Tee Times Spring 2017

Predator Ridge Resort and Lifestyle Magazine

THE COMMONAGE

AT PREDATOR RIDGE

THE TRAILS AT PREDATOR RIDGE

OKANAGAN

SUSTAINING NATURE

BUCKET LIST

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3 COOL SHOTS THE GREAT ONE, CRUSHING RAIN, AND BIG DREAMS 6 THE COMMONAGE AT PREDATOR RIDGE ROLLING HILLS AND SCENIC

14 Q&A KEVIN CHAPPELL 18 INSTRUCTION WITH BRODIE CARLE IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO

8 THE TRAILS AT PREDATOR RIDGE WALK, RUN, OR RIDE ON THE

20 OKANAGAN BUCKET LIST

11 SUSTAINING NATURE AT PREDATOR RIDGE ENJOY THE OKANAGAN’S

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VIEWS HIGHLIGHT NEWEST HOUSING OPTION

RESORT’S EXTENSIVE TRAIL SYSTEM NATURAL LAVENDER FIELDS

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IMPROVE YOUR GAME

THE THINGS TO ABSOLUTELY SEE AND DO AROUND PREDATOR RIDGE 19TH HOLE SERGIO CONQUERS HIS MENTAL GAME AND THE MASTERS

13 PREDATOR RIDGE LIFESTYLE THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO ENJOY AT PREDATOR RIDGE

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

COOL SHOTS 1 MONEYBALL

PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN

We won’t go into details regarding this makeshift miniature golf contest held inside at Pebble Beach, but with the likes of Dustin Johnson, Wayne Gretzky and Kelly Slater, one can imagine the stakes are too high for us mere mortals to even dream about. Seeing The Great One’s laser like intensity over that putt brings us memories of his legendary hockey career. Our money is on DJ, though.

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

COOL SHOTS 2 THE WICKED WET WEST

PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN

The West Coast took a wet weather pummeling, having smashed records for rainfall across the entire state in the first two months of the year.

The 18th tee at Pebble, which flanks the Pacific Ocean, also took a beating but recovered well enough for the weekend during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

COOL SHOTS 3

DREAMING BIG Aspiring Tour professional Zac Radford has been chronicling his pursuit of a PGA Tour card via Instagram—and people across the county have definitely noticed with Radford already racking up nearly 28,000 followers. How does he do it? He’s also a creative whiz with his iPhone, taking great shots such as this one. You can find him and a slew of amazing photos at @realzacradford.

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

THE COMMONAGE AT PREDATOR RIDGE

By Lori Bamber

UNCOMMONLY

GOOD LIVING NEW COMMONAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITES PAST AND PRESENT FOR A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE

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t’s always been difficult to describe Predator Ridge to those who haven’t had the experience of arriving here after landing at the Kelowna International Airport, just a 25-minute drive away. Surrounded by the vast sky and the blue Monashee Range, you open the car door and inhale the pure, sweet air of the high grassland plateau.

Wherever you’ve come from, it’s now a long way away – along with whatever stress that may have plagued you until just a few minutes ago.

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But what’s it like to live here? Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many welcoming Predator residents, and I’m always touched by the way they describe their home. “People take care of each other here.” “It’s paradise.” “It’s like Bali.” “It’s the Provence of Canada.” “We travelled all over the world … and decided this is where we wanted to retire.” And perhaps my favourite of all time: “They say every place has its share of [rhymes with brass bowls]. But if there is one here, I still haven’t met him.”

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

THE COMMONAGE AT PREDATOR RIDGE

Since its launch more than 25 years ago, Predator has gone from being best known as a world-class golf destination to so much more. It an ideal home base for those seeking a mild climate and a four-season outdoor lifestyle, with easy access to lake sports, a vast network of hiking and biking trails, downhill and Nordic skiing and snowboarding, and dedicated cycling clubs for all levels of experience and fitness. Predator’s impeccably equipped fitness centre opens onto the spectacular outdoors in summer and becomes the social heart of the resort when the golf clubhouse closes for the winter. There is even a booming bocce ball league.

The Okanagan’s wine and food culture continues to be a major attraction, and all the health care, cultural and shopping amenities of the city are within an easy drive.

Launching this spring and summer, the new Commonage neighbourhood will make this unparalleled lifestyle available to an additional 200 families.

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Built on the rolling hills overlooking the ridge, the Commonage will feature 27 acres of dedicated park space, including a dazzling 3.5-acre lavender field developed in partnership with UBC Okanagan. Adding to the resort’s already rich amenities are a dog park, an extended trail system, tennis and pickle ball courts, more outdoor yoga platforms and natural wildlife habitat reserves.

The Commons recreational area will also include playgrounds and grass fields, creating a natural destination for visiting grandchildren from all of Predator’s neighbourhoods.

“These homes aren’t even built yet, and they’re already generating excitement and interest,” says property specialist Dick Zokol. “People can see what we’ve demonstrated in the past, and the leap of faith necessary to buy in a new neighbourhood is a lot smaller because they can see what we’ve been able to deliver in other neighbourhoods like Whitetail. It was such a massive success, and two years later, the community

is thriving. It’s almost built out, and it’s sold out.”

The Commonage architecture and name is inspired by the land’s history as winter grazing pastures shared by First Nations and early settlers, as well as by the deep sense of community that defines Predator Ridge. A classic, modern-ranch inspired design invites interactions between neighbours and with family, with front porches and open outdoor entertainment spaces that flow seamlessly from the living areas.

“There is a great, long vista from many of the lots,” adds property specialist Claire Radford, one of Predator’s earliest residents.

“It’s a different exposure than we’ve offered here before – some of the homes look over the golf course right down to the Mackay Reservoir.”

There is also a wide range of home sizes, she notes, with semi-detached two-story plans, smaller and larger detached homes and home sites for sale as well.

Bright, open floor plans and generous outdoor living areas are nestled into the contours of the land, bringing residents into a more intimate relationship with life, nature and community. Large windows, board and batten walls and metal roofs bring a bright, light modern feeling to the otherwise ranch-inspired architecture. Inside, vaulted ceilings and large windows bring light indoors and create a sense of spaciousness.

At the moment, 21 homes are under construction, with move-in dates scheduled for late summer. The development is carefully managed so that early residents won’t be surrounded by construction, but by established landscaping and amenities.

“The landscaping will be complete and your new neighbours will be there,” says Ms. Radford.

Welcome home.

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

TRAILS AT PREDATOR RIDGE

A PATHWAY OF CONNECTIONS …

OKANAGAN RAIL TRAIL FACTS

THE PREDATOR RIDGE TRAILS SYSTEM IS AN OASIS FOR WALKERS, RUNNERS, AND CYCLISTS

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all it the Predator lifestyle. Residents and guests head out in the morning for a walk on one of the resort’s numerous trails, or stroll along in the evening taking in the breathtaking vistas the trails reveal. And now those trails have been lengthened even further, with an extension that links an existing trail to Ellison Provincial Park, with its elevated bench lands sitting above a dramatic rocky shore.

“This is really about supporting the Okanagan lifestyle that makes Predator Ridge so attractive to people,” says Susan Morris, fitness manager at Predator Ridge. “Now that we’re connected to Ellison Provincial Park, it just extends what was already available to everyone at the resort.”

• $22 million – purchase price of discontinued rail corridor.

• $50 million – asking price.

• $7.86 million – estimated cost to construct the first phase of the trail.

• 48.5 km – length of trail when completed (17.8 km in Kelowna, 2.3 km in Okanagan Indian Band, 16.3 km in Lake Country, 12.1 km in Regional District of North Okanagan).

• 24 kms – total distance of lakefront, creeks and truly unique natural habitats along the trail.

• 1.3 % – maximum grade of the trail.

• 212,000 – combined estimated population of communities along the trail.

• 588,000 – estimated # of annual uses by year 5.

• 43 – number of cultural and recreational points of interest within 500 meters of the trail.

• 1 – number of international airports along the trail.

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

TRAILS AT PREDATOR RIDGE “In addition, our freshest neighborhood, The Commonage, adds another circle trail to our inventory,” says Susan.

Ellison Park has a rich cultural history and the park is dominated by stands of ponderosa pines and Douglas fir, while deer wander over the scenic landscape.

Predator Ridge’s trail system is already extensive, with 7.5 km of public trails and 9.2 km of resort trails, providing a unique opportunity for explorers to interact with the natural landscape and the animals that it sustains. The system of paths and trails connect to lookout areas that provide some of the most picturesque views found anywhere in the Okanagan.

With the recent announcement of the approval of the Okanagan Rail Trail, Predator Ridge has become a leading force behind it as the trail’s Base Camp.

Building this trail will provide much more than a pathway.

It creates connections in our region that will benefit our all of our communities today, and into our future.

As biking has become a significant activity at Predator Ridge, the link to Ellison and the Rail Trail offers some moderate downhill biking trails with great views of Okanagan Lake and gradual climbs in a forested setting.

Bikes, including models offering pedal assist, are available for rent at Predator, notes Morris. Racks are scattered throughout the property and bike storage is now available, she adds. The North Okanagan Cycling Society has maps of the cycling trails posted online for those interested in riding. The trails, Morris says, are rated as “moderate cross country,” meaning they aren’t too demanding for those walking or riding.

The new trails are just another example of Predator Ridge’s connection to its remarkable natural surrounding.

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

AMAZING MOMENTS LIVE HERE P r e d a t o r R i d g e i s o n e o f C a n a d a ’ s p r e m i e r c o m m u n i t i e s , o f f e r i n g 3 6 h o l e s o f u n p a r a l l e l e d g o l f, a n e w b a n q u e t f a c i l i t y & o u t d o o r p a t i o , a f i t n e s s c e n t r e , ove r 3 5 k m s o f h i k i n g , b i k i n g & w a l k i n g t r a i l s , t w o o u t d o o r yo g a p l a t f o r m s , g o u r m e t d i n i n g , a g e n e r a l s t o r e a n d p e t - f r i e n d l y a c c o m m o d a t i o n s .

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SUSTAINING NATURE AT PREDATOR RIDGE

LAVENDER FIELDS FOREVER PREDATOR RIDGE PARTNERS WITH UBC TO ADVANCE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, HEALTH POTENTIAL

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avender fields are a potent symbol of a sought-after ideal: a lifestyle defined by comfort, simplicity and warm scented breezes, along with the delectable cuisines and wines of the Provence and Tuscany regions.

When Predator Ridge began development of the Commonage, its newest neighbourhood, the idea of a lavender field slowly became part of the project’s defining theme.

“Because of its elevation and hillside location, this part of the resort will be about trails, parks and the most stunning views,” says Brad Pelletier.

“Lavender thrives in the Okanagan, and we know that people travel the world to see the fields

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because of their striking colour, beauty and fragrance.

“With so much agricultural reserve land (ALR) on the property, it occurred to us that we had an amazing opportunity to enrich our community.”

With lavender at the heart of the planning process, the resort’s staff reached out to Dr. Soheil Mahmoud, who heads the BC Lavender Network at UBC Okanagan.

The first three-and-a-half-acre park has now been designed, with 1,800 lavender plants surrounding a walkway on the property’s most visible hillside. “It is the starting point for the integration of lavender throughout Predator Ridge,” says

Pelletier. “The ALR land gives us the ability to advance the potential for tourism and merchandising, and we can have and expand these real-life laboratories with the long-term opportunity to produce aromatherapy and cuisine in our kitchens.”

Since before the time of Socrates and Plato, lavender has been prized for its effects on depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, inflammation and pain, and for its antimicrobial properties.

Dr. Mahmoud, an associate professor of biology at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, notes that there is also evidence that lavender has significant agricultural and gardening benefits. “There are a select number of compounds that give lavender its pleasant scent and that we’ve noticed can attract birds and honeybees to a garden and help it thrive.

“Conversely, there are other compounds in lavender essential, like camphor, that can repel insects and pests and act as a natural deterrent to houseflies, mosquitoes and even deer, who are turned off by its pungent, medicinal odor.”

Dr. Mahmoud’s primary aim for the study now underway at Commonage is to determine which varieties of lavender grow best in cooler climates. “But we’re also seeking to observe if the Commonage plants produce different essential oils than we’re used to seeing in the region,” he adds. “There could be some novel applications for these oils that have an authentic, local signature unique to the Commonage community.”

UBC Okanagan students will also use the specialized plant tissue for other research projects that will aid in the discovery of genes that control flower development and essential oil production, says Dr. Mahmoud. Once identified, these genes could potentially be used to enhance the visual and olfactory properties of lavender – making it an even more attractive crop.

“Many other plants, such as mint and conifers, use similar mechanisms to produce various biochemical compounds, so we can extrapolate our insights to learn how important natural products, including pesticides, insecticides, cancer suppressing compounds, antioxidants, vitamins and many others can be optimally produced,” he explains.

Beyond its research and agricultural benefits, the Commonage’s Lavender Meadow will also reward resort residents with more immediate health and relaxation experiences.

Over the past few years, Predator Ridge has become the region’s most distinctive yoga retreat destination, with classes designed around its outdoor cedar yoga platform, overlooking spectacular Lake Okanagan. The Commonage will add another facet: An even larger cedar yoga platform will soon be installed on the edge of the lavender meadow, offering lavender-scented breezes and the most expansive views of the resort and surrounding mountains available anywhere in the resort.

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

DUSTIN JOHNSON

JASON DAY

WHAT’S THE HOTTEST DRIVER IN GOLF?

THE PROS HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO TWO.

SERGIO GARCIA

JUSTIN ROSE

TIGER WOODS

JON RAHM

©2017 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. Claims based on combined 2017 usage of M1 and M2 drivers on the PGA, European, LPGA, Japan Golf, Champions, and Web.com Tours, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, Inc. The M model used by Tour players in competition may vary.

THE MOST PLAYED DRIVER FAMILY ON TOUR, WORLDWIDE.

PREDATOR RIDGE LIFESTYLE

IT’S ALL HAPPENING AT PREDATOR RIDGE

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FROM MORNING TRAIL RIDES TO RELAXING SUNSETS, LIFE FLOWS AT PREDATOR RIDGE

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

Q&A

CHAPPELL

CLOSES THE DEAL FORMER UCLA STANDOUT GETS HIS FIRST PGA TOUR WIN

By Jim Dover

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PHOTO: MICHAEL WEINSTEIN

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evin Chappell can add another accolade to his impressive resume — he’s now a PGA Tour winner. The 2008 NCAA individual champion from UCLA and Web.com Tour winner finally broke through after 180 PGA Tour starts and claimed victory at the 2017 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio in April.

Chappell made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-5, 18th hole to avoid a playoff with Brooks Koepka. The 30-year old Chappell let out a gut-busting celebratory scream after finally reaching the winner’s circle after multiple near-misses.

Chappell, a former UCLA captain from Fresno, who also led the Bruins to the men’s team championship in 2008, was understandably relieved to end his storyline of six second-place Tour finishes.

“I’m glad it’s behind me,” Chappell said during an exclusive interview with California Golf & Travel when we spoke with Chappell the week before

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

Q&A The Players Championship about his first PGA Tour win, his days at UCLA, and the joy he gets from being a husband and father of two.

Winner of the 2017 Valero Texas Open … has that gotten old yet?

Doesn’t get old. Still feels great. It was super exciting and something I’ll never forget.

Is it true that the Valero Texas Open was where you had your first PGA TOUR start in 2008?

I didn’t realize that until after the fact. It felt like it was fate, with (the Valero Texas Open) being my first PGA Tour start and the first tournament where I was in serious contention back in 2011. Something about it just feels right.

Every player has a sense of what their first win feels like until it happens and you say ‘Oh, that’s what it feels like.’ Does it come close to what you thought?

I never really thought about how it would feel. My wife would back me up and say that I’m not a real ‘feelings guy.’ But it definitely was the highest of highs. It was such a thrilling day and something I really want to experience more.

Is it tough to do that post-tournament TV interview literally seconds after you win?

It is a tough time to conduct an interview because the very first question is ‘how do you feel?’ My true answer was ‘exhausted.’ Then again, I was pretty pumped up as many people saw from my reaction after the winning putt.

It was nice to hold my son and give my wife and daughter a kiss, so it was a good feeling for sure.

What is it about the TPC San Antonio course that fits your eye? This is not the first time you played well there.

I think it matches my player profile. Emphasis on ball striking, specifically greens in regulation. Scoring opportunities are on the par-5s and some tough par-4 holes. So, basically if you can keep making par on the par-4s, you shouldn’t lose any ground.

Was it tough to answer all the questions about the six 2nd place finishes or did you know you were playing well to get into position?

It wasn’t consciously wearing on me, but now that I have a trophy and a win to my credit, I can see that it was 15

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

Q&A a little bit of a burden. I’m glad it’s behind me, but I’m still proud of those second place finishes. Obviously, we’re out there to win, but I don’t think I gave any of those tournaments where I placed second away. I played pretty well in all those.

Last year at the TPC San Antonio, it was tough to catch Jason Day. As a player in the final round when do you start grinding for the highest finish you can achieve, or do you ever think like that?

I had a little bit of a slow start on the final day at TPC last year, and on the back nine when I checked the leaderboard after chipping in on 11, I was in third place and six shots back. I told my caddie that I didn’t think we were going to win this one, so we might as well try to go as low as possible. I then birdied 16 and 17 to get a solo second.

How excited are you to get going with the Players and what’s your preparation look like?

I took the week off since the Wells Fargo Championship was not at Quail Hollow, so that’s a little different. That should give me some time to prepare.

I worked with my coach and we have a game plan designed for the Players, which is fairways off the tee and getting the ball pin high. My practice will all be based on that.

Ever since you turned pro, you’ve had pretty good success, except for maybe the 2012 season.

Was there something you changed or was it just hard work?

I don’t really know what happened in 2012. I didn’t have a caddie at the time and I didn’t have that stability that you need. I did change equipment, all 14 clubs, and that was probably a bad idea.

Having kids will always be a difficult time management game, but how have they helped you become a better or more focused player?

I definitely owe the majority of my success to having kids and being married. Like for instance, being forced to prioritize your practice session makes me focus more. If you have a three-hour window, you need to get out there and get your work done in those three hours.

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helped my golf game to have a schedule.

Going back to your days as a Bruin – you were a dominant player in college. You also played through your senior year. Was that always the plan?

I always planned on playing four years, mainly because I was never really a highly touted player.

(Former UCLA Coach) O.D. Vincent recruited me as a non-scholarship player and he encouraged me to get better. I started as a non-scholarship player as a freshman and the very next year, I became a scholarship player and an All-American. In my junior year, I started to establish myself as a leader on the team and then in my senior year, I was ranked No. 1 in the country and won the NCAA Championship.

UCLA Coach Derek Freeman, who took over when O.D. Vincent went to Duke, does a great job every year. What do you think makes him such a good college coach?

I played for Coach Freeman my senior year and we’re still pretty close. He trusted me as a senior leader and I think he really allowed us to play without a lot of restrictions. I think once he saw how that style worked for our team, he has adopted a style that allows players to shine. He lets the players play.

How does this win change your outlook on the rest of the season?

Part of me just wants to go out and just win right away, but realistically I know that it took me 180 starts to get my first win. I know a win won’t just happen because I want it to. I need to get to work. However, now is the first time I can make a schedule for the next two years and pick and choose what courses fit my game. Winning is a very addicting feeling and you can see why players like Tiger and Phil get so competitive and really chase that next win.

What’s the one part of your game that you will always have to work on?

Getting the ball to hold quickly on the green. I work hard on my putting, too. It’s a constant grind for me but it is also something that I learned to enjoy and I have really improved.

Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

INSTRUCTION WITH BRODIE CARLE

MAKE THE COMMITMENT PUTTING IN THE EFFORT IS THE KEY TO IMPROVEMENT

com•mit•ment /kəˈmitmənt/ noun

1. the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. “the company’s commitment to quality”

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n my view, there is one element in golf that is undervalued or underused by most people playing the game: commitment.

Committing to the shot, committing to sticking it out when the weather isn’t great, and, most crucially, committing to getting better this year and every year, kicking the bad habits we’ve formed over our golf career.

As the manager and lead instructor at the Predator Ridge Academy, I’m so fortunate to meet a lot of amazing people who have already taken the first step to improving. When they come to see me, whether they consciously acknowledge it or not, they’ve committed to improving themselves and their golf games.

I LOVE THAT! When someone chooses to spend time with me to improve his or her game, it’s a decision I take very seriously.

In 2017, I’ve put my focus and attention on helping those who are willing to make the commitment to get better throughout the season. We believe the techniques and principals we apply in our The 18

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40 Annual Coaching and Predator Ridge Junior Elite programs demonstrate the future of golf instruction, an approach designed for the golfer ready to commit to constant improvement through weekly instruction. (Of course, we will always offer our usual assorted packages and camps, as well as timely clinics, for those who feel that a simple adjustment is required – golf is the kind of game that meets you where you are.)

Skill and work ethic are the two main ingredients in the ultimate success and satisfaction of any sport we play. In golf, the commitment it takes to develop skills and then take them out on the course is the reason some of us hit amazing shots at our beautiful practice facility – but not yet during the actual rounds.

Preparing yourself for play is why we need to practice and hit balls before a round, but learning how to commit to the shot at hand is a skill in itself. To get better at committing to each shot, run through the following steps: • Before you go through your “pre-shot routine,” ask yourself, “Where is my target?”

• Next, commit to the proper club and yardage to hit the shot.

• Consider the variables. Which way is the wind blowing? What is your pattern today – is the ball moving left or right of the intended target line?

• Now, take a moment. Do you feel ready to swing? Can you commit to the shot you see in your head?

These are all mental commitments you make before you take the club back. Fully committed golfers run through these thoughts and questions before they set up to the ball, and their conclusions are present and executed in every shot they hit.

Likewise, the better you get at commitment and turning it into what golfers refer to as confidence, the better and more prepared you will be for every game.

Next time you visit us at the practice facility, think of this after you hit 10 to 15 shots: • How many were you truly ready to hit?

• How many did you hit just because that’s what you do when you’re at the practice facility?

When most people go to the driving range or practice facility, they’re in a state of “warming up” or just hitting the ball. There is a time for that, of course, but at some point, you must commit in order to improve your game.

After a conversation I had in 2009 at the Waste Management Open with swing coach Sean Foley, the processes of warm up and practice completely changed for me. Sean said, “Most people are on the driving range literally warming up their bodies

and not committing to their shots. I actually prefer my players to go for a jog or hit the gym before they come out, and then work on routine and hit every shot with the commitment it takes to hit it great.”

It was eye-opening to me that someone who was coaching Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan, and a few months later went on to coach Tiger Woods, thought this way. And I was in full agreement. Let’s not waste our time with quantity, but hit the best quality shots we can!

The next time you hit an amazing shot on the golf course, or hole that 40-foot putt for birdie, remember: the mental commitment it took to hit that shot is just as important as the physical swing that went into making it. By spending more time pre-shot, you’re far less likely to overlook the foundations of quality that go into hitting the ball where you want it to go.

BRODIE CARLE Academy Manager / Lead Instructor 2016 PGA OF BC TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2014 CPGA MOE NORMAN AWARD WINNER Fan of anyone that makes the commitment to getting better!

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DUSTIN JOHNSON PLAYS

EXACTLY LIKE NOTHING ELSE.

THE ONLY TOUR BALL WITH 5 LAYERS. Introducing a performance breakthrough that’s 10 years in the making, delivering a combination of distance, spin and control without compromise.

Experience for yourself why the most complete Tour ball is not like your current one, it’s better. © 2017 Taylor Made Golf Company.

Looking to tick some extraordinary adventures off your bucket list? Let us introduce you to four unique destinations that encapsulate the beauty, bounty, and adventure of this magical place. The Okanagan may be open to all, but the best experiences are reserved for those in the know.

THE FINEST GAME IN THE OKANAGAN Play the game you love in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the Okanagan.

Predator Ridge is more than just a golf resort. As our guest, you will experience the community and every amenity our residents enjoy. Stay for a weekend or a lifetime.

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THE TASTE OF THE OKANAGAN Landmark. Iconic. Visionary.

Mission Hill is one of the most award winning wineries in the Okanagan. Tour our magnificent underground barrel cellar before our sommelier guides you through our Legacy Collection. End your night with dinner at our chef’s table and a concert under the stars.

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THE HIDDEN JEWEL OF THE OKANAGAN Featuring over 3.5 million Swarovski crystals, Sparkling Hill Resort is nestled on top of Mount Royce in the stunning northern Okanagan Valley.

Whole body wellness can be achieved with any of more than 100 innovative spa treatments, at this, North America’s premier health and wellness resort.

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THE TOP OF THE OKANAGAN Imagine yourself immersed in a winter wonderland where 7.5 metres of Okanagan Champagne Powder fall on average annually. Big White is Canada’s largest totally ski-in/ ski-out resort village, where the front door of your luxury accommodation opens to a world of adventure.

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

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Cover | Contents | Cool Shots | The Commonage | The Trails | Sustaining Nature | Lifestyle | Q&A | Instruction | Bucket List | 19th Hole

19TH HOLE

By Richard Zokol

G

olf offers no place to hide – it’s an MRI for the golfer’s soul. The game uncovers our mental wiring and emotional stability, and does not discriminate in what or whom it exposes. Nobody is exempt. Every golfer’s disposition is scrutinized, each shot of every round, in this most entrancing of games.

Regardless of ability level, golf is a “private game played publicly,” as the adage goes.

To the amazement of most onlookers, even the world’s best make costly mental mistakes.

Sometimes they even do it unknowingly, but their errors are public and visible. Many accomplished players lack the tools to diagnose or address the underlying reason for their mistakes. A player gleans insight into their emotional and mental performance only when measured objectively, and perhaps from a different perspective. Perhaps more significantly, this is also the only way a golfer can grasp the lessons that will ultimately empower them to perform at their peak.

All of which brings us to Sergio Garcia – our case study. On Sunday, April 9, 2017, the golfing world watched transfixed as Garcia fulfilled the promise suggested 20 years ago, of a career delivering major championships. After so many disappointments, so much self-doubt, and numerous humiliating defeats, Garcia broke through to finally win his first major – the 2017 Masters. It was an emotional triumph.

This remarkable breakthrough occurred inside Garcia’s mind. For the first time in a major, he could truly detach emotionally from the result that he had desperately craved for so long, and simply play golf. He got out of his own way. He could stay in the moment rather than fixate on the result. In 25

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the process, he discovered true mental freedom on the course and, subsequently, emotional freedom everywhere else, too. He did so in the most pressure-packed situation possible. It was captivating.

What happened? Part of the answer lies in his personal journey as a golfer.

Over two decades of professional golf, Garcia had unwittingly become his own worst enemy. Like many players, he had slipped into an unhealthy, destructive attitude. He had acquired an antagonistic, conditioned set of emotional responses that were expressed in destructive ways when results didn’t go his way. Some of these outbursts were public and confrontational. Famously, at the 2002 US Open at Bethpage, Garcia found himself in a state of mind where he could not draw the club back without incessant waggling, re-gripping and hesitation. The ruthless New York gallery started ridiculing, jeering and heckling him. His self-doubt triggered a chain reaction of more emotional responses. His confidence gone, his mental state fragile, Garcia’s response even included directing obscene gestures at the gallery – and it is never a good idea to take on the New York horde. This from a player that had put the golf world on notice when he exploded onto the scene as a 19-year-old at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah, scissor-kicking his way to the final hole before losing to Tiger by a single shot. His future seemed limitless.

But the mind is fertile ground and will grow any seeds planted there. Planting and nurturing limiting thoughts, harbouring self-doubt, and focusing on the pain of unrealized promise, is a toxic formula that only creates more anxiety. These are thoughts that lead to “golf Insanity” and drag any

PHOTO MICHAEL WEINSTEIN

SERGIO GARCIA’S MIND INTERVENTION

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19TH HOLE

By Richard Zokol

golfer down like an anchor. In Garcia’s case, his perspective was pulling him under.

Increasingly frustrated when results didn’t turn out his way, Garcia defaulted to blaming outside agencies and things that he had no control over. After his playoff loss at the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, and following the lip-out of a 12-footer on the 72nd hole that would have won outright, he lamented, “I play against more than 156 other players.” He was right. But his most daunting competitor wasn’t Tiger Woods or other top players; it was his own mindset during these defining moments. A few years later at the 2012 Masters, Garcia hit an even deeper low point when he stated, “I’m not good enough and today I know it.”

“I’ve been trying for 13 years, and I don’t feel capable of winning,” he said. “I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe it’s something psychological. After 13 years, my chances are over; I’m not good enough for the majors. That’s it.”

Again, Garcia was right. It most certainly was psychological.

Five years later, on Masters Sunday 2017, a different Sergio Garcia finally emerged out of the golf wilderness, a player aligned with the potential he’d demonstrated at the beginning of his career.

Armed with a support system he credited to his new fiancé, he was finally able to create a new mindset on the golf course and get things in perspective. He had found peace of mind through a new influence in his life – an intervention. Perhaps he’d also discovered that there are things in life even more important than what happens on the course. Perhaps he was simply exhausted with his internal struggle. Perhaps his intuition somehow connected to a pure sense of freedom, or he finally realized he had to give up control to gain control. All could be true.

The best way to gain insight with what Garcia had found after so much heartbreak is to listen to him in his own words: 26

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ASAP SPORT TRANSCRIPTS Q: Obviously in front of us over the years, you’ve had so many disappointments and so many close calls and you just talked about how you believed. Was there a turning point?

At what point did you really believe that you could do this? Because there’s been so many times you’ve talked to us over the years that you’ve kind of conceded that you weren’t going to have this moment.

SERGIO GARCIA: “Well, there’s always uncertainty. I don’t want to brag about it or anything.

But from the drive this morning here to the course, I felt very calm. I felt very, you know, very at ease, more than yesterday. I feel like I’ve already had an amazing week no matter what happens, and you know, I can go out there and kind of freewheel it.”

Q: If I asked you of what you are most proud this afternoon, would it be a shot or a hole or would it be a demonstration of your character?

SERGIO GARCIA: “Definitely demonstration of my character, and my mentality. You know, how positive I stayed even when things weren’t going that well on 10 and 11. So even on 13, I didn’t hit that bad a drive. I’ve been hitting that drive every day like a high cut. This drive was probably going three yards left of the ones I’ve hit the other three days, and unfortunately it hit the tree and went in the bush. But even that, you know, in the past, I would have I would have started going, you know, at my caddie, and oh, you know, why doesn’t it go through and whatever (laughter). But you know, I was like, well, if that’s what is supposed to happen, let it happen. Let’s try to make a great 5 here and see if we can put a hell of a finish to have a chance. And if not, we’ll shake Justin’s hand and congratulate him for winning.”

THE RESULT? A TRANSFORMATION In the final round of the 2017 Masters, Garcia started a slide with “shot lost events” on each of the 8th, 10th, 11th, 16th and 18th holes. He then clipped the tree branches on the left side of the fairway with his tee shot on the 13th hole, and his ball ended up in a bush across Rae’s Creek … an unplayable lie. Based on past behaviour, most viewers expected him to implode. But he accepted these results and moved on. There was a noticeable calm in his body language.

There was much golf still to be played and he focused on playing it. It was a remarkable performance, one that most viewers would not have expected of Garcia based on his history. His transformation was the result of his internal acceptance. He had finally realized personal peace and emotional calm by accepting whatever happened and moving on. With this acceptance, Garcia made “shot gained events” on the 13th and 14th, and a “2-shot gained event” on the 15th.

In the process, he freed himself from emotional incarceration and let go of past traumatic experiences. Garcia opened the door to personal freedom, on and off the golf course. Free, he has no limitations.

Garcia had his first major championship.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SERGIO? The Sergio Garcia of 2012 had embraced a victim mindset. Contrast that with the 2017 Masters – he was finally able to shed his former thought habits and empower himself to become a major champion. He did it by shifting his mindset and embracing the “now” rather than focusing on results and the fear of failing to achieve the desired outcome.

Only Garcia himself can answer why it happened so suddenly – perhaps even he may not know.

The important thing is that it did happen.

Holding a sense of personal entitlement is toxic in golf as it is in life. Everything must be earned, and the key to success is playing in the present.

Not re-playing past traumas or anticipating the

score yet to come. When golfers truly enter the now, they detach emotionally. Only then can they accept any outcome and find the freedom to continue playing in the present. When they do, anxiety fades.

Do it well and anxiety evaporates altogether.

This is when a golfer reaches their full mental and emotional performance peak and plays their best. Sergio Garcia did that on the back nine that Sunday at Augusta. It was a breakthrough – and a source of inspiration to any golfer striving to optimize their mental and emotional performance.

What’s next for Sergio? His next test in a major will be the 2017 US Open in two months at Erin Hills, in what has been described as the ‘most ultimate examination’ in golf. Will the mental and emotional lessons that served him so well in Augusta be on display? We’ll all be watching.

A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Richard Zokol is a Real Estate Specialist for Predator Ridge.

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