Golf Cognoscente shoot at Stone Eagle in Palm Desert turns out simply ... SPREZZATURA

When five months of work culminate in one big day there is a lot on the line... We as the entire crew of Golf Cognoscente were so fortunate and blessed with all components coming together like MAGIC! It was simply ... Sprezzatura (effortless genius)!

The weather was Desert Supreme on Friday Dec. 5 .... clear and sunny mid-70s. We all arrived a day early on Thursday to scout the Awesome Stone Eagle property in haze and clouds. I had tried to add an automotive component to the shoot but to no avail ... well when we were getting ready to make the hike up to the golf course at 1100 feet of elevation, from the pro-shop this retro sounding car pulled up ... a mint condition Champagne 1940 Packard convertible owned by Stone Eagle member Robert MacLochlen. We found a way to get it ON the driving range by way of gravel path and security gate and it was the perfect Gatsby era prop to our shoot.

We combined an HD Video DVD shoot and photo shoot all in one day and ended up with 3.5 hours of High Definition Video content and 680 photographic images. Our Golf Iconoclasts were Stone Eagle Pro Emeritus Al Geiberger, Ashworth principal partner and creative Director John Ashworth and Renaissance Golf Course Architect Tom Doak.

The format is truly one of a kind. Play golf with our feature subjects of Golf Cognoscente Magazine at a spectacular venue and record it photographically and on HD video to create an authentic and visually compelling new multimedia platform in Golf. Scott Clark played a few holes with Tom Doak, yours truly played a few holes with John Ashworth and Tom Doak and John Ashworth played a few holes with John Ashorth draining a 25 footer on the 18th for a natural birdie! The Fashion shoot took place with the Packard on the range and on 18 and 19! My great friend Al Geiberger was our host and instructed both Tom Doak and myself. He also explained the single pivot technique and put some HONMA equipment to the test.

Over the next couple of weeks I will chronicle the entire shoot, but for now I want to thank my business partner Scott Clark, our videographer Whitey Wilson and our photographer Erika Seress for a Fabulous job pulling this all together. Our Golf Cognoscente marketing partners Antas Golf, Marbas, HONMA, Martin Dingman, Walter Genuin, Esquivel, Dorfman-Pacific, Jox Sox, MacKenzie golf bags and E-motion are true visionary companies for coming on board and sharing our vision.

I would like to thank John Fitzpatrick and Ted Lannon of Stone Eagle for allowing us to shoot at Stone Eagle, which Tom Doak calls his most visually dramatic project above Cape Kidnappers and Pacific Dunes ( I have proof ). It was a fantastic experience to shoot our premier issue at such an AWESOME and unique venue. From the pro-shop staff, to the golf pro, to the food & beverage staff ... the treatment was world-class!

Auke

Golf Cognoscente photo/HD Video DVD shoot set for Stone Eagle

What do you get when you put together like minded luxury Golf companies like HONMA golf equipment, Marbas Italian golf apparel, Martin Dingman leathergoods for life, Antas Golf hand tailored luxury in custom Golf slacks, Walter Genuin golf shoes, Esquivel custom shoes, E-motion sensor controlled electronic caddy, Mackenzie golf bags and Jox Sox ... Golf Cognoscente!

It almost looked like it was not going to happen, let's not pull the wool over the golf ball here ... times are tough these days. But here is proof that execution at a world class level will attract the right marketing partners.

I am delighted to report that John Ashworth will be there to shed his unique perspective on the world of authentic Style in Golf. The hottest Golf course designer on the planet, Tom Doak will "show" us the nuances and intricacies of Stone Eagle ... his gem in Palm Desert. My dear friend Al Geiberger will show us where to hit it at Stone Eagle and will uncover the secrets of the single pivot technique.

Golf Cognoscente will be launched in print at the PGA Merchandise Show with a launch party at HONMA during their first annual Sake-hour the first day of the Show and a cocktail hour at Antas Golf on the second day of the Show. Golf Cognoscente will only be available through our marketing partners and during the PGA Shows in Orlando and Las Vegas.

The shoot will be this Friday and we will share images and footage with our audience soon thereafter.

Stoked.......from Beverly Hills....Auke.

My visit to Stone Eagle and meeting with Mr 59!

I am in AWE of my first visit to Stone Eagle... there is not another golf course that I have ever seen that compares to the uniqueness of it. Masterfully "framed" in a bowl shaped outcropping at 1,100 feet elevation in Palm Desert by renaissance golf course designer Tom Doak, there is such a one-of-a-kind sensibility about the property...it makes you literally feel like you are on TOP OF THE WORLD!

The vista's are grandiose with several viewpoints like the 7th tee where you can see 16 of the 18 holes. It was a visit for Golf Cognoscente, but I knew my good friend Al Geiberger was the pro emeritus. I hadn't seen Al in several years and to my delight he showed up while we were on property. He was pleasantly surprised, since he thought I was still back in Florida. Well....to get a personal tour by Al Geiberger was such a treat. After the tour with Al's expert tips and nuances about the fabulous layout, I can't wait to return and tee it up!

We proceeded to the range and Al hit some balls and let me tell you ... at 71 he still has one of the best swings on the planet! He won his division with Jimmy Powell in Savannah at the Legends this year and I challenged him to play New Port Beach this coming March.

It was a delightful day at a memorable venue, which we are looking forward to feature on the cover of the premier issue of GCQ.

We appreciate the hospitality by Ted Lennon and John Fitzpatrick and Al, it was great to see you, I'll be back soon!

In AWE.....Auke.