California Golf + Travel Spring 2023 Los Angeles

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EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

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Jon Rahm and a Brief History of The Masters

Now that the dramatic 2023 Masters has ended with Jon Rahm dominating to capture his first green jacket, let’s take a look at the history of the tournament that has been shaped by some of the game’s greatest players.

Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts were “trying to provide a service to golf when they decided to hold an annual tournament beginning in 1934, according to masters.com. Roberts suggested that the event be called The Masters Tournament, but Jones objected, thinking it too presumptuous.”

The name Augusta National Invitation Tournament was used until 1939, when Jones relented and the name was changed. Many early decisions remain today, including the four-day stroke playing of 18 holes each day (unless it’s rain-delayed or three giant pines fall by the 17th tee!) instead of the then-customary 36 holes on the third day.

Beginning in 1940, The Masters was played the first full week in April. That first tournament was won by Horton Smith , and in 1935, Gene Sarazen hit “‘the shot heard ‘round the world’ scoring a double eagle on the par 5 15th hole, tying Craig Wood and forcing a playoff. Sarazen won the 36-hole playoff the following day by five strokes.”

In 1942, Byron Nelson defeated Ben Hogan 69-70 in a 18-hole playoff and the 1950s included two victories by Hogan and the first of four for Arnold Palmer, whose 1958 win began the tradition of Amen Corner, so-named by the great golf writer Herbert Warren Wind in his classic article in Sports Illustrated.

In 1960, the Par 3 Contest began, and, in 1965-1966, Jack Nicklaus became the first Masters champion to successfully defend his title. In the 1980s, Seve Ballesteros won twice, Tom Watson clinched his second title, and, in 1986 at age 46, Nicklaus donned his sixth green jacket.

In 1997, Tiger Woods famously broke the four-day scoring record in his first major championship win twelve strokes ahead of Tom Kite; in 2015, Jordan Speith tied that record with an 18-under 270 to clinch his first Masters at age 21; and in 2023, Rahm captured his first green jacket with a dramatic, action-packed Masters victory for the ages!

For more information see masters.com.

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

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Accounting Jep Pickett

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NO. 5 STANFORD MEN’S TEAM HAS WON THREE TIMES THIS SEASON

Third-Ranked Thorbjornsen

Claimed His First Victory Among Six Finishes in the Top 10

Stanford’s men’s golf team is trying to keep up with the Cardinal women, who captured the NCAA Championship last season and are ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Stanford’s men’s team, ranked fifth in the nation, has captured the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate and the Fighting Illini Invite titles this season, defeated arch-rival Cal in The Big Match in addition to finishing in the top10 in the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invite, the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, The Prestige, The Goodwin and the Cabo Collegiate.

“We realize there is a ton of golf to play this season and beyond, but it always good to compete strongly in one of the top fields in college golf on a U.S. Open venue and win,” Stanford Coach Conrad Ray said after the Fighting Illini Invite victory. “Top teams make winning a habit and that is what we are hoping to try and establish early this season.”

Michael Thorbjornsen, a junior from Wellesley, Mass, claimed his first victory for the Cardinal in Fighting Illini Invite, later tied for third in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in addition to tying for third in The Prestige, and has finished in the top 10 in six of seven of his tournaments this season.

Thorbjornsen was selected to the 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup team.

“The whole Stanford Golf community is proud of Michael for making such a prestigious team as The U.S. Palmer Cup Team,” Ray said at the time. “To represent the United States and Stanford on foreign soil is a great

honor and especially a neat thing for a Stanford student-athlete. Michael’s results have been great this year and he should be a valuable member of the team. His experience at high levels of amateur golf will serve him well. He joins a strong list of Stanford athletes who have been selected in the past to play on this prestigious squad that celebrates the amazing legacy of Mr. Arnold Palmer.”

Thorbjornsen is ranked No. 3 in the national among college players.

The state of California is well represented in the top 100 of the national rankings with 2021 NCAA champion Pepperdine ranked at No. 9, San Diego State at No. 29, California at No 52, USC at No 56, San Francisco at No. 57, University of San Diego at No. 59, Long Beach State at No. 61, UCLA at No 86, Fresno State at No. 87, Santa Clara at No. 95, Cal State Fullerton at No. 99 and San Jose State at No. 100.

Pepperdine is a sleeper with seven top-10 finishes this season, including a victory in The Prestige, one of the most highly regarded tournaments in college golf, over fourth-ranked Texas Tech.

“I was very impressed with how our

guys handled the uncertainty of finishing and the wind today,” said Coach Michael Beard, who guided the Waves to the national championship two years ago and might have a team to do it again. The conditions were extremely difficult, and they stayed in and battled all the way to the end.

“Winning always feels good, and getting this win this early in the Spring season is big for this team. With four seconds in past years, to finally win The Prestige with this group of guys is really special. The guys have worked so hard this year, so it’s nice to see it pay off a little.”

Behind Thorbjornsen in the individual national rankings are Ian Gilligan of Long Beach State at No. 9, Derek Hitchner of Pepperdine at No. 24, Karl Vilips of Stanford at No. 27, William Mouw of Pepperdine at No. 29, Sampson Zheng of California at No 44, Shea Lague of San Diego State at No. 45, Sam Choi of Pepperdine at No. 47 and Barclay Brown of Stanford at No. 97.

Looking at all of this, you might think that California has the best college golf in the nation.

Michael Thorbjornsen of Stanford

ZHANG, STANFORD AGAIN ATOP WOMEN’S COLLEGE GOLF

pated). Augusta National is a true testament to our game.

“It’s’ an honor to play and win there.”

Said Stanford Coach Anne Walker, who walked the course at Augusta National along with several of Zhang’s Stanford teammates: “Rose was walking a tight rope all day (in the final round). It was just great to see that last putt go in. We’ve all known how good she is and this simply verified it.”

While Zhang has stepped up her game in college events with Heck and Seay out this season, the Cardinal also have had strong performances this season from freshman Megha Ganne, who has four top-10 finishes; junior Sadie Englemann, who has three top-10 results; senior Angela Ye, freshman Kelly Yu and sophomore Caroline Sturdza.

“We have really come together as a team to make up for the injuries,” Walker said. “It’s fair to say we aren’t the same team we were at the beginning of the Fall, but we still have shown a lot of fight to remain where we are on the course and in the rankings.

“We want to win another NCAA title.”

Everyone knows how good Rose Zhang, the No. 1-ranked women’s amateur golfer in the world is, but the rest of the Stanford team has stood up this season in the wake of injuries to standout players Rachel Heck, the 2021 NCAA individual champion, and Brooke Seay, an All-American in 2022.

The defending NCAA champion Cardinal have won the Carmel Cup, the Stanford Intercollegiate, the Pac-12 Preview, the Stephen’s Cup and the Juli Inkster at Meadowclub Invitational to again lead the national rankings.

Zhang, who on her own captured the Augusta National Women’s Amateur recently, also has had victories this season in the Carmel Cup, the Stanford Intercollegiate, the Pac-12 Preview, the Therese Hession Regional Challenge and the Juli Inkster Invitational to tie the Cardinal record for career victories of nine set by Andrea Lee.

“I greatly wanted to win this to go with my wins at Stanford, and it was just such a huge desire,” Zhang said of her monumental victory at Augusta National. “Just getting the invite is a special moment, let alone playing in the final round all four times (that she has partici-

While Stanford remains No. 1, San Jose State is ranked No. 12, USC is No 15, UCLA is No. 24, Pepperdine is No 25, California is No 44, Sacramento State is No. 62 after winning the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic for their third victory of the season, Long Beach State is No. 81, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is No. 92 and San Diego State is 96th in the national women’s rankings.

“We want to fight for a national championship,” Coach Dana Dormann of San Jose State said. “We are trying to give our players all the tools they need to be successful. … One, I think the tradition of San Jose State golf. All the players that have come before, the history. Two, we have an incredible practice center on campus, and three, we play in high quality tournaments.”

Individually, obviously Zhang, a sophomore from Irvine, is ranked No. 1 in the nation, while Zoe Campos of UCLA is No. 11, Megha Ganne is No. 13, Kajsa Arwefjall of San Jose State in No. 17, Sadie Englemann is No. 26, Amari Avery of USC is No. 37, Jeneath Wong of Pepperdine is No. 39, Lion Higo of Pepperdine is No. 47, Antonia Malate of San Jose State is No. 50, Cindy Kou of USC is No. 56, Caroline Canales of UCLA is No. 60, Brooke Seay still is No. 77 despite her injury, Catherine Park of USC in No. 97 and Lucia Lopez-Ortega of San Jose State is No. 99.

Rose Zhang of Stanford

PHOTO COURTESY OF STANFORD ATHLETICS

Sending deserving Caddies to College since 1930 EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION

Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. – 1910

By Tom LaMarre

TheEvans Scholars Foundation, based in Glenview, Ill., is one of the outstanding organizations in the golf world, providing full college scholarships to devoted young caddies whose families don’t have the financial means to allow them to extend their education.

Famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. came up with the idea for the Foundation in 1928 and persuaded the Western Golf Administration to administer the fund he had established that sent deserving young caddies to college.

The WGA awarded its first two scholarships in 1930, sending caddies Harold Fink and Jim McGinnis to Northwestern University. Until World War II, all Evans Scholars continued to attend Northwestern, and it was there that the first Scholarship House was established.

As the Evans Scholars Foundation grew, WGA Directors realized the impact of Chick Evans’ dream on the lives of young men and women

with limited access to a college education, so when Evans’ original investment was exhausted, the WGA Directors perpetuated the Evans Scholars Program by making contributions of their own.

These days, the Foundation is funded by contributions from Par Club members across the country and the WGA has remained involved over the years, as proceeds from its tournament contribute to the scholarship fund.

The Evans Scholars Foundation provides scholarship recipients with academic, professional and social resources, and its students maintain a cumulative 3.4 grade-point-average and a 95 percent college graduation rate. Currently, there are a record 1,070 Evans Scholars enrolled in 22 leading universities in the U.S. for the 2022-23 academic year, and 11,815 young men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars since 1930.

“These young students have each shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities

and on the golf course,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

In 2022, a record 315 students were awarded the Evans Scholarship. Recipients were interviewed at one of more than 20 selection meetings across the country, from November through March. They will begin college as Evans Scholars this fall, attending one of 22 leading universities across the nation.

The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $120,000 over four years.“These young men and women are part of an exceptional incoming class of New Scholars from around the nation,” WGA Chairman Joe Desch said. “They represent what the Evans Scholars Program has been about since 1930.”

The Western Golf Association conducts championships for professional and amateur golfers, promotes the use of caddies and supports the Evans Scholars Foundation’s efforts to award full tuition and housing col-

lege scholarships to hardworking caddies with limited financial means.

The WGA was founded in 1899, when 11 Chicago-area golf clubs formed the organization to promote its interests in golf, establishing headquarters in a town known as Golf, Ill. The WGA held its first Western Open and Western Amateur championships at nearby Glen View Club to showcase the exceptional talent of golfers who called the West their home, as there was a bit of a rivalry with the East.

Currently, the WGA conducts four amateur championships–the Western Amateur, Western Junior, Women’s Western Amateur and Women’s Western Junior–and two professional events: the Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, and the BMW Championship, the penultimate event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. was born on July 18, 1890, and his family moved to Chicago in 1893. Five years later, he began caddying and playing golf at Edgewater Golf Club.

Evans developed into the top amateur golfer in the United States in 1916, when he captured the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. No other golfer had yet won both championships in the same year, and the only golfer to do it since was the legendary Bobby Jones.

Although Evans was under outside pressure to turn pro, he resisted but wasn’t interested and instead placed any earnings from his golf into an escrow fund. It was from there that he financed the Evans Scholarship Foundation, and his mother, Lena, helped Chick with the plan to use the money to provide scholarship money for young caddies.

In 1928, he persuaded the WGA to oversee his fund, and in 1930, those first two Evans Scholarships were awarded, and things have really taken off since the Murray brothers, Bill and Ed, publicized the concept of the caddie scholarship in their classic film, Caddyshack. The caddie scholarship they refer to in the film is based on the real Evans Scholarship earned by Ed Murray.

Chick Evans (center) and the 1960 Evans Scholarship Recipients

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EXCLUSIVE LACC WELCOMES PUBLIC TO U.S. OPEN

By RANDY YOUNGMAN

Historically one of the oldest, most exclusive and publicity-shy clubs in the United States, Los Angeles Country Club will soon swing open its private gates to the public—and to a national TV audience—when the 123rd U.S. Open Championship is contested on LACC’s North Course over Father’s Day weekend this June.

Though the 36-hole club is located in the heart of Los Angeles, with views of the towering office buildings that comprise the nearby Beverly Hills skyline, the 325-acre golf property is hidden from traffic along busy Wilshire Boulevard and easy to drive past without knowing it. The entrance is understated and unobtrusive, with no signs trumpeting your arrival—only a tall white pillar acting as a lone sentry near the access road and a small, two-legged

sign bearing the numerical street address: 10101.

This is by design. Los Angeles Country Club, established in 1897 and relocated twice before reopening at its current location in 1911, has protected its privacy over the years, carefully screening and choosing its members in pursuit of maintaining a low profile.

For decades, Hollywood celebrities have been flocking to join nearby private clubs such as Riviera Country Club, Bel-Air Country Club and Lakeside Golf Club, but LACC initially had a reputation for steering away from well-known figures in the entertainment industry

Among the very few famous LACC members over the years included former President Ronald Reagan, former Dodgers owners Walter and Peter O’Malley, broadcaster Keith Jackson,

former football stars Gene Washington and Pat Haden and World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples.

For many years, the U.S. Golf Association also had pursued LACC as a venue for its national championship, or another high-profile event, but the overtures were unsuccessful until the culture of the club began changing in recent years, in part because of an influx of younger members and, particularly, to showcase the course after the spectacular 2010 North Course restoration by architect Gil Hanse.

“There has been an increasing feeling by the members dating back 20 years or so that the club wanted to become more involved with the community and the SCGA,” said Richard Shortz, a longtime LACC member, past club president and current co-chair of the club’s U.S. Open Committee.

The first high-profile, post-renovation USGA event approved by the club, by vote of the LACC Board in 2009, was the 2017 Walker Cup Matches, a prestigious biennial event of the top amateurs from the U.S. competing against an amateur team from Great Britain & Ireland. It was the first USGA-sanctioned event at LACC since the 1954 U.S. Junior Championship, providing many in the public their first glimpse behind the hedges to see what makes the critically acclaimed George C. Thomas design (No. 10 on Golf magazine’s 2022-23 list of the “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.”) so special.

“Historically,” then-club President Paul Major said in 2017 before the Walker Cup, “it wasn’t something we had been open to. But membership was overwhelmingly in favor of it. There’s a lot of pride in the property.”

The Walker Cup (a 19-7 U.S. romp led by Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa) proved an unqualified success and, as Shortz noted, “was certainly a springboard for future events with the USGA.”

The opportunity to host this year’s U.S. Open evolved from those USGA discussions during Walker Cup planning meetings a decade ago, but the scale of the Open required a vote of the 1,500 members in 2014. Shortz was president of the club then, and he remembers the genesis of those U.S. Open negotiations came during a round of golf in 2013, when he and the LACC general manager teed it up on the North Course with USGA executives Tom O’Toole and Glen Nager.

“After the round, Tom and I met quietly in our locker room and discussed hosting a future (U.S.) Open,” Shortz recalled in March. “That was the start of 18 months of discussions with Tom and (then-USGA executive director) Mike Davis that resulted in an agreement to host the 2023 Championship. . . We are glad we made the decision to go forward.”

This will be the first U.S. Open in Los Angeles in 75 years, since Ben Hogan won the title at Riviera Country Club in 1958. It will also be the first professional tour event at LACC since the 1940 Los Angeles Open.

LA Country Club also was the site of the inaugural Los Angeles Open in 1926, shortly before George C. Thomas and William P. Bell oversaw major renovations in 1927-28. In addition, LACC

hosted the 1930 U.S. Women’s Open and three more LA Opens in 1934, 1935 and 1936. Until now, the closest LACC came to hosting a U.S. Open was when then-club President Charles Older led a campaign to bring the 1986 Open to the North Course, but the board reportedly voted it down, 5-4

That was then. Now, as Shortz said, members are embracing the exposure as the club prepares for its week in the national spotlight.

“The excitement for the 2023 Championship became palpable at the club as soon as the (2022 U.S. Open) Championship at The Country Club was completed (last summer),” Shortz said. And the USGA obviously is excited about the venue, too, as attested by the announcement this past October that the 2032 U.S. Women’s Open and 2039 U.S. Open also are coming to LACC. Members voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of both events, Shortz added.

More evidence that LA Country Club is becoming “more community-oriented,” Shortz says, are the initiatives in which the club is partnering with the Southern California Golf Association and USGA.

LACC made a significant contribution to the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation after the Walker Cup and has been hosting play days for 36 juniors from

their award-winning programs since then.

Shortz says LACC, the USGA and SCGA also have “embarked upon a major fundraising campaign benefiting the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, which will have a lasting impact on junior golfers in Southern California by creating opportunities in underrepresented areas of Los Angeles and SoCal designed to make golf more inclusive, diverse, accessible and affordable.”

Toward that end, Shortz says LACC is working with the County of Los Angeles to explore ways to expand SCGA programming at the 9-hole Maggie Hathaway course in south LA “and restore the course to allow greater golf course utilization by juniors with a new community center for learning.”

“These programs and others are a direct result of bringing the Open Championship to Los Angeles and provides an opportunity for our organizations to impact generations of young people in the world of golf,” Shortz said.

Turns out, one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the country is helping the sport become more inclusive through hosting the U.S. Open Championship.

It soon will be time for Los Angeles Country Club to open its private gates for all to enjoy.

CARLSBAD:

ONE OF CALIFORNIA’S BEST KEPT SECRETS

From the Sheraton and The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa, The Crossings at Carlsbad, and Beyond

By SUZY EVANS

Located just a few miles from Carlsbad’s white sandy beaches, the blooming Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, and Carlsbad’s beautiful lagoons, the Sheraton and The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa offers luxury accommodations, fine dining, outdoor pools with water slides, a spa and fitness center, and many popular attractions where you can enjoy golfing at The Crossings at Carlsbad, a relaxing day at the beach, shopping at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, local wine tasting, miles of tranquil nature hiking trails, or a memorable family trip to Legoland.

GOLF AT THE CROSSINGS AT CARLSBAD

Located next to the Carlsbad luxury resorts, The Crossings at Carlsbad is a premier championship golf course offering a magnificent setting in a rustic canyon with spectacular coastal and canyon views. This 6,835-yard public course was designed by Greg Nash, a renowned golf course architect who designed more than 80 courses, and features stunning terrain that provides fun and fair challenges to golfers of all abilities.

Nestled amid a natural canyon habitat on more than 400 acres of Carlsbad’s

coastal terrain and named for its five bridges, or crossings, the 18-hole championship course is a perfect choice for a foursome or hosting a tournament, with its friendly personalized service, excellent course conditions, and extremely reasonable pricing that provides one of the most competitive values on the Southern California coast.

SCORE A HOLE-IN-ONE WITH THE ESCAPE! GOLF PACKAGE

Hit the links at The Crossings at Carlsbad and enjoy one round of golf per night for one person; usage of a

GPS-equipped golf cart, practice facility, and range balls; breakfast for up to two adults at the hotel restaurant; and a special discount at StretchLab Carlsbad.

THE CLUBHOUSE AT THE CROSSINGS

The beautiful castle-like stone 28,000 square foot clubhouse is perched on a hill and offers fantastic seasonal cuisine, a fireplace-lit dining room, fullservice kitchen and bar, the Player’s Lounge Bar with high-definition TVs, the Sunset Patio with fire pits, and a covered outdoor dining terrace with panoramic views.

If you’re staying at the Sheraton or The Westin Carlsbad Resorts on a weekend or just visiting, a wonderful

brunch is now served on Saturdays and Sundays at the Clubhouse, where you can relax and enjoy bottomless seaside Mimosas, Bloody Marys and John Daly’s and a wide variety of brunch menu items at a reasonable price.

DINING — 20/TWENTY AND 7 MILE KITCHEN

Located at the The Westin Carlsbad Resort, 20/Twenty offers refined coastal classic dishes imbued with a global perspective and modern flair. Serving up flavorful seasonal combinations, the cuisine embraces international influences and local harvests in every dish. Locally grown ingredients “shine in simply designed, thoughtfully crafted plates” inspired by the Southern

California coastline and beyond. For more casual dining at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort, 7 Mile Kitchen offers fantastic cuisine including artisanal wood-fired pizzas that are handcrafted with house-made dough. Creative signature toppings locally sourced include fennel sausage with caramelized Maui onions, marinated shrimp with pesto, roasted wild mushrooms with a white truffle cream, and so much more!

Overlooking seven miles of the Carlsbad’s white sandy beaches, this casually elegant restaurant also offers great sandwiches and gourmet burgers crafted to perfection and other delicious dishes that can be paired with a curated selection of San Diego’s favorite brews.

LUXURY GOLF SHOES & ACCESSORIES

ENJOY CARLSBAD’S PREMIER GELATO BAR

The resort sources its amazing gelato bar from North County’s renowned EscoGelato. A San Diego County staple, EscoGelato makes decadent, creamy, and flavorful gelato fresh daily with the highest quality ingredients. The bar features both classic and a rotating seasonal variety plus signature flavors for 7 Mile Kitchen exclusively.

OCEAN PEARL SPA—RELAX, REVITALIZE AND REJUVENATE!

With casually sophisticated California coastal elegance, the charming Ocean Pearl Spa in The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa incorporates marinebased botanicals and skincare products for body treatments that nourish, purify, and restore. Spa guests receive private lockers, plush robes, and spa sandals, as well as access to the eucalyptus steam room, showers and relaxation lounge. Guests also have complimentary access to the fitness center, heated pool, and soothing Jacuzzi.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Carlsbad’s pristine beaches are some of the most scenic in California. South Ponto Beach is great for families, North Ponto Beach is much narrower and popular with local surfers, and Terramar Beach (also called the

Carlsbad Tide Pools) is a great spot to enjoy tide pooling.

In the spring, the spectacular Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is one of San Diego’s most popular attractions with vast flower fields blooming in bright vibrant colors between March and May.

You can also enjoy Carlsbad’s lagoons including Batiquitos Lagoon, Buena Vista Lagoon, and Agua Hedionda Lagoon which are beautiful, peaceful spots to observe ducks, birds, deer, and other wildlife in their natural canyon habitat.

VISITING LEGOLAND IN CARLSBAD

Located right next to the Sheraton and The Westin Carlsbad Resorts, LEGOLAND is filled with more than sixty exciting rides, shows, and attractions offering a memorable experience geared to young families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, but kids and adults of all ages can have fun with games, snacks, rollercoasters, a Driving School where kids can drive little cars, amazing LEGO sculptures, and more!

Visiting LEGOLAND can be done in a day or half-day, but you might want to spend some time at the Sea Life Aquarium, a family-friendly interactive sea aquarium home to more than 5,000 sea creatures, including clownfish, octopus, sea horses, rays, and sharks, and be sure to bring bathing suits if you want to venture into the LEGOLAND Water Park. You might also want to consider multi-day passes if you’re enjoying the resorts for a weekend or few days and the hotels have a quick and convenient private entrance to Legoland to beat the crowds!

The The Westin and Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa and The Crossings at Carlsbad are just 30 miles north of the San Diego International Airport and a short, scenic drive from Orange County and Los Angeles.

For more information or to make hotel reservations, visit https://www. grandpacificcarlsbadresorts.com

To enjoy the Score a Hole-in-One with the Escape! Golf Package, call the resort at 760-827-2800.

TOUR PERFORMANCE FOR ALL

Having amassed over 100 professional Tour wins since 1998, Robert Bettinardi has perfectly re-engineered the 2023-2024 Studio Stock Series with ultimate performance in mind. Now available at major retailers and Bettinardi.com.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME ON EARTH

Golf is different up at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, strikingly so. But what did you expect when you’re playing at an altitude of more than 6,200 ft. on the shores of America’s most majestic alpine lake? From the first hole to the last, every Edgewood moment has been designed to provide you with one-of-kind challenges, natural marvels, and enduring, championship-caliber memories. Visit Edgewood Tahoe Resort this spring and experience your favorite game, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Golf season begins May 22.

A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

Created by George Fazio 1968 and later renovated by his nephew and world-renowned golf architect Tom Fazio,

Edgewood Tahoe Resort is rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” Throughout its storied history, Edgewood Tahoe has also hosted a variety of major golf events. It has been the home of the American Century Championship since 1990, a star-studded event featuring some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment and politics. A favorite on the celebrity circuit, this tournament regularly features big names as Steph Curry, Justin Timberlake, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, John Smoltz, John Elway, Charles Barkeley, Bode Miller, Jim McMahon, and Ray Romano.

Offering a challenging yet fair game, the 18-hole, par 72 course provides a choice of four sets of tees ranging in length from 5,567 yards to a demanding 7,529, providing a

suitable and flexible test for golfers of all skill levels. Follow in the footsteps of legends like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and more, and test your mettle on the only lakefront golf resort in Lake Tahoe.

After you’ve worked up an appetite practicing your swing, stop by one of South Tahoe’s top casual restaurants— conveniently located overlooking the scenic course. Brooks’ Bar & Deck is constantly serving up distinguished gastro pub fare, flavorful handcrafted drinks, and legendary views of the lake and mountains, making for the perfect spot to fuel up before or after you tee off.

STAY IN WONDER

The Forbes 4-star rated Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe is home to 154 luxury rooms and suites, each boasting their own gas fireplace and private deck or terrace. Impeccable attention to detail and a seasoned eye for aesthetics make for spaces you won’t want to leave— until you realize the natural splendor that surrounds you, that is.

An axiom upon which Edgewood Tahoe Resort rests its very foundations: Lake Tahoe is meant to be experienced, and not merely visited. Every part of your experience in this one-of-a-kind getaway is carefully crafted and designed to maximize your connection to the tranquility surrounding you. Nestled in a private area on the second floor is the Forbes 4-star rated Spa Edgewood – a striking and expansive space that offers guest uninterrupted serenity amongst an inviting atmosphere. Meanwhile, a state-of-the-art fitness center allows guests a soothing setting for pre-lake cardio. If you manage to pull yourself away from the sandy shores of the sapphire lake, a luxurious heated pool and hot tub make for the perfect place to unwind— without ever having to take your eyes off the mesmerizing waters of the Sierra’s shiniest jewel.

The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe offers a serene and invigorating ambiance, using dark woods to add warmth among tranquil, oceanic blues, while plush linens soften striking architectural lines. Step out onto your balcony each morning for a breath of fresh mountain air, and let the soft glow of your private fireplace envelop you at night.

The Villa Suites at Edgewood Tahoe— the latest evolution of lakeside luxury— take everything to love about Edgewood Tahoe and amplify it to unprecedented levels. Adjacent to the main lodge and fronting the 8th and 9th fairways, the Villa Suites allow guests to experience a private piece of alpine paradise while still retaining the exceptional service and amenities Edgewood Tahoe is known for.

DINING WITH A VIEW

Edgewood Tahoe Resort in South Lake Tahoe offers dining options both casual and refined, a selection of one-of-a-kind eateries to suit your every mood. Whatever you’re craving, one of Edgewood’s three unique restaurants—Brooks’ Bar & Deck, The Bistro, and Edgewood Restaurant— is sure to have what you’re hungry for.

Conveniently housed inside The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe is The Bistro, a hub for guests to gather, dine, and reminisce about the day’s adventures on the course, along the beach, or in the mountains. A full-service space open for all three meals, The Bistro serves as Edgewood Tahoe’s refined-yetcasual dining option for families, friends, and foodies alike.

When it comes to elegant lakeside dining, Edgewood Restaurant is one of South Lake Tahoe’s greatest hidden gems. With stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and a rustic yet sophisticated lodge aesthetic, diners enjoy striking views of mountains, pines, and the glistening sapphire lake while they celebrate golden anniversaries and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe Resort

ASHWORTH IS BACK!

FRED COUPLES AND TOM HOGE ARE ASHWORTH GOLF AMBASSADORS

Iconic Ashworth Golf Apparel Brand Makes a Comeback Returning to the U.S. Marketplace

On the heels of Ashworth Golf’s return to the U.S. marketplace, Newtimes Group, a global leader of retail supply chain management, recently announced that World Golf Hall of Famer and 1992 Masters Champion Fred Couples is back as the face of Ashworth Golf.

Couples, who was wearing one of Ashworth’s classic polos when he captured the green jacket in 1992, will help reinvigorate the brand as he brings back the iconic Golfman logo when competing on the PGA

TOUR Champions and other professional events around the world.

“I am thrilled to be back with Ashworth Golf and once again wearing the Golfman logo as I represent this legendary apparel line,” Couples said. “Ashworth was right there with me when I won The Masters and it was part of my success during so many memorable victories. Golfers the world over love this brand.”

“It’s been 30 years since his historic win at Augusta, and Fred is still one of the most popular and respected golfers of all time,” said Eddie Fadel, President of Ashworth Golf. “It’s only fitting that he returns to the Ashworth Golf family as we relaunch the iconic brand in

the U.S. with a commitment to quality, style, and performance.”

Couples will be outfitted in items from the Spring and Fall 2023 lines, all developed to withstand the rigors of the course and the elements, integrating a mix of tradition and innovation. The new line will feature a modernday version of the original cotton polos from Ashworth, combining technical fabrics with natural fibers while offering an authentic yet classic look that meets the demands of today’s golfer at every level of the game.

To complement Couples return to Ashworth, PGA TOUR golfer Tom Hoge, currently ranked in the Top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings, will join Couples as Ashworth Golf Ambassador. Hoge, who will be outfitted in Ashworth apparel when competing on the PGA TOUR and other professional events, has one victory on the PGA TOUR, including the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and recently captured the QBE Shootout in December with partner Sahith Theegala. He also finished T-3 to kick off 2023 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Revered by players since 1987, Ashworth Golf is the original, authentic golf apparel brand and it’s this heritage and extraordinary distinction that sets the brand apart. Creating clothes emphasizing comfort and range of motion in a full line of polos, bottoms, outerwear and accessories, Ashworth blends classic style with fine yarns and performance fabrics based on an innate understanding of a golfer’s movement.

The relaunch of the brand is led by Fadel, a 30- year veteran golf apparel executive, who serves as President, and Kate Cunningham, Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development, who worked at Ashworth in the 1990’s and early 2000’s.

The new-look brand is epitomized by the iconic Golfman embroidery logo that signifies Ashworth quality, style, and performance. Outfitted for some of the most recognizable names in the sport, the brand has always been aspirational while commanding the respect of those who value the pure, classic, and authentic Golfman logo.

“Ask any passionate golfer 45+ what the Ashworth brand means and most will say it was their favorite golf polo,”

Fadel said. “Golfers revered Ashworth and remember when Fred Couples wore our brand to win the Masters in ‘92. Now, we’re bringing this brand back in a big way for both our loyal customers and a new generation of players, so they too can wear the Golfman logo like a badge of honor.”

“I’ve been on the road visiting with some of the most respected and influential Green Grass Shops across the country,” Cunningham said, “and there is still such strong sentiment and nostalgia for the Ashworth brand. It’s refreshing to see the groundswell of excitement for the iconic Golfman logo to be back on shelves.”

“Ashworth is back!” Fadel added. “Our goal

is to restore Ashworth’s leadership position in the golf apparel world. We are relaunching the brand in an impactful and authentic way—staying within our original brand DNA, which has always meant integrity in our designs and products, and a singular dedication to golf.”

“At Ashworth, it’s always been more than a game and more than a brand. It’s a lifestyle, a conversation, a culture, a tribe. The golf industry loves a comeback story, and I’m excited to say, we’re back and better than ever.”

For more information, visit Ashworth Golf at https://us.ashworthgolf.com or check out Ashworth on Instagram at @ashworthgolf

Instructions / Clinics

John Gray is a PGA professional with 20+ years working in the golf industry. 6 of those years teaching adults and junior golfers.

Epic Course Conditions

Take the time to be at the right place. It’s always the right time. Come experience our epic course conditions, and a layout that invites all skill levels to enjoy an unforgettable round of golf.

NATIVE OAKS GOLF CLUB

Take the time to be at the right place. It’s always the right time.

Shawii Kitchen is located at the Native Oaks Golf Club and can be booked for events throughout the year. Our new kitchen menu is full of local favorites, healthier choices and good old burgers and fries. We are here to serve all in our community and surrounding areas for breakfast, lunch and weekly dinners.

All Grass Driving Range

Our golf course driving range boasts an extensive grass teeing area, providing golfers with a high-quality practice experience.

New Golf Shoes for a New Season

By ED TRAVIS

Should you ever have had the unfortunate occasion to play a round in uncomfortable, poor-fitting shoes you understand why the staff at California Golf pays a lot of attention to the shoes we wear.

The game is hard enough without limping, struggling, or staggering around the course because of painful feet and naturally we pay a penalty in our scoring if our shoes don’t perform in terms of padding, traction, and overall comfort.

Here are some golf shoes we like and think you will too.

Duca Del Cosma Dandy-White Golf Shoes

Sophisticated, stylish, and comfortable are all adjectives to describe the Dandy-White shoes from Duca Del Cosma. Constructed from Italian Nappa leather, the checkerboard pattern is distinctive and offsets the classic wing tip toe pattern. They are all-weather waterproof and the sole with 5mm traction nubs is strong enough to support even the most vigorous swing. The memory foam insert with recycled cork is breathable. $249

True Linkswear All Day Knit 3 Golf Shoes

The third iteration of a customer favorite the All Day Knit 3 has a one-piece knit upper that’s breathable and a sock-fit bootie with an antimicrobial insole for comfort no matter how long they are worn off or on the course. A feature everyone appreciates is their weight which is only 9.1 oz. The spikeless outsole has an effective traction pattern for grip throughout the swing. Four color choices: Deep Sea, Legend, Onyx, Nimbus. $160

Olukai Kā‘anapali Golf Shoes

These comfortable and sturdy golf shoes are named for a stretch of beautiful beaches on the island of Maui and made from a water and stain resistant mesh plus a strong outer shell for swing stability. The footbed is washable and the spikeless sole is made from Olukai’s Wet Grip Rubber for any course condition. All this is in an ultra-lightweight shoe that looks great on the links. $150

G/FORE Ripstop MG4X2 Golf Cross Trainer

On the course or on the street this shoe offers comfort with a breathable ripstop one-piece upper and an outsole of rubber having a sawtooth nub pattern. The molded heel cup is designed for all day wear and doesn’t allow heel slip while the EVA midsole has a special sidewall material that absorbs impact while walking. Insoles have G/FORE odor control and are removable for washing. Men’s and women’s styles. $225

Asics Gel-Kayano Ace Golf Shoes

Similar to the Asics running shoes the Gel-Kayano Ace has generous padding on the ankle and tongue. The FlyteFoam and Asics Gel technology absorb shock for all day wear. The sole has flex grooves and spikes to provide both traction while walking and performance while swinging. Choose from among the six color scheme combinations including white/white, all black, white lime and metropolis/gunmetal. $170

Royal Albartross Primrose White/Black

A traditional shoe doesn’t have to look boring and the Primrose in White and Black is a great example. The two-tone wing tip is made from quality Italian leather with attention paid to the punch detailing on the heel, toe and lace panels. Not only is the ankle collar padded but the footbed and shoe lining is soft leather, and the foam insole is biomechanically designed. The outsole has a block tread pattern offering extra traction. $285

Puma Golf Ignite Elevate Golf Shoes

Using Puma’s PWRFRAME and PWRCAGE technologies the Ignite Elevate offers whole-round comfort in a stylish athletic profile. The midsole is made from Ignite Foam giving the wearer positive energy return, stability and cushioning either swinging or walking. The mesh upper has a supporting TPU film and oneyear waterproof warranty. Traction is provided by the spikeless nubs in a circular design on the TPU outsole. $130

Golf Bags for the New Season

By ED TRAVIS

Have you ever thought about how important a good golf bag is? Whether you walk or push or ride, playing from a bag that suits your needs and preferences makes the game easier and more fun.

Like any well thought out decision purchasing a new golf bag means you should consider a bag’s features such as how many pockets it has, how are they placed and are the closures strong and are easy to use? For a stand bag look at the legs and how they are attached plus they should open quickly when the bag is placed on the ground. For a carry bag weight is important but also remember any bag probably needs to be lifted in and out of the car trunk and a fully loaded cart bag, for example including clubs, balls and gear can be over 25 pounds or even 30 pounds.

Here are a few bags and headcovers we like plus one of the most innovative selfpropelled carts for those who want to walk but not carry.

Dormie Workshop Headcovers

MGI Zip Navigator Electric Golf Trolley

This electric trolley has the features one needs starting with the 24v 380Wh lithium battery and two 230-watt motors rated for 36 holes. With the battery installed it weighs 35 lb. and folds down to a manageable size for transportation. Steering and speed are adjusted with the remote control and downhill speed is automatically controlled. The carrier holds any size of bag and for additional stability there’s a foldable fourth wheel. $1,495

Srixon Premium Stand Bag

The latest from Srixon features lots of pockets handy whether walking or riding. There are seven in all and include an insulated one to keep drinks cool plus a valuables pocket that is waterproof. The convenient six-way top offers easy club access and the dual strap design is generously padded for carrying comfort. Choose from five color combinations such as the solid black with a red side stripe or the red and black duo. $250

Head covers not only protect your woods but also can make a statement of style and your interests. Dormie’s new Pacific Coast, Dream Team and Hollywood Boulevard headcovers are made from high quality top grain leather with a soft liner. The Pacific Coast driver cover mimics a license plate, while the Dream Team are Team USA’s colors, and the Hollywood Boulevard has asphalt pavement detailing. $140-$200

Vessel Player IV Stand Bag

Vessel’s previous success with their Stand bag model is recreated in the new Stand IV which is made from synthetic leather with their patented self-adjusting double strap in either a 6-way model (6.2 lb.) or 14-way (6.6 lb.) with full length dividers. The Rotator Stand base and carbonfiber legs make for stability when putting the bag down. Pockets include a large garment pocket and an antimicrobial-lined valuables pocket. $365

Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe Dual Strap Stand Bag

The Mid-Stripe line is made from vinyl for durability and the Stand Bag features a total of seven pockets all with rugged zippers and two are velour-lined for valuables plus there’s a handy beverage holder. The generous top of 9-inch diameter has an integrated handle and four club dividers all in a bag that weighs just 5.6 lb. The E-Z Lite Dual Strap can be easily switched out for the optional single strap. $370

Stitch Golf SL2 Fadeaway Golf Bag

A quick nine after work? Or how about a few holes with the kids? The full featured SL2 Fadeaway is just what you need to carry as many clubs as you need. Only 4 lbs. 10 oz., the 9.5-inch by 7.5-inch top has a 4-way divider and the entire bag is water resistant. Pockets include a full length one for a jacket plus a lined one for valuables. The strap is interchangeable, either double or single, and the legs provide stability when standing. $398

TaylorMade FlexTech Carry Bag

Very light at just 3 lbs. the FlexTech features a three-way top, is comfortable to carry and fixed self-adjusting straps that are removable when using a riding or a push cart. The legs lock in place when the bag is on your shoulder and quickly pop into position when you ground the base. Pockets include a water resistant one for valuables, a zip off ball pocket, and water bottle sleeve. Select from four colors. $260

Style and Fashion on the Fairways

By ED TRAVIS

Yearsago, a friend observed, “If you can’t play a good game at least you can dress a good game.” That’s true still today and golfers have never had as wide a variety of apparel styles, patterns and colors to “dress a good game.”

Performance, whether it’s tops, bottoms or even sunglasses, is a factor in the purchasing decision so paying attention to the type of materials, construction and overall quality will ensure not only something that fits but fits your game.

Ashworth 2 Bar Pique Stripe Polo

Part of the Originals Collection, blending top quality fabrics with oncourse performance, the 2 Bar Pique Stripe Polo is 66% Pima cotton for a quality look and 34% Sorona pique polyester on the interior for a comfortable feel and moisture wicking. The Polo is a classic design with plenty of room to make your swing and natural stretch fit. A modern three button placket complements the hidden buttondown collar. $98

Kaenon Avalon Sunglasses

Perfect for on the course or the beach or every day, the Avalon has a lightweight flexible TR-90 material frame at just 29 grams which is finished in either matte or gloss. The lens is Kaenon’s SR-91 Polarized material and great for glare reduction on even the brightest days. Hinges are corrosion resistant, and the nose pads are hypoallergenic. Designed in California and manufactured in Japan, Avalon offers nine color frames. $125

Linksoul Printed Stormer Hooded Full-Zip Windbreaker

The Stormer Hooded Windbreaker is great for windy days on the links featuring an outside printed in a distinctive and stylish in a Black Flower Poster pattern. Practical for chilly temperatures, it features a drawstring hood, elastic cuffs, and a full zip closure. Made from environmentally sensitive materials including coconut fabric (38%), recycled polyester (50%) and Spandex (12%). $145

Linksoul Walkman Patch Boardwalker AC Snapback Hat

We know for sun protection a hat is a must on the course and the latest from Linksoul will sure to be a favorite. Manufactured at their lab in Oceanside it is made from 92% polyester and 8% elastane like Linksoul shorts, so it is breathable with slight amount of stretch. The top is perforated and adjustable for size with the snapback closure. The hat is water resistant, and spot cleans with soap and warm water. ($48)

Swing Control Pleated Cloud Skort

This pleated skirt is a timeless design and a must for any wardrobe offering a sporty chic look that never goes out of style. The entire piece is cut from extra soft Cloud fabric with an eye to performance. It is breathable with flexible fibers plus the elastic waistband provides a flattering tuck and is comfortable to wear plus the undershorts have handy side pockets. Swing Control says this skort as “the ideal throw-on-and-go.” $130

Venice Matte Black Coastal Green Mirror Lens

Practice Like you Play and Play Like You Practice

By PETRA COLE, PGA

Making the transition from the practice areas to the golf course can be challenging for many golfers. To improve your performance on the course, I always recommend golfers to play as much as you can, but if you can’t play, be smart with your practice routine. However, if that’s not feasible, one can be smart with their practice routine by following the principle of practicing like they play and playing like they practice. To achieve this, I suggest players adopt these two simple practice routines which apply to all golfers, regardless of their skill level.

Firstly, when at the range, it’s essential to constantly switch clubs and targets. Hitting one ball with one club at one target and then switching clubs to a new target helps to maintain focus and avoid monotony. Don’t get too comfortable hitting ball after ball to the same target as you will lose focus. My ideal driving range would have hills and mounds that golfers can hit off to simulate course play, allowing them to practice every shot they can imagine.

Secondly, when you work on your short game, go to the putting green and use one ball. Chip one ball and putt it out, just as if you were playing the course. It’s crucial to avoid gimmes and strive to simulate real course conditions.

Apply this focused practice to your routine and you will be able to transition easier and have more fun on the course.

Old School Fundamentals at their Best

By JOHN BURCKLE

Fred Couples has always been known for his fluid, effortless golf swing that produces incredible power, a.k.a. Boom Boom. Today’s game is all about speed and power. We see players like Justin Thomas jumping off the ground and Scotty Scheffler sliding his trail foot through impact. Let’s take a step back in time and look at how Hall of Famer Fred Couples uses his lower body to maintain balance and generate power.

You can see at the top of Fred’s backswing that he’s completely in balance (picture 1) and his right foot is well grounded. Most of his weight is on his right leg, yet none of the weight has rolled to the outside edge of his right foot. He’s loaded into his right side and ready to go. This is so important for proper weight shift.

When making the first move toward the ball from the top of the backswing, it’s important to transfer the majority of your weight onto the left side before you strike the ball. Look at Fred’s shift to his left foot (picture 2). The lead foot is securely grounded, the trail foot has very little weight on it, and the club head is lagging behind.

Post impact (picture 3). No jumping off the ground here. Old school foot work. Left foot solidly on the ground with trail foot gliding along into the finish. Perfect balance.

Fred Couples is proof that shifting into a solid grounded lead foot can still be powerful and efficient. There are many ways to hit the ball far, but maybe old school is best for you.

On the Stoics and Learning Not to Care about the End Result of Your Swing

By Suzy Evans, J.D., Ph.D.

Early Greek Stoics had an astonishingly wide range of philosophical ideas, but they’re most famous for their views on mental control. The basic idea is that we should only worry about things we can control.

The ultimate goal: a calm, tranquil mind. We can’t control certain events, as the Stoics tell us, we can only control how we choose to respond and feel about them. It’s our mental state that matters.

At the heart of Stoicism is the notion that we’re responsible for how we feel. We can choose how we respond to good and bad breaks in life and we can choose how we respond to good and bad breaks on the course.

This idea is so simple that you might dismiss it. But, for the Stoics, it was extremely important. What we feel about a situation is under our control. We don’t have to feel angry or disappointed when people hurt and betray us, as philosophers tell us, and we don’t have to feel angry or disappointed when we miss an easy three-foot putt.

But the Stoics go further and say that destructive emotions such as anger and fear damages our reasoning and judgment. And study after

study shows that this is true. When we’re angry or fearful, we don’t reason well which damages our judgment and leads us to make bad decisions.

This can also be applied on the course because if you can achieve a tranquil mind, you will exercise good judgment and increase your chances of consistently hitting solid shots. A calm, tranquil mind. That’s the Stoics secret to success!

But how, exactly, is this done? One way is to learn how to not care about the end result of your swing. Consider Rory McIlroy’s performance at the 2014 British Open. After clinching the title, he told reporters that he focused on two words: “process” and “spot.”

“With my long shots,” he said, “I just wanted to stick to my process and stick to making good decisions, making good swings. The process of making a good swing, if I had any sort of little swing thoughts, just keeping that so I wasn’t thinking about the end result, basically.”

And the “spot” was all about putting. “I was just picking a spot on the green and trying to roll it over my spot,” he explained. “I wasn’t thinking about holing it. I wasn’t thinking about what it would mean or how many further

clear it would get me. I just wanted to roll that ball over that spot. If that went in, then great. If it didn’t, then I’d try it the next hole.”

McIlory’s mental state that day represents Stoicism at its highest and finest level of play. He didn’t worry, or even think, about the end result of his swing. In other words, he “learned not to care” and that’s the whole point of Stoicism both on and off the course.

So how can this be applied to your game? Well, here’s a helpful tip courtesy of the Stoics: the next time you feel angry or frustrated about how you’re playing, take steps to turn those emotions into their opposites. Force yourself to relax your muscles, feel happy, grateful, and relaxed, and slow your rate of breathing.

When you do this, your internal state will come to reflect your external state and your negative emotions will quickly dissipate. Then, when you have achieved a calm, tranquil mind, tee it high and let it fly!

Bottom line: by consistently practicing Stoic mental control techniques over a period of time, you will increase your chances of lowering your score and transforming how you perform on the course.

Get it? Got it? Good! And good luck!!!

N E X T LEVEL PLAY