OTL Texas Summer 2022 Issue

POST RANCH INN Unplug.Rejuvenate.Repeat

Travel:Carlsbad’s Calling Leisure:French Riviera Luxury:Rolls Royce Black Badge

Contents Volume 19, Issue 5

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FEATURES 12

FRENCH RIVIERA

Poetically known in France as the Côte d’Azur—it has long been an aspirational destination for glamor-seekers. Scott Laird

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INDIANA Leisure travelers are gathering in Indy for the flourishing restaurant and bar scene. Alicia J. Forrester

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CARLSBAD CALIFORNIA More than a sleepy, little beach town, Carlsbad has so much to offer. Mike Bailey

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APARTMENT 115 A surprising, imaginative, and wonderful place that will make you want to come back soon. Richard Arebalo

POST RANCH INN Unplug.Rejuvenate.Repeat

Travel:Carlsbad’s Calling Leisure:French Riviera Luxury:Rolls Royce Black Badge

ON THE COVER Find your spot. Rustic beauty, tranquil setting. Uplifting beauty. Post Ranch Inn

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Contents Volume 19, Issue 5

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COLUMNS

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YOGA FOR GOLFERS Yoga to improve your game and reduce risk of golf injuries.

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PUTT FOR DOUGH Do your parents need long-term care insurance?

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DRIVE FOR SHOW The 2022 Black-Badge Rolls Royce, sophisticated refinement by muting all the bling.

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GOLF TECH PXG keeps raising the bar with the GEN 5.

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BUCKS TIPS The most common cause of a slice is an open club face. The grip could be the culprit.

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ON YOUR GAME Female golf legend Annika Sorenstam aka, Ms. 59.

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TRAVEL Post Ranch Inn: A rustic getaway to unplug and rejuvenate.

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WINE Refreshing and exotic, Champagne has been for celebrations and much more.

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CIGARS How to Pick and how to Puff.

From the Publisher The Game is Changing Welcome to the summer of 2022. With a smile on my face, I have to ask, how’s it going?

Despite the pandemic and all of the negatives associated with it, there were things to enjoy about life in 2020 and 2021. During Covid, there was no traffic. The weather for the most part was mild. I can remember in March of 2020, there was a post on social media showing gas prices at $1.18 per gallon. Was that 50 years ago? No, it wasn’t even 50 months ago. A few months ago, Ukraine was at peace instead of at war.

There was only one professional golf tour. People celebrated freedoms and personal choices for themselves and their families. Phil Mickelson was a fan favorite. To be fair, he still is in some circles.

A lot of things have certainly changed in a short period of time.

Golf plays a huge role in our magazine. I grew up with the PGA Tour and all of its history. When you think of professional golf, you think of the gold standard, PGA Tour. It’s sad to see the reaction of many to the emergence of the LIV Golf Tour. No doubt the media gives us a sense of division in the country, but we still have more in common than what divides us. I really didn’t think golf would create such division.

Sure, golf in good-natured fun would make us pick from team Tiger or team Phil. Were you a Jack backer or a member of Ernie’s army? But that’s sports. On the 19th hole, we would still eat or drink together. Sports.

Why does this new league pose such a threat? Without a doubt, The PGA has always had the best players in the world. Their policy has never allowed an appearance fee or guaranteed money. I am reminded when Tiger would play golf in Dubai, he would get a huge appearance fee and then go win the tournament. That’s a good week.

The beauty of golf as a sport is you play and write down your score and the results speak for themselves. It’s a game of merit. Golf is a game of honor and respect. It’s a game competition. Those values have always been a part of our fabric and align with the principles of the country. Hard to argue. Why are things different with this new league? I don’t mind the competition element. Players should be given a choice and not be maligned for their decision. During the pandemic, this was never a platform to try to persuade anyone to do anything. We never mentioned the choice of getting vaccinated or not. It was always up to the individual to decide.

But I see players trying to decide and make a choice for what they believe is best for them and others, especially those in the media castigating them. Dare I say, hit-jobs. I always believed golf would rise above it. I was wrong, but I think in the long run whether the LIV Tour survives or not, players should have the right to work where they want. I’m sure no one wants to have a monopoly.

All of these major corporations believe in a strong bottom line. Profit is the driving factor so there’s nothing wrong with players wanting the make as much money as possible.

Notice, I didn’t bring up the country that’s putting up the money. It doesn’t matter in this case, if they were so bad, I’m sure they would be on the list of countries we don’t do business with. They are not, we do massive amounts of business with them.

The hypocrisy needs to stop. They are just playing golf. Let them play.

This is a great issue. The golf is great. The travel is spectacular. Enjoy the summer.

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

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/OnTheLinks /OnTheLinks Magazine Magazine

PUBLISHER PUBLISHER Sedric Walker Sedric Walker ART DIRECTOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Leticia Galarza Tony Dean

ART DIRECTOR GOLF FEATURES Leticia Galarza EDITOR Carl Mickelson ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Natalie Kalbas

@otl_golf @otl_golf

GOLFFEATURES FEATURESEDITOR EDITOR Richard Arebalo Carl Mickelson TEACHING PROFESSIONAL FEATURES EDITOR BuckArebalo Mayers Richard

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Buck Mayers Kevin Chin CONTENT SPECIALIST Joel McColl

@otlgolf @otlgolf

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHERS Alicia Forrester,Loui Nicole Pinter, AndonJ.Guillory, Shaya Leslie Stevenson Scott Laird, ArtWRITERS Stricklin, CONTRIBUTING Mike Bailey, Allison Loots Michelle Keller, Leslie Stevenson,

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French Riviera STORY BY SCOTT LAIRD

Turquoise waters kiss sandy beaches lined with vibrant beach clubs, languid terraces, and historic luxury hotels.

The French Riviera—poetically known in France as the Côte d’Azur—has long been an aspirational destination for glamorseekers. It’s been a playground for celebrities and other notables for over a century, from the bohemian scribes that came to be known as the Lost Generation to the globe’s movie makers each year for the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, and for countless legions of ordinary French citizens taking annual vacations in July and August.

PHOTO BY: MARCO RUBINO

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Panoramic view of Monte Carlo, La Condamine, Monaco City and the por t of Fontvieille, French Riviera.

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PHOTO BY: MICHAEL MULKENS

PHOTO BY: VENIAMIN KRASKOV

The Hotel Majestic Barriére in Cannes at Boulevard de la Croisette.

PHOTO BY: VLADIMIR DROZDIN

Cannes is located on the French Riviera and is known for its association with the rich and famous, luxury hotels and restaurants and the annual Cannes Film Festival.

Luxury sport car Ferrari near the hotel Paris and casino in night.

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his is a region with an ancient history, with place names rooted in the Ancient Greek and Latin spoken by its earliest community builders, who founded cities like Nikaia (Nice), Canua (Cannes), and Monoikos (Monaco). Even into the Modern Era, the region was just as often part of Italy as it was part of France, and even today many residents are Italian-speakers with Italian surnames.

Cannes, one of the best-known cities in the Riviera, is known for its eponymous film festival, drawing celebrities to the red carpeted steps of the brutalist concrete Palais des Festivals et des Congrès each May. Stars later drift to numerous after parties at the beach clubs of the palm-lined promenade known as La Croisette, or to glammy soirees at the numerous megayachts stacked up in the small harbor.

For the full film festival experience in the off season, visitors luxuriate at the bright white Hotel Barrière Le Majestic, just across the street.

The unofficial hotel for the celebrities attending the festival, many of its rooms and suites have catbird seat views of the red carpet, while others have sweeping views of the Mediterranean blue.

At this gorgeous hotel, first built in 1926, Parisian chic stays chic, but Parisian bustle melts into Riviera leisure. There’s an outpost of the famed Parisian restaurant Fouquet’s, a see-and-be-seen pool, a private beach club, and public areas that seem to glitter from within. Many of the suites are custom designed for the film festival (one even has a beauty salon with barber’s chair permanently installed); many others pay homage to the stars of French film and fashion.

If Cannes is a place for sunbathing and posh digs, nearby Grasse is known for a refinement all

PHOTO BY: SCOTT LIARD

its own—fragrance. Just a half hour on the train deposits travelers in this mountain town with noticeably crisper alpine air—but still coastal enough to catch glimpses of Mediterranean sheen in the distance and line the avenues with columns of palm trees. The windy, ancient roads give the town a distinct Old World feel, with rows of tidy storefronts belonging to perfumeries and patisseries with the local orange flower-fragranced pastry Fougassette Venturini stacked in the windows.

Grasse is known as a world capital of fragrance, and has been known for fragrance since the early Renaissance Period. The fields surrounding the city still brim with rose, mayrose, lavender and jasmine, but in those early days the city itself suffered from the unpleasant aroma of its multitude of leather tanneries. After an innovative batch of perfumed handbags became all the rage, Grasse was hence known for fragrance. Even in today’s globally interconnected marketplace, Grasse is the place where perfumers flock to learn their craft.

Three heritage fragrance companies—Galimard, Fragonard, and Molinard still operate factories in town, working to extract essences from raw materials that are then

combined by a fragrance expert (known in France as a nez, or “nose”) into the end products marketed by luxury fashion houses.

Visitors can join workshops at many of the fragrance houses. Lasting a few hours, these workshops put learners at the “organ” used by perfumers to try hundreds of fragrances and learn how to combine them into their own particular scent. Workshops range from the simple to the deluxe, and attendees will take a bottle of their creation home.

Another draw for perfume fans in Grasse is the International Fragrance Museum. The exhibits walk visitors through the history of fragrance—both in Grasse and around the world. Top attractions include Marie Antoinette’s travel toiletry case (it’s the size of a subcompact automobile) and an indoor-outdoor growing space with specimens of the botanicals that are extracted into fragrance notes.

Aside from the large fragrance houses in Grasse are also boutique fragrance houses like 1000 Flowers, a smallbut-bright studio where Jessica Buchanan sells her line of creations. A Canadian who came to Grasse to study fra-

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PHOTO BY: SCOTT LIARD

grance and stayed to make it her home, she cheerily chats while guests sample her wares by sniffing martini-glass shaped flutes (for a sharper effect than the typical spritz on a paper strip).

There isn’t much lodging in Grasse, but the regional train line is efficient, with frequent departures on the line that runs all the way to Ventimiglia, just over the Italian border.

Grasse is just under an hour on the train from Nice, the undisputed hub of the region.

Nice has long been an escape for foreigners. The primary oceanfront causeway is known as the Promenade des Anglais (The English Walkway) because it was funded by English expatriates in the early 20th Century. Smack in the middle of it is the gorgeous Hotel Negresco.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this 100-year-old palace hotel looms large in personality—just like the woman who owned and operated it for decades (she once told Bill Gates to purchase the hotel would be beyond his means). Each floor is decorated in a different style—design inspiration ranges from Napoleon to Salvador Dalí. Each room and suite also has a different bespoke design theme with bespoke furnishings created in partnership with a local workshop. Many of the rooms directly overlook the Promenade des Anglais; some even have balconies for guests to sit out to people watch and admire the distinctive milky turquoise coloring of the gentle surf breaking on the pebbly beach.

The promenade is lined with grand hotels, many with rooftop lounges. For one of the best views of the promenade, book a room at the Hôtel La Pérouse, built almost directly into the sheer cliff face of the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill). The historic building nearly climbs up the cliffside, culminating in an unbeatable rooftop pool with a view right down the promenade—if you squint, it’s even possible to make out the hills surrounding Cannes in the distance.

For the true Riviera experience, travelers can rent a car and take one of three corniches, or winding mountain routes) east from Nice, ending in Menton on the Italian border. They

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don’t often converge, so be sure to plan the route carefully, selecting the coastal Lower Corniche (Corniche Inférieure) for access to Villefrance, St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Èze-sur-Mer and Monaco; the Middle Corniche (Moyenne Corniche) for access to Èze; and the Upper Corniche (Grande Corniche) for La Turbie and Roquebrune.

Monte-Carlo, the seat of the tiny Principality of Monaco on the Lower Corniche is a must-see. Dramatic rock cliffs rise above immaculate streets lined with orange trees and luxury high rises, sloping down toward yacht-strewn harbors.

At less than one mile square, Monaco is the world’s smallest sovereign microstate after Vatican City. Monte-Carlo has long been famous as a tax haven, for its dazzling casino and thrilling annual Grand Prix. Gamers should note that the Casino de Monte-Carlo has a dress code (shorts, sneakers, sandals, beach or sportswear are prohibited) and a passport or national identity card with photo is required for entry (Monaco citizens are prohibited from entering the gaming rooms).

Visitors can also check out the Princess Grace Rose Garden (Roseraie Princesse Grace), with over 4000 rose bushes and an impressive collection of varietals. Motor enthusiasts may Prince Rainier’s (the father of the current reigning Prince Albert) collection of over a hundred classic automobiles ranging from lumbering luxury limousines to sporty Formula 1 racing cars. Admission can be combined with a (limited access) tour of the gilded state apartments at the Prince’s Palace.

There’s plenty of luxury lodging in Monaco, but for many, the only option is the Hôtel de Paris. Right next door to the casino, this spectacular palace hotel dates back to 1864, making it as much a fixture in Monaco as the casino itself.

Guests will also dine well—there are two Michelin-starred restaurants on site, including the three-star Alain Ducasse eatery.

Whether indulging in gastronomic dining, constructing as new fragrance, or enjoying the sun at a beach club with toes in the sand, the Cote d’Azur has much to offer travelers seeking French refinement on sunny shores.

PHOTO BY: SCOTT LIARD

Hotel Negresco.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Golf Culture and the PGA TOUR STORY BY CARL MICKELSON

You’ll find no shortage of exciting new faces on the PGA Tour these days, and that’s not exclusive to the action inside the ropes. Tito’s Handmade Vodka - an Austin original that produces what has become one of the top-selling spirits on the market – recently committed to being a significant and entertaining presence at more than a dozen PGA Tour stops with live activations and energetic places to relax and socialize while the game’s top talent competes nearby.

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At March’s Dell Technologies Match Play Championship, we experienced Tito’s approach to making tournaments more fun and engaging by boarding the Tito’s Bogey Boat and spending time in the positively non-stop Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge. The Bogey Boat was a refreshing way to start a day of spectating world-class golf. Tito’s curates relaxed party vibe with a live DJ, catered barbeque from Rudy’s, games and plenty of little nooks to relax in either the sun or shade. Tito’s Transfusions and Tito’s and Soda with Lime Twist were plentiful along with regional craft beer or other non-alcoholic refreshment. It’s a perfect way to take in the beauty of west Austin’s hills and waterways before committing to a day of strolling the fairways and seeing the best in game hunt pins on the famous 13th hole.

Designed to attract hardcore golf fans and casual revelers alike, the Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge will have been a part of more than 15 PGA TOUR stops across the nation by the end of 2022. In the lounge, attendees can enjoy signature cocktails, a putting green, Golden Tee retro arcade game, custom murals, TVs with live broadcasts of the tournament, and some of the best mingling and people watching this side of South Congress. In short, it’s a non-stop party from the time the first tee shot is struck until the final group putts out.

“The cross section of golf enthusiasts and people flocking to the game is exciting,” says Taylor Berry, Tito’s Vice President, Brand Marketing.

“The pandemic proved to us that people want to be outside having a good time and a lot of those people discovered or rediscovered golf. We want to engender an atmosphere of fun and socialization that makes them feel really good about the common interests they have with others.”

Tito’s is the perfect cultural fit for today’s golf fan. It’s a fun, authentic brand that represents a good time with just a dose of refinement. It’s a far cry from when pros would sport ‘Amana’ across their visors or Lee Janzen’s brief affair with O’Doul’s in the ‘90s. So many cross sections of revelers identify with this Austin-based brand and applaud the “Handmade” side of the business – the simple purity of its ingredients and how easily it mixes into any adult social setting.

More than that, Tito’s is forward-thinking in its marketing and benevolent to host of charities across the country.

made Vodka, this partnership with the PGA Tour was on the right track. The four-man, made-forTV Wolf match included easily likable contestants in Harold Varner III, Harry Higgs, Joel Dahmen and Pat Perez. It also portrayed golf in a hairdown, completely inclusive showcase with the ever-popular Butler Park Pitch and Putt serving as the host venue. For a shining half hour, golf looked totally unpretentious, easy to join and exactly like an absolute freaking blast. “That was probably the best way of my professional career,” Berry says. “In coming up with a way to make our affiliations with the PGA TOUR a consumer facing type of announcement, we wanted to be creative and authentic to our vision. In the end, we were able to put professional golf on a pedestal, obviously, because all four players’ skills. But how do you humanize them and make them look like any of us on a Saturday? Probably the best way to do that is to make sure that they’re betting with dollars for charity, put a couple of cocktails in their hand and just let them have some fun.

The event played well both serious golfers and those curious about approaching the game from a fun angle.”

Moving forward, Tito’s will be more of a presence at PGA TOUR stops and in the communities that host Tour events. “We’re into the concept of expanding what golf can mean to people. The more you grow the sport, the better. In our current development plans, we’re looking into how we take these experiences beyond just the Tour.

How do we take Tito’s and golf to a level that is very community-oriented and is welcoming and inclusive to more walks of life? Maybe, at some point, we’re introducing the sport via Tito’s versus the other way around?”

A noble goal.

TitosVodka.com.

To

learn

more,

visit

You could tell when Golf Channel broadcast The Shorties Classic Presented By Tito’s Hand-

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OTL / YOGA

Yoga to improve your game and reduce risk of golf injuries STORY BY NICOLE PINTER

The repetitive, one-sided nature of a golf swing means it’s common to see muscular injuries in the lower back, hips, shoulder, and elbow. Being one-sided also often means the other side of the body compensates for the pain, and often, golfers find their whole bodies become sore. Yoga for golfers helps prevent injuries. To protect yourself from these potential injuries you need to stretch regularly.

The most common golf injuries:

Golf and Low Back Pain An estimated 75 to 85 percent of golfers will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. These simple yoga poses will relieve tight muscles in your back to alleviate pain and discomfort.

1. Child’s Pose: Helps to release tension in the back, shoulders, and chest.

Stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles too.

2. Cobra Pose might help relieve chronic back pain. It’s a fab counteraction stretch for your spine and chest. It can help take pressure off the lower back and encourages better spinal alignment.

3. Camel pose: The camel is a great yoga pose for strengthening the muscles in the lower back. Stronger lower back muscles can also prevent future bouts of lower back pain.

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YOGA

Shoulder injuries in golf Golfers also experience a lot of soreness around the head and neck, as well as in between the shoulder blades. This is usually caused as the body tightens for the swing.

1. Shoulder Stretch Pose gives a stretch to the shoulder with one side of the front shoulder on the floor and the other off the floor.

2. Upward-Facing Dog. Upward-facing dog pose stretches the front of the body, chest and spine, while strengthening the wrists, arms, and shoulders.

Recovery with Recovapro massage gun

There are plenty of injuries a golfer can sustain, and massage can help heal and prevention of these issues. Massage guns encourage healing and recovery and increase blood flow to the sore muscles in your shin. For recovery, it is a good idea to use a massage gun as soon after golf as you can. It should be used for around two to three minutes on muscles that you usually have problems with after a round of golf.

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OTL / PUTT FOR DOUGH

STORY BY AUSTIN ASSET

We live in an age of medical miracles. People live longer than ever before, and life expectancies are increasing at a steady rate. This means that many of us will be fortunate enough to still have our parents with us as we ourselves reach retirement age. As our parents age, however, their health may decline, and the greater the chance becomes that they will require home care, nursing home care, or other assisted-living arrangements.

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Long-term care: the odds against it aren’t long at all Maybe you think that you’ll be the lucky one, that your parents won’t need long-term care, but the statistics indicate that we’re living longer and the need for long-term care is more likely.

Also, parents living alone (especially women, who have a longer life expectancy then men), are more likely to need long-term care without a spouse or partner available to help out.

The cost of long-term care isn’t low, either Long-term care can also be expensive.

What’s more, Medicare, Medigap, managed-care programs like health maintenance organizations, and indemnity medical insurance plans don’t pay for long-term nursing home care or for assisted living. Although Medicaid, a state-administered federal welfare program, will cover the costs of long-term care, your parents must be legitimately impoverished to be eligible for it.

If they’re not prepared, your parents might find their lifetime savings and their assets quickly depleted by the cost of paying for long-term health care. As their child, you’ll want to help them protect those assets from being eroded by long-term care costs. One solution to this dilemma might be long-term care insurance (LTCI).

Help is on the way Generally, LTCI helps pay for the care of an individual who can no longer independently perform the basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting, due to a cognitive disorder, illness, or injury.

A comprehensive policy will cover skilled, intermediate, and custodial care in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, adult day-care centers, or the insured’s own home.

Who most likely needs the help?

Deciding whether to purchase LTCI will take some careful consideration. LTCI might be right for a parent if at least some of the following criteria apply: • He or she is between the ages of 40 and 84 • There’s a family history of Alzheimer’s disease

• He or she has significant assets to preserve as an inheritance or to gift to charity • He or she has an income from employment or investments in addition to Social Security • The cost of the premiums will not exceed 5 to 7 percent of your parent’s annual income (or yours, if you’re paying the premiums) • He or she is healthy enough to be insurable The cost of LTCI policies can vary widely, depending on many factors, including the coverage selected and the age and health of your parents. The younger and healthier they are, the less expensive the insurance will be-but the longer they might pay for it before they really need it. Regardless of what stage you or your parents are in, it is a conversation worth having.

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

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

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OTL / DRIVE FOR SHOW

R

olls-Royce takes owning a Ghost to the next level with the BlackBadge edition. The 2022 BlackBadge adds a sophisticated refinement by muting all the bling.

How do you set a Rolls-Royce Ghost apart from other super sedans including other Ghosts? Well, Rolls-Royce designers took a line from a popular Batman movie to answer that question. “You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it.” And that’s what RollsRoyce decided to do for the 2022 Black Badge, give buyers an option to have a Ghost elegantly blacked-out directly from the start of its existence. The 2022 BlackBadge is more that just an option, adding $44,000 to the Ghost’s $398,850 price tag. This sexy edition provides an edge of sophistication that only a select few can enjoy.

To achieve this level of uniqueness

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designers added darken chrome trim, the result of a chemical process done during the chroming. The Black-Badge also includes a dark mirror gloss on the grille, emblems, and retractable Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and Rolls-Royce says the finish will not chip or peel. The carbon wheels, composite barrels around a forged aluminum hub reduce the overall weight of this hefty but nimble vehicle.

The performance of the Black-Badge was also tweaked offering a 28-hp increase to the already impressive output of the Ghost. The turbocharged 6.7-liter V-12 now produces 664-hp that launches this super-sedan from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds.

Inside the dark carbon fiber continues throughout providing a rich backdrop for the dashboard instrument cluster. Buyers do have options to choose from a wide variety of colors for the leather seats.

Driverside Vehicle Reviews

2022 ROLLS ROYCE BLACK BADGE

Of course, to complete the Black Badge overall theme the choice of a black leather interior would be most appropriate.

The 2022 Rolls-Royce Black Badge offers all the comforts, safety features and options you would expect from Rolls-Royce.

Those who choose the Black Badge are looking to be seen without being seen. In person this vehicle is impressive both inside and out. If you are looking for an understatement that packs a punch, then the 2022 RollsRoyce Black Badge is certainly worth a look.

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The Culinary Crossroads of America

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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2022 PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT INDIANA.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT BLOOMINGTON.

STORY BY ALICIA J. FORRESTER

Indiana and its capital city, Indianapolis, have long been known as the crossroads of America due to its central Midwestern location and major highways that intersect through it. Due to its well-conceived urban design including climate-controlled skywalks and an assortment of downtown accommodations, it’s also a popular convention destination. Nowadays, an increasing number of leisure travelers are gathering in Indy for more than the standard work conference – they’re visiting for the flourishing restaurant and bar scene.

O

ver the last decade, it’s clear that Downtown Indy has evolved into a network of safe, walkable neighborhoods and embraced urban sustainability. Part of this transformation can be attributed to the relatively new Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an eight-mile paved path for bikes and pedestrians that winds through the city’s main corridors and connects art and culinary hot spots. Like other ecoconscious cities, Indy has also embraced bike, car and electric scooter sharing, adding to its efforts to go green.

Circle City, as it’s affectionately known, has a multitude of activities for families and epicurean venues for adults. From Minor League Baseball Indians games, to concerts in White River State Park, to vintage record shopping in Fountain Square, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. One thing most locals can agree on is that the restaurant scene has vastly improved in recent years, while old favorites remain. Food seems to bring the different communities and cultures of Indy together in a delicious farm to fork manner, celebrating the fertile farmland surrounding the city.

On a recent trip, I had the opportunity to explore a few of the neighborhoods

housing some of the best venues to dine and imbibe.

Downtown

Downtown Indy is a terrific home base while visiting for work or pleasure.

Adjacent to the Indiana Convention Center, the luxurious JW Marriott Indianapolis sits on the edge of stunning White River State Park, next to the Indianapolis Zoo and Victory Field with views from its modern guest rooms that make guests feel as if they’re not in a city at all.

City view rooms peer across the street to the Indiana Convention Center and into the heart of Downtown toward the iconic Monument Circle. Meet with friends and co-workers for lunch, or start your evening off with JW’s high-energy sports bar, High Velocity.

Fountain Square & Fletcher Place Just southeast of downtown along Virginia Avenue – and the Cultural Trail – are Fletcher Place and Fountain Square, both vibrant historic neighborhoods revived to their former glory, lined with innovative and diverse restaurants, O T L G O L F. C O M

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT INDIANA.

Bloomington. breweries and shops. The real estate market is still booming here, and so are vacation rentals if guests choose that route to experience an authentic Hoosier stay.

Historically known as Indy’s theatre district in the first half of the 20th century, it’s no surprise that Fountain Square has evolved into an eclectic, quirky neighborhood that attracts artists and a cultured crowd. Similarly, Fletcher Place has a strong sense of heritage where various immigrants converged and dwelled since the 19th Century.

Both neighborhoods are ideal for a night out.

Start the evening out in Fletcher place with a whiskey tasting at veteran-owned Hotel Tango Distillery for the best spirits in town. After a bourbon cocktail or two, I strongly encourage heading down the road to Bluebeard or Maialina in Fountain Square, both upscale casual yet completely different dining experiences.

Bluebeard Bistro is nestled in the microneighborhood of Holy Rosary in a former warehouse built in 1924. The intimate restaurant shares space with

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT BLOOMINGTON.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT BLOOMINGTON.

JW Hotel.

Modita Dish. its sister operation, Amelia’s bakery which exudes aromas of a European-style pastries with décor that evokes a stroll through an antique bookstore. Bluebeard was named for a novel by Indy native, famous late author and World War II veteran and POW, Kurt Vonnegut.

Bluebeard’s attention to detail goes beyond the interior design into the kitchen. Chef and co-owner Abbi Merriss has been selected as a coveted James Beard Award finalist for five consecutive years. Merriss is known for her passion for farm-to-table produce and working with local farms and purveyors, which is evident on the menu featuring fresh salads, small plates to share such as oysters and charcuterie and mains including beef tartare, octopus and fried rice with pork belly. The wine list was also noteworthy, with rare varietals from around the world – I tried a white wine I couldn’t pronounce from Hungary.

As visitors make their way south to the heart of Fountain Square, the neighborhood’s namesake fountain is magical when lit up at night. You can view the historic water feature while dining at Maialina eatery, next to the Fountain Square Theatre. The moody

lighting, heaping traditional pasta dishes, flatbreads and inventive apps like the shrimp fondue will draw guests in, and they’ll stay for the flowing wine and sweet Italian desserts including gelato and tiramisu.

Rumor has it there is also a new speakeasy with secret access through Maialina’s building, but you didn’t hear it from me. The Commodore features classic and imaginative cocktails worth searching for the entrance.

Mass Ave. & Bottleworks District

“The Bottleworks District transformed one of the most historic neighborhoods in Indianapolis and created a well-rounded destination with food, drinks, entertainment and so much more,” said Jeff Whiteman, chief operating officer for Geronimo Hospitality Group. “The District has raised the bar for Indianapolis travel experiences for visitors while creating the ultimate work and play destination for locals. It showcases the best of Indy and is unlike anything else you’ll find in the city.”

Day Trip to Bloomington No trip to Indiana is complete without a day trip to the winding country roads of

Modita Bar.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOTTLEWORKS.

It’s highlighted by the Art Deco-inspired hotel, Modita gourmet dim sum and Asian fusion eatery, the Garage Food Hall with a variety of tenants, and wellness-focused businesses including the Woodhouse Day Spa, YogaSix studio and more. The full mixed-use development project, including high-end residences, is slated for completion in the next few years.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOTTLEWORKS.

One of Indy’s most recent and welcomed boutique hotels is the 139-key Bottleworks Hotel, which opened at the end of 2020 in a former Coca Cola filling plant. The property is part of the larger Bottleworks District that has been in the works since 2017 on the historic northeastern downtown corridor, Massachusetts Avenue.

Bottleworks Daytime Exteriors.

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Open since June 2020, the Pfau Course at Indiana University is climbing the charts among the premier golf courses of the Midwest. Designed by world renowned architect Steve Smyers and Hoosier native and two-time major winner Fuzzy Zoeller, the 265-acre course highlights the natural topography of Southern Indiana while challenging players with forests, open space and forest edge features.

Downtown Bloomington is incredibly integrated with the university and connects through the Sample Gates, an iconic entryway that opens up to the Kirkwood strip and a favorite spot for graduation photos. Visitors also flock to the Square in the heart of Bloomington, home to the historic Monroe County Courthouse that has stood for over a century.

Locals recommend lunch at the Elm, found-

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOTTLEWORKS.

scenic Bloomington, just a 45-minute drive south from Indy. With an early tee time, it’s possible to hit the links on a new highly acclaimed course, lunch in charming downtown Bloomington and stop for a late afternoon wine tasting on the return trip to Indy.

The Garage.

ed by Bloomington residents to give their hometown a venue for those who crave “community and culinary adventure.” The Elm’s menu highlights fresh produce from the area while keeping the pulse of the latest culinary trends such as house-made burrata, radish and turnip carpaccio, Moroccan lamb and Fisher Farms ribeye.

As you make your way back to the city, just outside Bloomington are the vineyards of Oliver Winery, which began as a hobby for IU Law Professor William Oliver in his basement in the 1960’s. His passion has become one of the largest wineries in the Midwest and welcomes Hoosiers and visitors from all over the nation for a taste of its fruit-forward, fine-crafted wines.

Whichever itinerary guests choose while visiting Indiana, they’re likely to encounter genuine Hoosier hospitality at every turn and embark on culinary and cultural experiences that exceed expectations.

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Pfau Course.

So much to love about Carlsbad California

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Golf is only the beginning STORY BY MIKE BAILEY O T L G O L F. C O M

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Aviara Hole 3A

n Wednesday afternoons, the State Street’s Farmers Market is set up in Carlsbad Village. It features strawberries and tomatoes so fresh and flavorful; you’re compelled to eat them right after you purchase them. After all, they grow just a few miles away. And there’s all kinds of ethnic foods, snacks, fresh coffee, and smoothies, too. The best part is just strolling down the street, taking in the aroma, and checking out the local shops and pubs.

In fact, for an hour or so, my better half and I just hung out at Draft Republic, an open-air bar, which overlooks the farmer’s market. It has 51 different beers on tap. Simply put, it’s heaven, and just one of the many reasons to love Carlsbad, which is located just 30 miles north of San Diego.

“It’s kind of a sleepy, little beach town,” says Dustin Irwin, director of The Club at Omni La

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Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad. “We’ve got 100,000 people, but it’s got a very small-town feel. We’ve got a great beer scene, the weather is incredible year-round, the beaches are great, there are nice people everywhere, and food is great. I love it. I can’t think of a better place to vacation. That’s why I love living here.”

Beer isn’t what drew us to Carlsbad, and it wasn’t the restaurants or The Flower Fields or LEGOLAND California either. It was the chance to play some nice golf courses in the best golf weather in the United States.

Carlsbad itself, however, isn’t rife with dozens of great golf venues. But what is there is high quality.

And, of course, there are scores of terrific courses just outside of Carlsbad in the San Diego area and La Jolla, most notably Torrey Pines, home of the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open and two U.S.

Open Championships, the most recent in 2021.

Carlsbad, however, is home to some of the biggest names in the golf industry.

Equipment companies like Titleist, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Honma, Cobra and Callaway are there, earning the area the nickname, “Titanium Row.” Shaft companies Aldila and Fujikura are in Carlsbad, too, as are Vessel Golf and Linksoul (a really cool, laid-back apparel company founded by John Ashworth). So, if you ever wanted to go straight to the source, this is your destination.

So Carlsbad is a bit of a hidden gem of a golf destination, especially if you like craft beer, fresh produce, a great meal and a walk on the beach. It’s also home to two premier resorts -- the 36-hole La Costa Omni Resort, and the Park Hyatt Aviara, which has a stunning 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed course. Playing at Aviara, which sits just above the Pacific Ocean, is like playing in a botanical garden. The 7,000-yard layout has some of the most beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers, and greens you’ll find on any course, anywhere. And it’s been undergoing renovations lately, as has the resort.

While La Costa was a longtime host of the PGA Tour’s WGC Match Play, it also staged the LPGA’s Kia Classic in 2010 and 2012. That tournament is now the JTBC Championship, and it has been played at Aviara Golf Club since 2013.

Now, Omni La Costa enters a new chapter in tournament golf as it prepares for both the men’s and women’s NCAA Golf Championships, which will be conducted at La Costa 2024-2026. Part of that preparation includes a complete renovation of the Champions Course by one of the hottest architects in the game, Gil Hanse, who designed the Olympic Course is Rio, for example. And there are talks that the resort could become a long-term host for the college golf championships much the way Omaha is the permanent site of the College World Series in baseball.

The net result, however, will be good for golfers who visit La Costa, because they will be getting revamped Champions Course in a style reminiscent of some of the classic courses of Southern California, like Riviera, for example.

The Crossings Clubhouse.

Las Costa Champions

Las Costa Champions

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The Crossings.

“The routing will remain the same,” says Irwin of the plans. “But pretty much every hole will see significant change. We’re very excited about it.”

Water features on holes eight and nine are likely to be removed, but the course’s signature hole, the par-3 16th over water, will likely retain much of its present character. The Legends Course, which like the Champions, was originally designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee (the last nine holes). Renovations

by Damian Pascuzzo and Steve Pate in recent years brought both courses into the 21st century. The 400acre resort, however, is also home to outstanding tennis facilities, great restaurants and one of the best spas in the country.

Another golf option is The Crossings at Carlsbad, one of the most expensive municipal courses in the country to build. As the name would suggest, there are a lot of crossings on this championship golf course, as in crossing over one hill after another. The views are terrific, but there are some quirky holes, especially on the back nine. And pace of play does seem a bit slow at times, perhaps because of the difficulty of the holes. Still, it’ s a beautiful 6,835yard layout designed by Greg Nash.

We wound up staying at the Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Hotel by Hilton, which is right next to the famous Flower Fields (open March through May) and LEGOLAND. Open to the public each spring, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, which has been around for 60 years, is 50 acres of Giant Ranunculus flowers in bloom, which makes for incredible backdrops for photos. LEGOLAND, which is based on the famous toy building bricks of the same name, is an amusement park with rides, an aquarium and attractions for all ages.

Still, the best times were undoubtedly found in

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Carlsbad Village. Besides the farmers market, you can go on endless beach or seawall walks, which is particularly romantic during sunset. And while Barrel Republic is a must, it’s just one of many great beer stops. Pizza Port, for example, serves plenty of award-winning beers and ales, and pretty good pizza (and pizza bites) as well. Karl Strauss, Culver Beer Co., Burgeon Beer Co., and Rouleur Beer Co., are recommended, too.

Among the tasty dining spots, we tried Jay’s Gourmet Seafood, Pizza, and Pasta, which serves up one of the best seafood over salads on the West Coast. The rest of the restaurant list is too numerous to list, but it includes the likes of Norte Mexican Food and Cocktails, Ponto Lago and Campfire, a New American venue that features a giant woodfired “Tomahawk” steak as well as seafood, brisket, appetizers, and signature cocktails.

For dessert we found a place we went back to more than once -- Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, since 1945. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, there’s always a line, but so well worth it. My personal favorites? Coconut Cream Pie and Black Cherry. But there were so many I didn’t get to try.

Just another excuse to return to Carlsbad.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

OTL / GOLF TECH

PXG keeps setting the bar higher New GEN5 driver, fairway woods, hybrids and irons hit the mark once again STORY BY MIKE BAILEY

Parsons Xtreme Golf has spared no expense or resource since the company debuted some nine years ago. Company founder and CEO Bob Parsons hired the best club designers in the business and let them do their thing. The result has been a better product with each generation, and the new GEN5 drivers, woods, hybrids and irons are no exception.

Of course, the same could be said for the GEN4s, and those are still available, for a little less than you would have paid for them a few months ago. So, golfers more on a budget would certainly be advised to give those a look.

But if you really want the best that PXG has to offer, you might want to give the latest a try, and those would be the PXG 0311 GEN5 golf clubs. Fortunately,

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PXG also has been on a mission to open more PXG retail stores (there are currently more than a dozen in the country, with the new one in Houston as the latest), and there are hundreds of fitting locations, so there’s more opportunity to do just that. Of course, if you happen to be in Arizona, you might want to stop by PXG’s headquarters in Scottsdale. Because the club fitting experience is a big part of what makes these sticks special.

“We absolutely killed it with these clubs,” said Parsons, who also founded GoDaddy and started PXG with the goal to build the industry’s best golf equipment.

“GEN5 is better in every way possible. From explosive distance to tight dispersion, to the oh-so-sweet feel of forgiveness on every shot, these clubs are a master class in performance.”

Let’s start with the driver.

The new 0311 GEN5 ($499 MSRP) drivers come in two models -- the standard driver that promises “jaw-dropping distance,” and the XF, which stands for “extreme forgiveness.” Most good players will probably opt for the standard driver, which is pretty forgiving in its own right.

The company talks about the incredible feel of these drivers and the sound it makes, which is probably more important than you think. A gratifying sound at impact certainly adds to confidence, but when you see how far the ball goes, that doesn’t hurt either. As far as the technology goes, the standard model

0311 GEN5 ($499 MSRP)* boasts a 25 percent increase in MOI (moment of inertia) over the GEN4 driver, which is pretty impressive since the GEN4 driver is pretty solid and long. And the XF GEN5 has an MOI 6 percent better than the standard model (seems like everyone would want to give this one a try, right?). But remember, be-

cause it is a mid-spin design, it’s probably not the right driver for golfers with high swing speeds since the standard GEN5 is a low-spin driver. Also, the XF has a flatter, larger crown and deep front-to-back shape for maximum forgiveness, which the accomplished player doesn’t need as much.

GEN5 fairway woods ($379)* PXG’s new GEN5 fairway woods ($379) and hybrids are pretty sweet, too. Like the drivers, the fairways come in two different models -- standard and XF. The 0311 GEN5 Fairways are made entirely from high carbon fiber, a very lightweight material that saves mass in the crown, allowing it to be redistributed low and to the perimeter of the clubhead. There’s other technology, too, like the “vapor deposition process conducted in a vacuum-sealed chamber to reinforce the face.” Bottom line: easy to hit and high COR (coefficient of restitution). The *Reflects press time prices

XF fairway woods offer more forgiveness for off-center hits and sooth turf interaction thanks to a large square face and “Railed Sole Geometry.” Weights and hosels are adjustable on both. The hybrids ($379) share much of the same technology with adjustable sole weights and adjustable hosels. Again, rails on the XF model make them extremely easy to hit.

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Now to the irons ($349 each), which are certainly among the most aesthetically pleasing and easiest to hit on the market. They features a new proprietary XCOR2 and Power Channel behind the face. This new core was the result of years of development of a polymer specifically engineered to make PXG irons lighter and faster. And the Power Channel increases the COR to transfer more energy into the ball for more faster ball speeds and more distance. Combined with the thinnest face in golf, the overall result is impressive, to say the least. The GEN5 irons also integrate Precision Weighting Technology, which features a sizable adjustable weight located near the center of gravity on the back of the clubhead. A fitting can dial in different head weight combinations for each golfers. These new irons also have a remarkably complex, five-times forged body geometry. And each clubhead is also CNC milled.

The irons are also available in Chrome, and now

an exclusive Xtreme Dark finish as part of a new Black Label Elite offering.

The GEN5 irons come in three different configurations -the T (Tour), P (Players) and XP (Extreme Performance). The Ts, as you might expect, are for high level players who like to work the ball, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have technology.

But for the majority of players -- midsingle digit to perhaps mid double-digit, the 0311 P GEN5s are probably the best choice. These provide the best of both worlds, a mid-size clubhead so you can work shots, clean top line and are “brilliantly balanced,” according to PXG.

the irons ($349 each)* All in all, PXG has come up with another generation that may be better than the last. And the last was excellent. It’ll be interesting to see how the company outdoes itself with its next rollout.

And finally, there’s the 0311 XPs, which as far as game-improvement clubs go, have a very good look to them. A larger clubhead and more distribution of weight makes these very forgiving for off-center hits, but better players will probably want something that looks a little sleeker. Still, it’s a great way for the higher handicapper to get into PXG.

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*Reflects press time prices

OTL / BUCK’S TIPS

The Dreaded Slice Check List (Part 1)

STORY BY BUCK MAYERS

If you slice the golf ball, there is rarely one thing causing you to put excessive sidespin and curve on your shots. I am sure many of you have been told that you “come over the top” or have an “outside to inside swing path”.

Although this may be true, it is not the number one cause. The most common cause of a slice is an open club face, and the number one cause of an open clubface is a weak or incorrect grip. Your hands to the club are a direct correlation to the clubface. Therefore, it is imperative to learn the proper grip first and most amateurs would be better served if it were stronger, not weaker. Whenever the clubface is too open during the golf swing, you will intuitively try to square it on the way back to the ball. This will result in an outside to inside path and the dreaded slice.

The next 3 causes are also directly tied to your set-up. For a right-handed golfer, if you aim too far to the right of the target, your eyes tell you to swing to the left and will result in a pull or slice. If you aim too far left of the target to play your slice, it will slice even more. Many times, your ball position can get too far left or right, which in turn can affect your aim with your arms and shoulders. Lastly, in your set up, check your posture. If you stand too upright without the proper bend from your hips

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and knees, this will affect your balance and backswing from your weight being too far back on your heels. However, if you overbend with too much weight on your toes, this will also affect your balance and swinging patterns. While all golfers are built differently and postures may vary, getting in a balanced and athletic posture position will encourage the proper sequencing in your back and forward swing.

I find from over 30+ years of teaching golf, the most neglected part of learning to improve are in your fundamentals. Yes, it’s boring but it’s critical to correcting your ball flight and impact to the golf ball. Remember “GAP B” – Grip, Aim, Posture, Ball Position!

The next “lesson” will be Part 2 – Correcting your Slice with Proper Sequencing.

Buck Mayers is an Emeritus Professional at Escondido Golf & Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, TX and can be reached at 512-695-2270 or buck@buckmayersgolf.com.

APT 115 STORY AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD AREBALO OTL FEATURES EDITOR

Apt 115 is such a surprising, imaginative, and wonderful place that halfway through my dinner, I had two thoughts; I need to come back very soon, and should I really tell anybody about this place? But like Austin’s growth over the last couple of decades, people will inevitably beat a path to a great thing.

The original bar, located on the ground floor of the ‘7East’ apartment building, was the brainchild of Joe Pannenbacker, who, according to some of the waitstaff, loves travel (“he’s in Sweden just now”), music, (he plays guitar and bass,) and knickknacks. That interesting combination yielded the cozy space filled with old books, chachkies, and stacks of vinyl records that just happens to be a pretty cool wine bar.

Summer Vegetables.

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PHOTOS BY: RICHARD AREBALO

Scallop Crudo.

In 2018, Joe’s vision for Apt 115 centered around what the bar now calls “low intervention wines.” They were on the early wave of biodynamic and organic wines.

Eventually, they found that focusing on small, quality producers fit the bill better than some concepts with looser definitions.

The wine list is now over 400 offerings from all over the world. The initial food offerings were charcuterie boards that changed often and paired well with their curated wine list. About six months ago, a beautiful thing happened. Joe partnered with Chef Charles Zhou, who had been sous chef at José Andrés’s two Michelin star, Minibar in Washington D.C. In our brief chat, Chef Zhou told me that he wants to bring some Michelin style to Austin.

Like Minibar’s intimate 12-seat concept, Apt 115 seats only 22 diners, with a few extra on the side-walk patio. The shocking thing 50

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is that Chef Zhou manages a tremendous amount of magic with just a couple of induction plates and a few other gadgets in one corner of the bar. He’s also a one-man show, cooking and plating all the beautiful surprises without kitchen staff.

My first introduction to Apt 115 had been a few weeks ago for late-night drinks with my friend Sammy who owns the popular Wanderlust Wine Bar downtown. I was impressed that we could get in on a Friday, as reservations are usually tight on weekends. Though already full of dinner, I couldn’t help ordering a few of the great-sounding small plates. A crazy-good piece of Tilefish in beurre blanc and a strawberry and elderflower dessert assured that I was coming back for the full tasting.

Saturday evening rolled around, and a friend and I were set for the full ten-course tasting menu. (13+ items) We also opted for the fifty-dollar ‘daily wine pairings’ with dinner, which were excellent. (For a hundred dollars per person, a bespoke list of wines can be

had with the tasting menu.)

The first bottle to our table was a Loimer, Extra brut from Niederosterreich Austria.

The color was a medium gold with very tiny bubbles and had a bright, tasty acidity.

Our first of many surprises was a very convincing log with natural moss and a few flat rocks. Atop each was our course of Summer Vegetables. These included Shishito peppers filled with a crab roe mousse, tiny candied carrots with a toasted hay and honey sauce, and a mild onion-flavored rosette outlined with an herb cream. Each item seemed like a little present.

Our next wine was the Sybille Kuntz, Qualitatswein, Mosel Riesling. Though relatively mild, the aroma still featured the Riesling signature hint of diesel. (Happily, this was a hint and not a boxing glove.)

The following dish, Smoked Trout Roe, threw us for a loop. The small bowl had a mound of icy melon flavored granitas and was topped with brilliant coral-colored roe.

Zucchini with Deviled Egg.

2025 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702 737.333.0780 Truffle Custard Egg.

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light enough not to fight the fantastic meat.

The last dishes were dessert and then a special present.

An outstanding Ercole Piedmont Moscato was paired with the Strawberry & Cream as the first dessert. (The same dish I had the week before.)

Like everything else, one of the strawberries turned out to be made of a strawberry and elderflower sorbet.

By any stretch, the cleverest surprise of the meal was “cereal and milk.” Chef Zhou made cereal flakes of sweet potato served in a small cereal box (complete with a prize). A small bowl allowed the flakes to be topped with flavored milk.

The prize, it turned out, was integral to the last surprise served in a box. Though the courses will undoubtedly change, I’ll leave the final surprise a secret.

About a day after his trip, I had the pleasure of sitting with Joe for a glass of wine surrounded by a few folks comfortable enough to sit crossedlegged on the long sofa-like bench on one side of the room.

We talked about wine, travel, Austin and I felt that his initial dream of a comfortable wine bar was, beyond a doubt, a reality. He seemed pretty happy that it now has fantastic food.

Apt 115 is on east 7th Street. Parking is available in the lower level of the garage just to the right of the restaurant. À la carte and Chef’s tasting menu available WED-SUN. Wine Bar available 7 days a week.

PHOTOS BY: RICHARD AREBALO

The dish was so flavorful that I poured the last few drops of liquid onto my spoon to finish.

The next course was served in a giant scallop shell. Very fresh Scallop Crudo was drizzled with a bright yellow passion fruit sauce with just a bit of heat. The whole was topped with tiny tomatoes and a few microgreens. The blend was perfect with the cold Riesling.

The third wine, the Domaine de L’Abbaye, Clos Beylesse Rosé, came in an eye-catching cobalt blue bottle which the winery explicitly chose to protect the delicate wine from UV rays.

Its first partner was a very photogenic ‘crown of Zucchini’ filled with deviled egg and accented with small pumpkin pips. The rosé had huge floral aromas finishing in herb notes that worked well with the egg and mustard.

The Sablefish served next flaked in the most perfect way allowing every piece to be coated in a bisque-like Lobster Butter.

The Vigne Del Malina Pinot Grigio served with the subsequent two courses; I liked so much that I bought a bottle to take home. Due to extended skin contact, the wine has a deep tawny-port color. It has some mild oxidative qualities, very typical for this maker but unusual for a Pinot Grigio.

The unique flavor in the wine made perfect sense with the following two dishes.

What was brought to the table looked to be lovely meat/pork lettuce wraps. It turned out to be made entirely of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms. The illusion continued with a stack of lettuce leaves and the standard condiments of ssamjang paste, shaved carrot, and cucumber. The dish was delicious but a bit disorienting as everything about it suggested it was something else.

(It reminded me of a long-gone restaurant in Washington D.C. that had an entire menu of items that were designed to “trick the eye.”)

As soon as we were comfortable with the somewhat familiar, a pair of twig nests with an egg was brought to the table. The ceramic eggs were filled with warm, Truffled Custard and topped with very finely shaved parmesan. A tiny silver spoon allowed access to the custard, and the truffles sang with the coppery Pinot Grigio.

For meat lovers, the Wagyu Short Rib served next was very satisfying. The meat was tender, and the sauce had a very pure beef flavor. The simple corn side was like a riff on American food in the best possible way.

The beef was served with a Railsback Freres, Roman Ceremony Cabernet. Luckily the cab was

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Annika Sorenstam Q&A

OTL / ON YOUR GAME

Female golf legend Annika Sorenstam will forever be linked to Texas. His sister Carlotta played golf at the University of Texas and she recently returned for the ClubCorp Classic PGA Tour Champions event at Las Colinas Country Club where she turned in a top ten finish.

But her everlasting link to the Lone Star State came in 2003 when she became the first female in nearly 50 years to tee it up in PGA Tour event, playing in the Colonial Tournament as the No. 1 female player in the world.

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hile missing the cut that sunny week in Fort Worth, Sorenstam credits the time for spurring her career which ended in her first retirement in 2008 as one of the most dominate female players in history. The winner of 3 US Open titles, 90 professional golf events, 72 LPGA Events, 10 majors and induction in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

It’s certainly come a long way from purposely tanking golf tournaments as a junior in Sweden so she wouldn’t have to give a victory speech But now, she is back, sorta. After Sorenstam retired from golf totally in ‘08, saying she didn’t play more than a handful of times a year, she returned to the Champions Tour Legends of Golf one-day exhibition at The Woodlands (another Texas connection) in 2018.

She began to get interested in the game again when her kids, especially son William got hooked on the game his mom once dominated like few others.

Annika won the U.S. Women’s Senior Open at famed Chicago Golf Club in 2021 by eight shots, a very familiar victory pattern from the past, which led her to play in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles, where she missed the cut.

But while in Irving for the Champions ClubCorp event, Sorenstam was happy to talk to OTL Senior Writer Art Stricklin about her golfing return, her new life as mom and businesswoman, her remarkable golf career and every lasting links to Texas.

OTL: When we talked at The Woodlands before the Legends of Golf event during the Saturday Champions Tour event there, you told me you played golf so rarely, you got blisters on our hand for any practicing.

Now you’re playing three days at the ClubCorp Senior Event here at Las Colinas Country Club, the US Women’s Open and more.

What happened?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: While that’s a great

question. I was really done with golf after I retired (in 2008) and felt like golf was in a great place when I left. I had my businesses, my golf academy, to look after and my husband (Mike McGee) and my new family and golf was not really a part of the picture.

OTL: What changed?

AS: While my little guy (son William), got interested in golf and I became his practice buddy. He started playing good and liking it and I figured I’d better practice and play as well with him OTL: What happened next?

AS: I played some charity events and exhibitions like the one in the Woodlands and enjoyed it and the USGA was starting the Senior Women’s Open and I thought that is something I should support and help, so I entered and won by eight shots.

OTL: Just like old times?

AS: Not totally. I was only practicing and playing 1-2 hours a day on top of my other business and family duties, not the 8 hours I used to have regularly.

OTL: Is that what led you to play in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles, North Carolina this summer.

AS: After I won the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, they (USGA) said I qualified for a spot at the Women’s Open this year at Pine Needles. I thought I might give it a shot. I have good memories there (winning one of three U.S. Women’s Open there), and I knew the Peggy Kirk Bell family which owned the facility.

OTL: Playing against players less than half your age (51), you shot an opening 74 and missed the 36-hole cut, but was it still an enjoyable experience.

AS: It’s certainly not the same as it used to be.

The ball doesn’t go as far as I used to hit it and not always in the same direction as I want it to go.

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OTL: What was it like to have your family there and your husband Mike as your caddy?

AS: It was a great to have them there, but different than when I playing all the time. My son William would tell me where to hit it and then I don’t hit it there and he would get mad and I’d say, ‘sorry son, it’s not lack of listening, it’s lack of talent and practice.’

OTL: You’re good friends with Tiger Woods and once played with him in an exhibition match. How did watching Tiger come back from his many injuries to make the 36-hole cut at the Masters and the PGA Championship this year inspire you in your limited return to golf.

AS: I think anybody who watched Tiger at the Masters and the PGA had to be inspired by seeing that. Once a competitor always a competitor. I know Tiger feels that way and so do I. To see the work and the competitive fire from him this year was just amazing and something I can take a great deal of encouragement from.

OTL: We’re sitting here in Irving at the ClubCorp Champions Tour event, less than 30 miles from Colonial and Fort Worth where you played in the PGA Tournament in 2003. What memories come back when you get this close to this area?

AS: I think it was the support, by far. It was amazing really, the people who supported me.

OTL Were you expecting something different?

AS: I didn’t know what to expect really, but it was fantastic. When people ask what the best moment of my career was, it’s easy to go back to Colonial for all those reasons.

OTL: Take us back to the first round where you stood before thousands of people on the 10th box at Colonial ready for your first shot of the tournament.

AS: I just remember, I was so keyed up and ready to go. I usually get out there a little more than an hour before my tee time, but I was there two hours before time because I was so ready. I saw my playing partners.

I remember Aaron Barber said we were going to do this thing together, so I just got to the tee and tried to focus.

OTL: What was the pressure like?

AS: I was so nervous, I didn’t know if I could get the ball airborne. I just tried to think I had hit that shot so many times before and the ball didn’t know about all those people surrounding me. Somehow I hit it and it was one of the best 4-woods of my life. I had pressure before in playoffs or the Solheim Cup, but nothing to that extent. It was an amazing day.

OTL: After you played at Colonial (missing the cut), you never played against men again,

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even though you had other chances. Why? AS: I just wanted to challenge myself and I never felt the need to do it again. I had smelled the blood of competition and knew what I needed to work on. I improved with my best years after 2003 and I give the credit for that to Colonial.

OTL: Why is that?

AS: Now I saw the path where I wanted to go. It’s easier to go somewhere when you know where to go.

That’s why it’s a highlight for me.

OTL: When you played and certainly more so now, Koreans and other great players from Asia, dominate the LPGA game, having won the U.S. Women’s Open you recently played in.

What do you think that is?

AS: They put in hours and hours of work. They’re here 7 in the morning putting and when would leave at 7 at night they’re still there putting. I could never do that.

I needed more variety. If you can putt for 12 hours every day, good for you, but I never could.

OTL: What about junior golfers coming up?

AS: People ask me how to get their kids interested in golf. I think they need to be interested themselves. When I was a junior, golf was in my blood so that’s what I did.

OTL: What else did you do as a junior?

AS: My family was into sports so I did a lot of things.

I played a lot of tennis until that kind of wore me out. I played soccer for a while until that faded away and I also skied a lot. But eventually it was golf full-time.

OTL: What are some of your other outside interests?

AS: I like to cook. I like stocks and investing, probably not as much as I used to. I like wine, I have my teaching academy in Orlando. I have golf architecture and we’ve run some tournaments and would like to do more in the future.

OTL: You once said your goal was to shoot a 54. Is that still possible?

AS: Absolutely it is.

OTL Annika, thanks for the time.

AS: You’re welcome..

P o s t Ranch Inn S TORY BY LESLIE STEVENSON

PHOTOS BY: KODIAK GREENWOOD

UPPER PACIFIC SUITE INTERIOR

PEAK HOUSE DECK.

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TREE HOUSE EXTERIOR.

If you are looking for a rustic getaway to unplug and rejuvenate, look no further than the Post Ranch Inn. Located high above the cliffs of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, a haven set amongst majestic state parks, beaches and waterfalls await. Noted as one of the top luxury resorts in the country and the only hotel in Big Sur with a spectacular ocean view, Post Ranch offers the ultimate destination for romance, relaxation, and renewal.

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POST RANCH INN AT SUNSET

ncompassed in an intimate setting, Post Ranch has 40 architecturally innovative guest rooms and suites situated along the ridge parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Mountain scenery or ocean views, each room is designed uniquely to help you relax with its earth tones, emphasizing natural and sustainable materials, custom furniture, hand-woven rugs by indigenous weavers, and reclaimed wood.

With several different options to accommodate your needs, Post Ranch will have the ultimate room or suite that will not disappoint. A popular choice is The Cliff House, situated on a deck suspended over the western edge of the ridge, the extensive ocean views of the exquisite housing can be fully appreciated from the outdoor spa tub and secluded glass-walled bedroom. If you

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are looking for more indoor space, the two-bedroom South Coast House provides spacious accommodations and ample space for entertaining or unwinding. The South Coast House offers two master bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and eating area, a spacious outdoor patio, and a hot tub, allowing you to fully take in the nature that surrounds you. Each guest room is generously stocked with a complimentary mini-bar, spring water from the property on-site in reusable glass bottles, and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a half-bottle of both red and white wine. Noted for being the destination to reconnect and unwind, guestrooms do not include televisions, and alarm clocks and are all non-smoking. Whether you say in The Cliff Houses, a Tree House set on ninefoot-high stilts, or the Butterfly room designed to look like a butterfly with outstretched wings, each room has a king-sized bed, wood-burning fireplace, indoor spa tub and deluxe shower, and a private deck, sure to leave you wanting to ex-

UPPER PACIFIC SUITE PRIVATE DECK

PHOTOS BY: KODIAK GREENWOOD

tend your stay.

Post Ranch’s history extends back generations. The inn opened in 1992 on the site of the Post family’s cattle ranch, which was homesteaded in the 1860s by William Brainard Post and his Native American wife, Anselma. Decades later, the inn was built with the assistance of Bill Post, the great-grandson of the original homesteaders, and his partners. The hotel’s organic architecture captivates the striking beauty of the coastline.

Each structure on the 100-acre property reflects climatic lines and contemporary styling while blending into the natural landscape. The property is well aware of how imperative it is to take care of the world around us and has specifically designed green initiatives. Some of the features include the bio-structure architects’ design that was intended to make onlookers feel as if they are not just an observer, but more like a part of nature. Another environmental aspect that was taken into consideration is the earth-sheltered O T L G O L F. C O M

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EXTERIOR VIEW OF SIERRA MAR.

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SIERRA MAR AT SUNSET

SIERRA MAR DECK

U P P E R M O U N TA I N H O U S E .

PHOTOS BY: KODIAK GREENWOOD

guesthouses that capture passive heating and cooling, and the small footprint of the stilts which support the tree houses, protecting the delicate roots of the ancient redwood and oak trees. In addition, the premises provide a habitat for the endangered Smith’s Blue Butterfly, California Red-Legged Frog, Western Pond Turtle, and California Condor. Located along the Big Sur coast, between San Luis Obispo and Monterey, the hour drive from the airport is well worth your time for this phenomenal sanctuary.

Not only will you thoroughly enjoy the luxurious accommodations, moreover, but you will take part in a unique culinary experience as well. Overlooking a warm sunset, the Sierra Mar Restaurant has one of the largest wine selections in North America, with over 17,000 bottles. The wine team places a strong emphasis on wine not only from the California regions but also worldwide, earning them a prestigious Grand Award from Wine Spectator. Under Executive Chef Reylon Agustin, Sierra Mar presents guests with dishes and flavors intricately prepared with herbs and produce from the Chef’s Garden along with locally foraged ingredients discovered along the plush coastline and nearby mountains.

One aspect that brings a unique experience to Post Ranch is their approach to how they entertain their guests. Many come to the resort seeking rest and reconnection which is often found in nature. Complimentary activities include yoga and meditation classes, guided nature hikes and garden tours, and nightly stargazing on the deck and Sierra Mar using a computerized 12-inch Meade telescope. With one of the largest hotel telescopes in the U.S. and an exceptional view of Big Sur, Post Ranch bids some of the clearest atmospheric conditions for viewing the stars, nebulas, and even the rings of Saturn.

Other activities available include therapeutic heated basking pools, each with an infinity-edge overlooking the Pacific, and spa treatments catered to meet your relaxation needs and rejuvenation using the most natural healing properties.

Whether you enjoy a spa treatment in a suite amidst a fireplace or in the comfort of your suite, the goal is to help create lasting changes for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In addition to exceptional culinary options and spa treatments, guests are invited to visit the Post Gallery which showcases a range of art including sculptures, photography, and fine jewelry. The exhibits change throughout the year, providing opportunities to display the art of various talented artists around the Big Sur community, giving a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to the world around us. Prepare to make yourself at home this sizzling summer and cool off while you savor each moment at Post Ranch Inn.

S I E R R A M A R W I N E C E L LA R .

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OTL / WINE

Champagne Traditionally, Champagne has always a way to celebrate milestones or toast the bride and groom on their marriage. Considered to be a flexible beverage, Champagne can be served with a meal or with dessert. For many years, this truly refreshing and exotic drink has been used as a way of celebration and just enjoying the times that lie ahead.

Champagne comes from the vineyards of the French region. If you get a bottle and notice Champagne imprinted on the label, you can rest assured that the bottle was produced in the vineyards of France. If you don’t get Champagne that was produced in the infamous French regions, you are pretty much just buying the standard sparkling wine. You should also make sure that the bottle is spelled Champagne, with a capital C. French manufacturers are very protective of this very name, and therefore are the only ones that are authorized to use it.

Champagne is made using three different types of grapes - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay.

Noir and Meunier are types of black grapes, while the

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well-known Chardonnay is a type of white grape. The label on the bottle will signify what type of Champagne you are buying, so you’ll know what flavor to expect.

There are also types of this wine that are a blend of different grapes, providing quite an exquisite taste to say the least.

Much like sparkling wine, Champagne is very common with celebrations and such. Although it is considered to be a type of sparkling wine, Champagne is much better. You must be careful where you buy it though, as a lot of manufacturers like to use cheaper grapes, which don’t taste the same. If you have ever tasted this wine before - you’ll know first-hand what quality tastes like.

A lot of people prefer Champagne because of the bubbles that are known to spew forth once a bottle has been uncorked. The bubbles that spew from this wine are the result of tiny drops of liquid that are disturbed by the carbonic acid gas. Once the liquid is disturbed, the bubbles form and short out of the bottle.

This is a natural reaction of the double fermentation process that can only be found with a bottle of Champagne.

The next time you have a celebration and need something to make the celebration a bit more interesting, you should grab a bottle of Champagne.

Few things compliment a celebration like the bursting bubbles of a fine bottle. You can find quality Champagne at ABC stores or other stores that sell alcoholic beverages. Even though it may cost you a bit of money - when you pop the top you’ll be glad you bought it.

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OTL / CIGAR

How to Pick and Puff Wondering how to choose the perfect cigar?

If you’re a newcomer to the world of cigar smoking, here are a few tips to choosing the best cigar.

First, note the texture of the cigar. Squeeze it gently. Is very soft, or rigid? Ideally, the cigar should give slightly, but not too much. Very gently, squeeze the length of the cigar to check for lumps. A good cigar will have a consistent texture.

Next, inspect the cigar for flaws. Any cracks or discolorations are the signs of a lower qual-

ity cigar. The cigar’s wrapper should be wrapped smoothly.

Finally, look at the ends of the cigar. Pay particular attention to the exposed end where cigar is lit. If you’re new to cigars, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the tobacco. The simplest way to judge the tobacco quality of a cigar is to inspect the color of the tobacco. If you note any abrupt color changes, this may indicate that the tobacco leaves were not laid out properly. Look for a cigar with a smooth blend of tobacco.

Tips for Lighting a Cigar For new smokers, lighting a cigar can seem as daunting as learning to choose a good single. Here are four tips to guide you in lighting a cigar for the first time.

1

Use cedar matches, if possible. If you prefer to use a lighter, make sure it’s butane lighter to avoid strong odors.

2

Warm the open end of the cigar (aka ‘the foot’ of the cigar) slowly over the flame, without touching it to the fire. Let a black ring form around the end.

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Place the cigar in your mouth and draw in slowly. Hold the ci-

gar over the flame, about half an inch above it, again without touching. Continue to draw in until the cigar draws the flame. Turn the cigar slowly, spinning it to establish an even burn.

4

Once your cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth and observe the burn you have established. If the burn appears to be uneven, simply blow on the unlit sections to draw the burn, and then take one or two draws from the cigar to reestablish an even burn.