OTL The Fall Issue 2021

Music on the course

Bora Bora away away Crested Butte, co.

Memorial Park golf course

Rhino GX

30 Contents Volume 18, Issue 6

FEATURES 12

TAKE 3 Crested Butte, CO provides year-round enjoyment and adventure.

Haylee Pryor

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TROY MEDITERRANEAN BREEZE No hooplah, this spot has some of the best food in town.

Richard Arebalo

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MEMORIAL PARK GOLF COURSE

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Steeped in history, this course has been re-designed and improved for the modern game. Mike Bailey

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SOUNDS OF GOLF Music and golf have been around for a long time. Now, they appear to be working together in concert. Mike Bailey

Music on the course

Bora Bora away away Crested Butte, co.

Memorial Park golf course

Rhino GX

ON THE COVER Music calms, inspires and get’s you hyped. Leah’s concentration could not be broken as the music blasted. Photo by Kevin Chin.

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Contents Volume 18, Issue 6

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COLUMNS 20

FITNESS Low back pain? Try a few of these exercises for relief.

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PUTT FOR DOUGH You can save for retirement and a child’s college education.

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DRIVE FOR SHOW The Rhino GX was created to be a bad-ass SUV. Mission accomplished.

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HEALTH Everyone knows about joint pain, fewer undstand the cause.

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BUCK’S TIPS Are you losing power? You could have a power leak. Buck can help.

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ON YOUR GAME Lanny Wadkins sits down for a conversation. He keeps it real.

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TRAVEL You’ve been at home long enough. Go big, go far. Away, away to Bora Bora.

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WINE An exceptional burgundy is about taste and smell.

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CIGARS Maduros can vary from light brown to dark chocolate both affecting flavor.

From the Publisher Where are you going? here are you going? What does that question mean to you?

Where are you going? I don’t mean shopping, travel destination, or out to dinner. It’s a question that you should ask yourself on occasion.

The question isn’t always about the ultimate destination but it can truly be an identifier as to where you are now.

Many times, we are not completely satisfied with where we are. A few weeks ago a couple of billionaires were excited to venture into space.

Hey Mr. Bezos, where are you going? Many in the media were excited to learn he was headed into space. Coverage rivaled what we saw with the launch of the first space shuttle or when we sent an astronaut to the moon.

We saw Richard Branson embark on a similar journey. After successfully returning home reporters asked, what was it like to go into space. Most seem to miss out on the most profound question which wasn’t about space, it was where are you now. Where are they now? What is going on in your life that allows you to move forward? What is your mission? They both have extraordinary vision. These accomplishments were not achieved immediately. It took years. It all starts with an idea and a desire to see it through. Great ideas come to us frequently. We must pick one and forge ahead to make it happen.

As I have said many times here on these pages and in life, Fall and the changing of the seasons is a glorious time. The leaves will begin to change to the color of autumn. We tend to take a quick look at today and then ahead. Ironically, as much as we

love the fall, inevitably once we hit deep winter we will begin to yearn for spring. We are wired that way.

On a personal note, OTL has big plans coming at the beginning of 2022. There is an important announcement coming soon. Where are we going?

Today, I will tell you where we are. We have a fantastic issue.

Our featured story is the evolution of music on the golf course. There was a time when a golf course was like a library, now it can be like a club, a club meaning disco or nightclub. The music is booming on the tees, fairways and the greens. I’ve had this idea for some time now. Finally, it has found its way into the magazine. Special thanks to The Club at Houston Oaks for allowing us to shoot there. They are the best folks in the business. So thankful for Bob and his staff for making us feel welcome. Special thanks to Leah and Kevin for their great work on the shoot.

I’d also like to welcome back a close friend.

If you look at the story about music, you’ll see a dear friend that helped me through junior high and high school. It’s my trusty jambox. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent with it during those years. It was my blanket, pillow, and safety net.

We lost touch after I grew up. I recently found it entrenched in a dirt-covered tomb of an outdoor shed. I had it completely restored and now I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. It was my favorite Christmas present. Thanks, mom.

Let’s fall into this issue of OTL.

Sedric Walker • Publisher O T L G O L F. C O M

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/OnTheLinks Magazine

@otl_golf

@otlgolf

otlgolf.com

PUBLISHER Sedric Walker

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR Carl Mickelson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Chin, Andon Guillory

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tony Dean

FEATURES EDITOR Richard Arebalo

ART DIRECTOR Leticia Galarza

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL Buck Mayers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Katie Soltas Leah Gruber, Mike Bailey, Art Stricklin, Haylee Pryor, Hector Ventura

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Natalie Kalbas

CONTENT SPECIALIST Joel McColl

INTERNET & DIGITAL Karen Kreeps

FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

512.657.7533

OTL magazine is published bi-monthly by Pristine Media, Inc. Executive, editorial,and advertising offices are located at 210 Grand Isle Drive. Round Rock, TX 78665. Advertising rates furnished upon request. Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions and depictions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. OTL reserves the right to refuse any ad for anyreason whatsoever. ©2021 by OTL. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in whole or part without the express written consent of OTL is strictly prohibited. Editorial queries and manuscripts should be directed to the editor via email, editor@otlgolf.com. All letters and their contents sent to OTL are sole property of OTL and may be used, printed, and published in any matter whatsoever without limit, obligation and liability to the author thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and artists and not necessarily those of OTL or its advertisers. Manuscripts should be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. OTL assumes no responsibility or liability for the return of unsolicited artwork, manuscripts or pictures. Printed in the USA.

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e nd tt erla Bu ond ed ter W Win ST

Tucked away on the Western Range of the Rockies in serene Colorado, sits a welcoming town that exceeds all expectations and renders a pure sense of bliss all year round. Whether you are looking to hit the ski slopes, bask in a sea of endless colors of wildflowers, or trail ride under the majestic Aspen trees, this hidden gem in western Colorado is the destination for you.

Sitting at an elevation of 8,909 feet above sea level, Crested Butte, Colorado is a dream come true for all travelers. During the winter, make your way to the mountain resort to embark upon ski slopes accommodating all levels of skiers from novice to advanced. For those who choose to stay on level ground, find your way to the patio of the Elevation Hotel to sip on hot chocolate or enjoy a cocktail all while watching the sea of skiers as they conclude their runs on the slope with the ever-enduring Warming House Hill.

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f you want to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the mountain in winter without wearing a pair of skis or hopping on a snowmobile, why not enjoy a sleighride dinner? This is not an experience you want to miss.

Uley’s Cabin is tucked away in an inaccessible location during the winter unless you are a skier. The sleigh ride provides an opportunity for non-skiers to experience serenity not typically afforded. This warmly lit cabin was built in memory of Uley Sheer; a moonshiner, miner, and all-around man of the mountain. Although the structure is quite rustic, your experience will be nothing shy of luxury. Once inside and nestled cozily by the fire, prepare to indulge your palate with exquisitely prepared French cuisine.

Your dining experience will be nothing short of perfection.

The Butte in winter will not disappoint. Even if skiing is not your cup of tea, this blanketed white wonderland offers zip-lining, snowshoeing on flat ground, cruising around on a snowmobile, and so much more. Stop into Flatiron Sports located on the mountain resort. They will assist you in planning for your adventures on and around the mountain.

As temperatures begin to rise and the snow slowly melts, accommodations for travel are still in full swing. Mother Nature offers something spectacular each summer. Whether you are a lover of flowers or have an admiration for pristine natural occurrences, you do not want to miss the Wildflower Festival held each year in July. Once you have experienced this, you will no longer question why this magical land is known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. This annual celebration is not the only way to encounter the pure beauty of nature. You can hop on the ski lift throughout the season and enjoy a spectacular ride encountering a backdrop that will make you feel as if you were living in a Monet painting.

For your more adventurous side, you

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PHOTO BY: THREE RIVERS RESORT & OUTFITTING

PHOTO BY: DAVE KOZLOWSKI/CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

PHOTO BY: KURT SCHMIDT/CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

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must travel along the Kebler Pass. This route is nothing shy of sharing the richness of nature that Colorado has to offer.

To enjoy this, what seems to be a secret passage into scenic beauty, you must have a form of transportation. For those who enjoy high-intensity bike trails or cruising in your Jeep, this pass is for you. Due to its location in the Rockies, it is only open during the summer and fall. Be prepared to be captivated by the fall aspens as you take this shortcut through Gunnison National Forest towards Aspen. The commute will get you from Crested Butte to Aspen in under two hours: that is if you don’t stop to sightsee.

Briskly flowing rivers and waterfalls are results from the runoff of snow that occurs every year. This creates another adventure all of its own. Many people travel to the western range of the Rockies because they are drawn into all of the activities on the water. From trout fishing to white water rafting, there is fun for all. Located just fifteen minutes away from Crested Butte, sits Three Rivers Resort offering accommodations for all of your fun on the water. The crystal-clear water, flowing rapids, and gorgeous river rock truly create a sense of admiration for the beauty of nature. Breathtakingly beautiful takes on a new meaning of the term when the 52-degree water splashes on you. At this moment, you appreciate the wet suit that the outfitter provides for you. The guided tour down the Upper Taylor is something everyone in your family will enjoy. The Taylor River is indescribable with words and must be experienced first-hand.

Summer expeditions in The Butte are sure to excite the entire family. When planning your vacation, don’t cut yourself short on time. However, if you can only spend two days or two weeks, your itinerary will be full of rich fun-filled adventures.

One attraction that is open yearround is Elk Avenue. Elk Avenue is located in the middle of the town and is

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the main strip for dining and shopping. After days filled with escapades, you might consider spending an afternoon shopping in this quaint little town with the appearance of being on a movie set. From the aged, antiqued buildings to the perfectly positioned light posts and street signs, you feel as if the director will call out commands for a film. Prepare for a sense of nostalgia as you enjoy a leisurely stroll ending at Third-Bowl Homemade Ice Cream. The preservation of the original hardwood floors that cautiously creak when stepped on, allows for a small-town feel with an enormous sense of happiness.

If sweet treats aren’t your thing, the dining options are endless. From burgers and pizza to elegant fine dining with cuisine from all around

the globe, your appetite will be pleased. The Last Steep is located on Elk Avenue and offers the best burgers in town. If pizza is to your liking, stop into Brick Oven Pizzeria to have creatively designed pies and the best outdoor seating in town. If Chilean Sea Bass or Elk Tenderloin is more to your taste, embark upon a dining experience at Soupcon. These locations, plus many more, are there for your convenience and most importantly, to leave your appetite satisfied.

The beauty of the mountains, the sound of rapidly flowing water, and the sense of serenity are what you receive from vacationing in Colorado. Regardless of what season you choose to travel, The Butte offers exhilaration for all.

PHOTO BY: JESSIE VANDERLINDEN/CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT

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OTL / FITNESS

LOW BACK RELIEF FOR GOLFERS STORY BY LEAH GRUBER PHOTOS BY: CONNOR BILT

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fitness

Does your back feel stiff or achy after golfing? The repetitive motion, high speed, and asymmetrical (one-sided) nature of the golf swing make it easy to cause inflammation, pressure, and strain which results in pain in your low back.

Stretching after your golf round is one of the best ways to alleviate or even prevent a low back injury. The main benefits of stretching the low back after your golf round are to help your muscles relax and

to release the pressure on spinal nerves.

Stretching can also help you gain flexibility and mobility, making your golf swing more fluid.

Below are a few gentle low-back stretches you can do after your round of golf.

While doing these stretches it’s very important to breathe deeply to release your muscles and get deeper into the stretch.

Hold each stretch for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Start by sitting tall, cross one leg over the other, and turn in the opposite direction. Use your elbow to press against your knee to get more leverage and go into a deeper stretch.

Seated Twist In a seated pike position, reach across your body to the outside of your foot. If you have tight hamstrings you may have to bend your knees to get into a more comfortable position.

Seated twisting forward fold

Lay on your back and bring your knees to your chest.

This position can help relieve pressure on spinal nerves and relax the lumbar spine. Gently rock yourself from front to back while curving your spine to get the most benefit.

Knees To Chest & Roll Three great stretches that will give you low back relief after golf.

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OTL / PUTT FOR DOUGH

Saving for Retirement and a Child’s Education at the Same Time STORY BY AUSTIN ASSET

You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also want to help your child go to college. So how do you juggle the two? The truth is, saving for your retirement and your child’s education at the same time can be a challenge. But take heart — you may be able to reach both goals if you make some smart choices now.

Know what your financial needs are The first step is to determine your financial needs for each goal. Answering the following questions can help you get started: For retirement: •How many years until you retire?

•Does your company offer an employersponsored retirement plan or a pension plan? Do you participate? If so, what’s your balance? Can you estimate what your balance will be when you retire?

•How much do you expect to receive in Social Security benefits? (One way to get an estimate of your future Social Security benefits is to use the benefit calculators available on the Social Security Administration’s website, www.ssa. gov. You can also sign up for a My Social Security account so that you can view your online Social Security Statement.

Your statement contains a detailed record of your earnings, as well as estimates of retirement, survivor’s, and disability benefits.)

• What standard of living do you hope to have in

retirement? For example, do you want to travel extensively, or will you be happy to stay in one place and live more simply?

• Do you or your spouse expect to work part-time in retirement?

For college: • How many years until your child starts college.

• Will your child attend a public or private college?

What’s the expected cost?

• Do you have more than one child whom you’ll be saving for?

• Does your child have any special academic, athletic, or artistic skills that could lead to a scholarship?

• Do you expect your child to qualify for financial aid?

• Do you plan to cover the entire cost, or would you like the child to bear some of the responsibility?

Many on-line calculators are available to help you predict your retirement income needs and your child’s college funding needs.

Figure out what you can afford to put aside each month After you know what your financial needs are, the next step is to determine what you can afford to put aside each month. To do so, you’ll need to prepare a detailed family budget that lists all of your income and expenses. Keep

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in mind, though, that the amount you can afford may change from time to time as your circumstances change.

Once you’ve come up with a dollar amount, you’ll need to decide how to divvy up your funds.

putt for dough

Retirement takes priority Though college is certainly an important goal, you should probably focus on your retirement if you have limited funds. With generous corporate pensions mostly a thing of the past, the burden is primarily on you to fund your retirement. But if you wait until your child is in college to

start saving, you’ll miss out on years of potential tax-deferred growth and compounding of your money. Remember, your child can always attend college by taking out loans (or maybe even with scholarships), but there’s no such thing as a retirement loan.

If possible, save for your retirement and your child’s college at the same time Ideally, you’ll want to try to pursue both goals at the same time. The more money you can save for college bills now, the less money you or your child will need to borrow later. Even if you can allocate only a small amount to your child’s college fund, say $50 or $100 a month, you might be surprised at how much you can accumulate over many years. For example, if you saved $100 every month and earned 8% annually, you would have $18,415 in your child’s college fund after 10 years. (This example is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent

a specific investment. Investment returns will fluctuate and cannot be guaranteed.)

If you are unsure about how to allocate funds between retirement and college, a professional financial planner may be able to help. This person can also help you select appropriate investments for each goal. Remember, just because you are pursuing both goals at the same time doesn’t necessarily mean that the same investments will be suitable. It may be appropriate to treat each goal independently.

Help! I can’t meet both goals If the numbers say that you can’t afford to educate your child or retire with the lifestyle you expected, you’ll probably have to make some sacrifices. Here are some suggestions: • Defer retirement: The longer you work, the more money you will earn and the later you’ll need to dip into your retirement savings.

• Work part-time during retirement.

• Reduce your standard of living now or in retirement: You might be able to adjust your spending habits now to have more money later. Or, you may want to consider cutting back in retirement.

• Invest more aggressively: If you have several years until retirement or college, you might be able to earn more money by investing more aggressively (but remember that aggressive investments mean a greater risk of loss). Note that no investment strategy can guarantee success.

• Expect your child to contribute more money to college: Despite your best efforts, your child may need to take out student loans or work part-time to earn money for college.

• Send your child to a less expensive school: You may have dreamed your child would follow in your footsteps and attend an Ivy League school. However, unless your child is awarded a scholarship, you may need to lower your expectations.

• Think of other creative ways to reduce

education costs: Your child could attend a local college and live at home to save on room and board, enroll in an accelerated program to graduate in three years instead of four, take advantage of a cooperative education where paid internships alternate with course work, or defer college for a year or two and work to earn money for college.

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putt for dough

Can retirement accounts be used to save for college?

Yes. Should they be? That depends on your family’s circumstances. We generally discourage paying for college with funds from a retirement account; even more so if using retirement funds for a child’s college education will leave you with no funds in your retirement years.

With that said, you can certainly tap your retirement accounts to help pay the college bills if you need to. With IRAs, you can withdraw money penalty free for college expenses, even if you’re under age 59½ (though there may be income tax consequences for the money you withdraw).

However, with an employer-sponsored retirement

plan like a 401(k) or 403(b), you’ll generally pay a 10% penalty on any withdrawals made before you reach age 59½ (age 55 or 50 in some cases), even if the money is used for college expenses.

There may be income tax consequences, as well. (Check with your plan administrator to see what withdrawal options are available to you in your employer-sponsored retirement plan.)

College is a big hurdle, and if history is any indication of what is to come, costs could continue to rise. As with any goal, consistently saving is usually the best strategy.

At Austin Asset, we are Fee-Only Financial Advisors.

We seek to bring clarity and purpose to wealth through authentic and enduring relationships. For Life.

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OTL / DRIVE FOR SHOW 28

USSV Rhino GX

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STORY BY DRIVER VEHICLE REVIEWS

US Specialty Vehicles or USSV is an automotive manufacturer located in Rancho Cucamonga California. They specializes in bringing uniquely designed and re-engineered luxury sport utility vehicles to life. USSV integrates traditional SUV aesthetics with their own proprietary designs and technological innovations to create a line of exceptional products.

The USSV Rhino GX was created to provide thrill seekers wanting a full-size four-wheel-drive luxury SUV that looks and performs like it just popped off the movie screen of a postapocalyptic action adventure.

Designers used a Ford F-450 chassis as the foundation for this mega build. Top notch performance and overall handling of this supersized SUV is thanks to a beefed up suspension that includes a liquid Spring Technologies’ Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension System

(CLASS) in place of the truck’s conventional rear-suspension setup. A microprocessor allows the CLASS hydraulic suspension to continuously adjusts itself to different road and driver inputs.

So, no matter what the driving conditions are or the total amount of the vehicle’s load, the suspension stays level and planted to the road. The system also allows drivers to change ride settings between Sport, Normal, and Luxury at the touch of a button using the vehicle’s driver interface.

The power plant that provides the Rhino GX with its impressive get up and go is a Ford 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. This proven engine allows you to merge, cruise and pass at highway speeds without any hesitation. Sitting atop 38-inch tires and equipped with the Ford factory F-450 braking system it is no sweat to comfortable bring this massive SUV to a smooth stop both on and off road.

The interior is where the luxury side of this beast-mode ride comes to life. The Premium model Rhino GX is very comfortable and ergonomic and offers good visibility as well. All the seats are dressed in black and tan leather with premium padding for a plush, cozy fit. The two sunroofs toward the rear of the vehicle provide a roomier, open-air feel to the rear seating.

The two-tone leather of the seats also wraps the steering wheel and covers the dash, door panels, and other parts of the well-coordinated interior that features a senses-pleasing combination of colors and textures.

The dash area has a clean organized design with all the controls easily accessible and seen. The Rhino GX’s interior tech and gadgets are perfectly balanced with the look, feel and performance of this unique vehicle. The music in the vehicle is crisp

and engulfing thanks to an Alpine stereo system. For those VIPs in the rear seats, the Alpine Media XPander Pro provides a variety of multimedia entertainment options.

The full size spare 38-inch Toyo tire and 20-inch aluminum wheel combination are mounted to a swing-away tire carrier to provide easy access to the rear door. Notice the two solidmounted anchor points on the bumper for recovery operations.

The Rhino GX also features a Class IV tow hitch with a 10,000 pound towing capacity.

Base price for the Rhino GX starts in the $200,000 range. If you are looking to set yourself apart from the crowd at a blacktie event or an off-road excursion then the Rhino GX is a must test drive.

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Troy Restaurant Mediterranean Breeze STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR

I’ve called northwest Austin home for quite a few decades now, and I’m pretty sure I’ve been a “foodie” longer than the term has been around. Not surprisingly, I measure my quality of life by the standard and diversity of the places I get to eat. e’ve always had world-class BBQ in Austin and been lucky to have excellent Tex-Mex and even fine interior Mexican food, but we’ve always been a bit lean on more exotic selections. That said, I’ve always been grateful for the one-offs. Great Italian restaurants here and there, terrific Dim Sum, and I loved sending French colleagues to Chez Nous. They were always reluctant, and their surprise at finding a lovely French meal away from home always put a smile on my face.

More recent years have brought world-class Sushi, Ramen powerhouses, and several other places catching the attention of Food and Wine Magazine.

But, about a month ago I got a terrific surprise. A Wine Rep friend scheduled a dinner at one of her favorite restaurants, and it was in my neck of the woods. Though I’ve had middle eastern cuisine in Austin in the past, Troy’s Turkish-centric offerings were a tremendous change of pace.

The feature that prompted the visit was the restaurant’s $15.00 corkage fee. We were able to enjoy a great dinner and bring our own favorite wines.

Troy is a bit hard to locate at first. It’s tucked in the corner of a small strip center and partially hidden by a gas station. But once inside the cozy café, you’re greeted by bright red walls with whimsical artwork and a ceiling accented with Turkish lan-

terns. In the background, vintage French standards à la Pink Martini set the mood.

Chef Mehmet Nuri Davarci and his wife Güngor opened the neighborhood restaurant about seven years ago after emigrating from Turkey. They moved to Austin after their older son had come here to study English. He liked it and convinced his parents that Austin was a great place to get an education.

Their younger son also made good on that by graduating from Anderson High School and attending the University of Texas.

As the kitchen is open to the dining room, you

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Shrimp on the Grill Mix.

Greek Salad.

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will see Chef Nuri hard at work every day, and often his wife is likely to greet you as you come in the door. The restaurant is casual and friendly, making it very popular in the neighborhood.

Both lunch and dinner menus feature Turkish specialties alongside “Greek” and Lebanese favorites. Interestingly the Ottoman roots of many similar dishes explains how they all seem to work together so well.

The excellent Greek salad and Tzatziki starters pair beautifully with the many Souvlaki dishes but complement the Grilled Lamb, Iskender Kebab, or Lamb Kavurma perfectly.

Lebanese dishes like hummus and babaganoush are right at home with the grilled meats or Turkish meatballs.

At our first dinner, we started with the Mezze Platter.’ It includes a bit of everything: Greek Tzatziki, Turkish Acuka (red pepper and walnut spread), Carrot Tarama (carrots, walnuts, yogurt), and excellent house-made Hummus and Babaganoush. (The platter came with warm triangles of pita bread which disappeared almost as fast as they were served.)

I followed the large spread with beautifully seasoned, grilled lamb chops (served with rice,) and I used much of the remaining mezze as a flavorful condiment.

We finished our meal with Pistachio baklava and strong Turkish coffee.

I’ve been back several times to explore a bit more of the menu. I particularly like the Lamb Kavurma, available at lunchtime. This dish is a sort of hash… chopped, slowed-cooked lamb with onions that melt into the meat. A bit of rice and salad make it a complete meal.

Next on the list will be Iskender Kebab, gyro style meat with a spiced tomato sauce. In my brief interview with Chef Nuri, I saw him light up as he described the dish.

One item that Chef credits as his wife’s specialty is the Dolmas – I’m very familiar with the Greek version of rice stuffed grape leaves, but found

Tu r k i s h C o f f e e a n d D o l m a d e s .

Güngor’s Turkish version, delicate and savory and with a bit less sharpness than many I’ve had.

Though meant to be shared, I don’t.

My most recent meal at Troy is a great way to try various menu items. The Troy Grill Mix includes Chicken Souvlaki, a generous skewer of Shrimp Souvlaki, a grilled Lamb Chop, and both Turkish and chicken meatballs. The platter is served with rice and steamed broccoli.

I am very fond of Lebanese wines and have brought some really excellent Chateau Musar to go with dinner on a few occasions. These wines are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, and Cinsault, grown from vines planted as far back as the 1930s.

The wines are complex and pair exceptionally well with lamb and many of the traditional sides.

(I’m advised that to fully appreciate the true Turkish experience I should bring a drink called Raki next time.)

Chef Nuri.

At the end of your meal, if caffeine is not a problem, definitely indulge in Troy’s Turkish coffee. The little cups are brought under beautiful, chastened domes and though strong, drink far more smoothly than an average espresso.

Exploring Troy’s menu these last few weeks has been a real treat, so if you find yourself in a dinner rut, and even the best Osso Bucco, Carne Asada, Pho, or Nigiri just doesn’t seem to excite you, Troy might just be the cure.

Address:

8105 Mesa Dr. Ste A, Austin, TX 78759 Phone: 512 897-2860

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O T L / H E A LT H

What Can Cause Joint Pain?

STORY BY DR. JEFF LUKE

Some of us are a little too familiar with joint pain, but less know the cause. It’s not always arthritis and osteoarthritis, which can develop if the cause is not addressed. Though many things can contribute to the pain, often damage to ligaments, tendons, and bursa surrounding the joint is the cause. The more important question is what damages these tissues in the first place? Damage to these tissues initiates when muscle become ‘inhibited’, or functionally shut off. This alters the way the joint moves through range of motion and irritates surrounding structures. The next logical question would be why do muscle shut-off or ‘inhibit’ in the first place?

Chiropractor doctor applying kinesiology tapes to a patient’s leg to fix the knee joint. Use of tapes in medicine for fixation of muscles, joints.

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Muscles attach to bone by strong rope-like structures call tendons, which are continuations of the fascia that envelopes muscle. The junction of tendon and bone is called the enthesis and contain pain-sensitive called Sharpey’s fibers. Bursas are small fluid filled sacks near joints that decrease friction and allow movement more easily. Irritation to either structure due to overuse or damage leads to inflammation and pain.

Any area where these structures are located can be affected.

When a muscle is overloaded beyond its ability to hold a stress, due to lack of conditioning or trauma being too severe, you either tear the muscle and/or the nervous system deactivates the muscle to protect it. Much the way a circuit breaker would work if the circuit overloads, protecting it. The nervous system employs a similar strategy to protect tissue and reduce damage.

This muscle shuts down is proprioceptively not neurologically, meaning the muscle will still fire under passive range of motion, but if any kind of stress or load is applied to the muscle it will not contract effectively.

If you continue to use and stress that muscle you will get pain at the enthesis, which is the common cause of joint pain, or muscle pain. The central nervous system creates an adaptive strategy by shifting stress to mus-

cles and tissues near it. Other tissues take on more load for the muscle systems that aren’t working properly.

If you are successful in that adaptation, your pain goes away, and you have a false sense that everything is fine. But when you adapt you lose a level of efficiency, and at the elite level that can mean the difference between a win and a loss. The adaptive muscle now becomes the next site of injury. So, we go from one injury to the next, and before long there is an area where there is nothing left to adapt with, and that’s when we end up with chronic pain.

The body needs to create stability any way that it can, so the way the body creates stability is for the muscles to splint or tighten up. This is the reason people have chronically tight muscles. The body is trying to stabilize a joint. You lose the flexibility of the muscle, the shock absorbing ability of the muscle, so the joint and surrounding tissue takes more of the stress. That constant stress on the joint accelerates degenerative changes that create another form of muscle inhibition called; arthrogenic inhibition. In similar fashion to proprioceptively initiated muscle inhibition, arthrogenic muscle inhibition is controlled by receptors inside the joint. The cycle continues till you end up with degenerative arthritis, and the need for surgical intervention.

At any point during that continuum, therapy can

intervene, stop the process, and start to reverse it. By ‘reactivating’ key muscles that have become inhibited, we take a person with a very low function to a very high function, where they have access to all the muscles in their body. This allows more efficient muscles contraction, joint loading, and range of motion throughout the body. With better movement efficiency and muscle contraction work, leisure, and self-care are all more enjoyable.

That is important whether you are training for an elite event or the game of life. Through this specialized care you also have a better ability to rehab muscles and completely resolve longstanding conditions. By keeping your muscle system balanced you can take your body to a whole new level, functioning well into your 80’s without pain. It is much more empowering to have weak muscle become strong, rather than having tight muscles released to a weakened state. If all other therapies have failed you deserve the opportunity to see if muscle activation is right for you.

Jeff Luke is a Chiropractor and owner of M Powered Chiropractic specializing in Advanced Muscle Activation Techniques (AMIT). He is currently practicing in both Austin and Georgetown, Texas. He can be found on Facebook and Instagram @mpoweredchiro and reached at jeff.luke@mpoweredchiro.com or 512-921-5235.

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HOUSTON’S MEMORIAL PARK GOLF COURSE Revamped, re-energized and respected.

STORY BY MIKE BAILEY

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You can thank Houston Astros owner Jim Crane for the new Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. It was his generosity and the newly formed Astros Golf Foundation that basically saved the Houston Open from extinction and in the process moved the longtime PGA Tour event back to Memorial Park, which first opened as an 18-hole golf course designed by John Bredemus in 1936. After 25-year title sponsor Shell didn’t renew its deal after it expired in 2017, Crane, an accomplished amateur himself, stepped in to not only help carry the Houston Open but find it a new home after 17 years at The Golf Club of Houston in Humble.

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rane, as well as other city leaders like Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, wanted the PGA Tour event back in the city of Houston after a near half century of it being played in The Woodlands and Humble. The natural choice was the city’s crown jewel municipal course, Memorial Park, which played host to the event 14 times from 1947 to 1963. Memorial Park, even though it had undergone a significant renovation by Carlton Gipson in 1994, was not suitable for the modern tour, so Crane hired Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf of Pacific Dunes fame to renovate. The result is a dramatically different experience even though

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the routing largely has remained unchanged. After more than $30 million and counting for the entire complex, Memorial Park is more demanding, especially for better players, and has a more wide open look to it.

When the course reopened at the end of 2019, tee times were at a premium and are still hard to get, even with a new green fee structure that now charges non-Houston residents a lot more to play it than residents. (Nonresidents, by the way, include golfers who live in Bunker Hill, Bellaire, West University, all unincorporated cities within the city of Houston. Most who live in suburbs like Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Galveston and The Woodlands, are charged the nonresident rates, which start at $170 walking, compared to $38 for residents.)

The older course had plenty of length, well

over 7,300 yards from the tips, but good players who reached greens in regulation were most likely to make par. Two putting was routine, and players with good short games almost always had a reasonable chance to get up and down, no matter where they missed. That’s no longer the case.

With Doak’s imaginative greens that are really two or three greens in one, missing on the wrong side is almost surely a bogey or worse for almost any player. Long putts can certainly be an adventure now.

To find proof that this version of Memorial Park is significantly harder than it was before all you have to do is look at the first Houston Open played at the new Memorial last November. The winning score by first time PGA Tour victor Carlos Ortiz was just 13-under par. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama were second at 11-under par. The cutline was 3-over-par. Jordan Spieth, Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson were among the big names to miss the cut. Even Brooks Koepka, the tour player consultant on the new design, struggled a bit with a first-round of 2-over par, but he did rebound over the weekend with a pair of 65s to finish in a tie for fifth.

During the tournament, Doak said early feedback from players was that Memorial is a hard golf course. He was a bit surprised, but he shouldn’t have been. He knew what he was doing with

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the greens complexes and subtleties of the course. Birdies were hard to come by. Pars were often hard work. And this was the case despite having removed some of the old water features and half the bunkers. Still, it only stands to reason as these tour players get more experience at Memorial they will figure it out. They always do.

The new Memorial has just 30 bunkers.

The ponds on the par-4 sixth and par-3 15th have been removed. The one on 15 has been replaced by a meandering stream alongside a much more dramatic green. The lake between the par-5 16th and par-4 17th is much larger now and way more scenic. There’s a semi-island green now at the end of the 16th hole and the 17th is a short par 4 with a

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peninsula green. The par-4 18th is 100 yards longer at 501 from the tips and has a most difficult elevated and sloping green with three deep bunkers on it, the most bunkers of any hole. It’s a great finish.

Really, every hole has a different look.

And a few holes have changed pars. The ninth, for example, used to be a dogleg left par 4; now it’s a very tricky par 3. The par-4 13th, which used to be a reachable par 5, is now a short par 4. The former par-14th is now a par 5. And while the course remains in the 7,300 yard range, the pros now play it as a par 70, so it has plenty of length for them, while the rest of us play it as a par 72.

(The first and 14th holes are long par 4s in the Houston Open.)

Perhaps one of the best holes is the par4 12th, which plays 496 yards from the tips.

It’s always been tough, but the rolling greens complex makes it really challenging. It can be difficult to hold this wide but shallow green, but Doak gives players an out with a slope to the right of the green. Yes, the prudent play here is to miss the green right, which can not only kick balls left onto the green but prevent shots from going long. It’s those kinds of nuances that players learn as they play the course more.

Finally, the course just looks better, and for that matter, so does the entire golf property. The work included removing underbrush and trimming back trees, so it much cleaner.

There’s a new clubhouse for the tour players, new facilities for The First Tee of Greater Houston and even a short-course now for the youngsters. A new double decker driving range, which is lighted, is always packed, and it was recently expanded to allow players to hit all the clubs in their bag. (The adjacent tennis center was shifted to the west to accommodate the longer range).

Doak’s aim was to create a more difficult layout for the tour players and better amateurs while being easier to navigate for the higher handicappers. But the greens are hard for everyone, even more difficult for less skilled players.

The new course drains better, has better irrigation and is watered by its own water supply, thanks to a retention pond that stores stormwater.

To maintain top conditions, the course has been largely cart-path only, which makes it tough on summer players. Perhaps as the course matures that policy will relax a little more, at least during times that are well in advance of the tournament.

It’s also a shame that the Greater Houston City Amateur, which is played in October, is no longer at Memorial. It was moved to Gus Wortham Golf Course, another city course.

Gus Wortham underwent a sparkling renovation a few years ago. It is also operated by the Houston Golf Association, which runs the city am, so the move makes sense on several levels. And Gus Wortham has never been better.

Between Memorial and Gus Wortham, few cities can rival what Houston has with regards to municipal golf.

To find proof that this version of Memorial Park is significantly harder than it was before all you have to do is look at the first Houston Open played at the new Memorial last November. The winning score by first time PGA Tour victor Carlos Ortiz was just 13-under par.

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OTL / BUCK’S TIPS

Do You Have a Power Leak?

STORY BY BUCK MAYERS, DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

Everyone wants to hit it further and losing power can be very frustrating. Your irons do not fly as far, or they all go about the same distance. The driver is just not rolling out very far and the holes just play too long. Urghh. The number one power leak is the early hit or casting the clubhead from the top in transition. Here are your keys to improve the early hit:

SET UP:

BACKSWING:

1. Stronger grip - A weak grip promotes an open clubface, and an open clubface is the biggest cause of an early release.

2. Ball position – Playing the ball too far back puts the body ahead of the ball and will promote swaying, and in turn casting.

3. Aim – More often than not, most players tend to be closed to the target line at address. Example: for a righthanded player, if you aim too far right, there is a good chance you will swing the club on a path that is out to in or over the top, again casting.

1. Keep the clubface facing the ball early in the takeaway. Rolling the clubface open will cause an early release.

2. Keep the clubhead more in front of your torso early in the takeaway. When your club goes too far inside, the arms get too far behind you and in turn cast.

3. The trickiest move in golf happens when your club is about ¾ of the way back. As your arms and club are finishing the backswing, the lower body will have already begun to move toward the target.

This critical motion is what I call “the magic move”.

DOWNSWING: 1. In the transition, because the lower body (hips, legs, feet) have already started before your arms finish the backswing, it’s a very simple athletic movement, like every other sport. You are using the ground for the proper sequencing of the swing.

2. Keep your eyes quiet to avoid the head moving forward with the body. In other words, keep your head behind the ball.

3. Lastly, avoid trying to guide the clubhead and face to the ball. Think of the speed through the ball or out in front – LET IT GO!

Reminder – please get your clubs fitted for your properly by a trained club fitter. If your clubs are too heavy, stiff, or long, there is a good chance you are releasing the club too soon.

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Buck Mayers is the Director of Instruction at Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas www.buckmayersgolf.com.

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The sounds of golf have changed STORY BY MIKE BAILEY PHOTOS BY KEVIN CHIN

Every time I play golf with someone who fires up a speaker in the golf cart cup holder, I can’t help but think of the 1980 movie, “Caddyshack.” There’s a scene in which Rodney Dangerfield’s crass character, Al Czervick, cranks up Journey’s “Anyway you want it,” from what appears to be a car stereo in his gigantic red golf bag. The spectacle gets even funnier as he and the caddies and other players in his group start dancing in the fairway.

Meanwhile, Ted Knight’s character, Judge Smails, playing ahead of him, is beside himself: “Music is a violation of my personal privacy,” Smails says. “He’s breaking the law.”

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ell, playing music on the golf course isn’t against the law, but it is sort of against the rules.

It might have seemed ludicrous 40 years ago to whip up a few tunes on the course. Heck, even a decade ago, it wasn’t exactly the norm. But according to a recent poll conducted by MyGolfSpy, when golfers were asked whether they listen to music on the golf course, the response was split right down the middle -- 50-50.

So this begs the question: When it comes to golf, are you more like Al Czervick or Judge Smails?

I would guess most of us are somewhere in between.

I know I am. It depends on my mood, whom I’m playing with, and whether or not it’s in competition (a no-no in real tournament play and not

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exactly kosher if you’re posting scores to your USGA handicap, though you’re not likely to be reported).

One thing is for sure, though: The days of absolute quiet on the golf course are long gone. Everyone has a right to their own sanctity, of course, but this cat has been out of the bag for some time, and it’s not going back.

On some of the most pristine golf courses in America, like Troon North in Scottsdale, for example, you are serenaded on the range with the likes of Kenny Chesney and Guns and Roses. Tour players love to practice with earbuds, and millennials and juniors bring their tunes with them whenever they can. Again, every golfer who doesn’t want music on the course has that right, so you’ve got to respect that. But for the 50 percent who like to jam on the course, here are some ideas.

The easiest option for creating a soundtrack to your round, of course, is simply to employ your smartphone by using your music library or streaming. The newest iPhone and Android options have pretty fair speakers, too, plus if you’re just looking to keep the noise in and around your golf carts, this is the prudent way to go.

But there are a plethora of Bluetooth speakers available, and even some golf cars are sound equipped now. For example, a couple of years ago, good ole Greg Norman brought us the Shark Experience in a partnership with Verizon, Club Car, and a company called GPSI to provide golfers with all sorts of information and entertainment on the course. At Blue Sky Golf Course in Jacksonville, Fla., you can choose one of the facility’s monster golf carts which

have oversized speakers as well as oversized tires on them. And now, you can even get a modern version of that aforementioned Rodney Dangerfield monstrosity in the form of the new WizPak Golf bag, introduced this January at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. The WizPak Golf Bag has subwoofers in a stand bag that weighs just under six pounds. And here’s the kicker: You can actually pair your bag with your cartmate’s, if he or she owns one, too, for an even bigger sound.

“This is a serious sound system,” says Shannon Ridley, founder of Wizpak, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company he started with musical backpacks. ”It has two USB charging ports on it, volume controls on the back. There’s even a panic button, which could blare a distress signal if you need it.”

The bags, which retail for $499, feature a 30-watt 2.1 stereo surround sound speaker system, which means they can crank, whether it’s classic rock, country or rap.

“The sound is the important thing,” says former New York Yankee Jorge Posada, who has a stake in the company

and loves to play music while he plays.

Most of the time I listen to Enigma Radio on Pandora,” says Dickerson O T L G O L F. C O M

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About four years ago, Posada was playing in his buddy Derek Jeter’s charity celebrity tournament. One of the gifts for the participants was the WizPak backpack. Posada went to Jeter and Ridley and tried to convince them to come up with a golf bag with the technology in the backpack. And after several prototypes, they did.

As for Posada, a Puerto Rico native who plays with the likes of World Series-winning pitcher Anibal Sanchez, former NBA player Shane Battier and former MLB infielder Placido Polanco, among others, his favorite music to play golf by is Latin music. One of his top choices is Luis Fonsi, one of PR’s most famous singers whose hits include the song “Despacito,” which also features Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee.

“I don’t want anybody else to be bothered by the music,” says Posada, a nine-handicap who lives in the Miami area. “I don’t usually play it loud, and it depends who’s around us… But I like my music.”

Another avid golfer who prefers a mood setter on the course is Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson. The southpaw single-digit handicap from Sealy, Texas, likes variety, but his go-to is Enigma, a German 90s new-age ambient project that combines all sorts of innovative sounds, including chanting.

Of course, everyone has their preferences.

For many in Texas, it’s country, like George Strait or Willie Nelson. I’m thinking Strait, co-owner of Tapatio Springs in Boerne and a member at the nearby high-end Cordillera Ranch, has probably heard his own hits coming out of a few carts on the course. I also can’t help wonder what avid golfers Kenny G (Gorelick) and Darrius Rucker have on their playlists. (I’m hoping Kenny G. has Chuck Mangione and Rucker listens to Strait now that he’s full-on country.)

As for me, I’m with Dickerson. I’ll play Enigma and the like (Royksopp comes to mind), not only on the course but when I travel with my noisecanceling headphones to get some sleep on the plane. I play some of my best golf in my sleep.

Which brings us to this point: Should golfers who want to play golf to music be using earbuds as to not disturb others?

By all means, on the range, earbuds are the way to go, but not on the course. Golf is a social game, and if you have earbuds on, it’ll be hard to carry a conversation with the rest of the members in your group. As long as your group is cool with it, feel to play that funky music or anything else that might suit your golf game.

During Super Bowl week, he joined fellow NFL alumni Richard Dent, Rickey Jackson and Marcus Allen for a round at Michael Jordan’s new course Grove XXIII, a Bobby Weed design in Hobe Sound, Fla. “Most of the time I listen to Enigma Radio on Pandora,” says Dickerson, who makes his home in Southern California and is a member at Wood Ranch Golf Club. “My friends call it devil music, and they will ask me, ‘Will you please turn that devil music off?’ But I just find it relaxing.”

Dickerson, who set the single NFL’s singleseason rushing record in 1984 with 2,005 yards when he was with the Indianapolis Colts, also relaxes to Barry White and the Isley Brothers, but he’ll occasionally play something a little more upbeat, including rap. But not explicit rap, at least when the ladies are within earshot, he says.

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OTL / ON YOUR GAME

Lanny Wadkins Telling it like it is STORY BY ART STRICKLIN

As the saying goes, Lanny Wadkins wasn’t born in Texas, but he got here as fast as he could. A junior golf legend growing up with his brother Bobby in Virginia, Wadkins first came to North Texas when he won the Byron Nelson tournament in 1973 at Preston Trail in Dallas and now is a long-time Preston Trail member.

Quick with a quip, a killer look or clutch shot, the Richmond, Virginia native, turned North Texas resident for the last fourth decades, Wadkins became known as one of the fiercest competitors ever on the golf course.

The eight-time U.S. Ryder Cup team member and 1995 Ryder Cup captain won 21 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1997 PGA Championship at Pebble Beach.

Wadkins, a member at Dallas’ exclusive Preston Trail Golf Club, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and now is a fulltime commentator for the Golf Channel on the Champions Tour before first working for CBS. He captured the 2000 Ace Group Classic in his first full senior season, then took time off for TV and to treat a variety of back ailments, and has worked with TV for more than a decade sharing the stories from years of golf in a different, less corporate era.

He also still does some golf architecture work, having done the Lake Park course in Lewisville and Lajitas course in Big Bend Region, halfway between Austin and El Paso on the Texas-Mexico border.

Wadkins was as unplugged and straight shooting as ever when he met up with OTL Senior writer Art Stricklin in the locker room lounge at Preston Trail.

From, the legendary money games he played, the Ryder Cup matches and gamesmanship plus if John Daly could have fit into the previous Tour culture, his rounds with Mickey Mantle and Ben Hogan and if Wadkins would have feared Tiger Woods in a tournament.

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OTL: You grew up in a PGA Tour era with plenty of gambling action before the tournaments started, in a less corporate, sanitized era. What was that like?

LANNY WADKINS: I think it’s a misconception that we always played for big money. We always had a money game and we kept it going every week, but we set it up so nobody could get hurt. Sometimes it hurt a player to lose $10 more than $200, because it all came down to one putt.

OTL: Is that era over on the Tour now?

LW: What screwed it up is the Tour wanted to put on all these skills competitions or long driving shows. ‘Carnival Tuesday’ I called it. Would you rather see that or would you rather see a (money) match back then with Wadkins and Floyd or Watson and Weiskopf playing 36 with Nicklaus and Palmer? Today, you have to work to find a really good money game.

OTL: Did you ever practice the Lee Trevino mantra of playing for $10 with only $5 in your pocket?

LW: Back in college, I did for sure, because I didn’t have anything. I played some guys back then for a few dollars when I didn’t have a few dollars, but I made very sure I wasn’t going to lose.

OTL: Some people have said John Daly is a throwback to an earlier era where players worked as hard off the course for action as they did on. Would he have fit in with your era of players?

LW: I’m not sure we ever had anything like John.

A tremendous talent, but his problem was he does everything to excess. You almost expect him to become a skeleton now. There is no middle ground with John.

OTL: With the Ryder Cup coming up next month at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, I know you played and was the Ryder Cup captain, any secrets to U.S. Ryder Cup success?

LW: One thing I think is overrated is the young guys not being ready to play. I was 7-1 my first two Ryder Cups combined. One key is getting guys who can play 36 holes in a day. You need young legs and young bodies to do that in all of the pressure and atmosphere.

Hopefully some of the young guys you have played in the Walker Cup or other amateur competitions and know what to expect. If not, remind them of the possible hostile crowd reaction.

OTL: I’m guessing the Ryder Cup meant a lot to you?

LW: That was really one of the most fun things of my career. If you look back on my career, being a part of the Ryder Cup was one of the best things I was a part of.

OTL: What about the gamesmanship which seems to always be part of the matches?

LW: Well the Europeans were masters of that. Seve (Ballesteros) would always jingle coins in his pocket.

He claimed it was because he was nervous, but I knew it was to rattle us. I’ll tell you how I got it stopped one day.

OTL: How? LW We were standing on the first tee and I walked over to him real quietly because I knew the TV cameras were on us and told him, if he didn’t quit jingling the coins I would put my fist where he would never jingle again. He stopped after that.

OTL: Any advice for (2021 captain Steve) Stricker?

LW: I think it’s good he’s getting veterans and former players involved. I think it will help the younger players realize how much importance we put on the Ryder Cup when I was playing.

OTL: Lanny, some people may know you grew up in Virginia with your brother Bobby (a fellow PGA Tour winner), but you’ve lived here in Texas for nearly 40 years. How did you first come to Texas?

LW: Well, I was lucky because I had won the Byron Nelson in Dallas in 1973 before I moved here so I knew the area. Then when I started dating Penny (a TCU cheerleader) I started spending a lot more time here.

OTL: How long did take you to start feeling like a real Texas golfer?

LW: All of a sudden I became addicted to how easy it was to travel from Dallas as opposed to Virginia. About the only early mistake I made was not joining Preston Trail sooner. I didn’t join until 1981 and I should have done it earlier.

OTL: Preston Trail was known back then for having plenty of action on and off the course with some big money games. Was that helpful to your game?

LW: Having that great place to practice was like having your own private course back in the early ‘80s. I had money games anytime I wanted. The money games were so good at PT, when I got back on Tour, the Tour seemed easy. It was great.

OTL: Did you ever play much with maybe O T L G O L F. C O M

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Preston Trail’s most famous member, Mickey Mantle?

LW: I played more rounds with Mickey Mantle than I can remember.

OTL: There are plenty of stories about Mickey Mantle’s activities on and off the course at Preston Trail, including the one where Mickey forced the rules all you had to wear some clothes in the dining room at Preston Trail. Is there a lot of truth on most of those stories?

LW: Well I’m sure some of them have been embellished over the years, but a lot of them are true. He loved to play and have a game, and I spent a lot of time with him.

OTL: It seems like Mickey, having grown up in Oklahoma and played in New York, really enjoyed Dallas and Preston Trail?

LW: I think it was really one of those places he could relax and be himself which was considerable.

People treated him normally and he enjoyed that. I really enjoyed playing with him.

OTL: What’s the best Mickey Mantle story which stands out?

LW: Here’s one you may not know. One day Mickey tells me Billy Martin was in town when the Yankees were playing the Rangers and Billy was the manager for Texas, and they were going to meet for a quick

drink before Billy goes to the game. Mickey asked if I wanted to come with him.

OTL: What happened?

LW: Well we went there and had a couple of drinks and I started looking at my watch and it was 5:30 p.m., then 6, then 6;30 p.m. and I said, ‘Billy, doesn’t the game start at :7:30?,’ and he looked at Mickey and said, ‘I guess I’m not going to make it tonight.’ I finally left about 8 p.m. and Billy and Mickey were still there.

OTL: What was it like playing golf with Ben Hogan?

LW: I went over to Shady Oaks in Fort Worth and played with him many times. We always played money games and for a guy who was into ball striking like I was it was a lot of fun.

OTL: Hogan often had a tough or hard reputation, but how did you find him?

LW: We got along famously. We really got along well. He liked the way I played and we had a great time. I asked him in 1981 if he saw anything in my game I needed to work on, and he just said, ‘I don’t know why you’re not winning more times than you are.’ That really pumped me up and I went on to win 3 times the next year.

OTL: How did you get to know him?

LW: I was with the Hogan Company all through the ‘80s and every time I would stop by and pick up some clubs, he would always insist I stop and have him inspect the clubs personally to make sure they were just right.

OTL: So the image of the cold, distant Hogan didn’t fit what you saw in him?

LW: No. Penny and I had dinner with he and Valerie on occasion, and Penny made the observation he was just shy. He was uncomfortable with all the praise people were heaping on him.

OTL: Any other good Hogan stories?

LW: One day we were playing at Shady Oaks with some other people and started joking around about something and Hogan said, ‘Fellows, I don’t play jolly golf,’ so we went back to playing our regular game. He liked a serious golf game.

OTL: Then you served as lead commentator for CBS Golf from 2002-2006 before moving over to the golf channel. What was that like?

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on your game LW: I really enjoyed the people I was working with, (at CBS) but I don’t know if I enjoyed having a boss. I had been on my own as a player for 20 years. I really enjoyed working with (producer) Lance Barrow, and (announcer) Jim Nantz is one of the nicest men ever.

OTL: Do you think of yourself or other broadcasters as just a matter of perception and individual taste like Johnny Miller or Brandel Chamblee who is either the best or worst announcer of all time?

LW: I’m always surprised by how many people come up to me and say how much they like me on TV. That happens all the time or they just recognize my voice, but don’t know the name. Personally, I like Johnny Miller’s work a lot, but one thing you have to know is that he is one of the most honest people I’ve ever known.

The first thing that comes into his head is coming out of his mouth. On Tour, we called him the man with a plastic arm, because he always likes patting himself on the back.

OTL: You played in a golfing era where you regularly matched up against Jack Nicklaus, who many consider the greatest player of all time. Were you ever intimidated by him or would you be intimated playing against Tiger Woods?

LW: Nicklaus never intimidated me because I had the mindset that you can’t be intimidated. You have to be there to kick their butt. Now, if Jack played his best and I played my best, maybe he would win, but he didn’t always play his best and I beat him just like he beat me. I can tell you one thing, if Tiger had played in our era we would have beaten him a lot more times than these (current) guys have. He would have still gotten us plenty of times, but we would have gotten him as well.

OTL: You’ve been involved in a lot of great golf events and ceremonies in your career, what was it like to finally be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame?

LW: It was very exciting and one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me in my career. It was the culmination of everything I worked for in my career and a validation of what I had done.

OTL: Where you surprised when you finally got it?

LW: Well, I had been the leading vote getter who didn’t get in the year before and nobody new had come on the scene, so I thought I might. When the ballots were being mailed out, my son Tucker said, ‘Dad, if you can just be nice for two months, you might get it.’ It

was tough, but I did it. I was actually in Lajitas in front of the Thirsty Goat Saloon when (commissioner) Tim Finchem called and said, ‘I’ve got some good news.’

OTL: Are there any of the younger guys you like to watch in person or on TV? LW: I look forward to seeing what Rickie Fowler does. If he could just stay away from all the mental coaches and swing guru crap and just plays golf he could be fine. I think if Anthony Kim could have ever got away from the glitz and decided he wanted to play, he will be a hell of a player.

OTL: Is that a problem with the younger, talented guys now?

LW: There is so much out there and they make so much, so quick, they forget to take care of business.

There always is going to be a lot of time to have fun.

You always have to take care of business in the beginning.

OTL: Lanny, thanks for the time and the unfiltered opinions as always.

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OTL / TRAVEL

k c a b g n i k Ta Travel

P H OT

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R E G IS O B Y:

R E G IS O B Y:

PHOTO BY: FOUR SEASONS

P H OT

FOUR O B Y: P H OT

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a r o B a r Bo K AT I Y B Y S TO R

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When travelers typically picture trips to the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora, honeymoon occasions often come to mind. With its turquoise central lagoon, Mount Otemanu’s lush green slopes as a dramatic backdrop and an assortment of resorts featuring overwater bungalows, the island is practically engineered for secluded romance.

But what if you changed your perspective? There is plenty of exploration, elevated relaxation and culinary adventures to be had by everyone in Bora Bora – newlywed status not required. After the arduous year we’ve had, why not take your “revenge travel” trip to the South Pacific? Whether it’s a father-son trip, a girlfriend getaway or a delayed retreat with your significant other, this tropical paradise may be the perfect setting to rejuvenate and reset.

GETTING THERE lthough Bora Bora is located in French Polynesia, one of the most isolated island chains in the world, it’s easier to get to than you may realize. For Texans, the flight time is comparable to jetting over to Europe – between 12 to 15 hours with one stop on the West Coast.

After flying into the main island of Tahiti and its capital city, Papeete, you’ll be greeted with a warm “Ia Orana” from the locals, Tahitian for “hello.” Stop by the Papeete market to pick up some Tahitian pearls and jewelry souvenirs.

From there, it’s a quick 50-minute flight to Bora Bora and its white-sand beaches on the palm-covered motu, an atoll created by volcanic rock and coral reef, that houses most of the major resorts.

Bora-Bora Island.

R e a l i s t i c s a t e l l i t e b a c k g r o u n d m a p.

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travel

WHERE TO STAY AND EXPLORE Other provided activities include an onsite dive center to organize beginner to advanced scuba opportunities around and outside the lagoon, hiking excursions on the main island including to Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia as well as an array of watersports such as outrigger canoe paddling.

After a day of excursions or perhaps a leisurely morning lounging on a private cabana deck, guests can find reprieve in the Te Mahana Spa capturing surging, where raw power of the ocean meets the lagoon’s tranquility. The full-service spa features walkways elevated above the treetops on the motu’s summit and a glass bottom treatment suite, with services that incorporate Polynesian customs and healing herbs like the Kahia Flower, Monoi Oil to naturally enhance and bring out skin’s youthfulness and parau, or black pearl powder, for its exfoliation and revitalization.

“Now more than ever, travelers are looking to quench their thirst for amazing experiences in incredible places,” said General Manager Diego Stembert.

“We are lucky to have a setting like no other, and a team of passionate employees dedicated to helping our guests create special memories.”

PHOTO BY: REGIS

There are two luxury options to visit for an idyllic French Polynesian escape: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and St. Regis Bora Bora. Four Seasons prides itself on the cultural immersion its guests experience, combined with the highest standards of service through the gracious hospitality of Polynesia. The beachfront resort, which recently underwent a property-wide enhancement in 2020, offers 108 overwater bungalow suites and seven beachfront villa estates, all designed with thatched roofs and native artwork. An upgrade to an estate secures you a pre-arrival planning consultation, round-trip airport transfers, a dedicated Villa Host, private beach set-up with watersports equipment and a private bar stocking.

While most of the motu’s resorts naturally embrace ocean activities with the prime lagoon location, Four Seasons goes a step further and has added jungle safaris to explore the surrounding area and indigenous wildlife. Beneath the surface, guests are welcome to snorkel and explore the Lagoon Sanctuary, which serves as an active research and conservation facility with more than 100 colorful marine life creatures.

Canoe Breakfast.

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ST. REGIS RESORT BORA BORA

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the activities concierge to arrange other excursions off the resort, such as swimming with lemon head sharks, sting rays and other amazing sea life in deeper areas of the lagoon and ocean.

“Our Lagoonarium is a natural wonder that you won’t find anywhere else in the region,” said General Manager, Emmanuel Richardet. “We are proud of the work being done to preserve and protect this sustainable ecosystem and are grateful for our Marine Life Specialist’s passion and expertise. Our guests enjoy the coral plantings and fish feedings because they get to learn while helping to ensure that the Lagoonarium continues to thrive.”

PHOTO BY: REGIS

With 90 rooms comprised of charming garden view villas, beachside villas and the largest overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, St. Regis has accommodations to please every visitor to French Polynesia.

Upgrade your stay by booking the Royal Estate Villa, a 13,000 square-foot compound with a private beach and pool showcasing tropical lagoon views, three bedrooms, a professional kitchen, spacious common areas and a master bedroom pavilion with a sauna, whirlpool and steam room. And let’s not forget the legendary butler service, personal yoga instructors and private chefs available at St. Regis.

From its Iridium Spa to group yoga sessions around the property, all activities encourage guests to take in the panoramic views of the Lagoonarium and Mount Otemanu while focusing on “calm contemplation.”

For those who can’t get away from the daily grind, St. Regis invites you to set up office in Bora Bora to work remotely from paradise with a Zoom background that will be the envy of your colleagues. Perks include a nightly three-course dinner, an “IT Butler” to help you stay connected internationally, a kids club to keep the little ones entertained while you work and more.

Iridium Spa occupies its own island in the middle of the lagoon, so guests are surrounded by calming shades of blue. The spa offers a fusion of treatments from Polynesian and Asian cultures using a variety of rejuvenating therapeutic methods and sophisticated plant science.

St. Regis also has its own lagoonarium so you can snorkel and dive with the marine life without leaving the resort. Truly an undersea ecosystem, the Magical Lagoonarium is a thriving coral and fish preservation area with more than 120 species of fish including sting rays,10,000 coral colonies and 5,000 varieties of clams to observe. Guests have the opportunity to help with the “reforestation of coral reefs” by partnering up with the lagoonarium’s marine biologist to regenerate the reefs. Advanced divers and snorkelers may work with

Main Beach at Regis.

WHERE TO DINE ON AND OFF THE RESORTS

Additional Tips from the Author

The Four Seasons describes Bora Bora as a place where the dining experience captures the rich history where French, American, Asian and Maohi cultures come together in culinary form.

Four Seasons captures this “Polynesia moderna” combination through its six restaurants and bars, leading with the casually elegant Arii Moana, which translates to “King of the Lagoon” in Tahitian. Choose this venue for Mediterraneaninspired dishes from the coastal South of France in a chic waterside setting with a thoughtfully curated beverage program with both boutique and acclaimed Mediterranean labels.

The resort’s other gem and evening concept is the Fish House at Fare Hoa, where guests can get their fill of fresh seafood bounty of the South Pacific with flavorful American influences. Signature dishes include Mahi Mahi Ceviche, Grilled Octopus, Swordfish Moqueca and the Polynesian Seafood Platter.

Across the lagoon, St. Regis serves up modern culinary delights in a fusion of flavors from the South Pacific to Italy, using island-sourced ingredients whenever possible to honor the prominent local agricultural community and products it produces. St. Regis has four restaurants, highlighted by the Asian fusion Lagoon by esteemed chef, Jean-Georges. Enjoy freshly caught fish, local produce and smart cocktails and bottles of wine to complement the cuisine, accompanied by striking views of Otemanu. The resort’s diverse dining offerings additionally boast the more casual Bam Boo Asian hotspot and Far Niente Italian eatery.

Ready to break free of Motu life? Take a wa-

PHOTO BY: FOUR SEASONS

ter taxi over to Vaitape and travel back in time to the famed Bloody Mary’s Restaurant, Bar & Yacht Club for steak and seafood, where the ambiance exudes 1970’s South Pacific vibes. Be prepared for an Americanized atmosphere complete with a list of Hollywood greats who have dined in the establishment, but expect to have an exceptional time and devour an array of delicious seafood – I recommend the Parrot Fish. If you plan to visit by water, the Yacht Club can accommodate all patrons with advance notice.

First of all, leave your golf clubs at home! There are only two places to golf in Bora Bora: Golf International Olivier Bréaud on the island of Tahiti and Moorea Green Pearl. Work with your resort activities concierge to figure out the best course for your needs, as well as transportation, club rentals and more for a personalized island golf experience.

Secondly, if you have more time to spend on the Main Island of Bora Bora, a visit to Matira Beach is a must. Car and exotic scooter rentals are available in Vaitape to reach this crystal clear cove and white sand beach. Lastly, combine a golf day trip to Moorea Island for an agritourism adventure to experience the magic of a Tahitian Vanilla plantation or a jeep ride to the island’s highest point. However you choose to spend your time in Bora Bora, the memories made on the Island will surely lure you back to the South Pacific.

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OTL / WINE

Chauvenet-Chopin Vougeot Burgundy STORY AND PHOTO BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR / OTL MAGAZINE

When I first started taking sommelier training classes, it was a really daunting task to remember the exact locations of all the wine producing regions in the world in addition to their sub-regions, climates and characteristics. In Burgundy for example just keeping straight where Côte de Beaune was in relation to Mâconnais or Côte de Nuits was a challenge. I find it amazing that there are Master Sommeliers and even rare wine connoisseurs that can identify wine not to just to the sub-region but individual villages and sometimes the parts of a particular vineyard just by taste and smell.

One particular vineyard that is noisome for this kind of micro analysis is the Clos de Vougeot in the Nuits-SaintGeorges (Côte d’Or) in Burgundy.

This area near the city of Dijon has been producing wine for well over a thousand years. The Cistercian monks created Burgundy’s largest wall-enclosed vineyard, the Clos de Vougeot, in 1336.

A recurring theme apparently is that this particular vineyard due to its terrain and composition produces a very wide variation of quality. Vineyards nearby produce some of the most expensive wine in the world and yet others in proximity produce very standard wines.

Benjamin Lewin, one of 300 Masters of Wine and publisher of five books on wine, relates that the monks, as far back as the middle ages knew all about the strong variation in quality driven from the terroir in the Clos de Vougeot. They supposedly used the wine from the bottom of the slope in the vineyard for communal use, the wine from the top for visiting bishops, and reserved the wine from the middle for princes and the pope.

Today, Clos de Vougeot is still divided into a hundred different parcels owned by more than eighty different wine makers.

Founded in 1985, Chauvenet-Chopin is one of the younger wine houses in the area but still produces a good variety of wines. In Nuits-Saint-Georges, they farm premier crus Aux Argillas, Les Chaignots, Les Mergers and Aux Thorey, as well as AOC Nuits-Saint-Georges from the northern part of the appellation. Additionally, they work a parcel in AOC Chambolle-Musigny, AOC Vougeot and grand cru Clos de Vougeot.

A strong recommendation recently resulted in our tasting the 2010 Chauvenet-Chopin Vougeot. The 2010 Côtes

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de Nuits vintage in general was very well rated and a wine dealer friend said they were drinking beautifully.

Chauvenet-Chopin ‘Vougeot’ though not the Grand Cru designation, is produced in the classical style. The wines are 100% Pinot Noir, and kept 14-16 months in 228L oak barrels with 40 % new oak.

Our bottle was showing a just a hint of orange in the color, but it was mostly a nice garnet and the taste did not seem to be affected.

The nose was the expected elegant mix of earthy, mushroom notes with notable violets and some cherry.

The taste was medium bodied with prominent black fruit – black cherry and plum, and the tannins were fairly mild. There finish was long and had a hint of wood.

In every way, it was a very nice example of an elegant Burgundy.

We happily paired the wine with a simple French salad and some Greek styled roasted lamb.

The Chauvenet-Chopin ‘Vougeot’ is just AOC Vougeot and has a price point of about $70. It is modest given its neighbors, but it certainly shares a relationship in style with its pricier cousins.

OTL / CIGARS 68

STORY BY HECTOR VENTURA Most of the time, when I approach a newer smoker, or even a seasoned smoker for that matter, the subject of strength usually comes up in the conversation. Almost every smoker is under the misconception that the darker the wrapper, the stronger the cigar. In fact, the wrapper has nothing to do with the overall strength of the cigar with the exception of sun-grown wrappers. The darker colors are due to either the aging of tobacco or the tobacco having undergone a process that makes it a maduro.

A maduro is a very dark leaf, usually shades of chocolate brown, but sometimes can be almost black (in this case called an oscuro). The maduro is not a particular type of tobacco, but rather a process that some different strains of tobacco go through. The process is very similar to composting, but without completing the compost process.

The term maduro quite literally means “ripe.” A tobacco leaf goes through a 72-day drying period where it changes in color from green to brown. The selected leaves are then piled in huge stacks called “pilons.” The pilons are covered with a tarp to help hold in the heat during the compost process. The temperatures of the leaves in the pilon are constantly checked, and when they reach a certain temperature, the leaves are turned. This process continues for up to two years before the leaf is ready to be a maduro wrapper.

Most of the better cigar factories use the two-year process while others have learned to speed up the composting. Some cigar companies add chemicals to help generate heat while others heat the rooms where the tobacco is composting, a term called “baking.”

Another counterfeit maduro is one that has been artificially colored. The easiest way to tell if any of these methods had been used is to see if you have an ammo-

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nia taste during or after the smoke. This is a sign that the tobacco has not had the proper time to bleed off the ammonia. Both the colored and the baked maduros are fairly easy to spot in that their color is not a healthy brown but a charred, dull black.

The wrapper gives a cigar between 40 and 80 percent of its flavor, with maduro wrappers giving the most. Maduros have a rich body, flavor and character. They also have a sweetness that comes from the starches in the tobacco becoming sugars from the aging/heating. The nicotine content is greatly reduced as well giving the wrapper no “strength.” Some cigars are “double maduros” in which both the wrapper and binder are maduros.

Maduros vary in flavor, but overall, the properly made ones have a sweet, oily and sometimes earthy flavor depending on the type of leaf used. Some can even have a slight spice, a hint of pepper. Overall, maduros tend to be lighter, using more volado and seco and less ligero leaves.

For beginners, I would recommend Los Blancos maduro. It has no ligero and has a nice balance of seco and volado giving it a mild body. Being the only brand that makes a Habana 2000 maduro, it has unique, pleasant taste. Los Blancos also puts out a Connecticut and Criollo wrapper with the same fill. This enables the smoker to taste the difference without having the fill and binder interfere.

Rocky Patel does the same thing with the Edge, but instead of using a Criollo wrapper, a Corojo wrapper is used. For a much fuller bodied smoke, I find the Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve is as good as it gets. Light up and enjoy.

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Kapalua 1.877.kapalua golfkapalua.com La Cantera 210.558.6500 lacanteraresort.com Omni Resorts omnihotels.com/bartoncreek 512.329.4000 Rio Secco 702.777.2400 riosecco.net Sewell 737.255.4100 JaguarNorthAustin.com / LandRoverNorthAustin.com Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center TexasAMHotelCC.com The George 979.485.5590 thegeorgetexas.com Veneno Tequila 281.727.0944 venenotequila.com