Interview with 'Golf in the Kingdom' Producer Mindy Affrime

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Golf in the Kingdom Producer Mindy Affrime, about the history of the movie.

"When I was working at Warner Brothers I got pitched on Golf in the Kingdom. I read the book and it really spoke to the way I played golf. I used to play on late Friday afternoons in Mill Valley by myself and experienced the sublime qualities that golf offers, like merging with nature, opportunity for reflection and quieting the mind. I loved the book and through a friend at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, I called Michael Murphy the author. We had a great conversation ... back in 1989.

We met in Saucilito, hit it off, came back to Hollywood and wrote him a check. Clint Eastwood got word of the movie project and wanted to meet with us. After a meeting with Michael, myself and Clint, Michael said:"I can't think of anybody better to make Golf in the Kingdom."

Clint has been a great supporter of the GITK project and calls it his golf "bible."

A few years ago Clint relinquished his rights to the movie, for Michael and myself to independently create a movie that reflects the authenticity and integrity of the greatest Golf novel ever written."

Tune in next week to see how next year on the 20th anniversary of that fateful first conversation Golf in the Kingdom will become a reality in 2009!

In Shivas' spirit,

Auke

'Golf in The Kingdom' pre-production set

The pre-production for the movie Golf in the Kingdom is set for Nov. 15 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. Stay tuned for my next blog, where I will be posting my interview with Mindy Affrime, the movie's producer. For more information on Golf in the Kingdom go to www.findshivas.com.

Always fashionable
Auke

adidas group acquires Ashworth Inc.

In a development rumored in the golf business over the last couple of weeks, adidas group has acquired all outstanding Ashworth shares for $ 1.90 a share equaling 72.8 million in cash. The acquisition will give Ashworth the global clout of a power house of an athletic brand and the resources to accomplish what Ashworth could not accomplish on it's own ... deep penetration in all golf channels globally!

With John Ashworth's return to his namesake brand last year, insiders expected a quick turn around from the dismal developments in the last decade. It wasn't that easy.....distribution mistakes and lack of creativity in design left deeper scars than expected. Now with the new owners, who know a thing or two about global domination and fierce competition, I have a feeling we will see the Ashworth Eddie Fadel imagined when he returned to Ashworth.

John Ashworth at the helm creatively with unrivaled designs and a return to the glory days of the early 90s! Let's hope that the adidas group respects the talents of Eddie Fadel and John Ashworth and let's this dynamic duo run Ashworth the way it should have been run for the last 10 years.

This also signifies the recognition of a smart global business entity that a Golf apparel company should be run by knowledgeable insiders, instead of by a board made up of hedge fund financial "experts", who don't have a clue about the Golf business!

Golf Cognoscente to launch at PGA Show in Orlando

How does it feel to go against the grain of gloom and doom ... I am happy to say ... FABULOUS!!!!

Who in the right mind would think of launching a new multimedia project in Golf right now? I'll go with the words of Joe Puskarich of Foundation Golf custom slacks...."You are considered a renegade in the Golf business." ... I'll take that quote any day and proudly wear the title of renegade.

When a labor of love comes to fruition, it seems like it has a self propelling energy ... like-minded people create this "fraternity" and it grows from there. I have to say a large part of the mind boggling progress of Golf Cognoscente is word of mouth -- six degrees of separation? Try one degree of separation ... everybody involved in our project seems to know just the right people!

From our visit to other worldly Stone Eagle in Palm Desert or as I like to say "On top of the world" with my dear friend Al Geiberger, to a conversation with Todd Rohrer of MacKenzie Golf Bags saying: " I don't know what I can contribute financially, but I want to be a part of this." ... to Eddie Fadel, president of Ashworth giving us the supreme compliment:" Having John Ashworth on the cover is a BIG deal!"

Let me not omit my good friend and net worker extraordinaire Scott Clark, president of Lost Ball Productions in San Francisco, who at 32? ... has the art of networking down like nobodies business! Scott from me to you, it is a privilege to work with you!

Ooohhh ... how about The Shivas Irons Society and it's fearless leader Steve Cohen? Let me tell you, if you are a Golf Aficionado you just HAVE to join. Visit www.shivas.org and give them some money for a membership ... it will be the best money you spend in 2008!

I guess it is apparent by now, that we LOVE what we do and we just can't wait to have everybody share in what we believe will redefine the Golf publishing and HD/video business as we know it. Golf Cognoscente -- the authority on the luxury lifestyle of Golf!

What a Scottish affair in Beverly Hills!

Monday night was transformed into a premier movie kind of night with the entire cast of Golf in the Kingdom present at the Glenfiddich tasting at Cavallini! Everyone had a great time tasting the Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch, the gourmet cheeses from the Cheese Impresario and enjoying the fabulous products of Cavallini Italian Clothier and Leon's jewelry of Beverly Hills.

If the atmosphere was any indication, the shooting of the movie in Bandon Dunes will be a well-oiled affair. David O'Hara was the perfect example of a Scottish "gentle" man, making those smooth Glenfiddich shots disappear in the blink of an eye. With the entire creative team present, Cavallini was transformed in Golf Movie Central, with networking between movie moguls and L.A. executives.

Stay tuned to the Aukesphere for the latest news on the production of what promises to be a Golf movie classic with the best dressed golfers of all time ... Golf in the Kingdom!