JTOG Day 24: Playing the Historic 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! 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! 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! 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! 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!