narrominded
I ’ m sure all of you have some type of bucket list golf courses you ’ d like to play . I do as well , and I hope to check off two towards the top of my list this coming March .
I ’ ve recently qualified for the National TaylorMade Pro-Am to be played on two iconic courses on the Monterey Peninsula . Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links host the annual TaylorMade event which I have earned one of the precious invitations to play . I ’ ve not only always wanted to play golf somewhere in northern California but just visit that area in general . To be able to do both will be quite an experience to remember forever .
How I ’ ve put myself in this position was also a bucket list type trip . As I mentioned previously TaylorMade has hosted this event , over the past five years . The field consists of PGA of America members and apprentices who are on staff with TaylorMade . How one qualifies for this prestigious event is almost as much fun as the tournament itself . Throughout the year , the number one driver company in the world has regional qualifying sites on great golf courses for their staff members . These one day events accomplish more than just determining who gets the golden tickets to Pebble Beach . It ’ s as much as a customer appreciation , product knowledge , and networking day as it is a competitive environment . They do a great job of making sure everyone in the field enjoys their day from start to finish . This is accomplished by providing a very reasonable entry fee to play a great golf course , numerous tee gifts from Adidas , Ashworth , and TaylorMade with an awards ceremony after play with food and drinks . Needless to say , it ’ s a lot of fun .
The site I chose was the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Ranch Mirage , California . This course also hosts the first LPGA major of the year , currently known as the ANA Inspiration and formerly know as the Kraft Nabisco Championship . Yes , this is where the winner jumps into Poppie ’ s pond after the event .
The golf curse is lined with million dollar homes set in the Coachella Valley with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains . Course conditions were impeccable and the weather was perfect for golf .
Amber and I flew into the Sonny Bono airport just after noon as I had a 2:30 fitting with to get the new M1 driver . Just another perk of the event . We stayed just down the road , well , it was actually Bob Hope drive , at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa . It was our Christmas present to each other this year as this area of the world is certainly not in our usual budget for travel . It was also nice to get a reduced rate due to playing in the tournament . Yes , another perk .
After the early Sunday morning flight and rushing to do the fitting we finally checked in to our room around 4 o ’ clock . It just so happened the Saints were playing the Arizona Cardinals and won an exciting , high scoring game 48-41 . We had a five-star dinner on grounds and retired for the evening . The next morning , we were at the course for 8:30 as TaylorMade had their top design team for a product knowledge showcasing their 2017 product line . Sorry for the sales pitch here but the best driver on the market , the M1 , has improved . When the local fittings get going
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