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What's Next For Herb Kohler: Sea Island?

Monday, April 26, 2010 Comments
Kohler_4.jpgI’ve heard stories about Herb Kohler’s appetite, but recent conversation about the Prince of Porcelain pertains to his consumption of property, not desserts. That’s the way it works when you have capital in a down economy. Kohler (pictured above) is feasting while everyone else is cutting back.

On Monday I was told by a legitimate source that a deal is in the works for Kohler to rescue Sea Island Resort in Georgia, even though neither side is willing to confirm. Not yet.

I reached Scott Anderson, the President of Kohler Co. Hospitality and Real Estate Group, and let's just say he didn’t deny that a deal is imminent. “We’ve always said that Kohler Co. has an interest in iconic properties and resorts, both in the U.S. and around the world,” Anderson told me. “Certainly Sea Island fits that bill. However, we have not entered into any contractual agreement to purchase the resort.”

SeaIsland_2.jpgBut Kohler, who already owns the American Club in Wisconsin, would be a perfect fit for Sea Island. (The Lodge at Sea Island is pictured above.) And you also have to figure he could get what Golf Digest considers the second-best golf resort in the country, for a very good price. Last year Kohler told me he had been approached by financially desperate Erin Hills in Wisconsin and Sea Island about the potential for bailouts.

He told me Erin Hills didn’t fit his portfolio, and it wasn’t the right time to consider Sea Island.

We know from an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle that Sea Island, the “posh but debt-riddled resort and seaside community” is actively seeking a buyer. But Sea Island denies any reports of a sale to Kohler Co.

“That rumor has been around now for months and months and months,” said Merry Tipton, a spokesperson for Sea Island. And Tipton wasn’t comfortable discussing the subject. She had the same response to several questions: “I don't think we ought to go there.”

HamiltonHall_2.jpgIn December Kohler bought Hamilton Hall in St. Andrews (pictured above), which is the big red building that sits behind the 18th green of the Old Course. (He hinted to the acquisition on this blog in November.) A nice addition to Kohler’s Old Course Hotel, which overlooks the Road Hole, Hamilton Hall, essentially an abandoned building, is going to take a lot of work and large sums of money to make it a worthwhile business venture. I figured that would keep Kohler content. At least for a little while.

Well, it has been a little while since December -- and a man has got to eat.

--Matty G.

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Q&A With A Beverage Cart Girl: Hershey C.C.

Sunday, April 25, 2010 Comments
Caitlin_1.jpgFrom across the fairway it looked like Caitlin Ensminger was practicing a dance routine. Jumping, twirling and kicking -- any judge would've given her high marks. She says she was running from an aggressive bee.

Ensminger is just one of many sweet things in the town of Hershey, Pa. It's her second summer as a beverage cart girl and she says she likes to smile a lot. "I mean . . . we are considered the happiest place on earth. Chocolate makes people happy."

Ensminger's territory is both courses at the Hershey Country Club and her strategy is to go in the opposite direction of play so she hits every group at least once. The West course, the member's favorite, is much busier than the East course, so she does three laps on the West to every one lap on the East. "If you could see my tee sheet you'd see the West was full today and there were only five people on the East. Most of the time I go to where I know people get thirsty."

How old are you? I turn 20 in August.

What's your biggest tip? I got $40 on a $10 tab, three times. That was last summer. They were all from the same member. He's a very nice guy.

What's the most you've made in one day? I've made $139, but I'm trying to break that -- give me a good tournament and let me see what I can do.

Are you a golfer? No, I wouldn't say I'm a golfer. I prefer the driving range. I like to get a bucket of balls and hit tee shots. I'm not good at putting. Some of the members have me hit tee shots sometimes. I'm not worried about hitting the shot, I'm worried about breaking the club. Have you seen the price tag on those things? And some of the clubs come up to my neck.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work in business. I go to Harrisburg Area Community College. I like resort management. I like working with guests.

One thing I should do before I leave town? There are a lot of things to do in Hershey. I would suggest seeing the Hershey Bears.

What are the Hershey Bears? The hockey team. It's exciting. My family has worked in Hershey all of my life and my Dad is a big fan. Who can't be exposed to the Bears when you live around here?

Do you ever see celebrities on the golf course? If you consider Bears players celebrities. I heard Kid Rock was out here one day but I couldn't find him.

Caitlin_2.jpgWhat would you have done if you rolled up on Kid Rock? I would've been shocked. I don't even know what I would've said to him. I know I'd try to keep it professional, but what do you call him? Kid? Rock?

Do you eat a lot of chocolate when you live in Hershey? No. It's not like we all chow down on chocolate all day. I used to when I was a kid, but who doesn't?

If I'm looking for a good spot to eat in town, where should I go? Trevi 5, at the hotel, just opened up and that's good. Devon Seafood Grill is good. If you go to Duke's Bar and Grille try the crab pretzel -- that's what everybody gets.

Are you single? Yes. The single life is a better life -- at least when you're 19. I broke up with my boyfriend last summer and I want to stay single. I wasted my summer on him last year. I gave him all of my tip money so he could go play golf. I'm sweet like that.

--Matty G.

(Photographs by Bjorn Iooss.)

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Some More Facts About Old Mac

Saturday, April 24, 2010 Comments
OldMac.jpgIf you haven't heard -- Tiger's back, Iceland exploded, Tim Tebow is a Bronco and Bandon Dunes has a new fourth course opening in June.

Here's a link to my story about Old Macdonald, which appeared in the May issue of Golf Digest. I can't say I was surprised when David Fay, the USGA's executive director, told me the Oregon resort is "the epicenter of golf on Planet Earth." I agree with him, but if you've ever read this blog you also know that by now.

In a recent post about Old Mac on Cybergolf.com, they use the Fay quote (with no attribution) and then they report the USGA slope and rating:

The par-71 Old Macdonald will play 6,978 yards from the black tees where it has received a USGA Course Rating of 74.1 and a USGA Slope Rating of 133. The most forward tees, Royal Blue, are 4,280 yards with a USGA Course Rating of 62.6 and a slope of 104.

At 6,978 yards, that makes Old Mac the longest of the four Bandon courses by 213 yards but I'm guessing it will be the most receptive to a good score. Bandon is listed at 6,732 yards (the only par 72 on property), Pacific, my favorite, is 6,633 yards (par 71) and Trails is 6,765 yards (par 71).

Cybergolf.com also reports that the USGA has made up their minds on which of the four courses they will use for two of their upcoming championships:

In 2011 Old Macdonald will host both the U.S. Amateur Public Links and the U.S. Women's Public Links championships. Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails were used for the 1007 U.S. Mid-Amateur, and the 2005 Curtis Cup was played at Pacific Dunes, making the resort on Oregon's southwestern coast the first venue to have hosted national championships on four different courses.
 
Here's a video of my tour of Old Mac late last year when I walked a portion of the course with Jeff Brinegar, the pro at Pacific Dunes and Old Mac, and Ken Nice, Director of Agronomy (sorry -- it was windy that day, so it's hard to hear):



--Matty G.

(Photograph of Old Mac by Stephen Szurlej)

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Video: Ambush Outtakes

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Comments
Ambush Cup_2.jpgOn the first of 25 Ambushes, Golf Digest bought Neil Thomson and the members of the “Ponce de Leon Invitational” four bottles of wine and I had a friend shoot some video with my little Leica camera.

The second Ambush took place in Scottsdale. The “victims” were in town from Michigan and I rolled up on Chuck Wierda and his seven friends on the first tee of Desert Canyon. I passed out boxes of balls and mini kegs of beer. Those boys were stoked and I was getting the sense we were on to something special.

In a little over two years of celebrating buddies golf all across the country, this concept has come a long way. Now I pass out boxes of Excalibur Cigars, Sundog Eyewear, Ashworth shirts, Srixon balls, TayorMade hats and a golf bag to the person who sends in the winning itinerary. I usually buy at least one round of drinks (or three) and depending on the size of the soiree, dinner might be included.

I’ve seen grown men cry and women north of 50 flash low-flying helicopters, but in all of my travels, I still haven’t met anyone who doesn’t love free stuff.

It’s only after the Ambush article comes out that it’s clear the biggest gem of the loot is getting the group’s story in Golf Digest. A cherished trip, forever frozen in time by a cover, a few pictures and 500 words about who they are; what they mean to each other; when they go; where they go and why they go there.

LittleAmbushLogo.jpgWhat means a lot to me is that we are still in contact with almost every group we’ve featured. Greg Waldrop, of Ambush No. 13, the "Bratton Brothers Invitational" is the biggest fan by far. Not only does he help cultivate The Complete History of the Ambush website (and the logo above), but he reaches out to other winning group leaders to congratulate them, then he invites them to play golf if they are ever anywhere near his home state of Alabama. Waldrop is a retired guy with a passion for the game, appreciates the camaraderie and this concept.

Ambush No. 3, the “Louisville Sluggers,” is no group of Greg Waldrops, but they were kind enough to send me an engraved bat. The “Tennessee Masters,” of Ambush No. 17, gave me a handmade head cover that I used until last week, when it finally fell apart. Dave “Walk” Walker, of Ambush No. 14, "Watson's Springfest," is one of the best bell cows roaming the plains of buddies trips. Where Walk goes, his friends and family will follow. Walk is the guy who has lead 135 guys from Canada to Canandaigua for the past 21 years, and he was kind enough to pass on a pair of golf socks (only because they didn’t fit his feet). I have a bet to settle with Walk -- he beat me 1-up at Pinehurst No. 2. The next time I see him we'll play for a bigger pair of socks.

And then there’s Bryan O’Toole, of Ambush No. 4, the “O’Toole Brothers Invitational,” who recently sent me a note and a photo. The O’Toole brothers, great friends and golf rivals, are now playing for the "Ambush Cup," which is pictured at the top of this blog.

In every Ambush story I try to throw in some service for the readers, such as: the courses they play, how much money they spend and the tournament format they use to determine winners and losers.

I’ve been around enough buddies trips to know there is no such thing as a loser. However, as an impartial witness to these annual gatherings, I’ve had my fair share of odd spots.

Here’s a video of Ambush outtakes that might better explain some of those situations:



Do you want to have your annual buddies trip featured in Golf Digest? If so, click here and tell us about your itinerary. You never know, you might be next. (And if you are, expect a congratulatory note from Greg Waldrop.)

--Matty G.

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Talking Travel On AAA Radio (Part 2)

Monday, April 19, 2010 Comments
Volcano_2.jpgAs you know from a previous post, on April 15, I was scheduled to fly from New York to London for a scouting report on golf in Wales. That flight was canceled and four more since then. I've given up. Given in. And I'm moving on. We're bumping the story on Wales back a few months and I'm returning to Hershey, Pa., where life smells like a candy bar and you sink putts that fall into peanut butter cups.

I was in Hershey two weeks ago for a radio interview. I taped two Saturdays worth of segments with Sandy Fenton, the host of "Let's Talk Travel."

Here's a link to the first show.

And here are links to the segments that aired last Saturday (click on the segment numbers to listen in):

Segment 1: Accessibility of golf; shipping clubs and a golf boom in Italy.

Segment 2: A mutual passion for St. Andrews; Bandon Dunes; Sea Island and the death of course architecture in the United States.

Segment 3: Women and kids (yours, not mine); golf schools; getting fit for clubs; gambling on golf and buying a trip for a significant other.

Segment 4: All about the Ambush.

Segment 5: Wrap up.

I appreciate the poll on the homepage of WHP 580 Talk Radio: "Would you be willing to fly through volcanic ash after you have heard about what happened?"

I was with the 71 percent who answered "No." My answer was more like, NO FRICKIN' WAY. I loved that 14 percent said that it depended on how long they've been waiting at the airport. As if a few days in Heathrow was some sort of applicable value to the price of their life.

Not even with Captain Sully at the controls of Air Force One would I fly to Europe right now.

--Matty G.

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The Complete History Of The Ambush

Monday, April 19, 2010 Comments
BuddiesLogo2.jpgThe Golf Digest Ambush has one specific purpose -- we want to share stories of real golfers getting together on an annual basis.

And so, in the March 2008 issue, we asked readers to send in their itineraries and to tell us why their buddies trip is unique. And so they did. Close to 10,000 entries and more than two years later, we’ve met with 25 groups of golfers (and counting) ranging in size from three to 135. We’ve been to 14 states and featured 732 of you in the pages of Golf Digest. From Scottsdale to Schuyler, Neb., I’ve passed out golf balls, drink tickets, hats, golf bags and boxes of cigars. I’ve bought lunches and dinners, bottles of wine and a tray full of burgers at the turn. (Almost) everything I’ve seen has been printable, most obey the law and they all say the same thing: It’s not about the golf -- it’s about the group.

Greg Waldrop and Jeff Graham, of Ambush No. 13, The Bratton Brothers Invitational (41 years in the books), have taken it upon themselves to track the history of the Ambush.

Here is a link to their site, with a very serviceable summary of stories, venues and dates of each Ambush.

Here's a Golf Channel video summarizing the first six Ambushes:



If you and your group are interested in being Ambushed, click here for the entry form. You never know, you might be next.

--Matty G.


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A Week Of Golf In Ireland For $999?

Friday, April 16, 2010 Comments
AdareManor.jpg"That's a stupid price. Impossible." That's what one editor said when I told him about this deal.

The promo calls it "the ultimate golf holiday." I can't agree, but it's pretty sweet, and boy is it cheap, which is why I'm passing it on.

The Ireland Golf Resort Vacation package offered by Sceptre Tours includes:

--Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon.

Is that Shannon, Ireland or Shannon, Illinois?

--Six nights in a private three-bedroom Villa at the five-star Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.

Does this particular villa come with a roof?

--Four rounds of championship golf: Adare Manor Golf Club (home of the Irish Open and the upcoming JP McManus Pro-Am Invitational), the Dingle Golf Links in Co. Kerry, the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Lackabane Course), and the Doonbeg Golf Club in Co. Clare.

Is it night golf?

--Rental car (manual transmission minivan) for a week. Can be upgraded to an automatic transmission or to a chauffeur-driven car.

Do I have to pack my own tires?

--This package is priced from $999 from New York, from $1,019 from Boston, and $1,049 from Chicago for travel November 2010 through March 2011 (a savings of over 50% if you were to book the same components individually on your own). Rates are also available for May through October 2010 starting from $1,519 from New York. Rates are per person, based on quad occupancy and are exclusive of airline taxes estimated to be $180 per person.

Beware: You might need to secure a scuba suit to play November golf in Ireland.

Please Note: June & July travel in the Villas are sold out but Adare Townhouses (2-bedroom) are available. Contact 800-221-0924 for prices and to book. Travel around the holidays (Christmas & New Year's) are at slightly higher rates. Travel in March 2011 is currently available for the first week and additional days will be offered.

Sceptre Tours is based in Lynbrook, New York and founded in 1981. They are a family-owned and operated tour agency with a focus on Ireland, Britain and Italy.


All joking aside . . . I did a little research (walked the halls with a notebook and sent out a few e-mails to some colleagues) and secured some skinny.

First, the accommodations. Granted, it was 20 years ago, but one very high-ranking official at Golf Digest honeymooned at the Adare Manor (pictured above). One of their daughters is named after the resort, which is a solid endorsement.

As for the courses, the resort's website claims the Adare Golf Club was "the last major golf course designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr."

One editor was at Killarney recently, where they have three courses. He says he loved Mahoney's Point, but he didn't play the Lackabane course, which I'm told is a tough test.

None of my sources have played Dingle, but we had a lot of fun with the name.

As for Doonbeg, lots of us have played the Greg Norman course, which opened in 2002 but looks like it has been there since 1802. We all agree, it's pretty tough, especially if the wind is a factor and you stop trusting your swing. There are a lot of good holes with some memorable views along the water.

And finally, who is the tour operator? One trusted source came back with a review of Sceptre: "Lower end, move a lot of passengers, mainly sightseeing bus tours. I've never heard anything bad."

So it's golf in Ireland, it's six nights at the Adare Manor and it's not impossible.

Here's the link.

--Matty G.

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Travel Trouble: The Eyjafjallajokull Glacier.

Thursday, April 15, 2010 Comments
Volcano.jpgIf I could say it, I'd curse it.

My phone was blowing up at 6:30 a.m. this morning with digital news of my scouting trip to Wales erupting in the wake of an Icelandic volcano. "This is American Airlines, calling about a flight cancellation. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Inconvenience? I'd go with: incomprehensible. My flight to London was canceled because of a volcano in Iceland? Of course it was. And I thought it was odd a few years ago when my trip to Bandon Dunes was canceled because of a rolling blackout in the northeast.

Tonight I was scheduled to fly to London, drive to Wales in the morning for six rounds in four days, ending at Celtic Manor, home of the Ryder Cup in September. I'm currently working on a flight to Paris and jumping the Eurostar to London. 

American Airlines offered me an afternoon flight to Paris, through Dallas. I prefer the direct flight from NY to Paris on Air France. American Airlines will refund me my tickets, but they won't accommodate me on a different airline, so the trip will be a little more expensive. The next dilemma is getting a seat on "the Chunnel," the undersea rail that would take me from Paris to London. I'll keep you posted.

It looks like I'll make it, but as with all travel inconveniences, it will cost me time and money. And don't get me wrong; I realize my plight is not on top of any priority lists. I feel especially sorry for people trying to fly to see sick loved ones, the members of the military trying to get home to see their families or the young newlyweds who have squirreled away a little time and money for a honeymoon, etc.  

For more on the volcano, here's a link to the story on newyorktimes.com.

Here's a map illustrating the spread of the ash cloud:

IcelandAsh.jpg--Matty G.

(Amazing photograph by Arni Saeberg/Bloomberg News.)

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Win A Round At "Old Mac" In Oregon

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Comments
OldMac.jpgMatt Ginella, you suck!

There -- I feel a little better. And I'll leave the rest of the expletives to tranquil Tiger Woods.

In the May issue of Golf Digest I wrote a story about a recent trip to Bandon Dunes to sample the Oregon resort and the new fourth course, Old Macdonald. The homage to C.B. Macdonald, the public's peek at the genius of one of the grandfather's of course architecture, will open in June.

On the spread of the story I identified a hole in the foreground of the picture (above) as the 16th hole. I screwed up. It's actually the 14th hole. I apologized to the co-designers, Tom Doak and Jim Urbina. But I still feel sick about it. The 16th hole, "the Alps," is in the foreground, but not where we can see it.

To help make up for my mistake I give you, the reader, a link to a contest where you might win a free preview round at Old Mac (plus a lot more). Here are the details of the contest, put on by traveloregon.com:

One foursome will win an 18-hole sneak preview round on Bandon Dunes' newest course, Old Macdonald Golf Links, before it opens to the public. Consumers can enter to win this “Oregon Adventurecation” at www.TravelOregon.com/DreamTrips.
 
In addition, the prize also includes custom fittings for NIKE drivers and apparel and rounds at some of Oregon’s other top golf locations: Pumpkin Ridge near Portland, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails at Bandon Dunes, and Central Oregon’s Pronghorn, Brasada Ranch and Tetherow. Airfare, ground transportation and lodging are all included, bringing the total prize value to over $13,000. 
 
Entries for the Oregon Adventurecation: Ultimate Golf Road Trip must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, April 23. Because ‘Old Macdonald’ officially opens June 1, winners must be able to travel May 29 -- June 4, 2010. The full itinerary and official rules can be viewed at www.TravelOregon.com/DreamTrips/golf.

Again, click here for the link to the contest entry form.

Good luck. That's a trip that makes a travel editor jealous.

--Matty G.


(Photograph by Stephen Szurlej.)

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Talking Travel On AAA Radio

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Comments
Fenton.jpgYou'd love Sandy Fenton. In part because of her personality -- Fenton hosts "Let's Talk Travel," a radio talk show on WHP 580 in Harrisburg, Pa. And in part you'd love her because she's smart, witty and she likes good wine. But most of all you'd like her because a few years ago, at the Tom Watson Fall Classic at the Greenbrier, Fenton introduced the tournament host to one of her friends as "Todd" Watson -- and still laughs about it. Watson's ego took a dart in the neck. Since then, the guy has made a name for himself by playing his new hip off. He almost won the British Open at age 59, and contended at the Masters at age 60.

I'm always happy to jump the 7:25 a.m. "Keystone" on Amtrak from Penn Station to Pennsylvania for the opportunity to share stories from the road with a veteran of the industry.

Last week Fenton and I taped 10 segments, which is two Saturday shows worth of radio. The first five segments aired last Saturday.

Here are the links to each (click segment numbers to listen):

Segment 1: I boldly foolishly predict Tiger will miss the cut at the Masters.

Segment 2: We discuss some of my recent travels, my mission statement for the travel section of Golf Digest and I attack the $500 green fee at Pebble Beach.

Segment 3: We talk about the Greenbrier's great escape, my schedule, reporting stories for the magazine and some general thoughts on the travel industry.

Segment 4: More travel talk, packing tips and Q&As with tour pros, athletes and celebrities.

Segment 5: Fenton tees up the show this Saturday and talks about the Golf Digest partnership with AAA -- up to 60% discounts on green fees if you're a AAA member.

In related news, my round-trip ticket from Penn to Penn. was $94. It is supposed to take 3 hours, 18 minutes each way. On the way from New York the train lost power twice and eventually we had to get on a new train to finish the trip. I was an hour and a half late and received exactly $0 off the price of my ticket. We got the courtesy "sorry for the inconvenience" over the loudspeaker. I had plenty of time to think: Shouldn't a travel "inconvenience" have some monetary value to the customer? If a three-hour trip cost me $47, shouldn't a five-hour trip be a little less? Why not? If I jumped the train that could get me there in an hour, I'd have to pay a lot more. 

--Matty G.

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