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Dreams Worth Dreaming A true story about a boy who dreamed big!

GOODGOLFTIMES.COM Good Golf Times Magazine Staff President Tony DeRusso Vice President David Heath

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Director Mike Calamusa

Roddy Ranch Golf Club Good Golf Times ratings and review on a challenging East Bay golf course.

Harding Park Golf Course Good Golf Times ratings and review on a Bay Area Favorite

Golf In Monterey How to enjoy Pebble Beach golf without paying Pebble Beach prices.

January 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.goodgolftimes.com

Information Technology Michael Funke Editorial Dona DeRusso David Lautz Photography Charles DeRusso Creative Directors Amanda Blanc Marie Blanc Advertising/Marketing Michael Siemer Contact www.goodgolftimes.com contact@goodgolftimes.com 855.376.7168

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Avid Golfers • They play an average of 48.3 rounds of golf a year • 24% play more than 70 rounds per year • 21% have a single-digit handicap

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Member demographics 2013 web-based research statistics

Dreams Worth Dreaming A true story about a boy who dreamed big!

GOODGOLFTIMES.COM Good Golf Times Magazine Staff President Tony DeRusso Vice President David Heath

New Social Network for Golfers!

Director Mike Calamusa

Roddy Ranch Golf Club

Harding Park Golf Course

Golf In Monterey

Good Golf Times ratings and review on a challenging East Bay golf course.

Good Golf Times ratings and review on a Bay Area Favorite

How to enjoy Pebble Beach golf without paying Pebble Beach prices.

Putting Tips

Roddy Ranch Golf Club Northern California’s Driest Course 2

January 2013 • www.goodgolftimes.com

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Good Golf Times Inaugural Season - 2013 A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER/CREATOR OF GOOD GOLF TIMES

Good Golf Times is more than a golf magazine. It’s more than a website.

Good Golf Times represents a dream coming to life. Have you ever found yourself wishing and hoping for something better? At the ripe age of thirty I found myself discouraged and unsatisfied with my occupation. For twelve years I had followed what appeared to be the best choice—I had followed the money. I now realize that I had been very nearsighted, following only what I could see right in front of me. As a child I grew up with a great passion for just about any sport that I could get involved in. Not only did I have the passion, but I soon discovered I was very good at it too. I often heard statements like: You got it kid! You have major-league talent! You could go pro! Don’t screw it up! As I look back on my life, I wonder whether I did screw it up. Through a myriad of life circumstances and bad decisions, I lost sight of my natural desires. By the end of my teenage years, instead of pursuing my dreams, I found myself working multiple jobs just to make a living. It seems a majority of us go to work just to make a living. After years of frustration with the mundane responsibilities of my work, a new passion began to emerge. An inspired vision in the early morning hours led to a detailed outline of Good Golf Times. Now I find myself with the potential of enjoying what I do for a living. I love golf and have seen the love and passion for the game take root in many lives. Northern California houses some of the highest populations of golf enthusiasts in the world. What better place to launch Good Golf Times! Good Golf Times has been created to deliver a high quality golf magazine. Containing information and updates on all things golf, you will be “in the know” on all professional tours, golf courses, equipment, lessons and more. In addition, we are committed to sharing “life stories” that make a personal connection with our readers. The magazine will be paired with a website that provides the ability to buy and sell golf equipment, book tee times, view ratings and connect with other golfers. We are gathering stories and looking for our next “life story” article. We would love to hear yours. Log in to www.goodgolftimes. com to tell us your story and we’ll enter you into a chance to win a round of golf at the world renowned Spyglass Hill in amazing Pebble Peach. I hope you enjoy reading Good Golf Times as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. CEO/Owner Tony DeRusso

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Dreams Worth Dreaming by Pam Parsons

When my son was young, he dreamed of becoming an NBA

star and a PGA champ! If we’re honest, most of us must admit to fantasies of glory, fame, riches and power. My own included becoming Miss America, an Olympic ski champion, and a rock star! For most of us of course, the dreams are just that. Ah, but for some, for those precious few … their dreams are realized with all the glory and sweet splendor our imaginations can muster. And so it was in early March, when a young North Irishman named Rory McIlroy won the Honda Classic and cinched professional golf ’s title of Number One. “‘It was always a dream of mine to become the world’s No. 1 and the best player in the world or whatever you want to call it,” McIlroy said.”’1 6

January July 20122013 • www.goodgolftimes.com • www.goodgolftimes.com

Number One Golfer in the World! His dream fulfilled! A huge accomplishment for this 22-year-old, whom the golf world has quickly grown to embrace. The average fan can only imagine the sacrifice and discipline, the years of practice, the thousands of hours (the sore muscles) — no doubt a collaboration of not only his own effort, but presumably also his family, coaches, and other supporters. We admire the inordinate skill, time and investment it must take to reach such an achievement. We respect and celebrate Rory’s accomplishment: the fulfillment of his dream. A wonderful dream indeed! And we all have dreams. Yet we know the odds are stacked against us — to actually fulfill a dream of glory is extremely rare and elusive. Yet something draws us to pursue, or at least to imagine, that gold medal, that

ultimate prize, doesn’t it? But why? Realistically, even if we beat the odds, we know the shining moment will pass, the glow will fade. After all, who remembers Horace Rawlins? Arnaud Massy? or Fred Hard? These were golf champs from days gone by, who basked in glory and status equal to Rory’s. Now, they have faded into oblivion. Fame is, after all, fleeting. Still, we dream of glory, don’t we? We might question why, but it also begs another question: was Rory’s dream a worthy one? Are my own dreams worthy? Do I really seek the brief glow of glory? Or perhaps a better question would be, what could I do that will last beyond myself? Am I investing my life in something lasting and significant?

Rory answered that himself after his June, 2011 visit to Haiti as Ireland’s UNICEF Ambassador. He experienced first-hand the devastation following the earthquake there eighteen months earlier. Rory explained the impact on his life: “‘I think it had a huge perspective on how I handled myself throughout the tournament last week because it gave me a huge dose of perspective on everything, not just golf but life in general.’”2 “‘The whole experience was quite inspiring. It changes how you think.”’ 3 We might learn from Rory to seek a broader perspective for our priorities, look outside of our own life and time, and indeed put our efforts into those things in life truly worthy of our investment. Our dreams of glory ultimately lead us to another thought …When you reach the pinnacle, then what? The story is told of Alexander the Great, who conquered the entire known world by the age of 29. Imagine the overwhelming pride that must have followed that last victory on the battle field. Did the young general celebrate with his troops? Did he step back and relish the unprecedented fame and power? He did not! He sat in his tent and wept bitterly, complaining “There are no more worlds to conquer.”4 Apparently the young Alexander (who died at age 33) believed his own significance was defined by his achievement. Reaching his dream was not ultimate bliss, but in fact, the devastating end of his worthiness. This is a common fallacy of our times, and a tragic one. Our culture insists that if we cannot perform in a certain way, we lack value. We fear the end of our productivity because we fear it is an end to our worth. Perhaps we should reconsider this deception. Certainly there

Good Golf Times “PERSPECTIVE”

is more to our value as people than what we do. The prospect of the end of his conquests was, for Alexander, the end of his significance. Sadly, this is probably true in the history books. But in his own life, in his own circle of influence, certainly he was loved for other qualities than his power as a conqueror. What did those closest to Alexander enjoy about him? Was he generous? Kind? Truthful? Fun to be with? Was he a respectable man? An example for others to follow? Likewise, we might ask ourselves, what have I invested my life in? When all is said and done, and we face our Maker alone, what can we say? When our true mettle is judged, what worthy things have we done? When our children remember us, what will they say about our character or example? Hopefully our value is found in who we are. Most people dream of glory. The brutal reality, however, is, most of us never reach that elusive pinnacle like Alexander and Rory did. Most of us must settle for sharing vicariously in the victories of those rare and gifted few. Which is fine, isn’t it? It’s fun to celebrate our heroes. Still, we might ponder our own accomplishments and revise our personal dream. Have we invested ourselves in others? Did we pursue worthy and lasting rewards like a good character? A life of service? Did we contribute to good in our circle of influence? Did we invest our lives in doing? Or being? “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)5 These words of Jesus still ring true in our world. Fame and success are not as fulfilling as a life with lasting significance. Since Rory McIlroy learned this in Haiti, he has tasted of things greater and more fulfilling — and I hope he is challenged now to pursue not only success as a golfer, but dreams more relevant and significant, though with perhaps less glorious rewards. Certainly we’d agree that exhibiting a good character goes further to influence others than making par. Perhaps it’s time for a dream overhaul. What are your dreams?

laying Harding Park is always a treat. When I think of Harding Park I think of trees. As you can see there are many beautiful Cypress trees inhibiting the course. The second thing I think of is John Daly’s missed 4 footer, to win the 2005 American Express World Golf Championship. Well Daly lost and you know who won. Watching the big boys handle this course was a great realization for me. I realized these guys are good and I might not be as good as I thought I was. The President’s Cup brought a new level of spectatorship to this once run down muni dog track. The renovations that Harding went through in 02/03 truly transformed this specially landscaped piece of property into a masterpiece. I believe we are in the beginning stages of a storied history. Golf Digest’s Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

HARDING PARK GOLF COURSE H

arding Park’s layout follows the original routing as designed by architect Willie Watson in 1925. The course takes advantage of the property’s existing topography, contours and vegetation. The predominant features include the towering Monterey Cypress trees and the nearby presence of Lake Merced. Harding’s strategy and character have been substantially enhanced with the inclusion of several carefully placed bunkers and re-contoured green complexes. The addition of multiple teeing surfaces provides the course the flexibility to offer distinct playing characteristics that will challenge every golfer, from beginner to the most skilled player. The Harding Park complex includes an outstanding executive nine-hole course known as the Fleming Golf Course. The Fleming nine has been revitalized to the same discerning standards and conditioning as Harding’s re-creation, albeit shorter in length yet full of strategy and interest. Fleming plays to a par of 30, with a total yardage for the nine holes ranging from 1865 yards from the forward tees to 2165 yards from the regular tees. The three par fours and six par threes are an excellent alternative to

Tim Dahlberg, Ottowa Citizen & Montreal Gazette March 6, 2012. Cathal Dervan, IrishCentral.com Staff Writer. Published Sunday, June 26, 2011, 8:36 AM 3 Karl MacGinty, Belfast Telegraph on-line Tuesday, 14 June 2011 4 Tan, Paul Lee. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations . Rockville: Assurance Publishers, 1979. pp.681,682. 5 Holy Bible, New International Version by Biblica, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, 1984. 1 2

www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

January July 20122013 • www.goodgolftimes.com • www.goodgolftimes.com

Harding’s championship layout, providing a comfortable setting for the beginning or learning golfer. Harding Park also features a practice putting green and an all-season practice area with state-of-the-art TourTurf ™ surface installed in both the teeing and landing areas. Harding is proud to be home to the First Tee Chapter of San Francisco, an educational program co-sponsored by the PGA Tour, which introduces underprivileged youth to the benefits of golf.

Good Golf Times Ratings: 13-20 Handicap 0-12 Handicap Overall: Condition: Greens: Amenities: Value: 21+ Handicap Overall: Condition: Greens: Amenities: Value: Rating/Slope Information: Blue Tees - 72.8 / 126 White Tees - 70.6 / 123 Red Tees (W) – 73.2 / 123 Green Speed: 9 to 12 on the Stimpmeter® The Locals Say: This course is a local favorite. “Being a resident of San Francisco has many perks, but the residents card for Harding is one of the best”. Amenities: The facilities at Harding offer a full service restaurant and bar. This is a fantastic place for hosted local charity golf tournaments Tournaments Hosted: Mostly local with some mid level amateur events

Many professional events will be played here and playing the courses that the best of the best play is a privilege. You will be able to look across the lake and see another storied golf course; The Olympic Club rests directly across from hole 14. The lake and the atmosphere give this course a coastal flavor. You can’t see the ocean from here but you will be able to just know that it is there. I would encourage all local and even tourist golfers to put this course on the golfing resume. The condition of this place is immaculate. They do a fantastic job of maintenance here and it shows all over the course. The tee boxes pristine, the greens quick and true, fairways almost hand groomed and the sand is softer than the beach in Cozumel. Harding is beautiful and a must play for all.

Harding Park Standard* Standard Twilight* Standard Super Twilight Standard Off-Season/Aerification* Northern California Counties* Northern California Counties Twilight* Northern California Super Twilight Northern California Off-Season/Aerification* San Francisco Resident Card Holder San Francisco Resident Card Twilight San Francisco Senior Resident Card Holder(65 & over) San Francisco Resident Juniors (17 & under) Harding Cart Fees Pull-Cart Rental Golf Cart Rental (Per Person) Twilight (Per Person) Fleming Standard San Francisco Resident card holder San Francisco Senior Resident card holder(65 & over) San Francisco Resident Juniors (17 & under) Replay rate Fleming Cart Fees Pull-Cart Rental Golf Cart Rental (Per Person) Golf Club Rentals (Cobra) Harding 18 Hole Club Rental Fleming 9 Hole Club Rental

Mon. - Thurs. $135.00 $105.00 $45.00 $115.00 $89.00 $69.00 $45.00 $79.00 $46.00 $35.00 $31.00 $15.00

Fri. - Sun.** $155.00 $125.00 $55.00 $135.00 $99.00 $79.00 $55.00 $89.00 $59.00 $44.00 $59.00 $20.00

Mon. - Thurs. $25.00 $20.00 $14.00 $10.00 $11.00

$9.00 $13.00 $10.00 Fri. - Sun.** $30.00 $22.00 $19.00 $13.00 $11.00 $5.00 $7.50 $40.00 $20.00

*CART INCLUDED-Please note that Harding Park is a CART-PATH-ONLY facility year round. **Applies to Holidays San Francisco residents can apply for a resident’s card with further discounts.

www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

Dreams Worth Dreaming by Pam Parsons

When my son was young, he dreamed of becoming an NBA

January July 20122013 • www.goodgolftimes.com • www.goodgolftimes.com

www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

January 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.goodgolftimes.com

Course Ratings Reviews

• Roddy Ranch Golf Course • Harding Park Golf Course • Monterey Golf www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

Roddy Ranch Golf Club Antioch, CA

Roddy Ranch Golf Our par-72 golf course at Roddy Ranch Golf Club in

Antioch, California measures over 6900 yards from the back tees. The course was designed by J. Michael Poellot, ASGCA, and opened for play in 2000. Roddy Ranch Golf Club has been noted as the Best Value in Northern California by Greenskeeper.org and dubbed as being “the finest golf course that’s opened in the Bay Area in years.” Carved from a 2000-acre working cattle ranch, our course’s 235 acres offer a true links-style layout over a canvas of an exquisite landscape. Undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers challenge every aspect of your short game. Elevated tees and greens not only bring beautiful views, but demand precision play while teeing off from the tips. Gold and silver tees still require a heightened level of precision, but allow players to take advantage of wider areas in fairways and shorter approach shots. Roddy Ranch is definitely a destination you won’t be disappointed with. Book your next tee time with us here at Roddy Ranch...” Where Legends Live”!!

January July 20122013 • www.goodgolftimes.com • www.goodgolftimes.com

Good Golf Times “PERSPECTIVE”

Roddy Ranch is not your typical golf course.

When playing “Roddy” (as the locals call it), the feeling is that you are in the middle of nowhere. There are no homes or much of modern civilization in proximity to the course. If you refer to the aerial picture posted in this article, you will see what I mean. This environment sets up a relaxing, uninterrupted round of golf — No traffic noise, no bustling of shopping centers, no drone of a nearby airport. The only real outside “interruption” while playing a round of golf may be the occasional appearance of a stunt plane flying overhead. As far as I’m concerned this is a welcomed distraction. I enjoy taking a moment to marvel at the intricacies of the pilot’s maneuvers and ponder how crazy he must be. After playing many of the public golf courses in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have to say Roddy Ranch is one of the more challenging yet yields the most rewards. I am never disappointed after a round of golf

at Roddy. This course requires, and I repeat requires, an accurate tee shot on most holes. The fairways are not what I would consider tight, but if you miss the fairway, you will find yourself trying to hack out of some very stubborn rough and that’s if you can find your ball at all. More than once I have muttered, “this stuff just eats golf balls.” The greens are fantastic especially given the reasonable fees. They roll fast and true. I feel confident that my putt will hold its line. Some locals have deemed the greens here to be too fast, but I disagree. When the course first opened, the greens were rock hard. But over the years they have softened nicely, and I’d actually call them receptive. Brentwood summers are hot, so don’t forget plenty of water or Gatorade. In the winter this course drains better than any, so if it’s been raining I would recommend trying to get a tee-time here. Overall I say Roddy Ranch is probably the best bang for your buck!

Golf Digest’s Rating: 4 Stars Good Golf Times Rating: Overall: Condition: Greens: Amenities: Value:

0-12 Handicap

13-20 Handicap

General Rates: Weekdays: $45 Twilight $35 Super Twilight $25 Weekends: $55 Twilight $45 Super Twilight $30 *Good Golf Times Rates: Weekdays: $36 Twilight $28 Super Twilight $20 Weekends: $44 Twilight $36 Super Twilight $24 *Great Membership Rates available with a discount for all Good Golf Times Members Rating/Slope Information: Black Tees - 74.5 / 142 Gold Tees - 72.6 / 135 Silver Tees - 70.4 / 131 Green Speed: 10 to 13 on the Stimpmeter®

21+ Handicap

The Locals Say: This course is a local favorite. “We play Roddy for the simple fact that it is the best course in the area.” They would choose this course over all others. Amenities: There is a 3,000 square foot clubhouse that offers the essentials. Food, drink, and equipment is sold here. They have a snack shack at the turn but it is never open. There is the option for tournaments and events to be hosted at the actual “Ranch” and sets up for a cowboy kind of event. YEE-HAH Tournaments Hosted: Mostly local with some mid level amateur events Any feedback or personal ratings, please post them at our forums www.goodgolftimes.com * Further discounts available at www.goodgolftimes.com www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

HARDING PARK GOLF COURSE Harding Park’s layout follows the original routing as

designed by architect Willie Watson in 1925. The course takes advantage of the property’s existing topography, contours and vegetation. The predominant features include the towering Monterey Cypress trees and the nearby presence of Lake Merced. Harding’s strategy and character have been substantially enhanced with the inclusion of several carefully placed bunkers and re-contoured green complexes. The addition of multiple teeing surfaces provides the course the flexibility to offer distinct playing characteristics that will challenge every golfer, from beginner to the most skilled player. The Harding Park complex includes an outstanding executive nine-hole course known as the Fleming Golf Course. The Fleming nine has been revitalized to the same discerning standards and conditioning as Harding’s re-creation, albeit shorter in length yet full of strategy and interest. Fleming plays to a par of 30, with a total yardage for the nine holes ranging from 1865 yards from the forward tees to 2165 yards from the regular tees. The three par fours and six par threes are an excellent alternative to

January July 20122013 • www.goodgolftimes.com • www.goodgolftimes.com

Good Golf Times “PERSPECTIVE”

Playing Harding Park is always a treat. When I think of

Harding Park I think of trees. As you can see there are many beautiful Cypress trees inhibiting the course. The second thing I think of is John Daly’s missed 4 footer, to win the 2005 American Express World Golf Championship. Well Daly lost and you know who won. Watching the big boys handle this course was a great realization for me. I realized these guys are good and I might not be as good as I thought I was. The President’s Cup brought a new level of spectatorship to this once run down muni dog track. The renovations that Harding went through in 02/03 truly transformed this specially landscaped piece of property into a masterpiece. I believe we are in the beginning stages of a storied history. Golf Digest’s Rating: 4 1/2 Stars Good Golf Times Ratings: 13-20 Handicap 0-12 Handicap Overall: Condition: Greens: Amenities: Value: 21+ Handicap Overall: Condition: Greens: Amenities: Value: Rating/Slope Information: Blue Tees - 72.8 / 126 White Tees - 70.6 / 123 Red Tees (W) – 73.2 / 123 Green Speed: 9 to 12 on the Stimpmeter® The Locals Say: This course is a local favorite. “Being a resident of San Francisco has many perks, but the residents card for Harding is one of the best”. Amenities: The facilities at Harding offer a full service restaurant and bar. This is a fantastic place for hosted local charity golf tournaments Tournaments Hosted: Mostly local with some mid level amateur events

Mon. - Thurs. $135.00 $105.00 $45.00 $115.00 $89.00 $69.00 $45.00 $79.00 $46.00 $35.00 $31.00 $15.00

Fri. - Sun.** $155.00 $125.00 $55.00 $135.00 $99.00 $79.00 $55.00 $89.00 $59.00 $44.00 $59.00 $20.00

$9.00 $13.00 $10.00 Mon. - Thurs. Fri. - Sun.** $25.00 $30.00 $20.00 $22.00 $14.00 $19.00 $10.00 $13.00 $11.00 $11.00 $5.00 $7.50 $40.00 $20.00

*CART INCLUDED-Please note that Harding Park is a CART-PATH-ONLY facility year round. **Applies to Holidays San Francisco residents can apply for a resident’s card with further discounts.

www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

Golf in

Monterey

January 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ www.goodgolftimes.com

Monterey, CA is one of the most beautiful places in the

world. The coastline is uniquely awe-inspiring. Combine the pure beauty of nature with some of the finest golf conditions in the world and you really have something special. Playing golf at Pebble Beach should be on the top 10 of any golfer’s bucket list. The nostalgic experience will create stories to be related for a lifetime. Yet the expense of playing Pebble Beach keeps this desire a fantasy for most. To play Pebble Beach, a two night minimum hotel stay is required. The lowest available rate1 will be found at the Inn at Spanish Bay. The Garden View Room goes for $706 per night for two people. With the golf costing $495 per player, the minimum price for a round of golf at Pebble Beach (not including food and travel) comes to $1201 per person—a bit pricey for many. Just to put this into perspective, an annual Mon-Fri membership at my favorite local golf course, Roddy Ranch Golf Club in Antioch, CA, can be gotten for the same price. Desiring to help others realize the dream of playing Pebble Beach, I offer a few, more economic alternatives. Pebble Beach consists of four golf courses. More than likely you are aware of Spyglass Hill— known as “the professional’s favorite.”2 But have you heard of The Links at Spanish Bay and Old Del Monte? These courses are Monterey must plays. While the notoriety may not equal Pebble Beach status, they all carry the Pebble Beach name and the course conditions prove they are worthy of it. The Duke Membership offered through Old Del Monte golf course is the best value for Pebble Beach golf. A $295 membership pays for itself in one outing. (The Duke Member Rates listed at the end of this article are taken directly from the Del Monte Golf Course web site.) In addition, periodically throughout the year Duke offers specials for discounted play at Pebble Beach. While this requires some flexibility in your schedule, you will probably not have a more affordable opportunity for Pebble. As might be expected, use of the Duke Membership means you will not be able to get the most desired tee times at Spyglass Hill during the peak season (August - early November). But you never know what kind of weather you’re going to get in Monterey. There have been freezing cold, rainy days in September and sunny days in the mid 70’s in April. A trip to

Monterey should include an expectation of clouds and slightly, chilly temperatures. Anything more than that is a cherry on top of a delightful round of golf. When playing through the Duke Membership, you don’t have to stay at one of the Pebble Beach Resorts hotels. There are many options. A lesser advertised option is the Andril Fireplace Cottages. A very homey and welcoming atmosphere awaits the individual or the entire family with accommodations ranging from single rooms to cottages with as many as five bedrooms. Located within feet of the 17 Mile Drive entrance and across the street from the ocean, it is hard to find a better value. A classy yet more affordable option than Pebble Beach awaits you at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Located at the end of Monterey’s Cannery Row, the Monterey Plaza offers an elegant environment close to the action at the heart of this mecca of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance of the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s not uncommon to see otters playing in the cove right in front of the hotel. Numerous Bed and Breakfasts throughout Monterey and Carmel are available and come with great reviews. Monterey golf includes far more than just the “Pebble Beach” family of courses. Starting with the most exclusive, Cypress Point was created by the renowned Alister Mackenzie. Mackenzie’s resume includes Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia), Century Country Club (Purchase, New York), Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Melbourne, Australia), Crystal Downs Country Club (Frankfort, Michigan), Lahinch Golf Course (Lahinch, Ireland) and many more. There are no words to describe the overwhelming beauty this masterpiece offers. Cypress Point sets the standard for elite golf. In case you didn’t realize this yet, the odds are stacked against you if you want to play here. The only way to play at Cypress Point is by invitation from a member. Another private course along the 17 Mile Drive is Monterey Peninsula Country Club (MPCC). MPCC is included in the AT&T Pro-Am alongside Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, having replaced Poppy Hills in 2010 as the third course in the tournament’s rotation. Poppy Hills offers a different experience than any of the previously mentioned courses. While there are no holes on the ocean, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course plays into the Del Monte Forest which gives you the full Monterey Peninsula feel. www.goodgolftimes.com • January 2013

Just outside the famous 17 Mile Drive, Pacific Grove Golf Links is a value-conscious golfer’s treasure. Combining a mixture of parkland and links style holes, and with published rates not topping $57, you won’t find a “peninsula” golf experience for less money. Where else can you play an ocean course with quality conditions for such a rate? Please let us know if you find one. Five miles up the coast in a town called Seaside is another storied course deserving recommendation, Bayonet Blackhorse. Its claim to be the “Best 36 Holes on Monterey Bay” shows the pride of extensive renovations and offers a golf experience certainly worth the published rates of $100 during the week of $100 and $120 on the weekend. Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, Pasadera Golf and Country Club, Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course, Preserve Golf Club and Quail Lodge all deserve mention in any conversation about Monterey golf.

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An exhilarating 45 mile drive up the well known Pacific Coast Highway 1, you will find another Alister Mackenzie designed masterpiece, Pasatiempo Golf Club (Santa Cruz, California). While this course isn’t technically a Monterey course, it is well deserving of mention simply because it should be on the radar of all golfers looking for incredible golf experiences. In addition to golf, Monterey provides a multitude of outside activities and entertainment. You can count on getting your vacation needs met in Monterey. Golfer or not, you will love the options in dining. Offering everything from Bubba Gumps to 5-star dining in Carmel, you are sure to find a dining experience to fit your mood. Take a day and go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Come once; come twice; come again and again. You will not be disappointed. Simply put, the Monterey Peninsula is one of the best golf communities in the world.

Pebble Beach resorts reservations contacted 3/27/12 Anthony DeRusso (CEO Good Golf Times) based on conversations with many professionals during the Frys.com Open, October 2011 January 2013 • www.goodgolftimes.com

Monterey Course Rates: Del Monte Golf Course Regular Rate

$110

Member Rate

Guest Rate*

$43 Mon-Fri $59 Sat-Sun & Holidays

$53 Mon-Fri $73 Sat-Sun & Holidays

Member Twilight Rate

$30

The Links at Spanish Bay** Regular Rate

$260

Member Rate

$140

Guest Rate*

$140

Member Twilight Rate

$75

Spyglass Hill Golf Course** Regular Rate

$360

Member Rate

$190

Guest Rate*

$190

Member Twilight Rate

$100

* Up to 3 accompanied guests at the discounted guest rate(s). ** 14-day advance booking; space available basis. Rates effective through March 31, 2012. “Lowest available rate” Pebble Beach resorts reservations contacted 3/27/12 “The professionals favorite” Anthony DeRusso (CEO Good Golf Times) after conversations with many professionals during the Frys.com Open October 2011