Summer 201 5 Departments Contents Novak Djokovic Photo by Luigi Serra ON PAR ON COURT PUBLISHER’S NOTES AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT THE 2015 BNP PARIBAS OPEN ...............................................................9 To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the BNP Paribas Open in 2015, tournament director Steve Simon ON COVER discusses the most memorable moments of this year’s finals matches. ........................................................28 DON FELDER ON THE STAGE AND ON THE GOLF COURSE The famed guitarist has a full and happy INAUGURAL ROSIE CASALS & JACKIE COOPER life post Eagles .......................................................................12 TENNIS INVITATIONAL A SUCCESS Bottom line, it’s all about supporting junior tennis ..........32 STROKE PLAY THE BOB HOPE CLASSIC GETS A NEW NAME, SPOT LIGHT AND NEW BUSINESS MODEL TAYLOR FRITZ ON THE RISE Celebrities are no longer an element of this The young athlete keeps his tennis shoes on the once star-studded tournament ..........................................16 ground while shooting for the stars . ...............................34 THE COURSES OF THE CAREERBUILDER CHALLENGE JACK WHITAKER: THE VOICE OF SPORTS The TPC Stadium Course at PGA West will take Looking back on a storied career. ...................................36 center stage at the 2016 tournament ...............................18 COURSE DESIGN GOLF INSTRUCTION CREATING LAG IN YOUR SWING STRATEGY, INTRIGUE AND CHARACTER Lag creates stored energy and power—exactly That’s the winning design combination in play what’s needed for an efficient swing. .............................38 at Tradition Golf Club ............................................................22 PLAY WORTHY MAPS, DIRECTORIES AND PRIVATE CLUBS STAY & PLAY AT PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO TENNIS CLUBS ....................................................................56 The resort is a short drive from the Coachella GOLF CLUBS .....................................................................64 Valley and has much to offer ...........................................24 On Cover: Don Felder DeSert Golf &tenniS • Summer 201 5 5 Summer 201 5 Lifestyle Contents Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana DESERT GOLF & TENNIS REALTY LUXURY AUTOS THE TESLA MODEL S IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN Tesla’s Mars-loving founder presents one very THE GOOD LIFE cool car to Earthlings ...........................................................50 PREPARING YOUR HOME TO SELL It’s not just about the big things. Small touches STYLE REPORT make a difference, too ........................................................40 STELLA MCCARTNEY DESIGNS FOR THE ATHLETE AND THE AESTHETE Focused on style, comfort and practical functionality, DESERT GOLF & TENNIS LIFESTYLE McCartney’s sports line does it all ......................................52 FINE DINING FINE JEWELRY THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS ALL DRESSED UP DINING IN THE DESERT Sumptuous jewelry adds glamour, pizzazz and Light summer pairings abound across the valley ............42 your own definitive style to a fashion classic ...................54 LUXURY TRAVEL TRAVEL LIKE A ROCK STAR No need to pack your guitar—this resort has one waiting for you .......................................................................46 DeSert Golf &tenniS • Summer 201 5 7 Summer 201 5 Publisher’s notes By timothy J. Pade • [email protected] Yikes! It IS warm! The spectacular May and June we had Open, and when we caught up with him earlier this summer will now turn summer hot. And while much of the country he was looking forward to Wimbledon. Learn more about has more rain than it can handle, the southwest remains this young athlete on pg. 34. parched and dry. Farmers and golf courses throughout the While the BNP Paribas Open is behind us, it’s an event region must survive these dire conditions even as we face well worth a second look. We asked BNP Paribas Open ever-increasing water restrictions. We all must do our part to tournament director Steve Simon to give us an insider’s use less water. Water use aside, summer in the Coachella perspective on the top contested matches of the 2015 Valley continues to be more vibrant each year as many event—excellent reading for any tennis fan. No other event in residents stay here rather than relocating to cooler climates. the Coachella Valley provides a larger economic impact than That means there’s a lot going on, and at Desert Golf & the BNP Paribas Open. Hats off to owner Larry Ellison, CEO Tennis , we have our fingers on the pulse of the valley. Raymond Moore, Tournament Director Steve Simon and In this issue, we are proud to feature rocker Don Felder on Assistant Tournament Director Dee Dee Felich. Read our cover. A musician and former member of the Eagles, Simon’s insights starting on pg. 28. Felder wrote the evocative music for “Hotel California,” one And for those of you looking for a quick getaway during of the band’s most beloved songs. He’s also an avid golfer and the desert’s hottest days, consider Pechanga Resort & Casino, supports many charitable tournaments throughout the a gem tucked in the Temecula Valley just 80 miles southwest United States and here in the Coachella Valley. He has of Palm Springs. Golf, dining and gaming make for an enticing participated in Alice Cooper’s Rock & Roll Golf Classic and in combination. Read about it on pg. 24 the Warburton Celebrity Tournament benefitting St. Jude There are numerous other features in this issue including Children’s Research Hospital, among others in the southwest. a review of luxury automaker Tesla’s latest, the sports fashions We thank Felder for his generosity in giving of his time to of designer Stella McCartney, our local dining guide and our these events and to us at Desert Golf & Tennis . Read about profile on commentating legend Jack Whitaker, a mainstay in him starting on pg. 12 the desert for more than 30 years. Also in this issue is a profile of tennis protégé Taylor Fritz, Enjoy it all, stay cool this summer and please pray for rain! a name you will be hearing on the tennis circuit for years to come. He took second in his division at this year’s French DeSert Golf &tenniS • Summer 201 5 9 Summer 201 5 18th Annual Vol.XViii, no.V Editor/Publisher: TIMOTHY J. PADE Marketing/Promotion: TIMOTHY J. PADE Deputy Articles Editor: CHRISTINE LOOMIS P.O. Box 1158, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Writers: AARON ATWOOD (760) 969-2392 • (800) 858-9677 [email protected] CLIVE CLARK DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX JOYCE HENRY ALISON ELSNER Account Executive CHRIS LEWIS (760) 219-1606 CHRISTINE LOOMIS DUKE GREGORY MATT MCKAY Account Executive KIMBERLY NICHOLS 760-408-6402 FRANÇOISE RHODES [email protected] JENNIE ROBINSON ROB STANGER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EDITOR SUSANNE KEMPER P.O. Box 2537, CH1211 Art Director: MICHAEL UNGER Geneva #2, Switzerland Photography: LUIGI SERRA VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING, HAWAII DIVISION DANE ANDREW KATHRYN HELLER MARC GLASSMAN 469 Ena Road #3507, BILLIE WEISS Honolulu, HI 96815 DICK DURRANCE II Marketing Pacific Northwest Region: KEN E. MAY MARY CONDY JOHN HENEBRY (541) 390-9504 GREGG FELSEN Bend, OR 97702 [email protected] Desert Golf & Tennis is published under ISSN No. 1522-9777 five times a year by Pade Publishing L.L.C., P.O. Box 1158, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted 2015 by Pade Publishing L.L.C., all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the editorial or graphic content of this magazine, without permis sion, in any manner, is prohibited.© To subscribe: 1yr. at $24.75, 2 yrs at $49.50 and 3 yrs. at $74.25. Send check to: P.O. Box 1158, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 TO SUBSCRIBE call: 760-969-2392 or visit dgnt.com Desert Golf & Tennis, LLC President, Timothy J. Pade In Memoriam, Executive Vice President, Ellen Meyer Secretary, Sherwood Steele Legal Counsel, Michael Henson Follow us on facebook at: facebook.com/golfmagazines Search “Desert Golf” on facebook and become a fan for updates and golf promos Desert Golf & Tennis is a division of Pade Publishing, L.L.C. Follow us on twitter at: S ASS’N R O E F T twitter.com/desertgolfguy I A R M W E R F I L C O A G National Photography Award 1st Place International Network of Golf Awards 2004, 2005 & 2008 By Françoise Rhodes on Cover ans imagine a dream world of and then I visit my clothes occasionally.” A string of creative differences private jets, limousines, nonstop He has a sense of humor. eventually broke up the band and lawsuits parties and sleepless nights, and Born in 1957 in Gainesville, Floridas, ensued. The cases were settled out of court, Fthat is the case for some famous Felder became interested in music after but today lawyers are the only form of musicians. For others, however, life is about seeing Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan contact between Felder and former family, giving back, dodging the limelight Show . Set on playing the guitar, at 10 years bandmates Glen Frey and Don Henley. and doing what you love. That’s where old he exchanged a handful of cherry There is, however, life after the Eagles. legendary songwriter and guitarist Don bombs from the 5 & 10-cent store for his Felder’s career is flourishing and he Felder enters the conversation. friend’s guitar. Felder still owns that guitar, currently performs with his fifth career Gone are the shoulder length hair and along with 299 others. He has become group, aptly named The Don Felder brooding eyes. Today, Felder sports short famous not only for his talent in playing the Band. blonde hair, an infectious smile and an guitar but also for the guitars he plays For the guitarist, talk could not turn to enthusiasm for the topic at hand, golf. But when performing, including his Gibson golf fast enough. Stepping back to the early we have our priorities. For the legions of Les Paul and Gibson EDS-1275. 1970s, he says golf came into his life for Felder fans interested in his music first and Felder’s career has been something of a something to do on the weekends.