Lag it and Tag it!

Way back when I was playing high school golf, Bobby Clampett was the man in amateur golf around the country. He was my idol because he was local (Pebble Beach, CA) for one but he also had a great swing that appeared perfect. He was my hero at the time, the benchmark for golf.

Recently he released his new book Imapct Zone, which I picked up and read and I give it a "thumbs up". I think for anyone looking for a book to read on a better swing or at least a better understanding of the swing this is a great book.

I put together a modest short video picking out a couple little gems that may help your game.




On another note the Callaway Pro-Am is at Pebble Beach this week. Having played the event once as a pro it reminds me of what the Crosby felt like 40 years ago. It is low key and kind of a breather for the pros. They come out to play Pebble, Spyglass and Old Del Monte in their best condition (unlike February for the ATT when everything is soggy) and the evening cocktail and dinner parties are a lot of fun. Rocco Mediate and a few other top guys are playing so it could be a nice walk if you can getaway this weekend.

New Golf School Now at Poppy Hills in Pebble Beach

My two favorite places in the world are the Wine Country and Pebble Beach and now I'm thrilled to offer golf school packages at both locations.

Poppy Hills like Chardonnay has a private side of the range with a short game area along with plenty of good turf to strike full shots.

I hope you can come out for my first golf school there April 26th.

Riviera, a great tradition

The winners of the Los Angeles Open have a tradition of writing a note to the members of Riviera. All these notes are scribbled on huge pictures that hang in the locker room and most of the guys say something like "... Riviera is my favorite course".

I had the pleasure to spectate a few rounds of the LA Open this year. A great place to watch a tournament, by the way. And yesterday I had an even greater experience in playing the golf course as it was set up for the PGA Tour players.

The course was in perfect condition and it was a beautiful day. We played a member guest event called the "green monster" and I was fortunate to be a guest of a friend from college, Don Silk.

To be essentially a member for the day was a real treat. They have a great locker room and I toured some of the hotel rooms they have in the clubhouse. Most of which have views of the golf course.

Riviera is famous for huge deep bunkers and a design that challenges you to work the ball around the course. It was built in 1926, like so many great courses in America. It was first more of a play ground for the rich and famous. Most of the area was polo fields until Hogan and celebs starting making golf a chic activity. There's still quite a few mansions surrounding the property that occupied by a who's who of Hollywood (Mel Brooks, Julie Andrews ...).

So if you get the opportunity to play there, go for it. Worst case come out to the Los Angeles Open next February, you'll really enjoy it.

Riviera brings out the big boys

I had the pleasure of watching the Los Angeles Open Wednesday through Friday. The players love this gem of a golf course. It's beautiful, straight forward, steeped in history and challenges these guys with all the shots and usually fine weather.

I spent most of my time watching my friend Michael Allen play with two super players, Vaughn Taylor and Bill Haas. I was most impressed with Luke Donald who was the group in front of us. He makes it look really easy, strikes it very solid and boy can he roll the ball on the greens!

I can't imagine a better golf tournament to spectate. It has a great field, it's a nice walk and the holes parallel each other so often times you can jump over to another group.

It's really worth going to one of professional events. I think you'll really benefit from watching these great swings, pure ball striking and the tempo of their shot routines.

Only at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

So here we are at the end of a long day at Poppy Hills Golf Course in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (rounds took over six hours) and the temperature is dropping to into bone chilling levels that only the hearty or drunk can still enjoy.

I'd heard George Lopez interviewed on the KNBR show in the am with Murph and Mac that he continue his tradition of buying a round of Tequila for any that were willing and able in the clubhouse. Sure enough it gave some of a little more motivation to stick around and I'm glad I did.

First off Bill Murray who is the comedian of the ages on the golf course decides to duck into the clubhouse for a drink with his group, in true 19th Hole fashion. I'd been pouring my wines all day on the deck for corporate folks and the NCGA board and guests. So I walk up to old Bill with a bottle of the 19th Hole's finest a bit shyly because I've seen Bill tear into some autograph seekers and I didn't want that same treatment. Thankfully he took the wine graciously and enjoyed it with his friends.

Ten minutes later Mr. Lopez, now to me Sir Patron, walks in and announces that he'd like to buy everyone there a shot of Patron. Off course the bar erupts. I shout, "George Lopez stimulus package". Then he asks that we all join him in singing "God Bless America"! The whole bar and clubhouse sings and as if staged two Marines in camos are there singing with us.Anyway a great moment I wanted to share.

The tournament continues today and the celebs are at Pebble Beach and for most this is their last round with the cut taking place today. The weather great again so try to make it down or least join in the fun through the broadcast. I'm following my buddy Michael Allen whose in the hunt at Poppy Hills.

Cheers!

An update from the ATT Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Quick update from the ATT where I'm pouring 19th Hole wines on the clubhouse deck overlooking the 18th green at Poppy Hills. Cool spot, lots of great shots into the green and a few eagles from the pros.

The celebrities are on this golf course today so we're expecting a big crowd.

A really strong field this year, Vijay, Patraig, Phil, KJ, Furyk and quite a few more. Remember the Open is here in 2010 and these players are getting a longer look at some of the changes at Pebble (lots of new sand).

Our honorary wine club member Michael Allen fired a smooth 67 at Pebble Beach to position himself for another top finish at the ATT (finished 14th last year).

Weather-wise we hope to dodge the weather again today. Bing, if you're up there... we could use some of your power to hold back the rain. So far the rains have come at night so the courses are soft and the players are lifting and cleaning their ball. But the down side the golf course is playing about 10,000 yards.

Check out my audio blogs from the tournament here...http://www.amillioncooks.com/Home/FoodWeekly/tabid/296/Default.aspx

19th Hole Wine at the 19th Hole on the deck at Poppy Hills

Even if you miss our mid-week golf event having a big time at ATT at Pebble Beach Tuesday and Wednesday, I'll be pouring 19th Hole wines at the tournament (Poppy Hills) Thursday through Sunday on the deck overlooking the 18th green.

So come on out and say hello and get a healthy pour of some delicious 19th Hole wine. Let your friends know, we've got some really cool events coming up for the Masters, US Open, British Open and the President's Cup in San Francisco. We play then 19th hole with...19th Hole wines. Because "real golfers 19th Hole".