Tag: Point

Johnson with title to defend, point to prove at Pebble

Johnson with title to defend, point to prove at Pebble

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PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Dustin Johnson returns to Pebble Beach with conflicting emotions.Rare is a defending champion who is looking for redemption.Johnson has a chance to make history as the first player to win three successive years at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am since this iconic event began in 1937.Forgotten is how he built a four-shot lead in 2009 and was declared the winner when rain cut the tournament short to 54 holes. Or how he smashed one last drive to set up an easy birdie from the bunker on the final hole last year for a one-shot victory.No, the lasting image of Johnson at Pebble Beach comes from the U.S. Open last summer.He had a three-shot lead going into the final round when he took two chips from the rough – one of them left-handed – and took a triple bogey on the second hole. Then came an aggressive play with the driver on No. 3 that he hooked into the bushes for a lost ball. His tee shot on the fourth went into the ocean.It added to a colossal collapse in his first chance to win a major. Johnson closed with an 82, the highest final round by a 54-hole leader at the U.S. Open in nearly 100 years.He had yet to get out to Pebble Beach by Wednesday, and planned to play only a couple of holes before sneaking over to Cypress Point. Johnson has moved into the celebrity rotation, meaning he will play Monterey Peninsula on Thursday and Spyglass Hill on Friday before he gets his first crack at Pebble Beach.Which memories will come back?“Neither,” Johnson said. “I’m just coming out to play the golf course. It’s still good, even though the last time I played it I struggled a little bit. But I’m still excited to get back out there and play. I’m always going to love this golf course, no matter what. I’m just ready to get back out and play.”But then he paused, and offered a slight smile.“Get a little redemption for the last round of the Open,” he said.Johnson does not lose confidence easily. Despite a round that would haunt some players, he was right back in the mix two months later at the PGA Championship, poised to win another major until he failed to realize he was in a bunker on a Whistling Straits course that has too many bunkers to count. Instead of getting into a playoff, he wound two shots behind. Unfazed, Johnson won the BMW Championship a month later to mark himself as a rising star.That’s not to say he hasn’t learned from his mistakes, especially at Pebble Beach.Johnson attributes his U.S. Open blunders to playing and thinking too quickly. He is among the fastest players in the game, and Johnson spent the latter part of last year trying to slow down.“In the first couple of rounds, I might get a little quick,” he said. “I probably need to do it more in the first, second and third rounds than I do in the final round. The final round is when you’re thinking and you’re more conscious of what’s going on. That’s when it’s most important, when you’re under the gun and when you’ve got a shot to win.“Slow for me is still pretty fast,” he said. “I’ve got to feel like I’m moving pretty slow, which probably isn’t slow.”The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am gets under way Thursday with the usual suspects – Johnson going for a third straight win, Phil Mickelson trying to find momentum sometime before the Masters, Davis Love III playing for the 25th consecutive year, and Padraig Harrington making his PGA Tour debut.Harrington was on his way out to Pebble Beach for a practice round when he bumped into Johnson. He stopped to shake hands and pass along a playful message.“I’m trying to take the trophy off your hands this week,” Harrington said.“Good luck,” Johnson said with a delivery that Clint Eastwood could appreciate.Johnson might not be on top of his game as he was a year ago, when he was coming off a runner-up finish at Riviera. His season began with a couple of top 10s, including an outside chance to win at Torrey Pines.He made more news for his relationship with LPGA player Natalie Gulbis that surfaced at Kapalua, whatever that relationship was.Even so, he gets most of his attention on the course.“We’ve never had an athlete like that play this tour,” Paul Goydos said. “He’s the best athlete that I can think of who’s playing out here. It’s ridiculous to watch this guy work out. He’s a tremendous talent who can do things that very few people have ever been able to do.”Johnson nearly had a chance to win as a rookie until he chopped up the 14th hole. He followed that with two victories.He is not sure why he has such an affinity for Pebble Beach. He just does.“I’m very comfortable out here,” he said. “I think I’ve got this course figured out pretty well. I tend to play it pretty well. Confidence is huge, especially playing golf. If you’re confident you’re going to play well on the golf course, most of the time you do.”More information at http://www.shoppinginjoy.com/TaylorMade+Burner+20+Iron+Set-goods-981.html



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Paradise Point Offers Perfect Tropical Vacation

Paradise Point Offers Perfect Tropical Vacation

Most California residents think they have to get on an airplane and fly 3,000 miles to visit Hawaii. Truth be told, all they have to do is hop in their car and head south on Interstate 5.

Okay, it’s not exactly the same, but San Diego’s Paradise Point Resort and Spa has pulled out all the stops to re-create many of the islands’ charms. To begin with, it’s on an island. Then factor in the lush old-growth palm trees – groves of them – that make the 44-acre resort feel in many ways like CoCo Palms, the famous resort on Kauai where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii. Throw in some tiki torches, beaches, lagoons, lush gardens and plenty of birds, turtles and other wildlife, and you have Hawaii, the California version.

Oh, did we mention it’s also right next door to one of the most popular theme parks in California – SeaWorld? You’re starting to get the picture. Paradise Point has to be considered one of California’s best kids’ resorts with its many recreational opportunities and special features. Located on Mission Bay, many of the resort’s bungalows have waterfront views across the bay to Pacific Beach and the hills of La Jolla. Other bungalows are on various lagoons and waterways situated throughout the resort property. With numerous swimming pools and beaches, water recreation is never far away, and families will enjoy – as we did – discovering all the resort’s nooks and crannies by riding bicycles through the property and an adjacent waterfront park.

While the resort features several tennis courts, croquet and other family activities, a unique feature is the 18-hole putting golf course. A lot like a miniature golf course, the green is woven throughout the resort’s tropical landscaping and easy for all ages to enjoy. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, it’s easy for even non-golfers to pretend they’re teeing up on one of Hawaii’s famous golf courses.

With so many fun family activities, it’s no wonder that Paradise Point was the resort selected by the TV show Jon and Kate Plus Eight when they brought the family to the San Diego area. This, of course, was a major selling point for our nine-year-old daughter who couldn’t wait to vacation in the same place as Jon and Kate.

Our one-bedroom bungalow was on a horseshoe-shaped beach with plenty of sand and calm water for swimming. Outside, there were chairs to sit and enjoy the view as well as a lawn area to play. Inside, the bungalow was completely furnished and featured two stylish easy chairs, a coffee table and sleeper-couch as well as a dinette set in the main open area of the unit. Adjacent was a wet bar with a refrigerator. The bedroom featured a king bed with a decorative headboard and other modern bedroom furniture. A bath/shower combination was flanked on both sides by vanities. Throughout the bungalow, the warm designer colors and special decorative touches made the unit look and feel like it had just been updated – which it had as part of a major renovation just completed.

This is a resort where you keep on finding new things to catch your interest and we enjoyed meandering the grounds and finding such things as Spa Terre where even children are value customers. Mom and daughter can get a side-by-side massage, or there are such things as ice cream pedicures and finger painting kids manicures. Or try the Clean for Teen Facial. But careful – get those kids hooked on spas and your future resort bills will never be the same.

For lunch, we’d highly recommend the Barefoot Bar and Grill with one of San Diego’s best waterfront views and plenty of that Hawaiian style landscaping to transport you to a different world. The kids will enjoy watching the sharks and other fish in the bar’s lagoon, while the outdoor patio will have you alternating glances between the boats going by and the beautiful people sitting next to you. The food at Barefoot is top-notch with burgers, hot sandwiches and salads the main fare.

We also had the opportunity to dine at the resort’s BALEENsandiego, a stylish restaurant with an impressive array of dishes. Known for its seafood and incredible views, we found it also does really well with its fire-roasted meats and desserts to die for. The chef here obviously puts in the effort to make this one of San Diego’s finest restaurants and both Baleen and the Barefoot Bar are easily accessible not only for Paradise Point guests, but also for San Diego visitors staying at other properties. Either restaurant would be an excellent choice for a special meal out.

Mission Bay is well situated and quite near such attractions as the SeaWorld, the San Diego Waterfront, Old Town, and La Jolla.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Paradise Point Resort and Spa is on its own island in the middle of Mission Bay, just minutes off Interstate 5, but a world apart.

WHAT: Paradise Point is an island that lives up to its name, surrounded by the water of Mission Bay, a popular place for both residents and tourists to walk, jog or bike, or participate in water activities. It’s an excellent choice for couples or families.

WHEN: Any time of year. Even in winter, the temperatures are in the 60’s and the odds are that you’ll get a fair amount of sunshine.

WHY: Paradise Point offers you the ability to stay in one area and still have a vacation full of activities, or you are well situated for an easy drive to nearby points of interest such as SeaWorld, downtown San Diego, Pacific Beach or La Jolla.

HOW: For more information on Paradise Point Resort and Spa, call 800-344-2626.

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California spa vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Washington vacation ideas as well as other Pacific Northwest travel destinations.