The University of San Francisco ranks No. 69 led by No. 244 Benjamin Partridge, the University of California is 71st headed by No. 319 Nathan Wang, Fresno State ranks 94th with No. 85 Matthews Sutherland, and San Jose State is No. 95, as Caleb Shetler at No. 168.

STANFORD CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

Defending

NCAA Women’s Champion Stanford and Rose Zhang, the top-ranked women’s amateur in the world, have picked up right where they left off last season.

The top-ranked Cardinal won three of their first four events during the Fall Season, capturing the Carmel Cup, the Big Match against archrival California, and the Stanford Intercollegiate Presented by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, while finishing third in the match-play Stephens Cup.

“You know, everyone says that (we’re the team the beat),” said Stanford Coach Anne Walker, the 2022 NCAA Coach of the Year. “That’s not what we see internally. And I think when you get caught up in the noise and what everyone says around you, that’s typically when things don’t shake out.

“And so, we work really hard (to avoid that). We’re fortunate that we’re

in that position that they can say that about us and these young women have earned that right, but at the same time, we work really hard at just staying focused on what we’re doing every day and not listening to the outside noise.”

Zhang, a sophomore from Irvine who won the 2022 NCAA Women’s Individual Championship and the 2020 U.S. U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, has claimed individual titles in the Carmel Cup and the Stanford Intercollegiate during the Fall Season to give her eight victories in her college career.

“It’s been insane, said Zhang, who claimed the 2022 Annika Award as the best U.S. amateur addition to earning the McCormack Medal as the best women’s amateur in the world each of the last three years. “I’ve just been trying to keep myself as rested and as composed as possible, but there’s

obviously a lot of media and stuff going on.

“I’ve just been taking it one day at a time. I’ve been enjoying every single moment, no matter how bad or how rough things were out there. I’m just very proud to be here. … The grind doesn’t stop.”

Stanford also has 13th-ranked Sadie Englemann, No. 20 Megha Ganne and No. 37 Rachel Heck, who was the 2021 NCAA Individual Champion, in the top 50 of the individual rankings.

San Jose State is ranked 11th in the nation, led by Kajsa Arwefjall at No. 40 and Anotnia Malate at No. 47; with USC at No. 13 behind 13th-ranked Amari Avery, No. 70 Cindy Cou and No. 72 Brianna Navarrosa; UCLA at No. 30 led by No. 12 Zoe Campos and No. 83 Ty Akabane; 40th-ranked Pepperdine, which is topped by No. 87 Lion Higo, and No. 48 California, which features No. 179 Jieming Yang

ITALIAN DESIGNED GOLF SHOES FOR ON AND OFF THE GOLF COURSE

PGA ICON TOM ADDIS III

Tom Addis III recently celebrated his 50th anniversary as a PGA professional, spending the last 17 years as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Southern California PGA.

However, Addis will be 77 on Nov. 30th and he’s decided to call it a career on Dec. 31—well sort of.

“The key is that I am retiring from full time work, but they’ve asked me to stay on a couple extra years to work on special projects, and I’m really looking forward to that because it means working only a couple days a week,” Addis said recently. “We’re going to celebrate our 100th year as a section in 2024, which will be one of my projects, and I’m really looking forward to that.”

“I’ve been a PGA member for 50 years and that’s kinda cool. I’ve been on the job here for 17 years and Nikki Gatch, who is going to take my place, is top-notch and

really has a good grasp of everything from membership, player development and our junior golf program. She’s already doing things to keep us going in the right direction.

“My agreement in 2018 was structured for four more years, and considering my age and the workplace today, it was a good time for retirement, to call it a career. Those extra two years are really important. I’ll be almost 80 and I feel good physically, but you never know.”

Addis was Director of Golf at Sun Valley Golf Club in La Mesa in 1969 when he was 21 after spending two years as an assistant and was the PGA Head Professional at Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon (now Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan) for 31 years beginning in 1972.

In addition he served as president of the San Diego Chapter of the SCPGA in 1978 and 1979, was head of the SCPGA once before in 1980-82, and was president of the PGA of America in 1995-96, after serving two years as its secretary and two years as its vice president.

“Tom has been doing his job so well for so long,” said Dick Johns, who grew up in Oakland and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but would end up being a colleague of Addis when he became executive director of the Middle Atlantic PGA for 17 years. “Tom Addis is a prince of a human being and has been a great administrator for the PGA of America and the Southern California PGA.

“Tom was with Singing Hills for so long before he went to the SCPGA, which always was a good section before, but he made it even better and took it to a new level as one of the best sections in the PGA of America. We became good friends in 1995 when I took over the Middle Atlantic PGA and tried to emulate some of the things that Tom did with the SCPGA

to make our section better.

“But the best thing was that we became good friends.”

Addis, who is one of the few PGA of America professionals to serve as a chapter president, section president and national president, also served as owner and president of Medallion Golf Incorporated from 1999-2006, was a staff instructor at Professional Golfers Career College from 2000-06, Vice-President of Golf Development for Full Swing Golf in 1999-2000, and was an advisor for National Golf Foundation Far East from 1998-2006.

However, Addis will always be best known for his work with the SCPGA.

“I don’t have one thing that I did here that stands out to me,” Addis said from SCPGA headquarters in Ontario. “I started this to make the

section better, to create excellent relationships for people throughout our organization and with other organizations, and to just make all of our programs better.

“I felt that bringing all of my experience with the PGA of America here that we could make our programs and members better, and make them take more pride in what they do, and I think we’ve done that. Our members are the best, plus our sponsors, and our programming is the center of attention and is focused toward our PGA and SCPGA Jr. Tour members.

“Just to name a couple things I am proud of right now, we have many top pros in our section but Jamie Mulligan of Virginia Country Club in Long Beach was selected 2022 PGA of America Teacher and Coach of

the Year, and we recently surpassed 3,400 members in our junior program.”

Addis also pointed out that 2021 FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay of Los Alamitos, 2021 Olympic Gold Medalist Xander Schauffele of La Jolla, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa of La Canada Flintridge, Max Homa of Valencia and Sahith Theegala of Chino Hills, who all finished in the top 30 of the 2022 FedEx Cup point standings, came up through the SCPGA Junior Tour.

So did Lizette Salas, 5-time Solheim Cup Member and Rose Zhang of Irvine, the No. 1-ranked women’s amateur in the world who

won the 2022 NCAA Championship for Stanford; Anna Davis of Spring Valley, who captured the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and Yana Wilson, who lives in Henderson, Nev., but played on the SCPGA Junior Tour, and claimed the 2022 Annika Invitational and the 2022 U.S. Girls Junior Championship.

Addis doesn’t like to blow his own horn, but in addition to the offices he has held, he also was recipient of the 1981 PGA of America Horton Smith Award, the 1989 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award, the 2008 Special Olympics Conrad Rehling Award, the 1988 National Golf Foundation Joe Graffis Award and is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.

In addition, Addis is a member of the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame, the Southern California PGA Hall of Fame, the Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame, the Southland Golf Hall of Fame and the San Diego Junior Golf Association Hall of Fame.

Addis also was Captain of the United States Team in the 1998 PGA Cup Matches and Captain of the U.S. Team for the 2002 Jr. Ryder Cup Matches.

“All of my honors have special meaning to me, but I’m very proud of the Rehling Award,” said Addis, who also has received an honorary membership in the National Amputee Golf Association for his contributions to that organization and its members.

“We started working with (cofounders) Eunice and Sargent Shriver and the Special Olympics in 1988 and years later it finally became an official sport.”

Addis and his wife of 56 years, his high school sweetheart Susan, live in Beaumont and have two sons, Tom IV and Bryan, who both work in the golf industry, in addition to six grandchildren.

THE NEXT LEVEL IN GOLF TRAVEL

Combining bucket-list sporting events and authentic travel experiences with spectacular golf on the world’s greatest courses is what Golf Traveller does best, all wrapped up in a bespoke itinerary designed to meet your every need.

The atmosphere of the Super Bowl is something that can’t be captured or truly felt on television, it’s what the term ‘bucket list’ was invented for, an event every sporting fan wants to see, first-hand, at least once in their lifetime.

Getting a ticket for that in the same week as you’ve experienced another of sport’s ‘big ticket’ items, the Waste Management Phoenix Open in neighbouring Phoenix, and you’re talking next-level travel. Spliced in and around the two sporting event galacticos are rounds in the dramatic landscape of the Sonoran Desert such as at the Scott Miller-designed Cholla, at We-Ko-Pa or at Grayhawk Golf Club for Tom Fazio’s Raptor.

In between the golf and events? Insider tours of the art galleries, museums, restaurants and ‘Old West’ charm of Scottsdale itself as part of a bespoke itinerary taking in the best restaurants [the locals’ choice], the best bars and seamless transfers designed to get you where you want to go, when you want to go.

Super Bowl LVII and the Waste Management Phoenix Open is a prime example of a Golf Traveller experience. They combine the needs of a discerning golfer – the best courses, access to exclusive clubs – into an immersive travel experience, using in-depth des-

tination knowledge to create a tailored itinerary that meets your every travel need, from where and what you eat, to the hotel you stay in, to the activities you do, and of course the golf you play. It could be Arctic Circle golf and the Northern Lights or gastronomy golf in San Sebastian or playing Open links golf around the main event itself, to discover more about the experiences offered, explore Golf Travellers 50 Best Golf Experiences at golftraveller.com

5 OF THE 50 BEST GOLF EXPERIENCES

Golf Traveller has compiled a list of the 50 Best Golf Experiences, revealed each week on their social media channels and viewed at golftraveller.com/50best.

Here are five of the entries...

SCOTTISH PRIVATE CASTLE STAY AND TOP 100 GOLF

Arriving via helicopter to your 17thcentury Scottish castle, your private staff greet you ready to cater for your every need, whether it be a dram of the finest single malt, the sound of bagpipes to soundtrack your Scottish feast, or even some highland dancing. From your historic abode in the Angus glens,

Waste Management Phoenix Open

you have Scotland’s finest to play – St Andrews, Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Royal Aberdeen and Trump International.

DECADENT FRANCE PAST AND PRESENT AND RYDER CUP GOLF

Take in the splendour of the Palace of Versailles, where French royalty once held court in the most ostentatious fashion, and then sample modernday decadence in the form of Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin-starred cooking before playing a Ryder Cup venue – all just a short drive from Paris. The 2018 Ryder Cup host Le Golf National, also set to host the 2024, is among the golf highlights that can also include Harry Colt’s Golf de Saint Germain.

WITNESS RORY MCILROY ATTEMPT HISTORY AT THE 151ST OPEN

Play two Open Championship courses, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (10 and 11 Opens respectively), and be there when Rory McIlroy attempts to make it a Hoylake

#15 Carnoustie Golf Links

The five-star Turin Castle

#6 at Le Golf National, Albatross Course

Inside the Palace of Versailles

double – repeating his win in 2014 before heading for the most famous music venue in the world. A third round will take you to Formby – where then amateur Jose Maria Olazabal beat Colin Montgomerie in 1984’s Amateur Championship – another golfers’ favourite in this north-western corner of England.

NATURAL GOLF WONDERS OF NEW ZEALAND

Delve into the history and culture of New Zealand, while tackling some of the world’s most spectacular courses. The wild, verdant, volcanic, sometimes ethereal, Pacific-fringed landscapes of New Zealand provide the perfect home for some of the world’s most spectacular golf. Rounds include Kauri Cliffs, the most breath-taking of links courses, with no fewer than fifteen holes with a view of the Pacific and Tara Iti, New Zealand’s first-ever American-style private golf club and arguably Tom Doak’s finest work.

THE MASTERS AND ATLANTA’S MOST EXCLUSIVE GOLF CLUBS

Witness the battle for the Green Jacket, play Atlanta’s best, then head to Pinehurst No.2.

For golfers, April means one thing, The Masters at Augusta. Every golfer has spent that first full week of April transfixed by the legends of the game

doing battle across Alister MacKenzie’s Georgian masterpiece. This experience not only gets you access to Augusta, but also rounds at some of the best private clubs in Atlanta before heading on to Donald Ross’s classic, Pinehurst No.2.

Visit www.golftraveller.com for more information.

Tara Iti New Zealand

The Masters at Augusta

Altozano El Nuevo Colima A Country Club Experience for a Lifetime

For years, golfers living in or visiting the Colima, Mexico area had only the nine-hole, par-3 Club de Golf La Colima on which to play. Then, in 2011, Carter Morrish and Rafael Alarcón, Lorena Ochoa’s golf coach, designed and opened Altozano El Nuevo Colima Golf Club, and an upper-scale housing development has been created around the course that has attracted golfers from around the world.

“We have members who come from all over the world,” said Rafael Ramirez, head professional at Altozano El Nuevo Colima Golf Club. “They come from the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Korea and even more countries. The word has gotten out of what a great facility we have, and people have come from everywhere.”

“We have a great community here and are only about a 10-minute drive from Colima, the prices are relatively inexpensive, we have good restaurants, the Pacific Ocean is only about 40 minutes away, so people can come here to play golf and have a great time doing many things.”

Mike Stubbs, a former golf writer who has lived in San Diego for most of his life, traveled through Mexico and Colima many times when he was younger, played the nine-hole course and eventually met his wife, Mayte, who lived in the area. When he played the Altozano Colima for the first time, Stubbs couldn’t believe it.

“We knew the guys who were building the course, and I couldn’t believe they were going to put a golf course there,” said Stubbs, who graduated from San Diego State and still works in the San Diego area. “I was in awe of how great the course was the first time I played it, and then they started building houses around the fairways, and the community is simply a beautiful place.”

“We fell in love with Altozano and went there as often as we could because it was so much fun to be there. We finally bought a house there on the last year, and we go there as much as we can, but I’m still in my 50s and am too young to retire, although that is where we will do that someday.

“When I’m there, I play golf in the morning with friends, and sometimes when the course is empty in the afternoon, I’ll grab my clubs, walk down to the first tee and play maybe three holes before heading

home to have a drink. It’s such an enjoyable place, and when I’m not there, that’s where I want to be, and even though I’m a golfer, that’s not only because of the golf. The region has so much to offer.”

In addition, there are people who have been on the move for much of their lives before retiring and have found the Altozano El Nuevo Colima the perfect place to settle down. Among them are Dan and Anne Rourke, who consider Green Cove Springs, Florida their home in the United States.

“In early 2018, my wife and I retired to Lake Chapala, Mexico,” Dan Rourke said. “Years of living and working abroad made pulling up roots in the U.S. and starting a new chapter in life an easy transition for us. The amount of golf options, the large expat community, and the affordability of living close to a major city like Guadalajara made our first three years here fly quickly by. My wife, Anne, played in a women’s golf tournament at Altozano Golf Club and told me afterward: ‘You would love this course.’ We scheduled a trip and played four rounds. After each round we sat at the pool snack bar and I said: ‘I could live here.’ We returned a month later and played a few more times…once again I said: ‘I could live here.’”

“The (employees) treated us like VIPs each time. The entire staff and management were outstanding. The facilities were all in pristine condition, and of course the golf course spoke for itself. We came back one more time, looked at membership costs, lot prices, met with an architect and went home to make a decision. We put our house in Lake Chapala up for sale and it sold in two days.

“We could not be happier with our decision to make Altozano our home. It is truly a first class golf course

and housing development with a bright future. We have felt welcome from day one by the members here and have quickly acclimated to ‘the good life’ in a country club in Mexico at a cost of about half of what you would spend north of the border.”

Golfers who don’t own a home at Altozano can stay in Colima at Fiesta Hotel, which has an agreement with the development, or Hotel Gama Colima, regarded as one of the best in the area. And like everything else in the area the price is right.

Altozano is located in the state of Colima in the central western region of Mexico, about a ten-minute drive from the city of Colima, roughly a two-hour drive south from Guadalajara, and about 40 minutes north of the Pacific Ocean. It borders on the north, east and west with the state of Jalisco and to the southeast with the state of Michoacán.

With this geographical location, it is considered privileged, for both tourism and economic activity, as in both cases the state of Colima and its capital offer alternatives to meet the expectations of those seeking quality leisure time, as well as for those who are simply looking for a better place to raise a family.

The beaches near Manzanillo on the West Coast of Mexico are considered to be among the best in the country.

“All of the beaches along the coast there are spectacular, and most of them are ideal for family outings,” Stubbs said. “But there is one beach, Boca de Pascuales, that is one of the best surfing beaches in the world, and the waves there are for advanced surfers only.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in the Colima Airport when I didn’t see a surfer who I thought was from

California, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, with of course their flip-flop sandals. I knew they were either heading for Pascuales or coming back from there. And the best thing for them, and for me, is that there are three-hour, non-stop flights from Tijuana to Colima every day.”

For those who come for the golf, and not the surfing, the course at Altozano is everything they could ask for, and more.

The course measures 6,682 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 70, with a course rating of 72.2 and a slope of 135. There are six par-3 holes and four par-5 holes on the 11-year-old Morrish-Alarcón-designed layout, and one hole plays directly toward the Colima Volcano, which last erupted about three years ago. Said one golfer after playing Altozano for the first time: “It’s one of the coolest courses I’ve ever played. ”

Altozano plays a bit like a resort course on the front nine with generous fairways and greens while the back nine winds through a heavily wooded area and has the feel of a parklands course. Bermuda grass makes up the fairways while and the greens are composed of MiniVerde™ grass, and there are challenging bunkers of Silica white sand throughout the course protecting many of the raised greens and in strategic spots on the fairways.

“It’s almost like two different courses,” head pro Ramirez said. “The front nine is basically flat while the back nine is very hilly in spots and surrounded by dense vegetation, pretty much like a jungle.

“The course can be difficult, but like most golf courses, if you can hit most of the fairways and greens, you can have a pretty good round. The greens have a lot of slope and can be tricky, and it can take a while to figure them out. It’s a challenging layout.”

Altozano is best known for “The Bermuda Triangle,” hole Nos. 13, 14 and 15. No. 13 is a par-4 that measures 438 yards from the back tees with a blind tee shot over trees to a narrow fairway with the river on the left and out of bounds on the right. The approach shot also must carry the river and the trees to a green guarded by a cavernous bunker.

“It’s all the golf hole you could want,” Stubbs said.

The 14th hole, another par-4 that measures 485 yards, might be even more difficult because it’s longer and plays into the wind toward a diabolical green that slopes in different directions and doesn’t have a single flat spot.

The threesome ends with a 198-yard, par-3 that plays downhill into a crosswind which wants to push the ball toward the water on the right, but you have to be careful playing away from it, because there also is water on the left.

Once through “The Triangle,” the golfer comes to the par-5, 546-yard 16th, perhaps the most beautiful hole at Altozano that plays downwind and on a clear day it gives you a gorgeous view of the volcano. When the round is over, members can take advantage of all the amenities in the clubhouse, including the swimming pool, gym, steam rooms, snack bar and Hoyo 19, “The 19th hole.”

And try to make it on Thursday, because that’s “Taco Night” at Altozano. Visit www.altozano-colima.com for more information.

HUNTER RANCH

GOLF MECCA OF THE CENTRAL COAST

Paso

a world-class wine meets small-town cowboy charm destination.

Add world-class golf to that description, as Hunter Ranch, a stunning 18-hole championship golf course carved among majestic blue oaks and rolling hills, has become the crown jewel of golf in San Luis Obispo County.

Hunter Ranch is a must play for golf enthusiasts visiting California’s Central Coast. Widely known for greens that putt smooth and fast, the course is set atop Paso Robles highest point with vistas overlooking picturesque vineyards and

pristine meadows. Golf Digest has rated Hunter Ranch four and a half stars (out of five), describing it as California’s best kept secret. The course design is both thrilling and fun for players of all skill levels and features an array memorable holes where the risk/reward factor keeps golfers coming back again and again.

Enjoy pre/post golf food selections in Hunter Ranch Bar & Grill offering inside and outside seating with stunning views of surrounding wine country, or grab-and-go options available at the turn. The golf shop is stocked with attractive golf wear for men and women and every accoutrement that a golfer would need. Warm up on the practice range that features natural

Robles, known for its majestic vineyards, and oak dotted hills located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, has been described as

grass and three practice holes to work on your short game. Lessons are available from PGA pro Steve Hahn.

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the St. Lucia Mountains, Hunter Ranch is only two hours south of Pebble Beach, and two hours west of California’s Valley communities, and the perfect stop for a stimulating round of golf while touring Paso’s thriving wine country. Golfers love the “rustic ranch” clubhouse design, convenient parking, and an immediate view of Hunter’s dramatic elevation changes and meticulous grooming. The public course offers a valueadded membership, scheduled tournaments, and provides a perfect setting for outings or special events.

Whether you are just passing through or making a special trip, Hunter Ranch offers “stay & play” packages with Paso Robles partner hotels and nearby resorts of Pismo Beach. This is truly golf, the way it was meant to be played.

For more information, visit www.hunterranchgolf.com

ELEGANT AND COMFORTABLE CANYON CREST COUNTRY CLUB

Canyon Crest Country Club in the suburbs of Riverside is respected as one of the best private golf clubs in Southern California’s Inland Empire.

The Canyon Crest course, which was designed by Olin Dutra and opened in 1968, plays to 6,584 yards and a par of 72 from the back tees, with a course rating of 71.4 and a slope of 124, with five sets of tees for players of all abilities.

Canyon Crest is located about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and it’s about another 40 minutes to Palm Springs.

“It had been about 18 months since I last played there, so was looking forward to returning,” said one golfer who posted a review about Canyon Crest. “The course was in very nice overall condition, and I thought the greens were excellent. It was much faster than I remembered, with more movement than I recall.

“The staff is fantastic. They seem to make every effort to make your golf experience positive. We had the third time off at 7:24. We played in 3:20, which isn’t great, but not too bad. I enjoyed the course and have to make a point of getting out here more often.”

Said another golfer who played Canyon Crest for the first time: “I played in a tournament and l liked the course a lot. I would play again. It’s much better than average for a course in that area.”

The elegant yet comfortable clubhouse has panoramic views of the surrounding desert mountains, tropical palms, pines and eucalyptus trees, the lake with its 50-foot fountain, and the

lush greenery of the fairways.

You can play Canyon Crest, a private non-equity golf course with a “Accompanied By Member” guest policy, if you know someone who belongs to the club. Canyon Crest is a privately owned establishment and the course contact is General Manager Travis Cho.

“It’s a very good course but it can be very challenging, but also a fun time for the beginning golfer or the pro,” Cho said. “There are not too many flat areas where we are located and the course is a little bit hilly.”

“It’s a very good test because there are a lot of variations to both the fairways and greens. You don’t really get the same thing twice. And there is a creek that runs through the course, coming into play on six of the holes.”

Cho said the par-4, 448-yard 12th is one of the best holes at Canyon Crest, featuring several bunkers and a heavily wooded area down the right side, with

the creek coming into play for long tee shots, while the par-3, 190-yard fourth is the signature hole featuring a tee shot that must cross the lake with a fountain in the middle. Another hole Cho singled out was No. 17, a 366-yard par-4 from an elevated tee, with a fairway that bends to the left, making it a blind tee shot down the hill.

Canyon Crest also considers itself the premier wedding venue in Riverside. It is a beautiful locale where guests enjoy ultimate cuisine, service and atmosphere. The Canyon Crest private events director is available to help you plan the ideal Riverside wedding with menu selection, entertainment, audiovisual availability and other features.

If you are a serious golfer who knows someone who is a member, or you have a chance to compete in a tournament at Canyon Crest, this is a course you definitely want to play. For more information go to www.canyoncrestcc.com

Canyon Crest Country Club membership includes Golf, Tennis, Pickable, Heated Pool, Gym, and Dining

The Latest Golf Equipment Just in Time for the Holidays

By ED TRAVIS

With fall here the holidays aren’t far behind, and golf gifts are always appropriate whether your golfer has professional level skills or is like most of us best described as “recreational players.” The staff at California Golf + Travel knows there are literally hundreds of equipment gift possibilities and have sifted through them to find those we like and even want to be the recipient of, if someone is reading this who has a

Bettinardi 2023 HLX 5.0 Wedges

reason to purchase one of us a gift. A note of caution, however. As we have been saying for years it’s a good idea when buying golf clubs to have them fitted professionally which can easily be accomplished either with a gift certificate or by taking advantage of a retailer’s exchange policy.

The proper clubs and bags make our game more fun and after all isn’t that why we play?

Forged from carbon steel for a soft feel the HLX 5.0 wedges have the center of gravity higher in the head for a lower trajectory. Achieved by more closely spaced milling lines on the back, more weight could be left in the flange further helping with control of each shot. Grooves have been cut with Bettinardi’s proprietary Helix Cut machining to produce more spin on the ball. Either chrome or graphite PVD finishes $220 each.

Blue Tees Player Pack

Need a gift that has it all? Here’s the Player Pack from Blue Tees that includes a 3 MAX laser rangefinder with slope calculation, flag lock, and even a magnetic strip to fix it to a cart. There’s also a Magnetic Wireless Speaker to take your tunes to the course with 12-hour battery life and a cell phone charging port. The Pack also has a MagHub to attach the rangefinder to your bag plus a divot tool, all for the price of $399

Cleveland Golf Launcher XL Halo Irons

Easy-to-hit is a perfect description for this hybrid-irons with lots of resistance to twisting supplied by the large hollow head. The lower lofts have a sole rail which transitions in the higher lofts to a 3-tier sole for consistent contact. The face is a variable thickness design to help compensate when impact isn’t exactly in the center and grooves are more closely spaced in the short irons. A set of 5-iron through D-wedge is $799.99

Cobra Golf T- Rail Hybrid Irons

The hollow construction of these hybrid irons helps get the ball airborne from most any lie while producing distance to gratify any player. The T-Rail sole has Cobra’s dual Baffler Rail design and the aptly named “H.O.T. Face” is engineered using an artificial-intelligence computer program to produce the most efficient speed and spin and a larger more forgiving sweet spot. Set of seven clubs $799

Vessel Player III Stand Bag

The Vessel Player III is quality made from synthetic leather and offers the choice of either three full-length dividers in the 8-inch top weighing 6lbs or 14 full-length dividers weighing 6.3lbs. A double strap is standard as is the high stability stand system featuring legs made of carbon fiber. The nine pockets include one internally that may be locked and two water bottle sleeves. Eight color selections each priced at $435

XXIO 12 Driver

Those wanting a super lightweight driver should take a look at the XXIO 12. With a 41-gram shaft and 31-gram counterbalanced grip it weighs in at just 282 grams, significantly less than most other drivers. The head has an aerodynamic shape to give stability during the downswing and distance is improved with a special frame having alternate areas of flexibility. Retail price is $699.99.

Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 523 Series

Forgiveness is the watch word for the new Hot Launch 523 Series from Tour Edge with the game-improvement C523 and super gameimprovement E523 versions. Both include a driver, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons which in the case of the E523 model are the wellknown ironwoods. Either driver is $269.99, fairway woods $169.99, hybrids $149.99, C523 irons $79.99 each and E523 ironwoods $99.00 each

Nothing Beats a Gift of Golf Apparel

By ED TRAVIS

For the holidays a gift of apparel for your favorite golfer is a sure winner. It’s your chance to dress up him or her on the course reflecting your taste in comfort and style with an eye to performance.

The staff at California Golf has some definite opinions about what to wear while on the links and here are a few of the products we like offering a fashion forward look with lots of color choices.

Duca Del Cosma Bologna Winter Golf Shoe

Here’s just the shoe, really a boot, should a cold day otherwise be suitable for getting on the course. The high fashion Italian designed Bologna, made in Europe, makes a statement on the course and after the round. Waterproof and constructed of microfiber and Nappa leather the insole is removable with a memory foam insert sole of recycled cork. There’s a Quick Lacing System and traction nubs on the sole. $259

Linksoul Melin Hat

Linksoul and performance headwear experts at Melin created a workhorse cap with superior technology and construction that is durable and water resistant. It even floats. Featuring a clean look and minimalistic shape, the Linksoul x Melin A-Game Hydro hat has a hidden pocket, antimicrobial sweatband and 3D molded rubber Linksoul patches. Heather Charcoal, Black Camo, Heather Ocean, Olive. Priced at $38

Kaenon Avalon Polarized Sunglasses

These quality sunglasses for men or women offer nine frame colors and we like the ones in Champagne with a brown tint lens. The frame is flexible and lightweight—just 29-grams including lens--with either a matte or glass finish. Wearers like the well-made hinges that are strong and resist corrosion plus the hypoallergenic recessed nose pads of no-slip rubber. Designed in California and comes with hard case. $125

Radmor Perkins Sweatshirt

Everyone wears sweatshirts and if you’re looking for an ideal gift the Perkins from Radmor is just the thing. Made from a medium weight high-quality loop terry fabric of organic cotton, there’s a slight amount of stretch built in using 6% Elastane for comfort. Plus, the underarm bias cut panel means there’s never any restriction of your swing. A stylish look featuring the classic crew neck always in style. $115

Puma Golf Ignite Articulate Golf Shoes

These high-quality shoes are designed to move with a golfer’s swing no matter how vigorous and feature Puma’s Articulation Geometry on the outsole, midsole and upper. The waterproof construction includes Ignite Foam on the interior for advanced comfort the entire round. Traction is provided by the eight cleated sole with Hex Traction Lugs in between. Available in a choice of six color combinations each priced at $180

FootJoy Terrazzo Print Lisle Golf Polo

This unique looking print shirt is lisle fabric with built-in 4-way stretch to allow a full range of motion while swinging. Great for a round of golf or after hours with a traditional self-collar it’s sure to have a place in any wardrobe. The 88% polyester and 12% Spandex material has ProDry fabrication that wicks moisture away from the body and there’s an anti-microbial finish as well. Priced at $77.99

Adidas Men’s Go-To Commuter Pants

A must on the course are pants that fit and don’t hamper your swing. These great pants from Adidas combine good looks with comfort. The fabric is partly made from recycled materials composed of 95% recycled nylon and 5% Elastane twill. The waist is half elastic with belt loops and the tapered legs have partial elastic cuffs. There are both front and back pockets plus there’s a zip pocket for your phone. $89.99

Puma Golf Cloudspun

Colorblock Crewneck

Pullovers are just the thing to wear when the weather is a little cool or under a jacket if the temperature turns colder. This crewneck style pullover is made of fabric with an ultrasoft feel that’s a pleasure to wear and has 4-way stretch of course plus knitted cuffs. The solid color block pattern mixes and matches with most any color slacks. Choose from nine color combinations. $84.99

USING TWO PATTERNS TO FIND NEUTRAL

FADE PATTERN

It is common for players of any caliber to have tendencies toward a fade pattern or a draw pattern. Identifying the ingredients and keeping them aligned with the desired shot shape can greatly simplify pattern optimization or error correction. Players that habitually slice would benefit from learning a draw and vice versa. Advanced players seeking the ability to shape their shots can do so by developing a near neutral pattern and making minor adjustments to create predictable start lines and shapes.

The key to the adjustments lies in the ball position and upper axis alignment- ball forward with minimal secondary tilt for a fade, ball more centered with additional tilt for a draw. I recommend a square stance line for either pattern. The amount of adjustment is based on the amount of curve desired. This simple key elicits the necessary alignment differences: face alignment to start the ball slightly off the target and body lines to match. A minor face adjustment is necessary for precision, but the basic start line and curve usually appears as soon as the pattern becomes comfortable.

OCHIAI, PGA Oak Creek Golf Club www.pga.com/coach/alanochiai

ADDRESS

• Little or no secondary tilt.

• Club face left of target (for right handers)

• Eyes, shoulders, and forearms open to target

• Plane line out-to-in

BACKSWING

• Outside along shoulder line

• Hands high

• Shaft laid off

DOWNSWING

• Club out front

• Keep trail shoulder moving forward to target

FINISH

• Hold off release

• Low handle finish

DRAW PATTERN

ADDRESS

• Ball more centered

• Upper axis secondary tilt

• Club face right of target (for right handers)

• Eyes, shoulders, and forearms closed to target

• Plane line square to slightly in-to-out path

BACKSWING

• Full pivot

• Plane slightly inside

• Face square to path

• Deep hands

• Shaft across the line

DOWNSWING

• Aggressive release from inside FINISH

• Finish with a high handle

Lauren E. Lee of Irvine

ALAN

ORGANIZED PRACTICE AND DISTRACTIONS

By BOB MADSEN, PGA

Iam going to talk about practice and how to make it more productive.

Practice sessions must be organized. Here are the basics:

1. arrive with a plan

2. do the plan

3. leave feeling good Note: learning what your practice sessions should contain is a reason for taking lessons.

These strategies for organized practice are simple to understand.

Unfortunately, only well-trained players of all ages are good at staying organized for an entire practice session.

Staying organized requires three main elements:

1. adequate stamina (including being well fed and rested)

2. adequate attention span (this is built up over time)

3. the ability to fend off distractions.

In this article, I am most concerned with distractions. You must be able

to fend off distractions in order to run an organized practice session. Distractions come in many forms. Buddies appear and want to show you their new driver. They come along and want you to go out and play. They want to chit chat. You have to get back to work. Your smart phone is after you. The ama-

teur next to you wants to “help” and starts sharing some key or pointer that has nothing to do with the lesson content you are there to work on.

Threats to your practice session’s organization are everywhere. To the degree that you allow your plan to get derailed, you will not get better.

BOB MADSEN, PGA Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan www.pga.com/coach/bobmadsen

CLOS DE LOS SIETE A GEM THAT’S A MUST TRY

By Matt Palaferri

You can find many wine regions in the world and many beautiful wines in those regions, but it’s not always easy to find world-class wines in those regions priced so well that you think: it can’t be THAT great. It’s like finding an amazing golf course, and with a cart it was under 50.00. You know what I’m talking about. You want to tell all your friends about the course but really don’t want it to get out because every hack will now go play it (me) and they will raise the green fee’s. That’s what I feel about Clos De Los Siete wine. I love it and I know eventually people are going to start drinking it, realizing how fabulous it is and the price will go up. Well, these things will happen so let’s keep this to ourselves and maybe we can sneak a few past the bunkers before people catch wind.

Argentina is graced with its position to the Andes mountains and its soil composition of gravel and stones that wash down the mountain. Winemakers have flourished here for decades, including the master winemaker Michel Rolland. He and Jean Michel Arcaute, a wine grower from Pomerol in Bordeaux, found an ideal piece of land at 3600 feet above sea level, and Clos De Los Siete’ s story began. We could chit chat about all of the technical and innovative things going on, but let’s just talk about how great this wine is! It’s a red blend with the varieties consisting of: Malbec, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Petite

Verdot and Cab Franc. It’s ripe with soft tannins and pairs will with everything. Literally, I’ve tested this. I was at Capital Grille Steak house in Costa Mesa with Ramiro Barrios from the winery, and a few others and we each ordered something completely different. Steak, Salmon, Chicken and grilled scallops. After I made fun of someone for ordering chicken, we all tasted the wine with each protein and it was amazing how well the wine and food both complimented each other. How many times have we tried to pair a wine at home, or bring wine to a friend and hoped that it would go with what the main course is? The solution is simple. CLOS DE LOS SIETE!!!!!!

Let’s be honest, it’s pretty easy to go and find a wine, retail for $50-75.00 and pat yourself on the back and tell yourself “I’m a genius! This taste great.” Your friends all tell you that you can “always bring wine over,” blah blah blah. Want to impress them and really make yourself feel good? Bring them three bottles of Close Siete for the same cost and tell them, “I found this little beauty made by Michel Rolland in my travels,’ in your best Thurston Howell voice. Ok, the Thurston Howell voice is a little too much but my point is, it will impress everyone at the dinner party.

Master Winemaker Michel Rolland