Two notes. That’s all it takes to recognize the voice of Michael McDonald. Distinctive and soulful, it is one of the most yearningly emotive instruments of our times. To this add formidable songwriting and keyboard skills, and you have an artist who has been a singular musical presence for four decades. From ’70s-era Doobie Brothers classics such as “What A Fool Believes” and solo hits like “I Keep Forgettin'” through two highly-acclaimed Motown albums, genre-busting guest spots, and innovative concept shows, the five-time Grammy® Award winning McDonald is both timeless and ever-evolving.
2015 Senior PGA Professional National Championship
presented by Mercedes-Benz, October 15-18.
Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses
Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses, a pair of Northern California’s most challenging public venues, have been selected to host the event. The 264-player Senior PGA Professional National Championship offers a total purse of $285,000.
The top 35 finishers earn a berth in the 77th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, to be conducted in May 26-29, 2016, at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Overlooking Monterey Bay, Bayonet and Black Horse were named in honor of two U.S. Army divisions. The courses occupy property that was once part of the former Fort Ord military base near Seaside, California. Bayonet and Black Horse hosted the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz and OMEGA.
FEATURED VACATION RENTALS
Carnoustie Manor – Pebble Beach Estates
6 Bedroom Forest Estate
Just a golf cart ride away from Pebble’s legendary courses, this vintage estate has a pool, a sauna, 6 bedrooms, five full baths and two half baths in over 7,000 square feet.
Harkening back to the grand estates of yesteryear, the Carmoustie Manor (named after Scotland’s historic links) features original art, stained glass, chandeliers, fireplaces in almost every room, and sunset views through the pines.
The layout is perfect for larger groups: at entry level, formal living and dining rooms flank each side of the grand foyer—but there’s also a library with a wet bar, a family room with a large TV, and a great room with a sitting area and a second dining table adjoining the kitchen.
The massive kitchen features a SubZero refrigerator, a gas cooktop, and double convection ovens; the secondary kitchen has ample storage plus a microwave and dishwasher. Just past the kitchen, there’s another private office/study with a fireplace, and a bath with a cedar sauna (and convenient pool access).
This gated estate on nearly one acre is just a short drive to the all the amenities of Pebble Beach—golf, spa, shopping, and restaurants. It’s just a few miles to Carmel, and five miles from all the attractions of Monterey.
PLEASE NOTE:
Pool is heated upon request (requires 48 hrs. notice)
From the honey-colored bamboo floors to the luxe linens and lovely art, the owners of this oceanview condominium have spared no expense. Sink into the overstuffed sofas and enjoy a fire after a day of golf, or gaze at the panoramic views through walls of glass—this is a home you may never want to leave.
The kitchen has custom cabinetry, granite counters, a breakfast bar, and even a Gaggenau grill with a pop-up vent hood. Other amenities include two TV/DVDs, a jacuzzi-style tub, and a covered outdoor deck: this condo has it all.
Located just off scenic 17-Mile Drive, the Ocean Pines condominiums are tucked away in the enchanted Del Monte Forest, with sweeping views of the Pacific coastline through the Monterey pines. The emerald links of America’s most legendary courses are minutes from your doorstep, along with shops, restaurants and the top-rated Spa at Pebble Beach—and with easy access to Highway One, you’re a short drive from Big Sur, the Monterey Aquarium, Cannery Row, and the storybook charms of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Washer/dryer in unit. Carport parking. Elevator in building. Sleeps four
With captivating views of the Monterey Bay and Lover’s Point, these oceanfront residences are a recipe for a great vacation. Swim, dive or kayak at Lover’s Point cove across the stree (with a white sand beach for sunning, a kiddie pool, beach volleyball court, snack bar, and grassy areas for picnics, this park is a favorite of visitors and locals alike).
And once you’re completely relaxed, Pacific Grove is convenient to an amazing range of activities on the Peninsula. Within minutes you can be touring scenic 17-Mile Drive, hiking to secluded Big Sur beaches, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing or whale watching. Play golf at the oceanside Pacific Grove Golf Course, affectionately known as a “budget-minded alternative” to Pebble Beach. Or stroll down the coastal recreation trail just outside your front door and commune with seals and sea otters. The shops and restaurants of downtown Pacific Grove are just three-blocks away.
For an even more varied dining experience, a longer walk or a short drive will take you to Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, downtown Monterey or Carmel.
Kick off national Sea Otter Awareness Week with “Otter Days,” our annual celebration of all things otter, including special feeding and training sessions and opportunities to meet our sea otter staff. Be sure to check out our “Otter Spotter” station where you’ll have the chance to find otters in the wild with the help of high-powered optics and knowledgeable staff. – More Info
Pacific Grove Vacation Rental – 16th Street Retreat
800 sq. ft. | 1 Bedroom | 1 Bath | Sleeps 2
This single-story Victorian cottage is located one block from the beach and two blocks from downtown Pacific Grove. Stroll down the coastal path to romantic Lover’s Point, or head to the Pacific Grove Golf Links, just a quarter mile away. A very private patio directly off the kitchen is wonderful for outdoor dining.
This area is fully fenced, and a BBQ is provided. Indoors, the living/dining room leads you directly into the kitchen area, which features a breakfast bar for two. The master bedroom has a king bed, and a washer/dryer is located on the premises for your convenience.
The property is equipped WiFi and cable TV in the living room and bedroom. This home also features features hardwood floors and electric heating throughout.
“Our stay in the pristine cottage was the single most memorable vacation we have ever had. We hope to be able to come back on a yearly basis!”
“This is the third time we have rented this delightful cottage. We love how pristine and well-kept the property is. It is the perfect size for a couple.”
“This bungalow was in easy walking distance to downtown Pacific Grove and to Lovers Point.”
Monterey’s Cannery Row Block Party annual event is a crowd-pleaser includes continuous live music, live animals, balloon artist, stilt walker, ice cream eating contest and more!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the Monterey Peninsula’s crown jewel of tourist attractions. Though the aquarium has been operating for over 25 years, they do an outstanding job of keeping things fresh and new for visitors and locals alike.
Here are some of the highlights of what’s new at the Monterey Bay Aquarium:
Meet Kit, the newest sea otter pup. Not only is she on display in the Sea Otter Tank, but the Aquarium staff have done a great series on Kit’s behind-the-scenes adventures with her surrogate otter mom, Mae. From her first days of meeting Mommy Mae, to the adventures of crab hunting, we learn a lot about otter life from watching Kit grow up.
The Hot Pink Flamingos exhibit is still bringing in a lot of interest from visitors…especially after seeing the impact that the Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster had on our nation in the first half of 2010. This compelling exhibit tells the story of climate change through the eyes of tropical wading birds, green sea turtles, the colorful creatures that inhabit coral reefs, hypnotic jellies, playful Magellanic penguins and other ocean animals. You’ll also hear stories of hope involving people and communities that are fighting climate change and making a difference.
Sign up for daily activities and guided tours for an up-close-and-personal view of the Aquarium. Don’t miss a chance to see Makana, our beautiful Laysan albatross, up-close. The Penguin feeding is informative and fun to watch. The kids can really get into the hands-on exhibits in the Splash Zone, the touch pools, and at the interactive games found throughout the Aquarium. The behind-the-scenes tours are really neat and you can even sign up to help prepare the food for the animals.
Insider’s Tip for Parking: You’ll find free parking if you don’t mind parking along Ocean View Drive and walking down the Recreation Trail to the Aquarium. It’s best to get there early in order to find a good, free parking space.
Insider’s Tip for the Aquarium: If you want to avoid the bulk of the crowds and see the animals at their best, either get to the Aquarium immediately after opening, or show up late in the day, between 4:30 PM until closing time. The animals that are shy, like the octopus and the whelks, tend to be more active when no one’s watching toward the end of the day.
Another Insider’s Tip for the Aquarium: Having a membership at the Aquarium is a terrific way to avoid lines and get a discount in the gift shops. Signing up to volunteer at the Aquarium is very popular among locals, but there are plenty of volunteers who commute from the Bay Area and the Central Coast. If you’re an ocean lover, you may feel like donating either your money or your time to the Aquarium. Volunteers get additional discounts in the gift shops, in the cafeteria, and get invited to the highly-celebrated Annual Volunteer Gala.
The Monterey Peninsula is a world renowned golf destination, offering the most dramatic, natural settings for golf anywhere in the world. This breathtaking region host more world-class golf courses than any other with a beautiful year-round climate. For our fellow Golf Addicts, we thought we’d compile a partial list of the must-see golf courses in our area:
The Links at Spanish Bay: The course is beautiful, breath-taking, and is often on many golfers’ “Bucket List”. The course is very hard. Don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise. It is all about course management on this course. Not a very long course, but you need to put the ball exactly in the right spot – especially on your approach shot. The greens are VERY undulating and FAST, and a miss by even a couple of yards can mean you find yourself either rolling off the green or putting a severe downhill double breaker. Don’t forget to spend time at Sticks, the club house – very old school, very chic and to top it all, they have almost a half dozen beers on tap. One last word – take our advice and walk the course, it is very walkable and you will enjoy the views even more, since they are absolutely spectacular.
Pacific Grove Golf Links: Visitors are often told: “It’s where the locals play.” The back nine have views of the Pacific on every hole, with six or seven holes right next to the beach. It is adjacent to Spanish Bay, but it is a municipal course. You will NEVER get this type of bang for your buck anywhere else, for its only $45 for the walking rate and priceless views.
Pebble Beach Golf Links: The most impressive thing about this course iss that they have so many “signature holes.” 11 holes were right on the cliffs and the other 8 holes also have nice views of the Pacific, the course, and the mansions. You really have to take a moment to appreciate the maintenance of the course – the fairways feel like carpet, the divots are already sprouting fresh grass, the crew was on the fairways fixing divots almost as they occur, the greens were smooth and perfect, the sand was soft and fluffy. Literally flawless.
The fifth hole was particularly awe-inspiring. A long uphill par 5, a lone cypress sits at the top of the cliff at the green. The hole doglegs to the right and your second shot is a risky uphill over the ocean. Once you get to the top, it is nearly impossible not to soak up the views of the famous par 3 sixth hole below, the 7th along the coast to your left, and the 18th fairway to the right. It is easily the best view in all of golf.
Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course: The 36-hole course used to be a part of the old Fort Ord Military Base. Now, it is open to the public and can be added to the small handful of “must play golf” in the Monterey area. Bayonet is fairly narrow, very hilly, and has the hardest greens to play on. It’s a great course and great value.
Poppy Hills Golf Course: The course is a challenging, yet fair test of your golfing abilities. Course knowledge is definitely helpful and the greens can be very tricky. Playing safe may lead to a bogey, but taking chances leads to triple bogey. If you are a NCGA member you can play this course for a huge discount off regular rates, and the best value in the area. The course is also walkable, which adds to the experience. Due to the difficulty of the course, rounds here can go up to 5 hours. Try to play on a weekday when it is usually less crowded.
As you can see, our area is “Golf Heaven” for many. There are so many golf courses that we haven’t mentioned (because this is just a blog…not a book!) that are just as fabulous, but we thought we’d share with you some of our local favorites. Happy golfing!
