Sierra Golfer
Your Guide to Golf and Life in the Sierra Saddle Creek Resort
In Copperopolis Challenge Yourself
The Amazing Golf Sweater The Golf Muscles That Count Golf Course Weddings Simple Thoughts... Big Difference February 2009
| TheSierra SierraGolfer Golfer• February • February2009 2009 2 2| The
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Sierra Golf Course Directory... Course
Snowcreek Golf Resort Sierra Star GC River Creek GC Sierra Meadows CC Pine Mountain Lake GC Lake Don Pedro G&CC Phoenix Lake GC Mountain Springs GC Twain Harte GC Greenhorn Creek GC La Contenta GC Saddle Creek Resort Forest Meadows GC Meadowmont GC Sequoia Woods CC Castle Oaks GC Mace Meadow GCC Carson Valley GC Genoa Lakes GC Genoa Lakes GC & Resort Silver Oak GC Sunridge GC Empire Ranch GC Dayton Valley CC Eagle Valley GC Rosewood Lakes GC Lakeridge GC Washoe GC Wolf Run GC Sierra Sage GC Hidden Valley GC Thunder Canyon CC Red Hawk Golf Club Wildcreek GC Arrow Creek GC Incline Championship GC Incline Mountain Course Old Brockway GC Edgewood Tahoe GC Lake Tahoe GC Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Tahoe City GC Coyote Moon GC Gray’s Crossing Old Greenwood GC Tahoe Donner GC Apple Mountain Resort Grizzly Ranch Resort
Location
Web address
Phone
Mammoth Lakes http://www.snowcreekresort.com 760.934.6633 Mammoth, CA http://www.mammothmountain.com 760.924.4653 Ahwahnee, CA http://www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com 559.683.5600 Ahwahnee, CA http://www.sierrameadows.com 559.642.1343 Groveland, CA http://www.pinemountainlake.com 209.962.8620 La Grange, CA http://www.deerwoodcorp.com 209.852.0404 Sonora, CA http://www.phoenixlakegolf.com 209.532.0111 Sonora, CA http://www.mountainspringsgolf.com 209.532.1000 Twain Harte, CA http://www.twainhartevillage.com 209.586.3131 Angels Camp, CA http://www.greenhorncreek.com 209.736.8111 Valley Springs, Ca http://www.lacontentagolf.com 209.772.1081 Copperopolis, CA http://www.saddlecreek.com 888.852.5787 Murphys, CA http://www.forestmeadowsgolf.com 209.728.3439 Arnold, CA http://www.forestmeadowsgolf.com 209.795.1313 Arnold, CA http://www.sequoiawoods.com 209.795.2141 Ione, CA http://www.castleoaksgolf.com 209.274.0167 Pioneer, CA http://www.macemeadow.com 209.295.7020 Gardnerville, NV http://carsonvalleygolf.com 775.265.3181 Genoa, NV http://www.genoalakes.com 866.795.2709 Genoa, NV http://www.genoalakes.com 866.795.2709 Carson City, NV http://www.silveroakgolf.com 775.841.7000 Carson City, NV http://www.sunridgegolf.com 775.267.4448 Carson City, NV http://www.empireranchgolf.com 888.227.1335 Dayton, NV http://www.daytonvalleygolf.com 775.246.7888 Carson City, NV http://www.eaglevalleygolf.com 775.887.2380 Reno, NV http://www.cityofreno.com 775.857.2892 Reno, NV http://www.lakeridgegolf.com 800.815.6966 Reno, NV http://www.washoegolf.org 775.828.6640 Reno, NV http://www.wolfrungolfclub.com 775.851.3301 Reno, NV http://www.sierrasagegolf.org 775.972.1564 Reno, NV http://www.hvccreno.com 775.857.4742 Washoe Valley http://www.thundercanyon.com 775.882.0882 Sparks, NV http://www.www.resortatredhawk 866-Go2Hawk Sparks, NV http://www.visitrenotahoe.com 775.673.3100 Reno, NV http://www.www.arrowcreekcc.com 775.850.4653 Incline Village http://www.golfincline.com 775.832.1146 Incline Village http://www.golfincline.com 775.832.1150 Kings Beach, CA http://www.oldbrockway.com 530.546.9909 Stateline, NV http://www.edgewoodtahoe.com 775.588.3566 Lake Tahoe, CA http://www.laketahoegc.com 530.577.0788 Truckee, CA http://www.northstarattahoe.com 530.562.3887 Tahoe City, CA http://www.golftahoe.com/tahoe-city 530.583.1516 Truckee, CA http://www.coyotemoongolf.com 530.587.0886 Truckee, CA http://www.grayscrossinggolf.com 530.550.5800 Truckee, CA http://www.oldgreenwoodgolf.com 530.550.7010 Truckee, CA http://www.tahoedonner.com 530.587.9443 Camino, CA http://www.applemountaingolfresort 530.647.7400 Portola, CA http://www.grizzlyranch.com 866.901.1010
Head Pro/GM
Gary Paolino Dave Schacht Jim Monson Tim Huber Tony Murphy Bill Cloud Mike White Mike Cook Jeff Burmester Darryl Peif Phil Sponseller Geoffrey Podgorny Jim Dillashaw Jim Dillashaw Larry Babica Dominic Atlan Gregg Standridge Rob Harbottle Lou Eiguren Lou Eiguren Robert Mason Matt LaPorte Keith Stoll Rick Vaughn Dave Gebhardt Bob Forse Randy Beeghly Darin Menante Lacy Erickson Steve Bell Kelly Manos Dave La Fata Greg Enholm Eric Huzarski John Ross Brannigan McNulty Angie Rodriguez Garrett Good Randy Fox Amy McCormick Pete Smith Bob Bonino Ed McGargill Shane Jones Bob Hickam, Dir. Ed Leinenkugel, Dir. Paul Shorts Rob Young
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 3
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Message from The Publisher
Table of Contents
Wow, 2009 is here and my daughter just turned 7 years old. Where is time going...and why so fast? Next thing you know it will be 2010. Well, change is in the air in 2009 in many ways and I am thrilled with it all. This magazine will continue to change for the better, with the help of great writers and readers. The feedback I get from all of you is great stuff. Some of this advice I will use, and some will have to wait. And trust me when I say I appreciate it all. It shows me that the readers and writers care about this printed and web product we call Sierra Golfer Magazine. Speaking of the web and change, be sure to check out a new and brilliant way to read Sierra Golfer on the web at sierragolfer.com and let me know what you think. Also, be sure to blog me on the website as well. Ask me anything you want about golf, your game, the magazine... whatever. Together we will figure it out. All the best, Rick.
Sierra Golf Course Directory Feature Saddle Creek Resort Columns Ambassador of Ease Psychology of Golf The Travelling Golfer Physiology of Golf The Business of Golf Articles Love for Golf...and Life Love on the Links The Amazing Golf Sweater Get into Golfing Shape
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Sierra Golfer Magazine Rick Rider, Publisher PO Box 11 San Andreas, CA 95249
Unlimited Golf with 2 Night Stay Includes: Golf at 2 Premier Courses, Lodging, Green Fees, Practice Range, Breakfast, and Unlimited play. Packages start at $99 per person per day, quad occupancy. For details call: 1-888-736-5900 or visit greenhorncreek.com 1-800-611-7722 or visit saddlecreek.com Limited time offer expires March 31st.
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4 | The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 from the black tees, this course here in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra has its share of accoAs Challenging as it gained lades, and I think deservedly Is Breathtaking so. But I think you ought to bring your A game with you By Rick Rider to truly enjoy this course. Or do what I do and just play I’ve played courses matches and not try to shoot like this. You know what I your index. mean…a course that chalSo if length is not the lenges you on every hole…I concern here for most golfmean all 18 of them. ers, there certainly is plenty There is no question in more to be wary of...as in my mind, though, that this the form of bunkers and wais the prettiest of the tough- ter. Hole #1 starts you off reest courses I have played. I quiring a pretty darned good would suspect that Pebble tee shot, and don’t miss Beach might just eclipse this right or you are in for a big one in challenging beauty, number right off the bat. Hit but only because of having a solid driver or 3 wood up a bigger pond adjacent to it. the left side and don’t even Opened in 1996 and flirt with anything right of stretching just 6,800 yards center of the fairway.
Saddle Creek Resort
The same holds true with hole #2, which is a bear of a hole. Here you just have to stand and deliver, as adjacent to the entire right side of the fairway, is a most beautiful pond. Bail out left and you better start thinking bogey, and be glad for it. And so it goes as we make our way ‘round this wonderful example of why we love to play golf in the foothills and the mountains of the Sierra. The fact is there are very few let-up holes here at Saddle Creek. Pay attention on every shot. Especially on the greens. That’s why I consider this course one of the truly great match-play courses I think I have ever played. I love to play matches, and on a course where double-bogey
3
The Clothes Mine A Gold Mine of Values
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www.sierragolfer.com lurks at every turn, this is a true match play gem. Just when you think you are down and out, or better yet up in a match and thinking you have it in hand, just about anything can happen. Whether it is a stray tee shot or a misjudged putt, don’t ever think you have your opponent or this course whipped, all the way to the 18th green. And isn’t that what golf is all about? As I have said before…’golf as in life’. Life has its challenges at every turn and also its rewards. So does golf. And golf at Saddle Creek Resort embodies that spirit in both style and sheer majesty. Just make sure and bring your A game to fully enjoy.
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Ambassador of Ease... It’s the Little Thoughts That Count
by Jon Leland The philosophy of “less is more” is popular these days, but it may never be more apt than on the golf course when applied to the inner game. Sure, we all have to think, but it’s what we think that makes the difference. I think almost every golfer is familiar with the old axiom, “The mind doesn’t understand ‘don’t’,” as in “Don’t hit it in the lake.” When we think like that it’s scary as well as fascinating how predictable the results become. Recently, I’ve had a tendency to pull the ball left; and the thought “Don’t pull it left” results in me leaving it right. Not good. Better to focus on the target, but at least I’m often aware of what little thoughts have crept into my mind and how they led to the unintended results. Likewise, I’ve been working on cleaning up my act with regard to negative self talk. For example, I’m surprised how often I catch myself calling myself nasty little names when I hit a bad shot. That habit not only doesn’t help, but it has the effect of reinforcing a nega-
tive pattern of thoughts that undercuts my confidence. I’ve learned that the first step to a success-reinforcing inner game is just to become aware of what’s going on between my ears, without judgement. But then, more importantly, I think we all need something positive that we can lean on. An inspiring, positive thought that actually delights me came out of a recent conversation with Dr. Joe Parent, author of Zen Golf, Zen Putting, and coach to PGA and LPGA Tour pros. I shared with “Doc” some of the ways that I’ve found myself struggling with too much tension on the course. I have been frequently not swinging with ease, and in the case of a recent club championship, I simply got way too serious about my performance and I paid the price with one of my worst rounds in memory. The good doctor prescribed a simple image. He asked me to think about a couple of young boys, maybe eight or ten years old, going for a walk in the woods. Inevitably, they would pick up some sticks along the way, right? And then, what would they do with those sticks? They would hit stuff with them. That’s what kids do when they are relaxed and having fun. At age 61, I
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 5 can even remember how that concept like “kids hitting felt. stuff with sticks” has brought “Kids hitting stuff with me closer to an attitude sticks.” That was the simple of going out and just havthought that Dr. Joe offered ing fun. I like another little me, and I’ve found that it thought of “just hit the ball” works as the perfect antidote which makes things simpler, to my tendency to take my- but the attitude of “kids hitself and this wonderful game ting stuff with sticks” is even of golf too seriously. more fun. It’s a little thing, someBottom line, when I’m thing very simple. But just having fun, like really just try it. Changing your attitude enjoying myself out there, I changes everything. Rather play better. than worrying about pulling It’s as simple as that. it left (or whatever), a little
6 | The Sierra Golfer • February 2009
Love for Golf And Life Should be a Year~round Affair By Laura Stewart
The holidays are over (sigh). The golf season is over (bigger sigh). What is there to possibly look forward to? Drum roll please… VALENTINE’S DAY! Not only is Valentine’s Day upon us, it is on a Saturday this year. So you don’t just have one day to celebrate but an entire glorious weekend! Just kidding. But seriously, since it falls on a weekend this year, don’t do the obligatory, unremarkable routine of just going out to dinner. Do something different, create a lasting memory, dare I say…look forward to Valentine’s Day this year. So here are a few ideas to help you enjoy some of the abundant food and wine activities around our region, do something adventurous outdoors or just plan something intimate in the comfort of your
own home. Good luck men, I know you can do it! 1. Amador County Wine “Cellarbration.” On Saturday, February 14th & Sunday, February 15th Amador County is hosting an event called Behind the Cellar Door. Twenty eight area wineries are offering wine tasting, live music and seminars. For more information, visit http://amadorwine. com or call (209)245-6992. Cheers! 2. Host a savvy interactive dinner party with cooking demonstrations for your single & married friends. This is a hot new trend in the culinary industry where a Personal Chef will come in and prepare a 3-5 course dinner, pair wines with each course and put on cooking demonstrations. It’s like having Emeril Lagasse in your home to make dinner without all the loud “Bam” rhetoric. It makes for a fun and entertaining evening for all. 3. Don’t go to the spa, bring home the spa. You will find that most massage therapists don’t charge anything more by coming to you, and what a nice way to spend
www.sierragolfer.com the evening. Splurge and get a couple’s massage and unwind together. Afterwards enjoy a flute of champagne and you’ve got a perfect date in the comfort of your own home. 4. Okay, it is still permissible to go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day… especially somewhere special. My somewhere special is Ella in downtown Sacramento. Every year we go there for my birthday but I wouldn’t mind making it a Valentines Day ritual too, especially after I saw their prix fixed menu for this year’s dinner. Check it out at www. elladiningroomandbar.com. Or visit www.yelp.com or www.opentable.com to read reviews of the best restaurants in your area. Bon Appétit! 5. Dine in…Do something especially romantic and hire a Personal Chef to come and cook a romantic dinner for two in your home. A personal chef will customize a menu and create a gourmet culinary experience that will be an evening to remember. This is a wonderful idea for anniversaries too; it is the ultimate romance gesture!
6. Go ice skating. Create a memorable day by taking a scenic aerial cable car ride up to the crest of Squaw Valley’s upper mountain to their Olympic Ice Pavilion. Experience breathtaking panoramic views of the Squaw Valley Meadow, Lake Tahoe & the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Hockey or figure skate rentals are available, open daily 11AM7PM. I hope you are now finally psyched about celebrating Valentine’s Day and actually wishing it always fell on a Saturday. But don’t you worry because next year it is on a Sunday so you will still have a full weekend to express your romantic prowess! (Biggest sigh) Ok, so I helped you out for Valentines day, but take my word for it, these romantic ideas work for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays or any other day of the year to show your loved ones how much you care for them. They are great investments in relationships...and a lot of fun as well. Enjoy.
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Love on the Links By Robert Reed
The oft repeated dictum Location, Location, Location is answer to the question “What are the three most important factors when buying real estate?” The same maxim may be applied to choice of a wedding site. The Holiday Season of Christmas and New Years is also the season for engagements. Three quarters of engagements occur in this period. Wedding planners and Bridal Fairs have their busiest season January to March. Should you scan the many bride check lists published during this season in the magazine and newspaper special brides sections you will find the first and most important choice to be made after the guests list is Location, Location, Location. At Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort in Angels Camp we meet with many brides to discuss their upcoming nuptials. Dad is rarely present to have his say. The brides family traditionally bears the expense of the wedding so should the father of the bride be left out of this most important decision: Location, Location, Location? Assuming that the audience for a Golf Life Style magazine is primarily, but not exclusively male, we offer some advice on the value of a Golf Course Resort location for the important
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 7 event. Ladies will also few steps away from the club find this information worth can house families for $215 considering. per night. The location of a Reducing travel and destination wedding can delay during the events of a satisfy several purposes. It wedding can be important. will set the mood for the A rehearsal dinner site and event. A beach or forest wedding reception site setting may satisfy the brides convenient to lodging may be swimming pools and tennis romantic ideal but create a safety issue for quests who plus gathering places for logistic difficulties that enjoy too many celebratory cocktails and lunch or dinner should not be overlooked. toasts. A golf club can host preceeding or following the Convenience to lodging, the rehearsal dinner, wedding wedding day. The Gold facilities, support services, and reception in one spot Country provides many accessability to vendors and to make the event seamless distractions for visitors. a trained staff may not be whereas a reception hall may Yosemite is nearby, wineries, available at the beach. The be inconvenient to hotels or Gold Country towns and mountain recreation are private or semi-private golf the wedding site. club serves a discerning A destination wedding close at hand. The Western public regularly at GREENHORN Club is for many guests travel in slope of the Central Sierra CREEK member events. It’s staff lieu of a vacation and the Foothills is near to the Bay is practiced and equipped recreational possibilities are Area and Valley cities and the to serve and entertain large further enticement to attend. perfect wedding destination RESORT groups. Golf course venues Destination Resorts like where you can experience are surrounded with well Greenhorn Creek offer golf, the Sierra Golf lifestyle. manicured natural beauty and on-site facilities to serve both romantic and practicle Weddings at GREENHORN CREEK Angels Camp purposes. Your local club may Unique Weddings in a Sp ec tacular S etting provide the services you greenhorncreek.com want. One that describes GOLD COUNTRY DESTINATION GOLF RESORT itself as a Destination Resort will include lodging and recreation possibilities for family and guests traveling in to the event. Comfortable and affordable lodging close by or on-site make it easier and more affordable for invited guests. During a recent trip Fine Cuisine & Impeccable Service to attend a wedding in New Guest Lodging on-site York City the hotel’s group Event Coordination rate negotiated by the brides Call 209-736-8133 family was $475 a night for Beautiful Golf CourseSettings a couple in a modest room. An extended stay would have been prohibitive. At Greenhorn Creek lodging is available in spacious condominiums for as little as $125 a night. Cottages a CALL (209) 736 - 8133 711 McCauley Ranch Rd, Angels Camp, Ca. 95222
8 | The Sierra Golfer • February 2009
The Amazing Golf Sweater By David Wood
I
t is astonishing how the mere purchase of a golf sweater can change your life; at least it did mine. My golf sweater story begins at the (British) Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland in 1994. I attended this Open with my wife, Rosalie, and our youngest son Michael and our daughter Jennifer. On Friday, the day of the second round, the weather was terrible: windy, cold, and rainy. Nevertheless, I was on the golf course watching golf. But Rosalie decided to take Michael and Jennifer and find shelter from the elements in the merchandise tent. Before parting, we arranged to meet in a few hours, and when we did, Rosalie told me she had visited the Bobby Jones golf apparel area in the tent, and had met a nice young man there who had shown her a Turnberrythemed sweater (or “jumper” as they call them over there) and that she wanted to buy the sweater for me. She told me that the sweater had an image of the famous Turnberry lighthouse on the front and was quite beautiful and exquisite, and was hand-made, well-made, and unique, and was from a cottage industry. She also said that this nice young man had told her that the sweater was a “one of a kind,” and that
it had been specially commissioned for the Open by the Bobby Jones Company, and that it had been knitted by hand by some little old ladies on one of the northern Scottish islands, and would no doubt become a collectors item, and was very, very special. By this time I was getting a little uncomfortable and wary, so I decided to ask her the only question on my mind: How much did the sweater cost? Fifteen years later, I cannot now remember what the exact price was, but believe me, it was very expensive. In fact, it was obscenely expensive, and for a moment the thought of having to pay for it made me a bit faint. Quickly gathering myself, I told my wife that I did not need another sweater, that I did not want that sweater, that we could not afford that sweater, and I specifically asked her (actually pleaded with her) not to buy it. For good measure, I told her that this “nice young man” was probably greatly embellishing the story and that the sweater probably had been mass-produced and that most likely he had twenty more of them out back in his trailer waiting for future purchasers. Of course, you know what happened: When we got back to our hotel that night I found that she had gone back to the merchandise tent and bought that Turnberry sweater for me! I must admit, it was a beautiful sweater and was exceedingly handsome. And I did realize that I was a lucky man, considering that
www.sierragolfer.com my wife thought enough of me that she wanted to buy this sweater for me. On the other hand, I could not get over the price, and the nagging feeling that we had been taken advantage of. I could just imagine this “nice young man” bragging to his friends and associates about his triumphant sale to the gullible Americans. I was finding it hard to share Rosalie’s appreciation for the sweater. Being somewhat on the frugal side, on balance, it bothered me greatly, and put me into a deep funk for at least the next month. But little did I know what the future would hold for me because of this sweater purchase. By the next July I had almost forgotten about it, and my wife and I again traveled to Scotland to attend the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews. As usual, I spent most of my time on the golf course watching golf. But, of course, at some point during our stay there Rosalie paid a visit to the merchandise tent, and to the Bobby Jones section, and that same “nice young man” was there, and he remembered her! At that point, Rosalie came out onto the golf course to find me, and told me that she wanted me to come meet this fellow. Now with the memory of the whole affair stirred up in my mind again, I clearly was in no mood to meet him. Besides, I wanted to watch golf. Of course you know how this came out: I dutifully followed Rosalie into the tent to meet him. Of course, I was still thinking
about the exorbitant price we paid for the sweater the year before, and was not feeling too friendly towards him. Rosalie introduced me to him and I learned that his name was Stephen Tennent, that he had been employed by the Bobby Jones Company for some time, and that he lived in the Glasgow area. We chatted a bit and talked mostly about golf, and as we did, my hostility started to melt away. I came to realize that Stephen Tennent was quite the gentleman. He was very polite and mannerly. Most impressive was his knowledge of golf history and his respect for the game. I was impressed and was forced to agree that he indeed was a “nice young man” as described by Rosalie. After a very pleasant conversation we parted ways and would not see Stephen again until the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes the next year. And then we started seeing him on a regular basis, at least once a year and sometimes more. We met at every Open Championship after that, and Continued
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 9
www.sierragolfer.com Cont from last page at most Ryder Cups. Slowly, at first, we started to become friends. Eventually we became very, very good friends and golfing buddies, and that continues to this day. A bond developed. We met his family; we had dinners together, Stephen came over to the USA and stayed with me at our home in Colorado for some skiing, we have played much golf together, and it goes on and on. In short, all because Rosalie purchased the infamous Turnberry Sweater, I had made a friend for life. Of course, that is wonderful in itself, but it does not end there. This simple sweater purchase, through many intricate twists and turns, has led to many special friendships for me and many exciting events that have greatly enriched my life, as noted below. (But before moving on to that, let me say that everything Stephen Tennent told Rosalie back in 1994 about that sweater was absolutely true; it was in fact a one-of a kind sweater and had all the unique qualities that he had described to her!) • It all started when Rosalie purchased the sweater, and introduced me to Stephen Tennent. • Stephen Tennent brought the Loch Lomond Golf Club (north of Glasgow in Scotland and home to the Barclays Scottish Open each July) to my attention and convinced me to join the club in 1997. The last twelve years have been the best golf club experience of my life. If Rosalie had not purchased
the sweater, I would never have met Stephen Tennent and would never have joined Loch Lomond. • On July 14, 1998 I made my first (and so far only) hole-in-one on the 17th hole at Loch Lomond. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater, I would never have made my only hole-in-one at Loch Lomond. • On November 4, 2008 my youngest son, Michael, was my guest at Loch Lomond and he also made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole, ten years after I did. It was his second hole-in-one. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater, my son Michael would have never made his second hole-in-one at Loch Lomond. (And what are the odds of a father and son from Iowa making a hole-in-one on the same hole at a golf club in Scotland, ten years apart, and each witnessing the other’s ace?) • Through my membership in Loch Lomond Golf Club I have made more friends and met more interesting people than I can count. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • I was eventually made an Ambassador and also a Captain of the Loch Lomond Golf Club and because of that Rosalie and I were able to meet and spend some time with Prince Andrew who was the club’s International Captain. Our first time to meet Royalty! If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • Through the Loch Lomond Golf Club Rosalie and I were able to participate in many fabulous club trips to
Europe (including Valderrama in Spain, Nice France, and Monaco), and in the United States (including Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach, Kohler, Butler National in Chicago, Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, and Hokulia on the Big Island of Hawaii). If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • Stephen Tennent introduced me to a friend of his from San Francisco named Stephen Simpkin. Stephen Simpkin invited me to a party at his house during the 1998 U.S. Open at Olympic, where I met PGA Tour pro Scott McCarron. I eventually played in a pro-am with Scott at the Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua on Maui and our team played well and won some crystal. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • Stephen Simpkin invited me on a golf trip to Scotland that included my first time to play at Royal Dornoch in the north of Scotland and my one and only time to stay at Skibo Castle. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • Stephen Simpkin invited me on my first golf trip to Ireland which opened up my eyes to the wonders of Irish golf and lead me to take several more golf trips there on my own. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • On that first golf trip to Ireland Stephen Simpkin
introduced me to Donncha Hurley, who is in the golf travel business. We have since become great friends and have had some wonderful experiences together. When he and Melanie were married in England, we went to their wedding (our first wedding in a foreign country), Donncha and Melanie came to stay with us in our home in Colorado for some skiing, I retained Donncha to organize many golf trips for me and my friends to Scotland and Ireland, Donncha and I have had many pleasurable rounds of golf together in Scotland, England, Ireland, at Bandon Dunes, at Kohler, Continued on pg. 10
David and Rosalie Wood and The Sweater
10 | The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 Cont. from Page 9 around Chicago, in Scottsdale, and many other places. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • While in Scotland, and through Stephen Simpkin I met Gary Marsh. Gary has since become an extremely good friend and we have had many great experiences together, including playing golf all over Scotland and Ireland together on several different occasions, going to the Phoenix Open and playing golf in Scottsdale several times, playing together at Ballyneal in Colorado, several trips to Bandon Dunes, having Gary and his wife and daughter visit us at our home in Colorado, attending the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines together, and attending several Open Championships together, among other things. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • Gary Marsh introduced me to many other great people, including good friends Rick Caballero and Bob Trevey. Rick and I have played much golf together and attended a few Open Championships. And Rick and Bob have skied with me in Colorado. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater…. • I introduced Gary Marsh, Rick Caballero, and Bob Trevey to my youngest son, Michael. In 2005, while in California on business, he arranged a golf game with the three of them at the StoneTree Golf Club in Novato. On the 17th hole he made
his first hole-in-one. If Rosalie had not purchased the sweater, I would not have met Stephen Tennent. If I had not met Stephen Tennent I would not have met Stephen Simpkin. If I had not met Stephen Simpkin, I would not have met Gary Marsh. If I had not met Gary Marsh, my son Michael would have never met him, and Rick Caballero and Bob Trevey, and he would never have made his first hole-in-one in California. (In fact, both of his hole-in-ones are due to the sweater; see above.) • Stephen Tennent introduced me to Stephen Simpkin, who introduced me to Gary Marsh, who introduced me to Rick Rider, who is the publisher of this magazine. If Rosalie had not bought the sweater, I never would have met Rick Rider, I would not be writing for The Sierra Golfer Magazine, and you would not be reading this article! It has now been over 14 years since Rosalie purchased that sweater, and many magical friendships and other events have already happened because of it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
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Psychology of Golf... Try A Little Tenderness By Ben Kline We talk about how much we love playing golf, but do we love ourselves when we play and after. Aside from the disappointment after an errant shot, golfers often carry the memory of a poor swing for several holes. Taking negative thoughts to the next shot can handicap your performance and ruin a sport we play for enjoyment and relaxation. Negative self-talk hurts your game. Tension creeps in and swings quicken. Before
you know it, the round is almost over and the misery is adding up to a poor total on the scorecard. There’s good news, though. You can let negative thoughts go. Here are a few strategies for conquering negative selftalk: --- Take a deep breath or two. Diaphragmatic breathing from low in the belly releases physical tension and calms the nerves. --- Pay attention to your thoughts: “I always slice this shot into the woods”, and “don’t hit it into the water like last time” are examples of negative self-talk that can lead to poor performance. Don’t buy into these thoughts. Notice them, disagree with them and redirect
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 11 your attention to connecting Because primal areas of the to the target and making a brains are programmed for good swing. Vividly recall survival against perceived a past swing when hitting in threats, negative images are similar situation. Or imag- more easily imprinted and ine a great shot by a PGA recalled. You need to work pro. Mentally visualize the extra hard to store the excelswing that would produce lent shots you make. that shot. Train your brain to think ---At the beginning of the and plan when you are standround, set an intention to ing behind the ball during notice things outside your your pre-shot routine. Then, thoughts. One golfer I know when you step into your shot his best round ever by stance, you see and connect focusing his attention on the with the target. You have a trees he saw on the course. positive image of the shot He got out of his head and you’re going to hit, and then into nature. Another inten- you swing. It takes praction may be focusing on the tice. This mental rehearsal grip pressure on every shot. can lead to lasting improveSpend more time relishing ment. Learn to be kinder and well-executed shots. Store gentler with yourself on the those swings in your mem- golf course, and soon you ory so that you can recall will perform better and with them for similar situations. greater joy.
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The Travelling Golfer Bayonet and Black Horse By Lynn Nilsen
As a member of Bayonet and Black Horse Women’s Golf Club, I was excited to share the grand opening of our newly renovated course with a dear friend of mine, who did not have to wear a skirt to play with our club these two days. Our club has a few rare guest days, which allow us to invite the male species. The long awaited renovations had finally been completed. This renovation started a few years back and the course has managed to stay open with some creative planning. All 36 holes at Bayonet and Black Horse re-opened in December after a $13 million renovation by award-winning golf course architect, Gene Bates. Anyone who knows the history of these courses has heard about General Robert McClure, who designed Bayonet Golf Course. He was the Commanding Officer of the post at that time. General McClure was a left-handed golfer with a severe slice, so he designed the course to fit his game. Holes number 11 and 15 had a series of sharp doglegs known as “Combat Corner.” This was a tough course with a par of 72, a slope of 141 and a rating of 74.8. The newly renovated course is still a par 72 with yardage of 7104 from the
back tees. It has retained its classic, tree-lined character, showcase Bates’ elegant bunkering and graceful greens with expanded views of the bay. The order of the front nine is different from the original layout. A new, dramatic ninth hole has been created. The par 4 is an uphill, 476 yards with a dogleg right. There are numerous young cypress, oak and pine trees that were mostly transplanted from other areas of the property. The snow-white sand bunkers and the new Jacklin T1 Bentgrass provide a stunning look and better performance for roll and state of the art drainage. It has long been known that the best courses you can play after a day of rain in the Monterey Bay area are Bayonet or Black Horse. One of the most impressive new design changes to the greens is the more level putting surface on what was the par-4 seventh hole (now the fifth hole). The drastic left to right drop-off has been replaced with a more welcoming target with gentle movement. Bayonet has been open since 1954, created on the site of the former Fort Ord and christened in honor of the 7th Infantry Light Fighter Division. The new Black Horse, a 7,024-yard, par-72 layout features sweeping vistas of the Pacific, highlighted by fescue-framed fairways, bunkers with distinctive, serrated edges and slickly-contoured greens. The par-3, 15th hole, created during the renovation, faces the
www.sierragolfer.com bay and is thought to be one of the greatest holes on the Monterey Peninsula. New tees, fairways, greens and bunkering on each hole are strategic and add to the adventure. The back 9, par 36, consists of five par 4s, two par 3s and two par 5s. It still follows much of the original route, but leads in different directions. The 14th hole, previously the 15th hole that was known as “Cardiac Hill,” is now far less severe. The hole has changed from a slight dogleg right to a more distinct dog-leg left. Fairway bunkers are on the left and right with the two-tier green featuring a false front. Hole 15 is an entirely new and repositioned par-3, already noted as being one of the signature holes on the property. Facing the bay, with a wide view of the water and city as its backdrop, the hole also will play into a prevailing wind. A series of bunkers protect the right side of the green. Both courses replaced the Kikuyu and Poa annua grasses with Jacklin T1 Bentgrass. Black Horse was first opened in 1964 on the former
Fort Ord by General Robert B. McClure, who christened it in honor of the 11th Calvary Regiment (nicknamed “Black Horse’) that was then stationed nearby The Presidio of Monterey. For Breakfast or lunch, check out the Bar & Grill where there are tasty meals to enjoy indoors or on the outdoor terrace. The BBQ burgers at the buffet were scrumptious. To complete our day we sat back inside, looking over the terrace and enjoyed the fabulous views of dramatic white sand bunkers against the lush green fairways and the vivid blue Pacific. Rates on Black Horse range from $75 to $115 Rates on Bayonet range from $95 to $160. Hotel and Golf Packages are available, call the hotels and mention the Stay and Play package with Bayonet and Black Horse Course.
Sanctuary Beach Resort (877) 944-3863 www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com
Monterey’s Casa Munras Hotel (800) 222-2446 www.hotelcasamunras.com
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 13
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Physiology of Golf What you don’t know can hurt you
By Ann Grassel, PT Titleist Certified Golf Fitness Instructor During video analysis of my client’s golf swing, I identify 12 common golf swing faults. The most common of the golf swing faults are due to a weakness or inefficient use of the core muscles of the trunk. This situation can contribute to a golf swing that is less powerful and inaccurate, but it can also lead to injury, especially to the low back. I always educate my clients about the core trunk muscles, so when I teach them stance, how to weight shift and sequencing of the golf swing, they have a clear understanding of what muscles they overuse and what muscles will maximize their swing. There are 2 major muscle groups that support trunk movement. The Iliopsoas muscle consists of 2 muscles-the Psoas Major and the Iliacus. The Abdominal muscles consists of 4 muscles- the Rectus Abdoministhis is the muscle that forms the “six pack”, the External Oblique, the Internal Oblique and the Transverse Abdominis. (See Fig.1). Understanding where these muscles are located and their function is very important in preventing injury.
The Psoas Major attaches to each of the Lumbar vertebrae, crosses through the pelvis where is joins with the Iliacus and then exits the pelvis and attaches to the inside of the femur. Because the Psoas Major attaches to the vertebrae, when it is tight and shortened, it pulls on the lumbar vertebrae causing compression of the disc and of the nerves that exit between the vertebrae. It can also cause compression of the hip joint and contribute to hip degeneration and it’s attachment to the groin area of the upper thigh is a common cause of groin pull injuries. The 2 Iliopsoas can also be asymmetrical, pulling and causing back and leg pain more on one side than the other. This is very common in golfers. The Abdominal Muscles are attached to the pubic bone and ribs in the front of the trunk. If you look at the angles of the Abdominal muscles, you will see how well suited they are for the golf swing. Unfortunately, if the Iliopsoas muscles are tight and shortened (from standing in poor posture with your upper body leaning back or from sitting slumped at a computer all day and in front of the TV at night), they cause the lower abdominal muscles to go into slack and to not be able to work during the golf swing. (See Fig. 2) It is important then, to strengthen the Abdominal muscles and stretch and then strengthen the Iliopsoas muscles. Developing good core posture and modifying the ergonomic set-up of your
office, car and home to support the core strength is essential to maintaining your new alignment. When the Abdominal muscles are Figure 1
Figure 2
engaged in tone and length, they maintain the tone and length of the Iliopsoas, creating a powerful muscular balance of all the trunk muscles and contributing to a powerful, accurate golf swing.
14 | The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 heady times in the golf business, and Golf manufacturers and golf courses literally sprang up like bluebonnets on a Texas highway in Spring. Data from the Golf IndusThe Show try’s leading research firm, Must Go On the National Golf Foundation, suggests that the golf industry By Rick Rider is certainly not insulated from Having attended many this most current recession. On PGA Merchandise shows in the contrary. In terms of total number of my days in the golf industry, it would be hard to imagine the courses, the golf industry grew mood at this year’s East Coast at an annual rate of 1.3% from Show in Orlando in the midst 1990 to 2007, and the largest of an unprecedented economic growth area was in the dailyfee or non-private golf coursslowdown. I mean, we’ve seen slow- es. These facilities typically downs in the past, and I doubt charge lower green fees and we’ll ever see the boom days they grew by 2.5% annually in the golf business like we did since 1990. Private facilities however, in the mid-80’s. Those were contracted in total number of
The Business Of Golf
Get in shape For the season Rick Rider Ok, Spring is about here and a new golf season is around the corner. So here goes my favorite tune-up advice for most golfers, including myself, to help kickstart a great golf season. Number one, let’s try to get our walking legs back in shape. I think it is safe to say we all need more exercise, and walking is great exercise, for the heart and legs. We are going to need the stamina to finish off nice rounds, and having our legs in shape will help. We also need stronger legs to help swing the club more athletically. More on that later, but we certainly don’t want to be dead-legged when our matches are winding down and we need good solid shots. Number two is a follow-up to number one in that we also need to stretch out our Winter muscles so that we can turn well and make nice long swings. Here are three key stretches from Susan Hill, a
golf guru you can find at www. fitnessforgolf.com… Stretch #1 Lunge with Rotation Goal: This movement is designed to duplicate the trunk rotation involved in the swing while stretching the hip flexors. Instruction: • Place hands on opposite ends of a golf club and place behind the top of shoulders • Begin by taking a nice long step forward, then lowering to a lunge position • Gently turn your torso towards your extended knee • Hold each side for a count of two, then switch legs Stretch #2 Rotator Cuff Stretch Goal: This movement is designed to stretch the rotator cuff muscles. Instruction: • Hold the club in the middle of the shaft with one arm extended straight out • Rotate the club to the right and then to the left • When complete, switch to the
courses over this period of time, shrinking by 0.5% annually over the same time frame. The outlook for the equipment manufacturers is a bit more bleak. I remember the days when $500.00 for a new driver was standard fare. Well, those days are long-gone. It is estimated that sales on golf equipment nationwide will contract to record low sales and margin growth in 2009. Golfers,however are a passionate group. Descretionary money is very tight, however. Golfers won’t stop playing, but will play at discounted rates or seek out the lower fee courses. Or heaven-forbid, maybe even play less. Golfers will spend less on high-price equipment, and have been for some time now. other arm and repeat Stretch #3 Trunk-Hip Rotation Goal: Loosens up the hip joints and prepares the body for a shoulder turn by stretching the low back. Instruction: • Bend over slightly from the hips • Hold your spine in a neutral position • Place club behind your back and in the crook of your arms • Rotate your shoulders to the right, then to the left • The movement duplicates the trunk rotation involved in the swing Number three is to work hard on your stance and setup. What I mean by this is that every good golf swing started with a good setup. A little knee flex, nice bend at the hips, not waist, and get hang more down than out, and get your back nice and straight. Watch all the great players and notice how they keep their backs nice and straight at address. This puts you in a nice athletic position and allows you to make nice shoulder turns without
www.sierragolfer.com Talk about deflation in the economy…the golf equipment industry is in for tough times in 2009, and will have to regroup like virtually every other industry has had to in order to survive these tough times. But this too should not surprise anyone. I don’t think the price of a driver should ever have risen above $300.00, and green fees should never have approached $100.00 per round, except at the finest resorts. Yep, it’s time to pay the piper in the most sacred of all participatory sport, so to speak, and lower prices for everything golf is now a fact of life. And I hate to say it, but it’s about time.
moving our heads out of position. This goes for your putting stance as well…back straight and let your arms hang down freely. And finally, really work on your short games by investing at least 30 minutes a day, on golfing days, working just on chips and pitches. Here again, setup is key to making solid contact with these little shots which are very important to good scoring. My advice on these short shots is to stand fairly tall to the ball, allow your arms to hang more down, and set your weight fairly forward toward your front foot… and keep it there. This allows us to strike down or hit with a descending blow on any of these short shots, which is critical in chipping them close. More help is on the way, but how about let’s do it right this year and really prepare ourselves for a great year on the links. For more help on your game visit me at www.sierragolfer. blogspot.com/ and tell me what ails you…once you’ve done your homework above.
The Sierra Golfer • February 2009 | 15
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Staff and Contributing Columnists To The Sierra Golfer Magazine David Wood is an avid golfer and golf historian with an
astonishing record for attendance at Major Golf Tournaments and other events, including 14 Open Championships, 7 Masters Championships, 16 U.S. Opens, 2 PGA Championships and 5 Ryder Cups. He has played in numerous Pro-Ams (even the Mercedes in Maui, the lucky so & so!), and has been paired with tour pros Tom Watson, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Scott McCarron, Scott Simpson, Bernhard Langer, Gary Player, Chip Beck, John Cook and David Graham among others. He was Leaderboard Chairman for the 1999 U.S. Senior Open and Senior Marshal at the 2006 Ryder Cup. The retired CEO of Wells Fargo Financial makes his primary residence in West Des Moines, Iowa, and plays to an 11.9 Index. David can be reached at davidwoodlaw@aol.com.
Robert “Buck” Reed is responsible for Golf Marketing at Greenhorn Creek and has been a resident in the community since 2006. Buck has been involved with the printing industry for most of his career most recently selling to and creating labels for the wine industry. He enjoys using his degree in marketing and background in print design to create promotional materials and marketing programs for Greenhorn. His sports interests are varied: scuba, tennis, skiing, motorcycling and golf are among them. Since coming to Angels Camp he has become involved in the community as a Rotarian and member of the Angels Camp Branding Team.
Jon Leland is a pioneer in communications and media and has helped companies grow their businesses for three decades. Articles about Jon and his work have been published in Business Week, Presentations, Electronic Media, MPC World, PC Today, and San Francisco Business Times magazines. Jon is now a keynote speaker on the subject of “Winning with Ease: The power of stress-free performance as illustrated by life lessons learned from golf.” He plays to a 15.1 index. Jon blogs at http:// www.TheJoyofGolfing.com. More info on his work and his speaking can be found at http://www.ComBridges.com
Kristi LaRue was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX.
She attended Kilgore Junior College in Kilgore, TX and was a Kilgore Rangerette. She then moved to Austin, TX in 1980 to attend the University of Texas and received her B.S. in Geological Sciences. She stayed in Austin and began her career in Environmental Geology with a part time job as a certified aerobic instructor. She met and married her husband, Jim (architect/avid golfer), in 1986. They have one daughter who attends Auburn Univ. When Kristi isn’t playing golf, she’s teaching aerobics, volunteering on two boards, running a part time whole food nutritional business, helping at Jim’s office or going to live music venues.
Ben Kline is a sport psychology consultant based in Mill Splitting her time between Incline Village, Nevada and Santa Cruz, California, Lynn Nilsen is an avid amateur golfer with a 20 handicap. She is a member of several golf clubs throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties, as well as golf clubs in the Lake Tahoe area. When she’s not out playing golf, Lynn spends her time mountain biking, skiing, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking and spending time with her family in Santa Cruz.
Valley, Ca., and is passionate about helping people improve performance on and off the sporting field. A former collegiate track athlete, avid golfer, classically trained musician, and veteran of 23 years in the competitive high technology industry, Ben holds a Masters degree in Sport Psychology. He enjoys working with amateur and professional athletes who desire to overcome impediments to peak performance or just want to increase enjoyment of their sport. Ben believes that our bodies have their own genius and that our thought patterns, beliefs and personal histories can interfere with the manifestation of that brilliance on the sporting field. Information on Ben’s practice can be found at clarityperformance.com.
Laura Stewart owns the personal chef business INDULGE Gourmet that operates in the greater Sacramento area. She provides many services including cooking classes, weekly meals, dinner parties with cooking demonstrations, wine pairings and catering special events. Born and raised in Northern California, she spends a lot of time in the Napa Valley and other wine regions throughout California and enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of wine with her clients. To contact Laura, email chef@indulge-gourmet.com or call 916.288.5761.
Ann Grassel Grassel, PT is a Certified Titleist Golf Fitness Instructor and recently opened the Marin Golf Fitness Center in Mill Valley, CA. Ann has 30 years experience as a Physical Therapist specializing in Sportsmedicine, Movement Analysis and Reeducation and Ergonomics. She works with athletes of all skill levels and was privileged to have been a Therapist/ Trainer at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Ann earned a degree in Physiology from the University of Illinois and in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University Medical School. She has also been a golfer for over 40 years and has played courses in Scotland, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Hawaii. She has watched golf develop from a game where players used to only practice on the range and play to a game where fitness training is now essential. Ann can be reached at 415-272-2264 or online at ann@maringolffitness.com or www.maringolffitness.com
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