Katieshack

Golf World lists Top 50 resorts, public and private layouts

Southern California resort properties are collecting the accolades lately, and Golf World Magazine's Top 50 Resort Courses in the Nation for 2010 offers no exception.

Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast placed 36, Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert placed 41, and Indian Wells Golf Resort (pictured right) placed 47 in the annual Reader's Choice Ranking, amidst a field that included such high-quality facilities as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (2), Pebble Beach Golf Links (28), and seven top resorts in Hawaii. Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina came in at the No. 1 spot.

Golf World also conducted similar Top 50 polls for public facilities and private courses.

In the public sector, Trump National GC in Rancho Palos Verdes topped (or "trumped," pun intended) Southland listings at number 15, while Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert (which just underwent a renovation on its Mountain Course; read more in the January issue of FORE Magazine) placed 25th.

No private courses in Southern California made the private club ranking, although three Northern California courses — Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach (10), San Francisco Golf Club (30) and The Olympic Club in Daly City (40) — made the list. Surprisingly, everyone's bucket-list club, Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, took second place to Oak Hill Country Club in New York. Oak Hill, which has hosted The Ryder Cup, PGA, Senior PGA, U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, and the U.S. Senior Open Championships, will host the 2013 PGA Championship as well.

More than 46,000 individual facility ratings and 600,000 criteria evaluations were collected, with results based on aspects including quality and condition of the course, reputation, hotel accommodations, food, off-course activities and overall value. Readers voted via an online poll through Golf World's website.

There's no better time of year to check out those Coachella Valley golf resorts than now, and Pelican Hill (which also placed in Golf Digest's similar ranking) is always spectacular.

Tim Hogarth and Howie Knodt are SCGA Players of the Year!

Kudos to Southern California's most decorated amateur, Tim Hogarth of Northridge. The owner of the Triple Crown title has earned 2009 SCGA Player of the Year honors! The SCGA Senior Player of the Year is Howie Knodt of Chula Vista, who also earned the title last year.

Hogarth (left), 42, has a portfolio of titles almost too long to list. He had quite a run in 2009 though, and the victories that went toward his Player of the Year award include first-place finishes in the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship, SCGA Tournament of Club Champions and (for the third year in a row) Pasadena City Championship; second-place finishes in the SCGA Amateur Championship and Los Angeles City Championship; semifinalist at the SCGA Match Play Championship; Round of 32 at the California State Amateur Championship (an event he won in 1999); and a fifth-place tie at the SCGA Four-Ball Championship. Hogarth was also the medalist at U.S. Open Local Qualifying by shooting a course-record 65 at Annandale Golf Club, and earned co-medalist honors at U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying at El Caballero Country Club (he missed match play at the U.S. Amateur after being eliminated from a 27-man playoff).

Hogarth is also the only player in SCGA history to win the coveted Triple Crown title: SCGA Amateur (2004), SCGA Mid-Amateur (1999, 2007 and 2009) and California State Amateur (1999). If Hogarth can win the SCGA Four-Ball and Match Play events, he will have won every SCGA scratch event offered (excluding senior events, which he will likely dominate as well when he turns 55!).

Knodt, 56, had a magical 2009 season with several notable victories, including first place finishes in the SCGA Senior Amateur Championship, SCGA Senior Match Play Championship and (for the second year in a row) the San Diego Senior City Championship. He also took third place in the SCGA Tournament of Club Champions' Regular Gross Division.

Both of these guys are a lot of fun to watch and they'll be two to keep an eye on going into the fall tournament season!

SCGA alum Rickie Fowler signs with Puma

He's Southern California's current boy-wonder, and now Murrieta's Rickie Fowler has a pretty cool sponsorship deal with one of golf's hippest apparel companies.

Puma Golf has signed the 20-year-old, a former CIF high school standout, Oklahoma State player, and two-time U.S. Open participant and Walker Cupper who turned professional immediately following the U.S. Team's victory in this year's matches.

Currently playing in his second professional event, the Nationwide Tour's Soboba Classic at the Country Club of Soboba Springs, Puma surprised RIckie during the event with a tricked-out, off-road golf cart, complete with roll cage, off-road tires, a push bar and a state-of-the-art stereo system. Fowler will use the cart during the Sept. 30 pro-am, where he'll play with dad Rod Fowler and famed motocross racers Jeremy McGrath and Brock Glover.

Earlier in September, Rickie signed a multi-year equipment deal with Titlist. In October, Rickie will join Justin Timberlake and other celebrities in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas. He's a busy guy, so keep up with him by checking out his website.

Bob Hope Classic has a new website

In poking around online this morning I ran across the snazzy new website for the Bob Hope Classic -- the event will celebrate its 51st anniversary on Jan. 18-24, 2010. Pat Perez took the crown last year, and many SCGA alums have recognized victory in the past, including former high school standouts Phil Mickelson (2002 and '04) and Charley Hoffman (2007) as well as Corey Pavin (1987 and '91) and Craig Stadler (1980).

In addition to providing event updates, the site hosts volunteer sign-up for the Classic, photo galleries from past events, history and more from the iconic tournament. Visitors will also have the chance to win tickets and other prizes by entering a variety of contests online, including a haiku contest, photo caption contests and trivia.

In keeping with the ever-expanding social networking options out there, fans can also follow the Classic on Facebook and Twitter, both before and during the championship. Want tickets to the event? While they can be purchased on the Classic website, the SCGA Foundation will be selling tickets to this, and all other Southern California PGA Tour events, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation and its many great programs.

The host course will be the Palmer Private at PGA West, which joined the Classic rotation in 1988. Other courses in play in 2010 include La Quinta Country Club, a Classic course since 1965, SilverRock Resort, which debuted in 2008, and the Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West, which returns to the rotation for the second consecutive year.

Keep an eye out for the January 2010 issue of FORE Magazine, which will feature its annual Spotlight on Desert Golf, and make it out to La Quinta in January to take part in all the fun that the Bob Hope Classic has to offer!

Fate of Olympic Golf is looming

An interesting thought occurred to me today regarding golf in the Olympics. Feel free to follow along.

In two short weeks, the 106-member International Olympic Committee will decide whether golf will be added to the portfolio of 2016 Summer Games events.

Yes, October 9 is the magic day, folks, that the fate of both golf and rugby sevens (a faster-paced version of 15-person rugby) will be determined. It’s a list whittled down from seven sports that were on the consideration block. Baseball, softball, squash, karate and roller sports were all eliminated.

“Golf and rugby scored high on all the criteria,” IOC president Jacques Rogge said to reporters after the vote. “They have global appeal, a geographically diverse line-up of top iconic athletes and an ethic that stresses fair play.”

In all the press that the looming decision has received, many of the world’s current top players have said they would play in the Games. But wait — in seven years, when the sport could be in the Olympics, will today’s top players still be viable?

Oooooh. Perplexing.

The International Golf Federation’s Olympic Golf Committee, which includes The Royal & Ancient, European Tour, USGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, LPGA, and the Masters Tournament, has swelled to 19 supporting organizations worldwide.  It has proposed a 72-hole stroke play event for the Games as the fairest way to identify a champion, and each field of men and women would have 60 players in it. Of the 60, the top 15 golfers from the Official World Golf Ranking would be eligible, and beyond that, players would be determined by the ranking with a maximum of two players per country.

As the ranking stands now, Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey, and Henrik Stenson round out the top five. In seven years, these guys will be approaching 40 and above. A lot can happen in that time, and while I’m confident that some of today’s superstars will be in that Olympic field, I predict we’re going to see a crop of the world’s new rising golf stars also, a few of which could still be amateurs or new professionals (Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, perhaps?), and some that we haven’t even been introduced to yet.

Bold statement, yet thought-provoking.

Anyway, golf has been in the Olympics before — the 1900 Paris games as well as the 1904 St. Louis Olympics showcased the sport. Then it was gone. While the general public seems a bit torn on whether Olympic Golf is a good idea (as what could be the coup de gras of golf championships, would it devalue such amazing events as, say, the U.S. or British Opens?), the golf industry has been pushing hard to get back into it. Part of that push is what the Olympic opportunity could mean in terms of globally growing the game: Many governments only fund Olympic sports, and if golf gets in, more golfing opportunities, and all of the benefits that come with the game for youth and adults alike, are inevitable. The prospects are strong and the results could be amazing.

"Golf is a truly global sport and it should have been in the Olympics a while ago," Woods said in August, when he indicated he would play in the Games if the Olympics picked up golf. "If it does get in, it would be great for golf and some of the other small countries that are now emerging in golf."

PGATour.com has a great timeline of golf’s recent journey through the Olympic bidding process. Check back on October 9 for final results. On October 2, the Committee will decide on the location of the 2016 Games: Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

California properties win Golf Digest "Best Resorts" honors

Congratulations to all of the California golf resorts that garnered rankings in the recent Golf Digest 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America poll...nearly all of the California properties saw a ranking improvement from the 2006 list, and five of the seven California properties named are here in the Southland! There are some great spots on this list, and while many may not come as a surprise, there's no better time than now to experience them for yourself.

1. Pebble Beach Resort, Pebble Beach. The name speaks for itself. With an honor including the neighboring Inn at Spanish Bay, this is the third time in the last four rankings that Pebble Beach has topped the list. This time, panelists cited Pebble Beach Golf Links' upcoming (and fifth) hosting of the 2010 U.S. Open Championship, as well as refurbishments done to strengthen and lengthen the layout under the tutelage of Arnold Palmer, in its distinction. Joann Dost is resident photographer of the area, and her shot of Pebble's fifth hole is pictured above (©Joann Dost).

18. Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay. Stay tuned in a future issue of FORE for a complete story on this beautiful property, which has hosted the LPGA's Samsung World Championship. Arthur Hills' Ocean Course and an Arnold Palmer layout complete the 36-hole property.

44. The Lodge at Torrey Pines, San Diego. U.S. Open-caliber golf, ocean views, world-class dining and a high-class reputation to boot are all to be had at Torrey Pines. What more can be said? This year's Samsung World Championship just concluded on the historic links, so get in now for a real test while course conditions are super tough.

26. The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast. With a terrific 19th hole (The Grill at Pelican Hill; featured in the March/April issue of FORE Magazine) and some of the nicest ocean views in Southern California, Pelican Hill is a new addition to this list. Opened in 2008, it has the largest coliseum pool in the world, two Tom Fazio golf courses (around since the 1990s but recently refurbished), a variety of restaurants, spa...I'd actually like to move in here.

T-38. Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad. California's golf manufacturing mecca is also home to Aviara, which recently underwent a modernization project resulting in an updated clubhouse. Argyle is a fun place for lunch, and the TaylorMade Performance Lab is just up the hill.

56. La Quinta Resort & Club/PGA WEST, La Quinta. Choices, choices, choices are here at La Quinta Resort. This place has all the golf one can handle with five courses, three of which have been updated. Try the Stadium Course, the Southern California layout that has one of the highest Course Ratings and Slopes at 76.1/150 (i.e. it's a really tough round). And with 796 casitas, suites and villas as well as 41 pools, there won't be any problem finding a place to lay your head or take a dip post-round, either.

71. Westin Mission Hills Resort, Rancho Mirage. Another desert property, the Westin Mission Hills just completed a $20 million renovation in late 2008, a great addition to the Pete Dye and Gary Player courses flanking the hotel.

Take advantage of the economy and check each property's website for some great deals on lodging and golf, most are offering nice incentives and packages for an overall experience.

Barona Million Dollar Hole-In-One winner welcomes new baby hours before victory

A new daughter in one arm, a cruise in another. What a great way to spend a day.

The finals of the Barona Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout were held yesterday at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside (San Diego), and Oscar Lopez, 32, of San Diego took home the coveted first-place prize of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise. He was awarded something a little more special before that magical shot, though.

At 12:16 a.m. that morning, Oscar's wife, Diann, gave birth to the couple's first child: Mia Maria Lopez.

After 10 days of qualifying and 29,077 shots earlier this month at Stadium Golf Center, 17 golfers advanced to the final at Barona, where Oscar landed his ball 16 feet, 10.5 inches from the hole to take home the cruise. If Oscar, or any of the finalists, had aced 170-yard hole, $1 million would have been theirs. The event is sponsored by Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, a beneficiary of several San Diego City and County entities with a football game to be held December 30. In its 31-year history, the Holiday Bowl has generated an impressive $486 million in economic impact, with the 2008 game bringing in 36,052 visitors to San Diego, filling 40,481 San Diego hotel room nights and contributing $34.7 million to the local economy.

Defending champion and SCGA member Matt Sparks of San Diego took second at 20 feet, 9.5 inches, while San Diego's Hien rounded out third at 23 feet, 8.5 inches short of the hole.

The Lopez family's going to need a cruise after all the excitement, congratulations!

Sleep and dream golf at the Madonna Inn

I LOVE THIS.

I've been to a lot of hotels, but I've never stayed in a true golf-themed room. Or a "theme" hotel. The Madonna Inn however, tucked in the hills of San Luis Obispo, has the Golfer's Room, which I am adding to my bucket list of places to stay.

The Madonna Inn has 110 rooms, each with a different theme, from Austrian Suite to Caveman to my personal favorite, Yahoo, a cowboys-and-cattle-drives room complete with a rock waterfall shower and authentic “Buckboard” bed. Rooms can include waterfalls, fireplaces and an amazing amount of creativeness...a conversation piece for sure.

The Golfer's Room is described by the Inn as the following: Creative imagery of a pebble-stone path guides you through this room to French doors that open onto a private patio with outdoor fireplace. Tones of green and natural wood add to the appeal of this golf-inspired room.

The history of this eclectic property is quite interesting -- the first dozen rooms opened in 1958, and the Inn kept adding as years went on. It currently sits on 2,200 acres and several signature aspects of the Inn, like large, etched-glass windows or the copper and brass adornments, were made especially for it. The property also has the Spa at Madonna Inn, Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House (and three other dining options), and a couple boutiques on property.

And oh yeah...if your Golfer's Room inspires you to hit the real golf course while you're in San Luis Obispo, try SCGA member courses Blacklake Golf Resort, Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Monarch Dunes Golf Club, or Sea Pines Golf Resort, all within 25 miles of the Madonna Inn.

Paging golf doctor Haney

This is fun: SCGA member (and comedian/actor) Ray Romano will be the next experiment in golf form and function when he replaces Charles Barkley on the new season of The Haney Project, slated to air in March 2010. We should all be so lucky.

According to a Golf.com blurb, the first season of The Haney Project was the second-highest rated program in The Golf Channel's history, next to those crazy kids on The Big Break.

Anyone who's watched Ray on Every Loves Raymond, or has seen him in any of the celebrity pro-ams here in the Southland and beyond, knows that he's obsessed with golf. It's almost unfair to put him behind Barkley and his "swing," if such a desriptor can even be used. But Ray's starting with a solid foundation and has the potential to be an excellent golfer, so I'll tune in with curiousity next year to watch the magic unfold.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations RTJ II: The legendary golf course designer has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Golf Inc., the first time the organization has ever given the honor.

“With more than four decades of golf course design excellence, approximately 250 completed courses and countless accolades for the quality of his work, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. is eminently qualified to be the recipient of Golf Inc.’s first Lifetime Achievement Award," Golf Inc. said. "From his design debut working with his famous father Robert Trent Jones, Sr. at Spyglass Hill to such recent designs as Chambers Bay and Lubker Golf Resort, Jones has created golfing canvases throughout the world. One of the first American architects to branch out to Europe and Asia, and a steward of the environment before it was fashionable, Jones is truly a legend in golf course design the world over.”

Jones will accept the award at Golf Inc.'s annual conference this week in La Quinta, as well as deliver the event's keynote speech.

In addition to my personal favorite, The Links at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach (with STICKS, what I consider one of the best 19th holes in existence), Jones' Southland designs include The SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta, The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, Rancho San Marcos Golf Course in Santa Barbara, Rancho La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, Desert Dunes Golf Club in Desert Hot Springs, Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club, Calabasas Golf and Country Club, and Birnam Wood Golf Club in Santa Barbara.