OTL Spring Issue 2021

Horseshoe Bay Resort

The Ultra Hill Country Destination

2022 Landrover Defender

Chasing Speed and Distance Memphis: Soul in the Delta

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Contents Volume 18, Issue 4

FEATURES 12

TAKE 3 Horseshoe Bay Resort: Ultra Hill Country destination.

Katie Soltas

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RESTAURANT Signature: San Antonio’s superb fine dining restaurant.

Richard Arebalo

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TPC SAN ANTONIO

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Home of the Valero Texas Open, TPC provides the perfect venue.

Marc Hall

Horseshoe Bay Resort

The Ultra Hill Country Destination

2022 Landrover Defender

Chasing Speed and Distance Memphis: Soul in the Delta

ON THE COVER The Million Dollar Hole, #12 at Slick Rock is one of the most photographed hole in the US.

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Contents Volume 18, Issue 4

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COLUMNS 22

FITNESS Take care of your shoulders. They are sensitive.

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PUTT FOR DOUGH You can make tax-free charitable donations directly from your IRA? By making what’s called a QDC. DRIVE FOR SHOW 2022 Landrover Defender: State-of-the-art technology with a hint of the familiar.

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BUCK’S TIPS Are you being lured into chasing speed and distance?

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ON YOUR GAME A conversation with Gil Hanse and Beau Welling.

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TRAVEL Memphis, TN: Walking on Memphis 10 feet of the ground.

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WINE When it’s time to select a dessert wine, make the call.

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CIGARS It’s a wrap. It’s not all about what’s inside, but the outside is a factor.

From the Publisher re you ready for the spring? It’s that time of year again when everything is new again and hope truly does spring eternal.

Does anyone remember last year? This time last year we were facing the unknown in the form of a pandemic. We were in touch-and-go mode. Well, not so much ‘touch-and-go. Vacations, plans and life as we knew it was placed on hold somewhat indefinitely. We didn’t know how long it would last. Well here we are again hopeful and determine to get back to normal or at least a new normal. Millions of citizens have been vaccinated, recovered from the virus or both. That is great news. Folks are once again traveling and most businesses have adopted and back in the business It’s been a unique experience for golfers.

We have been able to responsibly get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Many golfers didn’t necessarily play with their families so now, for some, it’s time to make up for lost time.

Did I mention the blizzard we had here in Texas a few short weeks ago? It was some of the coldest weather in our history for a few days. But as is the case here in Texas, we have already broken 80 degrees. The clocks sprung forward and there is plenty of daylight.

Tiger Woods is back on the path to recovery. I was stunned a few weeks ago and when I turned on the new to see reports of a horrific crash scene. At first glance, time seemed to slow down. When I saw his vehicle was mangled on the side of the road, one couldn’t help to think the worst. I thought once again, we have lost another legend too soon. I was immediately taken back to last year’s Kobe Bryant’s crash site. I was filled with flood of emotion. But thanks to modern automobile safety technology – and sheer luck, he was injured but still alive. What were your thoughts? I thought about all the loss our parents have experienced. What was it like when they heard of Elvis’ death, John Lennon, JFK, MLK, and far too many others? We have always lived in uncertain times.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Just a few days ago as we start to go out more, there was a mass shooting and the week before that another one in Atlanta. You have to be careful and always have an awareness of your surroundings. Never take a single day for granted. Enjoy each day and make sure you get in as much time as you can with those you love.

Life is our most precious gift.

OTL welcomes the PGA Tour to Texas with multiple stops. The times are getting back to normal. Stay safe. Bring on the good times.

Sedric Walker • Publisher

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/OnTheLinks Magazine

@otl_golf

@otlgolf

otlgolf.com

PUBLISHER Sedric Walker

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR Carl Mickelson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Andon Guillory, Loui Shaya

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tony Dean

FEATURES EDITOR Richard Arebalo

ART DIRECTOR Leticia Galarza

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL Buck Mayers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michelle Keller, Leslie Awdykowytz, Marc Hall, Art Stricklin

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Natalie Kalbas

CONTENT SPECIALIST Joel McColl

INTERNET & DIGITAL Alexandria Moya, Karen Kreeps

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OTL magazine is published bi-monthly by Pristine Media, Inc. Executive, editorial,and advertising offices are located at 210 Grand Isle Drive. Round Rock, TX 78665. Advertising rates furnished upon request. Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions and depictions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. OTL reserves the right to refuse any ad for anyreason whatsoever. ©2021 by OTL. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in whole or part without the express written consent of OTL is strictly prohibited. Editorial queries and manuscripts should be directed to the editor via email, editor@otlgolf.com. All letters and their contents sent to OTL are sole property of OTL and may be used, printed, and published in any matter whatsoever without limit, obligation and liability to the author thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and artists and not necessarily those of OTL or its advertisers. Manuscripts should be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. OTL assumes no responsibility or liability for the return of unsolicited artwork, manuscripts or pictures. Printed in the USA.

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Luxur y Dining, Accommodations and World-Class Golf 12

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Horseshoe Bay Resort O T L G O L F. C O M

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STORY BY KATIE SOLTAS

As your journey begins North from San Antonio or West from Austin toward the Highland Lakes, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous. Commercial activity is sparse, and the meandering creeks, rivers and lakes signal that you’ve entered Texas Hill Country.

s any native or frequent traveler of the area can tell you: there are few places in the Texas Lake and Hill Country region to find true luxury beyond the borders of the Horseshoe Bay Resort (HSBR). But you may not need to. During a time when outdoor activities are highly sought after, this destination delivers in terms of exploration on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson and the canyons and rugged bluffs that complement the lux accommodations, dining and golf at HSBR. The famed resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 and just completed a $100 million renovation. Originally purchased by Norman and Wayne Hurd, HSBR’s amenity-rich property was purchased by the Jaffe Family in 1995, who still controls all assets today, including its exclusive membership program.

“The Horseshoe Bay experience has brought members and guests a singular Texas Hill Country sensation for 50 years now and thanks to more than $100 million in improvements, that experience has never looked or felt better,” said Bryan Woodward, managing director for HSBR. “In 2021, we’re excited to renew ties with loyal and longtime guests and also see new visitors discover the one-of-a-kind adventure that awaits them here on the glimmering shores of Lake LBJ.” We were greeted at HSBR’s grand entrance and with brilliant Texan hospitality and a shared sense of place and knowledge from the staff. We stayed in a two-bedroom villa away from the main guest tower but were conveniently close to the lobby, pool area, restaurants and the gardens. The suite was spacious, with a common area, kitchen, dining area

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and two bedrooms with private bathrooms. HSBR has an assortment of room types ranging from one of its 249 tower rooms and suites with balconies to private villas and lakeside home rentals.

The grounds of HSBR are meticulously manicured and boast myriad water features to continue the calming “Zen” feeling throughout the resort.

The gardens and outdoor event space are reminiscent of Japanese tea gardens with an impressive amount of competitive tennis courts with regularly hosted USTA tournaments.

Located lakeside, the HSBR Yacht Club has an experiential pool with a beach that opens up to the lake, a main pool, an adult pool with a swim-up bar and a “Texas-sized” hot tub – that’s rumored to be one of the largest in the state to be exact – that emulates volcanic hot springs. When swimmers work up an appetite, the casual Waterfront Grill & Bar serves up fresh salads, wraps and other Texas fare to enjoy in the sun. Adjacent to the Waterfront is a lounge area that feels like an oversized living room gazing out over the bay and beyond into Lake LBJ – an idyllic setting to sip a craft cocktail or Texas wine and watch the sun set.

Luxury dining at the resort can be found next door at the reservation-only Yacht Club fine dining restaurant with spectacular water views and a European-inspired design, along with its sleek and sophisticated Y Bar. The chef’s choice and top recommended item is the Chicken-fried Lobster. For private dining in the Yacht Club, book the newly renovated Captain’s Quarters for a serene, nautical ambiance.

Horseshoe Bay Resort has several other dining outlets on its spacious grounds, so guests will have

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Ya c h t C l u b r e s t a u r a n t .

Vo l c a n i c J a c u z z i .

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a wide variety of options depending on their location and preference. Nightly s’mores by the fire is a must, which occur nightly by the gardens. Each set of guests receives their own do-it-yourself kit and can roast their own marshmallows over a firepit.

HSBR is the gateway to water adventures. Its marina has a large retail store to buy everything from designer swimsuits and coverups to men’s polos, sandals and logo attire for the whole family. Within the store, guests can book boat tours of the lake, guided fishing excursions and rent most equipment for waterfront activities including pontoon boats, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and more. The resort purchased a new fleet of watercraft this year and the experience is amazing.

For those seeking rejuvenation, Bayside Spa on the shores of Lake LBJ is a one-stop-shop for soothing services, products and amenities. Spa guests can utilize the hot tub, resistance pool and steam rooms and receive treatments such as massages, facials and salon services. The spa’s retail shop has an array of local and European products infused with tropical botanicals. My HSBR tour guide recommended a special seaweed algae treatment for facials inspired by the calming lakes of the region.

The last noteworthy HSBR venue for vacationers, especially parents, is the Jungle Kids Club, a sprawling standalone building that resembles a Mayan temple. The kids club offers babysitting services and features a two-story jungle gym, rockclimbing wall, arts and crafts activities and more.

Interested guests should call ahead to check for seasonal hours of operation and reservations.

The resort is known throughout the region for its award-winning annual events. The most celebrated is the resort’s annual hot air balloon festival held ever Easter weekend that features balloon glows and other stunning aerial displays. The Beer By the Bay Music Festival returns for its eighth year, August 13 - 14, featuring Austin icon Bob Schneider and multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans. The resort also hosts the Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival as well as the exciting Horseshoe Bay Resort Shootout, featuring PGA TOUR and golfers from various other professional tours in an “inside the ropes” match play experience that spectators have come to love.

Guests of the resort return year after year and ultimately become members of the Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort. This vibrant and active Club community shares the Club lifestyle together through active Club programming, Men and Women’s golf leagues as they form new connections and friendships with other Club Members. All of Horseshoe Bay’s recent renovations plus the decades of friendly, Southern culture lays the foundation for an exciting and fulfilling Club lifestyle.

take 3

Play the Texas Triangle its narrow fairways, dramatic elevation changes and a demanding island green par three hold, Ram Rock has earned its nickname as “The Challenger” and has hosted the Texas State Open along with USAG qualifying events.

“Hole number nine on Ram Rock is my favorite due to the beauty, design, and strategy required to play the shot,” said Anthony Holder, director of golf operations. “I’ve spoken to many players from all over that always recall number nine on Ram....It’s a hole you just can’t forget!

“It’s a dogleg par 5 that is tree-lined with water hazards on both sides of the fairway and a green that is well-protected with bunkers and water hazards on both sides with a narrow sliver of fairway approaching the green.”

In addition to its immediate resort offerings, HSBR has leveled up its golf game. Golf is accessible to everyone staying overnight at HSBR, from children to seasoned professionals, starting with an 18-hole putting green course with real Bermuda grass in the hotel tower’s garden area called the Whitewater Putting Course – one of only four resorts in the nation with this unique natural asset. For the players and pros, HSBR has three courses and other amenities, including the new Cap Rock cabana (currently open) and the soon-to-be-open Cap Rock Club House (reserved for Club Members only). The lavish Cap Rock clubhouse, a stylish and stately feat of modern-meets-Hill-Country-Classic architecture and home to the Ram Rock and Apple Rock golf courses, opens later this spring. Long, inspiring views from this hilltop setting deliver an incomparable sense of the region.

Horseshoe Bay Resort is aptly known for it’s three award-winning Robert Trent jones Sr. golf courses that are often referred to as the Texas Triangle.

Slick Rock, constructed in 1972 with a renovation in 2016, sprawls 170 acres on a par 72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The course poses a challenging day on the greens with a “million-dollar hole” over a 35-yard waterfall, more than 75 bunkers and a dozen water hazards. The second Jones, Sr.-designed course at HSBR is Ram Rock, built in 1981. Known for O T L G O L F. C O M

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The third and final Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed course is Apple Rock and was built in 1985.

It travels along the shores of Lake LBJ and utilizes some of the most photogenic land on the HSBR property. Yet, it’s still challenging for the elite thanks to dramatic elevation changes and nearly 60 bunkers. The resort’s members-only course is Summit Rock, designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2021 with 18 holes. It’s considered by many to be one of the Golden Bear’s best work, as he blended the course layout through scenic topography and incorporated the natural Texas live oaks into play.

Million Dollar hole.

Exploring the Lake and Hill Country Region For those keen to explore, getting out into the Highland Lakes wilderness is a must. Inks Lake State Park is less than 30 minutes north of the resort and is a solid place to start a day of adventure. There are miles of trails with a helpful visitors’ center and plenty of hikes for every level of difficulty to choose from. Bring your camera and expect to see Prickly Pear cacti, native desert flora and lake views as well as deer, armadillo, native birds and more Texas wildlife.

A bit further north into the Highlands, avid mountain bikers and trail running enthusiasts can travel to the town of Burnet to find trails on private ranches like Reveille Ranch and Spider Mountain Texas Bike Park. Visit in Spring to traverse through fields of bluebonnets, as Burnet is known as the capital for this Texas flower. If outdoor adventuring isn’t for you, there’s a breathtaking scenic lookout on a high point of Lake LBJ on highway 1431 heading West near the town of Granite Shoals from Marble Falls.

When dining outside the resort, locals recommend Forno’s Bar & Grill at the Lake LBJ Yacht Club and Marina in Horseshoe Bay for a lively atmosphere, water views and Italian cuisine at an affordable price. Or, head into Marble Falls riverfront town for an afternoon of shopping where boutiques, breweries and independent restaurants line the historic vil18

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lage streets. Breakfast is served all day at the Bluebonnet Café on Highway 281, a roadside icon since 1929 known for its pancakes, pecan pies and more.

While in Marble Falls, opt for a riverside picnic at Lakeside Park. Bring your own sandwiches with ingredients purchased at Horseshoe Bay’s Bayside Fresh Market or grab takeout tacos and pints at the nearby Double Horn Brewing Company – all staples in the friendly community.

Whether travelers are visiting Horseshoe Bay for a golf trip or simply to get away from the stress of everyday life, exploring the Highland Lakes region will quench your thirst for epicurean and athletic adventure.

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fitness

Taking care of your shoulders STORY BY LESLIE AWDYKOWYZ CERTIFIED POP PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not this year, spring is here and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to pack up the sweaters and bring back the tank tops, tees and dresses. What does the weather have to do with health and fitness? Hopefully it does not directly relate to how often you exercise, what kind of meals you consume or how you care for your mental health, but it does provide for opportunities to refresh ourselves and perhaps amp up our exercise routine. With that being said, let’s take a quick look into how we can optimize our upper body workouts, with a particular focus on the shoulders.

Consider how important strong shoulders are, not just the deltoids, but the surrounding muscles that support the area to include traps, rhomboids, and rotator cuffs. By properly caring for and strengthening those muscles, you can help prevent injuries, improve posture and benefit from an inviting physical appearance as well.

Although having an attractive physique is a positive result of exercising and eating well, it is not the most important. What good would it be to have an amazing body but frequently need to visit the doctor for illness, pain, or injury? Often when we find the “why” behind the “what”, it provides the extra boost of motivation needed to press on towards bettering our health. Some exercises that you can do to keep the shoulders and surrounding muscles strong and useful include push-ups, pull-ups, shoulder press, lateral or front raises, and even add a squat to shoulder press in the routine for a muscle building

and fat burning movement. For maximum engagement, exercises that are done with weights should be executed while standing to help activate your core muscles as well.

Not only is it important to have strong shoulders to help prevent injuries, but it also will improve overall posture. Poor posture has increased and can cause pressure or tension on nerves, not allowing them to properly send messages to the rest of the body, unnecessary stress on our bodies and even illness. Much of it is due to sitting at a desk, often hunched over, carrying heavy groceries, or spending too much time looking down at our phones all compromise correct posture that promotes better health and overall movement and function. A few benefits of strong shoulders that assist in having good posture include better breathing, more self-confidence, optimal digestion, fewer headaches, boosted energy and improved concentration.

Finally, having strong shoulders undoubtedly adds to an attractive physical appearance.

Broad shoulders for a man might communicate power, success, confidence, strength, ability to protect, just to name a few. As for women, should strong shoulders be a concern or focus? I think so. Strong is not only essential for highest function and fewer injuries but it is beautiful, and projects each aspect of success, confidence and capability that a woman may desire to possess. Go grab that backless dress, muscle tee or whatever outfit that has been lonely on the hanger for far too long and wear it with all the confidence in the world.

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OTL / PUTT FOR DOUGH

Charitable Contributions from IRA’s STORY BY : AUSTIN ASSET Did you know that, if you are at least 70½ years old, you can make tax-free charitable donations directly from your IRA? By making what’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can benefit your favorite charity while excluding up to $100,000 annually from gross income. These gifts, also known as “charitable IRA rollovers,” would otherwise be taxable IRA distributions.1 How QCDs work In order to make a QCD, you simply instruct your IRA trustee to make a distribution directly from your IRA (other than SEP and SIMPLE IRAs) to a qualified charity. The distribution must be one that would otherwise be taxable to you. You can exclude up to $100,000 of QCDs from your gross income each year. And if you file a joint return, your spouse (if 70½ or older) can exclude an additional $100,000 of QCDs. Note: You don’t get to deduct QCDs as a charitable contribution on your federal income tax return — that would be double-dipping.

QCDs count toward satisfying any required minimum distributions (RMDs) that you would otherwise have to receive from your IRA, just as if you had received an actual distribution from the plan.

However, distributions that you actually receive from your IRA (including RMDs) and subsequently transfer to a charity cannot qualify as QCDs. Assume that your RMD for 2021, which you’re required to take no later than December 31, 2021, is $25,000. You receive a $5,000 cash distribution from your IRA in February 2021, which you then contribute to Charity A. In June 2021, you also make a $15,000 QCD to Charity A. You must include the $5,000 cash distribution in your 2021 gross income (but you may be entitled to a charitable deduction if you itemize your deductions, a strategy that may be less beneficial now than prior to 2018 due to passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). You exclude the $15,000 of QCDs from your 2021 gross income. Your $5,000 cash distribution plus your $15,000 QCD satisfy $20,000 of your $25,000 RMD for 2021. You’ll need to withdraw

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another $5,000 no later than December 31, 2021, to avoid a penalty.

Assume you turn 72 in the second half of 2021.

You must take your first RMD (for 2021) no later than April 1, 2022. You must take your second RMD (for 2022) no later than December 31, 2022. Assume each RMD is $25,000. You don’t take any cash distributions from your IRA in 2021 or 2022. On March 31, 2022, you make a $25,000 QCD to Charity B. Because the QCD is made prior to April 1, it satisfies your $25,000 RMD for 2021. On December 31, 2022, you make a $75,000 QCD to Charity C. Because the QCD is made

by December 31, it satisfies your $25,000 RMD for 2022. You can exclude the $100,000 of QCDs from your 2022 gross income.2 As indicated earlier, a QCD must be an otherwise taxable distribution from your IRA. If you’ve made nondeductible contributions, then normally each distribution carries with it a pro-rata amount of taxable and nontaxable dollars. However, a special rule applies to QCDs — the pro-rata rule is ignored and your taxable dollars are treated as distributed first.

Assume you have a single traditional IRA with a current value of $100,000, which includes $10,000 of nondeductible contributions. Therefore, you have a taxable balance of $90,000 and a nontaxable balance of $10,000. If you were to make a $5,000 withdrawal from your IRA, nine-tenths ($10,000/100,000) of your distribution, or $4,500, would be taxable and one-tenth ($10,000/100,000), or $500, would be nontaxable. However, if you make a $5,000 QCD, the entire $5,000 amount will be considered to come from your $90,000 taxable balance.

If you have multiple IRAs, they are aggregated when calculating the taxable and nontaxable portion of a distribution from any one IRA. Assume you have two traditional IRAs. IRA One has a value of $50,000 and does not include any nondeductible contributions. IRA Two also has a $50,000 value but includes $10,000 of nondeductible contributions. For tax purposes, you are treated as owning a single traditional IRA with a value of $100,000 and a

nontaxable balance of $10,000. If you were to make a withdrawal of $50,000 from IRA Two, nine-tenths ($10,000/100,000) of your distribution, or $45,000, would be taxable and one-tenth ($10,000/100,000), or $5,000, would be nontaxable. However, if you make a $5,000 QCD from IRA Two, the entire $5,000 amount will be considered to come from your $90,000 taxable balance.

RMDs are calculated separately for each traditional IRA you own, but may be taken from any of your IRAs. Your QCD cannot be made to a private foundation, donor-advised fund, or supporting organization [as described in IRC Section 509(a)(3)]. Further, the gift cannot be made in exchange for a charitable gift annuity or to a charitable remainder trust.

Why are QCDs important?

Without this special rule, taking a distribution from your IRA and donating the proceeds to a charity would be a bit more cumbersome and possibly more expensive. You would request a distribution from the IRA and then make the contribution to the charity yourself. You’d include the

distribution in gross income and then take a corresponding income tax deduction for the charitable contribution. But due to IRS limits, the additional tax from the distribution may be more than the charitable deduction. And due to much higher standard deduction amounts ushered in by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2017, itemizing deductions may have become even less beneficial in 2018 and beyond, rendering QCDs even more potentially appealing.

QCDs avoid all this by providing an exclusion from income for the amount paid directly from your IRA to the charity — you don’t report the IRA distribution in your gross income, and you don’t take a deduction for the QCD. At Austin Asset, we are Fee-Only Financial Advisors.

We seek to bring clarity and purpose to wealth through authentic and enduring relationships. For Life.

1Beginning after 2019, if you make deductible contributions to an IRA for the year you reach age 70½ or beyond, this could reduce the allowable amount of your QCD. 2Legislation passed at the end of 2019 raised the RMD age to 72 (from age 70½) beginning January 1, 2020. If you reach age 72 before July 1, 2021, you will need to take an RMD by December 31, 2021.

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OTL / DRIVE FOR SHOW 28

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drive for show Land Rover wraps up some of its state-of-the art technology in a nostalgically familiar package. The 2022 Land Rover Defender has many visual ques from its predecessors from more than a half century ago, but don’t let its look fool you. This new Land Rover Defender is more than capable of keeping up and exceeding our modern-day expectations.

What wasn’t offered back in the day was the variety of choices that Land Rover has laid out for the 2022 Defender. Before we explore all the tech that Land Rover has packed into this exciting sport utility vehicle, let’s take a look at the simplicity of its exterior design.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender is offered in both a two-door, the 90 model, and four-door set up, the 110 model. The Defender’s smooth lines and Land Roveresque boxy features and stout stance exude confidence and class. Land Rover provides what seems like a myriad of choices to personalize the way you want the world to see you. There is an Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban pack, all designed to customize the look and feel of your Defender experience. Each of these options provide specific driving essentials needed to conquer everything from off-road escapades, weekend road trip jaunts, to nights out on the town.

Along with the look and feel, Land Rover offers three engine options, all which include four-wheel drive and locking differentials. They range from conservatively adequate to eye-poppingly powerful. The standard Defender is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder. Next up is the 3.0-liter inline-six that has an electric supercharger and 48-volt hybrid system. Then for those of us who enjoy a little more punch there is the 518-hp supercharged V-8 that according to Land Rover catapults you to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The fuel economy estimates on the new Defender hover in the 18mpg range in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender interior is tough and luxurious. There is a simplicity to the interior that integrates perfectly with the overall design of the Defender. Despite the lack of grandiose interior features, the Defender offers its occupants elegance in more subtle ways. Every component from the seats, steering wheel, to the dashboard and switches is made with quality materials that remind you that this is a Land Rover. There is a new infotainment system hosted on a 10-inch touch screen with the option of a larger one at 11.4-inches. This system provides the driver with a new interface called Pivi Pro. There is, of course, all the expected tech essentials. The short list includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, digital gauge display, heads-up display and a sound system that rocks the house. Cargo space out back is what you would expect from an SUV of this size. Plenty of space for essentials and overnight bags for a quick trip.

If you are in the market for a cool SUV with lots of versatility and style, then the 2022 Land Rover Defender is a must drive. Entry level price for the Defender is estimated at around the $49,050 mark.

DRIVERSIDE VEHICLE REVIEWS

DEFENDER

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Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR / OTL MAGAZINE

The old saying that “God is in the details” has been referenced to everything from architecture to computer programming, however, most recently I found it applied perfectly to my experience at San Antonio’s fine dining restaurant Signature.

ocated on one of the highest hills in the northwest part of the city; this beautiful venue is the prestige offering of La Cantera Resort & Spa and celebrated Chef Andrew Weissman.

The restaurant, which opened in November of 2016, is located in what was the original golf academy on the property. It underwent a complete renovation by San Antonio’s Dado Group which ultimately garnered a Builders industry award for its beautiful rehabilitation of space.

The building kept many elements of the original King Ranch inspired design of white walls and red tile roofs but incorporated modern elements in parts of the façade punctuated by many iron paned windows and French doors.

Though the exterior is crisp with little overall embellishment, the interiors designed by Jill Giles are sumptuous and warm with the absolute feeling described by the resort as “South Texas meets the South of France.”

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The restaurant is filled with beautiful details; antique French sofas, carpets, antique and custom-made wood furniture, and even a massive French stone fireplace dating from the 1880s. The walls are decorated with sconces, antique paintings and French country touches like vintage trays, weathered bread boards, and even an impressive stuffed pheasant.

Texas-centric touches are also everywhere in the restaurant; from the wide plank floors reclaimed from the famed Joske’s department store to tables made from wood sourced from shuttered oilfield installations. The latter having every appearance of just being made of exotic wood.

As you walk into the restaurant, the space transitions frm tall hewed wood columns and massive beams to a lighter dining space with dark rafters and large circular iron chandeliers.

At the far end of the room, just past the very impressive display of French copper pots is a decidedly modern open kitchen gleaming with custom-built cooking equipment and featuring a much-used rotisserie, and wood-burning oven.

The evening started with a very brief stop in the comfortable waiting area with easy access to a beautiful zinc bar. A wide selection of cocktails is available and prepared by bartenders that somehow look elegant in their shaker technique.

As I walked past them at one point in the evening, it reminded me of a scene from a movie.

Our dinner started with an Andrew Weissman signature touch; as we were seated, napkins placed neatly on our laps, 34

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a large a n tique silver tray stunningly layered with slices of; grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, cucumber, and mint leaves was offered simply for our water glasses. This little gesture sends a clear message; a beautiful meal is to follow.

Chef Weissman and Executive chef Laurent Rea change the menu seasonally. Our winter menu leaned wonderfully French with many selections featuring truffles, foie gras, morels, pheasant and venison. In classic French country fashion, the chefs take advantage of a small garden in the back of the property for the occasional garnish of herbs or beautiful little carrots.

Service at the restaurant is smooth and discreet. General manager Michael McClellan, formerly of ‘Supper’ at the Hotel Emma heads a team of very professional, yet friendly staff. Wait staff, sommeliers and even food runners have a uniformly welcoming feel for diners.

The only real difficulty truly is limiting choices from some many possibilities. If a course choice was not difficult

enough, Signature’s wine cellar managed

by Sommelier Adam Spencer was awarded a ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ by Wine Spectator Magazine for 2018. The twenty-two hundred bottle cellar features over 365 labels most ranging from forty dollars to about three hundred dollars with some very special bottles like the coveted Domaine de la Romanée-Conti at closer to four thousand. The cellar features a broad selection of wines from around the world but has a particular strength in Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône valley, and California.

Happily, the restaurant also features some fifty labels by the glass. With judicious use of a Coravin wine preservation system, some prestige options like Henriot and BillecartSalmon Champagnes, Premier Cru Sauternes and some very fine Bordeaux selections are impressively available.

Our first taste for the evening was an amuse bouche consisting of a fried potato chip topped with diced prawn and garnished with tobiko (flying fish roe). It was delicious, beautifully fresh, with just a hint of brine. It was only made better by the cold Henriot Champagne we chose to start the meal.

For our appetizer course, we chose four very different items. The charcuterie board came first. Various selections of house-cured meats; delicate pork lomo, spicy soppressata, and an incredible duck prosciutto were served with pickles, olives, traditional grainy mustard, and a small sliced baguette.

The appetizer portion of lobster risotto that followed was flavorful and exceptionally well prepared as was the Crispy Texas Prawns wrapped in brick dough and served with a very

memorable orange, garlic glaze.

Without a doubt, the star of the evening was the brilliant Foie Gras Terrine; a generous slab of buttery foie gras served with a phenomenal diced pear confit, a small dome of shaved black truffle, and warm brioche. Every bite made you close your eyes. The terrine was paired perfectly with a glass of 2007 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes which had just enough acidity to balance the honeyed botrytis notes of the wine.

Our mains were again varied – I chose a traditional Tenderloin Rossini which was served with a rich, Perigueux sauce flavored with black truffles and accompanied by a side of velvety potato mousseline. The addition of fresh, seared foie gras was perhaps gilding the lily, but it made the tender steak that much more flavorful. Our Sommelier Sabrina’s suggestion of a 2011 Les Tourelles de Longueville was polished and perfect.

Although my dinner companions’ large Ribeye was served with a good green peppercorn/cognac demi-glace, my Perigueux sauce was a hit with that as well.

The third entrée was something that I hope to have before the menu changes again. The dish was composed of roasted pheasant served with sautéed morels and a light sherry cream sauce, to the side was a small chicken and pheasant ballotine and in the center, a small horn of rolled pappardelle. It was beautiful, and the small bite I was able to negotiate was fantastic.

As filling and complete as this meal was, we were each treated to a small scoop of strawberry balsamic sorbet as a palate cleanser.

Luckily, and as is my preference, desserts were of a manageable size. My favorite was the small tartlet composed of vanilla/raspberry flavored mascarpone and delicate layers of sablé Breton, lovely little French butter cookies with a nutty brown-butter taste.

As a final offering and mercifully in absolute miniature was a beautiful assortment of mignardise; a tiny Earl Gray macaron, a sugar rolled cube of Raspberry Gelée, a marblesized chocolate truffle, a tiny lemon and single-blueberry napoleon, and lastly, a mote of red velvet cake shaped like a tiny brioche topped with whipped cream.

Most fine restaurants ultimately supply great food; the very best ones supply great memories.

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OTL / BUCK’S TIPS 38

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Chasing Speed STORY BY BUCK MAYERS Drive for show, putt for dough? Here are some fun facts from the PGA Tour. In 2020, the PGA Tour driving distance average was 296 yards. 29 of the 36 events (81%) were won by players who averaged more than 296 yards. In the last two full PGA seasons, only 11 of 81 events (14%), were won by golfers who averaged less than 290 yards off the tee. No one won who averaged less than 283 yards for the season. The top 5 driving distances won 19 times and $27 million in 2018 on the PGA Tour. The top 5 driving accuracy players over that same period won zero times and only $4 million. Speed and distance matters!

Let’s leave the professionals out for the moment and discuss the amateur golfer.

Higher handicaps have the slowest average swing speeds and the lower handicaps have the highest average swing speeds. When you follow the best players’ habits, they are more fit and they train like an athlete. The data indicates that all tournament golfers are chasing speed and increasing their distance.

The debate now is, will it help you play and score better? Our professionals who are

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trained properly to teach and coach speed will overwhelmingly say absolutely yes! Increasing speed improves efficiency, contact, accuracy and sequence patterns. Speed training benefits mobility, stability, and strength. Are there wrong ways to chase speed? Yes! A great example is trying to add 30 pounds to a 5’9” 155 pound frame, versus a 6’1” 185 pound frame. Should a golfer a train like a Navy Seal or Olympic athlete or weight lifter or bodybuilder? No! But we can take components from each of therm.

There are coaches who have trained and focused on two very simple points that can help you get more speed, score better and improve your game regardless of age, fitness or talent. Golf speed training is non-technical.

You will avoid being bogged down in the intricacies of swing techniques. The intention of creating your speed on the follow through, spawns the technique, not vice versa. If you are looking to CHASE SPEED, do it with proper supervision and a simplistic approach.

BOMBS AWAY!

TPC SAN ANTONIO STORY BY MARC HALL

After 10 years, everything at the luxe 600-acre the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio still feels brand new. Its palatial lobby stays abuzz with a lively combination of funseekers, romantics, escapists, families and businessfolk, all taking advantage of the array of recreational and corporate amenities.

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When the hotel opened, management was confident corporate group business would be brisk in key seasons, but the trend that’s exceeded expectations is the volume of recreational guests that flock here from San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas,” says Matt Flory, general manager of the TPC San Antonio (the acclaimed 36-hole golf property which resides within the resort). “That’s driven a series of improvements like the expansion of the River Bluff Water Experience and a host of offerings for the whole family.”

With more than 1,000 room and 140,000 sq ft of conference and meeting space, the JW is a statement hotel in the meetings and conventions universe. Not only is it San Antonio’s largest hotel, its meetings amenities make the Alamo City competitive for large corporate groups in the same league as destinations like Las Vegas, Orlando, Scottsdale and New Orleans.

With Marriott and the PGA Tour, you’re definitely getting a “branded” experience but the Hill Country ambience and serene surroundings ensure an authentic Texas good

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time. “The real key to providing a special experience here is the Texas charm and commitment to personal service from the staff. It really is the personal touches that set us apart,” Flory says.

No doubt the allure of seeing the resorts best features on television have been a catalyst to the resort’s popularity.

Between the PGA Tour event, the Valero Texas Open and the PGA Tour Champion event, the San Antonio Championship, TPC San Antonio has had nearly 20 events televised nationally. “You can’t put a dollar amount on a shot of the water park or the magnificent 700-acre nature preserve on live television. You can’t blame people for wanting to come and experience this in person,” Flory says.

Whether you’re floating in the lazy river in the vast River Bluff Water Experience or strolling the manicured grounds while taking in the Hill Country views, this meandering property still feels somehow intimate, like your own massive villa that opens up into idyllic Hill Country terrain.

Golfing guests are motivated to play where the pros play and this property has two courses that stack up well against most any in the region. In the late spring, the intimidating Oaks Course stays near fully-booked with guests looking 44

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to tackle the host of the Valero Texas Open and one of the toughest courses on the PGA Tour’s rotation.

The driving corridors are tight because the fairways are lined by mature oaks and when the wind picks up, there’s not much relief. Ensuring competitive competitions, the greens are demanding for approaches, short game shots and, most of all, for putting. Exotic limestone outcroppings and artistic bunkering provide a unique aesthetic to this bold layout. Tour players from outside the U.S. have been known to say the 7,435-yard, Greg Norman-designed Oaks course reminds them of courses in Australia or South America.

The tournament itself, which thankfully returned in April after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has one of the richest and longest-running histories on the PGA TOUR. The Oaks, host course for the past decade, has proven a solid test in most years – in 2015, San Antonio’s own Jimmy Walker was the only player to reach double digits under par in his four-stroke triumph over three-time major winner Jordan Spieth. However, 2018 champ Andrew Landry reached 17 under and 2019 winner Corey Conners blistered the Oaks with a 20-under finish.

This year, the spot on the calendar one week prior to The

Masters proved advantageous for the Valero Texas Open.

Past Masters champions including Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Danny Willett and Charl Schartzel competed at the Valero along with top-ranked players like Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Cameron Champ and Abraham Ancer. And the galleries returned in limited numbers along with first-rate hospitality from sponsors like Garrison Brothers Distillery, Texas’ first legal whiskey distillery and purveyors of award-wining bourbon whiskey in small batches and signature recipes that have propelled the Texas brand to one of the most respected distilleries in the business.

The par-72, 7,106-yard Pete Dye-designed Canyons Course has wider driving lanes, sweeping Hill Country and nature preserve views and challenging approaches into its relatively small greens. “People say The Canyons doesn’t feel like a typical Pete Dye course because it’s not as penal as other Dye designs. The challenges are subtle and a lot of the difficulty is found in the areas surrounding the small greens. You have to come in from smart angles and your short game needs to be sharp here,” Flory insists.

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rounds. “The developers’ goal from the beginning was to have two distinct golf courses with completely unique character,” Flory says.

“Canyons is all Hill Country- quintessentially so- with great elevation changes, and The Oaks Course is more a parkland experience through the trees with pretty intimidating bunkering and a fair amount of length.”

Compared to most resort course offerings, these two are stout tests. “Both courses are stringent tests of golf, but there isn’t anything unfair about them. Across 36 holes, there’s only one forced carry and very little that’s hidden or obnoxiously deceptive,” says Flory. “By and large, people realize they’re playing at PGA Tour experience. They’re getting to tee it up where the best players in the world play. There’s something special about playing a course you have seen on TV, hitting the same shot you’ve seen your favorite professional play,” Flory adds.

Post round recreation abounds at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, but the most groups eventually find their way to the High Velocity Sports Bar which boasts a 120-foot wall of HD screens that showcase every sport imaginable. Fine dining enthusiasts will want to try 18 Oaks, located in the golf club house and specializing in dryaged steaks and an impeccable offering of wines from around the globe.

The best-kept secret at this sprawling resort is the posh 26,000-sq ft Lantana Spa and

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the sensational views from the spa pool. If you could use a dose of pure serenity, the wellappointed Lantana has made relaxation and wellness a fine art.

There’s also an undeniable gravitational pull to the River Bluff Water Experience with its 1,200-foot lazy river, 650-ft action river ride, multiple water slides, dedicated children’s and adult pools, whirlpools, a sand beach and an expansive activity pool. It’s a water lover’s paradise.

While many view the TPC San Antonio as treat for resort guests, the club also has a thriving golf membership which allows play on both courses, access to the state of the art practice facilities and entry into the TPC Network, which offers play at private clubs across the country at discounted rates. Flory says being a member at a club that hosts Tour events is a unique opportunity.

“At a lot of clubs, members talk about ‘giving up the course’ for a period of time in order to host to a PGA Tour event. Here, our members embrace tournament week, whether it’s through volunteering or enjoying great times in our member suite or partaking in the Members Clinic hosted by one of the players in the field. Also, The Canyons Course stays open during Valero Texas Open week and The Oaks stays open through San Antonio Open week,” he says.

If you haven’t tried the TPC San Antonio or the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, pick a weekend and discovers its intimate Hill Country enticements. You might stay a lot longer than you planed.

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PHOTOS BY MATT HAHN

OTL / ON YOUR GAME

Gil Hanse & Beau Welling PGA Frisco OTL Q&A STORY BY ART STRICKLIN

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ince his creation of the 2016 Olympic Golf Course at Rio, for an event won by England’s Justin Rose with American Matt Kucher placing second, Gil Hanse has become golf’s hot architect. The Philadelphia based architect renovated the Perry Maxwell Classic Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, site of the 2022 PGA Championship and the 2021 PGA Senior.

He is redoing the classic Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course Oakland Hills, outside of Detroit, the site of a former Ryder Cup and multiple U.S. Opens. But his biggest project to date, likely for his career, is the new PGA Frisco complex currently taking place 40 minutes north of Downtown Dallas, 20 minutes to the east of DFW Airport, the new home of the PGA of America.

Already scheduled to host 23 PGA of America events including three PGA Championships and a possible future Ryder Cup, PGA Frisco will feature two public championship golf courses, the East Course, site of the PGA Events, designed by Hanse

and the West Course, designed by Beau Welling, who worked with Tiger Woods on the highly regarded Bluejack National course outside Houston.

Along with the two courses, plus the PGA Headquarters, will be a short course open to all along with a massive putting green, instruction center, 500-room Omni Resort and Northern Texas PGA Headquarters.

Hanse calls it the American St. Andrews. PGA of America Executive Director Seth Waugh calls it the Silicon Valley of Golf. Regardless of the title, it’s a project slated to change the face of Texas Golf for decades and for golf in the U.S. with all facilities open to any Texas golfer and visitor national and worldwide.

The PGA of America will operate the courses, which are owned by the city of Frisco and partly funded and developed by Dallas-based Omni hotels with a long term lease. Frisco school district officials will also help share the project cost along with financial partners, with a management group from Dallasbased Omni and Stillwater Capital, among others.

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After finishing 34 of the 36 holes at PGA Frisco and later at the virtual PGA Show in Orlando, Hanse and his partner on the project, Welling, was happy to talk to OTL Senior Writer Art Stricklin about the new project which has kept them in Texas for more than a year and will have its impact felt for Lone Star Decades.

OTL: What’s special about this course?

Gil Hanse: To put it simply, projects like this don’t come around very often. To know that they have already set this many tournaments at these courses, to want to get it right, to make a legacy for golf. That’s very, very special and we’re very honored to get to do this.

OTL: You’ve done many courses like the Olympic course in Rio and others you’ve redone have hosted major tournaments, like

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Southern Hills and Oakland Hills. But never has one future course had this many tournaments scheduled. How did that affect your design at PGA Frisco?

GH: Well, we certainly had some experience with the Olympic course in Rio because of the crowds there, but we didn’t really know what to expect. In Frisco, we worked with (PGA of America) Kerry Haig about the access inside and outside the ropes. Where the crowd would stand and what holes would be key during different tournaments. We, of course, will have different crowds for different tournaments, but we were prepared ahead of time.

OTL: Was there something you learned during the Olympics about hosting professional tournaments on a public access course?

on your game

GH: Instead of individual tee boxes as you see on most courses, we designed one long ribbon of tee boxes which can range as long as 100 yards, which allows the PGA to set up the tee for any yardage. Also, with the NorthBridge Bermuda grass, the fairways can be mowed to be super narrow or wide enough to catch the worst tee balls.

OTL: The most anticipated tournament at PGA Frisco is the one not yet announced and may never happen, a Ryder Cup, which would only be the second in Texas. Was that part of your design thinking as well?

GH: If you look at past Ryder Cups, most matches are ended between the 15 and 17th holes. So adding a drivable par 4 (15) and a short par 3 (17) here could be very exciting at

the Ryder Cup. We want to see fireworks. We want to see positive things happen at the finish, we didn’t want to see players just hanging on for pars. That why we have these finishing holes, plus a water fronted 18th hole to finish.

OTL: Austin’s Ben Crenshaw once told me he found a surprise every time he walked on a new property.

What surprises did you find at PGA Frisco?

GH: Two of the pleasant surprises when we walked this facility were the elevation change we found here and the way Panther Creek comes into play on several of the holes.

One of the less pleasant was the density of the soil and how much we had to move it to get the course shaped the way it needed to be.

OTL: How much North Texas earth did you move when you first started?

GH: We moved approx. 1.6 million acres of cubic tons of dirt here. In some cases we had to raise the fairway 10 feet to keep it out of the flood plain. We got 34 of the 36 holes completed before the winter set in and we are able to allow the course to set in and get done before we start playing on it in 2022. We start playing professional events here in 2023 and it’s going to be busy for players and pros. We want amateurs to have a great time, but we want to challenge the best players in the world as well. The Texas wind and landscape will help us as well.

OTL: How were you able to get so much work done, operating in the heart of the COVID pandemic?

GH: We moved to Frisco after Christmas (2019) with my wife to personally supervise the golf project, working here full-time through the winter before traveling to do work on renovation jobs at Oakland Hills and Baltusrol Golf Club in the spring. For the year or

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on your game

year and a half, this was the world headquarters of Hanse Golf Design, and I traveled to other sites as needed. This was a great challenge and opportunity to get golf pointed back in the direction of fun and popularity.

OTL: What was it like working with Beau Welling who did such a good job of creating fun and popularity at Bluejack National outside Houston?

GH: We had a lot of fun working together.

Beau built the short course and the putting course and those will be hugely popular. We want the kids to have fun here and the golf players to have fun as well.

BEAU WELLING: I didn’t design the same type of course Gil did, but one with a lot of elevation changes and great views. I wanted to build a course my grandmother would enjoy along with low handicappers. Both courses are the same family, but not the same course. We are creating a habitat for golf and it’s important that the eyes of the golf world are on Frisco, Texas and Texas in general.

OTL: Are there some things you think golfers might not notice about the course, maybe the first time they play?

GH: We’ll I’m really proud of our bunkers, we had some heavy soil to get through, and it’s a very big site, (660 acres) but I think the bunkers are emblematic of Texas. I think the PGA will be very proud.

BW: There is a lot of water and a lot of elevation change. People don’t always expect that from Texas, but it’s very good here. We also built a course where you can hold a high school tournament, a friendly round with your buddies and the best of the best.

OTL: The course will certainly be judged by the tens of thousands of people who play here, what would you like for them to take away from your work?

GH: What we did was find some of the dramatic elements which we enhanced. My partner Jim Wager and I want to create drama here and we want to set up ways for players to win in a positive way. Not for ways for them to lose it. I really believe this is the St. Andrews of American Golf. You will have the great championships here, but you will be involved with every day players.

You’re giving every single person who comes here a chance for golf.

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Visit the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Soul in the Delta STORY BY MICHELLE KELLER

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travel

“Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee.

Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me.

She’s the only one who’d call me here from Memphis, Tennessee.

Her home is on the south side, high up on the ridge, just a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge.” -Chuck Berry, 1959

undreds of songs have been written about the city known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Home to the King of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley and the Queen of soul Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash found his rhythm in Memphis, and B.B. King and Issac Hayes coined the blues here. The father of the blues, W.C. Handy still presides (in statue form) over the Performing Arts Park that is his namesake. Sun Studio, Stax Records or Hi Records gave way to musical icons including Carl Perkins, Booker T. and the MGs, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Rufus and Carla Thomas, among so many others.

Music can be heard out of every room in every building in the city; in the parks; on street corners; and on the banks of the Mississippi River. With

several music-related museums, each has its own soundtrack. Get lost in sound instead of time listening to the playlists of these historically significant tunes.

If brilliant chandeliers, marble floors and subtle distinction put you in your element, you’ll want to stay at The Peabody Hotel. Famous for its charm, elegance, gracious hospitality and rich history, the hotel opened its doors in 1869 and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Grab a beverage and a chair on the hotel’s opulent mezzanine floor.

From there get a peek at the famous Peabody ducks while absorbing the ambience of classic elegance in the hotel lobby. The gem of a story behind the Peabody ducks involves a former manager in the 1930’s and his hunting buddy, some Jack Daniel’s sippin’ whiskey and the placement of live decoy ducks in

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Graceland Jungle room

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PHOTOS CORTESY OF GRACELAND

travel

Graceland Knabe the hotel’s fountain. This event led to the classic, quirky march the Peabody is known for where a red carpet duck march takes place as the ducks travel from their home on the rooftop of the hotel to the hotel lobby floor daily at 11 a.m. and stay in the fountain until 5 p.m.

Not many museums come equipped with a dance floor and a disco ball. Step on out in the middle of the floor and “shake what your mama gave you” at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. As soon as you step out on the floor music plays, the lights dim and everyone is encouraged to ‘get funky with it.’

Among the most popular soul record labels of all time, Stax played a pivotal role in creating the soul music sound and helped launch the careers of Otis Redding, Issac Hayes, Sam & Dave, and many more. The history of soul music comes to life through video footage, memorabilia and interactive exhibits here.

Spend a few hours in the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum listening to the story of the birth of rock and soul music. Start from the rural hollers of the 1930s to the 70s with Stax, Sun Studio and Hi-Records to the overall music influence rock and soul

Graceland Mansion

has had on the world. With video, songs, a jukebox with options to listen to thousands of hits and artifacts, you’ll be immersed in Memphis’ music story.

Sam Phillips founded Sun Studio, which is a world famous recording studio. Music legends like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded tracks here.

Of course Elvis got his start here, which titled Memphis as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. The studio offers tours during the day, sharing stories of how your favorite songs were aired into life in this very building. At night, it still functions as a recording studio serving musicians locally and worldwide.

Rumored to possess an illusive muse for incredible creation, many famous musicians still record here for the notoriety.

Get personal with Elvis Presley and see the luxurious life he lived with an opportunity to stay in the most recent addition to the Presley Entertainment Complex, The Guest House. Only steps away from Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion ®, The Guest House at Graceland welcomes travelers, music fans and groups ready to “take care of business” — with Southern hospitality, star style and luxurious amenities that would make the King proud.

The Guest House has an exclusive top floor of the resort, known as “The Upstairs,” which is reminiscent of the upstairs at the Graceland mansion — the private living quarters for Elvis and his family that is not part of the mansion tour. According to sources the upstairs area of Graceland hasn’t been touched except for preservation since the day of his death.

Tour packages at the mansion include self-guided tours of the home, Elvis’ custom jets, full access to Presley’s Entertainment Complex including the automobile museum, the entertainer career museum and other exhibits. As generous as he was wealthy, the trophy room inside the tour holds hand-typed thank you letters from several charities Presley donated funds, cars or other items throughout his life to.

First-time foodies to Memphis should begin their trip by having breakfast at the Arcade, a 1950s-style diner where Elvis and his Memphis Mafia used to hang out in an over-sized booth. Presley loved good southern home cooking that can still be found

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Beale Street is a famous area with ties to historic Blues Music buildings and musicians

Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Opened as a recording studio in 1950 by Sam Phillips who wor ked with large number s of Rock and Roll, and Blues musicians 62

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@MEMPHISTRAVEL AND #MUSTBEMEMPHIS

Blues Clubs on historic Beale Street at twilight

Blues City Cafe

here at his old haunt.

Up the fire escape above BB King’s Blues Club lies one of Memphis’ hidden gems, Itta Bena. Fine southern dining and a cool libation for those hot days in the South can be found in this spot. Southern cuisine with a Delta twist in a relaxed atmosphere is what you’ll love here.

Formerly a silent film theater transformed into a high-end eatery in the heart of Memphis is The Majestic Grille. With a mesmerizing ambiance, authentic 1940s décor silent films still play in the dining room. But the most impressive aspect is the food. Dry aged steaks, fresh seafood and an extensive wine selection round out a fine dining experience.

Famous for its catch phrase, “Put the South in your Mouth,” at Blues City Cafe you’ll find the flavor Memphis is known for in it’s famous barbeque. Nightly live entertainment in the Band Box is right there. Dance the night away right next door with the Memphis music scene. When you finish your meal at Blues City Cafe, roll on through the night at a Beale Street music club and hear that Memphis sound pouring into the streets in the city’s historic Beale Street district.

With more than 32 music clubs, restaurants and shops, the Beale Street Flippers are one of the most popular entertainers on Beale – without strumming a guitar or belting out the blues.

Crowds line the cobblestone street to cheer on

this group of athletes who flip their way for tips.

They have taken a simple handspring and made it into an art form. With strength and grace, they begin at one end of the street and flip for what seems forever. Watch them land on both hands then flip over and over in the air without using their hands.

If rock ‘n’ roll and blues aren’t enough music, the city also has a full symphony orchestra. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO). From early years and through several wars, there were iterations of a local symphony. However, MSO was officially established in 1953 under the baton of the esteemed Vincent de Frank as the Memphis Sinfonietta. The MSO has grown into a full scale nonprofit organization, complete with staff, volunteers and 36 core musicians.

Craft beer is the easter egg highlight here with several local breweries, including Ghost River Brewing Co., High Cotton Brewing Co. and Wiseacre Brewing Co. Memphis serves beer produced from artesian wells that pair perfectly with its famous barbecue fare. Springtime brings Memphis Brewfest where craft beer enthusiasts gather for beer tasting and samples of beers in various colors and tastes.

An absolute must in Memphis is the Civil Rights Museum. With 260 artifacts, more than 40 new films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts, the Civil Rights O T L G O L F. C O M

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Sculpture of Rosa Par ks inside bus at the National Civil Rights Museum and the site of the Assassination of Dr. Mar tin Luther King Jr. Museum guides visitors through five centuries of history. You’ll walk away from this museum educated and empowered by how much change has taken place. From the beginning of the resistance during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow, and the events of the late 20th century that inspired people around the world to stand up for equality, the museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, which was the site of the tragic assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.in 1968. You’ll walk aboard a bus where a statue of Rosa Parks greets you and a recording plays a reenactment of the life changing moment between Parks and the bus driver. Two other buildings and their adjacent property, also connected with the King assassination are part of the museum complex.

There are two things you can find on every corner in Memphis, a church and barbecue. When you leave the museum you’ll smell a wave of the famous barbeque that resonates downtown no matter what time of day it is. Just like their music, Memphians love barbeque and you can find another bite right next door to the museum at Central BBQ. 64

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If you’re looking for the outdoors, there are more than 60 miles of bike trails, including Shelby Farms Greenline, as well as an adventure park at Shelby Farms. Mud Island River Park has a riverwalk, a monorail, and pedal boats, as well as a hydraulic replica of the lower Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans.

On your final day, take the nation’s tallest freestanding elevator 28 stories to the top of the Memphis Pyramid where you’ll enjoy a menu of delicious food and unique specialty drinks and take in views of the city below. With a steampunk style of décor, the food is complemented by an aquarium in the middle of the restaurant with multiple glass observation decks. Take a dinner cruise or a sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River with RiverBoat Tours where you’ll kickback and enjoy live music and great food all while being educated on the river history. While you’re here, find a local and ask him where he eats barbeque, that’s where you want to go.

For more information contact the visitor’s center in Memphis at MemphisTravel.com.

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Dessert Wine: The right touch STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR / OTL MAGAZINE

Though the grapes for Vin Santo, a beautiful amber colored dessert wine from Tuscany are picked in September and October they are destined to lie on mats of straw in barns and attics for up to 6 months before they are crushed to make wine. They are kept warm and well ventilated and as the grapes lose moisture, the remaining liquid begins to concentrate the sugars. This is why they are sometimes referred to as “raisin wines”.

The length of the drying period is proportional to the sugar concentration, ultimately the alcohol level and general style of the wine. Vin Santo is classified as a dessert wine but is made into various levels of sweetness from bone dry to very sweet, though problems can develop in the extreme ends.

At the end of the drying period, the fruit is crushed and mixed with yeast in addition to a kind of ‘starter yeast’ left over from a prior vintage.

After the fermentation (yielding the desired style) the wine is aged in small barrels, historically of woods other than oak, though in the last few decades, prestige produces are moving exclusively to oak.

By DOC regulations, vin santos are required to age for at least 3 years though it is not uncommon for producers to age their wines for 5 to 10 years.

The 2012 Vinsanto by Castello di Ama is a lovely, complex wine. It’s mildly sweet but has enough acid to not be cloying. Typical of Vin Santo, there were wonderful initial aromas of apricot, dried fruit and honey.

The mouth feel was big with ripe melon flavors and soft pear notes with hints of butterscotch. The wine has a long finish with slight peppery note.

All in all, a very pleasant wine to drink.

In Italy vin santo is traditionally served with biscotti though it does pair well with aged cheese.

This Castello di Ama is made from 65% Malvasia Bianca and 35% Trebbiano Toscano which were planted in 2010. In some vintages, they will add some Sangeovese yielding a slightly rosé look to the wine.

It has an alcohol content of 14.5%, though not strong, it can be modest for some vin santo.

The Castello di Ama is DOC: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico and their wines are typically aged for 5 years in old French barriques from Allier.

Vin santo like other wines made from reduced juice; late harvest, sauternes, ice wines, tend to be expensive. The Castello di Ama is in the $60 range for a half bottle; however, it would be ideal to end fine, romantic Italian meal.

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OTL / CIGARS

It’s a Wrap STORY BY TARA LEE MALONEY

A cigar’s wrapper is very delicate and will crack if not taken care of. Part of taking care of a cigar is keeping it properly humidified. It is very important to maintain proper temperature and humidification while storing your cigars. If they are not taken care of properly the cigars can become dry and crack. Nobody really wants to smoke an old, dried out cigar. So, what do you do to keep them pristine?

It is best to keep the temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower the temperature they are stored in, a higher humidity is needed to keep the cigars properly. I live in Texas; therefore, I must pay close attention to my humidor temperature. I keep it away from windows and outside walls in the coolest place of my living room. I have many friends who keep their humidors in their closets, which only have interior walls.

The concern with letting the cigars get over 75 degrees Fahrenheit is beetles and mold.

It is rare, but you must be diligent in your care as all it takes is one beetle to ruin all your precious cigars.

The ideal humidity for storing your cigars is 70% to 74% relative humidity. I use propylene glycol which helps keep the humidity stable. It also helps prevent mold and bacteria forming in my humidor. There are companies, like Xikar, who sell the containers which will contain the propylene glycol and will have different sizes to fit your humidor.

However, if your system requires water, then always use distilled water to help prevent mold growth.

There are many storage options, such as a cedar cigar humidor, coolidor, cooler, travel case or Tupperware. Regardless of the op-

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SPRING ISSUE

2021

tion you choose, activate the humidification system and let it stand for about 48 hours so it can get to the proper humidification level. Then fill it half way with some cigars and check the humidification daily. After a few days of stable humidification add a few more and continue this until your humidor is full. You won’t have to check your humidor daily forever; just until you have several days of consistent humidification levels. You will want to check the humidity level regularly and there are good tools for this. Xikar sells a wireless hygrometer which allows you monitor the temperature and humidity from the comfort of your desk.

I love aging my cigars and caring for them.

Yes, there is work involved but the results are so very worth it. I recently smoked a cigar which I had aged for two years and I cannot adequately describe the enjoyment I had in smoking that cigar. With every puff I closed my eyes and thought of the love and time I spent on this cigar. It was close to nirvana.

And that is why you care for and humidify your cigars; to be able to have moments like this which make all the work worthwhile.

OTL / ADVERTIZER INDEX

Austin Asset 512.453.6622 austinasset.com Austin Infiniti 512.220.0920 austininfiniti.com

La Cantera 210.558.6500 lacanteraresort.com

BlueJack National 281.475.2166 bluejacknational.com

Lajitas Golf Resort 877.525.4827 lajitasgolfresort.com

Club Champion 888.842.1320 clubchampiongolf.com Escondido Golf & Lake Club 830.598.7800 escondidotexas.com Garrison Brothers garrisonbros.com Hyatt Regency 800.233.1234 hyatthillcountrygolf.com Horseshoe Bay 877.437.4196 hsbresort.com Houston Polo 713.681.8571 houstonpoloclub.com

SPRING ISSUE

2021

Kapalua 1.877.kapalua golfkapalua.com

Austin Subaru 512.323.2837 austinsubaru.co

Cascata 702.294.2005 golfcascata.com

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Houston Oaks 936.372.4311 www.houstonoaks.com

Omni Resorts omnihotels.com/bartoncreek 512.329.4000 Royal Albatross albratross.com Rio Secco 702.777.2400 riosecco.net Sewell 737.255.4100 JaguarNorthAustin.com / LandRoverNorthAustin.com South Padre sopadre.com Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center TexasAMHotelCC.com Veneno Tequila 281.727.0944 venenotequila.com