The Sierra Golfer
Your Guide to Golf and Life in the Sierra Grizzly Ranch In Plumas County Alpine Golf As It Was Meant To Be Golf in Paradise The Amazing Hole-in-One Prescription for Better Golf Sierra Microclimates Road Trip to the Sierra Winter 2008/2009
2 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009
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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 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
Mammoth Lakes, CA Mammoth, CA Ahwahnee, CA Ahwahnee, CA Groveland, CA La Grange, CA Sonora, CA Sonora, CA Twain Harte, CA Angels Camp, CA Valley Springs, Ca Copperopolis, CA Murphys, CA Arnold, CA Arnold, CA Ione, CA Pioneer, CA Gardnerville, NV Genoa, NV Genoa, NV Carson City, NV Carson City, NV Carson City, NV Dayton, NV Carson City, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Washoe Valley, NV Sparks, NV Reno, NV Incline Village, NV Incline Village, NV Kings Beach, CA Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe, CA Truckee, CA Tahoe City, CA Truckee, CA Truckee, CA Truckee, CA Truckee, CA Camino, CA Portola, CA
Web address
Phone
snowcreekresort.com 760.934.6633 mammothmountain.com 760.924.4653 rivercreekgolfcourse.com559.683.5600 sierrameadows.com 559.642.1343 pinemountainlake.com 209.962.8620 deerwoodcorp.com 209.852.0404 phoenixlakegolf.com 209.532.0111 mountainspringsgolf.com209.532.1000 twainhartevillage.com 209.586.3131 greenhorncreek.com 209.736.8111 lacontentagolf.com 209.772.1081 saddlecreek.com 888.852.5787 forestmeadowsgolf.com 209.728.3439 forestmeadowsgolf.com 209.795.1313 sequoiawoods.com 209.795.2141 castleoaksgolf.com 209.274.0167 macemeadow.com 209.295.7020 carsonvalleygolf.com 775.265.3181 genoalakes.com 866.795.2709 genoalakes.com 866.795.2709 silveroakgolf.com 775.841.7000 sunridgegolf.com 775.267.4448 empireranchgolf.com 888.227.1335 daytonvalleygolf.com 775.246.7888 eaglevalleygolf.com 775.887.2380 cityofreno.com 775.857.2892 lakeridgegolf.com 800.815.6966 washoegolf.org 775.828.6640 wolfrungolfclub.com 775.851.3301 sierrasagegolf.org 775.972.1564 hvccreno.com 775.857.4742 thundercanyon.com 775.882.0882 visitrenotahoe.com 775.673.3100 www.arrowcreekcc.com 775.850.4653 golfincline.com 775.832.1146 golfincline.com 775.832.1150 oldbrockway.com 530.546.9909 edgewoodtahoe.com 775.588.3566 laketahoegc.com 530.577.0788 northstarattahoe.com 530.562.3887 golftahoe.com/tahoe-city 530.583.1516 coyotemoongolf.com 530.587.0886 grayscrossinggolf.com 530.550.5800 oldgreenwoodgolf.com 530.550.7010 tahoedonner.com 530.587.9443 applemountaingolfresort530.647.7400 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 Eric Huzarski John Ross Brannigan McNulty Angie Rodriguez Garrett Good Randy Fox Amy McCormick Pete Smith Bob Bonino Ed McGargill Shane Jones Bob Hickam, Director Ed Leinenkugel, Dir. Paul Shorts Rob Young
The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009| 3
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Message from The Publisher
Table of Contents
While it seems a turbulent time we live in, I can’t help but be overly optimistic about the recent turn of events in our country. And while the economic outlook short term may not look so bright, patience will most surely reward anyone looking out a year or two or five. I am one of those people. This is my third edition of The Sierra Golfer and I am truly proud of my staff and contributors of this wonderful magazine. They are all very talented and committed to making this magazine the best we can make it, and for that I am grateful. I am also enormously grateful to my advertisers and readers who make this project worthwhile. Please stay tuned for the next edition of The Sierra Golfer and watch for new and interesting columns and features, as we will continually work at making this magazine as fun and interesting as we can, while hopefully improving both your games and your lives in this wonderful place we call the Sierra Mountains. Best wishes to all. Rick Rider
Features Grizzly Ranch Grizzly at a Glance Golf in Paradise Articles Sierra Golf Course Directory The Amazing Hole-in-one Santa’s Wish List Prescription for Better Golf Golf Tip from the Pro Sierra Microclimates Sierra Golfing Getaway
Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 2 Page 8 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 12 Page 14
Sierra Golfer Magazine Rick Rider, Publisher PO Box 11 San Andreas, CA 95249 rick@sierragolfer.com
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4 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009
Golf in the Plumas Pines: Grizzly Ranch By Gary Marsh
From the first tee, Grizzly Ranch gives you a sense of how its name was derived, and it wasn’t because Mountain Man James P. Beckwourth passed through here in 1851 leading a wagon train from western Nevada through Plumas County en route to the Sacramento Valley. It’s because the golf course just feels brawny – like a big, dangerous bear. Grizzly Ranch’s strapping features are in the big trees, undulation and slight changes in elevation,, an occasional boulder, and four sets of tees (with the tips way back – forgetaboutit!). The golf course’s masculinity is aided by its remote location, true alpine setting and hundreds of acres of forest bordering the property. A master-planned
real estate community near the Feather and Plumas Rivers, even the homes are brawny, with stout, exposed beams on porches, decks and other exteriors. The post and beam construction is complemented by extensive (and mandatory) use of natural wood and rock materials. Lowe Enterprises, the development entity behind Grizzly Ranch, has some experience creating “rustic luxury” destination residential and resort properties. Sunriver in Oregon, The Resort at Squaw Creek, and Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont come to mind, as well as numerous desert and coastal projects where golf and the sporting lifestyle merge seamlessly with beautiful landscapes. The first tee at Grizzly Ranch is elevated and presents a pleasant view of the finishing hole and its lovely water feature immediately to the south. Next to the man-made lake
www.sierragolfer.com is the Lake House, where you can take in a fine meal or in my case, meet with one of my sports psychologists after the round (whomever is available – Johnny Walker or Jack Daniels). Approaching the first tee, the player passes over a creek on a covered bridge. With a ravine in front of the teeing area, the first shot is a forced carry. The fairway doglegs left. An attempt to take the aggressive line at the corner risks a lost ball into the ravine. Leave your tee ball out safely to the right, and you have a long second shot into an undulating green. It’s a little intimidating standing there for the first time. “Welcome to golf,” according to Bob Cupp, the course architect. That is, if you can get a starting time. Grizzly Ranch is private with most of the public rounds set aside for prospective homeowners and sales purposes. But for $125, players can get on the course most afternoons, especially during ‘shoulder” seasons, according to Grizzly Ranch general manager Rob Young. With its third season just wrapped up, the golf course is officially open May 1 to October 31. According to Young however, during each of the past two years, it was open for play in April and closed Thanksgiving weekend. Cupp gives you an easy par 3 second hole – a “breather,” he said in a recent interview (see Bob Cupp profile in the next issue of Sierra Golfer), before taking the player north on the tough par 5 third, across the fourth hole
– which features a blind shot over a hill for the aggressive player and then uphill for the par 4 fifth and near the property’s entrance. From there, and with a rhythm found, the golf course just gets fun to play. One of the better views on the golf course – the 7th tee, is a par 5 that plays 492 yards from the deeper of the two middle tees. The third shot is uphill and the player is encouraged to avoid the deep, greenside bunker that protects the front of the green. Cupp has a nice way of alternating tough holes with relatively easy scoring holes, such as the downhill and short par 4, 8th hole. Number nine is another challenging hole, with hazard on the left, trees on the right and a lake next to the green. Number 12 is the most cursed hole, according to Young. A monster both in length (649/621/546/512) and “ski chute” quality from a visual perspective, for good measure Cupp allowed a creek to intersect cont.
The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009| 5
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the fairway twice on this hole. Young advises playing a three-wood off the tee, followed by another fairway medal to leave a 100-120 yard shot into the green. This sounds imminently more sensible than the way I played it (Hack attack: driver into the woods left, penalty drop on edge of fairway; hit third shot into the hazard on the right for another penalty, took a drop on the right edge of the fairway at 212 out and hit a fifth shot, that could not have come at a better time, by sticking a 7-wood within 20 feet of the hole, from whence I two-putted for a tidy double). Getting out of there with just a double instead of a snowman or dreaded Bo Derek made me feel fortunate instead of cursed. Hole 15, which plays downhill, is reachable for long hitters, especially with a favorable wind. At 301 and 266 from the middles tees, Cupp defends birdies and easy pars by placing a small green at the end of
the fairway. The 17th is challenging because the creek intersects the fairway far enough away from the tee to allow most players to hit driver, but close enough to be seen and put doubt in the players’ mind about letting the big dog eat. Depending on the choice made off the tee, a mid-iron or long-iron is required for the second shot to a large and easily three-putted green. The finishing hole is a fitting and beautiful tribute to a rough and tumble layout that provides an array of challenges that are full of temptation and rewards. The 18th green has a lake in front with waterfalls and pond areas behind the green, plus a good visual of the covered bridge that takes players to the first tee. A par 5, Cupp gives you plenty of fairway to find off the tee. Then, in typical Cupp fashion, the player must think and find resolve in his decision: “do I try to get home in two, or hit a fairway medal close and right of the green for an easy, short chip?” Or instead: “Will I be mature and layup safely with a midiron to the sliver of fairway that borders the lake on the right, then take a full wedge or 9-iron in for my third shot?” Playing Grizzly Ranch is kind of like that option you get sometimes when ordering a burger – would you like it with fries or a side of fruit? You know which one you want, but sometimes you are better off taking the strategic and safe option to produce a healthier score.
Grizzly Ranch at a Glance The property features three very impressive rental homes, called Wolf Tree Cabins. They are reserved for home sale prospects and owners. Summer rates are $199 Sunday-Thursday and
$225 Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. They are available year round. Winter rates are $149 SundayThursday and $179 Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. The resort has a swim and fitness center. Continued on page 7
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6 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009
Escape to Kaua`i and Golf in Paradise By Lynn Nilsen
Deciding the best time of year to play golf in Hawaii is definitely a big decision. I recommend visiting the “Garden Island” when school is back in session in late September. All the kids are gone and the locals are around to join in on the fun. We went in late September for two glorious weeks. My travel buddy, Carol, loves to play golf and is also adventurous enough to hike those tough trails that are well worth the trek, winding into beautiful waterfalls and opening up to remote beaches. We arrived in Princeville before check-in time, so we decided to drive to the end of the road past Hanalei Bay at Ke`e Beach. This is one of the more remote, beautiful beaches on the Island. As we gazed at the sun setting over the horizon and the beautiful blue waters of Ke`e beach, the magic began…we had Poipu Bay Hole #17
arrived. Taking a short walk down the beach, we came across a monk seal basking in the setting sun. With chickens and roosters crowing in the background, we departed back down the road to our hotel. Our first golf adventure took us to the Prince Course in Princeville at Hanalei. While checking in at the pro shop, the clerk caught me looking at my watch; he told me we had plenty of time and chided me for bringing my watch to Kaua`i. We then met Ken, the friendly starter, who directed us to the range and took the time to meet up with us at the putting green. “Hit past the hole, if you’re short it can’t go in.” This is pretty obvious advice, but his words sank in when my putts kept stopping short of the hole. It rains lightly (and not so lightly) everyday in Hanalei, so the greens were anything but lightening fast. After many panoramic views of the beautiful blue pacific we reached the 16th hole where it began to rain on and off through the 18th; surprisingly, we felt a slight chill for a few minutes. A Hawaiian massage was the perfect finish to an unforgettable day. With the exception of a few other golfers, Carol and I had the course, pro shop and even the spa to ourselves. Wailua Municipal Golf Course was our next golf experience. It reminded me of my home course in Santa Cruz, DeLaveaga, with green fees tailored to locals and affordable for tourists. The views were spectacular, as
www.sierragolfer.com the links intricately wound around the cliffs and over the ocean. The occasional light sprinkle kept us cool and once the rain stopped it was as if it had never started. For the price and its stunning beauty, Wailua Municipal is a definite must play when visiting the Island. Before departing to Po’ipu, we treated ourselves to one last tourist excursion on the east side of the island. We signed up for a river boat ride to Fern Grotto. Three of the crew members performed the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” and everybody participated in an impromptu hula dance. When we reached “Fern Grotto,” the exotic flowers and plants winding up the path were stunning. From the viewing platform, looking into the cave, there were long, lush ferns growing down from the ceiling. After Fern Grotto, we were off to Po`ipu to check into the Castle Resort at Kiahuna Plantation. One of our favorite restaurants is nestled in the middle of the Resort, surrounded by Orchids in the 35-acre Moir Garden. It is reminiscent of what this island was like before large hotels and numerous condominiums were built. Po`ipu Bay Resort Golf Course is as challenging as it is beautiful. Stunning ocean vistas proved highly distracting as we teed up, although our twosome, a
Poipu Bay Hole #16 father and son visiting from Florida, kept us on track. I can’t say how many balls were lost to sensitive areas, volcanic rock and a deep ocean. But if you go, be sure to splurge on this Scottish links-style course and bring plenty of balls! Keep in mind that certain area resorts offer discounts on green fees. Our second game on the south shore took us to Kiahuna Golf Club, a nice course with green fees below $100. After your first round, you get the locals rate and be sure to visit “Joes on the Green” for a Mai Tai and some popos. Our final golf experience was at Kukuiolono in Kalaheo. We played with a resident of Hanalei Bay who was later heading to a hula event in Waimea. Our other single was a Missionary who was training pastors in the Kapa`a area. This 9-hole locals’ course is priced under $10 for green fees. The course was built in 1929 and later donated to the State by Walter McBryde, who is now buried near the 8th hole.
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Paradise cont.
The park features a small Japanese garden with legend stones and beautiful panoramic views. This is a great course to meet locals from all over the Island, play in your flip flops and soak up the sunshine in a tank top or even your bathing suit. Our two weeks came to a close all too soon. Highlights from the trip went through my mind on the way to the airport like movie trailers in a theater…snorkeling at a remote beach on the south end of Po`ipu, shopping sprees at an out door market by Spouting Horn, Old Koloa Town and locally made Pohaku T-shirts …but these are only a small part of what I will miss until my next visit to Kaua`i. Until then, Kaua`i remains in my dreams.
Lynn’s Island Picks
Grizzly Ranch cont.
$5,000, plus $45 per month and $55 green fees (national members cannot live within 40 miles of the club). Home sites range from 1/3 acre to more than 4 acres; some are sloped and priced from $125,000 up to $589,000. There are 296 developed lots with 380 total planned; 240 are sold, with 28 homes built and 24 in construction or design review. Cabin homes average 1,800-2,700 square feet, with some custom homes at 6,300 square feet and one planned at over 8,000 square feet of living space. Construction averages $275-$375 per square foot, though some of the custom homes have
A Clubhouse is planned for Grizzly Ranch and is scheduled for construction when the club signs 200 members (it currently has 120). The Clubhouse is designed to be about 9,000 square feet with a private members-only dining room, private locker rooms, spa treatment rooms and a lounge. Club membership is bundled with the purchase of a lot and valued at $20,000 for residents and nonresidents. Annual dues are $5,280 and include all golf for the entire family, with $15 cart rental fees. A national membership is available for
Places to Stay
Places to Play
Princeville Princeville Villas Princeville, Island of Kauai Prince Golf Course Par/Holes 72/18 Hanalei Bay Resort Po`ipu Princeville, HI Po`ipu Bay Resort GC Par/Holes 72/18 Kiahuna Plantation & The Beach Bungalows Kiahuna Golf Course Koloa, HI Par/Holes 70/18 Grand Hyatt Kauai Wailua Resort and Spa Public Course Koloa, Hawaii Par/Holes 72/18 Sheraton Kauai Resort Kukuiolono Park Koloa, HI Golf Course Par/Holes 36/9
costlier finishes. The Lake House offers owners and golfers sit-down lunch Thursday thru Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the snack bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sit down dinner service is available Saturday nights only from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the golf season, and is closed in winter. The Chef is Eric Washburn, who works at Grizzly Ranch during the summer and at Lowe E n t e r p r i s e ’s sister property, The Resort at Squaw Creek,
Places to Eat Bar Acuda Restaurant Hanalei, HI CJ’s Steak & Seafood Princeville, HI Gaylord’s Restaurant Lihu`e, HI Keoki’s Paradise Po`ipu Shopping Village Beach House Restaurant Koloa, HI Plantation Gardens Restaurant Koloa, HI
in the winter. (Managing Editor’s note: the food is excellent!) Truckee and Reno are about 45 minutes to an hour away. The San Francisco Bay Area is about a five hour drive in dry conditions. Contact Information: 530.832.1800 or www. grizzlyranch.com.
8 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009 McGee’s ball came rolling up, hit Byrum’s putter and was deflected 10 feet into the hole. This lead to the infamous quote by caddie Rusty Uresti: “That was the By David Wood only putt Tom [Byrum] made all day.” Tiger Woods had a “A hole-in-one is famous ace at the TPC’s 16th amazing when you think of hole at the 1997 Phoenix the different universes this Open (he won his first white mass of molecules has Major later that year at the to pass through on its way Masters) and you can watch to the hole.” So once said it on YouTube; just search former PGA Tour pro and for “Tiger Woods hole-ingolf teacher Mac O’Grady. one 16th hole Scottsdale, But don’t tell that to the 22 Phoenix Open.” It is quite year-old Kappa, Illinois an entertaining video with amateur Curt Hocker who the thousands of fan on that had five aces in one week in hole going crazy. November 2008, including One of the more famous two in one day; or amateur holes-in-one at a major California golfer Jacqueline championship is the one by Gagne who claimed to David Toms at the 2001 PGA have made 16 aces in less Championship at the Atlanta than a year in 2007 despite Athletic Club, which he won. substantial doubt being cast It was on the 15th hole which on her purported feat. By was playing at 243 yards and the way, that brings to mind he used his favorite 5-wood. North Korean leader Kim Mancil Davis is known at Jong-Il who reportedly made the “King of Aces” and holds 5 holes-in-one during the first the record for holes-in-one round of golf he ever played by a professional golfer: 52 in 2004. Yeah, right. aces. See Mancil’s web site, There have been many Mancildavis.com. Davis has interesting and documented some hole-in-one advice: holes-in-one in the “No. 1, I aim at the hole,” he professional game. In the says. “You ask any golfer, 2001 Phoenix Open (which ‘What are you aiming at?’ I attended) Andrew McGee and they’ll say, ‘Hitting over made the first hole-in-one on the bunker,’ or ‘Over the a par-4 hole in the history of water, or ‘Getting on a safe the PGA Tour when he aced spot on the green.’ Not one the 332-yard 17th at the TPC person says the hole, and of Scottsdale. Being just I don’t know if this makes an average hitter, he didn’t sense. When you’re hitting think he’d be able to reach a 20-foot putt, you aim at the green so he proceeded the hole. Where’s the magic to hit his tee shot while the distance where the mind prior group was still on the doesn’t aim at the hole? For green. Tom Byrum was in some reason I carried this the address position, ready as a young player to 150 to to putt up on the green, when
The Amazing Hole-in-One
200 yards. I’m aiming at the target. I’m not trying to hit it 40 feet from the hole, which is probably why I didn’t make it on the tour.” The hole-in-one record for amateurs is 59 by Norman Manly. The longest hole-inone is by Michael J. Crean of Denver, CO, at the 517 yard par 5 ninth hole at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club on July 4, 2002. The oldest player to make a holein-one is Harold Stilson, 101 years old, from Boca Raton Florida. He did it with a 4 Iron on the 108 yard 16th at Deerfield CC on May 16th 2001. A most unusual hole-inone story involves one Mike Hilyer, who at 6-foot-5, 275pounds, made 10 aces on par-4 holes in a six-year span beginning in 1994. During that time, he didn’t record a single ace on a par 3 hole. In a practice round at the 1973 Open Championship at Royal Troon (won by Tom Weiskopf) 71 year-old Gene Sarazen famously made a hole-in-one at the short #8 hole known as “The Postage Stamp.” Jack Nicklaus has 20 aces; his last came in a practice round at the 2003 Senior British Open, when he was 63. Gary Player has 19. His most recent was in 2005 when he was 70 in the proam of the Nelson Mandela Invitational in South Africa. Arnold Palmer has 18. He was 74 when he made his last one, in a casual round at the Bay Hill course in Orlando. Tiger Woods has 18 and made his first at the age of 6. Lee Trevino had a hole-inone in the 1987 Skins Game
www.sierragolfer.com and during the fuss that followed was heard to say, “I don’t know why everyone is so surprised; that is what I was aiming at.” At the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K-Club in Ireland (where I was a Senior Marshal) there were some interesting holesin-one at the par-3 15th hole. In the Saturday foursomes, the European team of Paul Casey and David Howell reached the 15th tee four holes up against the USA team of Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry. The USA team had to win the last 4 holes just to halve the match. The European team had the honors and Casey teed it up and made a hole-in-one. That ended the match since there was no way the USA team could win the hole. The European team then conceded a holein-one to Stewart Cink and walked off with the win. You might be able to win a trivia bet with a friend on this one. The next day USA team player Scott Verplank made a hole-in-one at this same hole in his singles match and is credited in the official Ryder Cup records with making the first ever hole-in-one in Ryder Cup history for the USA team. But what about Cink’s from the day before? Wasn’t that a hole-in-one? Or was it? In 1999, Golf Digest reported, “One insurance company puts a PGA Tour pro’s chances at 1 in 3,756 and an amateur’s at 1 in 12,750.” That same issue reported that the “odds of an amateur making two holes-in-one in a round are 9,222,500 to 1.” One company that sells
www.sierragolfer.com hole in one insurance, SCA Promotions, says the odds of a golfer holing out from 150 yards is somewhere from 10,000 to 15,000 to 1. In 2000 Golf Digest did a study and came up with these hole-in-one odds: 3000 to 1 for a PGA Tour player making an ace, 5,000 to 1 for a “low-handicapper” and 12,000 to 1 for an “average player.” This Golf Digest study also provided these odds: Average player acing a 200-yard hole: 150,000 to 1; Two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1; One player making two holes-inone in the same round: 67 million to 1. In August 1999, Scott McCarron and Lee Janzen were involved in an interesting hole-in-one situation at the CVS Charity Classic being held at the Rhode Island Country Club. They were paired together, and as they approached the par-3 17th tee they discussed that it would be nice if one of them could make a hole-inone for the fans. Lee Janzen had honors and proceeded to indeed make a hole-in-one. Scott McCarron was next and asked the marshals to remove Janzen’s ball from the cup to make room for his, because he was going to make a holein-one too. They did, and he did! The golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, once had a famous hole-in-one at the Lower Course at Baltusrol in New Jersey. He had been called in by the club and the USGA to redo some of the holes before the 1954 U.S. Open, notably the fourth, a
signature par 3 with a pond guarding the back-to-front sloping green that can be seen from the clubhouse. When members began playing the redesigned fourth hole, some complained that it was no longer fair. Jones was summoned to inspect it. Teeing up a ball, Jones lofted an iron shot over the pond and into the cup for a hole-in-one. Turning to the complaining members who had assembled, Jones said, “Gentlemen, the hole is eminently fair.” Case closed. There is a famous Ben Hogan hole-in-one story and it does not concern his own (It is often reported that Ben Hogan never had a hole in one. But it is also reported that he only had two and was quoted as saying once, “I would have made more if I’d aimed at the flag, but I rarely did so.”) The Hogan story involves Claude Harmon (father of Butch) and varies slightly from player to player and depending on who is telling it, but the gist of it is that Hogan and Harmon were playing the 12th hole at the Masters at Augusta National. Hogan tees off first and puts his tee shot 12 feet from the hole. Harmon then holed out his shot for an ace. As the pair walked to the green, Hogan said nothing. After Harmon extracted his ball, Hogan said nothing. He was too intent on lining up his putt. He stroked it in the cup for a birdie. On the 13th tee, Hogan approached Harmon for what the latter presumed would be congratulations for his ace. “You know,” said Hogan. “I think that’s only the
The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009| 9 second time I’ve birdied that in Scotland, ten years apart, hole.” With his reputation and each being a witness to for intense concentration, the others ace? did Hogan not really notice That happened for me that Harmon had made an and my youngest son. On ace? Or was it an intentional November 4, 2008, my put down? youngest son Michael Wood In the second round of used a No. 3 hybrid rescue the 1989 U.S. Open at Oak club to ace the 179-yard par-3 Hill in Rochester, NY, if you 17th hole at world-famous had been sitting on the 167- Loch Lomond Golf Club near yard 6th hole, you would Glasgow, Scotland, home of have seen four holes-in-one the Barclays Scottish Open. in less than two hours, made I witnessed it. by pros Doug Weaver, Mark Ten years earlier, on Wiebe, Jerry Pate and Nick July 14, 1998, the hole was Price, and they all four used playing 195 yards and I used a 7-iron. Golf Digest said the a 3-iron to ace it, and Michael odds of that happening were was a witness to my first 332,000 to 1. The National (and only) hole-in-one. We Hole In One Association said are still trying to figure this they were 8.7 million to 1. A out; all we have been able to professor at the University come up with so far is: of Rochester said 10 million AMAZING! to 1, and some people at Harvard said the odds were The author can be much higher than that. reached at davidwoodlaw@ Speaking of odds, what aol.com. are the odds of a father and son from Iowa acing the same hole at a golf course
10 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009
SANTA’S WISH LIST: Golf Gifts for Him, Her and Laughs By Tom Morton
Each year people are looking for that perfect give for the “golfer that has everything”, so to help the cause here is a list of the newest golf gift ideas. This year, we’ve decided to help by creating three unique shopping lists for that hard-to-buy golfer on your list. This list is dedicated to fun and humorous gifts that will surely bring a smile to the golfers on your shopping list!
Golf Gifts for the Golfer Who Has Everything- “For Him” SkyGolf Sky Caddie SG5 Pro GPS The SG5 is for AVID GOLFERS who want advanced capability in a light, compact and rugged form. In addition to getting distance to bunkers and other hazards on the course, the SG5 is equipped with the patented IntelliGreen technology, enabling golfers to measure the full depth of the green from any angle of approach, both on or off the fairway. The SG5 is an evolution of the prior SkyCaddies with Swiss design and improved antenna, color display with higher readout resolution, dependability of the SG2, faster satellite connection, thinner case for easier handling, easier controls and easier computer cable connection.
Trion:Z Dual Loop Magnetic/Ion Bracelets Trion:Z bracelets bring the power of minus ions and twin 1,000 gauss therapeutic magnets together to form the most powerful product of its kind today. Trion:Z is made with “Stayers” - a unique material woven with minus-ion producing minerals, which generates and releases more than twenty times the minus ions of the metal “ionized” bracelets, silicon tourmalineembedded bracelets, and titanium bracelets of the competition.
Putter Pool Putter Pool putts like golf and shoots like pool! Accommodating up to 4 players and providing fun for your whole family. Putter Pool can be played on your carpets indoors or on a putting green.
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Golf Gifts for the Golfer Who Has Everything- For Her Paula Creamer Sun Dog Sunglasses The Paula Creamer Collection features three distinct glasses all personally designed to Paula’s approval. Each sunglass compliments Paula Creamer’s winning image, style and presence. While all glasses deliver exacting performance fora ll golf course conditions, they each reflect a unique aspect of Paula’s personality. Fierce has competitive sport styling, Mysterious compliments her exceptional sense of fashion. The collection features a custom “Paula Creamer” wordmark and logo, as well as a new design element for Sundog Eyewear. All sunglass sales include a micro-fibre cloth case and specially designed handbag as a gift with purchase.
Women’s Callaway Watches & Timepieces Callaway Golf timepieces are known for innovation, quality and attention to detail. From materials to movement, function to accent features, Callaway Golf timepieces combine style and elegance. Each piece is as unique as the golfer wearing it.
Val Skinner Pink Ribbon Headcovers These beautiful Pink Teddy Bear golf club covers are from the Gund Life Collection. A portion of the proceeds will support breast cancer research and education through the Val Skinner Foundation.
Berkeley Golf Wine Caddie This is a really great, fun, gift item from Berkeley Designs. The wine caddie can hold any bottle from water to vodka. It is made of metal and stands 12” tall. The head is chained to the body.
Pink Oversized Golf Shoe Slippers Every golfer needs a pair of these incredibly soft, oversized wingtip “golf shoe” slippers. Made of soft fur-like material, these look like giant, overstuffed versions of real golf shoes and even come with screen-printed “spikes” on the bottom
Hand Painted Golftini Martini Glasses by Santa Barbara Ceramics It’s always cocktail time somewhere! These unique martini glasses are hand-painted and include a recipe for a “Golftini” on the bottom of the glass.
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A Prescription For Better Golf By Ben Kline Everyone wants a quick fix to improve golf performance; a way to knock a few strokes off the handicap. But golf is a game for life, and more often than not, quick fixes work for a little while. So, how about a fix that lasts? Would you be willing to invest at least 20 minutes a day to make that a reality? One or two meditation sessions daily can improve your golf performance. Sitting quietly off the course lowers our level of tension and anxiety which has positive effects on our golf game. Meditation enhances our ability to relax and concentrate. Research has shown it even increases the immunological response to help fight disease. By training our brains to stay focused on the present moment, meditation lowers the volume of our mental chatter, or self-talk. This can lead to more consistency in our golf game. Imagine yourself in a greenside bunker in a pressure situation. You are feeling anxious about how the shot will come off. What are you saying to yourself? What are your feelings? What should you be focused on instead? You should be focused on the process of executing the shot and not the
outcome. The mind should be concentrating on what is, rather than what can go wrong and how others will perceive you. Your attention should be focused on the elements that will lead to successful execution. Ask yourself, how fluffy is the surface? Where will my club enter the sand? How much speed do I need through my swing? Too often, our anxiety distracts us from the process of swinging the club properly. Worries move our attention to the anticipated result. A person who practices meditation has lower anxiety in pressure situations and will more likely stay focused on the process. You will see several other benefits: * You will feel calmer and less distracted throughout the golf round. *Your focus will be keener and your concentration will last longer. * You will be less affected by shots that don’t come off the way you expect. * You will throw fewer clubs in anger. * You will enjoy your round more thoroughly. * Others who play with you will enjoy being in your company. * You will start playing more consistently and shooting lower scores. Some people notice positive results within a couple of weeks. The longer one meditates, the greater the potential benefits.
How to meditate 1. Sit comfortably and upright in a chair, or on a cushion on the floor and gently close your eyes. 2. Notice how you feel, notice your thoughts and become aware of your breathing. Take a minute or so to settle in. Feel your sit bones on the chair you are sitting in, notice any tension in your neck, your shoulders, anywhere in your body and just let gravity do its job so that you don’t have to work so hard to hold your body in place. 3. After a few minutes, you begin to observe your breath as it flows in and out. You can even silently say to yourself on the in-breath, “Now, I’m breathing in” and on the out-breath, “I’m breathing out” or whatever works for you to help you place your attention on your breath.
4. If your mind wanders, that’s ok. It’s the nature of the mind to wander. Just note it and gently (nonjudgmentally) bring your attention back to your breath, to the air as it passes through your nostrils as you inhale, the sensation of the air touching your upper lip on the exhale, or the rising and falling of your belly. For proper digestion, it’s better not to meditate right after eating. Other than that, meditate as often and as much as you want and get ready for lower scores and more enjoyable rounds. Ben Kline is a sport psychology consultant in the Bay area who has done research on mindfulness meditation for golf. Ben enjoys working with athletes from all areas of performance but has a special affinity for the game of golf.
12 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009
Golf tip from the Pro
Mike White, Phoenix Lakes GC I have heard from many golfers that they get tired before they finish their round of golf. They tell me that their game really starts to fall apart once they’ve run out of energy. Most of this fatigue is mental rather than physical. I have asked these people how often they are thinking about their game or their swing during their round. Most, if not all, have said they constantly think about the next shot, or the last shot, or certain swing thoughts. Most 18-hole rounds of golf these days takes at least 4 ½ hours. I can’t think of anybody who can concentrate for that long of a period of time. My advice to those who feel fatigue setting in: only concentrate on the next shot when you have selected the club you will hit. This will eliminate about 85% of the mental part of your game while on the golf course, so your brain can really tune in to the only shot that really matters...this one. Remember: Fairways, Greens, and Two Putts equals Par Golf! Future Sierra Golfer Publisher Cecelia Rider delivering the November Edition to Mike White, Head Professional at Phoenix Lakes Golf Club in
Santas Wish List cont.
Golf Gifts For The Golfer Who Has Everything – “Fun & Humorous” Golf Gifts & Gallery Clear Acrylic Golf Themed Toilet Seat This unique toilet seat is made of clear acrylic and features golf balls and tees for its motif. It is sure to enhance any bathroom golf decor. This is the perfect accessory to our golf toilet paperfeatures golf quotes and cartoon illustrations.
Golf and Grapes Have What in Common? By Robert “Buck” Reed The game of golf and grapes both thrive in similar climates and on similar ground. Oh yes, golf is played in some inhospitable places but the same sunny skies and moderate temperatures that grapes prefer is also a wonderful location for a golf course. The rocky Sierra Foothills soils offer good drainage to make a course more playable in wetter winter conditions. These soils also grow healthier vines and more flavorful grapes. Look around the state of California and you will find some great courses close by vineyard regions. One such place is Angels Camp near the rapidly growing wine region of Calaveras County and home to Greenhorn Creek Golf Course. There are 23 wineries in the surrounding area. This region has a climate identical to the wine region of Provence in Southern France or Italy’s Piemonte Region famous for Barolo wine. Piemonte is in the foothills at the base of the Italian Alps above a large valley and near an ocean, the Mediterranean. Calaveras County is similarly situated. Angels Camp’s altitude of 1500 feet is above the valley fog and yet below the snowline. This moderate climate results in mild temperatures during the day
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and frequent sunny skies. Regions at lower elevations are often covered by dense coastal and valley fog at this time of year. The storm door opens in January bringing winter rains that usually only cover the Central Sierra Foothills 20 to 30 days a year. This leaves lots of opportunity for great golf. When planning a winter golf trip to the Sierra Foothills check the 10-day forecast in advance for the specific area you intend to go. Don’t rely on the conditions at home to tell you what they will be like where you want to play. California is blessed with the best weather but it varies widely region to region due to ocean effects. If by chance it rains during your stay you can always visit the plentiful tasting rooms to sample the wines. Micro Climates Explain Variations in Regional Weather Never give up on finding a hospitable location in Northern California for a game of golf. Mark Twain said “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”. Anyone who has traveled Northern California has passed through regions in close proximity to one another with extreme Cont. on pg 14
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Staff and Contributing Columnists To The Sierra Golfer Magazine
Gary Marsh has worked as a freelance magazine writer, staff
reporter for a business weekly and publicist for more than 20 years. He’s published features on golf travel and golf course architecture, food and outdoor recreation. He has managed publicity for Stonebrae Country Club and CordeValle Golf Club. Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has traveled extensively for golf and played over 100 golf courses in Ireland, Scotland, England, Portugal and other international destinations. His current index is 12.1
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.
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.
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.
Tom Morton was raised at Haggin Oaks since the age of 5. Tom’s golf career was fostered through Haggin Oaks Golf Programs and through his father and five-time national PGA award winner Ken Morton, Sr. Tom has played tournament golf since the age of 7, leading him to the Junior Golf Association of Northern California Tour and American Junior Golf Association events. Tom earned a scholarship in golf and scholastics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and now as Director of Player Performance for Morton Golf. Tom is a 3-time NCPGA Award winner, including the 2002 Apprentice of the Year, 2006 Horton Smith Award and the 2008 Junior Golf Leader of the Year. He also has been recognized as a Top 50 Kids Teacher in America the last 2 years by U.S. Kids Golf and has contributed to various publications over the years.
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.
Cecelia Rider not only inspires her father, the publisher; she also makes sure that the Sierra Golfer reaches the valued readers of the magazine each month. This day was a particularly busy one.
14 | The Sierra Golfer • Winter 2008/2009 there you allow time to eat. There are some wonderful little nuggets around that the average traveler doesn’t know By Michele Lee how to find. For instance, if you are Day 1: Afternoon drive up one that likes to eat on the beautiful Highway 4 or 49 go, I would suggest making to Angels Camp. a pit-stop into Angels Food Day 2 Morning: Golf Market on Hwy 49 a block Greenhorn Creek south of the motel to pick up Day 2 afternoon: Shopping a very filling and affordable and Wine Tasting in Angels breakfast burrito and deli Camp and Murphys sandwich…don’t forget Day 3 morning: Golf liquids too. Or if you are one Saddle Creek that likes to sit down to eat Day 3 afternoon: Leisurely the best options are probably trip back home at the course itself. Both Greenhorn Creek and On the first day of your Saddle Creek have extensive trip you will want to check lounge, restaurant and café the weather to give you ample dining. We mustn’t forget time to travel and arrive at the about salvation at the 9th tee Angels Inn Motel around 3pm at Greenhorn, or the 8th tee at for check-in. After settling Saddle where you may order into your room you may want and pick-up as you round the to relax and watch the sun set turn and the beloved beverage off the balcony and prepare for cart meandering about the a wonderful dining experience course. at Camps at Greenhorn A short trip to Murphys Creek (closed Monday and is always in-store when Tuesday). Camps restaurant visiting this neck of the offers guests fine dining from woods. Whether it be for the Roasted Duck Breast and day or an afternoon, I would Braised Lamb Shank to a little highly suggest driving the 8 more casual Bistro menu of miles on Hwy 4 and making sandwiches and light entrees. a stop at Twisted Oak Winery If you are there on either on Red Hill Rd in Vallecito. Friday or Saturday night you After sufficient tasting of the will enjoy live entertainment wonderful wines, take a look in the lounge. You won’t through the crush pad to the want to stay out too late for right and gaze at the beautiful the 18 holes on both of these view of Dodge Ridge in the courses could prove to be distance. It’s quite a sight. quite grueling. Day 2 and 3 Murphys is a quaint will mainly be spent having a historic town that is best great time golfing, so it is my toured on foot. Over a dozen duty to advise you on how to wineries welcome visitors into stay nourished. Now I know their tasting rooms on Main all of you have different rituals Street, recommendations are and routine before, after and Broll Mountain Vineyards during your golf game and and Newsom-Harlow as must hopefully somewhere in
Gold Country Golf Getaway
stops and Ironstone Vineyards is home to the largest crystalline Gold Leaf specimen in the world. Murphys has no shortage of wine and no shortage of food. There are many dining options from the elegance of V’s dining room to roughing it in the historic firehouse at Firewood and rounding it off with a nostalgic cocktail at the Historic Murphys Hotel and Saloon. Shopping ranges from a wonderful kitchen, toy and accessory stores to Sierra Nevada Adventure Company an outdoor sporting store. Those of you who choose to dine in Angels Camp, Crusco’s is a favorite, it is right downtown on Main St. which also has a movie theatre and shopping featuring a one of a kind fossil and gift shop, Stories in Stone, Orphan Annie’s Emporium that sells hand crafted Raggity Ann and Andy dolls and the fabulous Turner’s Wild West the best apparel and gift shop in these parts. If you have travelers that are not golfing or you would like more adventurous time off the course, the most notable attractions are Big Trees National Park for moderate to strenuous hikes or the twin zip-lines, rappelling, and spelunking at Moaning Cavern. This Hwy 4 corridor of Calaveras County has many activities for a variety of travelers. Leaving the relaxing way of life in Angels Camp, Copperopolis and Murphys is tough to do, but these sporting hills will be around to visit again.
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Micro Climates cont. differences in weather. These variations or Ocean effects, coastal mountain ranges and elevation changes can explain microclimates. Dense fog is drawn off the ocean by rising air currents in the Central Valley. This flow of air blocked by mountains flowing along waterways and through passes is responsible for most of the changes from one region to another. For Bay Area and Valley golfers at this time of year a quick check of weather.com will tell you the conditions at your favorite Sierra Foothills course or, call the pro shop. Only rarely does rainfall prevent a serious golfer from finding a hospitable location to play. Fog that blankets the Bay Area or Central Valley rarely climbs into the foothills. Snowfall rarely reaches below 2000 feet. You can often find a sunny though crisp day in the Foothills when overcast skies and chilly temps are the norm in the Valley or Bay Area. Robert “Buck” Reed, is Director of Marketing at Greenhorn Creek Golf Club in Angels Camp, CA.
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For Sale~Championship Golf Course in Texas Built in 2003 and measures over 7,300 yards Located in Dallas/Fort Worth area Offered at $2.5 million
For information on this golf property and other available Texas Golf Courses, Call Joseph Dengel at 972.771.8808 or Bill Hale at 512.402.0057