Gibby Goes to Scottsdale Arizona

Gibby Goes to Scottsdale Arizona

Travelling to
Well another exciting trip to Arizona. Of course as mentioned in many other blogs., travel from Tofino to anywhere is project and this time was no exception. Of course it all starts with the wonderful, affordable ferry ride. Did I mention I hate the ferry.

Going over to the mainland the night before is mandatory as there is no way we can catch any morning flight from YVR unless we arrive the required 3 hour prior to departing time line now set.

As we are patiently waiting for our flight to depart we learn the flight has been cancelled. No delay , no warning and of course no news just a flashing sign that says cancelled. Like many other passengers we had no idea what was happening. After a few minutes of people, texting, and calling and wondering we learn that the State of Arizona has had the 100 year storm just blow in. In fact the state has just declared a state of emergency and serve tornado warnings are in effect GREAT….

After some phone calls , emails whatever, we are still determined to leave YVR, the problem is the Phoenix airport has been closed. What do we do now.

Vegas, Maui, Florida, Cancun all of these options were floated, but none seem too real. After cancelling fights from West Jet we found an Alaskan flight going to Seattle and then on to Phoenix. We took our chances and quickly booked. Once arriving in Seattle we have heard all flights going to PHX will be re directed to Vegas for the night. GREAT.. wrong they were our flight was the only flight let into PHX now arriving at 1:00 Am in the morning. So approx 17 hours later we finally arrive. I think we spent more money on beer in the airports than we did on our flights.

Golfing in Scottsdale

Well its Friday and the storm is still around . grey skies and cold but we all determined to play golf. We happen to be staying on the 9th green at Troon North (above picture from patio) and decided we should start there . The course is great, it was a bit cold that day but we all managed.

Second round we were very fortunate to play whisper Rock. This place is un real good We were lucky to be hosted by a member there Mike Johnsonn who treated us to a day of luxury. It was great to see People like Tim Herron, Dan Quail, Bones, Gary Maccord and many other people with wonderful stories to tell about how they “made it” After leaving there you truly felt like pinching yourself.

Day 3 of Golf was set for the Scottsdale Country club but plans got changed when another member fro Whisper Rock offered to take us out again to play the upper course. The upper course was very picturesque and was my favorite of the two. Of course we jumped at the opportunity to play here again and were told about the amazing milkshakes.. they were good .




Sunday was an off day for football reasons. We plunked down at a table in the Temple sorts bar and didn’t move for 8 hours . Great games and lots of beer and wings another victory for me..

Eating in Scottsdale

Dinning out in Scottsdale may have been my highlight. We dine at two places that standout to me and may be the two best meals I've ever had.

First we visited Mastros where the steaks are huge and the Martinis are even bigger. This place has been featured on the popular show entourage and there is no doubt why .

The Second place was called the Ocean Club owned by the same owner as Mastros but had a different feel more of a club feel but still amazing. Here we took down what is called the seafood TOWER and a tower it is. Oddly enough our server was from Maple Ridge. After a number of pre and après cocktails ,a nd very full bellys,we decided we needed one more stop to cap the trip off. The Blue Martini was the place of choice. I’m not much of a cluber but you couldn’t help love this place, drinks were cold, and of course the Scenery was ok….

Before long we found ourselves going back on the plane were it all started… Ahhh

And now its just going to be the memories of that time in Arizona. Thanks Kang, Longy, and Bax for the good times.

Gibbys Top Ten Golf Courses

Gibby’s Top 10 Golf Courses played.

As 2010 is finally here, and many golf years have passed I thought it would be time to create my top 10 list.
I feel very fortunate to even right a blog about the top 10 golf courses I have played. Its been truly a luxury and many memories so far . I’m looking forward to many more experiences to come.

#1
Royal Colwood Golf Club (Victoria B.C.)

I could consider this my home course so yes a bit biases, but I still feel it’s my favorite. The old growth trees and the amazing greens have made this one of my most memorable experiences. Since being a member there for nearly 25 years now, I look forward the annual round I get to play with the boys.

#2
Valderma Club De Golf (Sotogrande Cadiz Spain)
One of the most amazing golf experiences ever. This trip to Spain was a lasting memory and to have the opportunity to play this wonderful course. Even though the course was in off season and gardens were dormant, the views looking back over the club house and the valley were awesome. The legendary 17th was everything it was made out to be.

#3
Southern Highlands (Las Vegas Nevada)
This is one of the most exclusive clubs I have played. Home to the UNLV golf team it was a real pleasure to play here. The company of fellow golf pros was fantastic and we still talk about that “time in Vegas” The course condition was amazing, and the service was even better. I think we might have been the only group on the course and still seen the beverage cart 4 times.

#4
Kapalua Golf Resort Plantation Course (Maui Hawaii)
Home of the Mercedez championship for years this course is a very special place. No wonder why the tour loves it here. The feeling of walking through the huge doors onto the first tee is great. Looking out into the ocean and seeing a glimpse of whales breeching makes any bad shot go away. The winds are very tough and getting used to the grain in the greens is tougher. My wife and I had to walk the course due to rain and she was 7 months pregnant. WOW. What a trooper.


#5
Marine Drive Golf and Country Club (Vancouver B.C.)
This place is always a treat when I get to play. Usually it’s with great friends and the course has never let me down from a condition stand point. I can never play well here but always leave there loving the moment. I love going through he club house a seeing all the history on the walls and all the champions the club produces. A true golf experience that I love.

#6
Maui Country Club (Maui Hawaii)
This may surprise some.. but for some reason just love this course. A very small nine hole golf course located 15 minutes north of Kihei. I guess why I love it so much, was it was very exclusive for no real reason. Public can only play on Mondays and the rest of the week the course is closed to an exclusive list. This course was one of the original courses that movie stars and celebs would play on there holidays, and the course has maintained this status. A very fun course that your wife, and family would enjoy. If you can get on.

#7
Storey Creek Golf Club (Campbell River BC)
If you like the outdoors and the feel of wilderness golf, you will like this one. Every hole you feel like you are alone. Surrounded by huge trees and wilderness. The course is always in fantastic condition and the down to earth, blue collar feel is nice. With all the new developments in golf it’s nice to play a golf course with zero houses along the fairways.

#8
Long Beach Golf Course (Tofino BC.)
I have to include this one. It’s were I live, work and it provides me with this wonderful life I have, having said that the course is truly a gem. Its pure golf. You truly feel that you have the course to yourself. Yes a bit rugged at times but the greens are pure a roll nicely. The local wilderness of bears, cougars, and wolves, keeps you on your toes as you never know when one is lurking. Its truly the only place were one day you can be playing with a lawyer from New York and the next day playing with a logger from Ucluelet. It a very special place. (http://www.longbeachgolfcourse.com/)

#9
Makkena Golf Course South (Maui Hawaii)
Another Hawaii course I know but, truly is a wonderful place. Could be home to my favorite hole the 14th looking down over the ocean and having the feeling that you can hammer the driver anywhere. The views of the pacific and the whale watching opportunities are endless. I have enjoyed the memories there as again have been with many of my PGA of BC peers. I liked it so much Makkena was on the list in naming our first born. (but lost that vote)

#10
Troon Golf and Country Club (Phoenix Arizona)
Speaking of exclusive this place was un real, not that it’s all that important to make my list as you can tell. However sometimes it’s nice to play these places that typically you never would. The golf course and service here are top shelf. Again the company of some friend’s makes any golf outing. The course is a difficult test insuring you stay out of the dessert areas, and the greens were very fast. If you ever get the opportunity to play Troon Country Club jump on it. And don’t bring cash they don’t take it!!!

Three notables not on the list but great.. Superstition Golf Resort (Phoenix Arizona) , Victoria Golf Club (Victoria BC) Nicklaus North Golf Club (Whistler B.C.)

Like I said I have been very fortunate to have this list. I look forward in adding and changing the list over my golf years to come. As there are many golf course that are fantastic that aren’t on my top ten doesn’t mean they are not worthy. In some cases the golf courses listed have very special memoires either playing with my buds, wife, kids whatever that made it that more memorable. Hopefully by 2020 the list has completely changed. Happy Golfing

Gibby goes to Sun Peaks Resort

PGA of BC Board
As mentioned in my previous blog being in the golf business allows for some interesting travel. Again being involved with the PGA of BC board of directors allowed for this year’s trip, returning to Sun Peaks Resort.
The PGA of BC board meets every year in January, addressing the up coming budget, policy and procedures. In addition to the business end, the board feels it’s a nice time of year to include some family gatherings in the form of a group dinner. Some board members choose to travel alone still and get a break, while others embrace the opportunity.

Sun Peaks Resort has been the chosen place to host these meeting for the past two years. Some would wonder why all the way to Sun Peaks to host a meeting. The truth is in 2008 the PGA hosted a Pro-Lady golf event there (which Team Long Beach won.) The attendance for that event was poor, and we had booked a number of hotel rooms that did not get filled. The Delta Hotel in Sun Peaks was kind enough to offer a credit for these un used rooms.

What a better place to host the January board meeting, were the families can enjoy the outdoors, and gather for a great dinner.

Sun Peaks Resort
Sun peaks Resort is located approx 35 minutes from the town of Kamloops. It’s a great drive providing the roads are clear which they were. Upon arriving in the ski/ golf resort I was amazed of how easy everything was to find. The village is laid out so perfectly. This may be from my prior visits, but the place makes you feel very comfortable.

Delta Hotels
As mentioned we were staying in the Delta Hotel at Sun Peaks. This very large property extends over most of the village and is impossible to miss.
The Service at the front desk was great as they checked us in and directed us to the underground parking. Our truck couldn’t fit in the parking space provided for us as the ceiling was to low, but the Delta staff made other arrangements for us.

Fun in the Snow
Monday was out meeting day so the wife and kids enjoyed some snow time, making snow angels and finding a hill to use their crazy carpets. The next day was free for all and we decided to enroll the kids in ski lessons.
They both loved the experience. Learning to ski at 3 and 4 years old I’m sure is the best way, and not from their poor skiing parents.. After Skiing we decided to swim some more in the outdoor pool and hot tub. The -14 temp freezes the tops of your head so you have to make sure your underwater every couple of minutes.

The tube park was the next thing on the list. Great fun zipping down the tube line. We actually had a good wipe out here as one of the tubes flipped over. Good thing the 3 year old didn’t go flying off.

Having booked into the hotel we had no choice to dine at the restaurant for every meal. As one tends to gets tired of hotel food this was not the case here. Mantels Bar and Grill had great food and great service. They took care of the kids so well, and made the entire experience very memorable.

All in all Sun Peaks Resort is an excellent choice for a ski, and or golf getaway, it has everything a family needs to enjoy the outdoors. The service was fantastic for the entire three days,and would recommend this trip to anyone.
We are not very ski savvy, but felt very comfortable with everything.
As the PGA of BC board has used up the credit from the Delta its doubtful we will return in 2011 for our annual meeting, but it would be my hopes to return with the family some day.