Kingdom 44

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cov e r i m ag e

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Clearwater, 1908; Library of Congress

Editor’s Letter

I

Florida

have seen the State of Florida described as a mess, as a sweltering morass of the morally twisted, the sweating aimless, and the suspicious self-exiled. I have seen it also described as paradise, sparkling, glamorous.

I have seen that both of these states exist, and yet neither is mine. My Florida is picking your way across the pine needles barefoot, catching quick glimpses of lightning-lit cypress and palms, starkly ashen under hard-edged thunder in summer storms, of sandspurs, orange blossoms, not being able to see through the rain. My Florida began with my greatgrandfather, who as a young boy in 1904 settled with his family in what would become the City of Clearwater. His son, my grandfather, drove too fast on dirt roads that were paved by the time my father—and later, I—drove too fast on them.

I’m ashamed to admit that sitting in the shade watching tourists turn red on the beach still makes me smile, and I’m not at all bothered to tell you that a good ropa vieja warms my heart more than apple pie ever could. Cuban food is a gift from heaven, alligators are no big deal, Spanish moss in twilight instantly gives me over to reflection, and some part of my heart remains forever drawn in moonlit white sands well north of the last house on Clearwater Beach.

I mention all of this because I love Florida, despite its media appearances for the wrong reasons and its many paradoxes. It was built by families like mine, and indeed my great-grandfather’s efforts led to numerous honors, including Clearwater’s “Reade Tilley Day” in 1972, the year I was born (he was the first RT). I also understand that, while he received no accolades for the work, he occasionally decorated local trees with golf clubs—genuinely shocking as he was renown as a gentle man given neither to bad temper nor to bad language, though golf apparently coaxed both from him.

It’s quite likely that a few of his irons ringed palms on the Donald Ross design at Clearwater’s Belleview Biltmore,

for Dr. Tilley was a pillar of his community and it’s a course he would have enjoyed, built in 1925—12 years after he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry and just as he would have been hitting his professional stride. I remember him well, and it’s from him that I developed a love and respect for books and for writing. Such a shame that we never got to the subject of golf as his insights would have been invaluable for this issue of Kingdom, in which we explore the Florida game.

Consider that the Tampa Bay Hotel was barely a decade old when my great-grandfather arrived in Florida. Built by Henry Plant, it was a key part of the state’s transformation from swamp to world-renowned golf spot, and you can read more about it on p22. He certainly would have had something to say about the Gulf Coast emerging as a destination in its own right, with the Naples area of particular note (p52). Likewise, he no doubt was a fan of Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer and his family, who clearly had (and are having) a huge impact on Florida (p38), while he would have appreciated native son Bubba Watson staying close to home (p32).

There’s a lot to love in Florida, and a lot to criticize of course. But that’s anywhere. For Sunshine State natives who know its best secrets, Florida is something special, extolled by the likes of longtime resident and famed author Zora Neale Hurston who, upon returning to Florida from her time in New York, wrote a friend to say, “I am happy here, happier than I have been for years. The air is sweet, yes, literally sweet. I am renewed like the eagle. The clang and clamor of New York drops away like a last year’s dream.”

Dreamily, in the best Florida way,

Reade Tilley

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Publisher’s Foreword

I

Kingdom on course

have to admit, there have been times over the past 15 years of publishing Kingdom magazine that I have had to pinch myself. Many of those moments happened when I was fortunate to be in Arnold Palmer’s company—Arnold always had a knack for creating memorable moments, one way or another— but this summer in Wisconsin I enjoyed one of the golf experiences of my life playing with good friends and clients.

We began our trip at Erin Hills and the pictures of the golf course I saw on TV in June 2017—when Erin Hills made its majors debut in hosting the U.S. Open—looked very appealing, but honestly, they are nothing compared to the reality of playing 18 holes there. Erin Hills is magnificent, every inch a modern classic, and the condition of the golf course this summer, despite the busiest 12 months of footfall in their history, was immaculate. I whole-heartedly recommend you get there if and when you can, and the service, lodge accommodation and hospitality in the clubhouse and its Irish Pub are also truly exceptional.

But you can’t head to Wisconsin without stopping in Kohler. Seldom have I seen such an attractive and cohesive community built around what was originally, a century ago, a factory just like any other. The Kohler family and company operates at the highest standards only, and the golf courses at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits are clear testimony to this.

We have been very busy at Kingdom since my summer work trip but I did find a few moments to watch the Ryder Cup. Some readers will know I am an Englishman so

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KINGDOM 44

perhaps the less said about Paris the better, although when I see young golfers like Cameron Champ coming through the American ranks you get the feeling the American team at Whistling Straits in 2020 could even be the strongest of all time. “Moliwood” was a great act, but it will be incredibly difficult to repeat that kind of performance away from home in two years’ time.

Before I sign off I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Jon Podany on being appointed CEO of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, Inc. and President of Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation.

With Arnold in mind, it turns out my mother is chasing one of his records. Arnold was 82 when he struck his last hole-in-one on the Challenger course at Bay Hill. Well, mum recently hit her first ace aged 70-something, so who is to say whether she can’t do it again in her 80s?!

Beyond this, I hope you all enjoy some quality time over the holidays with family and friends, golfing or not, and by the time our Spring issue is published ahead of the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational, we very much look forward to sharing some exciting news on the next chapter for Kingdom magazine.

Onwards & upwards!

Matthew Squire

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Contents

Kingdom Magazine ISSUE 44

40 48 54 64 68 74 80

Q UA R T E R LY

H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 8

22

32

88

Paradise Found

Going Home

The Golden Dram

From impassable swamp to golfing gold, how Florida found its sunshine

Bubba Watson and the argument for staying close to your heart

Tommy Dewar advised to always have high regard for age when it’s bottled

Impact Arnold Palmer is proof positive that one man can make a [huge] difference The Power of 4 The Florida Swing returns to the PGA Tour Golf Coast The sunset side of the Sunshine State stands alone Dream Home Do your homework and a Florida golf home could be yours Disney Golf The Magic Kingdom delivers magical games—C ya real soon!

Justin Rose How the Englishman became the oldest No. 1 since Vijay Singh Catalan State of Mind Browse in Barcelona, golf in Girona

H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 8

17

Contents

Kingdom Magazine Q UA R T E R LY

ISSUE 44

94

100

132

The Golden (Gate) Child

Pretty Big

International Influence

John Brodie and what it’s like to be good at everything

106 111 120 123 136 142 144 146

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H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 8

Some of motoring’s oldest and most respected names are finally growing up

How pulling together created the best of America

Perfect Pairings Golf courses matched with ideal vehicles, courtesy of our friends at Hertz Seasonal Reflections The 2018 golf season by pictures Without Compromise Castagnia’s legacy of crafting best presentations Gift Guide Tis’ better to give than to receive... We’re pretty sure Handworked Wood, leather and the human spirit Switch It Out Healthy holiday fare O’ Starry Night The good life, with Dom Perignon The Saticoy Club Ventura County’s historic gem, freshly polished by APDC

KINGDOM 44

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Paradise 22

KINGDOM 44

U.S. Army troops stationed here in the 1830s called it “this most barren, swampy and good-for-nothing peninsula,” but today Florida is one of the world’s most popular destinations. What happened?

Found Englishman Paul Trow mops his brow and pulls out the sunscreen to explore Florida’s transformation from sweltering swamp to golfing gold

H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 8

23

I

In 1513, sailing north from Puerto Rico in search of the fountain of youth, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León anchored off a large landmass gilded with shimmering beaches and declared it La Florida, Spanish for “feast of flowers”—but he’d only seen the coast. His fellow countryman Hernando de Soto marched inland a few years later and found a “mother swamp… impassable mire” as his records put it. “Hideous,” “loathsome,” and “God-abandoned” was what U.S. Army officers called it in the 1830s, according to historian Michael Grunwald, who points out that future President Zachary Taylor, in command of some of those troops, had declared that he wouldn’t trade a square foot of Michigan or Ohio for a square mile of Florida.

And so it went.

Before the 20th century, accounts of Florida describe a land completely unsuited for human habitation, much less recreation, and yet by 1980… Well, not much had changed: “muck… It was muddy and had snakes. A horrible piece of property”—that was the site of TPC Sawgrass, according to course architect Alice Dye, credited with creating its iconic No.17. So what gives? How did a largely uninhabitable tract of 65,000 square miles with a population of barely half a million in 1900 blossom into “The Sunshine State” today, home to 20 million residents, 100 million annual visitors and more than 1,250 golf courses? Two words: air conditioning.

Well, it’s not that simple (though air conditioning did play a part) but clearly cheap real estate and 52 weeks of tee times weren’t enough to transform the state. Water management was the biggest problem; the highest point in Florida is a mere 345 feet above sea level, after all (and that’s on the Alabama border), and there are 1,200 miles of coastline and nearly 12,000 square miles of lakes, rivers and ditches full of the wet stuff. But before they could tame that, before they could tee it up, and before air conditioning, people had to get to Florida, and that meant trains.

Near 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon found a “feast of flowers” in Florida [top]; The state’s early mystique saw Florida appear in a number of places, including on this cigar box label with an Everglades theme, from New York City c.1880 [above]

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KINGDOM 44

When San Francisco had 300,000 residents, there were only 300 people living in South Florida

F

From one perspective South Florida—not the West—was America’s last frontier, and like the West it was the railroad that opened up the state. By the time San Francisco had grown to 300,000 residents, South Florida still had closer to 300. Almost everyone living in the state (or wintering here, at least) stayed north of Orlando. South of there Florida really was a swamp, decades away from being brought under control. This was right around the time Miami was incorporated as a city—in 1896, by a pioneering Julia Tuttle (making Miami the only major U.S. city to be founded by a woman).

Golf had come to Florida ten years earlier with Scottish immigrant John Gillespie, who built two greens and one fairway on his Sarasota homestead in 1886, perhaps unwittingly laying the foundation for one of America’s oldest courses. Another Florida layout of the time, and the state’s first 18-hole course, is The Ocean Course at The Breakers Palm Beach resort, which began as an 1897

design by Alexander Findlay, later received a 1926 facelift from Donald Ross and then another in 2000 from Brian Silva (though original elements like random bunkering, elevated greens and weaving fairways have been preserved to this day). Considering U.S. golf is said to have teed off properly in 1884 (whether at Pennsylvania’s Foxburg or West Virginia’s Oakhurst likely depends on your accent), this puts Florida golf history on roughly the same timeline as the rest of the country, despite the state’s comparatively small population in the early 20th century.

Gillespie doubtless would have benefited from the Florida Railroad, which completed a line from Fernandina Beach, north of Jacksonville, across the state to Cedar Key, just north of Tampa, in 1861. From there settlers took ferries to the emerging winter havens in Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg while awaiting completion of planned rail routes south. But then the Civil War came along and Florida train service ground to a halt, with both Confederate and Union troops ripping up or blowing up various parts of the rails, trains and rail facilities. The Union’s USS Ottawa gunboat went so far as to shell the last train leaving Fernandina Beach in 1862, injuring and perhaps killing a few passengers.

Sponges are piled on the dock in Tarpon Springs, c.1930 [above]; The Ocean Course at The Breakers Palm Beach resort [left]

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Photo: Henry B. Plant Museum

Henry Plant, front row, third from left, overdressed for the heat like everyone else—but sensibly sporting a sombrero at least; Early postcard showing the Rocky Point Golf Club in Tampa

When the war ended, construction resumed and Florida’s golden age of development began, thanks in large part to a businessman named Henry B Plant, a Confederate ally who’d spent much of the conflict traveling in Europe on a temporary passport issued by France, his Confederate passport viewed as invalid abroad. Plant returned to the States in February of 1865 to reclaim his business interests and found many of his former competitors completely broke.

Flush with cash, Plant went on a foreclosure spending spree and embarked on developing a railroad and hotel empire

For 30 years, sponges eclipsed tourism and citrus as Florida’s largest earner that led to him being dubbed the “King of Florida” by Success magazine in 1898. His first move was to repair and to extend the existing Cedar Key rail line to Tampa and further south, also opening up steamboat service to Cuba and to Key West while building hotel properties along his routes to jump-start the region’s tourism. Like turning on a faucet, this had the nearly immediate effect of bringing visitors into the state. And while he was busy on the Gulf Coast, a partner and [friendly] rival Henry Flagler was doing the same thing on Florida’s Atlantic side, building a railway down the coast, connecting Miami and even Key West to the rest of the state and similarly developing hotels and neighborhoods, many of which, like Plant’s, included golf. One of Flagler’s most notable golf

developments was the Ponce de Leon course, designed by Donald Ross in 1916. Sited outside of St. Augustine, Flagler’s northern base of sorts and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in America, the course was said to be a beauty, and what a shame it was leveled in 2003 to make way for an upscale subdivision.

In Sarasota, just south of Tampa, Gillespie’s two-green layout was expanded to four holes in 1888, to nine in 1901 and to a full 18 in 1906. Closer to Tampa, 1910–1912 saw the opening of courses at Rocky Point Golf Club (designed

by Atlanta golfer F.G. Byrd) and in the emerging sponging community of Tarpon Springs, where construction of the course was overseen by Edinburgh native W.D. Leith.

Alongside development, the state’s economy was growing, and Tarpon Springs was just one example. By 1898 the town was selling $1 million worth of sponges a year. By 1900 there were 500 Greek divers working 50 sponge boats in the local waters and exports were through the roof. A Sponge Exchange was founded there in 1907, and—incredibly—over the next 30 years the area’s sponge industry eclipsed both tourism and citrus as Florida’s largest earner.

Inland Florida was growing as well, and so in 1900 it was no surprise to see Winter Park Country Club hire John Dunn of Scotland to build nine holes close to Orlando, adjacent to Rollins College (founded 1885). That course lasted only ten years but was quickly replaced by another 9-hole layout in 1914, which included a clubhouse that is still in use today. Further to the north in Tallahassee, Florida Hills Country Club opened nine holes to national acclaim in 1914 on a course laid out by 1906 Irish Amateur Open champ Herbert Barker, and it was just another one of many.

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27

If the taps were opened for Florida development in the first two decades of the 20th century, one might say the dam broke when the true boom started in the aptly named “roaring” 20s, during which the territory south of Orlando opened up. Henceforth, development in the state would be rapid, confusing and often irresponsible, setting a sort of precedent that never really stopped by some measures.

In his Politico article, “A Requiem for Florida, the Paradise That Should Never Have Been,” Florida resident Grunwald points out that in 1897, five years after historian Fredrick Jackson Turner declared the Western frontier a thing of the past, a man named Hugh Willoughby set out to explore the Everglades by canoe. Quoting from Willoughby’s journals, Grunwald writes, “It may seem strange, in our days of Arctic and African exploration, for the public to learn that in our very midst, in one of our Atlantic coast states, we have a tract of land 130 miles long and 70 miles wide that is as much unknown to the white man as the heart of Africa.”

Remember: this expedition occurred even as Gillespie’s Sarasota golf course was expanding and Plant was building his $3 million Tampa Bay Hotel, an extravagant 511-room resort with Florida’s first elevator, first electric lights and first phones (along with its own golf course, racetrack, bowling alley and casino).

By the time Willoughby finished his sojourn across the Everglades, Miami was a year old and the state’s southern population of 300 was beginning to grow, though it was hardly popular yet, with Grunwald quoting one visitor as declaring “that if he owned Miami and hell, he would rent out Miami and live in hell.”

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KINGDOM 44

Vintage view of the Tampa Bay Hotel, which had Florida’s first elevator, first electric lights and first phones; it is now the University of Tampa; Automobile on a “drive to golf links,” Bay County, 1920s

Hellish or not, the Miami area specifically went from a population of only 100 in 1880 to more than 110,000 in 1930, with a 440% increase between 1910 and 1920 alone.

Developers couldn’t build—or sell—fast enough, and the ensuing market got so crazy that the New York Times started including a standalone Florida real estate section in its paper.

From Grunwald’s article: “Motor-mouthed ‘binder boys’ in knickers known as ‘acreage trousers’ mobbed the streets of Miami, harassing pedestrians to buy and sell lots that often changed hands three times a day. One entrepreneur bought and resold a contract for a $10,000 profit on a stroll down Flagler Street…”

South Florida’s real estate boom was such a cultural moment that the Marx Brothers made a 1929 film about it, The Cocoanuts, in which Groucho and his brothers run a hotel in Miami and fire off gags, many of which involve people getting swindled by crooked land developers. During one scene in which Groucho is auctioning off land of questionable value, he tells the bidders, “You can have any kind of a home you want to, you can even get stucco—OH how you can get stuck-oh!” The typical swindles involved unwitting buyers purchasing dry land in winter only to see it covered by a foot of water come summer’s rainy season, and that was a problem the state had yet to solve.

Photo: Henry B. Plant Museum

Head South, Young Man

Regardless, the 1920s saw the development of some of Florida’s best courses, such as Bartow Golf Club, a 1919 nine-hole track that went to 18 in 1925 and featured U.S. Open champ Cyril Walker in an opening exhibition. Women in Palatka, east of Gainseville, petitioned the city for a course and got one in 1926, an 18-hole beauty that still hosts the prestigious Florida Azalea Amateur. In 1925 Gillespie’s Sarasota course got an 18-hole redesign from none other than Donald Ross and was renamed “Bobby Jones Golf Club,” with Jones himself playing an exhibition at the 1926 opening to a crowd of 1,000, shooting 73. Ross designed 38 Florida courses, many during this period, including the Fort Myers Country Club (1917); the Belleview Biltmore Golf Course in Clearwater (1925, a Henry Plant resort); The Biltmore (Coral Gables) course, also in 1925; and the exclusive Seminole Golf Club (1929). He wasn’t the only name architect busy in the heat, either: Seth Raynor (Fishers Island Club, Shoreacres, St. Louis Country Club) built the 9-hole North Palm Beach Country Club in 1919, which opened with 18 as Palm Beach Winter Club in 1926; Tom Bendelow of Medinah and Olympia Fields fame built the course at Temple Terrace G&CC near Tampa, which at 6,600 yards was a monster for the time; and the firm of Langford and Moreau (Minehaha CC, now a Champions Tour stop; Wakonda in Iowa; Lawsonia Links in Wisconsin) contributed Key West Golf Club and Miami Springs G&CC, both curious developments. The former was designed to 18 with an island green and a tee in the Gulf of Mexico, but those features weren’t included in the original 9-hole

Photo: Library of Congress

Rosie the elephant acting as a caddie for President Warren Harding on Carl Fisher’s Bay Shore Golf Course in Miami, c.1920; Various views of Tampa golf clubs

built in 1924 nor in the 1960s’ expansion to 18 holes. Miami Springs opened in 1923 and had the distinction of the grass on the bunkers and the canal banks being hand-planted by Seminole Indian women and Seminole Indian men in native dress serving as caddies during the opening. Incidentally, the latter course went on to host the Miami Open from 1925 to 1955, a tournament won by the likes of Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson.

There were other gems—Boca Raton Resort & Club, a 1926 William Flynn layout that counts Tommy Armour and Sam Snead among its former professionals—and period-appropriate 1920s’ theatrics as well. One notable: Automotive developer legend Carl Fisher (Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lincoln Highway) gained national recognition for Miami with a widely shared photo of his pet elephant, “Rosie,” carrying golf clubs while serving as a caddie for President Warren G Harding on Fisher’s Bay Shore Golf Course. Built in 1921 to lure New Yorkers south in winter, Sarazen played the very first 18-hole round there in November of 1922. The club was used as an Army training ground in WWII (rented by the military for $1 per year) and later became Miami Golf Club.

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HISTORIC GOLF TRAIL Many of the historic Florida golf courses mentioned in this article are still open for play, and the Florida Historic Golf Trail can point the way. A fantastic resource for golfers, the group offers a 76-page guide that can be ordered from them or downloaded from their site, which also contains great information and photos: floridahistoricgolftrail . com

Bay Hill 16th; Early golfers playing by Fort Marion, Saint Augustine

What’s now the Vinoy Golf Club got its start in 1920 as a 9-hole called “Coffee Pot Golf Course”; Pinecrest GC in Avon Park opened in 1926; and there were so many others, coming at a furious pace. If it all seemed too good to be true, it was.

A Category 4 storm wiped out much of Miami in 1926, killing 400, and another Category 4 came on its heels in 1928 and destroyed the dike holding back Lake Okeechobee—second only to Lake Michigan as the largest natural freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous United States. The resulting flood killed 2,500 in one of America’s deadliest disasters, and when the stock market crashed the following year the brakes went on. Testifying before Congress in the wake of the disaster, Florida’s attorney general said of his state: “I’ve heard it advocated that what the people ought to do is build a wall down there and keep the military there to keep people from coming in.”

The boom was over, if temporarily. In fact, the storm spurred the Army Corps of Engineers to solve the state’s water problem—namely, how to get rid of it—and that brought more development. More than 2,000 miles of canals and levees were built to funnel rain back out to sea, Grunwald says some of the powerful pump engines used to do that were raided from nuclear submarines, and the end result was that 400,000 acres of sugar fields opened up for farming, highways were able to be built across the state, and golf courses (and developments) could once again be built, this time with some reassurance—key word being some.

Today Florida holds a handful of the country’s most iconic courses and clubs: Bay Hill Club & Lodge; TPC Sawgrass; Doral and the other courses in the Miami area; and the list goes on and on. Bermuda grass and its receptiveness to over-seeding by laboratory-bred variants have helped these and other Florida tracks hold up in the heat, in which more (and older) golfers have been able to play since the advent of the golf cart in the 1950s, and with

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great new courses opening all the time there’s no sign that golf in Florida will ever stop.

As we saw with Hurricane Michael this year (and with other hurricanes in other years), there’s only so much the state’s water management system can do, but one must give it credit for transforming Florida from the swamp de Soto found into a playground for golfing pros and presidents alike. Arnold Palmer made the state his home, as have Tiger Woods and so many others. It is headquarters to the PGA Tour, the PGA of America, the LPGA, the World Golf Hall of Fame, Golf Channel and so much else in our beloved sport. And of course it is the world’s top golf destination, with tens of millions of golfers visiting and 10% of all U.S. rounds played here each year, far more than any other state.

It still looks like paradise if you’re standing on a beach, much of it is still a swamp inland, and summer is still brutal. But Florida is easier to get around these days, less likely to flood and, of course, there’s the air conditioning.

That, really, makes all the difference.

Bubba Watson has traveled the world and he and his family have lived in Arizona and Orlando, but for Watson there really is just no place like home, which is in the Florida Panhandle.

Watson spoke to Dave Shedloski about his home comforts

J Just 22 miles from the small Florida town where Bubba Watson grew up, visitors to Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart in Pensacola can find Bubba Watson Drive.

Not far from that is Bubba Watson’s driving range, where, yes, indeed, they can see some of Bubba Watson’s drives. And somewhere, they’ll find the man himself, though there’s no telling where exactly, because when Watson decided to move back to the Florida Panhandle a few years ago, he chose to be all in, and that means, to a large degree, ubiquitous.

Watson, a two-time Masters champion who enjoyed perhaps the best season of his PGA Tour career in 2018 with three victories, has lived in Scottsdale, Arizona and in Orlando—at the latter in the house formerly owned by Tiger Woods. But that wasn’t home. Nothing ever is if you’re not feeling it within, viscerally and emotionally.

The late Arnold Palmer spent a great portion of his life at Bay Hill in Orlando, but he always referred to Latrobe, Pennsylvania as his home, kept a residence there for half the year right across the street from his beloved Latrobe Country Club, and never abandoned his Pennsylvania roots.

As he wrote in his book, A Life Well Played, Latrobe “is my home, and by that I mean that it isn’t just where I came from and where I grew up, but it’s the home that’s in my heart. …Your hometown is not where you’re from, but it’s who you are.”

Watson grew up in Bagdad, Fla., (current population 3,761) in that northwest sliver of the state that is part of the greater Pensacola area, on the Gulf of Mexico. Pensacola, a seaport city first discovered by Spanish explorers, is

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Bubba Watson, in his Masters Green Jacket, throws a ceremonial first pitch before a Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball game at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 2014 (Photo by Ben Van Hook/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

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the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, about 13 miles from the Alabama border. It’s an area known for its military installations, including the country’s first naval air station—home to the Blue Angels, the celebrated flying demonstration outfit—its many natural parks, and, of course, its magnificent white-sand beaches. Among the reasons Bubba and his wife Angie, both patriotic to the core, are devoted to the area is because of the military presence; Bubba’s late father Gerry was an Army Green Beret.

The lanky left-hander attended nearby Milton High School, where fellow PGA Tour players Heath Slocum and Boo Weekley preceded him by a few years. Watson not only idolized those two players, but also was influenced

by Pensacola native Joe Durant, who has been a winner on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Watson’s dad once tried to enlist Durant to help Bubba develop his game.

Durant politely declined.

“My answer simply had to do with thinking that would be the biggest disservice I could do for Bubba,” Durant said.

“I had seen him play a little and I knew what kind of a player he was, the creativity he had, very much like Seve, with great hands, great imagination. I saw early on that he was going to be something special, that he would go places.”

And Durant had a hunch that Watson, likely one day, would settle near his roots.

“I could always see Bubba coming back to the area,” Durant said. “He never seemed to be comfortable anywhere else, and I know what that’s like.”

“A lot of people know me as a golfer but... back home people know me for the person I am”

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[Top left] A church in Watson’s childhood hometown of Bagdad, pays tribute to his second Masters win in 2014; [above] Charl Schwartzel [left] leads the applause after Watson’s first Masters triumph in 2012

HOMEWARD BOUND Watson never believed that line about “you can’t go home again.” And he fully believed that if he were to do so, he’d embrace it fully.

“What started this whole process is that I wanted to go back home, but I didn’t want to go home just being another guy, someone who just lives there,” Watson, 40, said. “I love being from the area, and I thought, ‘If I do this, how can I get involved in the community, primarily charity-wise. What can I do to contribute?’

“I really felt like if you see me just as a golfer, then I’m doing something wrong.”

Same thing for just being a resident.

“It means a lot to me to be home again,” he added. “A lot of people know me as a golfer, but that limits me as a person. Being back home, people know me for the person I am and that is really important to me. I want them to know that I am still one of them, that I haven’t changed except for the fact that there are things in my power to accomplish that I couldn’t before. It’s a beautiful area. It’s a great place for Angie and me to raise our kids. So why not try to make it better?”

Start with Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, where he and his older sister were born and where his late father, who died in 2010, underwent cancer treatment.

Watson got involved with the hospital after getting acquainted with the hospital’s namesake Quint Studer, and soon after the long-hitting left-hander donated $2.1 million towards an expansion of the facility. Work on the facility began in March.

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WE ARE FAMILY Bubba Watson’s commitment to family values has been extended through his support for Jockey Being Family—a charitable initiative of Jockey International, the famous clothing company— which provides resources and support to post-adoption organizations, to help strengthen adoptive families once an adoption is finalized. To date, the foundation has helped more than 325,000 families since 2005.

“This is a cause near and dear to my heart,” says Watson, who with wife Angie has two adopted children, Caleb and Dakota.

“Together we can and will impact thousands of families.”

Jockey Being Family’s mission is simple: it believes that every child deserves to grow up with a loving family in a forever home. November is National Adoption Month.

Watson’s relationship with Studer then led to their co-ownership of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Class Double-A minor league baseball team. “I never saw myself owning a baseball team, but I never saw myself doing a lot of things that I’ve been able to do in golf,” Watson said.

While Watson and Angie raise their two adopted children, Caleb and Dakota, he is involved in the construction of an apartment complex in the city and an office building next door. Also downtown, on Palafox Street, is Bubba’s Sweet Spot, a candy and ice cream shop. Studer is a partner in that venture as well.

Then there’s the new driving range he bought and remodeled. It opened in August and Watson will offer special classes and bring in instructors to help junior golfers, and he is committed to give greater access to practice facilities for youngsters. Watson wants to grow the game.

“When I was growing up, golf was a family experience.

Everyone in my family played. My mom [Molly] caddied for me,” said Watson, who won the Masters in 2012 and ’14.

“I benefitted from a community that supported junior golf and enabled me to make progress towards living my dream. The range is a way to give back to junior golfers. I always feel like I have to do more—do the right things for myself, do the right things for my family and the community.”

Of course, wife Angie is on board with Bubba’s expanding interests as well as the decision to raise their kids in a more relaxed and friendly environment.

“It’s hard to go through life without a sense of community, without feeling that people are there for you— not because you’re a golfer or someone famous but because there are people doing things together and accomplishing things to make life better, through the church or school or families,” said Angie, a former professional basketball player.

Bubba’s Sweet Spot

jockeybeingfamily.com

“It’s hard to go through life without a sense of community, without feeling that people are there for you”

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“Every time we take the kids to the beach, we step back and say, this is where we live and where we belong,” she added. “We don’t live on the beach. We’re a few miles away, but this is our playground. The surrounding area offers so much as far as nature and being a part of the world and all the wonderful gifts it has to offer. That’s what we think of when we think of being home in Florida. It’s family and it’s familiar and really beautiful.”

All the while, Bubba marvels at Pensacola’s production of outstanding sports figures. “The area is a great one for athletes who have come through. I don’t know why but there’s just something about Pensacola,” Watson said.

“Knowing that I came from there, too, I felt was an advantage.

Guys like Emmitt Smith, Derek Brooks, Buck Showalter, and then Boo, Heath, Joe Durant. I was influenced in high school by those guys. I wanted to be like them.”

But he came to think that he could be more than a golfer, too. That’s where much of his drive is directed these days.

“Arnold was right. Home is about the heart,” Watson said. “My mom is still there. I moved there because I wanted my family to grow up there. It’s familiar and inspiring to me. I know the area, those are my people. They helped me become better at golf and shaped who I am as a person. I will always be a representative of the town and indebted to it. I love that I can drive everywhere without a map. I love that people respect me for my golf and for more than just golf, and they leave me alone to do the things I want to do.

“At the end, I’m hoping that the Watson legacy lives on long after I’m gone, and that it has nothing to do with golf.”

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Pensacola meets the Gulf of Mexico [above & below]

HURRICANE MICHAEL This “Florida” issue of Kingdom was well underway by the time Hurricane Michael devastated the state this year, many of the stories already completed. We made adjustments in the wake of the storm, but for any instance we missed where our coverage does not acknowledge the storms’ effects, we offer our sincere apologies. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers remain with all of the individuals who were affected.

HELP SUPPORT ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

©2018 Jockey Being Family Foundation, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. PGA TOUR is a trademark of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America. Jockey Being Family and JBF Tree Logo are trademarks of Jockey Being Family Foundation, Ltd. Learn more about the Foundation at www.jockeybeingfamily.com.

For professional golfer, 12-time PGA TOUR® winner, and adoptive father, Bubba Watson, family means everything. Jockey is proud to welcome Bubba and his wife, Angie, into our family as brand ambassadors for the Jockey Being Family Foundation.

Our mission is to raise awareness and provide funding to our non-profit partners to support essential post-adoption services and to ensure all our adoptive families get the support and resources they need to stay together forever! With your help we can impact thousands of families.

Learn more at jockeybeingfamily.com

BUBBA & ANG IE WATSON Jockey Being Family Ambassadors

Impact

Arnold Palmer is proof positive that one man really can make a difference

Bay Hill’s new practice facility

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Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Children’s television host Fred Rogers, better known as “Mister Rogers” to his millions of fans, once said that “the connections we make in the course of a life—maybe that’s what heaven is.” From that perspective, both Rogers and fellow Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer greatly expanded heaven’s reach on earth. In Palmer’s case, his and his family’s positive impact on his hometown of Latrobe is well known and includes—among many impacts—job creation, hometown recognition and pride, and the wonderful Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, created by his first wife. But his impact on the community in his second home of Orlando, Florida, is even more pronounced, affecting not just the people of Florida but also tens of millions of others around the world. From a long list of contributions made to Orlando (and to the State of Florida) by Palmer, here are three of his greatest hits, starting with home sweet home…

Palmer at Bay Hill

When Arnold Palmer first came to Bay Hill to play an exhibition match in 1965, the place was just four years old.

A family of bobcats lived near the 17th green, otters played about in the lakes and the population of Orange County, in which Orlando sits, was right around 263,000. Today, there are roughly 2 million people in Orlando metro area, the bobcats have moved on, and Bay Hill Club & Lodge is one of the world’s great golf destinations, home to a PGA TOUR event and the nexus of nearly all things Palmer-related.

Palmer took ownership of the property a decade after his first visit, and over the next forty years, as Orlando grew into the planet’s family playground, Bay Hill grew right along with it, complementing and helping to drive the region’s progress. Longtime headquarters to the Arnold Palmer Design Company, which has designed more than 300 golf courses around the world, Bay Hill is also home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard. The tournament alone has been reported to have brought in more than 120,000 attendees and more than $20 million in economic impact for the region. Over seven days, the PGA Tour event boosts hotels, restaurants, shopping venues, sports-related business and any number of local service industries, also providing a source of pride and entertainment for area residents. Beyond the tournament, which regularly hosts the game’s top players, the golf course brings aficionados and duffers alike into Orlando for a chance to stay at the club Arnie called home for so long and to play on the same course as the champions. Constantly tweaked, updated and improved by Palmer and by Thad Layton and Brandon Johnson of APDC, the course is one of the greatest anywhere, and certainly among the best in Florida. Complementing it is a storied members lounge where staff (like Cheryl the bartender) regularly entertain touring pros and lodge guests alike with epic stories from Bay Hill’s past. More recently, under the leadership of General Manager Don Emery, the club is enjoying a refreshed sense of service and hospitality. Part of that is evident in an updated dining plan, which maintains and honors longtime Palmer favorites while adding inspired new options, and tailoring and improving execution to top-table standards.

The new menu is beautifully prepared and impeccably presented, and there’s an overall sharpness to the place that actually enhances the relaxed charm for which Bay Hill has long been famous—quite a trick, and evidence that meeting Palmer’s standards means always improving. As Palmer himself was quoted as saying, “The road to success is always under construction,” and at Bay Hill “construction” never stops—hence the club’s status as an asset to the community and a bucket-list stop for traveling golfers. There’s no place like [Arnie’s] home, after all.

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Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve

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Thanks to the family and friends of Winnie and Arnold Palmer and Joanne and Fred Rogers, Saint Vincent hosts two nationally-recognized educational centers committed to the well-being of children and families: the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and the Fred M. Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. These centers carry forward the legacy of these great American icons and lifelong friends of Saint Vincent.

Children’s Hospitals As Amy Saunders, Palmer’s daughter and now director of his professional concerns, wrote recently in a letter for the Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation, her parents shared a lifetime commitment to the betterment of children, and in Orlando that is sincerely evident in the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. “In the mid 1980s my father, Arnold Palmer, visited the pediatric unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center, looked around, and concluded, ‘We can do better than this —we should do better than this—for the children of our community.’ And so he did.” By the time Palmer visited, Orlando Regional Medical Center had pulled together an incredible team of top talent dedicated to creating a new standard for specialized children’s care. But, as the group admitted, as incredible as the staff members were, the facilities were rather meager. The Palmers lent their name and helped to spearhead fundraising efforts, and with their help the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children was built. As the hospital’s current team puts it on their website, “Arnold set forth a challenge to the hospital: to always strive to be the best. With the agreement to give the hospital his name, he insisted on a commitment that ‘good’ would never be ‘good enough.’ This is why, in everything that we do, we strive to take care to new heights—because your children and family deserve the best.”

And they’re getting it. This year, for the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children among its Best Children’s Hospitals, honoring it in five crucial specialties: pediatric cardiology and heart surgery; pediatric diabetes and endocrinology; pediatric orthopedics; pediatric pulmonology; and pediatric urology. Adjacent to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. Designed from the ground up to be a welcoming, reassuring environment (the buildings that comprise the center are designed as a series of ellipses, so there are no

The Palmer hospitals have touched an incalculable number of families

harsh corners or abruptly ending hallways within), it was the first hospital in Florida to perform in utero surgeries.

Its catalog of women’s health care specialties and services is immense and backed by some of the best doctors and nurses working today, and as a birth environment it provides options akin to a five-star hotel, with room for families to stay as well. Among its most incredible facilities is its NICU, which routinely saves the lives of babies born prematurely.

To walk its “Hall of Miracles” and to realize how many lives have been touched by this hospital and its amazing staff is an emotional experience, underlined by the fact that some of the staff themselves were born prematurely at the hospital. It’s essentially impossible to calculate the number of lives touched by the Palmer hospitals, not just in the Orlando area or in Florida but across the country, as people regularly travel here to get the best care for their children and themselves. “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me,” Fred Rogers said, and no question about it: the Palmers and the people who work at these facilities are heroes. Absolutely.

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Golf Channel In 1990, at the PGA Championship at Shoal Creek, when Alabaman Joe Gibbs told the PGA of America it could use his guest house to host a player, he didn’t realize who the guest would be: Arnold Palmer and his then-wife, Winnie.

“It so happened that Arnold stayed there by chance and we became friends,” Gibbs told SportsBusiness Journal. “He invited me to come to Florida to play golf. Fast forward, I started thinking about cable systems. I did some research, and in 1991, I called him and said I had an idea.” The “idea” turned out to be a cable network with 24-hour golf programming, and Palmer liked it. The golf legend called his longtime business partner Mark McCormack, Gibbs ended up working with McCormack’s firm, IMG (which Palmer had co-founded with McCormack), Palmer co-funded the deal and Golf Channel was born. After years of planning and pulling financing together, on January 17, 1995, Golf Channel went live, with co-founder Palmer himself flipping the ceremonial “on” switch.

“I made him chairman and I was vice chairman,” Gibbs said in the 2016 SportsBusiness Journal article by John Lombardo. “He never missed a board meeting and he was very dedicated to it and extremely supportive. We never had a cross word between us. He never said, ‘Joe, do it this way.’ He would never tell me how to run it. He would just give his opinion.”

Five years after the station launched, Comcast bought majority interest for something close to $369 million. In 2011 Golf Channel became part of NBC Sports, and though the parent company owned the majority stake of the station,

Golf Channel and a PGA TOUR event are just two of Palmer’s impacts

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Palmer was emotionally connected to Golf Channel, there was a lot of interaction

Palmer remained its doyen, as Golf Channel President Mike McCarley has emphasized. “Arnold had sold but he was still founder,” he said. “He was emotionally connected to the channel. There was a lot of interaction.”

Now controlling GolfNow, Revolution Golf, Golf Channel Academy facilities, golfadvisor.com, Golf Channel Am Tour (the world’s largest amateur tour), along with a lineup that includes vaunted programming such as Morning Drive, Feherty and Golf Central, Golf Channel employs an army of people and is available to nearly 500 million viewers in nearly 80 countries and nine languages around the world.

It helped to build the careers of such sports broadcasting luminaries as Kelly Tilghman, and it’s attracted top talent, media attention and resources, and business partners to the Orlando area. If Arnold Palmer had “only” co-founded Golf Channel, he’d be well enough remembered. That it’s but one example of the impacts that he had on the various communities in which he lived is incredible—but then, of course, Palmer was incredible. For Orlando and for the State of Florida specifically he was more than just a welcome addition, he was a good neighbor who—if heaven is defined by the connections made over a lifetime—also might have been divine.

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ASK YOUR DOCTOR if Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) may help you manage your overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of urgency, frequency, and leakage If you’re dealing with urges, frequency, and leaks on your own, or if you have ever taken an OAB medicine and stopped, ask your doctor if Myrbetriq may be an appropriate treatment option for you.

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USE OF MYRBETRIQ Myrbetriq® (mirabegron) is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urgency, frequency and leakage.

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Overactive bladder occurs when you cannot control your bladder contractions. When these muscle contractions happen too often or cannot be controlled, you can get symptoms of overactive bladder, which are urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence (leakage).

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The Power of

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Tiger Woods drew record crowds to the 2018 Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort

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Two tournaments in successive weeks in the same US state is a “double-stop”, three in a row is almost a “Swing” but not quite; it’s a handy triple. So if you want a real Swing on tour it has to be to the power of four, and as Robin Barwick writes, that is what has been restored in Florida on the PGA Tour in 2019

1966 2019

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Rio Pinar Orlando

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Before the world famous Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard there was the Florida Citrus Open Invitational. The same tournament but different name, different golf course and a different generation. The Florida Citrus joined the pro circuit in 1966 and it was the final link, seeing the PGA Tour achieve a four-stop “Florida Swing” for the first time.

That original Swing of ’66 started in the Florida Panhandle with the Pensacola Open Invitational in the first week of March, before sweeping 700 miles south to Doral in Miami for the Doral Open Invitational. Then it was 240 miles back north to Orlando to Rio Pinar for the Florida Citrus before the 150-mile journey to Selva Marina CC for the Jacksonville Open.

Doral CC Miami

If a full-blooded Florida Swing has to incorporate four Florida tournaments in successive weeks (and really they need to be in March and coincide with Spring Break), then the last time the PGA Tour presented a Florida Swing was in 2016 (Honda Classic at PGA National; WGC Cadillac at Doral; Valspar Championship at Innisbrook; “Arnold Palmer” at Bay Hill). In 2017 and 2018 the Tour had the Honda, Valspar and Arnold Palmer but with a World Golf Championship event in Mexico breaking over the border to snap the swing. But in 2019, with the Players Championship returning from a May slot to its rightful place in March, the full Florida Swing is back, and back with a running order that is probably its strongest ever in terms of venues, sponsorship and tournament heritage, which will inevitably lead to very strong playing fields.

“We are extremely pleased with the schedule,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan when it was announced earlier this year. “It’s been our stated objective to create better sequencing of our tournaments. Now in March the schedule really gives us an accelerant earlier in the year that we’re really excited about. TPC Sawgrass is a perfect fit to hold a tournament in March.”

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And the commissioner is under-stating the obvious.

The fact is that Florida as a state is perfect for hosting the PGA Tour in March—it would be more than perfect if that were possible—with the balmy Florida spring weather, golf fans spilling out of their course-side villas and condos to watch, and an array of tour-ready venues. TV ratings are fuelled by the new season freshness and so no wonder the sponsors flock to the Florida Swing.

“All four of us Florida tournaments agree that it is great to get the swing back in place,” starts Marci Doyle, Tournament Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “The Florida Swing had become more of a hop with the schedule going from Florida to Texas or Mexico and there was so much back and forth, so the four-stop swing does nothing but benefit all of us.”

Innisbrook Resort has been home to the Valspar Championship since it started out as the Tampa Bay Classic in 2000 and Director of Golf there is Bobby Barnes. “Call me biased but I think Florida should have even a few more tournaments,” starts Barnes. “I like the idea of the Florida Swing and it will help the strength of the field for the Valspar Championship, rather than having the Florida Swing interrupted by players flying off to Mexico and back.

At Innisbrook we take a lot of pride in being one of those Florida stops.”

When Tiger played in the Valspar the place went nuts. Crowds were up 35 percent to 150,000

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And who wouldn’t enjoy being in Florida in March, when the heat is not too stifling and the top players are looking to build some momentum ahead of the Masters at Augusta in April.

“We have rolling hills at Innisbrook that are unique within Florida,” adds Barnes, “and the Copperhead Course is going to provide a great test for golfers as they start to get ready for the Masters, as we have a lot of uphill and downhill lies like Augusta. The Masters is only three weeks later so the Valspar could make a really good fit to close out the Florida Swing.”

Tiger Woods certainly thought so this year, when he made a late entry into the Valspar Championship field— unsure if his recovering back could last four tournament rounds—and finished in a tie for second for his best PGA Tour finish in more than four years. The place went nuts.

Crowds were up 35 percent to 150,000 and the TV ratings were off the charts.

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. ©2018. DEWAR’S BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY 40% ALC. BY VOL. IMPORTED BY JOHN DEWAR & SONS COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL.

Recalls Barnes: “When Tiger teed off early in the morning for the second round from the 10th tee, the sun was barely up at 7:30am and it was pretty chilly, but as I looked down the length of the 10th hole all you could see were rows and rows of people. Some of those people would have got up at four o’clock in the morning to make sure they were there for Tiger’s tee time. The atmosphere was more like a Ryder Cup.” The other critical factor in support of the Florida Swing is that with so many tour pros based in Florida these days, the Swing means a minimum of travel for a lot of players and to them that music is sweeter than Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album.

Don’t forget, when most tour golfers say they love to travel, what they actually mean is that they hate to travel but love playing great courses, in front of big crowds and for huge prize funds. Many of them do enjoy playing in different countries but the worst part of tour golf is the time spent on the road and in the air. It is boring, time consuming and bad for your back. Most tour golfers’ top three vacation destinations—particularly those with young families—are Home, Home and Home.

“The players love to come into the state of Florida and stay here, and some bring their families,” adds Doyle, who is looking forward to showcasing expanded and renovated practice facilities at Bay Hill next year.

And herein lies the final magic ingredient of the Florida Swing (version 2019): the three journeys between the four tournaments total only 550 miles. Palm Beach Gardens to Orlando: 160 miles; Orlando to Ponte Vedra

Beach: 140 miles; Ponte Vedra Beach to Palm Harbor: 250 miles. On the PGA Tour in 2018/19, this is by far the tightest cluster of four tournaments on the entire schedule and that is great for everyone (apart from northerners, but they get their turn over the summer).

In Florida, in March, great things can happen.

[l to r] Arnold Palmer, Jack Nickluas and Gary Player at the Florida Citrus Invitational Open at Rio Pinar in 1968

The 2019 Florida Swing • Feb 28 - Mar 3 – Honda Classic PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens Defending champ: Justin Thomas

• Mar 7-10 – Arnold Palmer Inv. Bay Hill, Orlando Defending champ: Rory McIlroy

Justin Thomas

Rory McIlroy

Paul Casey

Webb Simpson

• Mar 14-17 – Players Champ.

TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach Defending champ: Webb Simpson

• Mar 21-24 – Valspar Champ.

Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor Defending champ: Paul Casey

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Golf Coast

Scattered along Florida’s more than 660 miles of beaches are quite a few golf gems, and while many of the brightest shine along the state’s Atlantic Coast and in the Miami area, Florida’s Gulf Coast has its own lustrous jewels. Complementing these are world-class museums, dining and cultural options that will round out any perfect Florida vacation.

Accordingly, looking along the Gulf of Mexico south of Orlando—and working south to north—here are a few of our best arguments for staying on the sunset side of the Sunshine State…

Naples Pier at sunset Photo: JoNell Modys / Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB

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Naples and the Paradise Coast

Founded in the late 1880s by a former Confederate general and a Kentucky businessman, Naples—with its originally tranquil bay and abundant fish and game—was described by promotors as “surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy.” Whatever the accuracy of that comparison and despite being connected to the rest of the state by train in 1927, Naples, Florida, just missed the development boom happening in the rest of the state due to the Great Depression, and so it wasn’t truly built up until after WWII. Once it was, however, it quickly became a success, and today it is one of the loveliest— and wealthiest—cities in the United States, housing the second-highest concentration of millionaires per capita in the U.S. and six of the world’s richest people (including Shahid Khan, Naples resident and owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars). Its status is reflected in the city’s fantastic cultural options and—wonderfully for golfers—in its great game options.

For evidence that Florida’s Gulf Coast offers some of the country’s best golf one need look no further than to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples and its stellar Tiburón Golf Club (ritzcarlton.com). Home to the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s QBE Shootout, the club offers a pair of Greg Norman-designed stunners and will satisfy the most avid golfer’s taste for quality game. New Callaway clubs are available for those who prefer to travel light, while those hoping to brush up their skills can do so

Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples

at the highly regarded Impact Zone Golf Academy. A Caddie Concierge program offers a level of service seen only at the finest private clubs, while GolfBoards as a get-around option add a bit of on-course fun for those willing to try something different. The hotel itself couldn’t be nicer: a stately Italianate resort with lush grounds, top spa, entertainment and a tremendous pool, and its location close to some of the area’s best shopping and arts/entertainment options mean guests needn’t travel far for elite diversion. Greatly widening the resort’s offerings, guests are encouraged to utilize the complimentary shuttle between the golf resort and its sister property, which sits along the white sands of the Gulf itself at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Combined they offer a wealth of dining and relaxation options second to none in the area, effortlessly providing the perfect golf vacation for those who refuse to settle for second best.

Among the cultural diversions nearby the RitzCarlton properties is The Baker Museum, one of the region’s foremost showcases of art and more evidence of the city’s wealth. With an emphasis on modern and contemporary artists, the collection underlines Naples’ commitment to diversity and to culture, regularly staging finely curated exhibitions from top artists and from the museum’s formidable permanent collection, fielding dynamic area events and offering educational opportunities for children and adults alike. Often identified with its exquisite Chihuly glass ceiling, the Baker Museum contains a world of visual depth within its manageably sized structure, making it an ideal stop for anyone in the Naples area.

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Within Naples proper, gourmands and those in search of some nightlife will be spoiled for choice at Mercato, a feast of activity with more than 20 restaurants and bars, a luxury cinema and all kinds of live music options. Its liveliness is nicely complemented by the tranquil area around the city, which includes some of the most beautiful beaches and touristing options anywhere.

In fact there are 30 miles of wide, white sand beaches here—and they are pristine. Soft sand and cool, gentle water make for postcard-worthy moments nearly any time of day, with settings ideal for families, couples or those seeking a bit of solitude for an early morning stroll, perhaps. The beaches of Marco Island are included in this, certainly, and are worth exploring.

The barrier island that’s easily accessible from Naples via bridge offers a wealth of beaches and water activities, in fact, much of it with the flavor of Old Florida. There’s a tidal lagoon here, at Tigertail Beach Park, perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking for those who don’t want to venture into the Gulf. And quite close by there’s Collier Seminole State Park, which has been described as “primitive” for its unspoiled camping, canoeing, fishing and more. There’s a mile-long nature walk here that makes a beautiful diversion, or a narrated boat tour (daily) for those who’d rather ride. Here and at other area locations, wildlife can be viewed in its natural habitat, offering a rare and privileged look at the “real”

Marco Island [above] Goodland Bridge, Marco Island [below]

It’s called “The Paradise Coast” for good reason—the Naples area is simply stunning

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Florida—always on display on what’s referred to as “The Paradise Coast.”

A unique experience available in the area is a trip into the Everglades. The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, it’s also a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance that’s protected by a number of treaties and agreements. Formerly covering more than 5 million acres, today it covers 2,400 square miles, making it the third-largest national park in the lower 48. Essentially a slow-moving river 60 miles wide and 100 miles long, it provides a habitat for endangered and exotic flora and fauna while also helping to fill aquifers that feed fresh water sources for much of the region. It’s a critical natural asset, and it makes for a fascinating day trip. Any number of tour operators can be found online, and an airboat excursion, canoe trip or even bike ride here (on established trails) is well worth your time.

Captiva Island

Moving north up the coast we come to the South Seas Island Resort on beautiful Captiva Island, and if ever we had to be marooned we would hope that it was here: a 330-acre nature preserve with two and a half miles of fantastic beaches set along the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico—dolphins jumping just offshore, gentle breezes perfect for sailing and a 9-hole golf course voted one of the “Top Five Short Courses in the World” (southseas.com). Add to that a top luxury spa, a wide array of dining opportunities (from beachside barefoot to candlelit elegance) and accommodations that include the lovely Harbourside Hotel, vacation rentals, (ranging from luxury condos to homes of distinction perfect for discerning families) and you lack for nothing. It’s the array of activities here that makes the resort so special, and a destination of choice for Florida natives as well.

The offshore sailing school, day cruises, incredible fishing, kayak tours, a fantastic pool complex with H2Whoa! Water Slides and more… We especially like the Chip Powell-designed Captiva Course, with its swaying palms and Gulf views, which is very well maintained. For families, romantic getaways, extended stay vacations or escapes of any kind, the South Seas Island Resort delivers. Arrive by yacht or by car (they have plenty of parking available for either) and disappear. For awhile, at least.

When you are ready to get back to reality, we suggest continuing north for an incredible cultural immersion at Sarasota’s Ringling Museum.

The Ringling [above]; South Sea Island Resort, Captiva Course [below]

Sarasota + St. Petersburg

Better known as “The Ringling,” the museum was built

by John Ringling (one of the circus family’s brothers) to house his simply phenomenal collection of art, which he gathered during extensive European travels (ringling.org). He and his wife, Mable, owned 25 percent of Sarasota’s land at one point and used a small part of that to hold their staggeringly beautiful Ca’d’Zan home in 1924: five stories, 41 rooms, 15 bathrooms and 36,000 square feet at a preposterous (for then) cost of $1.5 million. With his art collection spilling beyond the capacity of “House of John” (in the Venetian dialect), Ringling needed a place to put his treasures, hence the museum. It opened to the public in 1931 with one of the country’s best (and perhaps the country’s best) collection of Old Masters, including Rubens, Velazquez, Poussin and van Dyke, and today—with a greatly expanded mission and resources, including its recent Center for Asian Art—it remains one of the country’s finest museums.

As artful, perhaps, another classic is found nearby at Sarasota’s Bobby Jones Golf Club, the site of one America’s earliest golf courses (bobbyjonesgolfclub.com).

Built as a single fairway with two greens in 1886 by Scotsman John Gillespie on his homestead, it increased to four holes in 1888, to nine in 1901 and to 18 in 1906. In 1925 none other than Donald Ross redesigned the entire 18 and it re-opened the following year as Sarasota Municipal Course. Jones’ moniker was added the following year and Jones himself attended the opening, shooting a 73 in front of 1,000 people. By 1967 another 18 holes had been added and split the original Ross layout, with the northernmost of Ross’ nine holes

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Photo: Moris Moreno

going to the “American Course” and his southern nine going to the “British Course.” In 1977 Gillespie’s name came back onto the property with the addition of the Lane Marshall-designed 9-hole executive course named for Gillespie, who likely wouldn’t recognize Sarasota (or his old homestead) today.

From The Ringling, it’s less than an hour to another incredible museum: The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

Does this collection of Dali’s works and personal effects eclipse all others in the world? It might. Built from the private collection of Reynolds and Eleanor Morse, Dali fans and longtime personal friends of the artist and his wife, Gala, today the museum’s collection includes more than 2,100 works from the earliest childhood expressions of creativity through to the end of Dali’s life. Paintings, drawings, book illustrations, personal books, prints, sculptures, photos, manuscripts and a huge archive of documents… Masterworks such as Disappearing Bust of Voltaire are showcased, there’s a landscape done by Dali when he was between 6 and 10 years of age, a later (1985) version of his Chess Set, and his 1938 Lobster Phone… One of the world’s great museums, and it’s just a mile from another fun (if not surreal, exactly) story.

Like many structures developed by captains of industry (in this case, Pennsylvania oilman Aymore Vinoy Laughner) the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club has an audacious anecdote attached to its beginnings. Story has it that in the early 1920s Laughner hosted a party at his lavish St. Petersburg home that was attended by a number of luminaries, including golfer Walter Hagen. Drinks might have been involved and, at some point, Hagen and Laughner decided to have a little

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The Dali Museum [above] and the Vinoy [below]

wager: Hit a few drives off the face of my prized pocket watch without breaking the crystal face, the oilman said to Hagen, and I’ll build a resort where your golf balls land (or something like that). Hagen, known for his powerful drive, fired off a few solid shots towards the beach, the watch’s face remained intact and just under a year later the preposterously expensive (for the time) $3.5 million Vinoy Park Hotel opened. It’s grand debut was on New Year’s Eve, 1925, with 375 rooms and the in-demand Paul Whiteman Orchestra handling the music. Later guests included Babe Ruth, James Stewart, Herbert Hoover and Calvin Coolidge but, following WWII (during which it housed a U.S. Army training school) the place fell apart, eventually closed in 1974 and sat vacant for ages. In the 1990s Renaissance picked it up, invested $93 million and now it’s back to being grand. The resort’s course, the current Vinoy Golf Club, began as the Coffeepot Golf Club in 1920, designed and built by J. Franklin Meehan.

In 1927 the Boston duo of Stiles and Van Kleek (Cranwell Resort in NY; Taconic in Massachusetts) redesigned it as an 18, while more recently it enjoyed a refresh by Ron Garl (Golden Ocala; Changmai-Alpine GC, Thailand).

Stop by, tee it up on the face of your Rolex and have a go (vinoyclub.com).

The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg holds one of the world’s great collections

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Saddlebrook Resort is home to two of Florida’s most picturesque and playable golf courses, as well as the renowned Saddlebrook Golf Academy and the Saddlebrook Preparatory School for junior athletes. Designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, both of our Tampa golf courses incorporate rolling fairways and wellmaintained greens along with wilderness areas full of cypress, pine and palm trees. Add in our state-of-the-art training facility, Pro Shop and professional instruction, and it’s easy to see why Saddlebrook is an unrivaled Florida golf resort.

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Palm Harbor Area

Keeping Tampa Bay on one’s right and the Gulf on the left, it’s another hour north to Palm Harbor and the incredible Innisbrook, where a few days might be spent in utter golfing bliss. When Sheila Johnson (co-founder BET, sports executive, entrepreneur) purchased the property in 2007, she had no idea that the 900 rolling acres near the Gulf of Mexico would become the cornerstone of her Salamander Resorts portfolio (innisbrookgolfresort.com). Today it’s exactly that, with four championship golf courses, including the storied Copperhead—home to the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship—the sublime Salamander Spa, upscale and casual dining options, 11 beautifully maintained clay tennis courts and six (!) swimming pools. Among the latter is the Loch Ness Monster pool, with water slides, a play beach area, waterfall and more. A host of suites and vacation rentals are available, all to suit luxury tastes, and all accommodations recently have been modernized and transformed with a fantastic refresh. Similarly, dining options will appeal to upscale modern palates as will the layout and tone of the resort, which is just minutes from some of America’s best beaches. Truly, though, golf is at the heart of Innisbrook, and the offerings do not disappoint. In addition to Copperhead there’s the North, South and Island Courses, each a championship layout posing tremendous challenges and rewards. There’s also a “Fox Squirrel” walking 9-hole play option for those looking to sneak-in another [relaxed] nine or who want

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Tarpon Springs [above]; The 11th at Copperhead, Innisbrook [below]

to take junior golfers out to play. As thoughtful as the rest of the property’s amazing offerings, it emphasizes that if ever there was a family-friendly resort conducive to business, weekend escapes or romantic getaways— and optimized for golfers—Innisbrook is it.

As a day trip from Innisbrook, it’s worth visiting Tarpon Springs. Established as a Greek sponging community in the early 20th century, at one point this community was the state’s highest earner and known globally as “The sponge capital of the world.”

The sponge docks are still there but today Tarpon Springs is better known for tourism and for its classic Greek culture, which is firmly on display. Those who visit during Epiphany (January 6th) will note the annual activities at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which dates to 1907 and to the community’s earliest Greek settlers. There’s a blessing of the fleet one morning on the sponge docks, followed by the “casting of the cross” the next. In this ancient tradition, which goes back hundreds of years in Greece, the Archbishop tosses a cross into the harbor and the community’s young men dive to find it, wrestling for it until it’s secured.

Whomever retrieves it then presents the cross back to the Archbishop and is said to have good fortune. It’s just one part of a lively and entertaining series of activities around Epiphany, but year-round Tarpon Springs offers some of the best Greek food available outside of Greece, along with numerous seasonal festivals, great fishing and more.

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Epic Finish

Just 20 miles or so from Tarpon Springs, the Babe Zaharias Golf Course offers another nice brush with history, albeit more recent. During Florida’s golf and development boom of the 1920s, Philadelphia course architect J. Franklin Meehan (who’d worked with A.W. Tillinghast) built the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club, which opened in 1926 to great acclaim. Among fans was pro golfer Jimmy Thomson, champ at the 1936 Richmond Open and 1938 Los Angeles Open: “I would not say that Forest Hills is a good course,” Thomson observed, “it is an exceptional one.” According to the club’s website, sports legend and LPGA co-founder Babe Didrikson Zaharias bought the club in 1949, the year before the LPGA was founded, and likely moved into the second floor of the clubhouse with her husband, wrestler George Zaharias, until their “Rainbow Manor” home was built nearby. Babe died in 1956, aged just 45, and after her death the course fell into disrepair and eventually was abandoned. However, in 1974 the City of Tampa restored it and re-opened it, naming the course in Babe’s honor (babezahariasgolf.net). A nice bit of golfing history and a fitting tribute to a great athlete, this makes for a pleasant round when you’re in the area.

A balcony view at the excellent Saddlebrook [top]; The 10th at Babe Zaharias Golf Course [above]

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Just north of that course lies a classic resort and club in the spirit of the best American developments, Saddlebrook Resort (saddlebrook.com). Founding it in 1979, businessman Thomas L. Dempsey (who previously was part of the team that developed Innisbrook) says he envisioned a resort in which guests could experience the full wealth of Florida’s true beauty, including the state’s rich wildlife, flora, sport and community. Set amidst a gated nature preserve on 480 acres of pristine land near Tampa, the resort is home to all manner of birds, alligators, lush flowers and trees and more, perfectly setting the scene for classic Floridian living. With a walking-only village, top preparatory school for junior athletes and nationally recognized training center for golf and tennis, Saddlebrook is a community as much as it is a getaway, though temporary guests certainly will find escape here. Hotel rooms and suites are grand indeed, as are the dining options, pool area and spa.

Room service is available 24 hours per day, as is the natural beauty that makes Saddlebrook such a special place. Named one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America, The Caribbean and The Atlantic, Ireland and Scotland” by Condé Nast Traveler and regularly receiving awards and accolades for its incomparable sports and meetings facilities, two Arnold Palmerdesigned Signature golf courses are just a couple of great reasons to visit and to stay in this perfect setting for epic memories. Whether you’re a full-time Sunshine State resident or visiting from afar, Saddlebrook—along with much of the Gulf Coast—is worth discovering for its golf, for its community spirit and for its sunsets, all of which are world class.

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D R E A M A Florida golf dream home could easily be a reality—just do your dream homework…

“It’s like a second home to me” is a quote so often uttered about places that, if not the site of one’s physical debut on the world’s stage, might be responsible for a profound personal naissance nonetheless. For many that “second home” might actually be a third or even fourth location that suddenly makes good sense, and in considering Florida as a place to land some real estate the good sense is rather obvious. No state income tax and relatively low prices overall compared to many metro areas across the nation are attractive, as is Florida’s homestead exemption—a provision in the state Constitution that protects a Florida resident’s primary home from levy and execution by judgement creditors, making it ideal for estate planning (more on that below).

But the surface beauty is easier: some of the world’s best beaches, some of the world’s best golf, some of the world’s best sunrises (or sunsets, depending on which coast you’re

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on) and 52 weeks of tee times. Welcome to island life, still attached to the mainland.

For golfers, purchasing a Florida home on a golf course is an easy dream, one that would have occurred to anyone who might have visited one of the state’s epic golf destinations and eyed residents sipping Mai Tais or splashing in a pool just off the 14th fairway. “How nice that would be,” you might think. “I could be golfing here every day.” And you could.

However, without further adieu, let us give you a bit of solid advice: Do not purchase anything without first consulting a real estate expert, someone from the likes of RE/MAX. The intricacies of Florida real estate in terms of choosing the right community, the right golf club, the right county even…

There’s a lot to it, starting with knowing where to find the best options, even when it appears that no options are available.

H O M E “The old adage ‘location, location, location’ is central to many homebuyers in the country but is especially paramount to luxury property buyers in the Sunshine State,” says Jason Lindaman, a RE/MAX spokesman. “A luxury home specialist can assist discerning buyers in finding the properties that complement their needs, lifestyles and expectations. Convenient access to golfing, boating, beaches and other extravagant amenities are crucial for many high-end homebuyers. Luxury home real estate agents are advocates for their buyers and fully understand the small nuances that make the high-end market so unique.”

This sounds like a bunch of industry talk, but in fact proper agents really are advocates for buyers, and in markets that contain hidden gems (often available only to those with inside knowledge), this advocacy is key for would-be homeowners.

“The overall luxury home market in Florida is very strong with many submarkets experiencing significant growth in the number of homes bought and sold,” Lindaman says. “Numerous communities have a shortage

of existing high-end properties and that’s driving more new construction in golf course communities and along the shores. We historically see a slowdown in the number of luxury homes sold in the fall but this year seems to buck that trend... Demand is still high and inventory is low.”

Inventory is low. Ever the problem, and yet if one looks hard enough one can find opportunities. And it’s worth remembering that grabbing the first available option likely isn’t the best course of action.

“I started to wonder how these people who are retiring to Florida picked their community, and to my surprise there was no real logic to it,” said Jason Becker, a Florida-based PGA pro, talking to Forbes magazine. “They’d look online, get suggestions from friends up North who had moved, or go through realtors, who typically don’t know very much about golf or social atmosphere. Worse, they’d call the membership director at a promising-looking club, which is like walking into a car dealership—they just want to sell you something.

The bar for helping people look at golf course communities had gotten so low you could roll over it.”

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Becker and a partner founded Golf Life Navigators, a service that helps potential buyers find the perfect community for their needs. Better than good, it’s free— offering unbiased matchmaking services for people in search of a perfect Florida golf course home. Think of it as “eHarmony meets Zillow for golf,” a statement on the firm’s website offers, and that’s about right.

Founding their operation in 2014, Becker and his partner created the ProGuide(3), an online questionnaire that covers the three primary areas of focus for moving to a Sunshine State golf community: golf, real estate and lifestyle. Peter Jacobsen is a fan as are thousands of others.

Clearly, if one is considering Florida as a primary residence, the state’s homestead exemption is worth studying. One needs to be a proper permanent Florida resident to qualify, and obviously an attorney should be involved in exploring this and in any estate planning that brings this provision into consideration, but for those who qualify the exemption is a powerful tool due to its unlimited monetary protection and exemption from fraudulent conversion. According to the team at Alper Law, an asset management service in Florida, “A Florida resident can invest millions of dollars in large estate homes and farms and protect the full value of these luxury residences under Florida’s homestead law. Under a Florida Supreme Court ruling, a person can transfer unprotected, non-exempt assets to her homestead at any time by either buying a new home or reducing the principal balance of an existing mortgage and protect this money under the homestead umbrella, even if the asset transfer was clearly designed to hide money from creditors.”

START HERE Whether you’re considering a Florida home inland or along the coast, one should be aware of the state’s various weather challenges, including occasional severe storms or even hurricanes. Here, a quality home will stand you in good stead, as will a comprehensive and solid insurance policy. St. Johns Insurance specializes in the “difficult” States of Florida and South Carolina, as they put it, so they understand a thing or two about the needs of residents in these states. Established in 2003, St. Johns Insurance has weathered over a dozen hurricanes and will continue to be there to help their policyholders put the pieces back together after a loss. They have partnered with over 1,800 insurance agents in Florida and South Carolina, who operate from a place of solid integrity and personal relationships, experts who function as a great resource for information and advice in addition to representing a premiere insurance company. St. Johns Insurance is a good firm to seek-out, then, should you be considering a home purchase in the state—and really, a discussion with them could be your first step. stjohnsinsurance.com

Many celebrities and VIPs own Florida homes, and for good reasons Again, there are legal benchmarks that need to be met to qualify as a permanent resident of Florida, but it’s an attractive area to investigate if one is considering relocating, and certainly this exemption and/or the state’s other many benefits have factored into the real estate decisions of such luminaries as Shahid Khan, Naples resident and Jacksonville Jaguars owner; basketball great Michael Jordan (who purchased a home in Jack Nicklaus’ high-end Bear’s Club development in Palm Beach County); Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson; Wladimir Klitschko; billionaire Wayne Huizenga; Jimmy Buffet; Bill Gates; actor Christian Slater; Rory McIlroy; Rod Stewart; Joe Namath; and so many others who own Florida homes.

The Sunshine State is indeed a dream destination and a home there can provide the perfect winter escape or yearround residence. But again, consult a local expert before jumping in—the advice of a friend or even a magazine article like this one is not enough—and do your homework.

Done right, you could be sipping a Mai Tai or splashing in a pool off the 14th fairway as envious out-of-staters look at you, daydream about golf course living in Florida and think, “That could be me.”

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Between the (Mouse) Ears

However seriously you take your golf, it’s tough to have a bad time on a Disney course—Mickey hat not required Magnolia Course 11th hole & [right] 6th hole

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MAGNOLIA COURSE

There’s hardly a human alive who doesn’t know Disney as the premiere source of magical entertainment helmed by the indomitable Mickey Mouse and rounded out by his cast of pals. Fewer realize, however, that Disney’s magic touches some of the finest fairways in Florida, and that there’s a world of golfing wonder waiting to be discovered at Walt Disney World Resort. With 81 holes over four 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole family-play golf course that’s an adventure in its own right, the resort is one of the largest golf destinations in the country. Managed by Century Golf through Arnold Palmer Golf Management, these courses offer professional challenges and family fun alike, simultaneously serving up high-quality play while remaining true to the Disney ethos. Make no mistake: this is serious stuff, with the Resort’s Magnolia course hosting final round play for PGA Tour events for decades and the Lake Buena Vista course hosting USGA, PGA, LPGA Tour events.

But through the magic of Disney, with a little help from the Arnold Palmer Design Company, the courses are also tremendous opportunities for family togetherness, with golfers of all ages and abilities left smiling after the last putt.

The mouse’s relationship with the game began the same year as Walt Disney World opened in Florida: 1971. That year, Disney’s Palm and Magnolia courses opened to great fanfare.

Both were designed by “Gentleman” Joe Lee, who also designed the original course at Bay Hill (with Dick Wilson).

The Lake Buena Vista course came the next year, opening adjacent to what is now Downtown Disney and the Saratoga Springs Resort. Some years later, Disney premiered what was then a new concept in golf when it opened the PGA Tour Wee Links Course in October of 1980 (now Oak Trail). With six holes and a par of 23, the course was intended for newcomers to the game, and it always aimed to be a great place for family fun. Last was Tranquilo Golf Club, which opened in 1992 as Osprey Ridge. Some years ago that transitioned to the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and received a few design refreshments, and today it’s as beautiful as ever.

Together, all of them comprise a whole new kind of Magic Kingdom, and golfers the world over—especially Palmer Advantage Golf Magic members—couldn’t be happier.

While there are numerous well-known courses in golf, there are relatively few specific sites in the game instantly recognizable both to fans and to non-golfers alike. Among them, certainly, is the Mickey Mouse bunker on the Magnolia Course’s sixth hole. Built in the shape of a giant Mickey Mouse silhouette, the sand hazard has fiercely guarded No.6’s green from amateurs and pros since 1971, when it opened. In fact, the Magnolia Course opened on the same day as Orlando’s Walt Disney World theme park, and the course immediately began hosting a PGA Tour event, the Walt Disney World Open Invitational, which eventually became known as the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. The event was a beloved televised event for many years, showcasing top play and the beauty of the course and the more than 1,500 magnolia trees for which it’s named. Joe Lee, who did the original design, came back around in the early 1990s and restored the course to its original standards, adding better grass and improving the ladies tees, among other changes. The greens are generous in size, as are the landing areas, but the challenge here is no animated prank: the elevated greens and rolling terrain are made all the more challenging for serious hitters when combined with the course’s full distance of 7,182 yards. And as for the “Mickey bunker,” it’s one of plenty on course, meaning you don’t have to drive to the coast to find the beach—there’s plenty of that right here in Orlando.

Disney’s magic extends on course with some of the finest golf venues anywhere

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Private Club members that have Palmer Advantage benefits already enjoy a wealth of golf, travel and lifestyle benefits the world over, and members with Palmer Advantage can also feel free to roam the Magic Kingdom’s golf world. Palmer Advantage members enjoy preferred access and benefits at The Magnolia, The Palm and Lake Buena Vista golf courses, meaning any Orlando vacation will be even more magical. What’s more, Walt Disney World Golf benefits apply to the member and up to three accompanied family members as well, meaning the whole family can share in the fun and savings.

For any family that intends to visit Orlando—and to play a little golf while there—Palmer Advantage unlocks an amazing opportunity to open the doors to all of the magic of Walt Disney World golf.

If the Magnolia has a novel bunker, the Palm Course— which opened the same day as Magnolia—has traditionally been regarded as the prettier of the two. For decades that was likely due to the Palm’s stunning array of water and woodland, along with the oh-so-Floridian palms and sand utilized throughout. In recent years the course has enjoyed renewed admiration from a whole new generation following a 2013 redesign by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, which completely overhauled the Palm. Completely new green complexes were built, newly shaped tees were introduced, and the bunker design was completely changed to modernize the course, making it an exciting modern classic with an even more classic history. Like Magnolia, the Palm Course has hosted its share of Tour events as well, but its reputation as one of the country’s top resort courses is the personality that suits it best, and it’s no wonder: playing at 6,870 yards, there are as many ways to play this course as there are chances at seeing wildlife among its rolling fairways (and the wildlife is abundant, by the way).

That said, No.18 won’t let you leave without a fight. Plenty of length leads to a green protected by sand and water, making for a substantial finish that’s been rated among the 10 toughest holes on the PGA Tour four times since 1986.

Find out more at palmeradvantage.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA COURSE Course architect Joe Lee said he wanted this course to reflect his philosophy of an “exciting challenge, yet fun to play,” and it’s done just that since 1972. Beautiful, charming and demanding in terms of accuracy, the course is also one of the few to host LPGA, USGA and PGA Tour events in the same year (1996). Like the other Disney courses, there’s plenty of nature to be seen here (this course, Magnolia and Oak Trail are all certified Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuaries) and the natural Florida landscape is showcased with the Lake Buena Vista’s array of pines, palmettos, reflection ponds and more. But added to that are a few course-specific novelties as well, including opportunities to tee off over boats navigating a canal and enjoying views of a lighthouse while playing. It’s a Florida classic, to be sure, and is as much a fond part of a top Orlando vacation as a trip to the Magic Kingdom itself.

Palm Course 16th [top] & 6th hole [above].

The Lake Buena Vista Course [left]

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OAK TRAIL

TRANQUILO GOLF CLUB

Its original name, “Wee Links,” may have been somewhat misleading as this course is far more than a simple family-fun track (though it certainly is that). Playing 2,913 yards (2,552 from the front tees), this par-36 9-hole wonder features holes ranging from 132 yards to 517 yards, meaning every club in your bag can get a workout. The greens are small and challenging, the hazards are quite real and the course’s two par-5s are absolutely fantastic. No.5, specifically, is the longest hole on course at 517 yards. With a double dogleg (left then right) to a green guarded by bunkers and by a narrow strip of water along the right side of the fairways, it’s a challenge to even the most seasoned pro. Still, the course’s aim has always been to welcome new players to the game while offering experienced golfers a place to work on their shots, and so Oak Trail hardly punishes. One of the most popular courses of its kind, the course presents a perfect opportunity for family fun, camaraderie and fitness in a learning environment that’s beautiful as well. Bring your love for the game, your friends and family and your walking shoes—this is a walking-only course, and your day will be better for it.

While Tranquilo is now part of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, the 1992 Tom Fazio design has long been a part of the Disney family, opening as Osprey Ridge when it was first built. The course’s intent to pay homage to the resort’s Spanish Revival design is well executed, and the result of a fairly recent redesign is a track that lives up to (slows down to?) its name, ambling through a quiet Florida setting that features plenty of Southern Live Oaks and Spanish moss hanging everywhere. As familyfriendly as can be, the course even offers special golf carts that accommodate a family of four, meaning everyone can relax and slow down together. When has family life ever been so tranquil?

Oak Trail Course [above]; Tranquilo Golf Club [above right]; Disney Foot Golf [right]

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FINALLY All of the courses at Walt Disney World Resort offer family fun and great golf in a Florida setting. But each has its own personality, pace and aesthetic sensibility. As fun as they are, the courses are also proper golf experiences, and it’s no wonder that Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Payne Stewart and Mark O’Meara all count wins at Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses among their total victories. Whether you’re looking to compete at their level or you simply want to put smiles on your entire family’s faces, Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses offer the kind of magic that only Disney can provide. Now more than ever for golfers, Walt Disney World really is the happiest place on earth.

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New Age, Old Guard Justin Rose recently passed the 20th anniversary of his professional golf career and he marked the occasion appropriately, by reaching No.1 in the world for the first time

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Since golf ’s Official World Ranking was launched in 1986 there have been 23 different world No.1 golfers, and their average age on the day of reaching the pinnacle is 30. So far in 2018, at the time of writing, four golfers have held the top slot: Dustin Johnson, who is now 34; Justin Thomas, at 25; and current holder Brooks Koepka, at 28. And then there’s Justin Rose. For a fortnight in September, the FedExCup winner, European Ryder Cup driving force, and man playing arguably the finest golf of his career reached the No.1 position—at the seasoned age of 38.

Englishman Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion at Merion, a nine-time PGA Tour winner and a pro since the age of 17 in 1998, took a full 20 years of tour golf to reach the summit, making him the oldest world No.1 since Fiji’s Vijay Singh in September 2004 (at the age of 41 and six months).

Singh remains the oldest golfer to be ranked at the top, with

the only other No.1 older than Rose being Tom Lehman, who was 38 years and 44 days old when he assumed the throne, for one week only, in April 1997. There are only two days between them: when Rose became No.1 in September, he was 38 years and 42 days old.

This is not things just “working out” or some kind of arbitrary entitlement, his number finally coming up. No, this Rose has not bloomed late so vividly by accident or thanks to genetics. It has been due to some old-fashioned grit and discipline, paired with a dose of new-age thinking.

“I can best describe Justin in two words: consummate professional,” starts Dr. Ara Suppiah, personal physician to Rose and to many other PGA golfers (and to the 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup team). “When Justin is working there is no Instagram, no photos. He just works. If he has a bad back and he has gym work to help, he does the work. He does not complain or make excuses and you would be amazed how much those complaints are made by others on tour, because there is nothing fun about recovery work.

“Justin realizes what he needs to do to be successful and he goes above and beyond willingly. He does everything within his control to mitigate risks and it is really impressive.

Without this level of professionalism there is no chance that Justin would have reached No.1 in the world.”

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PRIME NUMBERS Golfers who have reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, the date they first reached number one and their age at that time

NAME

DATE

AGE

Brooks Koepka USA Justin Rose Eng Justin Thomas USA Dustin Johnson USA Jason Day Aus Jordan Spieth USA Adam Scott Aus Rory McIlroy N. Ireland Luke Donald Eng Martin Kaymer Ger Lee Westwood Eng Vijay Singh Fiji David Duval USA Ernie Els S. Africa Tiger Woods USA Tom Lehman USA Nick Price Zim Fred Couples USA Ian Woosnam Wales Nick Faldo Eng Greg Norman Aus Seve Ballesteros Spain Bernhard Langer Ger

Oct 22, 2018 Sept 10, 2018 May 13, 2018 Feb 19, 2017 Sept 21, 2015 Aug 16, 2015 May 19, 2014 March 5, 2012 May 29, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 Oct 31, 2010 Sept 5, 2004 March 28, 1999 June 22, 1997 June 15, 1997 April 20, 1997 Aug 14, 1994 March 22, 1992 April 7, 1991 Sept 2, 1990 Sept 14, 1986 April 27, 1986 April 6, 1986

28 38 25 32 27 22 33 22 33 27 37 41 27 27 21 38 37 32 33 33 31 29 28

“Justin has been a pioneer in figuring out what he can do to keep his performances up to such a high level for long periods of time”

28 CURRENT NO.1 Brooks Koepka

. Oct 22, 2018

21 YOUNGEST NO.1 Tiger Woods

. June 15, 1997

28 FIRST NO.1 Bernhard Langer

. April 6, 1986

41 OLDEST NO.1 Vijay Singh

. Sept 5, 2004

Suppiah, an Orlando-based ER surgeon, is a member of “Team Rose,” as the golfer calls the carefully selected group of professionals who assist and advise him on a daily basis.

Coach Sean Foley is also in the lineup, along with caddie Mark Fulcher; Rose’s wife, Kate; agent Paul McDonnell; and strength and conditioning coach Dr. Brendan McLaughlin, among others.

“Justin has really been a pioneer in figuring out what he can do away from the golf course to stay healthy and to keep his performances up to such a high level for long periods of time. He is ahead of the game,” starts McLaughlin. “At 38 Justin became world No.1 in an era on tour when we are seeing more and more younger golfers doing so well. There are not many guys in their late 30s and early 40s reaching the very top level of the sport, and Justin has achieved this by putting a heavy emphasis on nutrition, diet and being in the gym and taking care of those things.”

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McLaughlin is right—the world’s best golfers are generally getting younger. Before Tiger Woods broke the mould in 1997 by becoming the youngest ever world No.1 at only 21 years of age, the previous eight top golfers—going back to inaugural No.1 Bernhard Langer in 1986—had an average age of over 32. In contrast, the last eight world No.1s, including Rose, have an average age of just under 28 and a half.

Rose explained to us his dedication to fitness work at the European Tour’s British Masters in October: “As I’ve got older, I’ve understood more the importance of recovery and having discipline in my approach. I need to control the variables as best I can to dictate my performance. A huge part of that is the diligence of 20 minutes pre-round stretching, warming up and activating certain muscle groups. You can’t just walk out cold and hit balls. If you do that, you are exposing yourself to risk. It’s incredibly boring at times—you’d love to wake up, have a cup of tea and spend extra time at breakfast and just go to the range. I’d love to do that, but the importance of those 20-30 minutes to prepare for every round is so key to staying fit and healthy.”

Rose hosted the British Masters at Walton Heath, just south of London, he even had “Justin’s Gym” set-up for the players on site.

“Golf in general is becoming more and more athletic,” adds Rose. “Over the years I’ve started to hit the ball longer.

Technology has helped but at the same time I’ve worked hard on my physical capabilities to allow myself to hit it further. I now play with guys like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson. I’m not as long as them but I don’t feel like I’m giving up an advantage to them either, which is

“I’d love to wake up, have a cup of tea and spend extra time at breakfast but the importance of those 20-30 minutes to prepare for every round is so key” key. The work you put in away from tournaments is vital in this sense. I liken it to being an actor: You learn your lines away from being on tour or on set, and then you deliver your performance on stage or on camera. The main work is done away from this, behind closed doors, and for me that is the time in the gym and hitting balls.”

“As an athlete and thinking of his golf game and demeanor, Justin is timeless,” says Matt Case, CEO of Luminas, the company that supplies Rose with the Stamina Pro adhesive patches that help to reduce inflammation and which are part of Rose’s treatment routine. “To be consistent on the PGA Tour is one of the hardest jobs in professional sports. There are the athletes that might amaze you with their power and speed and there are those characterized more by consistency and classy finesse, and those are the guys you can never count out in a sporting situation and that is Justin.”

Rose is ranked second in the world at the time of writing, behind Koepka and Johnson. But you never know— we might not yet have seen the best of Rose.

twitter.com/justinrose99

Justin Rose is renowned on tour for his dedication to his work behind the scenes on strength, fitness and nutrition

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CATALAN STATE OF MIND It reaches into France, sunbathes by the Mediterranean, and has a heart that stays true to the vivacious city of Barcelona. It fought against Fascism in the Spanish Civil War and resisted Franco’s dictatorship.

It has its own language and was once a proud principality; despite recently voting to be an independent country, it remains part of Spain. Still, there is no disputing its distinctiveness, which includes wonderful wine, stunning architecture and—if not its own state—at least its own state of mind.

Benvinguts a Catalunya John Halnan tours Barcelona, Robin Barwick visits the renowned PGA Catalunya, while Paul Trow jets out to the Catalan borders to golf the Balearic isle of Mallorca

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Park Guell , Barcelona

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VIVA BARCA

Barcelona sweeps majestically down from Mt. Tibadabo to the Mediterranean where the chaotic Gothic Quarter and port lie, making the city easy to navigate. It is down in the dark, narrow, winding streets around the port that the city started life and where you can really feel Barcelona’s heartbeat. With each passing architectural epoch the city expanded uphill in a more open, organized fashion, and we’ll start right in the middle...

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arcelona’s main square, Plaza Catalunya, is an ideal central point for visitors, and before heading down the famous Ramblas try a carajillo (espresso with brandy) in the historic café Zurich and soak in the scene. This is likely to taste a lot better than the water from the nearby Font de Canaletes, although the legend goes that taking a sip guarantees you fall in love with the city and that you will one day return.

The Ramblas is Barcelona’s main promenade, and despite being blighted by stalls of tourist junk it sets up a lively stroll down the hill and a chance to take in humanity.

Off the Ramblas is the authentic, buzzing Catalan food market, La Boqueria, and further on sits the Opera House, Liceu, featuring a strikingly opulent interior.

From the Ramblas you can ramble into the 19th century Plaza Real, which is distinct thanks to Antoni Gaudi’s wrought-iron streetlights. More on this incredibly unorthodox architect and designer later (which is inevitable in Barcelona, where Gaudi’s somewhat psychedelic influence is vivid and pervasive).

Like in many southern European cities there is a casual and very appealing café culture in Barcelona, and it is thriving in the Plaza Real, where locals and visitors alike share the bounty of outdoor seating to enjoy tapas.

From Plaza Real you can wander down into the depths of the shady Gothic Quarter, where you might find a small, cavernous bar on a street corner serving local beer, wine and brandy at local prices, and where time has a habit of

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Plaza Real [top], The Ramblas [above] and the morsels of La Boqueria [left] come recommended. The Gothic Quarter [top right] & the unfinished Sagrada Familia [right]

slipping away faster than you might expect. If you would like to return to the same bar for another taste of Barca laid bare, you’d better have a ball of string in your pocket to guide you back through this medieval labyrinthine.

Alternatively, head towards the marina to find the lively Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria) Cava bar. You can’t go far wrong with a bottle of the local Can Paixano Rosat Semi Sec, along with its plates of meats and cheeses, which is why the bar is standing room only and never fails to attract everyone from the locals young and old, hipsters and artists from near and far, and where the low prices are balanced by high authenticity. More salubrious is La Vinoteca Torres on Paseo de Gracia—a modern, sophisticated wine bar with superb food. Owned by one of Catalunya’s premier wineries, it stocks many of Catalunya’s finest red wines and Cavas.

Replenishments and rehydration aside, a visit to Barcelona cannot pass without some kind of dip into the wonders of the incomparable Gaudi. He was the son of an iron monger who saw curves and differing dimensions that contrasted to the straight lines of convention that surrounded his 19th century upbringing. Eventually nicknamed “God’s architect” as his strong Roman Catholic faith came through in much of his work, Gaudi’s distinctly

Gaudi saw curves and contradictions to the straight lines of convention colorful and always unconventional buildings and sculptures are scattered around his home city.

Park Guel, planned originally as a “garden” housing estate, is the epitome of Gaudi’s creativity, although unmissable is Gaudi’s most famous and ambitious project— his unfinished Opus—the Sagrada Familia. This is, inevitably, Barcelona’s most popular tourist attraction so a visit early in the day is recommended, and book in advance.

Envisioned as Barcelona’s new cathedral, construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 but progress was complicated and slow. Then in 1926, the increasingly eccentric Gaudi died when horribly, having been run over by a tram, this much-loved son of Barcelona was left abandoned on its very streets, as though he were a sleeping vagrant. Gaudi’s chaotic plans for the unfinished Sagrada Familia were hard to interpret and funding after his death was hard to drum up, although today, nearly a century after work on the Sagrada Familia began, the ongoing construction has accelerated.

When finished, this galaxy of eclecticism will soar upwards with 18 swirling spires, present a trio of grandiose facades nearer to ground and display a myriad of symbolic architectural details.

To enjoy a slice of Gaudi, a glass of Cava and a plate of tapas is to appreciate much of the bold flavor of Barcelona.

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ON THE ROYAL ROAD

More than 2,000 years before high-speed fibreoptic Internet connections, the best way to ensure speedy communications was to lay a sturdy road

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he Romans were onto this, and their mighty 1,000-mile Via Augusta linked northern Italy down to the port of Cadiz, on what we now know as Spain’s Atlantic shoreline. Cadiz marked the southwest corner of the Roman empire and Via Augusta was the longest and busiest road on the Iberian Peninsula (or “Hispania” as they called it), passing through what we now call Catalonia and advancing the evolution of settlements to becoming the modern cities of Girona and Barcelona.

The Romans built an impressive fortress in Girona in the first century BC, the remnants of which can still be seen today, yet 10 miles to the south of the city and still on Via Augusta’s path lies a property of starkly contrasting modernity, the PGA Catalunya Resort, a masterpiece of contemporary planning, architecture and course design. A spear’s throw from the Roman baths in the village of Caldes de Malavella, PGA Catalunya provides a striking illustration of how 21st century design can complement its natural surroundings (as opposed to the Romans’ brutal carvery).

PGA Catalunya is a resort defined by pristine, treelined fairways, shimmering lakes and steep changes of elevation, the property dipping and weaving along the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains as the land settles down towards its Mediterranean shores. Much of the resort and the surrounding area is covered by untouched pine forests, which enhance the sense of escape and tranquillity at a resort that is now a contender as Spain’s very finest.

The sleek lines and square corners of villas built in low-lying, low-density clusters do not dominate this landscape but maintain an introverted profile, drawn back from the golf courses, as do two hotels that adhere to the same strict design guidelines, ensuring consistency and aesthetic harmony throughout the resort.

The tone for the singular, modernist architecture of PGA Catalunya is set by its five-star Hotel Camiral (“Camiral” is Catalan for “Royal Road”, in reference to the Via Augusta). A picture of white minimalism on the outside, edged with simple accents of black and slate, Hotel

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Camiral oozes Catalan sophistication, with a more colorful and dashing interior as prescribed by renowned Barcelona designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. To class Hotel Camiral as a “golf hotel” would be inadequate and it is little wonder that the reigning king of Catalan chic, Pep Guardiola—manager and mastermind of English soccer champions Manchester City—chooses PGA Catalunya for his summer golf retreats.

He fits right in.

As it should, the hotel’s bar and lounge on its ground floor feels like the pivot around which life in Hotel Camiral rolls. It is beautifully appointed with seats of hardwood and soft leather, extravagant lamp shades and an immaculate bar stocked with a broad selection of new craft gins and old single malts that tantalize guests from softly lit, mirrorbacked shelves.

The bar and lounge shows the brilliance of RosaViolán, who was also brought in earlier this year to revamp the clubhouse interior and it was a great move, ensuring guests can enjoy the same character, visual appeal and attention to classy details that engulf them in the hotel.

Hotel Camiral & pool [top], & its bar designed by Lázaro RosaViolán [above]

Third hole of the Stadium Course [left], closing hole of the Tour Course [top right] & one of PGA Catalunya’s modernist villas

The Stadium Course has served as heart-breaker & career-maker by staging European Q School Yet while the resort is certainly exclusive in feel, it has this summer opened the 50-room Lavida Hotel—part of a three-year, $60 million resort revamp instigated by Irish owner Denis O’Brien, who also owns the acclaimed Quinta do Lago in Portugal—which is a simplified yet still appealing accommodation option to suit smaller budgets. Lavida is not part of Rosa-Violán’s design realm yet the traditional, stone-oven pizzas in it’s Bella’s restaurant fill any void.

Outside, the hotels are surrounded by 36 golf holes, 18 belonging to the tight and testing Stadium Course—which in recent years has regularly served as both heart-breaker and career-maker by staging the European Tour’s Final Stage of Qualifying School—and a further 18 belonging to the slightly gentler Tour Course. That is not to say the Tour Course is easy—it is an excellent golfing challenge, just without the length and severity of its famous sibling.

The Stadium Course was conceived specifically to host the Ryder Cup for Spain in 1997, but having been designed by

former European Tour pros Angel Gallardo, from Catalonia, and Englishman Neil Coles, permit delays meant the course would not open until 1999, and so Valderrama grabbed golf ’s golden handshake.

The par-72 course can run up to 7,333 yards from the Black championship tees and European Tour hopefuls who master it unequivocally earn their tour card. Behind the beauty of the Stadium Course hides treachery, and behind the hopes it inspires hide elation and desperation—one or the other. It’s tone is set by an opening tee shot which must be played over a gaping and densely vegetated ravine, to a fairway that is set to the right from the tee, with thick forest either side. It is a good job the practice facilities at PGA Catalunya are nearby and Tour ready at all times because golfers do not want to walk cold onto this first, forbidding tee.

Ably supported by the Tour Course, which opened in 2005, golfers can never tire of the golfing proposition at PGA Catalunya, such is its caliber and variety.

The Romans were famous for building their roads in straight lines, come what may, and Via Augusta was no different in that regard, but if the Romans returned to build the “Royal Road” once more, and could see what has evolved at PGA Catalunya, even they would make an exception and lay down a curling diversion. Some places are worth preserving.

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A SPANISH SWAN

There was a time when a visit to Mallorca—or Mah-JORka as it was often called—was characterized by sunburn, stony beaches, risky paella, sangria hangovers, and earlymorning pneumatic drills...

But the 1970s’ ugly duckling is today’s elegant swan — and how maravilloso it is

I

n Palma, the capital, the sandstone-clad La Seu cathedral—which took from 1229 to 1601 to build— and the fortified Palace de l’Almudaina, also dating from the 13th century though finished a shade closer to deadline, tower above the Mediterranean’s largest marina. Home to hundreds of luxury yachts, many of them the size of frigates with a rum ration to match, it is one of Europe’s most glamorous sights, flanked by a plethora of stylish bars, restaurants and boutiques that jostle for the best euros in town from promenaders swaggering with entitlement.

The birthplace and home of Rafa Nadal, Mallorca is a tennis haven, yet the island also has 20 splendidly designed and meticulously maintained golf courses. It is the golfing epicentre of the Balearic archipelago, with neighboring islands Menorca and Ibiza offering just 45 holes between them.

Mallorca’s substantial relationship with golf begins in Puerto Alcúdia, where the charming 18-hole Alcanada course is set in the nearby grounds of a centuries–old mansion owned by the Porsche family, designed in 2003 by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Alcanada, which takes its name from a nearby lighthouse island, is the only course in Mallorca that actually abuts the sea, but players still find themselves mostly surrounded by pine trees as they plot their way round.

The five other courses in the northeast include the neatly-maintained Son Servera, a regular haunt of one-handicapper Nadal—who hails from nearby Manacor— and Ladies European Tour player Nuria Eturrios, whose late father was the head greenkeeper. Opened in 1966, it meanders pleasingly through olive and carob groves with backdrops provided by fertile mountains and Cala Millor Bay. Canyamel, Capdepera, Pula and Pollensa, all established from 1985-95, complete the golf offering in this enchanting corner of Mallorca, with Pula being redesigned

by José María Olazábal 15 years ago. Undoubtedly, the place to stay in the northeast is the sprawling, honey-colored Park

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Hyatt hotel-village complex chiselled into the side of the mountain overlooking Canyamel Valley. In addition to 142 luxury rooms and almost as many spa treatments, it whets the appetite with fine dining options, succulent pastries, reviving smoothies and traditional tapas.

The biggest golf resort in Mallorca is the Arabella Sheraton, a few miles north of Palma and home to three 18-holers—Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner—along with the exquisite Plat D’Or restaurant and a 93-bedroom hotel. Son Vida, which dates from 1964, is the oldest Mallorcan course in current use, but its sloping terrain, four lakes and slick greens mean it’s far from easy.

The East and West courses at Marriott’s Club Son Antem, 10 miles south of Palma and stretched across an old hunting estate by Jack Nicklaus protégé López Segalés, are flanked by a 150-bedroom hotel and rental townhouses.

The longest course on the island is former European Tour venue Santa Ponsa I, close to nightlife epicenter Magaluf. Designed in 1977 by Italian Folco Nardi, it is open to the public but Santa Ponsa II (also 18 holes) and III (a 9-hole executive layout) are for club members’ use only.

The island’s only royal course, Real Golf de Bendinat, is a hilly gem with epicurean clubhouse facilities while T-Golf & Country Club Poniente pulsates to the crowing of cockerels. Puntiro Golf Park, designed by Nicklaus, presents wide fairways and sheltered greens, and another American architect, Bradford Benz, has left his stamp on Vall d’Or. There is a further array of quality golf on Mallorca, including a David McClay Kidd design at Andratx which is frequented by former supermodel Claudia Schiffer—a golfer of unquestionable discernment. And if golf on Mallorca has captured Schiffer’s heart, you know they are doing it right.

Park Hyatt Mallorca [above] & Alcanada [left]

THE CAMPBELL FAMILY

GOLD STAR FAMILY OF MAJOR SHAWN CAMPBELL

When you participate in Patriot Golf Day, this is who you are playing for.

If they hadn’t answered the call to serve, volunteered to lay down their lives and leave everything they love behind to defend a nation they believe in, we wouldn’t be granted the privilege to enjoy the life we live each and every day. In honor of their sacrifice, will you pick up your clubs and dedicate one day, one game, to say ‘Thank you’ to our nations heroes? Participate in Patriot Golf Day. Learn more and get involved at patriotgolfday.org

The Golden Dram They call it the Golden Dram, partly because of its tantalizing, golden, honeyed color but also because gold deposits have been found in the Pitilie Burn, the water source for the Home of Dewar’s, Aberfeldy distillery, in central Scotland. Robin Barwick paid a visit to learn how the Aberfeldy malt remains at the heart of the famous Dewar’s line of Scotch whisky

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I

It was in 1885 when 21-year-old Tommy Dewar first made the daunting journey from Perth, in central Scotland, 450 miles due south to London.

Tommy’s older brother John Alexander was running the whisky business established in 1846 by their late father John. It had begun as a merchant of wine and spirits before the Dewar’s house blend of whisky began to take hold.

Founding father John Dewar established a strong provincial business but his sons saw potential far beyond the shops, pubs and hotels of Scotland.

John Alexander held a steady hand on the tiller while Tommy’s youthful, bold exuberance and ready wit was sent out to seek new sales.

So onto the London train Tommy climbed, heading into the unknown and representing the biggest marketing gamble this young company had ever made. A prolific writer and diarist, Tommy would later write: I arrived in London armed with two cards of introduction to prospective customers. At the first address I discovered the man had died—I thought then to evade me—and the other had gone bankrupt. The whole goodwill of my entire business was shattered in one morning. Then I felt the terrible loneliness of a stranger in a city with millions of inhabitants.

Tommy Dewar would receive no lucky break in London in 1885, but he spent the next five years knocking on doors, distributing samples, establishing contacts and picking up odd, small sales where he could. By 1890 the UK market for quality Scotch was picking up and so were Tommy’s orders, to the point where Dewar’s took on its own distillery for the first time, near Perth.

Just as Dewar’s UK business was growing the Perth office received an unexpected letter from Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, from his summer retreat of that time, Cluny Castle, to the west of Aberdeen (this was the era before Carnegie bought and restored medieval Skibo Castle in the Highlands to a state of striking majesty). At this time Carnegie—widely considered to be the world’s richest man—was the most powerful figure in the booming US steel industry, and he personally wrote to Dewar’s asking that a “small keg” of the “best Scotch whisky you can find” be delivered to: “The President, The Honorable Benjamin Harrison, Executive Mansion, Washington D.C.”, who was a close ally of Carnegie’s.

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This was a more explosive introduction to the American market than even Tommy’s vivid imagination could have mustered. When the so-ordered keg of Dewar’s arrived at the docks in New York uproar spread through the American newspapers that President Harrison was not supporting American-distilled Bourbon and rye whiskies.

The President was merely the innocent recipient of the keg but while he took the heat Dewar’s was flooded with American orders.

Mischief might have motivated Carnegie’s gift because Harrison’s four-year stint as President was famed for the McKinley Tariff that he saw through Congress in 1890, which raised the average duty on imports to almost 50 per cent, in a move to protect domestic industry from foreign competition. A keg of Dewar’s had never been strapped with more irony, while the McKinley Tariff ultimately did few favors for Harrison’s political career as he would lose the 1892 election to Grover Cleveland, who restored lower tariffs in 1894.

In a bid to capitalize on this new-found American demand, intrepid traveller Tommy headed west to the States to establish a new distribution network, although obstacles he came up against did include a number of prohibition states. Tommy recounts a particular shop visit:

“We have great regard for old age when it’s bottled” Tommy Dewar

The adventurous Tommy Dewar on camel-back in Egypt [above]; Carnegie’s letter to Dewar’s [bottom left]; The Aberfeldy Distillery cellar [top right]

‘Do you sell whisky?’

‘Are you sick mister, or got a medical certificate?’

‘No.’ ‘Then I can’t do it. See, this is a prohibition state so I can’t sell it, but I reckon our cholera mixture’ll about fix you. Try a bottle of that.’

To my great astonishment I received a very familiar bottle labelled on one side, ‘Cholera Mixture: a wine-glassful once every two hours’… the other side [had] the well-known label of a Scotch distillers, whose name modesty requires me to suppress.

The ease with which a man could navigate around prohibition was one thing, while the recommended “wineglassful once every two hours” would have underpinned a brisk trade in repeat prescriptions.

The first Dewar’s US office would soon open in New York and so fast did international demand grow that Dewar’s needed to build a brand new distillery. The perfect spot was found outside the village of Aberfeldy and the construction of one of Scotland’s very finest distilleries spurred Dewar’s to become one of the top-selling whisky companies of all time.

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The Birks of Aberfeldy!

So wrote Scottish bard Robert Burns in 1787: Bonie lassie, will ye go To the birks of Aberfeldy!

Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes, And o’er the crystal streamlets plays; Come let us spend the lightsome days, In the birks of Aberfeldy.

These seductive lines are taken from the song The Birks of Aberfeldy (with “birks” meaning birch trees) and visitors to the Aberfeldy distillery, set back into a wooded hillside along the River Tay valley, can immediately appreciate Burns’ sentiments. The village, distillery and birch-filled woodlands here remain virtually untouched over the centuries and through the 120 years since the first wash was distilled at Aberfeldy in 1898, using water from the Pitilie Burn that flows past the distillery and into the Tay. Right in the heart of Scotland, 75 miles northwest of Edinburgh, Aberfeldy is far off the Scottish mainstream yet it is core to Scotland’s whisky heritage.

The Aberfeldy distillery began producing a single malt that immediately provided the backbone to all Dewar’s blends—in the 19th century and through to the modern day—and which has in recent years become prominent as a single malt in its own, delicate and distinctive right. A dram not to be rushed, Aberfeldy is patiently fermented for 72 hours to help bring out its honey notes, when the industry standard is around 50 hours.

“I like to think that Aberfeldy was the inspiration behind Dewar’s White Label,” starts Stephanie MacLeod, who is only the seventh Master Blender to serve Dewar’s over 172 years of production, and she is the first woman to hold the post, which she has done since 2006. “Aberfeldy has honeyed sweetness and floral notes but there is a little bit of peat smoke that comes through at the end, so White Label very much mirrors Aberfeldy.”

Dewar’s White label has been the cornerstone of Dewar’s success—a distinct blend characterized by a swirl of honey with a sprig of Scottish heather. It is rich, golden and warm, yet offers a clean finish and only subtle sweetness, with fresh vanilla and a slice of pear.

“White Label is very approachable but it has a backbone

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to it and lovely fruity notes that come through, and baked cereals,” adds MacLeod. “White Label is easy drinking but also interesting, and it does not get lost in a cocktail.”

The depth of the Dewar’s line of blended whiskies shifts gears through 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old and 18 Years Old, and now a bottle of Dewar’s 25 Years Old is available for the Dewar’s connoisseur.

“Dewar’s 25 really adds another element,” says MacLeod, “so there are lots of ripe berry notes and peaches and almond coming through and cherry stone, and notes of lime and freshness and a hint of freshly cut grass, along with the lovely coconut notes that you associate with an aged whisky. We also take an extra step with 25, so after it has been double-aged [as all Dewar’s Whiskys are] we put it into Royal Brackla casks to add a regal finish. Royal Brackla is a very soft and accommodating malt whisky so it seems the perfect resting place for Dewar’s 25.”

But to really appreciate the full flavors of Dewar’s you must head to the “Birks of Aberfeldy” in person, where an award-winning visitor experience at the distillery sets the industry standard and brings the Dewar’s colorful history to life. Complete with a spacious lounge and bar and the full array of Dewar’s blends and malts ready for tasting and comparing, Aberfeldy Distillery is all about interaction. A spacious museum partly modelled on one of Tommy’s lavish studies is flanked by a gallery of Dewar’s advertising posters over the decades, which provides a fascinating insight into Tommy’s conviction to “Keep advertising and advertising will keep you”, while visitors are also invited to don a white lab coat and concoct their own whisky blend (warning: it’s harder than it seems to create something palatable).

A trip to Aberfeldy should follow the same rules as making whisky and drinking it—it is best when time can be devoted to it. To borrow more wise words from Tommy Dewar, “The only thing you get in a hurry is trouble”.

“When a man says his word is as good as his bond, get the bond”

A tasting selection at Aberfeldy [above]; the stills at Aberfeldy [bottom left] & a bottle of Dewar’s 25 Year Old

— Tommy Dewar

Note: For the full Dewar’s story read “The Enduring Legacy of Dewar’s” by Ian Buxton, first published by Bacardi & Co in 2009.

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Brodie lets loose against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971

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THE GOLDEN ( GAT E ) CHILD If he had played quarterback for a different team or if he hadn’t found the water on the 15th hole of a 1960 tour event, John Brodie’s path might have led to “legend.” Still, as Art Spander writes, “Great” works well enough for the man born with astonishing athletic ability

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H, WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. The saddest words? Not for John Riley Brodie, whose solid accomplishments belied his even greater possibilities.

Athletically, Brodie simply was too good at too many things, a natural.

He could play. Anything. And he did play: was being a star in basketball and baseball at Oakland Tech High, before ending up a great NFL quarterback and champion senior golfer, enough for one man?

But still, what might have been. Go back years and years ago, to January 1960, and only a month after Brodie, in his third season with the franchise, had been playing backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. But now, instead of throwing passes at Kezar Stadium—the windblown facility a couple miles inland from the Pacific and once the 49ers’ home field—he was on the 15th fairway at the Yorba Linda Open in southern California, two strokes ahead of Arnold Palmer, four behind Jerry Barber.

After a solid tee shot on the par-5 hole, Brodie, a gambler—on the course and off, a bold individual who always played to win—went for the green in two, but the ball plopped into a pond and a double bogey ended his chances. Ultimately he would finish 10 back of Barber, and in effect ended any thoughts of a career change.

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“I always wonder what would have happened if I knocked that ball on the green and holed it and won the tournament,” said Brodie, reviewing his life and sounding like so many golfers pro or amateur. Would he have quit football and gone on Tour full time?

Brodie would play occasionally as a pro before regaining his amateur status, and then in the late 1980s, after he left the NFL and was working as an announcer for NBC on both football and golf, he followed his muse and joined the PGA Senior Tour. This was long before it was renamed the “Champions Tour.”

Brodie did become a champion, not that he already wasn’t one, with his previous success coming in 1970, partnering fellow Stanford University alum and full-time tour pro Bob Rosburg to a team victory in the in the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. (“If I had John’s game I think I would have won the pro tournament,” was Rosburg’s assessment.)

But it was in 1991, at the age of 56, that Brodie gained genuine golfing recognition, beating George Archer and Chi Chi Rodriguez in a playoff at the Security Pacific Senior Classic and becoming the first athlete from another sport to win on the Champions Tour.

Unfortunately, the man who at 17 years with the team remains the longest tenured player in 49ers history, who was so skilled at sports and has a beautiful wife, family and wealth— so blessed in life—suffered a debilitating stroke in October 2000. He would survive, thanks to doctors at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, California, but he was unable to play golf and was barely able to talk. After months of therapy, Brodie made progress with his speech. Such a cruel twist to the story of a man who is now 83 years old.

During the week of the 2012 U.S. Open at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, a course Brodie knew well, he was transported to Lincoln Muni, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, for a television interview. There in a setting and among people he knew, and aided by daughter Cammie, Brodie managed a few words and a few smiles but you sensed he wished to leap from his wheelchair and take a swing with a 5 iron.

[Clockwise from top right] John & Sue Brodie with first child Kelly at 49ers training camp in 1958; Brodie sees his new contract headlined by the Oakland Tribune in 1966, although the paper’s figure was nearly $100,000 shy of the actual deal; Brodie on the 9th hole at Cypress Point in 1971; at training camp in 1964

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“If somebody said ‘Let’s have a decathlon of different sports’ he might have won it all”

So much had been in Brodie’s favor, besides his natural skill. At Stanford, the school of Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Sandy Tatum, Charlie Seaver, Lawson Little, and others, Brodie could play one of the finer courses in the country. After joining the NFL, he honed his golf against Tony Lema, Ken Venturi and Rosburg, all major champions and all from Northern California as well.

Brodie craved competition—he even played in the World Dominoes Championship. The Saturday Evening Post dispatched writer Herbert Wilner to do a profile on Brodie early in his NFL career: “John Brodie,” wrote Wilner, “is a man at ease, and the ease has a style: A California aura of sun, satisfaction and winner-take-all.”

As Brian Murphy, writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, penned in 2004, “Nobody wanted a piece of [John] in a game of cards. Same with bowling. Or ping-pong.” Tennis, golf...

It was all the same, and if the stakes weren’t high enough, Brodie figured there was no reason to play or wager. “I’ve never seen a guy who could play more games well than John,”

observed Rosburg (1959 PGA Championship winner) in the Chronicle article. “If somebody said, ‘Let’s have a decathlon of different sports or games,’ he might have won it all.”

Everybody was losing it all when the established NFL and the rebel AFL, American Football League, were in a battle for the game’s stars. Rookies were being signed in secret, and then drafted. Veterans, especially NFL quarterbacks whose contracts had expired—Brodie being Exhibit A—were offered enormous sums to change leagues. Brodie agreed to a deal with the AFL’s Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) and after a round of golf in August 1966 at Sharon Heights Country Club near Stanford, where he was a member, the foursome was eating lunch. A club member came to the table and said he just heard the leagues had merged. “Someone,” Brodie supposedly insisted, “owes me $750,000.”

So Brodie did not depart the Niners until his retirement after the 1973 season. His career was bittersweet.

Because the Niners were not strong defensively, and with San Francisco so often trailing late in the game, he would be forced into throwing high-risk passes, and so he threw a lot of interceptions in critical situations. Despite at times leading the NFL in passing he was booed repeatedly by the home fans. You wondered why he didn’t chuck the helmet and shoulder pads sooner to pick up a driver and putter.

He didn’t get to the Super Bowl, which wasn’t created until the 1966 season after the merger. He didn’t even win a conference championship—or rather the 49ers didn’t.

Brodie used to say that in team sports, unlike golf or tennis, it’s wrong to blame an individual for the outcome, wrong to call a player a loser or winner, because it’s a group effort.

When, in the late 1950s, Brodie attempted to play both football and pro golf (all sports were different then, with fewer games and less organization) he found it to be overwhelming.

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JOHN BRODIE Born: Height: High school: College:

August 14, 1935 Menlo Park, California 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Oakland (CA) Technical Stanford

NFL NFL Draft: No: Position:

[Above] Former 49ers quarterback Frankie Albert pays tribute to Brodie on his retirement in 1973; [right] Brodie chips while watched by friend Morgan Barofsky at Diablo Country Club, California in 1957

1957 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3 12 Quarterback San Francisco 49ers (1957–1973)

Career highlights and awards: 2× Pro Bowl (1965, 1970) First-team All-Pro (1970) NFL Most Valuable Player (1970) NFC Player of the Year (1970) NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1965) 2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1965, 1970) 3× NFL passing yards leader (1965, 1968, 1970) NFL passer rating leader (1970) 2× NFL completion percentage leader (1958, 1965) San Francisco 49ers No. 12 retired Career NFL statistics TD–INT: 214–224 Passing yards: 31,548 Passer rating: 72.3

GOLF “I learned as a pro you could handle only one sport at a time if you wanted to be successful,” Brodie said. Maybe this was also because for a while he traveled with Lema, another Oakland kid, who was just out of the Marines and a confirmed fun-lover, just a bit too much of one for Brodie, who could lift a glass or two himself. In 1962 Lema promised the writers covering the Orange County (California) Open that if he won he would buy them Champagne. He won, stayed true to his word and was nicknamed “Champagne Tony” thereafter.

Brodie’s education as a golfer, winning a match in the 1981 British Amateur at St Andrews and playing in the 1959 and 1981 U.S. Opens—as well as playing in those big dollar games in the San Francisco area—was hardly lacking. And when he joined the Champions Tour in the late 1980s, he understood what he knew and what he had to learn.

“I never quit playing golf since I started when I was at Stanford,” Brodie told the Los Angeles Times in November

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Tour wins PGA Tour: 1970 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (team prize partnering PGA pro Bob Rosburg) PGA Tour Champions: 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic

1985. “I played amateur golf for 27 years. I know there is a difference between amateur and the pros. I know some people say I don’t have pro experience, but there is always room at the top and grumbling at the bottom. It’s the same in every sport.”

You could say the same about life. Yet even after the stroke that has kept him in a chair and off the course, despite not playing for a different team or having the ball fall a bit differently in golf, there is no grumbling from John Brodie—if not a legend, exactly, certainly one of the greats.

Best Children’s Hospital 9 years in a row For the ninth year in a row, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has been recognized as a “Best Children’s Hospital,” as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

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If you see the Spirit of Ecstasy or a Flying B soaring somewhat higher off the road than usual these days, it’s because the consumer demand for SUVs (which recently caused Ford to drop its sedans entirely) has finally reached the high table. Here, we take a look at some new—and not-so-new—trucks on the road, as posh as you could want them.

Press on, Jeeves, and mind you keep the tires dirty…

T H E R O YA L O P T I O N :

Rolls-Royce Cullinan $425,000 It was a proud auto writer who first called this “The Rolls-Royce of SUVs,” and of course it is, for the first time ever. But it’s also the company’s first all-wheel drive vehicle, and that’s a bit surprising given that AWD technology has been around for ages in cars as lowly as the $18,000 Suburu Impreza. Here, in a new system RR no doubt will be keeping an eye on, the AWD benefits from a 6.7-litre twin-turbo V12 that makes 563hp, a likely sublime 8-speed automatic transmission and Rolls-Royce’s “magic air ride” suspension. We’ve not had a chance to spill Champagne over the bumps yet (in the backseat) as the Cullinan is a special order vehicle for 2019, but if the promotional films featuring a sufficiently

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bearded adventurer are anything to go by, the SUV will offer solid off-road capabilities as well. Inside you’ll find the brand’s trademark luxury touches, including supple leather and impressive metallics along with a large digital dash that declares “Welcome to Cullinan” when the vehicle is started— not “to THE Cullinan,” which is of course, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carats, and which also pairs nicely with royalty. Much larger at 6 feet tall, 17.5 feet long, 10.8 feet wide and 5,864 lbs in weight, the drivable Cullinan is also much less expensive than the gem, leaving plenty of spare change for a Burberry tent, should that company ever start making those again.

Pretty

Big

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P E R F O R M A N C E & L U X U RY:

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner Edition $390,000 Like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley’s Bentayga also comes from England, offers rich luxury at a premium price, and has a curious name. In the Bentayga’s case, though, you get three possible inspirations for the moniker: (1) Roque Bentayga, a rugged mountain peak in Gran Canaria; (2) A mashup of “Bentley” and “Taiga,” the world’s largest transcontinental snow forest; or (3) the Swahili word for “carried interest.” Your accountant will seize on the last of those as, for the same money as the loaded top-spec Bentayga, one could fill a garage with a base trim Range Rover, a nicely trimmed Jaguar F-Type AND a Bentley Continental GT and still have money left over for driving gloves. But what a lot of SUV you get for your money with the Bentley: 0-60 in four seconds, thanks to a 600hp twin-turbo W12 that gets to a claimed 187mph via a near-flawless automatic 8-speed transmission and some of the most sophisticated drive systems ever employed on a vehicle like this. Then again, is there another vehicle like this?

Motor Trend, Top Gear, Car and Driver, Bloomberg and nearly everyone else who’s

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driven it has determined that the price is worth it for what you get: a truly luxurious driving experience that’s incredibly capable both on and off road. We’re awestruck by the Bentayga, and although we might leave Breitling’s Mulliner Tourbillon watch off the dash (it’s a $160,000 option) the rear seat Champagne bottle chiller and custom crystal stemware seem absolute necessities—“unpaved” doesn’t have to mean “unpleasant,” after all.

N E W S TA LWA R T:

Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 Starting near $150,000 Long reminding us of a postal truck on steroids, Mercedes’ Geländewagen received a huge makeover for 2019 that has it looking… like a postal truck on steroids.

But as we all know it’s the changes on the inside that matter most, and here the newer G is like a friend reborn: lighter, more civilized and able to do more with less. The old 5.5-litre engine has been replaced by a hand-built biturbo 4-litre V8 that makes 577 horsepower and an incredible 627lb-ft of torque, besting its predecessor by 14hp and 66lb-ft. There’s a new nine-speed automatic transmission (older version had seven) that, along with the reportedly substantial weight loss, lops nearly a second off the 0-60 time, getting the metal cookie box there in just 4.4 seconds, slower than the Bentayga but as quick as the sleek and sexy 2016 Aston Martin DB9 GT—WHAT?!?! It’s true. And you can carry more in the G as well, with improved interior space and tremendous load capability. Off-road credentials are intact (it’s immensely capable), interior appointments and tech are top-of-the-line and street cred is as solid as ever, just like its exterior. If you liked the G, you’ll love the G. If you’ve never quite “gotten” it, perhaps it’s time to give the G another look—even if it appears to be familiar.

THE LEGEND:

Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic Nicely equipped at $200,000 Often tasked with navigating the flying mud, cold shoulders and prickly terrain common to many neighborhoods in LA, London and New York, Range Rovers nonetheless are supremely capable of handling a landscape’s more tangible challenges as well. For 2018 the company’s Special Vehicle Operations division created an elegant beast of a machine that ups the able+luxury ante with a 557hp supercharged V8 and a suspension specially calibrated to match. All of the performance modes are here, meaning it can climb snowy mountains, descend steep sand dunes or navigate the crowds in front of a red carpet premiere with equal aplomb.

But there’s also special decorative flairs, top leather diamond-quilted “24-way heated and cooled, ‘Hot Stone’ massage front seats and Executive Class Comfort-Plus” rears, all manner of interior trim niceties and the cachet of having a rare version of an established statement, meaning that no environment should pose any problems— uptown, downtown or out of town.

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AMERICAN STEEL:

Cadillac Escalade Platinum Loaded near $110,000 Maxed out with a kayak rack, Bluetooth headphones, a license plate bracket and other niceties, the top-of-trim Cadillac Escalade is still $300,000 less than a RollsRoyce Cullinan. And if you can do without the Spirit of Ecstasy and the hand-built everything, GM’s luxe SUV is a fine way to get where you’re going in comfort and style. The only American vehicle on our list, Cadillac’s venerated SUV launched in 1999 as a re-badged GMC Yukon Denali but quickly grew to have its own personality.

Now in its fourth generation, it remains one of the more popular examples in its class, “the original icon of arrival,” as GM has it, and you certainly do see a lot of people showing up in them. As for any thoughts of going off road, we’re thinking the Escalade would prefer a grass parking lot at the races or a dirt driveway on a nice ranch to something like the Rubicon trail or the far west of Mongolia, but who cares. A nearly ubiquitous urban shuttle for VIP entertainers, politicians and captains of industry, those in search of a luxury SUV probably don’t need much more. And think what you could do with the extra $300,000…

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S O M E T H I N G D I F F E R E N T:

Lamborghini LM002 It’s big: nearly 16 feet long. It’s tall: 6.5 feet. And it weighs a ton—well, three tons, actually. But if you’re the kind of guy who always wished his G.I. Joe vehicles were real, then the “Rambo Lambo” might be for you. Built between 1986 and 1993 as a scion of the company’s 1970s “Cheetah” military vehicle program, the original LM002 took the V12 from Lamborghini’s Countach and put it to dune-busting civilian use. A 7.2-litre V12 used in powerboats was also available as an option, which got the metalpaneled beast from 0-60 in a reported 7.7 seconds—not bad for something as heavy as the tongue of a blue whale. Boasting custom “Scorpion” run-flat tires from Pirelli, a 76-gallon gas tank (it makes 8mpg), power windows, Italian leather upholstery, wood trim and a fine 1980s sound system, the LM002 made its way to a select group of owners, including the late Uday Hussein.

Saddam’s eldest son’s LM002 was blown up by U.S. forces in 2004 to demonstrate the effects of a car bomb, with the military perhaps not realizing that the vehicles can fetch roughly half a million at auction.

REIMAGINED ALL FOR YOU Welcome to the prestigious Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale — a golf and outdoor club that has been reimagined to provide a lifestyle that rises above the rest. Within our expansive 8,000 acres of pristine Sonoran desert beauty, members enjoy an outdoor playground unlike any other in the world. Jack Nicklaus golf all year long. Technology­based golf instruction, 5­star dining for every palate. Tennis on three surfaces. Fitness fit for an athlete. Spa indulgences to pamper the soul. Pickleball, parties, moonlight hikes and mountain biking. Making a move? Move up to the Mountain and receive a $5,000 initiation credit or 3 months no dues.*

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Some pairings are essential: The perfect attire for the weather, the perfect club for the shot, and the perfect car for the drive

Far from being just transportation, the right car in the right place will actually enhance and expand your travel experience, turning any vacation into an adventure, any getaway into an event, and any resort into a true destination.

Here, working with our friends at Hertz, we pair the perfect courses with the perfect cars on suggested sojourns sure to thrill your golfing heart. The journey matters, so drive it right.

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Arrive: Denver International Vehicle: Range Rover Sport

he flight into Denver can come with a few bumps, reminding you that you’re in the mountains—and what glorious mountains they are, with miles of glorious roads among them. Because we’re headed out of town and might be chasing some of those bumps, we’re taking the Range Rover Sport, part of Hertz’s Dream Collection and a vehicle that will come in handy during our 3.5-hour journey to the magnificent St. Regis Aspen Resort (stregisaspen.com).

Taking I-70 west to State Hwy 91 and turning south, skiers will note that we’re directly between Copper Mountain and Breckenridge, which feature some of Colorado’s most popular runs and plenty of great scenery. A half hour or so south of Copper Mountain and we’re in the “cloud city” of Leadville, a silver mining town that’s flush with Old West charm. Once home to such characters as Doc Holliday and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown (who survived the Titanic disaster), Leadville is where Meyer Guggenheim began his family’s dynastic wealth, where the fashionably dressed “Poker Alice” Ivers chomped cigars and won vast sums as a

gambler, and where Oscar Wilde once entertained crowds at the local Tabor Opera House, a venue recently reborn and once again in use. The Range Rover Sport, which will have brilliantly handled the well-paved twisty roads thus far, will really come into its own as you near Aspen on the main route, Hwy 82, and no doubt will open possibilities for quick scenic pull-offs to grab a photo or two. In no time at all we’ll be in the town that celebrities such as Kevin Costner and Olympians such as Simi Hamilton call home (though Simi’s a native). Following an invigorating and visually satisfying adventure, we’ll arrive at the stunning St. Regis, which can get you on several local golf courses. In addition to Aspen Golf Club, one of the most beautiful municipal tracks in the country, the St. Regis can arrange play at private venues such as Snowmass Club and Ironbridge GC, an Arthur Hills design in nearby Glenwood Springs. With plenty of room for luggage and golf clubs, and with its “go almost anywhere” capabilities, the Range Rover Sport is the ideal choice. Like golf balls hit at this altitude, it will allow you to go farther— and that makes all the difference in Colorado.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort ; Range Rover Sport; Aspen Golf Club

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Arrive: San Francisco International Vehicle: Nissan GT-R

wists, turns, and tech: add a wharf, fog and insanely high rents and you know you’re in San Francisco—but not for long. Part of the beauty of the City by the Bay is that Napa Valley is so close, offering world-class dining, world-class wines and world-class golf. For the last we’re headed to Meadowood Resort, but first we have to get there.

And in the spirit of the twisty, turny, techy city where we’ll land, we’re taking the mind-warping Nissan GT-R, one of the highest-performance, most agile, most technologically sophisticated cars on the road today, and part of Hertz’s Dream Cars Collection. There are two standard routes to Napa from San Francisco International Airport, both of which run through Oakland. But we’re adding a half hour or so to the trip and taking a third route because crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in Nissan’s 565hp icon is completely worth it, and because a quick detour to drive the 5-mile Conzelman Road through the Marin Headlands will give us a chance both to try out the GT-R’s incomparable handling and to catch dream-fueling views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. (Bonus points for arriving in spring when the wildflowers are exploding in color.) From here, there are a number of similar detours we can enjoy along Interstate 101 (“the 101,” if you want to sound like a Californian): a quick stop to see the house boat communities in Sausalito, where Otis Redding wrote “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, is an option we might recommend. A longterm visit to San Quentin State Prison is one we would not. And so we’ll keep moving, marveling at the GT-R’s array of displayed information: engine oil temp and pressure, turbo

Meadowood + the Nissan GT-R from Hertz = a superlative vacation

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boost PSI, acceleration and cornering Gs, throttle position, chassis dynamics… This is a car unlike any other, the scion of legendary racers, and it’s a privilege to have it available.

In no time at all (obeying the speed limit, of course) we’ll be rounding the north end of San Pablo Bay, where we’ll be on the 37 (Hwy 37, to non-Californians) and passing through the oddly named community of Black Point-Green Point.

Black Point is on one side of Hwy 37 and Green Point… Well, you can figure it out. Just outside of town(s) we’ll be across the Sonoma County line. There are a few good arguments for pausing in Sonoma, and in fact we’re going to brush against the south side of town, but at this point we’re close enough to Meadowood to imagine the golf, the pool, the supreme accommodations, the spa and the rest of it, and so there’s no stopping us until we pull up in front of the resort.

For short jaunts around Napa the GT-R will be great fun, but may we suggest a chauffeured experience might be a better way to partake of the valley’s off-course recreation? For that, it’s tough to beat a wine tasting at Elizabeth Spencer Winery followed by lunch at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro, and then…? Silverado Resort and its 36 holes of golf are nearby, but we’ll head back to Meadowood to play the charming 9-hole course or maybe some croquet on the top-quality croquet lawn (the on-site pro is unbelievably good). If you can grab a table for dinner at the resort’s restaurant, do it.

Simply named “The Restaurant,” it needs no adornment beyond its three Michelin stars, and it pairs nicely with a GT-R parked in front.

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B I LT M O R E C O R A L G A B L E S Arrive: Miami International Vehicle: Mercedes G550

hy would someone in Miami need one of the most capable off-road vehicles ever made, an ultra-luxury SUV with more than 400hp that can climb a 38˚ incline and handle 28.4˚ of sideways tilt? Ask any of the NBA or entertainment celebrities who drive the Mercedes G550 up and down Ocean Drive or—better yet—fly into Miami yourself and rent a G550 from Hertz. The company offers the incredible, indelible Geländewagen as part of its Dream Cars Collection, and if you don’t feel like a VIP in it then you’re doing something wrong. It’s definitely our vehicle of choice for a pro-worthy cruise around town while we luxuriate and live the high life, staying and playing at the Biltmore Coral Gables. If there’s one nice thing that can be said about Miami International Airport, it’s that it’s conveniently located in the middle of Miami. Beyond that, we’ve always found it a bit manic. How nice, then, that the G550’s interior is so accommodating, offering sublime leather, plenty of room for luggage and clubs, and a German-engineered climate control system that will keep the heat outside and the comfort in. It likely won’t have time to fully cool down during the trip to the Biltmore, however: from the airport we’ll turn south onto SW 42nd Avenue, drive straight for 6 miles, hang a right on Coral Way, then a left on Granada two blocks later, a quick bend down

The luxury of the Biltmore is matched only

by Mercedes’ G550

De Soto Blvd for another block and there we are. Maybe 20 minutes with traffic? With a vehicle as fine as the G, clearly this won’t do. And so, we’ll need a plan. Top of the list is the newly restored golf course, which has been worked back to the grandeur of its original 1925 Donald Ross design (re-opening December of this year). One of the state’s early legends, this course is a must-play for Miami area visitors, and we’ll spend as much time as possible on it, enjoying the new old style. After that, however, and after luxuriating in the sumptuousness of the Biltmore’s amenities—including a movie-worthy pool and world-class spa, it’s time to fire up the Mercedes again. And really, there is a fantastic use for it in this part of the world: The Everglades. It’s roughly an hour south from the Biltmore to the visitors center at the edge of Everglades National Park, and we’ll enjoy every minute of it in the G-Wagon. From here there are a number of options, but we’ll take the 13-mile drive to the Pahayokee Boardwalk and Lookout platform, a short winding boardwalk trail that puts us over the “River of Grass” that is America’s largest subtropical wilderness.

Cameras out and photos taken of the unbelievable scenery, it’s highly likely that we’ll see an alligator or two, and that will likely set us to thinking about the safety of the solid G550, the clean, cool pool at the Biltmore and dinner at any one of the fantastic Miami restaurants—all easily accessible in style and safety for those who like to live a true Miami [golf] player’s lifestyle, thanks to Hertz and to the spirit of luxury adventure.

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Arnold Palmer never stopped chasing perfection.

Neither have we.

COME PERFECT YOUR GAME. Our new world-class practice facility features a strategic short course, enhanced range, and more.

BayHill.com Š2018 Bay Hill Club & Lodge. All rights reserved.

Seasonal Reflections The Holidays offer time for reflection and opportunity for debate, time to consider what was and what could have been.

So here is some fuel; a pictorial review of the highlights and most significant moments of the past year on tour

FedExCup winner Justin Rose and Tour Championship winner Tiger Woods take the PGA Tour’s end-of-season spoils at East Lake GC, Atlanta in September

SUMMER 2018

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Justin Thomas won his ninth careeer title in the Honda Classic at PGA National in February [right], before reaching a world ranking of number one in May Phil Mickleson ended a five-year win drought at the WGC Mexico Championship in March [below] and at 47 became the oldest ever winner of a WGC tournament

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After a winless 2017, Rory McIlroy returned to winning ways at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March [left], saying afterwards: “I wish [Arnold Palmer] would have been there to shake my hand... I tried to be as aggressive as I could and to take on shots... just like he would have�

Sergio Garcia, Masters champ of 2017 [below, seated left] chats to 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed at the prize-giving ceremony at Augusta National in April. Reed beat Rickie Fowler by a shot to claim his first major title

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At Shinnecock Hills in June, Brooks Koepka [left] became the first golfer to successfully defend the U.S. Open title since Curtis Strange in 1988-89 Tiger Woods briefly held the lead during the final round of The Open at Carnoustie in July, but it was a steady, apparently nerveless Francesco Molinari [below, on the right], posting 16 pars and two late birdies, who claimed the Claret Jug to become Italy’s first major champion

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England’s Laura Davies won the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club [left].

Davies would complete the senior major double at the Senior LPGA Championship in October Tiger Woods [below] shot his lowest score in a major at the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive. His final-round 64 placed him runnerup behind Koepka.

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Brooke Henderson [above] became the first Canadian golfer to win the CP Womens Open in 45 years, at Wascana Country Club in August Brandt Snedeker shot 59, 11 under par, in the first round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield CC, North Carolina, to set-up a wire-to-wire victory. Here he celebrates with his children Austin and Lily on the 18th green

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Justin Rose [above] finished second at the BMW Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia, and it was good enough to see him take over as World Number One, for two weeks anyway Englishman Oliver Fisher [left] shot the European Tour’s first ever 59, in the second round of the Portugal Masters in September at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course

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Cameron Champ, 23, won on the PGA Tour for the first time in his ninth start, at the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson, Mississippi in October European golf fans celebrate victory in the Ryder Cup in Paris with Icelandic thunderclaps [below]; Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari became the first European pairing ever to go four for four in a single Ryder Cup; Thomas Bjorn, victorious European captain, admires the spoils

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Straffan House

A Private House Hotel Exclusively Yours...

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No Boundaries, Just Goals Anything is possible in a handcrafted suit from Castangia

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“It’s like this,” says Joey Glazer. “Your first presentation is your best presentation—your chance. And so why compromise.” Glazer can help those who refuse to compromise. As Director of Sales for Castangia, he knows a lot about best presentations. The storied Italian firm has been making them since 1850, hand-crafting suits for clients in a factory staffed by some of the most skilled artisans on earth.

“Exclusivity, prestige, excellence… These are the fundamental elements that have been part of our evolution since 1850,” Glazer explains. “Our factory, the people that work there, the tailors and the other workers, in some cases they have their son come into the factory and it’s almost as if it’s a handing down of tradition, learning the craft. It’s really a very family-oriented company, very old school.”

Every Castangia suit or jacket is made to order, and the process of creation is a time-honored tradition steeped in deep knowledge and in a care and pride that come from the heart.

Master tailors make a file for each Castangia client, documenting his individual needs. This includes measurements, the choice of fabric, the desired model, the cut and every other detail, each step executed by an expert.

From there, each suit is completely handmade in the tailor shop in Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia, where 70 master tailors work daily to passionately create with artisanal care the quality garments that are to bear the Castangia name.

The time it takes to create a single suit? A full twenty hours of careful, specific attention and craft. The manner in which Castangia suits and jackets are made is a dying art, but one well alive in the company’s workshop.

“This is clothing that distinguishes the man who wears it,” affirms Glazer. “The bespoke fabrics are chosen

from among the most prominent Italian and British manufacturers, and include precious fibers such as the finest wools, cashmere, satin and cotton, all available in a wide range of colors and prints.”

As Glazer explains, from conception through to finished product, the most minute details of construction are addressed, yielding a one-of-a-kind garment that sets its wearer apart.

“It’s basically as if you’re carrying the tradition of seven generations, the heritage of that. It’s completely handmade, the same as when you’re buying a Ferrari—what you’re paying for is the craftsmanship, the artisan work.

There are literally over 170 operations done by hand in the garment. We only work with the top mills in Italy. There’s really not a better product on the market.”

One of the hallmarks of a Castangia suit is the way that it moves with the body, no matter what shape that body might be. The brand’s clients come in all shapes and sizes, and each is accommodated and made to look his best.

Castangia was chosen to dress Michael Douglas in the first Wall Street movie, and they suited the 2015 Presidents Cup team in Korea, Glazer says.

Perfectly traditional but eminently modern as well, Castangia suits are something special, evidence of the highest human potential in an otherwise tech-obsessed world. Hand-crafted in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, with the sparkling Mediterranean outside and the full legacy of Italian heritage and fashion in every thread, they’re simply sublime. As Glazer says, “It’s one of those garments that, if you’re fortunate enough to be able to own one, you pretty much won’t wear anything else again.” castangia1850.com

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The Best Steak on the Planet

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This summer give your guests the steakhouse experience right in your own backyard.

Choose from meltingly tender dry aged Porterhouse, New York Strips, Ribeyes and T-Bones.

Or choose from our collections of Filet Mignon, American Wagyu NY Strips, or imported Japanese Wagyu NY Strips.

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GIFT GUIDE

To Give & Receive Whichever end of the gift you’re on, the following will be well enjoyed

KichenAid LIMITED EDITION STAND MIXER

Caliber PRO KAMADO

Offering a superb array of cooking styles—grill, smoke, bake and rotisserie —within one unit, the Caliber Pro Kamado weighs less than half of other kamado smokers, making it a perfect chef's tool for entertaining. When grilling, the charcoal grill’s flue-way system assures better moisture retention in grilled foods while the unique triple layered insulated oven design of the Pro Kamado keeps heat and moisture in while using 40% less lump charcoal than ceramic grills.

Designed and built in the USA.

To celebrate 100 Years of making an American icon, KitchenAid has released this heritage-inspired mixer. Featured in custom, classic “Misty Blue,” it harkens back to one of the first-ever KitchenAid Stand Mixer colors as a tribute to the many years of home excellence. Unique features include a heritage-inspired logo, a white-coated stainless steel bowl and a custom Power Hub cover celebrating 100 years of KitchenAid. Ten speeds and a substantial 5 quart capacity mean it’s perfect for everyday family meals for years to come—a heritage piece in its own right. kitchenaid.com

caliberappliances.com

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U-Turn Audio ORBIT SPECIAL

Anker Mini Projector NEBUL A CAPSULE

If you are looking for media on the move the Nebula Capsule delivers a remarkably bright, vivid picture up to 100 inches tall. It comes with a 360° speaker for powerful omnidirectional sound, and at a mere 15oz in weight it’s easily portable. With an Android 7.1 system it streams media from your phone, flawlessly displaying content from Netflix, Youtube or any other source for endless entertainment.

Vinyl made a return many years ago and continues to be enjoyed, hence companies like U-Turn Audio continuing to produce superlative turntables like the Orbit Special. Pictured here, it pairs high performance features with elegant hardwood bases, the solid hardwood plinths constructed out of sustainably sourced U.S. flatcut maple and rift walnut. Bringing the noise, the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge helps deliver open and dynamic sound without coloring your music. uturnaudio.com

anker.com

Polaroid ONESTEP+ I-TYPE CAMERA

You might not have noticed, but a Dutch group purchased Polaroid’s assets and has been developing new instant film picture tools. Case in point: The OneStep+, which pairs with an app via Bluetooth to allow creative controls like double exposure, manual exposure settings, a self timer, a noise trigger for the shutter, “light painting” long exposure settings, and more. With an integrated secondary portrait lens and the beloved instant photo printed on the spot, it’s a tangible and fun part of an otherwise digital landscape.

(Don’t forget to buy film.) polaroid.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Ettinger CAPRA FL AT CREDIT CARD CASE

From the iconic British luxury leather goods company, Ettinger, the Capra Collection Flat Credit Card Case in Marine Blue is perfect for the minimalist who prefers to have just a few cards and some folded notes. The deep blue is decorated with Ettinger’s logo and Royal Warrant in silver, and the curved pocket design adds an extra touch of elegance. The soft grainy goat leather is strong and durable, and the natural lanolin present in the skin deters dirt from penetrating the leather as easily as other leathers. ettinger.co.uk

Rolex OYSTER PERPETUAL 34

This 16 year old single malt from the fantastic Aberfeldy distillery is one of this writer’s absolute favorites.

Finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, if you are looking for smoke and peat this is not for you, but if you want a really well balanced, honeyed single malt Scotch dripping with soft fruit and buttered toast flavors, then stock up. Moreover, bucking the trend of ever more expense, for a 16 year old single malt the Aberfeldy is very reasonably priced.

The Oyster Perpetual 34 is simply a timeless classic—the model of understated sophistication. Pictured here with a distinctive olive green dial and hour markers fashioned from 18ct gold to prevent tarnishing, the case is made from Oystersteel, a steel especially developed by Rolex to bring maximum resistance to corrosion. The model is equipped with calibre 3130, a selfwinding mechanical movement, and like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3130 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for highprecision watches. It is also fitted with a Parachrom hairspring, offering exceptional resistance to shocks and temperature variations, ensuring that the Oyster Perpetual, like all Rolex timepieces, is singularly reliable.

dewars.com

rolex.com

Scotch ABERFELDY 16

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Callaway Tour Authentic Âź ZIP CASHMERE WINDSTOPPER

Equally elegant when walking the links or the city streets, the Callaway Tour Authentic cashmere windstopper pairs perfectly with a Tour Authentic polo to provide style, even in the harshest of elements.

Tailored in 100% double-thread, finest grade Mongolian cashmere for a luxurious feel, warmth, natural odor resistance and insulation, this windstopper is then lined with four-way stretch polyester to create an insulated yet breathable barrier between you and cold weather.

Available in choice of four colors and perfect for the holiday season. callawayapparel.com/tour-authentic

Martin Dingman PENNY LOAFERS

A genuine family company and named for its patriarch, Martin Dingman has come to symbolise refined American country living. Featured here is its Bill Penny Loafers, which are constructed with Water Buffalo leather and lined with glove leather. These shoes are strong, durable and a heel-to-toe comfort system ensures exceptional, lasting comfort and shape. martindingman.com

House of Fleming ALLIGATOR LEATHER BELT

Beloved by discerning golfers, amateur and professional, House of Fleming has been producing Alligator belts of distinction since 1980. A wide variety of hand-crafted and hand-finished silver buckles are complemented by a tremendous color range to ensure every outfit can be finished with perfect co-ordination and sophistication. houseoffleming.com

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PEAKVISION GX5 SUNGL ASSES FOR GOLFERS

Fom one of golf ’s leading vision experts, the wrap-around GX5s are one of PEAKVISION’s most successful styles. And now golfers have three colors in the GX5 line to choose from: black, white or the new royal navy blue. The GX5 enhances the ability to see the contours of the greens better with the high-definition amber lens which PEAKVISION say provides three times the definition compared to the naked eye. Designed specifically for golfers, the light-weight, wrap-around frame fits snugly and won’t move during one’s swing. The adjustable nose piece makes for a perfect fit. See better, golf better. peakvision.com

Nikon Rangefinder COOLSHOT 20

Offering a multilayer-coated 6x high-quality finder for bright, clear viewing, the COOLSHOT 20 is one the smallest and lightest rangefinders on the market. Easy to use, weighing only 4.4 ounces and rainproof, it measures actual distance to various objects on the course within a range of six to 550 yards. The COOLSHOT 20 features a one-push, eight-second continuous measurement and First Target Priority Mode, which enables easy distance assessment to bunkers, fairway ends, dogleg corners and other objects on the course. nikongolf.com

Snell Golf MTB BALLS

In a sustained effort to help make the game more affordable while increasing product quality, Dean Snell, co-creator of the original Titleist Pro V1, started his own ball company. In 2018 Snell Golf has continued to grow as the leader in direct-toconsumer golf balls with the MTB Black and MTB Red models.

The MTB Black is the flagship with a three-piece, cast urethane design that rivals the performance of any ball on the market and on tour, but at a fraction of the cost to the consumer. Visit the Snell website for holiday promotions and free shipping throughout the season. snellgolf.com

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David Norman Design SAWGRASS

The Sawgrass is a work of art for display in any golf lover’s home or club, and each item comes with its own limited-edition number.

The Sawgrass piece speaks to the history of the game and to its alignment to nature, with tribute paid to the native Florida sawgrass plant. A plasma-cut aluminum plate forms the background while a signature David Norman Design golf bag made of solid, rich mahogany takes center stage. The Sawgrass also features genuine African Water Buffalo hide for its tough and long-lasting properties, along with its supple look and feel. Louisville Golf hickory shafts have been whipped onto persimmon heads and will be appreciated by the true golf enthusiast. Our first Sawgrass is more than 51 inches high, 35 inches wide and just over seven inches deep, although its size, specs and finish can be customized to order. davidnormandesign.com

Bud Chapman INFAMOUS 18 GOLF HOLES

What Terry Pratchett is to literature Bud Chapman is to golf art.

Enjoy lifting the cover into his vivid interpretations by owning a Limited First Edition printing of the complete Infamous 18 Golf Holes and The 19th Hole (a compilation of all 18 holes in one painting) along with the artist’s storyline of the 19th Hole.

Enjoy the story of the 19th Hole and look for the characters that Chapman painted into the scenes. The set includes a Certificate of Authenticity of First Edition Printing. tpkgolf.com

Stonehouse Desk caddie Why not bring the beauty of the golf course to your desk with the Stonehouse Desk Caddie keepsake box? Perfect for storing your personal belongings, or even the remote controls in your TV room. Each caddie box features a rich mahogany finish, is velvet lined and showcases a mini-edition from the Stonehouse Golf Collection. stonehousegolf.com/kingdom18

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1492

Leith Silver

SINGLE SEALED CIGARS

THISTLE TUMBLE CUP

The array of premium hand-rolled cigars is wonderful: beautiful Honduran-made blends, a Partagas Rothschild with a Cameroon wrapper, a Macanudo crafted in the Dominican Republic, and more...

But the genius is in the packaging: Each cigar is individually packaged in a special airtight, foil-lined pouch that keeps it fresh without a humidor. There’s no better way to get your smoke to the course, on the boat or anywhere else.

A traditional but standout design, this sterling silver drinking vessel is perfect for those who like to savor their whisky or bourbon with style. The original tumble cups were designed for gentlemen traveling in carriages, allowing the cups to rock but no drink to spill. The contours lead to the name “Thistle”, very appropriate given the hallmarks of the Edinburgh Assay Office proudly displayed on the front. Your drink becomes alive and its colors dance as it rolls around the gold cup interior, warming in your hand. leithsilver.com

1492cigar.com

The Clover BOBBY JONES WHISKEY

Only available at select private clubs and resorts, Clover Whiskey has been created to celebrate and sustain the legacy of one of golf’s true greats, Bobby Jones. The clover reference is inspired by the four leaf medallion given to Bobby Jones by his mother for good fortune, which he wore in every match he played. Production being in Tennessee, small-batch and single barrel ensures quality is high but supply is limited. To find out how to get it stocked in your club and for further information visit: thecloverwhiskey.com

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Issue 44

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EXPERIENCE WORLD CLASS GOLF

“BEST PLACES TO PLAY”

BY GOLF TRAVEL ANNUAL

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GOLF

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DINING AT BELLATRIX

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MEETING FACILITIES

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PGA GOLF INSTRUCTION

“TOP 10 BEST DESERT COURSES”

BY DESERT GOLF

Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management.

BOOK YOUR TEE TIMES ONLINE

Classic Club is managed by Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management.

Scan & Book Now! PHOTO: CHRIS MILLER

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFF I-10 IN PALM DESERT

75-200 CLASSIC CLUB BLVD., PALM DESERT, CA 92211

760.601.3600 PlayClassicClub.com

INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE Kohler, Wisconsin, home to The American Club and to Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run golf clubs, has been built by bringing together hard-working people from many different countries. Yet it is no contradiction to say it could not be more American…

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W Walter J. Kohler, president of the Kohler Company 100 years ago and son of its founder John Michael Kohler, was drawn to the words of 19th century writer and artist John Ruskin, an Englishman, who wrote: “Life without industry is guilt, industry without art is brutality”.

The Kohler Company in Wisconsin—the famed manufacturer of bathroom, kitchen and plumbing hardware—was fast growing a formidable reputation, its success built by a dynamic workforce made up of Americans, Austrians, Brits, Dutch, French and more. Like so many firms, Kohler is great evidence of the best parts of modern America’s diverse, hard-working past.

To accommodate the company’s immigrant workers and their families, Walter J. Kohler built The American Club, an extensive dormitory that opened in 1918 with dining rooms, laundry facilities, a barbershop, a pub and even a bowling alley. The residents were given education in English and citizenship, and the company flourished.

“A worker deserves not only wages, but roses as well,” said Kohler.

This visionary move—in contrast to the widespread exploitation of workers around the turn of the last century— was in part motivated by the fact Walter J.’s father, John Michael, was born in 1844 high in the Austrian Alps, in the tiny village of Schnepfau, before his family made the brave and epic journey across the Atlantic and into the unknown.

It was in 1883, when John Michael was building the Kohler Company, that he attached four feet to a cast-iron water trough, lined its interior with enamel and sold it as a bathtub. They say he traded that first prototype to a local farmer for a cow and 14 chickens, but from that moment’s inspiration sales rocketed and the course for the Kohler Company was set.

In 1978, 60 years after its doors first opened, The American Club was placed on The National Register of Historic Places, although the village of Kohler had outgrown the need for a dorm, which prompted Herb V. Kohler— current Chairman and president of Kohler Co. and grandson

of John Michael—to restore and renovate the great building so it could re-open in 1981 as a boutique hotel of singular quality. The red-brick and Vermont slate exterior of The American Club today looks much the same as it did 100 years ago, although now its guests are welcomed into an upscale, cozy hotel that has been awarded an AAA 5-diamond rating.

Progress at The American Club continues while preserving the traditional charm and international spirit with which it was first built. Oak-panelled halls are decorated with black and white photographs from bygone years, and lead to a selection of six ethnically diverse bars and restaurants including The Immigrant Restaurant & Winery Bar—fantastically stocked with an enviable array of fine wines that are as international as the Club’s first residents— while Dutch and French influences in the hotel are joined by a British-inspired Horse & Plow pub.

Then there are the guest bathrooms—they are still furnished and fitted by Kohler, as they were 100 years ago—but the product line has advanced beyond recognition, still leading and setting the tone for its industry.

And that is typical of The American Club: it is the same as it ever was, yet in some ways it is a world away from its original incarnation.

The Straits Course at Whistling Straits [top left], Kohler’s original “bathing tub” [bottom left]; John Michael Kohler [top] at The American Club today [above]

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GOLF ON TAP Halfway between Green Bay to the north and Milwaukee to the south, the village of Kohler sits just outside the town of Sheboygan, along the western shore of Lake Michigan.

This is undulating and fertile ground, much of it thickly forested, and its beauty and abundant wildlife have long been cherished.

In the early 1800s this was the bountiful hunting ground of the Winnebago Indians (a tribe now known as the Ho-Chunk Nation), and when the Chippewa and Menominee joined forces to outnumber and drive out the Winnebago, it was the guile, bravery and leadership of Winnebago chief Black Wolf that ensured the locals could repel their attackers.

The Kohler Company paid tribute to Black Wolf when it opened its first golf club 30 years ago in 1988, calling it Blackwolf Run. The Straits Course at Whistling Straits, which overlooks Lake Michigan, would follow 10 years later to take the Kohler golf offering into the realm of hosting the PGA Championship (2004, 2010 and 2015) and the Ryder Cup (next up in 2020), but the outstanding Kohler golf tradition began amidst the stunning parkland hills at Blackwolf Run. “In designing Blackwolf Run we wanted to make a resort-type course where players of varying ability will enjoy themselves,” said Pete Dye, the renowned course designer responsible for all 72 holes at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits combined. “I put a gambling element into it, where the player will be greatly rewarded for taking a chance, but penalized if the gamble fails.”

Sometimes “resort-type” golf can be misconstrued for gentle and forgiving, and that would not be a Pete Dye course and does not describe Blackwolf Run. The River and Meadow Valleys layouts are “resort” in the best ways: immaculate conditioning, great staff and service, and attention to details. But as beautiful as they are, the challenges are serious. There are tantalizing elevated tee shots to be played, offering golfers panoramic views, but if the tee shot is not straight then the golf ball likely will be cast into the abyss, doomed to a lifetime of loneliness and harsh winters as it lies lost in those ancient woods (such that golf balls experience loneliness and cold anyway).

In any case, however one plays the courses, The American Club provides plenty of camaraderie and warm feelings for visitors. As an international effort built to welcome hard-working immigrants and their families, it’s not just a great golf destination—it’s the best of the American spirit.

The outstanding Kohler golf tradition began amidst the stunning parkland hills at Blackwolf Run The 4th hole of the River course at Blackwolf Run [top] and the 14th of the Valleys Course [left]

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For Golfers, Art collectors and Men who thought they had everything!

No. 1 Victoria Falls Golf Course

No. 4 Grand Canyon Country Club

168 Yards, Par 3

287 Yards, Par 4

Bud Chapman’s Infamous 18 Golf Holes is the world imagined in a way like no other.

Ten Limited Edition Artist Proof gicleé prints of the 18 amazing paintings that changed golf have been produced to collector quality.

Signed, numbered, and printed on archival paper with archival ink, and the same size as the original paintings, it’s almost like owning the originals but for about $20 million less.

Set #1 is in the collection of the World Golf Hall of Fame and will be featured when their new art room construction has been completed.

There are only five sets left, with one set (#9) put aside for sale of individual prints. All others will be sold as full sets. Certificates of Authenticity are issued with each purchase.

If you don’t have a set of the Infamous 18 Golf Holes, you do not have everything.

For information on purchase of Limited edition sets and the original paintings call Vlad Gribovsky at

+1-612-229-7052 or please visit www.loyalh-bud-chapman.com

HANDWORKED WOOD & LEATHER

DAVID NORMAN DESIGN

Elemental, tactile, they just feel right in the hands. Probably why they helped to build this country and so many others.

And with them, like them, we endure and become enriched with age. Welcome to the fundamentals

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“For me, I’ve always loved the game.

I was introduced to golf by my dad, and it was the one real, common true love that he and my brother and I had as a bond. He died too young, 68 years old. He was a perfectionist, a man of high morals, and so when I started out to build the most beautiful golf furniture on the planet, when I went to name the company, I thought if I put his name on it then I’d be held to those standards. It was important to me that that’s who we were. That was our goal out of the gates: Is this being built the best way? I don’t want any excuses. It isn’t about price or profits, it’s about building something that I was really passionate about. I want to build something I think everybody in the world would think is spectacular.”

—Troy Spring, Founder of David Norman Design “I’m not a huge fan of straight lines,” says Ron Corl, Head of Production/Design at David Norman Design, a company that creates simply masterful custom golf-inspired furnishings. “The tactile part of a design is the most important thing to me; I always try to design something that you just have to touch, and the leather we’re using, the wood... It’s just great.” More than great to touch,

the firm’s phenomenally sculpted wood and leather pieces are absolutely functional, a point that Corl stresses is of great importance—“you don’t want to create a coffee table that is so delicate you can’t touch it or put your feet on it,” he says. But at their heart David Norman pieces are driven by emotion, by the scenes golfers enjoy in their everday lives: four bags thrown in a trunk en route to an outing; clubs at the ready at the bag drop, suggesting a round is about to get underway; and so on.

“You get this feeling when you’re about to go golfing, the anticipation of getting to go... Or when you’re loading up the car and heading to play, there’s that sense, that anticipation. We’re trying to evoke an emotion from somebody.

Trying to find what they love and bring that out in a form they can use and enjoy every day.”

Expertly designed and crafted to exacting standards, precisely as the namesake would have it, David Norman golf furnishings bring charm, warmth and timeless heart to any setting. Highly recommended. davidnormandesign.com

“I want no excuses; I want to build something that everybody would think is spectacular”

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SANBORN CANOE CO. / MERRIMACK

It began as a summer project, just a few friends building a cedar-strip canoe to haul along on annual trips.

Camaraderie, paddling in open water, working together... These were what got it going. The canoe completed, paddles were fashioned from the leftover cedar and it all got wet— successfully. From that Sanborn Canoe Co. was born, a Minnesota-based concern that handcrafts paddles, including an Artisan Painted Paddle line inspired by Old World voyagers exploring their way through the New World. Sharing a shop and some employees with them is Merrimack Canoes, which crafts the canoes built under both names. Fully handmade, they feature modern materials like a carbon-fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass layup for practical reasons, but are finely hand-finished in beautiful woods, including the hand-laid ribs, gunnels, decks and handles. The seats are hand-strung/woven, the craftsmanship is epic, and the heart behind the brands is as true and clear as the clearest Minnesota sky reflected in the cleanest, cold river. sanborncanoe.com m e r r i m a c k c a n o e s. c o m

HANDMADE WOOD PUTTER

Sometimes we come across evidence of caring and craftsmanship in the corner of a local shop, unexpected and unadorned. Such was the case with this wood putter and a few others next to it, which were found for sale at one of those lovely neighborhood golf stores where friends gather to shoot the breeze and watch a match on TV while the owner re-grips clubs or drives balls into a net against the wall. All we know about this putter is that it has a 275g cocobolo head, a 35.25” shaft made of poplar and padauk, that a local woodworker near Malibu, California built it (and builds others) and that if you want one or you want to know more, you’ll have to reach out to Bob at Bogey Bob’s Golf Center in Thousand Oaks. Don’t bother looking for a website (there isn’t one), just use the phone number below.

And take it from the editor, Bob’s one of the good guys.

(805) 498-9116

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ETTINGER

No matter the situation, throughout history the Brits somehow have managed to weather all of it—and their weather—with an elegance that steadfastly persists even as other country’s fashions manically soar and crash, then soar and crash again.

Case in point: Ettinger. Founded in the 1930s, right in the golden age of British sartorial elegance, the firm has come to define elite handcrafted luxury leathergoods. It starts with the leather itself, made especially for the firm and dyed to Ettinger’s specifications, optimized for crafting small leather accessories, such as Ettinger’s fine wallets. With this impeccable leather, some of England’s most skilled artisans hand-make, stitch, pound and work an array of amazing pieces, each the perfect accessory to a life of fashionable elegance (or at least a life in pursuit of such). Offering the finest wallets, purses, bags, cases and more, Ettinger carries its Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales with pride—exactly as Ettinger accessories themselves should be carried. There’s none finer. e t t i n g e r. c o. u k

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ALEXANDER VALLEY, SONOMA COUNTY

great wine

is rooted in a healthy vineyard

As grape-growers we farm to promote vineyard and soil health. Biodynamic farming takes us beyond sustainable and organic to create a harmonious ecosystem that respects all plants, animals, and living organisms as integral to growing exceptional grapes.

Eco Terreno Wines is the result of our dedication to our planet, our vineyard, and making delicious, great wines.

To learn more visit

www.ecoterreno.com

Switch It Out

photos: Martin lof

A word of gastronomic wisdom from Meghan Glennon on greatly improving your holiday meal—and not just with excellent wine (though there’s that as well…)

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T

he holidays are about comfort with friends and family, and comfort food—and that’s great. We’re not here to take away your candied yams. But with a few tweaks and ingredient swaps, you can enjoy decadent holiday faves while being much kinder to your body.

First, if you do nothing else, swap out non-organic ingredients for organic ones. A recent French study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed 25 percent fewer cancer diagnoses overall in people who ate the most organic foods vs those who ate the least. The results of the study are considered preliminary, but there’s absolutely no harm in going organic and it’s much better for the planet regardless. We’ll call that a double win.

Next up, swap out vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil. Sure, vegetable oil might keep your food from sticking to the pan, but that’s about all it’s good for. Olive oil, on the other hand, contains oleic acid as well as other healthy monounsaturated fatty acids that studies suggest can help reduce inflammation. It’s also full of antioxidants and may reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Also, swap out plain butter for butter from grass-fed cows. The latter has a better omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio and contains more fat soluble vitamins than conventional butter.

Now, the holiday menu: Where possible, make dishes at home using whole foods, and avoid canned ingredients.

By skipping ingredients packed in cans or plastic bottles, you can reduce your exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates, both of which mimic estrogen in the body, with phthalates actually blocking testosterone.

Don’t forget that BPA is also found in the lining of many beverage cans, such as soda and beer. No bueno.

Swap canned cranberry sauce for homemade. It’s quick and easy to make and packed full of vitamins and antioxidants.

Swap out premade salad dressing and make your own instead—it’s very simple to make anything from a classic vinaigrette to a decadent bleu cheese dressing at home.

Really. Swap green bean casserole made with canned, condensed soup for sautéed green beans with olive oil and lemon to add a welcome bright spot to your rich holiday plate (and no one likes green bean casserole anyway). Forget the canned broth, and make your own; just ask your butcher for organic turkey or chicken bones and make a big batch of broth up to a month ahead of time. It freezes well and can be used in everything from gravy to stuffing.

On the topic of stuffing, make it using fresh ingredients, but only make half the usual amount. To make up the difference, make wild rice with roasted carrots, wild mushrooms and walnuts. Wild rice is tasty, nutrient dense and packed with antioxidants, and it also helps to accommodate guests with gluten allergies.

Substitute half of the potatoes in your mashed potatoes with cauliflower. Your guests won’t notice the difference and you’ll be adding a great, low-carb source of fiber, antioxidants and nutrients to your dish.

Ditch refined sugar in your candied yams and let the natural sweetness of the yams shine. Yams roasted with a stick of salted butter (grass-fed origin) divided into small chunks and a hearty drizzling of Grade B maple syrup are so delicious, no one will miss the marshmallows.

These tips might sound like too much food policing, but honestly they’ll improve your holiday meal and your health—so what’s to lose? The goal should be to spend as many happy holidays with family as possible, and a few feast tweaks can only help. Anyway, there’s always dessert…

CLEAN VINO No holidays are complete without great wine, and Eco Terreno’s are fantastic Biodynamically farmed and handcrafted in Sonoma County, they’re as responsible as they are delicious. For large parties we like Three Vine Red, sensibly priced with blackberry and cherry balanced by dried herbs and toast that should sit nicely with holiday fare. Then there’s the 2015 Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, a lush expression of cassis, pomegranate and blackberry with caramel on the nose and a lingering finish. It’s a special wine, and it will enrich any meal. On the lighter side, Eco Terreno’s whites are a joy: a bright Sauvignon Blanc with tangerine, white peach and mango notes over fresh grass and a dry flinty finish, or a silky Chardonnay that leans toward tropical fruit with Meyer lemon, toast and creme caramel notes. From an expert winemaker and a team that’s as committed to their patrons as they are to producing sustainable, clean, wonderful wines, Eco Terreno will brighten any occasion and gild any holiday with beauty in the glass. We’ll cheers to that.

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O’ Starry Night

A tasting experience with the exceptional Dom Pérignon lingers long after John Halnan’s glass is emptied...

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“It’s fine,” I said. “We can drive.” But they wouldn’t hear of it. “No, no, we absolutely insist; we will send a car for you.” And just like that—like bubbles in a Champagne flute—we were elevated. One minute we were in the idyllic Château De Fère Hotel, around 50 miles from Hautvillers, the spiritual home of Dom Pérignon and thus Champagne in general, and then suddenly we were in the back of a chauffeur-driven luxury car heading for a drinking session like no other. Owned today by luxury goods leader Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Dom Pérignon does it right—and they’ve been doing it right for a long, long time.

The magical, mythical story of Champagne’s invention is well known: a serendipitous accident by the Benedictine monk Dominus Pérignon, whose cellaring of wine over a cold winter lead to an unexpected secondary fermentation in the warm spring and the joyous invention of naturally sparkling wine. The story is capped with Dom Pérignon popping a bottle and famously exclaiming to his fellow monks, “Come quickly! I am drinking the stars.” It is a wonderful story and there is no doubt that the monk did indeed make an early version of Champagne and pioneer new blending techniques and levels of excellence.

However, the reality is that “Champagne” probably was first created in England, from whence the strong glass bottles needed to make the explosive brew were first fashioned.

There is no dispute that, since the days of Dom Pérignon, the Champagne region has been making the most marvellous of celebratory drinks, and that from 1743 onwards Claude Moët and his successors in the Champagne House Moët Chandon have spearheaded the region’s constant quest for quality. This mission for sparkling perfection, in conjunction with marketing dominance, elevated a new bubble in the 1930s with the launch of Dom Pérignon. Again not without a degree of English influence, this time in the shape of publicist Laurence Venn, who dreamed up the concept of selling “a limited allocation Moët Chandon Champagne” to the English aristocracy, and obviously at a premium price. Thus a limited run of the 1921 vintage was marketed to great success in the UK and launched in 1936 to even greater demand in the U.S. as cuvée Dom Pérignon. The Champagne’s flight had taken off.

By the 1950s the Dom Pérignon brand was recognized by the media and consumers alike as the world’s most prestigious Champagne. There is no doubt that—aside from

being a mighty fine liquid—its allure was heightened by the continued marketing nous behind the brand, illustrated by its iconic design label and strategic placement in movies such as James Bond’s Dr. No. Today the marketing innovations haven’t stopped, evident in cooperations with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lenny Kravitz and Jeff Koons, but as impressive as the marketing story is, is what really matters: the product itself.

And after an anticipation-building tour of the abbey and cellars, there is no finer tasting room to enter.

Always a vintage Champagne that is aged for a minimum of 6 years and always a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot, Dom Pérignon is only released in good or exceptional years. The current release is 2009, but as top-drawer as that is, the not-yet-released 2008 is better yet and at least comparable to the 2002 vintage, which had been considered this century’s greatest to date.

It is said a key tasting characteristic to look for in Dom Pérignon is its near perfect balance, although this characteristic only becomes evident when drinking other, less-well-balanced marques. What is clear in Dom Pérignon is a persistent elegance both in the mouth and finish, and a biscuit-rich creaminess that impels you to drink more, and more, and more...

Under the current Chef du Cave, or cellarmaster, Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon has also developed a new level of Champagne known first as Oenothèque and now Plenitude. The concept is based on re-releasing special previous vintages but with extra time spent both on lees and on cork. The use of the word Plenitude has been employed to convey the concept of a wine’s second blossoming, a further season on in the wine’s evolution, and to illustrate the stages of evolution the abbreviations P1, P2 and P3 have been adopted.

After fully appreciating the 2008, 2009 and Rosé on this occasion, it was immediately evident with the 2000 P2—while still perfectly balanced and evidently a Dom Pérignon—how much more tightly wound and intense the wine was, with further layers of complexity.

Geoffroy will retire at the end of this year but his concept of secondary and tertiary aging in the greatest wines will live on—as will the distinct quality of Dom Pérignon’s tasting experience, which we savored while being driven back to Château De Fère, the stars within us.

It is only released in good or exceptional years, aged for a minimum of six years

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The Saticoy Club

O

n California’s Central Coast, in beautiful Ventura County, The Saticoy Club is a rare West Coast gem. Nestled in the hills of Somis, in the Las Posas valley, the club sits high above green fields of avocado and, on clear days, offers views that stretch to the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. It was Ventura County’s first private club, founded in 1921 as the Ventura Country Club, and its original course was designed by George C. Thomas and William P. Bell of Riviera and LACC North Course fame. The Saticoy name came in 1946 and a new course appeared in 1964, designed by Bell’s son, William F. Bell. The clubhouse is by noted Mid-century architect Fred Hummel (California State Architect; Project Director for the Reagan Library) and various course renovations have involved the participation of Roger Muir Graves, Tom Doak and John Harbottle. A lauded golf course that’s hosted many USGA Championship Qualifiers and SCGA Amateur Championships, it’s currently enjoying recent renovations and improvements made by

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the Arnold Palmer Design Company. Specifically, various fairways have been opened up via removal of trees that were squeezing certain areas and some of the bunkering—which previously had been referred to as “treacherous”—has been lightly tamed and restructured to improve sight lines and views while greatly improving the strategic layout and overall fun factor as well. One example of key APDC improvements is Hole 14, a spectacular par-5 that doglegs left, wrapping around a canyon. A bunker at the bend was added where previously a sort of runoff had been, and trees removed to open up a landing area for those who wish to steer well away from the canyon edge. With perfect sun-lit views and the sea breeze rushing across the fairway, this hole—like so many others here—is a snapshot of the best parts of California living, never as available, as relaxed or as welcoming as it is at The Saticoy Club. Well worth visiting, well worth playing, and with so many reasonable options for membership, well worth joining. thesaticoyclub.com