The only tree at Chambers Bay is in the news. We care about Chambers Bay because it's the new municipal course in University Place, Wash., 15 miles from Tacoma, that will host the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open.

We care about the tree because it's a landmark at Chambers Bay. When Robert Trent Jones Jr. and his team built Chambers Bay they moved a lot of sand and knocked down an old rock quarry, but they kept certain things that they felt added to the character and charm of the property. They kept the Douglas fir on the 15th hole. As you look out across the property the tree is the only thing on the landscape between the course and the Puget Sound. Bald eagles broke off the top of the tree and use it as a perch overlooking their fruitful hunting grounds. Much like the 67-foot cypress tree right of the 18th green of Pebble Beach, if it were no longer there, it would be a significant loss.

I was at Chambers Bay few weeks ago doing research for my Away Game in the July issue of Golf Digest. Last week a senseless vandal took an ax to the Douglas fir. I contacted a public-relations rep for Chambers Bay to find out the status of the tree. As this country wrestles with the subject of health care, Chambers Bay is taking tree care to the next level.

Kristin Schaner, of KemperSports, provided this update on the Chambers Bay fir tree (based on a conversation that Pierce County's Tony Tipton had with KemperSports superintendent David Wienecke this afternoon):

Over the weekend, metal bracing was added to the tree to structurally stabilize the wound area. In addition, excess soil was removed from around the tree to help uncover the tree roots in preparation for a 2- to 3-inch application of compost around the base of the tree. The compost will help ensure the tree receives a consistent amount of moisture and nutrients while it is recovering from the damage. Supplemental watering will also commence with the existing irrigation system until a specific water system can be set up for the tree. 

The wound itself is being allowed to go through its self-healing process, which entails letting the tree sap naturally cover the wound to prevent moisture and disease from entering the wound. After a period of 2 to 3 weeks, a high-strength epoxy resin will be placed in the wound between the tree braces and the tree itself to fill the void.

Additional discussions on the care of the tree, after the immediate repairs are finished, will focus on the appropriate amount of water and nutrients that should be provided to the tree. We are also examining how much specific tree testing will be necessary to monitor the health of the tree during recovery.

--Matty G

I've been answering readers' questions every month in the section we call Travel Trouble. I've also been answering individual readers via e-mail. Here are some of the exchanges I've had during the past few weeks.

Peter Haugen from Osterville, Mass.: On page 104 of Golf Digest's April issue, I got such a kick out of your description of Harbour Town I had to write. I played there a couple of years ago off-peak, paid over $300 and saw no signs of a forecaddie, gift packet or range balls. To add insult to injury I received no warning about a line of deadly thunderstorms that came in at the end of the round. I asked about this the next day and was told, "Oh sure, we have a siren for this sort of thing, but we leave at 6 p.m. every day, no matter what." On a lighter note, I agree that the Plantation Course is TO DIE FOR! Now I just have to play Pebble Beach before I go to that great putting green in the sky.

MG: Before you make your way to that great course in the sky (I heard they just punched those greens--postpone that trip for as long as possible), you may want to give Harbour Town a mulligan.

I spoke to Ben in the pro shop. Harbour Town (pictured) started its caddie program on March 5th, 2007. Your green fee gets you a forecaddie per foursome--gratuity is up to you. At the same time they started the caddie program, they also started providing range balls and gift packets--felt bags filled with tees, ball markers and a divot tool. You get a personalized bag tag at the end of your round. 

On the subject of deadly thunderstorms, Harbour Town has an electronic notification system. The shop closes at 6:30 p.m., but the bag-drop staff stays until the last golfer has left the course and they’re instructed to inform anyone on the course about weather warnings.

Michael Montisano from Dallas: When traveling with your clubs overseas, which travel bag is the best for protecting your clubs?

MG: I have two travel bags I like a lot. I have an Adidas bag that matches my luggage. It's slick and usually holds as much as I want to pack. The Club Glove holds more shoes and more dirty clothes on the way home.

I went to Mr. Style, Marty Hackel, for additional tips on keeping our sticks safe. Marty told me he used to buy a wooden hockey stick and cut it down to be a few inches taller than his driver. He'd stick it in his bag and that would protect his clubs. He'd also wrap his golf towel or his rain suit around the heads of his clubs for additional padding.

The modern hockey stick method is what's officially called the Club Glove Stiff Arm (pictured). It's adjustable and is $25 worth of invaluable assurance that you'll start and end your trip with 14 clubs.

I wish I could recommend a hard-shell travel bag, but I can't. They’re difficult to fit into rental cars, hard to store under your bed in small Manhattan apartments and also seem to announce to the rest of the golfing world that your handicap is north of 30. It’s a bad look and I’ve never met a real good golfer who uses one.

Chad Urban from Indianapolis: I'm going on vacation to the Dominican Republic and want to have my clubs shipped to the course I'm playing so I don't have to mess with them throughout my travel. Who do you recommend using?

MG: Whenever I ship anything I go FedEx. I've never liked the UPS "Brown" ad campaign, and I like the system FedEx uses to track packages. However, sending a golf bag to the Dominican Republic may not be a good call. FedEx International Services doesn’t ship to all cities in the Dominican Republic. I called and asked how much it costs to ship a bag from New York to Santo Domingo, a city where FedEx delivers. You'll need an International Air Waybill, and when you declare a value, keep it under $2,500 or you'll need to file a shippers export declaration. "Uncle Sam gets involved with anything over $2,500," according to a FedEx operator. The priority two-day charge, picking up on a Monday and delivering on a Wednesday, is $746. The Economy charge, picking up on a Monday and delivering the following Monday, would be $537.

Rob Reggio from Seattle: I seem to be having difficulty finding a father and son training vacation. I've been searching the Internet trying to find a place I can take my 15-year old son in June, July and August for 3 to 5 days of training and golf. Somewhere in Southern California--we're novice golfers. Any suggestions?

MG: I spoke to some of our instruction editors. Here's their advice:

1) Jim Flick's in Carlsbad.
2) Aviara Golf Academy/Kip Puterbaugh.
3) Jim McLean has a school at LaQuinta and PGA West.

--Matty G.

It's a perfect late-February morning in Florida. I'm 20 minutes from the Miami airport and I've just played 18 holes in less than two hours as a single at Country Club of Miami's West Course. I was lucky to get out early--the tee sheet is full from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a golf group in town from Canada.

A man approaches the starter shed and asks if anyone turned in two clubs.

"They're right here," says the starter, and points to two clubs in the corner of the wooden shed he's using for air traffic control.

Another man asks about getting a bucket of balls for the driving range.

"Take as many as you want," says the starter, while pointing to the stack of empty baskets and a large bucket of range balls.

Another man is missing a jacket and sunglasses.

"Someone will turn them in," says the starter.

This starter retired from being a steamfitter and plumber in Philadelphia over 30 years ago, but he still works on Mondays to pay for his golf three days a week. He's an inspiration and he's anxious to tell you how and why, so listen closely.

"My name is Carl. Last name is B-U-B-E-C-K." He spelled it for me because he wanted to make sure I got it right. "I can't believe no other golf magazines have been here to see me yet."

Bubeck will be 95 on July 4th. "AARP Magazine had an article in there because I've never taken any medication--never did." 

Bubeck (pictured) moved down to Ft. Lauderdale with his wife of 69 years in the early '70s. Her name is Margaret but she goes by Betty--she'll be 90 in May. Betty had to stop playing golf two years ago because of complications with her feet. When they first moved down here she had a group of 62 women she played golf with. Now, only three are still alive. 

"If you play here you better bring a lot of golf balls," said Bubeck. "There's water somewhere on all 36 holes." 

C.C.of Miami has a West Course and an East Course. It used to have 54 holes and it used to be private. Jackie Gleason was a member. He'd bring friends such as Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. This was where Jack Nicklaus played in his first professional tournament and it's where Lee Trevino won his fourth tour event--the National Airlines Open in 1970.

C.C. of Miami is now public. During peak season you can play for $40, which is great value, and it's in decent shape. The greens and fairways are good, but the tee boxes could use some work. Come here in the summer and you can play for $20.

Bubeck plays with his friend, Ray, who's a marshal at C.C. of Miami. They coordinate a group called the Eastern Shores Golf Association. "I play here because I play for free. It saves me almost $150 a week."

Bubeck likes the East Course better than the West Course because it's shorter. "Right now I'm shooting about a hundred."

He's not satisfied with that. He's working with C.C. of Miami's instructor, Larry Levow, on hitting it straighter and farther. If you have five minutes, look at the online video of Bubeck on the driving range fixing his alignment.

I left that starter's shed inspired by Bubeck and with some advice on how to have a successful marriage.

"Take care of your wife," he says. "Make sure she's happy when you're out playing golf. Sometimes, take her with you."

I asked if she's ever beaten him on the links. "No. But she has a hole-in-one," he said, laughing. "I have six."

--Matty G

Jack Johnson knocked me out. 

Not the former heavyweight champ, which would make sense (although he passed away in 1946). I was dropped by Jack Johnson, the singer-songwriter. The ridiculously-kind North Shore native who also happens to be humble, soft-spoken, environment-conscious and maintains a sharp focus on his family. He taught me a valuable lesson one night. As "Dirty Harry" in "Magnum Force" once said, "A man's gotta know his limitations."

I've blogged about the North Shore of Oahu. I told you that this is the home of my oldest brother and his family. I wrote the Away Game on the North Shore and the Turtle Bay Resort for the April issue, which is now online or in your mailbox. The story I haven't told you about are my efforts as a DJ at a party the night after I arrived.

About 12 couples and I had gathered in my brother's backyard for what has now become an annual jamboree to drink a little, listen to some good music and dance a lot. I'm certainly the outsider. I arrive from New York City with pasty-white skin, a big black golf bag, five pairs of shoes and very rarely wear anything but swim trunks and walk around in bare feet. My golfer's tan and packing habits could use some work.

Johnson was the recent cover subject of Rolling Stone and is headlining every major music festival in 2008 from California (Coachella), Tennessee (Bonnaroo) to New Jersey (All Points West). 

On the North Shore Jack Johnson is just "Jack." He's the sound master to all big neighborhood events, whether it's a wedding on the beach or a back-yard bash. He rolls in a few hours before with a portable sound system, often setting up without anyone knowing he's been there. 

The most amazing thing about Johnson is that being a musician may be third on his list of talents. He was a teenage surf stud who qualified for the Pipeline Masters at the age of 17. And some argue his greatest gift is filmmaking.

I'm here to tell you he's quite a DJ. 

My brother mentioned that Jack would be mixing the music for this party. And sure enough, Johnson showed up a few hours early to set up his portable sound system. I tried to help but had no clue what I was doing. He asked me if I had my computer and my iTunes available. 

"Umm--yes, I do . . . "

He explained that he and his wife, Kim (his college sweetheart), would be needing to leave a little early because they had some sick kids at home. He could get the party going, but then he'd turn it over to me and my mix.

"Umm--sure." What a story I could tell my buddies (and girls, of course) back home. I followed Jack Johnson as a DJ at a private party by the beach.    

He was stationed at the corner of the small deck wearing shades and a hat.  He picked 'em up and put 'em down, song after song. He brought a cowbell. Even that worked. He tapped that thing like a keg and and we all loved it. Every so often he'd come out from behind the wobbly plastic table to dance a slow song with his wife, who's clearly his biggest fan.

And then, a little after 10:30, a la John Elway, Jack Johnson was going out on top. 

"Hey, Matt, are you ready?" he asked.

Of course I was ready. I had a plan. I would start with "Stronger," by Kanye West, followed by "Girls in Their Summer Clothes," by Bruce Springsteen. I could come back with some White Stripes and slip in some Ray LaMontagne. I really believed I could follow Jack Johnson at a backyard party with some of his closest friends and find success.

This man did NOT know his limitations. By the time I played some Ray, most of the partygoers had gone home, and the ones who stayed behind were helping my sister-in-law clean up. The party was over and so was my career as a DJ. I'll stick to golf and trying to pack a better bag.

I once asked Jack if he played golf. As you might imagine, he doesn't have time. He did tell me he has lost a lot of friends to the game, one of whom might be Kelly Slater, but that's as close as this blog entry gets to connecting this story to what I usually write about. It is, however, a trial and a tribulation of my travels, and I figured I'd share a life's lesson.   

The story I tell my buddies back home (and the girls, of course) ends with me trying to tap the cowbell for Jack Johnson on the deck of my brother's house. Do me a favor--keep the part about Johnson leaving his small carbon footprint on my back between us.

I'm learning my limitations. 

--Matty G

Captions (from the top): Jack Johnson warms up the crowd for my DJ debut; I try my hand at the cowbell first; Killing the party softly.

My inbox, which has never been so swollen, is fun to flip through. No anti-inflammatory can slow down the Ambush entries.

Just to recap, the Golf Digest Ambush is a concept we came up with to celebrate the golf trips YOU take with friends and/or family. It's a version of the TV show "Punked," but I'm no Ashton Kutcher and our version provides benefits, not embarrassments.

You send in your itineraries, tell us who you are, where and when you're going, who you're going with, how long you've been going, some traditions of your trip and why it's unique. We'll choose one itinerary per month to feature in Golf Digest. Not only that, we'll give you stuff--balls, beer, shirts, range finders, hats or clubs. We'll shoot video of the Ambush and put it on golfdigest.com and you might even see it on the Golf Channel.   

I've only done two so far. I ambushed Neil Thomson and his buddies at Sea Island (pictured), which will appear in the April issue, and I ambushed Chuck Wierda and his crew in Arizona, which will appear in the May issue.

Of the 273 entries so far, I can't help but share a few that, for whatever reason, have separated themselves from the pack/pile:

From Andrew Marcolini of Burlington, Ontario: Four months of freezing cold and snow, I think I might have forgotten how to hold a club. I had to change my grip to use my snow shovel. I should have had "Toro" tattooed on my back--the human snow blower with arms. I need to discuss this global warming issue with Al Gore, he should have spent some time in Burlington--the snow and cold is crazy. So now you have four golf-deprived Canadians heading to sunny Scottsdale for a much deserved break. I'm lying in bed with my monthly Bible, Golf Digest, and I read your article--how cool would that be for the guys I'm going with--all who have never been to Arizona, all who love the game, and all who are eager to trade in our shovels for our sticks.

Golf Digest gives millions of golfers spiritual guidance, but I've never heard it referred to as a Bible.

Vince Mendoza of Reston, Va.: Our trip is unique in the sense that every year we know a few things are sure to happen: 1) There will always be stories that we'll be able to talk about forever. Something funny, crazy or unbelievable always seems to happen. 2) There will be at least one or two guys who will not make it the following year. This trip started out as four core guys wanting time by themselves to just play golf and forget about the worries of everyday life. The second year we decided to include four others and create a mini tournament. But by year four we had grown to 12 guys. Every year since the second year, for one reason or another, at least two members have not made it. Reasons have been: Guys getting too drunk the night before and bailing on golf (you bail on your partner, we bail on you). Not getting along with the majority of the core guys. Friends moving continents. And most shocking--one golfer stealing another golfers wife.

It sounds like Vince rolls with a crafty crowd. Most people go into a buddies trip willing to risk the better half of what's in his/her wallet, but not their better half.

Steve Miller of Douglassville, Pa: We lovingly call our trip "The Jack Kevorkian Tour." Some years back, after a tough day on the links, a member of our group announced, "Just kill me." The "Tour" was born.

That's a crazy combination of the words "lovingly", "kill", "Kevorkian" and "born"...especially considering the topic is the game of golf.

Ed Lane of St. Louis, Mo.: I have four wonderful, healthy children (a 6-year old and 3-year old triplets), thus I am extremely fortunate to get a round in on the weekend. I usually have to take a half-day off work to get a round in during the week since the daycare is already paid for. Because of recent employment turbulence due to an unexpected merger, and the overwhelming stress that comes with it, my wife told me to contact a buddy of mine in Cumming, GA. and spend the weekend golfing. Yes, she's a saint to take on the children alone for a weekend so I can play golf. Something tells me she has her own secret weekend planned that I don't know about yet, but hey, all is fair and I'd agree to anything while I am glossed over thinking about a weekend of golf.

Ed, I like that move--turn the tables so that it's you who will "agree to anything," as though you're doing your wife the favor by going on the golf trip. We could all learn a thing or two from your diplomacy.

Finally, and my favorite for obvious reasons . . .

Andrew Resler of Newburgh, N.Y.: My foursome will be playing in the Playboy Golf Finals at the Pacific Palms Resort at the end of March. The final involves several parties at the Playboy Mansion and golf on the two courses at the resort. I would have to say that this is quite a unique trip and we're all very excited, as there will be numerous Playmates to keep an eye on all our wayward (golf) balls. Hope to see you there.

Andrew, that makes two of us.

--Matty G

I told you about Jim Mahoney in my previous post.  The other very cool cat I met on my recent trip to LaQuinta Resort and Club is Artie McNickle.

McNickle is Jim McLean's Premium Lead Master Instructor at PGA West. A formal way of saying he knows a lot about the golf swing. He played the Tour from 1972-'84. He never won, but he did finish second three times, played in the Masters twice and qualified for the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Open in the same year.

McNickle (top right) is smooth on and off the golf course. Off the course, he has cougar-taming talents that would draw the envy of the likes of Clooney and Clinton. On the course McNickle wears a Fedora and pulls it off. He's in his mid-60s and still plays to a scratch handicap. I played with him at the Jack Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West. There are five public/resort courses at La Quinta Resort/PGA West and three private courses (Nicklaus, Palmer and Weiskopf).  I tend to like Jack Nicklaus courses. I usually know I'm playing one when I get to a very short but very difficult par 4. This is one of the better Nicklaus courses I've played. It's well manicured, greens are hard and fast and there are several scenic/memorable holes.
 
Early in the round I had about 230 yards left after a tee shot on a par 5. I usually go for it in two but I was trying to "play smart"--a club I rarely carry. I hit a 5-iron, then a wedge and two-putted for par. After I hit the 5-iron, McNickle, my cart partner, told me to remind him to tell me a story about Tom Watson and par 5s later in the round.

Curious, I reminded him on the next hole to tell me the Watson story.

Watson and McNickle were in contention for the U.S. Open at Cherry Hills in 1978. They were paired together on Saturday and Sunday. On the par-5 17th hole, McNickle laid up on his second shot each day and birdied it twice. Watson went for it both days, hit it in the water both days and made a pair of bogeys. Watson finished four back of winner Andy North and in a tie for sixth. 

"After the tournament I saw Tom," said McNickle, who finished in a tie for 16th. "I told him that I noticed if he had gone 4-4 on the 17th, like I did, he would have been in a playoff. Without any pause Watson fired back, 'If I had gone eagle-eagle I would've won by two.' I'll never forget that," McNickle said. "The way a champion thinks on a golf course. As long as it's within reason always go for it in two on a par 5."

It makes me feel a lot better having made all the 8s I've made over the years going for par 5s in two.  I wasn't being an idiot--I was thinking like a champion.

--Matty G

Where am I?

For the purpose of this entry I'm in Palm Springs. I'm not really there as I type, but I was there the first week on the job, detailed in my boss' letter from the editor.

I unpacked my luggage at LaQuinta Resort and Club for a few days. This is my first Away Game. The idea being, each month I'll find a new destination. I'll parachute in (figuratively) and play golf, eat, drink, test the spa and sleep (optional) and then tell you whether it's worth your time, and more important, your money. (I hope you know, that I know, that you know, that I know, that this job is ridiculous.)

As you'll read in the March issue of Golf Digest, I loved LaQuinta. I played PGA West Stadium Course, the Mountain and the Dunes. I also played a round on what the locals call the Nick-Private (the Jack Nicklaus-designed private course).

I played the Dunes with Jim Mahoney. Big hat, bigger cigar and he wore green and yellow garb. Just shy of 80 years of age and playing off a 10-handicap, he seemed like a perfect partner. Our opponents were Tom Fazio's son Austin who's in town working at the ultra-private Madison Club, and Dillon Dougherty, who finished second at the U.S. Amateur in 2005. He is working with Jim McLean's Director of Instruction, Denny Gray, while trying to get his tour card. A solid foursome. On the second tee I asked Mahoney what he did for a living.

"P.R.," he said. 

"People, places or things?" I asked. 

"Gable, Sinatra, Carson, the Stones and U2 are some of the ones I worked with.''

"Impressive [understatement]. If they got in trouble, you'd help them out?"

"If they got in trouble, I knew it before they did," he said.

"Who was the best to deal with?"

"Sinatra."

"Who was the worst to deal with?"

"Steve McQueen [mugshot]. He wouldn't get into a limo if it wasn't a stretch, white and the current year."

Mahoney (top left with Sinatra) lives in LaQuinta and is shopping a book he's just finishing about his life and the people he worked with. Based on the stories he disseminated throughout the round it should be worth a read. Mahoney's favorite course is the Mountain--a unique golf experience. The better test of golf is the Stadium. Play them both if you're in town.

Mahoney/Ginella win, 1 up. Bet: $10 closeout. Amount collected: $0.

"Did you notice they never paid up?" Mahoney asked as we were headed for the parking lot.

"I did."

--Matty G

You want me to do what? Travel the world and tell Golf Digest readers where to play, where to stay, where to eat and the best way to get there? (Cue the sound of the door hitting me in the travel bag on my way out of the office.)

I've had the privilege of working for Golf Digest and Golf World for the past six years producing photo shoots as the Director of Photography. I have worked with the best. The best photographers, writers and editors. Oh yeah, and the players themselves. I have found myself picking out shirts in Tiger's house, exchanging e-mails with Annika, hanging out with Sergio in Spain, talking pink with Paula, sitting at Jack's desk and sharing a sandwich with Ernie in his office just outside of London. I was lucky enough to get to play a round of golf with Phil. He's not the only guy I know who goes for the green from the tee on a 325-yard par 4. He's just the only one who hits the first attempt out-of-bounds, re-tees, hits the green and then makes the 20-foot putt. I think I said something like, "Nice par."

I've covered the last 11 Masters, 10 U.S. Opens and every Ryder Cup since 1997. My top five favorite courses are Turnberry, Pebble, Pine Valley, Tralee and Lahinch. My favorite you've never heard of is arguably the toughest 5,900 yard course in America, tucked into the redwoods in Arcata, Calif.--Baywood Golf and Country Club. I've gone there every year since high school to play in a pro-am with my uncles and some of my best friends. The pros are a group you've never heard of and yet they are pros. They make a living playing and/or teaching the game. A good chunk of them can't break 80 at Baywood. Neither can I, but I'll go back every year and keep trying.

The top five courses I haven't played but are on my priority list: Augusta, Cypress, Shinnecock, Sand Hills and the Olympic Club (I'm a Bay Area guy).

Wondering where to go on your next buddies golf trip? Looking for a good place to take your kids? Curious about where you'll find the best values in golf travel today? I'll aim to answer all your questions, and many more, in the pages of Golf Digest and on golfdigest.com.

I've been on the road enough to know that travel isn't always easy. If you have a travel frustration, let me know about it and hopefully we can solve the problem. Bug bites, the airline lost your clubs, an expensive course refuses to give a rain check on a day a duck might drown . . . these sorts of problems are what I will be addressing in the monthly feature we call Travel Trouble. Click here to share your travel frustrations.

What I'll be doing is hardly work. A better term might be hustle. I remember getting a trophy one year from a Little League baseball coach. The bottom of the trophy read: Matt Ginella--"Charlie Hustle." I figured that was a courtesy award. Something they come up with because everyone gets a trophy at those awards banquets. Now I'm on your team and I'll be acting as Charlie Hustle on your behalf.

Matt Ginella
Senior Editor, Travel