First Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore work of art in Florida is a Masterpiece!

Sugarloaf Mountain is best course in Florida PERIOD!

So what makes me an expert in rating a golf course? Twenty-four years in the state, more than 100 courses played among them World Woods, Bay Hill, Isleworth, Lake Nona and a few other top-rated in the Sunshine State. The beguiling, mesmerizing and meditative state inducing Sugarloaf Mountain has no equal. Located in the rolling hills of Minneola, North West of Orlando, it is definitely worth the time, effort and drive to ascend to Sugarloaf Mountain. The temporary clubhouse and the tent covering the carts, gives you the feeling that you are beating the throngs of people for a sneak preview.

Where do I start? The driving range gives you a view like no other ... seeing your ball flying downhill gives you the feeling you are hitting it at least a club longer! Head Professional and General Manager Jim Houston is a gracious host and gave me a personal tour of the golf equivalent of a master painter's work of art. The first tee is located on the highest part of the property and the gentle Ben dogleg left is a solid opening hole. Space does not permit me to elaborate on all the wonderful details, but the orange jasmine is one of my favorite natural accompaniments. The shaping of the bunkers is so natural; it appears they have always been there. Take a look at the attached photo gallery.

The front nine is a wonderfully balanced test of length and precision. The back nine is where the true test unfolds. The vistas are absolutely breathtaking, take time to enjoy them! The 13th hole is the most gorgeous hole with an elevation change of 88 feet. If you stand on the tee and you have not seen the hole before, it is daunting! The blind tee shot into the valley requires a gentle Ben draw, to take advantage of the slope and leaves a long, mid or short iron in, depending on length and direction. The view from the fairway is unprecedented ... downtown Orlando can be seen from the best vantage point on the course! The downhill flight of the ball on the second shot is such an awe inspiring experience, because there are very few golf shots in the world with THAT much elevation change ... WOW!

I have to make special mention of the 17th ... a monster par 3! Two hundred fifty-seven yards from the tips into the most picturesque framed scene on the course. The natural sand framing of the holes, non paved cart paths ... you gotta walk this links track to truly experience the nuances ... and the top of the world location make this a must for every golf aficionado in the country!

A very limited amount of non-member play is offered for a limited time until the membership reaches full capacity and will make it the finest private club experience in Central Florida! For information go to www.themountain.cc ... this opportunity will not last very long ... don't miss it!

I miss Payne Stewart!

It is now almost 8 1/2 years, since we lost a true gentleman of gentleman ... Payne Stewart. When I taped a Fashion demo at The Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta last year, I was priviliged to witness the ceremony for the Payne Stewart award and meet Tracy Stewart in person. Anytime the spirit of Payne touches me, I feel a very special emotion ... I enjoyed so much seeing him play and was always dressed for the occasion. During the one time I spent time with Payne in person during a photo shoot at Isleworth, Payne was his usual self ... needling an enthusiastic fan and fellow clothes horse. The memorial service at the First Baptist church in Orlando, were the most inspiring two hours of my entire life. I had two pair of shoes made identical to Payne's way back and every time I wear them ... my swing seems to have better rhythm.

Recently Payne's spirit has visited in the form of the soon to open Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson Missouri http://www.paynestewartgolfclub.com/, a very special tribute to the life and legacy of Payne. I met Bobby Clampett who is designing the golf course during the recent PGA show and Bobby introduced me to Bob Allen who has the honorable calling of being the Director of Golf. I have become quick friends with Bob Allen and can tell you, that this will be one of the most special experiences in Golf anywhere in the world.

My good friend Robert Lohrer, whom I have known for 15 years through our profession we share, recently wrote a blog on his new web site http://www.styledtoatee.com/ with a wonderful idea. Paul Azinger and Payne were the best of friends, how about the American Ryder Cup team wearing plus fours/knickers during a practice round or competition this September? Payne would have certainly been a Ryder Cup captain by now at age 51. It would be a great tribute to a great man, whose spirit will live forever in the great world of Golf.

Meeting in Style at Pebble Beach

When the conversation takes us to the most special places in Golf, Pebble Beach is always a participant. I was fortunate enough to visit last week for a meeting with Steve Cohen, the founder of The Shivas Irons Society www.shivas.org and Scott Clark, the producer of The Nature of the Game www.thenatureofthegame.com movie.

When entering the gates to 17 mile drive and getting the first glimpse of revered Pebble it is like a look at a fine piece of art ... mesmerizing. Walking up to the lodge for my meeting in the Tap room, three splendidly attired staff members in tam o'shanters greeted me warmly, like a time gone by. The Tap room is a wonderful tribute to the rich history of Pebble Beach with fantastic photographs chronicling the so many golf shots embedded in the lore of Pebble.

After our meeting I meandered the grounds taking in the pro shop with collections of all the big names in the game and the already functional US Open 2010 shop. What impressed me most was the historical reference to the Bing Crosby Clambake - a tournament so rich in golf and celebrity history - with plaques and photographs.

My last few minutes I spent on the veranda overlooking the 18th hole with a glass of Pinot Grigio... taking in the sounds and sights of the spectacular scenery where the Pacific Ocean and nature collaborated on what many people have called the most beautiful place God created to play the glorious game of golf.

I ended the day with eleven holes of golf at Poppy Hills, totally unprepared in dress shoes, dress shirt and gloveless playing with Scott Clark's clubs and carrying Steve Cohen's bag. A spontaneous game with great company at a gem of a course.

May all of us be as fortunate to at least once visit this wonderful testament of virtuosic golf course design, hospitality hearkening back to a different time and a Style that reminds us, that there is a place on our planet that truly inspires.... Pebble Beach!

Shivas Irons Society launches Florida Chapter in Style at The PGA Golf Club April 26

In the Golden Age of Golf, the greats were attired in shirt and tie, plus fours and two-tone spectators. Well, don't be surprised to see some of those ensembles April 26th at The PGA Golf Club, when the Shivas Irons Society launches it's Florida Chapter.

Now in it's 16th year the Society will have a foothold in The Sunshine State. Besides my obvious passion for clothes, I have counted the metaphysical aspect of golf as one of my greatest interests.

The 1972 cult classic Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy upon which' character Shivas Irons the SIS is based, was the true pioneer of an esotericely perceived "movement" at that time, to entering every aspect of mainstream golf today.

With Inner Game of Golf by Timothy Gallwey, Extraordinary Golf and Putting by Fred Shoemaker and Zen Golf by Dr. John Parent as best sellers evolving the genre, we see the presence of "the mental" game on all professional Tours and permeating recreational golf.

Who hasn't experienced that purest golf shot of their life or a round where everything seemed to move in slow motion and we only realized what we had done when we "woke up"? It is those moments or sustained times of effortless virtuosity we all yearn for when we tee it up and the visionaries of human potential in Golf have seen their business blossom.

The Shivas Irons Society has organized a plethora of events all over the country to find true gravity ... with a great sense of camaraderie and a like minded approach to the greatest Game ever played, the events are great experience and ... a lot of fun. So I encourage you to join us on Saturday April 26th at the links like Pete Dye course at the fabulous PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie for an introduction to The Shivas Irons Society, a great round of Golf and ... a Scotch tasting with Chivas Regal.

Now if you show up dressed for the occasion, you may find yourself ending up with The Best Dressed Award, which from the preliminary indications, could be as toughly contested as the Golf.

For registration, click on the following link.
Florida Chapter-Charter Event

In Shivas' spirit and always in Style,

Auke Hempenius