Ever since my first trip to Maui several years ago, I have associated the word “magic” with the island. Maui hands out magical days like a blackjack dealer hands out cards. Sea turtles on the beach, sunsets that turn everything orange, pink, and lavender, surf lessons, brightly colored fish, crystal blue water, and of course, golf. Every day at least one of these is experienced. However, once in a while, everything falls into place, and the Maui magic kicks up a notch creating lifetime memories and maybe even friends. On my latest trip, I was handed one of those days and a few weeks later, I am still dreaming about it.

The site was Kapalua, which gave me a magical day a couple years ago, so my expectations were high as I arrived at the Plantation House for breakfast. Though I wasn’t playing the Plantation Course on this trip due to the aeration of the greens, I was in need of the view and their eggs benedict before heading to the Bay Course for my round. Perched above the course, not only does The Plantation House serve an amazing breakfast, the views of the first hole and ocean are beyond compare. Everything was just as I had remembered– perfect.

After breakfast, I wandered down the hill to the clubhouse at the Bay Course. Though the Plantation Course is obviously the jewel of the complex, the staff was friendly and the pro shop had lots of great merchandise. I could have blown my trip budget fairly easily and come back with a whole new golf wardrobe. But it was time to warm up and get a feel for the greens, and this is when the real magic kicked in.

I was approached by a gal while I was finishing up on the practice putting green. She wondered if I was playing alone. I hadn’t been paired up with anyone and she asked if I would like to play with her husband while she rode along. (Yes, we are still talking about golf. Geez, people!) It is funny when you know instantly upon meeting someone that the day is going to fun. I knew that Susie and Mickey were going to make my day. They just exude positive energy. So ten minutes later we teed off and began our magical day together.

Spectacular views abound on the Bay Course and for the average golfer, it is the more manageable course making it fun to play. The Plantation Course is the big boy course and I do recommend playing it, especially since it makes watching it on TV in January a lot of fun. However, the Bay Course is the gentler little sister. It does still make you think and will challenge golfers of all levels with several sets of tees. For example, the 5th hole is a par 3 in which the tee shot from all but the most forward tees requires crossing over cliffs that surround a small cove. Distractions prevail-the turquoise water, the sea turtles swimming, and the view of Molokai might hypnotize you, but your ball still needs to find the green or it might be in the ocean or on the rocks below.

With the help of a golf pro prior to the round, Mickey had figured out how to read the grain on the greens-no easy task. He explained it to me, but I wasn’t seeing it like he was, so he helped read the greens for me all day. Because of this, I made more putts than I had during any of my other Maui rounds. It is always fun to see your first putt of the day hit the back of the cup from 15 feet and this was thanks to Mickey’s perfect read. Meanwhile, Susie snapped photos of the scenery and of me on that beautiful course. For the solo traveler who is not much of a selfie-taker, this was a real treat. I have more pictures of me on that course than from any other trip I have taken.

Both Mickey and I played fairly well, but more importantly we had a blast. Conversations with Susie between shots proved interesting and by the end of the round, I felt like I had known them forever. I feel very fortunate that Susie asked me to join them and help to celebrate Mickey’s birthday, which was that day. Contact information was exchanged, invitations extended. I am looking forward to seeing these two on the mainland. Beautiful scenery, great golf, and meeting wonderful people. That is the magic of Maui.

A little more than a year ago, I ran into a long-lost childhood friend at a golf event. This chance meeting in itself was wonderful. Though we didn’t play in the same foursome, the memories of our childhood poured out over a beer after the round. However, it was a short portion of our encounter that would give new meaning to my life and affect me in ways I never could have imagined as I teed it up that morning.

My friend, Debbie, is coach and member of the board for The First Tee of San Joaquin. I had always been interested in this organization as it teaches 9 core values through the game of golf to kids from the ages of 7 to 17. It also tries to bring golf to youth that might not normally be exposed to the game. The core values of courtesy, confidence, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, perseverance, and judgment are seamlessly integrated into activities and games. At the end of 9 week-sessions, the young golfers pass certification through tests and observations to show they actually exhibit the values on the course. The studies show the participants also apply these values at home and in school. One child at a time, changes within communities can be made.

Prior to reuniting with Debbie, I had been interested in volunteering for The First Tee. However, I thought I needed to wait until my golf skills were a bit more polished. Debbie informed me that wasn’t the case and before I knew it, I had agreed to come to the following Saturday’s session. Within minutes that Saturday morning, I was in love. The coaches, the kids, the activities, the values, and the golf activities all mixed into a perfect, mesmerizing alchemy. I was sold.

As addicted as I am to golf, I never imagined I wouldn’t mind giving up my Saturday morning round in order to coach, but standing on the putting green with young golfers talking about golf, and more importantly, life brought me so much joy that I could hardly believe it. There is no place I would rather be each Saturday. In fact, I try to go to weekday sessions when my work schedule permits.

Recently, four other local coaches and I were fortunate enough to be sent to a 3-day intensive training program for The First Tee. There were forty participants and 4 trainers. I loved this organization prior to the training, but now I am completely crazy for it. In the 3 rather long days not a single minute was wasted. When the trainers demonstrated a lesson with actual kids, it looked like a staged production because the lesson went so smoothly, and the kids were having a blast. They had no idea how much they were learning because the trainers were so good at integrating the core values into the golf-related games.

To complete our training, we had to run a session using the formal lesson plan we had written based on what we had learned. My fellow coaches had boundless energy, and our lessons were great. The kids really loved what we did, and they shook our hands and thanked us at the end of the session. When is the last time a 10-year old walked up to you hand extended, cap off to say thank you? How could I not love being in the middle of all this?

I came to a couple realizations during the three days. The first is that I am overwhelmed by the passion and energy the directors and my fellow coaches have for this organization. It seems that once you become involved in The First Tee, it enters in your bloodstream and pumps energy into your veins. The second is that I want to do more. I hope to continue my training in the fall. I catch myself daydreaming about being out there with the kids when we are on break. If finances allowed, I would do nothing else. Our community needs this program. It needs to grow. More kids’ lives can be touched. I am committed to do more. There are many of us involved with The First Tee who feel this way. I hope to convince even more to make the commitment to our community. All I had to do was show up one Saturday morning and the good I saw being done compelled me to become a coach. Inside of me, there was a shift. I have been given far more than I ever thought was possible. New priorities. New energy. New opportunities.

For more information:
National site: www.thefirsttee.org
San Joaquin Chapter: www.thefirstteesanjoaquin.org

For the last week or so, emails have been flying around between the gals who were on the EWGA match play team I was on last year. More players showed an interest in being on the team, and a qualifier was on the horizon. I will admit that my nerves kicked in a bit as I really want to make the team again. Last year we just showed up, and the 8 of us were on the team. This year 11 gals, the original 8 and 3 more, expressed interest in obtaining one of the 8 spots available. For various reasons, we are back down to our original 8 without the qualifier, and I am back on the team for certain. Last year’s team is in completely intact. I adore the gals who had to back out, but there is something special having the last year’s team be able to give it another shot.

These initial stages of planning have pushed me to reflect on last year’s journey as a team. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it was amazing. We came together to form a team, and we are extremely proud of our “rookie” season. We breezed through regional qualifying undefeated, with just one tied match, winning 11.5 of 12 possible points. We then only had a month to prep for our trip across country to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I remember logging on to the registration website and realizing we would be competing on the Champion course for one of our rounds. Yes, the Bear Trap. Yes, that Bear Trap, the one on TV during the Honda Classic, a stop on the PGA Tour. I ran around the house in excitement. How in the world was it possible that a 20-handicap golfer was going to compete on that course? I feel a little sorry for those who were in contact with me for those 4 weeks between qualifying and leaving for Florida. I chattered on incessantly about it. My excitement spilled out everywhere I went.

Arriving at PGA National, however, left me a bit speechless. I looked at all the memorabilia and pictures on the walls. A major and a Ryder Cup were played there. I watched the sunset over the large central lake and looked at the row flags I had seen on TV many times. After dinner we walked around as a team and took pictures in front the logo sign right outside the pro-shop. Some team building and lots of laughter were our remedies for jet-lag.

A couple of days of practice rounds and we were feeling ready for the weekend’s competition. The Bear Trap ate me up both times I went through. I lost count of the balls lost during the practice round. The enormity of the venue made me tense, and I didn’t have my best game. However, I played well enough to win my singles match after my partner and team captain, Kris, had carried me through our foursomes match on day one. Ultimately, we finished 5th nationally, which we felt was awesome for a bunch of rookies. We came home exhausted but very proud.
But the results are not the most important piece of the experience. It was the whole journey for all 8 of us to get there that stands out in my mind and most likely in theirs too. Was it all sunshine and rainbows? No, but as good teams do, we forged ahead together and solidified our connections to each other. We were led by an incredibly giving and motivating captain in Kris. We worked hard in practice sessions and enjoyed dinner and especially cocktails in the evening. In some rooms card games ensued till bedtime. It was in these moments that a team formed and I know I wanted to last a lot longer than one season.

Since that moment, I have relived the experience in my head many times. I was glued to the TV during March’s Honda Classic. I even walked my parents through every shot as we watched the coverage of pros. I streamed it on my phone when I couldn’t be near a TV.
I was a little sad thinking we might not have the same opportunity this year. Some of us might not make the team or might not be able to participate for one reason or another. Then today an email came out and the team is intact. Practice rounds will be on the calendar soon. With a little luck and some hard work, we will make it through regional qualifying and be on our way to the national cup again. One thing is sure: this team will be battle-ready.

One of the many similarities between golf and life is the excitement of reaching a goal that one has set. Attaining something you have worked hard for is rewarding. However, challenges arise and the disappointments along the way can be discouraging. As a beginner golfer, I started to set a mental path of where I would like my game to go and how long it would take me to get there. I took lessons and practiced and was moving along in the first year. My handicap went down quickly, so I continued to set new goals and work toward them.  I really wanted to break 100 before I had played two years. I don’t know exactly why I had that time frame in my head, but I had set that mark as my first  big golf goal. I got close a couple of times, but I was silly and added the score up somewhere during the back 9. Big mistake.  With the possibility of breaking 100 known while I was still playing, the blow-up always came. Once, all I needed to do was mark a 6 on the final par 4. I marked an 8 on my card and could have screamed even though I had played really well all day.

Just like that disappointment won’t ever be forgotten, the good stuff also leaves a permanent mark in my memory. The first chip in, the first birdie-I know exactly on which course and hole those happened. Having success on a course stamps that course into your memory forever. Every moment of the round sticks with you. A special connection with the course is built. I have that connection with Pacific Grove Golf Links in Pacific Grove, California.

I had played the course several times and loved it. The back 9 sits in the dunes overlooking Monterey Bay. Unless the wind was blowing in from the ocean, as it often does, I had scored well there. Just being in such a magnificent setting puts me in a good spot mentally.  So one day in the spring of last year, the sun was out, no fog, no wind, and I was ready for a great day.

As a beginner golfer it is rare to start out par, par, bogey, par but this day was definitely feeling a little different. My playing partners asked me again how long I had been playing. I knew I was playing better than usual, but I tried not to think about the score. I knew the blow-up could come at any moment. Would the wind kick up making it difficult to play or would the disaster come from inside me? Maybe it would be a shaky putter or that darn slice off the tee would rear its ugly head.  I fought off those thoughts and just tried to enjoy the moment and the scenery.

The round continued with minor mishaps but no crazy holes. No 10’s. I kept thinking about staying out of the dunes, which line many of the holes on the back nine. At 17, I just wanted to clear the water on the par 3. I had not added up my score at all so when the round ended, I quickly shook everyone’s hands and continued quickly to the car. I knew the score was good but I wasn’t sure if I had actually done it. I wanted to do the math. Had I broken 100? I furiously added and then re-added. I remember standing in the parking lot dumbfounded. I could probably point out exactly the spot. I began to laugh, and my friend asked me what was going on.  I had broken 100 for the first time and it happened on one of my favorite courses. I had reached my goal.  No matter where else I play or what other goals I reach, Pacific Grove will always be near to my heart.

Here’s a little more on the actual course and the area. As most people know, the Monterey Bay area is a tourist and golfer mecca. The area provides golfers with a wide array of beautiful courses both on the coast and just a few miles inland. The most famous course is Pebble Beach with its U.S. Open history and breathtaking vistas. However, there are more budget-friendly courses in the area like Bayonet/Black Horse in Seaside and the aforementioned Pacific Grove Golf Links.

Pacific Grove is divided into two distinct sides-the park like front and the oceanfront back. With the view of the waves crashing against the rocks only a few yards away, the back nine really shines. The course can be on the easier side along as the winds are not blowing. Once the wind is there, it can be tricky to keep the ball out of the dunes. Also coastal fog rolls in a lot during summer and the ball does not fly as far.

One of the biggest advantages of Pacific Grove is its pricing. Because it is a municipal course, the green fees are unbelievably reasonable. The most expensive rate with cart remains under $70. Most other courses in the area charge well over $100. Many of the coastal courses go anywhere from $250 to $500. Pacific Grove can be walked quite easily so if you are a walker, a few more bucks can be saved. Don’t let price or the fact that it is a muni course fool you. The facilities are great and the course is very well maintained. I don’t know about you, but the munis in my town don’t have yardage markers on the sprinkler heads.  The restaurant serves a great breakfast. Overall, this is the best value in the Monterey area.

 http://www.pggolflinks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacific-Grove-Golf-Links/290940107174

On a recent Sunday with glorious weather on the forecast, a group of my playing partners and I headed to Teal Bend Golf Club near the airport in Sacramento. This was my second visit, and though I had a great time on my first visit, the second proved to be a day to remember as I will explain later.

But first a little about the course, Teal Bend sits close to the Sacramento River. The river is not visible on the course; nonetheless, the surrounding area is peaceful countryside with a plenitude of wildlife. Rabbits, deer, and turkeys were all spotted during our round. This is not a country club setting with mansion-lined fairways but instead a rural oasis. I did mention it is close to the airport and planes taking off are visible, but they do not create the noise one would expect.  If you are looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life, go to Teal Bend.

The facilities and course are well-maintained. Good grass range, chipping area with bunkers and a couple large putting greens make warming up a breeze. You could also spend a practice day working on all aspects of your game.  All employees I have come across in both my visits are friendly and helpful.

The course is fun but still challenging for all levels. Both times I played there, it was from the gold tees, which are the most forward. The course is short from these tees-just a little over 5000 yards. This allows for some good scoring opportunities even for high handicappers. With that said, the gold tees still allow trouble to lurk. Water protects a couple of the par 3’s forcing you to carry to the green or bail out to one side.  The par 5’s are fun for us as we can reach in regulation, which we can’t do on a lot of courses.

Four sets of tees allow for different golfers to play the course and find enough challenges to keep the round interesting. They also placed a set of junior tees out into the middle of the fairway, so families with young golfers could easily spend a great day together on this course.

Though Teal Bend is a great local course, it was not going to be my first review. However, a situation arose on my second visit, and I feel the need to give the course a “shout out” for their superior customer service. Through email, my group of friends had organized a play day together. We had 12 players coming from different locations, but when a majority of the group arrived at Teal Bend, we were told we had no tee times. The organizing player had not yet arrived and we called her. Our wires had gotten crossed and the reservation was for a different course several miles away. We could not get there in time. For a minute, it looked as if our Sunday golf plans were dashed.

The mix up was completely our fault; however, the young man at the pro shop double checked and he could squeeze in both our foursomes. They were busy, so we had to be on the first tee immediately. We rushed to pay so we could load carts, put on shoes etc… Then came the real surprise. We were given a $10 discount because we had to rush. I was thinking, “But wait, this was out mistake.” Now that is customer service! Without their service in getting us on the course, we would not have enjoyed the perfect day-the weather, the serenity, the friends. It was a day to remember because Teal Bend does it right!

 http://www.tealbendgolfclub.com