I’ve made many golf connections the past 15 years, and even though the magazine’s page count has shrunk as the print industry consolidates, my list of friends hasn’t.
That’s because, even in our spread-out and crowded part of the country, the golf industry remains a small-world entity because of the great people in it and the workers who strive to do their best. Those last words describe the freelance writers I’ve had the privilege to work with and lead, with four coming through this month with their favorite holes in the Southland.
While subjective, the list shows the diversity of golf opportunities that exists here – from mysterious private clubs and ocean-lined beauties to layouts in canyons and others in urban areas. In all, more than 70 courses and 90 holes are mentioned, with Randy Youngman handling Orange County, Mike James doing the honors for Los Angeles County, Corey Ross divulging his favorites in San Diego County and Judd Spicer writing about the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley.
Listing all my favorite holes in this space would be impossible, so here’s a few I look forward to seeing each time I tee it up there:
The fifth hole at Journey at Pechanga has everything the rustic Temecula course is known for: a creek, lake, rocks, hills, long grasses, natural bunkering and a tiered green. I’ve made all sorts of numbers, but the hole remains cool for its look and strategic elements. (Plus, it leads to the sixth hole, which could be my favorite in the region.)
While the third hole at Monarch Beach gets the attention (and is part of Randy’s list), the Dana Point course’s 13th hole is a cute par-3 that requires a short-iron tee shot over water to a small green with water in front, to the right and in back, in addition to a steep bunker on the left. While playing in a charity event with NHL Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer in my group and PGA Tour star Brendan Steele on the tee, I hit my shot about 12 feet from the pin. Whew! That totally eclipses the several times my ball has gotten wet. Just sayin’.
One of the prettiest holes in Orange County is the 11th at Tustin Ranch – a 165-yard par-3 with a two-tiered green surrounded by water and framed beautifully by a semicircle of palm trees. It’s the hole you see while driving up the long path to the clubhouse from the street. I believe that’s called shrewd marketing.
SIGNATURE MOVE
I have several autographed items but only a few that require no squinting, head scratching or deciphering for other people. Both names are on visors of golf caps, and both are legends of their sport – Jim Brown and Arnold Palmer.
Their signatures are cursive and easy to read, and both men took their time when signing. Perhaps it’s because they’re from a pre-digital era, or maybe it’s because of pride, but most likely it’s because they wanted the person to remember the meeting. In other words, the signatures are way better and cooler than most of today’s autographs that mainly consist of squiggles, lines and loops.
Despite Palmer’s health issues, his death, in late September at age 87, came as a shock to the golf world, both inside and outside the ropes. But that’s what happens when a guy has such a profound impact on the game and fans of all ages. His impact hopefully will carry on, and his death is one of several things that happened in 2016 worth remembering.
