SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Paso Robles Wineries Grand Tasting TourTuesday, January 31, 2006Nearly 30 Paso Robles wineries are hitting the road this week to kick off their 2006 Grand Tasting Tour. Their first stop is Atlanta on Wednesday, with stops in Dallas and Austin, Texas, in early March, New York in late April and San Francisco in early May.Each city stop will include a seminar for the trade and media, a trade tasting and a general consumer tasting. Nearly 300 people have registered for the Atlanta visit. The tour allows wineries to be represented as an entire region, as well as offer opportunities to establish or improve distributor relationships. Paso Robles is the third largest appellation in California, with approximately 130 wineries. "The Paso Robles region is new on the radar for many people outside of our area," said Stacie Jacob, executive director of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. "This is an opportunity to really explain the region and promote the area." The first Grand Tasting Tour was conducted last year. Thirty-three wineries visited all four cities on the tour, including New Orleans, Chicago, Denver and Seattle. This year, the tour has expanded to five cities, and wineries were allowed to choose the cities they wanted to visit. Mike Hartenberger, sales manager at Midnight Cellars, a small, family-owned winery, participated in last year's tour and found it beneficial in raising general understanding of the wine region. The winery will be going to every stop on the tour this year. Hartenberger is hoping to establish new distributor relationships in Atlanta, Dallas, Austin and San Francisco. "I am proud of the area and want to see it receive the recognition it deserves," said Justin Baldwin, owner of Justin Vineyards and Winery. He encouraged the Wine Country Alliance to launch the tour. Baldwin will speak in Atlanta about Bordeaux varieties that grow in Paso Robles. "If the stock of Paso Robles goes up, then every winery benefits," he said. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Paso Robles Wine A Golf Month to RememberMonday, January 30, 2006 As this month winds down, I realize what a memorable one it will be. I started the month (and year) off on New Years Day, playing Monarch Dunes Golf Club on its opening day - in what turned out to be my wettest golf round ever. Although the weather left much to desire, I loved the course's layout, challenge, conditioning and natural beauty. The rain (which came down sideways at times) even seemed appropriate for the opening of a course being touted as the Central Coast's tribute to the origins and tradition of golf, reminiscent of the true links-style courses found in Scotland. I played poorly, shooting 92, but will never forget this opening round at Monarch Dunes. Yesterday, I played my fifth round at Monarch Dunes - the last four of which were enjoyed in typical Central Coast sunshine. These rounds were improvements over the initial round, but still left plenty of room for better play - especially putting. My last four rounds were 40-41-81, 41-42-83, 42-43-85, and 43-44-87 - all rounds consisting of front and back nines played within one stroke of each other. A sub-80 round is coming soon! This month also included my first-ever golf tournament - played with the Men's Club at Cypress Ridge Golf Course. With a 2-stroke penelty for hitting my 4th putt on the 9th green while it was apparently still moving, I shot a respectable 83, on a day when most golfers were shooting high scores due to cold and windy weather. Because of the way this penelty was reported, I ended up being disqualified. As I described in this golfreview.com discussion, I learned the hard way what I'm up against in tournament play. I'll be giving it another try next month. Most importantly, my handicap broke through to the single digits this month! I only started playing golf regularly last year, starting off at about a 15 handicap. I am thrilled to have reached the single digits in less than a year. After shooting an 81 at both Morro Bay and Cypress Ridge Golf Course and an all-time low 75 at Dairy Creek Golf Course this month, my index dropped from last month's 10.2 to 9.5! With a little more work on my putting, I'm confident I can start playing more consistently in the high 70's and low 80's - keeping my index under 10! Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Feb 16 - Cypress Ridge at LA Nissan OpenSunday, January 29, 2006In Cypress Ridge Golf Course's continuing effort to attract more corporate golf outings from the LA County, Cypress Ridge is co-sponsoring a hospitality tent on the 9th fairway at LA Nissan Open, February 16th. All of SLO's top hotels and wineries will be joining force to offer an outstanding day of VIP Hospitality to over sixty (60) LA-based corporations. Cypress Ridge serves on the SLO VCB Task Force for regional tourism. By broadening their exposure in LA and entertaining top corporations like Canon, Sony, NBC/Universal, Countrywide, Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch, they hope to grow the awareness of Cypress Ridge as a premier golf destination.Feel free to stop by and say hello if you at the LA Nissan Open this year! Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Monarch Dunes to Showcase Central Coast GolfSaturday, January 28, 2006Vern Ahrendes contributed 2 new articles in the Times-Press-Recorder yesterday about the Central Coast's newest golf course - Monarch Dunes Golf Club.In Ahrendes's first article, he shares his impressions of a 3 1/2 hour tour of the course from the gold tees, which can be summaried by this remark, "Wow fails to sum up one's first response to a round of golf at the new Old Course at Monarch Dunes in Nipomo." He goes on to describe the course... "For me, the Old Course was the first I have played where I could imagine it would be a test for pros. But unlike other tougher courses, I didn't feel I was over my head until I stepped over my second shot on the par-4 13th, the hole I imagine could be one of the tougher ones on the Central Coast." "Other tougher courses I've played, like the San Luis Obispo Country Club, have intimidated me before I ever stepped onto a tee. I knew I was in for a long day on the practice-putting surface at SLO." "Despite its length, I felt for most of the round I had a realistic chance of playing well. I didn't, but that, to me, is the test of what could be a great course." "The greens were huge, with undulations I was not used to. I 3-putted at least eight times. And that might be underestimating the putting damage. But that's the theory behind Pascuzzo's design for the course. He left plenty of room in the fairways to keep balls in play, but he wanted to make the greens an adventure. And he has done just that." "The greens, despite their size (they are much larger than neighboring Blacklake), were hard to hit and hold. You could see what Pascuzzo meant when he told me he wanted to put 'the bounce and roll back into the game of golf.'" "Water - there are five lakes on the 18-hole layout - swallowed three of my errant shots (the approach on the par-5 No. 4 is a carry over water - mine didn't - and there was a hidden water retention basin that I found on the par-3 No. 15)." Read the entire article to learn more about his round and to get Ahrendes' hole-by-hole descriptions: New course of the ages Times-Press-Recorder, Vern Ahrendes Vern Ahrendes then shares his observations about the Central Coast's ability to sustain 54 more holes in his second article. Even before most local golfers could test the South County's first new golf course in a decade, the buzz has started about 27 more holes to come at Monarch Dunes - the 45-hole golf resort taking shape in the massive Woodlands complex at Willow Road and Highway 1 in Nipomo - and Cypress Ridge's request for nine more holes at its 18-hole complex near Mesa Middle School in rural Arroyo Grande. How many more golf holes can this region support? The availability of resources, such as water, might be the only limiting factor, according to representatives of the area's four golf resorts. Avila Beach and Pismo State Beach - could be the next golf mecca for baby boomers seeking a great golf getaway. Within 30 miles, two country clubs with 36 holes of play are available, and 82 more holes beckon in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and Morro Bay. "If you look at golf destinations like Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), they have hundreds of golf courses," Monarch Dunes designer Pascuzzo said. "If you look at a place like Palm Springs, they are still building more golf courses there." Widen the scope, and at least another 80 holes are within reach from Paso Robles to Lompoc and Santa Ynez. "Golf can be a valuable resource to San Luis Obispo County," said Mike Brabenec, a Professional Golf Association member and director of golf operations for Avila Beach and Blacklake golf resorts. Denis Sullivan, president of the Cypress Ridge Partnership, agreed. "If Monarch Dunes proves to be as good as they say it is, it will attract more golf-oriented vacationers to the Central Coast, which is good for all of us," Sullivan said. "If we get to be known as a golf destination, that is all the better." The arrival of Monarch Dunes, Brabenec believes, will be a boon for existing golf operators in the area and to ongoing regionwide efforts through the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau's Golf Trails Committee. Brabenec added, "The nation will need to know that there are top-notch courses here." And the amenities the Central Coast offers will just add to the area's allure, Pascuzzo said. "I absolutely think this area will be the next great golf destination," Pascuzzo said. "Geographically, it is an easy getaway from San Francisco or Los Angeles." He added, "And, think about it: Where would you rather go in June or July to play golf? In South Carolina, where it is 90 degrees out with 90-percent humidity, or the Central Coast?" The showcase of the national pitch for Central Coast golf could be Monarch Dunes. Add other attractions like wineries, Hearst Castle and the beach, and the Central Coast could reap big tourist dividends. Read entire article to learn more details about the plans for more golf at Monarch Dunes and Cypress Ridge: How many holes can we sustain? Times-Press-Recorder, Vern Ahrendes Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Monarch Dunes Central Coast Wine Makeover - Wine CasksThursday, January 26, 2006The talk of the wine business is that some of the most remarkable wines are updating their traditional bottle image for something brighter and fresher. They're shedding glass in exchange for what industry insiders are calling: Wine Casks.What are they? Wine Casks are 3 liters of wine filled in an airtight bag that keeps air away. "When you open a bottle, air gets in and starts to oxidize -- making it go off condition after a couple of days. Wine Casks keep the wine fresh for a minimum of SIX weeks once opened because the wine stays insulated." ~ Adam Richardson, Winemaker - Killer Juice(TM) Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA. But freshness is not the only factor that has increased wine cask sales by nearly 300% in the last year, according to ACNielsen. Retail outlets say it's because wine casks offer tremendous value. "My customers want quality and value. A wine like Fish Eye(R) costs about $9 per bottle and $16 for a 3-liter Cask, a size equivalent to four bottles. That's a huge value for such high-quality wine." ~ Jeff Jewett, First Street Wine Shop. Critics say that the concept makes sense -- but only if the wine tastes the same as what consumers are used to from the bottle. "The wine in the Cask tastes the same because it IS the same. It's fresh, the wine is harmonious and it makes an everyday wine-drinking occasion special." ~ Jo Diaz, Wine Writer. Wineries offering 3 Liter Wine Casks Nationwide (several from Central Coast): - Killer Juice(TM) Central Coast Chardonnay (SRP $20) - Killer Juice(TM) Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $20) - Fish Eye(R) California Pinot Grigio (SRP $16) - Fish Eye(R) California Shiraz (SRP $16) - Glen Ellen(R) California Chardonnay (SRP $14) - Glen Ellen(R) California Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $14) - Casarsa(R) Delle Venezie Italian Pinot Grigio (SRP $14) - Casarsa(R) Delle Venezie Italian Merlot (SRP $14) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Chardonnay (SRP $12) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Merlot (SRP $12) - Corbett Canyon(R) California Pinot Grigio (SRP $12) How will consumers respond to wine's ultimate makeover? Danny Brager, vice president of the ACNielsen(R) Beverage Alcohol team, says, "Wine marketers are driving renewed interest in cask wine by focusing on the smaller three-liter package, offering premium varietals such as Shiraz/Syrah and Pinot Grigio in that size. Clearly, their efforts are resonating with a segment of wine drinkers." Source: Underdog Wine Merchants Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Loren Roberts wins opener on Champions TourWednesday, January 25, 2006 There's a new boss on the moss of the Champions Tour. Loren Roberts, for years one of the finest putters on the PGA Tour, won the season-opening tournament for age-50-and-over pros on Sunday by draining - naturally enough for him - a 30-foot birdie putt on his final stroke of the MasterCard Championship. The putt secured a one-stroke victory over Don Pooley and a course-record 61 for Roberts at the Hualalai Course in Kaupulehu, Hawaii, where the former PGA Senior Tour launched its 26th season with a top-of-the-leaderboard accent on relative youth. Roberts turned 50 in June and third-place Jay Haas - who finished three shots off the lead - turned 52 last month. Peter Jacobson (51), David Eger and D.A. Weibring (both 52) also wound up in the top 10. Roberts, the former Cal Poly San Luis Obispo putting whiz who led the PGA Tour in that category in 1994 and was a top-10 putter five other seasons there - including a seventh-place finish in 2004 at the age of 49 - was the brightest of the young seniors at Hualalai. He set not only the 18-hole course record but also finished 25-under-par 191 for the 54-hole event to break the tour record in relation to par and tie the tour stroke mark for a three-round tournament. That kind of senior success might not turn out to be so uncommon for the fit Roberts, who turned 50 last June and enters this, his 31st professional season, a trim 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. He made six Champions Tour starts in an abbreviated 2005 season and was top-10 in five of them, missing a season top-10 sweep on the basis of a tie for 11th in his third start. Roberts might still have been giddy at that point in his Champions Tour career, coming off a fifth and a tie for second in his first two senior events - both majors - at the Senior British Open and U.S. Senior Open. He put a wrap on senior start No. 7 by becoming that tour's newest and one of its quickest career millionaires, with $1,249,882 in Champions earnings. But all that earning power and the firepower to outshoot the lowest-scoring field in senior tour history might not translate into Roberts becoming the man to beat for Player of the Year honors this season. He might not wind up playing that much on the Champions Tour. Roberts placed 93rd in earnings on the 2005 PGA Tour to secure another season of eligibility on that tour, and he showed the week before his 2006 Champions Tour debut that he still can shoot with the younger guns. Roberts tied for 18th in the Sony Open at Honolulu, the full-field season opener for the PGA Tour. His record-breaking success at Hualalai came against a limited but quality field made up of 2005 winners and some champions from past senior tours. Quality? Of the 105 rounds played at Hualalai, 75 of them produced scores in the 60s. The field scoring average of 67.981, while lowest in senior tour history, won't count as a record because the event was not a full-field tournament. Roberts, who included 26 birdies in a 63-67-61 finish, will stay in the islands for another senior tournament this week. He is in the field for the Turtle Bay Championship at Kahuku, Hawaii, where all-time Champions Tour wins leader Hale Irwin is defending champion. Irwin, 60, has won this tournament five times in a row and six times overall. How will the tour's reigning old gun respond to young guns like Roberts and Haas? Irwin seems to hear that question every year, with different names for the newest challengers. His response last year was four more senior tour wins and a strong run at another Player of the Year award. Article by Dave Shelburne at dailynews.com. Side Trip - Hearst CastleTuesday, January 24, 2006 Hearst Castle Originally uploaded by doggyBag. If you have an extra day, or want to combine golf and wine touring with other sightseeing, head northward to see what it was like when William Randolph Hearst entertained heads of state and Hollywood stars at his fabled mountain-top castle at San Simeon. Combine a nighttime tour of Hearst Castle with wine-tasting in the Central Coast, and you've got a unique weekend getaway. Marketing California WinesMonday, January 23, 2006A new study commissioned by Wine Institute finds that California wine ranks first in favorability and familiarity with U.S. wine consumers by a wide margin. The survey of 2,442 U.S. wine consumers, by Yankelovich and The Segmentation Company (a division of Yankelovich), also indicates that California can improve its position by developing and sharing a cohesive message, connecting with the powerful imagery of the state and responding to consumers' quest for "safe adventure." These are among the findings of the first comprehensive research on U.S. wine consumers by Wine Institute in more than 20 years. The study was undertaken as part of a Market Development program to enhance the competitiveness of California wine in the U.S.The national survey asked wine consumers about their familiarity and consumption of wines from 12 different U.S. and foreign regions. Of the regions evaluated, California ranked first in favorability, familiarity and consumption. The research suggests that producers would benefit by developing a more distinctive image and by capitalizing on the positive association with California's wine country landscape, tourism and the distinct personalities of its regions. Wine Institute is urging its 800-plus member wineries to convey a stronger message connecting the state's wines to the positive impressions that Americans have of California. Wineries are encouraged to develop and share this "California message," focusing on the state's spectacular scenery, fun lifestyle, great food culture, and innovative ideas. "California is a spectacular place to grow and make wine," said Chairman of the Wine Institute Market Development Task Force Tom Klein at the Yountville workshop. "We have beautiful regions with distinct personalities, soils and microclimates that rival the world's best, talented and ingenious winemakers and outstanding California cuisine. We are asking wineries to always begin their wine conversations with a few words about what makes California a special place to grow and make wine." Though California wines have experienced 12 years of consecutive growth, the U.S. wine market is increasingly competitive. Wine Institute commissioned Yankelovich to conduct the survey of 2,442 U.S. wine consumers to gather information to help strengthen California's position in the U.S. market and further enhance the competitiveness of California wineries. The work is part of the organization's U.S. Market Development Program. "Calling attention to the favorable image of California and California wine further develops the U.S. market for our members and supports Wine Institute's public policy mission," said Robert P. "Bobby" Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute. "California as a place and California wines as an experience strongly resonate with the American consumer," said Barbara Insel. "We need to leverage the unique regions, creativity, ingenuity and break-the-rules approach to life that epitomizes our industry and link it to our wines." Here at Golf SLO, we're doing our part to encourage visitors to travel to the California Central Coast to experience its unique climate, attractions, wineries and golf courses. Since the Central Coast is off the beaten track, it truly offers one of the most affordable and uncrowded vacation destinations in California. Discover the Central Coast! Read entire article at: Wine Institute Encourages Developing California message Wine Industry News May 12 - Mesa Oaks Charity Golf Classic at Monarch DunesSunday, January 22, 2006The 10th Annual Rotary Club of Nipomo Mesa Oaks Charity Golf Classic will be held on Friday, May 12th, at 11:00 a.m. at Monarch Dunes Golf Club. The tournaments benefits Polio eradication worldwide, SLO Hospice and local youth programs of the Central Coast. The cost is $175.00 per player, format is 4-Person Scramble. The Nipomo Rotary is looking for golfers, sponsors, advertisers, and donors. To register, donate or sponsor, contact Barry Dunahoo - (805) 215-4200, bfdbarry@yahoo.com.Paso Robles Wine AdventureSaturday, January 21, 2006We ran across an article at Holister FreeLance about a recent wine tasting road trip to Paso Robles. Highlights are shared below. The entire article can be read here.The writer shares, Paso Robles is the fastest-growing wine region in California. Although the area has been growing grapes since 1797, its burst of prominence and growth has taken place in the last 30 years. There are more than 100 wineries that currently call Paso Robles home, with more than 25,000 acres of vineyards planted. Boutique wineries that only produce a few thousand cases a year to big names like Bonny Doon, Meridian and J. Lohr can all be found in Paso Robles. The Paso Robles appellation has different micro-climates and various soil types that help create optimal growing conditions for premium wine production. You can find more than 25 wine varieties in this area alone. The grape variety that is most popular has to be zinfandel. Other grape varieties grown are marsanne, roussanne, viognier, grenache blanc, mourvedre, counoise and cinsault. I had not even heard of some of these. Most of these wineries have huge wine club memberships. Tobin James Cellars claims to have the largest wine club in the world, with 13,500 members. Their membership is so immense that almost 90 percent of what they produce is reserved for those members. One of the 9 wineries visited was Stephan Vineyards. Stephan Asseo, a French ex-patriarch, discovered the Paso Robles region to be perfect for producing his Bordeaux/Rhone style blends. The company's moniker is "where Bordeaux meets the Rhone." Similar to the Australian wine company Penfolds, the L'Aventure Optimus line from Stephan Vineyards does a very good job of melding syrah, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel together to create a masterpiece. The winemaker does not let the high alcohol content (15-17 percent) overwhelm the wine. This was a solid wine but a bit overpriced at $45. Other favorites included a white table wine from Halter Ranch called Ranch White. It combines viognier, marsanne, roussanne and sauvignon blanc to produce a fragrant wine that is less than $12. Tablas Creek's 2004 grenache blanc ($21) has lemon, licorice and caramel aromas and a finish that lingers perfectly on the palate. Paso Robles is a quick jaunt down Highway 101, a little more than two hours drive. For comparison, the Napa and Sonoma regions are about the same distance away from Gilroy. Our trip was not during the peak season, but at only one winery did we have to wait to be served. If you want to avoid huge crowds and traffic, Paso Robles is a good option. Paso Robles Tablas Creek Vineyard in Best of 2005 listFriday, January 20, 2006A white Rhone blend from Tablas Creek Vineyard, their Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2003, has just been ranked No. 11 on Wine Enthusiast's Best of Year 2005 list. A blend of roussanne, grenache blanc and viognier, this same wine appeared on the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 list two years ago. While the recognition is gratifying to General Manager Jason Haas, whose father started the winery in 1989, "having a good record of consistent wine is more important than one particular mention."Founded by Robert Haas, a U.S. wine importer, and the Perrin family of famed Chateau de Beaucastel in the Chateneuf du Pape region of France, Tablas Creek has been a pioneer of Rhone wines in Paso Robles and has been a critical factor in elevating the reputation of Paso Robles wines here and around the world. Read entire article at Patience pays off at Paso's Tablas Creek Vineyard The Tribune, Janis Switzer The Wine Makers being filmed in SLO CountyThursday, January 19, 2006San Luis Obispo County is official "wine country" now that PBS producers have decided to film their upcoming reality series, "The Wine Makers", here in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.Set to premier in the spring of 2007, "The Wine Makers" follows six men and women as they compete for a chance to create and launch their own wine label. All will be wine enthusiasts who want to start winemaking careers. Casting for the show begins next month. The first casting call will be during the Paso Robles 2006 Grand Tasting Tour on Feb. 1 in Atlanta’s Fox Theater. The event attracts vintners, media and consumers and showcases wines from twenty-five wineries in the Paso Robles American viticulture area. Yoga for Golf at Sea Pines Golf ResortWednesday, January 18, 2006 Through Cuesta Community College, Tony Criscuolo will be teaching a program of yoga exercises for golf at The Sea Pines Golf Resort conference room. The ten sessions run on the second Friday of each month, from 8:30 - 9:30 AM, starting on February 10th and concluding on November 10th. Optional instruction on the golf course follows each session. The fee is $100, payable by registration at the Cuesta web site. REGISTER NOW! Topics to be covered include: proper ways to stretch for improving alignment, flexibility and strength; how to focus and release tension and stress; yoga exercises for back and neck/shoulder pain; and the value of yoga in an overall fitness program. Tony is a local golfer who has taught yoga for 30 years. He specializes in work with athletes and families and has taught many LPGA and PGA tour players, instructed at The David Leadbetter Golf Academy, and presently teaches several Cal-Poly athletic teams, including football, men's and women's golf and women's soccer. Questions about the Cuesta program can be directed to Tony at 542-0137 or yogitony@juno.com. REGISTER ONLINE! Feb 5 - Tim Lane Memorial Super Bowl TournamentMonday, January 16, 2006The Tim Lane Memorial Super Bowl Tournament will be held at the Blacklake Golf Resort on February 5, 2006 at 7:00am. Fees are $90 per golfers for this 2-man Best Ball tournament with 3 flights - 1 gross and 2 net.Fees include $1,000,000 hole-in-one, long drive, closest to the pin, green fee, cart, range balls, Imperial Tim Lane/Super Bowl hat, Titlest golf balls, hamburger/hot dog BBQ, drinks (2), full dinner buffet, televised Super Bowl game, and raffle. 100% of the donations and tee sign sponsorships will be split between the Alison Lane Scholarship Fund and the Global Hearts Group benefitting military families of the Central Coast. Check-in is at 7:00am, Shotgun start at 8:00am, Super Bowl Kickoff at 3:15pm. Registration deadline is February 1, 2006. Contact Rudi Fann, Head Golf Professional at (805) 343-1214 x17 or rudi@blacklake.com, or SIGN UP, DONATE OR SPONSOR ONLINE. Old Edna Wine TastingSunday, January 15, 2006Just in time for this summer, the town of Old Edna will get a kiosk and outdoor seating for wine tasting.Currently coined the Slumbering Cottage, the facility should be open by June. Owner Pattea Torrence plans to host boutique labels that currently don't have a tasting facility. Wine tasting would take place daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "I like to be a place for those who may not otherwise have a place to pour," she said. Torrence, self-described as the "mayor of Edna," also hopes to use the site as part of Edna Valley's annual "Roll Out the Barrels" winery event in May. Torrence received permission for the 10-by-12-foot facility last week from the San Luis Obispo County Planning Department. The county also agreed to new uses for the Old Edna Hall, including its delicatessen and upstairs meeting hall, changes that have been under way over the past year and a half without official permits. "The process has taken two and a half years," Torrence said. The hall can now be used 52 times a year for gatherings of up to 45 people. Torrence can also hold 15 outside special events for a maximum for 100 people. "We're keeping it small and quaint -- that's important to me," Torrence added. "I'm lucky to be a steward of this very special spot." Central Coast Golf CommunitiesSaturday, January 14, 2006 Few areas in the United States offer the geographical diversity, pristine air and ideal climate of California's Central Coast. Offering mountains, beaches, lakes, rolling hills, vineyards and top-notch, year-round golf, the Central Coast has it all. It's no wonder that San Luis Obispo County's golf communities have become a desired retirement destination, even over traditional, and hotter, places like Florida and Arizona. If you are in the market for your first golf course home and want to golf year-round in a comfortable weather on uncrowded courses, you can narrow your search to the Central Coast. The next major consideration is price range. A home on a golf course in San Luis Obispo County can range anywhere from $600,000 to $2 million (and beyond). Price is dictated by location and the quality and classification of golf course. A home located on the course costs significantly more than one off of it. A home located on the course with a view of the water or mountains commands an even higher price. And there's more. A house on the left side of a fairway is going to cost a bit more than one on the right because the majority of golfers are slicers. You also want to avoid buying a lot at the 150 yard marker, because that is where most balls land. And generally as a rule of thumb, homes near the green are about 10 to 15 percent more expensive than those by tee boxes. Location and price are considerations that may seem like no-brainers to some. But many first-time golf course home buyers are not privy to the various classifications that dictate access, initiation fees and dues. A semiprivate golf course is typically open to the paying public, but extends preferred tee times, tournament services and/or range privileges to members who pay annual or monthly dues. Private clubs come in two varieties: equity and non-equity. Equity clubs are actually owned by the members, and members can sell their memberships (oftentimes for a profit) should they decide to relocate. Non-equity clubs are owned by a third party and the members are not responsible for paying for major renovations and improvements. See our Real Estate page for a listing of quality golf communities available in San Luis Obispo County, including The Woodlands in Nipomo, Cypress Ridge in Arroyo Grande, and San Luis Obispo Country Club in Edna Valley. Golf SLO now offers Golf & Wine PackagesFriday, January 13, 2006Golf SLO was launched today with a new design to begin offering Central Coast Golf and Wine Vacation packages in addition to highlighting Central Coast wineries, wine tasting tours, wine events, local attractions, recreational activities, annual events, fine dining, event catering, luxury accommodations, vacation rentals, spas and services, and golf communities and real estate.Golf & Wine Vacations  San Luis Obispo County is one of the finest, most beautiful locations for golf and wine tasting in all of California. Recognized by Golf Digest Magazine as first for golf in California and predicted to be as well known a viticultural area as the glamorous vineyards of Napa Valley in the next decade by The Wine Advocate, San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast are fast becoming world-renowned for its fine wines and top-notch golf. Let Golf SLO help you plan your wine and golf excursion on the Central Coast by booking your Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo Golf and Wine Vacation now!Scenic World-Class Golf  Golf Digest is right. There is simply no better place to play golf in California than in San Luis Obispo County - the most affordable golf in California's Central Coast. Relaxed, uncrowded and surrounded by California's natural beauty, over a dozen golf courses offer a variety of terrain and levels of play. The scenic courses offer challenging holes lined with Pacific coastline, century-old cypress and oak trees, and lakes and natural grasses. Enjoy excellent year-round golf conditions in the Mediterranean climate of San Luis Obispo County, and you will have one of your most memorable California golf vacations ever.Romantic World-Famous Vineyards  San Luis Obispo County is located right in the heart of Central Coast wine country, made famous in the movie "Sideways". Offering some of the finest wines California has to offer, the Central Coast has earned worldwide recognition and respect for the exceptional quality of its wine grapes. Thanks to excellent soils, a long growing season with warm summers and cool ocean breezes, and a variety of microclimates, the area's hundred-plus wineries produce well-balanced, classic varietal interpretations including rich Chardonnays to jammy Zinfandels, from opulent Pinot Noirs to elegant Cabernet Sauvignons, from aromatic Viogniers to spicy Syrahs.Luxury Accommodations & Fine Dining  Our premier hotels offer luxury accommodations and fine dining, carefully selected for their consistent quality, superior service, safety record, value and knowledgeable friendly staff. With miles of clean, pristine sand and surf, a perfect climate, and a convenient location, our hotels remain surprisingly quiet and quaint -- California's best-kept secrets. Savor world-class California cuisine along with spectacular 180-degree ocean views from many of our premier restaurants. Experience our fine dining with eclectic cuisine featuring classic seafood and steak entries as well as more cutting-edge cuisine with a hint of international flavors.Popular Activities & Attractions  Here you'll find the best of San Luis Obispo County's abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and experience its unique beauty, history, arts and culture. Our mild, sunny climate, pristine beaches, world-class surf, stunning peaks and lakes, and quiet country roads offer something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. You'll find popular attractions such as the famous Hearst Castle, historic missions, museums, wineries, performing arts, art galleries, antiques, boutiques, estuaries, wildlife and other points of interest. It is always a perfect time to visit the California Central Coast, conveniently located along Highway 101 half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Cypress Ridge seeks buyer for proposed hotelThursday, January 12, 2006Cypress Ridge developers will forgo building a hotel, restaurant and sports complex at the Arroyo Grande development as originally planned because of a change in strategy.The group is seeking a buyer for about 15 acres near the development's existing pro shop. The buyer would then be responsible for constructing the planned amenities, developer Denis Sullivan said. The project was approved in July, after five years of seeking county approvals, Sullivan said. But he and his investment backers, who have spent $500,000 on the proposal, do not want to build that phase of the project anymore. "Things change a lot in five years," Sullivan said. "We do not want to be a hotel operator and owner." He said owning a restaurant and hotel is a 24-hour job -- something he no longer has the energy to carry out. The project includes 81 individually owned, freestanding lodging units, with 149 total bedrooms. The rooms would have been split between owners on vacation and paying guests. A 200-seat, upscale restaurant was also planned, along with a pro shop and clubhouse to replace the existing facility. About 3,400 square feet of conference rooms were also intended. Included in the sale are the current pavilion and an adjacent building. The pavilion is used for weddings and large group functions, and the hotel's buyer could benefit from having the facility, Sullivan said. About six groups have looked at the property, Sullivan said. He has since lowered the price, and he is going back to interested parties to see if they would be more interested now. He declined to disclose the asking price. On Monday, residents who attended a town hall meeting at the Cypress Ridge Pavilion became upset when they heard the hotel, restaurant and sports complex would not be built by the developer as expected. At that meeting Sullivan said he will focus on building a proposed second phase of homes and nine more holes of golf. Bizz Buzz, The Tribune, Larissa Van Beurden-Doust Sea Pines New Year Getaway PackageWednesday, January 11, 2006Sea Pines Golf Resort Weekday Golf & Meal Package - $99.00.January is a great month to "Get Away" to the quiet surroundings, good food and the superb golf experience of Sea Pines Golf Resort. Our "New Year Get Away" package includes a standard room, 2 rounds of golf and 2 breakfast or lunch entrees. FREE UPGRADES are based on availibility. Not a Golfer? We are also affering 25% off any standard room with FREE UPGRADES based on availability. Monarch Dunes Old Course in NipomoTuesday, January 10, 2006Larry Mauter shares another article at The Tribune introducing the 'Old Course' at Monarch Dunes Golf Club in Nipomo. Excerpts describing the course are included below. You can read the entire article here.When 'Old' is new - A look at Nipomo's new golf course Design of the Monarch Dunes' Old Course mimics nearby Guadalupe Dunes The Tribune, Larry Mauter  A panorama of Scottish-like dunes and a wee bit of the Highlands has been baptized in Nipomo. The Old Course at Monarch Dunes -- 18 holes of golf that is part of the Woodlands development -- opened Wednesday. Monarch Dunes is the first of 45 holes being built at the Woodlands. A nine-hole executive course is in the early construction phase. The overall development includes 1,300 homes, a shopping center, business park and a 500-room full-service resort. It will be built out during the next 15 years. PGA Tour player Steve Pate joined Pascuzzo -- also overseeing another nine holes at the Woodlands -- on the Old Course project in 2004. "It was a really perfect time for him to come aboard because we hadn't done any fairway shaping," Pascuzzo said. Pate's role, Pascuzzo explained, included being a "sounding board" on how a golfer might attack a hole and also how to shape the risk-reward options. What has been captured in the design is a landscape that complements nearby Guadalupe Dunes. Former dense eucalyptus groves have given way to a links layout that includes a variety of risk-reward shots, water features and 35 bunkers. Putting surfaces are firm velvet bent grass greens. They average more than 6,000 square feet. "We want that bounce and roll back into the game of golf," said Matt Kalbak, general manager at Monarch Dunes who arrived on site in early October. The course features fescue fairways and 2-inch roughs and five tee boxes, stretching to 6,800 yards. That layout can be tricked up to 7,200 yards for future tournament play, said Pascuzzo, by incorporating two of the executive course nine holes into an alternative layout. "We've rolled the dice a little by creating this Dunes style of golf course rather than a parklands style," said Pascuzzo, a Cal Poly graduate. "I'm very pleased with it. It's a fun place to play. It's got enough mystery and challenge to get people to come back." The putting surfaces provide ample opportunity for three putts on the undulating and sometimes multi-leveled surfaces. The extremes include a 3,000 square-foot target on the par-3 No. 3, an 8,500 square-foot green at the par-5 No. 12 and a 12,000 square-foot jigsaw puzzle on No. 17, also a par 5. The five sets of tees mean there is a scoring opportunity for every level of player. The green tees - the shortest -- are just 4,700 yards. Kalbak figures the gold tees (6,337 yards) will be the most popular of the options. Though the layout is surrounded with new homes, it does not appear hemmed in, a factor that Kalbak credits to the long involvement between Pascuzzo and the developers. "He was able to sit down with the developers and tell them how much land he needed to build a quality golf course, rather than the developers going in, doing a development plan and saying 'Here's your leftover 95 acres, put a golf course on there.' " Kalbak said. "Average golf courses in California run anywhere from 95 to 115 acres. This first golf course is 135 acres." Pazcuzzo, who is a partner in Graves & Pascuzzo of El Dorado Hills, said all the materials needed to build the course - including the sand for the laced-edged bunkers -- came from the site. Kalbak described the bunkers as fine sand with a cake-mix like texture. Pascuzzo noted Pate, a six-time PGA Tour winner, was "very happy with its playability." "It's got excellent texture. It's a little golden in color and the ball plays well out of it," Pascuzzo said. "The ball seems to sit up reasonably well in it." Cart paths do not fully stretch around the course and riders will be coached in the coming weeks on what areas to avoid as several fairways and greens fill in to maturity. Walkers, meanwhile, can save $17 on green fees or can rent pull carts for their walk at $7. Pascuzzo, who has walked the course with a full bag, described The Old Course as "a very walkable course." "On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being flat, I would say it is a 4, or a 5 maybe," said Pascuzzo, Whose firm's California portfolio includes Blackhawk Country Club in Danville, La Purisima in Lompoc and La Quinta Country Club. Most tees and greens are paired closely, but seven holes include a jaunt to the next tees. According to Kalbak, that can add another 700 yards to the day's walk. The risk-reward theme of Pascuzzo and Pate's design stands out clearly at No. 6, one of the course's four par 5s. "The sixth hole was designed to make it risky to reach the green in two shots," Pascuzzo wrote for the monarch-dunes.com Web site. "It has a small two-level green with lots of trouble around it. The tee shot has to clear the crest of the hill and be down by the lake to give the player any though of going for the green." A similar issue greets players starting the second nine. At the par-4 No. 10, a dune splits the fairway, offering a safer tee shot but more difficult second shot. By going left off the tee there is a better angle to the green and the distance is shorter, but the left fairway is also just 22 yards wide. Both Pascuzzo and Kalbak called No. 10 the toughest handicap hole on the backside. On the front, they mixed and matched. "It could be 9. It could be No. 4 because of its length," said Pascuzzo, adding that the lake on the right at No. 4 and the 540 yards from the tips will cause some angst. Kalbak, a Class-A PGA professional, thinks that No. 1, a 453-yard par 4, or No. 4 will be rated the toughest stroke holes once a crew from the Southern California Golf Association has a look at the course later this month. There is eye-popping scenery on No. 11 and 12, including ocean, dunes and Oso Flaco farming plots and wetlands. A couple par 4s on the backside, No. 13 and 16, are the top qualifiers as the course's signature hole, according to Kalbak. While the links-style dune holes dominate, Kalbak said there is a Scottish Highlands feel to at least four holes on the front (1, 6, 7 and 9), where eucalyptus woodlots and water hazards lurk. No. 17, with elevation changes and lakes in play, also fits a Highlands style. A more than 12,000 square foot practice putting area beneath the clubhouse was recently seeded and should be ready for use by April. There is a practice putting area near the 18th green. It will be ready in about two weeks. Also the driving range -- that includes a 20-station artificial hitting turf and room for 30 10-foot stations on natural turf -- will see limited use until spring. The range itself is more than 300 yards deep, has a nice background and will include a half-dozen target greens. It will be handpicked until April, with natural turf stations open only during weekends. The Nipomo Rotary Club will sponsor the first tournament at Monarch Dunes. It is scheduled for May 12. Hole-by-Hole at Monarch Dunes' Old CourseMonday, January 09, 2006 Hole 1: 423 Yard / Par 4 This dogleg left hole is played by a long drive to the right center of the fairway. The lake is protecting the left side, so don't borrow too much or you will be wet. The second shot is played into a prevailing right to left breeze from 150 to 180 yards. Aim at the mounding on the right side of the green and let the banking of the slope send your ball into the middle of the green. Hole 2: 357 Yard / Par 4 This slightly uphill hole is played by aiming your drive down the middle of the fairway at the natural saddle that is created by the slopes from the right and left. The second shot should be an aggressive shot at the pin from 120 to the center of the green. Watch out for the false front on the left side that could pull your ball back off the green and into the collection area. Hole 3: 115 Yard / Par 3 Do not take this hole lightly, the green has a left and right table top with a depression in the front center of the green that will catch all mis-hit short irons. The dunes that surround the green will make a 3 into a 5 in a hurry. Hole 4: 530 Yard / Par 5 This is a true three-shot hole playing into a prevailing wind that will make it play longer than the scorecard distance. All shots should be played to the left side of the fairway. The third shot is a force carry over water and a slope that runs to the lake. Hole 5: 125 Yard / Par 3 A true tribute to Scottish Links design, this hole will transport you to another place and time. The dunes on the left are closely held to the side of the green and a collection area is waiting for you on the right. A very accurate mid iron is required. Hole 6: 550 Yard / Par 5 This hole was designed to make it risky to reach the green in two shots. It has a small, two-level, green with significant trouble around it. The tee shot has to clear the crest of the hill and be down by the lake to give the player any thought of going for the green. A safer play is to get to the base of the hill in two and then play a precise short iron to the green. Hole 7: 337 Yard / Par 4 A dramatic down hill tee shot to a fairway that is bordered left by dunes and to the right by a lake. If your tee shot comes off correctly you will be rewarded with a short iron uphill to the green. Beware of the false front when playing to the green, short is not the place you want to be. Hole 8: 177 Yard / Par 3 This hole is over water with a right to left prevailing wind you must make it or pay the price. The green has two distinct levels with backboard effects designed into it to help repel the ball back into the center of the green. Hole 9: 432 Yard / Par 4 This hole is best played with a 3 metal off the tee down hill, the water is lurking left. The fairway is wider than it appears from the tee, the second shot should be a mid to long iron or mid rescue club depending on the length of your drive to an uphill green with bunkers right and left. Hole 10: 407 Yard / Par 4 A dramatic risk and reward hole with a split fairway, the dunes create a natural separation between the high road and the low road. The left is narrower than the right but approximately 35 yards shorter to the hole. The right offers a safer play but a long iron to fairway metal approach shot to an uphill green is required. To gamble or not, that is the question. Hole 11: 180 Yard / Par 3 The first ocean view appears during your round, as you look out over the Oso Flaco wetlands to the ocean beyond. The wind hits you in the face and calls for a lower trajectory mid to long iron to a reverse tiered green that runs away from you from front to back. A crisply struck and well shaped knock down shot is required for this hole. Hole 12: 550 Yard / Par 5 The tee shot is slightly uphill to a plateau that is framed by two tall eucalyptus trees, one right and one left. If you strike your drive well then you are looking at a dramatic downhill second shot that is framed by large dunes on you left and uneven terrain on your right. The third shot will be a short to mid iron uphill to a green that is very large from front to back and from side to side. The wind comes from left to right and is stronger at the green than it usually feels from the fairway below. Hole 13: 377 Yard / Par 4 This hole is best played by a 3 metal from off the tee to a downhill fairway that runs away from you to the right. It is wider than it appears from the tee. This hole is heavily weighted on your second shot. The fairway is split by the hillside at the end of the fairway and drops some 20 feet down to another level with a large dune set in the middle approximately 40 yards from the front of the green to gobble up any poorly struck short to mid iron. This could be considered one of our signature holes on the course. We will let you decide that for your self. Hole 14: 370 Yard / Par 4 Aim for the two leftside fairway bunkers in the distance that will get you to the center of the fairway. Then it is a mid to short iron over the dunes and wild grasses to a green that has more room left than right. Hole 15: 199 Yard / Par 3 This demanding hole has little room for error, with a fall off to water on your right and a large ridge of dunes to your left by the green that places a premium on a well struck fairway metal or long iron. The green is very large and accepting of a well struck shot but beware of the wayward slice or hook. Hole 16: 350 Yard / Par 4 This is another course signature links golf hole, this dramatically sweeping uphill slight dogleg right hole has plenty of room to the left off of the tee, a missed shot right will land you in a lateral hazard or uneven side hill lie. The second shot is a mid to short iron uphill to a long narrow green that is at least three clubs in difference from front to back. There is a large collection area to the right of the green that will take any mis-hit shot. Hole 17: 480 Yard / Par 5 The drive is framed by a lake to the right and eucalyptus trees to the left and a second lake comes into play for the long hitter on the left. The second shot is to a fairway that rises steeply in elevation to the green. This is the largest green on the golf course for your third shot, but don't let it lull you into a false sense of security because accuracy is crucial. The green sports more than 12,000 square feet and has a number of sprinkler heads inside the confines of the green to keep it watered correctly. A large false front will propel your ball backward down the hill into the fairway if you come up short. Birdies and bogeys will be abundant on this hole. Hole 18 : 387 Yard / Par 4 A true birdie hole to end your round with a well-placed drive, with a second shot with a short iron the wind is at your back and the shot is downhill. Be sure not to go long or left or a possible birdie could become a double bogey very quickly. Hole-by-hole analysis courtesy of Matt Kalbak, PGA professional Monarch Dunes Tee Times AvailableSunday, January 08, 2006 According to an article today by Larry Mauter at The Tribune, Monarch Dunes is seeking tourists and local players to fill fairways. Mauter shares that Monarch Dunes must find its niche as the seventh new golf course to open here in the past 12 years, more than doubling the golf holes open to the public. Monarch Dunes management has lofty goals for "The Old Course." It is hoping that a level of service on a championship links layout will gain it distinction and market share. San Luis Obispo County residents are half of the hoped-for 40,000 rounds in the course's first year, said Matt Kalbak, general manager and director of operations at Monarch Dunes. "We actually see about 50 percent of our business coming from the local market. We see about 30 percent of our business being tournament play and we see about 20 percent of our business as being the weekend wine country visitors from the San Francisco Bay and the Los Angeles area," Kalbak said. Monarch Dunes faces another challenge, the proximity of two other upscale public golf courses. Nipomo Mesa residents and visitors now have a cluster of golf choices. When the Woodlands project is built out, there will be 90 holes within a couple miles, including Blacklake Golf Resort and Cypress Ridge Golf Course. While acknowledging the business competition issues among Blacklake, Cypress Ridge and his course, Kalbak also is hoping to see cooperative benefits from the close cluster of courses. Kalbak has worked in golf course management for the past decade in Georgia, Florida and California. He arrived in Nipomo on Oct. 3 and saw a lot of sand and a six-part module that would become a $1.3 million pro shop and restaurant. The restaurant opened Nov. 19. It is operated by Michael Rinehart, a former executive chef at Pelican Point in southern Orange County. There are 18 tables for breakfasts and lunches. Capacity is 86 people. Rinehart's chowder is a past Pismo Clam Festival champion. Jensen Lardizabal is the course's first assistant professional and golf shop manager. The overall restaurant and pro shop are 4,100 square feet. Kalbak, recognizes the need for tourism and says a top-notch golf experience is the key to success at Monarch Dunes. "What we want do is provide a 'best-in class' golf experience here on the Central Coast. We want to be the shining star, if you will, in our experience for golfers here, from the time they come to the club and look at the views, to the quality of the breakfast or lunch they receive at our restaurant." Krystal Bough, director of sales and marketing at Monarch Dunes, said marketing is aimed at county residents -- including those north of the Grade -- as well as out-of-area tourists. "Of course we want to capture the local market but being that there are other golf courses in the area, that it's a competitive local market, we're going to try to pull from other areas -- make it a real destination point as far as a very unique and challenging golf course." The local marketing strategies include preview rates good through April, a "Royal Rewards" program that offers discounts and merchandise as well as advertising. Marketing of the course at a nationwide level will take place in April, during a grand opening planned for the week following The Masters. Invitations will be extended, Kalbak said, to major golf magazines and reviewers. He hopes that experience will propel Monarch Dunes into national recognition. "I feel that going into springtime when we do our grand opening, when we get all the raters and rankers here from around the country, I have a very strong feeling that this first golf course is going to make the (Golf Digest) top 100 best in the United States, he said. "That's my feeling, I'm not saying for sure, but I think this golf course is unbelievable," he said. Read entire article at Monarch Dunes seeking tourists and local players to fill fairways The Tribune, Larry Mauter Monarch Dunes Golf Couse debuts in CaliforniaSaturday, January 07, 2006As reported by golfcoursenews.com, Monarch Dunes Golf Club, the first 18-hole golf course constructed within The Woodlands, on California's Central Coast – opened for public play Jan. 1.Located in the southern end of San Luis Obispo County, the par-71 championship design introduces links-style golf to central California's wine country. Surrounded by windswept dunes, coastal vistas and amber-colored hillsides, Monarch Dunes represents the handiwork of El Dorado Hills-based architect Damian V. Pascuzzo of Graves & Pascuzzo. PGA Tour professional Steve Pate also contributed to the project as a design consultant. "Monarch Dunes is a monumental first step in the evolution of this development," says project owner and developer John Scardino. "The course is reminiscent of the links layouts found in Scotland and Ireland, making for a truly unique and unspoiled golf experience." Over the long term, the development will comprise a total of 45 golf holes - two premier 18-hole designs and a nine-hole executive course – in addition to a clubhouse and driving range, 1,320 homes, a shopping center, business park and full-service resort. KemperSports' Matt Kalbak was appointed general manager of Monarch Dunes and also will oversee the recently opened golf shop and restaurant, which boasts an outdoor deck overlooking the first and ninth holes. KemperSports was named development consultant in April 2004 when construction first began and has since assumed operations management for the upscale, public golf community. During the first two months of operation, the course is expected to accommodate 80 rounds per day. Monarch Dunes Golf Club Feb 14 - Ortman Family Vineyards Valentine's Day Golf OutingFriday, January 06, 2006 Cypress Ridge Golf Course is hosting the Ortman Family Vineyards Valentine's Day Golf Outing on February 14, 2006, presented by Prime 1 Outlets. The tournaments is a 2-Person "Net" Best Ball Shotgun Start beginning at 12:00pm. Fees are $80.00 per person. Divisions include Men (18 handicap max), Women (24 handicap max) & Mixed. Each player will receive a bottle of Ortman wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Noir), a pre-tournament wine tasting, a gift certificate from Prime Outlets, gourmet box lunch, range token, cart, 18 holes of golf and entry into the on-course competitions which would collectively retail at a value of $135. All two person teams play their own ball over 18 holes of golf in four ball groups. All golfers record their own score and take the best "NET" ball from the team to determine the overall score. Prizes will be awarded to all division winners with the lowest "NET" score. On-course competitions include putting contest, closest to the pins (3), hole in one, and long drive. A $25 buy-in puts your team into the "HEARTS" competition - just like SKINS except a heart-shaped box of chocolate is given to every "HEARTS" winner, along with the cash. Please send all entries to Joe Kolina, Director of Special Events at jkolina@cypressridge.com. Kindly provide a credit card number with expiration date, all golf index information, address, phone number and/or e-mail. For more details or additional information, call Joe Kolina at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, 805-489-2781 ext. 1. Sunshine at Monarch Dunes Golf ClubThursday, January 05, 2006After playing in the rain on opening day at Monarch Dunes Golf Club last weekend, I eagerly took the opportunity to play again today on a calm, sunny day on the Central Coast! Not only was the weather much improved, but so was my golf game. I shaved 11 strokes off my first round, shooting 41-40--81. Two double bogies on the front and a couple missed but makeable putts on the back prevented my breaking 80 - a score I only achieved twice in all my rounds last year. With a birdie on the par-3 3rd, I approached the 550 yard par-5 6th tee only 1-over on the front. I hit a great drive and solid 3-wood leaving me with a sand wedge approach. The pin was near the back of the green, just yards in front of a grassy dune bordering the back of the green. I overhit my wedge and landed in the deep grass on the bank behind the hole. Four shots later, the ball was finally in the hole - four shots to go 15-20 feet! Argh! My other double bogie came only 2 holes later on the 177-yard par 3 8th. My tee shot landed only 1 foot short of the putting surface, but it took me a chip and 3 putts to finish the hole! The pin placement added a lot of challenge to this hole - placed on a slope causing practically any missed putt to role a good distance down the slope away from the hole. I brought things together on the back, shooting 5 pars and 4 bogies. I played the 10th perfectly with a good drive along the conservative right fairway followed by a strong 5-wood to the green and 2 putts for par. This was quite an achievement on a hole that all 6 of my playing partners in the past 2 rounds struggled to even shoot bogies. This hole could easily get rated as the #1 or #2 handicap for the course when it gets rated later this month. I almost parred the hole last Sunday too! My tee shot on the par-3 11th barely drifted left into the sand trap resulting in a bogie. I played the par-5 12th and par-4 13th perfectly hitting both fairways and GIR followed by 2 putts. I barely missed par putts on 15 and 16, which would have given me a 38 on the back. I managed to hit great drives all day until the 387-yard par-4 18th where - tired from walking the course and walking up the 17th fairway - I pushed my driver deep into a dense grove of eucalyptus trees on the right. Fortunately, there was a clearing allowing me to punch a shot shot back into the fairway, leaving me 170 yards out. I then hit a perfect 6-iron that rolled within 5 feet of the pin. I sunk the putt to save par - a nice end to a challenging round! Although I only hit 6 fairways and 6 GIR, I made some critical putts to keep my score under control. I finished with 32 putts, leaving plenty of room for improvement. I was delighted to finish my second round at Monarch Dunes shooting 81. After also shooting 81 yesterday at Morro Bay Golf Course, I'm confident my good start in 2006 with result in better play than last year - my first full year of golf ever! Another highlight of the round today was again getting to join up with such a great threesome! I met up with a three gentlemen aged 57-60 from San Luis Obispo and Atascadero who play together regularly at Chalk Mountain and Hunter Ranch Golf Courses. I enjoyed both their company and their very impressive ball striking. Although, like my first round, they blew up on a few holes, they crushed their drives and putted like pros on several occasions. They sure removed any doubt I might have had that you can still play great golf at 60! They thoroughly enjoyed the course too and will certainly be playing Monarch Dunes again soon! View photos taken during today's round at flickr.com. Gorgeous Day at Morro Bay Golf CourseWednesday, January 04, 2006 It's hard to imagine a more beautiful day on the Central Coast than what we experienced today, especially after weathering such a severe winter storm just days ago! I was fortunate enough to enjoy this 70-degree, sunny winter day at Morro Bay Golf Course, complimented further by joining a great threesome - three local golfers that you could almost call celebrities. One member of the group plays the saxophone on tour with the Eagles, another is a retired coach of the Fresno State University football, baseball and basketball teams, and the last is a well-known Santa Maria radio personality. I thoroughly enjoyed playing with this group who play together frequently. In addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery, perfect weather and great company, I also played well - shooting 38-43--81. I hit my new Nike Sasquatch driver nearly perfect on every drive. I had a little trouble putting at first, causing bogies on the first 2 holes, but found my touch on the 3rd green and parred 7 out of the next 8 holes. I was 3-over after 10, but went 7-over on the last 8 holes thanks to a couple double bogies. Overall, I was very pleased with the results - my best ever at Morro Bay. A highlight was a 285-yard drive on the 423-yard par 4 13th. I hit the drive right down the middle of the fairway, 12 yards past the 150 yard marker! I hit an errant 8-iron approach and bogied the hole. I had one decent birdie opportunity on the 436-yard par 4 9th. I hit another strong drive on this hole, then hit a 6-iron just 5 feet from the pin. I barely missed the uphill breaking putt and settled for par. I hit 8 fairways and 7 GIR, shot 10 pars, 6 bogies and 2 double bogies with 35 putts. Both double bogies resulted from my only 2 3-putts. As usual, putting was the weak part of my game today. Photos taken on the course today can be viewed at flickr.com. Feb 13 - PGA Tour Instructor at Cypress RidgeTuesday, January 03, 2006 The Cypress Ridge Golf Academy is hosting PGA TOUR instructor, Gary Edwin and one of his top PGA TOUR golfers, Gavin Coles, on February 13th from 12:00-4:00pm. Each participant will receive group swing instruction, video analysis, a signed autograph picture, box lunch and a six-hole playing lesson. Call Joe Kolina at (805) 489-2781 for more details and sign-up information. From January thru March 2006, Cypress Ridge Golf Academy Director of Instruction, Jim DeLaby will continue to offer the following core instructional programs: Every Thursday-Juniors (ages 8-17) from 3:30-5:00pm, Every Friday-Women’s Clinics from 2:00-3:00pm and Every Saturday-Open Beginner-Intermediate Clinics from 11:00am-12:00pm. Individual instructional sessions and personalized club-fitting always available through Jim DeLaby [Read More]. Opening Day at Monarch Dunes Golf ClubMonday, January 02, 2006 Monarch Dunes Golf Club delivered on their promise to bring a Scottish links-style course to the Central Coast - including the weather! Not only is the course highlighted by large greens, lace-edged bunkers, water features, clumps of veldt grass and miscanthus, woodland and undulating dunes, but we got to experience Scottish-style rain - sideways, and lots of it. All 80 available tee-times were booked for yesterday's opening day at Monarch Dunes and nearly 60 of those golfers showed up to play, even though lots of rain was imminent. Our foursome teed off at 10:00 am in a light drizzle. Light rain and drizzle kept up throughout the front nine and first couple holes on the back. However, the rain and winds picked up for the remainder of the back nine, making for a very cold, wet, Scottish-like golf experience. The weather turned so bad that we ended up being one of the only groups to finish all 18 holes and were the last group to leave the course. It turned out that every group behind us and most of the groups in front of us all quit after 9 holes, leaving the back nine all to us! The weather may have been bad, but the golf was outstanding - everyone in our foursome loved the course! We found the course to be very challenging, but fair. Fairways weren't too difficult to hit consistently, but hitting greens proved a bit more challenging - often guarded by lofty dunes and spacious traps. The layout includes five sets of tees - tournament tees are just more than 6,800 yards - and ocean views on several holes. Playing the green tees whittles the par 35-36-71 challenge to just 4,700 yards. There are five par 3s and four par 5s. The property's five lakes come into play on about a third of the holes. We played the gold tees, making the course play 6337 yards - plenty of challenge for our group of 8-10 handicaps. A higher handicap golfer might consider the white tees at 5821 yards. Course rating and slope are not yet available. The course will be rated by the Southern California Golf Association on Jan. 18. We expect a relatively high slope since the course seems pretty challenging for the average golfer. There were so many picturesque holes that we can't imagine picking a signature hole for the course. From the clubhouse, you view the beautiful par 4 1st and 9th which border a lengthly lake. The par 5 6th rises to a perched multi-tiered green surrounded by eucalyptus trees. The lengthly par 4 10th provides dual fairways surrounded by sand and dunes finishing with a dune-guarded green. The par 3 11th drops from the Nipomo Mesa giving the golfer one of the best views of the Nipomo Dunes and Pacific coastline on the Central Coast. The 14th seems the most Scottish-like, with woodlands, grasses, traps and dunes surrounding a narrow fairway. The course was definitely a pleasure to play! Fairways were lush and firm, greens provided good quality putting surfaces. The course even drains well and proved it can handle the rains. And although the course resides in The Woodlands - a residential community currently under construction - homes don't impede on your play. Buffers between them and the course are significant since the course takes up about 135 acres, almost 30 acres more than the average golf course in California. At this time, the course only contains 150-yard markers, but later this month, 700 sprinkler heads around the course will include yardages. The range will open within the month and a putting green should be available soon as well. A chipping green may be provided later near the driving range. So, although we left the course completely soaked and very cold, we experienced a round of golf we won't soon forget. The warm clubhouse, hot clam chowder, and cold Firestone's provided a nice finish to a memorable New Years Day! We'll all be back soon, but we'll let this winter storm pass through first! |
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