Father/Son Golf Tournament

The Taylor Made Annual Father/Son Golf Tournament has been going on since the 80's, but this was the first year my dad and I have played. It was an amazing experience, one every father and son who play golf should enjoy. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler was the host of the event. The Chateau course is amazing. The backdrop is a mountain range home to some of the best snow skiing in Canada. In late June there was still snow on the top of the mountain and snowboarders were still grabbing their gear and heading up the lifts. The first day of golf was a scramble where fathers putted on the odd holes and sons on the even. This is meant as meet and greet event where everyone could get to know each other. The first day of the two-man best ball tournament was on the same course. The greens were lightning quick downhill and slow as molasses uphill. If you were above the hole and missed your putt, chances are your put coming back was twice as long as your putt going down. Dad and I were leaders in the clubhouse with a net 65.

The next round was at Nicklaus North in Blackcomb (pictured right). Another amazing golf course next to a lake with pontoon planes taking people on sightseeing tours. We shot a get-back-to-reality net 72. All day we played the same holes well and the same holes bad, so we didn't help each other out.

The third and final round was at Big Sky in Pemberton http://www.bigskygolf.com/. The only drawback to this course was the mosquitoes. They were everywhere. Another so so round, that ended up being good enough for runner up overall gross in our flight.

This was one of the best experiences I have ever had to play golf with my dad. We met a lot of great fathers and sons who I hope to see every other year (my brother gets to go to Quebec City next year).

Thanks dad.

$$$$ + 3 1/2 hours = Michael's

Michael's is located in the Barbary Coast hotel and casino in Las Vegas. One would never know there is a 5 star restaurant in a place where guys in jorts (that’s jean shorts for the uniformed) and women with Marlboro 100s sticking out the side of their mouths play slots and $5 black jack. The moment you walk into this place you expect to see Bugsy Siegel and Mickey Cohen having dinner after whacking a guy in the desert. High backed winged chairs covered in red velvet hide even the biggest of men. The meal starts with a plate of gherkins, picked beets, hard boiled quail eggs and the like. 4-5 waiters and servers attend to your every need. There is a table of 6 or so friends in one of the large tables, another of 4 guys who might possibly be tied to the mob and have been here since Bugsy. Later on in the night some Guido walks in with a prostitute. It's quite a scene.

The boys order cocktails to start the night. We are down one as Long Distance had to fly home early. We missed you bud, but it was great seeing you. We peruse the menu and decide on our meals. I looked at the wine list and pick a solid cab. DM13 got the filet, Rusty and JDawg the Chateaubriand (how cute) and me the lamb special with shallots and apple wine. The salad course comes and everyone is happy. Talking about how DM has been off his game and just finally becoming human again after a long night. At this point the service is unlike anything I have ever experienced and it doesn't disappoint the rest of the night. The Chateaubriand is prepared table side, old school. The food was amazing, the wine great and the company better.

Two plus hours into the meal we are finishing up our main courses. Some time passes and the dessert cart come rolling by. Now normally when they wheel those carts around all the deserts are either plastic replicas or so old that they don't look very appetizing. I shouldn't have been surprised to see that everything was fresh and looked amazing. We are all so full that the thought of dessert might make us explode simultaneously. Yet Rusty just has to order something, strawberry shortcake I believe. Of course we all dive in and then, because there is one piece of cherry cake left, they throw that one table with a plate of chocolate covered goodies. The white chocolate covered kiwi was unusual and very good. I for one can't move and all I want to do is go to sleep. But it's Vegas and no one sleeps.

Three and a half hours have elapsed since we walked in a sat down at Michael's. It was one of the most memorable meals I have ever had and worth the loan inducing bill.

The one thing I will not miss however is the heat coming from Rusty at the craps table (and I don't mean he was throwing hot dice).

Holiday Golf (Part 4 of 4) - Sandpiper

Saved the best for last. Sandpiper is currently my favorite course to play. The views are amazing, the course is tough with lightning fast greens (gotta be below the hole), and I can usually go off as a single. That's what I did over the holiday and played two balls and shot a 91 and 88. At times I was hitting 4 and 5 balls from 150 yards out because there was no one behind me.

The 13th hole (below) gets me every time. It's a 532 yard par five with cliffs on the right and junk on the left. A big straight drive is needed on this hole then it's decision time. Depending on the drive it's 215-250 to an elevated green (on the right, left green is easier but I've never played it) over junk with a nasty bunker in front. You could also lay up. My first drive wasn't that good and left me with 265 to reach the green. With the wind it was impossible so I lay up, but chunked it 75 yards in front. I had to go for it. My third shot was looking good, in the right direction and high enough to clear the bunker...but wasn't strong enough and bounced in-play then down the hill...OB. On the second ball my drive went right, but got lucky and stayed in. I was in the rough and had to lay up. After the first ball went into the junk I decided to go left and safe. If I pushed it right I would still be ok. I landed safely and ended with a 7 on the first ball and 6 on the second. I will par that hole one day!

Holiday Golf (Part 3 of 4) - Glen Annie

Not much to say about this course in the hills of Santa Barbara overlooking the ocean except some of the views were nice. Lots and blind shots and very slow. The course is well maintained. I'm glad I played it, but wouldn't go back.

Holiday Golf (Part 2 of 4) - Soule Park

Wednesday was time for Soule Park in Ojai. I had never played the course, but JDawg always said it was great. The big storm of '05 washed out most of the course and it re-opened in Q2 '06 with a slight redesign. Some holes were longer and others had hazards coming in play moreso than before. The first thing I can say is that it was inexpensive. $38 during the week is not a bad price considering my next two days were going to be pricey. This muni course is manicured like one with the course taking a beating from the weather. The fairways were tight and the greens did not hold at all. The bunkers did not have traditional lip; instead grass was growing over the sides to force you to get the ball up in the air or risk getting suck underneath. Luckily I was only in one trap and got out successfully. I shot a 94 which wasn't bad considering I didn't know the course. There were at least 3 or 4 strokes lost due to the lack of course knowledge. It was easier to get out of trouble than a course like National. If you were right or left on some holes you could get back on track with a smart shot to the middle of the fairway.

Holiday Golf (Part 1 of 4) - Angeles National

Christmas was a bit early this year so my brother, sister-in-law, and the best nephews in the world could enjoy Christmas morning in the Cipa. So the parents and I headed out to Angeles National on Christmas day. The round went ok, I shot a 91. Of course I got a few holiday balls. MJ rocked with a 95 with a birdie on a par 3 that was 6 inches from the hole, nice work!

Don't call it an upset

Let's see, turn left out of Rose Bowl to the 210 Freeway heading east. Drive 600 miles to the middle of nowhere, turn right, then quick left into middle of cave.

This was an upset, a huge upset. Go Bruins!!!

I'm off wine for a bit...ok I'm back

The first in (hopefully) many more group dinners to come ended with dancing, broken glass (sorry Dina, I owe you one) and wrestling.

I had a great time cooking the Butternut Squash Soup (pictured), Pork Roast with Sage, Rosemary and Fennel Seed crust, Green Onion Smashed Potatoes and sautéed mixed veggies (zucchini, Japanese eggplant and fennel). Every thing tasted great to me, but the last bite of pork was a bit salty. Jdawg brought over some fantastic wines. The Lancaster as always was great and even Cyndee liked it! The Hess was solid, Provence can't go wrong and the other 8 various bottles were great. Thanks J, you rocked the house.

The food and wine aside, it was great having everyone over. It makes you remember how lucky you are. Rusty and DM13 got together after a long hiatus which was nice. It was great to see Cyndee, it's been too long. Melbee was...well Melbee. Her and Rusty whispering to each other talking shit. Mirj was awesome and found a new friend in Dina (can't say I blame her). That girl loves everyone when she’s had a few, and even when she hasn't.

Dina was a huge hit at the party and after as well :).

So who’s hosting the next dinner?

Happy Birthday Eric

Yeah his birthday was yesterday and this was not his cake (His cake had a picture of a hairy 30 year old doing a beer bong. Rock on!) Give me a break I'm working on 13 hours and counting. Not leaving work anytime soon. This time last night I was on my 3rd Vodka Tonic. Mr. Chow's was fun, think we annoyed every stuffed shirt hollywood type in the place. A bit over-priced but good food.

That is all