Well, the rain went away in time for my Sunday morning golf outing but plans have a way of changing. Happenings on Saturday night led me to change them. No, I’m not talking about a hangover; I have played some of my best golf with a hangover.
If you read this site much, you may have noticed I blog a lot about various charities. I wish I was in a position that would allow me to do more but I try to do what I can. Saturday night, we went to a charity event. This time, the proceeds benefited UNICEF. The event was a fancy shindig at Ventura Farms, which is owned by David Murdock, the same billionaire who until recently also owned the nearby Sherwood Country Club (the home of Tiger Woods’ tournament, Target World Challenge).
The event was put on by Linsenhoff-Unicef Stiftung, which is a foundation created under the UNICEF umbrella by Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff. There were maybe 15-20 tables of attendees, many of them horse enthusiasts, given the location and the hostess. Ann Kathrin is an accomplished and award winning dressage rider, and her three top dressage horses are the first “four-legged UNICEF ambassadors.” (She is pictured with them below.) All the prize money they win in competition goes directly into UNICEF projects. Ann Kathrin inherited her equestrian talent and passion from her famous mother, (Liselott Linsenhoff, pictured on the right) who was the first female to win a gold medal in an Olympic equestrian event.
Speaking of famous people
Here in LA LA land, of course there were some celebrities at the event. The only one I could put a name to was Jamie Foxx, but there were several others I knew but didn’t know. You know? UNICEF has a lot of famous supporters and this event was no exception. I’m convinced I would have known more names, but some were so strikingly handsome that my brain turned to Jell-o shutting down my recall mechanism.
Golf outings and puppies
I wish I had the money to bid on the golf trip in the auction. It was a stay and play package at Tehama in Carmel. I’m slobbering now just thinking about it. I can’t quite remember how much it went for but I think it was somewhere in the $5000 neighborhood. In any case, it didn’t get as much as the Labradoodle they auctioned off. What an adorable puppy! They let me hold her when they came by our table and she just couldn’t have been sweeter. Apparently puppies are all the rage at auctions these days which is kind of disturbing to me, but at least she’ll have a nice home and probably a nice nanny all her own. And she earned $10,000 for the foundation, 100% of which goes directly to the children.
Speaking of the children
Ann Kathrin gave a passionate presentation about her travels around the world to visit the children in need. Thankfully, she speaks English quite well as most of the guests did not speak German. I
was profoundly moved by her speech and the progress she was making with her foundation. I wanted to speak with her about how I might help – perhaps by spreading the word or organizing a golf tournament, for example. It turned out that she was flying back to Germany the next day and the only time she could possibly meet with me was while I was supposed to be somewhere on the back nine. My playing partners kept our tee time but I stayed behind in hopes that she would have the time before her flight to meet with me at her hotel. Unfortunately she didn’t but I look forward to being in touch with her to explore the possibilities.
Time to play golf
Naturally, I had my golf clubs and shoes in the car so I headed over to the municipal course closest to her hotel and walked on at 1:30, played the front nine with a father/daughter combo and the back nine with a nice married couple who had moved here from Germany about 5 years ago. I don’t know what the German connection is – maybe I’m supposed to adopt a German Shepherd. I was finished with my round by 5:00 PM, and that 3 hr 30 min round is probably the fastest I’ve ever played that golf course. Maybe the rain the day before scared everyone away, but it was such a beautiful day to play golf. I’m glad I made it out after all, though halfway through the round I almost wished I’d have rented a golf cart because my dogs were aching after a night of dancing in 4 inch heels – for the children.
Next post.
often seen on the golf course and plays in Pro-Ams and celebrity tournaments, and with his six handicap has talked about wanting to turn pro. Whether or not that ever happens, now he’s found a way to be an official part of the PGA Tour without being a member.
time. And now I’m paying with a back injury. I was completely incapacitated for almost four days and, for the first time in my life, absolutely dependent on someone other than myself. My heart goes out to anyone who has ever felt this way and especially to those who live this way. A few days was too much for me.
New month, new ribbon.
Marijuana is a performance enhancer? In golf? Really?
When the LPGA Tour begins its random drug testing next year, one of the substances they’ll be looking for is regular old herb – mary-jane – pot – weed – motivation – whatever you want to call it. I think I’m going to start calling it cannabinoid (’cause it’s fun to say). It’s number 7 on the list:
7. Cannabinoids
The LPGA prohibits the use of cannabinoids (e.g. marijuana), which are considered to be performance enhancing when administered to induce a perceived calming effect.
Okay, let’s see here…
First of all, what if a “perceived calming effect” isn’t why it’s – ahem – administered?
Second, I don’t know about you but I’ve witnessed golfers hitting the pipe on the course (this is Southern California after all) and the effect may indeed be calming but certainly not performance-enhancing. I’m sure a “calming effect” is much more important at that level of competition than to the recreational
smokergolfer, but it seems to me that it would hurt more than it would help.Based on my… research… a better reason to ban cannabinoids on tour is to prevent slow play. Seriously. Ever seen a stoned golfer deliberate over a putt?