Katieshack

Eco-friendly goods for your game

Earth Day is upon us, and on its 40th anniversary this year of celebrating our planet, what better opportunity to highlight some cool, eco-friendly golf goods that can help your game and the environment? 

 For the tee: For those errant shot-hitters whose shots mysteriously disappear into the abyss, Dixon Golf makes a golf ball that doesn't violate the Earth as badly with its materials. Dixon Golf is considered the forerunner in the eco-ball category, using recycled materials in nearly every aspect of its Dixon Earth golf ball, instead of harsh heavy metal-based and synthetic materials. It's the world's first high-performance, eco-friendly line of golf balls, made from 100 percent reprocessable materials and is completely recyclable. Still not convinced? Three-time World Long Drive Champion Sean Fister plays with this little white nugget, as does A-list actor and SCGA member Don Cheadle, a member of Dixon's celebrity staff (check out the May/June issue of FORE Magazine for a Q&A with the thespian). Packaging is made from recycled goods too, and paired with a golf ball recycling program at participating facilities, Dixon really is green from the outside in. Price: $39.95. Info: www.dixongolf.com

 For the feet: Is it possible to have environmentally sustainable golf shoes? Hi-Tec says it is, in the form of the company's Enviro shoes. Made from 99 percent sustainable materials, the secret to the footwear is the use of chrome-free, organic vegetable-tanned leathers, the byproducts of which can make drinking water unsafe. Soles made of rice husks, and the shoe liner is made from 100 percent recycled material. The only part of the shoe that is not eco-friendly is the spike receptacle, which Hi-Tec is working on. And since we're all a little fashion-conscious, the Enviro shoes come in two colors: Black and brown, to match every wardrobe. Price: $130. Info: www.hi-tec.com

For the body: Don't sweat the environment with what you're wearing; several companies have taken steps to use renewable materials in the fibers of their clothing. One of these companies is Verterra Sport, which claims to have the first renewable fabric clothing option in the industry. Made from fabrics that contain materials like corn fiber, the clothing still has popular moisture-wicking capabilities and UV protection that other brands include, while not sacrificing style or comfort that golfers require. Price: $55. Info: www.verterrasport.com

For the game: While nearly all golf courses provide significant environmental benefits, there are some that employ an even more sophisticated approach to being eco-friendly. Audubon International has a special division for golf, called the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, in which golf courses can become certified as properties that protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game. One such golf course in Southern California is Barona Creek Golf Club in San Diego, which was certified bronze. Other courses include the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, Glen Annie Golf Club in Goleta, Shadowridge Country Club in Vista, Admiral Baker Golf Course in San Diego, Ashwood Golf Course in Apple Valley, Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert, Shady Canyon Golf Club in Irvine, The Citrus Course at La Quinta Resort and Club, Alta Vista Country Club in Placentia, and Brea Creek Golf Course in Brea. Price: See the SCGA Online Course Directory for prices and directions. Info: acspgolf.auduboninternational.org

For the golf cart: Many companies, like Sun Catcher and Cruise Car, are coming out with solar panel boosters for golf carts, which can reduce electricity costs of charging tired carts while boosting the battery life. These powerful panels normally stick to the top of the cart roof, making for even more opportunity to play that day. Price: Varies by company. Info: www.suncatchergolf.com, www.cruisecarinc.com

The extras: Every year more than 100,000 trees are cut down to make golf tees, but a company called Eco Golf sells, among other things, the original biodegradable golf tee. Called the Eco Endurance tee, it's been on the market for more than a decade, and instead of snapping in half like many wooden tees, they have a game life of several rounds if you don't lose it. Biodegradable tees are also more gentle on maintenance equipment at golf courses. Wooden tees break down the blades of mowers, while eco-friendly tees are softer. Price: Varies by golf shop, see website. Info: www.ecogolf.com

San Antonio is my new love

 

For the last several days I was lucky enough to visit San Antonio, Texas, one of the coolest cities I've yet to grace. It has history, culture and Southern Hospitality, and lots of golf courses to complement.

A testament to the "everything's bigger in Texas" philosophy, the focal point of the visit was the newest Tournament Players Club property, TPC San Antonio. The 36-hole facility has gained a lot of attention for courses that were only opened a matter of months ago: The Greg Norman-designed AT&T Oaks Course, which had Player Consultant Sergio Garcia involved in the work, will host the nationally televised Valero Texas Open May 13-16. The Pete Dye-crafted AT&T Canyons Course is one of the prettiest and most enjoyable resort course layouts in the area. Together, the duo make up a perfect combination of championship golf and a leisurely, but testing, round. 

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem says that TPC San Antonio will be the most ecologically friendly courses built in the United States, soon to be certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. And although San Antonio experienced some unusually wet weather, these courses were tested, and succeeded with flying colors, in their dynamic drainage system. The closed irrigation system allows water that goes through the turf to be captured and recycled; the result is fairways that are nearly dry after a heavy rain, bunkers with no puddling, and firm greens that the ball rolls true on.

The courses aren't the only grandiose part of the property, however.

The Lodging

Opened in January, the adjacent JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is one of the largest and most finely appointed resort and conference centers I've encountered. More than 1,000 rooms make up this Southwest-themed property, with more than 140,000 square feet of meeting space alone. 

Rooms have large balconies, oversized bathrooms with soaking tubs and all of the modern amenities enjoyed at home, like wireless internet, flat-screen TV and oodles of outlets to plug in phones, computers, iPods and other accessories, nearly anywhere in the room. Saddle blankets grace the foot of each bed, while Southern leather accents adorn the headboards. It's a great retreat after a round of golf or a day of conferencing.

Outside of the resort, take a spin down the raging water slide! A literal water park, guests can grab an inner tube and set sail down the slide into the oversized pool, or lounge at an adjacent pool overlooking the 18th hole of the Canyons Course. 

If you had an exceptionally long day on the course like I normally do, a trip to Lantana Spa is in order. Treatments include hot stone, Swedish and deep tissue massage. I recommend services from David, a San Antonio native and avid golfer who can pinpoint areas of the body that are most affected by the golf swing and can be most benefited by massage. Afterward, a few minutes in the Inhalation Room relaxing with the scent of lavender or citrus, followed by a sit in the steam room, will have your golf-torn body feeling rejuvenated.

The Food

One of the cool dining facilities is called High Velocity, a sports bar with massive projection televisions extending the length of the room. The Lobby Bar has a mean blackberry mojito, while Cibola Moon serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a great club sandwich and these cool little biscuits in an iron skillet, compete with fresh, locally made strawberry jam. At the clubhouse, 18 Oaks, considered the fine-dining steakhouse restaurant, offers an amazing filet, comfortable decor and funky Southwest accents, like carved wood lighting and colored glass walls. 18 Oaks overlooks the golf course and is the perfect ending to a perfect round.

The Town

Outside of Hill Country, where the JW Marriott is located, a tourist and local favorite is Riverwalk, a 14-mile stretch of waterway that was originally constructed for flood control, but now is a haven of restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping and other fun attractions that all face the water. Riverwalk is absolutely idyllic; a boat tour meandering through the canals is a great way to learn about the history of the architecture, famous names and other neat things in the area. The Alamo is within walking distance to Riverwalk, which is, as one of my travel mates described, "an incredibly moving reminder of American history."

Another fun stop is Pearl Brewery, built in 1883 and home to the Culinary Institute of America. Pearl is a 22-acre redevelopment that not only includes food and beer, but retail, live/work spaces, galleries, and more. It's a must-see after a day at Riverwalk.

The good folks at the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau know all when it comes to the area, and are a great resource for whatever your trip to San Antonio may contain!

March/April FORE Magazine hits the streets

Hey team, the March/April issue of FORE Magazine has been out for a few weeks and there's been lots of good feedback on the second annual Travel Issue! Take a peek inside for travel features on Sun Valley, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii, as well as the equipment, celeb profiles, faces in the fairway and the other features you've come to love. Flip through now and while you're at it, check out new daily content at scga.org!