Summer officially ended on September 21st, but someone forgot to inform Southern California.  It has been H-O-T around these parts!  Not "California hot", which people who aren't brought up here joke about, but "global warming is REAL" hot.  I played in a golf tournament a week ago and the temperature when we teed off was 103 degrees!  This is October.  When the weather is that hot, it's not my ideal golfing condition, but the tournament was for a good cause so I hung in there.  I was golfing to benefit the H.O.O.P. Foundation.  H.O.O.P. is a 501(c)3 organization based in Inglewood, California.  Their mission is to help socially and economically disadvantaged youth in South Los Angeles and Inglewood stay out of trouble, increase self-esteem and learn valuable life skills.

In April of 2015, I'll be participating in a 100 hole golf-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the H.O.O.P. Foundation.  Yes, you read that right, 100 holes! All played in one day.  Playing that many holes in a day, I'm sure to get a few pars.  Maybe even a birdie.  Unless it's 103 degrees, then I'll be lucky to just finish.

Soccer phenom Pelé once proclaimed soccer “The Beautiful Game”.  With World Cup fever everywhere, including Google doodles, I’ve taken the obligatory interest in all things soccer these days. I like the energy of soccer and the enthusiasm of the fans.  It’s raucous and amazing.  I want to paint my face, get some obnoxious noise making device and head to a local stadium right now.  In addition, some of those professional soccer players are HOT!  Is that sexist?  Non PC?   Sorry super talented soccer dudes if I’ve offended you. But I digress.  I would like nominate golf for consideration as The Beautiful Game.

I was first introduced to Women On Course by one of my golf girlfriends (GGs) J.B. a couple of years ago.  We would often visit their website, but never attended any of their events. This past March, J.B. emailed an announcement for a meet and greet luncheon coming up locally and we had no excuse not to finally check it out.  So, on a lovely Southern California afternoon, J.B., GG Amber W. and I headed to Los Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes to learn more.

Their website states "Women on Course is dedicated to connecting and encouraging participation in the golf lifestyle by highlighting the business, social and fitness benefits of the game."  They are serious about the lifestyle part, as their events go beyond mere play dates and include social and networking activities.  The luncheon was a great example and a fun introduction to the organization. 

Happy hour is a brilliant marketing too.  I don’t normally think about margaritas or mini tacos, but when I hear about 2 for 1 margaritas or $1 mini taco special, it feels fiscally irresponsible to pass them up.  At the end of a busy workday, it’s nice to get together with friends and enjoy good food, sweet drinks, and some laughs.

One evening after a particularly hectic day in the office, some friends and I decided to exchange the happy hour margaritas and mini tacos for golf clubs and a bucket of golf balls. Being at the golf course normally makes me happy, so this made perfect sense. We met up at a local driving range and everyone got a bucket of balls.  We were lucky enough to find mats next to each other.  While practicing our swings, we offered each other tips on things we observed and videotaped our swings.  

I recently attended the LA Golf Show.  It was my first golf show and I didn’t know what to expect.  With over 100 vendors, I was hoping to see some women's golf fashion at great discounted prices.  While I was VERY disappointed in that department, I enjoyed trying out some cool products and speaking with industry pros and entrepreneurs.

Golf is a sport where the player’s personal style can flourish. Team uniforms are an anomaly, not the norm. From the head to toe, there are many options to create the perfect individual golf fashion statement. I love high/low styling and golf is great for mixing pieces at different price points to make a chic fashion statement

Sports clothing and accessories giants Nike, Adidas, and Puma all have fashionable women's golf clothing lines. However, ladies are not limited to traditional athletic retailers for styles. The fairway often flirts with the runway to bring us some fabulous fashions that go from the fairway to the clubhouse to the club. Ok, maybe not the club, but they transition from event to event very nicely.

One glorious summer Saturday morning, some friends and I were playing a round of 18 at the local municipal course. We had a fivesome, which consisted of three girls and two guys.  There was a threesome behind us, so we (especially the ladies) were very conscience about pace of play. Around the 14th hole, we decided to let the threesome play through since they seemed to be moving quickly. As we waited for them to tee off, one of the guys from the foursome behind us asked if they could play through.  It was less of a question and more like "I'm sure you won't mind if we pass you little ladies up" because he was approaching the tee box as he asked the question. I was annoyed by the arrogance and not completely sure what I was about to say as I prepared to place hand on hip. One of the guys from our group turned around and said, in an annoyed tone, "We're waiting too. It's slowing down up there.” And - poof- just like that, Mr. My Foursome Can't Be Bothered To Wait turned around and went back to his cart.

Born and raised in southern California, my only real connection to the South was through my father’s parents.  When I was a kid, my grandfather would stop by the house on New Year’s Day and my mom would make him a plate of black eyed peas, collard greens and corn bread.  He would stay and eat, chat with everyone for a bit, then go back home.  I was never a fan of black eyed peas OR cornbread, so my NYD meal consisted of my mom’s bomb-*** greens, monkey bread, ham, and my grandmother’s fab potato salad.

One year I asked my mom why my grandfather stopped by on NYD and only ate “that stuff” when we had so much other “good stuff”.  She explained it was a southern tradition.  Eating black eyed peas on NYD was considered good luck.  Eating greens and cornbread represented money and financial prosperity in the new year.  That next new year’s day, my plate was overflowing with “that stuff”!

Aside from the prosperity thing, greens are often recommended for an overall healthy diet.  The greens of the golf course can be helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and peace of mind.  Played regularly, golf provides habitual nourishment for the soul.  It’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy nature.  It provides a break from the business of life.  It forces you to focus on the present.

So put more greens in your diet in 2014.  Get out there and play some golf!

While practicing at the driving range recently, a scene from the movie “The Shining” came to mind.  The main character, a writer named Jack Torrance, takes a winter job as the caretaker of a mountain resort which gets completely snowed in during the winter.  It seems like a great opportunity to make some money and focus on his writing.  But as winter drags on and the snow keeps falling, strange things start to happen to Jack and his family.  At one point, his wife sneaks a peek at what Jack has been working on at his typewriter for months.   “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is typed over and over and over, on sheet after sheet of paper.  There are stacks of papers and boxes filled with sheets that say the same thing.  You could feel the crazy coming off of those sheets of paper as his wife flipped through them.

“Sport has the power to change the world.  It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”
              ~Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
              
July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013