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Barry Salberg´s BlogNor Cal Open at Sevillano (9/4/2010)
Got a promo blurb the other day — entries are now being accepted for the Northern California Open Championship set for September 13-15, at Sevillano Links at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. Conducted by the Northern California PGA, in conjunction with the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), the tournament is now in its 83rd year, and is open to pro´s and amateurs with a current index of 3.4 or less. Sevillano is a John Daly signature course, and has garnered several accolades over the past few years, including: Top 10 Best New Public Courses by Golf Digest; Golfweek’s 50 Best New Public Course list; Golfweek’s Best Casino Course list ; and a No.10 ranking on Northern California’s Best 100 Public Golf Courses list . There´s a nice heritage surrounding this event, and Sevillano is a fitting venue for what´s sure to be to some great golf by many of our top local players. The three-day, 54-hole stroke play championship will be preceded by a skins game on Sunday, September. 12th. For registration or other info: http://www.ncpga.com, or call tournament headquarters at (707) 449-4742. GolfGym Training Academy with Joey Diovisalvi.
Will Yanigasawa was a key member of the Stanford NCAA national championship team in the mid 90´s. And while his teammates (Tiger, Notah Begay, Casey Martin, Conrad Ray,etc.) have gone on to various levels of fame in coaching and as tour pros, he´s spent the ensuing years pounding the global fairways on alternative tours in Asia, Canada, Europe, and where-ever. I wrote a piece about him in a national golf magazine when he was working for the Stanford Rec department (in the off season) teaching golf to graduate Business and Law school students who sought to include golf as a part of the their business training. What struck me was what a physical specimen he was, and how his work outs were such an integral factor of his golf life. He indicated that the balance ball was a major part of his work-out routine, and I´ve since become a big fan of the GolfGym Balance ball and that company´s other golf-specific training equipment and products. Now I see that GolfGym has announced the opening of their new training academy in Jupiter, Florida, in conjunction with biomechanics, strength and conditioning coach, and author of, Fix Your Body, Fix Your Swing, Joey Diovisalvi.
Sevillano Links Women´s Clinic (posted June 6, 2010)
Another one that I like a lot is, Sevillano Links, part of the at Rolling Hills Casino Resort up in Corning. In conjunction with Play Golf America and American Express Women’s Golf Month they´ll be hosting their 3rd Annual Girls Club: Golf Fore a Cause Clinic on Sat., June 26, 2010. The clinic is designed for women who want to learn the game´s fundamentals, with a group of PGA teaching pros on-hand to provide individual and group instruction. “At last year´s event, we introduced more than 200 enthusiastic participants to the game of golf," said PGA General Manager Brian Dahmer. "And we are well-prepared to do it again this year.” "Our goal is to provide a memorable experience for each participant.," said event founder and Director of Marketing at Rolling Hills, Kate Grissom. “It’s designed to be fun and informative, a place for women to network and celebrate, while raising funds for Girls Inc., a worthy community cause.” Attendees will all receive a full clinic experience, lunch, goodie bag, a pair of Paula Creamer Collection sunglasses by Sundog Eyewear, Precept Lady iQ golf balls, a ball mark repair tool courtesy of GCSAA’s Nor Cal Chapter, course etiquette tips, and on-site boutiquing — everything from golf activewear and accessories to fashion and beauty products, plus health and wellness services too. For registration: http://www.ticketforce.com/, or call (530) 528-3500. This event benefits Girls Inc. of Northern Sacramento Valley, a non-profit organization that prepares and empowers girls to lead successful lives http://girlsincnsv.org/. Golf Fore a Cause is sponsored by Rolling Hills Casino with the supporting endorsement of St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Enjoy Magazine-Northern California Living, and Doctors Orders: Play Golf. Event Contacts: Kate Grissom, KGrissom@rollinghillscasino.com | Phone: (530) 528-3500 Brian Dahmer, BDahmer@sevillanolinks.com | Phone: (530) 528-4600
4/29/10 Jerry Rice-Fresh Express; Superintendents Meeting
The obvious after thought following the recent Nationwide tour Fresh Express Classic, was how brilliant it was to tie-in Jerry Rice as both the celebrity host, and as an active player participant. It garnered national media attention, and was and all-around marketing coup with enhanced revenues, attendance figures, charitable contributions, and promotion for the TPC Stonebrae. It was also the catalyst that brought Fresh Express on board as title sponsor. Our props to everyone involved. Meanwhile,the Northern California Chapter of the GCSAA meets May 6th at Pasatiempo Golf Club for its 2010 Superintendents Field Day. The theme is Water Conservation, with discussion centering around Pasatiempo’s much heralded, recent restoration, and its status now as a one of the premier models for managing water resources. Event speakers include host superintendent, Paul Chojnacky, Jim Urbina (Renaissance Golf Design), Ryan Wilson (Toro Irrigation Products), Michael Bova (Davey Tree), and Todd Eckenrode (Origins Golf Design). Sponsored by Toro and Turf Star, Inc. .http://www.pasatiempo.com; http://www.toro.com; http://www.turfstar.com. Also, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California (http://www.californiagcsa.org/gcsacc_site.html) in conjunction with sponsor, Ewing Irrigation, raised some $25,000 in their annual benefit event on behalf of non-profit organization, Autism Speaks, at Visalia Country Club — our congratulations! Played 18 at TPC Stonebrae with Jerry Rice (entry 3/18/2010)
He´s a hall-of-fame wide receiver, a scratch golfer, a Dancing with the Stars finalist, and the celebrity host of the Nationwide tour´s upcoming Fresh Express Classic ─ and I played 18 with him the other day at the TPC Stonebrae in Hayward. Well okay, I was fortunate enough to be paired in the group with Jerry Rice for media day. And to paraphrase number 80, actually, turning his own words back at him, when I artfully (left-handed) plucked a hot tossed nickel ball-marker out of the air that one of our playing partners threw back at me, and he said, "hey, the guy´s got skills." And yes, when it comes to golf, Jerry Rice has more than few of his own. As to his chances of making the cut as a playing professional in the very tournament where he´s also the host, "I know I have it in me," he says. "But I´m gonna have to be able to come out here and perform, I´ll be honest with you." Rice says he hits it about 280 or more, with a big-league short- game, and a genuine ability to work it both ways. And he´s remarkably accurate off the tee. Like fast Eddie Felson, he can call his shot, draw, fade, or a Jerry Rice version of the Tiger stinger. How his game stands up to the big guns on the Nationwide tour is questionable, but this is guy who doesn’t mind the spotlight. "Oh yeah, I´ll be nervous as can be," he admits. "But this is why I play, this is what I love…to be able to focus and still be able to execute.” Certainly, crowd noise doesn´t bother him, as he took a verbal jab about the volunteers who hold up the "quiet" signs. Fresh Express has stepped up as title sponsor this year, with tournament week upcoming April 12-18th. For tickets and information about the celebrity pro-am and other aspects of the event: www.freshexpressclassic.com, or call (510) 728-7912. 64th Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo (entry 2/08/2010)
Pasatiempo has always been a treat — something special and pervasive that you could sense from the moment you took the highway exit that winds to the clubhouse. And that was before the recently completely Tom Doak restoration. Now it´s just a flat-out delicacy, a superlative embodiment of why we play the game in the first place. "It´s one of America´s treasures, and the most Mackenzie of Mackenzie courses," Doak told me in an interview a few years ago. He explained that for virtually all other Mackenzie courses, it was "a quick study in routing and design, where he left behind his ideas for others to implement." But Pasatiempo was his home — he lived on the sixth fairway, and was not only involved in the design and construction, but was constantly tweaking and tinkering with it throughout his residential tenure. In his book The Spirit of St. Andrews, Mackenzie referred to the second nine at Pasatiempo as "the finest in existence." And even now, some 80 years after its creation, it´s hard to argue with him. This April, Pasatiempo will be the site of the 64th Western Intercollegiate Golf Tournament, hosted by the San Jose State Spartan Men´s Golf program. Eleven teams from around the country will compete in one of the longest running tournaments in college golf. In 1996, Arron Oberholser of San Jose State overtook Stanford’s Tiger Woods on the final four holes to claim individual honors. Other notable winners at the Western Intercollegiate include Bobby Clampett, Peter Jacobson, Mark Lye, Johnny Miller, Mark O´Meara and Duffy Waldorf.” Spectators are welcome Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 18, and avid amateur golfers are invited to tee it up in the College-Am on Friday, April 16. For more information about the College-Am or sponsorship opportunities with the Western Intercollegiate visit: http://www.westernintercollegiate.net or call John Kennaday at (408) 892-4911.
Sports Illustrated Golf Book December 6, 2009
If you know your Seinfeld, then you´ll remember that Kramer was an avid golfer. He was also the originator of the would-be coffee-table book on coffee-tables. Well, have we got one that´s right up Cosmo´s (if not Hogan´s) alley. The editors of Sports Illustrated have come out with the fifth in their series of sport-specific epics, this one, obviously entitled, The Golf Book. It´s a showcase in photographs and words of the game´s biggest personalities and momentous events, featuring almost 300 classic, and several rarely seen pictures of golf´s greatest players — from Hogan and Snead to Watson and Woods, and well beyond. Included as well are a variety of wonderful celebrity shots of Jackie Gleason, the Three Stooges, Richard Nixon, W.C. Fields, Fidel Castro, and others. With photography that spans from the early to contemporary times, it´s a comprehensive collection — an evolving time-capsule and visual tribute to the game´s inherent beauty and indomitable spirit. But it´s not just pictures. Some of Sports Illustrated´s famed writers are also presented with first-hand reports of some of the most memorable events in golf´s history. For those who admire and appreciate fine writing, there are some superlative examples, like Jim Murray´s account of the 1955 U.S. Open, with a crackling open line to the tune of, "In the locker room, Ben Hogan sank heavily on a bench and took a Scotch and water from somebody´s hand." Thankfully, the ancient and very early stuff are only covered in the first few pages, with the rest being devoted to a visual saga of those we know, and those we certainly know of. Casper, Arnie, Trevino, Johnny, Tiger, Annika, Nancy, Bobby Jones, even Michelle Wie and Laura Baugh are all among the mix. It´s a veritable optic treat — a hard-copy, photographic celebration of why we play the game, all right there at our fingertips. Somebody should tell Kramer. ### New Takes on the Presidio and TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae 11/28/09
Over a hundred years old — and seemingly nobody outside of town even knows it exists. For whatever reasons, this grand dame of San Francisco golf never seems to get its just due. The army left well over a decade ago, and the course was opened to the public as part of the national park system. And while the private Presidio Golf Club—and its glorious clubhouse—remain in a unique relationship with the governing public operation, the golf course has undergone some significant, yet remarkably unheralded renovations. After facing years of ongoing struggle with the elements and lack of natural sunlight, award winning superintendent, Brian Nettz, finally proclaimed, "you simply can´t grow grass in a closet." And thus began the transformation from a scruffy, dark, woodsy crap-pile, to a wonderful track that keeps getting better every time I see it. I don’t know where the money came from, but over the last few years, he´s been able to subtly remove trees, lighten, brighten, and dress up the place, as if someone had cleaned out a teenager’s bedroom, installed a skylight, and declared it a mess free zone. The Presidio is simply a treat, and those who aren’t familiar with it are missing out.
And as the holiday greeting card season embarks, I wonder if I´ll get one again this year from David McKlay Kidd. I´m not exactly sure how I got on his list in the first place, as I´ve never been to Bandon Dunes, but I am a big fan of his TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae, Cleveland Golf (CG-15 wedge) November 24, 2009
Roger Cleveland founded his golf company in 1979, and had long since sold it by the time I first interviewed him in the mid 1990s. The interview was for a Golfweek piece that I was writing on the resurgence of the 8802-styled blade putter. That’s the classic blade so closely associated with Ben Crenshaw and Phil Mickelson, and was the weapon of choice for a ton of other players over the years. Lee Trevino, John Daly, and several others all won major victories with the old Wilson 8802. And while Crenshaw once told me he had several of them in his arsenal, and every one of them had a slightly different feel,, it was his own Cleveland "designed by" variation with which he won the ´95 Masters. Similarly, Corey Pavin abandoned his trademark Titleist Bullseye in favor of Cleveland´s version of the classic blade for his U.S. Open win at Shinnecock.
Cleveland obviously now has a full range of notable products, but they were probably best-known back then for their wedges. The 485 model was named for the date when it was issued, April of 1985 — same for the 588 series that came out in May of 1988. Flash forward to the present, and this former corporate fringe player (via a couple of ownership changes and some highly talented management) has become one of the key names in the industry. I’ve always thought it was a story that merits a Harvard Business School case study; in an industry where so many of the traditional names have disappeared, Cleveland has survived and prevailed. Alas, they no longer make my cherished 485 (I adore that sharp leading edge), and have over the years, gone through a series of technical advancements with various releases in the CG series. Here´s a link to a video that helps to claify the groove rules. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LfQVjOyvsc ### LPGA Notebook (Nov. 6, 2009)
It was a coup d’état — probably nothing else ever like it in big league sports. A solid group of marquee players banded together and sent a formal request to the board of directors calling for the ouster of LPGA Commissioner, Carolyn Bivens. And virtually just as fast as it took Terrell Owens to sign with the Buffalo Bills, Bivens was gone. She quietly took her buyout and exited — leaving the tour in decidedly worse shape than when she began four years prior. Her rocky reign has been well documented, with a trail of troubles that included sponsors, media, and perhaps most significantly, a substantial loss of tournaments. Like a pair of tight new shoes that never seem to soften, Bivens just never warmed to the job—or to the camera—and alienated a lot of people along the way, much to the detriment of the LPGA. 
So, as the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge—formerly the Longs Drugs Challenge—returned to Northern California and Blackhawk Country Club last September, it was with far different status than in previous seasons. Now in its 14th year, it had become one of the stalwart venues on the LPGA, with a field that included almost every top player. A far cry from its beginnings in Sacramento, when it had the lowest purse on tour, and instead of all the major players, featured a bevy of conditional card-holders and up-and-comers. But now, with the limited schedule, it has achieved elevated status as an important stop and a key battleground for the game´s biggest stars. Most fringe players simply don´t get into this event anymore.
And so it was that we took our reporter´s notebook, and came up with a few items, tid-bits, snarky opinions, and observations from last September’s tournament.
Only slightly noticeable this year was the new management company that presents the event, as Birmingham-based, Bruno Event Team, took over from Raycom, enlisting long-time tournament director, Brian Flajole, to remain in the same role. For the most part, operational things seemed pretty much the same. Tuesday practice rounds were still closed to the public, with a scattering of players spread throughout the Blackhawk layout, and various others stationed around the clubhouse doing ancillary business. Included in the mix, was a photo shoot to promote Lorena Ochoa´s upcoming tournament in Mexico. Featured in the shot with Lorena were Suzanne Petterson, Natalie Gulbis, and Morgan Pressel. A particularly appealing foursome (from a marketing standpoint) if some tournament could ever really come up with a way to pair that grouping. Only steps away, and just out of camera range, but seemingly still directing traffic and calling the shots, was the agent from IMG. Maybe he´s already working on putting together that pairing deal?
Not too far way, working on her short game was Dorothy Delasin — her caddie this year, younger brother, AJ. Could it really be nine years ago when she first burst on tour, not more than just a notch away from the ghetto, winning the rookie-of-the-year award, with her father and younger sister serving as her caddies? And then shortly thereafter, having perhaps her best success (multiple wins) with Clint Begay on the bag.
Inside the clubhouse, working in the press room, was former LPGA president and tour winner, Heather Daly-Donofrio, who reported that she’s now serving as some sort of tour liaison. To whom we couldn´t discern. And though she lacks a big, brand-name corporate background, the LPGA could do (and has done) a lot worse than Daly-Donofrio as its commissioner. A Yale grad, she´s articulate, knowledgeable, and probably far superior to most of the candidates who were under consideration by the outside search firm.
On the course, via a sponsor´s exemption, was Kim Welch, winner of the Golf Channel´s Big Break, with her instructor, Sacramento area teaching pro, Brett Taylor. Notable is Welch´s length off the tee and her easy-on-the-eye appearance, exemplifying former Commissioner, Ty Votaw´s, "Five Points of Celebrity," with a combination of game, looks, flash, and style that the LPGA so clearly craves and needs. The tour would do well to dust off Votaw´s manifesto and include it as part of rookie (and maybe a refresher) orientation. For the record, Welch made the cut in the CVS event — which was a “break” for the tour as well. That afternoon was a press conference with Paula Creamer, and the announcement of her appointment as co-chair of the Young Ambassadors Council for the First Tee. Creamer talked about her participation as a junior player in the Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. With her parents, agent, and officials from the First Tee all present at the back of the media room, she was affable, well-spoken, clearly familiar with the program´s nine core values, and knocked some goofy media softballs out of the proverbial park, if not to the back of the range. The local TV business reporter inquired about her financial concerns for the tour, while some other writer asked, "in your heart and your soul, do you know how many people´s lives you´ve affected?" She was far too polite and media skilled to answer both of them with something to the tune of, yeah I´m 23, with millions in the bank, and I´m about to start an important golf tournament, maybe you guys want to check with my agent about that stuff. To her credit, she instead fended both queries with diplomacy and tact.
We also met with fourth year LPGA player, Keyong Bae, who had earlier in the week visited San Francisco-based apparel manufacturer, Iconic Sport, and was in talks to represent and wear Iconic garments on tour. When she called on her cell phone to arrange a meeting, I asked, "how will I recognize you?" "I´ll meet you at the putting green in five minutes," she replied. "I´m the one wearing the beautiful clothes." Currently ranked 40th on this season´s money list, she´s not at all shy, and enjoys both fashion and the spotlight. "I like many people watching me play,” she exclaimed. "I really enjoy many eyes."
Meanwhile, while most of those eyes were the focused on the big players, we also noticed a subtle inside-the-ropes accompaniment to their play by undercover security guards. This is something relatively new, and not picked up or mentioned in the telecasts. But clearly, select key players do have security standing close by. Also spotted in the gallery, was another Big Break alum, Ashley Gomes, who related that after a few years on the Duramed Futures tour, she was now looking for a real job. Early in the tournament the big story was the Monday-qualifying of 13-year-old, Casie Cathrea, but in the end, it was long hitting Sophie Gustafson, who overpowered the course with an impressive 20-under-par final score, and a four stroke lead over nearest competitor, Lorena Ochoa. And just as Lorena followed-up by winning the very next week, the LPGA is sure to bounce back too.
A month after the above was written, the LPGA announced Mike Whan as its new commissioner. I had met him several years ago when he was head of marketing for Taylor Made. He later gave me a writing referral to one of his contacts with a local PR firm. And though I never got an assignment, I am nonetheless happy to see Mike Whan at the helm of the LPGA. But to paraphrase Betty Davis, buckle your Footjoys boys and girls, he could be in for a bumpy ride. ### Charles SCHWAB CUP (oct. 22, 2009)The Charles SCHWAB CUP CHAMPIONSHIP is next week at the private, 
I´m staring at the 2008 spiral-bound notebook, and all my notes and This is the last year in Sonoma for the SCHWAB CUP tournament.
Greg Norman; NorCal Superintendents conference
In the afterglow of the Presidents Cup this afternoon, the thought struck, has anyone ever been more gracious in defeat (and certainly in so many heartbreaking instances) than Greg Norman, who invariably seems to take it all in stride.
And while Greg is off to his next life chapter, the Northern California Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association in cooperation with the UC Extension will host its 2009 Institute on October 19-20 at the Norman-designed, Course at Wente Vineyards. This educational conference will focus on global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), and soil sensor technology. Industry experts will share their knowledge on a variety of topics, including the increasing role of technology in turf management and reduction of water usage. The conference is made possible through the support of Syngenta. For more info visit: http://www.gcsanc.com/events/ or call 877.942.7262.
### Michael Jordan and more Presidents Cup thoughts Oct 10, 2009 I met Michael Jordan yesterday.
Well, he´s not gonna know my name, but if you ask him about it, he might remember me. I was standing against the ropes (on the outside) waiting for Phil, Retief, Justin, and Adam Scott to tee off on a par-three that I know very well...remember, I’ve played Harding Park countless times, albeit most of those prior to the restoration.
Phil pulled off some incredible tee shots during the day...way beyond anything I´ve ever dreamed of, let alone seen, on those tee boxes at Harding...even so, the course is holding up wonderfully well in front of the global spotlight. Yes, the condition is less than perfect, but on TV, the course shows up gloriously — clearly, a cut above the normal fare we usually see every week. The visuals, with the lake, the City shots, etc. are truly a showcase that this is somewhere special. And it’s great to see these guys fricking and fracking in the trees, same as we have for years. No one is overpowering this gem, no obsoletion here. Am still curious and envious of what it’s like inside the restricted areas. A lot of star power here, but they’re not walking the fairways...you´re either inside the ropes, or inside those corporate facilities for maximum effect. Maybe someday. ### Links at Bodega Harbor; Cordevalle (10/10/09)
It’s a common lament — I really don’t play much golf, certainly, not as much as I’d like. And regrettably, I’m a charter member of the club. But over the last couple of months, I have been fortunate to catch some nice courses. Gotta give a shoutout to the folks at the Links at Bodega Harbor for their recent VIP-Media outing. A great themed event, with costumes, classic cars, wine, a live band after the golf, and some stellar scenery throughout. It’s one of Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s earliest efforts, and has been recently tweaked with a little updating. This was my first time up there — way different than how I ever envisioned it would be. I was expecting a quaint little setting something out of Hitchcock’s the Birds. What I found was a lush, Ocean adorned course, surrounded by a wonderful array of modern upscale houses, each a unique visual and architectural treat unto themselves. I don’t know jack about real estate, but I know I adored the look of this place, and look forward to a return. Also, want to thanks the folks at Cordevalle. Just down the road from Silicon Valley, this is big-time upscale. Under new ownership and a slightly different business model from the original high-ticket private club, it is now a public resort, with an emphasis on elegance and service.
Forecaddies accompany each group of golfers, and players are met with warm hand towels after the round. A spa and luxury bungalow hotel suites are part of the scene. And unlike so many resorts, with jammed golf courses and agonizingly slow rounds, you’ll find this one particularly quiet and reserved. Cordevalle is a different kind of experience, decidedly high-end. ###
Presidents Cup practice rounds, and new golf portal.
Back from practice rounds yesterday at the Presidents Cup. Gotta say, it´s a big deal here in town, and apparently quite so in the golf world. I used to know every blade of grass at Harding Park...it’s one of my all-time faves — have played it countless times over the years, but I barely recognized it yesterday. It was like a separate tent city, only with really nice tents and portable buildings...trouble was, everything was so roped off, guarded, marshaled, and policed, it took away from the pleasure and charm of seeing and experiencing the electricity of a live big-league golf tournament. I´ve been to both the men’s and women’s US Opens and men’s and women’s tour championships, and a ton of other tournaments, and none of ‘em compared to the enormity and complexity of this set up...sure looks like the big-time corporate tents are the way to go if one can wangle into one of them, or maybe I´m a little spoiled and dependent on having inside-the-ropes access, which I don´t have here...for an event that is less than a couple of decades old, they’ve certainly created a happening. Meanwhile, golf business authority, Suzanne Woo, of BizGolf Dynamics (http://www.bizgolf.biz), checked-in with news of her new all-inclusive golf portal, http://www.MyGolfMark.com. In addition to one-stop access to the various golf news and media sites, she also provides links to shopping sites, golf tips, and several key equipment and apparel manufacturers. She says, “It´s a time-saver — you don´t have to search for URLs, and can just click onto the company you want.” If one of your favorite sites isn’t there, let Suzanne know at suzanne@mygolfmark.com and she´ll probably be able to add it. And if you want some company in your corporate tent for the rest of the Presidents Cup, I’m available. ### Googie & Friends Charity Tournament
This just in from two of my favorite people on the local golf scene: superintendent extraordinaire, Gary Carls, and publicist, Emmy Moore Minister. The “Googie & Friends” charity golf tournament is slated for Monday, August 10th at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, CA. Funds raised from the event benefit 5 worthy golf programs based in Oakland, Calif., which include: Ace Kids Golf, Lake Chabot Junior Golf Academy, Metropolitan Junior Golf Program, Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative and The First Tee of Oakland. Entry fee is $125.00 per person. Sign-up deadline is July 21st. Online registration at http://www.playmetro.com/. Anyone interested in participating in the tournament, sponsoring a hole, or providing a donation in support, contact Debbie at (510) 261-4449 or Barbara at The First Tee of Oakland at (510) 352-2002. Checks should be made payable to: OTEI and mailed to P.O. Box 2428, Oakland, CA, 94621. More Insider Vegas Tips (July 23, 2009)
If you´ve read my stuff before, you know that I know Las Vegas. My parents and cousins have lived there for years, and I´ve written about Vegas golf in a number of publications. As a child, I knew Vegas too, but far differently — to the tune of having Mrs. Jack Entratter—whose husband was the famed Director of Entertainment at the Sands—cut my lamb chops while sitting next to her on a first-terrace table at the Riviera for a Belafonte dinner show. Even then as a kid, I knew the solitaire on her finger was something special. That was Vegas then — glamorous and electric, oozing swank and sophistication. Well, the electricity is still there, in spades, if you pardon the obvious pun, but for me the glamour part is now way out-my- league. Oh, I still get to hob-nob at some of the finer golf courses, but my dining and related experiences are infinitely more plebeian than those I knew as a child when it was on my late father´s dime. Nonetheless, it´s still a great town, and I´m compelled to share the stuff I know and love best, or when I run across a few deals that can make anybody´s Vegas stay a little better. So first off, it´s dinner downtown, at the coffee shop at the Golden Nugget. This is simply the finest, best bang-for-the-buck, most damn delicious, non chi-chi dining experience that I know. Now I´ve seen other people order other things, like the chicken fried steak, or prawns, and I´m sure they´re great, but in ALL my years, I´ve never had anything there but the calves liver and onions. And it´s invariably wonderful — last time out, even a notch above that. Admittedly, I´m not a food writer, I´m a golf writer, but somehow, and I don´t know what it is they do, to they make this dish so melt-in-your-mouth flat-out tasty. Maybe you have to be a liver eater in the first place, but these guys do it the best anywhere, and by a Vegas mile! I used to have a few breakfast places I liked too. The Monterey Room at the Gold Coast had a cheap early morning special that was pretty good. But then we discovered the SunCoast out in the Northwest side of town. This is simply the best breakfast I´ve know in Las Vegas, with a thick, bone-in hamsteak-and-eggs deal that blows the proverbial doors off all others I´ve ever had anywhere else in any town, at any price. Remember, this is a "locals" joint, so we tried it for dinner, and damn if they didn´t have the tastiest, $9.95 prime rib dinner. You drive, you park yourself, no long walks or other Vegas hassles, just simple and good, and really fair priced. And sometimes when you´re hungry, that´s all you want. Especially in this town, where most places charge like it´s Monopoly Money.
And I have to put in plug for the shampoo there, as that´s how this whole piece started. We stayed at the SunCoast on one our trips, with a room overlooking Angel Park Golf Course. Had a skyview seat from our room for a women´s inter-collegiate golf tournament going on below. Well, I grabbed one of the complimentary shampoos, "made exclusively for Boyd Gaming" and didn´t really use it until months later at home. For whatever reason, the chemical or ph balance of this stuff works better with my hair than my all my fancy salon brands. Now, I know this property is an advertiser in this publication, but I´m on the editorial side and don´t have anything to do with the business aspects of the magazine. I´m just sharing what I know and feel. It´s been said that the SunCoast has the cheapest dollar-for-dollar stay and packages in town. Here again, Vegas golf and real money are of separate worlds. But Badlands, if you accept it for what it is — a tough, tight, desert target layout, can be pretty fun. Angel Park, if I remember it fairly—as it´s been years since I´ve been out there—offers some of that same flavor, but is far more forgiving. And now one final unexpected treat, a great joint out by the airport. Stumbled into this one the way home on our last trip. Dickey´s Barbecue Pit, located at the south end of the Strip by the outlet stores. Comfort food like it was home cooked: creamy cole slaw, mac and cheese, crisp waffle fries, and an assortment of barbecue brisket, turkey, polish sausage, chicken, and some really lip smacking pickles too. No, you´re probably not going to see any showgirls or the beautiful people of Lahh at these places, and no fancy decor either, but you won´t be ripped off, and you won´t be hungry. And you´ll thank me for the info, and thank yourself for following up on it. ###
June 20, 2009 Calif State Am and Land Rover 100 Holes in One Day
Wanna give a shout-out and extend our props to the memberships, participants, and especially to the people behind a couple of events that begin this Monday. The California State Amateur Championship begins at venerable Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City. A private club, with one of the premier courses in the state, Lake Merced has long held a tradition of having one of the most ethnically diverse memberships — particularly among the upper echelon of bay area private clubs. Over the years, it has been the site (multiple times) for both the U.S. Women’s and U.S. Open sectional qualifying, as well as host of the NCGA Junior Championship and numerous other amateur events. Redesigned in the late 1920’s by Alister MacKenszie, and then again in 1996 by Rees Jones, Lake Merced maintains its status as one of the finer courses and clubs in California. The 32-player match play field will be set at the conclusion of Tuesday’s play, with subsequent matches beginning the rest of the week at 7:30. The final contest is slated for 12:00 on Saturday. We attended a small media preview for this event a few weeks ago with a few of the past champions also in attendance. Our thanks to Club Manager Donna Weinman, and to Lyn Nelson and Scott Seward at the NCGA — everything was first-class and much appreciated at this end. Meanwhile across the Bay, at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, the Land Rover 100-Holes in One Day will be contested, with ten teams of PGA pro’s and stand-out junior golfers, raising financial support for youth golf from pledges made by their sponsoring clubs. Our commendations again to the memberships, PGA pro’s, and all the folks behind this event at Round Hill and beyond. Sun SafeTee Program; and Free lessons at Sevillano Links (5/20/09)
Since sun issues and related skin cancer are an ongoing concern to golfers, I found this announcement from the Sun SafeTee Program to be of keen interest and worthy of posting here. They note that May is skin cancer awareness month, and according to Sun SafeTee Board Member, Curt Littler, M.D," golfers are at a greater risk than the general public for developing skin cancer." Littler is the son of U.S. Open Champion, Gene Littler, and is a board certified dermatologist. He adds that “being knowledgeable and conducting a self-exam and/or visiting a dermatologist can dramatically increase one’s likelihood of early detection and successful treatment. Education is the key to both preventing skin cancer and for getting timely treatment.” Sun SafeTee is a non-profit sun-protection and skin cancer awareness program designed for professional and amateur players, as well as golf event spectators. The organization provides seminars and distributes sunscreen samples and pertinent information about sun protection throughout the golf community. For more information about the program visit: http://www.sunsafetee.org/ Also noteworthy: Sevillano Links at Rolling Hills Casino is participating in PGA Free Lesson Month with instructors providing free 10-minute lessons from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22nd, and also on Sunday, May 24th. “This offer is ideal for new golfers as well as advanced players,” said Sevillano General Manager, Brian Dahmer. “For first-time or beginning golfers we will provide an introduction to the sport and share a few basic swing thoughts. For the more seasoned player we’ll conduct a swing analysis and offer some fine-tuning tips.” Anyone interested in a free lesson can make a reservation by calling (530) 528-4600 or can sign-up in person by stopping by the golf shop. ### santa teresa; and pro-superintendent tourney (entry of may 12, 2009)
Played one of my faves a few weeks ago — Santa Teresa in San also, noted the upcoming Northern California Superintendent- I haven´t had the occassion to play Orinda yet, but it´s clearly on More TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae 4/11/2009
The Nationwide tour came to town last week and I missed it…was involved in a time crunch deadline for a catalog project that I’m working on, and simply couldn’t get out there. And trust me, I think very highly of this golf course —TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae. Managed now by the PGA tour, Stonebrae is advertised as being a bit of Scotland at 1300 feet above the East Bay. “ Well I’ve never been to Scotland, but I like this facility a lot. And though I’m still coming to terms with the penality of the David McClay Kidd layout, the conditioning, visual elegance, and other factors mark this as clearly one of my new found faves. The telecast didn’t do it justice…didn’t really capture the majesty of some of those views and the variety of hole design. On screen it all looked the same — which it is not. Nor did the telecast reflect the superlative conditioning of this golf course. Which is why I’m delighted to see that the Northern California chapter of the GSAA will be holding their 2009 Superintendents Field Day there on April 14th. “Designed to be explorative and informative from an environmental perspective” is the way their press release reads, as they take an in-depth look at the 212 acre property, including eight acres of protected wetlands, 67 acres of reconstructed native grassland, and 66 acres of maintained turf. Among topics covered will be species management and habitat restoration with focus on the Stonebrae Audubon Certification process. I’ve never met Dave Davies, Superintendent at TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae, but as one who’s played his course, the conditioning is crackjack and much appreciated at this end. Oh, and I’ve never met David Kidd either, but somehow I’m on his mailing list for Christmas cards…so David, on all counts, many thanks! still stylish December 31, 2008It was the name that revolutionized golf fashion almost two decades ago. Ashworth, with its muted earth colors and subtle printed polo´s, broke the barrier separating the wild pastels and garish abominations of the 70´s and 80´s, and thanksfully ushered in a new era and return to elegance and sanity. Unfortunately, we´re still taking the hits for those transgressions of the past, and possibly experiencing a bit of deja vu, as we enter this new high-tech phase. Yet, the Ashworth name still prevails through corporate ownership changes, and even the departure and return of its founder and original designer. I recently received a gift of a new Ashworth long-sleeved polo, from their "Hi Def Functional Luxury " line, and was knocked on my proverbial. Clearly premium; 100 percent cotton as I´ve never seen it before — flat-out luxurious and smooth as every simile and metaphor that I want to write but won´t quite come to mind right now. But my point remains, these guys still know how to do it right, with a product that´s a ton of notches well above the bullet-proof polyester that seems to be the modern norm. To paraphrase Paul Simon, still got it, after all these years. ### there´s a pic that goes with, but the system is having tech probs... Presidents Cup and Sevillano womens´ event (October 12, 2008)
Was a big week here in town with all kinds of heavies out at the Greg Norman/Fred Couples press conference at Harding Park. We played the course early that morning, and I noted to myself as we brushed across the ninth green and took a look at the parking lot — had never seen so many business suits and high heels at a golf course in my life, this was no ordinary media day. And clearly it wasn´t. As I finished, and went to put on my street shoes, Ronnie Lott pulled up and parked along side me. I´ll have more, but I´m still kicking myself for not getting a gander at Chris Evert´s wedding ring, or Greg Norman´s daughter (the one who´s dating Sergio). Apparently, I missed both. I guess I was too busy asking intelligent questions, like the one I posed to Norman, relating to his being away from the PGA tour for so long, what kind of efforts is he making to bring himself up to date and in touch with the current crop of tour players. His reply got a big laugh from the crowd, "Frank Nobilio" — meaning, as his assistant captain, Nobilo is quite current via his role as golf channel commentator. Meanwhile, big doings upcoming at Sevillano Links and Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, as they host the inaugural Golf Fore a Good Cause event on Friday, October 17, 2008. Women from all over Northern California will participate in an event packed with golf-related activities, including PGA and LPGA instruction, a presentation by noted speaker and author, Suzanne Woo on golf and business, and a variety of networking and other opportunities. The half-day event is designed specifically for women who want to gain more knowledge about golf. “Our goal at Sevillano Links is to continue introducing women to the game of golf in a relaxed and fun environment,” said Brian Dahmer, PGA director of golf at Sevillano Links. “The clinic will include a series of learning components, addressing everything from driving to pitching and chipping, and putting too.” Participants will also receive basic tips on course etiquette, and Host Superintendent Matt Hoyt, CGCS, will demonstrate how to properly fix ball marks with repair tools donated by the Nor Cal Golf Course Superintendents Association. Keynote Speaker, Suzanne Woo, founder of BizGolf Dynamics and author of On Course for Business. Woo, will explain how women can deepen their business relationships and increase personal and professional success through golf. Woo has been featured in USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and numerous other publications. I wrote the first national story on her for Golf for Women Magazine. Attendees will have a chance to network during the afternoon “Tee” party while enjoying on-site boutique shopping Cost is $75.00 per person — includes golf instruction, keynote presentation, appetizers and dinner. Each attendee will also receive a gift bag that includes Precept golf balls, a ball mark repair tool, make-up products, and an autographed copy of Woo’s book On Course for Business. Proceeds from the event will benefit women’s cancer research, National Council for Better Health Through Golf and its initiative Doctor’s Orders: Play Golf. Register for The Girls Club: Golf Fore a Good Cause event at Rolling Hills Casino Box Office (877) 840-0457 or online at http://tickets.ticketforce.com Hiddenbrooke VIP Invitational 8/30/2008
We recently attended the very classy VIP Invitational tournament at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo. Former site of the LPGA´s Samsung tournament, Hiddenbrooke puts on this tribute to their annual members, local officials, vendors, and others...I was there as part of a small group of media who were also invited. With an aviation, around-the-world theme, that extended from the invitations, to the tee prizes, to flags of the world on the tee boxes, it was all quite upscale and very well done — wine tasting, saki tasting, and cigars at selected tee boxes, as well as lunch, dinner, a professional casino night, and great prizes. I hadn´t been out to Hiddenbrooke in years, and this one remains as one of the top daily-fee operations in the bay area. Carmen Juarez is the Marketing Director at Hiddenbrooke. If you´re looking for some fresh ideas and new ways to spice up a tournament, she has lots of ´em. ### Media day (August 22, 2008)
It´s traditional for professional golf tournaments to have a media day press conference, wherein the previous year´s winner is available to speak with local press as part of the promotional effort for the upcoming event. So it was in San Jose a few weeks ago, where Gil Morgan was featured in conjunction with The Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. What was unusual, was the setting and the presentation of this particular event. It was held not at Pebble, but at the Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course, home of the San Jose Chapter of the First Tee. And while the standard assortment of dignitaries and speakers including: Tournament Director Steve Worthy, First Tee Regional Director, Cathy Wagner, Pebble Beach representative, Bill Sendell, and Sean Jackson, Market Manager from Walmart, were all part of the action, so too, were First Tee players, Jacqueline Williams, and Ryan Rankin, who will both be competing in the Pebble Beach event. But what clearly made this function so infinitely charming was the active inclusion of San Jose First Tee chapter members, who, in uniform, served as official greeters and guides for the media and others in attendance. As we walked up to the desk, we were greeted with a pleasant, "welcome to the First Tee, may I have your name please?" This, from a rotating group of approximately 10-12 year olds. Props and commendations to Molly Redfearn, the San Jose Chapter coach and program manager.
TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae 8/20/2008
It had a short (not very well-known) run over the last year or so, where they called it Stonebrae Country Club. It got some initial press coverage, with lots of "oohs" and "ahs" and reverent references to its designer, David McLay Kidd, the Scottish architect who also did Bandon Dunes. I suspect the three names is part of his personal marketing effort — gotta make sure the heritage is part of the deal. But unlike Bandon, this not a links style course, as Stonebrae is located high in the east bay hills, in a new highly upscale area of Hayward that most folks probably don´t even know exists. So it´s been referred to as a hilltop course — featuring some genuinely sweeping panoramas that reach well across the bay and beyond. And while clearly the course is predicated on elevation, it is far from the traditional parkland hillside courses that we generally know. It is perhaps more kindred to a target-style desert course. And though it is surrounded by acres of permanent open-space and natural habitat, it plays infinitely more demanding than all that openness would indicate. Stonebrae can be quite penal. Hit it wrong and it´s often gone. Lots of blind shots, a myriad of elevation changes, and hidden areas that the pro´s refer to as speed slots, are all part of the mix. A few months ago, the PGA tour took over management of this private course, renaming it TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae. In April, it will replace what was the Nationwide tour´s Livermore Valley event at Wente. At 7300 yards, with wind an inevitable Bay Area factor, they will find it both challenging and far different from the normal fare. For members, guests, and others fortunate enough to have access, playing Stonebrae is a legitimate treat. I look forward to my return. ### golf media notes 6/02/08
I can´t remember when or how I first met Vince Mastraco — must have been at some golf media function years ago. But over the years we´ve walked many a fairway together, tee´d it up more than a few times, scrounged the ranges meeting tour players, and have shared golf memories and experiences from Orlando to the Olympic Club. Vince is based in Sacramento, and is the host of Golftalk, the longest running golf-oriented radio talkshow in the country. He sent me a message the other day noting his involvement in a fundraising event, where during the upcoming U.S. Open week, from June 7-14, golfers at Timbercreek Golf Course in Roseville, will get a chance to experience Open-like course conditions for a $10 donation. The par-4, 10th hole at Timbercreek will feature approximately 3 ½" rough bordering a 20-yard wide fairway, with a green speed targeted at 12 on the Stimpmeter. Golfers that score a par or better can have their names entered into a drawing for golf related prizes. Funds raised from the event will go to the Sacramento Bluestar Moms, a support group for mothers of wounded military personnel, and Golf Klubz Fore Kidz, an organization that is helping to ship golf equipment to our troops in Iraq. Also got a note from golf media maven Emmy Moore Minister, who notes that The Northern California Superintendent-Professional Tournament is slated for Monday, June 16, 2008 at TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae in Hayward. The two-person team event will pair a golf course superintendent with a golf professional partner from the same club. Held annually at one of the premier Northern California courses, the newly-opened TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae, meets the exceptional venue criteria. "The Bay Area views are spectacular at Stonebrae,” says host Superintendent, Dave Davies. "I’m confident this strategically-designed tract will test the talent of every player.” The private TPC course at Stonebrae was designed by David Kidd of Bandon Dunes fame. ###San Mateo Golf Show 3/17/2008
Just back from the consumer golf show in San Mateo — always fun to check out new stuff, talk with some of the reps, and hobnob with industry contacts. Among them, communications professional Emmy Moore Minister was representing Sevilliano Links...I joked with her the way things were going for John Daly, that may be the only course where he´ll be able to play...the reality is however, when a group of golf writers met with him up there a few months ago, he couldn´t have been more polite, more charming, answered every question, and posed for every picture. Emmy said "Sevillano Links at Rolling Hills Casino is the perfect golf getaway....golf, hotel, casino, all in one spot....park your car and forget about it...and with five sets of tees, this course is designed to fit any golfer´s game." She also introduced me to Ken Pierce, President of Golf Gym, who´s golf-specific fitness products (balance ball and power swing trainer, etc.) are used by an assortment of touring pro´s...also touched base with Jan Ahlman, who was promoting the upcoming "Business Golf for Women" event at Poppy Ridge, and an old friend, Bryan Becker, who´s now store manager of the Golf Mart store in Concord. And while the networking and schmoozing were great (even saw Golf Today editor/publisher Bob Koczor), I also had a chance to check out a few clubs....was a little disheartened when the rep told me that my Taylor Made SuperQuad was to be discontinued, and then I took one whack at the TM Burner and fell in love...was even more thrilled with my discovery of Cleveland´s new CG-12 DSG (raw tour grind) wedges...I like a sharp leading edge and have thus played my old Cleveland 485 for years...they don´t make it anymore, and I suspect the grooves on mine have been shot for a long time anyway...I had no idea, until I tried Cleveland´s new Dynamic Sole Grind with zip grooves — was like the proverbial sharp knife passing through a hot cube of butter...was delighted too, when Dave Menary showed me a 2-pound carry bag from Ogio, called the Silver...next bay area show is this fall in Pleasanton. ###
Lincoln Park — Still Something Special. 3/12/2008
It was a few years ago, in a profile piece that I wrote for GOLF Magazine on Dorothy Delasin, where I noted that Lincoln Park was her home course, and cited its furry greens as running something like a five on the stimpmeter. So it was somewhat bittersweet when I heard Judy Rankin use my line and comment when talking about Dorothy on one of the tournament telecasts — as Rankin did not attribute the line to me. Nor, in each instance was my genuine affinity for Lincoln Park truly represented. Because I adore this course! Yes, it´s short and scruffy, the greens are agonizingly slow and bumpy, and the politics and ragged conditions have been well documented. Even so, Lincoln is simply a flat-out treat every time I play it. From the stunning cityscapes, to the two signature back-to-back par-three´s that overlook the Bay and Golden Gate, virtually every hole on the course is filled with nuance and character. I doubt there´s anything else like it in golf. Understand it for what it is, accept it, and deal with it accordingly, and Lincoln will never disappoint. I played there again yesterday, and it´s still something special. ### Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship (3/05/08)
It´s ranked as the toughest course on the Nationwide Tour, yet it´s one of the players´ favorite stops. A credit to the folks at Wente Vineyards and the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship. "This tournament sets the bar on our schedule," said tour veteran Joel Kribel at last week´s media day kick-off. "And every player will tell you that." And even though the opening hole is statistically the most difficult that they play on any course all year, apparently they like it that way. A decade old now, the Greg Norman-designed track at Wente is just a part of the overall onsite complex. It´s all about selling wine and building the brand, Carolyn Wente told me a few years ago, when I interviewed her for a profile piece in a national golf magazine. The golf course, like the summer concerts, cookbooks, and gourmet restaurant, are all facets of creating name recognition and marketing the Wente brand. Meanwhile, the Nationwide event makes significant contributions to local charities and provides exposure for an assortment of other wineries, and food related entities. It is a local happening, with a series of related events and festivities, including a performance by comic, Henry Cho. Members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California will be stationed at the NCGA-Poppy Ridge GC booth, handing out free ball mark repair tools and demonstrating how to properly repair a ball mark. Spectators will have a chance to ask questions and practice the technique in the presence of a golf course superintendent. In addition to Kribel, this year´s tournament roster will also include local names Matt Bettencourt, Todd Fisher, Spencer Levin, and Jeff Brehaut, and a new slogan: PGA Tour and Driven — Helping To Drive the PGA. Too bad newly appointed President´s Cup captain Norman won´t be there to check out how his first course in the West has developed into such a meaningful, tour caliber factor. ### www/ winecountrychampionship.com Tee Prize (1/23/2008)
I attended a seminar in December, hosted by head professional, Brent Mulanax of Crow Canyon Country Club. Apparently, outside tournaments are a key source of extra revenue for private clubs like Crow Canyon, and the seminar was a "how to" event for tournament planners. The speaker was Phil Immordino, who runs a company that teaches planners how to max out on the experience. I had read his stuff in a trade publication, so I knew he was pretty good —unlike others I´ve seen, who essentially just push their own their services and products. This guy really comes forth with some quality, substantive info.
But what caught my attention was a vendor that he invited, who had a terrific item for a tournament tee prize. Kyle Harvey is a photographer, who operates www.legendsSJ.com. Kyle met each group at one of the par three´s, took our posed picture, and then, while we set up and took our shot, he also shot an action swing sequence series.
At the end of the round, he had the whole thing made into a personalized custom mouse pad, noting the date, the event, Crow Canyon C.C., and not only the posed photo (in this case, me along with golf speaker and author, Suzanne Woo), but also a four shot photo series of my swing. Talk about a memorable gift, this is it. ### Phil Michelson
I was at the press conference for the upcoming AT&T Pebble Beach Invitational about a week or so ago. On stage being interviewed by emcee, Bob Murphy, was actor Chris O´Donnell, when last year´s winner, Phil Michelson, called in. The phone connection was horrible, so he called back. And still it was bad. So he puts up with Murphy´s inevitable jokes about not calling collect, waits a few minutes and calls back again. This went on for several calls, while the tech guys tried to figure it out, and never could. Finally, they had Michelson on Murphy´s cell phone, who subsequently held it up to the mic, so the invited media could hear the conversation and relay their questions accordingly. Michelson promised them a half hour, and gave them an hour — gracious, patient, amenable, and charming throughout. For all the bad raps about him being an Eddie Haskell—whether they´re true or not—this is one pro who genuinely gets it. Perhaps like none other since Arnold Palmer, Michelson understands his role as a star, and the incumbency of promoting his tour with a smile and an appreciation for the fans and media who´ve helped make him so. If some of the more surly types don´t like him, so be it. But it´s guys like Michelson who make it possible for them to make the kind of money that they do. ### Fashion Tradition and Elegance Preserved. 1/22/2008
Before I started writing, I spent over a decade in the apparel industry, where I sold and marketed literally millions of dollars worth of goods. So clearly, I have an interest in the fashion part of the golf business.
And while I hear the raves and all the verbiage about the new high tech fabrics, I´m often struck by pangs of deja vu. So much of this stuff is so reminiscent of the same ugly, bulletproof polyester of the 1970´s that gave golfers such a bad wrap (or is is it rap?) in the first place. Aside from the lime greens and similar color statements, so many of the new fabrics just seem harsh, cheap, unattractive, and very much like the same crappy synthetic goods of decades past.
It´s good then to see a few upscale lines, a la Fairway & Greene, who maintain an adherence to premium natural fabrications. In a game predicated on heritage and tradition, it´s refreshing to have some of that gentility and elegance still preserved and reflected by one of the game´s better fashion exponents. ### C-Thru Grips — the Price of Being Cool (12/17/07)
Michael Clark is one of the bay area´s better custom clubmakers, clubmenders, and clubfitters, and one of my go-to guys when it comes to info about specs, components, and club stuff. Besides that, his "Fore Seasons Golf" shop in Berkeley is always a fun visit, filled with golf memorabilia. And because I wanted it done "right," I took my latest toys to Michael — and asked him to install a new set of C-Thru Grips.
I´m sure many of the golf purists regard the C-Thru´s as vanity items, or something similarly negative, but to me, they´re just another fashion statement, and I think they´re flat out cool.
Maybe you’ve seen them on TV...they´ve have had over 40 wins worldwide on the various pro tours. Essentially, they’re a logo´d label, encased with a clear surrounding grip...offered in literally hundreds of choices from collegiate, to pro teams, to cartoon characters, to custom designs. My first encounter with C-Thru’s was as a tournament prize on a sand wedge with a "saving strokes" logo from the American Heart Association...well clearly I liked the idea, and I loved the feel. For my own set, I opted for my alma mater, USC Trojans...that´s where I got my MBA...undergrad was at UCLA...and no, I´m not conflicted as someone once asked...there were a lot of years in between those degrees, and grad school was more like a job than college— came in did my work, and got out...and paid plenty for the privilege...anyway, I do have a legitimate allegiance to both...so if it´s Jill McGill I´m interviewing then it´s ´SC, and if I´m talking to Charlotte Mayorkas, then I´m proud to be a Bruin... Back to the grips — be forewarned, the C-Thru’s are not inexpensive, and installation probably costs more too...part of the price of being cool...anyway, I played with them the other day and absolutely loved them. Also note that the Trojans will be playing in the upcoming Rose Bowl. ### 12/14/2007 Jesse Ortiz Design Studio
About a month ago, I attended a classy little function...the unveiling of the new Jesse Ortiz Design Studio and the upcoming products for the Bobby Jones Golf Company ...I say classy, not because it was necessarily fancy, or elegant (although there were hors d´œuvres and Cosentino wine), but because of the surrounding spirit of warmth and soul. It was a gathering of invited friends, VIP´s, and selected golf writers...almost ironic, in that the new studio is once again in Hayward, literally just a mile or two from the old Orlimar facility where Jesse essentially learned the craft. His coming of full circle, with the rise and fall of Orlimar, and his return to designing and building of the Bobby Jones operation has been well documented...and clearly this unveiling event was a celebration of that success...I got to finally meet Ken Venturi, with whom I have spoken on the phone a handful of times for quotes on various magazine articles, but had never actually met in person. It was also an opportunity to rekindle relationships with the folks at Roddan Paolucci, and to meet Bobby Jones Golf Company, CEO, Walter Rosenthal...but beyond the schmoozing and networking, it was heartening and personally meaningful to hear Jesse publicly pay tribute to the golf writers, acknowledging our support and contributions to his success over the years... And it´s always fun to hear his stories and anecdotes, like the one where some guy with whom he was paired on the course said, "you stink, I thought you would be better"... he also reiterated the point that he is the last of the old guard club makers...his clubs are "not created by computer, but crafted by hand and by eye in a genuine workshop — far different than anything you´ll see in any other facility." For 2008, Bobby Jones is coming out with a new driver, and an assortment of sand wedges…on all counts, thanks Jesse!New Hotties on LPGA 12/03/07
This is my first blog entry...trial run... I couldn´t help but note that Anna Rawson and May Wood received 2008 LPGA tour cards in the finals at Q-School yesterday...unfortunately, they´re both "conditional," not "exempt" cards, so we probably won´t see much of these players on TV...it´s difficult for conditional players to even get into tournaments...so it´s not exactly a case of move over Natalie Gulibs, new guns in town...but both of them are lookers...and nice to see them in the mix... |
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and maybe that has something to do with it. 
So anyway, Jordan walks up to the tee with the players, and stands right in my way.
