Heading into Guatemala tomorrow… here is a recap of my visit to Mexico in terms of its golfing spirit! (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter, 11/9/13)
JTOG Day 30: Last Day in Mexico, Ready to Enter Guatemala!
November 9, 2013 By
With the short and lovable lady who cooked me breakfast. We smiled and enjoyed each other’s company without speaking an understandable word!
Mexico City, golfing at the CC of Mexico City and the Golf Club of Mexico, the Turibus tour, and the 1968 Cultural and Sports Olympics certainly were the highlight of my time in Mexico. More specifically, the people I met that embraced me and the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf’ that shared a bit of their life were the fascinating part of my Mexican visit. Today I was positioning myself in Tapachula near the border with Guatemala to cross it early tomorrow morning and make my way to Guatemala City to meet Pepe Rolz. My day was a pleasant drive of about 250 miles on decent roads, mostly divided highway. After saying goodbye to Omar at the Hotel El Cruce and leaving Juchitan de Zargaza, Torch and I drove down a coastal plain with mountains on the left and the not-too-far-though-never-seen Pacific on the right. I stopped in an almost nothing little settlement for breakfast and met a wonderful charming lady that reminded of my Mom and was about the height of Lillian Zodikopf, our family friend. I love the people of Mexico!
Torch with her Go Pro took me where the road lead us, south to the Guatemala border. Such a beautiful ride I took 35 short 2-3 minute videos along the way.
Today was a peaceful day with little frustration. I would hope the same for tomorrow and the border crossing into Guatemala. To prepare I drove past Tapachula, the town where I booked a room for the night before leaving Juchitan de Zargaza this morning and drove another 25 miles to check out the border crossing. I actually drove into the secured area because there was absolutely no one in front of me and right up to the final checkpoint before turning around. Of course now I had to go back through the Mexico Customs inspection. I did not cross over into Guatemala for three reasons—it was getting to be late in the day, I had already paid for the hotel room in Tapachula and I needed to turn in Torch’s Mexico temporary vehicle registration permit and have her sticker removed to receive a credit of $200. Evidently, Mexico, or Mexican car dealerships, do not want Americans driving their cars over the border and selling or leaving them in Mexico. Before leaving the border crossing I did go in and find a nice young lady that spoke English to confirm that the place I needed to go to was not at the border but back north of Tapachula. I had learned this on the Drive the Americas website. Lots of good customs and border crossing information there, both ways north and south! Lesson learned for next road trip south, stop at the vehicle registration place on the way to the Guatemala border.
Arriving at my hotel in Tapachula without getting lost at least for the last 30 minutes!
I did get lost for a while coming out of the border at Hidalgo but somehow found the road back to Tapachula. My Garmin was good when she was good but useless when the satellite connection was not available. Amazingly I drove right up to No. 42 on 7th Avenue South and my bed for the night at the Hotel Suites Bremen. There were no suites and I was missing staying at the golf resorts back in Texas for sure tonight. It was a quiet Saturday night in my hotel room planning a big day of crossing into Guatemala and making it to Guatemala City to meet my new best friend Pepe Rolz. Not only did he have a friend Olaf that could repair Torch’s brakes but I was hopeful to play the Mayan Golf Club with him. I had also made contact with golf course architect Perry Dye and was hopeful to visit the La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences. and play the spectacular Fuego Maya course that he and his father designed.
I was excited to be heading for a third country on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ Life was exciting and I was tired. Early to bed and early to rise makes and man healthy, wealthy and wise. I was just hoping for a quiet Sunday border crossing into Guatemala and an easy trip to find Pepe. Neither of which is what happened to me the following day…
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee… please make a donation today. Much appreciated.
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…
PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Thank You!
With Omar leaving the Hotel El Cruce in the morning.
Past a horse-drawn taxi with limited speed capabilities but with no brake issues either.
No fence pen or guarded security for Torch tonight but hopefully she will be safely there in the morning. She is a beauty!
JTOG Day 29: Braking News: Another Major Problem with Torch!
November 8, 2013 By
Torch’s brake light came ON. I stopped, filled her up, and we continued on using the Emergency Brake when needed.
Just when you think it was safe to go back in the water… DUH-duh … DUH-duh… DUH-duh … DUH-duh… Torch’s tilted back wheels were all repaired and we were on our way to Salina Cruz and the Pacific Coast of Mexico. I came out from a nice steak lunch at a trucker’s stop and my brake pedal went nearly to the floor. I suspect that somehow during Torch’s numerous operations back at Bridgestone that maybe a brake line was nicked. No proof and no resentment as it is what it is. Oh well, dual systems, lost back brakes but still have front brakes and the manual mechanical Emergency Brake. Not a lot of options out in the middle of nowhere Mexico. Torch is still moving and I can stop her, if not on a dime, then on a half dollar for sure. Decisions are easier when there are less options and only one goal in mind. Make it to Rio!
Giving Torch an impromptu bath while stopping for gas.
Today was a ‘truckin day’ in that the plan was to do 370 miles, about half way to Guatemala City from Peubla, and find a bed somewhere in Salina Cruz. It was a 7-hour trip on Google Maps which took about 10 hours. Not bad, n0 complaints. Good roads, headed southeast on 150D and 145D and then south on 185, some construction but few delays (other than stopping and filling up the steering and brake fluid reservoir), and mostly smooth roads. I was getting good at matching speed to road conditions and was relieved to see Torch’s rear wheels stay vertical and perpendicular to the road all the way to our destination for the day.
Another beautiful Valley Vista on the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The topography was gentle mountains, rolling hills and some plateaus and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. At one time we reached an elevation of 8049 meters I guess, no that can’t be right (would be over 26,000 feet), must be 8,049 feet above sea level which was where I hoped to be at the end of the day. All downhill, right? Not right. Looking back I though about the high elevation of Mexico City. Like Denver, the Mile-High City, I always thought it would be sitting there up on a pedestal. But it was not, never is. In fact, Mexico City sits in a bowl surrounded by higher elevations. You have to go down to get to it and up to get out of it. I see life like that at times, other than expected, and surely some challenges and difficult times down or up to clear and obstacle and then coast a bit when things are going smoothly your way.
Torch’s brake light came ON. I stopped, filled her up, and we continued on using the Emergency Brake when needed.
There were agua (water) stops along the way that looked like wishing wells to me which took me back to my childhood growing up at 2 Florence Street. My Dad built a wishing well on a triangular piece of grass just after you entered the gate to our front yard. Pitching pennies for good luck, I did the same with a prayer said for Torch to stay healthy until once again we could find her the help she needs.
It was a philosophical day for sure. Having Torch resurrected in Mexico City to now face another hurdle. It was a Friday night and as I drove towards Salinas Cruz, which was actually a little bit back to the north, I drove through Juchitan de Zaragoza. Right there on the village square with a lot of activity, was an inviting Hotel El Cruce. I parked and went inside and met a nice young man, probably 16 or 17 years old named Omar. He had a room at a more than decent price and showed it to me. It wasn’t clean so he called his mother to come clean it. After parking Torch down the street in a caged area for safety, I came back and sat in the lobby and connected to the internet.
Corey sitting in Torch on a carefree day when we would put her top down and go see an afternoon movie.
There was a television on and the movie Shrek was playing. Quite quickly the movie came to the part where Fiona has gone to the castle and Shrek returned to his swamp. Both are miserable and John Cale’s Hallelujah song comes on. Shrek was my nephew Corey’s favorite movie. He died at age 17 from cancer. No one deserves to die at age 17. But like Shrek and Fiona who figured it out and reunited, Corey will never be separate from anyone who knew him. A lively and courageous young man, he persevered in his illness to the very end, helping to develop drugs for those that would follow and hopefully be cured one day. As I did every day of the Journey when I was driving Torch, I was wearing my orange Corey “Peach, No Pain, No Gain. Never Stop Believing” T-Shirt.
It was now a philosophical and emotional day for me. No matter where we are on our journey in life it is good to know we are headed in the right direction. My bed was ready and I went to bed saying my prayers and thankful for the full day of my life I just lived. I feel the same way today writing this a month or so before the third anniversary of Corey’s passing. Here is the link to John Cale’s Hallelujah song on You Tube and the lyrics. Please do me a favor and take a moment to listen to this song and comprehend the lyrics… and enjoy the gift of life today and each day for the rest of your life.
‘Hallelujah.’ as my father would say in his latter years while he embraced that everything in life is indeed temporary except for love.
Click here for John Cale’s Hallelujah song on You Tube.
I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Baby, I’ve been here before
I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I’ve seen your flag on the Marble Arch
Love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
There was a time you let me know
What’s really and going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
I remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Maybe there’s a God above
And All I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who out drew you
And it’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Songwriters
ZEKLEY, GARY/BOTTLER, MITCH/KENT, WAYNE DOUGLAS
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee… please make a donation today. Much appreciated.
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…
PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Thank You!
Seems like ceilings are lower in Mexico. Don’t forget to duck Andy!
My two Go Pros, one looking out the other in. I took 16 road videos on Day 29.
Sometimes we all need an agua stop or to throw a coin in and make a wish!
JTOG Day 28: Torch Update Leaving Mexico City
November 7, 2013 By
Hoping Torch is going to be okay and we will be heading to Guatemala! (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter, 11/7/13)
BLOG Update- Thursday, 11/7/13 Leaving Mexico City
BLOG Update- Thursday, 11/7/13 Leaving Mexico City
November 7, 2013 By
When I first noticed something was wrong with Torch, my 1992 Infiniti M30 baby. If I was not so concerned with the tilt of the wheel I might have seen the bubble too!
I am happy to report Torch is back on her wheels and expecting a full recovery after spending the last six nights in the automobile hospital. As I mentioned last update, a second low point (first being a speeding ticket in Oklahoma and being trapped on a highway going the wrong direction for 30 miles) occurred on the way from Victoria in the state of Tamaulipas to Mineral Del Monte, just outside the Federal District of Mexico near Pachuca. When I pulled over for gas I noticed Torch’s back right tire was noticeably tilted. With not a lot of options and thinking (really hoping) she was still mechanically sound, hopefully just an “alignment” issue, I continued on to Mexico City.
On Friday morning I took her into a Bridgestone service center. I had seen a rather rundown Continental place and that is where I was headed just before I got turned around (lost) and the bright and promising Bridgestone place appeared. Then using Google Translate with the store manager Fernando and after a lot of going back-and-forth it was determined they could not get the parts (the “boot” which connects the wheel to the axle) and they did not have the skill or equipment to do the repair. Right then I knew I was looking a very expensive repair and probably a two-week delay.
With Fernando Perez C.. the ‘C’ means he is the Captain or Manager of the store!
And here is where luck and fate intervened. A man walks in speaking English and intervenes between the manager and I. Somehow we had miscommunicated and the reality is that he had an idea on how to fix Torch and thought he could do it by bending and welding both the left (less tilted but still tilted) and right feet. Plus I noticed the back right tire had a bubble in it and needed to be replaced. While not the textbook sort of repair, Fernando assures me Torch is safe and reliable and we will be able to make it to Rio. I still hope to ship her home and restore her to her 1992 storeroom condition.
I believe we will make it to Rio too and I will be much more cautious and vigilant in my driving, selecting toll road routes for the best road conditions (where available) and matching my speed to road conditions. The next Infiniti dealer is in Panama City. That’s in Panama, not the Florida Panhandle! Even though the connectors are called “feet,” I am looking at it as though Torch had two hip replacements.
CLICK here to see Torch back up on her wheels and squealing for joy like me!
I was excited to see her up on her wheels and out of the automobile hospital bay when I arrived to see her last night. She should be released at 3 pm this afternoon. Then, it is another tank of gas and back on the road again and we are heading to Guatemala.
The week here in Mexico City, in terms of capturing the Spirit of the 1968 Summer Olympic Games and the Spirit of Golf in Mexico, has been beyond my wildest dreams. In fact, so many of the connections I made weren’t along the lines of what I was thinking.
In Olympic Stadium where the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the 1968 Summer Olympics were held.
It all started on Thursday afternoon as I was on my way to finding the Hotel Inn Sur in the Coyoacan district of Mexico D.F. (a.k.a Mexico City) with my trusting Garmin. I was listening to her but not watching her map and made an early turn. The exit ramp dumped me onto the campus of Mexico’s National University with the Olympic Stadium in full view. I sweet talked (men can do that too) a nice lady into letting me park next to the Stadium in a lot for faculty supposedly for ten minutes so I could take a few pictures.
Four hours later I basically had my fill of the 1968 Olympics via a tour guide named Sergio who happened to pull up while I was standing there looking at the Stadium, a campus Visitors Center guide named Adriana, a tour of the Olympic Stadium by Marcela, and an interview with a campus newspaper reporter named Cristobal. I learned about how Mexico staged the first “Cultural Olympics” alongside the sports competitions in 1968. Each country created a statue expressing their culture and yearning to be a part of the world community.
Flowers and students fill the reflecting pool during the Dia de Muertes celebration on the campus of Mexico’s National University.
In between I met a professor from Rio and managed to participate a bit in a campus and city-wide celebration- Dia de Muertes, which is a two-day holiday celebration, something like our Halloween and All Saints Day combined. Interestingly, I was assured I could not get into the Stadium but got a nice break from a local film crew who pointed me in the direction of Guadalupe Diaz, the Director of Communications for the University, who graciously made it happen for me. Great tour, thanks Marcela!
On the golf side I played the two most historic courses in Mexico—the oldest, dating back to 1904, Club Campestre de la Ciudad de Mexico (CC of Mexico City) and the one built by President Miguel Aleman in 1949 which hosted the 2013 Mexico Open. More importantly I met some great people who shared the history, spirit and experience of their club with me.
In addition I met Ian Gardner and Federico Valdez. Ian is a Scotsman turned Mexican (dual citizenship), who is the foremost authority on the Rules of Golf here in Mexico having worked with the USGA for four years revising the recently published Rules of Golf. Federico is the Executive Director of the Mexico Golf Federation. Both gave me tremendous insight into how golfers will become Olympians and what it means to be an Olympic Golfer. Check out their video interviews!
Andy riding on the top deck of the Turibus in Mexico City!
On Saturday I did a double header taking two Turibus tours—the first on the south side of the city (Sur) and the other downtown (Centro). Admittedly I was unaware of how beautiful, artistic and friendly Mexico City is. It is definitely a top-tier World-class city and probably the best tourist destination for the value in the world. My week long stay at the Hotel Inn Sur in Tlalpan was comfortable and safe with a spacious room. They changed the sheets and turned down my bed every day even though I left the “Do Not Disturb” on the door. It is a convenient location for golfers and those with university ties. It is right on the main Avenue Insurgentes. You can cab it anywhere for $5 or $10US and it is on the metro red bus line.
No they did not give me a deal but do give a deal to everyone that stays there!
By the way, when I got off the Turibus on Saturday afternoon I saw a film crew by the Fuente De La Cibeles. Turns out the producer Paulina is the niece of Lenin Molin who created the Cultural Olympics in 1968! She gave me an amazing insight into their meaning and a great interview. Life is circles, never ending, and is all about our inherent ability to create with friendliness and respect for each other.
A “working” breakfast, pick up Torch, and we are on our way to Guatemala!
It is Thursday morning, I am hopeful Torch and I will be back on the road in a few hours. A week in Mexico City is not enough time but time enough to get a sense of its golfing and Olympic history. I leave with fond memories of time spent at the Club Campestre de la Ciudad de Mexico, Club de Golf de Mexico, Olympic Stadium, National University and Hotel Inn Sur. So long Mexico City, I loved being here! Have a TROML Day today!
Torch is full recovered and was released at 4 pm. We drove (well I steered and she provided the power) about tow hours and spent the night in Puebla. We are on our way to Guatemala City!
JTOG Day 28: Torch & I are Back on the Rio Road Again!
November 7, 2013 By
Congratulations to manager Fernando (L) and the mechanic (R) who cared for Torch and put her back on the Road to Rio!
It was another touch and go at the automobile hospital called Bridgestone for Torch. It ended successfully with us driving out of Mexico City together in the late afternoon and making it to Puebla just after dark. Puebla is the capital city of the state of Puebla and I chose it because it was on the way southeast to the Guatemala border. Before I left I Pricelined a room at the Hotel San Angel in the historical district. Torch and I were on the move again and it felt great!
I worked on the internet at Bridgestone the entire day keeping close tabs on Torch’s progress. Work being networking and planning the next few days of the journey. Looking back there was only one time on the JTOG that I knew where I would be a week ahead. Mostly it was tactical day-by-day meeting people, getting tips and progressing in the direction that would take me to the next country and on my way to Rio.
Closeup of the weld on Torch’s boot… the axle is connected to the boot which is connected to the wheel, albeit a bit differently now.
Next up was Guatemala City which was 775 miles and a minimum of 16 hours driving time away from Puebla. My plan was to cross the border in Hidalgo in the Mexican state of Chiapas and enter Tecún Umán in the San Marcos Department of Guatemala. I was aided greatly traveling down the Pan American Highway by referring to a website called ‘Drive the Americas.’ Lots of great border crossing tips, none of which I followed as you will see in the weeks ahead!
I haven’t shared how extensive Torch’s injuries were until now. She was in bad shape from the bumpy roads in Mexico. Missing the direct toll road to Mexico City just before Monterrey really was a big deal. I am happy I came the way I did because of the sightseeing, especially the beautiful little village of Mineral del Monte. Actually it was my driving too fast for the road conditions that probably impacted Torch the most. Isn’t it true we harm the ones we love and are closest to us? She paid the price for my poor planning and reckless driving.
Leaving Mexico City… a beautiful ‘Sea of Humanity.’
Basically she had two rear hip replacements the hard way by cutting, realigning and then welding her back together. There was a bubble in her back right tire so we had that replaced. As for the shocks, struts and spring replacement the spare parts, if they could get them, would take at least two weeks. So back together she goes and off we went down the road bopping and weaving quite a bit more than before. In hindsight, the next time I do the trip will be in a well-maintained 4×4 sport utility with good GPS on my cell phone.
We left Mexico City right at 5 pm and the drive south was beautiful. The mountains and in my own words, the ‘sea of humanity’ below them.
Click here for a Highlight Video driving out of Mexico City headed to Pueblo.
Hanging with the young folks from Poland at the Hotel San Angel in Puebla.
We arrived in Puebla just after dark. There was a problem with my reservation but eventually it was resolved. They called me ‘Mr. Andy’ I met three young adults from Poland, two girls and a guy, Marta, Barenika and Daniel. They were very interesting and they found me interesting too. I jotted down one of their quotes—”I thought golf was for like older people who are rich enough to play.” I was a bit peculiar to them and I think they thought I was a ‘hippie.’
Life was good on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ Torch was ‘repaired’ and we both had a comfortable bed to sleep in, mine at the Hotel San Angel and hers down the block in a guarded parking garage.
What experiences, adventures and challenges would tomorrow bring?
Something I thought I would never do but I did it willing this time!
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee…
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…
PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Thank You!
Inn Sur, my home for a week in Mexico City!
Traveling light, backpack, golf clubs and roller bag. Taking the Metro Bus to go get Torch!
Seemed like there was an angel in the night sky for me in Puebla.
JTOG Day 27: Visiting the Olympic Village, Inspired by the Cultural Olympics!
November 6, 2013 By
Working breakfast… networking my way to Rio!
With great excitement and anticipation I checked out of the Sur Inn and headed over to Bridgestone to pick up Torch having been promised she would be ready to go at 3:30 pm. Upon arrival she was out front and moving and I was ecstatic that my traveling companion and the one who did all the work looked like she was ready to get back on the road. I saw her moving in the morning and in the evening but sadly she was not yet 100%. They would need another day to get her fully repaired.
CLICK here for a Highlight Video on Torch.
This piece of artwork was part of the 1968 Cultural Olympics.
I was patient and productive, what else could I do? They had internet so I worked on uploading some videos, writing and posting some of the Journey to date. I also decided to explore the Olympic Village and see some of the remaining artwork from the 1968 Cultural Olympics. I am glad I did as there were also some nearby Mayan ruins which would turn out to be the closest I got to any during my time in Mexico. I could sense the vibrant Olympic Village from 48 years ago. There was a track, tennis courts and a gymnasium for the athletes to train and warm up at before heading out to the Olympic competitive venues. There was even a small auditorium where I would think the various Olympic teams had meetings or might have even watched a movie to get their minds off the competition.
Mayan Ruins near the Olympic Village.
Afterwards, late in the afternoon I headed back to check on Torch and then check back into the Sur Inn for hopefully only one more night. I did write down my options just in case Torch wasn’t ready or would ever be ready again. The main question was is she driveable? If yes, should I try to return to the USA or continue on with the Journey? If no, do I fly home or search for international buses to continue the Journey? I did price tickets back to Jacksonville and forward to Rio de Janeiro. After all that was the end game, to see the Olympic Golf Course being constructed. Torch and I did have an understanding that if she ever found a place she liked that she could stay there. I would be sad to leave her but was prepared to travel light and leave Torch behind and walk or take a bus. In the end the mental decision was to go onward, one way or another. JTOG and Andy does not know the word ‘defeat.’
I was making some progress networking beyond Mexico and had a promising lead in Guatemala. But Guatemala City was almost 900 miles and another 18 hours of driving away. All I could do is get a good night’s rest, say a prayer for Torch’s full or driveable recovery and see what tomorrow brings.
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee…
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
The First Tee has a positive impact on young kids in life and on the golf course.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…
PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Thank You!
The Olympic Village in Mexico City is now private residences.
More Olympic artwork in the first ever Cultural Olympiad.
Olympians of the United States of America, Estados Unidos de América, were here in 1968.
JTOG Day 27: Looking for a Connection to La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences
November 6, 2013 By
Has anyone stayed and played golf at La La Reunión Golf Resort & Residences, Antigua Guatemala? Or know the right person to contact? I hope to include in the “Journey to Olympic Golf.” (Facebook Post, Andy Reistetter, 11/6/13)
JTOG Day 26: Playing the Presidential Golf Club of Mexico!
November 5, 2013 By
With Rodolfo, a couple of Alfredos and Luis Arroyo Saenz.
How many golf clubs in the world are founded by a sitting president? It would be like President Ike Eisenhower founding Augusta National Golf Club during his term sometime between 1953 and 1961. There are many reminders President Miguel Alemán Valdes throughout the club including a mural, a bust and the tree named after him on the 5th fairway.
I played with Rodolfo and his regular foursome that included two Alfredos (Delgado and Alvarez), one of which putted with one hand and a guy with his name on his bag—Luis Arroyo Saenz. Playing the course far surpassed the beauty I saw yesterday touring it in a golf cart. From the tees, the middle of the fairway (and off in the rough and trees too) and on the greens it seemed the design features really pop out at you. The mountains, one the dormant volcano Iztaccihuat were visible. The logo picture of two cedar trees and Iztaccihuatl came to life on the 8th tee!
It was a lively lunch after golf at Hoyo 19 on the clubhouse terrace.
After the round out fivesome pretty much double in size for lunch out on the clubhouse terrace at Hoyo 19. The conversations were lively and the translations the best we could manage.They treated me like President Alemán it seemed. Who has lamb chops with mint jelly at the club after playing golf? I did and it was quite delicious. There were Bloody Marys and tequila too. I can’t thank Rodolfo enough for such a wonderful day at the Golf Club of Mexico.
But it did not end there. Samuel Leon Gonzalez who I had met yesterday with Rodolfo and given a TROML book to came by the club to take me home to show me something I might be interested in. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Samuel is a well known member of the faculty at the National University, a prolific author and considered an expert on political history in Mexico. In his library or one of two working offices he produced a magazine with an article documenting the 1968 Cultural Olympics which of course was fascinating to me even if it was in Spanish!
The front cover of the club history book featured the 8th hole with its view of the dormant volcanic mountain Iztaccihuatl.
I forgot to mention while leaving the club I missed Club President Mario Zertuche Díaz but his secretary had a wonderful present for me—the club history book of the Golf Club of Mexico, to take home with me! WOW was my response! Even though in Spanish I can follow along with the pictures and dates to get a sense of this historical club. All the legends of golf have played here. Most recently it was Ted Purdy winning the Mexican Open, a PGA Tour Latinoamérica event. Lorena Ochoa moved her LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational here in 2014 with Christina Kim being the victor. It is one of the great golf courses and clubs in the world and I will treasure this book!
It seems like people have come out of the woodwork to support me and this ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ People are excited about golf becoming an Olympic Sport once again and I am excited to meet people who have a perspective on what defines the ‘Olympic Spirit of Golf.’ Mexico City with its 1968 Olympic history, especially being the first to stage a Cultural Olympics at the same time, and its rich history of golf at the Golf Club of Mexico and the CC of Mexico City, is a key nugget on my quest.
Map of the Cultural Olympics in Samuel’s magazine.
Torch is promised to be ready to go tomorrow at 3:30 pm. My plan was to check out and wait patiently as the car doctors complete their restorative work. Or maybe there is another thing or two I should see before I leave Mexico City heading south for Guatemala?
The day after Christmas is usually pretty good too!
There are some more stories in the pictures below this request to make a donation to The First Tee…
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
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The logo view from the 8th tee with the volcano partially visible.
The logo 8th hole on the flags at the GC of Mexico.
At a high elevation, Mexico City is still surrounded by mountains.
JTOG Day 26: Play Golf Club of Mexico
November 5, 2013 By
Another lifetime golfing and fellowship experience yesterday… if you were like me you think of Mexico and golf in terms of the coasts- Cozumel/Cancun and Los Cabos… but having been in Mexico City for a week I can assure you the heart & soul of golf in Mexico is right here since 1904, coincidentally the same year Olympic Golf was last played in St. Louis at Glen Echo Country Club! #JourneyToOlympicGolf VisitMexico (Facebook Post Video, Andy Reistetter, 11/6/13)
Club de Golf Mexico (Golf Club of Mexico)
Cart tour of Club de Golf México today, met three amigos, invited to play tomorrow morning- where Ted Purdy won the Mexico Open in March on the NEC Series – PGA TOUR Latinoamérica! (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 11/5/13)
