Where's Matty G?

Out Of The In-Box: Golf In SoCal?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:04:13 -0500

From Stefano Saccani of New York, NY: I am a Golf Digest subscriber and you guys are my bible. I'm taking a three-day trip to Calif. for Martin Luther King weekend. I will land Friday evening in San Diego and I'll leave on Monday afternoon from Los Angeles. All my friends tell me I have to play Torrey Pines on Saturday, but I don't know where to play on Sunday (I don't want to play golf on Monday). My round on Sunday can be any course in San Diego, LA (or anywhere in between) and must cost me no more than $250. It would be awesome if you can advise me on this matter.

Dear Stefano, thank you for the note and totally rad use of the word, "awesome." We have a lot in common: We both live in New York, we're willing to travel to play golf and the vowel to consonant ratio in our last names is three to four--a couple of good Irish kids, my dad likes to say.

I did some checking around--here are a few courses to choose from (in no particular order):

-Strawberry Farms (above) in Irvine is 18 holes designed by Jim Lipe, developed by Doug DeCinces, former infielder for the California Angels and Baltimore Orioles. In his best year, 1982, DeCinces hit .301 with 30 HRs and drove in 97 RBI (being from New York my guess is you have an insatiable appetite for all things baseball). The golf course gets 3.5 stars in the Golf Digest Places To Play guide and the green fee is $160 on weekends. Here's a link to the website.

-Pelican Hill (above) in Newport Coast has 36 holes on the water, both courses were built by Tom Fazio. The Ocean North Course gets 4.5 stars, a half-star better than the Ocean South Course. The rate of $235 includes a forecaddie. Here's a link to the website.

-Monarch Beach Golf Links (above) in Dana Point is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that received 4.5 stars. On weekends they charge $195 from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.. The price goes down before and after that two-hour clip. Here's a link to the website.

-Some might recommend the Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles. Not me. I say it represents all that's wrong with golf--big price tag, small sense of satisfaction. The website says it cost Sir Head Of Hair $250 million--"the most expensive course ever built." I say: What a waste. Digest Places To Play gives it 3 stars and the green fee is $275--thankfully it's out of your price range. Why is it so bad? The first hole for starters, there are too many blind shots, narrow slanting fairways and a thoughtless routing. Even the ocean view is generic, if that's possible. I have a buddy who says the only good thing about TNGC is the driving range ($25 for unlimited balls). If you're still interested, here's a link to the website.

Let me know where you play and what you thought of the course. Safe travels.

--Matty G.

Do you have a question you'd like answered on this blog or in the magazine? Send it to: www.golfdigest.com/contact/mattyg

Follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/WheresMattyG

Joe Bacal--Cancer Survivor, Off-Road Racer and Real Golfer

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:28 -0500

Joe Bacal, 40, is an off-road racer, a husband, a father, a golfer and a cancer survivor. Coming off a win of the Baja 500 in June, this Friday (Nov. 20) Bacal will try to win the Baja 1000. Earlier this week I had a chance to speak to Bacal about his upcoming race, his golf game and his victory over Hodgkin’s lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin’s disease.

How were you introduced to golf?
My wife plays and she’s real good. Golf is one of the things that I’m passionate about. It relaxes me. My score isn’t a big deal to me, but I enjoy the challenge of getting the ball in the hole. I have an eight-year old little boy and he has been playing golf since he was four. He has clubs that I could use as chopsticks. Golf’s a good family sport. My wife and son and I will go out and play or we’ll just go out and hit balls. It’s fun.

I hear your wife Teresa (pictured) is better than you at golf?
Oh yeah. She’s better than everyone I’ve ever met. She can break 80. When I out drive her by just a few yards I get real excited because I did something better than her on the golf course. There are three things I can’t do better than her: she’s a black belt in karate, she played basketball at Minnesota and she beats me on the golf course all the time. When we play a lot of these corporate outings and these guys we play with, who all play golf all day long, my wife makes them look silly--let’s just say it doesn’t go over too well.

Thankfully she’s not a better off-road driver than you.
She might be, but I haven’t let her behind the wheel.

Where do you live?
I live in Anthem, Arizona at a country club with two golf courses--Persimmon and Ironwood.

Do you root for Tiger or Phil?
Being from Arizona, I have to go with Phil. I’ve always enjoyed watching Phil, and Tiger’s amazing, but Phil’s more my style when it comes to golf.

Do you have a favorite golf course?
I like Gray Hawk (pictured below) and Troon North.

You won the Baja 500 in June. You’re back in Mexico for the Baja 1000 on Friday?
The Baja 500 was 432 miles; I was in the truck for 16 and a half hours. The Baja 1000 is 672 miles and I’ll be in the truck for 20-plus hours. I’ll get out for a few seconds at some of the pits, I’ll move my legs around, and then I’ll jump right back in.

Dumb question: If you’re in the car for 20 hours, receiving water, food and supplements, where do you go to the bathroom?
Everyone asks that question. We call it a Texas catheter. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I have a hose running down my driving suit to where my shoe is and I go the bathroom in the car. There’s really no other option. Sometimes this race comes down to 30 seconds, so you have to pick and choose when you’re going to spend time out of the truck.

If it’s the Baja 1000, why isn’t it 1000 miles?
It depends on how they can get the course mapped out. They have to get permission and clearance from property owners to route the course through their yards. This is the 42nd running of the Baja 1000 and it changes every year.

You’re racing through people’s backyards?
Sometimes. You’re going through towns at 100 miles per hour in the middle of the night, sliding sideways, and there’s people right there. They just can’t close 1,000 miles. They can’t even shut down 500 miles to make it a closed course. You get ranchers going the wrong way, you get cattle, you get kids, you get dogs--that’s why chaos comes to mind. It’s so crazy out there. You come over a rise and you don’t know what you’re going to find. That’s way the attrition rate is so low because people can’t get to the finish. This race would never happen in the U.S.

How many racers will be at the starting line?
I believe there will be about 300 or so. I’m not sure.

What percentage of those racers will finish?
I’d guess less than half will finish.

Your story, in part, is that you’re a cancer survivor; can you talk about your life since you were diagnosed in 2006?
You go through life and you don’t realize how easily it can be taken from you until you’re faced with the news that you have cancer. Most people, who are a little ignorant when it comes to cancer, who don’t have it or you don’t know much about it, when you hear cancer you just think death. When I heard the news, I knew it wasn’t good. I thought: How long do I have to live? That’s the first thing that comes to mind. So when you beat the odds, you want to tell everyone, you want to help everyone you can. You really want to be a part of people’s lives who are dealing with cancer, going through treatment. I use off-road racing to do that. When I’m sitting in the seat of my truck, and it says Cancer Treatment Centers of America on the door, which is where I was treated, that says it all right there.

Tell me more about Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
It attacks the lymphatic system. I had a golf ball sized tumor in my throat and I had another one pushing against my lung in my chest. It spreads fast because it’s your lymphatic system.

You have a clean bill of health now?
Yeah. It’s my understanding that Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the only cancers that is curable. I had stage-two Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I went through four or five months of chemotherapy, several months of radiation. It has been over two years now—I feel great. I guess I’m fortunate and hopefully that’s the way it continues to go.

And now racing cars for 20 hours feels like nothing compared to beating cancer?
I used to be afraid to do big presentations in front of corporate executives in Japan. Now I’ll do pretty much anything. Cancer made me look at life more seriously.

On a much less serious note, if I offered you an all-expenses paid trip to Bandon, Pebble or Pinehurst, where would you go?
Pebble Beach is one of my favorites, but maybe that’s because they have that big car show there every year. I also like Kapalua on Maui. We spend a lot of time there and it’s amazing. It would pick Pebble Beach or Kapalua.

If you had a three-foot putt for your life, would you take that putt or would you have your wife putt it for you?
She’s good, but I’m also good under pressure. I think I’d take the putt myself. It’s my life and I like doing things myself. I don’t even like anyone else driving my car.

In golf we’d ask if you’ve played this course before. Have you ever driven the course you’ll race on Friday for the Baja 1000?
This course is similar to the 500, but they’ve added a lot more miles. Back in 2007, four months after my final radiation treatment, I wasn’t feeling 100 percent at all, but someone asked me if I wanted to drive 250 miles in the Baja 1000 that year. And I did it. I jumped in the truck. I’d say it was 150 miles before the truck caught on fire, but before that it was going good. The great thing about it, I was in the desert in the middle of the night and that’s when it hit me, that I beat cancer. I was alive.

-Follow Joe Bacal through his Facebook page: Control Amid Chaos
-Here's a link for more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

--Matty G.

Ambush No. 19: Are You Next?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:12:11 -0500

I'm planning Ambush No. 19. I'm reading through entries looking for anniversaries, remote locations, good deals, festive traditions or the best-of-buddies knocking off top courses on their bucket lists. I've met up with 18 groups in two years and I've never been to the same place twice. I've Ambushed in 14 states and featured hundreds of real golfers playing with fantasy handicaps stealing significant sums of money from their unsuspecting friends. And then they eat, laugh, drink, laugh louder, and then they start planning for next year.

This month a few entries have made their way to the final phase of judging. Among others being considered, I'm looking at "The Inaugural Sandbagger Open," which is "descending upon the historic Sandhills of North Carolina," says Eric Dyer of Shelton, CT. Dyer will have 15 friends playing 36-a-day and their itinerary consists of: Tobacco Road, Foxfire East and West, Talamore and Mid South Club. Dyer says, "Our motley crew claims to be between 14-20 handicaps, and yet, by some amazing string of luck, they turn in scores in the high-70s and low-80s. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm."

John Rice of San Diego will be attending his annual Harvard class of '83 roommate golf trip. Rice says, "Some members have never missed in over 25 years!" They come from all over the country--this year the host city is Charlotte, NC. "One of us is a member at Oakmont and others on this trip wouldn't be welcome at the most bedraggled muny."

Yep, sounds like the makings of a buddies trip. But what Harvard grad can't get in a round at a muny? Damn, this really is a recession.

Jake Ramirez of Los Angeles is leading his group of eight dudes to Bandon Dunes (aka-- heaven on earth). This is their sixth getaway to the coast of Oregon; the only time they skipped was in 2005. "It has become the ultimate trip as we're all in a place in our life where we respect the game, respect each other and appreciate the time away from our wives/girlfriends," says Ramirez. "We make the annual pilgrimage to Bandon for the reasons that Mike Keiser developed the resort--a destination for golf and golf only. No spas, no tennis, no carts, no strip clubs. We play a three day tourney on the three courses at Bandon over three days (hoping to play Old Macdonald if we can be so persuasive)."

What happens on an Ambush? I roll up on you and your group at some point in your itinerary. I've usually conspired with the resort or the course and they're in on the Ambush (so quit asking the pro if they've heard from me). I bring gifts and buy you things, such as drinks and food. And then I shadow the group for at least a day, or until I have enough information for a short story in the magazine.

Here's a short spot I did on the Golf Channel highlighting the first few Ambushes:

Do you take a trip you'd like to share with our readers? Do you know of one that should be shared?

Here's where you fill out an entry form.

You never know, you and your crew might be next.

--Matty G.

"United Breaks Guitars"

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:33:02 -0500

In two years of a life on the road, I've had plenty of delays, a couple canceled flights and my fair share of middle seats, but I've only lost one set of clubs (American Airlines). No breaks (knock wood) but I've recently started using the ClubGlove Stiff Arm, which helps that cause.

I was just sent this music video (thank you, Roger) about United Airlines breaking a guitar. It's corny, but it's catchy. For the golfer who has had their clubs come back in 28 pieces; or never come back at all--we can relate.

Here's the story: "In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and the lead singer David Carroll's Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. He discovered later that the $3,500 guitar was severely damaged. United didn't deny the experience occurred, but for nine months the various people he communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate him for his loss. So he promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that he would write and produce three songs about his experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world."

I'm told that during his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, Carroll stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded: “Good luck with that one, pal”.

I'd say Carroll had good luck with that--he's had over six million hits to his video on YouTube.

United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal”.

Here's the video:

And then this . . .

The New York Times wrote this story about Carroll, his song and another recent flight on United:

"With Video, a Traveler Fights Back"

By CHRISTINE NEGRONI
Published: October 28, 2009

United Airlines learned its lesson the hard way that David Carroll was not just another customer.

After baggage handlers at United broke his guitar last summer and the airline refused to pay for the $1,200 repair, Mr. Carroll, a Canadian singer, created a music video titled “United Breaks Guitars” that has been viewed more than 5.8 million times. United executives met with him and promised to do better.

So how was Mr. Carroll’s most recent flight on United?

This Everyman symbol of the aggrieved traveler was treated, well, like just another customer. United lost his bag.

Here's a link to the rest of the story.

--Matty G.

Do you have a question about courses or travel troubles? Click here to send me an e-mail, I'll get to as many as I can.

[Follow me on Twitter at: wheresmattyg]

USGA Encouraged By Visit To Erin Hills

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:38:16 -0500

It turns out, Erin Hills still has a pulse.

The fact that the USGA was at Erin Hills on Nov. 9 does not guarantee the Wisconsin course, 25 miles from downtown Milwaukee, will get the 2017
U.S. Open. But it’s a positive sign that Mike Davis, senior director of rules and competitions, and Jim Hyler, vice president and chairman of the championship committee, were impressed with new owner Andy Ziegler and the quick progress he’s making.

The USGA fell in love with Erin Hills in 2004, back when it was just a dairy land of bumps. The course, which opened in 2006, has already hosted a U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links in 2008. It’s scheduled to host the U.S. Amateur in 2011, and indications are it’s still a frontrunner to get the 2017 U.S. Open. The USGA championship committee will recommend one of eight Midwestern venues to the executive committee in February. The final announcement will be made in June at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

“This visit was scheduled six months ago,” said Davis, who compares Erin Hills to Shinnecock and cautioned the meeting should be kept in perspective. “There was no way we could go any further without seeing the changes and also getting a grasp of where [Erin Hills] is in terms of new ownership and finances. They’ve made huge strides. We feel incredibly comfortable with where the course is now.”

When I was there over two months ago, before Ziegler bought Erin Hills, the course was in bad shape. In several spots the landing areas were a mess. The rough--burned down and reseeded--wasn’t growing back. I’ve played a lot of U.S. Open venues; Erin Hills, even if it was in perfect shape, didn’t strike me as a course of that caliber. But more important former owner, Bob Lang (pictured above), told me that day that he had run out of money. Which is why I wasn’t surprised to find out he sold the course a month later. “It’s not easy for me,” says Lang, “but there’s a sense of relief because I don’t have to keep finding money.”

On Oct. 24, for a reported $10.5 million, Lang put the future of Erin Hills into the hands, and deep pockets, of Ziegler. Lang had taken Erin Hills and his dream of an Open as far as he could take it.

[Bob Lang (left) and Andy Ziegler (center) with Ziegler's attorney,
Chris Noyes (right), at the Town of Erin Planning Commission in late October.
Photograph by Kelly Smith/livinglakecountry.com]

Ziegler, 52, is a Wisconsin native who runs an investment firm that reportedly has multi-billions of dollars in assets. He carries a 6-handicap, and his favorite courses are San Francisco Golf Club, Cypress Point and Augusta National.

Despite the upbeat meet-and-greet with USGA brass, Ziegler won’t discuss the possibility of hosting an Open. He will only talk about two specific goals: “I want to get the course in terrific condition, and I want to make sure it’s ready for the Amateur in 2011.”

Ziegler’s doing so by increasing the maintenance budget, building a state-of-the-art maintenance shed, purchasing the proper equipment and increasing the size of the crew. The 10th hole is being converted from a par 5 to a par 4, which will reduce total par from 73 to 72. He’s addressing a drainage issue on the 17th, and architects Mike Hurdzan and Dana Fry have begun doing away with some of the 103 bunkers that were added in the last 10 months.

The new owner says he didn’t invest in Erin Hills to make a profit. “I realize it has enormous potential,” says Ziegler, “but I didn’t buy into it to make money. I wouldn’t have advised anyone to buy into the golf industry right now. But it’s the intersection of my enjoyment for the game, and it’s good for the area. In a small way, it’s my way of giving back to golf.”

Erin Hills is closed for the winter. And it might remain that way until late summer. Ziegler says the target date for reopening is Aug. 1. “But if it’s not ready, we won’t open,” he says. And he’s willing to keep it closed all year if necessary. He wants the course ready for the Amateur.

When the course does open, Ziegler says the fee will be $160; it will be walking only, he’ll decrease the number of tee times from five per hour to four per hour to ease stress on the grass and speed up play. “We will be ready,” says Ziegler, “but there’s a lot of work to be done.”

--Matty G.

[Twitter: wheresmattyg]

More About Bruce Irons

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:06:26 -0500

(Irons at a secret spot somewhere in Bali.)

The full interview with Bruce Irons, sweet swinging big-wave surfing stud on both short grass and tall water, has been posted.

Irons is pretty candid about his so-called rivalry with Kelly Slater (nine-time world champion of surfing), which my be more relevant on the links than it is in the lineup. Irons, a Tiger fan, says he could be the solution to Woods' streaky putting stroke. Irons made a recent visit to Scotty Cameron's lab in Southern California. Irons gave Cameron a surfboard; Cameron gave Irons a putter and a lesson:

You said Cameron put your video side-by-side with Tiger to compare putting strokes.
Yeah. The next time Tiger goes in there, he'll put Tiger's video next to mine.

Do you have similar putting strokes?
Well, Tiger's head moves -- mine doesn't. My putting line is straight on -- his is all over the place. It was jittery. If he struggles with his putting, he should go back to my video. [Laughs.]

Have you ever met Tiger?
No. But hook it up Golf Digest. I'll give him my Facebook, bro. [Laughs.] No, I don't do that stuff ... but I will if he wants to. [Laughs.]

That "jittery" stroke must be the reason why Irons wouldn't call Tiger to make a three-foot putt if Irons' life depended on it. Click on the short movie below to hear Irons answer a few questions in his voice:

And here' s a link to the entire Q&A.

--Matty G.

Surf Instructor (Again)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:58:37 -0500

People are asking about the surf instructor from the Away Game in the December issue of Golf Digest (page 67). This is the blog I posted after I got back from Kauai in July:

The North Shore of Kauai--an island of 50,000 residents that gets over a million visitors a year. I played the Prince Course (No. 67 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest), Wailua Municipal Golf Course (a $15 green fee makes it a better value than Bethpage Black) and Poipu Bay (until 2006 was the home of the Grand Slam of Golf for 13 years). I also had a tour of the new St. Regis going in where the old Princeville Resort was located (scheduled to open later this year), I took a boat along the Na Pali Coast and I took a two hour surf lesson in Hanalei Bay, one of the nicest bays and backdrops on planet earth. I was paddling around in the watery office of Taylor, my surf instructor. Taylor's the young Tiger of surf instruction--raw talent with a bright future.

Name: Taylor Kaluahine-Reid

Age: 19

Hobbies: “I love to cook,” she says. “I might want to go to culinary school. But I’m not sure what I want to do.”

Short story: Born and raised in Princeville, Kaluahine-Reid has been surfing since she was five, when she rode on the front of her father’s board. She’s patient, thorough and does a great job of making relevant associations to help you understand what she’s teaching. “Do you know how when you ride a horse, you look where you want to go?” she asked. “That’s the same concept for surfing.”

What you learn: Surf jargon, getting to know your board, how to paddle and how to stand up. Once you’re in the water, the instructor is by your side as they teach you about channels, egg-beating your legs to turn the board and how to know when a bump in the distance will grow to be a wave. Kaluahine-Reid says she has a 100 percent success rate getting her students up and riding, with only one exception. “He was 75-years old and overweight,” she says with frustration. “And he had bad knees!”

Company details: Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay (hawaiiansurfingadventures.com; 808-482-0749). For a group lesson (four people per instructor) it’s $65 for 2 hours (boards and surf shirts are provided). A semi-private lesson (two to three students) is $75/two hours. A private lesson is $95/two hours. Lessons are offered all year long. Waves are much bigger in the winter but Hanalei Bay always offers small wave options that are perfect for beginners. Return students can rent boards for $5 per hour or $15 for the day.

Taylor’s tips: “Your position on the board is key. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Be committed to the wave--you’ve got to want it to catch it. And have fun. That’s the most important thing.”

Local Knowledge: Kaluahine-Reid strongly suggests hiking the Na Pali coast to Hanakapia, which is two miles from the end of the road on the North Shore. “But don’t swim,” she says. “The water is very dangerous on that beach.”

Restaurant suggestions: “I like Postcards or Kintaros. Or Sushi Bushido, but that’s just for you--it’s a local secret.”

Golf: “I was pretty good when I was playing a lot. I can hit a good drive because I’m strong from all this surfing.”

Favorite Course: The Makai Course at Princeville. “The Prince Course is too expensive.”

--Matty G.

Coming Home

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:07:58 -0500

As a travel editor, I love to leave. That's a significant slice of the romantic pie that is this sweet gig. Yes, there's stress of making flights and dealing with security lines; but I'm still fascinated by the fact that I can sit in a heavy metal container for some short amount of time and be transported to my great unknown. Wake up in New York, eat lunch in Los Angeles, fall asleep in Hawaii--two long legs, one model itinerary.

Window or aisle? I say window because I'm a face-pinner. I push my big nose against the piece of thick plastic on takeoffs, landings and when I stare down at the domestic flat-lands and wonder, Who cut up the country into massive puzzle pieces? The perimeters of property lines are so distinct and clean. It never gets old.

I was at a fundraiser the other night--Stand Up For Heroes, a comedy show benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Springsteen performed three songs and auctioned off his guitar for $50,000. Comedian Louis C.K. also performed and he did a funny bit about travel. To paraphrase: C.K. pokes fun of a guy he sat next to on a cross-country flight who was frustrated about a delay. C.K. reminded the crowd that it wasn't too long ago a cross-country commute took 30 years and it involved wagons and wild Indians. "People died," said C.K. Here's a link to C.K. on Conan O'Brien talking about taking things for granted.

And that's my point to this post--taking things for granted. Because as much as I love to leave, there's nothing better than coming home. And how about the freedom to do both? That's cool too.

This morning I clicked on my friend Jeff Pearlman's blog and watched this video. This is a short clip about coming home and a reminder not to take things for granted.

This fourth grade girl thinks she is about to give a school report on where her Dad is stationed in Iraq and is surprised when he shows up.

Did you cry? So did I.

--Matty G.

Buddies Trips

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:22:50 -0500

The most common inquiry: Where's the best buddies trip destination?

If your group includes once-a-year golfers but you like to wear khakis, collars and a sweater, I say Pinehurst. You have multiple golf and food options and you don't need a rental car. Hunker down and have fun. Cheaper, and less formal alternatives, would be: Austin, Tex., RTJ Trail in Ala., Myrtle Beach or Tree Tops in Mich. (not necessarily in that order).

If your group is full of a few couples and you're loaded, I say Sea Island, La Quinta near Palm Springs, Kapalua on Maui or Pebble Beach. Central Oregon would be a cheaper alternative.

If your group is full of accomplished golfers (handicaps of 20 or lower) and everyone is in decent shape (no carts unless you get a medical waiver)--nothing beats Bandon Dunes.

In the summer Golf Digest ran a contest to reveal some of golf's best buddies-trip planners. We pampered the six winners to a free trip to Pinehurst. They received clothes, balls, hats, food, three rounds of golf (rounds on No. 8, 4 and 2--which included caddies) and they got spa treatments. What we got out of the deal was their expertise about what they've learned over the years of planning buddies trips. Here's a link to that story--it's full of practical information (be sure to click on "related links" for a list of the tips, a round-table Q&A and shoulder-season specials).

Here's a tip from Bob Sandt, one of the six winners: You can have people pay for their own hotel, but when you go out for dinner and drinks, it's nice to just pay for it with a community pot. You don't have to deal with, "What do I owe?"

Is there anything worse than the guy, at a table of 12, who wants to only pay for what he ordered? That's a deal breaker for me. That cheap jabroni is not on my trip.

Speaking of cheap, here's a deal I received today from Pinehurst (and the second time I had an excuse to run this picture on my blog):

For $222, you get a room, breakfast and either a 50-minute massage or a round of golf. Here's a link to their website. And here's the phone number: 800.487.4653.

Rate is per person, per night based on double occupancy. Valid 11/8 -- 12/31/09. Subject to tax and resort service fee. Some restrictions apply.

Tell me your favorite buddies destination and why. Use the comments box below or send me a note via e-mail.

--Matty G.

An Update From French Lick . . .

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:50:15 -0500

I got a call today from Dave Harner, Director of Golf at French Lick Springs Resort in Indiana. I met Harner when I was in French Lick to write an Away Game about playing the new Pete Dye Course (pictured above) and staying at the renovated West Baden Springs Hotel. Here's the link to that story, which appeared in the July issue of Golf Digest.

"Hey Matt, you told me to call if I had any updates from French Lick," said Harner. "We just doubled the number of traffic lights down here."

It sounds like an impressive amount of growth. They used to have one stoplight in town--now they have two.

While I had Harner on the phone, I asked about the progress beyond the increase in traffic:

How did the year go at the Pete Dye Course?
Good. We opened on April 24 and we didn't hear a single negative comment. We just closed on Nov. 1. We didn't have as many rounds as we would've hoped for, but the people who played it, they liked it.

How many rounds did you get?
About 2,200.

When will you open in the spring?
On March 15.

How many rounds did you get on the Donald Ross Course?
16,000, but the Ross Course is still open.

Are you guys still at the $350 green fee at the Dye Course?
Yes, but we did the all-day deal.

And that's $350 to play unlimited golf at the Dye Course?
Yes--and you have to stay at the West Baden Springs Hotel.

When you reopen next year, do you think you'll still be at a $350 green fee?
Yes. And we hope to get 4,000 rounds. We'll cap the number of annual rounds at 6,000.

Is that a business model similar to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas? It's the gamblers course--a place for the high rollers to come and play fast on an open course so you can get them back to the gaming tables.
No. That's never been our business model. We don't have a lot of gamblers who play golf. It's really for the golfer who knows the difference.

Is the course done, or are you guys still making changes?
Pete Dye is still working on the course. He never stops. I'd say we're at step 3 of a 10-step deal.

A quick calculation had the Dye course getting about 14 paid rounds per day. That leaves plenty of room for growth, and if they get to 4,000 rounds next year, they may have to add another traffic light.

I played the Dye twice. When I played it from the correct tees, I was able to enjoy the course. I really loved the recently renovated Ross course. And for $115 on weekends, I consider it better value.

I told Harner at the time of my visit, I think Pebble Beach ($500), the so-called best course in the country, should be no higher than $300 (a 40 percent decrease). That would force all the other courses in the country down to their appropriate green fees. If Pebble's at $300, that puts the Pete Dye Course at $210, which is probably closer to where it belongs. But I'm just sayin'. And I'll keep sayin' it until golf gets more affordable. (I suppose the laws of demand and supply should get golf where it needs to go, regardless of my mission statement.)

Here's a link to a blog I wrote after I got back from French Lick. It includes a link to the video tour I got of the Springs Valley High School gym--the house that Larry Bird built. My tour guide was Bird's high school coach, Gary Holland, who just happened to be mowing fairways at the Pete Dye Course to keep himself busy, post-retirement.

If you love golf and basketball, you'd love a trip to French Lick.

--Matty G.

More From The Kosberg Open . . .

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:05:51 -0500

After my trip to Ambush the Kosberg Open in Austin, Texas last week (see post below for more details), Corey Schiff, the tournament historian, sent me an e-mail. Schiff's a sentimental soul, not nearly as crabby as he looks in this portrait. Here's the e-mail:

Matt, I felt it was important for me to share a few things with you before you finalize your article on our crazy group. I know that most buddies trips that have been together this long have similar stories, but different faces. This group is truly unique.

We all consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have each as buddies and are all here to enjoy in each others successes and failures. If any member of our group of buddies ever needed anything, not one member would think twice or ask questions as to how we could help the other. This is a group of guys that have known each other most of our lives. Some since kindergarten, some since junior high and some from college. At 53 and 54 years old, we all know everything there is to know about each other, including our golf scores (both real and with the help of an eraser). We have been to each others birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and stood up for each other at our weddings. In some of our cases even two weddings! We have celebrated our successes and failures, births of our children and unfortunately the passing of some of our parents. We work hard and are devoted to our families. But twice a year we all get together to play golf and to let loose for a few days. We are accountants, business executives, doctors, restaurateurs, car dealers and carpet salesmen. It's amazing to me to see a group of guys hang together for 50+ years and actually still enjoy each others company.

If you remember, you gave me an incredible gift for telling you about our group--the Callaway rangefinder. Without hesitation, I wanted to present it to Marty Magida, who started this outing with me 25 years ago. I had to pass the planning to Marty because I couldn’t handle all of the headaches. He has unselfishly done such a great job of running the summer trip for us and he has never asked for a thing in return.

You asked about our wives and what they think about this outing. In our quest to be funny we make a lot of jokes about our wives. The truth is: We have a group of wives who realize how important we all are to each other, and they encourage us to make our (now two) annual golf trips.

On behalf of all of us that participate in the Kosberg Open, thanks again. You can now consider yourself one of us--the few, the proud, the Kosberg Open.

Sincerely,
Corey

PS--Don’t forget to mention that we brought along our own Red Eye Texas Bloody Mary mix to Austin. Everyone enjoyed that!

Ambush No. 18--The Kosberg Open

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:51:19 -0500

On Friday afternoon, at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, I ambushed the Kosberg Open. For 25 years these friends, dating back to grade school in Chicago, have been getting together for annual buddies trips. The original Kosberg Open takes place in the summer--usually at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. But a few years ago Diane Anstadt was preparing a 50th birthday gift for her husband, Brad. She sent Brad and three of his best friends to the World Golf Village in Florida for three days of golf school in the fall. That trip to Florida developed into an annual October golf outing and 11 guys made it to Austin this year. You'll read about their story in the January issue, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to the beautiful female mind that was so supportive of her husband and his friends that she paid for four guys to get away together. As far as I'm concerned, speaking with Diane was a peek behind the curtain; a chance to speak to what we're all looking for--unconditional love for what we love--Diane has unconditional and selfless love for buddies trips. This was my phone conversation with Diane Anstadt:

Do the other wives resent you for giving your husband such an elaborate gift like an all-expenses paid golf trip with three of his best friends?
No. They don’t say it out loud at least.

Are you comfortable getting the credit for starting a second annual golf trip for these guys?
I guess that trip I sent them on started it. I hope the other wives aren’t mad about that, but I don’t think they are.

How did you come up with the idea for this present?
I figured--They can never have enough golf and lessons and that he wouldn’t want to go by himself. So I asked Eddie (Newmark) first, because he’s one of the planners of the group.

And how did the other guys react when you told them you were paying for them to take a golf trip with your husband?
They were very grateful. It was impossible for them to say no. I just felt bad I couldn’t extend it to all of their friends.

But I hear your husband hasn’t improved since that trip.
The more he learns, the more he forgets. And he takes so many lessons from so many teachers who have so many different perspectives.

Are all the wives cool with so many annual golf trips?
We accept it because it has been so many years of friendship for these guys. And we’re all friends. We do a lot of things as couples. When golf was involved on previous trips, we’d never see the guys. They’d go play and we’d lie by the pool or go shopping. It’s just better to send them off by themselves.

Tell me more about this group of guys.
They are very unique. A lot of people around town refer to them as, “That group.” Most of them have been friends since elementary school, some from high school and some from college.

And the ladies, do you guys connect when the men are gone?
We’re planning a trip to Aruba and they can’t give us a hard time about it.

And what do you think of these guys and their camaraderie?
I’m jealous but supportive of it.

Well, this story about your husband and friends will appear on my blog and in the January issue of Golf Digest.
That’s neat. It’s too bad my Dad isn’t alive to see it. He was an avid golfer and subscribed to Golf Digest. He would’ve loved to witness this.

Here are some more photos from the Ambush:

This is Corey Schiff (above), who sent in the group's itinerary. When I showed up to announce to the group that they were being Ambushed, Schiff was up in the golf shop. I called him on his cell phone to let him know I was at the 18th green giving out gifts. "I had a feeling you were going to be here," said Schiff.

Edward Newmark (above, left) plans the fall Kosberg event. Marty Magida (right) plans the summer event. The beverage cart girl is a key component to buddies trip success. We love them too.

Ron Schaffel (above, left) told me he missed a flight to a Kosberg Open a few years ago because he broke off from the pack to get an airport hot dog. He also told me Gary Rosenberg (right) is his best friend. "Gary stood as my best man . . . in both of my weddings."

I can't say enough about Barton Creek in Austin as a potential buddies trip venue--especially in late October. These guys paid $540 for three nights of quality lodging (two to a very nice room), a complete breakfast buffet and unlimited golf on four courses (two Fazios, a Crenshaw and a Palmer) for three days. The week before they had seven inches of rain in Austin, but the day I arrived these guys got nothing but blue skies and a healthy dose of the big yellow ball. This is a shot of the property from my hotel window:

Do you take a buddies trip? Do you know of a buddies trip that you'd be willing to share with our readers? Let me know about it by clicking here and filling out a short entry form. You and your friends might be next.

--Matty G.

Almost Famous (for all the wrong reasons) . . .

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:07:32 -0500

I was flying high over New York City, and we were all about to die.

Obviously that's a version of the line used in one of my favorite movies, "Almost Famous," in reference to one of my favorite movie moments--the band's small charter plane is crashing somewhere near Tupelo, Mississippi when the passengers start revealing intimate secrets. In one of the more realistic turbulent plane scenes, one guy says he has been sleeping with another guy's wife; one guy confesses to a hit and run; another guy says, with a stutter: "I'm, I'm . . . I'm gay!"

Just as they're outing themselves and purging pockets of guilt, the plane straightens out and they all live.

Last Saturday, after a few days in Santa Barbara, and then 24 hours in Las Vegas (where I caught a Black Eyed Peas and a U2 concert--Fergie's voice was impressive and she looked hot from a distance), I was ready to go home. I skipped an afternoon round of golf with friends and colleagues and I caught an afternoon flight back to JFK.

This trip, more than most, had presented a variety of travel troubles. My temporary tooth was falling out, I was running out of clean underwear and although my computer hard drive was shot, it sure seemed like I was the one taking the bullets.

To have no use of a computer felt like trying to do complex math with an Abacus. I was restricted to reading newspapers, magazines and watching TV. Can you imagine?

Regardless of how good my life is, something like a rude TSA agent, a beverage cart to the knee cap when you're sitting in an aisle seat (not even an I'm sorry?), a canceled flight, or a dead hard drive--that kind of stuff still gets under my skin. And it's not all travel related. I don't care how great the golf course is, I could be at Turnberry on a windless sunny day, but if I'm 15 strokes higher than my handicap, I'll go into a self-centered funk . . . bad golf always blows, even on windless days. It's times like those that I admit to losing a little perspective. Last week the dead hard drive had me feeling shut down.

It's a fickle thing, however. Perspective. It's funny how a pilot over an intercom at 30,000 feet, with the wings of the plane flapping like they belong on the body of a bird, can pull you from the depths of self-loathing like you just sat on a hot branding iron. It's funny how, when Mr. Calm Voice at the controls, can't hide his or her concern. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain from the flight deck. Well, it looks like we're going to have to pull out of our landing pattern and circle for a little while. There's some weather out there, but we'll get you down just as soon as we can. The good news is, we anticipated the weather and loaded up with more fuel before we left from Vegas. Flight attendants, please take your seats."

That's it. That's the kiss of death. When the pilot tells the flight attendants to take their seats, that's usually when I start kissing my own seat goodbye. On Saturday night, in the middle of high winds, an electric storm and surrounded by a plane full of panic, my lips were attached to my cheeks. I really did think I might die.

The couple sitting next to me was the kind of couple who held hands when we took off. Which was sweet. Upon hearing the news we'd be circling for over an hour, and looking out the window and seeing nothing but Mother Nature's rage, these two were interlocking digits and limbs. I've never seen such pale faces, and those were on the row of African Americans across the aisle from me. Barf bags were flying out of seat pockets. The plane started smelling like stomach lining. The poor woman next to me filled up her bag, her husband's bag, my bag and the plastic bag that was holding my new newspapers and magazines. People were trying to make it to the bathroom, and I could hear them come up short.

That's when I pulled out my noise-reduction headphones, turned on the Florida football game (gotta love JetBlue), closed my eyes and listened to it like it was a radio. I was able to achieve some sense of calm, and after I could no longer hear the gagging reflexes of my new best friends next to me, I was no longer feeling the need to ask for my bags back. I actually remember thinking: If this is it, then so be it. I was having an inner monologue that included some sense of OK with the concept of death. I started thinking about my family, closest friends, all the places I've been, courses I've played, people I've met, and I couldn't help but think of girls I've been with--both of them. I was beginning to convince myself I was cool with not having kids because I had such great relationships with my ten nieces and nephews. I had no regrets about not being married. I felt I had scored with career choices and if I had any deep dark secrets, they were so suppressed, not even near-death could bring them to the surface.

But you know what I didn't think about? My bad tooth, my dirty laundry and my dead hard drive.

Obviously we made it. The roar of the crowd the minute all wheels were down sounded like the crowd at the start of the Ole Miss/Alabama game I went to a few weeks ago. High fives all around. I've never seen so many passengers hug each other and then hug the pilots on their way off the plane. I went with a pair of knuckle bumps--those boys deserved it. As far as I'm concerned, they were our own Captain Sullys.

Were we really close to death? Probably not. But all is right again in my little world. My computer works (thanks to Mike Astolfi), my tooth is fixed (thanks to Dr. Neuschatz) my boxers are clean (thanks to the cleaners) and I have a brand new sack of perspective.

All that being said, one thing still doesn't make sense to me: What is Kate Hudson, star of "Almost Famous," doing with A-Rod? That's a thought, regardless of any fresh perspective, that will always make me nauseous.

--Matty G.

Have you been involved in a close call? Care to share?
Send it in, I'd love to hear about it.

Golf Digest Ambush Strikes Again

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:40:57 -0500

It never gets old, certainly not for me. To meet up with an unsuspecting group of golfers enjoying their favorite few days of the year. Bonding and boozing, swinging and singing their way into their personal history books of buddies golf.

In the latest installment of the Golf Digest Ambush (No. 17), I met up with Hugh Ahlering, 77, and Bob Titzer, 76, who have been brothers-in-law, friends and golf rivals for more than 50 years.

Here's a link to their story.

Here's a link to their video.

Here's a link to the history of the Ambush, prepared and hosted by the Bratton Brothers Invitational--Ambush No. 13.

I'll be ambushing again in the next week or so. The annual Kosberg Open is on my radar--12 guys getting together for 25 years. This year they're headed to Barton Creek in Austin, Tex.

The Bermuda Tour is off to Arizona this year. You can see their website at www.bdatour.com.

Rachel Peterson of Santa Cruz, Calif. wrote in on behalf of her husband's group:

I'm writing on behalf of my husband and his buddies: collectively, and once per year, they are known as the "Sausage Festers." Yep, you got it. Sausage Fest is comprised of eight guys: Bob, Paul, Brian, Markham, Jeff, Erich, Andrew, and Jason. This November marks the 10th year anniversary of Sausage Fest. That's right--10 straight years that these guys have been taking this trip.

It always starts in Las Vegas. They guys all fly in, rent an RV, and then hit the road. First, they travel to Palm Springs and play one round. Next, they drive to Phoenix and play two rounds of golf. After Phoenix, they head back to Vegas where they play another two rounds of golf. That makes five rounds of golf at five top rated courses over five days! If you've been counting, that also make five days of eight guys sleeping and gambling in the same stinky RV. Nasty! As I mentioned, this year marks the 10th anniversary, so the guys decided to mix it up a bit. This year, the trip still starts in Vegas.

Instead of Palm Springs, they're going to Mesquite, NV, where they will play Oasis Golf Course. After Mesquite, they're going to St. George, UT, where they will play The Ledges Golf Course. After St. George, they're headed to Sedona, AZ, where they will play Sedona Golf Resort. After Sedona, they're headed back to Vegas where they will play Desert Pines and then Coyote Springs (Las Vegas).

So, you ask why this trip is unique? As you can see, this is an awesome golf trip. However, from the point of view of one of the wives, what makes this trip so unique is the camaraderie and the loyalty that goes into this trip. Once a year, the guys make it a priority to take time away from their Silicon Valley job and the stresses of daily life to enjoy a guys' trip doing what they love most--golfing. You'd think that this trip would get old by now. It's actually just the opposite. Each year, they are so excited--it's like they've never been on the trip before! So, in summary, this is a great trip with great guys, and they deserve to be surprise ambushed for the 10th Anniversary of Sausage Fest!

From a reporter's point of view, it sounds like Mr. Peterson has a supportive and understanding wife. Which is what my friends and I refer to as, "One of the good ones." We also say those are few and far between.

Do you take an annual buddies trip, or do you know of one worth sharing with Golf Digest readers? If so, let me know about it. Click here and send in your entry and itinerary. I'm ambushing a buddies trip once a month.

--Matty G.

Northern Michigan revisited

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:34:15 -0500

After reading my recent Away Game for Michigan, Kevin Whitmore, the director of golf at True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs, MI, wrote to alert me to a course I may have missed.

Matt,

Hello, my name is Kevin Whitmore, I am the PGA Director of Golf at True North Golf Club in Harbor Springs, MI. Due to my busy schedule and five kids, I unfortunately don't get a chance to pick up Golf Digest very often. However, I just saw the September issue and I noticed your well-written article regarding Northern Michigan golf.

I have been a PGA professional in Northern Michigan for 17 years, and the courses that you listed are all excellent. However, you missed out on a couple of other courses that certainly rival Forest Dunes or Arcadia Bluffs. One is my course; True North. I, of course, am biased, but I will tell you that my father is a starter at Arcadia Bluffs so between the two of us, we talk to a lot of golfers. I can say that it is fairly even as to whether they like Arcadia, True North or Forest Dunes better.

Most lump the three together. if you like views you pick Arcadia, if you like waste bunkers and big clubhouses, you pick Forest Dunes, and if you like pure northern Michigan hardwoods, perfect conditions, and dramatic elevation changes, then you pick True North. True North is a Jim Engh design and it is a masterpiece. Mr. Engh also designed Tullymore, which also gets thrown into the "who's best conversation," but I think that most consider it No. 4 as far as resort and public golf in Michigan is concerned. Of course the best course in Michigan is Crystal Downs, but it is exclusively private. Kingsley Club south of Traverse City is also very good and there are a couple of great courses in the UP, Greywalls in Marquette and Timberstone in Iron Mountain (I think). Hopefully, you can make it back someday, you are always welcome to stop in here at True North!

Kind Regards,

Kevin Whitmore

Thanks for the thoughtful input, Kevin. Anyone else out there want to weigh in? Does True North rank with Arcadia Bluffs or Forest Dunes?

-- Matty G.