This summer, big changes are coming to one of Marina, California’s top seaside destinations. The Sanctuary Beach Resort enjoys an enviable location on Monterey Bay between Carmel Valley and the Marina Dunes Preserve. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this hotel takes pride in its connection to the California coast. In June 2024, The Sanctuary Beach Resort will take its love for local landscapes to the next level by launching 60 thoughtfully reimagined rooms and suites. Here are a few of the Earth-friendly features you can look forward to at this luxurious eco-lodge.
“The Sanctuary Beach Resort provides more than just an uninterrupted seaside escape. It’s an invitation to reconnect with yourself, others and nature,” the resort explains on its website.
Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort
The Sanctuary Beach Resort’s eco-lodge offerings
The resort enlisted interior design and architecture firm FAROUKI FAROUKI to incorporate locally-made artwork and wellness-focused elements into the soon-to-be-unveiled rooms and suites. But these changes represent just one part of The Sanctuary Beach Resort’s connection to nature, sustainability, and wellness.
Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort
Earth-conscious efforts throughout the resort (and its restaurant Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette) are what make this destination so appealing to adventurers seeking an eco-lodge experience. Protected areas across the property help preserve local flora. Gardens incorporate native and drought-resistant plants. The beachfront cottages even provide visitors with organic, vegan-friendly bath products from Grown Alchemist.
Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort
According to a recent press release, “With close proximity to such ecological wealth, The Sanctuary is committed to prioritizing eco-conscious practices and urging guests to appreciate the dunes through guided walking explorations and protective areas with educational signage to deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation for this unique ecosystem.”
Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary Beach Resort
Travelers curious to explore The Sanctuary’s nature-focused programs can enjoy everything from beach yoga and guided nature walks to Coastal Jazz Nights. Guests who want to upgrade their seaside relaxation can also check out the resort’s spa for holistic wellness treatments. Discover more about the hotel, its programs, and its green initiatives here.
Former Oakland Raider and University of Washington running back Napoleon Kaufman was announced as the Dublin High School head coach.
The legend of Napoleon Kaufman continues as the former California prep star, University of Washington standout, and Oakland Raiders running back has been hired as head coach of the Dublin High School football team in California.
He will replace Brandon Black, who became head coach of Granada High School (Livermore, Calif.) earlier this month.
Kaupman has a track record of high school dominance. As a teenager, he broke 1,000 rushing yards as a sophomore, got 2,953 all-purpose yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior, and as a senior, rushed for 1,960 yards and 34 touchdowns despite injuries as he led Lompoc High School to a CIF state championship, according to the Dublin Gaels website. The USA TODAY First Team All-American was also a track star, winning CIF titles in the 100- and 200-meter races.
At Washington from 1991-94, he became the lead back as a sophomore, breaking 1,000 yards in each of his final three seasons and averaging 1,345 rushing yards and 23.5 rushing touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons, still standing as one of just three Huskies running backs to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Kaufman was a first-round draft pick by the Raiders, where he spent six seasons and rushed for about 4,800 yards.
According to the Gaels site, Kaufman coached his sons in the Pleasanton Junior Football League for almost a decade and then became their head coach at Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) in 2014. He spent six years as head coach of the program, winning a championship in 2016 and recording a record of 51-25 overall during his tenure.
According to the Mercury News, Kaufman has been a pastor at a nearby church for the Last Four Years.
Now he’s back on the sideline, taking over for the Dublin team that went 25-21 over five years with Black as the head coach. After going 6-4 in 2022, the Gaels went 5-5 in 2023.
Check out the photos of the renovated host site for the 2024 men’s and women’s NCAA Championships.
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California, has announced June 1 as the full reopening date of its Championship Course, which has been rebranded the North Course after an extensive renovation by the architectural team of Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner.
The opening to resort guests and members follows the NCAA Division I Women’s (May 17-22) and Men’s (May 24-29) Championships on the North Course. The layout is also slated to host those college championships in 2025 and 2026.
Hanse and Wagner implemented significant changes to the North layout. Among the renovations: A new drivable par-4 11th was built, the green of the par-3 16th was repositioned in a fashion reminiscent of Augusta National Golf Club’s No. 12, and the par-5 18th was stretched to more than 600 yards with water on both sides of the fairway.
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California (Courtesy of Omni La Costa Resort and Spa)
The revised layout will feature six sets of tees that play from 4,500 to 7,500 yards. Other changes include transitioning irrigation lines that will continue to use reclaimed water, the removal of several man-made ponds and the reintroduction of natural barrancas that feature drought-tolerant and native species of plants.
“The North Course is now positioned to return to its stature as one of the top venues for championship golf in Southern California,” Hanse said in a media release announcing the opening date and completion of work. “We were able to combine a respect for the natural contours, landforms and vegetation with an emphasis on strategic design. This combination of beauty and interest should prove enjoyable for everyday play by members and resort guests, while asking compelling questions to be answered by the best players in the world during championship events.”
Originally designed by Dick Wilson and opened in 1965, the North layout had been renovated previously several times. It was part of a resort with a tournament pedigree that includes hosting the PGA Tour’s Mercedes Championship from 1969 to 1998, the inaugural WGC-Accenture Match Play in 1999 and the LPGA’s Kia Classic in 2010 and 2012.
The resort also announced its Legends Course has been rebranded to South Course. Both the North and South were the courses’ original names before being changed to Champions and Legends.
A renovated guest room at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California (Courtesy of Omni La Costa Resort and Spa)
The resort also will feature a reimagined practice facility designed by Beau Welling that will include Toptracer technology. It’s all part of an extensive multi-year renovation to the entire resort that stretches from guest rooms and villas to the spa, lobby bar and meeting spaces.
“Working with the ‘best of the best’ course architects like Gil Hanse and his design team is a prime example of our continued commitment and investment to be in the highest echelons of U.S. golf destinations,” the resort’s managing director, Craig Martin, said in the media release. “This transformation signals a full return to championship glory at Omni La Costa and joins the now-completed renovation of the property as a whole resulting in an elevated experience for our members and resort guests to enjoy for decades to come.”
Located about half an hour outside of California’s capital city of Sacramento, the town of Folsom is known for many things. If you’re a Johnny Cash fan, you probably recognize this city as the site of the musician’s famous Folsom State Prison shows. But for runners, Folsom may be better known as the home of the American River 50-Mile Endurance Run.
Self-described as “the second largest 50 miler in the United States,” the race starts in Folsom and challenges participants to reach the nearby city of Auburn. The 2024 American River 50-Mile winners all managed to complete this grueling course in under seven hours. First-place winner Jayson Hefner from Fairfield, California, completed the race with a time of 6:46:08. Check out more stats from the race here, and see some incredible photos and videos from the event below!
The two men wore tactical gear and night-vision goggles when they set out with AR-style weapons and killed three burros.
Two men pleaded guilty Monday to federal criminal charges of shooting and killing three wild burros in California’s Mojave Desert.
Christopher James Arnet, 32, of Loveland, Colo., and Cameron John Feikema, 36, of Yorba Linda, Calif., each pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and “maliciously” killing a burro on public lands.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both men wore tactical gear, ballistic helmets and night-vision goggles when they set out with AR-style weapons on Nov. 5, 2021, near Yermo in San Bernardino County.
At about 1 a.m. on Nov. 6 they teamed to fire 13 rounds, killing three burros.
According to their plea agreements, one burro was paralyzed in its hind quarters with a spine shot by Arnet before it eventually died.
During the Bureau of Land Management investigation, the weapons used in the shootings were seized at Arnet’s and Feikema’s residences. The firearms, including a short-barreled rifle, were not registered.
The men forfeited the weapons, tactical gear, and 4,000 rounds of ammunition.
Both men face up to 11 years in federal prison. On Monday in Riverside, U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal scheduled their sentencing hearings for July 8.
Celebrity sightings probably aren’t what draws most hikers to the great outdoors. Still, for fans of people like Taylor Swift, the chance to see your favorite star can be excellent motivation to explore a new trail. If you’re curious to discover a hiking hotspot frequented by celebrities like Swift, Ed Sheeran, and RuPaul, make your way to Los Angeles, California’s Franklin Canyon Park.
Visitors will find this lovely nature retreat tucked away between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. Rumor has it that couples like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis love to hike the trails within Franklin Canyon Park. In 2013, Taylor Swift and friend Ed Sheeran were even spotted hiking in the park. Swift was seen hiking Franklin Canyon again in 2019, with then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
Want to check out Franklin Canyon Park for yourself? While you’ll want to check the park’s official website for any closures, the area welcomes anyone looking for a place to unwind and escape the city. Get a sense of the area and learn what to expect there with the gallery of Franklin Canyon Park trail photos below.
Juli Inkster recalls being an impatient player when she turned pro and joined the LPGA in 1983.
Juli Inkster recalls being an impatient player when she turned pro and joined the LPGA in 1983, the first step of what would become an LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame career. And while Inkster won an LPGA event in 1983 and two majors in 1984, including the Nabisco Dinah Shore in Rancho Mirage, California, she wants others to heed her advice about taking their time.
“It’s all about a process. It’s not ‘I need to win now,’” said Inkster, the part-time La Quinta resident and winner of 31 LPGA titles. “I hate to say it, but I was super impatient myself. You’ve got to just kind of let it happen. Let it come to you.”
That’s just part of the advice Inkster was dispensing this month as a mentor for budding women’s golf star Jenny Bae, the 2023 winner of the Inkster Award. As part of that award, given to the highest-ranking Division I collegiate golfer in her final year of eligibility, Bae earned a mentoring retreat with Inkster at Tradition Golf Club in La Quinta.
“She’s talked to me a lot ever since I got off the flight,” said Bae, a former top player at the University of Georgia who set numerous school records as well as going to a playoff at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur before falling to Rose Zhang. “I’ve been just starting to warm up with all my questions for her.”
Bae is the fourth winner of the Inkster Award sponsored by Workday, something that Inkster, a four-year player at San Jose State and a three-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, hopes is different from other postseason golf awards. Inkster wanted to honor golfers who stay in school rather than leave after a year or two for the professional life.
“As an amateur, you could go to the LPGA qualifying school and if you make it, you can get your card and you can leave (school), so you can start on the LPGA in January,” Inkster said. “But as a college coach or a college player, you are taking your best player off the team and you might have a chance to win a national championship. And now that’s gone.’
“So my thing was to reward a person who stays all four years in college, or five as it is now. Workday was great, because they are our South Bay company, which is where I’m at,” Inkster added.
Juli Inkster during the second round at the 2019 Senior LPGA Championship. Photo: Rick Sharp
The other key was Inkster didn’t want to just hand over a trophy to the winner. She wanted to have an impact as a mentor, something she did for dozens of players in her more active days on the LPGA.
“I wanted something that I could put my hands on and kind of make a difference,” Inkster said. “College golf, everything is done for you. What to eat, all your travel, what tournaments you play in. All of a sudden on the LPGA, it is just really different. So I wanted to give them one, the opportunity to come out and play a couple of days and talk about what they are going through. I also want them to know that they can call me any time and ask questions.”
The money helps, too
The award also comes with $50,000, something that Bae has already appreciated as she starts her pro career. In just 10 starts on the Epson Tour last year, Bae won two tournaments, and the $50,000 was important to her start.
“I can’t lie, it was one of the small issues that I have is financial. How we are going to move, where we are going to stay and all,” Bae said. “It really helped a lot. It allowed me not to have to worry about the financial piece and just also gave me that space to grow up and compete and do what I love.”
At Tradition, Bae not only had a chance to talk with Inkster, but played a round with Inkster as well as major championship winners Ingee Chun and Danielle Kang. But Bae also took the chance to ask Inkster about professional life seriously.
“I’ve actually put a lot of thought in this. She told me scheduling and being able to prepare for everything first, before I even had a chance to ask her. So that was actually great,” Bae said. “This morning I asked her about mental golf. There are a lot of distractions out there but also a lot of people who are able to help me. And maybe I just haven’t had the chance to meet them. So I asked her a few things about that.”
For Inkster, the ability to talk to young players lets her fall back on the experiences she’s had over 40 years as a pro.
“I’ve gone through it all. I’ve been on top, been on the bottom, raised kids,” Inkster said. “Golf is super hard. You can have a lot of success in college and all of a sudden you come out on the LPGA and it is really hard. And they don’t really have anyone to talk to. I’m kind of that.”
Architect Jay Blasi shares how he reshaped Golden Gate Park Golf Course into a community treasure.
Editor’s note: Architect Jay Blasi works with Golfweek as a rater ambassador and contributes occasional stories.
Golden Gate Park Golf Course is what is right about golf. It is accessible, affordable, playable, sustainable and charitable.
Most importantly, it is repeatable. Every city in America, big or small, could have its own version of Golden Gate Park, and our communities and our game would be better off for it.
The course officially reopens Friday, Feb. 16 after The First Tee of San Francisco invested $2.5-million in a 2023 renovation that I had the good fortune to design.
Perched on a small parcel packed with sand dunes and majestic cypress trees just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean, the course is expected to host 40,000+ rounds a year. Highlights and results of the work include each of the following:
Accessible: The course is located in San Francisco, within Golden Gate Park, a few hundred yards from the beach. Golfers can arrive on foot, by bike, by bus or by car. The course is nine holes of par 3s and is an easy walk for all. The clubhouse and practice greens will be open to all and are certain to become a community hub.
Affordable: The course will cost between $20 and $25 for locals or around $40 to $50 for out-of-town guests. Children – including those who participate in First Tee or Youth on Course programs – will pay even less. That’s compared to $75 to $120 at several other top par-3 layouts.
Playable: The tees, fairways and surrounds are all maintained at fairway height, and there are no forced carries. The course plays firm and fast, so balls roll – even topped shots. Players of all skill levels, including first-timers, will be able to enjoy the course. It can be played with just a putter if golfers want to try it.
Sustainable: The smaller footprint and use of fescue turf will make Golden Gate Park Golf Course one of the most efficient users of water and chemicals in the U.S. golf industry. The single height of grass allows the maintenance team to mow the whole facility quickly. The use of only one formal bunker means all raking can be done in one minute.
Charitable: The First Tee makes the course available to its students for practice and play. The kids are learning valuable lessons that will enrich the community for decades to come. By investing in the course and offering an architecturally interesting layout, beginners will get hooked on the game.
Repeatable: Golden Gate Park Golf Course sits on only 20 acres of land. It was designed in a way that the man-hour equivalent of 2.5 employees can maintain the course. The money invested in the course came from wealthy local golfers and corporations that wanted to support underprivileged kids through golf. This formula can work in New York, Dallas, Denver, Seattle and Atlanta. It also can work in smaller towns in every region of the country.
These putting green heat maps are among the hottest on Tour. Check out the slopes.
Riviera Country Club – one of the highest-ranked courses on the PGA Tour schedule each season – was designed by George C. Thomas and William P. Bell and opened in 1927 in Pacific Palisades, California. It hosts the 2024 Genesis Invitational this week.
Riviera will play to 7,322 yards with a par of 71 for the Genesis Invitational.
Thanks to yardage books provided by StrackaLine – the maker of detailed yardage books for thousands of courses around the world – we can see exactly the challenges the pros face this week at Riviera.
How well do you know Pebble Beach? StrackaLine offers a detailed look.
Pebble Beach Golf Links in California – the main course to be used in three rounds of the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am –was designed by amateur architects Douglas Grant and Jack Neville and opened in 1919.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of two courses to host the Pro-Am. Also in play for the first two rounds will be Spyglass Hill Golf Club designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Each player has one round on each course before the cut, then the final two rounds will be at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
The famed Pebble Beach layout on cliffs above Stillwater Cove and the Pacific Ocean has seen many renovations over the decades, including work done by William Herbert Fowler, Alister MacKenzie, H. Chandler Egan, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and others.
Thanks to yardage books provided by StrackaLine – the maker of detailed yardage books for thousands of courses around the world – we can see exactly the challenges the pros face this week at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
