SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
SLO Real Estate bucks the trendWednesday, November 29, 2006We all tend to look for the bigger trends in real estate and typically succeed. However, the macro trends tend to fall flat when looking at a specific location. To hear the pundits talk, California is an overpriced wasteland where properties are not moving and prices are too high.But an interesting article in The Tribune talks about some communities that are still very, very strong in sales and demand, including San Luis Obispo. So when you hear about this real estate trend or that real estate trend, do not let it keep you from going out and doing your homework on your own local market. You may be surprised that the Central Coast do not fit the national trends and may be pleasantly surprised. The Tribune posted an article by David Streitfeld of the Los Angeles Times that states, "Things have come full circle. Location counts again. That's why the hot East Bay towns - along with a handful of other places around California, including neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Pasadena and Silicon Valley - is still reasonably hot. There are simply more people who want to live in these areas than there are available houses." Article: SLO among real estate markets still strong Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Low SLO First-Time Buyer Housing AffordabilityTuesday, November 28, 2006The percentage of first-time buyers in California able to afford a median-priced home stood at 24 percent in the third quarter of 2006, compared with 28 percent for the same period a year ago, according to a report released today by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).C.A.R.'s First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI) measures the percentage of first-time buyer households that can afford to purchase a home in California. C.A.R. also reports first-time buyer indexes for regions and select counties within the state. The Index is the most fundamental measure of housing well-being for first-time buyers in the state. The minimum household income first-time buyers needed to purchase a home at $478,710 in California in the third quarter of 2006 was $98,890, based on an adjustable interest rate of 6.58 percent and assuming a 10 percent down payment. First-time buyers typically purchase a home equal to 85 percent of the prevailing median price. The monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $3,300 for the third quarter of 2006. At 39 percent, the High Desert region was the most affordable C.A.R. region in the state, followed by the Sacramento region at 38 percent. Santa Barbara was the least affordable region in the state at 14 percent, followed by Monterey at 17 percent. San Luis Obispo County followed closely as the least affordable region at 18 percent. Source www.car.org Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate The Carlton - SLO's Luxurious Historic HotelMonday, November 27, 2006Imagine a trip to the vineyards of Tuscany, where you will drive through a sun-drenched region with vine-clad hillsides, stopping off to visit wineries where fascinating local craftsmen toil at their labor of love.Now imagine driving just a few hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco and finding much of the same experience. The Paso Robles Wine Country is fast becoming just such an alternative for sophisticated travelers who are often surprised to find such an exquisite getaway so close to home. And, happily, Cary Ordway at CaliforniaWeekend.com discovered the perfect complement to touring the local wineries - an extraordinary hotel called the Carlton that has just been completely refurbished and re-opened for business in March 2005. This hotel is in the heart of wine country, taking up the better part of a city block in quaint downtown Atascadero. The Carlton originally opened in 1929 and was a magnet for celebrities. With its recent renovation, the hotel has such features as marble bathrooms, deep whirlpool baths, oversized bath towels, high thread-count cotton sheets - well, you get the picture. For information, visit www.the-carlton.com or call 805-461-5100. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine Alapay Cellars in Avila BeachSunday, November 26, 2006Nestled among luxury condominiums and upscale shops emerging in the center of Avila Beach is a business not usually associated with a beach town - a wine-tasting room. On the corner of First Street and San Miguel, just a half a block from the ocean and behind the historic Custom House restaurant, is Alapay Cellars.The tasting room is the culmination of years of work for husband-wife team Scott and Rebecca Remmenga. "Alapay" is the Chumash term for "heavenly," and describes both the wine and the town. The Remmengas moved to their current location in April, after four years at a smaller storefront down the street. At almost 1,800 square feet, the new space is four times larger than their original tasting room and has much greater visibility. Now, after five years in business, their risky idea of starting a business in the recently rebuilt town is paying off. A "new Avila" is now emerging, with a pedestrian plaza along the beach, hotels, stores and restaurants. Alapay Cellars was one of the first businesses to open in 2002. As longtime Avila residents, the Remmengas thought the town "would be a great spot for a tasting room," and the couple has worked long, hard hours to make it a success. Scott is the winemaker, and Rebecca manages sales, marketing and store merchandising. Together they produced and sold about 4,000 cases of wine last year, up from the 400 cases they started with in 2000. About 80 percent of their wines are sold through their Avila tasting room and wine club. "We really put our emphasis on the tasting room - that was our focus from the start," Scott explains. The colorful store space is dominated by two huge saltwater aquariums filled with exotic fish, and the ocean theme is carried throughout with seascape mosaic tiles and blue granite counters. They also added something not usually found in most tasting rooms: seating. For a $5 tasting fee, customers can sample up to 10 Alapay wines. More than 90 percent of their customers are out-of-town visitors - especially during the summer when a large number of heat-weary residents of the Fresno and Bakersfield areas head to the coast. Article: Wine-making couple finds heaven in Avila The Tribune, Janis Switzer Website: www.alapaycellars.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Golf Course Real Estate Buyer TipsSaturday, November 25, 2006We get inquiries about golf course properties on a regular basis. There are many things that make owning a home on a golf course or in a golf course subdivision special and unique. Many people won't live anywhere else.Below are a couple good articles listing things to consider when you are pondering a life living on the links. They are a good place to start in your data gathering quest. Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your Home on The Links - Has a Phoenix byline. Tips for Buying Golf-Course Real Estate: The Inside Track - Focuses on location, course designers and developers. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf SLO County may raise Green FeesFriday, November 24, 2006Playing a round of golf at the county’s three golf courses - Dairy Creek in San Luis Obispo, Chalk Mountain in Atascadero and Morro Bay Golf Course - could cost golfers a little more green in the new year.On Tuesday, county staff will recommend that the Board of Supervisors amend the county fee schedule for fiscal year 2007-08 and the schedule for calendar year 2007, which covers parks, golf courses and airport fees. Fees at Chalk Mountain Golf Course are recommended to increase from $31 to $32 for 18 holes and from $15.50 to $16 for nine holes. Eighteen holes at Dairy Creek cost $38 on the weekends and holidays and $30 on weekdays, and staff is recommending those fees increase to $40 and $32, respectively. Costs could also increase at Morro Bay Golf Course in Morro Bay State Park, where 18 holes of golf cost $41 on the weekend and $32 during the week. Both fees are recommended to increase to $43 and $34, respectively. Green fees at the three courses increased by $1 for calendar year 2006 and also jumped $1 in 2005. The fees are market-driven, based on a survey of other courses in the county and reflect charges that are "middle of the road" to attract golfers, according to Vince Morici, county administrative analyst. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Hang up your aprons for ThanksgivingThursday, November 23, 2006As more people hang up their aprons on Thanksgiving, restaurants throughout San Luis Obispo County are opening their doors to hungry patrons.Monarch Dunes Golf Course is offering a Hot breakfast buffet with their 9am shotgun round of golf in their "Thanksgiving Turkey Trot". CateringUnlimited.com is offering a Thanksgiving dinner delivered right to your door with their "Turkey Express". The dinner includes a carved boneless maple and sage glazed Roast of all white Tom Turkey breast, apple and bacon cornbread stuffing, old fashioned pan gravy, whole cranberries and orange chutney, buttery whipped potatoes, mashed maple syrup garnet yams, ginger mollasses glazed peas and carrots, green bean casserole, rolls and pumpkin pie. The Sea Cliffs Restaurant in Pismo Beach has a waiting list of at least a dozen people anxious for a cancellation for today's traditional Thanksgiving buffet. The all-you-can-eat feast, featuring prime rib, turkey and a full seafood and pasta station, is booked. Restaurant Supervisor Jennifer Leinert said that the holiday is typically one of the busier ones for the restaurant, and double the number of staff members will be on hand to help make the holiday run smoothly. The nearby Pelican Point Bar and Restaurant is also booked. Hostess Tova Boyd said that happens almost every year. The restaurant's phone rang constantly Wednesday with people hoping to get a table, but even the bar is full. Last-minute reservations are still available at several restaurants throughout the county, however. A few, including The Cambria Pines Lodge, which is expecting at least 300 guests for dinner, and Rose's Steak and Fishhouse in Morro Bay, are still accepting reservations. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine SLO Wine Bar GuideTuesday, November 21, 2006The Tribune has compiled a guide to San Luis Obispo's wine bars and specialty shops.Many of SLO County's restaurants and night spots offer a good selection of local wines. But for those who are thirsty not just for the beverage but also for knowledge of the vintner's art, hit these casual but enlightening havens where you can taste varietals from across the region and around the world, often with a winemaker as your guide. Guide: A guide to SLO's wine bars and specialty shops The Tribune, Nov. 20, 2006 Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Paso Robles poised to pass SLOMonday, November 20, 2006It was very much a tale of two cities Friday when Bill Watkins of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project presented his San Luis Obispo County Economic Outlook for 2007.The two cities are San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. The contrasts between the two highlight why Watkins expects Paso Robles to become the largest city in the county by 2020 - or even sooner. Paso Robles is growing in almost all areas of employment except manufacturing, which is falling nationwide, Watkins said. San Luis Obispo, on the other hand, showed declines in virtually every employment category except service jobs over the past three years, he added. Paso Robles' nominal median home price to date in 2006 is $452,283, second-lowest in the county behind Oceano ($409,993), while the median in San Luis Obispo is $655,323, third-highest behind the coastal communities of Pismo Beach ($800,793) and Cambria ($752,701). But Watkins noted that much of what Paso Robles has going for it is the way it has handled its growth. "Paso Robles, in my mind, is what can be done with growth if you're smart about it," he told a nearly packed house at the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly. "They have a good downtown that's complementary to the wine industry, and they've put the stuff you don't want to see south of town," he said. All that combined makes the city attractive to young families who are fleeing San Luis Obispo and other areas of the county, he said. As a result, Paso Robles' population grew by almost 3.3 percent in 2005, while San Luis Obispo actually lost population - less than 200 people, but still a loss. "If San Luis Obispo sees no population growth and Paso Robles grows at 3 percent, Paso Robles will be the county's largest city in 15 years," he said. "But if San Luis Obispo continues its population decline and Paso Robles grows at rates closer to historical rates, Paso Robles will be the county's largest city even sooner." Article: Paso poised to be SLO County leader Santa Maria Times, Mike Hodgson Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate SLO Real Estate Shows Signs of Soft LandingSunday, November 19, 2006After significant speculation about when San Luis Obispo County home prices would decline, the year-over-year median home price recently registered its first drop in eight years, according to the California Association of Realtors.But local real estate agents say they didn't need an economist to tell them what they have been witnessing for the last several months. Price reductions have been commonplace throughout the county, but certain cities appear to be weathering the downturn better than others. The difference, say real estate agents, is due in large part to the makeup of home inventory - new homes, existing homes or second homes - in a particular market. While the experts cannot agree on how far or for how long housing prices will fall, some see signs of stabilization. Most experts agree that the housing market will continue to weaken into 2007. The state Realtors association is predicting that the median home price in California will slip about 2 percent in 2007 to $550,000 after moving up an anticipated 7 percent this year. The association also sees sales falling an additional 7 percent in 2007, after plummeting an expected 23 percent this year. However, with plenty of new and existing home inventory to choose from and mortgage interest rates at historically low levels, many agents advocate that it's not a bad time to buy. Article: Housing market shows signs of a soft landing The Tribune Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Woodlands Community Taking ShapeSaturday, November 18, 2006A flurry of construction is occurring at The Woodlands, a mixed-use housing project on 957 acres on the Nipomo Mesa, east of Highway 1.Two home builders - Westlake-based Woodland Ventures and Shea Homes of Walnut - are creating a master-planned community between Arroyo Grande and Nipomo that emphasizes a low-maintenance lifestyle for people seeking recreation, shopping and business amenities in one setting. In the current stage of the 10-year-plus master plan, several patches of grading, framing and finishing touches are being made on 1,320 residential units. Under the brand Trilogy Central Coast, 1,220 of those houses are single-family, with floor plans ranging in size from 1,671 to 3,694 square feet. Those homes will be sold in the low-$500,000s to over $1 million. More than 70 homes have been purchased. On the east side, multifamily homes are being developed under Woodland Ventures' brand The Villas. These 40 homes are priced starting at $690,000 and range in size from 2,460 to 3,014 square feet. Nine homes have been purchased. Monarch Ridge town houses with units starting at 1,600 square feet are also included in the multifamily housing and will begin construction early next year. When completed, they will sit alongside a nine-acre monarch butterfly habitat and offer views of Nipomo Mesa. The 18-hole Monarch Dunes Golf Course and club house opened to the public last year. It eventually will expand to 45 holes of golf and surround the entire community. Plans for the additional parcels in the master plan include a Village Center, a 140,000-square-foot shopping venue with a courtyard, set to open in late 2007, a hotel with up to 500 rooms and a recreation facility called The Monarch Club. The nearly 31,000-square-foot center will feature a day spa, bistro, wine library, craft room, events room, herb garden and more. Proposals have been submitted for a business park, but it remains unclear if it will be developed. Article: New community is taking shape The Tribune Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Real Estate Gary Setting awarded Golf Professional of the YearFriday, November 17, 2006PGA Professional Gary Setting walked away with the most coveted prize awarded by the Southern California PGA - Golf Professional of the Year - at the SCPGA's annual meeting held at the PGA of Southern California Golf Club in Beaumont.Setting, the PGA Professional at Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos, turned a childhood investment by his parents of a nine-hole course with a driving range into a thriving resort that now features a 44-room lodge, a spa and other amenities along with 10 additional acres of golf development. He also recently realized a personal dream and became an owner in the property. The SCPGA has recognized Setting's accomplishments before having honored him with the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2004 and the Resort Merchandiser of the Year in 2005. He has served on the SCPGA's Northern Chapter board of directors since 2001. Gary Setting is a Board member and currently serving as President of the Northern Chapter PGA of Southern California and has attended PGA Tour Qualifying School and is an avid playing professional throughout California. Gary is very active in promoting golf on the Central Coast and has operated many junior golf summer camps and instructional programs for all skill levels for the past decade at Sea Pines Golf Resort and as coordinator for the San Luis Obispo Junior Golf Association (SLOJRGOLF). Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Artisan in Paso RoblesThursday, November 16, 2006A prominent international culinary organization, the James Beard Foundation, recently announced that the Central Coast is the next big wine and food region.If local wines are competing with the likes of Napa and France, then local food recognition would be the next step. Thus, Artisan in Paso Robles. Brother owners Chris and Michael Kobayashi recently opened the chic restaurant in an Art Deco-style building downtown Paso Robles, a few blocks north of the city park. Built around contemporary American cuisine, the restaurant is warm and inviting yet modern and eclectic. Chris, the executive chef, is a California Culinary Academy graduate and attended the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley to earn a certificate in pastry baking. Locally, he was recently executive chef at Robin's Restaurant in Cambria. Michael runs the day-to-day operations as the general manager, overseeing all of the 'front of the house.' When they were boys, the pair vowed to someday open a restaurant together, and today's booming wine region of Paso Robles seemed like a perfect location, Michael said. A month into their new venture, business is good. Article: Modern times, modern food The Tribune, Dawn Rapp Website: www.artisanpasorobles.com Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Wine Monarch Dunes Featured at Golf Today MagazineWednesday, November 15, 2006Bob Weisgerber at Golf Today Magazine featured Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Nipomo in their October 2006 issue - Central Coast Showcases a Beauty at Monarch Dunes.What does it take to develop a special, even spectacular, golf course? Well, many things, of course, but importantly it takes vision on the part of the developer and a combination of aesthetic sensibility and technical competence on the part of the architect. It also takes a property that affords the possibility of realizing the goals set by the owner and the designer. All of this has happened at Monarch Dunes, the new 18-hole beauty at The Woodlands Resort in Nipomo, along the Central Coast of California. Opened in May of 2006, Monarch Dunes was acclaimed by the guests and writers who attended that day. As it matures, it has only gotten better. But first, we need to consider the three keys to its success. The result is a challenging course that is never repetitive, always fair, and just plain fun. Did I mention beautiful? Leadership When outstanding things happen in golf course openings, and visitors start heaping praise, much of the time they direct it toward the golf course architect. And this is certainly fair, because if the architect "bombs" (rather than succeeds) with his design, he certainly catches plenty of flak. But the simple fact is, the man who conceives the idea for the course, spearheads its development, selects the architect, and conveys his vision clearly so that the architect can implement those ideas, then funds the project, is the guy who really makes it happen--and in that sense he deserves full attention and full credit. At Monarch Dunes that man is John Scardino, Principal of The Woodlands, a 956-acre project above the coast in Nipomo, San Luis Obispo County. This article is not the place to detail Mr. Scardino's extensive background in the law and property development in Texas and California (over 1.2 billion dollars worth), including his current development at The Woodlands. Rather, we need to assess him in terms of his golf instincts and his preferences for course characteristics born from his experiences on much-admired golf links. These include two extraordinary Southern California courses, Sherwood (Thousand Oaks) and Bighorn (Palm Desert), both of which regularly appear on televised shows. The first thing we can assume is that John Scardino loves the game of golf. He is relative newcomer to the game and a mid-handicapper, and like so many of us he's a fan of Tiger Woods. Unfortunately, time constraints most often restrict him to playing nine holes, but at "The Old Course" at Monarch Dunes that seems like sacrilege. His bias is toward golf that looks like it is a natural part of the environment. That includes uneven landing zones that occasionally lead to unpredictable bounces and raw, ragged bunkers, fringed with fescue, similar to those often found "across the pond." Scardino is most impressed with St. Andrews Golf Links, not only because of its history, but also because of the links character and because it appears to be so random--which it actually is in many ways. John Scardino's golf course development efforts are gathering momentum. Expect more in the future, both in the USA and overseas--all of championship level, of course. Course Design Talent When John Scardino chose Damian Pascuzzo as his architect he selected a man who learned his architectural skills as an Associate of Robert (Bob) Graves--whose reputation in golf design was not only broad but also centered on the communication of his knowledge to hundreds of others through his seminars on the nuances of golf course design. When this grand master of the field passed away, Damian Pascuzzo took his place and never looked back, serving as President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 2001-2002 and frequently lecturing on the subject to USGA, PGA and other groups. Damian has led in the design of a number of courses, ranging from Massachusetts to Washington, Nevada, and California, where he maintains offices in El Dorado Hills, CA. http://www.gravespascuzzo.com. He has remodeled other well-known courses from Japan to Canada, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and, of course, California. At The Woodlands, Pascuzzo was afforded the rarest of opportunities--the chance to design a complex of three golf courses abutting the Pacific Ocean in Central California, where permitting is indeed rare. In addition to the existing "Old Course," the second course that is planned will have 12 holes (not a misprint) with the idea that it can be played in 1 hour; an executive course. The third course will again be 18 holes in length. All will be built on land that is primarily sand-based. The bonus is in the nature of the land that Pascuzzo was given to work with, for it is truly outstanding. Steve Pate consulted with Damian Pascuzzo on the design and, in the words of John Scardino, was like an "editor"--a term that I had not previously encountered in golf design--though it might safely be said that a second pair of eyes from a pro can only help. During grow-in, a critical part of the process, Dan Garson has been instrumental in maintenance and management of the course. Superb Terrain for Golf The topography is varied--at times it is rolling, at other times it is nearly level, but it is endlessly interesting. As indicated above, the soil beneath this new gem, Monarch Dunes, is sandy, not unlike the courses in Great Britain and Ireland that drain so well they can be played during driving rain. Happily, Pascuzzo's inclinations in design are consistent with the styles of the leading architects of the Golden Age of Golf, in particular Dr. Alister MacKenzie. Which brings us to the Design of Monarch Dunes The very beginning of these exciting 18 holes tells you that you are for something special. On this par 4, 440-yard first hole, your drive and your second shot must skirt the right side of a beautiful manmade lake. The approach shot to the green must avoid a grove of eucalyptus trees on the right that appear to be reaching for the sky. Then, if you are lucky enough to land on the green, you have to figure the breaks, and they're anything but obvious. The par 5 sixth provides a challenge calling for 550 yards over a hill, and if you don't hit a solid drive you'll be faced with a choice--lay up or attempt a second shot over water to a green that is nested in mounds. It's a gorgeous and demanding hole. The back nine starts with a split fairway, so pick your poison on the tee shot. Well, not poison, really, but either route on this 407-yard hole will make you work for par. It's a case of broader landing area versus tougher approach shot. Then you get a beautiful "breather" at the 11th hole. Downhill and 180 yards long, it offers a direct view of the Pacific Ocean--that is, unless the fog is in. Or the sunset is in your eyes. What a place to score your hole-in-one! The 13th hole reminds one of Irish golf; a tumbling fairway with random rough, with a dune roughly 30-40 yards in front of the green. High, wild, fescue grasses are one of the features that John Scardino favors, and you'll find them here. The 17th is nothing if not demanding. At 480 yards and a par 5, you shouldn't underestimate this hole. There are lakes to traverse and there is an uphill approach shot that can result, maddeningly, in the ball spinning back off the green and down in your direction. But it is a very big green and you aren't going to be done until you finally find the cup. Easy, right? The 18th hole is one hole that received significant input from Steve Pate. It is also is very tricky because the incoming shot to the green, depending on where it lands, can scoot off in various directions. Good luck! (And maybe you should have a drink on Steve Pate at the 19th hole.) There are a number of things that make Monarch Dunes an outstanding design and a lot of fun to play. Several that stand out, at least to me, are a) variety in the holes, b) memorable design features and challenges, c) a blend of shot values that appeal to a wide range of golfer's skill levels, d) beauty in the ambiance of the holes and the course overall, e) the feeling that you want to come back and play Monarch Dune over and over again. Monarch Dunes is a tribute to the truest traditions of golf and the pleasures that can be provided by a beautiful, challenging golf course. Article: Central Coast Showcases a Beauty at Monarch Dunes Golf Today Magazine, Bob Weisgerber Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Paso Robles Sarah to be featured at SFGate.comTuesday, November 14, 2006The southern part of the Central Coast features a variety of cooler sites where Rhone grapes have a place alongside ever-popular Pinot Noir. Santa Barbara appellations got a Pinot reputation from "Sideways," but Syrah is the area's not-so-well-kept secret. Farther north, wines from Arroyo Grande and the Edna Valley show admirable structure.The San Francisco Chronicle plans an upcoming column featuring Central Coast Syrahs, specifically from Paso Robles, which has staked a major claim on that grape. Article: South Central Coast Syrahs San Francisco Chronicle, Jon Bonne Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Local Amateur Wins at Straight Down Fall ClassicMonday, November 13, 2006Local San Luis Obispo amateur, Don Woodward, paired with Asian Tour Professional, Ed Loar, won the 10th annual Straight Down Fall Classic this weekend at the San Luis Obispo Country Club.Woodward and Loar forced a playoff with club professional Michael Henderson and amateur partner Steve Nicholls with a birdie putt on 18 by Loar, then won the playoff with a par putt from Woodward. The team shot a 32-34 - 66 Sunday for a two-day total of 131. Finishing in third place, one shot out of a playoff was the team of pro Tim Fleming and Alan Bratton. Fleming and Bratton carded a 35-31 - 66, matching their score Saturday. They closed within one shot of a playoff spot with an eagle, birdie, par finish. The effort was good for $10,000 to Fleming, who plays out of Quail Creek Golf Club. Three more teams were knotted in fourth place at 133, including defending champions Charley Hoffman and Ed Cuff Jr., former Paso Robles High and Cal Poly star Travis Bertoni and partner Jim Lehman, and San Luis Obispo native Loren Roberts and Mike Rowley, the president of Straight Down and tournament host. Don Woodward, owner of Sunset Honda in San Luis Obispo, is a SLO Country Club member as well as a regular golfer in the nearby Cypress Ridge Men's Club. Article: Big thrill for local amateur at Straight Down Fall Classic Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Veteran's Day Specials at SLO County Golf CoursesFriday, November 10, 2006Click here to find out more about FREE golf for all military personnel, fire fighters and police officers at the Avila Beach & Blacklake Golf Resorts Monday, November 13th, 2006.Hunter Ranch and La Purisima are offering 50% off their standard greens fees to military personnel, fire fighters and police officers on Monday, November 13th, 2006 for Veteran's Day. Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande, Ca. is offering a $37 green fee and golf car rental to all military personnel, fire fighters and police officers on Saturday, November 11th, 2006. Monarch Dunes in Nipomo, Ca. is offering all military personnel, fire fighters and police officers a $39 rate which includes green fee and golf cart rental. The Sea Pines Golf Resort is offering FREE golf to the first 50 military personnel, fire fighters or police officers who play on Saturday, November 11th, 2006 and the first 50 players will also be included in a raffle. And don't forget that you can watch the pros for FREE at the 10th Annual Straight Down Fall Classic this weekend at the San Luis Obispo Country Club! Happy Veteran's Day! Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Reality TV starring SLO CountyWednesday, November 08, 2006Nearly 10 years ago, Kevin Whelan came to the Central Coast to shoot a television show for National Geographic and was smitten by San Luis Obispo."I realized that I had to figure out a way to live here," explained the television producer. So after making annual trips from Washington, D.C., to San Luis Obispo, Whelan decided to take up residence locally in July and set up a second office for his production company, Doc City Productions. Now, Whelan is betting that television viewers will be just as enamored with the region. Along with producer J.J. Levine, Whelan has developed a wine reality series -"The Wine Makers" — based in San Luis Obispo County. The program is being shot at wineries throughout the county, and is expected to air on PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, in the fall of 2007. Whelan recently spoke with The Tribune about his decision to relocate his production company to San Luis Obispo, what the region needs to do to attract others like him, and the impact he anticipates "The Wine Makers" may have on the local wine region. Interview: Reality TV starring SLO County The Tribune, Ermina Karim Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Nov 13 - Central Coast Wine DinnerMonday, November 06, 2006An international culinary organization is joining forces with Lido Restaurant in Shell Beach to host the first Central Coast Wine Dinner on Nov. 13.The James Beard Foundation, an association that promotes upscale cuisine by premier chefs, says the dinner at Dolphin Bay Resort & Residences is an official celebration of the Central Coast as 'the next big wine region.' It's the first time the New York City-based culinary organization has had an event in San Luis Obispo County. Local chefs plan to make it an annual affair. Evan Treadwell, the executive chef at Lido Restaurant, is preparing a seven-course gourmet meal that will be paired with local wines. Tickets will cost $200, and the event will accommodate up to 100 diners. San Luis Obispo County wines will be paired with each course. The meal will include varietals from Baileyana, Edna Valley, Justin, Claiborne and Churchill, Laetitia, Saucelito Canyon, Talley and Tolosa wineries. Shaw McPherson, general manager at Dolphin Bay, said the dinner helps establish the area as an up-and- coming food and wine destination. 'It is both an achievement and benchmark to host an event like this,' McPherson said. 'It's been fun to put together, and we'll see how it grows.' Proceeds from the event will benefit the James Beard Foundation and Cal Poly's sustainable agriculture programs. For more information, visit www.thedolphinbay.com or call 773-8900. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Susan Farrell wins SLO County Women's Golf ChampionshipSaturday, November 04, 2006Susan Farrell, 61, won the San Luis Obispo County Women's Golf Championship at Cypress Ridge Golf Course on Friday with a 84-person field.Farrell, who also won the event in 2003 and 2004, entered the final hole tied with Sheri Hauck. Farrell shot a 1-over 73 for a 152 total. Hauck was second at 153. Defending champion Lynette Branch was third with a 156 total. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf Paso Robles Wineries Featured in new Guide BookFriday, November 03, 2006A recently published guidebook exclusively featuring the Paso Robles wine country may prove to be a good resource for wine enthusiasts and tourists.'The Grape Escapes: The Best of Paso Robles Wineries & Tasting Rooms' written by Bob and Cindy Rhodes of Sequim, Wash., features 208 pages in the first edition. The work includes such categories as favorite reds, whites and best choices under $15. They sampled nearly 500 wines at 90 Paso Robles locations during a 21-day trip to the Central Coast in April. The couple also detailed experiences with wine clubs and quality of service they received. The book can be ordered at www.thegrapeescapes.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores. The couple plans another wine research visit to the area in May to create a second edition of the guide book. Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine Nov. 13 - Veterans' Day Celebration Special at Monarch DunesThursday, November 02, 2006Monarch Dunes Golf Club in Nipomo is hosting a Veterans' Day Celebration Special where all military personnel, fire fighters and police officers can play anytime Monday Nov. 13th for just $39 a player. Price includes green fee and cart. Please bring appropriate identification.Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Golf |
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