Golf Vacations Magazine Fall 2009 by Golf Vacations Magazine

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GOLF VACATIONS FALL 2009

GOLF JUST THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN TEMECULA CREEK INN

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Tijuana Country Club I Ireland’s Royal County Down

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Golf at Its Purest, Surrounded by Nature at Its Finest Discover Temecula Creek Inn, where 27 holes of championship golf join with spacious guestrooms to create an ideal golf getaway in Southern California Wine Country.

Unlimited Golf Packages Just $209 per night for a limited time only, including deluxe guestroom and unlimited golf for two. *Based on double occupancy. Contracted groups excluded. Restrictions apply. Valid Sun-Thurs, expires 12/31/09.

(877) 426-8197 www.temeculacreekinn.com

44501 Rainbow Canyon Road

Temecula, California 92592

contents I fall 2009

cover

stories

Two That You’ll Want To Play

Temecula Creek: Just This Side Of Heaven

Q-Link: Golf Success Story

Golf At Sea

by Terry Ross

The late summer in the Southern California desert usually means hot days but good deals when it comes to playing golf during a visit to these regions when it is still in triple digits.

by Fred Robledo

The Pechanga Band of Lusueno Indians knew what they were doing when they settled into a valley they called Temecula. Literally, it means where the sun shines through the mist.

by Leonard Finkel

Whether you're an athlete, business professional, parent, airline pilot, IT professional, fitness enthusiast or otherwise, the Q-Link Challenge is an exciting new way to demonstrate how your cognitive performance improves as a result of wearing a Q-Link product.

by Chuck Miller, The Traveling Guy

I played St. Andrews and Pebble Beach on the same day. And….if it weren’t for a scheduling conflict, I could have played a few more!

departments 10 Personal Postcard

by Chuck Miller

Ireland’s Royal County Down

23 Sweet Stuff

by Terry Ross

House of Carrington, The Putting Lane, Zip-Thru Case, Bug Bam

24 My Turn

by Bob Black

Tijuana Country Club

25 Destinations Your Link To Great Resort Golf Locales

on the cover: Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula, California 6

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S â&#x20AC;˘ F A L L 2009

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Fred Robledo has been covering professional golf for more than 30 years. He wrote for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and the Los Angeles Times before moving into public relations where he promoted professional tour events for Brener Zwikel & Associates. He is now semi-retired, traveling the country and reviewing golf destinations for Golf Vacations Magazine. Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz

Chuck Miller (The Traveling Guy) a Southern California native and 11 handicap golfer at Shadowridge Country Club in Vista, California, writes about golf for newspapers, magazines and internet travel sites. His business background includes developing the initial international distribution network for Adams Golf.

Associate Editor Terry Ross Online Content Editor Bruce Binder Features Editor Larry Feldman

Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.

For Editorial: call: (760) 774-2655 • e-mail: JD@GVLinks.com

Regional Advertising New York • 518-789-3005 Jon Meigs - jon@meigsmedia.com

Leonard Finkel is the author of The Secrets to the Game of Golf & Life and former editor-in-chief of Golf Journeys Magazine. His work has been featured in more than twenty publications including Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. Prior to his career in golf, Finkel owned a chain of retail stores and a consulting and import company based in Asia. He is an alumnus of the University of Utah.

Chicago • 630-871-9417 Patrick Keane - patkeane@comcast.net Atlanta • 770-971-1616 John Reock - reock@mindspring.com San Diego • 619-889-7706 Bob Black - bobblack@cox.net San Diego • 619-709-4425 Wayne McCollum - wayne@gvlinks.com

Palm Springs Resorts Golf Package Specials Cimarron Golf Resort – 1 round incl. cart Woodhaven Country Club – 1 round incl. cart 1 nights accommodations Homewood Suites – Palm Desert or Holiday Inn Express – Palm Desert

OVER 40 COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM

169

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Published by

President Jeffrey Diaz 100 S. Sunrise Way., Suite 257 Palm Springs, California 92262 1-800-940-7816 • fax 214-889-3667

and For reservations or inquires contact Bill Cannedy Golf Vacations Magazine Travel Concierge

Destiny Media, LLC

mrgolf@dc.rr.com

President/CEO James A. Diaz

(760) 902-5587

Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2009 SportsMedia Publications, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.

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Corporate Golf School & Individual Golf Lessons Available • Schools range from 1 to 3 days

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S 10/18/07 • F A L L 1:33:10 2009 PM9

PERSONALPOSTCARD

t was cold. It was windy. It was links golf, void of trees but scenic in a rough and barren way.

It was the toughest golf course I have ever played. It was Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down, perennially rated one of the top 10 golf courses in the world. My adventure began with an hour’s drive from the port of Belfast. I was but one in a group of golfers from Crystal Cruise Line’s Serenity who were enjoying a 10-day golf themed cruise around the British Isles led by Hall of Fame golfer Billy Casper and PGA Golf Professional John Clark of the Golf Academy of San Diego. We drove south from Belfast to the picturesque seaside town of Newcastle and our ultimate destination, Royal County Down, the second of six courses on our “golf cruise.” Our relaxing ride, past rows of tidy homes and lush green fields, was described later as, “the calm before the storm.” Royal County Down’s championship course, site of the 2001 British Senior Open and the 2007 Walker Cup match which will pit the US against Great Britain and Ireland, 10

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was designed in 1888 by Old Tom Morris, one of the most revered men in the annuals of golf and golf course design. Morris captured the true essence of links golf with this masterpiece, which turned out to be difficult beyond belief for yours truly.

California is something I avoid at all costs, I was ill-prepared for the conditions at Royal County Down. However, testing my golfing skills in 30 mile-per-hour winds on one of the world’s top courses was not only a real challenge, it was also a real treat.

Having played mostly on California courses where rough, fairways and greens are manicured for ease of play, I was over-

Our group was relegated to the ladies tees, which at 6,243 yards were more like the white tees on most courses. If we had played the yellow tees at 6,651 yards, the whites at 6,881 yards or the championship blues at 7,181, I shudder to think what my score would have been…my red tee 24 over par 95 would have been much higher. I might still be looking for errant golf balls in the calf-high grass rough or the beautiful, but thorny gorse.

whelmed by Royal County Down’s multitude of five to 10-foot deep, crater-like bunkers; its thick, omnipresent yellow-flowered gorse bushes with their sharp protective needlelike thorns, and its gnarly grass rough. My day on the course was more a test of my durability than my golf capabilities. Since playing in a the wind here in Southern

The wind obviously had a big role in my play. Of the 18 holes, only the last four were played down wind. The other 14 were played either directly into the wind or into a crosswind. Did the wind intimidate me and affect my game? No question about it. I played the last four holes in one under, birdying the 490-yard par five 18th hole. On the other 14 holes, I was lucky to be only 25 over. It was a battle. Would I play Royal County Down again if the opportunity were to arise? Yes, a defiwww.gvlinks.com

orre T THE CHALLENGE OF IRELAND’S MIGHTY ROYAL COUNTY DOWN by Chuck Miller, The Traveling Guy

nite yes. I would want to try and improve on my blind shots to its tight fairways to see if I could avoid its cavernous bunkers and thick, ball-swallowing rough, to improve on my bump and run shots to its fast greens…and to once again view Royal County Down’s simple, stark, natural beauty. For those interested in a shorter, less formidable course, Royal County Down is also home to the Annesley Links, a scenic par 66 course at 4,708 yards from the tips.

Quick observations about playing RCD • No easy shots. • Hit the fairway or lose your ball. • Have your picture taken surrounded by gorse but don’t hit into it. • Approach shots to the greens are difficult to hold as the greens are slick and fast. • In the fairway, play bump and run shots from 10-20 yards off the green. • Only one water hole on the course to worry about, the par 5, 18th hole.

• The course is challenging, difficult, exhilarating, scenic and enjoyable.

TRAVEL GUIDE Visit www.royalcountydown.org for more on Royal County Down For information on golf theme cruises on Crystal Cruise Line log on to www.crystalcruises.com, contact your local travel agent or call Crystal Cruises at 1-800-804-1500

THE CUISINE OF ITALY

“Combining Old-World Italian comfort food with personalized service, a congenial atmosphere and an extensive wine list, La Torretta excels as one of Arizona’s most impressive restaurants” — Dining Out

With a menu that utilizes the freshest and most authentic ingredients and pasta made fresh in-house daily, the restaurant’s culinary fare is consistently delicious and refreshing.Their Osso Buco,Taglio del Vitello Farcito con Quattro Farmagio and Veal Piccata have become local legends and inspired positive reviews from the Scottsdale Republic, the New Times, Guest Informant, TravelHost, and Scottsdale Magazine. The combination of La Torretta’s sophisticated interior and authentic food make it a prime candidate for intimate dinners to group celebrations of special occasions.

LIVE WELL

LOVE MUCH

LAUGH OFTEN

LA TORRETTA Ristorante & Italian Steakhouse

16640 N. Scottsdale Rd v SW corner Frank Lloyd Wright/Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale v 480.991.2000 v www.latorrettaaz.com Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm v Dinner Daily 4:30-9:30pm

CHIPSHOT

CALIFORNIA

END OF SUMMER Two That You’ll Want To Play T

he late summer in the Southern California desert usually means hot days but good deals when it comes to playing golf during a visit to these regions when it is still in triple digits. Two courses that offer some spectacular rates and extras such as complimentary 19th- hole beverages are at opposite ends of the Coachella Valley, yet offer a total of 72 holes and a variety of golf experiences. Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

Tahquitz Creek, the 36-hole facility that is owned by the City of Palm Springs had its earliest beginning in the 1950s as one of the first courses in the Valley, while the Golf Club at Terra Lago, which opened in 1999 as Landmark Golf Club in Indio on the north side of the I-10 is a good example of the more modern desert layouts that require more length and utilize the desert landscape as hazards. Both are run by Arnold Palmer Golf Management. The two 18-hole championship Tahquitz Creek golf courses promise very different experiences. A long-time favorite among Palm Springs golfers, the Legend Course at Tahquitz Creek is a par-72, 6,818-yard course sporting a traditional layout. It was originally designed by William (Billy) Bell in the 1950s, but recent renovations have marked the addition of 40 new bunkers to the course. A true resort-style course that winds around homes and condominiums in Palm Springs, it is no slouch with four closing par 4s that measure 434, 438 and 451 yards—after the 219-yard par 3 15th—you’ve got a very interesting test of golf The newer of the two golf courses at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, the Resort Course, is a Ted Robinson design that debuted

in 1995. A par-72, 6,705-yard course with four sets of tees, the Resort Course, also features a desert links-style layout. Both Tahquitz Creek golf courses offer views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Amenities include a driving range, putting area, and short game area along with golf lessons and clinics. The Golf Club at Terra Lago played host to the 1999 – 2002 PGA Tour Skins Game, hosting the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Vijay Sing, Fred Couples, Greg Norman, among others. It has 36 challenging holes (North Course and South Course) with the North Course featuring dramatic elevation changes, stunning views, and a beautiful and challenging island green par 3 which was a featured hole during the Skins Games. The view from the 7th tee box is considered one of the best in the valley; from there you have a complete panoramic view from one end of the Coachella Valley to the other. Both courses offer some expansive views of the desert and the Indio foothills and feature steep slopes, three lakes, rolling sand dunes and natural desert vegetation. Plainly designed to host PGA Tour events, the Golf Club at Terra Lago also offers some unique signature bridges crafted from vintage railroad cars and four sets of tees on each course. Both 18s measure just over 7,000 yards from the back tees to just over 5,000 from the forward markers. The Golf Club at Terra Lago is just a short drive from down-

Golf Club at Terra Lago

town Palm Springs and just down the street from the Fantasy Springs hotel and Casino. The recently constructed Worldmark Resort Indio is located just off of the 18th fairway of the North Course and is within walking distance of the clubhouse. For more information, visit: www.tahquitzgolfresort.com and www.golfclub-terralago.com By TerryRoss

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S â&#x20AC;˘ F A L L 2009

Temecula Creek Inn

Just This Side O

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Of Heaven

he Pechanga Band of Lusueno Indians knew what they were doing when they settled into a valley they called Temecula. Literally, it means where the sun shines through the mist. They had found paradise in a land of rivers, surrounded by rolling hills, lush meadows and plenty of sunshine. It is no surprise hundreds of later the Temecula Valley has become one of the fastest-growing communities in Southern California as well as a favorite place to stay while enjoying a golf vacation. For vacationers, there are many great places to stay from delightful little bed-and-breakfasts to luxurious 5-star resorts, but for the golf enthusiast, there is no better place to stay than the historic Temecula Creek Inn, a 350-acre resort nestled in the heart of the region’s wine country near the base of the majestic San Jacinto Mountain and a short drive from Old Town where one can shop at quaint outlets and visit places that honor the history of the area. There are eight championship golf courses within a short drive of Temecula Creek Inn, but none is as close as the 27 holes that wind their way through and around the property. Because there is so much to see and do in Temecula, a golfer might want to play just 9 holes in one day, or 18, or even 27. “We have had a lot of people play all 27 in the same day,” said Curtis Rowe, the director of golf. “Most of them play 18, but we give them a choice.” Give me that choice and I will opt for 27 every time. Staying in Temecula is all about choices and the first one a golfer must make is which of the championship courses to play. Since you can see the course from your balcony at the Temecula Creek Inn, it is a natural place to begin. Awarded a Four-Star rating by Golf Digest as one of the best places to play, the 27-hole Dick Rossen-Ted Robinson layout that features gentle, rolling hills, fairways lined with mature oaks, dramatic elevation changes, water hazards and fast, but fair greens. “Each course is unique,” Rowe said. “People usually like to play a combination of the Creeks and Oaks because they are the oldest and have a more traditional design. But probably the most challenging is the Stonehouse Course, which is the newest of the three.” During my two-night stay, I played the Oaks-Stonehouse combination and

by FredRobledo

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

enjoyed it so much, I continued and finished with the Creeks Course. Playing the course a day after the Golden State Tour had played an event, I found the greens on the Oaks to be a little quicker than I expected, but they were firm and true. The Oaks, which plays from 2,842 yards from the forward tees to 3,436 from the tips, begins with a nice 372-yard parfour with a slight right dogleg. It is a nice warm-up hole that gives one a chance to make an easy par or even a birdie with a wellplaced iron shot. For yours truly, a warmup hole means a grounder off the tee, a mulligan worm-burner, a lay-up shot, a chip and two-putt bogey. Next is a double-dogleg, left and right, par-five that plays only 498 yards. Don’t be misled by the length of the hole. You really need to be paying attention to the hills and the terrain on this hole. Two good shots could leave you with a wedge to the green, but if one of your first two shots are errant, you can find yourself blocked by trees or with a difficult downhill lie. The third hole is the shortest at 171, but it is protected by water left, right and long. Check the wind here. Not only must you pick the correct club, you must hit it straight. There is no mystery about where to drive your ball on the tree-lined Oaks course. Most of the strategy comes into play on several of the dogleg holes when one must decide how much of the dogleg to cut. If you fail on your drive, you can’t go over the trees, you have to punch back to the fairway to have a shot at the green. “Those choices really come into play on four and five,” said Rowe. “The long hitters can generally hit it far enough, but when they are off line, they can get into a lot of trouble.” Short hitters, rejoice. You can’t really get into much trouble if you hit it straight. It just takes an extra stroke to reach the green and if you are good with the flat stick, you can still make a 16

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par. I am having some difficulties with my putting these days, but two-putt bogeys are acceptable. The ninth hole on the Oaks is fraught with danger all around. The long hitters must avoid water which will catch a long drive down the right side of the fairway. From the middle of the fairway of the 411-yard hole, it takes an accurate shot to a green protected on three sides by water. I was not long enough to reach the water with my tee shot on that hole, so my second shot to the par-four hole was a layup that left me with a pitch and a putt to save par. Unfortunately for me, it was a pitch and a three-putt for double-bogey. It was onto the Stonehouse Course which measures from 2,816 yards from the forward tees to 3,257 from the tips. This 9-hole design features rock outcroppings, elevation changes and some truly great hole designs. “This really is the most challenging of our courses,” Rowe said. “The wind can be tricky on a couple of the holes and the elevation changes can fool you, too.” Whenever someone tells me the elevation changes can fool you, I take an extra club. This strategy still didn’t help me on the 180-yard fifth hole where I nailed, no, I crushed my 5-metal and still came up short of the green. No problem, though, a chip and a curling putt was good for a well-deserved par. The Stonehouse opens with an elevated fairway that veers sharply to the left. There are tall trees on the left of the 505-yard hole that makes it impossible to cut the dogleg, so the next best thing is a high draw or a straight shot up the right side. The second shot is downhill and two good shots should leave you with a short iron to reach the green in regulation. The second hole, only 352 yards, goes back in the opposite direction with means it doglegs right, parallel to the first hole. Some of us short hitters try to cut the dogleg. Big mistake and not necessary. Missing right led www.gvlinks.com

me to a triple when my ordinary 200-yard drive down the middle would have left me near the 150-yard marker with an easy shot to the green. The next seven holes are among the best on the property. The 402-yard third hole is just a difficult hole because it plays into the wind. There are hills in the fairway that can the roll of what needs to be a long drive and bushes to the right that swallow shots that are pushed right. The 331-yard fourth hole is short, but the second shot is tricky because of all the bunkers in front of the green. If bunkers scare you, you will probably take too much club like I did. That can leave you beyond the green where you might face a difficult shot over and between trees and to fast green that slopes away from you. It took me two more shots to get on and three more putts to get in. I would have been better off challenging the bunkers with my second shot. The 416-yard sixth hole is played from a plateau to a rolling fairway. Even a good drive will leave you with a downhill shot to a green with a false front on the right. A par will leave you smiling, but most likely you leave the green shaking your head. At the end of the seventh hole, behind the eighth tee, is the historic Stonehouse from which the course got its name. The structure, 130 years old, is made of granite and stone and is surrounded by century-old oak trees. It was originally built as a mess hall and a retreat for hard-working quarrymen to get out of the heat. Today, the place is used to host special events both indoors and outdoors on its spacious lawn. This is a great place for golf groups to gather at the end of a tournament. After the narrow, tree-lined 351-yard seventh and the docile 165-yard eighth comes the challenging 555-yard closing hole. There is a beautiful lake with a fountain guarding the front of the green so you have to hit a precise iron to the green after two good shots. It was three good shots in my case. I was left with a 100-yard pitch over the lake which I hit a little too hard and pulled it left of the green. It left me with just a nice chip-in for a par, thank you. When you finish one nine with a par, you have to keep on going. The Creek Course is 2,870 from the forward tees and 3,348 from the tips. This nine is much like the Oaks, very traditional, lined with majestic Oaks. “I think the fifth and sixth holes are the best of the Creek holes,” Rowe said. “Especially No. 5. It plays longer than the yardage.” The fifth hole is403 yards, but is not a problem for us short hitters because it is going to take us three to reach the green anyway. I like to play these long par-fours like short par-fives. The strategy worked again because after my typical short, but straight drive and a 5-hybrid, I was left with 60 yards, perfect distance for my Lwedge. After a nice pitch and one-putt, I walked off with a par. The 391-yard sixth hole almost always plays into the wind. A good solid tee shot sets you up for a birdie opportunity, but again, club selection is vital because of the wind. The closing hole is a 369-yard hole that doglegs to the left. There is also water on the right. The tendency on this hole is to cut as much of the dogleg as possible, but there is no need to do that. It is short enough that a good drive will leave you with a short iron to the green. In fact, many use a long iron or fairway metal off the tee. I use a driver because I can hit it straight and short. The strategy works only if you hit a good iron shot to the green, which I didn’t do. It took me three to get on and two putts later I had my bogey. After the round, head directly to the Temet Grill and treat your palate to the country cuisines with an Italian flavor developed by www.gvlinks.com

G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

Executive Chef Salvatore Giuliano. He is a self-taught culinarian who learned his trade while working in family owned restaurants and learning authentic recipes from generations of mentors. ABOUT THE TEMECULA CREEK INN The 129-room resort completed a multi-million-dollar renovation in the Spring of 2007. The resort boasts the comfort of a California lifestyle with guest rooms and private balconies and patios that overlook the hotel’s championship golf course and offers stunning views. Besides the golf course, the resort facilities include two tennis courts, heated outdoor swimming pools with hydro-spa, a new fitness studio and the 40-seat Temet Grill which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and a Sunday Brunch. Guest room amenities include 42-inch Plasma TVs with cable access, i-pod ready stereos, two dual line telephones and wireless internet capabilities, refrigerators, wall safes, coffee makers with gourmet coffee, hair dryers and private patios and balconies. This is a resort I would highly recommend. If you plan a stay on a Friday night, you are in for a treat. That’s when you can experience Friday Night Lights. That’s a game of Glow Ball where a fluorescent ball is used at nights. You hit to a green lit only by fluorescent light from about 135 yards and watch your ball fly brightly through the black sky. It’s harder to lose one of these golf balls in the dark than it would be to lose a real golf ball in the daytime. 18

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Putting at night with the fluorescent balls is also fun. You can’t read the green because you can’t see it, but if you walk back and forth along your line, you can feel the break with your feet. It makes you realize how important it is to walk the lines of your putts during the day. On day two you can play one of the courses you did the first day, or chose from one of the eight championship courses in the area. Other things to do include flying in a hot-air balloon for about an hour early in the morning, taking a tour of several of the 30plus wineries in the area, testing your luck at the nearby Pechanga Casino or touring the very historic Old Town district. It really is all about choices when you vacation at Temecula Valley.

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Temecula Creek Inn Golf Resort 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd., Temecula (951) 694-1000 Open daily. 27-Holes. Public welcome. Lodging. Fine Dining Restaurant/Cocktail Lounge. Special Events/Meetings. Championship course designed by Ted Robinson & Dick Rossen.

Overnight Package for Two -- $379 One night accommodations at Temecula Creek Inn Friday Night Lights Event for two Saturday golf for two

Rates: Monday thru Thursday $55 - $75 Friday $60 - $75 • Sat/Sun $80 - $95.

Golf School Getaway Package Monday – Thursday starting at $365 per person, per night Friday – Sunday starting at $399 per person, per night Stay in 3-bedroom Creekside Guest House just off Oaks Course 9th Tee. Three hours of Golf Instruction each day Unlimited Golf on 27-hole complex Breakfast and dinner daily at Temet Grill Unlimited range balls

Specials: Friday Night Lights Glowball -- $85 Tee off at 5:30 for 9 holes in daylight Dinner at 7:30 pm, featuring an epicurean buffet and no-host bar Glowball begins at 8:30 pm and features 9 par-3 holes in the dark.

Stay and Play Packages from $339 pp Deluxe accommodations with golf course view plus choice of one Play Option per person, per night. Play Options: Golf – 18 holes of golf, golf cart, bag storage and free range balls Spa – one-hour Swedish/American or sports massage in your room. Enhance your Stay and Play Package by including dinner for two on the day of arrival and breakfast for two on day of departure for $110. www.temeculacreekinn.com

More Places To Play BEAR CREEK GOLF CLUB 22640 Bear Creek Dr. North, Murrieta (951) 677-8621 Closed Monday. 18-Holes. Private Club. Restaurant. Championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Other outings by special arrangements. www.bearcreekgc.com CROSS CREEK GOLF COURSE 43860 Glen Meadow Rd., Temecula (951) 506-3402 Open daily. 18-Holes. Semi-Private Club. Combines the access of a public course with the refinement of a private golf club. www.crosscreekgolfclub.com JOURNEY AT PECHANGA 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula

(951) 770-4653 Open daily. 18-Holes. Public welcome. 62,000 Sq. Ft. Clubhouse. Lodging. Restaurants. Entertainment. Championship course designed by Arthur Hills. www.pechanga.com PALA MESA RESORT 2001 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook (760) 728-5881 Open daily. 18-Holes. Public welcome. Lodging. Restaurant/Cocktail Lounge. Special Events/Meetings. Championship course designed by Dick Rossen. www.palamesa.com REDHAWK GOLF CLUB 45100 Redhawk Parkway, Temecula (951) 302-3850

Open daily. 18-Holes. Public Welcome. Snack Bar. Special Events. Championship course designed by Ron Fream. www.redhawkgolfclub.com SCGA MEMBER’S CLUB 39500 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Murrieta (951) 677-7446 Open daily. 18-Holes. Public welcome. Championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. www.scgagolfcourse.org TEMEKU HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 41687 Temeku Dr., Temecula (951) 694-9998 Open daily. 18-Holes. Public welcome. Championship course designed by Ted Robinson. www.temekuhills.com

Things To Do Wineries The area is fast-becoming one of the popular places for wine-makers. The rolling hills and Southern California sunshine have made it a mecca for award-winning wineries. With more than 30 wineries to select from, all you do is reserve a shuttle or private limo and take a tour of several of the family-owned wineries or stay for a soothing sunset jazz concert. Balloon Rides Hot-air balloon rides are available 7 days a week, year round, weather permitting. Your adventure begins when you are picked up at your hotel at sunrise. You ride around www.gvlinks.com

while the pilot finds just the right place for a launch. Then you watch as the balloon is prepared and inflated. And finally it’s up, up and away on a 60 to 75-minute journey over the rolling hills and wineries of the Temecula Valley. Once you return, you will be offered a continental breakfast which includes a champagne toast. Old Town This is a great place to find some rare antiques and stroll along the wooden boardwalk where memories of the Wild West lives on. This is also a favorite place for shoppers because of the many antique dealers, boutique shops and art galleries.

You can get a further sense of history by visiting the Temecula Valley Museum. Pechanga Resort & Casino If you are feeling lucky, try your hand at one of the many gaming propositions at the largest casino in the western United States. This casino has something for everyone from slots, blackjack and poker to craps and roulette. There is also a fabulous buffet and outstanding nightly entertainment. For more information on golf in the Temecula Valley, please call the Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888-363-2852. G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

Q-Link: Golf Success Story

Sharper Focus + Reduced Stress + More Energy = Improved Performance By LeonardFinkel

eams of pages from medical studies detail the health and wellness benefits of wearing Q-Link. Research at the University of California-Irvine, Imperial College at London, University of Vienna’s Institutes of Cancer and of Environmental Health, plus many independent clinics, convinced researchers of Q-Link’s effectiveness. I've spoken to scores of everyday people that tell remarkable stories of improved health and recovery. But I want to talk about how Q-Link will lower your golf scores. Today more than 300 professional golfers on the world’s major tours wear QLinks. They’ve won more than 100 tournaments on the PGA, Champions, LPGA and European tours. At least 20 of those tournaments were won by players who first put on a Q-Link within the previous 5 to 10 days. I've interviewed dozens of PGA Tour golfers who have shared with me benefits they’ve experienced, including Ernie Els, Davis Love III and Mark Calcavecchia, who set the all time low tournament score the week he first put on a Q-Link pendant. Jesper Parnevik told me, “I put it on and I won the first week. They have probably 20 guys that have done the same thing. If they didn't have their research and information behind it, you might think that was just a lucky thing. But you see all the stuff that they'd done can prove to you that it does make a difference so you have to really believe it.” Els reveals, “I actually got it just before the British and wore it for maybe a week or two. I wasn't playing all that well at that stage of the year. I didn't know quite what to expect in the British with all that pressure. I knew I needed to try to stay calm and stay relaxed. Mainly I think the 20

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Q-Link’s helped me to stay focused and in the same manner, stay very relaxed.” Ernie won that Open. Calcavecchia broke the 48 year-old PGA all time scoring record and said, "When I started wearing the Q-Link in 2001 it was the best streak of playing golf I have ever had. I feel calmer, less nervous and less anxious, which is a good thing in professional golf." Feeling calmer, less nervous and less anxious has to be good for any golfer!

Clinical Golf Testing Historically, products such as these use anecdotal information to back up their claims. For this reason, Clarus reached out to MedSource LLC, an independent research and testing facility in Williamsburg, Virginia to properly structure testing and clinically document any

changes as a result of using their product. MedSource CEO Ray Gagne had worked for decades with Olympic athletes and professional sports franchises, working especially closely with Texas Rangers team trainer Danny Wheat, Toronto Blue Jays trainer Tommy Craig and Angela Bailey on her way to winning multiple Olympic and World Titles. With a true need to evaluate the overall performance of athletes, Ray designed and patented a series of innovative technologies to monitor strength, range of motion, cognitive and cardiovascular performance. Dr. Daniel Carr, former US Olympic team physician noted, "Functional measures performed by MedSource in a consistent and objective manner are invaluable to the performance of the athlete. They provide the foundation for future training and excellence in sport". At first, Gagne was skeptical of Q-Link claims but agreed to create golf specific parameters and do the testing. First stop , the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show (Q-Link was awarded Best New Product in 2005) and Gagne admits he was astonished by the results. Testing covered a range of parameters including cognitive flexibility, physical strength and motor skills. Players and other show attendees showed significant improvement across the board in all categories. These results helped shape an online test version, the Q-Link Challenge, which anyone can take from their home computer to measure their cognitive performance before and after wearing a Q-Link product. Q-Link Challenge Parameters & Results Cognitive testing measures the ability to maintain focus and track information over brief and continuous periods of time, reflecting whether a subject can perform attention-based mental tasks quickly and www.gvlinks.com

in strength after wearing a Q-Link, with an average increase of 5.89% on the left and 7.46% on the right (dominant) hand. The increase ranged between 1.82 to 20.33% on the left side and 1.0 to 13.72% on the right. MedSource noted, “We were able to diagnose that the Q-Link increased strength in the non-dominant hand which helped create better balance. We have found through testing that the best players act ambidextrously, which provides them with the ability to master the grip and maintain greater control of their swing. We found that after people began wearing a QLink, not only were they able to increase their strength, they were able to maintain it for more consistent time periods before fatiguing. They had more energy.” The MedSource summary reveals, “It is concluded that the Q-Link product has a proven and documented increase in general performance in the areas tested. The results portray that the Q-Link product is an effective wellness modality that can be used to increase both hand strength and cognitive flexibility."

accurately. Internal focus is your ability to control keystrokes to ensure that what's happening on the screen is executed accurately. External focus is the ability to filter outside disturbances, like standing on the tee box with someone talking or moving in your field of vision. That focus is measurable. Gagne believes improved focus will allow golfers to more easily shake off a bad shot and move on to the task at hand, concentrating on the next shot. Complex attention, a combination of internal and external focus, improved in 71% of the challenge subjects. Referring to the 2 to 8% improvement within a period of 4 to 6 hours, Gagne states, “Most people are habitual in the way they react and the way that they play the game of golf. To make any positive modification in such a brief amount of time, that's extremely significant." Gagne is confident that wearing a QLink for more extended periods of time will enhance its measurable benefits. Psycho motor speed relates to the performance of the golf swing from beginning to end. The ability of your brain to communicate with your body and react accordingly, if you can increase that speed, then you can increase your overall performance. In this category, 79% of the test group showed improvement. Every test subject showed an increase www.gvlinks.com

How it Works Q-Link technology was developed in conjunction with scientists at Stanford and the University of California. At the core of product performance is Sympathetic Resonance Technology, which clarifies the body’s energetic system and enhances its ability to cope with the debilitating effects of a variety of stressors including electromagnetic fields, which are everywhere – from computer screens to cellular phones. “Many of us have felt the field created when a musical tuning fork is struck,” says Seth Ross, Director of Q-Link Marketing. “Picture a table with hundreds of them. The nearest tuning fork begins to resonate sympathetically with the next one and so on, until all are resonating. The field has now strengthened to a significant degree, though only the first was struck. Our bodies are made up of 75 trillion cells, and each can be imagined as a tuning fork in the sense that each cell has a frequency. If you picture yourself made up of many tuning forks instead of cells, Q-Link is the powerful tuning fork that has been struck. Imagine how that soothing effect would spread throughout your body.” Your Ticket to the Zone Athletes describe being in that mystical place of peak performance called the zone.

Many experts believe that the chief component of the zone is a lack of stress. Anything reducing stress will help you get there more often and stay there longer. Calcavecchia added, "I think the Q-Link really just kept me in the zone, and allowed me to keep making birdies and break the all-time PGA Tour scoring record." The great thing about Q-Link is that it applies to anything you do in life – work, play, sleep… even golf.

Take the Q-Link Challenge Free. . . Fun. . . Fast. . . Informative Test your Focus, Speed and Accuracy Then Experience the Q-Link Difference The Q-Link Challenge is an exciting new way to demonstrate how your cognitive performance improves as a result of wearing a Q-Link product. Whether you're an athlete, business professional, parent, airline pilot, IT professional, provider of wellness services, fitness enthusiast or otherwise, cognitive function plays a critical role in your performance. Free, fun and informative, the Q-Link Challenge consists of two short online videogame style tests that evaluate Attention, Motor Speed & Accuracy, Reaction Time and Overall Performance. The first test (taken before wearing a Q-Link product) determines your baseline performance in these areas. Your second test (granted and taken after you've purchased and worn your QLink product as directed), measures how much you've improved against your former baseline results. Each test generates a printout with easy to read results and a description of each cognitive skill measured.

Take the Q-Link Challenge at www.qlinkgolfoffer.com G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

GOLF AT SEA

Play St. Andrews and Pebble Beach On The Same Day by Chuck Miller • The Traveling Guy

Recently I enjoyed a golfing doubleheader. I played St. Andrews and Pebble Beach on the same day. And….if it weren’t for a scheduling conflict, I could have played Banff Springs, Pinehurst #2, Valderama, or one of 35 other world famous courses as well. How could I do this? It was simply a matter of making tee times on the TruGolf simulator on board the Celebrity Infinity as my wife and I cruised from Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to San Diego. Although golf simulators have been around for a number of years, they are becoming quite popular on cruise ships thanks to Elite Golf Cruises of Sunrise, Florida. They presently operate Onboard Golf Academies on 21 Carnival ships, all nine ships in the Celebrity fleet, four of the newest Holland America vessels, three Princess and two Silver Seas ships…with more to come. My golfing experience on the Infinity was

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thoroughly enjoyable. The most difficult time I had was deciding which courses to play. I decided on St. Andrews because of its historic background and tradition, and the fact it was still on my “Courses To Be Played” list. I chose Pebble Beach because I had played there a number of times and wanted to compare actual play with a round on the simulator. Playing St. Andrews and Pebble Beach on the simulator was like being at the courses themselves. Although each shot was played into a giant 11 x 9 foot screen, tee boxes, fairways, trees, water, and bunkers were shown just as you would see them on the actual course. Watching my shots head toward the narrow St. Andrews fairways, trying to avoid the notorious pot bunkers, shooting at double greens, and seeing the famed “Road Hole”, was realistic enough for me to promise myself a pilgrimage to St. Andrews. As a 12 handicapper, I decided to play St. Andrews from the 6032-yard white tees. I shot an 83 with a great deal of assistance from on board golf pro, Ryan Northrup, who

acted as my caddy and gave me plenty of tips. Oh yes….he also set the putting program on the Microsoft computer system so that all putts under six foot were gimmees. I should be so lucky to have my golfing buddies give me such a break. When I played Pebble I played from the blues with no gimmees. A different game….I shot a rousing 95 with a 3.75 average on the Par 3’s, 5.4 on the Par 4’s and a 6.5 average score on the Par 5’s. That’s an aspect of the simulator that is quite educational. Following each round, in addition to giving averages for Par 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s, you’ll receive a readout of your average driving distance, driving accuracy, greens in regulation and average putts per hole. Putting proved to be the most difficult aspect when playing the simulator as depth perception and the breaks on the greens take a bit to master. Just as you would on your home course, when you play a simulator on a cruise ship, spend a few minutes practicing prior to your round. Adjusting to the motion of the ship, learning proper club selection, and getting a feel for putting will help you have fun and will definitely improve your score. You can play golf on the simulator as an individual, in a twosome, or in a foursome. As an individual player expect to play an 18 hole round in about one hour at a cost of $50.00 an hour. If you have a group and want to develop a great deal of camaraderie, hold a Par 3 Shootout with you and your fellow golfers shooting at some of the world’s toughest and most scenic par 3’s. Cruise ships are a natural for simulators as golfers who cruise can now spend sea days playing some of the world’s top golf courses without having to fly half way around the world or be worried about weather, bugs, or lost balls. Next time you consider a cruise, cruise on a ship that offers Elite Golf Cruises’ Golf Academy. You can take golf lessons, arrange for golf games at fabulous courses during days in port, and…. play St. Andrews and Pebble Beach on the same day. For more information about golf on cruises ships, and golf cruises, consult your local travel agent or visit Elite Golf Cruises website at www.elitegolfcruises.com. www.gvlinks.com

S WEETSTUFF A A relative newcomer to the golf fashion arena in America, yet styled in the tradition of old English aristocracy, House of Carrington has started to make a name for itself as one of the premier fine clothing lines that has now ventured into country club and resort wear. House of Carrington has its roots in a storied estate overlooking the English Channel at the mouth of the River Dart. Built just after the Great War, it was the center of a privileged world created by wine importer Andrew Carrington. The “Ice Touch” line of shirts is cool to the skin and feels like wearing nothing at all. Made of a Lyocell and cotton blend, the Ice Touch shirts have a sleek feel for warm days. The Legend brand is the sporty side of House of Carrington and is available in green grass stores. The focus of the product is primarily golf shirts with other product areas layered on top to create an elegant collection of sportswear. Andrew Carrington is the flagship brand of this clothing line and caters to better specialty stores. The focus of the brand is classic luxury sportswear and tailored clothing. This is a collection of fine tailored clothing and sportswear with timeless appeal, classic detailing, immaculate construction and luxurious fabrics. For more information visit www.houseofcarrington.com

new, inexpensive and easy-to-use training tool that can be used indoors or out--The Putting Lane--is designed to promote a smooth, consistent putting technique much like the tried-and true “gate drill” in a unique all-in-one package that will yield real results. Launched by the Executive Golf Association (EGA), The Putting Lane consists of a 4.25-inchdiameter plastic disc (the size of a regulation golf hole) with a removable center; graphic green arrows on top of the disc mark a straight line through the center of the disc, two clear plastic legs and an attachable and removable circular bubble level. The disc and legs are easily assembled and then placed on the green one foot away from the ball toward the hole, and with the green arrows aligned with the intended target line. Golfers then putt the ball, rolling it directly through the center of The Putting Lane – the green arrows aid in hitting the ball straight down the target line. The circular bubble level trains golfers to better read the green by indicating the direction of the putt. When the center disc and legs are removed, The Putting Lane can also be used to help in chipping and pitch shots. For info visit www.theputtinglane.com

s more people travel with laptops these days and with airport security growing ever tighter in the post 9/11 era, making the job of transporting valuable computers through airport security with maximum safety is becoming increasingly important. The Zip-ThruTM 15.6 Corporate Traveler Laptop Case, the first in a line of checkpoint-friendly laptop cases by Targus® Inc. is designed to help travelers eliminate the hassle of having to remove their laptop from their laptop case when passing through airport security, thereby minimizing the possibility of the laptop being lost, stolen or damaged during the security screening process. Designed with the same features as the lightweight and durable Corporate Traveler laptop bags, the Zip-Thru cases’ design splits the case down the middle, thereby isolating the laptop on one side to allow for clear x-ray scanning. It also features a dedicated file section, zipdown workstation with business card holder, pen loops, key clip and multiple assessor compartments in addition to a trolley strap for attachment to rolling luggage. The Zip-Thru cases are made of durable ballistic 1680 denier nylon, and are a very light 2.2 pounds. For more information visit www.targus.com

nsects can be a real problem on the golf course—especially for those golf travelers who are in unfamiliar parts of the country or internationally and find themselves facing a swarm of pests. Instead of pulling out a lotion or spray to ward off these unwanted and irritating intrusions, a new product called Bug Bam Insect Repelling Wristbands lets golfers concentrate less on battling bugs and more on improving their game. The DEET-free, equipment-friendly wristbands won’t eat away at golf club grips like solvent based repellents can. It’s as easy as putting your watch on and works even better than many lotions—with a lot less mess. Unlike most repellants which contain chemical pesticide, DEET, Bug Bam is made with FDA approved ingredients; citronella, geranium and lemongrass. Bug Bam’s active ingredients emit plant odors that mask the natural body odors that entice mosquitoes. The products are waterproof, sweat proof, non-toxic and fully recyclable. Bug Bam wristbands protect the wearer for up to 100 hours. Left unopened in the packet, the wristband can be used within two years. Bug Bam’s wristband and hanging grid products are now available at select U.S. retailers and online at www.bugbam.com Terry Ross

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

MYTURN

Hidden Gem In Mexico

estled in the rolling hills amidst the high rise condos, hotels and concrete roads in one of Mexico’s largest city—Tijuana-- what can only be described as a hidden golf oasis exists. The Tijuana Country Club or “Club Campestre de Tijuana”, is a classic par 72 layout from none other than famed golf course architect, Alister MacKenzie, the man who brought us Augusta National and California’s Pasatiempo and Cypress Point on the Monterey Peninsula. Although not as famous as the aforementioned tracks, this classic, tree lined track that was routed in 1927 is enjoyable for the average golfer and challenging for the above average golfer. According to Ernesto Perez Acosta, the clubs director of golf, the course, which was last renovated in 1947, has received significant upgrades over the last five years. Those upgrades include the complete rebuilding of two greens, reworking all of the course bunkers to bring them back to the MacKenzie style of bunkering, new ladies tee boxes, and irrigation work throughout the course. Perez and his staff are in the final stages of opening an instructional school that will feature state of the art swing analysis and training equipment. Funded by private donations the school will be geared towards the youth that abound at the course. This semi-private club offers three restaurants, two bars, full fitness gym, Olympic sized swimming pool, six tennis courts, racquet ball court, sauna and playground area including a miniature soccer field for it’s 800 plus members and their families. The course stretches to 6,834 yards from the tips and the front nine, although fairly straight, offers many elevated tees and greens while the back nine features challenging doglegs and generally tighter fairways. Course conditioning is excellent with firm fairways and greens that are receptive and roll true. On the front nine the 2nd and 3rd holes stand out. The 2nd is an into the wind par three measuring 228 yards with out of bounds right and the ever present tall trees guarding the left side. The green is one of the flattest on the course but is well bunkered to add to the challenge of making par.

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Tijuana Country Club by

BobBlack

The 3rd hole, the number one handicap hole, is a straightaway par 4 measuring 422 yards. The fairway has an out of bounds to the right and large overhanging trees protect the entire left side. A well placed tee shot on the right side of the fairway will still leave you with a mid to long iron to a green 30 feet above the fairway level. The green slopes severely from back to front so a three putt is a definite possibility. Number 10 is a monster par 4 measuring 461 yards uphill. With a well bunkered, peanut shaped green, accuracy and length are a necessity. The 13th is a dogleg left measuring 410 yards, the hole plays more like 470 yards even while hitting from an elevated tee. The large undulating green sits 50 feet above the level of the fairway and offers many difficult pin placements.

With this excellent track located so close to the border, it is a snap for you and a couple of buddies to park on the US side for 6-8 bucks, grab your sticks, cross the border and hire a yellow cab for the $7 trip to the course. Regardless of the bad press Tijuana has received in the last few years there is little to no chance that you will have any issues and with daily fees for a twosome ranging from $45 each during the week to $69 each on the weekend including cart (caddies are available), the ability to play a classic MacKenzie track is a bargain. For an avid golfer either living in or visiting San Diego, this is a trip worth taking. For more information or to book a tee time visit www.campestretij.com or call toll free from the US 1-888-217-1165.

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DESTINATIONS

WHERE TO STAY • WHERE TO PLAY

Southern California Sat-S Holidaun ys

ri Mon-F

$45

$40 rd

Standa rd

Standa

$35

$30ht

Twiligh t

Twilig

RATES THROUGH OCTOBER 3

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G O L F V A C A T I O N S • F A L L 2009

You Don’t Have to Live Here to Play Here...

As a Golf Vacations Magazine subscriber, you are invited to receive a preferred invitation for golf membership at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club. • Enjoy 36 holes of championship golf • Extensive practice facilities • Our new spa and sports club • 10 lighted tennis courts • Active tennis leagues and programs • Swimming pools • A full schedule of social and dining events Limited Memberships available. To find out more about Membership, please call the Membership office

949.858.4100

25291 Vista del Verde Coto de Caza, CA 92679 www.coto-de-caza.com

As a special invitation to experience the Spa at Coto de Caza, please call 949-858-2790 to reserve your 50-minute Swedish massage plus 50-minute deep cleansing facial for only $120. (Just call and mention this postcard.)