October 30, 2010 - Royal Ka'anapali Course, Maui, Hawaii

Another day, but not another golf course.  The wind was so bad on October 28th it was blowing bananas off the trees, so we decided to pass on golf and play locally on the 30th.  One game in hurricane-type weather was enough for me.  Stan and Sharon Weiner came in yesterday (yes, more neighbors).  Our street has been a ghost town, so some of the gang left for home today and some will be leaving tomorrow.  Someone has to be on neighborhood watch!  

It was Stan W., Stan B. Ginny Kurtz and me on the Royal Course.  We received two free rounds of golf for listening to the Marriott sales pitch, but Ginny and Stan W. had to pay the Marriott discounted rate, which was still pretty expensive in comparison to what we normally pay in Oxnard (over $179 per round, plus $50 for club rental).  We used the club rental at the course since Ginny was unhappy with the guy from whom we rented clubs the last time.  (We were supposed to get Callaways and got Prince instead.  I thought Prince made tennis racquets!)  This time we got Cobras, a brand I wasn't familiar with but Ginny knew of them and said they were good clubs.  I was hopeful it would make a difference in my game.

The Fearsome Foursome ready to tackle Royal!

The weather today was much, much better than the last time we played the course.  There was no rain and there was very little wind until later afternoon.  It bode well for a wonderful day on a beautiful course.  Did I mention that it was the day before Halloween?  I didn't believe in goblins until today!

The first hole, just like when we played on October 28th, was pretty tough, even with good weather.  But we got through it, and we teed off on the 2nd.  Ginny, bless her heart, forgot she was on the golf course and thought she was a baton twirler in a Halloween parade.  When she made her drive, the club flew out of her hand, flipped through the air and hit our cart.  Whoops!  The first sign of goblins on the course.  I sure wish I had the video camera on for that one! 

Stan Weiner is a good golfer.  No matter where we play, he hits that ball straight and true, is on the green in two or three and usually two-putts.  Why in the world does he like to play golf with us?  I guess it could be because he and Stan Block do have a good time together.  Stan B. is Stan W.'s driver.  SW lights up a cigar, sits back and lets SB do the driving.  It's a wonderful relationship, really.  SB likes being behind the wheel.  SW likes being driven.  It works.

 

Stan and I played what seems to be our usual game.  Some good shots, some horrible, and lots of mediocre shots in between.  I drove the ball pretty well today, and I even had some very good second shots.  I blew it on my short game and putting though, which I felt I was doing pretty well on before we started traveling.  I wish I could figure out why I either top or slap-shot the ball.  I'm ready to start my GolfTec lessons again when we get back.  Joe, our pro, said something about my straightening my legs when I swing down on the ball, and he'll work on it with me.  I can only hope that if that corrects, it won't screw something else up. 

We started playing around 10:30 this morning, so it was obvious we would play through lunch.  At the 10th hole, we were starving and the cart lady came by with her wares (I use the term very, very loosely).  SW bought us our lunch:  $9.00 (!) turkey or ham sandwiches with drinks.  I swear, if we weren't starving, we wouldn't have eaten them (well, all of us but Stan who loved his ham sandwich), but they sustained us and gave us the calories and energy we needed to finish up the rest of our game.

Ginny got in the spirit of Halloween, especially because she was using Cobra clubs and found herself impersonating either a witch or a snake, I'm not sure which (or it is witch?).  In any case, the course goblins got to her and you can decide:

 

There was long grass whenever you weren't on the fairway, and it was pretty tough to dig out the ball, even with the #4 hybrid that was in my bag.  I liked that club, and it was a great opportunity to see how I would do with a hybrid.  I've been looking for either a long iron (maybe a 3) or a hybrid to supplement.  And I also liked the driver; the head seemed twice as big as the one I have now.  I'll have to talk to Joe about possibly adding these clubs.  

We were able to find out what the 16th, 17th and 18th holes were like this time, and they all were water holes!  I lost two balls in the last three holes.  Stan called it quits on the 18th - he lost all of his balls (a total of 6) and didn't have any more to play with.  I guess he didn't think of asking SW for a ball, I don't think he lost all of his.

The happy couple on the 17th hole.  See that water?  It was trouble.

Our scores (Stan W. excluded) were not the best, to say the least.  It just keeps getting worse, at least for me.  Stan B.  116, Annette  125, Ginny  120 and Stan W. 92.  We are planning another golf day, hopefully on the course we couldn't play last time.  Maybe Tuesday?  The golf and weather gods have to cooperate. 

October 26, 2010 - Royal Ka'anapali Course, Maui, Hawaii

Today started out like the other two days we've spent here in Ka'anapali at the very lovely Marriott Maui Ocean Club.  Up for a very early morning 5 mile walk along the beach with Laurie and Steve Weiss (our neighbors and new in-laws - who were wonderful and invited us here) and Karen and Mike Mahr (also our neighbors).  Stan opted out because he wanted to be rested for our golf game with Ginny and Tony Kurtz (also our neighbors).  No snorkeling for me today for the same reason.  Yes, the entire Oxnard neighborhood is here for a relaxing vacation away from everything (except our neighbors).  We've been having a great time with the wonderful family that is our exceptional neighborhood; we're here until Wednesday, November 3, and plan to get in at least two more rounds of golf.  

At 11:30 we met Tony and Ginny at the Pool Bar for a quick bite before we left for the golf course.  Ginny had a pulled pork quesadilla which she loved but I have no photo of, and I have no idea what Tony ate for lunch.  Stan and I both had a tuna sandwich on ciabatta bread with lettuce and tomato ($9.00!!!).  Oh, well, it's Maui and we're on vacation.  

The weather had been humid in the morning and was a predictor for the hurricane-like storm we were to face on the course.  When our golf clubs were dropped off at the hotel lobby, we were off in the Kurtz's rental car for the 3-1/2 minute drive across the street to the beautiful Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.  Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course   

The cart guys (cart caddies?) were quick to wipe down the very wet seats in our carts, load us up with towels (boy, did we wind up needing them), and sent us on our way to the first tee.  The palm trees were blowing, the rain was pelting down, and Tony arranged his cart so that the rain would hit the windshield, not he and his lovely bride.  That didn't last very long as the weather quickly got worse.  We couldn't believe how hard the wind was blowing and how hard it was raining, but that didn't dampen our spirits, by golly!  We were bound and determined to play team match play and have fun doing it no matter what the weather!  It was team best ball - the Blocks versus the Kurtzes.  Besides, there were no weather refunds.  

The photos don't show just how bad the weather was, but if you watch the videos, you can hear and see the wind and maybe catch a raindrop or two.  

Oh, I wish we could hear what tips Tony gave us on the first tee.  Maybe it would have helped us play better the rest of the day.

No matter where we are, boys will be boys!

A beautiful break from the rain.

Playing best ball is a lot of fun.  The great thing about it is that it takes a lot of pressure off of you.  If your partner has a lousy shot, you have an opportunity to rescue him/her and save the day, and vice versa.  If you both have a bad shot, well, you both share the blame.  Stan can get pretty competitive, and both teams played pretty evenly for the entire game.  The Kurtzes were up by one approaching the 16th hole, which we got lost trying to find.  Now, this golf course happens to close promptly at 6:00 pm.  We had 10 minutes left to play when we teed off, and Stan and I were on the green in 3.  Ginny and Tony were still on the fairway lieing four when we had to pick up the balls and go back to the clubhouse.  Stan contended that since we were on the green in 3, we were certain to win that hole which would make us all square for the match.  Tony argued that there was no way to know what would happen on the green once they got on so a winner couldn't be determined.  Ginny just shook her head, not quite believing the conversation.  Stan suggested 1) we continue the match at Buenaventura when we get back or 2) we ask the group what they thought.  Tony suggested we look it up in the rule book.  They finally agreed to call it a draw, which meant we were all square.  And we all agreed we should play again, but maybe just a regular game of golf.   

All's square in love and golf.

After all that huffing and puffing, both on and off the course, Ginny and Tony needed a drink.  We went back to where it all began, at the Marriott Pool Bar, and ordered tropical drinks while the wind still blustered around us.  

Tony after a windy day on the golf course and two Mai Tais.

 We decided to walk down the way to Whaler's Village to Leilani's for dinner (808-661-4495).  After we girls had a glass of Fume Blanc and Tony had a Tanqueray on the rocks with olives, we shared a basket of lovely warm bread and butter with our own Baby Kula Greens salad with Papaya Lime Dressing, Maui onion and crispy wontons ($5.95).  Ginny, Tony and I had Cracker & Parmesan Dusted Monchong (a mild white fish) with a lemon caper reduction, rice and vegetables ($23.95), and Stan had the Baby Back Ribs with garlic-parmesan fries ($25.95).  We were all very happy with our meals, shared some personal history and called it a night.  

On the 28th, we are going to another golf course, inland I think, to play with Mike, Bill (yes, they are our neighbors) and possibly Ginny.  I'm praying for better weather.

October 19, 2010 - Hunter Ranch Golf Course, Paso Robles, California

After a restful night in Redwood City, we filled up on a Starbucks latte (non-fat, half-caf, no foam, two raw sugars - a bit high maintenance?) and very-bad-for-us breakfast foods which shall remain a secret.  Two and a half hours later, we were on Highway 46 heading east towards Hunter Ranch Golf Course, where we had a wonderful lunch, sitting at an outdoor table, overlooking the golf course we were about to play.  Hunter Ranch Golf Course

I ordered a Southwestern Salad with Chicken ($11.00 with the chicken, $9.00 without) and Stan ordered a 1/2 lb. Kobe burger ($12.00) with a salad.  The Southwestern Salad was absolutely delicious, the chicken was some of the tastiest salad-toppin' chicken I've ever had, with a secret marinade (I asked, believe me).  It sat atop greens, black beans, cheddar cheese, tomato, red onion, avocado - the usual suspects.  Stan's Kobe burger was huge.  He said he should have paid closer attention to the size.  Really now . . . as if Stan normally pays attention to the small details on a menu.  :-)  An iced tea in a to-go cup, and we were ready to tackle this course.  We had no idea what adventures awaited us.  

When you approach the first tee on a golf course, any golf course, and get ready to swing your club, there is a feeling that you will do really well this time.  All the problems, glitches and bad habits you have will disappear and your club really will find the ball and just knock it where it's supposed to go.  Ha!  Here at Hunter Ranch there seemed to be more gullies, barrancas, elevation changes, brush traps, reeds and willows, un-go-overable water hazards than I've ever seen on any golf course . . . ever.  Even PGA West seemed easier.  Maybe it was because we played best ball on that course, but I would think that a 20 foot bunker would be easier than hitting a ball over 100 yards of trees, scrub and brush to get to a tiny green, guarded on three sides by sand.  Come on now!  The greens were very fast on the front nine and, in some cases, very difficult to read.  

I admit this course was out of our league, but we had a good time playing anyway.  We both drove pretty well when the fairway was reachable by normal means (even though we lost a few balls in the trees - one of mine inexplicably disappeared, maybe down a gopher hole), and we had some good fairway shots.  We mostly two- and three-putted, but  I'm sure we had a four in there a few times.  The fairways kept giving us the most trouble.  On the 7th hole, a par 5, Stan was on the green in 10.  He just kept chugging that ball along, 50 to 100 yards at a time.  I think his actual score for that hole was a 13.  I did not par one hole but I got a bogey on the 16th, a par 3.  I felt like I won the lottery! 

  

This very pretty golf course sits among vineyards and oak trees and has a small town/farm/cowboy feel, and they are located smack in the middle of the Paso Robles wine country.  The clubhouse has rough-hewn wood siding and is very inviting -I can see why some locals come here just for lunch.  The course is very well maintained, with some paved and some dirt cart paths, although the carts are noisy putt-putters, which was rather distracting, and they had no GPS. 


Our score was so ugly, I'm embarrassed to post it here (I thought yesterday's was bad), but candor will prevail.  Here it is in its truly appalling accuracy:  Annette 127, Stan 134. 

With 5-1/2 hours of golf behind us, it was getting dark and we were tired and hungry.  A three hour drive lay ahead of us, so we thought we should get something to eat before we hit the road.  I know there are lots of lovely restaurants in Paso Robles, but we didn't have the time or energy to check them out and we wanted a quick meal so we hit the fast food strip just west of the 101 freeway on Highway 46.  We ate at Red Brick Pizza (this blog is called Driving and Dining, not Driving and Gourmet Food), and I took advantage of the opportunity to order something a little different in a personal size.  Stan and I usually share a large pizza, half cheese and half pepperoni.  This time I got a thin crust Pizza Rustica with mozzarella, parmesan, fresh basil, ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, olive oil and garlic.  It was pretty dang good, I must say, and really hit the spot with a garden salad.  Their ranch dressing was so bland, though (how hard can it be to make a good Ranch dressing?), I had to add salt and Parmesan to make it tastier.  Washed down with a Dr. Pepper, it was a perfect meal to cap off the day.  And Stan?  He had his pepperoni pizza.

We don't expect to be playing any golf until we get to Hawaii later this week.  We hope to play a couple of times on Maui, if it doesn't break the bank.  Some friends who golf are already there and I'm sure they'll give us the lay of the land.  Maybe that'll help.


 

October 18, 2010 ~ Peacock Gap Golf Course, San Rafael, California

On the way to our first golf outing at the Peacock Gap Golf Course in San Rafael, California, we stopped at a wonderful little taqueria in town called Taqueria San Jose, 615 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901  415-455-0999.  I got a chicken taco with onion and cilantro ($2.00) along with a side of rice and beans ($2.50).  Great, great taco - a little greasy but really tasty.  The beans and rice were typical and yummy but needed a touch of spice.  Adding their red salsa did the job nicely.  Stan had a combo plate with two chicken tacos with rice, beans and a small salad for $6.95.  All in all, a great neighborhood place with very tasty chicken tacos. 

OK, here we go!  We are very excited and ready for golf course Number One!  Hope springs eternal for a a good game.  Here's the link for the course:  Peacock Gap Golf Course

A view of the practice putting green and driving range.  Looks innocent enough.

Perhaps if I had borrowed a stone to carry, I would have had better luck! 

Still having fun on the 9th hole!   Peacock Gap is a very pretty course.  We, I mean I, had a bit of trouble with the water holes.  They give all the holes cute little names.  After the scores I was racking up, I wasn't really in the frame of mind to appreciate how clever they were. 

Here we are on the 16th hole.  What form!  Stan made a par (yay!).  I lost two balls in the water.  Nuff said.

Ugh!  OK, so overall we didn't do so well but we did have a great time.  I will be posting our scores to chronicle our progress or lack thereof.  Stan beat me by two strokes. Today's scores:  Stan 113, Annette 115.

After that dismal performance, I needed a distraction so our next stop was San Francisco, where we visited a restaurant we've been to several times, Cioppino's, 400 Jefferson Street  415-775-9311.  We've been there in the summer and sat outside for lunch, but the fog rolled in making it an inside kind of evening.  It's right near Fisherman's Wharf, across the street from the Cannery.  You walk inside and it smells oh so good.

They put a large basket of warm, crusty bread on the table when you sit down, which is difficult to resist no matter what kind of diet you're on.  Stan didn't resist at all and ate the entire basketful.  He's on the "Let's Just Talk About It" diet.  I ordered their flights of red wine for $9.50.  The menu said three 2-ounce pours, but it looked like they poured much more than that.  They served a 2008 Schug Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast), a 2006 Franciscan Merlot (Napa Valley) and a 2007 Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley).  The cab was my favorite.  Stan drank most of the pinot.

Stan got a cup of clam chowder ($4.95), which he really liked and I thought was OK.  We shared a small Caesar which was pretty good ($6.95); the dressing was tangy, they didn't overdress it, and there were large pieces of shaved Parmesan cheese on top of the salad.  Our main courses were spaghetti and meatballs for Stan ($13.95), which rated another thumbs-up from him, and seafood risotto ($21.95) for me.  I loved the rice; it had such a great flavor and sauce milanese, and it was tossed with fresh tomatoes, garlic and scallions.  There were plenty of shrimp and scallops and they were prepared pretty well, but the mussels were either dried out or undercooked. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but it didn't ruin my meal.

We had hoped to make a trip over to Ghirardelli Square for a hot fudge sundae, but good sense prevailed and we passed on it.  We'll stay somewhere local tonight and make our way down to Paso Robles tomorrow for another round of golf, this time at Hunter Ranch Golf Course. Rain is in the forecast. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

The Journey Begins

After a wonderful, wonderful weekend at La Quinta resort where we played 64 holes of golf (see link below) and ate very well, we made a pledge to travel and golf and eat.  Stan, my wonderful husband and golfing buddy, and I are born-again golfers.  We started playing about 7 years ago, took 6-1/2 years off, and have now rediscovered this fabulous and frustrating game.  Needless to say, we are on a learning curve and are trying to master our local golf courses while traveling a bit and experiencing the triumphs and tribulations of very beautiful and very tough golf courses.  

We have never stopped eating, however, and have enjoyed many different cuisines, traveling to a multitude of places, both in these beautiful United States and abroad.  We are looking forward to more of that, believe me!

This blog will cover our local and far-away golfing and gourmet adventures; some very homespun and some very extravagant.

First stop:  Peacock Gap Course, San Rafael, California.


Cheers!

  
http://www.pgawest.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?GRP=13092&NS=PG&APP=80&DN=STADIUM