Golf & Tourism Magazine oct dec 2014

October - December

2014 Complimentary Copy

Your Passion is Our Purpose

CORDELIA GONZÁLEZ “BETWEEN THE GREEN ROOM AND THE GREEN” Learning from the Masters The Epitome of an Effortless Swing 2014 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships

Successful Golf & Tourism Magazine Tournament 2014

Director/Publisher Charlie Bautista Sub-Director and Coordinator Verónica Rosario Editor, Proofreader, Translator Oscar Peñalber Art Director & Graphic Designer Laura Wood Photography Eric Stella Rossybeth Rey Fernando Montano Writers and Collaborators Julio Soto Iván O. Puig Alberto C. Medina Gil Jorge López Andres Subira Chip Koehlke Dr. Rosa Echavarría Ricardo Picorelli Joseph Nelson Consultant Julio Soto Executive Director PRGA Sales and Marketing Charlie Bautista Sales Representative Lined Colón Advertise your business Please contact us at:

787-503-5437 sales@golftourismpr.com

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your passion is our purpose

CONTENTS

Golf & Special Features

10 12 14 16 18

Golf News Long Drivers of the Caribbean Golf News History in the Making Learning from the Masters The Epitome of an Effortless Swing

By Andres Subira

24 28

Learning from the Masters How to Attract More Women to Golf

By Chip Koehlke

Tourism

46

The Wonders of Sports Tourism

By Iván O. Puig

Regulars

6

Golf Courses Guide

8

Opening Shot Director’s Letter

35

Junior Golf 2014 Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships

Fitness & Health My Son Wants a Sports Scholarship

By Dr. Rosa Echavarría

Interview The Golden Girl of Dorado

By Alberto C. Medina Gil Cover Story Between The Green Room and The Green

By Alberto C. Medina Gil

52 32 38

Interview Valeria Pacheco Tournament Successful Golf & Tourism Magazine Tournament 2014

54

Golf Gusto Golf and Oenology, a Winning Pair and a Combination to Please WISIN Launches NABO, a New Culinary Adventure

36 49 58

44

Entrepreneurs Corner From the Golf Cart

By Luis SantiagoCollazo

Pizzeria Trattoria Italiana Thats Italian!

Fitness & Health Girl Power

By Ricardo Picorelli

Mixology Finlandia Extraordinary

GOLF COURSES GUIDE

PUERTO RICO

Aguirre Golf Club

Fort Buchanan Golf Course

Road 705, Km 3, Aguirre, Salinas Type: Public

Building 171, Fort Buchanan

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club Route 187 Kilometer 4.2, Rio Grande Phone: (866) 529-3996

Caguas Real Golf & Country Club 700 Alhambra Blvd., Caguas Phone: (787) 653-4653

Club Deportivo Del Oeste Carr. 102 KM 15.4 Int., Joyudas, Cabo Rojo

Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club Ponce, Porta Caribe

Dorado Beach Resort & Club East Course West Course

Las Bambuas Golf Course Road 189 Km. 10.1 Jardin, Gurabo

Palmas Athletic Club The Flamboyan Course The Palm Course #1 Country Club Drive Humacao, PR 00791 Phone: (787) 656-3000

Punta Borinquen Golf and Country Club Base Ramey, Aguadilla

Rio Bayamon Golf Course Verdes Carr. 177, Bayamon Type: Public Phone: (787) 740-1419

Trump International Golf Club 100 Clubhouse Drive, Rio Grande

The Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort Ocean Course River Course

100 Dorado Beach Drive, Dorado Phone: (787) 626-1010

El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa

6000 Rio Mar Blvd., Rio Grande Phone: (877) 636-0636

1000 Conquistador Avenue, Fajardo

El Legado Golf Resort Carr. PR-713, KM. 2.5 Bo. Jobos y Pozo Hondo, Guayama

Embassy Suites Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf Resort 201 Dorado Del Mar Boulevard, Dorado

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

“Insight and strategy from the best caddy�

Be a part of Golf and Tourism Magazine and let our readers cross paths with you (787) 503-5437 / charlie@golftourismpr.com

Opening Shot

Dear Reader Meet our stars!

This issue of Golf & Tourism Magazine is dedicated to Women who, in one way or another are related to the world of golf or tourism. We are proud to have Cordelia GonzĂĄlez on our cover. An accomplished actress and amateur golfer, she brings freshness to this issue. Her image represents our artistic international achievements, love for the arts, but also our fondness for the sport.

This edition of Golf & Tourism Magazine gathers many female talents that make a difference in golf and tourism, and covers Puerto Rico’s constant competitiveness increase at all levels. As an example, our Juniors gave us a Caribbean championship to close a very successful 2014!

I hope you enjoy reading this edition as much I had putting it together, and look forward to 2015, to keep reporting many more good things about the people, golf and tourism on our beautiful island.

Cheers,

Charlie Bautista Director and Publisher

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Golf News

Long Drivers of the Caribbean

On September 6, 2014, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa hosted the inaugural Qualifying event of the Long Drivers of the Caribbean with two Champions winning the opportunity to compete in the premier event in power golf RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship International in Mesquite, Nevada on September 25-26, 2014.

L

ong Drivers of the Caribbean founder, Jeff Nolen was able to capture the event for our island bringing the opportunity for Puerto Rico to host the event for all of the Caribbean. Our local event offered opportunities for Area Golfers to tee it up and see how they stack up as power hitters with categories for Women, Youth, Senior and Open Division Competitors. Champions were crowned in the Open, Youth 18U Men and Seniors 55+.

The event converted the Rio Mar Ocean Course’s No. 10 Tee Box and 18th Fairway into a 40 yard wide x 400 yard long Grid for the Competition with a Festival Tent setting and Party atmosphere with drinks provided

by Don Q, Fitness by Titleist Performance Institute trained Doctors of Chiropractic, Club demonstration by Tour Golf and music by a DJ with Food and Beverage by the Wyndham Rio Mar.

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The rules are simple. Each competitor must use clubs in LDA competitions that are USGA Conforming. Each Competitor has 2:45 minutes to hit the official Topflite balls into the “Grid”. Competitors may repeat their attempts as long as time allows.

We were proud to have local golf Legend Jesus Rodriguez to open the event with a demonstration by hitting a drive from his knees, sitting in a chair and the first official drive with a Putter. Sr. Jesus also shared a few stories and jokes from his golfing experience throughout the years.

The Senior Champion was Sr. Tito Narzario.

The Youth 18U Men Division became a duel between 13 year-old Melvin Morales and 15 year-old Hector Rivera which resulted in Melvin winning with a 275 yard drive.

In the Open Division it came down to two Pros from Rio Mar, Apy Lopez and Gilberto

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Golf News

Barrionuevo which resulted in another duel of Power Drives which resulted in Gilberto winning with a 320 yard drive. The Long Drivers of the Caribbean were proud to crown these Champions in this inaugural event. Gilberto joined Jeff who had qualified via an Organizer’s Exemption but had recorded drives recently on the island of 359 yards and a personal best of 417 yards in his Long Drive career.

These results placed Gilberto and Jeff in the top 128 Longest Drivers in the World earning them the opportunity to compete in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship alongside some of the best in the world, past champions and legends of Long Drive.

For more information please visit www. longdrivers.com

Rio Mar Country Club, Cumming, IAT, Golf Digital Magazine, Tour Golf, Drs. Alex & Oscar Adorno, Kia, Don Q, and Fast Signs.

Special thanks to our Site Director, Julio Bautista, Sr. Emilio Diaz as the Rules Chairman, Stephanie Landestoy, Graphic Design, Ruben Callazo Grid Support, Luis Rodriguez and Elvira Velez for all the work surveying the Grid and measuring each of the competitor’s drives. Of course this event would not have been possible without the Long Drivers of America, Art Sellinger, CEO and Mike Ambriz Exec VP and the entire Staff of their organization.

Make plans now and start training to tee it up next year and take your best shot at becoming the 2015 Long Drivers of the Caribbean and Puerto Rico Champion. More information regarding the expanded schedule of events will be released in February 2015.

The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship will be shown on Golf Channel and NBC. Golf Channel will allow viewers to experience the high-adrenaline excitement of the RE/MAX WLDC and will be showcased in October on Golf Channel through three primetime specials and the live two-hour finale. Additionally, NBC will air a 60-minute recap show of the entire RE/MAX WLDC later in the year, which will televise golf’s premier long drive talent on network television.

The event organizer would like to thank all the volunteers, the General Manager, Danny William, the Staff of the Golf Operations of the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, the members of the

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Golf News

History in the Making

by TEAMPUR at State Team Championship HISTORY Made by TEAM Puerto Rico at the 11th USGA Men’s State Team Championships in Indiana.

Congratulations Erick, Edward, Jeronimo, and team captain John Allen, who finished tied for 5th place at the USGA Official Championship played at the French Lick Golf Club in Indiana, accomplishing a historic performance for Puerto Rico and the PRGA at the 51-states event.

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Learning from the

By Andres Subira

It’s inspiring to see a woman swing a golf club. By watching Nancy Lopez, Michelle Wie, Annika Sorenstam and Stacy Lewis, among many others, one can only admire how effortless their swings are and how well they can hit the golf ball. For one thing, their technique is flawless.

They have found a way to maximize their swing and golf club performance to their advantage. It is truly magnificent to see someone swing a club with such grace.

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M

ost women, in my experience teaching golf, have one quality in common that most men don’t have, they are more interested in the process and perfecting the mechanics of the swing than wanting to hit the ball as far as they can. They understand that they cannot manhandle the golf ball or the golf club, so they finesse their way around the golf swing. They are detail-oriented, so they ask great questions on how to improve their performance. Their bodies have great flexibility, so their rotation is excellent. This allows them the potential to create the club head speed they need to impact the golf ball.

heels. If you start your swing off balance, you have already missed the shot.

Good mechanics follow good posture.

When ready to start the swing, you must think of a one piece take away. The key here is to focus the movement on the shoulders not on the hands or arms. Not only will this create a smooth motion to the top of the swing, but it will prevent excessive manipulation of the club.

On the way down, a well rehearsed sequence of motion will maximize the potential to create club head speed without the need for big muscles. Once the club is set to come down, what moves first will trigger a sequence of motion that will create the best speed at impact. The lower body needs to start the rotation forward to clear the hips and allow the arms, hands and club to whip around to make contact with the ball.

“If you finish offbalance, you probably started the swing off-balance or swung the club too hard. Since most women can’t overpower the golf club, they quickly learn to finesse the swing into a picture perfect finish.”

Good posture and balance are essential to a well-managed golf swing. If you watch most LPGA players addressing the ball, you will see that their posture is perfect. The feet are shoulder-width apart. The knees are slightly bent. They lean forward from the hips until the arms are hanging straight down.

This will promote a relaxed posture. Keeping their back straight is a must. A straight back allows a wider turn of the body, while maintaining good balance. Their head is held up high, helping to keep the upper back straight. Weight distribution at address is also very important. The weight should be distributed evenly between both feet, leaning forward enough to maintain close to sixty percent of the weight on the balls of the feet and forty percent on your

A good follow-through validates the proper mechanics. By ensuring a good finish on the follow- through the player can receive great feedback on the swing just performed. If you finish off-balance, you probably started the swing off-balance or swung the club too hard. Since most women can’t overpower the golf club, they quickly learn to finesse the swing into a picture perfect finish.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Good rhythm and tempo go hand in hand with a good golf swing, even more so with women. By swinging with rhythm and good tempo the player can become more efficient and get the most out of the golf club. The process of striking the golf ball has as much to do with proper tempo as strength. The way the body can create maximum acceleration at impact is caused by a steady increase in the speed of the club as it approaches the ball.

How does the proper set of clubs affect a player’s performance? The correct set of clubs can be the difference between a successful outing and a disastrous experience. It equates to running a marathon with the wrong shoes. If they don’t fit well, you won’t finish. So, your golf clubs must be fitted to you. The correct length, swing weight, lie angle, grip size and shaft flexibility have to be considered when purchasing clubs. The golf club must be made to work for you so the swing speed, posture and o slew of measurements can be taken into account to get a proper club fitted. This is something overlooked by most player, but is one of the most important components to the game.

I always get a kick when I see the reaction of a woman when she hits that first “perfect shot”. They probably thought that they were not able to swing a golf club, let alone hit the ball so well. After that, they are hooked. Women are perfect for this game because it requires something that all the women I know have, patience and persistence. They have an infinite supply of it, so once they get the bug, they will practice and play more than their male counterparts. If you have never picked up a club before, do yourself a favor: find a reliable golf professional, a good practice facility, and go for it. You will never regret it.

Andres Subira is a Master Golf Coach with the United States Golf Teacher’s Federation. Currently, he is the Director of Instruction, Master Club Fitter and Club Maker at Rio Bayamon Golf Course.

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Distributed by Serrallés Imports San Juan, PR 40% Alc./Vol.

Interview

The Golden of Dorado Girl

By Alberto C. Medina Gil

Mónica Cabrera, Director of Sales & Marketing at Dorado Beach Resort and Club, has been a key player in helping the property recapture some of its former glory as a premier Island destination

W

hen Mónica Cabrera started working at Dorado Beach nearly six years ago, the resort was a shadow of its former self. The Hyatt Cerromar had been closed since 2003, and while the historic ‘old’ hotel and its classic golf courses remained, the property had lost much of its luster.

But where others might have seen only decline, Cabrera saw possibilities. “I was drawn to the opportunity to really develop something; to the challenge of it,” she says.

“I was drawn to the owners’ vision of what Dorado Beach could be —what it has become.”

Indeed, Dorado Beach today is a far cry from those days in late 2008 when, according to Cabrera, the property was almost “deserted.” And she has been a key part of the team that has overseen the transformation, helping to turn Dorado Beach into a top-tier vacation destination once again.

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Interview “Dorado Beach has been really successful in the past few years, not just financially, but in fulfilling that vision,” she says. “We’ve done what we set out to do, and we’ve turned that vision into a reality.”

year. “We’re working on a very important project that’s going to position Puerto Rico as one of the biggest golf destinations in the Caribbean,” she says.

The biggest part of that success, of course, was the 2012 opening of the 5-star RitzCarlton Reserve at Dorado Beach, one of only two such properties in the world, (a third is set to open in Bali at the end of this year.) According to Cabrera, the prestigious Reserve has helped open up Dorado Beach, and the Island in general, to the all-important luxury market.

“You’re not seeing just older players, or just businessmen.

You’re seeing a lot of kids, a lot of young adults getting interested in the game, and it has been increasing,” says Cabrera, who also attributes the game’s growing popularity among youth to golf’s impending return to the Olympics in 2016.”

Another attractive new offering has been the resort residences, a ‘condo hotel’ concept of three-bedroom abodes that are available for short or longer-term rentals.

It is an initiative spearheaded by Cabrera that gives travelers, especially families, the chance to enjoy a slightly different experience.

“That was a project of mine that started a few years ago, and 2013-2014 have been its most successful years,” she says. “It’s a more family-oriented product for people who want to travel together, and they feel like they belong here. They feel like they’re at home here, not just staying as tourists.”

While the new concepts and offerings have reinvigorated Dorado Beach, Cabrera and her team have not neglected the things that made Dorado a top attraction for decades. Chief among those is golf, as Dorado remains the only property in Puerto Rico with four golf courses (one currently closed for renovation) that have been consistently ranked as some of the top places to tee it up in the Caribbean.

lot of young adults getting interested in the game, and it has been increasing,” says Cabrera, who also attributes the game’s growing popularity among youth to golf’s impending return to the Olympics in 2016.

Beyond the luxury accommodations and world-class golf, Cabrera believes that much of the resort’s recent success is due to a concerted effort to offer members and guests a unique experience.

“Our motto around here is ‘life time’, not in terms of ‘forever’, but the time of your life,” she says. “We believe that Dorado adds time to your life; you feel safe, you’re in constant contact with nature, and there’s a magic here that is really the basis for every idea that we develop.”

Cabrera has felt the allure of that magic, herself. In fact, it once called her back to Dorado when she strayed elsewhere.

“At one point in my career, I left here to help start another hotel, and after three

“Golf plays a huge role here,” says Cabrera.

“It’s something that sets us apart.”

Cabrera admits that she did not know the first thing about golf when she joined Dorado. But she has been a quick learner, and her efforts to promote golf at the resort have borne fruit. For the past two years, Dorado Beach has joined forces with the Puerto Rico Golf Association to host a tournament of the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

Last year, the resort’s courses served as the setting for The Golf Channel’s “Big Break NFL” reality competition show. Dorado also hosts many charity golf tournaments and private golf outings throughout the year.

Cabrera also hinted at an exciting new initiative which she can’t reveal just yet, but hopes to announce at the beginning of next WWW.GOLFTOURISMPR.COM

“All of those efforts to promote the game have been working,” says Cabrera, who has seen not just more golfers on Dorado’s courses, but a more diverse group of players.

months I came back because there’s just nothing like this place,” she says. “All the different people you meet, the vision, the development, nature all around us... we’re really proud of it all.”

“You’re not seeing just older players, or just businessmen. You’re seeing a lot of kids, a

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Cover Story

Between the

GREEN ROOM GREEN and the

By Alberto C. Medina Gil

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Cover Story

ordelia González is no stranger to the green room.

As one of the leading ladies of Puerto Rican stage and screen, she has undoubtedly spent countless hours in that hallowed backstage space, going over her lines or getting ready for the day’s show. Her acting career has literally spanned the globe: from New York to LA, and from San Juan to Salzburg. Her theatrical resume, which includes training at the prestigious Yale Drama School, reads like a list of classics: Pericles, Richard II, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Dangerous Liaisons. Small parts in critically acclaimed films like The Mambo Kings and Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, as well as guest roles on TV shows ranging from Law & Order to Kojak, gave her a taste of Hollywood. And her career here at home, in both television and theater, is still going strong.

González is also no stranger to the green— the putting green, that is. While acting may be her enduring passion, golf, it turns out, is a close second, and González is more than just a casual player. Over the past few years she has emerged as one of Puerto Rico’s most recognizable celebrity golfers, and one of its only female celebrity golfers; someone whose love of the game is as deep and true as a 300-yard tee shot right down the fairway.

A Golfer is Born “I started getting interested in golf in Los Angeles when I was working on a play there at the Mark Taper Forum,” says González of her role in the 1991 production of Widows. She began to notice that many of her peers in th the entertainment industry made connections and talked business on the golf course e and, in a town that’s all about who you know, González did not want to kn be left out ut of the loop.

“I’ve e always liked sports, so I bought a 7-iron -iron and started going to the drivin driving range with a friend who was also in tthe play,” she says says.

Eventually, ntually, González graduated from the range that, nge to the course. She soon found that opportubeyond the valuable networking oppo nities, es, the game itself held a remarkable appeal.

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“Once I began playing, it was addictive,” she says. “It really surprised me because it’s a game in which everything depends on how you manage all that’s happening around you. There’s obviously the mechanical part of it, making the right movements that will result in effectively hitting the shots you want to hit. But there’s also the natural surroundings, the course and the weather, which offer additional challenges that are always changing.”

“

I started getting

interested in golf in

So began a decades-long love affair with golf in which, the more she learned about the game, the more she appreciated its intricacies, idiosyncrasies, and its capacity to help hone both mind and body.

“I took golf lessons with Miguel Suárez, who, besides being an excellent teacher, showed me a lot about how golf can play an important role in your development as a person,” says González, who got involved with Suárez’s Puerto Rico Junior Golf League. “He believes, and I share that belief, that golf nurtures a sense of honesty and integrity, which are very important qualities.”

Los Angeles when I was working on a play there at the Mark Taper Forum,” says González of her role in the 1991 production of Widows.

“I’ve always liked sports, so I bought a 7-iron and started

“

C

going to the driving

range with a friend who

Suárez also helped her become a pretty decent golfer. While she admits to being a bit out of practice and having “about a 22” handicap these days, there was a time when she boasted a 14.

González even broke 80 once or twice, which she considers her proud-est golfing achievement, though she might ht not have known it if someone else had not ot been keeping score.

was also in the play.

“Funnily enough, the first time I did it, a at Trump (International Golf Club), I wasn wasn’t keeping score,” says González. “I didn’t idn know I was doing on ng it so I wasn’t focused o it, and nd I think that helped me.”

It’s one of her favorite things about golf: g one ne must focus on every shot, but not obsess over it; avoid mistakes, but not agonize over them. “Golf will humble you, because throwecause if you get mad and start throw ing ng clubs, you’re going to play poorly,” sshe says. “You see it in the big tournaments, tournam where the players who are calm, and an even look happy, are the ones who play pl well.”

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Cover Story

“

Once I began playing, it was addictive,” she says. “It really surprised me because it’s a game in which everything depends on how you manage all that’s happening around you. There’s obviously the mechanical part of it, making the right movements that will result in effectively hitting the shots you want to hit.

But there’s also the natural surroundings, the course and the weather, which offer additional challenges that are always changing.

“

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Cover Story

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Cover Story

“

I think you need to have

events that offer golf lessons,

“

and combine those lessons and workshops with different activities that interest women.

an hours-long golf outing is a significant time commitment tha that many women simply can’t afford to make make.

“To play well, you need to play with a sense of serenity. That’s the wonderful thing about this sport. You need to combine physical ability with an emotional, almost spiritual calmness,” says González.

Ladies on the Links González is a former member of both Trump International and Bahía Beach golf clubs, but these days she’s a free agent.

“Right now I’ve got my clubs in the trunk of my car, and I go wherever someone invites me,” she says.

Those invitations come early and often, but a busy schedule prevents González from accepting them as often as she’d like. And while she used to play two or three times a week, these days she’s lucky to make it out to the course once a month. It’s a struggle, she believes, shared by a lot of working women—whether they work in front of the camera or not—which might go a long way toward explaining why there aren’t more ladies on the fairways and greens.

“Women usually wear a lot of hats at work and at home,” says González, adding that

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She also believes th that golf, a game with complex rules and a steep learning curve, can initially seem ov overwhelming—to both S women and men. She encourages clubs and organizers to cr create opportunities for women to learn and practice the game in a environ comfortable environment.

“I think you need to have events that offer golf lessons because it’s so important, for anyone, to learn the basics and learn the rules before they go out on the course,” says González. “And you can combine those lessons and workshops, especially practicing on the range, with different activities that interest women.”

A few years ago, González was part of just one such initiative when she participated in the Ladies Puerto Rico Golf Association’s “Golf and the City” nights. These evening events featured golf clinics conducted by female pros, with a side of food, wine, and fashion in a social setting.

González would like to see that kind of program make a comeback, perhaps with a particular focus on businesswomen. Just as she was first drawn to the game because of the professional connections it might allow her to make, she believes that female executives would have much to gain from imitating their male counterparts by doing business on the golf course.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Cover Story

“When you’re playing golf, you spend an extended amount of time with other people and it gives you the chance to get to know them; to talk about important issues or discuss business, but in a laid-back setting,” says González. “Then, after a round of golf, you’re relaxed, you’re happy, and if you’ve talked business and closed a deal, even better.”

All the Course’s a Stage

“I’ve never hit a hole-in-one,” she says.

“But I haven’t lost hope.”

Just as people might go see her new play to escape from their troubles for a few hours, González will keep heading out to the golf course for her own preferred

“

...when the curtain

rises, or when you’re in a tournament, you have to trust that you did the work, leave the past behind, and be completely in the moment. You have to

“

For González, it’s no surprise that singers, actors, and all manner of performers are drawn to the game.

One of the first things that struck her about golf years ago, and which she still enjoys to this day, is the strong parallel between what it takes to succeed on stage and on the course.

form of relaxation. But she won’t relax too much, as she approaches the game with the same passion and focus that has driven her successful career. Plus, there is at least one more thing on the golf course that González would yet like to achieve:

“People are actually going to the theater a lot, but times are tough and they just want to laugh and have some fun,” says González.

Sometimes González gets a chance to play with her own colleagues in the entertainment industry, though it usually is less ess business than pleasure.

“I’ve played with ‘Chucho’ Avellanet a few times; he’s so much fun to play with because he’s always cracking jokes,” she says. “I’ve also played with Junior Álvarez, with ‘Bizcocho’ (Otilio Warrington). Milly Cangiano plays, and we keep challenging each other, but we haven’t had a chance to get together for a round yet.”

It’s a lesson González has cherished during a long and distinguished career that shows no signs of stopping. After years of co-hosting the critically acclaimed Cultura Viva (Living Culture), she’s back on TV in Univision Puerto Rico’s Doctora Mamá (Doctor Mom), a Saturday afternoon talk show about issues that affect mothers, children, and families. At press time, she was in rehearsal for El Otro Cuernito, a rollicking comedy (whose title defies exact translation) about adulterous couples, set to open at Bellas Artes in late October.

be present. It’s the same with a good performance.

“You go through your rehearsals, ls,, w when hen he n you try different things and you go about putting the show together, and that’s like the time you spend at the driving range or with an instructor,” says González. “But when the curtain rises, or when you’re in a tournament, you have to trust that you did the work, leave the past behind, and be completely in the moment. You have to be present. It’s the same with a good performance.”

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Learning from the

How to Attract I

More Women to

G

lf

By Chip Koehlke

Chip Koehlke is a highly experienced PGA Professional, with 2013 marking his 30th anniversary as a golf professional. He brings extensive experience to his clients, including developing and coaching many top professional tour players on the PGA, LPGA, Champions, European and Asian Tours. Most importantly his holistic coaching philosophy has assisted countless golfers just like yourself to truly change their game!

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Since the start of the 21st century golf has been headed down the road of being oversupplied, while demand has been either static or in decline. Many factors can be cited as causes for this current state including: overly aggressive new course construction, high entry and participation cost, decreasing leisure time, generational disinterest, and a major decline in the economy, to name a few. While these factors seem obvious as having influence on the state of golf today, golf clearly has not traditionally been quick to change. Among other things, one change of great importance for the growth of the game and future health of the industry is attracting and retaining a larger segment of women golfers.

t has been highly published, even before the golf industry’s recent downturn, that golf has struggled to attract or retain more women golfers. While statistical definitions may vary, women golfers in the United States account for 15% to 25% of all golfers. Since men represent the largest customer segment in the game today, you might ask why is so important for the growth of the game and the health of the industry to have more women players. Well, the simple answer is that globally, women as an overall customer segment has been significantly growing in economic purchasing power, and in the United States women account for 80% of all purchase decisions. In order to thrive, the golf industry must clearly understand what female consumers want and how to give it to them. But most importantly, the industry needs to understand and seek to remove the barriers which either prevent women from taking up the game or cause them to leave it.

While getting an understanding about what women want and the alleged barriers can be easily accomplished with more extensive research, implementing change in a game which has historically been exclusionary and entrenched in tradition is another thing. Another challenge to tackle this problem is understanding how to effect social attitudes, which are at the root of the barriers keeping women out of the game. It is important to note that creating this change cannot be left up to the governing bodies of the game or the facility operators alone. In order to implement this change, it is also up to each golf enthusiast, both male and female. Because customers interact with each other in the game, they are as much a part of the industry as anyone. As you will see we all play a role in helping the game to grow.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE? Recognizing the growing economical impact of women as a customer segment, golf operators have attempted to cater to women on some level or another over the past couple decades with little impact on the number of women attracted or retained. This is not a result of the programs or adjusted offerings not being desired by women, but instead, operators fail to address the real issue: barriers.

Barriers, either real or perceived, which deter women from taking up the game and cause them to leave, are at the heart of the problem. While golf is rich in history and tradition, the game has always been closely associated OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

with social roles. Perhaps these attitudes are symptomatic of the game’s exclusionary nature, which is entrenched in said history and tradition. However, barriers are also of social and generational nature as well. This is the very thing which makes the industry slow to adapt. It is as old as the game itself; after all, in its infancy golf had been a game undertaken by royalty, noblemen and landowners. Mary Queen of Scots (Queen of Scotland) was the first known female player. She greatly influenced the popularity of the game and regularly played the links at St. Andrews during her lifetime throughout the 16th century, but it took more than 100 years before women were regularly seen playing the links at St. Andrews.

MALE ATTITUDES

FEMALE ATTITUDES

In a Golf Digest article, 1,500 avid women golfers of the Women’s Executive Golf League were interviewed. Summarizing a few key questions as indicators, it seems clear that there is still room to improve the male bias toward female golfers. As one example, when paired with men, the women didn’t know that about 65% of men often expressed unhappiness at the pairing, either openly or poorly veiled. If these women surprised the men in their group with good play, only slightly more than half of the men were positive and encouraging. When asked if course Staff and Rangers treat them the same as men, only 38% of these women responded “Always”. One clear bias is that women are perceived to be slow, and as a result almost 80% of these women had felt rushed at least once or twice a round, if not more. Lastly, men remember to stop and wait for their female playing partners to play from the forward tees only 38% of the time. In the end, these women generally stated they want nothing more than to be treated equally.

In another article in Golf Digest, by Susan Reed, observations by two female coaches point out that many times women can be worse than men to their fellow female players. Generally women seem to be competitive with one another, but not in a normal sporting way but in a culturally-influenced way. They state that sometimes women talk behind each other’s backs.

They tend to compare clothing, body, level of play, etc. Women exhibit plenty of meanness among themselves, they just express it differently and in more subtle ways. They go on to say women pull things men never would, using the example that men tend to give short putts often, but women make each other putt the ball. They want their playing partner to miss, to see them embarrass themselves. The rules are the singular favorite weapon of choice for female/female torment. Often more experienced players intimidate opponents and new less-experienced golfers with allegations of rules violations. These women can ruin the day and cause other women to quit a league, or a club. Newer generations seem less likely to exhibit these same behaviors, so it is slowly changing, but the barrier still exists today for many.

“While getting an understanding about what women want and the alleged barriers can be easily accomplished with more extensive research, implementing change in a game which has historically been exclusionary and entrenched in tradition is another thing. ”

While golf has progressed by leaps and bounds from the time of Mary, it really has not kept up fully with the progression of female roles in today’s society.

There have been many well-written articles uncovering some of barriers for attracting and retaining more women in the game, some scientific in their approach and others more informal-observation based. They paint an important picture of practices and behaviors influenced by social roles and attitudes. Following are a few I have chosen to discuss in hope to bring more awareness and facilitate change.

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25

Learning from the

INSTRUCTIONAL BIAS Recently I was asked to take a survey about instruction practices by a fellow professional Sue Shapcott, who was doing research for her doctorate. Some of the possible options for answers seamed absurd, and I couldn’t imagine fellow teaching professionals choosing them.

So after completing it I followed up with her to see what she was trying to prove.

She shared with me that she was attempting to identify instructional biases toward females. She had my interest so I asked her if she could share a summary of her results with me. In short, this is what she found: when presenting instructors with two recreational golfers of similar age, handicap and swing characteristics, some coaches indicated that the male golfer was more capable of improving than the female golfer. She points out this bias, although it isn’t good, it is not problematic on its own. What matters more is whether the coaches’ bias translates to behavior during coaching sessions. Do coaches who do not believe that female golfers are capable of improving as much as male golfers act differently when coaching? Unfortunately, coaches’ attitudinal biases do affect their behavior. Coaches who had a bias against female players were more likely to give them feedback like “Don’t worry, I’m sure you are good at things other than golf,” or “Distance will never be your strength.” Whether or not you think this feedback is realistic, it makes players think that they have no control over improving their games, so why continue playing?

Coaches who initially indicated no bias between the male and female golfer’s potential to improve, were less likely to give discouraging feedback. They were more likely to give feedback that gave players a sense of control of their games, such as “There is nothing in your swing that can’t be fixed.” Or “Let’s develop a step-bystep plan to improve your game.” Perhaps the most interesting finding of the study is that golf coaches who did not report a bias against female golfers, and gave feedback that made them think they could improve, re-

26

tained more female golf students than other coaches. This means that women golfers who were treated as if they could improve took more lessons from coaches who believed in them than coaches who had a bias against them. It sounds obvious, doesn’t it?

TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

“Some barriers to women are based on traditional practices within the golf industry.

While at one time maybe these practices followed social norms, they fail to recognize women’s role in society today.”

Some barriers to women are based on traditional practices within the golf industry. While at one time maybe these practices followed social norms, they fail to recognize women’s role in society today. As an example, amateur female-only golf tournaments are traditionally still held during the week at most membership golf clubs. Even many female-only leagues and organizations conducting events at public facilities follow the same tradition. This

tradition is exclusionary because it doesn’t take into account working women who may not be able to play on a weekday.

While it may be coincidental, I find it interesting that about 74% of women in the United States work, and female golf participation rates are at best in the low 25%. While tournament or league play must be scheduled, operators need to consider social and demographic trends when choosing when to schedule these events. If a women’s golf league or organization is experiencing a decline in membership and participation, maybe they need to consider how to be more accessible to a larger female segment, those in the workforce; scheduling

events for after work or on weekends may draw more participation. One concern in doing so is the direct conflict for tee times with golf’s largest current customer segment, men. Choosing to schedule events after work or on the weekend competes directly for tee times traditionally taken by men, but if golf is oversupplied and underdemanded, then there should be plenty of tee times for everyone.

In conclusion, you can see by the few barriers discussed, that socially-based attitude change can have a huge impact on getting more women to enter and stay in the game. More women translates into increased demand, resulting in a healthy golf economy.

Golf will always compete with other interests which can vary due to generational and social influences, but the game needs to be more open without gender bias and reflective of social trends.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Juniors Golf

Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships This year’s edition of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, the regional competition for amateur golfers representing the member countries of the Caribbean Golf Association has teed-off at the Sugarcane and East Courses at Dorado Beach.

28

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Juniors Golf

PR Wins 7th Consecutive Title T

he 27th edition of the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company came to an end on August 1st at the 18th hole of the Sugarcane Course, were host Team PUR once again emerged as the Best Team Overall of the regional golf championships. Counting with this year’s win, Puerto Rico has become a strong and dominant team among the countries that actively participate in the event.

Conducted by the Caribbean Golf Association and hosted by the PRGA at

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Dorado Beach Resort & Golf Club, the 54hole event showcased the participation of a total of eight (8) total teams, six (6) of those with a full delegation of 14 golfers divided by age groups at the Male & Female divisions.

CGA’s President, Mr. Sidney Wolf, along with the Tournament Staff, Volunteers and Member Club Directors & Representatives, congratulated all countries in attendance and specially recognized the local team players along with its management staff, for their most recent accomplishment.

“We are glad that in general everything went very well this past week as it was planned by our Tournament Committee along with the Host Club, but even more special that we were able to witness some good golf and great scores from the younger competitors in the Caribbean...,” indicated Wolf immediately after the Awards presentation were he commended Tournament Director, Francisco Rivera for an extraordinary organization.

29

Juniors Golf With all results posted at the scoreboard and the countries flags blowing into the sunset winds, winners of the individual trophies on each category as well as Champion and Runner-Up teams were both recognized by CGA Officials.

PUERTO RICO JUNIOR TEAM BOYS 13 & Under

GIRLS 13 & Under

Melvin Morales (Junior Champion) Antonio Morales Emmanuel Santos (Alternate)

Camila Robles

BOYS 15 & Under

GIRLS 15 & Under

Mitzel A. Chevres (Junior Champion) Ian Aldarondo Héctor Rivera Alejandro Toro (Alternate)

Diana Vélez Paola Delgado

BOYS 17 & Under

GIRLS 17 & Under

Felipe Colón (Junior Champion) Jose Cardona Juan Díaz Jayson González (Alternate)

Yudika Rodríguez (Junior Champion) Kristina Ortíz Alexandra Vélez (Alternate)

PUERTO RICO earned the 1st place as Best Team Overall with a total of 161 points. Out of their team total, 55 points were added when a total of four (4) out of the six (6) categories earned 10 points. In second place finished the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC with a 136 points and a strong finish by two of the players at the Boys 17&U. The team from TRINIDAD&TOBAGO came in 3rd place with 121 points, followed by BAHAMAS (92), JAMAICA (69) and the USVI (61). The teams of BARBADOS and the CAYMAN ISLANDS were not able to field full teams, yet they allow a delegation of juvenile golfers to proudly represent their respective countries. Other special prizes were also awarded to individual golfers who earned invitations to the Duke of York – Young Champions Trophy.

27TH CARIBBEAN AMATEUR JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2014

THE HANK JAMES TROPHY RESULTS BAHAMAS BARBADOS CAYMAN DOM. REP. JAMAICA

30

OECS

GRAND TOTAL

92

34

34

136

69

0

RANKING

4

7

7

2

5

9

PR

T&T

USVI

161 121

61

1

3

6

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Juniors Golf

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31

Interview

Interview with

Valeria Pacheco

Who is Valeria Pacheco? What is your professional record profile?

I started playing golf when I was 7. Now at 14, I am currently ranked #1 in Puerto Rico in my age group “15 and under”, and ranked #1 in the state of Florida in my age group of 14, this is according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard National Rankings. I have being a member of the Puerto Rico Junior National Team since 2011, and represented Puerto Rico in many international events.

I have represented Puerto Rico in Barbados, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Cayman Island, United States and recently at the World Amateur Team Championship in Karuizawa, Japan; it was a great honor to play with the Puerto Rico Women’s Team.

Was golf your first sport? If not, which sport did you play? When did you decide that golf was the sport that you preferred?

I started dancing ballet at 4 and participated in many recitals.

Then I started ballroom dancing where I participated in several dance competitions. When I was about 10 years-old I began focusing on golf. I found it much more enjoyable than dancing.

When was your first contact with golf? And how or who introduced you to the game?

I started playing golf with my dad. He took me to the practice area every time he went to practice.

What are your best and worst experiences on the golf course?

My best experience on the golf course was shooting my lowest round in the Caribbean Amateur Junior Championship in the Cayman Island. I t was really great to play that well. The last day of the competition I shot a 68. My worst experience was when I shot a 16 on a hole when I was about 11. It was really bad, and I had so many people on the tee behind me, waiting. I can still remember that when I finished, the girl I was playing with gave me a really big hug, but that will always be my worst experience. I cringe just thinking about it.

Who else plays golf in your family? Do you beat them?

My dad used to play golf with me all the time; I guess he got tired of losing to me.

How and when did your passion start for the sport?

My passion has really grown from the day I won in the South Florida PGA Junior Tour. That tournament was the last one of the year. There were all the girls that had been playing the entire year, and most of them were older than me. When I heard that I won, I

32

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Interview was so happy! That feeling is just incredible, and I knew that was what I wanted to do.

What comes to your mind when people mention golf as an Olympic sport?

Who is your favorite player and why?

It would be an honor to represent Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games.

Rory McIlroy is my favorite player. The reason is because I remember when he was playing absolutely amazing before he switched to Nike. He was winning everything, or just was at the top. Whenever I would see him playing, I would watch and I’d just aspire to be like that in the future.

He’s been my favorite since then.

Who is your mentor and why?

Bob Mallek, he is not only my coach, he is a friend of the family. He really helped me to grow and understand what golf is.

He’s a huge part of the person I am today, and I’m really grateful.

What do you tell your colleagues and the people that are new to this sport?

What are your short and long-term goals?

Improve my short game and putting. Also work on my course management. My long-term goal is to play college golf, and hopefully play on tour.

In the near future, what are your plans or commitments?

I am currently committed to the Club Med Academy to improve my game and I am planning to participate in more national events.

I tell my colleagues about my past experiences and future hopes in golf. To the people that are new, I tell them that this sport will teach you so much about the person you are. Your patience, your honesty, you integrity are all things that you learn when you play golf.

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33

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Fitness & Health

My Son Wants a

Sports Scholarship

By Dr. Rosa M. Hechavarria

Sometime ago I heard a mother talk with pride about her son: “Juan is a boy with many skills, excellent grades, many friends, and he also is an excellent athlete.”

Juan has been playing golf since he was 7 and always gets first or second place in the national tournaments he plays. Now he is 17 and he is searching for a college sports scholarship. His mother went on to say “… he has potential, but I don’t know what’s happening to him. In the last two tournaments, boys with fewer skills have beaten him, or he has not played well.”

T

he lady was right to feel proud. A 17-year-old young man, graduating from high school with good grades, sociable and loved by his friends, and on top of that, an athlete for ten years, he is not just any boy. It is important to recognize that the teenager athlete is a champion for his age: he is responsible for getting good grades (otherwise, his parents would ask him for an account); he is responsible for being punctual with his training sessions (otherwise, his coach would scold him and he would be embarrassed in front of his mates); he is responsible for keeping his room and clothes tidy (as any other teenager); for training hard to win; and in addition, he has friends, outings and yes, PlayStation and Xbox…he is a full teenager!

the future result of the competition and with the actions taken or to be taken in order to try to achieve the goal.

In the case of Juan, there are other stressors.

It is important to do well in sports, because his college studies depend on it. For him, everything depends on that. Usually, in episodes of pre-competitive anxiety, people are assaulted by distorted thoughts which produce physiological and emotional reactions such us: trembling, perspiration, nausea, palpitations, disorientation and above all, lack of concentration. When this happens in golf, the player tends to underestimate himself.

These are some examples of Juan probably is feeling the pressure of thought patterns: graduating with a good grade average; trying not to miss out on outings and parties with his high school friends, whom he will not be seeing every day any more after school is over, and also playing well in international tournaments, because that’s where the college athletic directors go to look for talent. Juan is thinking about many things and his heart hastens when he sees that he is not doing well with his putting... Juan has pre-competitive anxiety.

Seeing the future as uncertain: “If I don’t do well in this round I won’t be invited to the tournament in the Dominican Republic.” “I think I didn’t train enough.” “If I don’t lower my handicap now it means I’m really bad.”

Pre-competitive anxiety can be defined as: an emotional state focused on immediateness, which is characterized by feelings of apprehension and tension. It is associated with the activation of the nervous system and occurs in competitive situations, when we are exposed to being evaluated. It is fear of the unknown or defeat. Therefore, the individual enters into a state of alert and suspense. Normally in sports, it is related with

Sensing the surroundings as threatening: “I have the strange feeling that something is not totally right.” “I don’t know why, but I have butterflies in my stomach, I feel nervous and insecure.”

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Sensing to lack the aptitude to overcome certain situations: “I don’t thing I can beat this opponent, he is awesome and much better than I.” “I’m not sure I have enough skills to beat him.”

Pre-competitive anxiety is common among athletes, and one can learn to manage it.

It is not something irreversible, everlasting, or terrible. In the case of Juan the athlete, he needs to look urgently for the help of a sports psychologist who can teach him to identify and handle pre-competitive anxiety and other life stressors.

It is important for Juan to understand the mechanisms that trigger the “olympic freeze,” and to identify the thoughts that enter his mind before and after the game.

Once he identifies them, there are psychological techniques to work with them and to manage the physiological reactions that they could cause. Above all, it is important for Juan to keep in mind that he has been playing golf for ten years, that he knows the techniques and how to control the ball…and most importantly, that he has to have fun and a good time!!

35

Fitness & Health

Work your upper body: In recent work with female clients I’ve seen the need to give more specific details on the upper body segment: strengthening the forearms for proper release of the club at impact; biceps and triceps to avoid early release or casting and maintaining the path of the club, and shoulder blades and thoracic spine to synchronize upper and lower body disassociation.

By Ricardo Picorelli TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor K-Vest 3D Level 1 Certified

T

he recent success of our Island girl junior golfers has a lot to do with them being more determined than ever to staking their claim to the golf course and to a higher standard of performance. One of the primary factors allowing athletes to compete more effectively on the course is fitness. From Baby Boomers to juniors, golfers are beginning to realize the advantages of increasing strength and flexibility. Women are no exception.

Strength is essential: Most women would be well served to place emphasis on building muscle strength to be more competitive. You should place emphasis on strength of the posterior chain muscles (lower back, glutes, and hamstrings), abdominal muscles, and the shoulder girdle.

When it comes to golf, your power will come from the muscles you don’t see in the mirror, not so much the front of your thighs. It is important that your golf fitness program includes exercises that focus on the posterior chain, such as Rip Trainer rowing variations, and total body rotational patterns, such as medicine ball wood chops.

These are some of the things women should keep in mind as they begin regular golf fitness training:

Your swing is unique: The most efficient swing is not the same for every golfer because efficiency is unique to each body. To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened.

If you don’t assess, it’s a guess: Getting a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) golf-specific physical screen is the first step towards a personalized fitness program.

The screen has 16 golf-related tests that measure your flexibility, stability, balance, power, and overall body function.

Flexibility is on your side: Women tend For more information on how to get your TPI golf-specific physical assessment, you can reach us at: Facebook: RP Fitness Lab Twitter: @rpfitnesslab E-mail: rpfitnesslab@gmail.com Telephone: 787-307-9473

36

to be more flexible than their male counterparts. While there are exceptions to every rule, women can typically use stretching for maintenance of flexibility as opposed to achieving or re-establishing full range of motion.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Fitness & Health

MEET PAOLA DELGADO

THE TPI APPROACH

She is 14 and has been playing golf for 8 years. She has also played volleyball, and recreational sports like tennis and swimming. A player of the year for the category 12-14 yearold girls - US Kids Golf she has been a two-time member of the PUERTO RICO JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM (2013-2014). Her Swing Coach is Chip Koelhke, PGA pro.

The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) is the world’s leading educational organization and research facility dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.

How has your golf fitness program help your game?

I make more solid and consistent ball contact. I feel stronger and my swing feels effortless.

Takes us thru your week, how many times a week do you work out?

I train 4 times a week in combination with my golf swing practices and playing rounds. The golf fitness workouts consist of building overall strength along with learning to properly sync my upper and lower body disassociation. Other days we work on our stamina, which is a key factor when playing the back nine on the final round of a tournament.

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It’s crucial that you, the athlete, develop and nurture a well-rounded network of professionals. This includes your swing coach, your golf-specific fitness trainer, and your trusted physiology MD. Each of these pros must communicate with one another to pinpoint your specific next steps. The swing pro sees a technical issue and finds little or no progress with his/her client. This is where the golf pro refers you to be physically assessed to verify whether your problem is physical or swing technique. Once assessed, the fitness expert will create a specific program from your golf-specific physical screen. When the physical screen reveals heavy restrictions

in simple movement patterns, it is meritorious to get a more exhaustive physical evaluation from a good sports physiologist, who can determine the root of the lack of mobility and restrictions.

These people are part of your team and they should give you the confidence that your game will develop better and you will prolong your playing years with less risk of injury.

37

G&T Tournament

38

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

G&T Tournament

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39

G&T Tournament

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all the participants and attendees who helped to make the

First Golf & Tourism Magazine Tournament such a big success!

A

bout 85 golfers enjoyed an all-day golf tournament at The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf Club.

The fun-filled event was topped off with delicious cocktails, restaurants around the golf course and a closing buffet meal presented by Outback Steak House.

Congratulations to the golf tournament winners: Net: 1st Place: Jose Carlos Aponte and Tirso Velez 2nd Place: Luis A. Velez and Freddy Valentin 3rd Place: Javier Vasquez and Mr. Carrasquillo.

Gross: 1st Place: two juniors’ participants Hector Rivera, Jr. and Mervin Morales 2nd Place: Angel Lopez and Mr. Angulo 3rd Place: Jorge Tartak and Gustavo Vega Longest Drive: Tirso Velez Closet to the Ping: Steve Spears Women: 1st Place: Becky Liggett 2nd Place: Laura Cray Contests for exciting prizes, such as a Viceroy Anguilla Trip and a brand new Volkswagen Jetta 2014 (sponsored

by Hugo Neu Americas) kept players cheering on the golf course. Inside the clubhouse, guests competed for the hot raffle items: a round-trip ticket from Jet Blue; gift certificates; dinner at Il Mulino New York, Outback Steak House, Condado Plaza Hilton, and many more prizes.

We concluded with live music by Plena Adentro.

We hope to see you at our next big event next year.

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G&T Tournament

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G&T Tournament

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Thank you!

OF PUERTO RICO

Entrepreneurs Corner

Photography by Eric Stella.

Thanks to the Caribe Hilton Hotel and Betty González for facilitating the venue for the photo shoot.

By Luis Santiago-Collazo

I have no doubt that many of those who belong to my generation, when they were kids, very often heard their parents say “look, but don’t touch.” Human Resources author and consultant Wanda Piña-Ramírez has not forgotten those words and has applied them many times throughout her life, especially in those occasions when her professional responsibilities at a multinational corporation led her to spend many hours on golf courses, doing business or spending time with future clients.

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hat do you do on a golf course when you do not know how to play? “You spend a lot of time on the golf cart. I learned a lot about that game and saw how, just like in business, you learn more by watching while spending time on those small vehicles. You learn more from the outside than being part of the game,” she answers with her unique good humor. She adds “I learned to see the game from many points of view. My colleagues are used to hearing me say ‘when I go to a business meeting I am going to sit on the golf cart.’ ” Wanda, who in conjunction with Norma Dávila founded The Human Factor Consulting Group Inc., reveals that on the golf

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cart she discovered the opportunity to see who her friends are and who are not.

Even though for Wanda, golf is “yoga for men,” she is not inhibited to say that this game originated in Scotland in the Late Middle Ages and it is as close as it gets to making a business decision. “You can plan everything, select the correct golf club, know where the ball is, wear the correct shoes, have the correct partner, have the correct caddy, and after you hit the ball, it is all at the mercy of everything that is part of the environment. We can make the best business decision and at the end, the environment can change everything,” states the co-author of the book Cutting through the Noise.

“In Cutting through the Noise we talk about engagement. Golf is engagement. This book talks about circumstances, about you, and about the relationships among colleagues. So, I could tell you that Cutting through the Noise is not only a book for entrepreneurs or managers; all of us have to learn to be engaged in all aspects of life. If we look at human development, we could single out all of those stages where engagement is the key to success. Starting from the early school years, through college, and up to the point where people find their soul mates.” For Piña-Ramírez all of us have to learn to be engaged in all aspects of life. That is why, for her, engagement, like respect, are skills that we have to learn.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Entrepreneurs Corner

Wanda acknowledges that what she has achieved personally and professionally would not have been possible without the support of many people, all of those who have been her caddies. “There is nothing that I can do alone.

Sometimes I have to make copies of documents as part of my work, and I have to go to that store that provides that service to find someone who can help me. Those are the moments that I see that we still need to recognize the professional in each one of those employees who do their work day by day,” she highlights.

Through our conversation with Wanda, with an enviable ability, she tended to us, replied to text messages, did not lose track of the conversation, and even confessed that her agenda had only allowed her to get two hours of sleep during that last few days. “I don’t work for the sake of working; I stopped doing that several years ago. Those who know me understand that I work seven days a week and almost 24 hours a day. What drives me? What makes me do what I do? It’s my engagement with what I do. We have to learn to be employable. All of us have to learn to become entrepreneurs” she affirms, while pointing out that in Puerto Rico we are used to being employees instead of entrepreneurs.

The recipient of the Training and Development Professional Award of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development in 2011 would like to see Puerto Rico full of entrepreneurs.

Piña-Ramírez is convinced that if we had a more entrepreneurial vision, we would be more flexible and would do things differently, converting many more professionals into consultants, with new opportunities to develop new ways to be employable.

That way, all of us would have more opportunities to do everything that we like to do. But, beware, not all of us are going to be receiving the check with more digits on the field for the total amount to be paid at the end of the month. Not all of us are going to be on the cover of the latest business magazine.

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“In Cutting through the Noise we talk about engagement. Golf is engagement. This book talks about circumstances, about you, and about the relationships among colleagues. ”

As Certified Human Resources Administrator by the Advanced School of Human Resources Administration and Labor Legislation of Puerto Rico, Piña-Ramírez recognizes the importance of learning to do those things that are as simple as they are wonderful, such as observing.

She acknowledges that, as a result of not practicing the art of contemplation, sometimes we jump at challenges without giving ourselves time to see what they really have to offer, how it can be done, or how those who have been successful at it have done it before.

“You know what?, I have confirmed that everything is possible. I have spent a lot of time observing and learning from the golf cart. And I have days when I have left the golf cart, walked over to the golf course, and faced that challenge that life is offering me and that I know I can win with my best swing. That’s when I know that others are watching, observing, and learning from their golf carts.”

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Tourism

Sports Tourism

The Wonders of

By IvĂĄn O. Puig GonzĂĄlez

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is the most prominent international organization working for the promotion of tourism. Its main responsibility is to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism as a driver of economic growth, with inclusive development and environmental sustainability, while offering leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. Tourism is the world’s number one industry and principal economic development driver in many Caribbean Islands. Now more than ever, tourism is playing an important role in Puerto Rico and even though the highest percentage of tourism business comes from the corporate and group sectors, leisure business is growing at a steady pace and Sports Tourism is emerging as a key component of tourism supply.

S

ports Tourism is defined as a specific travel outside of the usual environment for either a passive or active involvement in competitive sport where sport is the prime motivational reason for travel and the touristic or leisure elements reinforce the overall experience. Sports Tourism is a multi-billion dollar business, one of the fastest growing areas of the $4.5 trillion global travel and tourism industry. It has become a vast international business attracting media coverage, investment, political interest, travelling participants and spectators.

WTO recognizes that Sports Tourism is now an emerging market. In fact, over the past twenty years, the interest in sports, espe-

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cially elite sporting events, has grown at a never before seen rate. Sports Tourism events at international, regional and national levels have a double positive effect: the direct effect of the attendance of the competitors and/or spectators and accompanying persons, and the indirect effect of the marketing of the destination, which leads to subsequent tourism flows.

Mayor destinations are developing tourism product concepts revolving around pleasure sports. These concepts enable destinations to stand out amongst their competitors and to increase their competitive edge in the international arena, attracting consumers who are keen on getting in touch with naOCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Tourism

ture and interacting with the community to enjoy healthier and interactive travel experiences.

In order for any destination to compete in the growing sport tourism market it is crucial for communities to develop a profound understanding of the benefits and impacts of sport tourism, the process of bidding for events, possible sponsorship opportunities and other elements involved in the planning and hosting of a successful sporting event. It is generally recognized that there are three types of sport tourism:

SPORT EVENT TOURISM: It includes hallmark events such as the Olympic games and the World Cup soccer championships, which are normally promoted as a tourist attraction and bring to a destination thousands or millions of visitors willing to spend millions or billions of dollars.

In addition to these hallmark events, tournaments sponsored by international golf, tennis and/or basketball associations are also part of this spectatorbased sector of sport tourism, and similarly there is tourism associated with professional college sport teams, amateur sporting events, high school championships, youth oriented tournaments and non-profit community-based sport events, to mention a few examples.

“Sports Tourism is now an emerging market. In fact, over the past twenty years, the interest in sports, especially elite sporting events, has grown at a never before seen rate.�

ACTIVE SPORT TOURISM:

It includes individuals who travel to participate in sporting events in a variety of disciplines such as golf, kayaking, tennis, fishing and surfing, among others, as an amateur player and competitor or on leisure and just for fun.

NOSTALGIA SPORT TOURISM: It involves traveling to famous sport-related attractions to visit sporting hall of fames establishments, sport museums and sport venues.

Several economic, technological and attitudinal forces, conditions, factors and changes have aided in the increased popularity of sport tourism. In order for people to participate in any form of sport tourism, an WWW.GOLFTOURISMPR.COM

adequate amount of money must be possessed, and affluence of families has certainly lately risen to new heights, mainly because of major changes in the types of jobs, family households salary compositions, how people work and an increase in the amount of leisure time available for sport tourism activities.

Recent innovations in technology have increased access with better transportation, expanded availability of accommodations away from home, and eased participation with more sophisticated sporting facilities and equipment, which have contributed to the increased rise in popularity of sport tourism. Sports and sport values and attitudes in general have a greater societal influence than before, and now, sport clothing has even become fashionable in a sport and non-sport context. This and other tendencies have lowered the barrier to sports participation and people who would previously have considered sport as not being for them now seek to participate.

Sport tourism has positive and negative impacts on culture. It can strengthen national heritage, identity and community spirit; provide a vehicle through which visitors can come to know foreign people and their culture, and instigate the regeneration and preservation of cultural traditions. At the same time, if not handled properly or coordinated with the local government authorities, the attraction of more profitable sport touristic employment opportunities can erode traditional communities and adversely affect the balance of a local economy; contribute to the loss of cultural identity and heritage; bring about modifications to cultural experience to accommodate tourism; lead to crowd disorder at events; bring violence, and contribute to tensions between hosts and visitors. Nevertheless, these potential negative effects can certainly be controlled and avoided.

HOW SPORTS BENEFIT TOURISM Sports are an investment in the tourism industry because they create economic growth by generating traffic to hotels, restaurants, malls and other tourist attraction establishments. Sports also create exposure and enhance the positive image of a destination; help building community relationships, and strengthening corporate support. Lastly, sports develop new infrastructure and generate increased rate of tourism growth.

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Tourism To put everything in perspective, let’s take a quick look at Puerto Rico from a Sport Tourism standpoint and evaluate the sporting attributes of our beautiful Island and some of the events that have taken place lately:

SPORT

PLACE

EVENT

GOLF

Trump International Golf Course East Course in Dorado Costa Caribe Golf Course

PGA PR Open

RUNNING / TRIATHLONS

Anywhere around the Island (street, grass, sand or track)

World’s Best 10K Iron Man 70.3

BIKING / CYCLING

Anywhere around the Island

La Vuelta

SURFING / BOARDING

Isabela Beach

Corona Extra Pro Surf Circuit Rip Curl Pro Championship

BASEBALL

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

World Baseball Classic

BASKETBALL

Coliseo de Puerto Rico

NBA Exhibition Games

All these events have played an important role in tourism and the economic development of the Island. That is what Sport Tourism is all about. With ideal weather, diverse geography and the ocean all around us, Puerto Rico is the perfect destination for athletes and fans of any sport.

However, you do not have to be a professional athlete to enjoy playing or experiencing sports in Puerto Rico. You can go surfing, kayaking, caving, rappelling, hiking, diving, running, golfing or anything you can think of and the island will provide it.

When it comes to Sport Tourism, Puerto Rico has it all: talented athletes across the world and in all sport disciplines; state-of-the-art facilities; an ideal geographical location, and good weather all year round.

Many Puertorrican government representatives have highlighted the fact that Sport Tourism is one of the main pillars of our economic development, and that sports-related activities contribute approximately 1% to the island’s gross domestic product (GDP). It should be no surprise that Sports Tourism can provide a tremendous multiplier effect in terms of economic activity to the Island and can be strategically used to project and position Puerto Rico as the destination of preference, for travelers, sporting events and activities.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Mixology

Finlandia extraordinary.

When we say that something is extraordinary, we mean that it is something out of the ordinary, out of the rule, out of the order.

Extraordinary things are special, different, they do away with the established, are not boring. It is not doing the same, not following the current, breaking the monotony, looking for new options; it is discovering.

To make something ordinary into something extraordinary is to make Finlandia Vodka. Its making is owed to the kindness of nature. The purity of the water, filtered in a natural way in one of the planet’s cleanest environments, is combined with the best ingredients, carefully selected to produce a great vodka.

But the most extraordinary thing is that Finlandia has been able to combine its already unmatched quality with different fruits to create spirits with incomparable flavors. Fruits such as mango, grapefruit, tangerine and lime, among others, have opened the door so that those who like to try new things, innovate and explore can do it, offering them an array of possibilities.

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Mixology

If you want to try something sweet, the combination of Finlandia with mango or tangerine is perfect because the freshness of the tropical fruits gives it an incomparable flavor. But if you prefer a citric flavor, then combining the flavor of a newly squeezed fruit such as grapefruit or lime is the perfect selection. Because each taste has its possibility with Finlandia. And Finlandia is versatile and mixes very well with everything. You just need to dare to try.

Putting a little flavor in our life can make the difference, and Finlandia, with its combinations, gives us that possibility.

Because the most extraordinary thing is to enjoy the kindness and freshness of the different flavors in a moderate way because Finlandia, is extraordinary.

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Golf Gusto

Golf and oenology,

a winning pair

and a combination to please In life there are things which were created to go hand-inhand, like architecture and lighting, Humberto Ramírez and the trumpet. So it goes with golf and oenology, provided that, as Dean Martin used to say “… you don’t mix it with the putt.”

The truth is that either golf or a good drink let you enjoy good times, in which the clock seems to stop, allowing us to close our eyes and thank the Universe for a marvelous instant of calm, enjoyment and pure victory.

Because, caressing the palate with a masterfully harvested wine is as gratifying as shooting a “birdie” on any hole.

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2014

Golf Gusto

T

he qualities shared by oenology and golf go beyond their nature linked to the ground; beyond the green on grapes and golf courses; beyond the effects produced on them by the sun, the rain and dedication, which are essential to enjoy them to the fullest. Their shared qualities go further than being synonyms of style and prestige, and even further than being extraordinarily relaxing and enjoyable. If we have to choose one shared quality is that both provide an ideal pause for confraternization and camaraderie, since these pauses act like and engine for society. They provide the perfect platform to treat important matters in a relaxed manner, but with a touch of distinction, for introductions or business meetings, among other scenarios.

Luckily, there are many golf courses to play outdoors and enjoy the sun and nature in good company. For any stage of the game, La Cava de Serrallés offers an ample array of white wine labels, ideal to enhance the experience.

Among the most recommended white wines to celebrate, from an “Ace” to a “Triple Bogey”, are the renown wines Finca Las Moras, Barossa Valley Estate, Errazuriz, Parés Balta, Serra Da Estrela, Tommasi and Voga, among others. To celebrate in or out of the golf course we can always count with the best red wines, such as Marqués de Vitoria, Tommasi, Justin, Sterling, or the sparkling Pata Negra and Vallformosa, among others. We cannot leave out the finest champagnes such as Louis Roederer and Perrier Jouët.

We cannot ignore an additional quality shared by both exquisite activities - golf as well as oenology have highly recognized

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exponents, which are the pride of Puerto Rico. Between 1960 and 1970, golfer Chi Chi Rodríguez and La Cava de Serrallés started building a legacy of excellence in the history of Puerto Rico.

If you are a fan of golf, or enology or the pleasures of the Enchanted Island, don’t miss the opportunity of honoring this legacy and enjoy a legendary time on a golf course. You won’t need to have the skills for a professional swing to win the Puerto Rico Open; with a cool glass of white wine from La Cava de Serrallés and good company, victory is guaranteed.

Golf Gusto

WISÍN LAUNCHES NABO

A New Culinary Adventure Singer Juan Luis Morera, known as Wisín, has joined forces with Paco López, Christopher Sánchez and Magdalis Rodríguez and opened Nabo, a restaurant located at Calle Sirio 494, Altamira, Guaynabo.

N

abo features an extraordinary Puerto Rican artisan cuisine, which merges unique Creole flavors, all under the baton of Chef Javier Nassar.

The concept is to create ‘handmade’ dishes using natural and fresh products.

The menu designed by Chef Nassar has light dishes such as pizzas, tapas, sushi, salads, as well as entrees. Some of the most popular dishes are: Churrasco Sliders, Chorizo Croquettes with Guava and Oporto Glace, Nori Bites, Guaynabito Rolls, ‘Amarillos’ and Manchego Shavings, and Chicken Saltimbocca Roulade in Roasted Garlic Cream.

Nabo also offers a menu of artisan cocktails prepared with local fresh ingredients, a ‘whisky bar’ and an array of more than 45 international and local artisan beers.

The Retro Chic style space was designed by industrial designer Pedro Javier Santiago, of Interiori Studio, and is decorated with murals by artist Edgardo Larregui, and traditional elements of the Puertorrican culture, such as solid wood, light wood, vibrant colors, and superb lighting. The restaurant seats 90 inside and an additional 40 on the terrace, which has a functional an eclectic bar.

Among the patrons attending the opening of Nabo were: Julián Gil, Jaime Mayol, singer Sie7e, Tourism Executive Director Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, Jose Gonzalez, President of PanAmerican Grain, businessman Shimmy McHugh.

Music entertainment was provided by the Ale Croatto Trio and Danger Garden, and cocktails and drinks by Black Label, Bacardi, Grey Goose, Fantinel, Tequila Don Julio, and Heineken. An excited and pleased Wisín commented “I am very happy to enter into this new gastronomic adventure. I have always been attracted by the restaurant atmosphere and I thank God for this opportunity.”

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Golf Gusto

INTERVIEW WITH MAGDALIS RODRIGUEZ CO-OWNER OF NABO How did you start in the restaurant business and how did your passion for food began?

My passion for food started in 2001, when my husband used to work for very long hours and I had nothing to do at home.

Before that, I didn’t have the slightest idea of how to cook an egg. I started experimenting at the kitchen, adapting recipes, and consulting my mother-in-law who is a natural great cook. Once I mastered the Puertorrican cuisine, I started experimenting with Italian, Asian, and Thai cuisine. Although I don’t have any former cuisine schooling, I consider myself a good cook. Cooking is my passion and my hobby.

I started relating to the restaurant industry through a client of mine who wished to invest in a new restaurant in Puerto Rico. I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the industry, to learn the requirements of a new start-up restaurant operation, and familiarize myself with the industry jargon.

Who do you consider your mentor in and out of the restaurant and what do you learn from this mentor?

I don’t want to sound cliché but my mentor in my life is my husband. Through the last 14 years I have learned a lot from him, but the most important thing is to never give up, and no matter what happens, the only option is to move forward.

What’s your favorite food and why?

My favorite food is Thai food. I love the surprising blend of hot, sweet and sour flavors that you can find in Thai food. For me Thai food is balanced, in flavors and textures.

What’s the best food or kitchen-related gift you’ve been given?

The best kitchen-related gift that I have received is a Wok. The best food-related gift was a birthday dinner celebration at the SD26 Chef Table. The food, the service, and the company were altogether unique.

What dish or food you hated to eat the most as a kid?

As a kid I hated vegetable rice. I remember I used to leave the table repeatedly to throw the rice away until I was caught by my mom.

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What three things are always in your fridge?

I always have butter, onions and cheese.

What’s the one food that always cheers you up?

On the beverage side, blended tea always cheers me up. On the food side, a good homemade soup.

What’s the one thing in your pantry you can never have too much of?

Pasta.

What’s the one ingredient you’d always splurge on?

There’s not a single ingredient that I always splurge on.

What do you recommend to young entrepreneurs?

I would recommend young entrepreneurs to pursue their goals. There are no limits in life as to what you can do, limits are often self-imposed. In order to have a successful business it is of utmost importance to study the industry, know your competitors, understand your strengths and weaknesses; offer something unique to clients that can distinguish you from your competitors, and to have a PLAN. You will face a new challenge every day; the clue to success is having a plan to handle the challenges that life presents, converting a situation into an opportunity.

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Experience a Taino Restaurant where the flavors and the beauty of “El Yunque” come together Great food. Great Atmosphere. Great Prices.

MENU SPECIALTIES

On your way to or from El Yunque make sure you stop by for some traditional Puerto Rican food...we give old world dishes, new world flavors that will tantalize even the most discerning of taste buds.

Urayoan

Located in El Yunque rainforest our restaurant is set on the tranquil Mameyes river.

If you want to relax, listen to good music and have the best food you ever tasted you should definitely stop by the restaurant.

Yuisa

Carr.191, Km 1.1, El Yunque, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 787-415-2317 / 787-354-5977

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Mouth watering Salmon Filet in an exciting Flavored Caper honey sauce

Canobana Smoked Spare Ribs, Flavored with Tamarind sauce Juicy Cornish Hen stuffed with Yuca in creamy white wine cilantro sauce

Caguana (Vegetarian Delight) Nutricious sautee of Garbanzo Beans with a side dish of Mofonguitos

Jumacao Combination Platter. Assorted combo Chicken Wings, Spare Ribs, grilled Sausage and Yuca “mofonguito”

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Golf Gusto

PIZZERIA TRATTORIA ITALIANA

That’s Italian!

Discover the flavours of authentic Italian cuisine prepared with premium quality ingredients Visit a typical Italian trattoria, were each dish is prepared with authentic Italian flavors and techniques. They use a fire furnace for a traditional gluten-free whole wheat flour thin dough Italian pizza.

“We offer an informal family environment where kids prepare their own pizza. We give them the metal tray, home-made dough, all the ingredients and a small roller. Kids have fun preparing it and eating it!”

The trattoria has an air conditioned space with TV for all types of events, which accommodates up to 35 persons.

They are located in the center of Canovanas, at Calle Pepita Albandoz, across from Cooperativa Roosevelt Roads, and the parking with 24/7 security is at Centro Multiuso de Canóvanas.

Open Tuesdays to Thursdays: 11AM to 2:30 PM; Fridays: 11AM to 10:30PM, with Happy Hour from 3 PM to 7PM; Saturdays: 3 PM to 10:30PM, and Sundays: 12 PM to 9 PM

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October - December

2014 Complimentary Copy

Your Passion is Our Purpose

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THE WONDERS OF

SPORTS TOURISM Golf and oenology A winning pair NABO: A new culinary adventure