Sunday, January 03, 2010

Before you make your New Year’s resolution, Read This

(paraphrased from the Talmud)
 
“G-d won’t ask if you ran a fortune 500 company.
He’ll ask if you made an effort to build a loving home and family.

G-d won’t ask how many baseball games you watched.
He’ll ask how much time you set aside for spiritual growth.

G-d won’t ask how high your salary was.
He’ll ask if you compromised your character to attain it.

G-d won’t ask why you had so many questions.
He’ll ask if you searched for the answers.

G-d won’t ask how many pizzas and burgers you ate.
He’ll ask what you did to perfect the world.

G-d won’t ask why you called Him when things were tough.
He’ll ask if you thanked Him when things were smooth.

G-d won’t ask why you didn’t succeed in solving all the world’s problems.
He’ll ask if you cared for your neighbor.

G-d won’t ask how beautiful you looked.
He’ll ask if you looked for the beauty in others.”   --The Talmud


Good luck with your resolution.


Thank you for sharing ... 

Rabbi Benjy and Hinda Silverman
Chabad of the Rivertowns


Monday, December 07, 2009

Choices Abound for Golfers in Spain

A decision to visit Spain for a try at many of their unique golf courses is based primarily on the weather of the region. The diversity of travel from Madrid, where a largely continental Mediterranean clime is sustained, to subtropical conditions in the Canary Islands on to the most beneficial golf climate in the Murcia region will turn up many course choices so be sure to bring along your golf clubs!

Although the inaugural season of the World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin is officially in the books, the partnership of Volvo and IMG through the 2011 season is committed to keeping professional golf on Spanish soil with Volvo having its 120th title sponsorship and IMG's Mark McCormack founding the event forty-five years ago. A connection with both Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia, as well as top golfers playing by invitation only should interest fans as well.

A trip to Spain would not be complete without a visit to Finca Cortesin which was placed on the 2009 "Hot List" by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and is also a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.

Mountains and sea views abound for testers of the "eco-friendly" Cabell Robinson gem. With a location in the south of Spain at the center of Costa del Sol and offering a Mediterranean clime, it would not be unusual to set up a game for each day of your stay.

Although this is one of the longest golf courses in Europe, there are tee areas for many level of golfers welcoming all. Have your sand game at the ready as there are over a hundred bunkers to find and "when you finish playing all 18 holes, you'll notice that you have played all your clubs." Also, the spectacular natural vegetation and the uniqueness of each of the 18 holes makes the approximate E95 greens fees easy to digest.

Check out my post on La Manga Club in the Murcia region!

It would be easy to say that a golf visit to Spain should include a trip to Valderrama. Considered by some to be the "Augusta of Europe" and host to some of the most nail-biting victories in professional golf, Valderrama is a private members club with visiting privileges that come at a high cost but always said to be in perfect playing condition.

Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, listed in eighth position of the Top100golfcourses.com and host to several professional championships (and Jose Maria Olazabel's gem) is not only worthy of a planned visit but, with so much to do in Andalucia as well, golf will not be the only topic of conversation on the first tee. But, also considering that there are over 100 golf courses in the area due to the wonderful climate, golf may be the main topic!


Besides learning how to Flamenco or trying your luck against el Toro, the test of landing on small greens at Sevilla will make you consider working on your short game well in advance of playing this golf course, one of four in the vicinity. Be aware that large fairways of Bermuda grass does not translate into "easy course" as you are forced to navigate through over ninety bunkers, nine lakes and approximately ten thousand trees (did the maintenance crew really count them all?) on way to a par score.

For golfers bringing along family and wishing for both a challenge and a luxurious property in which to spend quality vacation time, several rounds of play at Montecastillo Golf Club will satisfy all cravings.

The Jack Nicklaus designed Montecastillo borders on the Serrania de Ronda Mountain region and is close to Jerez de la Frontera, a spectacular area known for its creation of brandies, sherry and even unspoiled beaches which are said to stretch for miles but beware as the golf course is not known to be created for the faint of heart.

Montecastillo is yet another club which has been host to several professional tournaments  and, although walkable, carts are available for the hilly terrain. Voted as one of the fifty best courses in Spain and Europe, the finishing three holes are said to be among golf's most thrilling events.

Luxury hotels combined with creative layouts of courses and a myriad of unique destinations have made golf in Spain a "must-try". Stunning landscapes and, for the most part, reasonable weather has turned Spain a popular spot for touristas and golfers who wish to experience European hospitality!

Check here for great Barcelona Hotels.


Photo Credits: © Moneyweek.com, esp.Andalucia.com, AbsolutJerez.com


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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Extreme Golf Experiences Around the World

As the PGA Tour season comes to a close and enters "silly season", it is up to amateur golfers to decide whether or not to stash their golf clubs in a corner of the garage or to embark upon an extreme experience to an exotic locale. The serious player never wants the season to end!

From "ice golf" in Greenland to playing "sand" golf in Dubai, experiences that challenge the senses as well as your ability are worthy of the trek, and the "fun factor" of being on unfamiliar territory will surely be a memorable experience.

Grab a flourescent ball for this golf course: 

Although temperatures rarely climb above -13 degrees celsius and with a wind chill factor that sometimes makes it feel as if it is -50 degrees in the sun, (did I just say negative 50?) Uummannqaq, located north of the Arctic Circle, is home to the World Ice Golf Championships held in March.. I wonder if there is a large crowd on hand to watch the final round? The west side of the island is also home to Santa Claus, who is storied to live in Spraglebugten Bay. I always thought Kris Kringle carried his own clubs by the size of his toy bag!

Speaking of cold weather golf, although you could just play in your own "backyard" donning an extra sweater and some warm weather gloves, also consider a round at the northernmost USGA golf course in the world: North Star in Alaska. Permafrost creates an ever-changing pattern of dips and swales so no two shots are alike. Be prepared for two games in one when you play here; one event is naturally golf and another is a checklist of the wildlife encountered on the course.

For golfers who want to play whenever the mood strikes, head to North Cape in Norway, in the land of the midnight sun. From mid-May through August, your round can start literally at 10 pm! During your northerly adventure, take the Awesome Eight Golf Challenge. Thought up by extreme athlete Robin Sieger, golfers must complete the challenge by playing "eight of the most remote and climatically most extreme golf courses in the world within the span of a year. The only condition is that they carry their clubs, not using any caddie or cart."

There are some of us who are snowbirds and others who fly south as soon as the temperature falls below 40 degrees. If you can't stand the sight of snow or blue extremities at the end of a round, perhaps the world's hottest locale is a better fit for you.

Merapi Golf Club in Indonesia confirms that they have the world's "hottest" green as well as panoramic views of Mt. Merapi. Also known as "Mountain of Fire" this active volcano not only dominates the surrounding landscape but has been active for 10,000 years and regularly erupts every one-to-five years. I would not want to be putting for birdie when that volcano spews!


For those of us who love the sight of active volcanos, your vacation is not complete without a trip to the Volcano Golf and Country Club located on Hawaii's Big Island. The high altitude makes the golf ball go farther (which is better for shorter hitters) and the views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea mountains (they are snow-capped in winter) are sweeping and memorable.


For golf with no "greens" try a round of sand golf at Dubai's first golf course, one of two located at The Dubai Country Club. Called "browns", the putting areas on these two desert courses are a "mixture of sand and second hand engine oil compressed with rollers". Brooms are located near each hole so that the golfer can "brush" to smooth out footprints.

Of course these are just a few of the marvelous experiences created for golfers around the world. Thanks to the internet, adventure is just a "click" away.

Seek and ye shall find, for the adventurous sort!



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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Myrtle Beach deserves a mulligan!

What makes a golf course destination like Myrtle Beach worthy of a mulligan?

Some may say it is the beauty of the natural surroundings, others conjecture that the challenge is the most important factor when deciding whether or not to revisit a course during a vacation.

One of the most meaningful factors to consider as to whether or not to return to a facility or club would be the fun I had during my round. Although the saying of allowing a "smile be my umbrella" is easier said than done on the golf course, it also helps when the destination offers a plethora of experiences to take the mind off of the more than occasional ugly shot.

Let's face facts; although I am a competitive golfer, I'm certainly no Annika Sorenstam. I play within myself and have had my share of rounds in the 80's but, for the most part, I too am a weekend duffer, relegated to twilight rounds and whenever time allows.

It is for this reason that, when I decide to plan a short, weekend bounce, I head over to Myrtle Beach. Over one-hundred golf courses allow me choices depending on my comfort level and natural beauty, which seems to be almost a given since, according to the EPA, "a typical urban golf course is 110-120 acres and courses in resort areas may be 170-190 acres."

During my yearly visits to Myrtle Beach, I have played some courses on a recommendation only to find that the track (Tidewater, for example) was completely out of my league. Add to that the fact that the golf course was designed for real "players" and in a downpour with winds whipping about, it's enough to get your knickers in an uproar, deciding never to return.

Other courses I have played on several occasions after having a wonderful experience on the cushy, open and well-manicured fairways. Myrtlewood Palmetto and the Myrtle Beach National "triple play" are two that come to mind. Although the Myrtlewood Golf Club offers both PineHills and Palmetto courses, Palmetto's scenic landscaping and playable challenges allowed me the opportunity to score well yet feel as if I struggled a bit to chalk up those pars!


King's North Golf Course, Myrtle Beach National, was a favorite during one of our weekend jaunts. Accolades include being named one of "America's Top Ten New Upscale Courses", being dubbed one of America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses as rated in the 2007-8 edition of Golf Digest Magazine and also considered as one of the Top 100 for Women (by the now defunct Golf for Women Magazine. It's "signature hole", the par-3 island green, is as much of a must-play as the bronze statue of Arnold Palmer guarding the entrance of Myrtle Beach National is a "must-see".

South Creek and the West Course round out the golfing "trifecta" at Myrtle Beach National, making these three courses worthy of a visit from high handicappers right down to scratch players whose idea of a day out on the links is to beat the "King" himself! South Creek is relatively short and is also woman-friendly (not that a man can't have a "go" at it as well) but the West Course is as challenging as the North. If you deign to play all three, you will not be disappointed as the country club atmosphere permeates through the acreage.

The 2009 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year as chosen by the MBAGCOA is Shaftesbury Glen Golf and Fish Club. Last year, this same venue was also voted one of the Top 50 Golf Resorts in the United States by Golf World Magazine. Golf Digest has mentioned that Shaftesbury just might have the best greens on the Grand Strand as well, placing this destination on my list of future "must play"golf courses.

Myrtle Beach is not all about golf, despite the top level of courses intertwined within the Grand Strand. Beach lovers will enjoy the view from right outside their condomimium balcony where there are plenty of activities for adults and kids alike. Even so, make sure the little ones get a get a golf club in their hands at least once during the stay, even if it's a sand wedge on a deserted stretch of beach! They'll literally have a blast out of the sand!

Other options for fun include trips to the Nascar Speedpark, Ripley's Aquarium, House of Blues and Broadway at the Beach where you'll find great food and nightlife for the bigger kids!

You never know what you'll see at Myrtle Beach. Once I arrived to see warbirds flying overhead! You may be one of the many people who, after visiting the Grand Strand, decide to make it a permanent vacation stop as this destination was recently been named as one of the top-ten most popular places to own a vacation property in the world!

For an inexpensive yet extremely satisfying stay, place Myrtle Beach on your short list so you too can experience it's good vibrations!

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Will Tiger Woods let the FedEx Cup slip through his fingers?

Click here to listen.



Despite the fact that Tiger Woods missed his final putt at the 18th hole of the Barclays, he still made watching the event a nail-biting experience. Instead of fans cheering Woods to victory, however, this time his legion of die-hard followers were holding their breath as easy two-footers became part of his dilemma.

"Man," Woods said, "to miss as many putts as I did this week, to still have a chance on the last green with a putt, it goes to show you how good I am at hitting it."

Yes, Tiger is one of the greatest ball strikers of all time but it cost him just as much on the scorecard to slice one into the woods as to miss short putts. As Ian O'Connor mentioned, Woods' putter was "completely overmatched".

Could it be that Tiger has lost his moxie, is becoming less concerned about his game thus practicing his putting a bit less and is allowing his family to consume more of his time? Placing less importance on his game but savoring the important things in life could be the best thing that ever happened to Woods.

In spite of his misses, the number-one golfer in the world still has five wins to his credit this season as opposed to guys like Heath Slocum and Y.E. Yang who struggle to keep their tour cards each week. Woods is also leading the FedEx Cup playoffs in points and is still the hands-down favorite to win the $10 million prize.

So, Tiger Woods' "B" game is still strong enough to batter his opponents even though, on occasion, secondary Tour players shine. Every once in a while, a Riddick Bowe beats a Mike Tyson...that is what keeps fans coming out to watch.

As far as considering Woods' year a "letdown" (see link credit below) when comparing him to Roger Federer, each great player has had to defeat their "archrivals" but I believe that these enemies also come from within. Tiger Woods may be allowing this momentary lapse of career interest to occur only because, "our player career is a little bit longer than theirs (Federer)."

As for Jack Nicklaus, the jury is still out but, with time on his side, I think Woods will shake off his malaise and easily surpass the Golden Bear.


Even the Statue of Liberty s shocked that Tiger missed that seven-foot putt on 18!



This week on the Golf for Beginners podcast, we discuss if a tree is, in fact, 90 percent air and the odds of getting struck by lightning with the help of the Discovery Channel show, "Mythbusters". We also wonder if parents are doing enough to teach their children proper golf course etiquette after our twilight round this past week.

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"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

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"Letdown" link credit: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/golf/view.bg?articleid=1194377&format=&page=3&listingType=Golf#articleFull

Photo Credit: © WayOdd.com