OTL PHX Winter 2023 Issue

THE BOULDERS RESORT & SPA POSTCARD VIEWS

SUPERBOWL & WM PHOENIX OPEN

DOMINIK’S RESTAURANT

GRAND WINTER ESCAPE

Volume 2, Issue 1

FEATURES 12

PUERTO VALLARTA Mexico is recognized for its service. Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone. Come and find your space. S. Laird

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DOMINIK RESTAURANT In a town teeming with steakhouses, Dominick’s stands out as a one-of-a-kind fine dining destination. T.Traverse

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SPRING FEVER

With the WM Phoenix Open, Super Bowl and Spring Training all happening within a few weeks, the Valley is gearing up to have one busy spring season. T.Traverse

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VEGAS LUXURY ASCENDANT No better way to go all in than Las Vegas. Known for it’s over the top appeal, The Four Seasons is well worth it. S. Laird

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BOULDERS GOLF CLUB Unspoiled acreage. The 12-million-year-old boulders are found in artful, unusual formations throughout the property highlighting a desert canvas with spoiling miles-long views. C.Mickelson.

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THE BOULDERS RESORT & SPA POSTCARD VIEWS

SUPERBOWL & WM PHOENIX OPEN

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DOMINIK’S RESTAURANT

GRAND WINTER ESCAPE

ON THE COVER The Boulders Resort & Spa fills the eye with majestic views literally looking into the past.

Contents COLUMNS 18

FITNESS Stand up paddle board provides a core workout while eyeing nature.

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BUCKS TIPS Hitting consistent shots start with a square clubface. Part 2 with Buck.

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YOGA Yoga is one of the best ways for golfers to improve their game.

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TRAVEL

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PUTT FOR DOUGH Social Security: More than just a retirement benefit.

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DRIVE FOR SHOW 2023 Ferrari Purosangua, meaning pureblood in Italian, it’s a show-stopper.

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EQUIPMENT Distance is a reality. If you’re looking for more, try this piece of equipment.

Grand Winter Escape to Florida. Orlando is home to many amusement parks including Disney and Universal. You don’t have to win a SuperBowl to go.

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Perhaps no resort in America does such a great job of matching golf, food, drink, historic structures and near perfect weather as Silverado.

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WINE New year, new wines. Here are some suggestions to add to your to-try list.

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CIGAR We’ve got a new Cigar Guy. He’s ready to take your cigar game to new heights.

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From the Publisher It’s going to be a great year. Why, just because the calendar changed?

With the tick-tock of the clock, is there a cosmic shift? Is there a magical ratio from 22 to 23? Is the planet Mercury’s retrograde going to impact you truly? Is it the dawning of an age of Aquarius? (One of my favorite songs by the way) I don’t know the answer. I can tell you with some degree of certainty due to my life experience that gyms will be more crowded. Morning lines at doughnut shops will be shorter for a week or so.

You will hear Happy New Year in greetings and lazy people will keep their holiday lights up far too long.

The new year is the ultimate Monday and planet Earth’s most prominent imaginary reset button. In golf-speak, the new year is the nuclear mulligan.

The magic isn’t in the stars, it comes from within (I know the carbon in us comes from the stars therefore, we are the star people). The concept of the athlete getting into the zone is real. Sure, they try to study it and some definitions have been implemented to put it into perspective. You have times when you feel you’re on your game.

You can tell when it’s going to be one of those days. You’re familiar with the phrase “getting up on the wrong side of the bed.”

How many times do you say that? Once or twice a month? If so, then that means you’re getting up on the right side of the bed a minimum of 25 times or more. You would take those odds to Vegas every day.

We have all the power to change or direct what we want. The first feat is to decide. Sounds easy enough, but making decisions is where the challenge lies.

I hear it all the time when I ask, what do you

want? The same answers come up. Money, a better body, and love. The truth is we all have those things. We have money, and a body, and most likely, we are not completely alone or isolated. We need or want more of it. We want more money, not necessarily more body – less body in some cases, and an improved love life (better or different relationship).

The answers are beyond the extent you realize.

The question is, why do you want these things?

What would you then do with the money, the better body, and the relationship?

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Make a few plans and keep reminding yourself of what you want.

Since we are not perfect, there will be events that will not be the best, but overall, it’s only an event. A better event will follow. I hear people talking about a bad day all the time. I can say that I have never had a bad day. I have experienced bad events during the day, even multiple bad events, but the good in a day has always outweighed the bad.

Start today with this letter. Determine who you want to be, where you want to go, and how you want to do it. The rest is manageable with the amount of effort you want to expend. Be determined, not deterred.

2023 is in your hands.

Please enjoy the issue. Our goal has remained the same since we published the first issue. We want you to enjoy the finer things in life, given all the articles on food, golf, travel, and much more.

The next time you assume others are living their dream, get about the business of living out your dreams. It’s possible; start now.

Happy New Year.

Sedric Walker • Publisher

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WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS 5-9PM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 5-10PM

J&G STEAKHOUSE AT THE PHOENICIAN 6000 E. Camelback Road | Scottsdale, Az 85251 480.214.8000 jgsteakhousescottsdale.com

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PUBLISHER Sedric Walker

GOLF FEATURES EDITOR Carl Mickelson

ART DIRECTOR Leticia Galarza

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL Buck Mayers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Teresa K. Traverse, Scott Laird, Carl Mickelson Allison Loots, Leslie Stevenson, Nicole Pinter, Hunter Ham, Art Stricklin

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Chin

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11 OTLPHX.COM

Puerto Vallarta: Pacific Pleasantries STORY AND PHOTOS BY: SCOTT LAIRD

Even the most trivial things in Puerto Vallarta seem cosmopolitan. On the oceanfront Malecon, vendors sell tuba fresca, a non-alcoholic palm wine made from palm sap, ladled over ice out of a chilled barrel, garnished with nuts and fresh fruit (in this case, apple and pomegranate). Coconuts, however, are not native to Mexico’s Pacific Coast. They, like much else in the city, are a colonial introduction—both coconuts palms and the method for making tuba fresca and its alcoholic cousin were imported to Mexico from the Philippines when both were part of the Spanish Empire.

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destination

One of the neighborhoods is called Gringo Gulch, after a number of Americans took up residents in the 1950s and 1960s. Most famously, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton bought two houses across the street from each other, and built a skybridge between them so they could visit each other without crossing the street and risking exposure to the paparazzi. The estate, Casa Kimberley, is today a boutique hotel, and guests in the Elizabeth Taylor suite will bathe in the same heart-shaped pink marble bathtub that Taylor custom-ordered for the property. A detail lost in translation returned a bathtub in the shape of the actual organ rather than the stylized heart shape that was requested.

Quimixto.

T

he area also has a long history of welcoming vacationers. As early as the 18th Century, as mining operations in the nearby mountains grew, Puerto Vallarta (until 1918 called Puerto Peñasco) was a popular place of respite for families in the surrounding mountains, as well as an important commercial port. It wasn’t until the 1960s when an international airport was completed that Americans began arriving, driving a tourist boom.

Today, even with decades of tourism growth, the city still has a laid-back, colonial feel. Builtup resorts dotting the beaches stretching to the north and south of town don’t seem to deposit large crowds into the town center itself, and the sparse walkers along the art-strewn Malecon are a pleasant mix of visitors and local residents.

Perhaps it’s the mountains that the city development crawls directly up that have a compartmentalizing effect on the neighborhoods, making them feel smaller.

Xinalani Spa.

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Xinalani.

Nearby, travelers can book a table at La Capella to take in spectacular views of Banderas Bay and the baoque-styled crown atop the bell tower at Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe while strolling violinists serenade diners.

The owners of the restaurant also own and operate the BellView Hotel in the same building, so fans of the view can also book a room to enjoy it throughout their stay.

When it’s time to get out on the water, Vallarta Adventures operates catamaran excursions to Las Caletas, which was once the beachfront property of film director John Huston, who directed Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1964 film The Night of The Iguana, which was both set and filmed on location in Puerto Vallarta.

The voyage hugs the coastline, affording visitors views of the city and Los Arcos de Mismaloya—the famed rock arches just off the coast, which is a national park

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and sanctuary for nesting birds. Upon reaching Las Caletas, which seems sandwiched between rocky cliffs and the sea, there are numerous activities for guests to fill their day. Vacationers can swim, laze in oceanfront hammocks or beach chairs, take a ceviche cooking class, sample mezcal with chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), dive or snorkel—all with company from colorful parrots, flamingos, and accommodating staff.

Further down the rocky coast on the south of Banderas Bay is an area known as Cabo Corrientes, where the eco-resort Xinalani sits on a hill above a pristine beach. Focusing on wellness and yoga, the resort’s guest rooms have walls on three sides, leaving letting the sea breezes cool the rooms naturally. Accommodations range from deluxe private rooms to shared dormitories for budget travelers or those who want to travel in a communal group bubble.

Guests spend their days attending yoga classes, taking massages at the resort’s spa suites perched in the

destination

rainforest just above the crashing surf on the beach, or dining in the communal dining room on local cuisine with vegetables from the on-site garden. Meals are included in the room rates; for luncheon guests might enjoy on freshly caught fish, roast chicken (the menu is vegetarian-friendly and avoids red meat), gazpacho, aguachile with shrimp and local mushrooms, brown rice pilaf tossed with local fruit and wine-poached pears.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya.

There’s also a beachfront bar, a small pool, and day beds and loungers dotting the sand stretching out between two rocky outcroppings on a wide stretch of sandy beach.

When not spending time on the beach or bathing in the ocean, there’s time to explore the nearby town of Quimixto, where they’ll find oceanfront bars and restaurants—and the main sources of transport are donkeys.

The town is entirely off the road system, so goods and guests all arrive via boat from Puerto Vallarta or water taxi to the nearby highway.

While many luxury resorts tend to cluster in the Puta Mita Area about 45 minutes north of the airport, many of the global hospitality brands have upper upscale resorts delivering the gracious, heartfelt service Mexico is renowned for. In the Marina Vallarta area, just ten minutes from the Malecon by car, the Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta sits on oceanfront property with towering heritage palms and throwback architecture—think open-air spaces flanked by concrete columns, polished marble floors, and oversized guest rooms with distinctive local flair in furnishings—like rustic found woods and decorative tile.

Las Caletas.

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A more intimate, adults-only option in Marina Vallarta is the Casa Velas. Located on the Joe Fingerdesigned 18 hold Marina Vallarta golf course, this allinclusive sister property to the beachfront Velas Vallarta offers seclusion and privacy, along with access to the amenities and services of the larger resort. Guests can relax at the resort’s intimate pool or tranquil indoor-outdoor restaurant or take a free shuttle to the higher-energy Tau Beach Club on Pelicanos Beach.

Guest rooms include L’Occitane bath amenities and minibars stocked with snacks, premium liquors, and Mexican brand beers.

There’s plenty of shopping in the resorts and along the Malecon, but perhaps the most distinctive souvenir one can take home from Puerto Vallarta is a piece of Huichol bead art. This art form originates with the

indigenous Huichol people of the Sierra Madre of northern Nayarit, Jalisco, and western Zacatecas, and involves intricate beading and yarn wrapping around a wood carving, typically of an animal figure.

Shopkeepers can explain some of the intricacies of the designs (the woven patterns typically have significance in the indigenous religion) and some of the shops will even host some of the artists in residence for demonstrations or to answer questions.

Whether visitors to Puerto Vallarta choose to fill their days with exploration, or have nothing on their itinerary beyond a beach or pool chair and beverage orders, this charming city on Mexico’s Pacific coast offers a supremely elevated experience in this intoxicatingly friendly country.

P u e r t o Va l l a r t a M a l e c ó n .

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Power to the Core STORY BY LESLIE SOSA

OTLPHX / FITNESS

I would be lying if I said each time I go to the gym or teach a class I am overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation to go exercise, and while I truly enjoy exercising, I can also relate to those who do not want to exercise in a gym environment. Before the developed world, the idea of exercising was probably not on anyone’s mind since their day to day activities kept them active and fit by nature, and for some, this is more therapeutic than any sit-down therapy session.

Outdoor activities are easily accessible, family friendly, and often inexpensive. Stand-up Paddleboarding is quite popular in the Austin area and although it looks effortless, it does take some strength and skill, which is probably why at the docks they recommend to paddle upstream first because by the time you want to return, your body is tired and even downstream felt like work to me!

Drifting along the river, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility, able to take in nature and enjoy disconnecting from the fast-paced life many of us live, despite how we tell ourselves we are going to slow down and enjoy life. Listening to the water break against the rocky brooke, spotting a few swans and catching a glimpse of a family of turtles, I am reminded how much I enjoy being active outside of my regular routine at the gym. While the sport of paddleboarding appears to be elementary, after placing one foot on the board while getting on, it became apparent that paddleboarding takes more effort than anticipated. Clearly, it takes some upper body strength, but mostly balance, and I like to think of our core muscles as the control center of our body. The majority of people think of their abdominal muscles when they

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hear the word “core”; however, fitness experts might agree that the core entails back, shoulders, glutes, hamstrings and quads. Yes, all of those are part of your core, and while paddleboarding, they were all engaged to keep me stable and in control in order to stay on top and not under the water. Upon returning to the dock, I could tell that I got a total body workout without having to step into a fitness facility, pay a trainer, or lift any weights.

Staying fit does not mean that you have to be part of a fitness class or have a gym membership.

My grandma is 96 and still quite independent, and it is due to her good genes but more so, healthy lifestyle. Whenever someone sees her walking around the neighborhood or going to her fitness class, they ask her what her secret to staying healthy is, and her answer shocks them every time: keep walking. Often we over complicate the already simplified solution.

Take care of your body by utilizing the resources we have had since the beginning of time, nature! Some people thrive on the kind of environment where others are there to encourage and push them, I am one of them, but we miss so much of nature’s gifts and simple pleasures in life if we are cooped up in a gym every time we choose to be active. Understandably, water sports are not for everyone, but find something that works for you, something that you will enjoy and not even think about as exercise, but simply enjoying life and all the beauty it has to offer. If you allow yourself to stash the laptop, phone, tablet and whatever else we reach for without even thinking about it, you will not be disappointed when you get to experience nature at its finest.

Yoga For Golfers: How to improve your golf game with yoga?

STORY BY NICOLE PINTER

OTLPHX / YOGA

It’s not just professional athletes but amateur golfers are starting to realize the benefit of yoga. It is one of the most effective ways to improve your physical performance on and off the golf course. Yoga for golfers is also the key to playing golf longer and pain-free. It helps to increase flexibility, better balance, core strength, and more concentration which is beneficial for the mental game.

If you get easily tired after a round of golf or feel pain in your lower back or shoulders it is a sign, you should start yoga. Yoga for golfer poses specifically adapted to improve your golf performance. Regardless of age or physical state, you can start to practice yoga and soon you will feel the benefits.

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yoga

• Better balance for a consistent swing Maintaining balance during the swing is essential for a consistent and effective golf swing. Aging can affect balance, so it is important to start yoga and prevent losing balance during the golf swing. Working on your balance also requires more focus and concentration than other exercises.

BALANCE POSE • More flexibility for better swing Improving your flexibility allows for increased range of motion at your joints and better mobility too. The golf swing is not a natural movement, so you need to be flexible enough for playing longer and lower the risks of injuries. Yoga for golfers poses specifically stretches the muscles you need during the golf swing.

TURN • Core strengths for better score Better distance and more powerful swing are every golfer’s goals. A strong core will help you with accuracy and protect your spine too. In order to create and translate power golfers need to train glute strength, hip stability, and anterior core strength too.

• Reduce risks of injuries with warming up

Golfers are prone to developing back pain and shoulder injuries. Every second golfer experiences pain after or during a round of golf. A dynamic warmup is just one side of preventing injuries. Practicing yoga every day can help you to play golf pain-free.

• More control of breathing, focus better During a round of golf, you need to switch on and off your focus to play effectively. Learning different breathing technics throw yoga, helps you to control concentration. Being able to get back to the present moment and relax after a bad shot is the key to a successful golf game.

Get ready for your best golf performance throw practicing yoga every day for 20 minutes. You don’t need to be flexible to start, most of the exercises are modified for golfers.

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OTLPHX / PUTT FOR DOUGH

Social Security – More Than Just a Retirement Benefit STORY BY JIM KERR, CFP®, EA, CLU®, AFC®

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putt for dough

When people think of Social Security, they often think of it as just a retirement benefit. They assume if they work and pay into Social Security long enough, they will qualify for a monthly retirement benefit that lasts the rest of their life.

Social Security is that and much more. In addition to retirement benefits, there are spousal benefits, children’s benefits, survivor benefits, disability benefits, and even divorced spouse benefits. Let’s look this fictitious married couple:

• Joe (age 40) and Debra (age 39) are married and have been for 10+ years • They have two children, Steven (age 8) and Jane (age 5).

• Joe earns $120,000 per year and receives cost of living increases to his salary each year.

• Jane does not work. Her past work record if very limited (less than 5 years), so she does not qualify for Social Security on her own work record.

Below are four scenarios that could apply to Joe and Debra. The estimated Social Security benefits in each scenario were obtained from the Quick Calculator on the Social Security website at this link: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/ SCENARIO #1: Joe works full-time to age 67 (his full retirement age), then retires: • Joe’s retirement benefit is $2,992 per month if he begins it at age 67.

• Debra’s spousal retirement benefit is $1,496 per month at her full retirement age of 67.

• If Joe predeceases Debra during their retirement years, Debra’s spousal retirement benefit will increase to $2,992 per month (what Joe was receiving).

SCENARIO #2: Joe dies prematurely at age 40: • Debra receives a survivor benefit of $2,080 per month until her youngest child (Jane) reaches the age of 16.

• Their children (Steven and Jane) will each receive $2,080 per month until they reach the age of 18, or age 19 if still in high school.

• There is a Family Maximum of $4,854.10 per month. If the combined monthly benefit for Debra and the children is larger than that, it will be reduced to $4,854.10 per month.

• When Jane reaches her full retirement age of 67, she qualifies for a monthly survivor retirement benefit of $2,773 per month.

SCENARIO #3: Joe becomes totally and permanently disabled at age 40 and can’t work: • Joe receives a disability benefit of $2,747 per month • Debra and the children may also qualify for benefits if Joe is disabled.

SCENARIO #4: Joe and Debra divorce when Joe is 62 and Debra is 61: • Once Debra reaches her full retirement age (67), she may qualify for a divorced spouse benefit of $1,496 per month.

• If Joe predeceases her while retired, her benefit may increase to $2,992 per month.

The above numbers are estimates only, and the actual numbers could be different because: • The benefit amounts shown in today’s dollars.

The actual amounts would likely be higher due to the cost of living increases that apply to future Social Security benefits.

• If Joe or Mary decide to begin retirement benefits earlier or later than age 67, the benefit amounts will be different.

• If Debra is under the age of 67, and decides to go back to work if Joe dies, her survivor benefit may be reduced.

• If either Joe or Debra have a history of working for a government entity where they did not pay into Social Security, their retirement and/or survivor benefits may be reduced.

Social Security provides a substantial safety net, but the rules are complicated. The Social Security website, www.ssa.gov provides good information plus calculators so that you can estimate your own Social Security benefits. For those approaching retirement, there are benefit claiming strategies that can be used to help maximize your lifetime Social Security benefits. A financial advisor could help determine the best strategy for you.

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OTLPHX / DRIVE FOR SHOW

errari unveils its first sport utility vehicle for 2023. The all-new four-door Ferrari Purosangue, which means pure-blood in Italian, is a showstopper for the new year.

The fact that Ferrari, despite its resistance to making an SUV, decided to enter this market space with a bonified slam-dunk. The first Ferrari SUV is proof that this legendary manufacturer can change with the times and offer up something that represents its history and style in an unfamiliar way.

Ferrari designed the 2023 Ferrari Purosangue using its supercar bag of tricks. The result turned out to be a different kind of SUV Ferrari enthusiasts wanted built the Ferrari way. Ferrari says they only build sports cars and that the 2023 Purosangue is first and foremost a Ferrari and by that they mean cars with impressive performance and dynamics that will put a smile on your face, says marketing chief Enrico Galliera.

Understandably, Ferrari stays clear of calling it’s Purosangue an SUV. Instead, Ferrari has coined the Purosangue as a Ferrari Utility Vehicle or FUV. SUV or FUV this vehicle fits the bill for those wanting Ferrari driving excitement in a vehicle that has a hatchback and carries four passengers comfortably.

Engine-wise, Ferrari Purosangue offers a naturally aspirated V-12. Later, a V-8 version and even a V-6 hybrid are said to be available for the SUV. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 engine, that wears Ferrari’s signature red painted valve covers, produces 715-hp and 528 poundfeet of torque delivering solid acceleration along with a Ferrari tuned suspension that engineers say will help the Purosangue drive and handle as a Ferrari should. Ferrari claims the Purosangue catapults to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 193 mph.

The 2023 Ferrari Purosangue adaptive suspension system uses an electric motor at each corner of the SUV to apply force to the dampers during cornering maneuvers to control body roll.

As such, the Purosangue has no need for traditional anti-roll bars, and it can also hunker down during hard driving by reducing its ride height by almost a half inch.

This new ride by Ferrari promises to bring some excitement and competition to a burgeoning market for SUVs with supercar tendencies.

The expected starting price for the 2023 Ferrari Purosangue is estimated at $400,000.

Driverside Vehicle Reviews

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drive for show

2023 Ferrari

Purosangue 25 OTLPHX.COM

A Cut Above

In a town teeming with steakhouses, Dominick’s stands out as a one-of-a-kind fine dining destination.

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STORY BY TERESA K. TRAVERSE here are steakhouses, and then there’s Dominick’s Steakhouse.

Dominick’s manages to stand out in a city where steakhouses are a dime a dozen. Located in the upscale Scottsdale Quarter, Dominick’s opened in 2011. The restaurant is owned by Mike and Jeff Mastro, the duo behind the popular Mastro’s Steakhouse chain. After Mastro’s sold to Kinderhook Industries in 2007, they decided to open a steakhouse named after their grandfather, Dominick. Dominick’s is designed, above all, to be a one-of-kind restaurant.

“They wanted Dominic’s to be a special, individual restaurant that was uniquely designed. There’s a pool on the roof, poolside dining on the glass-enclosed rooftop,” says Oliver Badgio, chief brand officer for Prime Steak Concepts that includes Dominick’s, Steak 44, Ocean 44 and Steak 48. “It’s an exciting place.”

Badgio has worked with both Mike and Jeff for about 31 years. For the past 12 years, Dominick’s has stood out as a fine dining destination in the Valley. Customers dress up and come to have a luxe experience.

“The concept for Dominick’s is to have the best of luxury personal service, the best quality food in a beautiful, warm, contemporary environment,” says Badgio.

A Comfortable Atmosphere Dominick’s is intended to be a welcoming space. Mike and Jeff contracted with Janet Henrich to give the space a softer feel in contrast to the old men’s club vibe that many steakhouses can have. The ceiling above the bar is white, and the bar is topped with silver light fixtures. No detail was too small. Chairs are slightly deeper than most restaurant chairs for comfort and to give female guests a place to put their clutches. The tables are slightly larger than your average ones. The idea is to make customers feel comfortable and as if they have their own space. There’s no curb in front of the restaurant by design.

“When you get out, you want to be able to just gracefully get out of the car, walk to the restaurant, enjoy the ride,” says Badgio. Although no one would go to Dominick’s solely for this feature, it starts the night off on a comfortable, enjoyable note.

At any given time, you might see couples on dates, large groups of friends enjoying a night out and professionals having meetings. They can choose from the lively main dining room, quiet wine room or take a seat by the buzzy bar, depending on the experience they’re searching for.

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“The restaurant is a collection of intimate spaces,” says Badgio.

Mike Mastro curates the restaurant’s playlist.

Expect an eclectic mix that can feature artists like Elton John, Dean Martin or Bruno Mars.

Pools are an important feature of living in Arizona, and Dominick’s even has an impressive reflecting pool on its second floor.

Fantastic Food The menu is styled to meet individual tastes.

It almost goes without saying, but all the steaks are stellar. Steaks are wet aged 28 days and hand cut in house by the master butcher. The menu offers steaks that range from eight to 22 ounces.

Guests can cut into New York strip, filet mignon, a bone-in ribeye and based on availability, an Australian tajima wagyu filet. Guests can add a variety of toppings including crispy shrimp, foie gras, truffle butter and chef-style burrata, among other options. Badgio tells us that the best cut

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is not listed on the menu. Ask for the butcher’s cut—a wagyu rib cab, or the outside cap of a ribeye, served and sliced 12 ounces.

“It’s the most decadent steak you’ve ever had,” says Badgio.

Dominick’s menu is sophisticated, but also playful and creative. Badgio tells us that appetizers are sized for one to two people so diners can try a variety of apps. Diners can look forward to inventive appetizers like the crispy shrimp deviled eggs or chicken fried lobster tails. Dominick’s menu declares that “sides matter.” Guests can find truffled and salted crispy fries, a loaded baked potato, mac and cheese and roasted brussels sprouts. The corn crème brulee—sweet corn, cream and turbinado sugar—is another tasty, inventive side that combines both savory and sweet flavors.

Fish is another stand-out option. All the fish is certified top load only, meaning it was caught in the last 24 hours, received cold,

cut cold, stored cold and then immediately cooked to ensure freshness. Chilean sea bass and Maryland style lump crab cake seasoned with Old Bay and buttered breadcrumbs are highlights. The raw bar includes an array of fish too. Diners can order fresh oysters, Hawaiian poke and three different cocktails: colossal shrimp, Maine lobster or Dungeness crab. The dinner menu also features six salads ranging from a traditional chopped to a Dominick’s Caesar served with a warmed poached egg.

Executive Pastry Chef Christine Conner has crafted a variety of decadent treats for the final course. A few noteworthy options include Lou Lou’s cookies & cream gelato caked. Lou Lou is what Mike’s grandchildren call his wife, Brenda. Chocolate lovers will delight in the triple chocolate bombe—milk chocolate mousse in a dark chocolate shell that’s served with toasted almonds, toasted marshmallow and white chocolate ganache. A red velvet bread pudding served with vanilla gelato, white chocolate and sweet cream cheese is perfect for a chilly win-

ter’s evening. Badgio raved about the crispy banana split. The twist here is that the bananas rolled up in rushed up frosted flakes, cinnamon and sugar. The bananas are then fried and served with salted caramel gelato and Luxardo whipped cream.

All About the Drinks Director of beverage Kimber Stonehouse curates the wine list and cocktail program.

“She is so passionate about what she does, and you can really feel it in the curation of the wine list,” says Badgio.

The wine list is 650 bottles. The reserve list features hard-to-get and find bottles that are true highlights. Find sparkling, whites, pinot, new world cabernet, new world reds, French reds, Italian and Spanish reds and large format bottles.

A few stand out bottles include Dom Perignon, Louis Roederer Cristal Rose and a Screaming Eagle cabernet. Prices range from over $3,000 to just over $100.

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Dominick’s also stocks scotch, whiskey, bourbon, beer, tequila, cognac along with sweet and dessert wines. Guests also can look forward to a specialty cocktail and martini menu. Two of the most popular libations are the basil cucumber limeade and the strawberry rhubarb, a blend of vodka, strawberries, rhubarb, fresh pressed lemon and prosecco.

Service Dominick’s Steakhouse has an onboarding program that’s about nine weeks long for new staff members. They’re trained both in a classroom and a mock setting. The staff tries every menu item and serves plates to each other. They’ll critique their delivery. Staff that have been with the restaurant for years will also receive training.

Quarterly, they’ll host a “boot camp” where they

“We have a very special relationship with Larry,” says Badgio. “Larry is one of those guys where if you’ve ever heard a great story about Larry, it’s an understatement.”

Badgio tells us that the restaurant group has known Fitzgerald for about 15 years. Fitzgerald was searching for a way to expand his event, and the Mastro brothers agreed to help him out. Last year, Fitzgerald raised about $850,000 in one night.

VIP guests can even take a private elevator to the second floor to avoid walking through the main dining room floor. With a few days notice, the chef can prepare a special menu. The restaurant’s second floor, wine room and a library dining room can be used as private dining spaces.

Over Super Bowl weekend, Dominick’s will be hosting special parties. The restaurant group also does some philanthropy with The Thunderbirds, the nonprofit responsible for putting on the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Due to its close proximity to the Waste Management Inn, Dominick’s is all but guaranteed to draw crowds in town for both major sporting events.

“What separates us is the totality of the experience. It isn’t just the food. It isn’t just the physical space. It’s the ease of arrival at valet.

It’s the thoughtful acoustics in the restaurant and the feeling that you have there. It’s the luxury personal service. It’s the staff training that goes into it. It’s the staffing levels where nobody’s ever too busy, and you can get that personal service and that touch that makes it a special experience and make you feel like you want to you want to come back and you want to share it,” says Badgio. “And also the food. Chef is so creative, and we stayed firmly grounded on a strong American steakhouse platform, but ventured out into exciting things in the area of appetizers and side dishes and salads.”

can improve and refine their skills. The restaurants also spend time focusing on self-care, time management and even meditation to help their staff thrive and deliver top-notch service.

“When you can care for the whole person, and they’re the best version of themselves, everything they do gets better,” says Badgio.

Celebrity Following Dominick’s has a celebrity following. Former NFL star and Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald hosts a fundraiser for his eponymous charity at Dominick’s most ever year.

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It’s easy to see why Dominick’s has such a strong following. What ties all of the elements—food, atmosphere and service—together? A devotion to excellent work, which has earned the restaurants accolades. Ocean 44, Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse were all on OpenTable’s list of the top 100 restaurants in the United States.

“There’s a common thread and everything that we do, and it is, Mike and Jeff and their commitment to the best quality in everything that we can do. If it’s the best, let’s do it,” says Badgio. “That really is how they do everything, and it’s special to be a part of. I’m very grateful for that.”

Power SwingFan Delivers Hope for Longer Drives STORY BY MARC HALL

One of the startling realities that has come with recently becoming PGA Tour Champions-eligible – in age only, let’s be clear – is my noticeable decrease in distance off the tee. I’ve got to find some more ways to steal as much yardage as I can as Father Time tugs me in the other direction. A few months ago I stepped up my resistance training and stretching and it’s yielded some gains, but I could always use another five to 10 yards if at all possible.

The latest tool that’s come into my world to potentially get my back to the front of the pack off the tee is an invention by renowned golf instructor Dr. Gary Wiren called the PowerSwing Fan. I had been told it is one of the easiest and most effective products for increasing distance and control because it quickly produces maximum resistance at impact. Resembling a golf club with four fins on the end, it works using air resistance – generating maximum resistance as you swing through impact. The resistance improves your tempo, creates lag and additional speed to your swing if you practice with it on a regular basis.

The Power SwingFan’s owner and seller, GolfTrainingAids.com recently made some advancements to the design of this long-popular training aid. The biggest improvement is in the grip. They incorporated a counterbalanced grip, and you can interchange weights on the grip to go from two to 20 grams. That way, you can get different levels of downswing resistance as you practice.

OTLPHX / EQUIPMENT

The beauty of this particular training aid is how easy and intuitive it is to use. Which is why do many golfers through the years have trusted the PowerSwing Fan to help create lag in their golf swing. It also helps you to build the core muscles, so it actually functions as an exercise tool. It helps you build and refine the muscles needed to optimize your golf swing with some nice lag.

The PowerSwing Fan is a multi-functional training and warm-up device. While the primary function of the Fan is to build golf specific muscles, you can swing it on ‘nontraining’ days just to retain the swing sequence (hips, torso, shoulders, arms, hands, club) without fatiguing yourself. While you wouldn’t want to swing it 100 times before playing, it would be fine to swing it at 50- to 60-percent effort just to get the feeling of engaging your core while maintaining a smooth swing tempo.

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I local instructor told me a while back that you really want to train the swinging muscles. And that’s exactly what the Power SwingFan does. It’s helping the obliques.

It’s helping everything on the posterior chain. It’s helping the grip strength. It’s helping the forearms. It’s helping the hands. It shows you if you’re casting. A lot of times when you get into these weighted devices, you actually end up having bad form and bad technique. And this one does not do that. It promotes continuing down the proper path of the correct golf swing.

I’m already making some progress and what’s cool is anybody can use the PowerSwing Fan effectively, right out of the box. The PowerSwing Fan has two primary sizes: men’s and ladies’ (a junior version is available, too) with the ladies’ fins being a little narrower.

The all-new PowerSwing Fan sells for $99.99 at GolfTrainingAids.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Spring Fever STORY BY TERESA K. TRAVERSE

With the WM Phoenix Open, Super Bowl and Spring Training all happening within a few weeks, the Valley is gearing up to have one busy spring season. The WM Phoenix Open is from Feb. 6 to 12, and the Super Bowl will kick off on Feb. 12—an overlap of two enormous sporting events.

“The eyes of the sporting world will be on metro Phoenix that weekend,” says Pat Williams, the 2023 WM Phoenix Open tournament chair.

Just a few weeks later, Spring Training kicks off on Feb. 24 with two games. Take a closer look at each event and what to look forward to in this busy spring sports season.

THE WM PHOENIX OPEN rom Feb. 6 to 12, golf fans can delight in six days of golf at The WM Phoenix Open. Also known as The Greatest Show on the Grass or the People’s Open, the WM Phoenix Open is one of the leading (and one of the five oldest) stops on the PGA Tour. The Phoenix-based Thunderbirds are behind the tournament. The group started in 1937 as an offshoot of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and was intended to be a special events committee. One of the earliest members was golf enthusiast Bob Goldwater.

During the first year of the Phoenix Open, Goldwater himself sold tickets and set up the golf course at the Phoenix Country Club. The tournament has come a long way since then. What’s new in 2023? Purse money totaling $20 million, up from $8.2 million.

“We’re really excited because that guarantees the top 20 players on the PGA Tour will be at our tournament. We’re going to have what I think will be the best field we’ve ever had,” says Pat Williams, the 2023 tournament chairman. As of press time, specific player names can’t be released just yet, but Williams says that “it’s going to be incredible.”

signage. You’ll notice a building under construction by the entrance that will house a Draft Kings restaurant slated to open in 2024.

Since the Super Bowl will happen at the same time as the Open, Williams hopes that Big Game attendees might also swing by to check out the tournament.

“They should come experience what is, without question, the most exciting golf tournament in the world, and unlike any sporting event that they will have ever been to,” says Williams.

“We’re expecting crowds as big as we’ve ever had before.”

To accommodate the expected increase in attendees, fans can expect more water stations, concession stands and food options than ever before.

Also new this year is two new videoboards at the 16th Hole—the most famous hole on the course and the largest in golf. Suites are set up around this hole stadium style, and it’s quite the site. The tournament is held at the 18-hole TPC Scottsdale, which was redesigned in 2014 by esteemed architect Tom Weiskopf. The 16th Hole will also have a commemorative cup for fans. There’s also a new, larger entrance. Fans can look forward to larger and wider walkways in addition to new

Hole 16.

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The tournament also features stellar entertainment options. For the second time ever, The Thunderbirds will host The Concert in the Coliseum Presented by Swire Coca-Cola.

On Feb. 4, country musician Walker Hayes and pop act Maroon 5 will perform at the iconic 16th Hole.

Held inside a tent located across the street from the tournament entrance, The Coors Light Birds Nest is a four-day concert series held from Feb. 8 to 11. Country stars Dustin Lynch, Lainey Wilson and Chris Lane will kick off the series.

This is the first time a trio of musicians will perform on the same night. Rock musician Machine Gun Kelly and JXDN, country star Jason Aldean along with guest MacKenzie Porter, The Chainsmokers and Gryffin will all headline.

The WM Phoenix Open is also the largest zero waste sporting events in the world. On Feb. 11, fans are encouraged to wear green to support the eco-friendly aspects of the tournament.

Finally, the tournament also has a charitable aspect. The nonprofit Thunderbirds Charities was founded in 1986 to distribute money raised from the tournament to charities that are either Arizona-based or who have a significant presence in the state. The 2022 WM Phoenix Open raised close to $10.5 million for charities. Past beneficiaries include First Tee of Phoenix, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Special Olympics Arizona and Valley Youth Theatre. Williams tells us that about 50 to 100 charities receive funds annually. In the tournament’s 88-year history, The Thunderbirds have raised more than $176 million.

“We’re really most excited about having an incredible event that results ultimately in charitable dollars back to the community,” says Williams. Attendees “should look forward to seeing great golf and what we hope is the best field we’ve ever had.”

Visit wmphoenixopen.com for more information.

The WM Phoenix Open is also the largest zero waste sporting events in the world. On Feb. 11, fans are encouraged to wear green to support the eco-friendly aspects of the tournament.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WM PHOENIX OPEN

2022 Presentation.

S a m R y d e r A r m s u p.

H a l f t i m e s h o w.

Shaq’s Fun House.

THE SUPER BOWL The NFL’s top two teams will face off at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12.

This will be the fourth time the game has been played in the Grand Canyon State. Rihanna will perform at the highly anticipated halftime show. This will be her first live performance in over five years.

The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee helps plan and execute the Super Bowl. The committee works with the National Football League and local and national companies to plan the event. The 2015 Arizona Super Bowl attracted over 120,000 visitors and generated over $719 million.

A slew of events, concerts and parties have also sprung up around the Big Game. Here’s a few highlights: NFL fans can attend the Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s at the Phoenix Convention Center from Feb. 4 to 5 and 9 to 11. They also can see the Historic Old Town ESPN Main Street Tailgate where ESPN will broadcast live before the Super Bowl from Feb. 8 to 12. Held at the Footprint Center in

State Far m Stadium.

downtown Phoenix, The Bud Light Music Fest will feature three different performances by top acts from Feb. 9 to 11. Paramore, Dave Matthews Band and Imagine Dragons are set to headline.

Arizona rock band Jimmy Eat World and country artist Lee Brice will play free concerts on Feb. 9 and 10 at the Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s at downtown Phoenix’s Hance Park. A free Super Bowl watch party will also take place at the park on Feb. 12.

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On Feb. 10, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal will host his lively party, Shaq’s Fun House. Held at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, this concert and party will feature Diplo and Snoop Dogg. Attendees also can enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere and enjoy rides along with an open bar and food.

There’s bound to be more announced in the coming weeks.

Regardless of whether you’re attending the Super Bowl or not, metro Phoenix will be chock full of events celebrating the last NFL game of the season. Visit azsuperbowl.com for more information.

The next night, Sports Illustrated is hosting SI The Party Presented by Captain Morgan. Machine Gun Kelly and The Chainsmokers will headline this celebration which also will be held at Talking Stick. The event is typically star-studded. Past SI attendees include Kevin Hart, Jeff Bezos, Ciara and Russell Wilson. Additionally, SI The Party will host all 32 NFL Fan of the Year nominees and feature a specialty cocktail bar. These are only a handful of events available as of press time.

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PHOT O: COURTESY AUTHENTIC

Super Bowl Field.

S p o r t s I l l u s t r a t e d P a r t y.

SPRING TRAINING The busy 2023 spring sports season concludes with Spring Training that kicks off on Feb. 24 and wraps up on March 28. Every spring in the Valley, the 15 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams that make up the Cactus League travel to metro Phoenix to play ball before the official season kicks off. This gives pro players a chance to practice and build up their fitness before the season officially kicks off and allows younger players to try out. Games tend to be affordable. Spring Training attendees also can enjoy the area’s warm winter weather. The Valley is home to 10 different stadiums where teams square off. Spring training also occurs in Florida.

After three years of some upheaval, spring training should finally have a more typical season in 2023.

“Each of the last three spring training seasons has been disrupted – the first two by COVID-19 and the last one by the MLB lockout – and I keep hearing that fans are looking forward to a ‘normal’ season in 2023. Combine that with the fact that more people are traveling these days, and I’m optimistic that will translate to higher attendance. Six out of 10 Cactus League fans come from out of state, so we really rely on visitors to drive the economic impact,” says Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher via email in a statement.

Visit cactusleague.com for more information.

PHOTOS IN THIS PAGE COURTESY OF CACTUS LEAGUE

In 2018, the Cactus League generated an estimated $644.2 million for Arizona, according to the Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. It’s estimated that 1.7 million people travel to the Valley for Spring Training.

K e r s h a w s e a t e d o n b u c k e y.

Camelback Ranch-Glendale.

43 Salt River s Fields.

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How to Improve Your Club Face (Part 2) STORY BY BUCK MAYERS In part one of “How to Improve Your Club Face”, we focused on the set up; grip, aim, ball position, and posture. It is now time to get the club moving while being mindful of the club face positions. In the takeaway/backswing, the rolling of the club face to extreme opening is flaw number one. Many have heard, to get the toe up when parallel to the ground in the takeaway. This can help many players but can harm many others. If you struggle with slicing and or pulling the ball, my recommendation is to keep the club face facing the ball and mimic your spine angle when it’s parallel to the ground.

the club face on a better entry to deliver the golf club.

It is imperative to maintain your wrist angles, conditions during this movement. As the trunk continues to rotate, the lead wrist will also bend or flatten more, and the trail hand/palm will move toward the ground to avoid flipping the club face. If the face is too open here, you will have no choice but to try to square it. To illustrate this, I will use a ping-pong paddle or tennis racket to demonstrate how the club face moves to a squarer impact position. You could even try using an impact bag.

Flaw number two is the club face position at the top. If the lead wrist gets too cupped, the face will be too open and difficult to square in a very short time frame. Get in front of a mirror and work on flattening the lead wrist to mimic the lead forearm. If the toe of the club is pointing at the ground, the club face is too open for most golfers. Try to find a happy medium for the club to not be at the sky, nor at the ground.

Matching the face to the lead arm at the top would be a good goal for most golfers.

Remember, sometimes real vs feel can be very different.

Seeing is believing, and trusting your corrections is validation.

Use a mirror in your practice to engrain new sensations. Your practice must have purpose! The club face has the largest influence on quality golf shot control.

OTLPHX / BUCKS TIPS

The all-important transition to impact can have many variables. Let’s try to simplify how “the magic move” can improve your club face. I will use Harvey Penick’s analogy: The simple bump, shift/pressure to the lead foot as the trail arm, elbow, falls is one move, not two. This puts

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Good luck in your journey and keep it fun!

Buck Mayers is an Emeritus Professional at Escondido Golf & Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, TX and can be reached at www.buckmayersgolf.com

Las Vegas Luxury Ascendant STORY BY SCOTT LAIRD

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In Las Vegas, luxury—where it exists—tends to be over-the-top.

Long fabled as the hedonistic entertainment destination for the masses, Las Vegas has long favored volume and bombast over refinement and nuance. The city’s very reputation seemed for decades built on catering to the collective id of the consumptionminded visitor, dazzling with neon lights and sating with sumptuous, absurdly low-priced buffets to draw punters in to the gaming tables.

PHOTO BY HORAN, CHRISTIAN/ FOUR SEASONS.

sons pool, where hourly amenities like Evian spritzes and chilled fruit skewers are handed out by attentive staff.

As the city grew and began to diversify in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a handful of non-gaming luxury hospitality brands crept in to accommodate the growing cadre of top-end restaurants and experiences that the travelers were beginning to demand as Las Vegas broke out of its bargainbasement mold.

The hotel’s Veranda Restaurant also offers an experience that is almost anathema to Las Vegas itself—a gracious tea service, served to guests who book in advance on Saturday afternoons. Guests select from six organic teas ranging from standbys like Earl Grey or English Breakfast to exotics like Ruby Oolong or Silver Needle.

Traditional trimmings like scones with Devonshire cream, lemon curd, and strawberry preserves, tea pastries, and tea sandwiches round out the rather hearty affair.

The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas occupies several high floors of the Mandalay Bay tower, opening alongside the larger resort in 1999. The Four Seasons has its own separate lobby, pool, spa, and restaurants, affording guests those same commanding views enjoyed by top-tier guests in the Mandalay Bay complex, but with the personalized, bespoke service offered by Four Seasons.

Guests can access the larger Spa Mandalay for its expansive wet areas with multiple plunge pools, steam, and sauna, but the more intimate spa at the Four Seasons is notable for stocking local handmade Las Vegas products.

Brands include Hangover Soap Company, which offers vegan soaps with local sourced botanicals and names like “Little White Chapel” that pay homage to local culture.

Sun-seeking guests here have the option of visiting the sprawling, 11acre Mandalay Bay Beach with wave pool, lazy river, and beach club, or choose the more intimate Four Sea-

Moving north on The Strip, another non-gaming luxury property is the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Here, guest rooms blend contemporary and classic styling—and they’re big, with standard

no.

Fo u r S e a s o n s L a s Ve g a s E x t e r i o r.

here luxury experiences existed, they were generally in service of rewarding high rollers for bringing business to the casi-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HILTON WORLDWIDE

S k y b a r a t t h e Wa l d o r f A s t o r i a L a s Ve g a s.

rooms starting at 500 square feet.

Virtually the entire hotel seems to be perched high about the strip, with the pool deck and spa commanding views up and down the boulevard from the 8th floor, but perhaps the catbird seat in the hotel is Skybar, on the 23rd floor. Guests come here for spectacular views both up and down The Strip, along with inventive cocktails (giant spherical ice cubes, anyone?) and light bites that trend whimsical, like potato and salami chips or elote fritters.

Like the Four Seasons, the Waldorf Astoria does an afternoon tea service, but on much expanded Wednesday – Sunday schedule, with three seatings from midday into the late afternoon. There’s also a much larger selection of teas, ranging from black, green, and oolong teas to herbal teas and house blends. Tea

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can be enhanced with adult beverages like traditional peach bellinis (or coconut/pineapple or blood orange variations for the adventurous).

Next door, Bellagio is a gaming property, but was noted for being one of the first top-tier luxury resort properties (and the most expensive new-build resort in the world at the time) on The Strip when it opened in 1998. Soon after opening, it was immortalized in the film Ocean’s 11 and remains one of the most distinctive properties in the city.

Picasso, the hotel’s signature restaurant, also figures prominently in the film, with Julia Roberts’s character sitting through several sumptuous (and dramatic) meals in the art-drenched space. Long a recipient of the AAA Five Diamond designation, Chef Julian Serrano celebrates the cuisines of France and Spain with a

decadent degustation that features Jamon Iberico, a Spanish ham made from black hogs who feed primarily on chestnuts, a Maine lobster salad, scallops, and foie gras steak.

Prix Fixe diners might select a warm quail salad, tuna carpaccio, and roasted pigeon. There are also vegan menus available. The wine list is one of the most extensive in the city, drawing from a cellar of over 1,500 selections.

Aside from the gaming tables, guests can wander through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which is looked after by a horticultural staff of 120 and rotates designs and displays throughout the year to celebrate the seasons. The Show “O” by Cirque du Soleil has also been in residence at Bellagio since the resort first opened, but other venues in the resort have come and gone.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLAGIO HOTEL AND CASINO.

B e l l a g i o H o t e l L a s Ve g a s.

Ro a s t e d M a i n e L o b s t e r a t P i c a s s o ’ s Re s t a u r a n t .

The new Mayfair Supper Club, which opened in early 2020, offers grill classics with views of Bellagio’s dancing fountains.

Favorites like Lobster Thermidor or Whole Dover Sole share menu space with caviar and wagyu beef. On Fridays and Saturdays, the supper club converts to a late-night lounge called Mayfair After Dark, with live music and dance performances giving the evening an energetically sophisticated air.

M ay f a i r S u p p e r C l u b B a r a n d L o u n ge .

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Vi r g i n H o t e l s L a s Ve g a s.

Away from the frenzy of The Strip is the new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas—a conversion to the growing Virgin Hotels brand from the former Hard Rock property. The casino and guest rooms have been completely redone in Virgin’s kitschy style. Guest rooms have adopted Virgin’s proprietary “Chamber” room layout that separates the bedroom from the bath and dressing areas. Guest rooms are also wellwired, with guests able to login to their room controls from their television or a mobile device to chat with staff or adjust the temperature.

Whether Las Vegas visitors ultimately choose to base from gaming or non-gaming luxury properties, there are plenty of top-tier options available. The city has been through many incarnations and promotional strategies, ranging from focusing on families to doubling down on the “Sin City” moniker and promoting its inherent naughtiness. In recent years, attention has focused on Las Vegas as a center for world-class entertainment and dining, rather than the bargain basement draws of yesteryear.

That ultimately yields a destination almost purpose-designed for the luxury traveler, perhaps finally giving the city overdue credit for finally appealing that discerning market segment.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIRGIN HOTELS

Rooms are also outfitted bedside controls for room lighting and doorfront privacy indicators, as well as plenty of Virgin whimsy, like miniature stress-foam sheep at the bedside (for counting off to sleep), and palo santo-fragranced bath products

from Red Flower.

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T h e Re s o r t Po o l .

S t e l l a r S u i t e a t C a nyo n To w e r.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANDE LAKES ORLANDO RESORTS

OTLPHX / TRAVEL

STORY BY ALICIA FORRESTER

Florida has been on everyone’s mind in the wake of Hurricane Ian and Nicole – two of Florida’s most devasting storm seasons in history. The coastal Floridian communities are rebuilding, and Central Florida is welcoming guests with open arms to boost the state’s overall economy, with Orlando as its crown jewel.

I visited Central Florida one week prior to Hurricane Ian, literally the “Calm Before the Storm.” Orlando is of course known for its many amusement parks - Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida Resort.

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travel

However, Orlando and the greater Central Florida area offer much more as a destination. Its ecotourism, multicultural history, luxurious resorts and incredible golf are just a few traits that make this area so intriguing.

History A timely must-visit during Black History Month this February is Orlando’s Historic Eatonville neighborhood, which played a key role in the civil rights movement and was one of the first African American municipalities in the U.S., established in 1887.

Eatonville is also the birthplace of famed author Zora Neale Hurston; every winter the town hosts a free festival in the writer’s honor celebrating arts and humanities of the region.

For more history and cultural activities while visiting “The City Beautiful,” head to the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Park, which traces back 12,000 years of Central Florida history in a five-story county courthouse built in 1927.

Ecotourism From orange grove tours to birdwatching and paddling through Central Florida’s many lakes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. There are 360 different species of birds alone at Lake Apopka including bald eagles and great blue herons. Winter and early Spring are the best seasons to view the flocks of birds that migrate south for the mild climate and undeveloped shores, according to Orlando’s official tourism organization.

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rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Orlando skyline in the distance complemented by warm metal finishes and sleek modern décor.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANDE LAKES ORLANDO RESORTS

If guests are traveling with a family in tow, the family suites are idyllic for spacious accommodations, complete with an advance VIP planning experience to make the most of your Orlando itinerary. Remote business travelers will appreciate the upgrade to the Presidential Suite with rich furnishings, premier resort views, a stunning lounge area and separate office with an ergonomic desk.

Perhaps the most beguiling natural attraction to Central Florida are the area’s crystal-clear springs, with some less than one hour from Orlando. Two options are Wekiva Springs for canoeing and hiking and Blue Spring State Park for year-round manatee viewing. Our lodging recommendation, Grande Lakes Orlando, also offers guided kayak tours of Shingle Creek, the gateway into the Florida Everglades to get the full Floridian wetlands experience. The resort also offers the finest in bass fishing excursions.

The Grande Experience JW Marriott Grande Lakes is just 25 minutes away from Disney and the urban core of Orlando, but the sprawling 500-acre retreat on 500 pristine acres evokes the feeling of an escape that’s worlds away into the Central Floridian countryside. The resort is adjoined to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, and many of the amenities can be shared including the Ritz-Carlton Spa and the new multi-million Grande Lakes Waterpark, complete with world-class pools, swim-up day beds and VIP cabanas for ultimate privacy. The two luxury Marriott resorts offer a total of 1,582 total well-appointed guest

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Although it’s difficult to leave the tranquil suites, Orlando’s top golf course is beckoning guests to step outside and hit the greens. A winter or early spring Central Florida golf trip is unmatched in the sunshine state.

“The sprawling Grande Lakes Orlando resort is home to a host of enriching activities within its private, natural setting, including The Ritz-Carlton Club,” said John McGavin, area general manager for Grande Lakes

Orlando. “Orlando’s premier golf course at Grande Lakes Orlando offers an escape from the city in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

“Guests of all ages can enjoy the pristine golf course winding through the property’s lush grounds and 11 lakes. PGA golf professionals and instructors, including Former PGA Tour Player and Top Golf Instructor Larry Rinker, are standing by for group sessions, private lessons, or multi-day golf schools before hitting the links, and Caddie Concierge services are available to accompany any group for a knowledgeable course consultant,” Serna continued.

The iconic on-property club, which plays host to the PNC Championship each year, includes an 18-hole championship golf course designed by two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, an all-grass driving range, putting green, and practice facility, upscale, fullservice clubhouse with pro shop and Fairways Pub restaurant and bar, and boasts certification as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and endorsement by United States Golf Association, according to the Grande Lakes Resorts team.

The Ritz-Carlton spa offers nothing short of a grand experience. The multi-level sanctuary sets the candlelit mood from the moments guests walk in and are greeted by accommodating staff who exceed luxury-caliber expectations. After slipping into a comfortable robe and slippers, spa guests are encouraged to take a dip in the heated pool, unwind in the whirlpool tub and sauna and prepare to be pampered with an array of treatments.

With 40 treatment rooms and a massive waiting area with cozy blankets and furniture at every turn, spa goers may choose to spend the entire day here between or post-treatment - highlighted by a Grande Indulgence Massage that melts away tension with a full body massage, a warm stone enhancement for the back and nourishing keratin gloves for the hands and feet. Other signature therapies incorporate CBD and other herbs from the resort garden, honey from an on-site apiary and other ingredients native to Central Florida. The spa also features Vitale restaurant to order mimosas or a healthy meal during the visit.

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The Grande Lakes Resort takes its farm-to-table concept seriously with the Whisper Creek Farm, an 18,000-square-foot agricultural area filled with vegetables, fruits, herbs and beehives that give fresh cuisine and garnish new meaning at its restaurants including Whisper Creek Farm – the Kitchen, featuring sandwiches, flatbreads, small plates and more.

Seasonal tours and events are available on the farm.

On the JW Marriott side, kick the day off with Citron, a breakfast restaurant and American brasserie serving classic morning fare and fresh pastries.

Or head down the corridor to The Ritz-Carlton to dine at Highball & Harvest, offering Southern cuisine and authentic cocktails by seasoned mixologists. Take a midday break from golf or lounging poolside at tropically inspired Bleu or Knife Burger by award-winning Chef John Tesar.

Finally, choose from two signature restaurants for

the main event: Primo, hailed as a Recommended Restaurant in the Florida MICHELIN Guide serving Italian fare, fresh produce and a sommelier-curated wine list and Knife and Spoon, a stunning new conceptual steak and seafood restaurant led by Chef Tesar, earning a MICHELIN Star for his culinary arts in 2022. The extensive menu at Knife and Spoon invites guests to dive into the plentiful raw bar from the sea, nosh on sides such as Steak Tartare, nourish with the Goat Cheese Mezzaluna, and surf and turf entrées including Wagyu Flat Iron, From the Reel fresh-caught fish and King Crab Scampi.

To cap off the evening, guests can meander through the immaculate grounds, enjoy a sunset over the rolling landscape and recap a trip wellspent. Whether golf, wellness, culture or outdoor exploration is your traveling “love language,” Orlando and the Central Florida area are sure to invoke that passion.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANDE LAKES ORLANDO RESORTS

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Silverado Resort In the heart of American wine country STORY BY ART STRICKLIN

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SILVERADO RESORT AND SPA

S i l v e r a d o Re s o r t a n d S p a E x t e r i o r a t n i g h t .

NAPA, California- Golf has long been known to drive a player to drink. In fact, if Scottish lore can be believed, the reason we have 18 holes on the golf course is there were 18 good shots of Scotch whiskey in a bottle for the first rounds played at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews, Scotland.

But what if you played at a resort at which drink, the nectar of the gods, was encouraged, if not nearly required? What if you were in the home of wine country for the USA, not to mention fine dining, indoors and out, plus two outstanding PGA Tour quality golf courses.

Golf, dining or drink heaven? All titles apply to the famed Silverado Resort and Spa in the heart of American Wine Country in Napa.

Perhaps no resort in America does such a great job of matching golf, food, drink, historic structures and near perfect weather as Silverado.

The longtime home of World Golf Hall of Fame member Johnny Miller who first came here in the 1970s and has been involved in one way or the other ever since. His family still has a large, shaded home on the property and in 2010 renovated the North Course.

After a decade-plus absence, the PGA Tour returned here in 2014 after first playing an event here in the 1960s and continuing to the early 2000s.

Now, Silverado kicks off the new 202223 PGA Tour season primarily on the North Course with the fall tour event known as the Fortinet Championship won in September by Northern California native Max Homa.

But the same thing which draws the pros here on an annual basis, the chance to stay on-site in four different lodging choices, the great weather, two fun golf courses, along with wine tours and top-notch dining draws resort guests here the other 51 weeks of the year.

Among the dining options here is the Mansion Terrace, a perfectly scenic spot overlooking the closing hole of the South Course for drinks and snacks in the historic signature Mansion Building which is believed to be nearly 150 years old and the first building on this rolling property.

There is, of course, 5-star dining in the main clubhouse with pictures of Miller and past champions on the wall, but the most fun dining at Silverado comes outside.

New for 2022 is the outdoor pizza kitchen, Forno, where you can order up you own

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style of pizza and then watch it made by local experts. It’s located directly outside the Silverado Market and Bakery and is open for lunch or dinner most days.

On course, the best food belongs to the famed Burger Dog with stands on both the North and South Courses. Most golf connoisseurs, especially on the West Coast , know the Burger Dog became famous as the exclusive on-course snack at the private US Open site, the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

But original Burger Dog inventors (a slice of high quality beef placed inside a hot dog bun with various condiments), wanted to take their product to a more public setting as well and with ties to the area brought their tasty golfing snack to Silverado.

It doesn’t open until around lunchtime each day, but golfers have been known to line up at the small shacks to be the first in line before they complete their rounds.

“We really do feel we have the best combina-

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tion of golf, scenery, weather, food and wine and all kinds of drinks,” said Cody Sherrill, Silverado Director of Club Operations. “Everything Silverado and Napa is famous for is here and available to resort guests, members and the best PGA Tour golfers in the world each fall.”

When you’ve had enough food and drinks, if there is such a thing, the golf is not bad either.

The North Course, redone by Miller, is a fine PGA Tour championship course with plenty of challenge for the pros and enough for amateurs to stack on plenty of balls before they head to the first tee. The course weaves between huge trees, bunkers, creeks, houses on one side, roads on the others, but with plenty of charm and history, just the way Miller would want it after leaving his golf bag, clubs and photos in the clubhouse window case.

It plays 6,793 yards par 72 from the ball tees, but don’t let the relative lack of length fool you. You’ve got to hit a variety of different shots to play well here which has produced a var-

The Spa Exterior .

ied groups of winners here from Stewart Cink to Cameron Champ. Homa, and many others.

In the final four holes of the North courses, there is a dangerous par 3 and two par 5s which means anything can and usually does happen to pros and amateurs alike.

The South is more wide open and accessible, but no less challenging. It plays 6,612 yards from the back tees (both courses are par 72), but like the North course finishes with a par 3 and par 5 which lead to wide ups and downs to your scorecard. Both course offer carts to ride or are fairly flat enough to walk with weather which stays in the 60-70-80s in the summer time.

Of course, after the green grass battles, a trip to the multi-story Silverado Spa is in order with a variety of treatment options, a café and, of course, more wine. There are 10 outdoor tennis courts and a large resort pool as well.

Since you’re in the heart of California Wine Country, it would be a shame not to visit at least one local winery. The closest to the resort is the Prime

G u e s t r o o m L i v i n g Ro o m .

Solum & Expressions Napa Valley Tasting Barn.

Even if you don’t know enough about wine to ask if there is a screw top bottle or pop top, touring a winery and seeing how it’s produced, stored and served is a fascinating experience.

There is all manner of wines here to sample along with a wine club to join to have different selections delivered to you with new releases in February, May, September and November. Of course, the town of Napa is only of few miles away which offers a wide variety of dining and drink options in its scenic downtown.

So come for drinks, stay for the food, and certainly experience PGA Tour quality golf and luxury resort offerings, all in one location at Silverado Resort. The perfect combination of what makes golf so great and inviting.

Thankfully, at Silverado the golf can drive you to drink, but you should be all the happier for it!

For more information, visit www.silveradoresort.com or www.napavalleytastingbarn.com

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Living Inside the View at The Boulders STORY BY CARL MICKELSON

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Who doesn’t love a room with a view, to be able to see a thrilling landscape or iconic tourist attraction just a few feet from where you’ve been binging Forensic Files and keeping the Keurig purring all morning? It’s quite another thing, though, to inhabit the actual space people travel hours and hours to see in person. At the Boulders Resort & Spa in the North Scottsdale section known as the town of Carefree, you’re one of the figures in the postcard as your casita is found not just facing the best views, but sitting exactly IN the rapturous boulderstrewn Sonoran Desert setting that has to be seen to be believed.

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he unspoiled 1,300-acre property’s namesake (and 12-million-year-old) boulders are found in artful, unusual formations throughout the property highlight a desert canvas that also affords visitors miles-long views of the surrounding desert and angular and inspiring mountain formations like the nearby Black Mountain. In some cases, those boulders can be seen resting in precarious and physics-defying positions as if dropped there by gods and sprinkled throughout the rugged landscape.

I had played golf at The Boulders twice before, but this was the first time I’d have the chance to stay a couple of nights and soak in the magic of the property. I learned in my mini-hikes around the resort that it was important its developers, Rusty Lyon and Laurence Rockefeller back in the 1980s, that the resort always look true to its natural setting. You’ll see palm trees and floral embellishments at other properties, but never at The Boulders, where nature is allowed to speak for itself. And it does, proudly and distinctively.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOULDERS RESORT & SPA SCOTTSDALE

South Cour se.

Nor th Cour se.

Our casita, which was kind of like the luxury version of a cabin or teepee, was perched high above the iconic fifth green of the famous South Course, presenting stirring natural views of the magnificent desert, boulders and surrounding mountains. Each casita is elegantly appointed with modern design that also pays fitting homage to the Native American heritage for which the region has become synonymous. There are no rooms in the main lodge – only casitas that are a short (but not flat or boring walk) away from the resort’s main dining and social complex. Whether you choose to relax poolside in the intimate swim park setting enveloped by boulders and hillsides or indoors the inviting Discovery Lounge, you’ll feel the comforts of home and the energy of the desert simultaneously, a feeling that’s really hard to beat. We found Discovery Lounge’s wine selection just as impressive as its cozy interior design with comfortable lounging spaces, a fireplace, high ceiling and huge windows overlooking the pool area and the one-of-a-kind boulder formation.

The dining at the Boulders is also first rate, I enjoyed a peaceful breakfast at the elegantly inviting Palo Verde restaurant, opting for a Southwestern take on an omelet, which hit all the marks. Even though, I saw creative touches on other people’s plates like the blue corn pancakes and some thoughtfully prepared smoothies, I was glad I loaded up on proteins prior to heading to the golf course.

It’s always a particular pleasure to play the South Course at the Boulders, a quintessential desert golf stunner that makes brilliant use of the breathtaking landscape that surrounds the property. I always find this course plays longer than the yardage, and that playing shots from the correct side of the fairway is a big key to scoring. Beyond the shot values and exceptional playability of the South Course, though, what

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Re s o r t S w i m m i n g Po o l .

TRAVEL

Golf Cour se.

stands out is how connected to nature the layout is from the first hole to the 18th green.

I was also anticipating this round because both the South and North courses recently underwent a refinement all bunkers were excavated and rebuilt incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete to minimize washouts, reduce maintenance and produce better playability. Every green complex on the South Course was also restored to the original shape and size, and were resurfaced greens with TifEagle turf, the wildly-popular ultra-dwarf hybrid green that offers improved speed, consistency and playability as well as smooth transitions during seasonal weather changes.

The Boulders’ bunker renovation project and South Course refinement project comes on the heels of ownership’s recent investment in a state-of-the-art pump station designed to support efficient irrigation practices and enhancing turf health. In addition, Ryan Schroeder joined the Boulders Club as Director of Agronomy and Brandon Christensen was appointed the new Director of Golf Operations and is now at the helm of all golf pro-

grams, golf shop operations, golf course maintenance, tennis operations and the Boulders Club membership.

I had played the South Course almost exactly a year prior to my December visit to the Boulders, so the refinements to the golf course were very evident. The fairways, bunkers and greens were all sharp with an aesthetic strong enough to host a made-for-TV event at a moment’s notice. And it’s only going to get better as it matures.

The impeccable 6,917-yard, par-71 (or 72 if you play #8 as a par 5) South Course, designed by the masterful Jay Morrish fits seamlessly with the desert landscape.

Te serpentine par-5 fifth hole plays 540 yards, requiring a shot that needs to land in the fairway, short of the dry creek bed that runs across the width of the fairway.

And as you blast your second shot at the elevated landing area, you can’t help but start to appreciate the large signature boulder formation that sits behind the green.

It’s massive and awe inspiring.

There’s a great continuity of character as the course winds from the front nine to the back. The second nine delivers a tasty menu of three par threes, three par fours

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and three par fives. The 12th is a fun short par 4 that plays between 254 and 348, depending on which tees you’re playing and back-to-back par threes at 15 and 16 grab your focus while fitting perfectly into the serene desert setting. One of my favorite things about playing the boulders is all the wildlife encounters. It’s the desert version of a Safari. I like to run through the checklist if we are going to see bobcats, javelinas, jack rabbits, or coyotes.

In between shots on the South Course, you realize what an embarrassment of riches this property is from a geographic and natural scenery standpoint. For a glimmer of a second, you even feel a little guilty that you’re on a golf course, instead of a maybe just modest, smallerfootprint hiking trail, or some sort of observation point.

The views are that breathtaking. You almost wonder if the golf routing was the right use for such a sublime stretch of land, then you realize the journey the golf course takes you on makes it possible to see this rare landscape from so many exceptional vantage points. At their best, golf courses take you on a journey and allow you to gain a deeper appreciation for the environment around you.

The Boulders is a thrilling example a great design by Morrish meeting an incomparable Sonoran Desert site.

To enter this property is to escape everything outside of it and indulge in one of those singular experiences in nature that just happen too rarely.

The Spa at the Boulders is a 33,000-square-foot escape with 24 treatment rooms and a full menu of invigorating experiences, including a revitalizing Turquoise Wrap, a path-to-tranquility labyrinth, an authentic teepee for guided meditation, a private Watsu therapy pool, and Vichy showers. We only caught glimpses of the spa on our short stay, but we heard great things about it.

We’ve also added the Spotted Donkey - the on-site Mexican Cantina, which blends native cuisine with modern décor and a festive atmosphere – and, of course playing the Jay Morrish-designed North Course on a return visit to The Boulders. The nearly four dozen tequila options at the Spotted Donkey also sound enticing.

So many great little moments stand out, but just walking and exploring these faithfully maintained ancient grounds was unforgettable. From the Sunset Point overlook, not far from the pool area, you can see miles and miles of desert and mountains and even a glimpse back toward Scottsdale and Phoenix. It’s a sense of place and inspiration I can’t recommend enough. Learn more at www.theboulders.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOULDERS RESORT & SPA SCOTTSDALE

The South Courses’s finishing hole is a heroic par-five finishing hole that stretches to 583 yards from the tips, but just a tantalizing 514 from the blue and white tees. A generously and gently uphill fairway sets up an approach that must take the pond fronting the front-right side of the green into consideration. The 18th is a fitting end to a collection of holes each beautifully framed by the rugged desert foothills and namesake boulders all around.

As you would expect at a 36-hole property that’s part of an award-winning luxury resort, the practice facilities are ample and impeccable for working on every phase of your game. The Boulders Golf Academy features lessons from talented PGA and LPGA instructors including Donald Crawley, a Class A member of both the British and United States PGA. Ranked by GOLF Magazine as one of the Top 100 Teachers in America, he is also recognized

by Golf Digest as one of the Best Teachers in Arizona.

The new Orange Whip GFX Golf and Fitness program combines golf instruction with fitness by developing and strengthening the five golf swing skills through functional golf movements performed within a specific golf workout and uses a 4D Motion Sensor with results that instantly improves the game.

Boulder s Golf 5 South.

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New Year S TO RY B

New Wines Y HUNTER HAM -PO RT E R

s we enter a new year it’s important to know that not every new year’s resolution that we set for ourselves must be a tedious one. In fact, it is important to set some fun ones that allow us to discover new enjoyments.

Why not try to discover new, lesser-known wine

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regions? Wine is made around the world, and there are over 10,000 wine varieties in the world.

Surely there is a region that you may be missing as your new favorite. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ll discuss some of my favorite lesser-known regions in the world and what they produce so you will be on your way to discovering your new favorite wine!

Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy

OTLPHX / WINE

This region is one of my favorites. Etna Rosso is a wine that focuses on light body wines that balance a beautiful representation of earth within them. This is no surprise, considering that these wines are grown in the shadow of Mount Etna, a still active volcano. Generations of families have been creating wine from this region for a long time, as is true with most of Italy. Here you get a rich wine that is made to be paired with food, especially pork and poultry. I always get balanced cherry, candied orange peel, and terracotta from these amazing wines.

S i c i l i a n v i n ey a r d s w i t h E t n a v o l c a n o e r u p t i o n a t b a c k g r o u n d i n S i c i ly, I t a ly.

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wine

Santorini, Greece Now, this is a small region. Santorini is a small island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 70 miles north of Crete. The island is the remnants of a sunken volcanic cone. You may have seen photos of it before, the Greek island with the white buildings with all the blue roofs, bingo that’s the one. The island is so dry that the tap water is salty, and most of the actual drinking water is imported. Here is the home of the most famous Greek white varietal, Assyrtiko. These wines are beautiful and my personal favorite wine to pair with seafood.

They can be unoaked, oaked (Nykteri), or made into a sweet wine (Vinsanto). All have amazing notes of vibrant fruits like pineapple, lemon Brule, and even maraschino cherries on the sweet version. Worth a try.

Wi n e g r a p e i n w i n ey a r d o n S a n t o r i n i I s l a n d , G r e e c e .

Margaret River, Australia

B e a u t i f u l v i n e y a r d r o w s a n d c o t t a ge i n b a c k g r o u n d d u r i n g s u n n y d ay. M a r g a r e t r i v e r, A u s t r a l i a .

This region is nestled within the most southwestern corner of Western Australia. Margaret River is known for making delicate wines that resemble the balance of European wines more so than the rest of Australia. There is a ridge called the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge that allows this region to have gneiss and granite deposits as well as iron-rich laterite soils. These provide amazing complexity to wines grown in this region. Keep an eye out for deeply balanced cabernet sauvignon, rich dark gamey Shiraz, lemon grass focus Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and in my opinion one of the best citrus expressions of chardonnay in the world.

Tokaj, Hungary Lastly this is my favorite dessert wine region in the world, and home to the nectar that has come to be known as simply the “wine of kings.” This region is surrounded by wetlands and rivers, as well as a local climate controlled by the Zemplen Mountains. This allows a lot of water vapor to be in the air in this region, creating something very important: Noble Rot (Botrytis cinerea). This is a fungus that develops in most conditions and dries when the some comes out, rotting and drying the grapes causing them to become shrivel and sweet. The wine is made from these grapes that have additional sweetness and flavor compounds such as ginger, honey, and saffron. The most coveted liquid form of Tokaj is called Eszencia, which is the first squeeze of these grapes. This liquid is as sweet and thick as syrup and is enjoyed by the spoonful. It can also age upwards of 200 years.

This is truly the nectar of the gods.

To k a j w i n e r e g i o n i n H u n g a r y a e r i a l l a n d s c a p e p a n o r a m a .

Please try some of these wines from these regions and continue to explore other regions around the world. There are so many different grapes and areas with a rich history of winemaking, who knows, your new favorite wine might be hiding out there, find it.

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Cigars – Luxury craft that stops time

OTLPHX / CIGARS

STORY BY TOMAS ZILINSKIS Cigars have always been my passion since the day I smoked my first cigar, it was a Cuban Montecristo #2 purchased in Havana, Cuba. The flavors, the history, the perfect and obsessive craftsmanship of people who grow, cure, blend, and roll leaves of tobacco into something that has an ability to stop time and to make you enjoy the moment and forget everything around you.

I have passionately followed the industry trends, learning about the process and discovering different varieties of tobacco grown all across the World.

Allow me to take you on a journey, getting to know some of the most luxurious and expensive cigars and also smaller, so-called boutique cigar companies that make some of the best cigars there on a market.

Luxury cigar brands have been around for decades. They continue to release and impress consumers with the best of the best.

First, Davidoff is my top ‘special occasion’ cigar; Their lines vary from $15 to $80 MSRP and more for a single cigar. They are made from best tobacco, carefully aged, and rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Davidoff’s Signature Line is one of my favorites. It’s a mild, yet complex blend with earthy, woody and soft notes that any novice cigar smoker would appreciate and enjoy.

Padrón is another luxury cigar brand, that on a contrary to Davidoff, would blow your socks off. Padrón was Cuban refugee who escaped Cuba under Castro and established his company that is known for blending some of the best and most complex body cigars. The 1964 Anniversary Series has been consistently the best when it comes to flavor and impeccable attention to detail. This line was released to commemorate company’s 30th anniversary

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and is produced from very limited tobacco that is aged for four years creating smooth, rich, chewy smoke experience with a ton of complexity. It comes with a hefty price tag too. All tobacco is grown and rolled by the Padron family in Nicaragua and Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo cigar was a number one cigar of the 2021 for Cigar Afficionado Magazine.

In the recent years, there have been more “boutique” cigar companies breaking all the norms by blending not only Nicaraguan, Dominican and Honduran tobaccos, but incorporating USA grown Pennsylvanian Broadleaf, Mexican San Andreas, various African and other tobaccos from across the Word creating blends that not only taste like luxury cigars but are given attention to every blend to be the best of what it can be.

Caldwell Anastasia cigar, an owner’s passion project, is luscious, luxurious and a rare smoke with cream, caramel, cedar, spice and leather notes, perfectly balanced to give the experience that is second to none.

Casdagli Cigars is another brand that aims to offer unique sense of luxury, tradition and unforgettable experience with every draw.

Cigars are produced in Kelner Boutique Factory operated by Hendrik Kelner Jr of the famous Kelner family of Master blenders. The Traditional Line cigars have been inspired by lavish life led in Egypt by Casdagli family the early 1900s combining tobaccos from Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Peru. This is a one-of- a kind smoking experience, being full bodied but mild in strength with dark chocolate, coffee and sweetness.

Our journey will continue next issue. Light up, enjoy and until next time, cheers.