OUR 19th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JANUARY 2020
TEEING IT UP AT
SOBOBA CASINO RESORT
ROYAL ISABELA BROTHERLY LOVE IN PUERTO RICO
Vacations •CLUB January 2020 1 Plus: CLUB SELECTION: RAMS HILLGolfGOLF
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GOLF VACATIONS JANUARY 2020
Soboba Casino Resort, San Jacinto, California
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Chip Shots
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My Turn- Shadow Mountain GC
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Teeing It Up At Soboba Casino Resort
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Puerto Rico’s Royal Isabela GC
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by Terry Ross
by Terry Ross The newest of Southern California’s Indian casino resorts that make for memorable vacation destinations is probably the oldest when it comes to its history of getting to where it is today.
by Tim Cotroneo It’s rare to succeed on a world scale in two sports. Charlie and Stanley Pasarell not only thrived at the collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels in tennis, but their most lasting legacy may be found in a golf course perched on a cliff 200-feet above the Atlantic Ocean in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
Club Selection: Rams Hill Golf Club
by Dave McKibben The adventurous two-hour trek from Carlsbad, through the backroads of San Diego County, down twisting mountain roads, was worth the trouble. Over the last 15 months, I’ve been lucky enough to tee it up on a handful of spectacular, highly-rated Nicklaus-designed courses along the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean in Mexico and Hawaii.
Sweet Stuff
by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Tim Cotroneo is a Mineapolis-based freelance writer specializing in Caribbean travel, business, and golf. Tim is a long-time contributor to Tee Times Press and he’s also the Travel Writer for American Business Magazine.
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Dave McKibben has been battle-tested in raucous newsrooms and dimly-lighted press boxes for nearly 20 years as an award-winning Los Angeles Times journalist. He’s covered the PGA Tour, Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA, NCAA sports and even local high schools sports. In his career he’s interviewed such greats as Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Cal Ripken, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe, Tony Gwynn and Michael Jordan.
Associate Editor Terry Ross
Features Editor JD Latorre
Senior Writers Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
Tim Cotroneo Larry Feldman David R. Holland Dave McKibben
For Editorial:
call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling the Pocono Mountains his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Tenerife, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.
Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
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tony Creek Media
President Jeffrey Diaz
PO BOX #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774-2655 StonyCreekMedia.com
and
Cimarron Communications President/CEO James A. Diaz
Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2020 Stony Creek Media, LLC, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Rio Mar Puerto Rico
WYNDHAM GRAND RIO MAR WINS THREE STELLA AWARDS
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico – Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort was recently awarded three 2019 Stella Awards in the categories of Best Golf Resort, International and US Territories; Best Food and Beverage, International and US Territories; and Best Hotel/Resort, International and US Territories by Northstar Meetings Group. Troon Golf proudly manages the golf operations at the resort’s Rio Mar Country Club. The Stella Awards, established by Northstar Meetings Group in 2017, recognize hotels, convention centers, conference centers, airlines, cruise lines, DMO/CVBs and DMCs that consistently deliver quality service and innovation to meeting and events 8 Golf Vacations • January 2020
professionals. Honors were awarded in 18 categories celebrating overall excellence, superb food and beverage, professionalism of staff, technology innovations, and other critical aspects of the meetings and event experience. In total, 278 winners and finalists were recognized by Northstar Meetings Group. “A heartfelt congratulations to our partners at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort on receiving three Stella Awards,” said Ricardo Catarino, vice president, operations, Troon. “Puerto Rico has been through a lot in the last few years. This recognition is a credit to the incredible team at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar for their hard work and dedication.”
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort features two distinct course designs – The Ocean Course; a design collaboration between award-winning architects Tom and George Fazio, and The River Course, designed by two-time Major Champion Greg Norman. The Ocean Course plays to a par of 72 and measures 6,782 yards from the back tees and 5,450 yards from the forward tees, while The River Course plays a slightly longer 6,945 yards from the back but a shorter 5,119 yards from the front. For more information on the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort, visit www. WyndhamGrandRioMar.com or call (800) 474-6627. www.golfvacationsmag.com
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Pebble Beach Company Partners with Tiger Woods and TGR Design to Redesign Par 3 Course at Pebble Beach
PEBBLE BEACH, CA – As its Centennial celebration winds down, Pebble Beach Company looks to the future, announcing today it has entered into a partnership with Tiger Woods and his TGR Design firm to design a new short course on the former site of Peter Hay Golf Course. “Pebble Beach has always been a special place to me,” said Tiger Woods. “It’s an honor for TGR Design and me to partner with Pebble Beach Company to design a new short course at such an iconic location.” Named for the former, long-time head professional at Pebble Beach, the Peter Hay Golf Course has been a focal point of the golf-centric community since its opening in 1957. Among its many uses, it has served as the home course for generations of young golfers and host to dozens of junior tournaments and charity events annually. “Peter Hay’s founding vision for this course aligns perfectly with TGR Design’s ideals – introducing new players to the
game, bringing families together, and providing a fun golf experience for players of all abilities,” said Woods. “We at TGR Design look forward to building on and enhancing this vision with our redesign, which will incorporate more variety into the hole lengths and shot options, add more puttable areas within the green surrounds and take advantage of the spectacular ocean views.”
Pebble Beach Company’s goal with the redesign is to elevate the year-round quality of its short course to that of its other golf courses (Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay, and Del Monte Golf Course). In addition, the new short course will leverage the first-class amenities of the adjacent Pebble Beach Golf Academy and offer an incredible food and beverage venue with expansive ocean views. The experience will be a “can’t miss” for golfers of all ages and abilities. “We are thrilled to partner with Tiger Woods and TGR Design to transform the Peter Hay site into a world-class short course,” said Bill Perocchi, Chief Executive Officer of Pebble Beach Company. “Tiger Woods and TGR Design are the perfect partners for this project, given Tiger’s commitment to youth golf and experience in developing fun, creative, and playable courses for golfers of all levels.” The project is expected to take less than a year to complete, with a Grand Reopening targeted for the fall of 2020. Pebble Beach Company and TGR Design look forward to sharing more details on the design and reopening date in the coming months.
some greens are better when you add a little salt.
View or request a vacation guide There’s nothing like the salty sea air on a warm Gulf breeze while playing on one of 14 unique courses in the coastal Alabama area. From sparkling coastlines to rolling hills and links-style golf, you’ll find an abundance of ways and places to play both on and off the course.
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GulfShores.com/Golf 877-852-3618
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS La Manga Club
La Manga Club Delivers International Golfing Climax To 2019 Golfers from all over Europe took up the invitation to head to La Manga Club to bring the curtain down on another successful year on the fairways for Spain’s flagship resort at its season-ending La Manga Club Golf Open. An established part of the resort’s golfing calendar, the annual 54-hole competition was being held for the 19th time and attracted another impressive international entry, with around 200 players from countries including the UK, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Lithuania and the host nation taking the chance to catch up with old friends on and off the course in Murcia. Taking place on La Manga Club’s iconic North and South courses, men and women of all ages competed in various categories over five days for a collection of glittering prizes from sponsors El Corte Inglés and Land Rover. Defending champion Ian McMeekin was seeking a hat-trick of titles in the men’s event but finished down the field as Swissbased Argentinian Marcelo Bottini took overall victory with a total of 100 Stableford points, while Linda Savage took success in the ladies’ overall competition with a final
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tally of 94 points. In addition to taking advantage of La Manga Club’s world-class golf facilities including three 18-hole golf courses, players also had the chance to enjoy the resort’s extensive range of other award-winning sports and leisure amenities – including complimentary access to the five-star Wellness Centre and discounts at a choice of bars and restaurants. La Manga Club has enjoyed another memorable 12 months on the golfing front, which included French European Tour Raphael Jacquelin becoming the latest high-profile name from the golfing world to feature in its prestigious history when he visited the resort last month. Golfing legends Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros all figure prominently in the resort’s illustrious past, while the venue is hoping to hoping to unearth some of golf’s stars of the future in 2020 after being chosen to host next month’s Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School and amateur golf’s prestigious 2020 Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies for the first time in April. In addition to golf, the resort’s boasts an array of other world-class amenities including a 28-court tennis centre, a
2,000sqm Wellness Centre, a choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses and more than 15 bars and restaurants.
Daytona Beach Golf Club’s North Course Reopens To Rave Reviews DAYTONA BEACH, FL. -- Daytona Beach Golf Club’s North Course has reopened to rave reviews following a renovation project that included the installation of new greens and the re-routing of the back nine. A 36-hole municipal facility, Daytona Beach Golf Club (DBGC) closed its North Course on May 9 and reopened Nov. 2 after installing pristine, new TifEagle Bermudagrass greens. TifEagle thrives in Daytona Beach’s subtropical climate, and it’s among the new ultradwarf Bermudagrasses that produce fast, smooth putting surfaces throughout the year. In addition to installing TifEagle, the North Course’s greens were also restored to their original USGA specifications, an effort that expanded the putting surfaces between three and nine feet in diameter. Larger greens translate into more pinnable areas, which enhance the layout and help reduce wear and tear.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS “It’s been great,” DBGC’s Director of Golf, Brian Jaquet, said of the reception to the project. “Everyone likes the new greens and the layout.” While the course was closed for the installation of new greens, Jaquet and his staff added new tees on two holes and re-routed the back nine. Previously, the North Course concluded with a pair of par 5s, which were also the layout’s hardest holes. What was once the 17th hole is now the par 5 10th, a move that had a domino effect on the home nine that left only No. 18 on the same position on the scorecard after work was complete. A new tee was installed on the seventh hole, providing an additional 35 yards of length to the now 410-yard par 4. A new tee on the 18th added 20 yards to the hole, stretching it to 543 yards. The new tees only impact golfers playing from the tips, which are 6,413 yards. “For the price you can’t go wrong,” David Hottenstein wrote in a 5-star Google review of DBGC in November. “Played both North and South courses. North is definitely more challenging of the two. Both are fun and very well maintained.” The surging Daytona Beach golf scene is home to more than 20 courses, including several of Florida’s best public layouts. LPGA International is home to the acclaimed Jones and Hills courses, while Golfweek magazine ranked Victoria Hills among the state’s top 15
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Daytona Beach GC North Course
public designs. The area is also home to three members of the historic Florida Golf Trail: DBGC’s Donald Ross-designed South Course, Riviera Country Club and New Smyrna Golf Club, another Ross layout. For more information, go to DaytonaBeach.golf.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS The Architects Club
Troon Selected To Manage The Architects Golf Club In Lopatcong, New Jersey Scottsdale, AZ – Troon announced it has been selected to manage The Architects Golf Club, a daily-fee club located in Lopatcong, New Jersey, approximately 20 miles east of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee club operations division of Troon, will manage the golf, agronomy, restaurant and club operations at The Architects Golf Club. Open since 2001 and consistently ranked as one of New Jersey’s top golf courses, The Architects Golf Club pays tribute to the great golf course architects spanning a golden age of golf course design that spanned from 1885 to 1955. Owners Dennis and Larry Turco partnered with golf course architect Stephen Kay and Golf Digest Architectural Editor, Ron Whitten on the project. While Kay and Whitten created the hole concepts, owners and course builders Larry and Dennis Turco then executed and completed the work. Set in the lush rolling hills of New Jersey’s Warren County, the links-style 18-hole course plays to a par of 71. Each golf hole at The Architects Golf Club pays homage to a different architect, including: the straight-as-an-arrow par 5 first hole inspired by Old Tom Morris; the A.W. Tillinghast-inspired dolomite mounds on the par-4 7th hole; the diagonal green and flashy greenside bunkers on the par-5 13th hole that are classic Alister Mackenzie design elements; the Donald Ross-style ridge that separates the green into left and right sections on the 15th hole; and the 80-yard long runway tees on the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-inspired 18th hole. “Troon is honored and privileged to be associated with The Architects Golf Club,” said Archie Cart, operations director, Troon. “We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to working closely with the Turco Family to elevate and build upon the great culture and history they have created over the past 18 years at The Architects Golf Club.” The Club’s 16,000 square-foot clubhouse is home to the all-new Architects Bar & Grill and boasts luxurious space for large social events, golf outings and weddings. The Architects Bar & Grill is open year-round to the public and serves traditional American cuisine in a pub-style casual dining atmosphere. “Turco Golf, our parent company, built Architects in nine short months and we have been managing the club operations since opening in 2001,” said Lawrence Turco. “We spent a tremendous amount of time looking for the right group to work with that aligned with the culture and brand my family has worked so hard to create over the past 18 years and Troon was the best fit by far. We are absolutely thrilled to be working closely with them to bring
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Architects to the next level.” The Architects Golf Club is conveniently located just off Interstate 78, less than 90 minutes from both the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. For more information on The Architects Golf Club, visit www.thearchitectsclub.com, or call (908) 213-3080.
Newport Beach Country Club Launches New Caddie Program with CaddieNow Newport Beach Country Club is a private country club that offers its members exceptional golf, warm atmosphere and panoramic views of emerald fairways and sapphire seas. The Orange County California Club is partnering with CaddieNow to give members the opportunity to ‘play golf the way it was meant to be played’ – with a great caddie on the bag. The program will launch at Newport Beach this winter along with several new CaddieNow programs in California. The CaddieNow service and platform will provide the club with several benefits, including recruiting, training, certification, payment and communications features that ensure the club can run a successful caddie program without taxing the existing staff and resources. Newport Beach Country Club is choosing CaddieNow because they want to ensure their members have every amenity and opportunity to have amazing experiences common to the Orange County lifestyle – having caddies enhances this experience. “Caddies bring a unique feel to a golfer’s round and match our clubs’ culture and desire to give our members the best experience. We’ve wanted a great caddie program and now have the right partnerships in place with CaddieNow to make it possible,” said John McCook, Director of Golf, PGA. “We expect the program to launch this winter with a full corps of dedicated adult and youth caddies ready by the spring. CaddieNow is handling all of the details, as we requested, while supporting our Caddie Service Manager to help in daily caddie operations, a great benefit to us and our members,” continued McCook. About CaddieNow CaddieNow is creating the best walk in golf through its caddie service platform, pairing golfers with caddies, preserving and protecting existing caddie programs at top clubs and resorts, and promoting the occupation of caddying by elevating the standards of caddie services. Founded in 2015, CaddieNow established its mission to preserve and protect the caddie tradition while developing the most valuable relationships in golf. Operating in twelve states including some of the Nation’s top 100 clubs, it is also used by thousands of golfers and caddies at tournaments and special events. For more information, go to www.CaddieNow.com.
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Desert Highlands Officially Acclaimed Luxury Golf Course
Re-Opens
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Desert Highlands – the acclaimed luxury golf club and community in the stunning Sonoran Desert of North Scottsdale – re-opens its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course following a $7 million renovation project. The project, which began in April, included renovating every bunker, restoring the 13th hole to its original design, installing a new irrigation system and updating cart paths. The new bunkers feature a state-of-the-art drainage system and Capillary Concrete, which was employed for optimal drainage and reduction of wash-outs during inclement weather. Bunker Solution linings were implemented to the bunker faces to prevent sand contamination and to reduce migration while maintaining design characteristics. Each were filled with sand that complements the Sonoran Desert landscape. Jon Garner, a consultant for Nicklaus Design, directed the renovations of the par-4 13th hole. The two feature landing areas present the ultimate “risk-and-reward” options. The right side requires a long and precise tee shot. The wider option on the left offers a shorter carry and more options for the approach. A small greenside bunker was reclaimed on the front left, culminating the restoration of Nicklaus’ original intent. The project also included installing a new irrigation system to help maintain Desert Highlands’ impeccable course conditions, and restoring the cart paths throughout the layout. “We are thrilled to re-open the golf course to the members, and look forward to the feedback regarding the enhancements,” says General Manager Monty Becton. “The project will greatly enrich the golf experience at Desert Highlands, while also restoring characteristics to Mr. Nicklaus’s original vision and intent.” Stretching to over 7,100 yards, the splendid golf course offers a challenging, but fair test, and striking views of Pinnacle Peak and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon in the distance below. Desert Highlands was the first design in Arizona by Jack Nicklaus, and immediately set the bar for desert golf experiences, not only in Scottsdale but statewide and nationwide. Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson have walked these fairways, as it was host site of the first Skins Game in 1983. Desert Highlands’ energetic lifestyle consistently draws discerning families and active Boomers in equal measure – golfers, tennis enthusiasts, pet lovers, and health and wellness enthusiasts. A full social calendar allows residents to also fully enjoy this peaceful community. Just as impressive is Desert Highlands’ Racquet Club, which sports 13 tennis courts featuring all three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and hard. The Racquet Club also annually hosts one of the premier tennis tournaments found anywhere – the USTA Southwest Grass Court Classic. Noted ATP player Nick Kyrgios considers Desert Highlands’ grass courts “better than Wimby [Wimbledon].” Desert Highlands also boasts a 7,700-square-foot Wellness Center, an 18-hole professionally designed putting course and a spacious dog park. Inside, the club provides residents peace of mind with a state-of-the-art security system, professionally trained security personnel, visitor control and access, and other protection amenities. Among the acclaimed residential services that truly pamper residents and meet their specific needs – shipping and transportation assistance, pool and spa maintenance, auto detailing and other customized services. For more information: www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com.
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MYTURN
by Terry Ross
Palm Desert’s Shadow Mountain GC An Underrated Classic Course
A
winter golf trip—at least in the confines of the U.S.—takes one to the Southern regions of the 50 states and one of the prime areas is Southern California, where the desert territory just outside of the Los Angeles basin known as the Coachella Valley has earned a reputation as a golf haven. With over 120 golf courses in this 45mile area, there is no shortage of new adventures for those looking to hit the links in this winter resort area—be it the famous PGA West complex in the eastern end of the valley or the many private and public courses scattered throughout the area. But one of the most underrated classic courses that is the third oldest in this golfcentric location is a golf course that should be played on a visit to the Palm Springs area. Shadow Mountain Golf Club, located in the heart of Palm Desert, opened in 1958 as the first golf course in that city that now has dozens. It was designed by Gene Sarazen, known as “The Squire” for his dapper dress and ever-present two-tone wing tipped shoes, and the first to win the professional Grand Slam of golf with the US Open in 1922, the PGA in 1923, the British Open in 1932 and the Masters in 1935 at the age of 33. Only Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have done the same. What sets this course apart is the fact that by today’s standards, with a maximum length of 5,375 yards, it would be considered an executive course even though it plays to a par 70—71 for the women. But Shadow Mountain certainly doesn’t play like an executive course. As the starter noted prior to a round there, even single-digit handicap players have been challenged by this course and literally come away shaking their head. It is old school—flat, lots of trees and rough and you better hit it in the fairway if you want to score. It is also one of the few courses in that area that is very comfortable to walk. Tight and tricky are good descriptions, and Sarazen himself alluded to the challenges when the course opened: “The new modern course of this type is
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shorter than most, but is not easier to play,” said Sarazen. “It will give the golfer who uses his brain a chance against the competitor who hits with power, and I think it will be one of the sportiest and most challenging courses in the entire area”. The history of Shadow Mountain Golf Club reaches back to just after World War II. It was the vision of developer Cliff Henderson, known as the “Father of Palm Desert”. It started with the purchase of 620 acres in 1946, the Club was originally conceived as a planned community for those wanting to enjoy the club’s planned tennis, golf, swimming, horseback riding, dinner and dancing amenities. Sixty-four years later the City of Palm Desert proclaimed it an historic landmark and the first golf course in the city. The course meanders through the neighborhoods of South Palm Desert and around the Shadow Mountain Resort--and is tucked in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains which offers a good amount
of wind protection that many courses in the area do not have. Shadow Mountain is located just blocks from the famous El Paseo shopping and dinning district and many hotels and resorts are just a few minutes away. A treat to play, Shadow Mountain is a course where you will want to use irons or hybrids off the tee on most holes as opposed to a driver, since the rough, which looks pretty benign from afar, can influence approach shots more than you can imagine. There are over 600 mature palm trees along the course, and the greens are well protected by the sand bunkers, so a good short game with crisp iron shots is critical to be able to score well here. Shadow Mountain is well maintained and manicured, and the ability to walk there—especially in the cooler months—is a nice change. It is definitely a course that should be included for a visit to the Southern California desert this winter. To learn more: https://www.shadowmtgc.com
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Soboba Casino Resort Teeing It Up At Soboba Springs Golf Course
T
he newest of Southern California’s Indian casino resorts that make for memorable vacation destinations is probably the oldest when it comes to its history of getting to where it is today.
The San Jacinto Valley is ideally positioned as a resort location with its mild temperatures’ year-around, picturesque mountains and ideal location between the Los Angeles basin and the desert regions of the Coachella Valley.
The sleek new Soboba Casino Resort, which opened less than a year ago next to the Soboba Springs Golf Club in the San Jacinto foothill region of Southern California that is less than an hour’s drive outside of Palm Springs, has a long history in both golf, gambling and the inhabitants of this area that date back centuries.
Not only does the Soboba casino have a rich history, but the Soboba Springs golf course that was originally designed in 1966 by Desmond Muirhead and redesigned in 2006 and 2018 by Cary Bickler, also has a connection to the PGA Tour-and the two winningest players in its history.
Going back to 1780 when the village settled by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians came under the control of the San Juan Capistrano Mission when California was still a territory of Mexico, to 1995’s opening of the first Soboba Casino in a tent structure crowded with slot machines, table games and one lounge, to the new luxury resort that features 200 finely appointed rooms in six stories, an events center, numerous fine dining options, the tribe has come a long way and developed a top-notch destination complex.
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But the centerpiece of this resort complex is the brand new casino that features 1,800-square foot Presidential Suites with breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains, 34,000 square foot events center, a beautiful 180,000-gallon pool that looks onto the golf course and is ringed by ten cabanas that feature TV’s, refrigerators, ceiling fan and sitting area. The Casino itself features 2,000 slot machines and 38 table games such as poker, baccarat, blackjack and roulette, while the Cabaret Lounge is lined with televisions showing
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By Terry Ross
all the latest sporting events. The dining selections are outstanding, with the Noodle Bar, Chick’n It, La Casetta (Italian cuisine), Soboba Pub & Grill, El Comal (Latin kitchen), Fairway Café and Koffee Kiicha available for a variety of cuisine. The top choice for fine dining at the casino is the Canyons, which is already earning a reputation as one of the better seafood and steak restaurants in the area and takes the dinner experience to another level with its savory appetizers, creative entrées, decadent desserts and an exquisite selection of wine. The halibut is one of the best selections on the menu, and the attentive staff and relaxing ambiance is a great way to finish a day of golf and gambling! Even though the golf course dates back over a half century, the redesign of holes 13, 14, 15 and 16 by Bickler just a couple years ago and the classic elements make this one of the better golf experiences in So Cal. A classic design that has been beautifully updated is very playable but can be challenging for even the best players. It measures 7339 from the back “Tour” tees with a rating of 75.3 and a 140 slope, but most vacationers will want to play from the Blue or Black tees that check in at 5970 and 6497 yards. The Soboba Springs Golf Club is kept in great shape with finally manicured greens and with five sets of tees, this Par-72 layout is a great test for just about any ability. Not www.golfvacationsmag.com
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long after its first redesign in 2006, it served as the host of the Soboba Golf Classic on the (then) Web.com Tour as part of the PGA Tour’s developmental circuit for four years (2009-2012). The newly designed holes were altered in part to accommodate the building of the Casino Resort, and the signature hole--# 13—is a fantastic Par 4 that runs along the hotel and its pool complex and features an island green that is surrounded by water, arched bridges and multiple water falls that make it a true scene stealer. The new No. 15th hole—a Par 5--is said to be the fourth longest ever played on the PGA Tour at 641 yards from the back tees. It is even a hefty 542 yards from the Blue tees. “Both of these new design elements add a unique level of excitement,” said Bickler about the changes. “Of the four (redesigned) holes, there are two very demanding Par 3s from the Tour Tees at Hole #14 (206 yards) and at Hole #16 (235 yards). Holes #13 through #16 will be a strong test in the golfer’s finishing portion of the round. “The original golf course architect (Muirhead), had been a mentor of mine and I appreciate the value of his work. I
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understand what his intention was as he routed and designed this course. The new holes I designed fit seamlessly with the existing portion of the course. They mirror many of the elements that were preserved, and at the same time, they bring the overall golf course experience to an incomparable level.” Another bit of history goes back even further. According to a number of published reports and quoting Rudy Duran— Tiger Wood’s golf instructor during his youth—Tiger was introduced to Hall of Fame golfer Sam Snead and played a couple holes with him at the Soboba Golf Club back in 1982 when Woods was six years old and Snead was 70. Ironically, both men are currently tied for the most tournament wins in PGA Tour history at 82 apiece entering the new decade after Woods notched his 82nd Tour victory last fall. Even with so many golf resorts in Southern California, the new Soboba Casino Resort looks to have the kind of golf experience and amenities to become a major vacation destination in this region in the years to come. To learn more about the Soboba Casino Resort, visit: www. soboba.com
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Royal Isabela
Brotherly Love
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a Golf Course
e in Puerto Rico
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By Tim Cotroneo
I
t’s rare to succeed on a world scale in two sports. Charlie and Stanley Pasarell not only thrived at the collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels in tennis, but their most lasting legacy may be found in a golf course perched on a cliff 200-feet above the Atlantic Ocean in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
All in the Family “Our Dad always wanted us to work on a business project together. Royal Isabela has turned out to be such a labor of love. The people who helped turn our golf course dream into a reality and the golfers that we’ve met from around the world all feel like family,” Stanley said.
In 1988, years after the brothers made their marks in the tennis world, Charlie helicoptered over a vast expanse of magnificent oceanfront land located in the northwest corner of his native Puerto Rico. Charlie was so intrigued with what he viewed below, that he asked the pilot to touch down so he could explore this paradise up close and personal.
Royal Isabela’s oceanfront setting, and unique layout, has drawn golfers from all over the planet. “We’ve seen golfers from China, Japan, South America, South Africa, Switzerland, England, and fishermen from Alaska,” Stanley said.
The Pasarells made it their mission to purchase the land and share it with the world. After more than two decades of negotiating with landowners, developers, surveyors, and government officials, Charlie and Stanley presented Royal Isabela Golf Course to Caribbean and international golf enthusiasts in 2008. To say that the Pasarells are passionate about everything surrounding their Isabela golf project is an understatement.
A major element in Royal Isabela’s appeal is how untouched the layout is. The Pasarells like to say that they aren’t the creators of Royal Isabela, they are its caretakers. Inspired By the Beauty From day one the Pasarells were committed to preserving Isabela’s natural beauty and fiercely honoring the environment they are stewards of. “On our first day of construction, I heard that a local surveyor had taken down a huge tree. I raced from my office and told him to stop. I relayed that the trees on this land are sacred, and please don’t cut another branch without
Stanley and Charlie Pasarell
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written permission,” Stanley said. The goal was to move a minimal amount of dirt and simply enhance this jewel of a property. Today’s 7,500-yard Royal Isabela isn’t too far removed from what Charlie and Stanley witnessed prior to construction and ultimately shaped by Golf Architect David Pfaff. During the construction process, Pfaff flew 12 times per year from his office in Carmel, CA, to oversee Isabela’s formation in Puerto Rico. Like nearly everyone involved in Isabela’s creation, Pfaff was inspired by its beauty. When he died in 2013, Pfaff’s ashes were sprinkled on one of Isabela’s most scenic spots, the tee box of the Par 3, 200-yard, 17th hole. The Spice of Isabela’s Life Like the dinner menu at the Royal Isabela Resort’s Jota Restaurant, Puerto Rican flavor is seasoned throughout the golf course. This is especially true on Isabela’s famed back nine in which ocean holes come at you in waves. The 12th hole is known as Taino, for the native Puerto Rican Indians that once called the area home. From the tee box of
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this Par 4, 435-yard hole, golfers see the face of a cliff jutting out over the ocean to a golfer’s right. It’s said that the face resembles a smiling Taino. The 16th hole is named Punta Ballena, which is Spanish for Point of the Whale. In 2007, during Royal Isabela’s construction, Stanley halted the building of the 16th tee box to watch three humpback whales circle and breach for 30 minutes. The 17th hole tee box features a tree that still grows despite leaning completely horizontal. The Par 3, 200-yard hole with the Atlantic Ocean on the left, is also home to a plaque honoring the now deceased Pfaff’s contribution and his everlasting friendship with the Pasarell brothers. Something Rare at Isabela In 2013, Stanley encouraged a Department of Natural Resources biologist to visit his pristine golf course and 95
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acres of oceanfront. Shortly after they had begun their walk, Stanley’s government guest started screaming. “He pointed to a butterfly that he thought was extinct. We’ve since discovered as many as 65 of these Harlequin butterflies on Royal Isabela,” Stanley said. Nearly extinct butterflies, whales performing water shows, and trees that lean horizontal to withstand hurricanes all make the Royal Isabela Golf Course a one-of-a-kind golf experience. Preserving the natural beauty of what brother Charlie viewed from a helicopter seems to be just what an international clientele of golfers are craving. It was always Papa Pasarell’s hope that his tennis playing sons would go into a business venture together. In 1988, Charlie and Stanley Pasarell chose to go all in on Royal Isabela Golf Course, and they are still holding serve today. http://royalisabela.com/golf
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CLUB SELECTION
Magical Mountain Views Showcase Rebirth of Rams Hill
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by DAVE MCKIBBEN
BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
T
he adventurous two-hour trek from Carlsbad, through the backroads of San Diego County, down twisting mountain roads, was worth the trouble. Over the last 15 months, I’ve been lucky enough to tee it up on a handful of spectacular, highly-rated Nicklaus-designed courses along the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean in Mexico and Hawaii. Rams Hill Golf Club, a Tom Fazio layout given up for dead a decade ago, is on par with all of them. Tucked between the Santa Rosa Mountains in the AnzaBorrego Desert, Rams Hills is almost too green, too pristine, with mountain views too stunning to believe. So how is it possible that a course in the middle of nowhere could be this magical? “I get it every day,” said Bob Gelesko, head pro at Rams Hill. “People pull up after driving for hours; they see that first fairway and that deep green grass and they fall in love with it instantly. Driving through the desert you wouldn’t think that a paradise like this exists, but it does.” It almost didn’t. From 2010 to 2014, Rams Hill closed its doors. For over three years, the land lay fallow after being abandoned by its previous owner. Without any water source, over 360 non-native trees died and lush green fairways turned brown. “Once the financial crisis hit, the previous owner sold all the water rights and got whatever he could get,” said Harry Turner, Rams Hill’s general manager. “This place was completely abandoned.” It appeared Rams Hill was going to be another victim of a depressed economy and depressed golf market. In the last 10 years, nearly a dozen courses have been shuttered in San Diego County and several more are on life support. In 2013, new ownership bought the distressed course – for under $1 million – and immediately poured $10 million into the property, securing irrigation from six native wells, planting new seed and investing in bentgrass greens. Native trees that survived the drought became showpieces of the rebirth and a 3 1/2acre solar farm was installed, saving Rams Hill nearly a half-million dollars a year in energy costs. The clubhouse was remodeled and expanded to include a fine-dining restaurant and bar. Five years into its rebirth, Rams Hills has been turning heads in the golf world. Golfweek rates it as the fourth best resort course in California, behind only Pebble Beach, Pasatiempo and Spyglass. Golf Advisor has ranked the par 72-course No. 1 in California two of the last three years and No. 1 in the U.S. for 2016. Rams Hill has never made Golf Digest’s coveted top 100 U.S. courses. But Mike Graham, an avid golfer from Orange County who has played all over the world, said he has a feeling Rams Hill will be cracking the list soon. “I’d even put it as a top 50 course,” said Graham, 58, on a two-day golf trip with college friends. “It’s very unique. It has a lot of Alister MacKenzie nuances to it, the undulation changes in the greens, the immaculate condition of the entire course.” With five sets of tee boxes, Rams Hill plays just over 7,200 yards from the back tees. Massive fairways give the course the appearance of a pushover, but elaborate
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CLUB SELECTION
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RAMS HILL GOLF CLUB fairway bunkers and undulating, lightning-fast greens bring double or triple bogey into play on most holes. “The strategically-placed traps can get you into a lot of trouble of the tee, but I think the course is really about the greens,” said Graham, who plays to a 6-handicap. “They’re big and deep. Some of them are so big they feel like four-club greens. And they’re a lot faster than you’ll see on most resort courses. If you’re in a bad spot, it’s pretty easy to three-putt if you don’t know where to land it.” Mountain backdrops and elevated tee boxes on several holes, including the par-five, 577-yard 18th, give golfers the impression they are playing at altitude but highest point on the course is only 800 feet. Those having a tough time finding the fairway on the front nine will welcome the back-to-back par 3 on holes 9 and 10, which measure just 126 yards and 171 yards from the blue tees. The back nine features fairly short par 4s on No. 12 and No. 17, both under 300 yards from the blues. But bunkers surround both greens, making a layup with a long iron or hybrid the wiser play. The fairways are so well-manicured and colored such a deep shade of green, they almost don’t look real. “People actually ask if we put artificial grass on this course,”
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said Gelesko who came to Rams Hill from Del Rio in Brawley and La Costa in Carlsbad. “It’s real rye grass and it’s so perfect out there. We don’t do anything special. It’s just proper watering, proper care and proper fertilizing.” Green fees are more than reasonable at Rams Hill--$115 on weekdays and $130 on the weekend. Twilight rates are $85 and $95. Tee times and stay-and-play packages can be booked at Ramshill.com. The best deal is a “House on the Hill” weekend getaway for $799 per person through the end of January, $899 in February and $999 in March and April, the busiest months at the course. The getaway, which is perfect for friends, family or buddy trips, includes two days of unlimited golf, one breakfast and dinner at the clubhouse restaurant, tacos during your round, guaranteed prime time tee times, a one-hour postround Full Swing simulator and a two-night stay at the ultraluxurious House on the Hill, a four-bedroom, two-story house that accommodates 4-8 guests and overlooks the 15th fairway. It might not be too long before there are plenty more lodging options at Rams Hills and possibly another golf course to play. “I would think that in the next three to five years we’ll see another golf course and a 350-room hotel out here,” Turner said. “We’re within a 3 ½-hour drive of 24 million people. So we need more golf. I think we’d love to be thought of as a remote destination golf course in the same vein of quality as Bandon Dunes in Oregon or Sand Valley in Wisconsin.”
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SWEETSTUFF Wilson Launch Pad Club
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ilson Sporting Goods, which has been designing and manufacturing golf equipment since 1914, is rolling out its most technologically advanced, easiest to hit set of clubs ever with the introduction of the Launch Pad irons and woods that have been produced with the higher handicap player in mind—and loads of features to help them play better. The Launch Pad Collection consists of irons, driver, fairway woods and an all-new category called the FY Club that combines the best features of a hybrid and a long iron. True to its name, the ball just launches— or explodes off the club face of these clubs with exceptional height and distance. They have a great look and feel at address, and for anyone who plays recreationally and just wants to have fun when they go out—these are the clubs that are easy to swing-- light and have good feel for the game improvement category for the higher handicapper. The irons are especially easy to control and offer a nice sound at impact, the light, 80-gram steel KBS Tour shaft (or the USTMamiya Recoil 460 graphite shaft) also help with making these clubs one of the easier ones on the market to swing. “The Launch Pad Irons will give gameimprovement golfers confidence over every shot,” said Jon Pergande, Manager of Golf Club Innovation at Wilson. “Keeping the everyday player in mind, our test results show the Launch Pad sole reduces fat shots by 73%, enabling players to attack the course with more confidence.” One of the key design features at the heart of this these irons is the Launch Pad Sole featured throughout the set. This advanced technology is designed to eliminate the “chunk” shot, while simultaneously improving launch. The short irons feature traditional game-improvement sole widths while longer irons feature wider, more forgiving soles, for more consistent ballstriking and greater distance. This progression in sole width allows players to put the long irons back in their bags. In addition, the smooth bounce angle keeps the leading edge up and decreases turf interaction by floating above the ground. The Launch Pad Irons feature a hollow-body construction, supporting an extremely thin face for improved ball speed and increased
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distance. The overall light weight on these irons help generate clubhead speed with minimal effort. They also come standard with a midsize grip that provides comfort and enhanced feel for greater confidence with every swing. “The irons have a great look and for players that need some help with their game—these set up very nice,” added club fitter Jerry Molinar, the owner of Marc’s Golf in Palm Desert California. “Wilson has done a nice job of making a club with a larger sole look smaller—but it is easy to hit and has a high launch—which a lot of players need.” The new Wilson Launch Pad driver and fairway woods are designed for players who want and can benefit from a lighter club and can use help fighting a slice. They are also easy to hit and can help players get better height and distance. Featuring a moderate hosel offset, 13 grams of weight in the heel side of the club and an upright lie angle, many players will find this club to their liking with an overall club head weight of just 272 grams. As one of the lightest drivers on the market, when it is paired with the new Variable Face Technology, the Launch Pad Driver head delivers higher ball speeds and higher launch angles, regardless of location of contact on the clubface, noted Wilson officials. The Launch Pad Driver is available in both men’s and women’s options and comes stock with the new UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft--and the Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip, which maintains the traditional feel in a super lightweight construction. Like the driver, the Launch Pad fairway woods are designed with a moderate hosel offset and heel-focused weighting to help golfers gain more control and hit straighter
shots. A Carpenter Custom 455 Stainless Steel face insert provides a thin, hot face, increasing both feel and distance for the fairway woods. The Launch Pad Fairway Woods are available in two loft options –15-degree (3wood) and 18-degree (5-wood) with the same UST-Mamiya Helium Series shaft and Wilson Staff MicroLite Lamkin grip used on the driver. Left hand and women’s models are available in several options as well. In developing the Launch Pad FY Club—a new category--Wilson Labs testing showed a 41” shaft with a 19.5-degree face is the easiest-to-hit combination of loft and length for golfers that hold a handicap over 10, replacing the need for 3-irons, 3-hybrids and 7-woods. The new FY Club is highlighted with the Carpenter Custom 455 Stainless Steel face insert for a thin, hot face and a light feel. “The process of creating the Launch Pad Driver, Fairway Woods and FY Club started with researching the swings of self-described slicers,” added Pergande. “Our goal is to help players stay in play more often than not and the visually subtle technologies in our Launch Pad Driver and Woods--like the offset hosel and weight in the heel--have done just that.” The Launch Pad FY Club is available in right and left-hand options at 19.5-degree loft with the UST-Mamiya shaft and Wilson Staff Microlite grip. The FY Club will also be available for women, in a RH option with 20.5-degree loft. The clubs are available beginning this month at retailers and on the company website. For more information: www.wilson.com
Breakthrough Golf Tour Shaft
B
reakthrough Golf Technology, the Texas company that golf innovator Barney Adams founded to revolutionize the putter shaft by using scientifically advanced multi-material design as opposed to steel, has introduced its latest version aimed at Tour players and more accomplished amateurs.
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
Called the Stability Tour, this leaner version of the BGT shaft is lighter, 13% smaller in diameter and has a distinctively softer feel than the original version of the Stability shaft that has gained a footing on all levels of golf. With a unique look, a more solid feel than a traditional steel putter shaft that delivers the face more squarely at impact for improved accuracy, the stability shaft has a lower launch for a predictable roll, resulting in better distance control. With the new Tour edition, better golfers can replace their steel shaft without appreciably changing the balance of the putter. This allows the most discerning players to achieve precise specifications on their equipment. It offers a markedly softer feel than the original model, and it can match the balance point and flex profile of steel with 30% more carbon fiber for crisp, responsive sound and control preferred by better golfers and tour professionals. “Testing confirms that both the Original Stability and Stability Tour deliver the groundbreaking performance that BGT has pioneered in our tour-proven putter shaft designs,” noted Blair Philip, Vice-President of Research and Development for BGT. Just about any type of putter can be fitted with the Stability Shaft, and it helps with virtually every kind of stroke, including straight-back straight-through, arc path—and testing has shown improvement for low, mid and high handicap players. Tour players— including a major champion—have been tested with the shaft and even they have found benefits. The Stability Shaft is available from golf retailers in the US and Canada. To learn more visit www. breakthroughgolftech.com
Claw Golf Glove
A
new golf glove on the market called the Claw that is manufactured and distributed by CaddyDaddy looks to be a strong alternative to the traditional leather gloves that have dominated the market for so many years. Constructed of 100% cutting-edge synthetic materials and having a clean-twotone look, the Claw offers exceptional grip and has a tacky feel that you won’t find on any other glove that provides a feeling of control during the swing.
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The glove has a combination of microfiber with an exclusive silicone coating that makes the Claw very durable and look like new—even after numerous rounds of golf. The flex-mesh upper backing increases air flow and keeps this glove cooler than traditional leather. “Our team was amazed at the lack of innovation in golf gloves,” said Greg Derbas, the President of CaddyDaddy. “We believe Claw gloves not only outperform every leather glove on the market, they prolong the life of the grips.” The Claw glove will not blacken, crack, harden or tear, added Derbas, and the company notes that it will last three to five times longer than traditional leather gloves. The gloves are also machine washable. They come in six men’s sizes: XL, L, M, S and Cadet L and M. The Claw glove is available at: www. caddydaddygolf.com, on Amazon and at select retailers.
The pre-round balm—appropriately called Activate—contains Cannabidiol (CBD), plus a number of other natural handformulated ingredients such as Menthol, Camphor oil, Coconut oil, Peppermint oil and others to help create a warm, soothing feeling in areas such as the back that creates a loose feeling even before warming up. The Recovery CBD balm by Muscle MX for rolling on an area like the legs and back after the round creates a definite cooling sensation for hours using not only CBD oils but other ingredients such as Eucalyptus oil and Vitamin E. According to the makers of Muscle MX, the CBD (cannabidiol) used in the balm comes from hemp plants and works with your body’s natural biochemical balancer-the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Endocannabinoids are found in many of your body’s key functions; the central nervous system, immune system, brain, organs and joints. The purposefully formulated CBD extracts in their topicals are formulated to unlock the body’s natural ability to work with the ECS to reduce inflammation, increase needed blood flow and reduce pain. CBD and hemp are fast becoming household names in not only golf circles but for the general wellness movement. But there are still a few misconceptions. Hemp is not marijuana. Hemp contains less than .3% THC, which is the psychoactive compound most commonly associated with marijuana. The elevated levels of CBD in hemp are non-psychoactive and work synergistically with the body to improve performance and overall health and quality of life. For more information: www.musclemx.com
Muscle MX
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olfers, just like participants in most athletic endeavors, get their fair share of muscle strains and pains. Over the past year, since the federal government has lifted restrictions on products produced from the hemp plant such as CBD, a variety of products have hit the market aimed at reducing pain and inflammation in players’ bodies. Muscle MX has introduced a unique pair of CBD roll-on balms featuring before and after activity formulas designed to warm up and activate muscles before a round and then cool them down afterward for the recovery period.
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