SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Nov 23 - Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at Monarch DunesSunday, October 29, 2006Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet before heading out for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot on November 23, 2006 at Monarch Dunes Golf Club. The 9:00am shotgun start is an Individual stroke play tournament. $55.00 for Royal Rewards Members, $85 non-members.Register: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf The Wine Makers begins shooting in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Wine Region on October 22.Saturday, October 28, 2006THE WINE MAKERS is an exciting new television series for Public Television (PBS) that leaves behind the predictable world of food and travel programs for the unscripted territory of real life wine makers. Following in the tradition of hit series such as NBC's "The Apprentice", CBS's "The Amazing Race" PBS's "Frontier House" and Bravo's "Top Chef" this premier season of THE WINE MAKERS joins six men and women from all walks as they compete for a chance to create and launch their very own wine label.In eight half-hour episodes THE WINE MAKERS will take viewers inside one of the most unique professions in the world. The stakes are high as a diverse group of men and women are plunged head first into one of the most uniquely challenging yet rewarding professions in the world. All with the aim of becoming a real life wine maker. Six candidates will experience every aspect of wine making from viticulture and enology to sales and marketing, but only one will be chosen to create and launch their very own wine label. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine San Luis Obispo is Top 10 in Places to Invest in Real EstateThursday, October 26, 2006The magazine Business 2.0 has published its list of the top 10 places to invest in real estate in the next 12 months and San Luis Obispo made the list.Top 10 Cities: Where to Buy Now 1. Panama City, Fla. "Panama City is an economy waiting to break out," says Steven Cochrane, chief regional economist for Moody's Economy.com. 2. Vero Beach, Fla. A Manpower Employment Outlook Survey predicts growth in construction, manufacturing, and retail jobs too. 3. Bridgeport, Conn. "Bridgeport has fixed the corruption," says Norman Feinstein, a principal with New Jersey-based Hampshire Funds. "The local government is pro-development, and buildings are being rehabbed." 4. Lakeland, Fla. Lakeland is just 30 minutes from Tampa, a juggernaut of 2.7 million people that's projected to add almost 210,000 more residents over the next five years. 5. McAllen, Texas 85 percent of the population is Latino and they are enjoying improved economic status, creating pent-up demand for nicer homes. 6. San Luis Obispo, Calif. The last semi-rural stretch of central California coastline, and it's also home to the state's rising star of wine production. 7. Wilmington, N.C. Highway construction has opening this area of the coast, bringing vacationers from other parts of North Carolina. 8. Manchester, N.H. Within commuting distance of Boston, without the cost. 9. Fort Collins, Colo. An outdoor paradise with lots of high-tech jobs, good schools and low crime. 10. Atlanta Bruce Katz, head of the urban development program at the Brookings Institution, says Atlanta is "sprawl on steroids." On San Luis Obispo: SLO-Town, as the locals call it, is on the development fast track. It's in the middle of the last semi-rural stretch of central California coastline, and it's also home to the state's rising star of wine production, Paso Robles, where even French vintners are buying property. The Median home price in Paso Robles has shot up by more than 100% since 2000. And according to local developer Peter Laughlin, commercial land has skyrocketed from $3 to $20 a square foot since 2001. Yet the natural amenities, proximity to Southern California, and relatively low prices support forecasts of a continuing surge. Thousands of retirement-age boomers, it's said, will sell their SoCal homes for cheaper digs in SLO. Anti-development sentiment also helps. "They're not zoning quickly enough for the demand," Laughlin says. "Either they have to allow more homes or prices will go through the roof." Source: Top 10 cities: Where to buy now Business 2.0, CNNMoney.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Loren Roberts returns to Straight Down Fall ClassicWednesday, October 25, 2006Larry Mauter reports in the Tribune that SLO native and Champions Tour standout Loren Roberts will return to the Straight Down Fall Classic in San Luis Obispo this month. He has played in the local event 6 times, most recently in 2003.The $115,000 pro-am golf event will showcase professionals and top amateur golfers at the San Luis Obispo Country Club on Nov. 11 and 12. A Friday pro-am team event kicks off the weekend with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The events are free and open to the public. Roberts, a San Luis Obispo High graduate and Cal Poly alumnus, has the opportunity to return to his hometown as the conquering hero of this year's Champions Tour. Roberts and Jay Haas enter the season finale Charles Schwab Cup Championship in a virtual deadlock for the tour's "Player of the Year" honors and a bonus $1 million annuity that goes to the winner of the Schwab Cup points list. Other notable players expected to join the field include Tom Lehman, Scott Simpson, Duffy Waldorf, Hank Kuehne, Jeff Brehaut, Steve Pate, and Charley Hoffman. Loren Roberts will be paired with Mike Rowley, Straight Down president and tournament host. Rowley is the reigning and eight-time champion at the SLO Country Club. Article: Roberts returns to SLO’s Straight Down Fall Classic The Tribune, Larry Mauter Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Perry Hallmeyer Club Fittings at Hunter RanchMonday, October 23, 2006PGA professional Perry Hallmeyer uses equipment developed by the Mitchell Golf Institute in Florida to measure various elements of a golfer's swing at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles.The Mitchell monitoring equipment incorporates Doppler radar with a chart on the driving range to provide swing measurements and analysis. Using this information, Hallmeyer can assist golfers in finding the right clubs and loft angles that should shave strokes from scorecards. Swing measurements displayed on the computer include clubhead speed, distance, both curving and total, launch angle, ball velocity, ball spin and power transfer ratio -- or what Hallmeyer calls the "centerness of hit." Hallmeyer, a Cuyucos resident, former head professional at La Purisima Golf Course, and current program director for The First Tee program for youngsters at River Oaks Golf Course and The Links at Vista del Hombre, can be reached for driver, iron and putter club fitting appointments at hallmeyer@pga.com or (805) 674-0611. Source: www.slonewsday.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Tom Nelson waits 37 years for AceSunday, October 22, 2006Tom Nelson of Lompoc used a Sonic Hybrid 18-degree club to record a hole in one Friday on the 206-yard 15th hole at Dairy Creek Golf Course. Nelson's ace is his first in 37 years of playing golf. Witnesses were Kent Lauble, Fred Fredericks and Les Corriea.Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Eagles looking to League Finals at Hunter RanchSaturday, October 21, 2006Just a couple weeks away from the league finals at Hunter Ranch on Oct. 26, Arroyo Grande's girls are on par to leave a mark in the PAC-7 this season.According to head coach Claudia Watters, the Eagles have each been making improvements to their game and are have adjusted well to their new home course at Cypress Ridge, "From last year, our six returnees have all dropped five strokes," said Watters. "Kelsi Kelser alone dropped seven strokes. A lot of that can be contributed to kids playing in the summer. We have great juniors programs in the summer." Watters said when her golfers start hitting below 50 in their nine-hole tournaments their interest in the game really gets interesting. That sign of consistant play leads her golfers to become more focused on improving their game. Watters hopes that improved play gets one or more of her girls into the CIF Playoffs. Last year, only two golfers from the league moved on to the playoffs. This year Watters is hoping that there will be more spots available for PAC-7 teams, since the league is so large. Arroyo Grande currently has a 7-1 overall record and 4-1 in PAC-7 duals. Article: Eagles on par for strong finish in PAC-7 Times Press Recorder, Steve Fairchild Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Oct 28 - Wine & Style FestivalFriday, October 20, 2006 Enjoy wine tasting, food, fashion, shopping, art and live music at the Second Annual Wine & Style Festival, benefiting local breast cancer charities. The event takes place Saturday, October 28th from 12pm-5pm at The Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. Presale tickets available at www.wineandstylefestival.com. Tickets are also available at the door for $35. Contact Jon Hansen at 597-1418 or jonhansen@clearchannel.com for more information. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine California's Paso Robles WhitesThursday, October 19, 2006Paso Robles, in the center of California's Central Coast , was a pretty obscure part of the wine world until a few years ago, but what a difference those few years have made. The few original winegrowers were joined by Napa and Sonoma wineries looking to expand, and somewhere along the way this area became a major player. But, like most areas, it has its own unique style.For instance, you don't see a lot of pinot noir from Paso Robles. Many would say its average temperature is too high. Only a few miles to the south, the Edna Valley is well known for pinot noir. One major difference can be found in the mountains. Edna Valley 's mountains run generally east to west, allowing Pacific breezes to cool the vineyards. In Paso Robles the mountains run north to south, blocking those same breezes. And while some parts of the area have their own sheltered microclimates, you can see by what succeeds that it's better known for grapes that thrive in warmer, drier weather. Consequently, Paso Robles is becoming a zinfandel capital, but isn't particularly known for merlot. Cabernet sauvignon does fine, but that group of grapes known as "Mediterranean varietals" (syrah, petite sirah, mourvedre, grenache for reds), do very well, as do some Italian varieties (nebbiolo, sangiovese). Since merlot and cabernet are severely overplanted now in northern California , this is great timing for Paso Robles wineries. Article: "e" wine of the week, Bruce Cochran Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Cal Poly's Golf for Business and LifeWednesday, October 18, 2006As autumn blows in a new semester at America's business schools, students from coast to coast are shouldering nine-irons and trekking out to a different sort of classroom: the driving range."Golf: For Business and Life," a class now offered at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and sponsored by the Professional Golf Association of America, is attracting hordes of anxious future CEOs who are determined to master this genteel sport, a social tradition as prevalent in the business world as racking up charges on the corporate Visa card. The college initiative is funded by the PGA Foundation, a philanthropic group that has funneled more than $3.6 million into the class from members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, including golfing legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. What sets the class apart is its razor-sharp focus on the unspoken rules of business over nine holes. The class syllabus - distributed to 69 universities and more than 22,000 students since the class was born in 1999 - embraces style over substance, emphasizing that proper golf etiquette is vastly more important than, say, genuine athletic skill. "We're letting students know you can use golf as a business tool, even to get a job," said Earnie Ellison, PGA America's director of business and community relations. "Big corporate leaders use it as a playground for corporate relationships, but you can use it as a marketing tool." Article: 'Fore' career in the green Modesto Bee, Meghan Barr, Christina Salerno Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf FREE Golf in November at Sea PinesTuesday, October 17, 2006Reserve any room at Sea Pines Golf Resort in November and play golf for FREE! This November "Getaway Special" excludes Nov. 23rd-Nov. 27th. Call now for your reservation at 1-866-782-3290. No other discounts apply.Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Yoga on Par with Tony CriscuoloSunday, October 15, 2006Over an old, weathered bridge sits a studio enveloped by rich, green trees. A small stream trickles by, parting the sounds of a busy town from the quiet of nature. Tony Criscuolo has lived here for eight months and acknowledges that it's the perfect place for a yoga studio.Criscuolo, a former clinical psychologist, has been teaching yoga for 30 years. "As I studied for my Ph.D. it was all about the mind and emotions, but having been an athlete, I wondered why there was not something for the body as well," Criscuolo said. "I knew that if I was stressed, sad, or angry I could just exercise and I would feel better." Criscuolo has started some interesting programs that combine the practice of yoga with athletics. "I teach athletes how to be well-tuned, flexible, aligned, and balanced. And through breathing in a deep and controlled way, they're able to focus on the here and now without being distracted by the mind's internal dialogue." Before settling in SLO, Criscuolo worked in the world of professional tour golf. Now he's started a program with the Avila Beach Golf Resort that offers classes that combine golf with yoga. It sounded bizarre to me too, but Criscuolo makes an interesting point. "Golf and yoga are similar. The skills get more subtle as you get better, and both practices are in a constant state of refining." Also, while you only spend about three to four minutes swinging the golf club, you have two to three hours of game on 18 holes. This leaves plenty of time for the mind to wander, and yoga helps to eliminate these distractions. Criscuolo has also worked with college students all over the country teaching mental readiness and yoga stretches. "When I taught at the University of Florida, three teams won national titles," said Criscuolo. Now Criscuolo has contracts with several teams at Cal Poly: women's basketball, soccer, golf, and football. It's not only athletes that benefit from Criscuolo's yoga; he's also the director of the Healing Arts Institute at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and teaches five days a week in the "yoga dome," a space that reverberates peace and calm. For private and small group consultations in his SLO studio, or for any other info, call 542-0137. Article: Yoga on par, New Times Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Nov 11-12 - Straight Down Fall ClassicFriday, October 13, 2006The Tenth Annual Straight Down Fall Classic will be held at the San Luis Obispo Country Club on November 11-12, 2006. The 36-hole pro-am best-ball invitational scratch golf tournament features 60 teams, with almost a fifth of the field being pros at the PGA or Nationwide Tour level.The Straight Down Fall Classic is played annually the week following the PGA's Tour Championship. Company owner Michael Rowley's vision when creating the event back in 1997 was to set up an environment that matched both the philosophies and the culture of Straight Down. With less focus on competition and more attention given to fun and comradery, the Fall Classic has quickly become the favorite event for those who've participated. Although the event has been highlighted by PGA professionals like Jeff Brehaut, Fred Couples, John Daly, Tom Lehman, Dennis Paulson, Tom Pernice, Jr., Don Pooley, and Loren Roberts among others, its' main purpose is give back to our club professionals, to thanks them for the support that they've given to Straight Down. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf CPTour has SLO County connectionThursday, October 12, 2006SLONewsDay.com posted an article this week about Zack King, the founder of The California Players Tour (CPTour) and former Cal Poly golfer.The California Players Tour is aimed at helping young professionals prepare themselves for more advanced tours and earn some money. With full fields, King said purses will reach up to $50,000 -- and offer amateurs a chance to see how their game stacks up against players at the pro level. The two-day stroke events will have amateurs compete without a handicap against professionals, something other mini tours don't offer, according to King. Three of the 12 CPTour events are scheduled in San Luis Obispo County, with Cypress Ridge Golf Course hosting Nov. 19-21, Hunter Ranch the site for the Dec. 17-19 event and Monarch Dunes Golf Course the location for the tour stop May 20-22 next year. Website: California Players Tour Article: CPTour has strong SLO County connection Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Oct 18 - ESPN Radio Golf Tournament at Monarch DunesWednesday, October 11, 2006The ESPN Radio 1280 Golf Series continues on Wednesday October 18th, 2006 at Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo. The 2-Man Best Ball Tournament is a 12 Noon Shotgun Start (11 am check in) with Gross and Net Prizes totaling $3,000 and Skins Buy-ins.Sign up Now! Limited to first 36 Teams. $75 Entry Fee includes Greens Fees, Range balls, Closest to the Pin, Long Drive Contest. Sign up: www.espnradio1280.com, (805) 547-1280 Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf First Ace Comes at Monarch DunesMonday, October 09, 2006GolfSLO gets his first ace and it came from the tips on the par-3 140 yard 5th hole at Monarch Dunes! I was playing a skins game, grouped with Monarch Dunes head pro, Jensen Lardizabal, and Mike (Porty), and Stan. I hit an 8-iron into the wind, straight at the pin. The ball bounced onto the green, took a couple bounces towards the hole, then went in without even hitting the pin.I didn't follow up my ace with a particularly good round, but did have several lob shots just miss going in and made a 40 footer for birdie from just off the green on 13. The ace and birdie were good for some skins money that helped offset the cost of buying everyone drinks ;) Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Golf C.A.R.E. Special October OfferSunday, October 08, 2006The Golf C.A.R.E. membership is valid at both the Avila Beach & Blacklake Golf Resorts. The Golf C.A.R.E. membeship consists of (C)linics, (A)rea, (R)ange, and (E)quipment the best all around package to help keep your golf game in shape! Why buy the Golf C.A.R.E. membership? Because we the PGA Professionals of the Avila Beach & Blacklake Golf Resorts C.A.R.E. about you and your golf game!Sign up today for October for only $49!!! As a "CARE TAKER" you will receive one large bucket of range balls for FREE each day at the Avila Beach or Blacklake Golf Resorts and will be able to experience the PRACTICE ZONE ( A 2-hour dusk time period to practice your game on the golf course - just like the pros!) All of this for only $49 per player!!! Beginning October 7th, 2006 10+ weekly golf clinics will be added to your package FREE of charge on top of the FREE bucket of range balls per day and The Practice Zone. All you have to do is fill out the electronic form and provide all of the pertinent information and a PGA Professional from the Avila Beach or Blacklake Golf Resorts will be contacting you shortly. A gift certificate will then be e-mailed to you by a representative to confirm that your "CARE TAKER" status is active before any benefits can be received. If you have questions please e-mail mike@blacklake.com. 3-Month, 6-Month and 12-Month memberships are also available - for as low as $49/month. Sign Up: Golf C.A.R.E Membership Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Nov 3-5 - SLO Vintners Harvest CelebrationFriday, October 06, 2006The San Luis Obispo Vintners Harvest Celebration takes place Friday November 3rd through Sunday November 5th at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. The Central Coast's premier wine tasting and auction features wineries and restaurants from the San Luis Obispo regionSan Luis Obispo Vintners Association announces their 16th Annual Harvest Celebration. The Grand Tasting and Auction will take place on Saturday, November 4th from 1 - 5 at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Over 30 wineries and restaurants from the San Luis Obispo region are featured in the scenic seaside setting of the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Harvest Celebrations take place all weekend and kicks off on Friday night with winemaker dinners that offer a great value. Wineries and restaurants partner to provide festive food and wine experiences at various winery and restaurant locations in San Luis Obispo. Hit the SLO Wine trail on Sunday and visit participating wineries during their annual open house. These activities provide enthusiasts a chance to discover the distinct characteristics of San Luis Obispo while meeting the people that created them. Tickets to the Saturday, Harvest Celebration are $70 and available August 1st with a list of weekend activities at www.slowine.com and at "Taste" the San Luis Obispo Vintners exclusive tasting room in downtown San Luis Obispo. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine Reality TV comes to SLO County VineyardThursday, October 05, 2006San Luis Obispo County will soon be featured in a new reality series to be aired in the U.S. and the U.K. entitled Corkscrewed: The Wrath of Grapes.The series follows two executive producers of American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, as they learn about owning a vineyard and making wine. The two friends purchased a 168-acre vineyard in San Miguel in the fall of 2005 and the show was born of their experiences. The series will be made up of eight 30-minute segments and will launch on Fox Reality in the U.S. on November 22. In the U.K. the series will be broadcast on Sky One in the spring of 2007. The series began taping this past summer and is currently recording the exploits of Lythgoe's and Warwick's first harvest. At the vineyard, which they have renamed Villa San Michelle, they are growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The partners have retained Kent Terry, the previous owner of the vineyard, as a consultant. Most recently, Lythgoe was an executive producer and judge on the Fox show So You Think You Can Dance and Warwick was the executive producer of NBC's America's Got Talent. The partners continue to be executive producers on American Idol as the highly rated show heads into its sixth season. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine A Fresh Route through Paso Robles Wine CountryWednesday, October 04, 2006It was wine tasting with wigs that drove the point home: The vintners of Paso Robles are a bit unusual, or maybe eccentric. But after tasting the wines from across this relatively undiscovered wine region of California, Maria Smith, special contributer to The Dallas Morning News and her husband felt that eccentric they may be, but they make good wine.On their recent trip through Paso Robles' smaller wineries, the word "passion" came up again and again. The owners have often left successful careers elsewhere to pursue their dreams of making wine in this tranquil area of California's Central Coast. That's good news for wine lovers. The region has more than 170 wineries and about 100 tasting rooms. Many smaller ones are open only on weekends. The owners often live on the properties, frequently staff the tasting counters and proudly share their wines and their passions with visitors. There is something extraordinary about discussing a special bottle with the person who crafted it, in the vineyard, surrounded by the barrels, presses and equipment of the winemaking process. This is as close to the art as it gets. Maria Smith shares information about her "Fresh route in wine country" where she finds that our less-trafficked area pours fun, creativity on California vineyard scene. She also lists dining and lodging recommendations in Paso Robles. Read More... Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Super Twilight Rates at Cypress RidgeTuesday, October 03, 2006Cypress Ridge Golf Course twilight rates will begin at 1:00pm everyday, effective Tuesday October 10th. Also the Super Twilight Rate is back for the month of October with a new time. Take advantage of a $30 green fee with cart anyday now after 3:00pm.Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Cypress Ridge Retains the Central Coast CupMonday, October 02, 2006Golfers competing in the 7th Annual Central Coast Cup were greeted this weekend by dense fog on Friday at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles and light rain on Sunday at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande.The Cypress Ridge Men's Club and Hunter Ranch Men's Club compete annually in a 2-day Ryder-style match for the honor of taking home the Central Coast Cup. The Cypress Ridge Men's Club retained the Central Coast Cup, winning the event for the 4th straight year over the Hunter Ranch Men's Club. The Hunter Ranch team won 2 out of the first 3 annual events. Each day of the event, golfers play 27 holes of match play golf - 9 holes of 2-man best ball followed by 9 holes of 2-man alternate shot and ending with 9 holes of singles match play. Two points are awarded to the team winning a match, while one point is awarded to each team for a halved match. This year, the Cypress Ridge Men's Club won the Central Coast Cup my a margin of 80 to 50 points. Members of the Cypress Ridge Men's Club earn their position on the Central Coast Cup team by earning points in its monthly tournaments. The top 20 point earners are eligible to play for the cup. For more information about the Cypress Ridge Men's Club or to sign up for the 2006-2007 season, visit www.cypressridgegolfclub.org. For more information about the Hunter Ranch Men's Club, visit www.hunterranchgolf.com. Plans are being considered to invite golfers from another championship-level golf course for the 2007 Central Coast Cup. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf |
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