OTL May / June

Oahu:

sweet spot

PAIN MANAGEMENT: Don’t live with it

NEW BRAUNFELS: All-American Town

Luxurious Mountain Golf in Colorado

THE STELLA HOTEL: The New Standard

Contents Volume 15, Issue 12

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FEATURES

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PAIN MANAGEMENT Pain is real. Learn to live with or without it, Michelle Keller

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IT’S ITALIAN CUCINA Food that will take you back home, Richard Arebalo

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MOUNTAIN GOLF AND RAW NATURE BECKON IN COLORADO’S LUXE VAIL VALLEY Destination Colorado. Relax, play, rejoice, Carl Mickelson

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THE STELLA HOTEL When hype takes a backseat to excellence, Richard Arebalo

Oahu:

sweet spot

PAIN MANAGEMENT: Don’t live with it

NEW BRAUNFELS: All-American Town

Luxurious Mountain Golf in Colorado

THE STELLA HOTEL: The New Standard

ON THE COVER Every Hawaiian Island has its distinctive characteristics.

Oahu has the best of both worlds, pace and serenity.

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Contents 22

EQUIPMENT Wedge-Game. Aesthetically pleasing and effective.

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MIND GAME Changing the way you practice can change the way you play.

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TIPS Make the first putt count so you won’t have to take two more.

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DRIVE FOR SHOW Cadillac CT6: Super Cruise Control is here.

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FITNESS Stay Rounded: Don’t get caught with the same routine.

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YOGA Balancing Act: Strong mind, strong body.

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TAKE 3 New Braunfels, TX: Spend a few days in the All-American town.

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PUTT FOR DOUGH Finance: Choose your style, risk versus return.

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WINE 2014 Sonoma Coast: A classic Pinot Noir.

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SPIRITS Keep it simple, order the perfect Martini.

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CIGARS Don’t ruin your cigar with a bad cut or by setting it on fire.

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THE SWEET SPOT Hawaii: From beaches to big city energy, Oahu has it all.

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SIGNATURE SPOTLIGHT Par 3 Hole #15 at The Golf Club at Star Ranch.

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COLUMNS

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Letter from the Publisher ber of Commerce. They did so much to this issue better as we took a few days in New Braunfels. Gina at the Gruene Mansion Inn was so generous to provide us a home base in the beautiful historical Gruene District. We had a fantastic staff dinner at Myron’s. And a big thank you to Scott at Gruene River Company. Even though they were closed, he provided us a great assist with a photoshoot. We greatly appreciate it. He helped even after I called him Sam by mistake.

We are featuring The Stella Hotel in this issue. They are incredible. After doing a previous feature on Bryan, we knew we had to come back and focus exclusively on this spectacular hotel. It’s a must visit. They have everything you need to have a wonderful time. Richard Arebalo offers high praise. He didn’t want for anything.

Special thanks to the staff for making it an amazing visit. And thanks to the folks at Lake Walk Town Center (Atlas) for their cooperation.

Can’t forget about those at home, Joe Joseph at Covert Cadillac. Thanks for the big favor and thanks for the small but huge gesture today. I can’t reveal it in print, but it was very cool and ultra-convenient. It’s good to have an extended family.

While playing golf with friends in Las Vegas, I was trying to come up with ideas for content and I was coming up empty. While driving back to the hotel from Mesquite, we couldn’t help but notice the nagging little pains we felt after a playing 18 holes. I thought, while minimal, this pain is real. I can only imagine how others feel to have deal with pain, be it slight or chronic.

I’m talking the kind of pain that an Aleve won’t relieve.

Michelle Keller dives into the concept of living with pain and the options you can take to live with less pain.

It’s another great issue with places to travel and places to eat. It’s not easy all the time, but it’s always satisfying putting this magazine together. We are listening to all of your comments and we appreciate the feedback. Continue to follow us in print, social media and at OTLgolf.com.

Sedric Walker Publisher M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

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riting the editorial presents an opportunity to share my thoughts, thoughts that I have to stand by. The way I feel when I write these may or may not be the way I feel once it’s been published. A great conversationalist may or may not be a good writer. You have to edit and be as succinct as possible due to space limitations. I probably could have deleted that sentence after I reviewed it. Too late, I’ll leave it in.

What can I do to show you a quick peek into the fascinating world of publishing? From photoshoots to sales meetings, it is an all-in deal. One thing I can say is that people are reading OTL. It’s rewarding when people read the magazine and tell me that they found a mistake. What they don’t realize is that I sometimes leave “Easter Eggs” in the magazine for them to find. That’s how I can tell they are actually reading it. See if you can spot the error.

Back to publishing, I want to thank all of those who read OTL. Please make sure you patronize those businesses that advertise with us. Unlike other media, OTL places you in a positive frame of mind, free from the controversy and divisiveness in the current climate.

OTL takes you away so you can get a glimpse of all the wonderful options available. As an advertiser you will have the chance to reach our readers when they in a relaxed and open state. Can you imagine driving in traffic and you’re cut off by an inconsiderate person, then hearing an ad on the radio and yelling back at the ad saying, “blah blah blah?”

OTL’s doctrine says keep moving forward and continue to focus on all the satisfied readers and clients that give us a wealth of positive feedback and cooperation. But we also listen to constructive criticism, so we can always improve.

Let’s name names. There are so many that contributed in so many ways for just this issue. Special thanks to Judy, Donna and Tyler at the New Braunfels Cham-

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/OnTheLinks Magazine

@otl_golf

PUBLISHER Sedric Walker

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR Carl Mickelson

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tony Dean

FEATURES EDITOR Richard Arebalo

ART DIRECTOR Leticia Galarza

TEACHING PROFESSIONALS Brech Spradley, Dave Pelz

@otlgolf

otlgolf.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Frankie Wylie, Ornella Shaya, Jim Flynn, Richard Arebalo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michelle Keller, Le Keough, Leslie Awdykowyz, Kristi Grosse, Kelly Vohnn, Tara Lee Maloney Scott Kramer

FOR ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

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. Š2018 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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O T L G O L F. C O M

512.657.7533 pr@otlgolf.com

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Pain M And Learn to

O T L G O L F. C O M

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Management “Dis-Ease” live with or without it

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STORY BY MICHELLE KELLER

equipped, well-staffed team. Imagine that pit-stop team if one member of it was sluggish, damaged, or disabled. What would that look like? The tire blows, and the time in the pit is only as fast as the slowest member of the team. From the driver’s seat, you have no idea who is slow, you just know that you lost the race. The same goes with your body, and its response to injury, illness, inflammation, fatigue, or stress. Do you know which member of your body’s recovery team is the slowest? Is it the integrity and strength of your soft tissues? Is it your ability to digest and absorb nutrients from your food? Is it your immune system or chronic inflammation? Is it energy production or ability to detox? Sometimes it’s difficult to know where your M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

O T L G O L F. C O M

Certified s we age and as our bodies become, more, refined if you will, pain Health Coach and management becomes a reality and a genuine concern. Maybe Physical Therapist you have that one bad knee from being athletic to your core.

Kathleen Stross PT, MS, Perhaps it’s back pain or a different kind of pain related to CHC shared, “Whether you a chronic illness. Or it could be pain from that car acplay once per week, or every cident you had when you were just 18 coming back day, Texas golfers hate pain. As to bite. You remember, the one where you didn’t you know, you don’t have to have get the physical therapy that was prescribed beinjured yourself to have an ache here, cause you were young and bulletproof? Yea, or a stabbing pain there. More often than that one. not, the pain that keeps you from playing What if we had the tools to preyour best, or going another round has no specific vent the damage that causes the cause...UNTIL NOW.” pain in the first place? Or we took the time to She continued, “In my almost 30 years of expericalm our minds and as a result our bodies ence as a physical therapist, I have seen many treatment reacted differently to the pain. When you approaches come and go. From cold packs and ultrasound break down the word dis-ease, simply in the early days to kinesio taping, foam rollers, and more. put, it means that your body is not at How is anybody supposed to know what works? Well, the truth ease, not in sync. Research proves is, the effectiveness of your injury recovery depends more on YOU, there is a definite connection then on the type of treatment you choose. Why? Because the most important part of the healing process is YOU. Your body’s response to injury between stress and disease or illness needs to be as fast as a NASCAR pit stop team changes a flat tire. and the same can be “To recover from any injury, your body must have the nutrients, energy, said for the pain that and ‘spare parts’ to get in there, clean up the mess, make repairs, and restore we need to manage function as fast as possible. This speed and efficiency is made possible by a wellnow.

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I want patients to be as specific as possible about their pain.

When it started, how it began, the quality of how it feels, and anything that makes it worse/better.” Dr. G.

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“weakest link” is. But 100% of the time, the fastest and easiest place to start is with the FOOD you eat and the health of your gut. Making sure that your nerves, muscles, joints, and fascia function at their optimal level starts with making sure you are extracting and processing nutrients from good food and eliminating all toxins that may be keeping your immune system working overtime. It’s that simple. Optimal nutrition, and effective detox. Both of these, all the time, and you’ll find that you are getting stronger, performing better, and enjoying more of your fabulous life.”

“I never knew that the food I was eating could be the cause of my joint pain. (They showed me how) replacing certain foods in my diet was more effective than any medicine or treatment I had for eliminating my pain.”- KM, 51 year-old retired soccer player.

“I would have never believed it had I not seen for myself how my food is the best medicine. I have more energy and recover so much faster now.” – MJ, 54 year-old executive and weekend warrior.

Combining nutrition, physical therapy and an overall quality of life check, Stross and her team offer a wealth of tools and resources. “This is not typical sports therapy. I approach the body and human performance from a neurosensory perspective, integrating the brain and nervous system with movement coordination, balance, and perception of motion (aka “vertigo”). The idea that the vestibular system in the inner ear is responsible for maintaining your sense of “true vertical”, is especially important to any athlete, amateur or pro. Many things can disrupt equilibrium. An inner ear infection, upper respiratory infection, injury, peripheral neuropathy or ageing can cause symptoms that can take you off your game for days, weeks, or months.

Symptoms may include dizziness, imbalance, a sensation of movement/spinning, or a floating feeling. Physical therapy with an experienced vestibular therapist can mean the difference between you being able to return to the sport you love or hanging up your clubs for good. The good news is that most cases of vertigo and imbalance can be treated with just a few sessions of therapy.”

“A holistic approach to health will take you through the steps to keep your engine running and your equipment in tip-top shape,” she continued.

“Our team will design a program just for you, based on your unique set of symptoms, to help you identify any imbalances in your systems that are preventing you from optimal performance.” For more information visit www.MyHolisticHealthPlan. com or www.kathleenstross.com.

Sometimes pain is crippling and you’ve tried several approaches and are desperate for relief.

Let’s get right to the punch or in this case, the pain. Dr. Jerry Gutierrez, MD of Pain Specialists of America treats patients who have already tried conservative methods for pain relief with no success. “I treat patients with the most advanced, cutting edge treatments available,” he explained. “I provide not only basic X-ray guided spinal blocks but also ultrasound guided procedures avoiding potentially harmful radiation (such as chronic spinal pain during a pregnancy). I also employ the latest and most advanced forms of spinal and peripheral nerve stimulation as well as stem cell regenerative medicine therapies. Although the bulk of our field and practice relates to pain originating from spine conditions, I am not just a spine pain specialist. I am able to treat pain in the head, neck, spine, abdomen, pelvis and legs.”

As for what you should know before your visit he commented, “I want patients to be as specific as possible about their pain. When it started, how it began, the quality of how it feels, and anything that makes it worse/better. A thorough description of your pain will allow me to best assess its origin.

If you have had any prior imaging or diagnostic studies, it is important to bring your results and images with you as well. Putting all of this together will allow me to best target your pain generator with precision.”

Affectionately referred to as “Dr. G” by his patients, what’s best for the patient is his primary concern. “The majority of patients will have already tried conservative management including chiropractic care, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc., before they seek more advanced treatments at our practice. If they have not yet tried these, I often recommend that they try this first or in conjunction with what I do. I perform spinal

including, but not limited to steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, kyphoplasty, and platelet-rich plasma injections.

“Dr. Rafii is great. I went in barely moving with severe low back issues. He thoroughly explained the lengthy and detailed MRI results. After being to another pain management doctor, I was happy that Dr. Rafii was looking for a solution not just pushing pills. He is open and familiar with other options such as turmeric. I am back to 100% within under 2 months!”--Patient Review “If you are looking for someone to just dole out the pain pills, I would suggest you look elsewhere.

There are pain practices that run “pill mills”. But if you are invested in your health and want someone to diagnose and get to the root of your problem, explain your options, and truly listen without undue pressure to undergo procedures unless they are needed, then I highly recommend Dr Marks.”-Patient Review Lingering low back pain, aching painful feet, or tension in your shoulders getting you down?

According to Licensed Massage Therapist Jenea Goodwin, soft tissue or connective tissue is to blame in these most common pain patterns, which affect millions of us each day, keeping us out of work or off our game. “Unhealthy fascia can restrict joint range of motion, strangle muscles and vessels, or even pinch nerves, causing all kinds of chronic pain syndromes,” she explained.

Jenea Goodwin has been a massage therapist for 18 years, incorporating many different modalities to help heal the body. During her career, she has worked in conjunction with many doctors and physical therapists to gain an expert knowledge of how the body functions. Specializing in myofascial release for the past 15 years, she is passionate about teaching young athletes

O T L G O L F. C O M

injections, nerve blocks, nerve ablations and other more advanced surgical procedures to alleviate chronic painful conditions. Many of these conditions include painful herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or nerve damage (from trauma or medical illnesses such as diabetes or cancer). I am a big believer in multimodal pain management, which means utilizing multiple types of therapies to not only reduce the pain long-term but also rehabilitate the underlying issue.”

“Dr. G is a thorough diagnostician and listens carefully to each symptom and indicator that I have.

(Starting with chronic facet joint issues, complicated by a car accident with multiple moderate-severe injuries.) He does appropriate testing before making decisions.” --Patient Review “Dr Gutierrez has been nothing but kind to me in trying to help me through a very difficult time in my life. I broke both of my heels and have 3 plates and 39 screws now and have tons of pain all the time. I can’t thank him and their staff enough for all they do for me. It is a Godsend to have a doctor like Dr. G and his staff.”--Patient Review With locations in Round Rock and Austin, more information about Dr. G can be found at www.painspecialistsofaustin.com.

The Diagnostic Pain Center is a multi-physician, private practice that offers individualized treatment plans for comprehensive pain management care. Doctors Robert S. Marks, M.D. and Sauman A. Rafii, M.D. both believe that this model better enables them to invest in patient relationships and create treatment plans that are truly custom-tailored to your unique needs. “Our top priority is to improve your quality of life through accurate diagnosis, highly effective treatment methods and specialized care,” said Dr. Marks.

“I like to think that at Diagnostic Pain Center, we have a highly individualized approach with each patient we see.”

As for what sets their practice apart from others in the area, Dr. Rafii explained,”Our focus from the initial visit is on diagnosing the cause of the patient’s pain, and tailoring treatment based on our diagnosis. With more data coming out on the harmful effects of chronic opioid therapy (and lack of any benefit compared to non-opioid pain medications) , we do not start patient on these medications as first line therapy.”

Dr. Rafii continued, “Patient’s should expect to spend 45 minutes with the physician on their first visit. This will allow us enough time to take a thorough history and physical exam, review any pertinent imaging, discuss treatment options and answer any questions. We provide a wide spectrum of state of the art interventional pain treatments

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how to maintain healthy fascia, prevent injury and enhance performance.

Goodwin shared, “We not only do manual myofascial release work, we also teach our clients and athletes how to release the fascia (connective tissue that adheres to the muscle causing the pain) for themselves.”

What does a patient need to know before the initial appointment? Goodwin answered,“A first time patient needs to be well hydrated and know that there can be bruising with myofascial release techniques. This would be for our manual release sessions. Our patients are coming in for our class that teaches them how to alleviate their own pain.

They need to bring a pair of shorts and a towel so that they’ll be relaxed and comfortable.”

As for advice for preventative measures for those with ‘no gain before the pain’ mentalities she said, “We highly suggest epsom salt baths post workout or event, as well as learning how to work their own connective tissue. By doing the self fascia release techniques athletes can prevent injury as well as enhance their performance.”

Thank you so much. It was inspiring and full of useful information that I will use on myself and on my family!”-Lisa M. Jenea has given me my life back, and taught me how to maintain my mobility on my own. I am so grateful! --Kathy D. For more information about the fitness of your fascia visit www.fitfasciasolutions.com.

Natural approaches to pain management are also trending up as the reality of how we treat our bodies and what we feed our brains continues to show improved performance overall. Before prescription meds were available what did we use for pain management?, is the question Life Coach and Young Living Essential M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

Oils Leader, Michelle Harvey answers. “Prescription meds have their place, but in my home, they are used as a last resort,” she said. “The plant world has been used for supporting health and wellness for millennia before modern medicine came around, and these days, modern medicine is heavily abused. Oils are non-habit forming with little to no side effects, and they don’t interfere with each other like drugs. Plus they have the side benefit of smelling wonderful!”

Harvey explained, “Oils such as peppermint, clove, and wintergreen are great at helping to relieve common pains. Blends like Panaway, Deep Relief, and Cool Azul are specifically formulated for the purpose of pain relief.” For joint pain she said, “We have a supplement called Agilease which is formulated with oils to support joints and type II collagen. Copaiba is wonderful to apply topically to help the joints, and some will add Panaway. Our best oil that support the immune system is Thieves. It’s a blend of cinnamon bark, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon. I use it daily to boost my immune system. Copaiba, Lemon, and Frankincense are also great at supporting the body’s wellness.”

From the sweet aroma of Lavender to the stimulating fragrance of Eucalyptus, therapeutic-grade essential oils ignite your senses. According to the company website, extensive testing and a commitment to sustainability means each bottle contains quality essential oils with remarkable properties that can’t be found elsewhere. Whether it’s a single, potent oil that elevates your spirit; a blended formula that promotes mental clarity; or Vitality™ essential oils you rely on to support your healthy habits, you can find your companion in whole-life wellness by emailing Michelle Harvey at mdharvey83@gmail.com and for more information visit www.happyoilyafter.com.

OTL / EQUIPMENT

WEDGE PLAY STORY BY SCOTT KRAMER

Aesthetically speaking, the latest wedges look collectively spectacular. And that’s important at the short end of the bag, because a look that instills confidence on chip shots is key to your scoring success on the course.

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Titleist’s Vokey Design SM7 ($149 each) comes in six sole grind options, including the all-new “D” that’s a high-bounce sole for better players wanting shotmaking versatility. Designed

by Master Craftsman Bob Vokey and his team, these wedges include a progressive center of gravity design and the acclaimed Spin Milled grooves that are cut to exact tolerances.

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If you duck into a pro shop, you’ll find that most 2018 models have conservative shaping, clean lines, a wide selection of sole grinds, unique groove schemes, and come in a variety of finishes. Some of the highlights:

Callaway’s Mack Daddy 4 ($150) is offered in 21 loft/bounce combinations, and sports an aggressive groove-in-groove clubface that generates more backspin. It comes in four sole grind options.

PING’s Glide 2.0 Stealth ($175/ graphite shaft, $150/steel) produces a soft feel and plenty of spin. A wheel-cut half groove near the leading edge on the higher lofts helps boost spin and control. Its sultry dark finish makes the clubhead look smaller, which in turn provides visual confidence to many golfers. Bubba Watson used three lofts of this wedge to win the Genesis Open in Los Angeles in February.

Cobra’s KING Black ($149) has a carbon steel clubhead bearing a premium black satin finish that’s extra durable. It also features a smart grip that works with a mobile app, to provide detailed stats and data about your wedge game. CNC-milled grooves are shaped with maximum precision, for better accuracy and consistent spin performance.

They’re wider and shallower on weaker lofts, and narrower and tighter-spaced on stronger lofts -- to optimize spin and trajectory.

STORY BY BRECH SPRADLEY, PGA DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION BARTON CREEK GOLF ACADEMY

Have you ever wondered why sometimes you hit the ball on the range like a champion and when you step over to the first tee box it seems as if all your skills went MIA? Or on the flip side, have you gone to the range for an hour or two and leave feeling that it was a big waste of time and you actually got worse? Golf is one of the rare sports that we actually do most of our practice off the playing field. Many golfers practice by grabbing a bucket or two of range balls at the driving range and banging away in hopes of finding that special feeling.

Next time you go to the range, consider that there are four important types of practice: Block, Random, Variable, and Play Style practice. Block practice is what most golfers do as mentioned earlier. Block practice is important to develop good techniques for the long and short game. Studies show that block practice is especially important for the newer golfer learning the basics of swing mechanics. The more reps, the better. However, as a player’s skill progresses then block practice becomes less of a factor because it doesn’t mimic all the conditions that arise on the course. We never hit twenty 7-irons in a row on the course, yet we do it on the range all the time.

We never hit the same five foot putt on the course either. There is merit to repetitive practice, but only to a point.

Random practice is very important for transference of skills to the golf course. As a golf instructor, I consistently remind my students to do random practice. This means choosing random targets while on the range or short game area and changing clubs constantly. One style of random practice is to never hit the same club twice in a row while also choosing different targets. This is more similar to what it’s like on a golf course. Studies show that after a golfer has developed a certain level of ball striking ability, golfers who engage in random practice are more apt to improve their scoring on the course than golfers who engage more in block practice.

Variable Practice is the next step in the progression of skill acquisition. There are many forms of variable practice, but I recommend starting with learning to curve the ball both directions and at various targets.

This means putting a target stick 10 yards in front of the line of flight and hitting draws and fades around the stick back to the target. By doing this, you become much more aware of club face and path relationship and can start using this skill when you deem necessary on the course. It will also help you correct

your stock swing when it gets off. After hitting some curves, then work on flighting the ball different trajectories. This helps control the ball when dealing with wind. There are many other forms of variable practice but start with these two.

Finally, we have play-style practice. This is basically playing imaginary holes, though doing so on the range. This means taking out your driver out and picking a fairway between two targets on the range.

Do a full pre-shot routine behind the ball, then step up and hit the driver. Next, take an iron out and go through the same routine at a different target pin. If you “miss” the green, then take a wedge out and hit a chip or pitch shot at a target on the range.

So, next time you practice, consider organizing your practice with a bucket of fifty balls around these four styles. Use the first fifteen balls for quality block practice. Put down an alignment stick, work on setup and your swing mechanics or something technical from a lesson you had with an instructor. Be deliberate, take a lot of practice swings and concentrate on the technical moves. For the next fifteen balls, shift gears into random practice, changing clubs and targets on the range. Concentrate more on the feel and the target. Then, for 10 balls, have some fun and do variable practice working on different curves and trajectories. Finish the last 10 balls with simulated play-style practice. You will start getting the most out of your time and the scores will no doubt start to come down!

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OTL / MIND GAME

PRACTICE

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OTL / TIPS

Make Your First Putt Count STORY BY DAVE PELZ Many golfers cringe when I share our Pelz Golf Institute data on how amateurs stack up against PGA TOUR pros on individual skills. Here’s one that might sting: While the Tour average for threeputting from beyond 30 feet is a mere 3 percent, it’s closer to 18 percent among recreational golfers.

You might be SIX TIMES as likely to three-putt as the pros you see on Tour.

That stat, which comes from putting studies I’ve done using PGA Tour ShotLink data, should scare you. Say you face 12 putts of 30 or more feet per round (which is about right for a mid-handicapper). According to three-putt figures in my study, you’re coughing up, on average, about two strokes each round on lag putts alone.

I want you to make a lot more putts, so here’s my stroke-saving method to get you down in two rolls (or less) from long range, in five simple steps.

Lag Lessons: 1 Don’t try to “make” 30-plus footers. Instead, imagine that the hole is in the center of a circle that’s six feet in diameter, and leave your lag inside that circle. This removes the pressure to make it, so you’ll putt with more feel and less tension in your

hands.

2 Lose your bent-over putting stance. Stand taller and closer to the ball (photo, above left). It’s hard to give longer putts the needed oomph when you’re in a crouched position.

3 Don’t “stroke” it. Hit a “chip-putt.” From longer range, a chipping-type motion gives the shot enough gas. It’s easy: Let your arms swing down from your taller stance. (Save your “stroke” for shorter putts.)

4 Spend 15 minutes on the practice green once a week, rolling putts from 40, 50 and 60 feet (common first-putt distances among mid-handicappers).

Hit three balls from each length, getting a feel for how big each chip-putt motion should be in order to lag all nine putts within that imaginary circle.

5 Finish your session by attempting the toughest putt you can find on the green—and I mean tough.

Look for a double- or even triple-breaker stretching from one end of the green to the other. And putt it six times using three balls.

With a little practice, you’ll vastly improve your feel on testy lags while also building the confidence to handle any putt the course throws at you.

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PHOTO CORTESY OF DAVE PELTZ

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OTL / DRIVE FOR SHOW

Throw your hands in the air - Cadillac announces new super cruise semi-autonomous feature that lets you enjoy a daily commute basically handsfree from the driver seat.

Its has been a long time coming and now the buzz of Cadillac’s 2018 CT6 is making headlines. The future is now folks. Remember, those Jetson days when George would just hop in his car and it would whisk him away on to a crowded highway in the sky plotting a safe path to his house. Well The 2018 CT6 has a feature that will do just that, minus the flying part. Although this new super cruise semi-autonomous feature handles steering, acceleration, and braking while operational, Unlike George’s ride it does require some monitoring from a human driver.

The super cruise system uses cameras and radar without expensive onboard lidar sensors. Lidar is short for Light Detection and Ranging. This system is fundamentally a distance technology that actively sends light energy to the ground. This pulse hits the ground and returns to the sensor. Basically, it measures how long it takes for the emitted light to return to the sensor.

Engineers used lidar to make high-resolution 3D maps that act as a proxy for the CT6’s onboard lidar and contains detailed information on elevation chang-

es, guardrails, and bridge abutments, so the vehicle can navigate without the human driver using the real time information it is receiving.

But, before you decide to nod off understand the system is also watching the driver to make sure that the human behind the wheel is ready for a quick hand-off if the system rolls into a situation it can’t handle.

Just push the super cruise engage button and throw your hands in the air. So far, test drives have shown that the system feels confident once you get the hang of monitoring instead of actively driving. Of course, it will be a little disconcerting at first but engineers and most folks who have tried it say the bizarre feeling of driving without driving quickly becomes second nature once you have logged some semi-autonomous miles.

This exciting technology that is one step closer to totally autonomy is an optional feature that most buyers will want to give a try. Super Cruise is already available and will be a $5000 option on the premium luxury model, which has an entry level price tag of 66-thousand dollars and change. The futuristic feature comes standard on the 85-thousand-dollar Platinum model.

DRIVERSIDE VEHICLE REVIEW M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

O T L G O L F. C O M

Cadillac CT6 Super Cruise Control

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OTL / FITNESS

STAYING WELL ROUNDED STORY BY LESLIE AWDYKOWYZ CERTIFIED POP PILATES INSTRUCTOR As a Pop Pilates instructor, I have had professional athletes come take classes to help with their stability, flexibility, and overall physical well being. Often we think that as long as we can lift a certain amount of weight and burn it up on the dance floor then we are good to go, but we cannot forget to revise our workouts and add variety with callisthenics.

O T L G O L F. C O M

PHOTOS BY FRANKIE WYLIE

From a plank position, place both feet on the stability ball. Lift your right leg and pulse in the air 20x, switch sides and do the same. Rest and repeat three to four sets, adding ankle weights as an option for increased intensity.

Remember, even though our focus is the glute, your core has to remain engaged to help stabilize your body.

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Toning up your glutes does involve weights but it doesn’t have to each time. By implementing a variety of exercises into your routine, you’ll keep your muscles guessing and staying well rounded.

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Start with a strong bridge position, making sure your feet are under your knees and arms at your side for support. Lift one leg and point your foot to the sky; by pointing the feet, you activate the quads. Drive your hips up, keeping your abs tight and not hollowing out your back. Keep your hips lifted and make small circles in the air with your foot, 20x. Following the circles, leg still elevated, execute single leg bridge lifts, 20x.

Switch sides and repeat twice.

OTL / YOGA

BALANCING ACT STORY BY KRISTI GROSSE, RYT With the busyness of life, our bodies can get out of balance in more ways than one. Balancing postures not only bring our bodies back into balance physically, but they can also have an affect on balancing the left and right sides of the brain. Standing postures strengthen our legs and cores, but also deepen our

focus, coordination, and equilibrium. Balance postures vary from day to day just as our balance in life varies. As you challenge yourself on your yoga mat, the strength, focus, and confidence will carry off of the mat and out in to the world. Strong bodies and strong minds.

Tree pose is a grounding posture for stability. This standing pose engages muscles throughout the legs and improves sciatica. The core is activated during this pose, lending to strengthening in the abdominals and back. The grounding aspects of Tree Pose starts as the foot roots down on the mat then continues as you lengthen through the standing leg up throughout the core. The final expression of the posture is to grow your arms upward like limbs.

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•Begin standing in Mountain Pose with feet parallel, hip width apart.

•Ground into the Right Foot, finding stability on all four points, from front to back, left to right.

•Lift the Left leg, bending the knee to place the sole of the foot against the inner thigh, toes pointing downward and knee facing to the side.

•Hands are in prayer position at the center of your heart or outstretched overhead.

•Make sure to not sink into the standing hip but continue to lift up through the legs and spine.

•Hold for 5 breaths or longer.

•Return to Mountain Pose.

•Repeat on the other side.

Variations: Foot can be placed at the calf or inner thigh, as long as it is above or below the knee.

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WARRIOR 3 (VIRABHADRASANA III)

TREE POSE (VRKSASANA)

PHOTOS BY FRANKIE WYLIE

O T L G O L F. C O M

INSTRUCTIONS:

Warrior 3 is a powerful balancing pose that lengthens the entire backside of the body while strengthening the standing leg and abdominals. This posture is a very active one engaging all of the muscles while building focus and endurance along with aligning the spine.

INSTRUCTIONS: •Start in Mountain Pose with feet parallel, hip width apart.

•Inhale arms overhead, biceps reaching back towards ears.

•Shoulder blades draw down the back.

•Step forward with the right leg, keeping hips and shoulders square.

•Lift the left leg, flexing through the heel.

•Torso lowers parallel to the floor.

•Lengthen through the arms and legs in opposite directions.

•Hips remain in line, flattening the low back.

•Continue to breath and stabilize in this pose for 5 breaths or longer.

•Release the left leg down then step back together in Mountain Pose.

•Repeat on the other side.

TO P : C h o c o l a t e C u p.

B OT TO M : S a l m o n S h r i m p.

FE

Lam ar, M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

So

uth

O T L G O L F. C O M 30

S AT T O U R RY ES BY ED RI IT CH OR AR /O DA TL RE M BA A G LO AZ IN E

Au s

tin

It’s Italian Cucina

end of their meals saying goodbye to Al, Sharabella and her staff with the heartfelt promise of coming back soon. The friendly vibe was evident when It’s Italian Cucina’s first (and frequent diner Olivia) sat next to me at the bar and was kind enough to share some of her fresh clams with linguini. I returned the favor and shared a decadent chocolate cup filled with honey-scented mascarpone, topped with wild Amarena cherries - instant friends over great food.

It’s Italian Cucina features northern Italian cuisine. Many dishes are from the Piedmont where both Al and Sharabella are from originally; these includes dishes like Agnolotti, small ravioli-like pasta filled with veal and served with sage butter, and Fettuccini al Tartufo, using Piedmonte’s famous truffles. The menu also includes perennial favorites like Milanese Osso Bucco, Risotto and Genoese classics like Linguine con Vongole (fresh clams).

The Menu is set up in true Italian fashion with Antipasti, Insalata e Zuppa (soups and salads), Primi Piatti (first courses), Secondi Piatti (main courses), Contorni (side dishes), Fromaggi (cheese plates) and of course Dolce (desserts). Additionally, there is a ‘Tour d’Italia’ Tasting menu – Four courses with wine pairing for an amazing $50. The tour regions change periodically and favor dishes as fresh seasonal ingredients become available.

Al, who is responsible for the menu and buying side of the house, sought vendors that could provide deliveries seven days a week. He purposely has a very small walk-in fridge, preferring to purchase fresh what he can use as is needed.

One helpful part of the restaurant’s business model is that many items are available for sale in a small market area in the back devoted to Italian favorites including some difficult to find Italian wines.

The restaurant’s wine selection includes thirty-eight wines by the glass, interestingly five on tap, and nearly one hundred and fifty by the bottle covering most regions of Italy.

On a few visits, I satisfied a deep love for Osso Bucco which is a tender veal shank, slow roasted simply with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs and served with pasta or traditionally risotto.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

T

he desire to ‘go home’ and nostalgia for simpler times is a strong recurring theme in everything from the classic literature of Proust and his beloved madeleines to pop culture in kids movies like Ratatouille where the cynical food critics’ heart is melted by food so good that it reminded him of his grandmother’s cooking.

I had a ‘going home’ moment last week when I realized that ‘It’s Italian - Cucina’ on South Lamar, open only since September of last year, is owned by the same folks that were responsible some of my favorite Austin Italian restaurants in the last thirty years. These were restaurants that I really loved, like the modest but amazing ‘Café di Roma’ at Lincoln Village to trendy wonderful places like Girasole in the old warehouse district back in the early 2000’s.

A few years later and with several other ventures behind them, a recurring theme for owner Sharabella and Chef Al Fini seems to be creating places that provide high quality and skillfully prepared food in environments where diners genuinely feel like friends.

Together with a group of Chefs and other staff that have moved with them for years at different venues, they have again created a restaurant that will generate a following of new customers and make many old customers happy.

I spent two consecutive evenings watching waves of diners being greeted like old friends and at the

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PHOTOS BY CAROL STANLEY AARON

O T L G O L F. C O M 32

TOP: Cap Pro R I G H T: B u r r a t a BOTTOM:Gr and wine selection.

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1500 S Lamar Blvd #110, Austin, TX 78704 itsitaliancucina.com Sunday 11AM–10PM Mon.- Thurs. 4–10PM Friday 4–11PM Saturday 4–11PM (512) 482-8655

Most recently I opted for the Tasting menu (with a few additions). If like me, you think you hate anchovies, you need to try acciughe bianco; these are mild, delicate anchovies that are perfect with just a squeeze of lemon.

For my second appetizer, I selected the Proscuitto e Melone – 18 months aged, delicious Prosciutto from Parma served with honeydew melon and drizzled with aged balsamic with a touch of herbs. This was paired with a Firriato Branciforti Grillo 2016, a bright white wine from Western Sicily. The wine had a medium/ full body and a mild minerality reminiscent of a French chardonnay.

My Primi Piatto (first course after the appetizers) was a traditional Spaghetti Carbonara alla Romana. This was served al dente with a beautiful cream sauce of Pecorino Romano, egg and pancetta. The pairing was a Jermann Pinot Noir 2012 from FriuliVenezia Giulia – the wine growing region northeast of Venise.

Like in Italy I find the Secondi Piatti a bit overkill, but Al manages the portions, so the whole does not leave you uncomfortable.

My main course was Vitello Como – Veal cutlets pounded thin, breaded and served with a simple white wine sauce with tomatoes and onions. This was paired nicely with a Bibi Graetz Casamatta Sangiovese from Tuscany. Though Sangiovese can be quite heavy, this was relatively light, with cherry and plum fruit up front and light tannins.

Lastly, I selected a Taza di Cioccolato – a chocolate cup filled with mascarpone and wild cherries (imported from Emilia-Romagna) – this will remind you of a cherry cordial, but far less sweet and terrific with a Santa Margherita Brute Rose from the Veneto.

As good as this ‘tour’ was, my first question to Al was when the next tour would be on the menu as I was looking forward to another round of great combinations.

At It’s Italian Cucina, the end of the meal could be an excellent espresso, cappuccino or perhaps an unusual Port-styled wine made from Barolo, what will be likely is a visit or two from Sharabella or Al to make sure the meal was perfect.

OTL / TAKE 3 O T L G O L F. C O M

New Texas-Bi Small To

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STORY

Y BY MICHELLE KELLER

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

O T L G O L F. C O M

w Braunfels, ig City Pulse, own Rhythm

How many times recently, have you daydreamed about quietly slipping away for the weekend or longer? Taking time away is usually the biggest issue for us all. A quick getaway could fit the bill. You can be in New Braunfels in less than an hour from Austin or San Antonio--you can be there by this afternoon.

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O T L G O L F. C O M 36

his small town earns its rights to its Texas roots by packing “big” recreation and relaxation options, think small-town rythm with a big city pulse.

The catch phrase ‘All-American’ comes to mind as the atmosphere offers a playful, cozy setting for a family holiday or a couple’s getaway. The wonder and laughter of kids and their friends can be heard on the sidewalks and the joy of family bonding seen as memories are being made on the banks of the Guadalupe River.

With something for everyone, this town is certain to lift your spirits and scratch the vacation itch. Get off the ground and into the river with the many river outfitters or take a walking tour of downtown New Braunfels where history was made. With multiple vendors including antiques; shabby chic decor; wineries; specialty candy and gelato, be sure and catch the New Braunfels Farmers Market open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You’ll find several vendors offering products such as organic vegetables; candles; fresh produce; and more.

This weekly event has a huge turnout with live music and activities every Saturday.

Let the “past be your present” to yourself or someone else from one of the many antique shops in New Braunfels. The downtown Antique Mall offers a lot of memories and novelty items within their 16,000 square-foot facility.

With over 40 dealers, inventory in this location ranges from American and English hardwood furniture to a variety of memorabilia.

A wealth of ‘times-gone-by’ is displayed on the walls inside the many shops, restaurants and attractions homed in this whimsical town.

Vice President of New Braunfels Convention and Visitors Bureau, Judy Young shared a bit of the history of New Braunfels Historic Gruene district. “German immigrant Ernst Gruene and his wife Antoinette reached the city of New Braunfels in 1845,” she explained. “According to history, Ernst and his two sons purchased land just down river, and Ernst built the first home in Gruene in early fachwerk style. His second son, Henry D. Gruene, built his home (now bed and breakfast Gruene Mansion Inn) and planted his surrounding land with cotton.

Having become the number one cash crop, the cotton business soon brought 20 to 30 families to Henry D.’s lands.”

She continued, “Further construction in-

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cluded a dance hall and saloon (Gruene Hall), which became the center of the community’s social life and is still frequented today. By 1922, the original cotton gin burned and was replaced by a modern electric model down the road (now Adobe Verde). The economic disasters of the boll weevil and the Depression were too much for the family businesses and they went under, except for Gruene Hall, which never closed.

The area stayed somewhat dormant for several years until 1974 when architecture student Chip Kaufman began working with the Texas Historical Commision to restore the once-thriving community. By 1975 Kaufman, together with developers and city officials, worked to place Gruene on the National Register of Historic Places. Prospective owners were sought out for new commercial ventures and the core of what exists today began.”

The village-esque setting of today has been beautifully restored without losing the charm of yesteryear. It operates with quaint shops, restaurants, a bed-and-breakfast, river outfitters, and art galleries and wineries. The rhythm of New Braunfels can truly be felt here in its Gruene historic district.

Tucked away just underneath the Gruene water tower, yet centrally located in the heart of the Gruene district, accomodations at the Gruene Mansion Inn will not disappoint. The rooms are comprised of century-old barns and homes restored to Victorian rustic elegance.

With a combination of antiques, fine fabrics, and handmade furniture, every room has unique character and offers details such as clawfoot tubs and deep pedestal sinks.

The Gruene Mansion Inn is just a stone’s throw away from the many, shops, attractions and other hot spots that are the pulse of the Gruene area. Owner Cecil Eager said, “We tell our guests that they can park their car and not have to get back in it for the entire weekend.

Everything is literally a Texas two-step away, within walking distance from our location.”

Cecil can be found on the grounds most days and is happy to share captivating nuggets of history in this well-kept and finely crafted bed and breakfast. “The rhythm of the Gruene heart can be felt here with our Texas-friendly hospitality and amenities in the midst of rustic structures,” he explained. “We make every effort to keep what is original intact. With continuous updates and renovations, we are able to offer a piece of the past as part of the present to our guests.”

After indulging in the decadent fudge or a sweet ice cream treat to beat the Texas heat, step on down to the Gruene Antique Company where you’re sure to find an item or two that evokes memories from your childhood or depending on your age, an article of interest you’ve never seen before within the 6,500 square-feet of antiques, collectibles; gifts and decor.

If wine is a friend of yours you’ll definitely want to visit the Grapevine where tastings are offered daily with live music on the kid-friendly garden patio which is infused with a mist-cooling system in the evening. Featuring one of the largest selections of Texas wines available, as well as Texas craft beers and select wines from around the world, this spot provides fine wine in an outdoor or indoor setting.

The music doesn’t stop there. The legendary Gruene Hall, right next door to the Mansion hosts live music throughout the day and evening, everyday. Explosive sounds of Americana with that true Texas beat can be heard as you approach the door of the famous dance hall where artists like George Strait, Lyle Lovett and Hal Ketchum got their start.

You won’t be able to stop the movement in your feet once you’re here (but would you really want to?).

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O T L G O L F. C O M

Once you’re settled into your home away from home at the Mansion, the Gruene Day Spa is just about a five minute walk or a two minute drive around the corner. Start your stay off with the intent to relax, rejuvenate and revitalize here. You’ll receive excellent and informative care from educated massage therapists. Tranquility awaits via massage; couples massage; facials; and manicures and pedicures, all within a space dedicated to serenity.

Don’t forget to pack your clubs for a serene experience at Landa Park. This 18-hole course offers Hill Country charm and unique golf course wildlife that will leave you with a feeling of everyday routine escape. Located less than 10 minutes from the Mansion, tee times are available at 7:00 a.m. Depending on your dedication to your game, you can be back, feeling refreshed and accomplished in time for breakfast and a full day.

Strolling down Gruene Road you’ll find several places to visit including the town’s General Store, which is replicative of years past with items that include food and consumables like coffee beans, spices, specialty candy, honey and molasses, crackers, cheese, syrup and hand-churned ice cream. You don’t want to leave here without trying the homemade fudge, which is sold by the block.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

Lunch and dinner can be found two steps away from any location in the Gruene area. If it’s bar eats and a cold beer you’re after go across the street to Mozie’s where you’ll find food options from juicy panko crusted parmesan chicken to a melted smoked gouda ‘Grown Up’ grilled cheese sandwich with fresh spinach and tomato on focaccia bread. Looking for appetizers and wine in an outdoor candle lit atmosphere? Head behind the Gruene Mansion to The River House where you’ll dine by candlelight to the romantic sounds of an acoustic guitar.

The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar is perhaps one of the most unique eateries in the area. Directly next door to the Gruene Mansion, you’ll enjoy a phenomenal steak, chicken or fish dinner in the ruins of a 100-year-old cotton gin beneath the water tower.

Literally an eight minute drive, downtown New Braunfels has plenty to offer for ‘date night.’ Stop by the Art League Gallery before dinner where original works of local artists Janet Chang, Pam Pohl and Robert Anschutz among others are displayed. Fine dining can be found at Myron’s Steakhouse, which boasts Chicago prime beef (the top 2% of all prime beef in the United States), a full bar and an extensive wine list. Housed in a remodeled 1924 movie theater, should you be called into the restaurant’s office, you’ll find yourself in the theater projection booth! After dinner you’ll want to visit the Brauntex Per-

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forming Arts Theatre. Established in 1942, this Art Deco inspired theatre offers musical and theatrical productions that provide a perfect uptown ending to a downtown evening.

Texans love rafting, tubing and kayaking at any time of year and rightly so as the many natural springs and rivers provide the necessary equipment-- a body of water. Just around the corner from the Mansion are two river outfitters, the Gruene River Co. and Rockin ‘R’ River Rides. Get out of the sweltering sun and into the fun on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. Both river outfitters offer rafting and tubing trips. The Rockin ‘R’ also has kayaking, and a unique hybrid of paddleboard yoga; plus the company offers transportation to and from events such as the 10-day annual ‘Wurstfest’, a German sausage festival hosted in New Braunfels since 1961. According to locals, Wurstfest is the finest in Alpine and Bavarian style entertainment.

When you’re ready to retreat from miles of shops, activities and live music, be intoxicated by nature as you enjoy the view of the serene Guadalupe River in the Gruene Mansions’ rocking chairs on your own private porch.

The grounds at the Mansion itself are a pleasure to walk and talk or sit and chat with someone over an abundant breakfast. The aromatic rich smell of dark, delicious coffee wafts through the crisp morning air walking into

O T L G O L F. C O M 40

the main lobby. Tables are laden with every intricate breakfast detail you can bring to mind. Eggs florentine with smoked breakfast sausage and bacon; and sweet, delicate pastries and breads are among the many offerings. With foods that have an array of textures from the airy crunch of a strawberry tart to the softer, toasted banana bread, breakfast at the Mansion is altogether lovely over a hot cup of coffee with an old or a new friend.

Less than ten minutes from the Gruene area you can ride the waves at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, ranked the #1 Waterpark in the World for the last 20 years. Located on the the spring-fed Comal River in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn flagship waterpark has 51 attractions on over 70 acres. Family-owned and operated, Schlitterbahn provides a staggering variety of river rides, waterslides, and adventures from mild to wild.

Public Relations and Communications Specialist Pam Renteria said the German name Schlitterbahn means ‘Slippery Road.’ Find your inner kid that still wants to see the ‘largest, biggest and best in the whole wide world’ here.

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Named for the world’s first surfing wave invented 27 ye ars ago, the Boogie Bahn, Surfenburg is also home to the first uphill water coaster, The Dragon’s Revenge – invented 24 years ago. The attraction that has the most awards in Schlitterbahn history, the Master Blaster uses patented water injection technology, which starts at the top of a six-story tower in Blastenhoff. (Two other rides also take off from the same tower.) Surrounding the “Blast Tower” is the Torrent Wave River – which combines an endless river with a wave pool for unlimited fun. Tubenbach features the award winning ride The Falls, the world’s longest tubing adventure. The Tubenbach area features several no-wait attractions and beaches allowing park guests to enjoy the rides without standing in line. Also, several of the Tubenbach attractions are interconnected through an innovative Transportainment® river, which allows guests to float their way throughout the Tubenbach area. There’s also a larger than life Coca Cola glass on the grounds, which Renteria said is known as the world’s largest Coke float in history.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

If that’s not enough to spike your adrenaline, drive a couple of minutes down the road to the Natural Bridge Caverns where you’ll find the largest known commercial caverns in the state of Texas. The name is derived from the 60-foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting of the caverns entrance. Test your balance on a four-story obstacle course, where you have up to 30 minutes to grapple your way to the top of the 60-foot, fourtier adventure course.

Conclude your day on the next level at the Zip Lines.

Gliding high above the Texas Hill Country, snap into your harness, step to the edge of the zip line platform, raise your feet and sail across the landscape (This is the time to put your hands up and wave!).

Visit the Chamber of Commerce of New Braunfels here: innewbraunfels.com/chamber/ for more information and to plan your getaway.

PHOTOS CORTESY OF SCHLITTERBAHN NEW BRAUNFELS WATERPARK

Open year-around, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels has four times the rides and attractions of any waterpark within 200 miles, and twice the number of attractions of any waterpark within 500 miles. Guests can enjoy the family excitement and convenience of a Resort and Waterpark during the summer amidst the beauty of a Hill Country Getaway. From hotel rooms, to Treehaus Luxury Suites, and a seven-room house, Schlitterbahn Resort has a wide range of accommodations for any type of vacation.

Still up for another round? Just 20 minutes away from the Gruene area is the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. You’ll interact with animals from all over the world in a six-mile, drive-thru Texas-style African Safari. Bags of food are available at the gate for feeding the animals on your journey. If you’d like your chance for a selfie with a Zebra, you’ll find it here!

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OTL / PUTT FOR DOUGH

So, you want to buy a Bimmer?

O T L G O L F. C O M

STORY BY LE KEOUGH, CFA, CPA, CFP

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“Drive for show, putt for dough” is not only a great axiom for playing golf, it can also be applied to your investment strategy. Investment strategies should be developed after a thorough understanding of your “risk tolerance”.

Risk tolerance is the ability to accept risk (based on unique circumstances), and willingness to accept risk (based on observations and experiences). The willingness to accept risk and the ability to accept risk are sometimes at odds.

Once defined, an investment strategy should target an asset allocation that provides the highest expected return for an identified level of risk. Since this is where the “rubber hits the road” in the financial planning process, let’s jump in and go for a drive.

First, we need to state the obvious – “no one knows the future”. All the analytical models and all talking heads in all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world have no idea where the markets are heading. But we do have history on our side. Historical observations provide Wall Street with standard deviations (risk) and expected returns. But analyzing the past is very limiting. It’s analogous to driving down the highway looking backwards through the rearview mirror. It can be done, albeit slowly and conservatively. Increasing speed increases risk. Assuming the road remains straight, you’ll certainly reach your destination. However, as the road turns you may not have time to recognize the change M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

and adjust accordingly. More importantly, if momentum carries the car off the highway, you’ll want to survive the crash!

So if “risk” is the speed we are traveling down the road while navigating with the rearview mirror of history, how do we know what the correct speed limit is? The correct speed limit will be determined by our defined risk tolerance. Wall Street can provide many analytical measures of risk. Implied forward volatility can be measured by the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX). Historical measures include beta (β), standard deviation (σ) and value-at-risk (VaR). However, these measures of risk are constantly changing and require interpretation. In reality, risk tolerance is a subjective opinion based on personal experiences and observations. Predefined risk metrics are simply a tool used to help formulate our opinion.

Risk tolerance is also influenced by investment objectives. When defining the risk speed limit, what is more important – the return on capital, or the return of capital? In other words, do you want to maintain the purchasing power of your invested capital, or are you looking to increase your purchasing power? A goodrule-of-thumb is that risk assets such as stocks tend to increase purchasing power, while lower-risk assets such as bonds tend to maintain purchasing power.

• Portfolio A represents a noninvestable portfolio. There is no combination of assets that can provide an investor with this risk/ return opportunity. Be wary of the fact that it is impossible to build a portfolio that rises above the efficient frontier, but it is not impossible to be promised unreachable returns for various levels of risk.

• Portfolio B represents a portfolio

Series, then you have the willingness and ability to accept the risks associated with an equity allocation. If not, stick with bonds and continue dreaming of your future 5 Series “Bimmer”. By the way, the correct spelling of the term for a BMW car is Bimmer. The correct spelling for BMW motorcycles is either Beamer or Beemer. Please don’t ask me to explain why.

So how can we match our risk tolerance (speed limit) with the highest possible expected return? By building a well-diversified portfolio that intersects the “efficient frontier”. The efficient frontier is a graphical representation of the risk/return tradeoffs for various optimized portfolios and is essentially our speedometer. The efficient frontier depicted in figure 1 plots various asset allocations according to historical risk/return observations. The lower left depicts portfolios with low risk and corresponding lower expected returns. As the curve bends up and to the right, the expected return increases as well as the associated risk. Of note, the portfolio at the bottom of the graph which plots a 100% allocation to bonds is less efficient than a portfolio with 33% stocks.

Also note that the efficient frontier begins to flatten as you increase risk substantially. This graphically depicts the fact that the most efficient portfolios are a diversified collection of assets (cash, stocks, bond, alternatives, etc.) that have limited correlations.

that falls below the line is considered an inefficient portfolio in need of an overhaul! It provides the investor with too little return given the risk the investor is willing to absorb. Unfortunately most retail investors maintain portfolios below the line.

• Portfolio C is one of the allocations that intersects the efficient frontier and is optimized to deliver the highest expected return

possible for the associated level of risk. A portfolio with a risk/return profile that intersects the efficient frontier is what every investment strategy should target.

The goal of financial planning is to place the investor on the fairway of the efficient frontier. As noted, risk tolerance is a subjective determination, and therefore the process of identifying risk tolerance is more of an art than a science. However, investors should always follow a well-defined process of developing and implementing an investment strategy. There are no Mulligan’s in financial planning. The more effort you put towards the planning phases of the investment cycle, the more fairways you’ll hit! Once on the green, putting for dough requires steady, competent portfolio management. The markets, like greens, can be hard to read. But if you have accurately identified your risk tolerance and return objectives, you will probably be left with a very short putt. And if you sink the putt and collect your earnings, enjoy the ride home in that new Bimmer!

Le Keough, CFA, CPA, CFP Raymond James & Associates 2801 Via Fortuna, Suite 650, Austin, TX 78746 www.raymondjames.com/lekeough T: 512-306-2560

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O T L G O L F. C O M

To illustrate, let’s drive for show with a new BMW instead of a driver. Currently a new 2018 BMW 5 Series retails for about $52,650. You have the money, and would like to buy the car, but you don’t need a car anytime soon. If you invested $52,650 in a 5-year, high-quality bond, you should have adequate cash at maturity to buy a new 2023 BMW 5 Series after inflation. Bonds are essentially priced to maintain the purchasing power of invested capital by rewarding the investor with a return that slightly exceeds the expected level of inflation over the maturity (timeframe) of the bond. The amount of excess return offered to investors is determined by the quality rating (risk level) of the issuer.

However, if you would rather buy a higher-class BMW, you will need to accept more risk in order to increase your purchasing power. According to Morningstar, stocks averaged roughly 10% a year from 1926-2016. Assuming you can match the stock market’s long-term historical returns and inflation remains near 2%, your purchasing power would increase to a level where you could afford a 6 Series in four years, or a 7 Series in six years. BUT, you must be willing to settle for a BMW 3 Series! In other words, you must be willing to lose money over this time frame. In six years, even if your original stock market investment declined by 25%, you would still be able to purchase a BMW 3 Series adjusted for inflation. If you can live with the downside risk of driving a 3

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OTL / TRAVEL

Mountain Golf and Raw Nature Beckon in Colorado’s Luxe Vail Valley

O T L G O L F. C O M

STORY BY CARL MICKELSON

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Now that our kids are sturdy enough for “real” travel, it’s my turn to play Clark Griswold like my dad faithfully did for us in that reliable old Mercury. On our recent trip to the idyllic Beaver Creek Resort village, however, we discovered the singular genius of booking the Colorado Mountain Express airport shuttle from Denver International. An uncommonly jovial and informative driver took us on the two-hour drive westward in a pristine, wi-fi equipped SUV. No arguing over GPS routes or cramming too much luggage into a rental car was necessary. Our only worry was not shanking the Starbucks order at the halfway pit stop just past Idaho Springs.

With a full day still in front of us, we checked into the posh Osprey at Beaver Creek, a boutique hotel just steps from both the stunning Beaver Creek village and the Strawberry Park Express Ski Lift. Wellness and a cozy, familiar warmth are hallmarks of the guest experience at the Osprey. Depending on your mood, the elegant, shady poolside area and a small pub called the Osprey Lounge (featuring a solid offering of local craft brews) compete neck-and-neck for hottest spots at this quaint chalet.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

PHOTO BY JACK AFFLECK PHOTO BY JEFF ANDREW

exans vacationing in Colorado… I get it, it’s a well-worn cliché. To be perfectly honest, I never can tell if the locals are celebrating our enthusiasm for the Centennial State or merely tolerating us. My apologies, but so much about an escape to the majestic Rocky Mountains just feels like home-- or, at least a comforting home-awayfrom-home.

From the cool, crisp mornings to the majestic alpine views and hikes along a roaring creek, you can’t help but be inspired by nature when you’re face to face with the ageless Rockies. My favorite childhood vacations were Full-Griswold-Mode road trips across this ruggedly beautiful state. If a landmark was in that dog-eared travel guide, we stopped there. If the stream was running, we took a dip in it. If a chipmunk was minding its own business, we chased it. Time stood still on those trips and whatever was going on back in the city might as well have been happening in another galaxy.

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PHOTO BY JACK AFFLECK

PHOTO BY DANIEL MILCHEV

O T L G O L F. C O M 48

A short walk from the Osprey’s port cochere is the open-air Beaver Creek Resort village, modeled after the quintessential Swiss alpine village of St. Moritz. An inviting and lushly-adorned collection of shops, galleries, restaurants and entertainment venues, the village is nerve center of Beaver Creek. At once, this complex feels like a friendly small town and Disneyland for adventure seekers. Our crew quickly gravitated to the bevy of kids’ activities near Beaver Creek’s expansive great lawn like the Bungee Trampoline, gem panning, Climbing Wall and mini golf course. Months later, my kids still think they may have struck it rich.

An inspiring dinner of pan-seared scallops over rich risotto, hand-made pastas and decadent Italian wine at local favorite, Toscanini capped a perfect first day. OK, tiramisu and ber-

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ry-topped crème brulee were the real cappers.

You got me.

Up before dawn the next morning, it was on to the eye-popping Beaver Creek Golf Club, a strategic Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed carved along the exhilarating slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain. This layout has one of the coolest opening sequences of holes in recent memory as the first four holes beckon you into a mountainframed forest, accented by an ever-present gently-running creek. RTJ Jr. makes you play the angles with numerous diagonal targets—even on the course’s more open holes-- but it’s the scenery that carries the day on this unforgettable 6,784-yard delight. Plan for multiple photo opportunities and save your best for last as this course closes with two demanding par 4s that climb their way back to the stately clubhouse.

One of the finest perks of staying at one of the properties within Beaver Creek Resort is access to the top-ranked Tom Fazio- and Greg Norman-designed courses at the outstanding Red Sky Ranch Golf Club in nearby Wolcott.

At more than 7,600 feet in elevation, the 7,113-yard, par-72 Fazio Course at Red Sky Ranch showcases seeminglyendless panoramas of neighboring mountain ranges as the routing plunges through sage-lined hillsides and into a lush Aspen forest. The landscape is dramatic but, in classic Fazio fashion, the challenges are all right in front of you.

Ample fairways, bold bunkering and large greens all showcase stellar conditioning. “Tour-quality” hardly does the putting surfaces justice. Tee-to-green, the manicuring is beyond perfect.

“These greens have a lot of character and it takes some folks some getting used to putting on greens that roll this perfectly. They really roll beautifully,” says head golf professional Chris Lai. Red Sky Ranch’s Norman Course is a more daring and daunting design from tee to green. Forced carries over juniper groves, meandering arroyos and sagebrush put a demand on shotmaking. However, the greens and Bentgrass green surrounds are gentle and allow for creative short game shots.

At a staggering 7,580 yards from the tips, this course can seem overwhelming and overwhelmingly beautiful at the same time. Many holes play downhill and the course seems to get more manageable as the round continues.

The aspen grove framing the back of the par-3 10th green is post-card worthy and is a perfect sneak peek into the wonderfully scenic holes that follow. “The second nine on the Norman Course is my favorite nine-hole stretch in Colorado, followed by the back nine on the Fazio,” Lai says.

If you fancy yourself a connoisseur of mountain golf, Red Sky Ranch is bucket-list material.

O T L G O L F. C O M

A GOLFER PARADISE

PHOTO BY JEFF ANDREW

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PHOTO BY JEFF ANDREW

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Beyond the superb golf, the best tip we got was to carve out an afternoon to go nuts at the Epic Discovery adventure park located in the Vail Ski Resort.

If all we did was ride the thrilling Forest Flyer mountain coaster over and over, it would have been worth the gondola ride to the 9,000-ft elevation. Throw in zipline rides, tube slides, ropes courses and climbing towers and you’ve got one of the most clever twists on an amusement park you’ve seen in a good while. This attraction is a must on a visit to the Vail Valley.

Back at the village of Beaver Creek, we’re lounging near the popular and expertly-groomed ice rink and having one of those chill family moments we never seem to get enough of when a local busker starts his evening set. I hardly notice as he coolly shuffles from John Mayer to Bob Marley to John Denver. I have to turn around, though, as he eases into the under-appreciated John Prine rarity “Storm Windows.”

Down on the beach, the sandman sleeps… He’s won a fan. Time don’t fly it bounds and it leaps. I see my kids growing more long-legged and wise and I can’t deny time’s wild persistence. But for right now, nestled here in the rapturous Rockies, it always seems to stand perfectly still.

One more easy morning hike along the soothing creek that frames this luxe mountain community and we’re ready to reluctantly pack for the journey back to Denver.

To end the trip on a relaxing note, we made a onenight stop at the stately Omni Interlocken Hotel in the booming Denver suburb of Broomfield. Two large outdoor pools kept us entertained and soothed in the impressively-landscaped setting until it was time for dinner and pre-season football viewing in the resort’s energetic Tap Room. One of the most expertly-operM AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

ated golf complexes this side of Pinehurst awaits two miles from the hotel footprint. The Eldorado, Vista and Sunshine nines showcase a variety of hilly and demanding holes laid out by Graham-Panks International. Mountain views and wide panoramas make for a memorable round. The 390-room Omni Interlocken specializes in corporate groups and conventions while keeping the guest experience fun.

I suppose there are skiers and snowboarders who could not imagine spending any season other than winter in this outdoor paradise. For me, though, summer’s when Colorado shows its true colors. Reflecting on our time in Beaver Creek, we can’t help but wonder what we’ll come back to explore in future summers. To plan a Vail Valley adventure of your own, visit Beavercreek.com.

PHOTO BY JACK AFFLECK

Flowers’ 2014 Sonoma Coast

OTL / WINE O T L G O L F. C O M 54

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STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR / OTL MAGAZINE Long before the 2004 movie ‘Sideways’ brought the battle of ‘camp Merlot’ vs ‘camp Pinot Noir’ to popular culture, wine lovers have had strong and firm opinions about Pinot Noir. At the very high end, Burgundy pinot noirs like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti have been considered some of the finest expressions of wine ever made. A front cover of a 2010 issue of Wine Spectator hailed DRC simply as “Heaven on Earth”. The French have also steadfastly cultivated the idea that the terroir of Burgundy was peerless for the production of Pinot Noir wines.

The Pinot Noir grape itself is considered difficult to grow and challenging to vinify.

It is easily susceptible to rot and fungus and additionally needs cooler climates with less temperature variation to thrive. This leaves fewer regions in the world where Pinot Noir is grown well and made into notable wine.

In the late 70’s, Oregon, having an ideal climate for Pinot Noir started to have considerable success in producing fine Pinot Noir wines; at one point out-performing some of France’s finest Burgundies in blind tastings (in France!). This started to nurture, though slowly, the general idea that with the right climate and skill, fine Pinot Noir wines could be produced outside of Burgundy.

Around the same time period, California was experiencing success with Pinot Noir but mostly along the cooler coastal areas of Sonoma. Vineyards in the “true Sonoma Coast” are planted just a few miles inland from the rugged Pacific Ocean cliffs, but can manage the stronger sun above the fog line.

Though less famous than some of their Oregon cousins California Pinot Noir wine can be very highly rated and satisfying.

On a recent outing for dinner I paired a 2014 Flowers’ Pinot Noir with an excellent grilled Berkshire pork chop.

The Flowers’ estate vineyards were some of the first planted on the “extreme” Sonoma Coast in 1991. Their vineyards are just two miles up from the Pacific Ocean at elevations of 1,150 to 1,875 feet. Coastal breezes and fog cool the vineyards during the heat of summer and allow the fruit to mature fully to help produce some very excellent wines.

The 2014 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir was classic in its nose with a mild smoky cigar box aroma combined with faint earthiness and cherry fruit. It had medium acidity and medium tannins that settled nicely within a few minutes of opening. The palate was primarily red cherry with hints blueberry and even some floral notes. The wine was medium bodied and a little bigger in general than a classic French Pinot, but it paired perfectly with the grilled pork and root vegetables.

Overall this is a very good example of a California Pinot Noir – it is thoroughly enjoyable with food, but could easily be enjoyed alone.

There is a very interesting note on the Vineyard’s web site – In 1999, Flowers’ had the distinction of being served at a White House for a dinner celebrating the 50th anniversary of NATO. Ironically the order had come on April 1st and the winery was initially convinced that the request was a prank.

The WH called back the next day to place their order.

The Flowers’ 2014 has ratings from 90 (W&S) to 93 (WE). It retails in the $50 range and is quite a good value given its numbers.

OTL / SPIRITS

The Perfect Martini INGREDIENTS

O T L G O L F. C O M

• 1 olive • 1/2 ounce olive brine •1 dash dry vermouth •3 ounces gin, such as Plymouth, frozene

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INSTRUCTIONS Shake the olive brine extra cold with large ice in a cocktail shaker. In a chilled Nick and Nora glass, drop in a dash of vermouth and coat the inside of the glass to season it.

Strain the olive brine into the glass. Fill with frozen gin of choice.

Add 1 olive on a crystal pick and serve.

The Perfect Martini. Cheers.

OTL / CIGARS

CIGARS: THE CUT AND THE LIGHT STORY BY TARA LEE MALONEY

O T L G O L F. C O M

Cigar smokers have many rituals. They vary from where they smoke to what they are going to drink while smoking. I will spend time rolling the cigar carefully between my finger to get a sense of the smoothness or ‘toothiness’ of the wrapper. I will take a moment to look at the overall aesthetics of the cigar. I may even sniff the foot to get the bouquet of the cigar.

If you have received help from the tobacconist, you’ve decided what shape and size and wrapper; it is now time to cut and light your cigar. I don’t want you to just grab a cutter and not understand how the different cuts affect the smoking experience. Maybe you’ve invested time in learning flavor profiles from different countries and the variety of shapes. I implore you to take a moment now and learn about the choices of cuts.

All premium cigars require an opening to be made at the head.

We need to make a clean delicate cut that does not tear or break the cap that has been placed on the head. This cut is vital, as it allows you to draw the air through the cigar properly. A guillotine provides for a straight cut across the head.

When I use this the guillotine I place it on the table, open it and stick the cigar in the middle.

This has

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insured me that I will not cut too much. A V cut makes a wedge cut in the head. This cutter is great for making consistent cuts. A piercer or punch cut makes a hole through the cap in the head. When I use this cutter, I line up the punch in the middle of the cigar and with a little pressure slowly twist the blade into the cigar. Your cut needs to be made carefully; it should be made just at the cap. If you cut too much the cigar will unravel. This is most upsetting and can make the cigar unsmokable.

We are now ready to light our cigar. Remember, do not let the flames hit the cigar as this can affect the flavor of the cigar. Butane lighters are usually the choice of the cigar smoker, as the fuel is colorless and odorless. Another great choice is a cedar match. Make sure if you are using matches to wait a moment for the flame to burn the sulfur off. Put the cigar in one hand and the lighter in the other, hold the cigar at a 45-degree angle to the flame and rotate the cigar. This

requires some patience but is well worth it. When you get the flames too close you can burn the cigar; which can give the cigar a burnt taste. When you see smoke start to rise you can now take the cigar to your lips and gently puff and rotate the cigar.

I enjoy my time smoking and love my rituals. Take the time to discover your rituals. Cigar smoking is time to be with friends and enjoy their stories and life experiences. It’s a time to sit quietly and reflect on life, or just enjoy a game. However you choose to spend your precious time, make it a better experience with a properly lit and cared for cigar.

The Stella Hotel, Checking in STORY BY RICHARD AREBALO FEATURES EDITOR / OTL MAGAZINE

I have to admit that being an alumnus of the University of Texas, I’ve never really had a good reason to travel to Bryan, College Station. In fact, I have many friends that attended A&M University, but except for the occasional important sporting events rarely visit their college town themselves.

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S

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ince my introduction to the Stella Hotel on the outskirts of Bryan Texas, I’ve had to reevaluate my desire to make the trip and even consider making it a recurring event.

On a sunny spring morning, a friend and I made the roughly hundred mile trip from Austin and found it to be a very pleasant and comfortable drive. Highway 290 was dotted with beautiful trees in that bright chartreuse color of new leaves mixed with the dark green of pine trees. We passed dozens of fields carpeted with wildflowers; coral colored Indian paintbrush, pink butter cups, countless bright yellow wildflowers, and gorgeous patches of bluebonnets.

Directly across the hotel parking lot is a small shore area with a large modern pavilion for concerts and weddings and according to assistant manager Jordan, a good number of marriage proposals. At night the lake is beautifully lit up with several large fountains bathed in intense color. Adjacent to the pavilion is a semipaved area that hosts a Farmer’s market on Tuesdays and is just an excellent place to enjoy the lake views from picnic tables.

The most impressive feature of the shore area is the observation tower. The steel and galvanized steel structure stands 75 feet tall and has a 336 square-foot observation deck and three individual lookouts at different levels.

Checking into the hotel is your first clue to the upscale experience to follow. The lobby does feature some rustic touches, but with very modern geometric walls, art chandeliers, and a giant geometric wooden sculpture the feel is very fresh. Farther into the lobby is an imposing marble table that serves as the check-in desk.

The check-in process was quick and welcoming and provided by a good number of very professional staff.

Our hotel room was a comfortable standard unit, but it nicely appointed with a soft palate of earth tones accented by beautiful blues. Throughout the hotel, particular attention has been paid to a wide variety of textured ceramics mimicking travertine in the floors, white marble and even rustic barn wood in the walls.

The effect in the sleek, bright bathroom was so convincing that I thought the walls at first were indeed made of reclaimed wood.

O T L G O L F. C O M

In this part of Texas, it’s not surprising to see fields of cattle, but on this trip, we saw a pasture with a small herd of actual bison, farms with ostriches and goats, and even some fields with exotic longhorn Indian cattle varieties. It felt a bit like a safari, only at 70 miles per hour.

We approached the hotel via an immaculate neighborhood called “A&M Traditions” which seemed like miles of manicured lawns with bridges, ponds, vintage light poles and a good number of security gates. Tucked away in the center of 900 acres of grand homes and parkland is the private Traditions Club at A&M, with its impressive Clubhouse facilities and a Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II Design championship golf course.

On the edge of the Traditions neighborhood is the Lake Walk/Atlas development which is a planned 200acre community with new and attractive corporate buildings and the beautiful Stella Hotel anchored along the manmade Lake Atlas.

The hotel designed by Dallas-based Fab Studio architects is six stories of sharp modern architecture clad in metal, wood and finished concrete. The new facility, not quite a year old, boasts an impressive 20,000 square feet of ballroom and conference space and has 176 standard rooms and suites including two impressive presidential suites.

The first thing that hits you about the location is the wonderful quiet. The site, though close to both Bryan and College station still has a rural feeling and is surrounded by sweeping views of the Brazos River valley, again very pretty in springtime.

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O T L G O L F. C O M 62

Additional nice touches in the room were the luxurious Italian Frette robes and bath supplies by California based ‘Lather’ which obsessively specializes in unique natural ingredients in their products.

Our room had a grand view of the lake and an impressive golf facility just beyond (sadly only available to the A&M golf team). In the evenings, the view was equally stunning with lovely sunsets and later the amazing fountains in the middle of the lake.

Although we had arrived at midafternoon, the hotel’s restaurant, Campfire, provided us with the first of several very nice meals. A lunch of lobster bisque and Cobb salad with a French chardonnay made an excellent start to our stay.

If the goal is minimal driving, there is a variety of options available right at the hotel. In addition to a small gym, there is a large beautiful swimming pool area, and complimentary bicycles are available for guests for rides along the lake and into the surrounding neighborhood.

For the more adventurous wanting to take advantage of the lake, complimentary paddle boards are also available.

We decided on a short walk, and then hiked to the top of the observation tower for the views and then spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying drinks and the nice fire pit at the outdoor patio at Campfire.

Back at the hotel, we found a lively crowd enjoying both the inside and patio bars at Campfire and live music in the Victorian-styled bar called Hershel’s.

The following morning was brisk and windy, but a light breakfast and strong coffee at the Coffee Shop called POV adjacent to the hotel was a good choice given the excess of the previous evening.

I had requested a tour of the property, and Manager David C. walked me through several of the large and unique rooms of the hotel. A beautiful ballroom with a capacity of 250 sits just past the main restaurant on the ground floor with access to a vast exterior courtyard.

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PHOTOS BY NICK SIMONITE

light enough to be enjoyed with the snapper. We finished our meal with a sweet deconstructed Smore (owing to the Campfire theme) and a delicate Mayan Vanilla Cheesecake; the latter served with Cointreau marinated strawberries and thin almond tuile cookies.

Our goal for the evening was to spend a good amount of time at Hershel’s Bar. Named for Hershel Burgess whose land the entirety of Traditions, Lake Walk and The Stella occupy, the bar is a throwback to a 1920’s speakeasy complete with leather sofas, vintage mementos, distressed brick and an impressive Victorian looking bar.

The main attraction is the close to 60 Bourbon varieties, almost 40 Scotches, a selection of pricey Japanese Whiskies and a good number of other spirits. The bar is presided over by bartender Alex C. whose knowledge of his inventory is matched by his passion for mixing drinks and exploring both classic and new combinations. We were not disappointed by the selection though stopped well short if the $220 glasses of Macallan’s 25-year-old Scotch. The very best part of Hershel’s is the ability to enjoy a few drinks and take an elevator home.

Our last day at the hotel, we enjoyed an excellent breakfast again at Campfire with a nice selection of à la carte items like Eggs Benedict Stella with shaved Prosciutto, sautéed spinach, and Hollandaise sauce. Additionally, there is a good breakfast buffet with Irish oatmeal, pancakes and some really excellent (and popular) thick cut bacon.

The overall experience The Stella Hotel was fantastic.

The hotel is beautiful; the staff is efficient and friendly, and it makes for a nice quiet getaway any time of the year – possibly with the exception of A&M home games.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

PHOTOS BY RICHARD AREBALO

The room has a stunning collection of 12 large chandeliers that the staff had the, we’ll call it fun, of building in the early days leading up to the hotel’s opening. The immense snowflake-like fixtures took the staff (managers and all) the better part of a day to assemble just one. When fully lit, the effect is stunning. In addition to the ballroom several smaller conference rooms are available, all with audio-visual capability and some with separate cooking facilities. In its short year, the hotel’s facilities have been used by everything from the US military during Hurricane Harvey to a week-long fashion event hosted by a nearby county.

On our second day, we explored shops and bookstores in nearby College Station and that evening had booked a reservation at the hotel’s main dining room. The restaurant has a young but professional staff that genuinely makes you feel welcomed.

We started off dinner with a delicious Little Gem Caesar salad with crisp croutons, shaved parmesan and a great dressing with traditional anchovies. We followed with a Tarte Tatin of red and golden beets. The perfectly roasted beets were sweet, nutty and served on toasted brioche that had been spread with a fantastic ‘imperial goat cheese’.

This was a terrific start. For our mains, we opted for the bone-in Berkshire pork chop and the Roasted Red Snapper.

The pork chop was perfectly tender and nicely dressed with an apple, rosemary and red wine reduction and accompanied by tender sweet potatoes, and sweet potato purée.

The Red Fish was simpler in its preparation, nicely roasted, but paired with a beautiful assortment of baby root vegetables. We paired the meal with a 2014 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. It went beautifully with the pork but was

If the goal is minimal driving, there is a variety of options available right at the hotel. In addition to a small gym, there is a large beautiful swimming pool area, and complimentary bicycles are available for guests for rides along the lake and into the surrounding neighborhood.

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OTL / THE SWEET SPOT

The Sweet Spots of Oahu, HI O T L G O L F. C O M

STORY BY KELLY VOHNN

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There are an awful lot of sweet spots on all of the Islands of Hawaii but we are mainly going to talk about the island of Oahu where I was blessed to live for over a year. I would strongly recommend staying at any of the wonderful hotels along Waikiki beach such as, the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

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grab an Uber to get there and back. On the way down from hike, drop off at da Cove Health Bar and Café for one of the best acai bowls ever in the little town of Diamond Head. Diamond Head is an inactive volcano and a pretty easy hike.

My parents are in their 70’s and they were able to do the hike with little rests along the way.

Here’s my recommendation for one of your day adventures. Rent a vehicle and go to Hanauma Bay. Go early in the morning because this is a popular site and they only allow so many people in at a time. Bring your snorkeling gear that you purchased in town. You will have to watch a short film on the safety of the sea life at the Bay and then you will totally enjoy your underworld experience. I would strongly suggest checking the current that day and DO NOT go if current is strong. One of the times I went, I kept getting thrown into the coral during a very strong current, and that really hurts. You aren’t going to Hawaii to get hurt, so respect nature and be aware of weather conditions. While buying snorkeling gear, it would be a good idea to buy marine gloves as well, so you don’t damage the coral and if you need to push off of it or anything, you won’t cut your hands.

Once you have snorkeled for a while and if you are still thirsty for some excitement, continue east on HWY 72 which is a beautiful drive and you will get to Lanakai Beach. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you are staying awhile, you might want to turn this into a two day adventure. Otherwise Lanakai in the afternoon is perfect and then have dinner at Buzz’s Steak House which is almost directly across from the beach. Buzz’s require a shirt for the gentlemen and a cover up for the ladies.

A lot of places accept bikini’s and trunks, so just letting you know ahead of time that you should prepare to bring a little extra clothing after your long beach day.

Buzz’s would be the perfect end of the day, and you can hop on the 61 to get back to hotel afterwards.

While in Honolulu and if you want a snorkel, dive and or fishing excursion, Captain Cause Ruckus is your guy. Make sure you tell him that Kelly Vohnn sent you. In my humble opinion, he’s the best and will definitely show you a good time. You can also charter with him to visit other islands if you so choose. But exploring Oahu will keep you plenty busy.

Cause will do a Barbecue on deck for you if you have a day trip planned.

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O T L G O L F. C O M

t’s the perfect location.

You are going to spend the bulk of your time right on this world famous beach.

You won’t need a vehicle until you have your day trips because everything is within walking distance such as high end fashion shopping downtown, restaurants to please every palette, and ABC convenient stores and a little grocery market like the Food Pantry on Hobron, or Foodland Farms in the Ala Moana Mall. But I would opt to rent a vehicle if you are venturesome at heart instead of booking the bus tours on your exploring days unless you think you will be too tired to drive back safely after a long day of sunshine, water and exercise. I definitely recommend eating at the Chart House maybe your first night there to settle.

The view is spectacular overlooking the harbor, also, after 9 pm, they have a happy hour menu to die for!!!!! BUT you must ask for the waitress Deedee and say hello to the owner, Joey and his charming wife, Yana. You just go out onto the beach (if staying in one of the hotels on Waikiki Beach), turn right. Pass the lagoon, and the Chart House is right across from the Coconut Hotel which used to be the Modern Hotel.

You might want to grab some snorkeling gear at Walmart or similar, early on in your trip and just hang out at the beach to get used to the time change and adjust to the jet lag. It’s so beautiful you will want to soak up all you can while you can. With average temperatures running around the 80’s, there really isn’t a “bad” time to go to Hawaii. They do have hurricane season which is in the fall and typically have the most rainfall in November. You might want to have dinner your second night at Duke’s. The Duke is a famous Hawaiian who helped make surfing popular. He was a five time Olympic medalist in swimming.

The restaurant is quite popular and you will need to make reservations. You can walk there from your hotel. Go to the beach and turn left. It’s a bit of a walk but well worth it. Make sure you bring flip flops (sandals, slippers) very easy to take off and put on as you do that quite a bit in Hawaii. Make sure you are at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, by the lagoon on a Friday night because they have fireworks from 7:45 to 8pm if it’s not raining or too windy.

A fun, easy thing to do before starting your day trips is hike the top of Diamond Head, it’s close to downtown and easy to

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this virus, signs are there to protect you. It’s located in Honolulu and I rate this hike a 1 as well. A cool, more challenging hike is the Kanealole Trail (Ka né al ole). It is a 1.5 mile hike that will elevate to 600 feet and can lead into different trails such as the Makiki Valley Loop Trail and the Nahuina Trail and Maunalaha Trail which could make the hike considerably longer. They rate this hike as easy, but I would rate this scenic adventure at a 3 with the elevation challenges. If you are very fit and looking for more of a conquering goal, then Koko Crater Trail, also known as Koko Head is the hike for you. This is a very steep climb with 1,048 railroad ties used as steps. The old military used to transport supplies to the top. Once you do get to the top you will have amazing panoramic views of the east Honolulu shoreline. I rate this hike a 5 along with the infamous Stairway to Heaven Trail which has been officially closed for years and can set you back a hefty $1,000.00 fine if caught on the 3,922 steps vertical climb of over 2,000 ft above sea level. So, as you can see, I’m not recommending that particular hike.

On Big Island, I would suggest flying into Kona, it’s a quaint, little town. You can snorkel/dive with the Manta Rays at night and it is an amazing experience. During the day, you can drive to the live volcano, it’s still very active, and you can check out Punaluu Black Sand Beach.... All are very cool experiences.

I spent one day on Maui. You have to experience the drive through the Road to Hana. An absolutely, beautiful paradise and a must see. Be careful on this road. It’s very windy and goes to one lane in some spots, so you have to be courteous or the locals will hate you. I would go to Maui to just relax and take in the beauty of the island.

I have yet to experience Kauai which apparently has the most incredible hiking. I will write a new article once I get there. But for now, I hope this gives you a bit of a guide when traveling to the islands. Each island has breathtaking sunrises and sunsets as well as their own unique vibe. I used to find plastic bags and trash along the beach quite often. You will kill the sea life by doing this, please be respectful. I wish everyone could experience the lifestyle there at least once in their lifetime. Aloha.

PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

O T L G O L F. C O M

What better way to celebrate your catch of the day than to eat it right there and then? The company is called Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving and you can visit for more information at www.ruckusfishinganddiving.com.

Pearl Harbor is a must see and probably perfect for your next day’s outing. You can reserve tickets online at www. visitpearlharbor.org. The Arizona is a definite visit and it is a very emotional experience no matter what country you are from.

I would do this early in the morning so that afterwards you can hop on the H2 towards North Shore. On the way to North Shore, you will run into the Dole Pineapple Plantation and everyone will love it there. Don’t forget to ride on the train! Continue onto North Shore. Make sure you stop off at Haleiwa and get some shrimp and snow from the famous food trucks. Continue onto Sunset Beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset. You might want to spend the night here at Turtle Bay Resort because while you are on the North Shore, you should visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. I would recommend doing the Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center because there is plenty to do at the center and you will learn so much about the beautiful history and culture of the islands. If you are on Oahu during the winter season, you can usually catch some kind of surfing competition because the waves on North Shore can soar to 40 ft high.

I’m quite the hiker and I think I have done almost every hike on Oahu. I mentioned Diamond Head earlier which is a very moderate hike and I will rate my hikes from a 1 through 5. 1 being easy and 5 being difficult. I would rate Diamond Head as a 2 and it is the most popular hike on Oahu with spectacular views of Waikiki at the top. A very easy and beautiful hike is the Waimea Botanical Gardens. It has a beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike and along the way you will see stunning tropical plants and flowers. It is located by Waimea Bay so after your hike you can reward yourself with a nice swim and relax on the beach. I would rate this hike a 1. In good weather, the Manoa Falls trail is fairly easy as well. The 150 ft waterfall is breathtaking but swimming in the pool below is discouraged due to catching a flu like virus called Leptospirosis. Be aware and mindful of signs warning of

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OTL / SIGNATURE SPOTLIGHT

Hole #15 The Golf Club at Star Ranch

GREAT PHOTO OP.

Chose the right club

O T L G O L F. C O M

Hole #15 is the shortest par 3 on the course and it can be the most difficult.

Check wind and check the pin location before you execute the shot. It can be tricky and can make this short hole play very difficult. As you admire the beauty of this visually stunning hole know what you can’t miss the green short or right.

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Short or right will put you in the hazard.

Missing the green left is not a day in the park either. While you will still be in play, it will make for a difficult up and down.

Again, make sure and pay close attention to the wind before making your club selection. Enjoy it and finish the round strong.

Hotel Emma 844.296.3662 thehotelemma.com

Barton Creek EyeCare 512.306-8949 bartoncreekeyecare.com

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk 855.596.3387 hotelvalencia-riverwalk.com

Brazos Valley EyeCare 979.693-7532 brazosvalleyeyecare.com

Kapalua 1.877.527.2582 golfkapalua.com

Boot Ranch 830.997.6200 Bootranch.com Covert Cadillac 512.583.3000 www.covertcadillac.com

Landa Park Golf Course 830.221.4340 landaparkgolfcourse.com Mercedes-Benz of Austin 512.454.6821 mercedesbenzofaustin.com

Cascata 702.294.2005 golfcascata.com

New Braunfels 800.572.2626 playinnewbraunfels.com

City of Bryan bryantx.gov/golf 979.776.0133

Range of Austin 737.802.3700 therangeaustin.com

Christopher’s World Grille 979.776.2181 christophersworldgrille.com Dave Pelz Scoring Game School 800.833.7370 pelzgolf.com Escondido Golf & Lake Club 830.598.7800 escondidotexas.com Gruene Mansion Inn 830.629.2641 gruenemansioninn.com Habana House Cigars 512.447.9449 www.habanahousecigarlounge.com

The Resort at Schlitterbahn 855.847.4394 schlitterbahn.com Rio Secco 702.777.2400 riosecco.net Shweiki Media 512.480.0860 shweiki.com TPC San Antonio 210.491.5829 tpc.com/sa-fall Zoltan David 512.372.8888 zoltandavid.com O T L G O L F. C O M

OTL / ADVERTIZER INDEX

Austin Infiniti 512.220.0920 austininfiniti.com

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69

22

Cedar Park

36

183A

45

OTL / DIRECTRY MAP

Pflugerville 1

12 4

Steiner Ranch

360

3

130

45

45

183

6

79

Round Rock

1

21

18

19

35

183

35

20

11

183A

1

16 183

130

35

9 7 23

1

71

Austin

360

17 5

2 14 183

15

71

1

130

35

290 290

71

8

183

46

24 35

1604

33

30 27

32

281

26

31 35

35

410

O T L G O L F. C O M 70

10

35

San Antonio 37

410 35

35

281

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410

10 183

87

410

Lorem ipsum

130

10

28 29

Bluff Springs

Manchaca

281

10

25

13

10

34

71

Buda

79

OTL / DIRECTORY

1 Avery Ranch Golf Club 512-248-2442 www.averyranchgolf.com 2 Harvey Penick Golf Campus www.harveypenickgc.com 512-926-1100 3 River Place Country Club www.riverplaceclub.com 512-346-1114 4 The University of Texas Golf Club www.utgolfclub.com 512-266-6464 5 Barton Creek Country Club 512-329-7999 www.omnihotels.com/hotels/ austin-barton-creek/golf 6 The Hills of Lakeway 512-261-7200 www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/ The-Hills-of-Lakeway 7 Falconhead Golf Course 512-402-1558 www.falconheadaustin.com 8 Grey Rock Golf Club 512-288-4297 www.greyrockgolfandtennis.com 9 Austin Country Club 512-328-0090 www.austincountryclub.com 10 Onion Creek Club 512-282-2150 www.onioncreekclub.com

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13 Jimmy Clay & Roy Kizer Golf Course 512-974-4653 www.austintexas.gov/golfatx 14 Morris Williams Golf Course 512- 974-8333 www.austintexas.gov/golfatx 15 Lions Municipal Golf Course 512- 477-6963 www.austintexas.gov/golfatx 16 Great Hills Country Club 512-345-6940 www.greathillscc.org 17 Spanish Oaks Golf Club 512-421-8530 www.spanishoaksgc.com 18 Blackhawk Golf Club 512-251-9000 www.blackhawkgolf.com 19 Forest Creek Golf Club 512-388-2874 www.forestcreek.com 20 Teravista Golf Club 512-651-9850 www.teravistagolf.com 21 Twin Creeks Country Club 512-331-5900 www.twincreeksclub.com 22 Georgetown Country Club 512-930-4577 www.georgetowncountryclub. net

11 Cimarron Hills 512-763-8700 www.cimarronhills.com/golfcourse

23 Lake Cliff Golf Club 830-798-0695 www.lakecliff.com

12 Balcones Country Club 512-258-1621 www.balconescountryclub.com

24 Boot Ranch Golf Club 830-997-6200 www.bootranch.com/golf

25 Wolfdancer Golf Club 512-308-4770 www.wolfdancergolfclub.com 26. Landa Park Golf Course 830-221-4350 landaparkgolfcourse.com 27 La Cantera Golf Club www.lacanteragolfclub.com 210-558-4653 28 The Quarry Golf Club 210-824-4500 www.quarrygolf.com 29 Golf Club at Briggs Ranch 210-670-9400 www.briggsgolf.com 30 Dominion Country Club 210-698-3364 www.the-dominion.com 31 Canyon Springs Golf Club 210-497-1770 www.canyonspringsgc.com 32 TPC San Antonio 210-491-5800 www.tpc.com/sanantonio 33 Cordillera Ranch Golf Club 830-336-3571 www.cordilleraranch.com/ cordillera-golf-club 34 Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center 830-443-9681 www.tapatioresort.com 35 Escondido Golf & Lake Club 830-598-7800 www.escondidotexas.com 36 Horseshoe Bay Resort 877-611-0112 www.hsbresort.com/activities/ golf

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O T L G O L F. C O M

Hutto

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