Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary for Wednesday, December 11th, 2013, JTOG Day No. 62

Karibana—simple, elegant & fun!

The 100-day, 14-country, 18.471-mile Journey to Olympic Golf (JTOG) is way more than half way over. I probably knew it at the time in terms of days but not country counts. I knew it in terms of days because the plan was to return to the United States for the annual PGA Show in Orlando which starts on the 21st of January. Unexpected invitations would change the plans as they did this day. Based on Alberto Valenzuela’s recommendation I added the city of Medellin, Colombia to see the golf course Camilo & Manuel Villegas grew up on and meet their father Fernando and deleted the country of Ecuador. Though I had met some great Ecuadorians in Guatemala, the timing with the holidays and logistics of getting around Quito did not seem to be working out. After Bogota and Medellin I will be flying to Lima, Peru on the 18th of December.

Golf and Travel is me—I travel to golf and when I am not traveling I golf!

A woody meadow of flowers, beautiful but don’t hit it there!

To be at Karibana three days straight and play the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course three days straight was the best ever! I would only play one other golf course three times on the Journey to Olympic Golf—the Cordoba Golf Club in Argentina, the home club of Eduardo “El Gato” Romero and Angel “El Plato” Cabrera. Life was not any better as I walked the TPC Cartagena at Karibana Course for the third time in three days!

The par-3 third hole.

The first nine is spectacular by itself as you quickly find yourself amongst nature and in solitude with a well-designed golf course that presents itself to you in a beautiful yet challenging way. It is said that the proper course strategy for playing a Nicklaus Course is to simply make your way along avoiding the bunkers. The same is true at Karibana. The doglegs, the trees, six lakes, and the well bunkered fairways and greens make for a child’s playground to play an ancient stick-and-ball game. The 9th brings you back to civilization with only the clubhouse and the tall luxury apartment complexes separating you from the second nine and the Caribbean Sea. If the wind hasn’t already made its presence known to you it will shortly!

Water and sea on the second nine at Karibana…

No. 10 heads directly north towards the Caribbean but doesn’t take you all the way there. Not yet, there are still more lakes and some great holes to be played before you find the sea. I did manage one birdie over the three days of play and it came on the par-3 11th hole with a hybrid to six feet and I drained the putt. Twelve is a beautiful hole with a drive to an inverted peninsula fairway and then a mid iron over water to the green. I parred it two of the three days and found water on my approach and double bogey yesterday. I did manage to shoot 80 one day the second day after getting the insider tips from Joseph Mildenberg and Head Golf Professional Mauro Gonzalez.

The namesake ancient city of Cartagena is not too distant across the water from Karibana.

But at TPC Cartegena at Karibana it’s not the score that counts, it is the beautiful, exciting and engaging golfing experience that is remembered. Holes 13, 14, and 15 take you out to the Caribbean Sea but you are so engrossed in them you do not notice. In reality the entire second nine has that play-by-the-sea, origin of golf, Old Course at St. Andrews feel without the hillocks and gorse. The par-4 16th and the par-3 17th are right along the sea and its beach. No finer seaside, oceanside, waterside golf in the world! The 17th is my favorite, a sort of sloped, not steep 7th at Pebble Beach though the immense thatched roof beach house beyond the green confirms this is not Stillwater Cove. The par-5 18th is a birdie opportunity that tricks you back into returning to reality which at Karibana is a good reality. The atmosphere off the course, the food and drink is beyond compare.

The 17th at TPC Cartagena at Karibana! Absolutely stunning & beautiful! I hope you get to play it one day soon!

I hope you get a chance to experience Karibana and play the TPC Cartegena Course. It’s a world class golfing experience not to be missed!

Here is my Facebook post and three picture galleries totaling 182 pictures in reverse order of my play days at Karibana. I hope you feel like you were there with me and I hope you will consider taking me back with you when you go!

Did I mention there are some really good real estate deals to be struck at Karibana? Jenny can help you find a home just right for you!

Thurs 12/12 CTG to BOG, Sun 12/15 BOG to MDE, Wed 12/18 BOG to LIM… invited to the home club of Camilo Villegas in Medellin so substituting there for Ecuador. I will be in Lima, Peru in a week! Flying is easier than driving for sure! I am meeting the nicest guys in Columbia! Loving Karibana Cartagena! Walked the seaside second nine late yesterday afternoon by my lonesome (these guys do work!) Spiritual experience for sure! Very special place here! Have a TROML day today! (-:   (Facebook Post 4 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 12/11/13)

Pictures from today’s third round (Wednesday, December 11th, 2013, JTOG Day No. 62):

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Pictures from yesterday’s second round (Tuesday, December 10th, 2013, JTOG Day No. 61):

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Pictures from the first round with Joseph and Mauro (Monday, December 9th, 2013, JTOG Day No. 60):

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Loving the Hotel Real Intercontinental San Jose, Costa Rica… played Costa Rica CC yesterday,the oldest golf course in the country… nice respite to plan ahead for Panama… have appointment with Infiniti dealer there on Tuesday morning… first look at shipping Torch to Colombia look expensive to me… can you teach a car how to swim… or through the Darien Gap we go, now that would be a story… Torch runs through the Jungle to get to Rio… the price quote to ship your 1992 Infiniti M30 on Open carrier from Cartagena, OC to Colon, OC is $5,473.25. The estimate to ship your 1992 Infiniti M30 on an Open carrier from Cartagena, OC to Colon, OC is $1,999.   (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 12/1/13)

With Pepe Rolz near the Little Golfer Boy statue behind the 18th green at the Mayan Golf Club.

The Ultimate Host of Guatemala City, Pepe Rolz, came round the Hotel Bresciani to pick me up and take me out to the Mayan Golf Club for a round of golf. It was a day out of my childhood when Dad and I would swing by to pick up Uncle George and head out to Chenango Valley State Park for a memorable round of golf. Anytime at least two of the four primary golfing Reistetter brothers got together it was a memorable experience if not for the golf, then for the entertainment value alone.  As I would learn State Park had its twin lakes but the Mayan Golf Club has its Lake Amatitlán and its view!

I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation during the 45-minute, 15-mile ride through Guatemala City out to the town of San Miguel Petapa. Like a lot of great golf courses in metropolitan areas, this was the club’s third location and technically it was still part of Zone 1 and Guatemala City. The growth of Guatemala and its capital city has made its way to the golf course once again.

At the 10th green overlooking Lake Amatitlán, a beautiful, peaceful and spiritual place!

Pepe is a fascinating person. He tells the history of golf in Guatemala like he is telling his family story. Incidentally, Florencia and Pepe have four children and the youngest Jose Pablo is quite the golfer. Having just graduated from Texas Wesleyan in May 2015 he has his sights set on becoming a professional golfer after a distinguished collegiate career. Pepe is also the defacto club historian at Mayan and even has done a bit of golf course architecture converting a laborious par-5 hole into the exciting and dodgy par-4 19th and par-3 11th present on a bluff overlooking Lake  today. He got hooked on the game at age eight when his Dad pulled him out of school to go see the Ben Hogan movie ‘Follow the Sun.’ Like me, he sees a lot of similarities between golf and life.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Pepe Rolz on the Mayan Golf Club.

With Carl Bloomfield (L), Pepe Rolz, and Nery Colindres (R), our starting foursome!

The Mayan Golf Club was spectacular and so was our golf. I got off to a fast start with a deuce on the par-3 second hole. Pepe showed his expertise with consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes. He endured long enough to show me the spectacular views of Lake Amatitlán, the deepest lake in Central America, and witness my brilliant par 4 on the 10th hole before he had to leave for a greens committee meeting. Where better, I thought, to have a greens committee meeting than on the 10th green at the Mayan Golf Club with its breathtaking view overlooking the watery vastness to the not-too-distant and active Volcán de Agua? In 2010 another nearby volcano Pacaya erupted and coated the course with three inches of rocks and ashes.

Approach shot into the 18th green with the clubhouse and Agua Volcano beyond.

Former club GM Alberto Boj joined playing partners Nory Colindres and Carl Bloomfield and me for the second nine. It was a memorable round and a memorable course for sure. After touring the grounds and clubhouse some more my day ended in the men’s locker room with Matt Ginella on the Golf Channel on the television with Spanish subtitles. Golf is golf, friendship is friendship, no matter where you are in the world. As Paulina de Labra, niece to the organizer of the Cultural Olympics, said to me back in Mexico City—”we are all just human beings.” She was right as far as I could tell on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’

On the ride home Pepe gave me a contact to look up in San Salvador, El Salvador, the next country as I made my way down through Central America to South America and Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. I was beginning to realize that the amateur golfers of Central America were very tightly associated with one another both for competition and camaraderie.

Torch and I knew no boundaries on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf,’ why wouldn’t we be able to drive through the Darien Gap?

I also began to sense the transition from Central to South America may not be so easy for Torch. The land that connects the North and South America continents is known as the Darién Gap.  Reportedly, the Darién Gap is subject to the presence and activities of the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), an insurgent group against the Colombian government. FARC rebels are present on both the Colombian and Panamanian sides of the border. I found it odd and realized that it was the first time in my life that I would be coming across a road that I could not travel. I had a thought that it would be a great humanitarian and golf story if Torch and I were able to navigate our way through the Darien Gap. If we didn’t make it through safely then well it would be a devastating ending to the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’ Maybe a boat ride to South America, even though Torch doesn’t like water as it puts out her flame, would be the prudent thing to do.

l little Golf Channel with Spanish subtitles topped off a great day at the Mayan Golf Club!

It was a full day with Pepe out at the Mayan Golf Club. I enjoyed the hospitality and culinary delights of the Hotel Bresciani later in the evening. Word from Olaf was that Torch needed a new brake pump, it was hard to find and with any luck she will will be ready to go late tomorrow afternoon. I was invited to come out and stay at La Reunion Golf Resort and Residences in Antigua which was out in the same direction of Lake Amatitlán and the Mayan Golf Club but about another thirty miles further.

I was planning to do a walking tour of Guatemala City in the morning, pick up Torch and get out to La Reunion before dark but there were two surprises waiting for me tomorrow- one in the morning that almost had me arrested and the other in the evening which quite frankly shook me to my roots like never before in my life!

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.

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My favorite hole (because of my deuce), the par-3 2nd with the national Ceiba tree guarding the green.

The signature par-5 5th hole with a tree to be maneuvered around in the middle of the fairway.

Thanks Pepe Rolz for an amazing day at the Mayan Golf Club!

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.

CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.

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…

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Thank You!

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.

The par-3 10th green, clubhouse and magnificent oak tree at the CC of Mexico City.

I had the most incredible weekend in Mexico City! Yesterday I saw the beautiful and historic city courtesy of a Turibus tour. Today I met the wonderful and welcoming people of Mexico City! There were four of them—members and my hosts Ampi Diaz and Felipe Garica Moreno and the Head Golf Professional at Camp de Campestre de Ciudad de Mexico and Ian Gardner who took me to dinner at Las Sifones and gave me a much needed Spanish lesson. I video interviewed all four and their cumulative 20 minutes of conversation captures the essence of my visit to Mexico City—very welcoming, friendly, generous and, of course, amazing golf!

With Ampi Diaz after a great round of golf!

Ampi Diaz is a competitive amateur golfer and as good as her golf game is she is as much fun to golf with as to watch her golf. She recently competed in the qualifier for the 2013 Women’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at the famed Cherry Hills CC in Colorado.

CLICK here for the Video Interview with Ampi Diaz.

I agree with her comments on having both a team and individual golf competition in the Olympics, much like The Spirit International. Like her country, her city and her golf club she is very friendly and welcomes every American to come visit Mexico City!

With Felipe Garcia Moreno inside the large and beautiful clubhouse.

Felipe Garcia Moreno, or Phil as I now know him, is the historian for the most historic and oldest golf club in Mexico! His story of golf legend Willie Smith from Carnoustie who not only designed the Camp de Campestre course but defended it during the 1910 revolution is fascinating.

CLICK here for the Video Interview with Felipe Garcia Moreno.

Phil’s insightful comment on the ‘Olympic Spirit of Golf’ will make my highlight film—”everyone (of the Olympic Golfers) has a story that comes from their home country and it’s not just (about) golf.” Another documented open invitation to come back and play, which I will surely do one day!

With Carlos Martinez, Head Golf Professional, and professional golfer!

Carlos Martinez, the Head Golf Professional, played the first nine holes with us in quite an impressive manner. He had four birdies, both par-5s, a par-4 and a par-3.

CLICK here for the Video Interview with Carlos Martinez.

I liked his response to my question—what was your best competitive finish? “First.” He has played on what is now the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and check out his golf swing at the end of the video interview!

With Ian Gardner at Las Sifones. He gave me the Mexico Golf Centennial book and told me most of the history while we ate!

After golf, Ian Gardner, another connection from Delia and the world of golf ruling bodies, picked me up at the club and took me out to dinner at Las Safones. Great food, love the Al Pastor meat and square tortillas!

CLICK here for the Video Interview with Ian Gardner.

Here is a fascinating guy with a fascinating story! Born in Scotland, his father was a golf pro but love of a woman brought him to Mexico where he rediscovered his love of golf! Ian got involved with golf organizations and represented the Mexican Golf Federation for four years on the U.S.G.A. committee that revised the Rules of Golf for 2012-2015. So we are still all playing by his rules today!

Today was an incredible day of golf and new friendships in Mexico City.

Torch is suppose to be ready to go tomorrow Monday at 10 am. I have been plotting out my way south through Mexico into Guatemala. As the Journey goes, Ian gave me the name of an interesting golfing couple in Guatemala City. Something tells me to pick Torch up before checking out of the Sur Inn. Let’s see what the morning 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.

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!

Ian drove me by the 1968 Olympic Gymnasium and Natatorium.

With member Mario Vivanco in front of the portrait of Willie Smith.

My caddie Federico waiting for me in the trees. It is a narrow course! No surprise my lone birdie came on the 212-yard par 3 4th hole, inspired by Carlos!

Thank God it’s a small Golfing World…

With golf writer Mike Bailey playing the Campus Course at Texas A&M.

I first met Mike Bailey by chance playing the beautiful and challenging Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico. Meeting travel golf writers like myself at the best golf courses in the world seems to be no coincidence. The second time I met Mike was fortuitous for me as I needed a place to stay in Houston. I called, he answered and offered a few nights. Then being the extraordinary (and well connected) person that he is, Mike invited me to come along for the Grand Reopening of the Jeff Blume-renovated Texas A&M Campus Course in College Station. This type of occurrence, no place to stay and then an invitation to stay and play golf, seemed to be my good fortune along the way to Rio!

With Jeff Blume and his dad Jay.

I love Texas and enjoyed living in San Antonio for 1-1/2 years way back when. I had never been to College Station  and the drive out with Mike was enjoyable as I was very excited to see this rebuilt golf course. We stopped at Rudy’s BBQ for a breakfast burrito on the way. When we arrived there was a lot of excitement, golfers and a tent set for lunch by Outback Steakhouse. You eat a lot of meat when you are in Texas. I met a lot of people, even the architect Jeff Blume and his father Jay. Also the Club Manager Dave Elmendorf. an All-American his senior season in football for Texas A&M. Here are the video interviews:

CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Golf Course Architect Jeff Blume and his dad Jay.

CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Campus Course Club Manager Dave Elmendorf.

With Cougar golfer Roman Robledo and his uncle Rene Rangel, CEO of Sterling Golf.

I met a lot of Aggies except one young golfer. though I am not sure if Mike Bailey is an Aggie or not? The young golfer was Roman Robledo, a sophomore from the University of Houston. Now as a senior, I see he was rated No. 19 nationally by Golfweek/Sagarin for 2014 and was a  Quarterfinalist in the U.S. Amateur Championship. His invitation came from his Uncle Rene Rangel, the CEO of Sterling Golf, who formed a private-public partnership with Texas A& M University to get the golf course completely renovated. I even learned what ‘Gig’em’ meant and I feel for my friend Joe Starzec, a Horned Frog from TCU. Texas some rivalries within the state as well as its rivalry with the rest of the world.

With Bobby (left) and Ricky (right) Heine, probably the best grass growers in all of Texas and beyond.

Mike and I played with Bobby and Ricky Heine who are both golf course superintendents with strong ties to the Campus Course project and the Texas A&M Turfgrass Program. They were great guys and reminded me of my brother-in-law Bill Von Matt, a dairy farmer from Upstate New York. As a kid I always liked milking cows and talking with Bill. Same with chatting it up with Bobby and Ricky while we were golfing. In fact, I was so relaxed, I avenged my loss to Mike at Royal Isabela and I have the signed dollar bill inscribed “Hope you’re proud of yourself Andy! You earned it!” I am and look forward to the our tie-breaking third match!

With retired Aggie Coach Bob Ellis, once an Aggie, always an Aggie!

After the round there was more meat, no just kidding as Mike and I headed back to Houston. Before we did I had the chance to meet retired Aggie Golf Coach Bob Ellis. Coach Ellis was a delightful character with lots of stories from his days coaching Jeff Maggert, Ryan Palmer, Phil Parkin and David Ogrin. I found his involvement with the Department of Health & Kinesiology and the connection to The 8 Traits Of Champion Golfers: How To Develop The Mental Game Of A Pro written by sports psychologist Dr. Deborah Graham and Jon Stabler very interesting. We think of golf as a sport and physical game but it is not, it is all between the ears!

CLICK here for the VIDEO INTERVIEW with retired Aggie Golf Coach Bob Ellis.

I was an Aggie for a day and even learned ‘Gig ’em’ from Julia Lancaster (L) and Michelle Lilie (R).

I enjoyed my day with Mike and being an Aggie for a day! I think I experienced the Spirit of Aggieland. I love Texas ever since my short visit there transitioning to Florida and my pursuits of golf writing, et al. I appreciated Mike’s hospitality and was excited to be heading a wee bit north to enjoy three nights at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center.

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.

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!

This was such a social day meeting people but the real story was the debut of a beautiful golf course. Well done Jeff Blume!

I experienced the Spirit of Aggieland for sure!

Texas A&M has a great Campus Golf Course!

Having a great time with Charlie Epps in the Member’s Grill at the Golf Club of Houston.

While the headline for today is playing a world-class golf course the real highlight of the day was meeting Charlie Epps, the prominent Golf Doctor in Houston. A remarkable guy who grew up in Argentina, Charlie loves life and loves golf and is the consummate PGA of America Golf Professional. His heart is in both Houston and Argentina and he is the long time coach of two-time Major Champion Argentinean Angel Cabrera.

Meeting new people and connecting with them to enhance our lives, isn’t that what golf is all about?

As you can see in the above video, Charlie not only introduced me to the Golf Club of Houston (Redstone at the time), he introduced me to The Spirit International, an Olympic-like biannual competition for male and female collegiate golfers. His childhood idol was and still is Roberto De Vicenzo, the only current World Golf Hall of Fame member south of the Mexico-USA border. In my opinion, that will certainly change one day soon with the addition of Cabrera and Lorena Ochoa.

With Alvaro Canessa playing the Cantegril CC in Punta del Estes, Uruguay on New Year’s Day 2014.

Later on in my journey, Charlie would connect me with Roberto De Vicenzo who I met and interviewed at his home club of Ranelagh in Buenes Aires and the Angel Cabrera Foundation. I would travel out to Córdoba in Argentina and play Cordoba Golf Club, his and fellow Argentinean Eduardo Romero home club. Though I missed ‘El Plato’ (Angel) there, I met and interviewed ‘El Gato’ (Eduardo), a 5-time winner on the Champions Tour, including two majors. I also visited their Cordoba Golf Academy.

On this day in Houston Charlie introduced me to Uruguay’s Alvaro Canessa and young protege Franco Martinfelli. I would see Alvaro again on New Year’s Day in Punta del Estes, Uruguay where he hosted me and we played the Cantegril CC.

My fortune was good on the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf’ to meet all these wonderful 1people and gain great insight into the history, tradition and spirit of the game of golf. As you have seen in my visit to Atlanta and St. Louis and as you will see in the visit to Mexico City, I was also blessed to meet great people that gave me insight into the Olympic Spirit. Like the Blues Brothers, I feel like I am on a mission from God to define the ‘Olympic Spirit of Golf.’ As you will see, Torch and I ran into some interesting challenges as we made our way to Rio.

Me and the Shell on the 18th tee at the Golf Club of Houston.

The golf, the golf, the golf… at the Golf Club of Houston is, as you see on television, exceptional! The Tournament Course was especially designed by famed golf course architect Rees Jones to host Houston’s only PGA TOUR stop, the Shell Houston Open,  and has done so since 2003. You know it as the week-before warm-up event to The Masters Tournament. Hosted by Shell Oil Company and the Houston Golf Association, the Shell Hosuton Open is one of the tour’s best events.

I shot a birdie-less 84 on the Tournament Course from the blue Club tees (6,659 yards, 71.7 Rating, 137 slope), going 2-over for a series of 10 holes (Nos. 7-16). No birdies again but definitely in the zone enjoying golf and life on the ‘Journey to olympic Golf.’

I remember back in 2007 when I lived in San Antonio my buddy Doc and I drove over to see the tournament and the golf course. That year I attended all four of the Texas PGA TOUR events including the Shell, the Texas Open, the Byron Nelson and Colonial. I guess that was the prelude to following the tour and participating in one way or another in nearly 150 PGA TOUR, LPGA, Champions, Web.com events since I came to Florida in early 2008.

A father and a daughter having fun putting at the David Shindeldecker First Tee Campus.

The David Shindeldecker Campus of The First Tee of Greater Houston which is right next door to the Golf Club of Houston. David Shindeldecker was a lifelong businessman and philanthropist and the Chairman, President & CEO of The Redstone Companies. He loved the sport of golf both as a player and his involvement with the Houston Golf Association. He was instrumental in helping to establish The First Tee Houston. He died young, in his sleep, at age 59. His spirit lives on as I saw a father and daughter putting and having fun late in the evening at a place named for him.

Harmon Hall in the Clubhouse at the Golf Club of Houston.

Dick Harmon’s spirit is present and recognized in the Clubhouse section called Harmon Hall. Dick was a close friend of Charlie never closer than at the time of his unexpected death in February 2006 at the age of 58. In addition to all the memorabilia in Harmon Hall there is one of his two Houston-based Dick Harmon Learning Centers on property at the Golf Club of Houston.

TROML baby, life is short, follow your dreams starting today if you aren’t already.

Some more stories in the pictures below…

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.

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!

Golf Course Architect Rees Jones Locker No. 100.

Charlie Epps and his buddies on their road trip down to South America in 1967.

Charlie Epps, a pro’s pro and just a great guy to know!

Byron Nelson’s golf ball says it all—Player, Teacher, Humanitarian…

So I am at the the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas staying in a villa overlooking the 18th green searching for the spirit of Byron Nelson. What should I do? Be like Byron and play the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, the host of AT&T Byron Nelson Championship since 1983, over thirty years of championship golf. Not only play the course but play it my friend Tom Horan who has the same kindred spirit of golf, its traditions and history that I do.

CLICK here for a Video Interview with Tom Horan, host of “Speaking of Golf” on the 17th tee at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas.

With my buddy Tom Horan basking in the sunlight of Byron Nelson at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas.

The weather, the golf course and the friendship could not have been any better to create a memorable day on the golf course. Byron is right there if you want to go visit him. The oversized statue comes alive with his giving spirit. As you play each hole you are reminded of his presence and great deeds with markers on each tee. See below for the three pictures of the 1st, 17th and 18th that says it all about the man beyond the competitive golf records.

Truly his legend and his spirit live on. How will connecting with Byron Nelson at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas impact the search for the “Olympic Spirit of Golf?” I am thinking that Mr. Nelson brings the aspect of being free of one’s self, one’s ego to be of support and service to others. Byron certainly did this with his association with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas.  Lord Byron’s work for the kids continues…

My journey would be continuing after my stay in Nelson Paradise. I have to admit I was trying to figure out how to stay for all four seasons at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas!

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.

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!

Indeed it does…

Pretty impressive when you think that the PGA TOUR is the No. 1 charitable fundraiser when it comes to professional sports.

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt, Byron Nelson was an Olympic-like Golfer and his spirit lives on forever!