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Long Greens & Putting Intentions: The Quartet of Grand Links Golf
By Tim Wassberg
The tundra of the Rocky Mountains peers out from behind the pine trees disappearing like soldiers into the distance. But on top of the world, at 9000 feet, sits Grand County (grand-county.com), host to a quartet of golf courses known as The Grand Links (www.golfgrandcounty.com) that provide differing experiences of terrain to challenge the proponents of a variety of golf enthusiasts.
Driving from Denver twisting and turning through the passes, the temperature dips 40 degrees, adding a bit of chill to the air as clouds wisp over the peaks. After dining at Hernando's (www.hernandospizzapub.com), a local pizza place where Ravs and Rigs smothered in cheese balance out the goat cheese, green pepper and olive pizza, a quiet evening in the cozy loft of a condo at Alpine Resort Properties (alpineresortproperties.com) sets the energy.
Headwaters (granbyranch.com), a plains-based course wrapped around rolling hills, sifts in the early morning dew. Hole 2, a Par 3, allows for more of a play through because of its straightaway which progresses in terms of distance but not obstacles. 8, another Par 3, marked by a water hazard, offers slight resistance if the ball is shot directly. The back nine opens up a bit with a combination of brush grass and sunlight. 15 and 16 create fervor because two 27-foot putts were made straight on the green which is a testament to the course's equilibrium. Hole 18, very much removed from the rest of the course, suffered slight wind but challenged with its elliptical base.
Pole Creek (polecreekgolf.com), the second course, was by far the best. The sheer beauty and distinctiveness of its playability gave it a relaxing feeling while also taking into account obstacles like trees without overwhelming the player. The storm clouds hovered off in the distance with a soft rumbling giving credence as spritzers of rain tumbled down. Hole 9, a Par 5 on the Ridge side, was beautiful in its sloping elegance although the sand traps off the left side required precise angling. 4, a Par 3 on the Meadow part of the course, situated in the back nine, percolates a water trap that requires intense precision in terms of drive which is most adequately accomplished with a 7 iron. 7, a Par 5 on the Meadow, the most challenging hole by far, requires a three-step drive that discourages over-shooting because it will make a water and brush two-jump distinctly backhanded. Hole 5, a Par 4 on the Meadow, offered the uniqueness of two possible fairways, separated by water-filled brush susceptible to disappearing shots. Meadow 8 and 9, two Par 4s, blinded in the setting of the sun as the second 18 of the day was completed.
The morning crisped in small town Hope with grand portions inside Carrie's Corner Cafe where a breakfast burrito mingled with sausage and green chilies ripened the day's persistence as the fog melted away. Lunch on the cusp of the Pole Creek course at Bistro 28 offered iced tea and an unparalleled view of the green as a luscious cream of broccoli soup highlighted by a leafy Cobb salad prepared the swing for trouble. Nighttime mounted a trip to Devil's Thumb Ranch (devilsthumbranch.com) where a light Mojito prepared with hearty chicken dumplings surrounded by mushroom encrusted scallops and a cream of sweet corn and green chile soup offered penitence as the bright moon soared above the mountains next to the lodge.
The following morning, Grand Lakes (grandlakegolf.com) offered a distinctly narrower view. Marred by much construction and the cutting down of pine trees, the aesthetic was balanced with a more rustic intention of play. The rough was much more uneven which allowed for loss of hits due to wind diversion on a regular basis. Hole 11, a Par 3, by far the most deceiving, works on a U shape with a water hazard in the center on an upswing where the drive has to reach upwards so as not to roll back down to the bottom. 6, a Par 5, uses a long stretch forcing the player to pick shooters carefully as to not overshoot the point. By comparison, Hole 18 uses an almost 90-degree angle to displace the shot causing ricochet action in the trees. Following this with a short chip with a 5 iron allows one to barely reach the green.
Breakfast early at Grand Lakes at the Sly Fox was all about the altering of the angle as milk combined with The Scrambles created taste overload and old school nostalgia. Dinner, by comparison, later that night at Mavericks, offered a pyramid of wonder in the guise of the local brew named Wooly Booger, both tangy and tart in its countenance. The 12-ounce rib-eye steak, tender in its affection, created a symphony of ease with a side of loaded baked potato soup as the tenants of philosophy steered the conversation awry and made the brownie desert smothered in vanilla ice cream sing.
The final course, Grand Elk (grandelk.com), was more Scottish in its design using uneven green structure to encourage tactical thinking. Its brush quotient and fine manicure allowed for even play especially on wide shots. Holes 5 and 6, both Par 4s, brought to mind the intentions of "Entourage" because the style of Drama and Turtle in their golf swing would fit perfectly within the handicaps of this course marked by obstructed hills and hidden bogs. 10, a Par 4 on the back nine, uses a rugged diamond shape to offset the drive shots between two water structures. Putting on 12 became a dodge outing as dark clouds moved in amidst a curving short shot from 20 feet. Appro-aching Hole 13, the thunder off the high mountains began to rumble. Before the tee could be placed, the heavens began with water which then turned to ice. The off-road stylings of the cart became an exercise in projectile prevention as many laughs were harried as a weather warning flashed insistently on the GPS screen mounted inside the vehicle. Upon return to the clubhouse, spirits were lifted and water was drunk.
The Grand Links, with its four distinct courses which cover a multitude of textures from the hidden treasure of Headwaters to the silent and powerful Elk to the beautified Pole Creek, encapsulates the challenge and reward of golf situated in the playground of immortals, 9000 feet above the world.
Indian Summer in San Diego North County
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
Nature provides an awesome road show stretching across San Diego North County's tranquil coast, lush inland valleys, and verdant hillsides. An aura of romantic history, sights, sounds and adventures wrap itself around an incomparable blend of the regions. Roadside farm-stands blossom with a bounty of sunflowers, late summer ruby red apples, plump pumpkins, multi-colored gourds and Indian corn. Autumn leaves shimmer like pyramids of gold speckled with crimson, and the crisp air is T scented with smoke wafting from fireplaces.
An aura of romantic history, stunning beauty, sights, sounds and adventures wraps itself around and incomparable blend of the regions. Explore the surrounding areas
Escondido with several distinct districts is uniquely diverse and eclectic. The classic beach city tempo lures farmers markets, street fairs and ongoing fun. It's home to the popular San Diego Wild Animal Park, where exotic African and Asian animals roam in entire herds and flocks. The 1800-acre preserve allows visitors to use the walkways or board the monorail train which circles the park wildanimalpark.org Other area attractions include the captivating Queen Califia's Magical Garden, a large-scale sculpture garden by renowned French-American artist, Niki de Saint Phalle, located in Kit Carson Park. A little further north, the Bates Nut Farm features a crop of fall harvest goodies and activities including a straw maze, hayrides, and country barbeque. batesnutfarm.biz
Wine lovers will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the award winning Orfila Vineyard & Winery, set in Escondido's San Pasqual Valley. This pristine agricultural preserve's rich soil and temperate climate, is the perfect setting for hillside plantings of Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese and Viognier.
Orfila's winemaker par excellence and General Manager, Leon Santoro brings from Italy incredible knowledge, sense of style, and total commitment to quality. He knows of what he speaks! His wines appeared on the White House table for Charles and Diana, as well as at the Island Summit for Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Santoro has teamed up with owner, Alejandro Orfila who is in the third generation of a family of winemakers, as well as a career diplomat and the former Argentinean Amb-assador to the United States. Together they prove that Southern California makes good red and white wines.
At Orfila get to picnic under a hilltop grape arbor, tour the vineyards, experience the wine making process first hand, and savor the award winning wines in the charming tasting room. Browse through the Gift Shop area for unique wine related merchandise, personalized labels, hand-painted bottles and more. Orfila is located at 13455 San Pasqual Road in Escondido. For information phone (800)868-Wine (9463) or orfila.com
Discover the village of Carlsbad known as the Village by the Sea. Head to the beach walk to watch the surfers and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. There's a treasure-trove of fun and adventure attractions here including the popular family themed Legoland that's built out of billions of Lego bricks. Various areas in the park offer more than 50 thrilling rides, interactive displays, boat rides, awesome sculptures in Miniland, and the new Sea Life Aquarium right next door. The aquarium is stocked with creatures that are all native to California streams, lakes and coast line. Every weekend in October, enjoy monstrously fun events at the park's annual Brick-or-Treat. The all new Brick-or-Treat After Dark takes place on Saturdays, when the park comes alive with special kid-friendly activities, such as a nighttime costume contest. legoland.com
Adjacent to Legoland is the new 250 guest room and suites Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The resort's Ocean Pearl Spa offers a full menu of treatments including their 50 minute signature spa treatment. Continue to mellow out throughout the day with a sumptuous bounty of cuisine at the on-site Twenty/20 Grill with Executive Chef Steven Patrick at the helm and Sous Chef Jason Maitland by his side. In addition to the classic menu items, for breakfast get to indulge in the banana chocolate French toast or the smoked salmon Brandade with goat cream cheese. Lunchtime choose from such specialties as hibachi shrimp salad, red Miso BBQ salmon, and duck confit panini. Dinner offerings include global oceans sea bass, rib-eye filet style, day boat scallops and Waikato chicken. To top it off, Chef Patrick's elegant little desserts deserve a place at the table, and that's where they are artistically presented. Wine by the glass or bottle compliment the menu. The resort is located at 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, phone (760) 827-2400 or sheratoncarlsbad.com
Encinitas, a pastoral countryside known as the flower capital of the world, is home to the San Elijo Lagoon Reserve; Moonlight Beach, and Quail Botanical Gardens, dedicated to the conservation of rare and endangered plants from around the globe. qbgardens.com
Oceanside always bustling with activity is a haven for sport fishermen, boaters, sailing, surfers, water skiing and scuba diving. The Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the western US coastline at 1,954 feet. It is the site of the largest of California's 21 missions, Mission San Luis Rey, founded in 1798. Named in honor of St. Louis, King of France, it is one of the most architecturally impressive and largest working missions in California, and a National Historic Landmark.sanluisrey.org It is also the site of the Mt. Palomar Observatory housing one of the largest telescopes in the country, the 200 inch Hale telescope.
How to get there
San Diego North County is a two-hour drive south of Los Angeles, easily accessible from I-5 and I-15. The nearest airports are McClellan Palomar Airport /Carlsbad and San Diego International Airport/Lindbergh Field.
For general information contact the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 848-3336, or visit their website at www.sandiegonorth.com